UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

 

 

Commission File Number 1-34073

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (614) 480-8300

 

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

 

 

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

None

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 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).  o Yes  o No

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not 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.  þ

 

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

 

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2009, determined by using a per share closing price of $4.18, as quoted by NASDAQ on that date, was $2,298,648,203. As of January 31, 2010, there were 716,382,350 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 outstanding.

 

Documents Incorporated By Reference

 

Part III of this Form 10-K incorporates by reference certain information from the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

 

HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED
INDEX

 

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

 

When we refer to “we,” “our,” and “us” in this report, we mean Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and our consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context indicates that we refer only to the parent company, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. When we refer to the “Bank” in this report, we mean our only bank subsidiary The Huntington National Bank, and its subsidiaries.

 

 

We are a multi-state diversified financial holding company organized under Maryland law in 1966 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Through our subsidiaries, we provide full-service commercial and consumer banking services, mortgage banking services, automobile financing, equipment leasing, investment management, trust services, brokerage services, customized insurance service programs, and other financial products and services. The Bank, organized in 1866, is our only bank subsidiary. At December 31, 2009, the Bank had:

 

 

We conduct certain activities in other states including Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Our foreign banking activities, in total or with any individual country, are not significant. At December 31, 2009, we had 10,272 full-time equivalent employees.

 

Our business segments are discussed in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the financial statement results for each of our business segments can be found in Note 27 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, both are included in our Annual Report to shareholders, which is incorporated into this report by reference.

 

Competition

 

Competition is intense in most of our markets. We compete on price and service with other banks and financial services companies such as savings and loans, credit unions, finance companies, mortgage banking companies, insurance companies, and brokerage firms. Competition could intensify in the future as a result of industry consolidation, the increasing availability of products and services from non-banks, greater technological developments in the industry, and banking reform.

 

Regulatory Matters

 

General

 

We are a bank holding company and are qualified as a financial holding company with the Federal Reserve. We are subject to examination and supervision by the Federal Reserve pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act. We are required to file reports and other information regarding our business operations and the business operations of our subsidiaries with the Federal Reserve.

Because we are a public company, we are also subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC has established three categories of issuers for the purpose of filing periodic and annual reports. Under these regulations, we are considered to be a “large accelerated filer” and, as such, must comply with SEC accelerated reporting requirements.

 

The Bank is subject to examination and supervision by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Its domestic deposits are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which also has certain regulatory and supervisory authority over it. Our non-bank subsidiaries are also subject to examination and supervision by the Federal Reserve or, in the case of non-bank subsidiaries of the Bank, by the OCC. Our subsidiaries are also subject to examination by other federal and state agencies, including, in the case of certain securities and investment management activities, regulation by the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

 

In connection with emergency economic stabilization programs adopted in late 2008 as described below under “Recent Regulatory Developments,” we are also subject for the foreseeable future to certain direct oversight by the U.S. Treasury Department and to certain non-traditional oversight by our normal banking regulators.

 

In addition to the impact of federal and state regulation, the Bank and our non-bank subsidiaries are affected significantly by the actions of the Federal Reserve as it attempts to control the money supply and credit availability in order to influence the economy.

 

Holding Company Structure

 

We have one national bank subsidiary and numerous non-bank subsidiaries. Exhibit 21.1 of this report lists all of our subsidiaries.

 

The Bank is subject to affiliate transaction restrictions under federal laws, which limit the transfer of funds by a subsidiary bank or its subsidiaries to its parent corporation or any non-bank subsidiary of its parent corporation, whether in the form of loans, extensions of credit, investments, or asset purchases. Such transfers by a subsidiary bank are limited to:

 

 

Furthermore, such loans and extensions of credit must be secured within specified amounts. In addition, all affiliate transactions must be conducted on terms and under circumstances that are substantially the same as such transactions with unaffiliated entities.

 

As a matter of policy, the Federal Reserve expects a bank holding company to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to each of its subsidiary banks and to commit resources to support each such subsidiary bank. Under this source of strength doctrine, the Federal Reserve may require a bank holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank. They may charge the bank holding company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices if it fails to commit resources to such a subsidiary bank or if it undertakes actions that the Federal Reserve believes might jeopardize its ability to commit resources to such subsidiary bank. A capital injection may be required at times when the holding company does not have the resources to provide it.

 

Any loans by a holding company to a subsidiary bank are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary bank. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee will assume any commitment by the holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank. Moreover, the bankruptcy law provides that claims based on any such commitment will be entitled to a priority of payment over the claims of the institution’s general unsecured creditors, including the holders of its note obligations.

Federal law permits the OCC to order the pro rata assessment of shareholders of a national bank whose capital stock has become impaired, by losses or otherwise, to relieve a deficiency in such national bank’s capital stock. This statute also provides for the enforcement of any such pro rata assessment of shareholders of such national bank to cover such impairment of capital stock by sale, to the extent necessary, of the capital stock owned by any assessed shareholder failing to pay the assessment. As the sole shareholder of the Bank, we are subject to such provisions.

 

Moreover, the claims of a receiver of an insured depository institution for administrative expenses and the claims of holders of deposit liabilities of such an institution are accorded priority over the claims of general unsecured creditors of such an institution, including the holders of the institution’s note obligations, in the event of liquidation or other resolution of such institution. Claims of a receiver for administrative expenses and claims of holders of deposit liabilities of the Bank, including the FDIC as the insurer of such holders, would receive priority over the holders of notes and other senior debt of the Bank in the event of liquidation or other resolution and over our interests as sole shareholder of the Bank.

 

The Federal Reserve maintains a bank holding company rating system that emphasizes risk management, introduces a framework for analyzing and rating financial factors, and provides a framework for assessing and rating the potential impact of non-depository entities of a holding company on its subsidiary depository institution(s).

 

A composite rating is assigned based on the foregoing three components, but a fourth component is also rated, reflecting generally the assessment of depository institution subsidiaries by their principal regulators. Ratings are made on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 highest) and are not made public. The bank holding company rating system, which became effective in 2005, applies to us. The composite ratings assigned to us, like those assigned to other financial institutions, are confidential and may not be directly disclosed, except to the extent required by law.

 

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Financial Stability Plan, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, Other Regulatory Developments and Pending Legislation

 

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

 

On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) was enacted. EESA enables the federal government, under terms and conditions developed by the Secretary of the Treasury, to insure troubled assets, including mortgage-backed securities, and collect premiums from participating financial institutions. EESA includes, among other provisions: (a) the $700 billion Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), under which the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to purchase, insure, hold, and sell a wide variety of financial instruments, particularly those that are based on or related to residential or commercial mortgages originated or issued on or before March 14, 2008; and (b) an increase in the amount of deposit insurance provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Both of these specific provisions are discussed in the below sections. In December 2009, the Secretary of the Treasury announced the extension of the TARP to October 2010, but indicated that not more than $550 billion of the total authorized would actually be deployed.

 

Under the TARP, the Department of Treasury authorized a voluntary capital purchase program (CPP) to purchase up to $250 billion of senior preferred shares of qualifying financial institutions that elected to participate by November 14, 2008. Participating companies must adopt certain standards for executive compensation, including (a) prohibiting “golden parachute” payments as defined in EESA to senior Executive Officers; (b) requiring recovery of any compensation paid to senior Executive Officers based on criteria that is later proven to be materially inaccurate; and (c) prohibiting incentive compensation that encourages unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the financial institution. The terms of the CPP also limit certain uses of capital by the issuer, including repurchases of company stock, and increases in dividends. In late 2009, the Treasury Department announced that the CPP was effectively closed, and that certain other emergency programs under the TARP had been or would be terminated.

On November 14, 2008, we participated in the CPP and issued approximately $1.4 billion in capital in the form of non-voting cumulative preferred stock that pays cash dividends at the rate of 5% per annum for the first five years, and then pays cash dividends at the rate of 9% per annum thereafter. In addition, the Department of Treasury received warrants to purchase shares of our common stock having an aggregate market price equal to 15% of the preferred stock amount. The proceeds of the $1.4 billion have been credited to the preferred stock and additional paid-in-capital. The difference between the par value of the preferred stock and the amount credited to the preferred stock account is amortized against retained earnings and is reflected in our income statement as dividends on preferred shares, resulting in additional dilution to our common stock. The exercise price for the warrant of $8.90, and the market price for determining the number of shares of common stock subject to the warrants, was determined on the date of the preferred investment (calculated on a 20-trading day trailing average). The warrants are immediately exercisable, in whole or in part, over a term of 10 years. The warrants are included in our diluted average common shares outstanding in periods when the effect of their inclusion is dilutive to earnings per share.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

 

EESA temporarily raised the limit on federal deposit insurance coverage from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor. Separate from EESA, in October 2008, the FDIC also announced the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (TLGP) to guarantee certain debt issued by FDIC-insured institutions through October 31, 2009. Under one component of this program, the Transaction Account Guaranty Program (TAGP), the FDIC temporarily provided unlimited coverage for noninterest bearing transaction deposit accounts through December 31, 2009. The $250,000 deposit insurance coverage limit was scheduled to return to $100,000 on January 1, 2010, but was extended by congressional action until December 31, 2013. The TLGP has been extended to cover debt of FDIC-insured institutions issued through April 30, 2010, and the TAGP has been extended through June 30, 2010. We participated in the TAGP since its beginning, and have elected to continue our participation during the extension period.

 

In addition, on February 3, 2009, the Bank completed the issuance and sale of $600 million of Floating Rate Senior Bank Notes with a variable rate of three month LIBOR plus 40 basis points, due June 1, 2012 (the Notes). The Notes are guaranteed by the FDIC under the TLGP and are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. The FDIC’s guarantee cost $20 million which will be amortized over the term of the notes.

 

(See “Bank Liquidity” discussion for additional details regarding the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.)

 

Financial Stability Plan

 

On February 10, 2009, the Financial Stability Plan (FSP) was announced by the U.S. Treasury Department. The FSP is a comprehensive set of measures intended to shore up the financial system. The core elements of the plan include making bank capital injections, creating a public-private investment fund to buy troubled assets, establishing guidelines for loan modification programs and expanding the Federal Reserve lending program. During the course of 2009, the Treasury Department announced numerous programs in implementation of the FSP, and sent various legislative proposals to the Congress for consideration. Summaries of these programs and legislative proposals have been posted on a government website, FinancialStability.gov. We continue to monitor these developments and assess their potential impact on our business.

 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

 

On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was enacted. ARRA is intended to provide a stimulus to the U.S. economy in the wake of the economic downturn brought about by the subprime mortgage crisis and the resulting credit crunch. The bill includes federal tax cuts, expansion of unemployment benefits and other social welfare provisions, and domestic spending in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, including the energy structure. The new law also includes numerous non-economic recovery related items, including a limitation on executive compensation in federally aided banks.

Under ARRA, an institution will be subject to the following restrictions and standards throughout the period in which any obligation arising from financial assistance provided under TARP remains outstanding:

 

 

The foregoing is a summary of requirements included in standards established by the Secretary of the Treasury.

 

Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan

 

On February 18, 2009, the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan (HASP) was announced by the President of the United States. HASP is intended to support a recovery in the housing market and ensure that workers can continue to pay off their mortgages through the following elements:

 

 

The Treasury Department has issued extensive guidance on the scope and mechanics of various components of HASP. We continue to monitor these developments and assess their potential impact on our business.

 

Other Regulatory Developments

 

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s “Basel II” regulatory capital guidelines originally published in June 2004 and adopted in final form by U.S. regulatory agencies in November 2007 are designed to promote improved risk measurement and management processes and better align minimum capital requirements with risk. The Basel II guidelines became operational in April 2008, but are mandatory only for “core banks,” i.e., banks with consolidated total assets of $250 billion or more. They are thus not applicable to the Bank, which continues to operate under U.S. risk-based capital guidelines consistent with “Basel I” guidelines published in 1988.

