FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007
Commission File Number: 0-22374
Fidelity Southern Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Georgia   58-1416811
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
3490 Piedmont Road, Suite 1550, Atlanta GA   30305
 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(404) 639-6500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ   No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o      Accelerated filer þ     Non-accelerated filer o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o   No þ
     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
     
Class   Shares Outstanding at October 31, 2007
     
Common Stock, no par value   9,356,690
 
 

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FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION
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 EX-3.(B) BYLAWS, AS AMENDED
 EX-31.1 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF THE CEO
 EX-31.2 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF THE CFO
 EX-32.1 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF THE CEO
 EX-32.2 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF THE CFO

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 
    (Unaudited)        
    September 30,     December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)   2007     2006  
Assets
               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 23,749     $ 32,075  
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
    627       584  
Federal funds sold
    4,501       26,316  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents
    28,877       58,975  
Investment securities available-for-sale (amortized cost of $111,203 and $111,360 at September 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006, respectively)
    108,368       108,796  
Investment securities held-to-maturity (approximate fair value of $29,038 and $32,485 at September 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006, respectively)
    29,907       33,182  
Investment in FHLB stock
    4,765       4,834  
Loans held-for-sale
    47,611       58,268  
Loans
    1,377,286       1,330,756  
Allowance for loan losses
    (14,886 )     (13,944 )
 
           
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses
    1,362,400       1,316,812  
Premises and equipment, net
    18,853       18,803  
Other real estate
    4,955        
Accrued interest receivable
    9,566       9,312  
Bank owned life insurance
    26,445       25,694  
Other assets
    19,866       14,503  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 1,661,613     $ 1,649,179  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities
               
Deposits
               
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
  $ 125,827     $ 154,392  
Interest-bearing deposits:
               
Demand and money market
    310,367       286,620  
Savings
    215,453       182,390  
Time deposits, $100,000 and over
    298,956       276,536  
Other time deposits
    433,009       486,603  
 
           
Total deposits
    1,383,612       1,386,541  
Federal funds purchased
    6,000       20,000  
Other short-term borrowings
    55,861       52,061  
Subordinated debt
    67,527       46,908  
Other long-term debt
    37,000       37,000  
Accrued interest payable
    6,642       7,042  
Other liabilities
    5,701       4,980  
 
           
Total liabilities
    1,562,343       1,554,532  
 
           
 
               
Shareholders’ Equity
               
Common stock, no par value. Authorized 50,000,000; issued and outstanding 9,351,195 and 9,288,222 at September 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006, respectively
    45,770       44,815  
Additional paid-in-capital
    134        
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes
    (1,758 )     (1,590 )
Retained earnings
    55,124       51,422  
 
           
Total shareholders’ equity
    99,270       94,647  
 
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,661,613     $ 1,649,179  
 
           
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
                                 
    Nine Months Ended     Three Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)   2007     2006     2007     2006  
Interest income
                               
Loans, including fees
  $ 79,069     $ 63,855     $ 27,203     $ 23,669  
Investment securities
    5,472       6,015       1,789       1,935  
Federal funds sold and bank deposits
    241       332       72       141  
 
                         
Total interest income
    84,782       70,202       29,064       25,745  
 
                               
Interest expense
                               
Deposits
    43,561       31,391       14,816       12,587  
Short-term borrowings
    1,577       2,140       557       425  
Subordinated debt
    3,492       3,261       1,277       1,121  
Other long-term debt
    1,178       1,465       397       494  
 
                       
Total interest expense
    49,808       38,257       17,047       14,627  
 
                       
 
                               
Net interest income
    34,974       31,945       12,017       11,118  
Provision for loan losses
    4,950       2,300       2,800       1,100  
 
                       
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    30,024       29,645       9,217       10,018  
 
                               
Noninterest income
                               
Service charges on deposit accounts
    3,554       3,115       1,230       1,140  
Other fees and charges
    1,408       1,184       478       410  
Mortgage banking activities
    275       534       75       162  
Brokerage activities
    603       555       199       116  
Indirect lending activities
    4,051       3,166       1,372       1,127  
SBA lending activities
    1,952       1,230       738       456  
Bank owned life insurance
    870       821       299       279  
Other
    893       803       404       356  
 
                       
Total noninterest income
    13,606       11,408       4,795       4,046  
 
                               
Noninterest expense
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    19,304       16,449       6,613       5,417  
Furniture and equipment
    2,160       2,000       755       695  
Net occupancy
    2,991       2,597       1,064       877  
Communication
    1,296       1,152       430       384  
Professional and other services
    2,725       2,258       894       749  
Advertising and promotion
    701       1,132       272       307  
Stationery, printing and supplies
    573       605       193       229  
Insurance
    227       226       77       74  
Other
    4,775       3,793       1,538       1,319  
 
                       
Total noninterest expense
    34,752       30,212       11,836       10,051  
 
                       
 
                               
Income before income tax expense
    8,878       10,841       2,176       4,013  
Income tax expense
    2,565       3,365       497       1,224  
 
                       
Net Income
  $ 6,313     $ 7,476     $ 1,679     $ 2,789  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic earnings per share
  $ .68     $ .81     $ .18     $ .30  
 
                       
Diluted earnings per share
  $ .68     $ .81     $ .18     $ .30  
 
                       
Dividends declared per share
  $ .27     $ .24     $ .09     $ .08  
 
                       
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic
    9,320,465       9,263,403       9,341,021       9,275,999  
 
                       
Weighted average common shares outstanding-fully diluted
    9,329,302       9,275,691       9,343,009       9,284,519  
 
                       
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
(Dollars in thousands)   2007     2006  
Operating Activities
               
Net income
  $ 6,313     $ 7,476  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    4,950       2,300  
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
    1,588       1,455  
Other amortization
    299       217  
Share-based compensation
    96       22  
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
    (15 )      
Proceeds from sales of loans
    199,002       148,064  
Proceeds from sales of other real estate
    844       376  
Loans originated for resale
    (185,915 )     (160,976 )
Gains on loan sales
    (2,431 )     (1,724 )
Gain on sales of other real estate
    (73 )     (112 )
Net increase in deferred income taxes
    (1,272 )     (478 )
Net increase in accrued interest receivable
    (254 )     (1,430 )
Net increase in cash value of bank owned life insurance
    (751 )     (713 )
Net increase in other assets
    (4,211 )     (2,274 )
Net (decrease) increase in accrued interest payable
    (400 )     1,756  
Net increase in other liabilities
    641       887  
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    18,411       (5,154 )
 
