UNITED STATES
 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
 
 
 FORM 10-K
  
  T
ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 (Fee Required)
 For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
 o
TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 (No Fee Required)
 For the Transition Period from _____________to ______________
 
 Commission File Number 000-12436
 COLONY BANKCORP, INC.
 (Exact Name of Registrant Specified in its Charter)
 
 Georgia

58-1492391(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)115 South Grant StreetFitzgerald, Georgia

31750(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)
 
 (229) 426-6000
 Issuer’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code
 
 Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None.
 
 Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
 Title of Each Class

Name of Each Exchange on Which RegisteredCommon Stock, Par Value $1.00

The NASDAQ Stock Market
 
 Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  o  No  T
 
 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  T
 
 Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act during the past 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 T  No o
 
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§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  T   No  o
 
 Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-K in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of 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.    T
 
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a nonaccelerated 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.
 
 Large Accelerated Filer    o

Accelerated Filer    oNonaccelerated Filer    o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller Reporting Company    T
 
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act):   Yes o   No  T
 
 State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by nonaffiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked prices of such common equity, as of June 30, 2009:  $38,806,323 based on stock price of $7.11.
 
 Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date:  7,228,163 shares of $1.00 par value common stock as of March 12, 2010.
 
 DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
 Portions of the information required by Part III of this Annual Report are incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report.
  
 - 1 -
  TABLE OF CONTENTS
 PagePART IForward Looking Statement Disclosure

3Item 1.

Business

5Item 1A.

Not Applicable

21Item 1B.

Not Applicable

21Item 2.

Properties

21Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

21Item 4.

(Reserved)

21PART IIItem 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related StockholderMatters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

22Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

23Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

25Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

60Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

60Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

61Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

62Item 9B.

Other Information

63PART IIIItem 10.

Directors and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

63Item 11.

Executive Compensation

63Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

64Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

64Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

64PART IVItem 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

65Signatures

68
  - 2 -
 Table of Contents
  Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results
 
 Certain statements contained in this Annual Report that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Act), notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified. In addition, certain statements may be contained in the Company’s future filings with the SEC, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by or with the approval of the Company that are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statements of plans and objectives of Colony Bankcorp, Inc. 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” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.
 
 Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
 
 ·
Local and regional economic conditions and the impact they may have on the Company and its customers and the Company’s assessment of that impact.
 
 ·
Changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements.
 
 ·
The effects of and changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board.
 
 ·
Inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations.
 
 ·
Political instability.
 
 ·
Acts of war or terrorism.
 
 ·
The timely development and acceptance of new products and services and perceived overall value of these products and services by users.
 
 ·
Changes in consumer spending, borrowings and savings habits.
 
 ·
Technological changes.
 
 ·
Acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses.
 
 ·
The ability to increase market share and control expenses.
  - 3 -
 Table of Contents
  Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results (Continued)
 
 ·
The effect of changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance) with which the Company and its subsidiary must comply.
 
 ·
The effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard setters.
 
 ·
Changes in the Company’s organization, compensation and benefit plans.
 
 ·
The costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation.
 
 ·
Greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the integration of new lines of business.
 
 ·
The Company’s success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items.
 
 Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
 
 Readers should carefully review all disclosures we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
  - 4 -
 Table of Contents
  Part I
 Item1
 
 Business
 
 COLONY BANKCORP, INC.
 
 General
 
 Colony Bankcorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Colony”) is a Georgia business corporation which was incorporated on November 8, 1982.   The Company was organized for the purpose of operating as a bank holding company under the Federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and the bank holding company laws of Georgia (Georgia Laws 1976, p. 168, et. seq.). On July 22, 1983, the Company, after obtaining the requisite regulatory approvals, acquired 100 percent of the issued and outstanding common stock of Colony Bank (formerly Colony Bank of Fitzgerald and The Bank of Fitzgerald), Fitzgerald, Georgia, through the merger of the Bank with a subsidiary of the Company which was created for the purpose of organizing the Bank into a one-bank holding company.  Since that time, Colony Bank has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.  Our business is conducted primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiary, which provides a broad range of banking services to its retail and commercial customers.  The company headquarters are located at 115 South Grant Street, Fitzgerald, Georgia 31750, its telephone number is 229-426-6000 and its Internet address is http://www.colonybank.com.  We operate twenty-nine domestic banking offices and one mortgage company office and at December 31, 2009, we had approximately $1.31 billion in total assets, $899.85 million in total loans, $1.06 billion in total deposits and $89.27 million in stockholder’s equity.  Deposits are insured, up to applicable limits, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
 
 The Parent Company
 
 Because Colony Bankcorp, Inc. is a bank holding company, its principal operations are conducted through its subsidiary bank, Colony Bank (the “Bank”).  It has 100 percent ownership of its subsidiary and maintains systems of financial, operational and administrative controls that permit centralized evaluation of the operations of the subsidiary bank in selected functional areas including operations, accounting, marketing, investment management, purchasing, human resources, computer services, auditing, compliance and credit review.  As a bank holding company, we perform certain stockholder and investor relations functions.
 
 Colony Bank- Banking Services
 
 Our principal subsidiary is the Bank.  The Bank, headquartered in Fitzgerald, Georgia, offers traditional banking products and services to commercial and consumer customers in our markets.  Our product line includes, among other things, loans to small and medium-sized businesses, residential and commercial construction and land development loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial loans, agri-business and production loans, residential mortgage loans, home equity loans, consumer loans and a variety of demand, savings and time deposit products.  We also offer internet banking services, electronic bill payment services, safe deposit box rentals, telephone banking, credit and debit card services, remote depository products and access to a network of ATMs to our customers.  Colony Bank conducts a general full service commercial, consumer and mortgage banking business through thirty offices located in the middle and south Georgia cities of Fitzgerald, Warner Robins, Centerville, Ashburn, Leesburg, Cordele, Albany, Thomaston, Columbus, Sylvester, Tifton, Moultrie, Douglas, Broxton, Savannah, Eastman, Chester, Soperton, Rochelle, Pitts, Quitman and Valdosta, Georgia.
 
 For additional discussion of our loan portfolio and deposit accounts, see “Management’s Discussion of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Loans and Deposits.”
  - 5 -
 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 Subordinated Debentures (Trust Preferred Securities)
 
 During the second quarter of 2004, the Company formed Colony Bankcorp Statutory Trust III for the sole purpose of issuing $4,500,000 in Trust Preferred Securities through a pool sponsored by FTN Financial Capital Market.  The securities have a maturity of thirty years and are redeemable after five years with certain exceptions.
 
 During the second quarter of 2006, the Company formed Colony Bankcorp Capital Trust I for the sole purpose of issuing $5,000,000 in Trust Preferred Securities through a pool sponsored by SunTrust Bank Capital Markets.  The securities have a maturity of thirty years and are redeemable after five years with certain exceptions.
 
 During the first quarter of 2007, the Company formed Colony Bankcorp Capital Trust II for the sole purpose of issuing $9,000,000 in Trust Preferred Securities through a pool sponsored by Trapeza Capital Management, LLC.  The securities have a maturity of thirty years and are redeemable after five years with certain exceptions.  Proceeds from this issuance were used to pay off trust preferred securities issued on March 26, 2002 through Colony Bankcorp Statutory Trust I.
 
 During the third quarter of 2007, the Company formed Colony Bankcorp Capital Trust III for the sole purpose of issuing $5,000,000 in Trust Preferred Securities through a pool sponsored by Trapeza Capital Management, LLC.  The securities have a maturity of thirty years and are redeemable after five years with certain exceptions.  Proceeds from this issuance were used to pay off trust preferred securities issued on December 19, 2002 through Colony Bankcorp Statutory Trust II.
 
 Corporate Restructuring and Business Combinations
 
 On April 30, 1984, after acquiring the requisite regulatory approvals, the Company acquired 100 percent of the issued and outstanding stock of Colony Bank Wilcox (formerly Community Bank of Wilcox and Pitts Banking Company), Pitts, Wilcox County, Georgia.  As part of the transaction, Colony issued an additional 17,872 shares of its $10.00 par value common stock, all of which was exchanged with the holders of shares of common stock of Pitts Banking Company for 100 percent of the 250 issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Pitts Banking Company.  Since the date of acquisition, Colony Bank Wilcox operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company until it was merged into Colony Bank effective August 1, 2008.
 
 On November 1, 1984, after obtaining the requisite regulatory approvals, the Company acquired 100 percent of the issued and outstanding common stock of Colony Bank Ashburn (formerly Ashburn Bank), Ashburn, Turner County, Georgia, for a combination of cash and interest-bearing promissory notes.  Since the date of acquisition, Colony Bank Ashburn operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company until it was merged into Colony Bank effective August 1, 2008.
 
 On September 30, 1985, after obtaining the requisite regulatory approvals, the Company acquired 100 percent of the issued and outstanding common stock of Colony Bank of Dodge County, (formerly The Bank of Dodge County), Chester, Dodge County, Georgia.  The stock was acquired in exchange for the issuance of 3,500 shares of common stock of Colony.  Since the date of acquisition, Colony Bank of Dodge County operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company until it was merged into Colony Bank effective August 1, 2008.
  - 6 -
 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 On July 31, 1991, after obtaining the requisite regulatory approvals, the Company acquired 100 percent of the issued and outstanding common stock of Colony Bank Worth, (formerly Worth Federal Savings and Loan Association and Bank of Worth), Sylvester, Worth County, Georgia.  The stock was acquired in exchange for cash and the issuance of 7,661 shares of common stock of Colony for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $718,000.  Since the date of acquisition, Colony Bank Worth operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company until it was merged into Colony Bank effective August 1, 2008.
 
 On November 8, 1996, Colony organized Colony Management Services, Inc. to provide support services to each subsidiary.  Services provided include loan and compliance review, internal audit and data processing. Colony Management Services, Inc. operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company until it was merged into Colony Bank effective August 1, 2008.
 
 On November 30, 1996, after obtaining the requisite regulatory approvals, the Company acquired 100 percent of the issued and outstanding common stock of Colony Bank Southeast (formerly Broxton State Bank), Broxton, Coffee County, Georgia in a business combination accounted for as a pooling of interests.  Broxton State Bank became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company through the exchange of 157,735 shares of the Company’s common stock for all of the outstanding stock of Broxton State Bank.  Since the date of acquisition, Colony Bank Southeast operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company until it was merged into Colony Bank effective August 1, 2008.
 
 On March 2, 2000, Colony Bank Ashburn purchased the capital stock of Colony Mortgage Corp (formerly Georgia First Mortgage Company) in a business combination accounted for as a purchase.  The purchase price of $346,725 was the fair value of the net assets of Georgia First Mortgage Company at the date of purchase.  Colony Mortgage Corp is primarily engaged in residential real estate mortgage lending in the state of Georgia. Colony Mortgage Corp operates as a subsidiary of Colony Bank effective with the August 1, 2008 merger.
 
 On March 29, 2002, after obtaining the requisite regulatory approvals, the Company acquired 100 percent of the issued and outstanding stock of Colony Bank Quitman, FSB, (formerly Quitman Federal Saving Bank), Quitman, Brooks County, Georgia.  Quitman Federal Savings Bank became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company through the exchange of 367,093 shares of the Company’s common stock and cash for an aggregate acquisition price of $7,446,163.  Since the date of acquisition, Colony Bank Quitman, FSB operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company until it was merged into Colony Bank effective August 1, 2008.
 
 On March 19, 2004, Colony Bank Ashburn purchased Flag Bank – Thomaston office in a business combination accounted for as a purchase.  Since the date of acquisition, the Thomaston office operated as an office of Colony Bank Ashburn until August 1, 2008 when it became an office of Colony Bank.
 
 On August 1, 2008, the Company effected a merger of its seven banking subsidiaries and its one nonbank subsidiary into one surviving bank subsidiary, Colony Bank (formerly Colony Bank of Fitzgerald).
  - 7 -
 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 Markets and Competition
 
 The banking industry in general is highly competitive.  Our market areas of middle and south Georgia have experienced good economic and population growth the past several years, however the current downturn in the housing and real estate market that began in late 2007 along with recessionary fears has proven to be quite challenging - not only for Colony but the entire banking industry.  In our markets, we face competitive pressures in attracting deposits and making loans from larger regional banks and smaller community banks, thrift institutions, credit unions, consumer finance companies, mortgage bankers, brokerage firms and insurance companies.  The principal factors in competing for deposits and loans include interest rates, fee structures, range of products and services offered and convenience of office and ATM locations.  The banking industry is also experiencing increased competition for deposits from less traditional sources such as money market and mutual funds.  In addition, intense market demands, economic concerns, volatile interest rates and customer awareness of product and services have forced banks to be more competitive – often resulting in margin compression and a decrease in operating efficiency.
 
 In response to competitive issues, the Company merged all of its operations into one operating subsidiary, Colony Bank, effective August 1, 2008.  This consolidation effort, which began in 2006, will enable the Company to align products, pricing and marketing efforts while re-allocating resources to support management’s future growth strategies.  Future earnings should benefit positively beginning in 2009 as we implement operation enhancements – both in revenue enhancement and cost reduction efforts.
 
 Correspondents
 
 Colony Bank has correspondent relationships with the following banks: Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta, Georgia; SunTrust Bank in Atlanta, Georgia; FTN Financial in Memphis, Tennessee and Federal Home Loan Bank in Atlanta, Georgia.  The correspondent relationships facilitate the transactions of business by means of loans, collections, investment services, lines of credit and exchange services.  As compensation for these services, the Bank maintains balances with its correspondents in noninterest-bearing accounts and pays some service charges
 
 Employees
 
 On December 31, 2009, the Company had a total of 286 full-time and 21 part-time employees.  We consider our relationship with our employees to be satisfactory.
 
 The Company has a noncontributory profit-sharing plan covering all employees subject to certain minimum age and service requirements.  No Company contributions were made in 2009 due to performance, though funds in a forfeiture account where employees terminated with unvested balances were allocated for all eligible employees in 2009.  In addition, the Company maintains a comprehensive employee benefit program providing, among other benefits, hospitalization, major medical, life insurance and disability insurance.  Management considers these benefits to be competitive with those offered by other financial institutions in our market area.  Colony’s employees are not represented by any collective bargaining group.
  - 8 -
 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
 BANK HOLDING COMPANY REGULATION
 
 General
 
 Colony is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (BHCA).  As a bank holding company registered with the Federal Reserve under the BHCA and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (the Georgia Department) under the Financial Institutions Code of Georgia, it is subject to supervision, examination and reporting by the Federal Reserve and the Georgia Department.  Its activities are limited to banking, managing or controlling banks, furnishing services to or performing services for its subsidiaries, or engaging in any other activity that the Federal Reserve determines to be so closely related to banking, or managing or controlling banks, as to be a proper incident to these activities.
 
 Colony is required to file with the Federal Reserve and the Georgia Department periodic reports and any additional information as they may require.  The Federal Reserve and Georgia Department will also regularly examine the Company.  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Georgia Department also examine the Bank.
 
 Activity Limitations
 
 The BHCA requires prior Federal Reserve approval for, among other things:
 
 ·
the acquisition by a bank holding company of direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5 percent of the voting shares or substantially all of the assets of any bank, or
 
 ·
a merger or consolidation of a bank holding company with another bank holding company.
 
 Similar requirements are imposed by the Georgia Department.
 
 A bank holding company may acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of voting shares of any company that is engaged directly or indirectly in banking, or managing or controlling banks, or performing services for its authorized subsidiaries.  A bank holding company may also engage in or acquire an interest in a company that engages in activities that the Federal Reserve has determined by regulation or order to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident to these activities.  The Federal Reserve normally requires some form of notice or application to engage in or acquire companies engaged in such activities.  Under the BHCA, Colony will generally be prohibited from engaging in or acquiring direct or indirect control of more than 5 percent of the voting shares of any company engaged in activities other than those referred to above.
 
 The BHCA permits a bank holding company located in one state to lawfully acquire a bank located in any other state, subject to deposit percentage, aging requirements and other restrictions.  The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act also generally provides that national and state chartered banks may, subject to applicable state law, branch interstate through acquisitions of banks in other states.
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 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 In November 1999, Congress enacted the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which made substantial revisions to the statutory restrictions separating banking activities from other financial activities.  Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, bank holding companies that are well capitalized, well managed and meet other conditions can elect to become “financial holding companies.”  As financial holding companies, they and their subsidiaries are permitted to acquire or engage in activities that were not previously allowed bank holding companies, such as insurance underwriting, securities underwriting and distribution, travel agency activities, broad insurance agency activities, merchant banking and other activities that the Federal Reserve determines to be financial in nature or complementary to these activities.  Financial holding companies continue to be subject to the overall oversight and supervision of the Federal Reserve, but the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act applies the concept of functional regulation to the activities conducted by subsidiaries.  For example, insurance activities would be subject to supervision and regulation by state insurance authorities.  While Colony has not elected to become a financial holding company in order to exercise the broader activity powers provided by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, it may elect to do so in the future.
 