 

Federal regulators issued for public comment in December 2006 proposed rules (designated as “Basel IA” rules) applicable to non-core banks that would have modified the existing U.S. Basel I-based capital framework. In July 2008, however, these regulators issued, instead of the Basel 1A proposals, new rulemaking involving a “standardized framework” that would implement some of the simpler approaches for both credit risk and operational risk from the more advanced Basel II framework. Non-core U.S. depository institutions

would be allowed to opt in to the standardized framework or elect to remain under the existing Basel 1-based regulatory capital framework. The new rulemaking remained pending at the end of 2009.

 

Pending Legislation

 

At the end of 2009, there were numerous legislative proposals, originating both in Congressional committees and in the Obama Administration, that would, if enacted, have significant impact on the banking industry. These proposals include the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency with rulemaking, examination, and enforcement powers to oversee consumer lending, credit card, and other consumer financial activities. The Agency would take over certain functions now lodged with banking regulators and other agencies. They also include a broad financial regulatory reform initiative that would, among other things, (a) abolish the thrift charter and convert the Office of Thrift Supervision into a division of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, (b) establish a Financial Stability Council to oversee systemic risk issues, (c) extend regulation beyond bank holding companies to financial sector companies not presently regulated, including hedge funds, and (d) provide a means for resolving, without governmental bailouts, entities previously regarded as “too big to fail.” We will monitor all legislative developments and assess their potential impact on our business.

 

Dividend Restrictions

 

Dividends from the Bank are the primary source of funds for payment of dividends to our shareholders. However, there are statutory limits on the amount of dividends that the Bank can pay to us without regulatory approval. The Bank may not, without prior regulatory approval, pay a dividend in an amount greater than its undivided profits. In addition, the prior approval of the OCC is required for the payment of a dividend by a national bank if the total of all dividends declared in a calendar year would exceed the total of its net income for the year combined with its retained net income for the two preceding years. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2009, the Bank did not pay any cash dividends to Huntington. At December 31, 2009, the Bank could not have declared and paid any additional dividends to the parent company without regulatory approval.

 

If, in the opinion of the applicable regulatory authority, a bank under its jurisdiction is engaged in or is about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice, such authority may require, after notice and hearing, that such bank cease and desist from such practice. Depending on the financial condition of the Bank, the applicable regulatory authority might deem us to be engaged in an unsafe or unsound practice if the Bank were to pay dividends. The Federal Reserve and the OCC have issued policy statements that provide that insured banks and bank holding companies should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings. As previously described, the CPP limits our ability to increase dividends to shareholders.

 

FDIC Insurance

 

With the enactment in February 2006 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 and related legislation, and the adoption by the FDIC of implementing regulations in November 2006, major changes were introduced in FDIC deposit insurance, effective January 1, 2007.

 

Under the reformed deposit insurance regime, the FDIC designates annually a target reserve ratio for the DIF within the range of 1.15 percent and 1.5 percent, instead of the prior fixed requirement to manage the DIF so as to maintain a designated reserve ratio of 1.25 percent.

 

In addition, the FDIC adopted a new risk-based system for assessment of deposit insurance premiums on depository institutions, under which all such institutions would pay at least a minimum level of premiums. The new system is based on an institution’s probability of causing a loss to the DIF, and requires that each depository institution be placed in one of four risk categories, depending on a combination of its capitalization and its supervisory ratings. Under the base rate schedule adopted in late 2006, institutions in Risk Category I would be assessed between 2 and 4 basis points, while institutions in Risk Category IV could be assessed a maximum of 40 basis points.

The FDIC set 2007 assessment rates at three basis points above the base schedule rates, i.e., between 5 and 7 basis points for Risk Category I institutions and up to 43 basis points for Risk Category IV institutions. To assist the transition to the new system requiring assessment payments by all insured institutions, the Bank and other depository institutions that were in existence on and paid deposit insurance assessments prior to December 31, 1996, were made eligible for a one-time assessment credit based on their shares of the aggregate 1996 assessment base. The Bank’s assessment rate, like that of other financial institutions, is confidential and may not be directly disclosed, except to the extent required by law.

 

For 2008, the FDIC resolved to maintain the designated reserve ratio at 1.25 percent, and to leave risk-based assessments at the same rates as in 2007, that is between 5 and 43 basis points, depending upon an institution’s risk category.

 

As a participating FDIC insured bank, we were assessed deposit insurance premiums totaling $24.1 million during 2008. However, the one-time assessment credit described above was fully utilized to substantially offset our 2008 deposit insurance premium and, therefore, only $7.9 million of deposit insurance premium expense was recognized during 2008.

 

In late 2008, the FDIC raised assessment rates for the first quarter of 2009 by a uniform 7 basis points, resulting in a range between 12 and 50 basis points, depending upon the risk category. At the same time, the FDIC proposed further changes in the assessment system beginning in the second quarter of 2009. As amended in a final rule issued in March 2009, the changes commencing April 1, 2009, set a five-year target of 1.15 percent for the designated reserve ratio (which had fallen sharply during 2008 and early 2009), and set base assessment rates between 12 and 45 basis points, depending on the risk category. However, adjustments (relating to unsecured debt, secured liabilities, and brokered deposits) were provided for in the case of individual institutions that could result in assessment rates between 7 and 24 basis points for institutions in the lowest risk category and 40 to 77.5 basis points for institutions in the highest risk category. The purpose of the April 1, 2009, changes was to ensure that riskier institutions bear a greater share of the increase in assessments, and are subsidized to a lesser degree by less risky institutions.

 

In addition to these changes in the basic assessment regime, the FDIC, in an interim rule also issued in March 2009, imposed a 20 basis point emergency special assessment on deposits of insured institutions as of June 30, 2009, to be collected on September 30, 2009. In May 2009, the FDIC imposed a further special assessment on insured institutions of five basis points on their June 30, 2009, assets minus Tier 1 capital, also payable September 30, 2009. And in November 2009, the FDIC required all insured institutions to prepay, on December 30, 2009, slightly over three years of estimated insurance assessments.

 

Taking into account both regular and special deposit insurance assessments, we were required to pay total deposit and other insurance expense of $113.8 million in 2009. We also prepaid an estimated insurance assessment of $325 million on December 30, 2009.

 

The Bank continues to be required to make payments for the servicing of obligations of the Financing Corporation (FICO) that were issued in connection with the resolution of savings and loan associations, so long as such obligations remain outstanding.

 

Capital Requirements

 

The Federal Reserve has issued risk-based capital ratio and leverage ratio guidelines for bank holding companies. The risk-based capital ratio guidelines establish a systematic analytical framework that:

 

 

Under the guidelines and related policies, bank holding companies must maintain capital sufficient to meet both a risk-based asset ratio test and a leverage ratio test on a consolidated basis. The risk-based ratio is

determined by allocating assets and specified off-balance sheet commitments into four weighted categories, with higher weighting assigned to categories perceived as representing greater risk. The risk-based ratio represents capital divided by total risk weighted assets. The leverage ratio is core capital divided by total assets adjusted as specified in the guidelines. The Bank is subject to substantially similar capital requirements.

 

Generally, under the applicable guidelines, a financial institution’s capital is divided into two tiers. Institutions that must incorporate market risk exposure into their risk-based capital requirements may also have a third tier of capital in the form of restricted short-term subordinated debt. These tiers are:

 

 

The Federal Reserve and the other federal banking regulators require that all intangible assets (net of deferred tax), except originated or purchased mortgage-servicing rights, non-mortgage servicing assets, and purchased credit card relationships, be deducted from Tier 1 capital. However, the total amount of these items included in capital cannot exceed 100% of its Tier 1 capital.

 

Under the risk-based guidelines, financial institutions are required to maintain a risk-based ratio of 8%, with 4% being Tier 1 capital. The appropriate regulatory authority may set higher capital requirements when they believe an institution’s circumstances warrant.

 

Under the leverage guidelines, financial institutions are required to maintain a leverage ratio of at least 3%. The minimum ratio is applicable only to financial institutions that meet certain specified criteria, including excellent asset quality, high liquidity, low interest rate risk exposure, and the highest regulatory rating. Financial institutions not meeting these criteria are required to maintain a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%.

 

Special minimum capital requirements apply to equity investments in non-financial companies. The requirements consist of a series of deductions from Tier 1 capital that increase within a range from 8% to 25% of the adjusted carrying value of the investment.

 

Failure to meet applicable capital guidelines could subject the financial institution to a variety of enforcement remedies available to the federal regulatory authorities. These include limitations on the ability to pay dividends, the issuance by the regulatory authority of a capital directive to increase capital, and the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC. In addition, the financial institution could be subject to the measures described below under “Prompt Corrective Action” as applicable to “under-capitalized” institutions.

 

The risk-based capital standards of the Federal Reserve, the OCC, and the FDIC specify that evaluations by the banking agencies of a bank’s capital adequacy will include an assessment of the exposure to declines in the economic value of the bank’s capital due to changes in interest rates. These banking agencies issued a joint policy statement on interest rate risk describing prudent methods for monitoring such risk that rely principally on internal measures of exposure and active oversight of risk management activities by senior management.

 

Prompt Corrective Action

 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, known as FDICIA, requires federal banking regulatory authorities to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. For these purposes, FDICIA establishes five capital tiers: “well-capitalized,” “adequately-capitalized,” “under-capitalized,” “significantly under-capitalized,” and “critically under-capitalized.”

An institution is deemed to be:

 

 

Throughout 2009, our regulatory capital ratios and those of the Bank were in excess of the levels established for “well-capitalized” institutions.

 

 

 

 

FDICIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distribution, including payment of a cash dividend or paying any management fee to its holding company, if the depository institution would be “under-capitalized” after such payment. “Under-capitalized” institutions are subject to growth limitations and are required by the appropriate federal banking agency to submit a capital restoration plan. If any depository institution subsidiary of a holding company is required to submit a capital restoration plan, the holding company would be required to provide a limited guarantee regarding compliance with the plan as a condition of approval of such plan.

 

If an “under-capitalized” institution fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly under-capitalized.” “Significantly under-capitalized” 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 under-capitalized” institutions may not, beginning 60 days after becoming “critically under-capitalized,” make any payment of principal or interest on their subordinated debt. In addition, “critically under-capitalized” institutions are subject to appointment of a receiver or conservator within 90 days of becoming so classified.

 

Under FDICIA, a depository institution that is not “well-capitalized” is generally prohibited from accepting brokered deposits and offering interest rates on deposits higher than the prevailing rate in its market. As previously stated, the Bank is “well-capitalized” and the FDICIA brokered deposit rule did not adversely affect its ability to accept brokered deposits. The Bank had $2.1 billion of such brokered deposits at December 31, 2009.

Financial Holding Company Status

 

In order to maintain its status as a financial holding company, a bank holding company’s depository subsidiaries must all be both “well capitalized” and “well managed,” and must meet their Community Reinvestment Act obligations.

 

Financial holding company powers relate to “financial activities” that are determined by the Federal Reserve, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, to be financial in nature, incidental to an activity that is financial in nature, or complementary to a financial activity, provided that the complementary activity does not pose a safety and soundness risk. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act designates certain activities as financial in nature, including:

 

 

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act also authorizes the Federal Reserve, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, to determine that additional activities are financial in nature or incidental to activities that are financial in nature.

 

We are required by the Bank Holding Company Act to obtain Federal Reserve approval prior to acquiring, directly or indirectly, ownership or control of voting shares of any bank, if, after such acquisition, we would own or control more than 5% of its voting stock. However, as a financial holding company, we may commence any new financial activity, except for the acquisition of a savings association, with notice to the Federal Reserve within 30 days after the commencement of the new financial activity.

 

USA Patriot Act

 

The USA Patriot Act of 2001 and its related regulations require insured depository institutions, broker-dealers, and certain other financial institutions to have policies, procedures, and controls to detect, prevent, and report money laundering and terrorist financing. The statute and its regulations also provide for information sharing, subject to conditions, between federal law enforcement agencies and financial institutions, as well as among financial institutions, for counter-terrorism purposes. Federal banking regulators are required, when reviewing bank holding company acquisition and bank merger applications, to take into account the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering activities of the applicants.

