UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark one)
þ		ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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

Commission File Number: 001-9383

WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION

(Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)

CALIFORNIA		94-2156203
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

1108 FIFTH AVENUE, SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA 94901
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (707) 863-6000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of class:		Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common Stock, no par value		The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES þ NO o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES o NO þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ NO o

Indicate by check mark if whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.) YES þ NO o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to item 405 of Regulation S-K (section 229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer þ		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer o		Smaller reporting company o
				(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO þ

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2010 as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, was $1,471,390,970.19. Shares of Common Stock held by each executive officer and director and by each person who owns 5% or more of the outstanding Common Stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

Number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the close of business on February 18, 2010 29,014,782 Shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement relating to registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be held on April 28, 2011, are incorporated by reference in Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III to the extent described therein.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
PART I
Item 1 Business			2
Item 1A Risk Factors			10
Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments			14
Item 2 Properties			15
Item 3 Legal Proceedings			15
Item 4 Reserved			15
PART II
Item 5 Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities			15
Item 6 Selected Financial Data			19
Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			20
Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			49
Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data			50
Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure			94
Item 9A Controls and Procedures			94
Item 9B Other Information			94
PART III
Item 10 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance			95
Item 11 Executive Compensation			95
Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters			96
Item 13 Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence			96
Item 14 Principal Accountant Fees and Services			96
PART IV
Item 15 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules			96
Signatures			97
Exhibit Index			98
Exhibit 21
Exhibit 23(a)
Exhibit 31.1
Exhibit 31.2
Exhibit 32.1
Exhibit 32.2
EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements about Westamerica Bancorporation for which it claims the protection of the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statements of plans, objectives and expectations of the Company or its management or board of directors, including those relating to products or services; (iii) statements of future economic performance; and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “intends”, “targeted”, “projected”, “continue”, “remain”, “will”, “should”, “may” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.

These forward-looking statements are based on Management’s current knowledge and belief and include information concerning the Company’s possible or assumed future financial condition and results of operations. A number of factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s ability to predict or control, could cause future results to differ materially from those contemplated. These factors include but are not limited to (1) the length and severity of current difficulties in the national and California economies and the effects of federal government efforts to address those difficulties; (2) liquidity levels in capital markets; (3) fluctuations in asset prices including, but not limited to stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities; (4) the effect of acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses including the recent acquisitions of assets and assumption of liabilities from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; (5) economic uncertainty created by terrorist threats and attacks on the United States, the actions taken in response, and the uncertain effect of these events on the national and regional economies; (6) changes in the interest rate environment; (7) changes in the regulatory environment; (8) competitive pressure in the banking industry; (9) operational risks including data processing system failures or fraud; (10) volatility of interest rate sensitive loans, deposits and investments; (11) asset/liability management risks and liquidity risks; and (12) changes in the securities markets. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in this report. See also “Risk Factors” in Item 1A and other risk factors discussed elsewhere in this Report.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Westamerica Bancorporation (the “Company”) is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHCA”). Its legal headquarters are located at 1108 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, California 94901. Principal administrative offices are located at 4550 Mangels Boulevard, Fairfield, California 94534 and its telephone number is (707) 863-6000. The Company provides a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers in Northern and Central California through its subsidiary bank, Westamerica Bank (“WAB” or the “Bank”). The principal communities served are located in Northern and Central California, from Mendocino, Lake and Nevada Counties in the north to Kern County in the south. The Company’s strategic focus is on the banking needs of small businesses. In addition, the Bank owns 100% of the capital stock of Community Banker Services Corporation (“CBSC”), a company engaged in providing the Company and its subsidiaries with data processing services and other support functions.

The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of California in 1972 as “Independent Bankshares Corporation” pursuant to a plan of reorganization among three previously unaffiliated Northern California banks. The Company operated as a multi-bank holding company until mid-1983, at which time the then six subsidiary banks were merged into a single bank named Westamerica Bank and the name of the holding company was changed to Westamerica Bancorporation.

The Company acquired five additional banks within its immediate market area during the early to mid 1990’s. In April 1997, the Company acquired ValliCorp Holdings, Inc., parent company of ValliWide Bank, the largest independent bank holding company headquartered in Central California. Under the terms of all of the merger agreements, the Company issued shares of its common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding shares of the acquired institutions. The subsidiary banks acquired were merged with and into WAB. These six aforementioned business combinations were accounted for as poolings-of-interests.

In August, 2000, the Company acquired First Counties Bank. In June of 2002 the Company acquired Kerman State Bank. On March 1, 2005, the Company acquired Redwood Empire Bancorp, the parent company of National Bank of the Redwoods (NBR). These acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase accounting method.

On February 6, 2009, Westamerica Bank acquired the banking operations of County Bank (“County”) from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Bank acquired approximately $1.62 billion in assets and assumed approximately $1.58 billion liabilities. The Bank and the FDIC entered loss sharing agreements regarding future losses incurred on acquired loans and foreclosed loan collateral. Under the terms of the loss sharing agreements, the FDIC absorbs 80 percent of losses and is entitled to 80 percent of loss recoveries on the first $269 million of losses, and absorbs 95 percent of losses and is entitled to 95 percent of loss recoveries on losses exceeding $269 million. The term for loss sharing on residential real estate loans is ten years, while the term for loss sharing on non-residential real estate loans is five years in respect to losses and eight years in respect to loss recoveries. The County acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations. The Company recorded a “bargain purchase” gain totaling $48.8 million resulting from the acquisition, which is a component of noninterest income on the statement of income. The amount of the gain is equal to the amount by which the estimated fair value of assets purchased exceeded the estimated fair value of liabilities assumed.

On August 20, 2010, Westamerica Bank acquired assets and assumed liabilities of the former Sonoma Valley Bank (“Sonoma”) from the FDIC. The acquired assets and assumed liabilities were measured at estimated fair values, as required by FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations.

Management made significant estimates and exercised significant judgment in accounting for these 2009 and 2010 acquisitions. Management judgmentally measured loan fair values based on loan file reviews (including borrower financial statements and tax returns), appraised collateral values, expected cash flows, and historical loss factors. Repossessed loan collateral was primarily valued based upon appraised collateral values. The Bank also recorded identifiable intangible assets representing the value of the core deposit customer bases based on Management’s evaluation of the cost of such deposits relative to alternative funding sources. In determining the value of the identifiable intangible assets, Management used significant estimates including average lives of depository accounts, future interest rate levels, the cost of servicing various depository products, and other significant estimates. Management used quoted market prices to determine the fair value of investment securities, FHLB advances and other borrowings which were purchased and assumed. See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the acquisition.

At December 31, 2010, the Company had consolidated assets of approximately $4.9 billion, deposits of approximately $4.1 billion and shareholders’ equity of approximately $545.3 million. The Company and its subsidiaries employed 999 full-time equivalent staff as of December 31, 2010.

The Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports as well as beneficial ownership reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 are available through the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Such documents are also available free of charge from the Company, as well as the Company’s director, officer and employee Code of Conduct and Ethics, by request to:

Westamerica Bancorporation
Corporate Secretary A-2M
Post Office Box 1200
Suisun City, California 94585-1200

Supervision and Regulation

The following is not intended to be an exhaustive description of the statutes and regulations applicable to the Company’s or the Bank’s business. The description of statutory and regulatory provisions is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutory or regulatory provisions. Moreover, major new legislation and other regulatory changes affecting the Company, the Bank, and the financial services industry in general have occurred in the last several years and can be expected to occur in the future. The nature, timing and impact of new and amended laws and regulations cannot be accurately predicted.

Regulation and Supervision of Bank Holding Companies

The Company is a bank holding company subject to the BHCA. The Company reports to, is registered with, and may be examined by, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”). The FRB also has the authority to examine the Company’s subsidiaries. The costs of any examination by the FRB are payable by the Company. The Company is a bank holding company within the meaning of Section 3700 of the California Financial Code. As such, the Company and the Bank are subject to examination by, and may be required to file reports with, the California Commissioner of Financial Institutions (the “Commissioner”).

The FRB has significant supervisory and regulatory authority over the Company and its affiliates. The FRB requires the Company to maintain certain levels of capital. See “Capital Standards.” The FRB also has the authority to take enforcement action against any bank holding company that commits any unsafe or unsound practice, or violates certain laws, regulations or conditions imposed in writing by the FRB. Under the BHCA, the Company is required to obtain the prior approval of the FRB before it acquires, merges or consolidates with any bank or bank holding company. Any company seeking to acquire, merge or consolidate with the Company also would be required to obtain the prior approval of the FRB.

The Company is generally prohibited under the BHCA from acquiring ownership or control of more than 5% of any class of voting shares of any company that is not a bank or bank holding company and from engaging directly or indirectly in activities other than banking, managing banks, or providing services to affiliates of the holding company. However, a bank holding company, with the approval of the FRB, may engage, or acquire the voting shares of companies engaged, in activities that the FRB has determined to be closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks. A bank holding company must demonstrate that the benefits to the public of the proposed activity will outweigh the possible adverse effects associated with such activity.

The FRB generally prohibits a bank holding company from declaring or paying a cash dividend that would impose undue pressure on the capital of subsidiary banks or would be funded only through borrowing or other arrangements which might adversely affect a bank holding company’s financial position. Under the FRB policy, 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. See the section entitled “Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions” for additional restrictions on the ability of the Company and the Bank to pay dividends.

Transactions between the Company and the Bank are restricted under Regulation W, adopted in 2003. The regulation codifies prior interpretations of the FRB and its staff under Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. In general, subject to certain specified exemptions, a bank or its subsidiaries are limited in their ability to engage in “covered transactions” with affiliates: (a) to an amount equal to 10% of the bank’s capital and surplus, in the case of covered transactions with any one affiliate; and (b) to an amount equal to 20% of the bank’s capital and surplus, in the case of covered transactions with all affiliates. The Company is considered to be an affiliate of the Bank.

A “covered transaction” includes, among other things, a loan or extension of credit to an affiliate; a purchase of securities issued by an affiliate; a purchase of assets from an affiliate, with some exceptions; and the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate.

