a5466988.htm
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 June 30, 2007
OR
[    ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 001-12669


SCBT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

South Carolina
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
57-0799315
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

520 Gervais Street
Columbia, South Carolina
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
29201
(Zip Code)

 (800) 277-2175
(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 [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.)
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 issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

Class
Common Stock, $2.50 par value
Outstanding as of July 31, 2007
9,201,078
 
 

 
 
SCBT Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
June 30, 2007 Form 10-Q

INDEX
 
 
 
    
Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
         
  Item 1.   Financial Statements  
         
      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2007, December 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006
         
      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
         
      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
         
      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
         
      Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
         
  Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
         
  Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
         
  Item 4.   Controls and Procedures
         
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION   
         
  Item 1.   Legal Proceedings
         
  Item 1A.   Risk Factors
         
  Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
         
  Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities
         
  Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 
         
  Item 5.    Other Information
         
  Item 6.     Exhibits

 

              
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SCBT Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except par value)

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
   
June 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2006
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Note 1)
   
(Unaudited)
 
ASSETS
                 
Cash and cash equivalents:
                 
   Cash and due from banks
  $
57,595
    $
45,460
    $
72,916
 
   Interest-bearing deposits with banks
   
2,929
     
2,946
     
6,877
 
   Federal funds sold and securities
                       
     purchased under agreements to resell
   
37,500
     
30,000
     
9,500
 
               Total cash and cash equivalents
   
98,024
     
78,406
     
89,293
 
Investment securities:
                       
   Securities held to maturity
                       
      (fair value of $15,685, $18,271 and $13,926, respectively)
   
15,816
     
18,112
     
13,820
 
   Securities available for sale, at fair value
   
208,440
     
182,113
     
184,744
 
   Other investments
   
10,686
     
10,166
     
12,475
 
               Total investment securities
   
234,942
     
210,391
     
211,039
 
Loans held for sale
   
28,092
     
23,236
     
29,602
 
Loans
   
1,806,013
     
1,760,860
     
1,646,228
 
   Less unearned income
    (13 )     (30 )     (54 )
   Less allowance for loan losses
    (23,369 )     (22,668 )     (21,214 )
               Loans, net
   
1,782,631
     
1,738,162
     
1,624,960
 
Premises and equipment, net
   
51,182
     
48,904
     
47,057
 
Goodwill
   
32,313
     
32,313
     
32,313
 
Other assets
   
47,767
     
47,001
     
36,663
 
                Total assets
  $
2,274,951
    $
2,178,413
    $
2,070,927
 
                         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                       
Deposits:
                       
   Noninterest-bearing
  $
285,155
    $
256,717
    $
275,179
 
   Interest-bearing
   
1,498,114
     
1,449,998
     
1,348,059
 
               Total deposits
   
1,783,269
     
1,706,715
     
1,623,238
 
                         
Federal funds purchased and securities
                       
  sold under agreements to repurchase
   
200,989
     
203,105
     
140,283
 
Other borrowings
   
100,882
     
90,416
     
141,723
 
Other liabilities
   
19,975
     
16,289
     
11,165
 
               Total liabilities
   
2,105,115
     
2,016,525
     
1,916,409
 
                         
Shareholders' equity:
                       
   Common stock - $2.50 par value; authorized 40,000,000 shares;
                       
      9,195,057, 8,719,146 and 8,685,774 shares issued and outstanding
   
22,988
     
21,798
     
21,714
 
   Surplus
   
108,055
     
92,099
     
91,233
 
   Retained earnings
   
42,846
     
51,508
     
44,452
 
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (4,053 )     (3,517 )     (2,881 )
               Total shareholders' equity
   
169,836
     
161,888
     
154,518
 
               Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $
2,274,951
    $
2,178,413
    $
2,070,927
 
 
The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.
1

 
SCBT Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,   
   
June 30,   
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
Interest income:
                       
   Loans, including fees
  $
34,125
    $
29,771
    $
67,106
    $
56,944
 
   Investment securities:
                               
      Taxable
   
2,519
     
2,141
     
4,836
     
3,991
 
      Tax-exempt
   
314
     
269
     
643
     
562
 
   Federal funds sold and securities
                               
     purchased under agreements to resell
   
490
     
161
     
1,069
     
657
 
   Deposits with banks
   
42
     
47
     
82
     
84
 
            Total interest income
   
37,490
     
32,389
     
73,736
     
62,238
 
Interest expense:
                               
   Deposits
   
12,995
     
9,474
     
25,487
     
17,640
 
   Federal funds purchased and securities
                               
      sold under agreements to repurchase
   
2,240
     
1,500
     
4,545
     
2,983
 
   Other borrowings
   
1,729
     
1,855
     
3,498
     
3,674
 
            Total interest expense
   
16,964
     
12,829
     
33,530
     
24,297
 
Net interest income:
                               
   Net interest income
   
20,526
     
19,560
     
40,206
     
37,941
 
   Provision for loan losses
   
800
     
1,522
     
1,582
     
2,668
 
            Net interest income after provision for loan losses
   
19,726
     
18,038
     
38,624
     
35,273
 
Noninterest income:
                               
   Service charges on deposit accounts
   
3,639
     
3,339
     
7,043
     
6,476
 
   Secondary market mortgage fees
   
1,761
     
1,429
     
3,385
     
2,531
 
   Bankcard services income
   
1,038
     
859
     
2,016
     
1,638
 
   Trust and investment services income
   
651
     
540
     
1,274
     
1,017
 
   Securities gains (losses), net
   
42
     
--
     
42
     
--
 
   Other
   
665
     
495
     
1,322
     
1,035
 
            Total noninterest income
   
7,796
     
6,662
     
15,082
     
12,697
 
Noninterest expense:
                               
   Salaries and employee benefits
   
11,382
     
10,012
     
22,304
     
19,827
 
   Furniture and equipment expense
   
1,300
     
1,170
     
2,594
     
2,324
 
   Net occupancy expense
   
1,237
     
1,044
     
2,338
     
2,060
 
   Advertising and marketing
   
842
     
741
     
1,447
     
1,435
 
   Professional fees
   
525
     
479
     
1,009
     
988
 
   Amortization
   
213
     
199
     
426
     
398
 
   Other
   
3,619
     
3,108
     
7,570
     
6,088
 
            Total noninterest expense
   
19,118
     
16,753
     
37,688
     
33,120
 
Earnings:
                               
   Income before provision for income taxes
   
8,404
     
7,947
     
16,018
     
14,850
 
   Provision for income taxes
   
2,833
     
2,946
     
5,237
     
5,063
 
            Net income
  $
5,571
    $
5,001
    $
10,781
    $
9,787
 
Earnings per share:
                               