               
Investing Activities
               
Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale
    (10,100 )      
Purchases of FHLB stock
    (4,746 )     (4,505 )
Maturities and calls of investment securities held-to-maturity
    3,284       3,996  
Maturities and calls of investment securities available-for-sale
    10,172       11,286  
Redemption of FHLB stock
    4,815       5,490  
Net increase in loans
    (56,079 )     (175,591 )
Capital improvements to other real estate owned
    (185 )      
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (1,638 )     (3,150 )
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (54,477 )     (162,474 )
 
               
Financing Activities
               
Net increase in demand deposits, money market accounts, and savings accounts
    28,245       48,574  
Net (decrease) increase in time deposits
    (31,174 )     145,223  
Net decrease in short-term borrowings
    (10,200 )     (37,691 )
Net increase in subordinated debt
    20,619        
Dividends paid
    (2,515 )     (2,221 )
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
    978       451  
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
    15        
 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities
    5,968       154,336  
 
           
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (30,098 )     (13,292 )
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    58,975       65,356  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 28,877     $ 52,064  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
  $ 50,208     $ 36,501  
 
           
Income taxes
  $ 4,631     $ 3,627  
 
           
Non-cash transfers of loans to other real estate
  $ 5,540     $ 264  
 
           
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
1. Basis of Presentation
     The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Fidelity Southern Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively “Fidelity” or the “Company”). Fidelity Southern Corporation (“FSC”) owns 100% of Fidelity Bank (the “Bank”), and LionMark Insurance Company (“LIC”), an insurance agency offering consumer credit related insurance products. FSC also owns five subsidiaries established to issue trust preferred securities, which entities are not consolidated for financial reporting purposes in accordance with Financial Account Standard Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 46(R), as FSC is not the primary beneficiary.
     These unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles followed within the financial services industry for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements.
     In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and revenues and expenses for the periods covered by the statements of income. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the evaluation of adversely classified loans and the probability of repayment in full and the calculation of estimated recovery through the liquidation of underlying collateral and related sources, the calculations of and the amortization of capitalized servicing assets and liabilities, the calculation of income taxes, and the valuation of real estate or other assets acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans. In addition, the actual lives of certain amortizable assets and income items are estimates subject to change. The Company principally operates in one business segment, which is community banking.
     In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods have been included. All such adjustments are normal recurring accruals. Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to current presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on net income or shareholders’ equity. The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For interim reporting purposes, the Company follows the same basic accounting policies and considers each interim period as an integral part of an annual period.
     There were no new accounting policies or changes to existing policies adopted in the first nine months of 2007 which had a significant effect on the results of operations or statement of financial condition.
     Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2007. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2006.

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2. Shareholders’ Equity
     The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) is the primary regulator of FSC, a bank holding company. The Bank is a state chartered commercial bank subject to Federal and state statutes applicable to banks chartered under the banking laws of the State of Georgia and to banks whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), the Bank’s primary Federal regulator. The Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The Bank’s state regulator is the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (the “GDBF”). The FDIC and the GDBF examine and evaluate the financial condition, operations, and policies and procedures of state chartered commercial banks, such as the Bank, as part of their legally prescribed oversight responsibilities.
     The FRB, FDIC, and GDBF have established capital adequacy requirements as a function of their oversight of bank holding companies and state chartered banks. Each bank holding company and each bank must maintain certain minimum capital ratios. At September 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006, the Company exceeded all capital ratios required by the FRB, and the Bank exceeded all capital ratios required by the FDIC and GDBF to be considered well capitalized.
3. Contingencies
     Due to the nature of their activities, the Company and its subsidiaries are at times engaged in various legal proceedings that arise in the normal course of business, some of which were outstanding as of September 30, 2007. While it is difficult to predict or determine the outcome of these proceedings, it is the opinion of management and its counsel that the ultimate liabilities, if any, will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or its financial position.
4. Comprehensive Income (Loss)
     Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income and other comprehensive income (loss), related to unrealized gains and losses on investment securities classified as available-for-sale. There were no securities sales or calls of securities available-for-sale during the third quarter of 2007 or the comparable period in 2006. All other comprehensive income (loss) items are tax effected at a rate of 38%.
     During the third quarter and first nine months of 2007, other comprehensive income net of tax benefit was $1.3 million and other comprehensive loss net of tax benefit was $168,000, respectively, compared to other comprehensive income net of tax of $2.0 million and other comprehensive loss net of tax benefit of $368,000, respectively, for the comparable periods of 2006. Comprehensive income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007, was $3.0 and $6.1 million, respectively, compared to $4.8 million and $7.1 million respectively, for the same periods in 2006.
5. Share-Based Compensation
     The Company’s 1997 Stock Option Plan authorized the grant of options to management personnel for up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. All options granted have three to eight year terms and vest ratably over three to five years of continued employment. There were 70,000 options granted during 2007 under the 1997 Stock Option Plan that have four year terms and vest ratably over three years of continued employment. No options may be or were granted after March 31, 2007, under this plan.
     The Fidelity Southern Corporation Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Incentive Plan”), permits the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other incentive awards (“Incentive Awards”). The maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued under the 2006 Incentive Plan is 750,000 shares, all of which may be stock options. Generally, no award shall

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be exercisable or become vested or payable more than 10 years after the date of grant. Options granted under the 2006 Incentive Plan have four year terms and vest ratably over three years of continued employment. There were 72,500 options granted during 2007 under the 2006 Incentive Plan and 1,755 incentive shares awarded to numerous individuals based on service longevity. Incentive awards available under the 2006 Incentive Plan totaled 675,745 shares at September 30, 2007.
     A summary of option activity as of September 30, 2007, and changes during the nine month period then ended are presented below:
                                 