Federal regulations governing bank holding companies and change in bank control (Regulation Y) provide for a streamlined and expedited review process for bank acquisition proposals submitted by well-run bank holding companies. These provisions of Regulation Y are subject to numerous qualifications, limitations and restrictions. In order for a bank holding company to qualify as “well-run,” both it and the insured depository institutions which it controls must meet the “well capitalized” and “well managed” criteria set forth in Regulation Y.

On March 11, 2000, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “GLBA”), or the Financial Services Act of 1999 became effective. The GLBA repealed provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act, which had prohibited commercial banks and securities firms from affiliating with each other and engaging in each other’s businesses. Thus, many of the barriers prohibiting affiliations between commercial banks and securities firms have been eliminated.

The BHCA was also amended by the GLBA to allow new “financial holding companies” (“FHCs”) to offer banking, insurance, securities and other financial products to consumers. Specifically, the GLBA amended section 4 of the BHCA in order to provide for a framework for the engagement in new financial activities. A bank holding company (“BHC”) may elect to become an FHC if all its subsidiary depository institutions are well capitalized and well managed. If these requirements are met, a BHC may file a certification to that effect with the FRB and declare that it elects to become an FHC. After the certification and declaration is filed, the FHC may engage either de novo or through an acquisition in any activity that has been determined by the FRB to be financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity. BHCs may engage in financial activities without prior notice to the FRB if those activities qualify under the list of permissible activities in section 4(k) of the BHCA. However, notice must be given to the FRB within 30 days after an FHC has commenced one or more of the financial activities. The Company has not elected to become an FHC.

Regulation and Supervision of Banks

The Bank is a California state-chartered bank and its deposits are insured by the FDIC. The Bank is subject to regulation, supervision and regular examination by the California Department of Financial Institutions (“DFI”), and the FDIC. The regulations of these agencies affect most aspects of the Bank’s business and prescribe permissible types of loans and investments, the amount of required reserves, requirements for branch offices, the permissible scope of its activities and various other requirements.

In addition to federal banking law, the Bank is also subject to applicable provisions of California law. Under California law, the Bank is subject to various restrictions on, and requirements regarding, its operations and administration including the maintenance of branch offices and automated teller machines, capital requirements, deposits and borrowings, shareholder rights and duties, and investment and lending activities.

California law permits a state-chartered bank to invest in the stock and securities of other corporations, subject to a state-chartered bank receiving either general authorization or, depending on the amount of the proposed investment, specific authorization from the Commissioner. In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (“FDICIA”) imposes limitations on the activities and equity investments of state chartered, federally insured banks. FDICIA also prohibits a state bank from making an investment or engaging in any activity as a principal that is not permissible for a national bank, unless the Bank is adequately capitalized and the FDIC approves the investment or activity after determining that such investment or activity does not pose a significant risk to the deposit insurance fund.

On July 21, 2010, financial regulatory reform legislation entitled the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act” (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act implements far-reaching changes across the financial regulatory landscape, including provisions that, among other things, will:

•

Centralize responsibility for consumer financial protection by creating a new agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, responsible for implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws.

•

Restrict the preemption of state law by federal law and disallow subsidiaries and affiliates of national banks from availing themselves of such preemption.

•

Apply the same leverage and risk-based capital requirements that apply to insured depository institutions to most bank holding companies.

•

Require bank regulatory agencies to seek to make their capital requirements for banks countercyclical so that capital requirements increase in times of economic expansion and decrease in times of economic contraction.

•

Change the assessment base for federal deposit insurance from the amount of insured deposits to consolidated assets less tangible capital, eliminate the ceiling on the size of the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) and increase the floor of the size of the DIF.

•

Impose comprehensive regulation of the over-the-counter derivatives market, which would include certain provisions that would effectively prohibit insured depository institutions from conducting certain derivatives businesses in the institution itself.

•

Require large, publicly traded bank holding companies to create a risk committee responsible for the oversight of enterprise risk management.

•

Implement corporate governance revisions, including with regard to executive compensation and proxy access by shareholders, that apply to all public companies, not just financial institutions.

•

Make permanent the $250 thousand limit for federal deposit insurance and provide unlimited federal deposit insurance until December 31, 2012 for non-interest bearing demand transaction accounts at all insured depository institutions.

•

Repeal the federal prohibitions on the payment of interest on demand deposits, thereby permitting depository institutions to pay interest on business transaction and other accounts.

•

Amend the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (“EFTA”) to, among other things, give the FRB the authority to establish rules regarding interchange fees charged for electronic debit transactions by payment card issuers having assets over $10 billion and to enforce a new statutory requirement that such fees be reasonable and proportional to the actual cost of a transaction to the issuer. While the Company’s assets are currently less than $10 billion, interchange fees charged by larger institutions will likely dictate the level of fees smaller institutions will be able to charge to remain competitive.

Many aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act are subject to rulemaking and will take effect over several years, making it difficult to anticipate the overall financial impact on the Company, its customers or the financial industry more generally. Provisions in the legislation that affect the payment of interest on demand deposits and interchange fees are likely to increase the costs associated with deposits as well as place limitations on certain revenues those deposits may generate.

Capital Standards

The federal banking agencies have risk-based capital adequacy guidelines intended to provide a measure of capital adequacy that reflects the degree of risk associated with a banking organization’s operations for both transactions resulting in assets being recognized on the balance sheet as assets, and the extension of credit facilities such as letters of credit and recourse arrangements, which are recorded as off balance sheet items. Under these guidelines, nominal dollar amounts of assets and credit equivalent amounts of off balance sheet items are multiplied by one of several risk adjustment percentages, which range from 0% for assets with low credit risk, such as certain U.S. government securities, to 100% for assets with relatively higher credit risk, such as certain loans.

A banking organization’s risk-based capital ratios are obtained by dividing its qualifying capital by its total risk-adjusted assets and off balance sheet items.

The federal banking agencies take into consideration concentrations of credit risk and risks from nontraditional activities, as well as an institution’s ability to manage those risks, when determining the adequacy of an institution’s capital. This evaluation is made as a part of the institution’s regular safety and soundness examination. The federal banking agencies also consider interest rate risk (related to the interest rate sensitivity of an institution’s assets and liabilities, and its off balance sheet financial instruments) in the evaluation of a bank’s capital adequacy.

As of December 31, 2010, the Company’s and the Bank’s respective ratios exceeded applicable regulatory requirements. See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for capital ratios of the Company and the Bank, compared to the standards for well capitalized depository institutions and for minimum capital requirements.

Prompt Corrective Action and Other Enforcement Mechanisms

FDICIA requires each federal banking agency to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of insured depository institutions, including but not limited to those that fall below one or more prescribed minimum capital ratios.

An institution that, based upon its capital levels, is classified as “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized” or “undercapitalized” may be treated as though it were in the next lower capital category if the appropriate federal banking agency, after notice and opportunity for hearing, determines that an unsafe or unsound condition or an unsafe or unsound practice warrants such treatment. At each successive lower capital category, an insured depository institution is subject to more restrictions. In addition to measures taken under the prompt corrective action provisions, commercial banking organizations may be subject to potential enforcement actions by the federal banking agencies for unsafe or unsound practices in conducting their businesses or for violations of any law, rule, regulation or any condition imposed in writing by the agency or any written agreement with the agency.

Safety and Soundness Standards

The Company’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders is subject to the restrictions set forth in the California General Corporation Law or the CGCL. The CGCL provides that a corporation may make a distribution to its shareholders if the corporation’s retained earnings equal or exceed the amount of the proposed distribution. The CGCL further provides that, in the event that sufficient retained earnings are not available for the proposed distribution, a corporation may nevertheless make a distribution to its shareholders if the sum of the assets of the corporation (exclusive of goodwill, capitalized research and development expenses and deferred charges) would be at least equal to 1.25 times its liabilities (not including deferred taxes, deferred income and other deferred credits).

FDICIA also implemented certain specific restrictions on transactions and required federal banking regulators to adopt overall safety and soundness standards for depository institutions related to internal control, loan underwriting and documentation and asset growth. Among other things, FDICIA limits the interest rates paid on deposits by undercapitalized institutions, restricts the use of brokered deposits, limits the aggregate extensions of credit by a depository institution to an executive officer, director, principal shareholder or related interest, and reduces deposit insurance coverage for deposits offered by undercapitalized institutions for deposits by certain employee benefits accounts. The federal banking agencies may require an institution to submit to an acceptable compliance plan as well as have the flexibility to pursue other more appropriate or effective courses of action given the specific circumstances and severity of an institution’s noncompliance with one or more standards.

Federal banking agencies require banks to maintain adequate valuation allowances for potential credit losses. The Company has an internal staff that continually reviews loan quality and reports to the Board of Directors. This analysis includes a detailed review of the classification and categorization of problem loans, assessment of the overall quality and collectibility of the loan portfolio, consideration of loan loss experience, trends in problem loans, concentration of credit risk, and current economic conditions, particularly in the Bank’s market areas. Based on this analysis, Management, with the review and approval of the Board, determines the adequate level of allowance required. The allowance is allocated to different segments of the loan portfolio, but the entire allowance is available for the loan portfolio in its entirety.

Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions

The power of the board of directors of an insured depository institution to declare a cash dividend or other distribution with respect to capital is subject to statutory and regulatory restrictions which limit the amount available for such distribution depending upon the earnings, financial condition and cash needs of the institution, as well as general business conditions. FDICIA prohibits insured depository institutions from paying management fees to any controlling persons or, with certain limited exceptions, making capital distributions, including dividends, if, after such transaction, the institution would be undercapitalized.

In addition to the restrictions imposed under federal law, banks chartered under California law generally may only pay cash dividends to the extent such payments do not exceed the lesser of retained earnings of the bank or the bank’s net income for its last three fiscal years (less any distributions to shareholders during this period). In the event a bank desires to pay cash dividends in excess of such amount, the bank may pay a cash dividend with the prior approval of the Commissioner in an amount not exceeding the greatest of the bank’s retained earnings, the bank’s net income for its last fiscal year or the bank’s net income for its current fiscal year.

The federal banking agencies also have the authority to prohibit a depository institution from engaging in business practices which are considered to be unsafe or unsound, possibly including payment of dividends or other payments under certain circumstances even if such payments are not expressly prohibited by statute.