 

Customer Privacy and Other Consumer Protections

 

Pursuant to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, we, like all other financial institutions, are required to:

 

 

Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, our customers may also opt out of information sharing between and among us and our affiliates. We are also subject, in connection with our lending and leasing activities, to numerous federal and state laws aimed at protecting consumers, including the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 imposed new or revised corporate governance, accounting, and reporting requirements on us and all other companies having securities registered with the SEC. In addition to a requirement that chief executive officers and chief financial officers certify financial statements in writing, the statute imposed requirements affecting, among other matters, the composition and activities of audit committees, disclosures relating to corporate insiders and insider transactions, codes of ethics, and the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting.

 

 

We, like other financial companies, are subject to a number of risks that may adversely affect our financial condition or results of operation, many of which are outside of our direct control, though efforts are made to manage those risks while optimizing returns. Among the risks assumed are: (1) credit risk, which is the risk of loss due to loan and lease customers or other counterparties not being able to meet their financial obligations under agreed upon terms, (2) market risk, which is the risk of loss due to changes in the market value of assets and liabilities due to changes in market interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices, and credit spreads, (3) liquidity risk, which is the risk of loss due to the possibility that funds may not be available to satisfy current or future commitments based on external macro market issues, investor and customer perception of financial strength, and events unrelated to the Company such as war, terrorism, or financial institution market specific issues, and (4) operational risk, which is the risk of loss due to human error, inadequate or failed internal systems and controls, violations of, or noncompliance with, laws, rules, regulations, prescribed practices, or ethical standards, and external influences such as market conditions, fraudulent activities, disasters, and security risks.

 

In addition to the other information included or incorporated by reference into this report, readers should carefully consider that the following important factors, among others, could materially impact our business, future results of operations, and future cash flows.

 

 

The allowance for loan losses may prove inadequate or be negatively affected by credit risk exposures.

 

Our business depends on the creditworthiness of our customers. We periodically review the allowance for loan and lease losses for adequacy considering economic conditions and trends, collateral values and credit quality indicators, including past charge-off experience and levels of past due loans and nonperforming assets. There is no certainty that the allowance for loan losses will be adequate over time to cover credit losses in the portfolio because of unanticipated adverse changes in the economy, market conditions or events adversely affecting specific customers, industries or markets. If the credit quality of the customer base materially decreases, if the risk profile of a market, industry or group of customers changes materially, or if the allowance for loan losses is not adequate, our business, financial condition, liquidity, capital, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

All of our loan portfolios, particularly our construction and commercial real estate (CRE) loans, may continue to be affected by the sustained economic weakness of our Midwest markets and the impact of higher unemployment rates. This may have a significantly adverse affect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, capital, and results of operation.

 

As described in the “Credit Risk” discussion, credit quality performance continued to be under pressure during 2009, with nonaccrual loans and leases (NALs) and nonperforming assets (NPAs) both higher at December 31, 2009, compared with December 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007. It should be noted that there was a 12% decline in NPA’s in the 2009 fourth quarter. The allowance for credit losses (ACL) of $1,531.4 million at December 31, 2009, was 4.16% of period-end loans and leases and 80% of period-end NALs.

The majority of our credit risk is associated with lending activities, as the acceptance and management of credit risk is central to profitable lending. Credit risk is mitigated through a combination of credit policies and processes, market risk management activities, and portfolio diversification. However, adverse changes in our borrowers’ ability to meet their financial obligations under agreed upon terms and, in some cases, to the value of the assets securing our loans to them may increase our credit risk. Our commercial portfolio, as well as our real estate-related consumer portfolios, have continued to be negatively affected by the ongoing reduction in real estate values and reduced levels of sales and leasing activities. Our ACL reserving methodology uses individual loan portfolio performance factors based on an analysis of historical charge-off experience and migration patterns as part of the determination of ACL adequacy. Such factors are subject to regular review and may change to reflect updated performance trends and expectations, particularly in times of severe economic stress. There is no certainty that the ACL will be adequate over time to cover credit losses in the portfolio because of continued adverse changes in the economy, market conditions, or events adversely affecting specific customers, industries or markets. If the credit quality of the customer base materially decreases, if the risk profile of a market, industry, or group of customers changes materially, or if the ACL is determined to not be adequate, our business, financial condition, liquidity, capital, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

Bank regulators periodically review our ACL and may require us to increase our provision for loan and lease losses or loan charge-offs. Any increase in our ACL or loan charge-offs as required by these regulatory authorities could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and our financial condition.

 

In particular, an increase in our ACL could result in a reduction in the amount of our tangible common equity (TCE) and/or our Tier 1 common equity. Given the focus on these measurements, we may be required to raise additional capital through the issuance of common stock as a result of an increase in our ACL. The issuance of additional common stock or other actions could have a dilutive effect on the existing holders of our common stock, and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

A sustained weakness or weakening in business and economic conditions generally or specifically in the markets in which we do business could adversely affect our business and operating results.

 

Our business could be adversely affected to the extent that weaknesses in business and economic conditions have direct or indirect impacts on us or on our customers and counterparties. These conditions could lead, for example, to one or more of the following:

 

 

An increase in the number of delinquencies, bankruptcies or defaults could result in a higher level of nonperforming assets, net charge-offs, provision for credit losses, and valuation adjustments on loans held for sale. The markets we serve are dependent on industrial and manufacturing businesses and thus particularly vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions.

 

Declines in home values and reduced levels of home sales in our markets could continue to adversely affect us.

 

Like all financial institutions, we are subject to the effects of any economic downturn. There has been a slowdown in the housing market across our geographic footprint, reflecting declining prices and excess inventories of houses to be sold. These developments have had, and further declines may continue to have, a negative effect on our financial conditions and results of operations. At December 31, 2009, we had:

 

 

 

Adverse economic conditions in the automobile manufacturing and related service industries may impact our banking business.

 

Many of the banking markets we serve are connected, directly or indirectly, to the automobile manufacturing industry. We do not have any direct credit exposure to automobile manufacturers. However, we do have a modest exposure to companies that derive more than 25% of their revenues from contracts with the automobile manufacturing companies. Also, these automobile manufacturers or their suppliers employ many of our consumer customers. The automobile manufacturing industry has experienced significant economic difficulties over the past five years, which, in turn, has adversely impacted a number of related industries that serve the automobile manufacturing industry, including automobile parts suppliers and other indirect businesses. We cannot provide assurance that the economic conditions in the automobile manufacturing and related service industries will improve at any time in the foreseeable future or that adverse economic conditions in these industries will not impact the Bank.

 

 

We may raise additional capital, which could have a dilutive effect on the existing holders of our common stock and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

During 2009, we issued 346.8 million shares of additional common stock through two common stock public offerings, three discretionary equity issuance programs, and conversions of preferred stock into common stock. The issuance of these additional shares of common stock resulted in a 95% increase of outstanding shares of common stock at December 31, 2009, compared with December 31, 2008, and those additional shares were significantly dilutive to existing common shareholders. (See the “Capital” section located within the “Risk Management and Capital” section for additional information). As of December 31, 2009, we had 130.2 million of additional authorized common shares available for issuance, and 4.8 million of additional authorized preferred shares available for issuance.

 

We are not restricted from issuing additional authorized shares of common stock or securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock. We continually evaluate opportunities to access capital markets taking into account our regulatory capital ratios, financial condition, and other relevant considerations, and subject to market conditions, we may take further capital actions. Such actions, with regulatory approval when required, may include opportunistically retiring our outstanding securities, including our subordinated debt, trust-preferred securities, and preferred shares, in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, or public offers for cash or common shares, as well as issuing additional shares of common stock in public or private transactions in order to increase our capital levels above our already “well-capitalized” levels, as defined by the federal bank regulatory agencies, and other regulatory capital targets.

 

Both Huntington and the Bank are highly regulated, and we, as well as our regulators, continue to regularly perform a variety of capital analyses, including the preparation of stress case scenarios. As a result of those assessments, we could determine, or our regulators could require us, to raise additional capital in the

future. Any such capital raise could include, among other things, the potential issuance of additional common equity to the public, the potential issuance of common equity to the government under the CAP, or the additional conversions of our existing Series B Preferred Stock to common equity. There could also be market perceptions that we need to raise additional capital, and regardless of the outcome of any stress test or other stress case analysis, such perceptions could have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.

 

Furthermore, in order to improve our capital ratios above our already “well-capitalized” levels, we can decrease the amount of our risk-weighted assets, increase capital, or a combination of both. If it is determined that additional capital is required in order to improve or maintain our capital ratios, we may accomplish this through the issuance of additional common stock.

 

The issuance of any additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or that represent the right to receive common stock, or the exercise of such securities, could be substantially dilutive to existing common shareholders. Shareholders of our common stock have no preemptive rights that entitle holders to purchase their pro rata share of any offering of shares of any class or series and, therefore, such sales or offerings could result in increased dilution to existing shareholders. The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock in anticipation of such sales.

 

The value of certain investment securities is volatile and future declines or other-than-temporary impairments could have a materially adverse affect on our future earnings and regulatory capital.

 

Continued volatility in the market value for certain of our investment securities, whether caused by changes in market perceptions of credit risk, as reflected in the expected market yield of the security, or actual defaults in the portfolio could result in significant fluctuations in the value of the securities. This could have a material adverse impact on our accumulated other comprehensive income and shareholders’ equity depending on the direction of the fluctuations. Furthermore, future downgrades or defaults in these securities could result in future classifications as other than temporarily impaired. This could have a material impact on our future earnings, although the impact on shareholders’ equity will be offset by any amount already included in other comprehensive income for securities where we have recorded temporary impairment.

 

Changes in interest rates could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our results of operations depend substantially on net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets (such as investments and loans) and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities (such as deposits and borrowings). Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political conditions. Conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment, money supply, and other factors beyond our control may also affect interest rates. If our interest-earning assets mature or reprice more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities in a declining interest rate environment, net interest income could be adversely impacted. Likewise, if interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly than interest-earnings assets in a rising interest rate environment, net interest income could be adversely impacted.

 

Changes in interest rates also can affect the value of loans, securities, and other assets, including retained interests in securitizations, mortgage and non-mortgage servicing rights and assets under management. A portion of our earnings results from transactional income. Examples of transactional income include trust income, brokerage income, gain on sales of loans and other real estate owned. This type of income can vary significantly from quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year based on a number of different factors, including the interest rate environment. An increase in interest rates that adversely affects the ability of borrowers to pay the principal or interest on loans and leases may lead to an increase in nonperforming assets and a reduction of income recognized, which could have a material, adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows. When we decide to stop accruing interest on a loan, we reverse any accrued but unpaid interest receivable, which decreases interest income. Subsequently, we continue to have a cost to fund the loan, which is reflected as interest expense, without any interest income to offset the associated funding expense. Thus, an increase in the amount of loans on nonaccrual status could have an adverse impact on net interest income.

Although fluctuations in market interest rates are neither completely predictable nor controllable, our Market Risk Committee (MRC) meets periodically to monitor our interest rate sensitivity position and oversee our financial risk management by establishing policies and operating limits. For further discussion, see the Market Risk — “Interest Rate Risk” section in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. If short-term interest rates remain at their historically low levels for a prolonged period, and assuming longer-term interest rates fall further, we could experience net interest margin compression as our interest-earning assets would continue to reprice downward while our interest-bearing liability rates, especially customer deposit rates, could remain at current levels.

 

 

If the Bank or holding company were unable to borrow funds through access to capital markets, we may not be able to meet the cash flow requirements of our depositors, creditors, and borrowers, or the operating cash needed to fund corporate expansion and other corporate activities.