                    Weighted        
            Weighted     Average        
    Number     Average     Remaining     Aggregate  
    of share     Exercise     Contractual     Intrinsic  
    options     Price     Terms     Value  
Outstanding at January 1, 2007
    51,405     $ 14.30                  
Granted
    142,500       18.70                  
Exercised
    15,000       10.75                  
Forfeited
                           
 
                             
Outstanding at September 30, 2007
    178,905     $ 18.10     3.6 years   $ (567,562 )
 
                       
 
                               
Exercisable at September 30, 2007
    15,762     $ 13.91     3.4 years   $ 16,035  
 
                       
6. Income Taxes
     The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recorded a $95,000 increase in the net liability for uncertain tax positions, which was recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings on January 1, 2007. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company reduced its net liability by $59,000, which related to income tax returns no longer subject to examinations by taxing authorities. The total amount of uncertain tax benefits as of September 30, 2007, was $119,000. This amount, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate in the current period.
     For financial accounting purposes, interest and penalties accrued, if any, on tax deficiencies required under FIN 48 will be classified as other expense. The total amount of interest and penalties recognized in the statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, was $22,000. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties recognized in the statement of financial position as of September 30, 2007, was $66,000, which include the adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings of January 1, 2007, as explained above.
     The tax years that remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state authorities include the years ending December 31, 2004, 2005, and 2006.
7. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
     In September 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus on EITF issue No. 06-04, “Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements” (“EITF No. 06-04”). EITF No. 06-04 requires recognition of a liability and related compensation costs for endorsement split dollar life insurance policies that provide a benefit to an employee that extends to postretirement periods. EITF No. 06-04 is effective as of a company’s first fiscal year after December 15, 2007, and should be applied as a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect

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adjustment to retained earnings or through retrospective application. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact of EITF No. 06-04 on its financial condition and statement of operations.
     In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”). This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. It does not require any new fair value measurements but applies whenever other accounting pronouncements require or permit fair value measurements. The statement is effective as of the beginning of a company’s first fiscal year after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact of SFAS No. 157, if any, on its financial condition and statement of operations.
     In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS No. 159”). This statement provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value in an effort to reduce both complexity in accounting for financial instruments and the volatility in earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. It also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The statement is effective as of the beginning of a company’s first fiscal year after November 15, 2007. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact of SFAS No. 159, if any, on its financial condition and statement of operations.
     In May 2007, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FIN 48-1, “Definition of Settlement in FASB Interpretation No. 48,” (“FSP FIN 48-1”), which amends FIN 48, to provide guidance on how an enterprise should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits. The FASB concluded that for purposes of applying paragraph 10(b) of FIN 48, settlement has effectively occurred if the taxing authority has completed all of its required or expected examination procedures, the enterprise does not intend to appeal or litigate any aspect of the tax position, and it is considered remote that the taxing authority would reexamine the tax position. The FASB also included guidance defining when a tax position is considered effectively settled through examination. The FSP is to be applied upon the initial adoption of FIN 48. Upon adoption of FIN 48, the Company applied FIN 48 in a manner consistent with the provisions of FSP FIN 48-1.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
     The following analysis reviews important factors affecting our financial condition at September 30, 2007, compared to December 31, 2006, and compares the results of operations for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. These comments should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes appearing in this report and the “Risk Factors” set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. All percentage and dollar variances noted in the following analysis are calculated from the balances presented in the accompanying financial statements.
Forward-Looking Statements
     This report on Form 10-Q may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that reflect our current expectations relating to present or future trends or factors generally affecting the banking industry and specifically affecting our operations, markets and products. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “projects”, “intends”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based

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upon assumptions we believe are reasonable and may relate to, among other things, the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, the evaluations of adversely classified loans, changes in interest rates, and litigation results. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected for many reasons, including without limitation, changing events and trends that have influenced our assumptions. These trends and events include (i) difficulties in maintaining our growth; (ii) unique risks associated with our construction and land development loans; (iii) changes in the interest rate environment; (iv) changes in land values and economic conditions, particularly in Atlanta, Georgia; (v) our ability to maintain and service relationships with automobile dealers and indirect automobile loan purchasers and our ability to profitably manage changes in our indirect automobile lending operations; (vi) less favorable than anticipated changes in the national and local business environment, particularly in regard to the housing market in general and residential construction and new home sales in particular, as well as our SBA lending and sales program; (vii) adverse changes in the regulatory requirements affecting us; (viii) greater competitive pressures among financial institutions in our market; (ix) changes in political, legislative and economic conditions; (x) inflation; (xi) greater loan losses than historic levels and an insufficient allowance for loan losses; (xii) environmental liability risks; and (xiii) failure to achieve the revenue increases expected to result from our investments in branch additions and in our transaction deposit and lending businesses.
     This list is intended to identify some of the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements included herein and are not intended to represent a complete list of all risks and uncertainties in our business. Investors are encouraged to read the related section in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the “Risk Factors” set forth therein. Additional information and other factors that could affect future financial results are included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Critical Accounting Policies
     Our accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and conform to general practices within the financial services industry. Our financial position and results of operations are affected by management’s application of accounting policies, including estimates, assumptions and judgments made to arrive at the carrying value of assets and liabilities and amounts reported for revenues, expenses and related disclosures. Different assumptions in the application of these policies, or conditions significantly different from certain assumptions, could result in material changes in our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations. The more critical accounting and reporting policies include those related to the allowance for loan losses, the evaluation of adversely classified loans, the capitalization of servicing assets and liabilities and the related amortization, loan related revenue recognition, and income taxes. Our accounting policies are fundamental to understanding our consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations. Significant accounting policies are periodically discussed and reviewed with and approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors.
     Our critical accounting policies that are highly dependent on estimates, assumptions and judgment are substantially unchanged from the descriptions included in the notes to consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