Premiums for Deposit Insurance

Substantially all of the deposits of the Bank are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) of the FDIC and are subject to deposit insurance assessments to maintain the DIF. The FDIC utilizes a risk-based assessment system that imposes insurance premiums based upon a risk matrix that takes into account a bank’s capital level and supervisory rating (“CAMELS rating”). The risk matrix utilizes four risk categories which are distinguished by capital levels and supervisory ratings.

In December 2008, the FDIC issued a final rule that raised the then current assessment rates uniformly by 7 basis points for the first quarter of 2009 assessment (basis points representing cents per $100 of assessable deposits). In February 2009, the FDIC issued final rules to amend a restoration plan for the DIF, change the risk-based assessment system and set new assessment rates beginning in the second quarter of 2009. The initial base assessment rates range from 12 to 45 basis points, on an annualized basis. After the effect of potential base-rate adjustments, total base assessment rates range from 7 to 77.5 basis points.

In May 2009, the FDIC issued a final rule which levied a special assessment applicable to all insured depository institutions totaling 5 basis points of each institution’s total assets less Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, not to exceed 10 basis points of domestic deposits. The special assessment was part of the FDIC’s efforts to rebuild the DIF.

In November 2009, the FDIC issued a rule that required all insured depository institutions, with limited exceptions, to prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012. The FDIC also adopted a uniform three-basis point increase in assessment rates effective on January 1, 2011; however, as further discussed below, the FDIC has elected to forego this increase under a new DIF restoration plan adopted in October 2010.

In October 2010, the FDIC adopted a new DIF restoration plan to ensure that the DIF reserve ratio reaches 1.35% by September 30, 2020, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. Under the new restoration plan, the FDIC will forego the uniform three-basis point increase in initial assessment rates scheduled to take place on January 1, 2011 and maintain the current schedule of assessment rates for all depository institutions. At least semi-annually, the FDIC will update its loss and income projections for the fund and, if needed, will increase or decrease assessment rates, following notice-and-comment rulemaking if required.

In November 2010, the FDIC issued a final rule to implement provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that provide for temporary unlimited coverage for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts. The separate coverage for non-interest-bearing transaction accounts became effective on December 31, 2010 and terminates on December 31, 2012.

In February 2011, the FDIC issued a final rule changing the deposit insurance assessment base from total domestic deposits to average total assets minus average tangible equity, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act, effective April 1, 2011. The FDIC also issued a final rule revising the deposit insurance assessment system for “large” institutions having more than $10 billion in assets and another for “highly complex” institutions that have over $50 billion in assets and are fully owned by a parent with over $500 billion in assets. The Bank is neither a “large” nor “highly complex” institution. Under the new assessment rules, the initial base assessment rates range from 5 to 35 basis points, and after potential adjustments for unsecured debt and brokered deposits, assessment rates range from 2.5 to 45 basis points. The Bank expects to pay lower FDIC assessments beginning April 1, 2011 under these new rules.

The Company cannot provide any assurance as to the effect of any future changes in its deposit insurance premium rates.

Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Developments

The Bank is subject to certain fair lending requirements and reporting obligations involving home mortgage lending operations and Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) activities. The CRA generally requires the federal banking agencies to evaluate the record of financial institutions in meeting the credit needs of their local communities, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. In addition to substantive penalties and corrective measures that may be required for a violation of certain fair lending laws, the federal banking agencies may take compliance with such laws and CRA into account when regulating and supervising other activities.

Financial Privacy Legislation and Customer Information Security

The GLBA, in addition to the previously described changes in permissible nonbanking activities permitted to banks, BHCs and FHCs, also required the federal banking agencies, among other federal regulatory agencies, to adopt regulations governing the privacy of consumer financial information. The Bank is subject to the FRB’s regulations in this area. The federal bank regulatory agencies have established standards for safeguarding nonpublic personal information about customers that implement provisions of the GLBA (the “Guidelines”). Among other things, the Guidelines require each financial institution, under the supervision and ongoing oversight of its Board of Directors or an appropriate committee thereof, to develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information, to protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information, and to protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.

U.S.A. PATRIOT Act

On October 26, 2001, the President signed into law the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 or the “USA Patriot Act.” Title III of the Act is the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001. It includes numerous provisions for fighting international money laundering and blocking terrorist access to the U.S. financial system. The goal of Title III is to prevent the U.S. financial system and the U.S. clearing mechanisms from being used by parties suspected of terrorism, terrorist financing and money laundering.

The provisions of Title III of the USA Patriot Act which affect banking organizations, including the Bank, are generally set forth as amendments to the Bank Secrecy Act. These provisions relate principally to U.S. banking organizations’ relationships with foreign banks and with persons who are resident outside the United States. The USA Patriot Act does not impose any filing or reporting obligations for banking organizations, but does require certain additional due diligence and recordkeeping practices.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

On July 30, 2002, the U.S. Congress enacted the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”). The stated goals of Sarbanes-Oxley are to increase corporate responsibility, to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies and to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to the securities laws. Sarbanes-Oxley generally applies to all companies, both U.S. and non-U.S., that file or are required to file periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).

Sarbanes-Oxley includes very specific additional disclosure requirements and corporate governance rules, required the SEC and securities exchanges to adopt extensive additional disclosure, corporate governance and other related rules and mandates further studies of certain issues. Sarbanes-Oxley represents significant federal involvement in matters traditionally left to state regulatory systems, such as the regulation of the accounting profession, and to state corporate law, such as the relationship between a board of directors and management and between a board of directors and its committees and public company shareholders.

Sarbanes-Oxley addresses, among other matters: (i) independent audit committees for reporting companies whose securities are listed on national exchanges or automated quotation systems (the “Exchanges”) and expanded duties and responsibilities for audit committees; (ii) certification of financial statements by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer; (iii) the forfeiture of bonuses or other incentive-based compensation and profits from the sale of an issuer’s securities by directors and senior officers in the twelve month period following initial publication of any financial statements that later require restatement; (iv) a prohibition on insider trading during pension plan black out periods; (v) disclosure of off-balance sheet transactions; (vi) a prohibition on personal loans to directors and officers under most circumstances with exceptions for certain normal course transactions by regulated financial institutions; (vii) expedited electronic filing requirements related to trading by insiders in an issuer’s securities on Form 4; (viii) disclosure of a code of ethics and filing a Form 8-K for a change or waiver of such code; (ix) accelerated filing of periodic reports; (x) the formation of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) to oversee public accounting firms and the audit of public companies that are subject to the securities laws; (xi) auditor independence; (xii) internal control evaluation and reporting; and (xiii) various increased criminal penalties for violations of securities laws.

Given the extensive role of the SEC, the PCAOB and the Exchanges in implementing rules relating to Sarbanes-Oxley’s requirements, the federalization of certain elements traditionally within the sphere of state corporate law, the impact of Sarbanes-Oxley on reporting companies has been and will continue to be significant.

Programs To Mitigate Identity Theft

In November 2007, federal banking agencies together with the NCUA and FTC adopted regulations under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 to require financial institutions and other creditors to develop and implement a written identity theft prevention program to detect, prevent and mitigate identity theft in connection with certain new and existing accounts. Covered accounts generally include consumer accounts and other accounts that present a reasonably foreseeable risk of identity theft. Each institution’s program must include policies and procedures designed to: (i) identify indicators, or “red flags,” of possible risk of identity theft; (ii) detect the occurrence of red flags; (iii) respond appropriately to red flags that are detected; and (iv) ensure that the program is updated periodically as appropriate to address changing circumstances. The regulations include guidelines that each institution must consider and, to the extent appropriate, include in its program.

Pending Legislation

Changes to state laws and regulations (including changes in interpretation or enforcement) can affect the operating environment of BHCs and their subsidiaries in substantial and unpredictable ways. From time to time, various legislative and regulatory proposals are introduced. These proposals, if codified, may change banking statutes and regulations and the Company’s operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways. If codified, these proposals could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions and other financial institutions. The Company cannot accurately predict whether those changes in laws and regulations will occur, and, if those changes occur, the ultimate effect they would have upon our financial condition or results of operations. It is likely, however, that the current level of enforcement and compliance-related activities of federal and state authorities will continue and potentially increase.

Competition

In the past, the Bank’s principal competitors for deposits and loans have been major banks and smaller community banks, savings and loan associations and credit unions. To a lesser extent, competition was also provided by thrift and loans, mortgage brokerage companies and insurance companies. Other institutions, such as brokerage houses, mutual fund companies, credit card companies, and certain retail establishments have offered investment vehicles which also compete with banks for deposit business. Federal legislation in recent years has encouraged competition between different types of financial institutions and fostered new entrants into the financial services market.

Legislative changes, as well as technological and economic factors, can be expected to have an ongoing impact on competitive conditions within the financial services industry. While the future impact of regulatory and legislative changes cannot be predicted with certainty, the business of banking will remain highly competitive.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Readers and prospective investors in the Company’s securities should carefully consider the following risk factors as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this report.

The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties that Management is not aware of or focused on or that Management currently deems immaterial may also impair the Company’s business operations. This report is qualified in its entirety by these risk factors.

If any of the following risks actually occur, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. If this were to happen, the value of the company’s securities could decline significantly, and investors could lose all or part of their investment in the Company’s common stock.

Market and Interest Rate Risk

Changes in interest rates could reduce income and cash flow.

The discussion in this report under “Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Asset and Liability Management” and “- Liquidity” and “Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” is incorporated by reference in this paragraph. The Company’s income and cash flow depend to a great extent on the difference between the interest earned on loans and investment securities compared to the interest paid on deposits and other borrowings, and the Company’s success in competing for loans and deposits. The Company cannot control or prevent changes in the level of interest rates. They fluctuate in response to general economic conditions, the policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies, in particular, the Federal Open Market Committee of the FRB, and pricing practices of the Company’s competitors. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, will influence the origination of loans, the purchase of investments, the generation of deposits and other borrowings, and the rates received on loans and investment securities and paid on deposits and other liabilities.

Changes in capital market conditions could reduce asset valuations.

Capital market conditions, including liquidity, investor confidence, bond issuer credit worthiness perceived counter-party risk, the supply of and demand for financial instruments, the financial strength of market participants, and other factors, can materially impact the value of the Company’s assets. An impairment in the value of the Company’s assets could result in asset write-downs, reducing the Company’s asset values, earnings, and equity.