   Basic
  $
0.61
    $
0.55
    $
1.17
    $
1.07
 
   Diluted
  $
0.60
    $
0.54
    $
1.17
    $
1.06
 
                                 
Dividends per share
  $
0.17
    $
0.17
    $
0.34
    $
0.34
 
                                 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
                               
   Basic
   
9,190
     
9,115
     
9,184
     
9,109
 
   Diluted
   
9,220
     
9,209
     
9,214
     
9,208
 
 
The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.
2

 
SCBT Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
                           
Accumulated
       
                           
Other
       
   
Common Stock
         
Retained
   
Comprehensive
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Surplus
   
Earnings
   
Loss
   
Total
 
                                     
Balance, December 31, 2005
   
8,644,883
    $
21,612
    $
90,481
    $
37,614
    $ (1,304 )   $
148,403
 
Comprehensive income:
                                               
   Net income
   
--
     
--
     
--
     
9,787
     
--
     
9,787
 
   Change in net unrealized loss on securities  
                                           
     available for sale, net of tax effects
   
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
      (1,577 )     (1,577 )
                    Total comprehensive income
                                           
8,210
 
Cash dividends declared at $.34 per share
   
--
     
--
     
--
      (2,949 )    
--
      (2,949 )
Stock options exercised
   
12,910
     
32
     
194
     
--
     
--
     
226
 
Employee stock purchases
   
3,549
     
9
     
92
     
--
     
--
     
101
 
Restricted stock awards
   
27,035
     
68
      (68 )    
--
     
--
     
--
 
Common stock repurchased
    (2,603 )     (7 )     (74 )    
--
     
--
      (81 )
Share-based compensation expense
   
--
     
--
     
608
     
--
     
--
     
608
 
Balance, June 30, 2006
   
8,685,774
    $
21,714
    $
91,233
    $
44,452
    $ (2,881 )   $
154,518
 
                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2006
   
8,719,146
    $
21,798
    $
92,099
    $
51,508
    $ (3,517 )   $
161,888
 
Comprehensive income:
                                               
   Net income
   
--
     
--
     
--
     
10,781
     
--
     
10,781
 
   Change in net unrealized loss on securities  
                                           
     available for sale, net of tax effects
   
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
      (536 )     (536 )
                    Total comprehensive income
                                           
10,245
 
Cash dividends declared at $.34 per share
   
--
     
--
     
--
      (3,096 )    
--
      (3,096 )
Stock options exercised
   
5,830
     
15
     
94
     
--
     
--
     
109
 
Employee stock purchases
   
4,835
     
12
     
136
     
--
     
--
     
148
 
Restricted stock awards
   
31,956
     
80
      (80 )    
--
     
--
     
--
 
Common stock repurchased
    (2,474 )     (6 )     (86 )    
--
     
--
      (92 )
Share-based compensation expense
   
--
     
--
     
634
     
--
     
--
     
634
 
Common stock dividend of 5%, record date, March 9, 2007
   
435,764
     
1,089
     
15,258
      (16,347 )    
--
     
--
 
Balance, June 30, 2007
   
9,195,057
    $
22,988
    $
108,055
    $
42,846
    $ (4,053 )   $
169,836
 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements
3

 
SCBT Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
 (Dollars in thousands)
 
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,   
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
   Net income
  $
10,781
    $
9,787
 
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
               
      used in operating activities:
               
         Depreciation and amortization
   
2,053
     
1,492
 
         Provision for loan losses
   
1,582
     
2,668
 
         Share-based compensation expense
   
634
     
608
 
         (Gain) loss on disposal of premises and equipment
   
33
      (5 )
         Net accretion of investment securities
    (111 )     (19 )
         Net change in loans held for sale
    (4,856 )     (16,640 )
         Net change in miscellaneous assets and liabilities
   
2,931
     
853
 
               Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
   
13,047
      (1,256 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
   Proceeds from maturities and calls of investment securities held to maturity
   
3,040
     
5,572
 
   Proceeds from maturities and calls of investment securities available for sale
   
18,966
     
12,381
 
   Proceeds from sales of other investment securities
   
4,051
     
317
 
   Purchases of investment securities held to maturity
    (752 )     (1,213 )
   Purchases of investment securities available for sale
    (46,129 )     (45,926 )
   Purchases of other investment securities
    (4,571 )     (1,870 )
   Net increase in customer loans
    (46,582 )     (112,092 )
   Recoveries of loans previously charged off
   
532
     
340
 
   Purchases of premises and equipment
    (3,982 )     (5,291 )
   Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment
   
41
     
381
 
               Net cash used in investing activities
    (75,386 )     (147,401 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
   Net increase in deposits
   
76,554
     
149,950
 
   Net decrease in federal funds purchased and securities sold under
               
      agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings
    (1,616 )     (10,381 )
   Proceeds from FHLB advances
   
155,000
     
5,000
 
   Repayment of FHLB advances
    (145,050 )     (7,050 )
   Common stock issuance
   
148
     
101
 
   Common stock repurchased
    (92 )     (81 )
   Dividends paid
    (3,096 )     (2,949 )
   Stock options exercised
   
109
     
226
 
               Net cash provided by financing activities
   
81,957
     
134,816
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
19,618
      (13,841 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
78,406
     
103,134
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $
98,024
    $
89,293
 
 
The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.
4

 
SCBT Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Certain prior period information has been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.  Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2007.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2006, has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

The information contained in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes included in the SCBT Financial Corporation’s (the “Company”) annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 should be referenced when reading these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which permits all entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value.  The fair value option may be elected for an individual item without electing it for other identical items.  Unrealized gains and losses on eligible items measured at fair value must be reported in current earnings.  Upfront costs and fees related to such items must also be recognized in current earnings as incurred.  Early adoption is permitted subject to certain conditions.  The statement will be effective as of the start of the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007 and may not be applied retrospectively to prior fiscal years.  The Company does not anticipate that the statement will have a material effect on its financial statements when the statement becomes effective.

On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. The adoption of FIN 48 had no significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.  It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties accrued relative to unrecognized tax benefits in its respective federal or state income taxes accounts.  As of January 1, 2007, there were no interest and penalties.  The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated United States federal income tax return, as well as income tax returns for its subsidiaries in the state of South Carolina.  The Company’s filed income tax returns are no longer subject to examination by taxing authorities for years before 2003.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R), which revises the reporting of assets and liabilities for pensions and other post-retirement benefits.  The new standard requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan (other than a multi-employer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive income.  This statement requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position, with limited exceptions.  The Company adopted Statement 158 for the year ended December 31, 2006, except for the requirement to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end statement of financial position which will be effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008.  Before adoption, the Company recognized a prepaid pension cost in other assets for its pension retirement plan and an accrued pension cost for its post-retirement benefits plan.  After adoption, the Company recognizes an accrued pension cost in other liabilities for its pension retirement plan and an increase in the accrued pension cost for its post-retirement benefits plan.  The accrued pension cost is the equivalent of the underfunded status on a projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) basis for its retirement plan and post-retirement benefit plan as of the plans’ measurement date of October 31, 2006.
 