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Results of Operations
Earnings
     Net income was $1.7 million for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $2.8 million for the third quarter of 2006, a decrease of 39.8%. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2007 and 2006 were $.18 and $.30, respectively. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, was $6.3 million compared to $7.5 million for the comparable period of 2006, a decrease of 15.6%. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of 2007 and 2006 were $.68 and $.81, respectively. The decrease in net income for the third quarter of 2007, when compared to the third quarter of 2006, was primarily due to the increase in the provision for loan losses largely due to increased charge-offs and estimated inherent loss in the loan portfolio resulting principally from a downturn in the metropolitan Atlanta residential construction and residential sales market. The decreases in net income for the first nine months of 2007 and the third quarter of 2007 when compared to the same periods in 2006 were primarily due to an increase in the provision for loan losses, exacerbated by increased noninterest expense from salaries and employee benefits, coupled with increased costs related to a growing lending and branching footprint and numbers of accounts and related transaction activity.
Net Interest Income
     Net interest income increased $899,000 or 8.1% in the third quarter of 2007 to $12.0 million compared to $11.1 million for the same period in 2006, driven primarily by increases in average interest-earning assets and by a slight improvement in the net interest margin. The average balance of interest-earning assets increased by $118 million or 8.2% to $1.560 billion for the third quarter of 2007, when compared to the same period in 2006. The yield on interest-earning assets for the third quarter of 2007 was 7.42%, an increase of 31 basis points when compared to the yield on interest-earning assets for the same period in 2006. The average balance of loans outstanding for the third quarter of 2007 increased $134 million or 10.4% to $1.413 billion when compared to the same period in 2006. The yield on average loans outstanding for the period increased 29 basis points to 7.66% when compared to the same period in 2006, in large part due to increasing yields on the consumer loan portfolio, consisting primarily of indirect automobile loans.
     The average balance of investment securities for the third quarter of 2007 decreased $11 million or 7.0% to $141 million when compared to the same period in 2006. The yield on average investment securities outstanding increased seven basis points to 5.17% when compared to the same period in 2006.
     The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased $120 million or 9.4% to $1.404 billion for the third quarter of 2007 and the rate on this average balance increased 30 basis points to 4.82% when compared to the same period in 2006. The 31 basis point increase in the yield on interest-earning assets was greater than the 30 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin improved to 3.09% for the third quarter of 2007 compared to 3.08% for the comparable period in 2006.
     Net interest income increased $3.0 million or 9.5% in the first nine months of 2007 to $35.0 million compared to $32.0 million for the same period in 2006, driven by increases in average interest-earning assets, which more than offset a decline in the net interest margin. The average balance of interest-earning assets increased by $162 million or 11.7% to $1.543 billion for the first nine months of 2007, when compared to the same period in 2006. The yield on interest-earning assets for the first nine months of 2007 was 7.38%, an increase of 57 basis points when compared to the yield on interest-earning assets for the same period in 2006. The average balance of loans outstanding for the first nine months of 2007 increased $178 million or 14.7% to $1.392 billion when compared to the same period in 2006. The yield on average loans outstanding for the period increased 53 basis points to 7.62% when compared to the same period in 2006, in large part due to increasing yields on the consumer loan portfolio, consisting primarily of indirect automobile loans and the

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increase in the average prime rate from 7.85% for the first nine months of 2006 to 8.20% for the first nine months of 2007.
     The average balance of investment securities for the first nine months of 2007 decreased $13 million or 8.4% to $145 million when compared to the same period in 2006 as repayment of investment securities exceeded the purchase of securities in order to provide funding for higher yielding loans. The yield on average investment securities outstanding increased five basis points to 5.11% when compared to the same period in 2006.
     The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased $156 million or 12.7% to $1.382 billion for the first nine months of 2007 and the rate on this average balance increased 65 basis points to 4.82% when compared to the same period in 2006. The 65 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was greater than the 57 basis point increase in the yield on interest earning assets. Offsetting this increase was the higher average balance of interest-earning assets of $1.54 million in the first nine months of 2007 compared to $1.38 million for the first nine months of 2006. Net interest margin was 3.06% for the first nine months of 2007 and 3.11% for the comparable period in 2006.
Provision for Loan Losses
     The provision for loan losses for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2007 was $2.8 million and $5.0 million, respectively, compared to $1.1 million and $2.3 million for the same periods in 2006. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans at September 30, 2007, was 1.08% compared to 1.06% at September 30, 2006. Compared to June 30, 2007, the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans increased five basis points from 1.03%. The increase in the provision in the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 compared to the same periods in 2006 was primarily due to charge-offs and charge-downs on residential construction loans and an increase in adversely classified residential construction loans, exacerbated in part by an increase in consumer loan charge-offs and an increase in the allowance for loan losses based on estimated inherent loss in the loan portfolio. The metropolitan Atlanta residential construction housing market in general and new and existing home sales in particular have continued to deteriorate in terms of sales volume compared to new and existing homes for sale and in prices and valuation particularly in regard to residential lots. This deterioration has been the primary cause of the increased charge-offs and losses. We do not have a direct exposure to the sub-prime market. However, our residential construction portfolio and to a lesser extent our consumer loan portfolio are being negatively impacted as a result of a reduction in credit availability and a decline in consumer confidence generated in part by the subprime debacle. Real estate construction loans make up 21% of our diverse loan portfolio; comprised of 20% of residential construction loans and 1% of nonresidential construction loans. The ratio of net charge-offs to average loans on an annualized basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, increased to .39% compared to .16% for the same period in 2006. The ratio of net charge-offs to average loans for 2006 was .19%. The following schedule summarizes changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

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    Nine Months Ended     Year Ended  
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2007     2006     2006  
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 13,944     $ 12,643     $ 12,643  
Charge-offs:
                       
Commercial, financial and agricultural
          1       1  
SBA
          67       67  
Real estate-construction
    1,412              
Real estate-mortgage
    63       3       5  
Consumer installment
    3,555       2,417       3,616  
 
                 
Total charge-offs
    5,030       2,488       3,689  
 
                 
 
                       
Recoveries:
                       
Commercial, financial and agricultural
    255       418       505  
SBA
          142       145  
Real estate-construction
    40              
Real estate-mortgage
    78       5       7  
Consumer installment
    649       528       733  
 