 Limitations on Acquisitions of Bank Holding Companies
 
 As a general proposition, other companies seeking to acquire control of a bank holding company would require the approval of the Federal Reserve under the BHCA.  In addition, individuals or groups of individuals seeking to acquire control of a bank holding company would need to file a prior notice with the Federal Reserve (which the Federal Reserve may disapprove under certain circumstances) under the Change in Bank Control Act.  Control is conclusively presumed to exist if an individual or company acquires 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of the bank holding company.  Control may exist under the Change in Bank Control Act if the individual or company acquires 10 percent or more of any class of voting securities of the bank holding company.
 
 Source of Financial Strength
 
 Federal Reserve policy requires a bank holding company to act as a source of financial strength and to take measures to preserve and protect bank subsidiaries in situations where additional investments in a troubled bank may not otherwise be warranted,  In addition, if a bank holding company has more than one bank or thrift subsidiary, each of the bank holding company’s subsidiary depository institutions is responsible for any losses to the FDIC as a result of an affiliated depository institution’s failure.  As a result, a bank holding company may be required to loan money to its subsidiaries in the form of capital notes or other instruments that qualify as capital of the subsidiary bank under regulatory rules.  However, any loans from the bank holding company to those subsidiary banks will likely be unsecured and subordinated to that of bank’s depositors and perhaps to other creditors of that bank.
 
 Recent Legislation
 
 On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was enacted ("EESA") to restore confidence and stabilize the volatility in the U.S. banking system and to encourage financial institutions to increase their lending to customers and to each other. Initially introduced as the Troubled Asset Relief Program ("TARP"), the EESA authorized the United States Department of the Treasury ("U.S. Treasury") to purchase from financial institutions and their holding companies up to $700 billion in mortgage loans, mortgage-related securities and certain other financial instruments, including debt and equity securities issued by financial institutions and their holding companies in a troubled asset relief program. Initially, $350 billion or half of the $700 billion was made immediately available to the U.S. Treasury. On January 15, 2009, the remaining $350 billion was released to the U.S. Treasury.
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 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 On October 14, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced its intention to inject capital into nine large U.S. financial institutions under the TARP Capital Purchase Program (the "TARP CPP"), and since has injected capital into many other financial institutions, including the Company. The U.S. Treasury initially allocated $250 billion towards the TARP CPP. On January 9, 2009, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms with the U.S. Treasury ("Stock Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which, among other things, the Company sold to the U.S. Treasury for an aggregate purchase price of $28 million, preferred stock and warrants. Under the terms of the TARP CPP, the Company is prohibited from increasing dividends on its common stock, and from making certain repurchases of equity securities, including its common stock, without the U.S. Treasury's consent. Furthermore, as long as the preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury is outstanding, dividend payments and repurchases or redemptions relating to certain equity securities, including the Company's common stock, are prohibited until all accrued and unpaid dividends are paid on such preferred stock, subject to certain limited exceptions.
 
 In order to participate in the TARP CPP, financial institutions were required to adopt certain standards for executive compensation and corporate governance. These standards generally apply to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the three next most highly compensated senior executive officers. The standards include (1) ensuring that incentive compensation for senior executives does not encourage unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the financial institution; (2) required clawback of any bonus or incentive compensation paid to a senior executive based on statements of earnings, gains or other criteria that are later proven to be materially inaccurate;  (3) prohibition on making golden parachute payments to senior executives; and (4) agreement not to deduct for tax purposes executive compensation in excess of $500,000 for each senior executive. The Company has complied with these requirements.
 
 The bank regulatory agencies, U.S. Treasury and the Office of Special Inspector General, also created by the EESA, have issued guidance and requests to the financial institutions that participate in the TARP CPP to document their plans and use of TARP CPP funds and their plans for addressing the executive compensation requirements associated with the TARP CPP.
 
 On February 10, 2009, the U.S. Treasury and the federal bank regulatory agencies announced in a Joint Statement a new Financial Stability Plan which would include additional capital support for banks under a Capital Assistance Program, a public-private investment fund to address existing bank loan portfolios and expanded funding for the FRB's pending Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility to restart lending and the securitization markets.
 
 On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA") was signed into law by President Obama. The ARRA includes a wide variety of programs intended to stimulate the economy and provide for extensive infrastructure, energy, health, and education needs. In addition, the ARRA imposes certain new executive compensation and corporate expenditure limits on all current and future TARP recipients, including the Company, until the institution has repaid the U.S. Treasury, which is now permitted under the ARRA without penalty and without the need to raise new capital, subject to the U.S. Treasury's consultation with the recipient's appropriate regulatory agency.
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 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 The executive compensation standards are more stringent than those currently in effect under the TARP CPP or those previously proposed by the U.S. Treasury. The new standards include (but are not limited to) (i) prohibitions on bonuses, retention awards and other incentive compensation, other than restricted stock grants which do not fully vest during the TARP period up to one-third of an employee's total annual compensation, (ii) prohibitions on golden parachute payments for departure from a company, (iii) an expanded clawback of bonuses, retention awards, and incentive compensation if payment is based on materially inaccurate statements of earnings, revenues, gains or other criteria, (iv) prohibitions on compensation plans that encourage manipulation of reported earnings, (v) retroactive review of bonuses, retention awards and other compensation previously provided by TARP recipients if found by the U.S. Treasury to be inconsistent with the purposes of TARP or otherwise contrary to public interest, (vi) required establishment of a company-wide policy regarding "excessive or luxury expenditures," and (vii) inclusion in a participant's proxy statements for annual shareholder meetings of a nonbinding "Say on Pay" shareholder vote on the compensation of executives.
 
 On February 23, 2009, the U.S. Treasury and the federal bank regulatory agencies issued a Joint Statement providing further guidance with respect to the Capital Assistance Program ("CAP") announced February 10, 2009, including: (i) that the CAP will be initiated on February 25, 2009 and will include "stress test" assessments of major banks and that should the "stress test" indicate that an additional capital buffer is warranted, institutions will have an opportunity to turn first to private sources of capital; otherwise the temporary capital buffer will be made available from the government; (ii) such additional government capital will be in the form of mandatory convertible preferred shares, which would be converted into common equity shares only as needed over time to keep banks in a well-capitalized position and can be retired under improved financial conditions before the conversion becomes mandatory; and (iii) previous capital injections under the TARP CPP will also be eligible to be exchanged for the mandatory convertible preferred shares. The conversion of preferred shares to common equity shares would enable institutions to maintain or enhance the quality of their capital by increasing their tangible common equity capital ratios; however, such conversions would necessarily dilute the interests of existing shareholders.
 
 On February 25, 2009, the first day the CAP program was initiated, the U.S. Treasury released the actual terms of the program, stating that the purpose of the CAP is to restore confidence throughout the financial system that the nation's largest banking institutions have a sufficient capital cushion against larger than expected future losses, should they occur due to a more severe economic environment, and to support lending to creditworthy borrowers. Under the CAP terms, eligible U.S. banking institutions with assets in excess of $100 billion on a consolidated basis are required to participate in coordinated supervisory assessments, which are forward-looking "stress test" assessments to evaluate the capital needs of the institution under a more challenging economic environment. Should this assessment indicate the need for the bank to establish an additional capital buffer to withstand more stressful conditions, these institutions may access the CAP immediately as a means to establish any necessary additional buffer or they may delay the CAP funding for six months to raise the capital privately.  Eligible U.S. banking institutions with assets below $100 billion may also obtain capital from the CAP. The CAP program is an additional program from the TARP CCP and is open to eligible institutions regardless of whether they participated in the TARP CCP. The deadline to apply to the CAP was May 25, 2009.  The Company did not participate in the CAP program.
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 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 The EESA also increased Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") deposit insurance on most accounts from $100,000 to $250,000. This increase is currently in place until the end of 2013 and is not covered by deposit insurance premiums paid by the banking industry.  In addition, the FDIC has implemented two temporary programs under the Temporary Liquidity Guaranty Program ("TLGP") to provide deposit insurance for the full amount of most noninterest bearing transaction accounts through June 30, 2010 and to guarantee certain unsecured debt of financial institutions and their holding companies through June 2012. Financial institutions had until December 5, 2008 to opt out of these two programs. The Company and the Bank have elected to opt to remain in the unlimited insurance coverage for non-interest bearing accounts, but opted out of the debt guarantee portion of the program. The FDIC charges "systemic risk special assessments" to depository institutions that participate in the TLGP. The FDIC has recently proposed that Congress give the FDIC expanded authority to charge fees to the holding companies which benefit directly and indirectly from the FDIC guarantees.
 
 BANK REGULATION
 
 General
 
 The Bank is a commercial bank chartered under the laws of the State of Georgia, and as such is subject to supervision, regulation and examination by the Georgia Department.  The Bank is a member of the FDIC, and their deposits are insured by the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund up to the amount permitted by law.  The FDIC and the Georgia Department routinely examine the Bank and monitor and regulate all of the Bank’s operations, including such things as adequacy of reserves, quality and documentation of loans, payments of dividends, capital adequacy, adequacy of systems and controls, credit underwriting and asset liability management, compliance with laws and establishment of branches.  Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by the Bank is subject to state usury laws and certain federal laws concerning interest rates.  The Bank files periodic reports with the FDIC and the Georgia Department.
 
 Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders
 
 The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank.  Various legal limitations restrict the Bank from lending or otherwise supplying funds to the Company and other nonbank subsidiaries of the Company, all of which are deemed to be “affiliates” of the Bank for the purposes of these restrictions.  The Company and the Bank are subject to Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act.  Section 23A defines “covered transactions,” which include extensions of credit, and limits a bank’s covered transactions with any affiliate to 10 percent of such bank’s capital and surplus and with all affiliates to 20 percent of such bank’s capital and surplus.  All covered and exempt transactions between a bank and its affiliates must be on terms and conditions consistent with safe and sound banking practices, and banks and their subsidiaries are prohibited from purchasing low-quality assets from the bank’s affiliates.  Finally, Section 23 A requires that all of a bank’s extensions of credit to an affiliate be appropriately secured by acceptable collateral, generally United States government or agency securities.  The Company and the Bank are also subject to Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, which generally limits covered and other transactions between a bank and its affiliates to terms and under circumstances, including credit standards, that are substantially the same or at least as favorable to the bank as prevailing at the time for transactions with unaffiliated companies.
  - 13 -
 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 Dividends
 
 The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank.  The principal source of the Company’s cash flow, including cash flow to pay dividends to its stockholders, is dividends that the Bank pays to it.  Statutory and regulatory limitations apply to the Bank’s payment of dividends to the Company as well as to the Company’s payment of dividends to its stockholders.  The Company is a participant in the U.S. Treasury Capital Program and certain restrictions on the payment of dividends to stockholders apply.
 
 Under the terms of the TARP CPP, for so long as any preferred stock issued under the TARP CPP remains outstanding, the Company is prohibited from increasing dividends on its common stock, and from making certain repurchases of equity securities, including its common stock, without the U.S. Treasury's consent until the third anniversary of the U.S. Treasury's investment or until the U.S. Treasury has transferred all of the preferred stock it purchased under the TARP CPP to third parties. As long as the preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury is outstanding, as well as the Company's Series A Preferred Stock, dividend payments and repurchases or redemptions relating to certain equity securities, including the Company's common stock, are also prohibited until all accrued and unpaid dividends are paid on such preferred stock, subject to certain limited exceptions.
 
 A variety of federal and state laws and regulations affect the ability of the Bank and the Company to pay dividends.  A depository institution may not pay any dividend if payment would cause it to become undercapitalized or if it already is undercapitalized.  The federal banking agencies may prevent the payment of a dividend if they determine that the payment would be unsafe and unsound banking practice.  Moreover, the federal agencies have issued policy statements that provide that bank holding companies and insured banks should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings.  In addition, regulations promulgated by the Georgia Department limit the Bank’s payment of dividends.
 
 Mortgage Banking Regulation
 
 Colony Mortgage Corp is licensed and regulated as a “mortgage banker” by the Georgia Department.  It is also qualified as a Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac seller/servicer and must meet the requirements of such corporations and of the various private parties with which it conducts business, including warehouse lenders and those private entities to which it sells mortgage loans.
 
 Enforcement Policies and Actions
 
 Federal law gives the Federal Reserve and FDIC substantial powers to enforce compliance with laws, rules and regulations.  Bank or individuals may be ordered to cease and desist from violations of law or other unsafe or unsound practices.  The agencies have the power to impose civil money penalties against individuals or institutions of up to $1,000,000 per day for certain egregious violations.  Persons who are affiliated with depository institutions can be removed from any office held in that institution and banned from participating in the affairs of any financial institution.  The banking regulators have not hesitated to use the enforcement authorities provided in federal law.
  - 14 -
 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 Capital Regulations
 
 The federal bank regulatory authorities have adopted capital guidelines for banks and bank holding companies.  In general, the authorities measure the amount of capital an institution holds against its assets.  There are three major capital tests: (i) the Total Capital ratio (the total of Tier 1 Capital and Tier 2 Capital measured against risk-adjusted assets), (ii) the Tier 1 Capital ratio (Tier 1 Capital measured against risk-adjusted assets) and (iii) the leverage ratio (Tier 1 Capital measured against average (i.e., nonrisk-weighted) assets).
 
 Tier 1 Capital consists of common equity, retained earnings and a limited amount of qualifying preferred stock, less goodwill and core deposit intangibles.  Tier 2 Capital consists of nonqualifying preferred stock, qualifying subordinated, perpetual and/or mandatory convertible debt, term subordinated debt and intermediate term preferred stock and up to 45 percent of the pretax unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale equity securities with readily determinable market values that are prudently valued, and a limited amount of any loan loss allowance.
 
 In measuring the adequacy of capital, assets are generally weighted for risk.  Certain assets, such as cash and U.S. government securities, have a zero risk weighting.  Others, such as commercial and consumer loans, have a 100 percent risk weighting.  Risk weightings are also assigned for off-balance sheet items such as loan commitments.  The various assets are multiplied by the appropriate risk-weighting to determine risk- adjusted assets for the capital calculations.  For the leverage ratio mentioned above, average assets are not risk-weighted.
 
 The federal banking agencies must take “prompt corrective action” in respect of depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements.  There are five tiers for financial institutions: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.”  Under these regulations, a bank will be:
 
 ·
“well capitalized” if it has a Total Capital ratio of 10 percent or greater, a Tier 1 Capital ratio of 6 percent or greater, a leverage ratio of 5 percent or better – or 4 percent in certain circumstances – and is not subject to any written agreement, order, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive by a federal bank regulatory agency to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure;
 
 ·
“adequately capitalized” if it has a Total Capital ratio of 8 percent or greater, a Tier 1 Capital ratio of 4 percent or greater, and a leverage ratio of 4 percent or greater – or 3 percent in certain circumstances – and is not well capitalized;
 
 ·
“undercapitalized” if it has a Total Capital ratio of less that 8 percent, a Tier 1 Capital ratio of less that 4 percent – or 3 percent in certain circumstances;
 
 ·
“significantly undercapitalized” if it has a Total Capital ratio of less than 6 percent or a Tier 1 Capital ratio of less than 3 percent, or a leverage ratio of less than 3 percent; or
 
 ·
“critically undercapitalized” if its tangible equity is equal to or less than 2 percent of average quarterly assets.
  - 15 -
 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 Federal law generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distribution, including the payment of a dividend or paying any management fee to its holding company if the depository institution would be undercapitalized as a result.  Undercapitalized depository institutions may not accept brokered deposits absent a waiver from the FDIC, are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan for approval.  For a capital restoration plan to be acceptable, the depository institution’s parent holding company must guarantee that the institution will comply with such capital restoration plan.  The aggregate liability of the parent holding company is limited to the lesser of 5 percent of the depository institution’s total assets at the time it became undercapitalized, and the amount necessary to bring the institution into compliance with applicable capital standards.  If a depository institution fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is significantly undercapitalized.  If the controlling holding company fails to fulfill its obligations under this law and files, or has filed against it, a petition under the federal Bankruptcy Code, the FDIC claim related to the holding company’s obligations would be entitled to a priority in such bankruptcy proceeding over third party creditors of the bank holding company.
 
 Significantly undercapitalized depository institutions may be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to reduce total assets and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks.  Critically undercapitalized institutions are subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator.
 
 At December 31, 2009, the Company exceeded the minimum Tier 1, risk-based and leverage ratios and qualified as “well capitalized” under current Federal Reserve Board criteria.  The following table sets forth certain capital information for the Company as of December 31, 2009.  Consider the following brief summary rather than the preceeding and the table.  As of December 31, 2009, Colony had Tier 1 Capital and Total Capital of approximately 11.79 percent and 13.07 percent, respectively, of risk-weighted assets. As of December 31, 2009, Colony had a leverage ratio of Tier 1 Capital to total average assets of approximately 8.30 percent.
 