5

 
Note 2 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which provides a common definition of fair value and a framework for measuring assets and liabilities at fair values when a particular standard prescribes it.  In addition, the statement prescribes a more enhanced disclosure of fair value measures, and requires a more expanded disclosure when non-market data is used to assess fair values.  The statement will be effective January 1, 2008.  The Company does not anticipate that the statement will have a material effect on its financial statements when the statement becomes effective.

In September 2006, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 06-4, Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements and Issue No. 06-5, Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance—Determining the Amount That Could Be Realized in Accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin, No. 85-4.  EITF 06-4 requires that policyholders recognize a liability for the postretirement benefits provided through endorsement split-dollar life insurance.  The liability to recognize is dependent upon whether the Company is deemed to have promised a death benefit to the participant or to maintain the split-dollar arrangement for the participant’s benefit.  EITF 06-5 provides guidance for calculating policy amounts that could be realized and recognized as assets on the policyholder’s balance sheet.  Both EITF 06-4 and 06-5 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007.  The Company does not anticipate that these Issues will have a material effect on its financial statements.

In March 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets. Statement No. 156, which is an amendment to Statement No. 140, simplifies the accounting for servicing assets and liabilities, such as those common with mortgage securitization activities.  The new standard clarifies when an obligation to service financial assets should be separately recognized as a servicing asset or a servicing liability; requires that a separately recognized servicing asset or servicing liability be initially measured at fair value, if practicable; and permits an entity with a separately recognized servicing asset or servicing liability to choose either the amortization method or fair value method for subsequent measurement.  Statement No. 156 is effective for separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006, with early adoption permitted.  Adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

In February 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Instruments, which is an amendment of Statements No. 133 and 140.  Statement No. 155 allows financial instruments that have embedded derivatives to be accounted for as a whole (eliminating the need to bifurcate the derivative from its host) if the holder elects to account for the whole instrument on a fair value basis.  The statement also clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of Statement No. 133; establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation; clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded derivatives; and amends Statement No. 140 to eliminate the prohibition on a qualifying special-purpose entity from holding a derivative financial instrument that pertains to a beneficial interest other than another derivative financial instrument.  Statement No. 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006.  Adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.
 
6

 
Note 3 – Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company's loan portfolio is comprised of the following:
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
   
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2006
 
Real estate:
                 
Commercial
  $
875,021
    $
835,892
    $
751,555
 
Consumer residential mortgage
   
232,044
     
238,672
     
234,149
 
Consumer construction and development
   
189,277
     
196,285
     
192,963
 
Commercial
   
204,881
     
190,635
     
171,962
 
Firstline
   
138,673
     
144,910
     
144,555
 
Consumer
   
127,924
     
130,596
     
126,290
 
Other loans
   
38,193
     
23,870
     
24,754
 
Total loans
   
1,806,013
     
1,760,860
     
1,646,228
 
Less, unearned income
    (13 )     (30 )     (54 )
Less, allowance for loan losses
    (23,369 )     (22,668 )     (21,214 )
Loans, net
  $
1,782,631
    $
1,738,162
    $
1,624,960
 
 
An analysis of the changes in the allowance for loan losses is as follows:
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
   
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2006
 
                   
Balance at beginning of period
  $
22,668
    $
20,025
    $
20,025
 
Loans charged-off
    (1,413 )     (3,438 )     (1,819 )
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off
   
532
     
813
     
340
 
Balance before provision for loan losses
   
21,787
     
17,400
     
18,546
 
Provision for loan losses
   
1,582
     
5,268
     
2,668
 
Balance at end of period
  $
23,369
    $
22,668
    $
21,214
 
 
Note 4 – Deposits

The Company's total deposits are comprised of the following:
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
   
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2006
 
                   
Certificates of deposit
  $
809,936
    $
793,540
    $
681,156
 
Money market accounts
   
572,344
     
579,398
     
587,485
 
Transaction accounts
   
285,155
     
256,717
     
275,179
 
Savings accounts
   
114,544
     
76,734
     
78,202
 
Other
   
1,290
     
326
     
1,216
 
    $
1,783,269
    $
1,706,715
    $
1,623,238
 
 
The aggregate amount of time deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more at June 30, 2007, December 31, 2006, and June 30, 2006 was $369,052,000, $371,517,000 and $298,829,000, respectively.
 
7

 
Note 5 – Retirement Plans

The Company and its subsidiaries provide certain retirement benefits to their employees in the form of a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan and an employees’ savings plan.

The non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covers all employees hired on or before December 31, 2005, who have attained age 21, and who have completed one year of eligible service.  Effective January 1, 2006, amendments were made to the Company’s pension plan.  On this date, a new benefit formula applies only to participants who have not attained age 45 or who do not have five years of service.

The components of net periodic pension expense recognized during the three and six months ended June 30 are as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,   
   
June 30,   
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Service cost
  $
167
    $
155
    $
333
    $
312
 
Interest cost
   
231
     
206
     
461
     
411
 
Expected return on plan assets
    (301 )     (276 )     (601 )     (553 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    (43 )     (43 )     (86 )     (86 )
Recognized net actuarial loss
   
104
     
93
     
209
     
186
 
Net periodic pension expense
  $
158
    $
135
    $
316
    $
270
 
 
The Company contributed $189,000 and $378,000, respectively, to the pension plan for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and anticipates making similar additional contributions during the remainder of the year.

Electing employees are eligible to participate in the employees’ savings plan, under the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k), after attaining age 21.  Plan participants elect to contribute portions of their annual base compensation as a before tax contribution.  The Company matches 50% of these contributions up to a 6% employee contribution for employees hired before January 1, 2006 who were age 45 and higher with five or more vesting years of service.  The Company matches 100% of these contributions up to a 6% employee contribution for current employees under age 45 or with less than five years of service.  Employees hired on January 1, 2006 or thereafter will not participate in the defined benefit pension plan, but will receive the Company’s 100% matching of their 401(k) plan contributions, up to 6% of salary.

Employees can enter the savings plan on or after the first day of each month.  If an employee does not elect to defer at least 2% of his or her salary by the election date, the Company will automatically enroll the employee and defer 2% of his or her salary within the savings plan.  If the employee does not elect an investment allocation, the plan administrator will select a retirement-based portfolio according to the employee’s number of years until normal retirement age.  The employee may terminate participation if the employee affirmatively elects to do so.  The plan’s investment valuations are now generally provided on a daily basis.
 