 

Liquidity is the ability to meet cash flow needs on a timely basis at a reasonable cost. The liquidity of the Bank is used to make loans and leases and to repay deposit liabilities as they become due or are demanded by customers. Liquidity policies and limits are established by the board of directors, with operating limits set by MRC, based upon the ratio of loans to deposits and percentage of assets funded with non-core or wholesale funding. The Bank’s MRC regularly monitors the overall liquidity position of the Bank and the parent company to ensure that various alternative strategies exist to cover unanticipated events that could affect liquidity. MRC also establishes policies and monitors guidelines to diversify the Bank’s wholesale funding sources to avoid concentrations in any one market source. Wholesale funding sources include Federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements, non-core deposits, and medium- and long-term debt, which includes a domestic bank note program and a Euronote program. The Bank is also a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio (FHLB), which provides funding through advances to members that are collateralized with mortgage-related assets.

 

We maintain a portfolio of securities that can be used as a secondary source of liquidity. There are other sources of liquidity available to us should they be needed. These sources include the sale or securitization of loans, the ability to acquire additional national market, non-core deposits, issuance of additional collateralized borrowings such as FHLB advances, the issuance of debt securities, and the issuance of preferred or common securities in public or private transactions. The Bank also can borrow from the Federal Reserve’s discount window.

 

Starting in the middle of 2007, there has been significant turmoil and volatility in worldwide financial markets which is, at present, moderating. These conditions have resulted in a disruption in the liquidity of financial markets, and could directly impact us to the extent we need to access capital markets to raise funds to support our business and overall liquidity position. This situation could affect the cost of such funds or our ability to raise such funds. If we were unable to access any of these funding sources when needed, we might be unable to meet customers’ needs, which could adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and level of regulatory-qualifying capital. We may, from time to time, consider opportunistically retiring our outstanding securities, including our subordinated debt, trust preferred securities and preferred shares in privately negotiated or open market transactions for cash or common shares. This could adversely affect our liquidity position. For further discussion, see the “Liquidity Risk” section.

 

The OCC has imposed dividend payment and other restrictions on the Bank, which could impact our ability to pay dividends to shareholders or repurchase stock. Due to the losses that the Bank incurred in 2009 and 2008, at December 31, 2009, the Bank could not declare and pay dividends to the holding company without regulatory approval.

 

The OCC is the primary regulatory agency that examines the Bank, its subsidiaries, and their respective activities. Under certain circumstances, including any determination that the activities of the Bank or its subsidiaries constitute an unsafe and unsound banking practice, the OCC has the authority by statute to restrict the Bank’s ability to transfer assets, make shareholder distributions, and redeem preferred securities.

Under applicable statutes and regulations, dividends by a national bank may be paid out of current or retained net profits, but a national bank is prohibited from declaring a cash dividend on shares of its common stock out of net profits until the surplus fund equals the amount of capital stock or, if the surplus fund does not equal the amount of capital stock, until certain amounts from net profits are transferred to the surplus fund. Moreover, the prior approval of the OCC is required for the payment of a dividend if the total of all dividends declared by a national bank in any calendar year would exceed the total of its net profits for the year combined with its net profits for the two preceding years, less any required transfers to surplus or a fund for the retirement of any preferred securities.

 

We do not anticipate that the holding company will receive dividends from the Bank during 2010, as we build the Bank’s regulatory capital levels above our already “well-capitalized” level.

 

Payment of dividends could also be subject to regulatory limitations if the Bank became “under-capitalized” for purposes of the OCC “prompt corrective action” regulations. “Under-capitalized” is currently defined as having a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0%, or a core capital, or leverage, ratio of less than 4.0%. If the Bank were unable to pay dividends to the parent company, it could impact our ability to pay dividends to shareholders or repurchase stock. Throughout 2009, the Bank was in compliance with all regulatory capital requirements and considered to be “well-capitalized.”

 

For further discussion, see the “Parent Company Liquidity” section.

 

 

Legislative and regulatory actions taken now or in the future to address the current liquidity and credit crisis in the financial industry may significantly affect our financial condition, results of operation, liquidity, or stock price.

 

Current economic conditions, particularly in the financial markets, have resulted in government regulatory agencies and political bodies placing increased focus on and scrutiny of the financial services industry. The U.S. Government has intervened on an unprecedented scale, responding to what has been commonly referred to as the financial crisis. In addition to the U.S. Treasury Department’s CPP under the TARP announced in the fall of 2008 and the new Capital Assistance Program (CAP) announced in spring of 2009, the U.S. Government has taken steps that include enhancing the liquidity support available to financial institutions, establishing a commercial paper funding facility, temporarily guaranteeing money market funds and certain types of debt issuances, and increasing insurance on bank deposits. The U.S. Congress, through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, has imposed a number of restrictions and limitations on the operations of financial services firms participating in the federal programs.

 

These programs subject us, and other financial institutions that participate in them, to additional restrictions, oversight, and costs that may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or the price of our common stock. In addition, new proposals for legislation continue to be introduced in the U.S. Congress that could further increase regulation of the financial services industry and impose restrictions on the operations and general ability of firms within the industry to conduct business consistent with historical practices, including as related to compensation, interest rates, the impact of bankruptcy proceedings on consumer real property mortgages, and otherwise. Federal and state regulatory agencies also frequently adopt changes to their regulations and/or change the manner in which existing regulations are applied. We cannot predict the substance or impact of pending or future legislation, regulation, or its application. Compliance with such current and potential regulation and scrutiny may significantly increase our costs, impede the efficiency of our internal business processes, negatively impact the recoverability of certain of our recorded assets, require us to increase our regulatory capital, and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities in an efficient manner.

 

Recent legislative proposals in Congress could impact how we assess fees on deposit accounts for items and transactions that either overdraw an account or that are returned for nonsufficient funds. It is uncertain

which, if any, of the changes in these proposals will be adopted. Additionally, on November 12, 2009, the Federal Reserve Board (the “Board”) issued its final rule under Regulation E regarding overdraft fees, which becomes effective for new accounts on July 1, 2010, and for existing accounts on August 15, 2010. This rule generally prohibits financial institutions from charging overdraft fees for ATM and one-time debit card transactions that overdraw consumer deposit accounts, unless the consumer “opts in” to having such overdrafts authorized and paid. This rule may be affected by the legislative proposals in Congress regarding overdraft fees. Thus, although the Board’s rule will impact the amount of overdraft fees we will be able to charge, we cannot currently predict whether either the Board’s rule or the legislative proposals in Congress will have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

We are subject to ongoing tax examinations in various jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service and other taxing jurisdictions may propose various adjustments to our previously filed tax returns. It is possible that the ultimate resolution of such proposed adjustments, if unfavorable, may be material to the results of operations in the period it occurs.

 

The calculation of our provision for federal income taxes is complex and requires the use of estimates and judgments. We have two accruals for income taxes: our income tax receivable represents the estimated amount currently due from the federal government, net of any reserve for potential audit issues, and is reported as a component of “accrued income and other assets” in our consolidated balance sheet; our deferred federal income tax asset or liability represents the estimated impact of temporary differences between how we recognize our assets and liabilities under GAAP, and how such assets and liabilities are recognized under federal tax code.

 

In the ordinary course of business, we operate in various taxing jurisdictions and are subject to income and nonincome taxes. The effective tax rate is based in part on our interpretation of the relevant current tax laws. We believe the aggregate liabilities related to taxes are appropriately reflected in the consolidated financial statements. We review the appropriate tax treatment of all transactions taking into consideration statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance in the context of our tax positions. In addition, we rely on various tax opinions, recent tax audits, and historical experience.

 

From time to time, we engage in business transactions that may have an effect on our tax liabilities. Where appropriate, we have obtained opinions of outside experts and have assessed the relative merits and risks of the appropriate tax treatment of business transactions taking into account statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance in the context of the tax position. However, changes to our estimates of accrued taxes can occur due to changes in tax rates, implementation of new business strategies, resolution of issues with taxing authorities regarding previously taken tax positions and newly enacted statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance. Such changes could affect the amount of our accrued taxes and could be material to our financial position and/or results of operations.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state, city, and foreign jurisdictions. Federal income tax audits have been completed through 2005. In 2009, the IRS began the audit of our consolidated federal income tax returns for the tax years 2006 and 2007. In addition, various state and other jurisdictions remain open to examination for tax years 2000 and forward.

 

The Internal Revenue Service, State of Ohio, and other state tax officials have proposed adjustments to our previously filed tax returns. We believe that the tax positions taken by us related to such proposed adjustments were correct and supported by applicable statutes, regulations, and judicial authority, and intend to vigorously defend them. It is possible that the ultimate resolution of the proposed adjustments, if unfavorable, may be material to the results of operations in the period it occurs. However, although no assurances can be given, we believe that the resolution of these examinations will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position.

 

The Franklin restructuring resulted in a $159.9 million net deferred tax asset equal to the amount of income and equity that was included in our operating results for the 2009 first quarter. While we believe that our position regarding the deferred tax asset and related income recognition is correct, that position could be subject to challenge.

If our regulators deem it appropriate, they can take regulatory actions that could impact our ability to compete for new business, constrain our ability to fund our liquidity needs, and increase the cost of our services.

 

Huntington and its subsidiaries are subject to the supervision and regulation of various State and Federal regulators, including the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, SEC, FINRA, and various state regulatory agencies. As such, Huntington is subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations, many of which are discussed in the “Regulatory Matters” section. As part of their supervisory process, which includes periodic examinations and continuous monitoring, the regulators have the authority to impose restrictions or conditions on our activities and the manner in which we manage the organization. These actions could impact the organization in a variety of ways, including subjecting us to monetary fines, restricting our ability to pay dividends, precluding mergers or acquisitions, limiting our ability to offer certain products or services, or imposing additional capital requirements.

 

The resolution of significant pending litigation, if unfavorable, could have a material adverse affect on our results of operations for a particular period.

 

Huntington faces legal risks in its businesses, and the volume of claims and amount of damages and penalties claimed in litigation and regulatory proceedings against financial institutions remain high. Substantial legal liability or significant regulatory action against Huntington could have material adverse financial effects or cause significant reputational harm to Huntington, which in turn could seriously harm Huntington’s business prospects. As more fully described in Note 24 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, certain putative class actions and shareholder derivative actions were filed against Huntington, certain affiliated committees, and / or certain of its current or former officers and directors. At this time, it is not possible for management to assess the probability of an adverse outcome, or reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss in connection with these lawsuits. Although no assurance can be given, based on information currently available, consultation with counsel, and available insurance coverage, management believes that the eventual outcome of these claims against us will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. However, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these matters, if unfavorable, may be material to the results of operations for a particular period.

 

Huntington faces other significant operational risks.

 

Huntington is exposed to many types of operational risk, including reputational risk, legal and compliance risk, the risk of fraud or theft by employees or outsiders, unauthorized transactions by employees or outsiders, or operational errors by employees, including clerical or record-keeping errors or those resulting from faulty or disabled computer or telecommunications systems. In addition, today’s threats to customer information and information systems are complex, more wide spread, continually emerging, and increasing at a rapid pace. Huntington continues to invest in better tools and processes in all key security areas, and monitors these threats with increased rigor and focus.

 

Negative public opinion can result from Huntington’s actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, corporate governance and acquisitions and from actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to those activities. Negative public opinion can adversely affect Huntington’s ability to attract and keep customers and can expose it to litigation and regulatory action.

 

We establish and maintain systems of internal operational controls that provide us with timely and accurate information about our level of operational risk. While not foolproof, these systems have been designed to manage operational risk at appropriate, cost-effective levels. Procedures exist that are designed to ensure that policies relating to conduct, ethics, and business practices are followed. While we continually monitor and improve the system of internal controls, data processing systems, and corporate-wide processes and procedures, there can be no assurance that future losses will not occur.

Failure to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting in the future could impair our ability to accurately and timely report its financial results or prevent fraud, resulting in loss of investor confidence and adversely affecting our business and stock price.

 

Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary to provide reliable financial reports and prevent fraud. As a financial holding company, we are subject to regulation that focuses on effective internal controls and procedures. Management continually seeks to improve these controls and procedures.