                 
Total recoveries
    1,022       1,093       1,390  
 
                 
 
                       
Net charge-offs
    4,008       1,395       2,299  
Provision for loan losses
    4,950       2,300       3,600  
 
                 
Balance at end of period
  $ 14,886     $ 13,548     $ 13,944  
 
                 
 
                       
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans
    .39 %     .16 %     .19 %
 
                 
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans at end of period
    1.08 %     1.06 %     1.05 %
 
                 
     Construction loan net charge-offs were $1.4 million in the first nine months of 2007 while there were no charge-offs in the same period of 2006. These charge-offs were related to residential construction builders and were attributed to the continued slow down in housing construction and sales. We continue to be diligent in our credit review process and are aggressive in dealing with our residential construction portfolios. Consumer installment loan net charge-offs in the first nine months of 2007 of $2.9 million were $1.0 million greater than the same period in 2006, due in part to significant growth in outstanding balances in addition to the slow down in housing construction and sales and credit availability that has affected other areas of the economy. The ratio of net charge-offs to average consumer loans outstanding was .42% and .31% during the first nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively. In determining the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses, management attempts to ensure that the overall allowance appropriately reflects a margin for the imprecision inherent in most estimates of the range of probable credit losses.
     Management believes the allowance for loan losses is adequate to provide for losses inherent in the loan portfolio at September 30, 2007 (see “Asset Quality”).
Noninterest Income
     Noninterest income for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2007 was $4.8 million and $13.6 million, respectively, compared to $4.0 million and $11.4 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2006, an increase of $749,000 and $2.2 million, or 18.5% and 19.3%, respectively. These increases were primarily due to an increase in revenues from indirect lending activities and SBA lending activities, as well as an increase in revenues from service charges on deposit accounts as a result of growth in the numbers of accounts serviced.

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     Income from indirect lending activities, which includes both net gains from the sale of indirect automobile loans and servicing and ancillary loan fees on loans sold, for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2007 increased $245,000 and $885,000, or 21.7% and 28.0%, to $1.4 million and $4.1 million, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2006. The increases were due primarily to increased ancillary loan servicing fees on portfolio loans and on loans sold servicing retained and increased gains resulting from loan sales. Indirect automobile loans serviced for others totaled $308 million and $283 million at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, an increase of $25 million or 8.8%. This reflects an increase in the number and volume of indirect automobile loans sold with servicing retained, resulting in an increase in the volume of loans serviced during the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 when compared to the same periods of 2006. There were sales of $36 million and $140 million, respectively, of indirect automobile loans in the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 compared to sales of $40 million and $110 million, respectively, in the same periods of 2006.
     Income from SBA lending activities for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 increased $282,000 and $722,000, or 61.8% and 58.7%, to $738,000 and $2.0 million, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2006, due to the continued expansion of the SBA lending business, resulting in an increased volume of and gains on sales, coupled with a growing servicing portfolio generating increased servicing and ancillary fees.
     Service charges on deposit accounts for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2007 increased $90,000 and $439,000, or 7.9% and 14.1%, to $1.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2006, due to the growing number of transaction accounts resulting from the transaction account acquisition program initiated in early 2006 and continuing through 2007 to attract lower-costing deposits generating service charges and fees.
Noninterest Expense
     Noninterest expense was $11.8 million and $34.8 million, respectively, for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2007, compared to $10.1 million and $30.2 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2006, an increase of $1.8 million and $4.5 million, or 17.8% and 15.0%, respectively. The increases in expenses primarily related to salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses as the result of hiring new lenders, branch network expansion, and additional costs related to increases in the number of accounts serviced.
     Salaries and employee benefits expenses increased 22.1% and 17.4%, or $1.2 million and $2.9 million, to $6.6 million and $19.3 million, respectively, in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2007 compared to the same periods in 2006. The increases were primarily attributable to the addition of seasoned loan production and branch operations staff, including SBA, indirect automobile, and commercial lenders to increase lending volume, and staff for the new branches added in 2006 and to some extent in 2007. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 399 at September 30, 2007, compared to 377 at September 30, 2006. Management expects salaries and employee benefits to increase on a more moderate basis for the remainder of 2007.
     Other operating expenses increased 16.6% and 25.9%, or $219,000 and $982,000, to $1.5 million and $4.8 million, respectively, in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2007 when compared to the same periods in 2006. The increases were primarily related to hiring costs, business development costs, and costs in numerous expense areas due to branch network expansion, production growth, account volume growth and account activity increases related to both loans and deposits.

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Provision for Income Taxes
     The provision for income taxes for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 was $497,000 and $2.6 million, respectively, compared to $1.2 million and $3.4 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2006. The effective tax rate for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 was 22.8% and 28.9%, respectively, and for the comparable periods in 2006 was 30.5% and 31.0%, respectively, primarily due to increases in tax advantaged general obligation bonds and tax advantaged loans and a reversal of FIN 48 tax reserves due to the expiration of the 2003 tax return statute of limitations.
Financial Condition
Assets
     Total assets were $1.661 billion at September 30, 2007, compared to $1.649 billion at December 31, 2006, an increase of $12.4 million, or .8%.
     Loans increased $46.5 million or 3.5% to $1.377 billion at September 30, 2007 compared to $1.331 billion at December 31, 2006. The increase in loans was the result of a $52 million or 8.0% increase in consumer installment loans, consisting primarily of indirect automobile loans, to $699 million, an increase in commercial real estate loans of $18 million or 10.9% to $181 million due in part to commercial construction loans converting to a permanent loan status, and a $5 million or 5.4% increase in real estate-mortgage loans. These increases were partially offset by a decline in construction loans of $23 million or 7.4% to $283 million. Contributing to the decline were significant construction loan payoffs, conversion of construction loans to a permanent loan status, and transfers to other real estate, which more than offset construction loan production. Commercial, financial and agricultural loans decreased $5 million or 4.3% to $118 million. In addition, $5.0 million of residential construction and commercial real estate loans were transferred to other real estate during the nine month period ended September 30, 2007.
     Loans held-for-sale decreased $11 million or 18.3% to $48 million at September 30, 2007, compared to December 31, 2006. The decrease in loans held-for-sale was due to a decrease in indirect automobile loans held-for-sale due to the timing and volume of loan sales.