8

 
Note 6 – Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during each period.  The Company’s diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during each period plus the maximum dilutive effect of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.  The weighted-average number of shares and equivalents are determined after giving retroactive effect to stock dividends and stock splits.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,   
   
June 30,   
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
Basic earnings per share:
                       
Net income
  $
5,571
    $
5,001
    $
10,781
    $
9,787
 
                                 
Weighted-average basic shares
   
9,189,677
     
9,115,013
     
9,183,613
     
9,109,248
 
Basic earnings per share
  $
0.61
    $
0.55
    $
1.17
    $
1.07
 
                                 
Diluted earnings per share:
                               
Net income
  $
5,571
    $
5,001
    $
10,781
    $
9,787
 
                                 
Weighted-average basic shares
   
9,189,677
     
9,115,013
     
9,183,613
     
9,109,248
 
Effect of dilutive stock options
   
29,965
     
93,679
     
30,354
     
98,761
 
Weighted-average dilutive shares
   
9,219,642
     
9,208,692
     
9,213,967
     
9,208,009
 
Diluted earnings per share
  $
0.60
    $
0.54
    $
1.17
    $
1.06
 
 
The calculation of diluted earnings per share excludes outstanding stock options that have exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common shares.  The number of shares in this category was 41,445 with a range in exercise price of $37.70 to $39.74 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007.  The number of shares in this category was 7,000 with an exercise price of $34.46 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006.

Dividends per share are calculated using the current number of common shares issued and outstanding at the record date for any dividends paid during the reported periods.

Note 7 – Share-Based Compensation

The Company’s 1999 and 2004 stock option programs are long-term retention programs intended to attract, retain, and provide incentives for key employees and non-employee directors in the form of incentive and non-qualified stock options and restricted stock.  With the exception of non-qualified options granted to directors under the 1999 and 2004 plans, which in some cases may be exercised at any time prior to expiration and in some other cases may be exercised at intervals less than one year following the grant date, incentive stock options granted under the plans may not be exercised in whole or in part within one year following the date of the grant, as these incentive stock options become exercisable in 25% increments ratably over the four year period following the grant date.  The options are granted at an exercise price at least equal to the fair value of the common stock at the date of grant and have terms of ten years.  No options were granted under the 1999 plan after January 2, 2004, and the plan is closed other than for any options still unexercised and outstanding.  The 2004 plan is the only plan from which new share-based compensation grants may be issued.  It is the Company’s policy to grant options out of the 661,500 shares registered under the 2004 plan.
 
9

 
Note 7 – Share-Based Compensation (continued)

Activity in the Company’s stock option plans is summarized in the following table.  All information has been retroactively adjusted for stock dividends and stock splits.
 
         
Weighted-
 
         
Average
 
   
Number of
   
Exercise
 
 Options
 
Shares
   
Price
 
             
Outstanding at January 1, 2007
   
308,368
    $
24.26
 
Granted
   
41,445
     
39.25
 
Exercised
    (5,964 )    
18.19
 
Expired/Forfeited
    (270 )    
29.54
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2007
   
343,579
     
26.17
 
                 
Exercisable at June 30, 2007
   
246,783
     
23.03
 
                 
Weighted-average fair value of
               
options granted during the year
  $
9.25
         
 
The fair value of options is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and expensed over the options’ vesting periods.  The following weighted-average assumptions were used in valuing options issued:

 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,  
 
2007
 
2006
       
Dividend yield
1.88%
 
2.16%
Expected life
7 years
 
10 years
Expected volatility
18%
 
19%
Risk-free interest rate
4.65%
 
4.69%
 
The Company from time-to-time also grants shares of restricted stock to key employees and non-employee directors.  These awards help align the interests of these employees and directors with the interests of the Company’s shareholders by providing economic value directly related to increases in the value of the Company’s stock.  The value of the stock awarded is established as the fair market value of the stock at the time of the grant.  The Company recognizes expenses, equal to the total value of such awards, ratably over the vesting period of the stock grants.  Grants to employees have typically vested over a 48-month period either ratably or all at once.  Grants to non-employee directors typically vest within a 12-month period.

Nonvested restricted stock for the six months ended June 30, 2007 is summarized in the following table.  All information has been retroactively adjusted for stock dividends and stock splits.
 
         
Weighted-
 
         
Average
 
         
Grant-Date
 
 Restricted Stock
 
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
             
Nonvested at January 1, 2007
   
50,883
    $
27.32
 
Granted
   
33,127
     
37.82
 
Vested
   
13,662
     
27.82
 
Forfeited
   
44
     
27.29
 
Nonvested at June 30, 2007
   
70,304
     
32.27
 
 
10

 
Note 7 – Share-Based Compensation (continued)

As of June 30, 2007, there was $2,792,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.72 years.  The total fair value of shares vested during the six months ended June 30, 2007 was $797,000.

Note 8 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

In the normal course of business, the Company makes various commitments and incurs certain contingent liabilities, which are not reflected in the accompanying financial statements.  The commitments and contingent liabilities include guarantees, commitments to extend credit, and standby letters of credit.  At June 30, 2007, commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit totaled $411,370,000.  The Company does not anticipate any material losses as a result of these transactions.
 
11

 
Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations relates to the financial statements contained in this quarterly report beginning on page 1.  For further information, refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Overview

SCBT Financial Corporation, headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, is a bank holding company incorporated under the laws of South Carolina in 1985.  We provide a wide range of banking services and products to our customers through our wholly-owned subsidiaries:  South Carolina Bank and Trust, N.A. and South Carolina Bank and Trust of the Piedmont, N.A., both national banks that opened for business in 1934 and 1996, respectively.  We engage in no significant operations other than the ownership of these banking subsidiaries.

At June 30, 2007, we had approximately $2.3 billion in assets and approximately 650 full-time equivalent employees.  Through our banking subsidiaries we provide our customers with checking accounts, NOW accounts, savings and time deposits of various types, brokerage services and alternative investment products such as annuities and mutual funds, trust and asset management services, business loans, agriculture loans, real estate loans, personal use loans, home improvement loans, automobile loans, credit cards, letters of credit, home equity lines of credit, safe deposit boxes, bank money orders, wire transfer services, correspondent banking services, and use of ATM facilities.

The following discussion describes our results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2006 as well as results for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, and also analyzes our financial condition as of June 30, 2007 as compared to December 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006.    Like most financial institutions, we derive most of our income from interest we receive on our loans and investments.  Our primary source of funds for making these loans and investments is our deposits, on which we may pay interest.  Consequently, one of the key measures of our success is our amount of net interest income, or the difference between the income on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the expense on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits.  Another key measure is the spread between the yield we earn on these interest-earning assets and the rate we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities.

Of course, there are risks inherent in all loans, so we maintain an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible.  We establish and maintain this allowance by charging a provision for loan losses against our operating earnings.  In the following section, we have included a detailed discussion of this process.

In addition to earning interest on our loans and investments, we earn income through fees and other expenses we charge to our customers.  We describe the various components of this noninterest income, as well as our noninterest expense, in the following discussion.