 

Management believes that our key internal controls over financial reporting are currently effective; however, such controls and procedures will be modified, supplemented, and changed from time to time as necessitated by our growth and in reaction to external events and developments. While Management will continue to assess our controls and procedures and take immediate action to remediate any future perceived gaps, there can be no guarantee of the effectiveness of these controls and procedures on an on-going basis. Any failure to maintain in the future an effective internal control environment could impact our ability to report its financial results on an accurate and timely basis, which could result in regulatory actions, loss of investor confidence, and adversely impact its business and stock price.

 

 

None.

 

 

Our headquarters, as well as the Bank’s, are located in the Huntington Center, a thirty-seven-story office building located in Columbus, Ohio. Of the building’s total office space available, we lease approximately 40%. The lease term expires in 2015, with nine five-year renewal options for up to 45 years but with no purchase option. The Bank has an indirect minority equity interest of 18.4% in the building.

 

Our other major properties consist of:

 

 

The office buildings above serve as regional administrative offices occupied predominantly by our Retail and Business Banking and Private Financial Group business segments. The Auto Finance and Dealer Services business segment is located in the Northland operations center.

 

Of these properties, we own the thirteen-story and twelve-story office buildings, and the Business Service Center in Columbus and the twelve-story office building in Youngstown, Ohio. All of the other major properties are held under long-term leases. In 1998, we entered into a sale/leaseback agreement that included the sale of 59 of our locations. The transaction included a mix of branch banking offices, regional offices, and operational facilities, including certain properties described above, which we will continue to operate under a long-term lease.

 

 

Information required by this item is set forth in Note 24 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

 

The common stock of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “HBAN”. The stock is listed as “HuntgBcshr” or “HuntBanc” in most newspapers. As of January 31, 2010, we had 40,155 shareholders of record.

 

Information regarding the high and low sale prices of our common stock and cash dividends declared on such shares, as required by this item, is set forth in Table 65 entitled “Selected Quarterly Income Statement Data”. Information regarding restrictions on dividends, as required by this item, is set forth in Item 1 “Business-Regulatory Matters-Dividend Restrictions” and in Note 25 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

As a condition to participate in the TARP, Huntington may not repurchase any additional shares without prior approval from the Department of Treasury. Huntington did not repurchase any shares under the 2006 Repurchase Program for the year ended December 31, 2009. On February 18, 2009, the board of directors terminated the previously authorized program for the repurchase of up to 15 million shares of common stock (the 2006 Repurchase Program).

 

The line graph below compares the yearly percentage change in cumulative total shareholder return on Huntington common stock and the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Index and the KBW 50 Bank Index for the period December 31, 2004, through December 31, 2009. The KBW 50 Bank Index is a market capitalization-weighted bank stock index published by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. The index is composed of the 50 largest banking companies and includes all money-center banks and most major regional banks. An investment of $100 on December 31, 2004, and the reinvestment of all dividends are assumed.

 

 

HBAN S&P 500 KBW 50 Bank

 

 

Table 1 — Selected Financial Data (1), (9)

 

 

 

N.M., not a meaningful value.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (we or our) is multi-state diversified regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. We have more than 144 years of serving the financial needs of our customers. Through our subsidiaries, including our banking subsidiary, The Huntington National Bank (the Bank), we provide full-service commercial and consumer banking services, mortgage banking services, equipment leasing, investment management, trust services, brokerage services, customized insurance service program, and other financial products and services. Our over 600 banking offices are located in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. We also offer retail and commercial financial services online at huntington.com; through our technologically advanced, 24-hour telephone bank; and through our network of over 1,300 ATMs. The Auto Finance and Dealer Services (AFDS) group offers automobile loans to consumers and commercial loans to automobile dealers within our six-state banking franchise area. Selected financial service activities are also conducted in other states including: Private Financial Group (PFG) offices in Florida, Massachusetts, and New York, and Mortgage Banking offices in Maryland and New Jersey. International banking services are available through the headquarters office in Columbus and a limited purpose office located in the Cayman Islands and another in Hong Kong.

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) provides information we believe necessary for understanding our financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the financial statements, notes, and other information contained in this report.

 

Our discussion is divided into key segments:

 

 

A reading of each section is important to understand fully the nature of our financial performance and prospects.

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report, including MD&A, contains certain forward-looking statements, including certain plans, expectations, goals, projections, and statements, which are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Statements that do not describe historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Actual results could differ materially from those contained or implied by such statements for a variety of factors including: (1) deterioration in the loan portfolio could be worse than expected due to a number of factors such as the underlying value of the collateral could prove less valuable than otherwise assumed and assumed cash flows may be worse than expected; (2) changes in economic conditions; (3) movements in interest rates; (4) competitive pressures on product pricing and services; (5) success and timing of other business strategies; (6) extended disruption of vital infrastructure; and (7) the nature, extent, and timing of governmental actions and reforms, including existing and potential future restrictions and limitations imposed in connection with the Troubled Asset Relief Program’s voluntary Capital Purchase Plan or otherwise under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based on information available at the time of the release. Huntington assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

 

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements.

 

Risk Factors

 

We, like other financial companies, are subject to a number of risks that may adversely affect our financial condition or results of operation, many of which are outside of our direct control, though efforts are made to manage those risks while optimizing returns. Among the risks assumed are: (1) credit risk, which is the risk of loss due to loan and lease customers or other counterparties not being able to meet their financial obligations under agreed upon terms, (2) market risk, which is the risk of loss due to changes in the market value of assets and liabilities due to changes in market interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices, and credit spreads, (3) liquidity risk, which is the risk of loss due to the possibility that funds may not be available to satisfy current or future obligations resulting from external macro market issues, investor and customer perception of financial strength, and events unrelated to the company such as war, terrorism, or financial institution market specific issues, and (4) operational risk, which is the risk of loss due to human error, inadequate or failed internal systems and controls, violations of, or noncompliance with, laws, rules, regulations, prescribed practices, or ethical standards, and external influences such as market conditions, fraudulent activities, disasters, and security risks.

 

More information on risk is set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” included in Item 1A. Additional information regarding risk factors can also be found in the “Risk Management and Capital” discussion.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Significant Estimates

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to establish critical accounting policies and make accounting estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect amounts recorded and reported in our financial statements. Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements lists significant accounting policies we use in the development and presentation of our financial statements. This discussion and analysis, the significant accounting policies, and other financial statement

disclosures identify and address key variables and other qualitative and quantitative factors necessary for an understanding and evaluation of our company, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

 

An accounting estimate requires assumptions about uncertain matters that could have a material effect on the financial statements if a different amount within a range of estimates were used or if estimates changed from period to period. Estimates are made under facts and circumstances at a point in time, and changes in those facts and circumstances could produce results that differ from when those estimates were made. The most significant accounting estimates and their related application are discussed below. This analysis is included to emphasize that estimates are used in connection with the critical and other accounting policies and to illustrate the potential effect on the financial statements if the actual amount were different from the estimated amount.

 

Total Allowances for Credit Losses

 

The ACL is the sum of the ALLL and the allowance for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit (AULC), and represents the estimate of the level of reserves appropriate to absorb inherent credit losses. The amount of the ACL was determined by judgments regarding the quality of each individual loan portfolio and loan commitments. All known relevant internal and external factors that affected loan collectibility were considered, including analysis of historical charge-off experience, migration patterns, changes in economic conditions, and changes in loan collateral values. Such factors are subject to regular review and may change to reflect updated performance trends and expectations, particularly in times of severe stress such as have been experienced throughout 2009. We believe the process for determining the ACL considers all of the potential factors that could result in credit losses. However, the process includes judgmental and quantitative elements that may be subject to significant change. There is no certainty that the ACL will be adequate over time to cover credit losses in the portfolio because of continued adverse changes in the economy, market conditions, or events adversely affecting specific customers, industries or markets. To the extent actual outcomes differ from our estimates, the credit quality of our customer base materially decreases, the risk profile of a market, industry, or group of customers changes materially, or if the ACL is determined to not be adequate, additional provision for credit losses could be required, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, capital, and results of operations in future periods.

 

At December 31, 2009, the ACL was $1,531.4 million, or 4.16% of total loans and leases. To illustrate the potential effect on the financial statements of our estimates of the ACL, a 10 basis point increase would have required $36.8 million in additional reserves (funded by additional provision for credit losses), which would have negatively impacted 2009 net loss by approximately $23.9 million, or $0.04 per common share.

 

Additionally, in 2007, we established a specific reserve of $115.3 million associated with our loans to Franklin Credit Management Corporation (Franklin). At December 31, 2008, our specific ALLL for Franklin loans increased to $130.0 million. In 2009, as a result of our restructuring of the Franklin relationship, the specific ALLL for Franklin loans was eliminated. Refer to the “Franklin relationship” section located within the “Risk Management and Capital” section for additional discussion regarding the restructuring of the Franklin relationship.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

The fair value of a financial instrument is defined as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. We estimate the fair value of a financial instrument using a variety of valuation methods. Where financial instruments are actively traded and have quoted market prices, quoted market prices are used for fair value. We characterize active markets as those where transaction volumes are sufficient to provide objective pricing information, with reasonably narrow bid/ask spreads, and where received quoted prices do not vary widely. When the financial instruments are not actively traded, other observable market inputs, such as quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, may be used, if available, to determine fair value. Inactive markets are characterized by low transaction volumes, price quotations that vary substantially among market participants, or in which minimal information is released publicly. When observable market prices do not exist,

we estimate fair value primarily by using cash flow and other financial modeling methods. Our valuation methods consider factors such as liquidity and concentration concerns and, for the derivatives portfolio, counterparty credit risk. Other factors such as model assumptions, market dislocations, and unexpected correlations can affect estimates of fair value. Changes in these underlying factors, assumptions, or estimates in any of these areas could materially impact the amount of revenue or loss recorded.

 

Assets and liabilities carried at fair value inherently result in a higher degree of financial statement volatility. Assets measured at fair value include investment securities, loans held-for-sale, derivatives, mortgage servicing rights (MSRs), and trading account securities. At December 31, 2009, approximately $9.2 billion of our assets were recorded at fair value. In addition to the above mentioned ongoing fair value measurements, fair value is also the unit of measure for recording business combinations.

 

The Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements”, establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of financial instruments that considers the attributes specific to particular assets or liabilities and establishes a three-level hierarchy for determining fair value based on the transparency of inputs to each valuation as of the fair value measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

 

 

At the end of each quarter, we assess the valuation hierarchy for each asset or liability measured. From time to time, assets or liabilities may be transferred within hierarchy levels due to changes in availability of observable market inputs to measure fair value at the measurement date.

 

The table below provides a description and the valuation methodologies used for financial instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy. The fair values measured at each level of the fair value hierarchy, as well as additional discussion regarding fair value measurements, can be found in Note 21 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Table 2 — Fair Value Measurement of Financial Instruments

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

 

(This section should be read in conjunction with the “Investment Securities Portfolio” discussion and Note 1 and Note 6 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)

 

Level 3 Analysis on Certain Securities Portfolios

 

Our Alt-A, CMO, and pooled-trust-preferred securities portfolios are classified as Level 3, and as such, the significant estimates used to determine the fair value of these securities have greater subjectivity. The Alt-A and CMO securities portfolios are subjected to a monthly review of the projected cash flows, while the cash flows of our pooled-trust-preferred securities portfolio are reviewed quarterly. These reviews are supported

with analysis from independent third parties, and are used as a basis for impairment analysis. These three segments, and the results of our impairment analysis for each segment, are discussed in further detail below:

 

Alt-A mortgage-backed / Private-label collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO) securities, represent securities collateralized by first-lien residential mortgage loans. As the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of these securities in its entirety was a Level 3 input, we classified all securities within these portfolios as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The securities were priced with the assistance of an outside third-party specialist using a discounted cash flow approach and the independent third-party’s proprietary pricing model. The model used inputs such as estimated prepayment speeds, losses, recoveries, default rates that were implied by the underlying performance of collateral in the structure or similar structures, discount rates that were implied by market prices for similar securities, collateral structure types, and house price depreciation/appreciation rates that were based upon macroeconomic forecasts.