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     The following schedule summarizes our total loans at September 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006 (dollars in thousands):
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2007     2006  
Loans:
               
Commercial, financial and agricultural
  $ 107,523     $ 107,992  
Tax exempt commercial
    10,167       14,969  
Real estate – mortgage – commercial
    181,076       163,275  
 
           
Total commercial
    298,766       286,236  
Real estate – construction
    283,291       306,078  
Real estate – mortgage – residential
    96,558       91,652  
Consumer installment
    698,671       646,790  
 
           
Loans
    1,377,286       1,330,756  
Allowance for loan losses
    14,886       13,944  
 
           
Loans, net of allowance
  $ 1,362,400     $ 1,316,812  
 
           
 
               
Total Loans:
               
Loans
  $ 1,377,286     $ 1,330,756  
Loans Held-for-Sale:
               
Residential mortgage
    217       321  
Consumer installment
    32,000       43,000  
SBA
    15,394       14,947  
 
           
Total loans held-for-sale
    47,611       58,268  
 
           
Total loans
  $ 1,424,897     $ 1,389,024  
 
           
Asset Quality
     The following schedule summarizes our asset quality position at September 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006 (dollars in thousands):
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2007     2006  
Nonperforming assets:
               
Nonaccrual loans
  $ 7,023     $ 4,587  
Repossessions
    1,858       937  
Other real estate
    4,955        
 
           
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 13,836     $ 5,524  
 
           
 
               
Loans 90 days past due and still accruing
  $     $  
 
           
 
               
Allowance for loan losses
  $ 14,886     $ 13,944  
 
           
 
               
Ratio of loans past due and still accruing to loans
    %     %
 
           
 
               
Ratio of nonperforming assets to total loans and repossessions
    .97 %     .40 %
 
           
 
               
Allowance to period-end loans
    1.08 %     1.05 %
 
           
 
               
Allowance to nonaccrual loans and repossessions (coverage ratio)
    1.68 x     2.52 x
 
           

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     The increase in nonperforming assets at September 30, 2007, compared to December 31, 2006, was primarily driven by increases in nonaccrual loans, automobile repossessions and other real estate, over 80% of the aggregate balances of which are secured by real estate. The majority of the $2.4 million increase in nonaccrual loans from December 31, 2006 to September 30, 2007, is from five large real estate secured credit relationships totaling $4.9 million. These increases were partially offset by a $2.9 million adversely classified loan secured by real estate that paid off during the third quarter of 2007. Of the $5.0 million of other real estate, $3.4 million is related to three residential construction loan relationships. The construction housing market in general and new and existing home sales in particular have suffered during the first nine months of 2007. Management believes it has been proactive in charging down and charging off these nonperforming assets as appropriate. Management’s assessment of the overall loan portfolio is that loan quality and performance continue to be sound. This section should be read in conjunction with the discussion in “Provision for Loan Losses”.
Investment Securities
     Total unrealized losses on investment securities available-for-sale, net of unrealized gains of $27,000, were $2.8 million at September 30, 2007. Total unrealized losses on investment securities available-for-sale, net of unrealized gains of $17,000, were $2.6 million at December 31, 2006. Net unrealized losses on investment securities available-for-sale increased $271,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
     Declines in fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than temporary impairment losses, management considers, among other things, (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (iii) the intent and ability to retain our investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
     Certain individual investment securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position in excess of 12 months at September 30, 2007. However, all investment securities in a continuous unrealized loss position in excess of 12 months at September 30, 2007, were U.S. Agency notes and agency pass-through mortgage backed securities. The unrealized loss positions resulted not from credit quality issues, but from market interest rate increases over the interest rates prevalent at the time the securities were purchased, and are considered temporary.
     Also, as of September 30, 2007, management had the ability and intent to hold the temporarily impaired securities for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of cost. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2007, management believes the impairments discussed above are temporary and no impairment loss has been recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Deposits
     Total deposits at September 30, 2007, were $1.384 billion compared to $1.387 billion at December 31, 2006, a $3 million or .2% decrease. Savings deposits increased $33 million or 18.1% to $215 million and time deposits decreased $31 million or 4.1% to $732 million in part due to some shift from time deposits to savings deposits as the result of conservative time deposit pricing to manage and better control the cost of funds. Interest-bearing demand and money market accounts increased $24 million or 8.3% to $310 million. The increase in interest-bearing demand and money market account balances was due primarily to an increase in the number of transaction accounts as the result of continued benefits from the extensive transaction account acquisition program implemented in January 2006 and continuing during 2007. Noninterest-bearing demand deposits decreased $29 million or 18.5% to $126 million due in part to significant growth in certain commercial

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account balances during the fourth quarter of 2006 in anticipation of large disbursements for business activities, including tax payments, during the first four months of 2007. For the quarter ended September 30, 2007, noninterest-bearing demand deposits decreased $3.2 million or 2.6%. Management believes that the number of our transactional deposit accounts will continue to increase significantly during the remainder of 2007.
Subordinated Debt
     On August 20, 2007, we issued $20 million in fixed-floating rate capital securities of Fidelity Southern Statutory Trust III with a liquidation value of $1,000 per security. Interest is fixed at 6.62% for five years and then converts to a floating rate, which will adjust quarterly at a rate per annum equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 1.40%. The issuance has a final maturity of 30 years, but may be redeemed with regulatory approval at any distribution payment date on or after September 15, 2012, or at any time upon certain events, such as a change in the regulatory treatment of the trust preferred securities, at the redemption price of 100%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
     The trust preferred securities were sold in a private transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) and were not registered under the Act. The trust preferred securities are included in Tier 1 capital by the Company in the calculation of regulatory capital, subject to a limit of 25% for all restricted core capital elements, with any excess included in Tier 2 capital. The payments to the trust preferred security holders are fully tax deductible.
     We have a total of five unconsolidated business trust (“trust preferred”) subsidiaries that are variable interest entities: FNC Capital Trust I (“FNCCTI”), Fidelity National Capital Trust I (“FidNCTI”), Fidelity Southern Statutory Trust I (“FSCSTI”), Fidelity Southern Statutory Trust II (“FSCSTII”) and Fidelity Southern Statutory Trust III (“FSCSTIII”). Our subordinated debt consists of the outstanding obligations of the five trust preferred issues and the amounts to fund the investments in the common stock of those entities.
     The following schedule summarizes our subordinated debt at September 30, 2007 (dollars in thousands):
                                 