The following section also identifies significant factors that have affected our financial position and operating results during the periods included in the accompanying financial statements.  We encourage you to read this discussion and analysis in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes and the other statistical information also included in this report.

Recent Events

In April 2007, we moved a South Carolina Bank and Trust limited-service branch to a full-service branch location on Broad Street in Charleston, SC.

Results of Operations

We measure our progress based on the results of soundness, profitability, and growth.  Our banks achieved record results during the second quarter of 2007.  These results were achieved as the banking industry continues to experience ongoing challenges in a difficult interest rate environment, in a slowing economy, and with a rise in credit costs.  We are very proud of the results our team produced despite these challenges.  Our company achieved an increase in consolidated net income compared to the second quarter of 2006, maintained exceptional credit quality, and continued to make growth investments for the future.  The following key operating highlights for the second quarter of 2007 are outlined below:
 
12


·  
Consolidated net income increased 11.4% to $5.6 million from $5.0 million in the second quarter of 2006.
·  
Diluted earnings per share increased 11.3% to $0.60 from $0.54 for the same period last year.
·  
A 17.0% increase in noninterest income and increases in earning assets led to higher consolidated net income for the second quarter of 2007.
·  
We experienced a slight increase in return on average assets of 1 basis point and a strong 20 basis point increase in return on average equity compared to June 30, 2006.  Return on average tangible equity decreased both on a quarter-to-quarter comparison and on a year-to-date comparison.  The decrease resulted from a smaller change in net unrealized loss on securities available for sale, net of tax, for the period compared to the prior period in 2006 which caused average equity to increase faster than net income.  On a linked quarter basis, all of the ratios reflect solid increases.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,   
   
June 30,   
 
Selected Figures and Ratios
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Return on average assets (annualized)
    1.00 %     0.99 %     0.98 %     0.99 %
Return on average equity (annualized)
    13.27 %     13.07 %     13.08 %     13.01 %
Return on average tangible equity (annualized)
    16.82 %     17.08 %     16.64 %     17.07 %
Average shareholders' equity (in thousands)
  $
168,376
    $
153,416
    $
166,273
    $
151,670
 
 
Our consolidated earnings growth reflected the continued strong profitability of our bank subsidiaries during the second quarter of 2007.  South Carolina Bank and Trust had net income of $5.3 million and South Carolina Bank and Trust of the Piedmont had net income of $722,000 during this period.

Net Interest Income and Margin

Summary

We have been able to increase non-taxable equivalent (“non-TE”) net interest income despite the flat to slightly inverted yield curve.  We actually experienced net margin expansion compared to the first quarter of 2007 by 7 basis points.  While rates on interest-bearing liabilities increased generally more than asset yields, growth in interest-earning assets contributed to higher net interest income for the quarter.  Taxable equivalent (“TE”) net interest margin decreased 22 basis points from the second quarter of 2006, but increased 5 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2007.  We believe that we will continue to experience a slowing in the secular trend of net interest margin compression.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,   
   
June 30,   
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Non-TE net interest income
  $
20,526
    $
19,560
    $
40,206
    $
37,941
 
Non-TE yield on interest-earning assets
    7.22 %     6.91 %     7.20 %     6.79 %
Non-TE rate on interest-bearing liabilities
    3.84 %     3.22 %     3.83 %     3.11 %
Non-TE net interest margin
    3.96 %     4.17 %     3.92 %     4.14 %
TE net interest margin
    3.99 %     4.21 %     3.96 %     4.18 %
 
Non-taxable equivalent net interest income increased 4.9% in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006.  For the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to June 30, 2006, non-taxable equivalent net interest income increased 6.0%.  Some key highlights are outlined below:

·  
Average earning assets increased 10.8% to $2.1 billion in the second quarter compared to the same period last year.  The increase is primarily reflected within commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans.
·  
Non-taxable equivalent yield on interest-earning assets for the second quarter of 2007 increased 31 basis points from the comparable period in 2006, and by 41 basis points for the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to the comparable period in 2006.  The yield on a portion of our earning assets adjusts simultaneously, but to varying degrees of magnitude, with changes in the general level of interest rates.
·  
The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the second quarter of 2007 increased 62 basis points from the same period in 2006, and by 72 basis points on a year-to-date basis comparing 2007 to 2006.  This is a reflection of the impact of rising rates on the banks’ sources of funding and continued competitive deposit pricing in selected products and markets.  Increases in rates paid on certificates of deposit, money market deposits, and federal funds purchased primarily drove the increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
·  
Tax equivalent net interest margin at June 30, 2007 was 3.99%, compared to 3.94% at March 31, 2007, or 5 basis points higher.  Compared to prior year’s second quarter, TE net interest margin compressed by 22 basis points.
 
13

 
Loans

Growth in commercial real estate and commercial non-real estate drove the increase in total loans from the comparable period in 2006.  Total loans grew 9.7% from the balance at June 30, 2006 and 2.6% from the balance at December 31, 2006.  Loans are our largest category of earning assets and commercial real estate loans represent approximately 38.0% of our total loans.  Commercial real estate in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements also includes owner occupied commercial real estate not reflected in the percentage above.  Consumer construction and development loans represent 11.2% of our total loan portfolio.  Consumer construction and development loans are comprised of $148.9 million in lot loans and $52.6 in construction loans which represent 8.2% and 2.9%, respectively, of our total loan portfolio.  Loans outstanding (excluding loans held for sale) at June 30, 2007 were $1.8 billion compared to $1.6 billion at June 30, 2006.  Loans outstanding include unearned income.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,   
   
June 30,   
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Average total loans
  $
1,783,715
    $
1,634,556
    $
1,774,970
    $
1,601,966
 
Interest income on total loans
   
33,691
     
29,472
     
66,333
     
56,461
 
Non-TE yield
    7.58 %     7.23 %     7.54 %     7.11 %
 
Interest earned on loans increased 14.3% in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the second quarter of 2006, and increased 17.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to June 30, 2006.  Some key highlights are outlined below:

  ·  
Average total loans increased 9.1% leading to a mostly volume-driven increase in interest income.  We experienced more fixed rate loan production which we primarily sold through the secondary market.  As a result, our secondary market mortgage fees increased while our total loans grew more slowly than in prior quarters.
·  
Commercial real estate loans (including owner occupied commercial real estate) increased 16.4% to $875.0 million from the amount at June 30, 2006.
·  
Commercial non-real estate loans increased 19.1% to $204.9 million from the amount at June 30, 2006.
·  
Our non-taxable equivalent yield increased by 35 basis points compared to the yield for the second quarter of 2006, and 43 basis points for the six months ended June 30, 2006.

