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Commitments and Contingencies
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

(17) Commitments and Contingencies

The Company issues financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business of meeting the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments may involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s extent of involvement and maximum potential exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for financial instruments included on its consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2012, no amounts have been accrued for any estimated losses for these financial instruments.

The contractual amount of off-balance-sheet financial instruments as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, is as follows:

 

                 

(in thousands)

   2012     2011  

Commitments to extend credit

   $ 118,412     $ 117,171  

Standby letters of credit

     2,995       2,992  
   

 

 

    

 

 

  

Commitments

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since certain of the commitments and letters of credit are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, furniture and equipment, and real estate.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support contractual obligations of the Company’s customers. The approximate remaining term of standby letters of credit range from one month to five years at December 31, 2012.

Pending Litigation

The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants in various legal actions incidental to the Company’s past and current business activities. Based on the Company’s analysis, and considering the inherent uncertainties associated with litigation, management does not believe that it is reasonably possible that these legal actions will materially adversely affect the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations in the near term.

On November 18, 2010, a suit was filed against the Company and its subsidiary, the Bank, in the Circuit Court of Jackson County for the Eastern Division of Missouri state court by a customer alleging that the fees associated with the Bank’s automated overdraft program in connection with its debit card and ATM cards constitute unlawful interest in violation of Missouri’s usury laws. The suit seeks class-action status for Bank customers who have paid overdraft fees on their checking accounts. The suit seeks forfeiture and refund of twice the amount of improper overdraft fees assessed and collected. The court has denied the Bank’s motion to dismiss the suit. At this stage of the litigation, it is not possible for management of the Bank to determine the probability of a material adverse outcome or reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss.

On December 17, 2009, a suit was filed against the Bank in Circuit Court of Jackson County for the Eastern Division of Missouri state court by a customer alleging that the Bank had not followed through on its commitment to fund a loan request. A jury found in favor of the customer and awarded $630,000 in damages to the plaintiffs, including $200,000 in punitive damages. The jury verdict was upheld at the appellate level. At December 31, 2012, the Company’s consolidated balance sheets included reserves for payment of the jury award as the Company is awaiting the Court’s determination as to the order in which proceeds will be applied. After insurance proceeds, the Company’s net loss for these jury awards is expected to be approximately $275,000.