Current market developments may adversely affect the Company’s industry, business and results of operations.

Declines in the housing market during recent years, with falling home prices and increasing foreclosures and unemployment, have resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by financial institutions, including government-sponsored entities and major commercial and investment banks. These write-downs have caused many financial institutions to seek additional capital, to merge with larger and stronger institutions and, in some cases, to fail. Many lenders and institutional investors, concerned about the stability of the financial markets generally and the strength of counterparties, have reduced or ceased to provide funding to borrowers, including other financial institutions. The resulting lack of available credit, volatility in the financial markets and reduced business activity could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect the Company.

Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships. The Company routinely executes transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, and other institutional clients. Many of these transactions expose the Company to credit risk in the event of default of the Company’s counterparty or client. In addition, the Company’s credit risk may be increased when the collateral the Company holds cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the secured obligation. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations or earnings.

Shares of Company common stock eligible for future sale could have a dilutive effect on the market for Company common stock and could adversely affect the market price.

The Articles of Incorporation of the Company authorize the issuance of 150 million shares of common stock (and two additional classes of 1 million shares each, denominated “Class B Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock”, respectively) of which approximately 29.1 million shares of common stock were outstanding at December 31, 2010. Pursuant to its stock option plans, at December 31, 2010, the Company had outstanding options for 2.4 million shares of common stock, of which 1.9 million were currently exercisable. As of December 31, 2010, 3.7 million shares of Company common stock remained available for grants under the Company’s stock option plans. Sales of substantial amounts of Company common stock in the public market could adversely affect the market price of its common stock.

The Company’s payment of dividends on common stock could be eliminated or reduced.

Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends only when, as and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors. Although the Company has historically paid cash dividends on the Company’s common stock, the Company is not required to do so and the Company’s Board of Directors could reduce or eliminate the Company’s common stock dividend in the future.

The Company could repurchase shares of its common stock at price levels considered excessive.

The Company repurchases and retires its common stock in accordance with Board of Directors-approved share repurchase programs. At December 31, 2010, approximately 1.9 million shares remained available to repurchase under such plans. The Company has been active in repurchasing and retiring shares of its common stock when alternative uses of excess capital, such as acquisitions, have been limited. The Company could repurchase shares of its common stock at price levels considered excessive, thereby spending more cash on such repurchases as deemed reasonable and effectively retiring fewer shares than would be retired if repurchases were affected at lower prices.

Risks Related to the Nature and Geographical Location of the Company’s Business

The Company invests in loans that contain inherent credit risks that may cause the Company to incur losses.

The Company can provide no assurance that the credit quality of the loan portfolio will not deteriorate in the future and that such deterioration will not adversely affect the Company.

The Company’s operations are concentrated geographically in California, and poor economic conditions may cause the Company to incur losses.

Substantially all of the Company’s business is located in California. A portion of the loan portfolio of the Company is dependent on real estate. At December 31, 2010, real estate served as the principal source of collateral with respect to approximately 55% of the Company’s loan portfolio. The Company’s financial condition and operating results will be subject to changes in economic conditions in California. The California economy is currently weak following a severe recession. Much of the California real estate market has experienced a decline in values of varying degrees. This decline is having an adverse impact on the business of some of the Company’s borrowers and on the value of the collateral for many of the Company’s loans. Economic conditions in California are subject to various uncertainties at this time, including the decline in construction and real estate sectors, the California state government’s budgetary difficulties and continuing fiscal difficulties. The Company can provide no assurance that conditions in the California economy will not deteriorate in the future and that such deterioration will not adversely affect the Company.

The markets in which the Company operates are subject to the risk of earthquakes and other natural disasters.

Most of the properties of the Company are located in California. Also, most of the real and personal properties which currently secure some of the Company’s loans are located in California. California is a state which is prone to earthquakes, brush fires, flooding and other natural disasters. In addition to possibly sustaining damage to its own properties, if there is a major earthquake, flood, fire or other natural disaster, the Company faces the risk that many of its borrowers may experience uninsured property losses, or sustained job interruption and/or loss which may materially impair their ability to meet the terms of their loan obligations. A major earthquake, flood, fire or other natural disaster in California could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

As a financial services company, adverse changes in general business or economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

A sustained or continuing weakness or weakening in business and economic conditions generally or specifically in the principal markets in which the Company does business could have one or more of the following adverse impacts on the Company’s business:

•

a decrease in the demand for loans and other products and services offered by the Company;

•

an increase or decrease in the usage of unfunded credit commitments;

•

an impairment of certain intangible assets, such as goodwill;

•

an increase in the number of clients and counterparties who become delinquent, file for protection under bankruptcy laws or default on their loans or other obligations to the Company, which could result in a higher level of nonperforming assets, net charge-offs, provision for loan losses, and valuation adjustments on loans held for sale;

•

an impairment of certain investment securities, such as state and local municipal securities;

•

an impairment of life insurance policies owned by the Company.

Current market conditions have also led to the failure or merger of a number of financial institutions. Financial institution failures or near-failures have resulted in further losses as a consequence of defaults on securities issued by them and defaults under contracts entered into with such entities as counterparties. Weak economic conditions can significantly weaken the strength and liquidity of financial institutions. The Federal Reserve is currently maintaining policy and taking actions to increase liquidity and encourage economic growth.

The Company’s financial performance generally, and in particular the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay principal of outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans, is highly dependent upon on the business environment in the markets where the Company operates, in the State of California and in the United States as a whole. A favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among other factors, economic growth, healthy labor markets, efficient capital markets, low inflation, high business and investor confidence, and strong business earnings. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by: declines in economic growth, high rates of unemployment, business activity or investor or business confidence; limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital; increases in inflation or interest rates; natural disasters; or a combination of these or other factors.

Overall, during 2009 and 2010, the business environment has been adverse for many households, businesses and government entities in the United States including California. There can be no assurance that these conditions will improve in the near term. Such conditions could adversely affect the credit quality of the Company’s loans, the demand for loans, loan volumes and related revenue, securities valuations, results of operations and financial condition.

The value of securities in the Company’s investment securities portfolio may be negatively affected by disruptions in securities markets.

The market for some of the investment securities held in the Company’s portfolio can be extremely volatile. Volatile market conditions may detrimentally affect the value of these securities, such as through reduced valuations due to the perception of heightened credit and liquidity risks. There can be no assurance that the declines in market value will not result in other than temporary impairments of these assets, which would lead to accounting charges that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s net income and capital levels.

Regulatory Risks

Restrictions on dividends and other distributions could limit amounts payable to the Company.

As a holding company, a substantial portion of the Company’s cash flow typically comes from dividends paid by the Bank. Various statutory provisions restrict the amount of dividends the Company’s subsidiaries can pay to the Company without regulatory approval. In addition, if any of the Company’s subsidiaries were to liquidate, that subsidiary’s creditors will be entitled to receive distributions from the assets of that subsidiary to satisfy their claims against it before the Company, as a holder of an equity interest in the subsidiary, will be entitled to receive any of the assets of the subsidiary.

Adverse effects of changes in banking or other laws and regulations or governmental fiscal or monetary policies could adversely affect the Company.

The Company is subject to significant federal and state regulation and supervision, which is primarily for the benefit and protection of the Company’s customers and not for the benefit of investors. In the past, the Company’s business has been materially affected by these regulations. This trend is likely to continue in the future. As an example, the FRB has amended Regulation E, which implements the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, and the official staff commentary to the regulation, which interprets the requirements of Regulation E. The final rule limits the ability of a financial institution to assess an overdraft fee for paying automated teller machine (ATM) and one-time debit card transactions that overdraw a consumer’s account, unless the consumer affirmatively consents, or opts in, to the institution’s payment of overdrafts for these transactions. The rule had a mandatory compliance date of July 1, 2010 for new accounts and August 15, 2010 for existing accounts. Implementation of the new provisions resulted in the reduction of overdraft fees collected by the Bank.

Laws, regulations or policies, including accounting standards and interpretations currently affecting the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries, may change at any time. Regulatory authorities may also change their interpretation of these statutes and regulations. Therefore, the Company’s business may be adversely affected by any future changes in laws, regulations, policies or interpretations or regulatory approaches to compliance and enforcement including future acts of terrorism, major U.S. corporate bankruptcies and reports of accounting irregularities at U.S. public companies.

Additionally, the Company’s business is affected significantly by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies. The Company is particularly affected by the policies of the FRB, which regulates the supply of money and credit in the United States of America. Under long- standing policy of the FRB, a BHC is expected to act as a source of financial strength for its subsidiary banks. As a result of that policy, the Company may be required to commit financial and other resources to its subsidiary bank in circumstances where the Company might not otherwise do so. Among the instruments of monetary policy available to the FRB are (a) conducting open market operations in U.S. government securities, (b) changing the discount rates of borrowings by depository institutions, (c) changing interest rates paid on balances financial institutions deposit with the FRB, and (d) imposing or changing reserve requirements against certain borrowings by banks and their affiliates. These methods are used in varying degrees and combinations to directly affect the availability of bank loans and deposits, as well as the interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits. The policies of the FRB may have a material effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Federal and state governments could pass legislation responsive to current credit conditions.

As an example, the Company could experience higher credit losses because of federal or state legislation or regulatory action that reduces the amount the Bank’s borrowers are otherwise contractually required to pay under existing loan contracts. Also, the Company could experience higher credit losses because of federal or state legislation or regulatory action that limits the Bank’s ability to foreclose on property or other collateral or makes foreclosure less economically feasible.

The FDIC insures deposits at insured financial institutions up to certain limits. The FDIC charges insured financial institutions premiums to maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund. Current economic conditions have increased expectations for bank failures, in which case the FDIC would take control of failed banks and ensure payment of deposits up to insured limits using the resources of the Deposit Insurance Fund. In such case, the FDIC may increase premium assessments to maintain adequate funding of the Deposit Insurance Fund.

The behavior of depositors in regard to the level of FDIC insurance could cause our existing customers to reduce the amount of deposits held at the Bank, and could cause new customers to open deposit accounts at the Bank. The level and composition of the Bank’s deposit portfolio directly impacts the Bank’s funding cost and net interest margin.