Investment Securities

We use investment securities, the second largest category of earning assets, to generate interest income through the employment of excess funds, to provide liquidity, to fund loan demand or deposit liquidation, and to pledge as collateral for public funds deposits and repurchase agreements.  We increased the size of our investment portfolio and kept its composition relatively consistent with a bias towards increasing purchases of US government agency bonds rather than mortgage-backed securities.  We continued our approach of lengthening the average life of the portfolio as interest rates increased and in light of our expectation that the Federal Reserve will not increase its targeted level for the federal funds interest rate.  At June 30, 2007, investment securities were $234.9 million, compared to $210.4 million at December 31, 2006 and $211.0 million at June 30, 2006.
 
14

 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,   
   
June 30,   
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Average investment securities
  $
227,343
    $
205,348
    $
220,822
    $
197,297
 
Interest income on investment securities
   
2,833
     
2,410
     
5,479
     
4,553
 
Non-TE yield
    5.00 %     4.71 %     5.00 %     4.65 %
 
Interest earned on investment securities increased 17.6% in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the second quarter of 2006, and increased 20.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to June 30, 2006.  The increases resulted both from higher average outstanding balances and higher yields.

Although securities classified as available for sale may be sold from time to time to meet liquidity or other needs, it is not our normal practice to trade this segment of the investment securities portfolio. While management generally holds these assets on a long-term basis or until maturity, any short-term investments or securities available for sale could be converted at an earlier point, depending partly on changes in interest rates and alternative investment opportunities.

Interest-Bearing Liabilities
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,   
   
June 30,   
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Average interest-bearing liabilities
  $
1,772,683
    $
1,599,127
    $
1,765,578
    $
1,576,790
 
Interest expense
   
16,964
     
12,829
     
33,530
     
24,297
 
Average rate
    3.84 %     3.22 %     3.83 %     3.11 %
 
Interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities increased 32.2% in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the second quarter of 2006, driven largely by increases in savings deposits, certificates of deposit (“CD”) and federal funds purchased.  In addition, we experienced a 62 basis point increase in the average rate on all interest earning liabilities with increases in every category.  On a year-to-date basis, interest expense increased 38.0%, again reflective of increases in the average balances of savings deposits, CDs and federal funds purchased, and reflective of the increase in the average rate on all interest earning liabilities of 72 basis points on a year-to-date basis.  Some key highlights are outlined below:

·  
Average interest-bearing deposits for the three months ended June 30, 2007 grew 10.5% as compared to the same period in 2006, while on a year-to-date basis the increase was 11.9%.
·  
Interest-bearing deposits grew 11.1% to $1.5 billion at June 30, 2007 from the period end balance at June 30, 2006 and increased $48.1 million or 6.6% annualized from the balance at December 31, 2006.
·  
Average federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase increased 33.8%, up $50.0 million from the average balance in the second quarter of 2006.  On a year-to-date basis, the increase was 32.2%, or $49.2 million.  The Federal Reserve has maintained the federal funds rate at 5.25%.
·  
Average CDs increased $117.7 million causing interest expense to increase by $2.7 million for the second quarter of 2007 compared to the second quarter of 2006.  On a year-to-date basis, average CDs increased $128.4 million and interest expense increased $6.1 million.
·  
On a linked-quarter basis, interest expense on average interest bearing liabilities increased $398,000 driven substantially by a $23.8 million higher average balance of savings deposits along with an 87 basis points increase in average rate.  Additionally, a slight increase in the average balances of CDs and a 2 basis point increase in the average rate contributed approximately $195,000 of the increase.

Noninterest-Bearing Deposits

Deposit growth continued to remain strong in the quarter-to-quarter and the linked-quarter comparison.  We continued to see steady growth in the number of transaction accounts and savings accounts.  Our customers opened approximately 10,000 new demand deposit checking accounts during the first half of 2007, a slight decrease from openings in the number of accounts during the first half of 2006.  Noninterest-bearing deposits grew $10.0 million, or 3.6%, in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the second quarter of 2006.  Compared to the first quarter of 2007, noninterest-bearing deposits grew $12.1 million, or 4.4%, to $285.2 million at June 30, 2007.
 
15


Provision for Loan Losses and Nonperforming Assets

We have established an allowance for loan losses through a provision for loan losses charged to expense.  The allowance for loan losses represents an amount that we believe will be adequate to absorb probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible.  We assess the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses by using an internal risk rating system, independent credit reviews, and regulatory agency examinations—all of which evaluate the quality of the loan portfolio and seek to identify problem loans.  Based on this analysis, management and the board of directors consider the current allowance to be adequate.  Nevertheless, our evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant change.  Actual losses may vary from our estimates, and there is a possibility that charge-offs in future periods could exceed the allowance for loan losses as estimated at any point in time.  We expect loan charge-off levels in 2007 to be approximately in line with prior years.

The provision for loan losses for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 was $800,000 compared to $1.5 million in the comparable period last year and $782,000 in the first quarter of 2007.  The provision reflects a slight increase in our allowance for loan losses due to some new loan growth compared to the first quarter of 2007 and very low net charge-offs during the second quarter of 2007.  Some key highlights regarding the second quarter asset quality are outlined below:

·  
Nonperforming loans totaled $4.3 million, or 0.24% of period-end loans.
·  
The allowance for loan losses was $23.4 million, or 1.29% of total loans at June 30, 2007, and $22.7 million, or 1.29% of outstanding loans at December 31, 2006.
·  
The current allowance for loan losses provides 5.42 times coverage of period-end nonperforming loans.
·  
The allowance provides approximately 15.14 times coverage of second quarter annualized net charge-offs.
·  
Net charge-offs during the quarter ended June 30, 2007 were $386,000, compared to $495,000 in the first quarter of 2007, and $1,105,000 in the second quarter of 2006
·  
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average annualized loans was 0.09% during the second quarter of 2007, a significant decrease from 0.27% in the comparable quarter of 2006.  In May 2006, the Company experienced a large charge off driven primarily by a single customer relationship.  On a linked-quarter basis, the ratio decreased from 0.11%.

The sub-prime mortgage industry continues to experience credit problems.  We have virtually no participation in this product line and our credit quality remains very strong.

Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”)

OREO includes certain real estate acquired as a result of foreclosure and property not intended for bank use. As of June 30, 2007, other real estate owned was $771,000, compared with $597,000 at December 31, 2006 and $249,000 at the end of the second quarter of 2006.

Noninterest Income
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,   
   
June 30,   
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Service charges on deposit accounts
  $
3,639
    $
3,339
    $
7,043
    $
6,476
 
Secondary market mortgage fees
   
1,761
     
1,429
     
3,385
     
2,531
 
Bankcard services income
   
1,038
     
859
     
2,016
     
1,638
 
Trust and investment services income
   
651
     
540
     
1,274
     
1,017
 
Securities gains (losses), net
   
42
     
--
     
42
     
--
 
Other
   
665
     
495
     
1,322
     
1,035
 
Total noninterest income
  $
7,796
    $
6,662
    $
15,082
    $
12,697
 
 
Noninterest income increased 17.0% in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006.  On a year-to-date basis, the increase was 18.8%.  The quarterly increases are the result of the following:
 
·  
Service charges on deposit accounts increased 9.0%, driven by growth in total deposits during the quarter.
 