 December 31, 2009Amount


PercentLeverage RatioActual

$
107,231



8.30
%Well-Capitalized Requirement


64,636



5.00Minimum Required (1)


51,708



4.00Risk Based Capital:Tier 1 CapitalActual


107,231



11.79Well-Capitalized Requirement


54,576



6.00Minimum Required (1)


36,384



4.00Total CapitalActual


118,848



13.07Well-Capitalized Requirement


90,960



10.00Minimum Required (1)


72,768



8.00
 
 (1)
Represents the minimum requirement.  Institutions that are contemplating acquisitions or anticipating or experiencing significant growth may be required to maintain a substantially higher leverage ratio.
  - 16 -
 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 The guidelines also provide that institutions experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions will be expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels without significant reliance on intangible assets.  Higher capital may be required in individual cases, depending upon a bank or bank holding company’s risk profile.  All bank holding companies and banks are expected to hold capital commensurate with the level and nature of their risks, including the volume and severity of their problem loans.  Lastly, the Federal Reserve’s guidelines indicate that the Federal Reserve will continue to consider a “Tangible Tier 1 Leverage Ratio,” calculated by deducting all intangibles, in evaluating proposals for expansion or new activity.
 
 FDIC Insurance Assessments
 
 The FDIC is an independent federal agency that insures deposits, up to prescribed statutory limits, of federally insured banks and savings institutions and safeguards the safety and soundness of the banking and savings industries. The FDIC insures our customer deposits through the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) up to prescribed limits for each depositor. Pursuant to the EESA, the maximum deposit insurance amount has been increased from $100,000 to $250,000. The amount of FDIC assessments paid by each DIF member institution is based on its relative risk of default as measured by regulatory capital ratios and other supervisory factors. Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005, the FDIC is authorized to set the reserve ratio for the DIF annually at between 1.15% and 1.50% of estimated insured deposits. The FDIC may increase or decrease the assessment rate schedule on a semi-annual basis. In an effort to restore capitalization levels and to ensure the DIF will adequately cover projected losses from future bank failures, the FDIC, in October 2008, proposed a rule to alter the way in which it differentiates for risk in the risk-based assessment system and to revise deposit insurance assessment rates, including base assessment rates.
 
 On February 27, 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule modifying the risk-based assessment system which set initial base assessment rates beginning on April 1, 2009 at 12 to 45 basis points; and due to extraordinary circumstances, expanded the time within which the reserve ratio must be returned to 1.15 percent from five to seven years.  In addition, most banks with a risk category I or a risk category II are paying between 12 and 22 cents for every $100 of domestic deposits.
 
 On May 22, 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule imposing a five basis point special assessment on each insured depository institution’s assets minus Tier 1 Capital as of June 30, 2009.  The amount of the special assessment for any institution will not exceed 10 basis points times the institution’s assessment base for the second quarter 2009.  The special assessment was collected on September 30, 2009.
  - 17 -
 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 The FDIC introduced three possible adjustments to an institution’s initial base assessment rate: (1) a decrease of up to five basis points for long-term unsecured debt, including senior unsecured debt (other than debt guaranteed under the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program) and subordinated debt and, for small institutions, a portion of Tier I capital; (2) an increase not to exceed 50 percent of an institution’s assessment rate before the increase for secured liabilities in excess of 25 percent of domestic deposits; and (3) for non-Risk Category I institutions, an increase not to exceed 10 basis points for brokered deposits in excess of 10 percent of domestic deposits.
 
 On November 12, 2009, the FDIC adopted the final rule amending the assessment regulations to require insured depository institutions to prepay their quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012, on December 30, 2009, along with each institution’s risk-based assessment for the third quarter of 2009.  For most institutions, the amount paid on December 30 will be substantially higher than typical quarterly deposit insurance assessments.
 
 Additionally, by participating in the TLGP, banks temporarily become subject to "systemic risk special assessments" of 10 basis points for transaction account balances in excess of $250,000 assessments up to 100 basis points of the amount of TLGP debt issued. Further, all FDIC-insured institutions are required to pay assessments to the FDIC to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation ("FICO"), an agency of the Federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the DIF. The FICO assessment rates, which are determined quarterly, averaged 0.0106% of insured deposits in fiscal 2009. These assessments will continue until the FICO bonds mature in 2017.
 
 The FDIC may terminate a depository institution's deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution's financial condition is unsafe or unsound or that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices that pose a risk to the DIF or that may prejudice the interest of the bank's depositors. The termination of deposit insurance for a bank would also result in the revocation of the bank's charter by the DIF.
 
 Community Reinvestment Act
 
 The Bank is subject to the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended (the CRA), and the federal banking agencies’ related regulations.  Under the CRA, all banks and thrifts have a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs for their entire communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.  The CRA requires a depository institution’s primary federal regulator, in connection with its examination of the institution or its evaluation of certain regulatory applications, to assess the institution’s record in assessing and meeting the credit needs of the community served by that institution, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.  The regulatory agency’s assessment of the institution’s record is made available to the public.
 
 Current CRA regulations rate institutions based on their actual performance in meeting community credit needs. The Bank received a “satisfactory” rating on its most recent examination in 2008.
  - 18 -
 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 Consumer Regulations
 
 Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by the Bank is subject to state usury laws and certain federal laws concerning interest rates.  The Bank’s loan operations are also subject to federal laws and regulations applicable to credit transactions, such as those:
 
 ·
Governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;
 
 ·
Requiring financial institutions provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves;
 
 ·
Prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited factors in extending credit;
 
 ·
Governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies; and
 
 ·
Governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies.
 
 The deposit operations of the Bank is also subject to laws and regulations that:
 
 ·
Impose a duty to maintain the confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribe procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records; and
 
 ·
Govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers’ rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services.
 
 Fiscal and Monetary Policy
 
 Banking is a business that depends on interest rate differentials.  In general, the difference between the interest paid by a bank on its deposits and its other borrowings, and the interest received by a bank on its loans and securities holdings, constitutes the major portion of a bank’s earnings.  Thus, Colony’s earnings and growth and that of the Bank will be subject to the influence of economic conditions, generally both domestic and foreign, and also to the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States and its agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve.  The Federal Reserve regulates the supply of money through various means, including open market dealings in United States government securities, the discount rate at which banks may borrow from the Federal Reserve and the reserve requirements on deposits.
 
 The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve historically have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks and mortgage banking operations and will continue to do so in the future.  The Company cannot predict the conditions in the national and international economies and money markets, the actions and changes in policy by monetary and fiscal authorities or their effect on the Bank.
  - 19 -
 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1 (Continued)
 
 Anti-Terrorism Legislation
 
 In the wake of the tragic events of September 11th, on October 26, 2001, the President signed the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001.  Under the USA PATRIOT Act, financial institutions are subject to prohibitions against specified financial transactions and account relationships as well as enhanced due diligence and “know your customer” standards in their dealings with foreign financial institutions and foreign customers.  For example, the enhanced due diligence policies, procedures and controls generally require financial institutions to take reasonable steps to:
 
 ·
conduct enhanced scrutiny of account relationships to guard against money laundering and report any suspicious transaction;
 
 ·
ascertain the identity of the nominal and beneficial owners of, and the source of funds deposited into, each account as needed to guard against money laundering and report any suspicious transactions;
 
 ·
ascertain for any foreign bank, the shares of which are not publicly traded, the identity of the owners of the foreign bank, and the nature and extent of the ownership interest of each owner; and
 
 ·
ascertain whether any foreign bank provides correspondent accounts to other foreign banks and, if so, the identity of those foreign banks and related due diligence information.
 
 The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions to establish anti-money laundering programs.  The USA PATRIOT Act sets forth minimum standards for these programs, including:
 
 ·
The development of internal policies, procedures and controls;
 
 ·
The designation of a compliance officer;
 
 ·
An ongoing employee training program; and
 
 ·
An independent audit function to test the programs.
 
 In addition, the USA PATRIOT Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to adopt rules increasing the cooperation and information sharing between financial institutions, regulators and law enforcement authorities regarding individuals, entities and organizations engaged in, or reasonably suspected based on credible evidence of engaging in, terrorist acts or money laundering activities.  Any financial institution complying with these rules will not be deemed to have violated the privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, as discussed above.
  - 20 -
 Table of Contents
  Part I (Continued)
 Item 1A
 
 Risk Factors
 
 Not Applicable.
 
 Item 1B
 
 Unresolved Staff Comments
 
 Not Applicable.
 
 Item 2
 
 Properties
 
 The principal properties of the Registrant consist of the properties of the Bank.  The Bank owns all of the offices occupied except two offices in Tifton, one office in Valdosta, one office in Douglas and one office in Albany that are leased.
 
 Item 3
 
 Legal Proceedings
 
 The Company and its subsidiary may become parties to various legal proceedings arising from the normal course of business.  As of December 31, 2009, there are no material pending legal proceedings to which Colony or its subsidiary are a party or of which any of its property is the subject.
 
 Item 4 (Reserved)
 
 Not Applicable.
  - 21 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II
 Item 5
 
 Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities
 
 Effective April 2, 1998, Colony Bankcorp, Inc. common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CBAN.”  Prior to this date, there was no public market for the common stock of the registrant.
 
 The following table sets forth the high, low and close sale prices per share of the common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market, and the dividends declared per share for the periods indicated.
 
 Year Ended December 31, 2009

High


Low


Close


Dividends Per ShareFourth Quarter

$
6.38


$
3.55


$
4.61


$
0.000Third Quarter


8.83



5.90



6.69



0.000Second Quarter


8.90



6.13



7.11



0.049First Quarter


9.50



4.51



6.39



0.098Year Ended December 31, 2008Fourth Quarter


10.95



6.06



8.02



0.098Third Quarter


11.90



8.50



10.40



0.098Second Quarter


14.95



10.12



11.35



0.098First Quarter


15.94



11.15



12.70



0.098
 
 The Company paid cash dividends on its common stock of $1,057,464 or $0.15 per share and $2,813,633 or $0.39 per share in 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The Company’s board of directors suspended the payment of dividends in the third quarter of 2009.  For a description of the restrictions and limitations on the Company’s ability to pay dividends, please see “Dividends” on Page 14.
 
 As of December 31, 2009, the Company had approximately 2,036 stockholders of record.  There were no sales of unregistered securities of the Company in 2009.
 
 Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities
 
 The Company purchased no shares of the Company’s common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2009.
  - 22 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 6
 
 Selected Financial Data
 
 Year Ended December 31,2009


2008


2007


2006


2005(Dollars in Thousands, except per share data)Selected Balance Sheet DataTotal Assets

$
1,307,089


$
1,252,782


$
1,208,777


$
1,213,504


$
1,108,338Total Loans, Net of Unearned Interest and Fees


931,252



960,857



944,978



941,772



858,815Total Deposits


1,057,586



1,006,991



1,018,602



1,042,446



944,365Investment Securities


267,300



207,704



167,191



149,307



124,326Federal Home Loan Bank Stock


6,345



6,272



5,533



5,087



5,034Stockholders’ Equity


89,275



83,215



83,743



76,611



68,128Selected Income Statement DataInterest Income


65,847



75,297



90,159



83,280



63,634Interest Expense


26,281



37,922



47,701



41,392



26,480Net Interest Income


39,566



37,375



42,458



41,888



37,154Provision for Loan Losses


43,445



12,938



5,931



3,987



3,444Other Income


9,544



9,005



7,817



7,350



6,152Other Expense


34,844



30,856



31,579



29,882



26,076Income (Loss) Before Tax


(29,179
)


2,586



12,765



15,369



13,786Income Tax Expense (Benefit)


(9,995
)


557



4,218



5,217



4,809Net Income (Loss)


(19,184
)


2,029



8,547



10,152



8,977Preferred Stock Dividends


1,365



-



-



-



-Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders

$
(20,549
)

$
2,029


$
8,547


$
10,152


$
8,977Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (1)


7,213



7,199



7,189



7,177



7,168Shares Outstanding (1)


7,229



7,212



7,201



7,190



7,181Intangible Assets

$
331


$
2,779


$
2,815


$
2,851


$
2,932Dividends Declared


1,057



2,814



2,629



2,337



2,058Average Assets


1,286,418



1,204,846



1,204,165



1,160,718



1,034,777Average Stockholders’ Equity


105,655



84,372



80,595



71,993



65,146Net Charge-Offs


29,060



11,435



2,407



2,760



2,694Reserve for Loan Losses


31,401



17,016



15,513



11,989



10,762OREO


19,705



12,812



1,332



970



2,170Nonperforming Loans


33,566



35,374



15,016



8,078



8,593Nonperforming Assets


53,403



48,186



16,348



9,048



10,763Average Interest-Earning Assets


1,218,153



1,144,927



1,141,652



1,097,716



979,966Noninterest-Bearing Deposits


84,239



77,497



86,112



77,336



78,778
  - 23 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 6 (Continued)
 
 Year Ended December 31,2009


2008


2007


2006


2005(Dollars in Thousands, except per share data)Per Share Data: (1)Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Diluted)

$
(2.85
)

$
0.28


$
1.19


$
1.41


$
1.25Common Book Value Per Share


8.57



11.54



11.63



10.66



9.49Tangible Common Book Value Per Share


8.52



11.15



11.24



10.26



9.08Dividends Per Common Share


0.15



0.39



0.365



0.325



0.285Profitability Ratios:Net Income (Loss) to Average Assets


(1.60
)%


0.17
%


0.71
%


0.87
%


0.87
%Net Income (Loss) to Average Stockholders' Equity


(19.45
)


2.40



10.60



14.10



13.78Net Interest Margin


3.27



3.30



3.75



3.84



3.81Loan Quality Ratios:Net ChargeOffs to Total Loans


3.12



1.19



0.25



0.29



0.31Reserve for Loan Losses to Total Loans and OREO


3.30



1.75



1.64



1.27



1.25Nonperforming Assets to Total Loans and OREO


5.62



4.95



1.73



0.96



1.25Reserve for Loan Losses to Nonperforming Loans


93.55



48.10



103.31



148.42



125.24Reserve for Loan Losses to Total Nonperforming Assets


58.80



35.31



94.89



132.50



99.99Liquidity Ratios:Loans to Total Deposits


88.06



95.42



92.77



90.34



90.94Loans to Average Earning Assets


76.45



83.92



82.77



85.79



87.64Noninterest-Bearing Deposits to Total Deposits


7.97



7.70



8.45



7.42



8.34Capital Adequacy Ratios:Common Stockholders' Equity to Total Assets


4.74



6.64



6.93



6.31



6.15Total Stockholders' Equity to Total Assets


6.83



6.64



6.93



6.31



6.15Dividend Payout Ratio

NM(2)



139.29



30.67



23.05



22.80
 
 (1)
All per share data adjusted to reflect 5-for-4 stock split effective May 15, 2005.
 
 (2)
Not meaningful due to net loss recorded.
  - 24 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7
 
 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results
 
 Certain statements contained in this Annual Report  that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Act), notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified. In addition, certain statements may be contained in the Company’s future filings with the SEC, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by or with the approval of the Company that are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statements of plans and objectives of Colony Bankcorp, Inc. 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” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.
 
 Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
 
 ·
Local and regional economic conditions and the impact they may have on the Company and its customers and the Company’s assessment of that impact.
 
 ·
Changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements.
 
 ·
The effects of and changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board.
 
 ·
Inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations.
 
 ·
Political instability.
 
 ·
Acts of war or terrorism.
 
 ·
The timely development and acceptance of new products and services and perceived overall value of these products and services by users.
 
 ·
Changes in consumer spending, borrowings and savings habits.
 
 ·
Technological changes.
 
 ·
Acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses.
 
 ·
The ability to increase market share and control expenses.
  - 25 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 ·
The effect of changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance) with which the Company and its subsidiary must comply.
 
 ·
The effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard setters.
 
 ·
Changes in the Company’s organization, compensation and benefit plans.
 
 ·
The costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation.
 
 ·
Greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the integration of new lines of business.
 
 ·
The Company’s success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items.
 
 Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
 
 The Company
 
 Colony Bankcorp, Inc. (Colony) is a bank holding company headquartered in Fitzgerald, Georgia that provides, through its wholly-owned subsidiary (collectively referred to as the Company), a broad array of products and services throughout 18 Georgia markets. The Company offers commercial, consumer and mortgage banking services.
 
 Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Accounting Estimates
 
 The accounting and reporting policies of the Company are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and conform to general practices within the banking industry.  The Company’s financial position and results of operations are affected by management’s application of accounting policies, including judgments made to arrive at the carrying value of assets and liabilities and amounts reported for revenues, expenses and related disclosures.  Different assumptions in the application of these policies could result in material changes in the Company’s financial position and/or results of operations.  Critical accounting policies are those policies that management believes are the most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, and they require management to make estimates that are difficult and subjective or complete.
  - 26 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Allowance for Loan Losses – The allowance for loan losses provides coverage for probable losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio.  Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses quarterly based on changes, if any, in underwriting activities, the loan portfolio composition (including product mix and geographic, industry or customer-specific concentrations), trends in loan performance, regulatory guidance and economic factors.  This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires the use of significant management estimates.  Many factors can affect management’s estimates of specific and expected losses, including volatility of default probabilities, collateral values, rating migrations, loss severity and economic and political conditions.  The allowance is increased through provisions charged to operating earnings and reduced by net charge-offs.
 
 The Company determines the amount of the allowance based on relative risk characteristics of the loan portfolio.  The allowance recorded for loans is based on reviews of individual credit relationships and historical loss experience.  The allowance for losses relating to impaired loans is based on the loan’s observable market price, the discounted cash flows using the loan’s effective interest rate, or the value of collateral for collateral dependent loans.
 
 Regardless of the extent of the Company’s analysis of customer performance, portfolio trends or risk management processes, certain inherent but undetected losses are probable within the loan portfolio.  This is due to several factors, including inherent delays in obtaining information regarding a customer’s financial condition or changes in their unique business conditions, the judgmental nature of individual loan evaluations, collateral assessments and the interpretation of economic trends.  Volatility of economic or customer-specific conditions affecting the identification and estimation of losses for larger nonhomogeneous credits and the sensitivity of assumptions utilized to establish allowances for homogeneous groups of loans are among other factors.  The Company estimates a range of inherent losses related to the existence of these exposures.  The estimates are based upon the Company’s evaluation of risk associated with the commercial and consumer levels and the estimated impact of the current economic environment.
 
 Goodwill and Other Intangibles – The Company records all assets and liabilities acquired in purchase acquisitions, including goodwill and other intangibles, at fair value.  Goodwill is subject, at a minimum, to annual tests for impairment.  Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives using straight-line and accelerated methods, and are subject to impairment if events or circumstances indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount.  The initial goodwill and other intangibles recorded and subsequent impairment analysis require management to make subjective judgments concerning estimates of how the acquired asset will perform in the future.  Events and factors that may significantly affect the estimates include, among others, customer attrition, changes in revenue growth trends, specific industry conditions and changes in competition.  Goodwill impairment of $2.4 million was recognized during 2009 that resulted in a goodwill balance of $0 at December 31, 2009.
  - 27 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Overview
 
 The following discussion and analysis presents the more significant factors affecting the Company’s financial condition as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and results of operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, notes thereto and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report.
 
 Taxable-equivalent adjustments are the result of increasing income from tax-free loans and investments by an amount equal to the taxes that would be paid if the income were fully taxable based on a 34 percent federal tax rate, thus making tax-exempt yields comparable to taxable asset yields.
 
 Dollar amounts in tables are stated in thousands, except for per share amounts.
 
 Results of Operations
 
 The Company’s results of operations are determined by its ability to effectively manage interest income and expense, to minimize loan and investment losses, to generate noninterest income and to control noninterest expense.  Since market forces and economic conditions beyond the control of the Company determine interest rates, the ability to generate net interest income is dependent upon the Company’s ability to obtain an adequate spread between the rate earned on earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.  Thus, the key performance for net interest income is the interest margin or net yield, which is taxable-equivalent net interest income divided by average earning assets.  Net income (loss) available to common shareholders totaled $(20.55) million, or $(2.85) diluted per common share in 2009 compared to $2.03 million, or $0.28 diluted per common share in 2008 and $8.55 million, or $1.19 diluted per common share in 2007.
  - 28 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Selected income statement data, returns on average assets and average equity and dividends per share for the comparable periods were as follows:
 
 2009


2008


2007Taxable-Equivalent Net Interest Income

$
39,848


$
37,740


$
42,817Taxable-Equivalent Adjustment


282



365



359Net Interest Income


39,566



37,375



42,458Provision for Possible Loan Losses


43,445



12,938



5,931Noninterest Income


9,544



9,005



7,817Noninterest Expense


34,844



30,856



31,579Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes


(29,179
)


2,586



12,765Income Taxes (Benefits)


(9,995
)


557



4,218Net Income (Loss)

$
(19,184
)

$
2,029


$
8,547Preferred Stock Dividends


1,365



---



---Net Income (Loss) Available toCommon Stockholders

$
(20,549
)

$
2,029


$
8,547Basic per Common Share:Net Income (Loss)

$
(2.85
)

$
0.28


$
1.19Diluted per Common Share:Net Income (Loss)

$
(2.85
)

$
0.28


$
1.19Return on Average Assets:Net Income (Loss)


(1.60
)%


0.17
%


0.71
%Return on Average Equity:Net Income (Loss)


(19.45
)%


2.40
%


10.60
%
 
 
 Net income (loss) available to common shareholders for 2009 decreased $22.58 million, or 1112.85 percent, compared to 2008.  The decrease was primarily the result of a $30.51 million increase in provision for loan losses, an increase of $3.99 million in noninterest expense, and $1.37 million in preferred stock dividends.  The impact of these items was partly offset by a $2.19 million increase in net interest income, an increase of $540 thousand in noninterest income and a decrease of $10.55 million in income tax expense.  The decrease in income tax expense resulted in an income tax benefit of $10 million.
 
 Net income (loss) available to common shareholders for 2008 decreased $6.52 million, or 76.26 percent, compared to 2007.  The decrease was primarily the result of a $7.01 million increase in provision for loan losses and a decrease of $5.08 million in net interest income.  The impact of these items was partly offset by a $1.19 million increase in noninterest income, a decrease of $720 thousand in noninterest expense and a decrease of $3.66 million in income tax expense.
  - 29 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Details of the changes in the various components of net income are further discussed below.
 
 Net Interest Income
 
 Net interest income is the difference between interest income on earning assets, such as loans and securities, and interest expense on liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings, which are used to fund those assets. Net interest income is the Company’s largest source of revenue, representing 80.57 percent of total revenue during 2009 and 80.58 percent during 2008.
 
 Net interest margin is the taxable-equivalent net interest income as a percentage of average earning assets for the period.  The level of interest rates and the volume and mix of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities impact net interest income and net interest margin.
 
 The Federal Reserve Board influences the general market rates of interest, including the deposit and loan rates offered by many financial institutions. The Company’s loan portfolio is significantly affected by changes in the prime interest rate. The prime interest rate, which is the rate offered on loans to borrowers with strong credit has ranged from 3.25 percent to 7.75 percent during 2007 to 2009.  At year end 2007, the prime rate was 7.25 percent and with the 400 basis point reduction during 2008 the prime rate ended the year at 3.25 percent and remained at 3.25 percent for all of 2009.  The federal funds rate moved similar to prime rate with interest rates ranging from 0.25 percent to 4.75 percent during 2007 to 2009.  At year end 2007, the federal funds rate was 4.25 percent and with the 400 basis point reduction during 2008 the federal funds rate ended the year at 0.25 percent and remained at 0.25 percent for all of 2009.  We anticipate the Federal Reserve tightening interest rate policy in 2010, which should improve Colony’s net interest margin.
 
 The following table presents the changes in taxable-equivalent net interest income and identifies the changes due to differences in the average volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the changes due to changes in the average interest rate on those assets and liabilities. The changes in net interest income due to changes in both average volume and average interest rate have been allocated to the average volume change or the average interest rate change in proportion to the absolute amounts of the change in each. The Company’s consolidated average balance sheets along with an analysis of taxable-equivalent net interest earnings are presented in the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included elsewhere in this report.
  - 30 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Rate/Volume Analysis
 
 The rate/volume analysis presented hereafter illustrates the change from year to year for each component of the taxable equivalent net interest income separated into the amount generated through volume changes and the amount generated by changes in the yields/rates.
 
 Changes From


Changes From2008 to 2009 (a)


2007 to 2008 (a)Volume


Rate


Total


Volume


Rate


TotalInterest IncomeLoans, Net-taxable

$
286


$
(9,410
)

$
(9,124
)

$
943


$
(15,143
)

$
(14,200
)Investment SecuritiesTaxable


3,559



(3,207
)


352



645



132



777Tax-exempt


(220
)


12



(208
)


(121
)


20



(101
)Total Investment Securities


3,339



(3,195
)


144



524



152



676Interest-Bearing Deposits inOther banks


(10
)


(16
)


(26
)


(82
)


(34
)


(116
)Federal Funds Sold


(29
)


(220
)


(249
)


(940
)


(265
)


(1,205
)Other Interest - Earning Assets


12



(290
)


(278
)


45



(56
)


(11
)Total Interest Income


3,598



(13,131
)


(9,533
)


490



(15,346
)


(14,856
)Interest ExpenseInterest-Bearing Demand andSavings Deposits


236



(1,685
)


(1,449
)


139



(1,509
)


(1,370
)Time Deposits


686



(10,396
)


(9,710
)


(2,017
)


(6,542
)


(8,559
)Total Interest ExpenseOn Deposits


922



(12,081
)


(11,159
)


(1,878
)


(8,051
)


(9,929
)Other Interest-Bearing LiabilitiesFederal Funds Purchased andRepurchase Agreements


684



(322
)


362



891



(436
)


455Subordinated Debentures


---



(612
)


(612
)


(137
)


(598
)


(735
)Other Debt


197



(430
)


(233
)


865



(434
)


431Total Interest Expense


1,803



(13,445
)


(11,642
)


(259
)


(9,519
)


(9,778
)Net Interest Income (Loss)

$
1,795


$
314


$
2,109


$
749


$
(5,827
)

$
(5,078
)
 
 (a)
Changes in net interest income for the periods, based on either changes in average balances or changes in average rates for interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, are shown on this table. During each year there are numerous and simultaneous balance and rate changes; therefore, it is not possible to precisely allocate the changes between balances and rates. For the purpose of this table, changes that are not exclusively due to balance changes or rate changes have been attributed to rates.
  - 31 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Our financial performance is impacted by, among other factors, interest rate risk and credit risk.  We do not utilize derivatives to mitigate our credit risk, relying instead on an extensive loan review process and our allowance for loan losses.
 
 Interest rate risk is the change in value due to changes in interest rates.  The Company is exposed only to U.S. dollar interest rate changes and, accordingly, the Company manages exposure by considering the possible changes in the net interest margin. The Company does not have any trading instruments nor does it classify any portion of its investment portfolio as held for trading. The Company does not engage in any hedging activity or utilize any derivatives. The Company has no exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity price risk and other market risks. Interest rate risk is addressed by our Asset & Liability Management Committee (ALCO) which includes senior management representatives. The ALCO monitors interest rate risk by analyzing the potential impact to the net portfolio of equity value and net interest income from potential changes to interest rates and considers the impact of alternative strategies or changes in balance sheet structure.
 
 Interest rates play a major part in the net interest income of financial institutions. The repricing of interest earnings assets and interest-bearing liabilities can influence the changes in net interest income. The timing of repriced assets and liabilities is Gap management and our Company has established its policy to maintain a Gap ratio in the one-year time horizon of .80 to 1.20.
 
 Our exposure to interest rate risk is reviewed at least quarterly by our Board of Directors and the ALCO. Interest rate risk exposure is measured using interest rate sensitivity analysis to determine our change in net portfolio value in the event of assumed changes in interest rates. In order to reduce the exposure to interest rate fluctuations, we have implemented strategies to more closely match our balance sheet composition. The Company has engaged FTN Financial to run a quarterly asset/liability model for interest rate risk analysis.  We are generally focusing our investment activities on securities with terms or average lives in the 2-5 year range.
 
 The Company maintains about 32.3 percent of its loan portfolio in adjustable rate loans that reprice with prime rate changes, while the bulk of its other loans mature within 3 years. The liabilities to fund assets are primarily in short term certificates of deposit that mature within one year. This balance sheet composition allowed the Company to be relatively constant with its net interest margin until 2008.  During 2006 interest rates increased 100 basis points and during 2007 interest rates decreased 100 basis points.  The 100 basis point decrease by the Federal Reserve in 2007 followed by 400 basis point decrease in 2008 resulted in significant pressure in net interest margins.  Net interest margin decreased to 3.27 percent for 2009 compared to 3.30   percent for 2008 and to 3.75 percent for 2007.  Given the Federal Reserve’s aggressive posture during 2008 that ended the year with a range of 0 – 0.25 percent federal funds target rate and remained the same for all of 2009, we have seen our net interest margin reach a low of 3.06 percent for first quarter of 2009 to a high of 3.38 percent for third quarter 2009.
  - 32 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Taxable-equivalent net interest income for 2009 increased $2.11 million, or 5.59 percent, compared to 2008, while taxable-equivalent net interest income for 2008 decreased by $5.08 million, or 11.86 percent, compared to 2007.  The fluctuation between the comparable periods resulted from the negative impact of the significant decrease in interest rates.  The average volume of earning assets during 2009 increased almost $73.23 million compared to 2008 while over the same period the net interest margin decreased to 3.27 from  3.30 percent.  Similarly, the average volume of earning assets during 2008 increased $3.28 million compared to 2007 while over the same period the net interest margin decreased to 3.30 percent from 3.75 percent.  Growth in average earning assets during 2009 and 2008 was primarily in securities and loans. The reduction in the net interest margin in 2009 was primarily the result of sluggish loan activity in 2009.
 
 The average volume of loans increased $4.1 million in 2009 compared to 2008 and increased $11.0 million in 2008 compared to 2007.  The average yield on loans decreased 98 basis points in 2009 compared to 2008 and decreased 158 basis points in 2008 compared to 2007. Funding for this growth was primarily provided by deposits and other borrowings in 2009 and by other borrowings in 2008.  The average volume of other borrowings increased $29.3 million in 2009 compared to 2008 while average deposits increased $30.4 million in 2009 compared to 2008.  The average volume of deposits decreased $35.0 million while other borrowings increased $35.0 million in 2008 compared to 2007.  Interest-bearing deposits made up 106.6 percent of the increase in average deposits in 2009 and 91.6 percent of the decrease in average deposits in 2008. Accordingly, the ratio of average interest-bearing deposits to total average deposits was 93.0 percent in 2009, 92.5 percent in 2008 and 92.5 percent in 2007. This deposit mix, combined with a general decrease in interest rates, had the effect of (i) decreasing the average cost of total deposits by 120 basis points in 2009 compared to 2008 and decreasing the average cost of total deposits by 85 basis points in 2008 compared to 2007, and (ii) mitigating a portion of the impact of decreasing yields on earning assets on the Company’s net interest income.
 
 The Company’s net interest spread, which represents the difference between the average rate earned on earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, was 3.05 percent in 2009 compared to 2.97 percent in 2008 and 3.34 percent in 2007. The net interest spread, as well as the net interest margin, will be impacted by future changes in short-term and long-term interest rate levels, as well as the impact from the competitive environment. A discussion of the effects of changing interest rates on net interest income is set forth in Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Interest Rate Sensitivity included elsewhere in this report.
 
 Provision for Possible Loan Losses
 
 The provision for possible loan losses is determined by management as the amount to be added to the allowance for possible loan losses after net charge-offs have been deducted to bring the allowance to a level which, in management’s best estimate, is necessary to absorb probable losses within the existing loan portfolio. The provision for possible loan losses totaled $43.45 million in 2009 compared to $12.94 million in 2008 and $5.93 million in 2007.  See the section captioned “Allowance for Possible Loan Losses” elsewhere in this discussion for further analysis of the provision for possible loan losses.
  - 33 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Noninterest Income
 
 The components of noninterest income were as follows:
 
 2009


2008


2007Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

$
4,198


$
4,700


$
4,771Other Charges, Commissions and Fees


986



981



921Other


1,286



1,520



974Mortgage Fee Income


448



609



967Securities Gains


2,626



1,195



184$
9,544


$
9,005


$
7,817
 
 Total noninterest income for 2009 increased $539 thousand, or 5.99 percent, compared to 2008 while total noninterest income for 2008 increased $1.19 million, or 15.20 percent, compared to 2007.  The increase in 2009 noninterest income compared to 2008 was primarily in securities gains, while the increase in 2008 noninterest income compared to 2007 was primarily in securities gains and other income.  Changes in these items and the other components of noninterest income are discussed in more detail below.
 
 Service Charges on Deposit Accounts.  Service charges on deposit accounts for 2009 decreased $502 thousand, or 10.68 percent, compared to 2008.  The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in volume of consumer and business account overdraft fees.  Service charges on deposit accounts for 2008 decreased $71 thousand, or 1.49 percent, compared to 2007.  The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in overdraft fees, which were related to consumer and business accounts.
 