The FRB has been providing vast amounts of liquidity into the banking system due to current economic and capital market conditions. A reduction in the FRB’s activities or capacity could reduce liquidity in the markets, thereby increasing funding costs to the Bank or reducing the availability of funds to the Bank to finance its existing operations.

Systems, Accounting and Internal Control Risks

The accuracy of the Company’s judgments and estimates about financial and accounting matters will impact operating results and financial condition.

The discussion under “Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies” in this report and the information referred to in that discussion is incorporated by reference in this paragraph. The Company makes certain estimates and judgments in preparing its financial statements. The quality and accuracy of those estimates and judgments will have an impact on the Company’s operating results and financial condition.

The Company’s information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security.

The Company relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its business. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in the Company’s accounting, customer relationship management and other systems. Communication and information systems failures can result from a variety of risks including, but not limited to, telecommunication line integrity, weather, terrorist acts, natural disasters, accidental disasters, unauthorized breaches of security systems, and other events. There can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately corrected by the Company. The occurrence of any such failures, interruptions or security breaches could damage the Company’s reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject the Company to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose the Company to litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’s controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.

Management regularly reviews and updates the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. The Company maintains controls and procedures to mitigate against risks such as processing system failures and errors, and customer or employee fraud, and maintains insurance coverage for certain of these risks. Any system of controls and procedures, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Events could occur which are not prevented or detected by the Company’s internal controls or are not insured against or are in excess of the Company’s insurance limits or insurance underwriters’ financial capacity. Any failure or circumvention of the Company’s controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company may have underestimated losses on loans and loan collateral of the former County Bank or former Sonoma Valley Bank.

On February 6, 2009, the Bank acquired approximately $1.2 billion in loans and repossessed collateral of the former County Bank from the FDIC as its receiver. On August 20, 2010, the Bank acquired approximately $217 million in loans and repossessed loan collateral of the former Sonoma Valley Bank from the FDIC as its receiver. These purchased assets had suffered substantial deterioration, and the Company can provide no assurance that they will not continue to deteriorate now that they are the Bank’s assets. If Management’s estimates of purchased asset fair values as of the acquisition dates are higher than ultimate cash flows, the recorded carrying amount of the assets may need to be reduced with a corresponding charge to earnings, net of FDIC loss indemnification on County assets.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Branch Offices and Facilities

Westamerica Bank is engaged in the banking business through 98 branch offices in 21 counties in Northern and Central California including 14 offices in Fresno County, 13 in Sonoma County, 11 in Marin County, seven each in Merced, Napa and Stanislaus Counties, five each in Lake, Contra Costa and Solano Counties, four in Kern County, three each in Alameda, Sacramento and Tulare Counties, two each in Mendocino, Nevada, and Placer Counties, and one each in San Francisco, Tuolumne, Kings, Madera and Mariposa Counties. WAB believes all of its offices are constructed and equipped to meet prescribed security requirements.

The Company owns 34 branch office locations and one administrative facility and leases 79 facilities. Most of the leases contain multiple renewal options and provisions for rental increases, principally for changes in the cost of living index, and for changes in other operating costs such as property taxes and maintenance.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any material pending legal proceeding, nor is their property the subject of any material pending legal proceeding, other than ordinary routine legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. None of these proceedings is expected to have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s business, financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 4. RESERVED

PART II

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

The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “WABC”. The following table shows the high and the low sales prices for the common stock, for each quarter, as reported by NASDAQ:

		High				Low
2010:
First quarter		$	61.25			$	50.87
Second quarter			60.37				52.17
Third quarter			55.99				50.04
Fourth quarter			56.72				48.70
2009:
First quarter		$	51.29			$	33.08
Second quarter			56.79				44.13
Third quarter			54.70				45.42
Fourth quarter			56.80				47.08

As of January 31, 2011, there were approximately 7,500 shareholders of record of the Company’s common stock.

The Company has paid cash dividends on its common stock in every quarter since its formation in 1972, and it is currently the intention of the Board of Directors of the Company to continue payment of cash dividends on a quarterly basis. There is no assurance, however, that any dividends will be paid since they are dependent upon earnings, cash balances, financial condition and capital requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries as well as policies of the FRB pursuant to the BHCA. See Item 1, “Business — Supervision and Regulation.” As of December 31, 2010, $100 million was allowable for payment of dividends by the Company to its shareholders, under applicable laws and regulations.

The notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this report contain additional information regarding the Company’s capital levels, regulations affecting subsidiary bank dividends paid to the Company, the Company’s earnings, financial condition and cash flows, and cash dividends declared and paid on common stock.

As discussed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, in December 1986, the Company declared a dividend distribution of one common share purchase right (the “Right”) for each outstanding share of common stock. The Rights expired on December 31, 2009.

On February 13, 2009, the Company issued to Treasury a warrant to purchase 246,640 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $50.92 per share with an expiration date of February 13, 2019.

Stock performance

The following chart compares the cumulative return on the Company’s stock during the ten years ended December 31, 2010 with the cumulative return on the S&P 500 composite stock index and NASDAQ’S Bank Index. The comparison assumes $100 invested in each on December 31, 2000 and reinvestment of all dividends.

		Period ending
		2000				2001				2002				2003				2004				2005
Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC)		$	100.00			$	94.01			$	97.60			$	123.67			$	147.87			$	137.68
S&P 500 (SPX)			100.00				88.18				68.69				88.39				97.98				102.80
NASDAQ Bank Index (CBNK)			100.00				112.47				120.29				160.03				181.84				178.32

		Period ending
		2006				2007				2008				2009				2010
Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC)		$	134.78			$	123.00			$	144.83			$	161.92			$	165.94
S&P 500 (SPX)			119.09				125.63				79.25				100.22				115.32
NASDAQ Bank Index (CBNK)			203.04				162.61				127.67				106.86				121.98

The following chart compares the cumulative return on the Company’s stock during the five years ended December 31, 2010 with the cumulative return on the S&P 500 composite stock index and NASDAQ’S Bank Index. The comparison assumes $100 invested in each on December 31, 2005 and reinvestment of all dividends.

		Period ending
		2005				2006				2007				2008				2009				2010
Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC)		$	100.00			$	97.89			$	89.34			$	105.19			$	117.15			$	120.53
S&P 500 (SPX)			100.00				115.84				122.21				77.09				97.49				112.18
NASDAQ Bank Index (CBNK)			100.00				113.86				91.19				71.60				59.92				68.41

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of Westamerica Bancorporation or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2010 (in thousands, except per share data).

(c)

(d)

Total Number

Maximum

of Shares

Number of

(b)

Purchased

Shares that

(a)

Average

as Part of

May Yet Be

Total

Price

Publicly

Purchased

Number of

Paid

Announced

Under the

Shares

per

Plans or

Plans or

Period

Purchased

Share

Programs*

Programs

October 1 through October 31

60

$

50.76

60

1,935

November 1 through November 30

64

49.73

64

1,871

December 1 through December 31

4

53.90

4

1,867

Total

128

50.35

128

1,867

The Company repurchases shares of its common stock in the open market to optimize the Company’s use of equity capital and enhance shareholder value and with the intention of lessening the dilutive impact of issuing new shares to meet stock performance, option plans, and other ongoing requirements.

Shares were repurchased during the fourth quarter of 2010 pursuant to a program approved by the Board of Directors on August 26, 2010 authorizing the purchase of up to 2 million shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time prior to September 1, 2011.

[The remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following financial information for the five years ended December 31, 2010 has been derived from the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. This information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere herein.

WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Year ended December 31:		2010				2009				2008				2007				2006
Interest income		$	221,155			$	241,949			$	208,469			$	235,872			$	246,515
Interest expense			12,840				19,380				33,243				72,555				65,268
Net interest income			208,315				222,569				175,226				163,317				181,247
Provision for loan losses			11,200				10,500				2,700				700				445
Noninterest income:
Net losses from securities			—				—				(56,955	)			—				—
Gain on acquisition			178				48,844				—				—				—
Deposit service charges and other			61,276				63,167				54,899				59,278				55,347
Total noninterest income (loss)			61,454				112,011				(2,056	)			59,278				55,347
Noninterest expense
Visa litigation			—				—				(2,338	)			2,338				—
Other noninterest expense			127,147				140,776				103,099				99,090				101,724
Total noninterest expense			127,147				140,776				100,761				101,428				101,724
Income before income taxes			131,422				183,304				69,709				120,467				134,425
Provision for income taxes			36,845				57,878				9,874				30,691				35,619
Net income			94,577				125,426				59,835				89,776				98,806
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion			—				3,963				—				—				—
Net income applicable to common equity		$	94,577			$	121,463			$	59,835			$	89,776			$	98,806
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	3.24			$	4.17			$	2.07			$	3.02			$	3.17
Diluted			3.21				4.14				2.04				2.98				3.11
Per share:
Dividends paid		$	1.44			$	1.41			$	1.39			$	1.36			$	1.30
Book value at December 31			18.74				17.31				14.19				13.60				13.89
Average common shares outstanding			29,166				29,105				28,892				29,753				31,202
Average diluted common shares outstanding			29,471				29,353				29,273				30,165				31,739
Shares outstanding at December 31			29,090				29,208				28,880				29,018				30,547
At December 31:
Originated loans		$	2,029,541			$	2,201,088			$	2,382,426			$	2,502,976			$	2,531,734
Purchased covered loans			692,972				855,301				—				—				—
Purchased non-covered loans			199,571				—				—				—				—
Investments			1,252,212				1,111,143				1,237,779				1,578,109				1,780,617
Intangible assets and goodwill			156,277				157,366				136,907				140,148				143,801
Total assets			4,931,524				4,975,501				4,032,934				4,558,959				4,769,335
Total deposits			4,132,961				4,060,208				3,095,054				3,264,790				3,516,734
Short-term borrowed funds			107,385				227,178				457,275				798,599				731,977
Federal Home Loan Bank advances			61,698				85,470				—				—				—
Debt financing and notes payable			26,363				26,497				26,631				36,773				36,920
Shareholders’ equity			545,287				505,448				409,852				394,603				424,235
Financial Ratios:
For the year:
Return on assets			1.95	%			2.39	%			1.42	%			1.93	%			2.01	%
Return on common equity			18.11	%			25.84	%			14.77	%			22.11	%			23.38	%
Net interest margin *			5.54	%			5.42	%			5.13	%			4.40	%			4.57	%
Net loan losses to average originated loans			0.79	%			0.60	%			0.44	%			0.14	%			0.04	%
Efficiency ratio **			44.13	%			39.74	%			51.88	%			41.46	%			39.12	%
At December 31:
Equity to assets			11.06	%			10.16	%			10.16	%			8.66	%			8.90	%
Total capital to risk-adjusted assets			15.50	%			14.50	%			11.76	%			10.64	%			11.09	%
Allowance for loan losses to originated loans			1.76	%			1.86	%			1.87	%			2.10	%			2.19	%