16

 
·  
Secondary market mortgage fees increased 23.2%, driven by approximately $170 million of mortgage production for the quarter compared to approximately $108 million for the second quarter of 2006.
·  
Bankcard services income increased 20.8%, driven by organic growth in deposit accounts and more customers using SCBT debit cards.  We experienced a 33.4% increase in debit card income, a 41.3% increase in foreign ATM fees, and a 34.6% increase in credit card transaction fees.
·  
Trust and investment services income increased 20.6%, driven by improving branch and line of business referral activity, expansion of existing business, and increased productivity of existing investment consultants.
·  
Other noninterest income increased 34.3%, which largely reflected a $142,000 increase in the cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance.
 
Noninterest Expense
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,   
   
June 30,   
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Salaries and employee benefits
  $
11,382
    $
10,012
    $
22,304
    $
19,827
 
Furniture and equipment
   
1,300
     
1,170
     
2,594
     
2,324
 
Net occupancy expense
   
1,237
     
1,044
     
2,338
     
2,060
 
Information services expense
   
1,115
     
865
     
2,113
     
1,789
 
Advertising and marketing
   
842
     
741
     
1,447
     
1,435
 
Business development and staff related
   
528
     
437
     
1,114
     
874
 
Professional fees
   
525
     
479
     
1,009
     
988
 
Amortization
   
213
     
199
     
426
     
398
 
Other
   
1,976
     
1,806
     
4,343
     
3,425
 
Total noninterest expense
  $
19,118
    $
16,753
    $
37,688
    $
33,120
 
 
Noninterest expense increased 14.1% in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006.  On a year-to-date basis expenses increased 13.8%.  The quarterly increases primarily resulted from the following:

·  
 
Salaries and commissions expense increased 13.7%, driven by sales volume incentives paid to employees on certain banking products and an increase in employees as a result of organic growth.  We incurred additional personnel cost due to the new Charleston full-service branch and preparation for the Lexington full-service branch scheduled to open in August 2007.  We expect that salaries and commissions expense will continue to be driven largely by sales volume incentives.
·  
Furniture and equipment expense, net occupancy expense, and information services expense increased 11.1%, 18.5%, and 28.9%, respectively, as a result of additional financial centers.
·  
Business development and staff related expense increased 20.8%, driven by the organic growth of our banks, leading to recruiting and placing additional staff.
·  
Advertising and public relations expense increased 13.6%, however on a year-to-date basis this cost is flat compared to the prior year.  We increased our advertising and public relations expense during the second quarter of 2007 with the opening of the new full-service location in Charleston in April 2007 and in Myrtle Beach in March 2007.
·  
Other noninterest expense increased 9.4%, resulting from increases primarily in property taxes due to our de novo expansion, FDIC assessment, and other operating costs.

Capital Resources

Our ongoing capital requirements have been met primarily through retained earnings, less the payment of cash dividends. As of June 30, 2007, shareholders’ equity was $169.8 million, an increase of $7.9 million, or 4.9%, from $161.9 million at December 31, 2006.  Shareholders’ equity has increased 9.9%, or $15.3 million, from June 30, 2006.

We are subject to certain risk-based capital guidelines. Certain ratios measure the relationship of capital to a combination of balance sheet and off-balance sheet risks. The values of both balance sheet and off-balance sheet items are adjusted to reflect credit risk. Under the guidelines promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, which are substantially similar to those of the Comptroller of the Currency, Tier 1 risk-based capital must be at least 4 percent of risk-weighted assets, while total risk-based capital must be at least 8 percent of risk-weighted assets.
 
17

 
In conjunction with the risk-based ratios, the regulatory agencies have also prescribed a leverage capital ratio for assessing capital adequacy. The minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio required for banks is between 3 and 5 percent, depending on the institution’s composite rating as determined by its regulators.

Capital Adequacy Ratios
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
June 30,
 
2007
 
2006
 
2006
           
Tier 1 risk-based capital
10.05%
 
10.11%
 
10.20%
Total risk-based capital
11.31%
 
11.36%
 
11.41%
Tier 1 leverage
8.10%
 
8.11%
 
8.08%
 
Compared to December 31, 2006, all of our risk-based capital ratios have declined primarily because of the continuing growth in assets.  Our capital ratios are currently well in excess of the minimum standards and continue to be in the “well capitalized” regulatory classification.

Liquidity

Liquidity is the ability for us to generate sufficient cash to meet our financial obligations, which arise primarily from the withdrawal of deposits, extension of credit and payment of operating expenses.  Asset liquidity is maintained by the maturity structure of loans, investment securities and other short-term investments.  Management has policies and procedures governing the length of time to maturity on loans and investments.  Normally, changes in the earning asset mix are of a longer-term nature and are not utilized for day-to-day corporate liquidity needs.

Our liabilities provide liquidity on a day-to-day basis.  Daily liquidity needs are met from deposit levels or from our use of federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings.  We engage in routine activities to retain deposits intended to enhance our liquidity position.  These routine activities include various measures, such as the following:

·  
Emphasizing relationship banking to new and existing customers, where borrowers are encouraged and normally expected to maintain deposit accounts with our banks,
·  
Pricing deposits, including certificates of deposit, at rate levels that will attract and/or retain a level of deposits that will enhance our banks’ asset/liability management and net interest margin requirements, and
·  
Continually working to identify and introduce new products that will attract customers or enhance our banks’ appeal as a primary provider of financial services.

In the first half of 2007, we continued to shorten the maturities of our time deposit products as we anticipate the possibility of declining interest rates.  Our approach may provide an opportunity to lower our cost of funds and could also increase our cost of funds if interest rates rise.

Our ongoing philosophy is to remain in a liquid position as reflected by such indicators as the composition of our earning assets, typically including some level of federal funds sold, reverse repurchase agreements, and/or other short-term investments; asset quality; well-capitalized position; and profitable operating results.  Cyclical and other economic trends and conditions can disrupt our banks’ desired liquidity position at any time.  We expect that these conditions will generally be of a short-term nature.  Under such circumstances, the banks’ federal funds sold position serves as the primary source of immediate liquidity.  If additional liquidity were needed, the banks would turn to short-term borrowings as an alternative immediate funding source and would consider other appropriate actions such as promotions to increase core deposits or the sale of a portion of our investment portfolio.  In addition, we could seek alternative immediate funding sources from lines of credit extended to us from our correspondent banks and/or the Federal Home Loan Bank.  We believe that our liquidity position is adequate.