 Mortgage Fee Income.Mortgage fee income for 2009 decreased $161 thousand, or 26.44 percent, compared to 2008.  The decrease was primarily due to decreased mortgage loan activity with the housing and real estate downturn.  Mortgage fee income for 2008 decreased $358 thousand, or 37.02 percent, compared to 2007 due to decreased mortgage loan activity.
 
 All Other Noninterest Income.  The aggregate of all other noninterest income accounts increased $1.20 million, or 32.52 percent, compared to 2008.  The increase was primarily due to gains realized from the sale of securities of $2.63 million for 2009 compared to $1.20 million for 2008, or an increase of $1.43 million.  In 2008 the aggregate of all other noninterest income accounts increased $1.62 million, or 77.78 percent, compared to 2007.  The increase was primarily due to gains realized from the sale of securities of $1.20 million for 2008 compared to $184 thousand for 2007, or an increase of $1.01 million.  In addition other income increased to $1.52 million for 2008 compared to $974 thousand for 2007, or an increase of $546 thousand.  The significant increase was gains realized of $670 thousand resulting from the company’s unwinding of its position in $19 million FHLB advances during 2008.  These increases were offset by a reduction in gains realized from the sale of SBA and FSA governmental loans as gains realized were $12 thousand for 2008 compared to a $150 thousand for 2007, or a reduction of $138 thousand.
  - 34 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Noninterest Expense
 
 The components of noninterest expense were as follows:
 
 2009


2008


2007Salaries and Employee Benefits

$
14,483


$
16,238


$
17,866Occupancy and Equipment


4,287



4,191



4,039Other


16,074



10,427



9,674$
34,844


$
30,856


$
31,579
 
 Total noninterest expense for 2009 increased $3.99 million, or 12.93 percent compared to 2008 while total noninterest expense for 2008 decreased $723 thousand, or 2.29 percent, compared to 2007.  Growth in noninterest expense in 2009 was primarily in other noninterest expense and occupancy and equipment while the Company had a decrease in salaries and employee benefits.  Reduction in noninterest expense in 2008 was primarily in salaries and employee benefits while the Company had an increase in occupancy and equipment expense and other noninterest expense.
 Salaries and Employee Benefits.  Salaries and employee benefits expense for 2009 decreased $1.76 million, or 10.81 percent, compared to 2008.  The slowing economy and lack of growth resulted in decreases in headcount as a result of normal attrition and efficiencies gained with the consolidation efforts initiated in 2008.  The Company did not payout any bonuses or profit sharing in 2009 due to Company performance.  Salaries and employee benefits expense for 2008 decreased $1.63 million, or 9.11 percent, compared to 2007.  The slowing economy and lack of growth resulted in decreases in headcount as a result of normal attrition and restructuring due to consolidation efforts initiated in 2008.  In addition bonuses and profit sharing payouts were down significantly based on Company performance being significantly below targeted goals.  Bonus and profit sharing payouts were $316 thousand for 2008 compared to $1.52 million for 2007, or a reduction of $1.20 million.  Reduction of head count and incentive payouts are the primary factors for the reduction in salaries and employee benefits compared to 2007.
  - 35 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Occupancy and Equipment.  Net occupancy expense for 2009 increased $96 thousand compared to 2008, or an increase of 2.29 percent.  The Company purchased new data processing software and equipment that resulted in additional depreciation expense of $65 thousand compared to 2008.  Net occupancy expense for 2008 increased $152 thousand compared to 2007, or an increase of 3.76 percent.  The Company opened one new office during 2008 to incur additional occupancy expense compared to 2007.  In addition new data processing equipment purchased in connection with Company-wide consolidation efforts resulted in depreciation expense increasing $151 thousand for 2008 compared to 2007.
 
 All Other Noninterest Expense.  All other noninterest expense for 2009 increased $5.65 million, or 54.16 percent.  Significant changes in noninterest expense were:  FDIC insurance assessment fees increased to $2.66 million for 2009 compared to $603 thousand for 2008, or an increase of $2.06 million; foreclosed property and repossession expense increased to $2.27 million for 2009 compared to $382 thousand for 2008, or an increase of $1.89 million and goodwill impairment expense was $2.41 million for 2009 compared to $0 for 2008.  All other noninterest expense for 2008 increased $753 thousand, or 7.78 percent.  Significant changes in noninterest expense were:  FDIC insurance assessment fees increased to $603 thousand for 2008 compared to $190 thousand for 2007, or an increase of $413 thousand; legal and professional fees increased to $1.38 million for 2008 compared to $1.14 million for 2007, or an increase of $240 thousand and foreclosed property and repossession expense increased to $382 thousand for 2008 compared to $149 thousand for 2007, or an increase of $233 thousand.
  - 36 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Sources and Uses of Funds
 
 The following table illustrates, during the years presented, the mix of the Company’s funding sources and the assets in which those funds are invested as a percentage of the Company’s average total assets for the period indicated. Average assets totaled $1.29 billion in 2009 compared to $1.21 billion in 2008 and $1.20 billion in 2007.
 
 2009


2008


2007Sources of Funds:Deposits:Noninterest-Bearing

$
71,561



5.5
%

$
73,569



6.1
%

$
76,509



6.4
%Interest-Bearing


945,360



73.5



912,932



75.8



945,028



78.5Federal Funds Purchased and Repurchase Agreements


42,452



3.3



18,200



1.5



1,130



--Subordinated Debenturesand Other Borrowed Money


115,229



9.0



110,141



9.1



92,211



7.7Other Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities


6,161



0.5



5,632



0.5



8,692



0.7Equity Capital


105,655



8.2



84,372



7.0



80,595



6.7Total

$
1,286,418



100.0
%

$
1,204,846



100.0
%

$
1,204,165



100.0
%Uses of Funds:Loans

$
943,164



73.3
%

$
941,794



78.2
%

$
934,495



77.6
%Investment Securities


238,968



18.6



168,532



14.0



157,033



13.0Federal Funds Sold


9,392



0.7



10,499



0.9



28,863



2.4Interest-Bearing Deposits


788



0.1



1,235



0.1



2,879



0.2Other Interest-Earning Assets


6,328



0.5



6,079



0.5



5,308



0.5Other Noninterest-Earning Assets


87,778



6.8



76,707



6.3



75,587



6.3Total

$
1,286,418



100.0
%

$
1,204,846



100.0
%

$
1,204,165



100.0
%
 
 Deposits continue to be the Company’s primary source of funding.  Over the comparable periods, the relative mix of deposits continues to be high in interest-bearing deposits.  Interest-bearing deposits totaled 92.96 percent of total average deposits in 2009 compared to 92.54 percent in 2008 and 92.51 percent in 2007.
 
 The Company primarily invests funds in loans and securities.  Loans continue to be the largest component of the Company’s mix of invested assets.  Loan demand was sluggish in 2009 as total loans were $931.4 million at December 31, 2009, down 3.08 percent, compared to loans of $961.0 million at December 31, 2008, while total loans at December 31, 2008 were up 1.66 percent compared to loans of $945.3 million at December 31, 2007.  See additional discussion regarding the Company’s loan portfolio in the section captioned “Loans” included below.  The majority of funds provided by deposit growth have been invested in loans.
  - 37 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Loans
 
 The following table presents the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio as of December 31 for the past five years.
 
 2009


2008


2007


2006


2005Commercial, Financial and Agricultural

$
80,984


$
86,379


$
52,323


$
61,887


$
48,849Real EstateConstruction


113,117



160,374



211,484



193,952



152,944Mortgage, Farmland


54,965



54,159



42,439



40,936



37,152Mortgage, Other


626,993



600,653



544,655



549,601



529,599Consumer


38,383



44,163



72,350



76,930



73,473Other


16,950



15,308



22,028



18,967



17,100931,392



961,036



945,279



942,273



859,117Unearned Interest and Fees


(140
)


(179
)


(301
)


(501
)


(302
)Allowance for Loan Losses


(31,401
)


(17,016
)


(15,513
)


(11,989
)


(10,762
)Loans

$
899,851


$
943,841


$
929,465


$
929,783


$
848,053
 
 The following table presents total loans as of December 31, 2009 according to maturity distribution and/or repricing opportunity on adjustable rate loans.
 
 Maturity and Repricing OpportunityOne Year or Less

$
562,946After One Year through Three Years


305,110After Three Years through Five Years


53,036Over Five Years


10,300$
931,392
 
 Overview.  Loans totaled $931.4 million at December 31, 2009, down 3.08 percent from December 31, 2008 loans of $961.0 million.  The majority of the Company’s loan portfolio is comprised of the real estate loans-other, real estate construction and commercial financial and agricultural loans.  Real estate-other, which is primarily 1-4 family residential properties and nonfarm nonresidential properties, made up 67.32 percent and 62.50 percent of total loans, real estate construction made up 12.15 percent and 16.69 percent while commercial financial and agricultural loans made up 8.70 percent and 8.99 percent of total loans at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  Real estate loans-other include both commercial and consumer balances.
 
 Loan Origination/Risk Management.  In accordance with the Company’s decentralized banking model, loan decisions are made at the local bank level.  The Company utilizes an Executive Loan Committee to assist lenders with the decision making and underwriting process of larger loan requests.  Due to the diverse economic markets served by the Company, evaluation and underwriting criterion may vary slightly by market.  Overall, loans are extended after a review of the borrower’s repayment ability, collateral adequacy, and overall credit worthiness.
  - 38 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Commercial purpose, commercial real estate, and industrial loans are underwritten similar to other loans throughout the company.  The properties securing the Company’s commercial real estate portfolio are diverse in terms of type and geographic location.  This diversity helps reduce the Company’s exposure to adverse economic events that affect any single market or industry.  Management monitors and evaluates commercial real estate loans based on collateral, geography, and risk grade criteria.  The Company also utilizes information provided by third-party agencies to provide additional insight and guidance about economic conditions and trends affecting the markets it serves.
 
 The Company extends loans to builders and developers that are secured by non-owner occupied properties.  In such cases, the Company reviews the overall economic conditions and trends for each market to determine the desirability of loans to be extended for residential construction and development.  Sources of repayment for these types of loans may be pre-committed permanent loans from approved long-term lenders, sales of developed property or an interim mini-perm loan commitment from the Company until permanent financing is obtained.  In some cases, loans are extended for residential loan construction for speculative purposes and are based on the perceived present and future demand for housing in a particular market served by the Company.  These loans are monitored by on-site inspections and are considered to have higher risks than other real estate loans due to their ultimate repayment being sensitive to interest rate changes, general economic conditions and trends, the demand for the properties, and the availability of long-term financing.
 
 The Company originates consumer loans at the bank level.  Due to the diverse economic markets served by the Company, underwriting criterion may vary slightly by market.  The Company is committed to serving the borrowing needs of all markets served and, in some cases, adjusts certain evaluation methods to meet the overall credit demographics of each market.  Consumer loans represent relatively small loan amounts that are spread across many individual borrowers to help minimize risk.  Additionally, consumer trends and outlook reports are reviewed by management on a regular basis.
 
 During fourth quarter 2009, the Company began utilizing an independent third party company for loan review.  This third party engagement will be on-going.  The Loan Review Company reviews and validates the credit risk program on a periodic basis. Results of these reviews are presented to management and the audit committee. The loan review process complements and reinforces the risk identification and assessment decisions made by lenders and credit personnel, as well as the Company’s policies and procedures.
 
 Commercial, Financial and Agricultural.Commercial, financial and agricultural loans at December 31, 2009 decreased 6.25 percent from December 31, 2008 to $81.0 million. The Company’s commercial and industrial loans are a diverse group of loans to small, medium and large businesses. The purpose of these loans varies from supporting seasonal working capital needs to term financing of equipment. While some short-term loans may be made on an unsecured basis, most are secured by the assets being financed with collateral margins that are consistent with the Company’s loan policy guidelines.
 
 Industry Concentrations. As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, there were no concentrations of loans within any single industry in excess of 10 percent of total loans, as segregated by Standard Industrial Classification code (“SIC code”). The SIC code is a federally designed standard industrial numbering system used by the Company to categorize loans by the borrower’s type of business.
  - 39 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Collateral Concentrations.  Concentrations of credit risk can exist in relation to individual borrowers or groups of borrowers, certain types of collateral, certain types of industries, or certain geographic regions.  The Company has a concentration in real estate loans as well as a geographic concentration that could pose an adverse credit risk, particularly with the current economic downturn in the real estate market.  At December 31, 2009, approximately 85 percent of the Company’s loan portfolio was concentrated in loans secured by real estate.  A substantial portion of borrowers’ ability to honor their contractual obligations is dependent upon the viability of the real estate economic sector.  The continued downturn of the housing and real estate market that began in 2007 has resulted in an increase of problem loans secured by real estate.  These loans are centered primarily in the Company’s larger MSA markets.  Declining collateral real estate values that secure land development, construction and speculative real estate loans in the Company’s larger MSA markets have resulted in increased loan loss provisions in 2009.  In addition, a large portion of the Company’s foreclosed assets are also located in these same geographic markets, making the recovery of the carrying amount of foreclosed assets susceptible to changes in market conditions.  Management continues to monitor these concentrations and has considered these concentrations in its allowance for loan loss analysis.
 
 Large Credit Relationships.   The Company is currently in eighteen counties in south and central Georgia and include metropolitan markets in Dougherty, Lowndes, Houston, Chatham and Muscogee counties.  As a result, the Company originates and maintains large credit relationships with several commercial customers in the ordinary course of business.  The Company considers large credit relationships to be those with commitments equal to or in excess of $5.0 million prior to any portion being sold.  Large relationships also include loan participations purchased if the credit relationship with the agent is equal to or in excess of $5.0 million.  In addition to the Company’s normal policies and procedures related to the origination of large credits, the Company’s Executive Loan Committee and Director Loan Committee must approve all new and renewed credit facilities which are part of large credit relationships.  The following table provides additional information on the Company’s large credit relationships outstanding at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
 
 December 31, 2009


December 31, 2008Number of


Period End Balances


Number of


Period End BalancesRelationships


Committed


Outstanding


Relationships


Committed


OutstandingLarge Credit Relationships$10 Million and Greater

3


$
43,142


$
40,332


2


$
27,605


$
21,345$5 Million to $9.9 Million

6



39,159



38,965


12



74,679



71,215
  - 40 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Changes in Interest Rates.  The following table presents the maturity distribution of the Company’s loans at December 31, 2009. The table also presents the portion of loans that have fixed interest rates or variable interest rates that fluctuate over the life of the loans in accordance with changes in an interest rate index such as the prime rate.
 
 Due in One

Year or Less


After One,

but Within

Three Years


After Three,

but Within

Five Years


After

Five

Years


TotalLoans with Fixed Interest Rates

$
267,338


$
300,647


$
52,895


$
9,712


$
630,592Loans with Floating Interest Rates


295,608



4,463



141



588



300,800$
562,946


$
305,110


$
53,036


$
10,300


$
931,392
 
 The Company may renew loans at maturity when requested by a customer whose financial strength appears to support such renewal or when such renewal appears to be in the Company’s best interest. In such instances, the Company generally requires payment of accrued interest and may adjust the rate of interest, require a principal reduction or modify other terms of the loan at the time of renewal.
 
 Nonperforming Assets and Potential Problem Loans
 
 Year-end nonperforming assets and accruing past due loans were as follows:
 
 2009


2008


2007


2006


2005Loans Accounted for on Nonaccrual

$
33,535


$
35,124


$
14,956


$
8,069


$
8,579Loans Past Due 90 Days or More


31



250



60



9



14Other Real Estate Foreclosed


19,705



12,812



1,332



970



2,170Securities Accounted for on Nonaccrual


132



---



---



---



---Total Nonperforming Assets

$
53,403


$
48,186


$
16,348


$
9,048


$
10,763Nonperforming Assets as a Percentage of:Total Loans and Foreclosed Assets


5.62
%


4.95
%


1.73
%


0.96
%


1.25
%Total Assets


4.09
%


3.85
%


1.35
%


0.75
%


0.97
%Supplemental Data:Trouble Debt Restructured LoansIn Compliance with Modified Terms


9,269



---



---



---



---Trouble Debt Restructured LoansPast Due 30-89 Days


459



---



---



---



---Accruing Past Due Loans:30-89 Days Past Due


25,547



18,675



15,681



10,593



6,82990 or More Days Past Due


31



250



60



9



14Total Accruing Past Due Loans

$
25,578


$
18,925


$
15,741


$
10,602


$
6,843
  - 41 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 days or more, foreclosed real estate and nonaccrual securities.  Nonperforming assets at December 31, 2009 increased 10.83 percent from December 31, 2008.  The increase in nonperforming assets was primarily attributable to the under performance of residential real estate and land development loans given the downturn in the real estate market that began during the latter part of 2007 and an impaired security that has been put on nonaccrual in 2009.
 