The above financial summary has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements. This information should be read in conjunction with those statements, notes and the other information included elsewhere herein.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion addresses information pertaining to the financial condition and results of operations of Westamerica Bancorporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) that may not be otherwise apparent from a review of the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes. It should be read in conjunction with those statements and notes found on pages 53 through 92, as well as with the other information presented throughout the Report.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and follow general practices within the banking industry. Application of these principles requires the Company to make certain estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates, assumptions, and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions, and judgments. Certain policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried on the financial statements at fair value warrants an impairment writedown or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event. Carrying assets and liabilities at fair value inherently results in more financial statement volatility. The fair values and the information used to record valuation adjustments for certain assets and liabilities are based either on quoted market prices or are provided by other third-party sources, when available. When third-party information is not available, valuation adjustments are estimated in good faith by Management.

The most significant accounting policies followed by the Company are presented in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the other financial statement notes and in this discussion, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions, and estimates underlying those amounts, Management has identified the allowance for loan losses accounting and purchased loan accounting to be the accounting areas requiring the most subjective or complex judgments, and as such could be most subject to revision as new information becomes available. A discussion of the factors affecting accounting for the allowance for loan losses and purchased loans is included in the “Loan Portfolio Credit Risk” discussion below.

Acquisitions

As described in Note 2, Westamerica Bank (“Bank”) acquired assets and assumed liabilities of the former Sonoma Valley Bank (“Sonoma”) on August 20, 2010 from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).

On February 6, 2009, the Bank acquired assets and assumed liabilities of the former County Bank (“County”) from the FDIC. The Bank acquired approximately $1.62 billion assets and assumed approximately $1.58 billion liabilities. The Bank and the FDIC entered loss sharing agreements regarding future losses incurred on acquired loans and foreclosed loan collateral. Under the terms of the loss sharing agreements, the FDIC absorbs 80 percent of losses and is entitled to 80 percent of loss recoveries on the first $269 million of losses, and absorbs 95 percent of losses and is entitled to 95 percent of loss recoveries on losses exceeding $269 million. The term for loss sharing on residential real estate loans is ten years, while the term for loss sharing on non-residential real estate loans is five years in respect to losses and eight years in respect to loss recoveries.

In both acquisitions, the acquired assets and assumed liabilities were measured at estimated fair values, as required by FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations. Management made significant estimates and exercised significant judgment in accounting for the acquisition. Management judgmentally measured loan fair values based on loan file reviews (including borrower financial statements and tax returns), appraised collateral values, expected cash flows, and historical loss factors. Repossessed loan collateral was primarily valued based upon appraised collateral values. The Bank also recorded identifiable intangible assets representing the value of the core deposit customer bases based on an evaluation of the cost of such deposits relative to alternative funding sources. In determining the value of the identifiable intangible asset, Management used significant estimates including average lives of depository accounts, future interest rate levels, the cost of servicing various depository products, future FDIC insurance assessments, and other significant estimates. Management used quoted market prices to determine the fair value of investment securities, FHLB advances and other borrowings.

Net Income

For 2010, the Company reported net income applicable to common equity of $94.6 million or $3.21 diluted earnings per common share (“EPS”), compared with net income applicable to common equity of $121.5 million or $4.14 EPS, for 2009. The 2010 results included a $178 thousand gain on the acquisition of Sonoma compared with a $48.8 million gain on the acquisition of County in 2009. Further, the provision for loan losses increased in 2010 due to an increase in net loan losses and Management’s assessment of losses inherent in the loan portfolio not covered by FDIC loss-sharing agreements. In the first quarter of 2009 the Company issued $83.7 million in preferred stock to the United States Department of the Treasury. The Company redeemed $42 million of the preferred stock on September 2, 2009 and the remaining preferred stock on November 18, 2009. The preferred stock redemption required accelerated preferred stock discount accretion of $1.1 million, which reduced EPS $0.04. Also, in 2009, the Company eliminated $587 thousand in tax reserves due to a lapse in the statute of limitations, which reduced tax provisions and increased EPS $0.02.

Components of Net Income

Year ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)		2010				2009				2008
Net interest and fee income *		$	226,683			$	242,218			$	196,257
Provision for loan losses			(11,200	)			(10,500	)			(2,700	)
Noninterest income (loss)			61,454				112,011				(2,056	)
Noninterest expense			(127,147	)			(140,776	)			(100,761	)
Income before income taxes *			149,790				202,953				90,740
Taxes *			(55,213	)			(77,527	)			(30,905	)
Net income			94,577				125,426				59,835
Preferred dividends and discount accretion			—				(3,963	)			—
Net income applicable to common equity		$	94,577			$	121,463			$	59,835
Net income applicable to common equity per average fully-diluted common share		$	3.21			$	4.14			$	2.04
Net income applicable to common equity as a percentage of average shareholders’ equity			18.11	%			25.84	%			14.77	%
Net income applicable to common equity as a percentage of average total assets			1.95	%			2.39	%			1.42	%

Comparing 2010 to 2009, net income applicable to common equity decreased $26.9 million, primarily due to a $48.8 million gain on acquisition in 2009, lower net interest income (FTE) and higher provision for loan losses, partially offset by decreases in noninterest expense and income tax provision (FTE) and the elimination of preferred stock dividends and discount accretion. The lower net interest income (FTE) was primarily caused by a lower volume of average interest earning assets, lower yields on investments and higher rates paid on borrowings, partially offset by higher yields on loans, lower average balances of interest-bearing liabilities and lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits. The provision for loan losses increased $700 thousand, reflecting Management’s assessment of losses inherent in the loan portfolio not covered by loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC and purchased loan credit-default discounts. Noninterest income decreased $50.6 million largely due to a $48.8 million acquisition gain in 2009. Noninterest expense declined $13.6 million primarily due to decreases in personnel, occupancy and equipment expenses subsequent to integrating the acquired County operations and lower FDIC insurance assessments. The income tax provision (FTE) decreased $22.3 million. Net income applicable to common equity in 2009 reflected $4.0 million in preferred stock dividends and discount accretion.

Comparing 2009 to 2008, net income applicable to common equity increased $61.6 million, due to higher net interest income (FTE), higher service charges on deposit accounts, the “bargain purchase” gain and 2008 securities losses and impairment charges, partially offset by increases in the provision for loan losses, noninterest expense and income tax provision (FTE) and the 2008 gain on sale of Visa common stock and reversal of noninterest expense related to Visa litigation contingencies. The higher net interest income (FTE) was mainly generated by loans acquired from County, lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits and other short-term borrowings, and lower average balances of borrowings, partially offset by lower yields on loans, lower average investments and higher average balances of interest-bearing deposits. The provision for loan losses increased $7.8 million reflecting higher net loan losses and Management’s assessment of losses inherent in the loan portfolio not covered by loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC and purchased loan credit-default discounts. Noninterest income increased $114.1 million in 2009 compared with 2008 largely due to higher service charges on deposit accounts earned from assumed deposits, the “bargain purchase” gain and the 2008 securities losses, partially offset by the 2008 gain on Visa common stock and reversal of Visa litigation expense. The income tax provision (FTE) increased $46.6 million due to higher profitability.

Net Interest Income

The Company’s primary source of revenue is net interest income, or the difference between interest income earned on loans and investment securities and interest expense paid on interest-bearing deposits and other borrowings. Net interest income (FTE) in 2010 decreased $15.5 million or 6.4% from 2009, to $226.7 million. Comparing 2009 to 2008, net interest income (FTE) increased $46.0 million or 23.4% from 2008, to $242.2 million.

Components of Net Interest Income

Year ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)		2010				2009				2008
Interest and fee income		$	221,155			$	241,949			$	208,469
Interest expense			(12,840	)			(19,380	)			(33,243	)
FTE adjustment			18,368				19,649				21,031
Net interest income (FTE)		$	226,683			$	242,218			$	196,257
Net interest margin (FTE)			5.54	%			5.42	%			5.13	%

Comparing 2010 with 2009, net interest income (FTE) decreased primarily due to a lower volume of average interest earning assets (down $378 million) and lower yields on investments (down 0.29%), partially offset by higher yields on loans (up 0.12%), lower average balances of interest-bearing liabilities (down $287 million) and lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits (down 0.2%).

In Management’s judgment, economic conditions create a cautious view toward commercial lending, and economic pressure on consumers has reduced demand for automobile and other consumer loans. As a result, the Company has not taken an aggressive posture relative to current loan portfolio growth.

At December 31, 2010, purchased FDIC covered loans represented 24 percent of the Company’s loan portfolio. Under the terms of the FDIC loss-sharing agreements, the FDIC is obligated to reimburse the Bank 80 percent of loan interest income foregone on covered loans. Such reimbursements are limited to the lesser of 90 days contractual interest or actual unpaid contractual interest at the time a principal loss is recognized in respect to the underlying loan.

Comparing 2010 with 2009, interest and fee income (FTE) was down $22.1 million or 8.4%. The decrease resulted from a lower volume of average interest earning assets and lower yields on investment securities, partially offset by higher yields on loans. Average interest earning assets decreased $378 million or 8.5% in 2010 compared with 2009 due to a $273 million decrease in average loans and a $105 million decrease in average investments. The decrease in the average balance of the loan portfolio was attributable to decreases in average balances of taxable commercial loans (down $92 million), residential real estate loans (down $75 million), indirect automobile loans (down $50 million), commercial real estate loans (down $38 million), tax-exempt commercial loans (down $20 million) and construction loans (down $11 million). The average investment portfolio decreased $105 million largely due to declines in average balances of residential collateralized mortgage obligations (down $87 million), residential mortgage backed securities (down $41 million) and municipal securities (down $31 million), partially offset by increases in average balances of $34 million of corporate securities and $20 million of U.S. government sponsored entity obligations.