 

We analyzed both our Alt-A mortgage-backed and private-label CMO securities portfolios to determine if the securities in these portfolios were other-than-temporarily impaired. We used the analysis to determine whether we believed it is probable that all contractual cash flows would not be collected. All securities in these portfolios remained current with respect to interest and principal at December 31, 2009.

 

Our analysis indicated, as of December 31, 2009, a total of 5 Alt-A mortgage-backed securities and 8 private-label CMO securities could experience a loss of principal in the future. The future expected losses of principal on these other-than-temporarily impaired securities ranged from 0.44% to 86.37% of their par value. These losses were projected to occur beginning anywhere from 7 months to as many as 8 years in the future. We measured the amount of credit impairment on these securities using the cash flows discounted at each security’s effective rate. As a result, during the 2009 fourth quarter, we recorded $2.6 million of credit other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) in our Alt-A mortgage-backed securities portfolio and $3.0 million of credit OTTI in our private-label CMO securities portfolio. In 2009, a total of $12.2 million of credit OTTI was recorded in our Alt-A mortgage-backed securities portfolio, and $6.0 million of credit OTTI was recorded in our private label-CMO securities portfolio. These OTTI adjustments negatively impacted our earnings.

 

Pooled-trust-preferred securities, represent collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) backed by a pool of debt securities issued by financial institutions. As the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of these securities in its entirety was a Level 3 input, we classified all securities within this portfolio as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The collateral generally consisted of trust-preferred securities and subordinated debt securities issued by banks, bank holding companies, and insurance companies. A full cash flow analysis was used to estimate fair values and assess impairment for each security within this portfolio. Impairment was calculated as the difference between the carrying amount and the amount of cash flows discounted at each security’s effective rate. We engaged a third party specialist with direct industry experience in pooled-trust-preferred securities valuations to provide assistance in estimating the fair value and expected cash flows for each security in this portfolio. Relying on cash flows was necessary because there was a lack of observable transactions in the market and many of the original sponsors or dealers for these securities were no longer able to provide a fair value that was compliant with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”.

 

The analysis was completed by evaluating the relevant credit and structural aspects of each pooled-trust-preferred security in the portfolio, including collateral performance projections for each piece of collateral in each security and terms of each security’s structure. The credit review included analysis of profitability, credit quality, operating efficiency, leverage, and liquidity using the most recently available financial and regulatory information for each underlying collateral issuer. We also reviewed historical industry default data and current/near term operating conditions. Using the results of our analysis, we estimated appropriate default and recovery probabilities for each piece of collateral and then estimated the expected cash flows for each security. No recoveries were assumed on issuers who are in default. The recovery assumptions on issuers who are deferring interest ranged from 10% to 55% with a cure assumed after the maximum deferral period. As a result of this testing, we believe we will experience a loss of principal or interest on 12 securities; and as such, recorded credit OTTI of $11.4 million for one newly impaired and 11 previously impaired pooled-trust-

preferred securities in the 2009 fourth quarter. In 2009, $40.8 million of total OTTI was recorded for impairment of the pooled-trust-preferred securities. These OTTI adjustments negatively impacted our earnings.

 

Please refer to the “Investment Securities Portfolio” discussion and Note 1 and Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding OTTI.

 

Certain other assets and liabilities which are not financial instruments also involve fair value measurements. A description of these assets and liabilities, and the methodologies utilized to determine fair value are discussed below:

 

GOODWILL

 

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually, as of October 1, using a two-step process that begins with an estimation of the fair value of a reporting unit. Goodwill impairment exists when a reporting unit’s carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Goodwill is also tested for impairment on an interim basis, using the same two-step process as the annual testing, if an event occurs or circumstances change between annual tests that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. For 2009, we performed interim evaluations of our goodwill balances at each quarter end, as well as our annual goodwill impairment assessment as of October 1.

 

During the 2009 first quarter, our stock price declined 78%, from $7.66 per common share at December 31, 2008, to $1.66 per common share at March 31, 2009. Many peer banks also experienced similar significant declines in market capitalization. This decline primarily reflected the continuing economic slowdown and increased market concern surrounding financial institutions’ credit risks and capital positions, as well as uncertainty related to increased regulatory supervision and intervention. We determined that these changes would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of certain reporting units below their carrying amounts. Therefore, we performed an interim goodwill impairment test during the 2009 first quarter. An independent third party was engaged to assist with the impairment assessment.

 

Significant judgment is applied when goodwill is assessed for impairment. This judgment includes developing cash flow projections, selecting appropriate discount rates, identifying relevant market comparables, incorporating general economic and market conditions, and selecting an appropriate control premium. The selection and weighting of the various fair value techniques may result in a higher or lower fair value. Judgment is applied in determining the weightings that are most representative of fair value. The assumptions used in the goodwill impairment assessment and the application of these estimates and assumptions are discussed below.

 

2009 First Quarter Impairment Testing

 

The first step (Step 1) of impairment testing requires a comparison of each reporting unit’s fair value to carrying value to identify potential impairment. For our impairment testing conducted during the 2009 first quarter, we identified four reporting units: Regional Banking, PFG, Insurance, and Auto Finance and Dealer Services (AFDS).

 

 

For Regional Banking, we utilized both the income and market approaches to determine fair value. The income approach was based on discounted cash flows derived from assumptions of balance sheet and income statement activity. An internal forecast was developed by considering several long-term key business drivers such as anticipated loan and deposit growth. The long-term growth rate used in determining the terminal value was estimated at 2.5%. The discount rate of 14% was estimated based on the Capital Asset Pricing Model,

which considered the risk-free interest rate (20-year Treasury Bonds), market risk premium, equity risk premium, and a company-specific risk factor. The company-specific risk factor was used to address the uncertainty of growth estimates and earnings projections of management. For the market approach, revenue, earnings and market capitalization multiples of comparable public companies were selected and applied to the Regional Banking unit’s applicable metrics such as book and tangible book values. A 20% control premium was used in the market approach. The results of the income and market approaches were weighted 75% and 25%, respectively, to arrive at the final calculation of fair value. As market capitalization declined across the banking industry, we believed that a heavier weighting on the income approach is more representative of a market participant’s view. For the Insurance reporting unit, management utilized a market approach to determine fair value. The aggregate fair market values were compared with market capitalization as an assessment of the appropriateness of the fair value measurements. As our stock price fluctuated greatly, we used our average stock price for the 30 days preceding the valuation date to determine market capitalization. The aggregate fair market values of the reporting units compared with market capitalization indicated an implied premium of 27%. A control premium analysis indicated that the implied premium was within range of overall premiums observed in the market place. Neither the Regional Banking nor Insurance reporting units passed Step 1.

 

The second step (Step 2) of impairment testing is necessary only if the reporting unit does not pass Step 1. Step 2 compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of the goodwill for the reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as goodwill that is recognized in a business combination. Significant judgment and estimates are involved in estimating the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit.

 

To determine the implied fair value of goodwill, the fair value of Regional Banking and Insurance (as determined in Step 1) was allocated to all assets and liabilities of the reporting units including any recognized or unrecognized intangible assets. The allocation was done as if the reporting unit was acquired in a business combination, and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. This allocation process is only performed for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment. The carrying values of recognized assets or liabilities (other than goodwill, as appropriate) were not adjusted nor were any new intangible assets recorded. Key valuations were the assessment of core deposit intangibles, the mark-to-fair-value of outstanding debt and deposits, and mark-to-fair-value on the loan portfolio. Core deposits were valued using a 15% discount rate. The marks on our outstanding debt and deposits were based upon observable trades or modeled prices using current yield curves and market spreads. The valuation of the loan portfolio indicated discounts in the ranges of 9%-24%, depending upon the loan type. The estimated fair value of these loan portfolios was based on an exit price, and the assumptions used were intended to approximate those that a market participant would have used in valuing the loans in an orderly transaction, including a market liquidity discount. The significant market risk premium that is a consequence of the current distressed market conditions was a significant contributor to the valuation discounts associated with these loans. We believed these discounts were consistent with transactions currently occurring in the marketplace.

 

Upon completion of Step 2, we determined that the Regional Banking and Insurance reporting units’ goodwill carrying values exceeded their implied fair values of goodwill by $2,573.8 million and $28.9 million, respectively. As a result, we recorded a noncash pretax impairment charge of $2,602.7 million in the 2009 first quarter. The impairment charge was included in noninterest expense and did not affect our regulatory and tangible capital ratios.

 

Other Interim and Annual Impairment Testing

 

While we recorded an impairment charge of $4.2 million in the 2009 second quarter related to the sale of a small payments-related business completed in July 2009, we concluded that no other goodwill impairment was required during the remainder of 2009.

 

Subsequent to the 2009 first quarter impairment testing, we reorganized our Regional Banking segment to reflect how our assets and operations are now managed. The Regional Banking business segment, which through March 31, 2009, had been managed geographically, is now managed by a product segment approach.

Essentially, Regional Banking has been divided into the new segments of Retail and Business Banking, Commercial Banking, and Commercial Real Estate.

 

Each of these three new segments is considered a separate reporting unit. The remaining Regional Banking goodwill amount of $314.5 million was reallocated on a relative fair value basis at the end of the 2009 first quarter to Retail and Business Banking, Commercial Banking, and Commercial Real Estate resulting in goodwill balances to those reporting units of $309.5 million, $5.0 million and $0 respectively.

 

The Step 1 results of the annual impairment test indicated that the PFG and Insurance units passed by a substantial margin. The Retail and Business Banking unit also passed, however, only by a minimal amount. Through analysis, we were confident that had the Retail and Business Banking unit failed Step 1 at October 1, 2009, no additional goodwill impairment would have been recorded. The assumptions and methodologies utilized in the annual assessment were consistent with those used in the first quarter assessment as discussed above. Overall, fair values for the reporting units improved significantly due to improvements in market comparables compared with the 2009 first quarter.

 

Step 2 was required for only the Commercial Banking reporting unit as it was determined in Step 1 that its carrying value exceeded its fair value. Upon completion of Step 2, we determined that the Commercial Banking goodwill carrying value exceeded its implied fair value of goodwill; therefore, no goodwill impairment was recorded for this unit as of October 1. The most significant Step 2 adjustment was the 20% mark-to-fair-value discount on the loan portfolio.

 

Due to the current economic environment and other uncertainties, it is possible that our estimates and assumptions may adversely change in the future. If our market capitalization decreases or the liquidity discount on our loan portfolio improves significantly without a concurrent increase in market capitalization, we may be required to record additional goodwill impairment losses in future periods, whether in connection with our next annual impairment testing in the 2010 third quarter or prior to that, if any changes constitute a triggering event. It is not possible at this time to determine if any such future impairment loss would result, however, any such future impairment loss would be limited as the remaining goodwill balance was only $0.4 billion at December 31, 2009.

 

FRANKLIN LOANS RESTRUCTURING TRANSACTION

 

(This section should be read in conjunction with Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

Franklin is a specialty consumer finance company primarily engaged in servicing performing, reperforming, and nonperforming residential mortgage loans. Prior to March 31, 2009, Franklin owned a portfolio of loans secured by first- and second-liens on 1-4 family residential properties. These loans generally fell outside the underwriting standards of the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA” or “Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC” or “Freddie Mac”), and involve elevated credit risk as a result of the nature or absence of income documentation, limited credit histories, higher levels of consumer debt, and/or past credit difficulties (“nonprime loans”). At December 31, 2008, our total loans outstanding to Franklin were $650.2 million, all of which were placed on nonaccrual status. Additionally, the specific allowance for loan and lease losses for the Franklin portfolio was $130.0 million, resulting in our net exposure to Franklin at December 31, 2008, of $520.2 million.

 

On March 31, 2009, we entered into a transaction with Franklin whereby a Huntington wholly-owned REIT subsidiary (REIT) indirectly acquired an 83% ownership right in a trust which holds all the underlying consumer loans and other real estate owned (OREO) properties that were formerly collateral for the Franklin commercial loans. The equity interests provided to Franklin by the REIT were pledged by Franklin as collateral for the Franklin commercial loans.