 Generally, loans are placed on nonaccrual status if principal or interest payments become 90 days past due and/or management deems the collectibility of the principal and/or interest to be in question, as well as when required by regulatory requirements. Loans to a customer whose financial condition has deteriorated are considered for nonaccrual status whether or not the loan is 90 days or more past due. For consumer loans, collectibility and loss are generally determined before the loan reaches 90 days past due. Accordingly, losses on consumer loans are recorded at the time they are determined. Consumer loans that are 90 days or more past due are generally either in liquidation/payment status or bankruptcy awaiting confirmation of a plan. Once interest accruals are discontinued, accrued but uncollected interest is charged to current year operations. Subsequent receipts on non-accrual loans are recorded as a reduction of principal, and interest income is recorded only after principal recovery is reasonably assured. Classification of a loan as non-accrual does not preclude the ultimate collection of loan principal or interest.
 
 Troubled debt restructured loans are loans on which, due to deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition, the original terms have been modified in favor of the borrower or either principal or interest has been forgiven.
 
 Foreclosed assets represent property acquired as the result of borrower defaults on loans. Foreclosed assets are recorded at estimated fair value, less estimated selling costs, at the time of foreclosure. Write-downs occurring at foreclosure are charged against the allowance for possible loan losses. On an ongoing basis, properties are appraised as required by market indications and applicable regulations. Write-downs are provided for subsequent declines in value and are included in other non-interest expense along with other expenses related to maintaining the properties.
  - 42 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Allowance for Possible Loan Losses
 
 The allowance for possible loan losses is a reserve established through a provision for possible loan losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance for possible loan losses includes allowance allocations calculated in accordance with current U.S. accounting standards.  The level of the allowance reflects management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations, specific credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality, present economic, political and regulatory conditions and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. Portions of the allowance may be allocated for specific credits; however, the entire allowance is available for any credit that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. While management utilizes its best judgment and information available, the ultimate adequacy of the allowance is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond the Company’s control, including the performance of the Company’s loan portfolio, the economy, changes in interest rates and the view of the regulatory authorities toward loan classifications.
 
 The company’s allowance for possible loan losses consists of specific valuation allowances established for probable losses on specific loans and historical valuation allowances for other loans with similar risk characteristics.
 
 The allowances established for probable losses on specific loans are based on a regular analysis and evaluation of classified loans.  Loans are classified based on an internal credit risk grading process that evaluates, among other things: (i) the obligor’s ability to repay; (ii) the underlying collateral, if any; and (iii) the economic environment and industry in which the borrower operates.  This analysis is performed at the subsidiary bank level and is reviewed at the parent company level.  Once a loan is classified, it is reviewed to determine whether the loan is impaired and, if impaired, a portion of the allowance for possible loan losses is specifically allocated to the loan.  Specific valuation allowances are determined after considering the borrower’s financial condition, collateral deficiencies, and economic conditions affecting the borrower’s industry, among other things.
 
 Historical valuation allowances are calculated from loss factors applied to loans with similar risk characteristics.  The loss factors are based on loss ratios for groups of loans with similar risk characteristics.  The loss ratios are derived from the proportional relationship between actual loan losses and the total population of loans in the risk category.  The historical loss ratios are periodically updated based on actual charge-off experience.  The Company’s groups of similar loans include similarly risk-graded groups of loans not reviewed for individual impairment.  In addition, the Company has also segmented its’ real estate portfolio into thirteen separate categories and captured loan loss experience for each category.  Most of the company’s charge-offs the past two years have been real estate dependent loans and we believe this segmentation provides more accuracy in determining allowance for loan loss adequacy.  During fourth quarter 2009, the Company changed the methodology in calculating its loan loss reserve.  Previously the look back period for charge-off experience was the average of the charge-offs for the prior five years, however due to the current housing and real estate downturn, management deemed prudent to lower the look back period for charge-off experience to a one year look back.  This change resulted in an approximate $12 million dollar addition to the loan loss reserve during fourth quarter 2009.
  - 43 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for each of these components on a quarterly basis.  Peer comparisons, industry comparisons, and regulatory guidelines are also used in the determination of the general valuation allowance.
 
 Loans identified as losses by management, internal loan review, and/or bank examiners are charged-off.
 
 An allocation for loan losses has been made according to the respective amounts deemed necessary to provide for the possibility of incurred losses within the various loan categories.  The allocation is based primarily on previous charge-off experience adjusted for changes in experience among each category.  Additional amounts are allocated by evaluating the loss potential of individual loans that management has considered impaired.  The reserve for loan loss allocation is subjective since it is based on judgment and estimates, and therefore is not necessarily indicative of the specific amounts or loan categories in which the charge-offs may ultimately occur.  The following table shows a comparison of the allocation of the reserve for loan losses for the periods indicated.
 
 2009


2008


2007


2006


2005Reserve



%
*

Reserve



%
*

Reserve



%
*

Reserve



%
*

Reserve



%
*Commercial, Financial and Agricultural

$
4,710



9
%

$
4,254



9
%

$
3,645



6
%

$
3,597



7
%

$
3,229



6
%Real Estate - Construction


7,850



12



2,808



17



2,560



22



719



21



646



18Real Estate – Farmland


942



6



681



6



621



4



599



4



538



4Real Estate – Other


13,816



67



5,955



62



5,430



58



3,896



58



3,498



62Loans to Individuals


2,826



4



2,467



4



2,404



8



2,398



8



2,152



8All other loans


1,257



2



851



2



853



2



780



2



699



2Total

$
31,401



100
%

$
17,016



100
%

$
15,513



100
%

$
11,989



100
%

$
10,762



100
%
 
 *
Loan balance in each category expressed as a percentage of total end of period loans.
 
 Activity in the allowance for loan losses is presented in the following table. There were no charge-offs or recoveries related to foreign loans during any of the periods presented.
  - 44 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 The following table presents an analysis of the Company’s loan loss experience for the periods indicated.
 
 2009


2008


2007


2006


2005Allowance for Loan Losses at Beginning of Year

$
17,016


$
15,513


$
11,989


$
10,762


$
10,012Charge-OffsCommercial, Financial and Agricultural


768



1,680



957



1,351



767Real Estate


27,545



9,190



1,862



854



678Consumer


908



994



793



697



1,369All Other


272



103



296



471



23229,493



11,967



3,908



3,373



3,046RecoveriesCommercial, Financial and Agricultural


73



73



109



420



176Real Estate


156



285



992



20



18Consumer


191



155



312



156



83All Other


13



19



88



17



75433



532



1,501



613



352Net Charge-Offs


29,060



11,435



2,407



2,760



2,694Provision for Loans Losses


43,445



12,938



5,931



3,987



3,444Allowance for Loan Losses at End of Year

$
31,401


$
17,016


$
15,513


$
11,989


$
10,762Ratio of Net Charge-Offs to Average Loans


3.02
%


1.19
%


0.25
%


0.30
%


0.33
%
  - 45 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered appropriate by management, based on estimated probable losses within the existing loan portfolio. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The provision for loan losses reflects loan quality trends, including the level of net charge-offs or recoveries, among other factors. The provision for loan losses increased $30.51 million from $12.94 million in 2008 to $43.45 million in 2009. The provision for loan losses charged to earnings was based upon management’s judgment of the amount necessary to maintain the allowance at an adequate level to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio at year end.  The amount each period is dependent upon many factors, including changes in the risk ratings of the loan portfolio, net charge-offs, past due ratios, the value of collateral, and other environmental factors that include portfolio loan quality indicators; portfolio growth and composition of commercial real estate and concentrations; portfolio policies, procedures, underwriting standards, loss recognition, collection and recovery practices; local economic business conditions; and the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff.  Of significance to changes in the allowance during 2009 was the provision of $43.45 million.  Charge-offs largely consisted of nine construction and land development loans totaling $8.13 million in 2009 compared to seven construction and land development loans totaling $4.25 million in 2008, three 1-4 family residence property of $1.61 million in 2009 compared to one 1-4 family residence property of $400 thousand in 2008; three multifamily residential property loans totaling $3.22 million in 2009 compared to one multifamily residential property loan totaling $1.75 million in 2008; and eight nonfarm residential loans totaling $8.50 million in 2009.  In 2008, the charge-offs did not include any nonfarm residential loans, but did include one commercial loan of $470 thousand.  The remainder of the charge-offs were made up of several small loans, most of which were real estate dependent loans and commercial loans.
 
 Provisions were higher in 2009 compared to 2008 primarily due to the elevated risk of residential real estate and land development loans that began during 2007 with the housing and real estate downturn.  Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total loans and foreclosed assets increased to 5.62 percent at December 31, 2009 compared to 4.95 percent at December 31, 2008.  Total nonperforming assets at December 31, 2009 were $53.4 million, of which $24.5 million were construction, land development and other land loans; $6.9 million were 1-4 family residential properties; $3.1 million were multifamily residential properties; $16.2 million were nonfarm nonresidential properties; $1.4 million were farmland properties; and the remainder of nonperforming assets totaling $1.3 million were commercial and consumer loans.  All of the classified loans greater than $50 thousand, including the nonperforming loans, are reviewed throughout the quarter for impairment review.  Total nonperforming assets at December 31, 2008 were $48.2 million, of which $27.2 million were construction, land development and other land loans; $700 thousand were farmland; $5.1 million were 1-4 family residential properties; $8.7 million were multifamily properties; $4.3 million were nonfarm nonresidential properties; and the remainder of nonperforming assets totaling $2.2 million were commercial and consumer loans.  The allowance for loan losses of $31.4 million at December 31, 2009 was 3.37 percent of total loans which compares to $17.0 million at December 31, 2008, or 1.77 percent of total loans and to $15.5 million at December 31, 2007, or 1.64 percent.  Unusually high levels of loan loss provision have been required as Company management addresses asset quality deterioration.  While the nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans was 3.60 percent, 3.68 percent, and 1.59 percent, respectively as of December 31, 2009, December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company’s allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans was 93.55 percent, 48.10 percent, and 103.31 percent, respectively as of December 31, 2009, December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.  We continue to identify new problem loans, though at a slower pace than the previous year.
  - 46 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 While the allowance for loan losses increased from $17.02 million, or 1.77 percent of total loans at December 31, 2008 to $31.40 million, or 3.37 percent of total loans at December 31, 2009, the Company also reflected a slight decrease in nonperforming loans from $35.4 million at December 31, 2008 to $33.57 million at December 31, 2009.  The allowance for loan losses is inherently judgmental, nevertheless the Company’s methodology is consistently applied based on standards for current accounting by creditors for impairment of a loan and allowance allocations determined in accordance with accounting for contingencies.  Loans individually selected for impairment review consist of all loans classified substandard that are $50 thousand and over.  The remaining portfolio is analyzed based on historical loss data.  Loans selected for individual review where no individual impairment amount is identified do not receive any contribution to the allowance for loan losses based on historical data.  Historical loss rates are updated annually to provide the annual loss rate which is applied to the appropriate portfolio grades.  In addition, the Company has also segmented its’ real estate portfolio into thirteen separate categories and captured loan loss experience for each category.  Most of the company’s charge-offs the past two years have been real estate dependent loans and we believe this segmentation provides more accuracy in determining allowance for loan loss adequacy.  During fourth quarter 2009, the company changed its methodology for the look back period for determination of charge-off experience.  Previously, the Company utilized the average of the charge-off experience for the preceding five years, but changed to a one year look back.  This resulted in approximately $12 million additional loan loss provision, but was considered prudent by management to adhere to guidance by regulatory authorities to lower the look back period in light of current economic conditions.  In addition, environmental factors as discussed earlier are evaluated for any adjustments needed to the allowance for loan losses determination produced by individual loan impairment analysis and remaining portfolio segmentation analysis.  The allowance for loan losses determination is based on reviews throughout the year and an environmental analysis at year end.
 
 As part of our monitoring and evaluation of collateral values for nonperforming and problem loans in determining adequate allowance for loan losses, regional credit officers along with lending officers submit quarterly problem loan reports for loans greater than $50 thousand in which impairment is identified.  This process typically determines collateral shortfall based upon local market real estate value estimates should the collateral be liquidated.  Once the loan is deemed uncollectible, it is transferred to our problem loan department for workout, foreclosure and/or liquidation.  The problem loan department gets a current appraisal on the property in order to record a fair market value (less selling expenses) when the property is foreclosed on and moved into other real estate.  Trends the past several quarters reflect a decrease in collateral values from two to three years ago on improved properties of fifteen to twenty five percent and on land development and land loans of thirty to fifty percent.  The significant reduction in collateral values on nonperforming assets has resulted in the increased loan loss provisions and charge-offs, particularly during 2009.
 
 Net charge-offs in 2009 increased $17.63 million compared to the same period a year ago.  Net charge-offs were fairly consistent during 2007, 2006 and 2005; however, the net charge-offs increased significantly beginning in 2008 primarily from the write-down of nonperforming credits to appraised values.  The increase significantly increased during 2009, particularly with real estate dependent loans as problem credits went through the collection process to resolution.
  - 47 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 The allowance for loan losses is $14.4 million more than the prior year end, after factoring in net-charge offs, additional provisions, and the normal determination for an adequate funding level.  Management believes the level of the allowance for loan losses was adequate as of December 31, 2009.  Should any of the factors considered by management in evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses change, the Company’s estimate of probable loan losses could also change, which could affect the level of future provisions for loan losses.
 
 Investment Portfolio
 
 The following table presents carrying values of investment securities held by the Company as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
 
 2009


2008


2007U.S. Treasuries and Government Agencies

$
---


$
---


$
37,095Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions


4,121



9,110



13,984Corporate Obligations


4,138



6,176



5,787Asset Backed Securities


132



668



1,000Marketable Equity Securities


---



---



2Investment Securities


8,391



15,954



57,868Mortgage Backed Securities


258,909



191,750



109,323Total Investment Securities andMortgage Backed Securities

$
267,300


$
207,704


$
167,191
 
 The following table represents expected maturities and weighted-average yields of investment securities held by the Company as of December 31, 2009.  (Mortgage backed securities are based on the average life at the projected speed, while Agencies, State and Political Subdivisions and Corporate Obligations reflect anticipated calls being exercised.)
 
 Within 1 Year


After 1 Year But

Within 5 Years


After 5 Years But Within 10 Years


After 10 YearsAmount


Yield


Amount


Yield


Amount


Yield


Amount


YieldMortgage Backed Securities

$
11,564



3.07
%

$
164,577



2.76
%

$
75,622



3.93
%

$
7,146



4.08
%Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions


1,296



3.97



412



4.57



2,413



3.74



--



--Corporate Obligations


--



--



2,223



5.41



1,065



5.67



850



3.85Asset Backed Securities


--



--



--



--



--



--



132



--Total Investment Portfolio

$
12,860



3.16
%

$
167,212



2.80
%

$
79,100



3.95
%

$
8,128



3.99
%
  - 48 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before maturity. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income. The Company has 99.9 percent of its portfolio classified as available for sale.
 
 At December 31, 2009, there were no holdings of any one issuer, other than the U.S. government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10 percent of the Company’s shareholders’ equity.
 
 The average yield of the securities portfolio was 3.48 percent in 2009 compared to 4.84 percent in 2008 and 4.77 percent in 2007. The decrease in the average yield from 2008 to 2009 primarily resulted from the turnover of the securities portfolio resulting in the investment of new funds at lower rates.  The increase in the average yield from 2007 to 2008 primarily resulted from the investment of new funds at higher rates.  The overall growth in the securities portfolio over the comparable periods was primarily funded by other borrowings growth.
 
 Deposits
 
 The following table presents the average amount outstanding and the average rate paid on deposits by the Company for the years 2009, 2008 and 2007.
 
 2009


2008


2007Average


Average


Average


Average


Average


AverageAmount


Rate


Amount


Rate


Amount


RateNoninterest-BearingDemand Deposits

$
71,561





$
73,569





$
76,509Interest-BearingDemand and Savings


237,045



0.73
%


220,655



1.44
%


214,111



2.13
%Time Deposits


708,315



2.81
%


692,277



4.28
%


730,917



5.22
%Total Deposits

$
1,016,921



2.13
%

$
986,501



3.33
%

$
1,021,537



4.18
%
  - 49 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 The following table presents the maturities of the Company’s other time deposits as of December 31, 2009.
 