The average yield on interest earning assets in 2010 was 5.85%, unchanged from 2009. The loan portfolio yield in 2010 compared with 2009 period was higher by 0.12%, due to increases in yields on taxable commercial loans (up 0.58%) and construction loans (up 1.36%), partially offset by a 0.35% decrease in yields on residential real estate loans. The investment portfolio yield decreased from 5.42% in 2009 to 5.13% in 2010 as maturities and paydowns on higher yielding portfolio securities were replaced with newly purchased securities bearing lower yields. Current market yields are generally lower than the blended yields on existing portfolios. Yields on U.S. government sponsored entity obligations decreased 2.7%. Yields on municipal securities and U.S. Treasuries declined 0.08% and 2.24%, respectively.

Comparing 2010 with 2009, interest expense declined $6.5 million or 33.7%, primarily due to lower average balances of interest-bearing liabilities and lower rates on interest-bearing deposits. The Company’s average checking and savings deposits represented 77% of total deposits in 2010 compared with 74% in 2009. As a result, the Company’s reliance on higher-costing time deposits was reduced. Average interest-bearing liabilities in 2010 fell by $287 million from 2009 mainly due to decreases in average balances of federal funds purchased (down $108 million), FHLB advances (down $45 million), time deposits less than $100 thousand (down $100 million), time deposits $100 thousand or more (down $57 million) and money market checking accounts (down $14 million), partially offset by increases in the average balance of money market savings (up $24 million) and regular savings (up $16 million). Rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities averaged 0.45% in 2010 compared with 0.62% in 2009. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits declined 0.2% to 0.34% in 2010 compared with 2009 mainly due to lower rates on time deposits less than $100 thousand (down 0.49%), time deposits $100 thousand or more (down 0.26%), preferred money market savings (down 0.16%) and regular savings (down 0.08%).

The growth in average interest earning assets in 2009 compared with 2008 was attributable to the acquisition of County loans from the FDIC. The average balance of such loans for 2009 was $897.9 million. Average interest earning assets increased $650.0 million or 17.0% for 2009 compared with 2008. A $794.4 million increase in the average balance of the loan portfolio was attributable to increases in average balances of commercial real estate loans (up $447.2 million), taxable commercial loans (up $311.0 million) and consumer loans (up $91.0 million), partially offset by a $36.2 million decrease in the average balance of residential real estate loans and a $21.9 million decrease in the average balance of tax-exempt commercial loans. The acquired County loan portfolio did not contain significant volumes of tax-exempt commercial loans or residential real estate loans. Average investments decreased by $144.4 million due to declines in the average balances of U.S. government sponsored entity obligations (down $108.8 million), municipal securities (down $20.3 million) and a $41.9 million decline in average balances of FHLMC and FNMA stock resulting from an impairment charge in 2008, partially offset by a $18.7 million increase in the average balance of mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.

The average yield on interest earning assets in 2009 was 5.85% compared with 6.00% in 2008. The loan portfolio yield in 2009 compared with 2008 was lower by 0.29%, due to decreases in yields on taxable commercial loans (down 1.24%), commercial real estate loans (down 0.47%) and real estate construction loans (down 2.34%), partially offset by consumer loans (up 0.13%) and tax-exempt commercial loans (up 0.12%). The investment portfolio yield decreased by 0.06%. The decrease resulted from a 0.11% decline in yields on mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations and a 4.92% decline in yields on corporate and other securities which was affected primarily by suspended dividends on FHLMC and FNMA preferred stock, partially offset by higher yields on U.S. government sponsored entity obligations (up 0.04%).

Comparing 2009 with 2008, interest expense decreased $13.9 million due to lower rates paid, lower average balances of short-term borrowings and higher levels of shareholders’ equity, offset in part by higher average balances of interest-bearing deposits. Average interest-bearing liabilities in 2009 rose by $568.1 million or 22.1% over 2008 mainly through the County acquisition. A $729.1 million growth in interest-bearing deposits was mostly attributable to increases in average balances of time deposits less than $100 thousand (up $264.2 million), time deposits over $100 thousand (up $118.3 million), money market checking accounts (up $154.9 million), money market savings (up $125.0 million) and regular savings (up $72.4 million). Short-term borrowings decreased $153.7 million, mainly the net result of lower average balances of federal funds purchased (down $303.8 million) and sweep accounts (down $13.2 million), partially offset by higher average balances of repurchase agreements (up $86.6 million) and FHLB advances (up $79.4 million). Average balances of long-term debt also declined $7.2 million. Rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities averaged 0.62% in 2009 compared with 1.29% in 2008. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits declined 0.53% to 0.54% in 2009 mainly due to lower rates on time deposits less than $100 thousand (down 1.71%), time deposits over $100 thousand (down 1.23%) and preferred money market savings (down 0.94%). Rates on short-term borrowings were also lower by 1.02% largely due to federal funds (down 1.99%) and repurchase agreements (down 1.26%).

The following tables present information regarding the consolidated average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity, the amounts of interest income earned from average interest earning assets and the resulting yields, and the amount of interest expense paid on average interest-bearing liabilities and the resulting rates paid. Average loan balances include nonperforming loans. Interest income includes proceeds from loans on nonaccrual status only to the extent cash payments have been received and applied as interest income. Yields on tax-exempt securities and loans have been adjusted upward to reflect the effect of income exempt from federal income taxation at the current statutory tax rate.

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity and Yields, Rates & Interest Margin

		Year Ended December 31, 2010
						Interest				Rates
		Average				Income/				Earned/
(Dollars in thousands)		Balance				Expense				Paid
Assets
Money market assets and funds sold		$	1,820			$	2				0.11	%
Investment securities:
Available for sale
Taxable			299,730				8,806				2.94	%
Tax-exempt (1)			183,484				11,982				6.53	%
Held to maturity
Taxable			175,475				7,641				4.35	%
Tax-exempt (1)			479,969				30,075				6.27	%
Loans:
Commercial
Taxable			536,530				34,140				6.36	%
Tax-exempt (1)			166,702				10,941				6.56	%
Commercial real estate			1,245,369				81,755				6.56	%
Real estate construction			68,602				3,711				5.41	%
Real estate residential			357,398				15,668				4.38	%
Consumer			579,432				34,802				6.01	%
Total Loans (1)			2,954,033				181,017				6.13	%
Interest earning assets (1)			4,094,511				239,523				5.85	%
Other assets			758,969
Total assets		$	4,853,480
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Deposits:
Noninterest bearing demand		$	1,412,702				—				—
Savings and interest-bearing transaction			1,676,882				3,543				0.21	%
Time less than $100,000			358,096				1,769				0.49	%
Time $100,000 or more			550,810				3,406				0.62	%
Total interest-bearing deposits			2,585,788				8,718				0.34	%
Short-term borrowed funds			202,663				1,991				0.97	%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances			34,378				437				1.25	%
Debt financing and notes payable			26,433				1,694				6.41	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities			2,849,262				12,840				0.45	%
Other liabilities			69,333
Shareholders’ equity			522,183
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	4,853,480
Net interest spread (2)											5.40	%
Net interest income and interest margin (1)(3)						$	226,683				5.54	%

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity and Yields, Rates & Interest Margin

		Year Ended December 31, 2009
						Interest				Rates
		Average				Income/				Earned/
(Dollars in thousands)		Balance				Expense				Paid
Assets
Money market assets and funds sold		$	841			$	3				0.36	%
Investment securities:
Available for sale
Taxable			240,829				9,002				3.74	%
Tax-exempt (1)			166,669				11,217				6.73	%
Held to maturity
Taxable			307,763				13,971				4.54	%
Tax-exempt (1)			529,597				33,334				6.29	%
Loans:
Commercial
Taxable			629,027				36,360				5.78	%
Tax-exempt (1)			186,295				12,362				6.64	%
Commercial real estate			1,283,114				84,473				6.58	%
Real estate construction			79,425				3,213				4.05	%
Real estate residential			431,931				20,640				4.73	%
Consumer			617,169				37,023				6.00	%
Total Loans (1)			3,226,961				194,071				6.01	%
Interest earning assets (1)			4,472,660				261,598				5.85	%
Other assets			613,977
Total assets		$	5,086,637
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Deposits:
Noninterest bearing demand		$	1,354,534				—				—
Savings and interest-bearing transaction			1,648,095				4,677				0.28	%
Time less than $100,000			458,117				4,506				0.98	%
Time $100,000 or more			607,642				5,366				0.88	%
Total interest-bearing deposits			2,713,854				14,549				0.54	%
Short-term borrowed funds			316,306				2,132				0.67	%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances			79,417				1,010				1.25	%
Debt financing and notes payable			26,567				1,689				6.36	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities			3,136,144				19,380				0.62	%
Other liabilities			71,635
Shareholders’ equity			524,324
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	5,086,637
Net interest spread (2)											5.23	%
Net interest income and interest margin (1)(3)						$	242,218				5.42	%

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity and Yields, Rates & Interest Margin

		Year Ended December 31, 2008
						Interest				Rates
		Average				Income/				Earned/
(Dollars in thousands)		Balance				Expense				Paid
Assets
Money market assets and funds sold		$	817			$	3				0.37	%
Investment securities:
Available for sale
Taxable			205,138				8,854				4.32	%
Tax-exempt (1)			196,993				13,795				7.00	%
Held to maturity
Taxable			436,041				19,237				4.41	%
Tax-exempt (1)			551,120				34,328				6.23	%
Loans:
Commercial
Taxable			318,075				22,341				7.02	%
Tax-exempt (1)			208,155				13,575				6.52	%
Commercial real estate			835,925				58,913				7.05	%
Real estate construction			76,086				4,863				6.39	%
Real estate residential			468,140				22,683				4.85	%
Consumer			526,175				30,908				5.87	%
Total Loans (1)			2,432,556				153,283				6.30	%
Interest earning assets (1)			3,822,665				229,500				6.00	%
Other assets			397,098
Total assets		$	4,219,763
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Deposits:
Noninterest bearing demand		$	1,181,679				—				—
Savings and interest-bearing transaction			1,301,556				5,642				0.43	%
Time less than $100,000			193,889				5,209				2.69	%
Time $100,000 or more			489,326				10,331				2.11	%
Total interest-bearing deposits			1,984,771				21,182				1.07	%
Short-term borrowed funds			549,438				9,958				1.81	%
Debt financing and notes payable			33,807				2,103				6.22	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities			2,568,016				33,243				1.29	%
Other liabilities			64,992
Shareholders’ equity			405,076
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	4,219,763
Net interest spread (2)											4.71	%
Net interest income and interest margin (1)(3)						$	196,257				5.13	%

The following tables set forth a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense due to changes in average assets and liability balances (volume) and changes in average interest rates for the periods indicated. Changes not solely attributable to volume or rates have been allocated in proportion to the respective volume and rate components.