Trust                   Subordinated        
Preferred   Issued(1)     Par     Debt(2)     Interest Rate  
FNCCTI
  March 8, 2000   $ 10,500     $ 10,825     Fixed @ 10.875%
FidNCTI
  July 19, 2000     10,000       10,309     Fixed @ 11.045%
FSSTI
  June 26, 2003     15,000       15,464     Variable @ 8.300(3)
FSSTII
  March 17, 2005     10,000       10,310     Variable @ 7.584%(4)
FSSTIII
  August 20, 2007     20,000       20,619     Fixed @ 6.620(5)
 
                           
 
          $ 65,500     $ 67,527          
 
                           
 
1.   Each trust preferred security has a final maturity thirty years from the date of issuance.
 
2.   Includes investments in the common stock of these entities.
 
3.   Reprices quarterly at a rate 310 basis points over three month LIBOR and is subject to refinancing or repayment at par in June 2008 with regulatory approval.
 
4.   Reprices quarterly at a rate 189 basis points over three month LIBOR.
 
5.   Five year fixed rate, and then reprices quarterly at a rate 140 basis points over three month LIBOR.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources
     Market and public confidence in our financial strength and that of financial institutions in general will largely determine the access to appropriate levels of liquidity. This confidence is significantly dependent on our ability to maintain sound credit quality and the ability to maintain appropriate levels of capital resources.
     Liquidity is defined as the ability to meet anticipated customer demands for funds under credit commitments and deposit withdrawals at a reasonable cost and on a timely basis. Management measures the liquidity position by giving consideration to both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet sources of and demands for funds on a daily and weekly basis.
     Sources of liquidity include cash and cash equivalents, net of Federal requirements to maintain reserves against deposit liabilities; investment securities eligible for sale or pledging to secure borrowings from dealers and customers pursuant to securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”); loan repayments; loan sales; deposits and certain interest-sensitive deposits; brokered deposits; a collateralized line of credit at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (“FRB”) Discount Window; a collateralized line of credit from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”); and borrowings under unsecured overnight Federal funds lines available from correspondent banks. The principal demands for liquidity are new loans, anticipated fundings under credit commitments to customers, and deposit withdrawals.
     Management seeks to maintain a stable net liquidity position while optimizing operating results, as reflected in net interest income, the net yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities in particular. Our Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) meets regularly to review the current and projected net liquidity positions and to review actions taken by management to achieve this liquidity objective.
     As of September 30, 2007, we had unused sources of liquidity in the form of unused unsecured Federal funds lines totaling $56 million, unpledged securities with a market value of $5 million, brokered deposits available through investment banking firms and significant additional FHLB and FRB lines of credit, subject to available qualifying collateral.
Shareholders’ Equity
     Shareholders’ equity was $99 million at September 30, 2007, and $95 million at December 31, 2006. Shareholders’ equity as a percent of total assets was 6.0% at September 30, 2007, compared to 5.7% at December 31, 2006. The increase in shareholders’ equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was primarily the result of net income and common stock issued, net of dividends paid.
     At September 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006, we exceeded all capital ratios required by the FRB, as reflected in the following schedule:
                         
    FRB        
    Minimum        
    Capital   September 30,   December 31,
Capital Ratios:   Ratio   2007   2006
Leverage
    4.00 %     8.09 %     8.07 %
Risk-Based Capital
                       
Tier I
    4.00       8.63       8.54  
Total
    8.00       11.71       10.37  

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     At September 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006, the Bank exceeded all capital ratios required by the FDIC to be considered well capitalized. The following table sets forth the capital requirements for the Bank under FDIC regulations and the Bank’s capital ratios at September 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006, respectively:
                         
    FDIC        
    Regulations        
    Well   September 30,   December 31,
Capital Ratios:   Capitalized   2007   2006
Leverage
    5.00 %     8.09 %     7.98 %
Risk-Based Capital
                       
Tier I
    6.00       8.62       8.44  
Total
    10.00       10.26       10.05  
     During the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, we declared and paid dividends on our common stock of $.27 per share totaling $2.5 million, which represented a 12.5% increase in dividends paid per share when compared to the same period in 2006.
Market Risk
     Our primary market risk exposures are interest rate risk and credit risk and, to a lesser extent, liquidity risk. We have little or no risk related to trading accounts, commodities, or foreign exchange.
     Interest rate risk is the exposure of a banking organization’s financial condition and earnings ability to withstand adverse movements in interest rates. Accepting this risk can be an important source of profitability and shareholder value; however, excessive levels of interest rate risk can pose a significant threat to assets, earnings, and capital. Accordingly, effective risk management that maintains interest rate risk at prudent levels is essential to our success.
     ALCO, which includes senior management representatives, monitors and considers methods of managing the rate and sensitivity repricing characteristics of the balance sheet components consistent with maintaining acceptable levels of changes in portfolio values and net interest income with changes in interest rates. The primary purposes of ALCO are to manage interest rate risk consistent with earnings and liquidity, to effectively invest our capital, and to preserve the value created by our core business operations. Our exposure to interest rate risk compared to established tolerances is reviewed on at least a quarterly basis by our Board of Directors.
     Evaluating a financial institution’s exposure to changes in interest rates includes assessing both the adequacy of the management process used to control interest rate risk and the organization’s quantitative levels of exposure. When assessing the interest rate risk management process, we seek to ensure that appropriate policies, procedures, management information systems, and internal controls are in place to maintain interest rate risk at prudent levels with consistency and continuity. Evaluating the quantitative level of interest rate risk exposure requires us to assess the existing and potential future effects of changes in interest rates on our consolidated financial condition, including capital adequacy, earnings, liquidity, and, where appropriate, asset quality.
     Interest rate sensitivity analysis is used to measure our interest rate risk by computing estimated changes in earnings and the net present value of our cash flows from assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet items in the event of a range of assumed changes in market interest rates. Net present value represents the market value of portfolio equity and is equal to the market value of assets minus the market value of liabilities, with adjustments