 Other Time


Other TimeDeposits


Deposits$100,000


Less Thanor Greater


$100,000


TotalMonths to Maturity3 or Less

$
115,159


$
95,828


$
210,987Over 3 through 12


201,737



207,440



409,177Over 12 Months


47,168



50,996



98,164$
364,064


$
354,264


$
718,328
 
 Average deposits increased $30.4 million in 2009 compared to 2008 and decreased $35.0 million in 2008 compared to 2007.  The increase in 2009 included $16.4 million or 7.4 percent in interest-bearing demand and savings and $16.0 million or 2.3 percent in time deposits while at the same time noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $2.0 million or 2.7 percent.  The decrease in 2008 included $2.9 million or 3.8 percent, related to noninterest-bearing deposits, and $38.6 million or 5.3 percent in time deposits while at the same time interest-bearing demand and savings deposits increased $6.5 million or 3.06 percent.  Accordingly the ratio of average noninterest-bearing deposits to total average deposits was 7.0 percent in 2009 and 7.5 percent in 2008 and 7.5 percent in 2007.  The general decrease in market rates in 2009 had the effect of (i) decreasing the average cost of interest-bearing deposits by 130 basis points in 2009 compared to 2008 and (ii) mitigating a portion of the impact of decreasing yields on earning assets in the Company’s net interest income in 2009.  The general decrease in market rates in 2008 had the effect of (i) decreasing the average cost of interest bearing deposits by 93 basis points in 2008 compared to 2007 and (ii) mitigating a portion of the impact of decreasing yields on earning assets on the Company’s net interest income in 2008.
 
 Total average interest-bearing deposits increased $32.43 million, or 3.55 percent in 2009 compared to 2008 and decreased $32.10 million, or 3.40 percent, in 2008 compared to 2007.  The increase in average deposits in 2009 compared to 2008 was interest-bearing demand, savings, and other time deposit accounts.  With the current interest rate environment, it appears that many customers continue to maintain time deposit accounts, with the prevalent investment period continuing to be for one year time deposits.
 
 The Company supplements deposit sources with brokered deposits.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $136.45 million, or 12.90 percent of total deposits, in brokered certificates of deposit attracted by external third parties.
  - 50 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements, Commitments, Guarantees, and Contractual Obligations
 
 The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations and other commitments to make future payments as of December 31, 2009. Payments for borrowings do not include interest. Payments related to leases are based on actual payments specified in the underlying contracts. Loan commitments and standby letters of credit are presented at contractual amounts; however, since many of these commitments are expected to expire unused or only partially used, the total amounts of these commitments do not necessarily reflect future cash requirements.
 
 Payments Due by PeriodMore than 1


3 Years orYear but Less


More but Less


5 Years or1 Year or Less


Than 3 Years


Than 5 Years


More


TotalContractual Obligations:Subordinated Debentures

$
----


$
----


$
----


$
24,229


$
24,229Federal Funds Purchased


----



----



----



----



----Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase


20,000



20,000



----



----



40,000Federal Home Loan Bank Advances


20,000



41,000



----



30,000



91,000Operating Leases


129



249



99



----



477Deposits with Stated Maturity Dates


620,165



94,054



3,963



146



718,328660,294



155,303



4,062



54,375



874,034Other Commitments:Loan Commitments


56,100



----



----



----



56,100Standby Letters of Credit


1,475



----



----



----



1,475Standby Letters of Credit Issued byFederal Home Loan Bank for Bank


60



----



----



----



6057,635



----



----



----



57,635Total Contractual Obligations andOther Commitments

$
717,929


$
155,303


$
4,062


$
54,375


$
931,669
 
 In the ordinary course of business, the Banks have entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments which are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements.  These instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, performance letters of credit, guarantees and liability for assets held in trust.  Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when funds are disbursed or the instruments become payable.  The Company uses the same credit policies for these off-balance sheet financial instruments as they do for instruments that are recorded in the consolidated financial statements.
  Loan Commitments. The Company enters into contractual commitments to extend credit, normally with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses, at specified rates and for specific purposes. Substantially all of the Company’s commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining specific credit standards at the time of loan funding. The Company minimizes its exposure to loss under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures. Management assesses the credit risk associated with certain commitments to extend credit in determining the level of the allowance for possible loan losses.
 
 Loan commitments outstanding at December 31, 2009 are included in the preceding table.
  - 51 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Standby Letters of Credit.  Letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. In the event the customer does not perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement with the third party, the Company would be required to fund the commitment. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. If the commitment is funded, the Company would be entitled to seek recovery from the customer. The Company’s policies generally require that standby letters of credit arrangements contain security and debt covenants similar to those contained in loan agreements. Standby letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2009 are included in the preceding table.
 
 Capital and Liquidity
 
 At December 31, 2009, shareholders’ equity totaled $89.3 million compared to $83.2 million at December 31, 2008. In addition to net loss of $19.2 million, other significant changes in shareholders’ equity during 2009 included the sale of $28 million in preferred stock and related warrants to the U. S. Treasury, $2.4 million of dividends declared and an increase of $188 thousand resulting from the stock grant plan. The accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ equity totaled $(100) thousand at December 31, 2009 compared to $376 thousand at December 31, 2008. This fluctuation was mostly related to the after-tax effect of changes in the fair value of securities available for sale. Under regulatory requirements, the unrealized gain or loss on securities available for sale does not increase or reduce regulatory capital and is not included in the calculation of risk-based capital and leverage ratios. Regulatory agencies for banks and bank holding companies utilize capital guidelines designed to measure Tier 1 and total capital and take into consideration the risk inherent in both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet items. Tier 1 capital consists of common stock and qualifying preferred stockholders’ equity less goodwill.  Tier 2 capital consists of certain convertible, subordinated and other qualifying debt and the allowance for loan losses up to 1.25 percent of risk-weighted assets.  The Company has no Tier 2 capital other than the allowance for loan losses.
 
 Using the capital requirements presently in effect, the Tier 1 ratio as of December 31, 2009 was 11.79 percent and total Tier 1 and 2 risk-based capital was 13.07 percent.  Both of these measures compare favorably with the regulatory minimum of 4 percent for Tier 1 and 8 percent for total risk-based capital.  The Company’s Tier 1 leverage ratio as of December 31, 2009 was 8.30 percent, which exceeds the required ratio standard of 4 percent.
 
 For 2009, average capital was $105.7 million, representing 8.21 percent of average assets for the year.  This compares to 7.00 percent for 2008.
 
 The Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.10, $0.05 per common share during the first and second quarter of 2009, respectively, and suspended dividend payments beginning in the third quarter of 2009.  The Company paid quarterly dividends of $0.0975, $0.0975, $0.0975 and $0.0975 per common share during the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2008, respectively.  This equates to no meaningful dividend payout ratio in 2009 and a dividend payout ratio of 139.29 percent in 2008.
  - 52 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 The Company declared a quarterly dividend of $315 thousand, $350 thousand, $350 thousand and $350 thousand on preferred stock during the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively.  The Company had no preferred stock until January 2009 when shares were issued to U.S. Treasury.
 
 The Company, primarily through the actions of its subsidiary banks, engages in liquidity management to ensure adequate cash flow for deposit withdrawals, credit commitments and repayments of borrowed funds.  Needs are met through loan repayments, net interest and fee income and the sale or maturity of existing assets.  In addition, liquidity is continuously provided through the acquisition of new deposits, the renewal of maturing deposits and external borrowings.
 
 Management monitors deposit flow and evaluates alternate pricing structures to retain and grow deposits.  To the extent needed to fund loan demand, traditional local deposit funding sources are supplemented by the use of FHLB borrowings, brokered deposits and other wholesale deposit sources outside the immediate market area.  Internal policies have been updated to monitor the use of various core and non-core funding sources, and to balance ready access with risk and cost.  Through various asset/liability management strategies, a balance is maintained among goals of liquidity, safety and earnings potential.  Internal policies that are consistent with regulatory liquidity guidelines are monitored and enforced by the Banks.
 
 The investment portfolio provides a ready means to raise cash if liquidity needs arise.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company held $267.2 million in bonds (excluding FHLB stock), at current market value in the available for sale portfolio.  At December 31, 2008, the available for sale bond portfolio totaled $207.6   million.  Only marketable investment grade bonds are purchased.  Although most of the Banks’ bond portfolios are encumbered as pledges to secure various public funds deposits, repurchase agreements, and for other purposes, management can restructure and free up investment securities for a sale if required to meet liquidity needs.
 
 Management continually monitors the relationship of loans to deposits as it primarily determines the Company’s liquidity posture.  Colony had ratios of loans to deposits of 88.1 percent as of December 31, 2009 and 95.4 percent at December 31, 2008.  Management employs alternative funding sources when deposit balances will not meet loan demands.  The ratios of loans to all funding sources (excluding Subordinated Debentures) at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were 78.4 percent and 84.3 percent, respectively.  Management continues to emphasize programs to generate local core deposits as our Company’s primary funding sources.  The stability of the Banks’ core deposit base is an important factor in Colony’s liquidity position.  A heavy percentage of the deposit base is comprised of accounts of individuals and small businesses with comprehensive banking relationships and limited volatility.  At December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Banks had $364.1 million and $333.5 million, respectively, in certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more.  These larger deposits represented 34.4 percent and 33.1 percent of respective total deposits.  Management seeks to monitor and control the use of these larger certificates, which tend to be more volatile in nature, to ensure an adequate supply of funds as needed.  Relative interest costs to attract local core relationships are compared to market rates of interest on various external deposit sources to help minimize the Company’s overall cost of funds.
  - 53 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Local market deposit sources proved insufficient to fund the strong loan growth trends at Colony over the past several years.  The Company supplemented deposit sources with brokered deposits.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $136.45 million, or 12.9 percent of total deposits, in brokered certificates of deposit attracted by external third parties.  Additionally, the banks use external wholesale or Internet services to obtain out-of-market certificates of deposit at competitive interest rates when funding is needed.
 
 To plan for contingent sources of funding not satisfied by both local and out-of-market deposit balances, Colony and its subsidiary has established multiple borrowing sources to augment their funds management.  The Company has borrowing capacity through membership of the Federal Home Loan Bank program.  The banks have also established overnight borrowing for Federal Funds Purchased through various correspondent banks.  Management believes the various funding sources discussed above are adequate to meet the Company’s liquidity needs in the future without any material adverse impact on operating results.
 
 Liquidity measures the ability to meet current and future cash flow needs as they become due. The liquidity of a financial institution reflects its ability to meet loan requests, to accommodate possible outflows in deposits and to take advantage of interest rate market opportunities. The ability of a financial institution to meet its current financial obligations is a function of balance sheet structure, the ability to liquidate assets, and the availability of alternative sources of funds. The Company seeks to ensure its funding needs are met by maintaining a level of liquid funds through asset/liability management.
 
 Asset liquidity is provided by liquid assets which are readily marketable or pledgeable or which will mature in the near future. Liquid assets include cash, interest-bearing deposits in banks, securities available for sale, maturities and cash flow from securities held to maturity, and federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements.
 
 Liability liquidity is provided by access to funding sources which include core deposits.  Should the need arise, the Company also maintains relationships with the Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Reserve Bank,   two correspondent banks and repurchase agreement lines that can provide funds on short notice.
 
 Since Colony is a bank holding company and does not conduct operations, its primary sources of liquidity are dividends up streamed from the subsidiary bank and borrowings from outside sources.
 
 The liquidity position of the Company is continuously monitored and adjustments are made to the balance between sources and uses of funds as deemed appropriate. Management is not aware of any events that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity, capital resources or operations. In addition, management is not aware of any regulatory recommendations regarding liquidity, which if implemented, would have a material adverse effect on the Company.
  - 54 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
 
 The Company’s financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). GAAP presently requires the Company to measure financial position and operating results primarily in terms of historic dollars. Changes in the relative value of money due to inflation or recession are generally not considered. The primary effect of inflation on the operations of the Company is reflected in increased operating costs. In management’s opinion, changes in interest rates affect the financial condition of a financial institution to a far greater degree than changes in the inflation rate. While interest rates are greatly influenced by changes in the inflation rate, they do not necessarily change at the same rate or in the same magnitude as the inflation rate. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond the control of the Company, including changes in the expected rate of inflation, the influence of general and local economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government, its agencies and various other governmental regulatory authorities, among other things, as further discussed in the next section.
 
 Regulatory and Economic Policies
 
 The Company’s business and earnings are affected by general and local economic conditions and by the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government, its agencies and various other governmental regulatory authorities, among other things. The Federal Reserve Board regulates the supply of money in order to influence general economic conditions. Among the instruments of monetary policy available to the Federal Reserve Board are (i) conducting open market operations in United States government obligations, (ii) changing the discount rate on financial institution borrowings, (iii) imposing or changing reserve requirements against financial institution deposits, and (iv) restricting certain borrowings and imposing or changing reserve requirements against certain borrowing by financial institutions and their affiliates. These methods are used in varying degrees and combinations to affect directly the availability of bank loans and deposits, as well as the interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits. For that reason alone, the policies of the Federal Reserve Board have a material effect on the earnings of the Company.
 
 Governmental policies have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future; however, the Company cannot accurately predict the nature, timing or extent of any effect such policies may have on its future business and earnings.
 
 Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
 See Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies under the section headed Changes in Accounting Principles and Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
  - 55 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market RiskAVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS2009








2008








2007Average


Income/


Yields/


Average


Income/


Yields/


Average


Income/


Yields/Balances


Expense


Rates


Balances


Expense


Rates


Balances


Expense


RatesAssetsInterest-Earning AssetsLoans, Net of Unearned Income (1)

$
962,677


$
57,776



6.00
%

$
958,582


$
66,900



6.98
%

$
947,569


$
81,100



8.56
%Investment SecuritiesTaxable


232,590



7,934



3.41



158,287



7,582



4.79



144,591



6,805



4.71Tax-Exempt (2)


6,378



374



5.86



10,245



582



5.68



12,442



683



5.49Total Investment Securities


238,968



8,308



3.48



168,532



8,164



4.84



157,033



7,488



4.77Interest-Bearing Deposits


788



1



0.13



1,235



27



2.19



2,879



143



4.97Federal Funds Sold


9,392



24



0.26



10,499



273



2.60



28,863



1,478



5.12Other Interest-Earning Assets


6,328



20



0.32



6,079



298



4.90



5,308



309



5.82Total Interest-Earning Assets


1,218,153



66,129



5.43



1,144,927



75,662



6.61



1,141,652



90,518



7.93Noninterest-Earning AssetsCash


21,011











20,232











21,575Allowance for Loan Losses


(19,513
)










(16,788
)










(13,074
)Other Assets


66,767











56,475











54,012Total Noninterest-Earning Assets


68,265











59,919











62,513Total Assets

$
1,286,418










$
1,204,846










$
1,204,165Liabilities and Stockholders' EquityInterest-Bearing LiabilitiesInterest-Bearing Demand and Savings

$
237,045


$
1,736



0.73
%

$
220,655


$
3,185



1.44
%

$
214,111


$
4,555



2.13
%Other Time


708,315



19,907



2.81



692,277



29,617



4.28



730,917



38,176



5.22Total Interest-Bearing Deposits


945,360



21,643



2.29



912,932



32,802



3.59



945,028



42,731



4.52Other Interest-Bearing LiabilitiesOther Borrowed Money


91,000



3,103



3.41



85,912



3,336



3.88



66,200



2,905



4.39Subordinated Debentures


24,229



659



2.72



24,229



1,271



5.25



26,011



2,006



7.71Federal Funds Purchased andRepurchase Agreements


42,452



876



2.06



18,200



514



2.82



1,130



59



5.22Total Other Interest-BearingLiabilities


157,681



4,638



2.94



128,341



5,121



3.99



93,341



4,970



5.32Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities


1,103,041



26,281



2.38



1,041,273



37,923



3.64



1,038,369



47,701



4.59Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities andStockholders' EquityDemand Deposits


71,561











73,569











76,509Other Liabilities


6,161











5,632











8,692Stockholders' Equity


105,655











84,372











80,595Total Noninterest-BearingLiabilities and Stockholders' Equity


183,377











163,573











165,796Total Liabilities andStockholders' Equity

$
1,286,418










$
1,204,846










$
1,204,165Interest Rate Spread










3.05
%










2.97
%










3.34
%Net Interest Income





$
39,848










$
37,739











42,817Net Interest Margin










3.27
%










3.30
%










3.75
%
 
 (1)
The average balance of loans includes the average balance of nonaccrual loans.  Income on such loans is recognized and recorded on the cash basis.  Taxable equivalent adjustments totaling $155, $168 and $127 for 2009, 2008 and 2007 respectively, are included in interest on loans.  The adjustments are based on a federal tax rate of 34 percent.
  (2)
Taxable-equivalent adjustments totaling $127, $198 and $232 for 2009, 2008, and 2007 respectively, are included in tax-exempt interest on investment securities. The adjustments are based on a federal tax rate of 34 percent with appropriate reductions for the effect of disallowed interest expense incurred in carrying tax-exempt obligations.
  - 56 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Colony Bankcorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
 Interest Rate Sensitivity
 
 The following table is an analysis of the Company’s interest rate-sensitivity position at December 31, 2009.  The interest-bearing rate-sensitivity gap, which is the difference between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities by repricing period, is based upon maturity or first repricing opportunity, along with a cumulative interest rate-sensitivity gap.  It is important to note that the table indicates a position at a specific point in time and may not be reflective of positions at other times during the year or in subsequent periods.  Major changes in the gap position can be, and are, made promptly as market outlooks change.
 