 

As a result of the restructuring, on a consolidated basis, the $650.2 million nonaccrual commercial loan to Franklin at December 31, 2008, is no longer reported. Instead, we now report the loans secured by first- and second- mortgages on residential properties and OREO properties both of which had previously been assets of Franklin or its subsidiaries and were pledged to secure our loan to Franklin. At the time of the

restructuring, these loans had a fair value of $493.6 million and the OREO properties had a fair value of $79.6 million. As a result, NALs declined by a net amount of $284.1 million as there were $650.2 million commercial NALs outstanding related to Franklin, and $366.1 million mortgage-related NALs outstanding, representing first- and second- lien mortgages that were nonaccruing at March 31, 2009. Also, our specific allowance for loan and lease losses for the Franklin portfolio of $130.0 million was eliminated; however, no initial increase to the allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) relating to the acquired mortgages was recorded as these assets were recorded at fair value.

 

In accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations”, we recorded a net deferred tax asset of $159.9 million related to the difference between the tax basis and the book basis in the acquired assets. Because the acquisition price, represented by the equity interests in our wholly-owned subsidiary, was equal to the fair value of the acquired 83% ownership right, no goodwill was created from the transaction. The recording of the net deferred tax asset was a bargain purchase under ASC 805, and was recorded as a tax benefit in the 2009 first quarter.

 

PENSION

 

Pension plan assets consist of mutual funds and Huntington common stock. Investments are accounted for at cost on the trade date and are reported at fair value. Mutual funds are valued at quoted net asset value (NAV). Huntington common stock is traded on a national securities exchange and is valued at the last reported sales price.

 

The discount rate and expected return on plan assets used to determine the benefit obligation and pension expense for December 31, 2009, are both assumptions. Any deviation from these assumptions could cause actual results to change.

 

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED (OREO)

 

OREO property obtained in satisfaction of a loan is recorded at its estimated fair value less anticipated selling costs based upon the property’s appraised value at the date of transfer, with any difference between the fair value of the property and the carrying value of the loan charged to the ALLL. Subsequent declines in value are reported as adjustments to the carrying amount, and are charged to noninterest expense. Gains or losses not previously recognized resulting from the sale of OREO are recognized in noninterest expense on the date of sale. At December 31, 2009, OREO totaled $140.1 million, representing a 14% increase compared with $122.5 million at December 31, 2008.

 

Income Taxes and Deferred Tax Assets

 

INCOME TAXES

 

The calculation of our provision for federal income taxes is complex and requires the use of estimates and judgments. We have two accruals for income taxes: Our income tax receivable represents the estimated amount currently due from the federal government, net of any reserve for potential audit issues, and is reported as a component of “accrued income and other assets” in our consolidated balance sheet; our deferred federal income tax asset or liability represents the estimated impact of temporary differences between how we recognize our assets and liabilities under GAAP, and how such assets and liabilities are recognized under the federal tax code.

 

In the ordinary course of business, we operate in various taxing jurisdictions and are subject to income and nonincome taxes. The effective tax rate is based in part on our interpretation of the relevant current tax laws. We believe the aggregate liabilities related to taxes are appropriately reflected in the consolidated financial statements. We review the appropriate tax treatment of all transactions taking into consideration statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance in the context of our tax positions. In addition, we rely on various tax opinions, recent tax audits, and historical experience.

 

From time to time, we engage in business transactions that may have an effect on our tax liabilities. Where appropriate, we have obtained opinions of outside experts and have assessed the relative merits and risks of the appropriate tax treatment of business transactions taking into account statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance in the context of the tax position. However, changes to our estimates of accrued taxes can

occur due to changes in tax rates, implementation of new business strategies, resolution of issues with taxing authorities regarding previously taken tax positions and newly enacted statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance. Such changes could affect the amount of our accrued taxes and could be material to our financial position and/or results of operations. (See Note 19 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)

 

DEFERRED TAX ASSETS

 

At December 31, 2009, we had a net federal deferred tax asset of $480.5 million, and a net state deferred tax asset of $0.8 million. Based on our ability to offset the net deferred tax asset against taxable income in prior carryback years and the level of our forecast of future taxable income, there was no impairment of the deferred tax asset at December 31, 2009. All available evidence, both positive and negative, was considered to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, impairment should be recognized. However, our forecast process includes judgmental and quantitative elements that may be subject to significant change. If our forecast of taxable income within the carryback/carryforward periods available under applicable law is not sufficient to cover the amount of net deferred tax assets, such assets may be impaired.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Developments

 

Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements discusses new accounting pronouncements adopted during 2009 and the expected impact of accounting pronouncements recently issued but not yet required to be adopted. To the extent the adoption of new accounting standards materially affect financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity, the impacts are discussed in the applicable section of this MD&A and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Acquisitions

 

Sky Financial Group, Inc. (Sky Financial)

 

The merger with Sky Financial was completed on July 1, 2007. At the time of acquisition, Sky Financial had assets of $16.8 billion, including $13.3 billion of loans, and total deposits of $12.9 billion. The impact of this acquisition was included in our consolidated results for the last six months of 2007. Additionally, in September 2007, Sky Bank and Sky Trust, National Association (Sky Trust), merged into the Bank and systems integration was completed. As a result, performance comparisons between 2008 and 2007 are affected.

 

As a result of this acquisition, we have a significant loan relationship with Franklin. This relationship is discussed in greater detail in the “Commercial Credit” and “Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Significant Estimates” sections of this report.

 

Unizan Financial Corp. (Unizan)

 

The merger with Unizan was completed on March 1, 2006. At the time of acquisition, Unizan had assets of $2.5 billion, including $1.6 billion of loans and core deposits of $1.5 billion. The impact of this acquisition was included in our consolidated results for the last ten months of 2006.

 

Impact Methodology

 

For both the Sky Financial and Unizan acquisitions, comparisons of the reported results are impacted as follows:

 

 

Given the significant impact of the mergers on reported results, we believe that an understanding of the impacts of each merger is necessary to understand better underlying performance trends. When comparing post-merger period results to premerger periods, we use the following terms when discussing financial performance:

 

 

After completion of our mergers, we combine the acquired companies’ operations with ours, and do not monitor the subsequent individual results of the acquired companies. As a result, the following methodologies were implemented to estimate the approximate effect of the mergers used to determine “merger-related” impacts.

 

BALANCE SHEET ITEMS

 

Sky Financial

 

For average loans and leases, as well as total average deposits, Sky Financial’s balances as of June 30, 2007, adjusted for purchase accounting adjustments, and transfers of loans to loans held-for-sale, were used in the comparison. To estimate the impact on 2007 average balances, it was assumed that the June 30, 2007, balances, as adjusted, remained constant over time.

 

Unizan

 

For average loans and leases, as well as core average deposits, balances as of the acquisition date were pro-rated to the post-merger period being used in the comparison. For example, to estimate the impact on 2006 first quarter average balances, one-third of the closing date balance was used as those balances were in reported results for only one month of the quarter. Quarterly estimated impacts for the 2006 second, third, and fourth quarter results were developed using this same pro-rata methodology. Full-year 2006 estimated results represent the annual average of each quarter’s estimate. This methodology assumed acquired balances remained constant over time.

 

INCOME STATEMENT ITEMS

 

Sky Financial

 

Sky Financial’s actual results for the first six months of 2007, adjusted for the impact of unusual items and purchase accounting adjustments, were determined. This six-month adjusted amount was multiplied by two to estimate an annual impact. This methodology does not adjust for any market-related changes, or seasonal factors in Sky Financial’s 2007 six-month results. Nor does it consider any revenue or expense synergies realized since the merger date. The one exception to this methodology of holding the estimated annual impact constant relates to the amortization of intangibles expense where the amount is known and is therefore used.

 

Unizan

 

Unizan’s actual full-year 2005 results were used for pro-rating the impact on post-merger periods. For example, to estimate the 2006 first quarter impact of the merger on personnel costs, one-twelfth of Unizan’s full-year 2005 personnel costs was used. Full quarter and year-to-date estimated impacts for subsequent periods were developed using this same pro-rata methodology. This results in an approximate impact since the methodology does not adjust for any unusual items or seasonal factors in Unizan’s 2005 reported results, or synergies realized since the merger date. The one exception to this methodology relates to the amortization of intangibles expense where the amount is known and is therefore used.

 

Certain tables and comments contained within our discussion and analysis provide detail of changes to reported results to quantify the estimated impact of the Sky Financial merger using this methodology.

Table 3 — Selected Annual Income Statements (1)

 

 

 

 

N.M., not a meaningful value.

 

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This section provides a review of financial performance from a consolidated perspective. It also includes a “Significant Items” section that summarizes key issues important for a complete understanding of performance trends. Key consolidated balance sheet and income statement trends are discussed. All earnings per share data are reported on a diluted basis. For additional insight on financial performance, please read this section in conjunction with the “Business Segment Discussion”.

 

Summary

 

2009 versus 2008

 

We reported a net loss of $3,094.2 million in 2009, representing a loss per common share of $6.14. These results compared unfavorably with a net loss of $113.8 million, or $0.44 per common share in 2008. Comparisons with the prior year were significantly impacted by $2,606.9 million of goodwill impairment charges in 2009, the issuance of 346.8 million new shares of common stock, an increase of $128.4 million in dividends on preferred shares, as well as other factors. These factors, including the goodwill impairment, are discussed later in the “Significant Items” section.

 

2009 was one of the most challenging years that we, and the entire banking industry, have faced, as we continued to be negatively impacted by the sustained economic weakness in our Midwest markets. The negative impacts were evident in several credit quality measures including increased nonaccrual loans (NALs), net charge-offs (NCOs), and provision for credit losses. Although there have been recent signs that the economic environment is stabilizing, it remains uncertain.

 

NCOs and provision levels increased substantially compared with 2008. The ACL as a percentage of total loans and leases increased to 4.16% at December 31, 2009, compared with 2.30% at December 31, 2008. At the beginning of 2009, a key objective was to better understand the risks in our credit portfolio in light of an economic outlook that showed increasing weakness. The implementation of enhanced portfolio management processes followed by a series of detailed portfolio reviews throughout the year as the economic environment continued to weaken, permitted us to identify and proactively address the risks in our loan portfolio. In late 2009, because we believed there would still not be any significant economic recovery in 2010, we reviewed our loan loss reserve assumptions. As a result of that review, we substantially strengthened our loan loss reserves during the fourth quarter. Specifically, our fourth quarter provision for credit losses was 43% of our total 2009 provision for credit losses of $2,074.7 million. Our provision for credit losses exceeded net charge-offs ($1,476.6 million) by $598.1 million. Going forward, we expect that the absolute level of the ACL, and the related provision expense, will decline as existing reserves address the continuing losses inherent in our portfolio.

 

NALs also significantly increased to $1,917.0 million, compared with $1,502.1 million at the prior year-end, reflecting increased NALs in our commercial real estate (CRE) portfolios, particularly the single family home builder and retail properties segments. Commercial and industrial (C&I) NALs also increased significantly, particularly the segments related to businesses that support residential development. In many cases, loans were placed on nonaccrual status even though the loan was less than 30 days past due for both principal and interest payments, reflecting our proactive approach in identifying and classifying emerging problem credits. While NALs, as well as NCOs, are expected to remain higher than historical levels during 2010, we expect that the absolute levels will decline from 2009 levels. There was a 12% decline in

nonperforming assets (NPAs) in the 2009 fourth quarter compared with the prior quarter, providing a basis of expectation for lower levels of NPAs and NCOs in 2010 compared with 2009.

 

At the beginning of 2009, we viewed our highest-risk loan portfolios to be Franklin, as well as the single family home builder and retail properties segments of our CRE portfolio. During 2009, we believe that we have substantially addressed the credit issues within our Franklin portfolio and our single family home builder portfolio segment, and we do not expect any additional material credit impact to these portfolios. However, the CRE portfolio remains stressed, particularly the retail properties segment. We continue to work with the borrowers in this segment to resolve the credit issues.