Our contingency funding plan provides several potential stages based on liquidity levels.  Our Board of Directors reviews liquidity benchmarks quarterly.  Also, we review on at least an annual basis our liquidity position and our contingency funding plans with our principal banking regulator.  Our subsidiary banks maintain various wholesale sources of funding.  If our deposit retention plan were to be unsuccessful, our banks would utilize these sources of funding.  Under such circumstances, depending on the external source of funds, our interest cost would vary based on the range of interest rates charged to our banks.  This could increase our banks’ cost of funds, impacting net interest margins and net interest spreads.

18


Deposit and Loan Concentration

We have no material concentration of deposits from any single customer or group of customers.  We have no significant portion of our loans concentrated within a single industry or group of related industries.  Furthermore, we attempt to avoid making loans that, in an aggregate amount, exceed 10 percent of total loans to a multiple number of borrowers engaged in similar business activities that could cause these aggregated loans to be similarly impacted by economic or other conditions. As of June 30, 2007, there were no aggregated loan concentrations of this type.  We do not believe there are any material seasonal factors that would have a material adverse effect on us.  We do not have foreign loans or deposits.

Concentration of Credit Risk

We consider concentrations of credit to exist when, pursuant to regulatory guidelines, the amounts loaned to a multiple number of borrowers engaged in similar business activities which would cause them to be similarly impacted by general economic conditions represents 25 percent of total risk-based capital. Based on this criteria, we had six such credit concentrations at June 30, 2007, including loans to borrowers engaged in other activities related to real estate, loans to lessors of nonresidential buildings, loans to religious organizations, loans to borrowers constructing new single family housing, loans to lessors of residential buildings, and loans to physicians for office buildings.

Cautionary Note Regarding Any Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.  The words “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “may,” and “intend,” as well as other similar words and expressions of the future, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  We caution readers that forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting our judgment based on current information, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from forecasted results.  Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the matters described in Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the following:

·  
Credit risk associated with an obligor’s failure to meet the terms of any contract with the bank or otherwise fail to perform as agreed;

·  
Interest rate risk involving the effect of a change in interest rates on both the bank’s earnings and the market value of the portfolio equity;

·  
Liquidity risk affecting the bank’s ability to meet its obligations when they come due;

·  
Price risk focusing on changes in market factors that may affect the value of traded instruments in “mark-to-market” portfolios;

·  
Transaction risk arising from problems with service or product delivery;

·  
Compliance risk involving risk to earnings or capital resulting from violations of or nonconformance with laws, rules, regulations, prescribed practices, or ethical standards;

·  
Strategic risk resulting from adverse business decisions or improper implementation of business decisions;

·  
Reputation risk that adversely affects earnings or capital arising from negative public opinion; and

·  
Terrorist activities risk that results in loss of consumer confidence and economic disruptions.
 
19


Item 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We have no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk as of June 30, 2007 from that presented in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Item 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.  Management necessarily applied its judgment in the process of reviewing these controls and procedures, which, by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives.  Based upon this evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report.

There have been no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the second quarter of 2007 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

The design of any system of controls and procedures is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events.  There can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

To the best of our knowledge, we are not a party to, nor is any of our property the subject of, any pending material proceeding other than those that may occur in our ordinary course of business.

Item 1A.  RISK FACTORS

Investing in SCBT Financial Corporation’s common shares involves certain risks, including those identified and described in Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (“Form 10-K”), as well as cautionary statements contained in this Form 10-Q, including those under the caption “Cautionary Note Regarding Any Forward-Looking Statements” set forth in Part I, Item 2 of this Form 10-Q.  There has been no material change in the risk factors previously disclosed in our Form 10-K.
 
20

 
Item 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(a) and (b) not applicable

(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:

In February 2004, we announced a stock repurchase program with no formal expiration date to repurchase up to 250,000 shares of our common stock.  There are 147,872 shares that may yet be purchased under that program.  The following table reflects share repurchase activity during the second quarter of 2007:
 
Period
 
(a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased
   
(b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)
   
(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
   
(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
                         
April 1 - April 30
   
--
    $
--
     
--
     
147,872
 
May 1 - May 31
   
--
     
--
     
--
     
147,872
 
June 1 - June 30
   
--
     
--
     
--
     
147,872
 
                                 
Total
   
--
             
--
     
147,872
 
 
Item 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

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

At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of SCBT Financial Corporation held on April 24, 2007, the following proposals were submitted to a vote of the holders of SCBT Financial Corporation’s common stock voting as indicated:

1) Approval of a proposal to elect the following individuals as directors of SCBT Financial Corporation:
 
Nominees for Director
 
Votes For
 
Votes Withheld
         
Jimmy E. Addison
 
                         6,925,296
 
                              72,607
Robert R. Horger
 
                         6,900,023
 
                              98,895
Harry M. Mims, Jr.
 
                         6,909,133
 
                              89,767
James W. Roquemore
 
                         6,920,624
 
                              77,669
John W. Williamson, III
 
                         6,922,449
 
                              75,817
Cathy Cox Yeadon
 
                         6,926,695
 
                              72,205
 
21

 
2) Approval to ratify the appointment of J.W. Hunt and Company, LLP as SCBT Financial Corporation’s auditors for 2007:

   
Votes
 
% of Shares Outstanding
         
Voting For
 
          6,896,803
 
78.89%
Voting Against
 
               26,871
 
0.31%
Abstain From Voting
 
               75,965
 
0.87%
Total
 
          6,999,639
 
80.07%
 
The following individuals continue to serve as directors until our Annual Shareholders’ Meeting in the year indicated:
 
Directors Whose Terms Will Expire in 2010
Jimmy E. Addison
Robert R. Horger
Harry M. Mims, Jr.
James W. Roquemore
John W. Williamson, III
Cathy Cox Yeadon
 
Directors Whose Terms Will Expire in 2009
Colden R. Battey, Jr.
Dalton B. Floyd, Jr.
M. Oswald Fogle
Dwight W. Frierson
R. Caine Halter
Thomas E. Suggs
 
Directors Whose Terms Will Expire in 2008
Luther J. Battiste, III
Robert R. Hill, Jr.
Ralph W. Norman
Susie H. VanHuss
A. Dewall Waters
 
Item 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.
 
22

 
Item 6.  EXHIBITS

Exhibit 31.1
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

Exhibit 32.1
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer

Exhibit 32.2
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer

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.
 

 
    SCBT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    (Registrant)
     
     
Date:  August 8, 2007      /s/ Robert R. Hill, Jr.
    Robert R. Hill, Jr.
    President and Chief Executive Officer
     
     
Date:  August 8, 2007       /s/ John C. Pollok
    John C. Pollok
    Senior Executive Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer
 
23

 
Exhibit Index
                   
Exhibit No.    Description
     
Exhibit 31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
     
Exhibit 31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
     
Exhibit 32.1
 
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
     
Exhibit 32.2
 
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer
 

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