 Assets and Liabilities Repricing Within3 Months


4 to 12





1 to 5


Over 5or Less


Months


1 Year


Years


Years


TotalEARNING ASSETS:Interest-bearing Deposits

$
6,479


$
---


$
6,479


$
---


$
---


$
6,479Federal Funds Sold


16,433



---



16,433



---



---



16,433Investment Securities


1,378



9,101



10,479



188,580



68,242



267,301Loans, Net of Unearned Income


408,967



153,909



562,876



358,076



10,300



931,252Other Interest-bearing Assets


6,345



---



6,345



---



---



6,345Total Interest-earning Assets


439,602



163,010



602,612



546,656



78,542



1,227,810INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:Interest-bearing Demand Deposits (1)


220,168



---



220,168



---



---



220,168Savings (1)


34,851



---



34,851



---



---



34,851Time Deposits


210,987



409,177



620,164



98,018



146



718,328Other Borrowings (2)


20,000



---



20,000



41,000



30,000



91,000Subordinated Debentures


24,229



---



24,229



---



---



24,229Federal Funds Purchased


---



---



---



---



---



---Securities Sold Under AgreementTo Repurchase


20,000



---



20,000



20,000



---



40,000Total Interest-bearing Liabilities


530,235



409,177



939,412



159,018



30,146



1,128,576Interest Rate-Sensitivity Gap


(90,633
)


(246,167
)


(336,800
)


387,638



48,396



99,234Cumulative Interest-Sensitivity Gap

$
(90,633
)

$
(336,800
)

$
(336,800
)

$
50,838


$
99,234Interest Rate-Sensitivity Gap as aPercentage of Interest-Earning Assets


(7.38
)%


(20.05
)%


(27.43
)%


31.57
%


3.94
%Cumulative Interest Rate-Sensitivity as aPercentage of Interest-Earning Assets


(7.38
)%


(27.43
)%


(27.43
)%


4.14
%


8.08
%
 
 (1)
Interest-bearing Demand and Savings Accounts for repricing purposes are considered to reprice within 3 months or less.
  (2)
Short-term borrowings for repricing purposes are considered to reprice within 3 months or less.
  - 57 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 The foregoing table indicates that we had a one year negative gap of ($337) million, or (27.43) percent of total assets at December 31, 2009.  In theory, this would indicate that at December 31, 2009, $337 million more in liabilities than assets would reprice if there were a change in interest rates over the next 365 days.  Thus, if interest rates were to decline, the gap would indicate a resulting increase in net interest margin.  However, changes in the mix of earning assets or supporting liabilities can either increase or decrease the net interest margin without affecting interest rate sensitivity.  In addition, the interest rate spread between an asset and our supporting liability can vary significantly while the timing of repricing of both the assets and our supporting liability can remain the same, thus impacting net interest income.  This characteristic is referred to as a basis risk and, generally, relates to the repricing characteristics of short-term funding sources such as certificates of deposits.
 
 Gap analysis has certain limitations.  Measuring the volume of repricing or maturing assets and liabilities does not always measure the full impact on the portfolio value of equity or net interest income.  Gap analysis does not account for rate caps on products; dynamic changes such as increasing prepay speeds as interest rates decrease, basis risk, or the benefit of non-rate funding sources.  The majority of our loan portfolio reprices quickly and completely following changes in market rates, while non-term deposit rates in general move slowly and usually incorporate only a fraction of the change in rates.  Products categorized as nonrate sensitive, such as our noninterest-bearing demand deposits, in the gap analysis behave like long term fixed rate funding sources.  Both of these factors tend to make our actual behavior more asset sensitive than is indicated in the gap analysis.  In fact, we experience higher net interest income when rates rise, opposite what is indicated by the gap analysis.  Also, during the recent period of declines in interest rates, our net interest margin has declined.  Therefore, management uses gap analysis, net interest margin analysis and market value of portfolio equity as our primary interest rate risk management tools.
 
 The Company is now utilizing FTN Financial Asset/Liability Management Analysis for a more dynamic analysis of balance sheet structure.  The Company has established earnings at risk for net interest income in a +/- 200 basis point rate shock to be no more than a fifteen percent percentage change.  The most recent analysis as of December 31, 2009 indicates that net interest income would deteriorate 16.87 percent with a 200 basis point decrease and would improve 5.70 percent with a 200 basis point increase.  Though slightly outside policy, the increased exposure to declining rates is mitigated by the low likelihood of a further decline of 200 basis points from the current rate levels.  The Company has established equity at risk in a +/- 200 basis point rate shock to be no more than a twenty percent percentage change.  The most recent analysis as of December 31, 2009 indicates that net economic value of equity percentage change would decrease 5.92 percent with a 200 basis point increase and would decrease 11.19 percent with a 200 basis point decrease.  The Company has established its one year gap to be 0.80 percent to 1.20 percent.  The most recent analysis as of December 31, 2009 indicates a one year gap of 0.82 percent.  The analysis reflects net interest margin compression in a declining interest rate environment.  Given that interest rates have basically “bottomed-out” with the recent Federal Reserve action, the Company is anticipating interest rates to increase in the future though we believe that interest rates will remain flat most of 2009.  The Company is focusing on areas to minimize margin compression in the future by minimizing longer term fixed rate loans, shortening on the yield curve with investments, securing longer term FHLB advances, securing brokered certificates of deposit for longer terms and focusing on reduction of nonperforming assets.
  - 58 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 Return on Assets and Stockholder’s Equity
 
 The following table presents selected financial ratios for each of the periods indicated.
 
 Year Ended December 312009


2008


2007Return on Assets(1)


(1.60
)%


0.17
%


0.71
%Return on Equity(1)


(19.45
)%


2.40
%


10.60
%Dividend Payout

NM(2)



139.29
%


30.67
%Equity to Assets


8.21
%


6.64
%


6.93
%Dividends Declared

$
0.146


$
0.39


$
0.365
 
 (1)
Computed using net income available to common shareholders.
  (2)
Not meaningful due to net loss recorded.
 
 Future Outlook
 
 During 2008, the financial services industry experienced tremendous adversities as a result of the collapse of the real estate markets across the country.  Colony, like most banking companies, has been affected by these economic challenges that started with a rapid stall of real estate sales and development throughout the country.  2009 has been a difficult and challenging period as we anticipate to continue working toward resolution of our problem assets in 2010.  Also during 2008, Colony made significant strides to reduce our operating leverage by seeking a more efficient structure and more consistent products and services throughout the company.  We successfully completed the consolidation of our seven banking subsidiaries into the single banking company – Colony Bank.  The momentum created by this strategic move will allow Colony to improve future profitability while better positioning the company to take advantage of future growth opportunities.  In response to the elevated risk of residential real estate and land development loans, management has extensively reviewed our loan portfolio with a particular emphasis on our residential and land development real estate exposure.  Senior management with experience in problem loan workouts have been identified and assigned responsibility to oversee the workout and resolution of problem loans.  The Company will continue to closely monitor our real estate dependent loans throughout the company and focus on asset quality during this economic downturn.  Focus during 2010 will be directed toward addressing and bringing resolution to problem assets.
  - 59 -
 Table of Contents
  Part II (Continued)
 Item 7 (Continued)
 
 On January 9, 2009, Colony consummated the sale of $28,000,000 in preferred stock and related warrants to the U.S. Treasury Department in the U.S. Treasury Capital Program (“CPP”).  Colony elected to participate to take advantage of the likely one-time opportunity to receive a very low-cost source of capital.  Colony’s participation in the CPP strengthens its current well-capitalized position and increases liquidity.  Colony management believes maintenance of capital at elevated levels during the current challenging economic environment is desirable.  In the spirit of the program Colony anticipates using this capital to expand its business through extension of credit to worthy borrowers, to purchase mortgage-backed securities pooled and issued by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and Ginnie Mae to enhance the housing market and to reduce brokered deposits on our books.  Utilization of these funds during 2009 were new and renewed loan originations totaling $665 million, of which $266 million represented new loan extensions either funded or committed.
 
 Also during 2009, Colony had a net increase in mortgage-backed securities of $67 million.
 
 Item 7A
 
 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
 The information required by this item is located in Item 7 under the heading Interest Rate Sensitivity.
 
 Item 8
 
 Financial Statements and Supplemental Data
 
 The following consolidated financial statements of the Registrant and its subsidiary are included on exhibit 13 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
 
 Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 31, 2009 and 2008
 
 Consolidated Statements of Income – Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity – Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
  - 60 -
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 Part II (Continued)
 Item 8 (Continued)
 
 Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
 
 The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:
 Three Months EndedDecember 31


September 30


June 30


March 312009

($ in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)Interest Income

$
16,098


$
16,650


$
16,639


$
16,460Interest Expense


5,835



6,346



6,700



7,400Net Interest Income


10,263



10,304



9,939



9,060Provision for Loan Losses


21,865



4,000



13,355



4,225Securities Gains (Losses)


(521
)


609



221



2,317Noninterest Income


1,731



1,747



1,791



1,649Noninterest Expense


11,040



8,128



8,311



7,365Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes


(21,432
)


532



(9,715
)


1,436Provision for Income Taxes


(7,199
)


164



(3,318
)


358Net Income (Loss)


(14,233
)


368



(6,397
)


1,078Preferred Stock Dividends


350



350



350



315Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders

$
(14,583
)

$
18


$
(6,747
)

$
763Net Income (Loss) Per Common ShareBasic

$
(2.02
)

$
0.00


$
(0.94
)

$
0.11Diluted


(2.02
)


0.00



(0.94
)


0.112008Interest Income

$
17,677


$
18,428


$
18,680


$
20,512Interest Expense


8,435



8,943



9,637



10,907Net Interest Income


9,242



9,485



9,043



9,605Provision for Loan Losses


4,426



3,370



4,071



1,071Securities Gains (Losses)


-



11



614



570Noninterest Income


1,820



1,769



2,420



1,801Noninterest Expense


7,572



7,813



7,714



7,757Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes


(936
)


82



292



3,148Provision for Income Taxes (Benefits)


(266
)


(112
)


-



935Net Income (Loss)

$
(670
)

$
194


$
292


$
2,213Net Income (Loss) Per Common ShareBasic

$
(0.09
)

$
0.03


$
0.04


$
0.31Diluted


(0.09
)


0.03



0.04



0.31
 
 Item 9
 
 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
 There was no accounting or disclosure disagreement or reportable event with the current auditors that would have required the filing of a report on Form 8-K.
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  Part II (Continued)
 Item 9A
 
 Controls and Procedures
 
 The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by this report, as required by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act.  Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
 
 During the year ended December 31, 2009, there was not any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
 Colony’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.  Colony’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of Colony’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
 Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
 
 Colony’s management assessed the effectiveness of Colony’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 based on the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on the assessment, management determined that Colony maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009.
 
 This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  The Company’s registered public accounting firm was not required to issue an attestation on its internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC.
 
 Colony Bankcorp, Inc.
 March 15, 2010
 
 Changes in Internal Controls
 
 There were no changes made in our internal controls during the period covered by this report or, to our knowledge, in other factors that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect these controls.
 
 See the Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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  Part II (Continued)
 Item 9B
 
 Other Information
 
 None.
 
 
 Part III
 Item 10
 
 Directors and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
 Code of Ethics
 
 Colony Bankcorp, Inc. has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to the Company’s principal executive officer and principal accounting and financial officer.  A copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided to any person without charge, upon written request mailed to Terry Hester, Colony Bankcorp, Inc., 115 S. Grant Street, Fitzgerald, Georgia 31750.
 
 The remaining information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statements to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report.
 
 Item 11
 
 Executive Compensation
 
 The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report.
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 Table of Contents
  Part III (Continued)
 Item 12
 
 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
 
 Plan Category

Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Stock Grant, Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights

(a)


Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights

(b)


Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))

(c)Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Security Holders2004 Restricted Stock Grant Plan










101,592Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders1999 Restricted Stock Grant Plan










-101,592
 
 The remaining information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report.
 
 Item 13
 
 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
 
 The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statements to be filed with Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report.
 
 Item 14
 
 Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
 The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statements to be filed with Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report.
  - 64 -
 Table of Contents
  Part IV
 Item 15
 
 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
 (a)
The following documents are filed as part of this report:(1)
Financial Statements(2)
Financial Statements Schedules:All schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable or the information is presented in the financial statements or the related notes.(3)
A list of the exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K to be filed as a part of this report is shown on the “Exhibit Index” filed herewith.Exhibit Index3.1
Articles of Incorporation-filed as Exhibit 3(a) to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 0-18486), filed with the Commission on April 25, 1990 and incorporated herein by reference.3.2
Bylaws, as Amended-filed as Exhibit 3(b) to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 0-18486), filed with the Commission on April 25, 1990 and incorporated herein by reference.3.3
Articles of Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation Authorizing Additional Capital Stock in the Form of Ten Million Shares of Preferred Stock-filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-12436) filed with the Commission on January 13, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.3.4
Articles of Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation Establishing the Terms of the Series A Preferred Stock-filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-12436) filed with the Commission on January 13, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.4.1
Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders-incorporated herein by reference to page 1 of the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 26, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2005 (File No. 000-12436).4.2
Warrant to Purchase up to 500,000 shares of Common Stock-filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-12436), filed with the Commission on January 13, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
  - 65 -
 Table of Contents
  Part IV (Continued)
 Item 15 (Continued)
 
 4.3
Form of Series A Preferred Stock Certificate-filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-12436), filed with the Commission on January 13, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.10.1
Deferred Compensation Plan and Sample Director Agreement-filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 0-18486), filed with the Commission on April 25, 1990 and incorporated herein by reference.10.2
Profit-Sharing Plan Dated January 1, 1979-filed as Exhibit 10(b) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 0-18486), filed with the Commission on April 25, 1990 and incorporated herein by reference.10.3
1999 Restricted Stock Grant Plan and Restricted Stock Grant Agreement-filed as Exhibit 10© the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File 000-12436), filed with the Commission on March 30, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference.10.4
2004 Restricted Stock Grant Plan and Restricted Stock Grant Agreement-filed as Exhibit C to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on April 27, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2004 (File No. 000-12436) and incorporated herein by reference.10.5
Lease Agreement – Mobile Home Tracks, LLC c/o Stafford Properties, Inc. and Colony Bank Worth-filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q (File No. 000-12436), filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on November 5, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.10.6
Letter Agreement, Dated January 9, 2009, Including Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms Incorporated by Reference Therein, Between the Company and the United States Department of the Treasury-filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-12436), filed with the Commission on January 13, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.10.7
Form of Waiver, Executed by Each of Messrs AL D. Ross, Terry L. Hester, Henry F. Brown, Jr., Walter P. Patten and Larry E. Stevenson-filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-12436), filed with the Commission on January 13, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
  - 66 -
 Table of Contents
  Part IV (Continued)
 Item 15 (Continued)
 
 11
Statement of Computation of Per Share Earnings13
Consolidated Financial Statements of Colony Bankcorp, Inc. as of December 31, 2009 and 200821
Subsidiaries of the Company31.1
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200231.2
Certificate of Chief Financial and Accounting Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200232
Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200299.1
Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 30.15 of 31 CFR Part 30
  - 67 -
 Table of Contents
  SIGNATURES
 
 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Colony Bankcorp, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized:
 
 COLONY BANKCORP, INC.
 
 /s/ Al D. RossAl D. Ross

President/Director/Chief Executive OfficerMarch 15, 2010Date/s/ Terry L. HesterTerry L. Hester

Executive Vice-President/Chief Financial Officer/DirectorMarch 15, 2010Date
 
 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
 
 /s/ Terry Coleman

March 15, 2010Terry Coleman, Director

Date/s/ L. Morris Downing

March 15, 2010L. Morris Downing, Director

Date/s/ Edward J. Harrell

March 15, 2010Edward J. Harrell, Director

Date/s/ Mark H. Massee

March 15, 2010Mark H. Massee, Director

Date/s/ James D. Minix

March 15, 2010James D, Minix, Director

Date
  - 68 -
 Table of Contents
  
 /s/ Charles E. Myler

March 15, 2010Charles E. Myler, Director

Date/s/ W. B. Roberts, Jr.

March 15, 2010W. B. Roberts, Jr., Director

Date/s/ Jonathan W. R. Ross

March 15, 2010Jonathan W. R. Ross, Director

Date/s/ B. Gene Waldron

March 15, 2010B. Gene Waldron, Director

Date
 
 69