 

Another key objective for 2009 was to strengthen our capital position in order to withstand potential future credit losses should the economic environment continue to deteriorate. During 2009, we raised $1.7 billion of capital, including $1.3 billion of common equity. This increase in capital substantially strengthened all of our period-end capital ratios compared with the year-ago period. Our tangible-to-common equity (TCE) ratio increased to 5.92% from 4.04%, and our Tier 1 common equity ratio increased to 6.69% from 5.05%.

 

Our period-end liquidity position strengthened compared with the end of 2008 as average core deposits grew $2.9 billion, or 9%, thus reducing our reliance on noncore funding. Additionally, we anticipate continued growth in core deposits for 2010. Also, period-end total cash and due from banks was $1.5 billion, compared with $0.8 billion at the end of 2008, and our period-end unpledged investment securities increased $4.1 billion compared with the end of last year. We redeployed a portion of the cash generated from our capital raising actions and our core deposit growth into our investment securities portfolio during the current year. Our preference would be to use this cash to generate higher-margin loans; however, given the continued economic uncertainty, many of our customers, especially businesses, are waiting for further signs of economic recovery before borrowing funds.

 

Fully-taxable net interest income in 2009 declined $116.2 million, or 7%, compared with 2008. The decline primarily reflected a 14 basis point decline in the net interest margin, as well as a $1.7 billion, or 4%, decline in average earning assets that reflected a $2.3 billion, or 6%, decline in total average loans. We anticipate that the net interest margin will improve during 2010, and we anticipate that loan growth will be flat, or increase slightly, in 2010.

 

Noninterest income in 2009 increased $298.5 million, or 42%, compared with 2008. This increase consisted of a $187.1 million improvement in securities losses and a $57.3 million improvement in MSR valuation adjustments net of hedging. After adjusting for these items, overall noninterest income performance was mixed for the year. Electronic banking income increased $9.9 million, or 11%, including additional third-party processing fees, however, service charges on deposit accounts declined $5.3 million, or 2%, reflecting lower consumer nonsufficient funds and overdraft fees. We expect that fee income in 2010 will be flat, or decrease slightly, compared with 2009. Although we expect growth in trust services income, as well as brokerage and insurance revenue and capital market fees, that growth could be offset by declines in service charges on deposit accounts revenue related to lower nonsufficient funds and overdraft fees.

 

Noninterest expense in 2009 increased $2,556.1 million compared with 2008. This increase consisted of 2009 goodwill impairment charges totaling $2,606.9 million, partially offset by additional gains of $123.9 million related to the early extinguishment of debt. After adjusting for these items, noninterest expense increased $73.1 million. Primary contributors to the increase were a $91.4 million increase in deposit and other insurance expense, and a $60.4 million increase in OREO and foreclosure expense, representing higher levels of problem assets, as well as loss mitigation activities. These increases were partially offset by an $83.1 million, or 11%, decline in personnel costs, reflecting a decline in salaries, and lower benefits and commission expense. Full-time equivalent staff declined 6% from the comparable year-ago period. For 2010, expenses will remain well-controlled, but are expected to increase, reflecting investments in growth, and the implementation of key strategic initiatives.

2008 versus 2007

 

We reported a net loss of $113.8 million in 2008, representing a loss per common share of $0.44. These results compared unfavorably with net income of $75.2 million, or $0.25 per common share, in 2007. Comparisons with the prior year were significantly impacted by a number of factors that are discussed later in the “Significant Items” section.

 

During 2008, the primary focus within our industry continued to be credit quality. The economy deteriorated substantially throughout the year in our regions, and continued to put stress on our borrowers.

 

The largest setback to 2008 performance was the credit quality deterioration of the Franklin relationship that occurred in the 2008 fourth quarter resulting in a negative impact of $454.3 million, or $0.81 per common share. The loan restructuring associated with our relationship with Franklin, completed during the 2007 fourth quarter, continued to perform consistent with the terms of the restructuring agreement through the 2008 third quarter. However, cash flows that we received deteriorated significantly during the 2008 fourth quarter, reflecting a more severe than expected deterioration in the overall economy.

 

Non-Franklin-related NCOs and provision levels in 2008 increased substantially compared with 2007. During 2008, the non-Franklin-related ACL as a percentage of total loans and leases increased to 2.01% compared with 1.36% at the prior year-end. Non-Franklin-related NALs also significantly increased to $851.9 million, compared with $319.8 million at the prior year-end, reflecting increased NALs in our CRE loans, particularly the single family home builder and retail properties segments, and within our C&I portfolio related to businesses that support residential development.

 

Our year-end regulatory capital levels were strong. Our tangible equity ratio improved 264 basis points to 7.72% compared with the prior year-end, reflecting the benefits of a $0.6 billion preferred stock issuance in the 2008 second quarter and a $1.4 billion preferred stock issuance in the 2008 fourth quarter as a result of our participation in the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) voluntary Capital Purchase Plan. However, our tangible common equity ratio declined 104 basis points compared with the prior year-end, and we believed that it was important that we begin rebuilding our common equity. To that end, we reduced our quarterly common stock dividend to $0.01 per common share, effective with the dividend declared on January 22, 2009. Our period-end liquidity position was sound, as we have conservatively managed our liquidity position at both the parent company and bank levels.

 

Fully-taxable net interest income in 2008 increased $231.1 million, or 18%, compared with 2007. The prior year reflected only six months of net interest income attributable to the acquisition of Sky Financial compared with twelve months for 2008. The Sky Financial acquisition added $13.3 billion of loans and $12.9 billion of deposits at July 1, 2007. There was good nonmerger-related growth in total average commercial loans, partially offset by a decline in total average residential mortgages reflecting the continued slowdown in the housing market, as well as loan sales. Fully-taxable net interest income in 2008 was negatively impacted by an 11 basis point decline in the net interest margin compared with 2007, primarily due to the interest accrual reversals resulting from loans being placed on nonaccrual status, as well as deposit pricing.

 

Noninterest income in 2008 increased $30.5 million, or 5%, compared with 2007. Comparisons with the prior year were affected by a $137.4 million increase resulting from the Sky Financial acquisition, partially offset by the $39.2 million net decline in MSR valuation and hedging activity. Other factors contributing to the increase included the positive impact of loan sales, and the gain resulting from the proceeds of the Visa^® initial public offering (IPO) in 2008. Performance of the remaining components of noninterest income was generally favorable. Automobile operating lease income, brokerage and insurance income, and electronic banking income increased, however, trust services income declined reflecting the impact of lower market values on asset management revenues.

 

Expenses were well controlled, with our efficiency ratio improving to 57.0% in 2008 compared with 62.5% in 2007. Noninterest expense in 2008 increased $165.5 million, or 13%, compared with 2007. Comparisons with the prior year were affected by $208.1 million increase resulting from the Sky Financial acquisition, including the impact of restructuring and merger costs. Other factors contributing to the change in

noninterest expense included positive impacts associated with the Visa^® IPO, early extinguishment of debt, and litigation reserves. Performance of the remaining components of noninterest expense was mixed. OREO and foreclosure expense, as well as professional services expense, increased as the economy continued to weaken. Automobile operating lease expense and deposit and other insurance expense also increased. These increases are partially offset by a decline in personnel expense, as well as other expense categories, due to merger/restructuring efficiencies.

 

Significant Items

 

Definition of Significant Items

 

From time to time, revenue, expenses, or taxes, are impacted by items judged by us to be outside of ordinary banking activities and/or by items that, while they may be associated with ordinary banking activities, are so unusually large that their outsized impact is believed by us at that time to be infrequent or short-term in nature. We refer to such items as “Significant Items”. Most often, these Significant Items result from factors originating outside the company; e.g., regulatory actions/assessments, windfall gains, changes in accounting principles, one-time tax assessments/refunds, etc. In other cases they may result from our decisions associated with significant corporate actions out of the ordinary course of business; e.g., merger/restructuring charges, recapitalization actions, goodwill impairment, etc.

 

Even though certain revenue and expense items are naturally subject to more volatility than others due to changes in market and economic environment conditions, as a general rule volatility alone does not define a Significant Item. For example, changes in the provision for credit losses, gains/losses from investment activities, asset valuation writedowns, etc., reflect ordinary banking activities and are, therefore, typically excluded from consideration as a Significant Item.

 

We believe the disclosure of “Significant Items” in current and prior period results aids in better understanding our performance and trends to ascertain which of such items, if any, to include or exclude from an analysis of our performance; i.e., within the context of determining how that performance differed from expectations, as well as how, if at all, to adjust estimates of future performance accordingly. To this end, we adopted a practice of listing “Significant Items” in our external disclosure documents (e.g., earnings press releases, investor presentations, Forms 10-Q and 10-K).

 

“Significant Items” for any particular period are not intended to be a complete list of items that may materially impact current or future period performance.

 

Significant Items Influencing Financial Performance Comparisons

 

Earnings comparisons among the three years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 were impacted by a number of significant items summarized below.

 

1. Goodwill Impairment.  The impacts of goodwill impairment on our reported results were as follows:

 

 

2. Sky Financial Acquisition.  The merger with Sky Financial was completed on July 1, 2007. The impacts of Sky Financial on the 2008 reported results compared with the 2007 reported results are as follows:

 

 

 

3. Franklin Relationship.  Our relationship with Franklin was acquired in the Sky Financial acquisition. On March 31, 2009, we restructured our relationship with Franklin (see “Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Significant Estimates” section). Performance for 2009 included a nonrecurring net tax benefit of $159.9 million ($0.30 per common share) related to this restructuring. Also as a result of the restructuring, although earnings were not significantly impacted, commercial NCOs increased $128.3 million as the previously established $130.0 million Franklin-specific ALLL was utilized to write-down the acquired mortgages and OREO collateral to fair value.

 

4. Early Extinguishment of Debt.  The positive impacts relating to the early extinguishment of debt on our reported results were: $147.4 million ($0.18 per common share) in 2009, $23.5 million ($0.04 per common share) in 2008, and $8.1 million ($0.02 per common share) in 2008. These amounts were recorded to noninterest expense.

 

5. Preferred Stock Conversion.  During the 2009 first and second quarters, we converted 114,109 and 92,384 shares, respectively, of Series A 8.50% Non-cumulative Perpetual Preferred (Series A Preferred Stock) stock into common stock. As part of these transactions, there was a deemed dividend that did not impact net income, but resulted in a negative impact of $0.11 per common share for 2009. (See “Capital” discussion located within the “Risk Management and Capital” section for additional information.)

 

6. Visa^®.  Prior to the Visa^® IPO occurring in March 2008, Visa^® was owned by its member banks, which included the Bank. In 2009, we sold our investment in Visa^® stock. The impacts related to our Visa^® stock ownership, and subsequent sale, for 2009, 2008, and 2007 are presented in the following table:

 

Table 4 — Visa^® impacts

 

 

 

 

7. Other Significant Items Influencing Earnings Performance Comparisons.  In addition to the items discussed separately in this section, a number of other items impacted financial results. These included:

 

2009

 

 

 

2008

 

 

The following table reflects the earnings impact of the above-mentioned significant items for periods affected by this Results of Operations discussion:

 

Table 5 — Significant Items Influencing Earnings Performance Comparison (1)

 

 

 

See Significant Factors Influencing Financial Performance

 

 

Net Interest Income / Average Balance Sheet
(This section should be read in conjunction with Significant Items 2 and 3.)

 

Our primary source of revenue is net interest income, which is the difference between interest income from earning assets (primarily loans, direct financing leases, and securities), and interest expense of funding sources (primarily interest-bearing deposits and borrowings). Earning asset balances and related funding, as well as changes in the levels of interest rates, impact net interest income. The difference between the average yield on earning assets and the average rate paid for interest-bearing liabilities is the net interest spread. Noninterest-bearing sources of funds, such as demand deposits and shareholders’ equity, also support earning assets. The impact of the noninterest-bearing sources of funds, often referred to as “free” funds, is captured in the net interest margin, which is calculated as net interest income divided by average earning assets. Given the