Summary of Changes in Interest Income and Expense

Years Ended December 31,		2010 Compared with 2009
(In thousands)		Volume				Rate				Total
Increase (decrease) in interest and fee income:
Money market assets and funds sold		$	2			$	(3	)		$	(1	)
Investment securities:
Available for sale Taxable			1,950				(2,146	)			(196	)
Tax- exempt (1)			1,106				(341	)			765
Held to maturity Taxable			(5,782	)			(548	)			(6,330	)
Tax- exempt (1)			(3,110	)			(149	)			(3,259	)
Loans:
Commercial:
Taxable			(5,666	)			3,446				(2,220	)
Tax- exempt (1)			(1,287	)			(134	)			(1,421	)
Commercial real estate			(2,478	)			(240	)			(2,718	)
Real estate construction			(480	)			978				498
Real estate residential			(3,363	)			(1,609	)			(4,972	)
Consumer			(2,267	)			46				(2,221	)
Total loans (1)			(15,541	)			2,487				(13,054	)
Total decrease in interest and fee income (1)			(21,375	)			(700	)			(22,075	)
Increase (decrease) in interest expense:
Deposits:
Savings/ interest-bearing			80				(1,214	)			(1,134	)
Time less than $100,000			(834	)			(1,903	)			(2,737	)
Time $100,000 or more			(466	)			(1,494	)			(1,960	)
Total interest-bearing			(1,220	)			(4,611	)			(5,831	)
Short-term borrowed funds			(920	)			779				(141	)
Federal Home Loan Bank advances			(645	)			72				(573	)
Notes and mortgages payable			(9	)			14				5
Total decrease in interest expense			(2,794	)			(3,746	)			(6,540	)
(Decrease) increase in net interest income (1)		$	(18,581	)		$	3,046			$	(15,535	)

Summary of Changes in Interest Income and Expense

Years Ended December 31,		2009 Compared with 2008
(In thousands)		Volume				Rate				Total
Increase (decrease) in interest and fee income:
Money market assets and funds sold		$	—			$	—			$	—
Investment securities:
Available for sale Taxable			1,412				(1,264	)			148
Tax- exempt (1)			(2,063	)			(515	)			(2,578	)
Held to maturity Taxable			(5,812	)			546				(5,266	)
Tax- exempt (1)			(1,370	)			376				(994	)
Loans:
Commercial:
Taxable			18,549				(4,530	)			14,019
Tax- exempt (1)			(1,452	)			239				(1,213	)
Commercial real estate			29,641				(4,081	)			25,560
Real estate construction			197				(1,847	)			(1,650	)
Real estate residential			(1,742	)			(301	)			(2,043	)
Consumer			5,435				680				6,115
Total loans (1)			50,628				(9,840	)			40,788
Total increase (decrease) in interest and fee income (1)			42,795				(10,697	)			32,098
Increase (decrease) in interest expense:
Deposits:
Savings/ interest-bearing			1,268				(2,233	)			(965	)
Time less than $100,000			4,022				(4,725	)			(703	)
Time $100,000 or more			2,059				(7,024	)			(4,965	)
Total interest-bearing			7,349				(13,982	)			(6,633	)
Short-term borrowed funds			(3,280	)			(4,546	)			(7,826	)
Federal Home Loan Bank advances			1,010				—				1,010
Notes and mortgages payable			(460	)			46				(414	)
Total increase (decrease) in interest expense			4,619				(18,482	)			(13,863	)
Increase in net interest income (1)		$	38,176			$	7,785			$	45,961

Provision for Loan Losses

The Company manages credit costs by consistently enforcing conservative underwriting and administration procedures and aggressively pursuing collection efforts with debtors experiencing financial difficulties. County loans purchased from the FDIC are “covered” by loss-sharing agreements the Company entered into with the FDIC. Further, the Company recorded the purchased County loans at estimated fair value upon acquisition as of February 6, 2009. Due to the loss-sharing agreements and February 6, 2009 fair value recognition, the Company did not record a provision for loan losses during 2010 related to covered loans. The Company recorded purchased Sonoma loans at estimated fair value upon acquisition as of August 20, 2010. Due to the fair value recognition, the Company did not record a provision for loan losses for the period August 20, 2010 through December 31, 2010 related to purchased Sonoma loans. In Management’s judgment, the acquisition date purchased loan credit default discounts remaining at December 31, 2010 represent appropriate loss estimates for default risk inherent in the purchased loans. In 2010, the provision for loan losses was $11.2 million, compared to $10.5 million for 2009 and $2.7 million for 2008. The provision reflects Management’s assessment of credit risk in the loan portfolio for each of the periods presented. For further information regarding credit risk, the FDIC loss-sharing agreements, net credit losses and the allowance for loan losses, see the “Loan Portfolio Credit Risk” and “Allowance for Credit Losses” sections of this report.

Noninterest Income

Components of Noninterest Income

Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)		2010				2009				2008
Service charges on deposit accounts		$	33,517			$	36,392			$	29,762
Merchant credit card fees			9,057				9,068				10,525
Debit card fees			4,888				4,875				3,769
ATM fees and interchange			3,848				3,693				2,923
Other service charges			2,768				2,200				2,025
Trust fees			1,705				1,429				1,227
Check sale income			893				887				736
Safe deposit rental			678				697				593
Financial services commissions			747				583				830
Gain on acquisition			178				48,844				—
Securities losses and impairment			—				—				(62,653	)
Gain on sale of Visa common stock			—				—				5,698
Other noninterest income			3,175				3,343				2,509
Total		$	61,454			$	112,011			$	(2,056	)

In 2010 noninterest income decreased $50.6 million compared with 2009 primarily due to the $48.8 million gain on acquisition of County in 2009. Service charges on deposits decreased $2.9 million or 7.9% due to declines in fees charged on overdrawn and insufficient accounts (down $2.4 million) and deficit fees charged on analyzed accounts (down $839 thousand), partially offset by service fees charged on checking accounts (up $373 thousand). New regulations over overdraft fees were adopted July 1, 2010 and limited the Bank’s ability to assess overdraft fees. Other noninterest income fell $168 thousand mostly due to miscellaneous fees and a gain on sale of foreclosed assets in 2009. The decline in other noninterest income was partially offset by a $490 thousand gain on sale of other assets in 2010. Other categories of fees partially offset the decline in noninterest income. Other service fees increased $568 thousand or 25.8% mainly due to increases in check cashing fees, internet banking fees and foreign currency commissions. Trust fees increased $276 thousand or 19.3% mostly due to new trust assets. Financial service commissions increased $164 thousand or 28.1%. ATM fees and interchange income was higher by $155 thousand or 4.2% due to increased transaction volumes.

In 2009, noninterest income was $112.0 million compared with a noninterest loss of $2.1 million in 2008 primarily due to a $48.8 million gain on acquisition and a $6.6 million or 22.3% increase in service charges on deposit accounts in 2009 and because noninterest income in 2008 was reduced by $59.4 million in losses on sale and “other than temporary” impairment charges on FHLMC and FNMA preferred stock. Higher service charges on deposit accounts were attributable to growth in deposit accounts through the County acquisition in February 2009. Debit card fees and ATM fees and interchange income increased $1.1 million or 29.3% and $770 thousand or 26.3%, respectively, mainly due to an increased customer base through the County acquisition. Other noninterest income increased $908 thousand largely due to $938 thousand in miscellaneous income from County operations. Merchant credit card income declined $1.5 million or 13.8% primarily due to lower transaction volume and the impact of prevailing economic conditions on consumer spending. The County acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The purchased assets and assumed liabilities were recorded at their acquisition date fair values, and identifiable intangible assets were recorded at fair value. The gain on acquisition totaling $48.8 million resulted from the amount by which the fair value of assets purchased exceeded the fair value of liabilities assumed. Offsetting the increase was a $5.7 million gain on sale of Visa common stock in 2008 and a $247 thousand decrease in financial services commissions.

Noninterest Expense

Components of Noninterest Expense

Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)		2010				2009				2008
Salaries and related benefits		$	61,748			$	65,391			$	51,492
Occupancy			15,633				18,748				13,703
Outsourced data processing			8,957				9,000				8,440
Amortization of intangible assets			6,333				6,697				3,221
FDIC insurance assessments			5,168				6,260				518
Equipment			4,325				5,859				3,801
Courier service			3,495				3,808				3,322
Professional fees			3,376				3,583				2,624
Loan expenses			1,639				2,031				911
Telephone			1,590				1,977				1,368
Postage			1,540				2,110				1,487
Stationery and supplies			1,285				1,555				1,170
OREO expense			895				616				255
Advertising and public relations			880				995				843
Operational losses			828				953				845
In-house meetings			726				1,177				837
Customer checks			660				749				920
Correspondent service charges			280				1,072				634
Visa litigation			—				—				(2,338	)
Other			7,789				8,195				6,708
Total		$	127,147			$	140,776			$	100,761
Noninterest expense to revenues (“efficiency ratio”)(FTE)			44.1	%			39.7	%			51.9	%
Average full-time equivalent staff			1,015				1,115				891
Total average assets per full-time staff		$	4,782			$	4,562			$	4,736