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made for off-balance sheet items. This analysis assesses the risk of loss in the market risk sensitive instruments in the event of a sudden and sustained 200 basis point increase or decrease in market interest rates (equity at risk).
     Our policy states that a negative change in net present value (equity at risk) as a result of an immediate and sustained 200 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates should not exceed the lesser of 2% of total assets or 15% of total regulatory capital. It also states that a similar increase or decrease in interest rates should not negatively impact net interest income or net income by more than 5% or 15%, respectively.
     The most recent rate shock analysis indicated that the effects of an immediate and sustained increase or decrease of 200 basis points in market rates of interest would fall well within policy parameters and approved tolerances for equity at risk, net interest income, and net income.
     We have historically been asset sensitive to six months; however, we have been liability sensitive from six months to one year, largely mitigating the potential negative impact on net interest income and net income over a full year from a sudden and sustained decrease in interest rates. Likewise, historically the potential positive impact on net interest income and net income of a sudden and sustained increase in interest rates is reduced over a one-year period as a result of our liability sensitivity in the six month to one year time frame.
     As discussed, the negative impact of an immediate and sustained 200 basis point increase in market rates of interest on the net present value (equity at risk) was well within established tolerances as of the most recent shock analysis and was slightly less than that for the prior quarter, primarily because of the increased sensitivity in our consumer loan accounts, partially offset by the increased sensitivity in our transactional deposit accounts. Also, the negative impact of an immediate and sustained 200 basis point decrease in market rates of interest on net interest income and net income was well within established tolerances and also reflected an increase in interest rate sensitivity in our consumer loan accounts and our transactional deposit accounts compared to the prior quarter. We follow FDIC guidelines for certain balances in non-maturity deposits such as interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts in the interest rate sensitivity (gap) analysis; therefore, this analysis does not reflect the full impact of rapidly rising or falling market rates of interest on these accounts compared to the results of the rate shock analysis.
     Rate shock analysis provides only a limited, point in time view of interest rate sensitivity. The gap analysis also does not reflect factors such as the magnitude (versus the timing) of future interest rate changes and asset prepayments. The actual impact of interest rate changes upon earnings and net present value may differ from that implied by any static rate shock or gap measurement. In addition, net interest income and net present value under various future interest rate scenarios are affected by multiple other factors not embodied in a static rate shock or gap analysis, including competition, changes in the shape of the Treasury yield curve, divergent movement among various interest rate indices, and the speed with which interest rates change.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
     The major elements used to manage interest rate risk include the mix of fixed and variable rate assets and liabilities and the maturity and repricing patterns of these assets and liabilities. It is our policy not to invest in derivatives. We perform a quarterly review of assets and liabilities that reprice and the time bands within which the repricing occurs. Balances generally are reported in the time band that corresponds to the instrument’s next repricing date or contractual maturity, whichever occurs first. However, fixed rate indirect automobile loans, mortgage backed securities, and residential mortgage loans are primarily included based on scheduled payments with a prepayment factor incorporated. Through such analyses, we monitor and manage our interest sensitivity gap to minimize the negative effects of changing interest rates.

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     The interest rate sensitivity structure within our balance sheet at September 30, 2007, indicated a cumulative net interest sensitivity liability gap of 9.13% when projecting out one year. In the near term, defined as 90 days, there was a cumulative net interest sensitivity asset gap of 4.26% at September 30, 2007. When projecting forward six months, there was a slight cumulative net interest sensitivity liability gap of .59%. This information represents a general indication of repricing characteristics over time; however, the sensitivity of certain deposit products may vary during extreme swings in the interest rate cycle. Since all interest rates and yields do not adjust at the same velocity, the interest rate sensitivity gap is only a general indicator of the potential effects of interest rate changes on net interest income. Our policy states that the cumulative gap at six months and one year should generally not exceed 15% and 10%, respectively. We have positioned our average time deposit maturities in the six month to one year range based on the above, resulting in an increase in our liability sensitivity and positioning ourselves to take advantage of flat to falling interest rates. The interest rate shock analysis is generally considered to be a better indicator of interest rate risk and it reflects this increase in liability sensitivity.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
     See Item 2 “Market Risk” and “Interest Rate Sensitivity” for quantitative and qualitative discussion about our market risk.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
     Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Fidelity’s management supervised and participated in an evaluation, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on, or as of the date of, that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
     There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 30, 2007, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
     We are a party to claims and lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. Although the ultimate outcome of all claims and lawsuits outstanding as of September 30, 2007, cannot be ascertained at this time, it is the opinion of management that these matters, when resolved, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors
     While the Company attempts to identify, manage, and mitigate risks and uncertainties associated with its business to the extent practical under the circumstances, some level of risk and uncertainty will always be present. Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, describes some of the risks and uncertainties associated with our business. These risks and uncertainties have the potential to materially affect our cash flows, results of operations, and financial condition. We do not believe that there have been any material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed as part of this Report.
       
 
3(a)
  Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Fidelity Southern Corporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(f) to Fidelity Southern Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003).
 
 
   
 
3(b)
  By-Laws of Fidelity Southern Corporation, as amended.
 
 
   
 
4
  See exhibits 3(a) and 3(b) for provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, as amended, which define the rights of shareholders.
 
 
   
 
31.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
   
 
31.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
   
 
32.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
   
 
32.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
             
    FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION    
              (Registrant)
 
           
Date: November 8, 2007
  BY:   /s/ James B. Miller, Jr.    
 
     
 
James B. Miller, Jr.
   
 
      Chief Executive Officer    
 
           
Date: November 8, 2007
  BY:   /s/ B. Rodrick Marlow    
 
           
 
      B. Rodrick Marlow    
 
      Chief Financial Officer    

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