form10k.htm


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

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

OR

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

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission File Number:  000-31225
 
Graphic
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
 
Tennessee
 
62-1812853
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
150 Third Avenue South, Suite 900, Nashville, Tennessee
37201
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (615) 744-3700

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

Title of Each Class
 
Name of Exchange on which Registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00
 
Nasdaq Global Select Market
 
Securities registered to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o   No x
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o No x
 
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 x  No o
 


 
 

 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) 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. o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):
 
Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer x Non-accelerated Filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller Reporting Company o
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o   No x
 
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter:  $531,158,696 as of June 30, 2011.

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE REGISTRANTS

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 34,607,034 shares of common stock as of February 24, 2012.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, scheduled to be held April 17, 2012, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
 
 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
     
Page No.
PART I
     
       
ITEM1
 
4
       
ITEM 1A.
 
18
       
ITEM 1B.
 
25
       
ITEM 2.
 
25
       
ITEM 3.
 
26
       
ITEM 4.
 
26
       
PART II
     
       
ITEM 5.
 
27
       
ITEM 6.
 
28
       
ITEM 7.
 
29
       
ITEM 7A.
 
57
       
ITEM 8.
 
58
       
ITEM 9.
 
107
       
ITEM 9A.
 
107
       
ITEM 9B.
 
107
       
PART III
     
       
ITEM 10.
 
108
       
ITEM 11.
 
108
       
ITEM 12.
 
108
       
ITEM 13.
 
108
       
ITEM 14.
 
108
       
ITEM 15.
 
109
       
111

 
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain of the statements in this report may constitute 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. The words “expect,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “objective,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” ”should,” “seek,” “estimate” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but other statements not based on historical information may also be considered forward-looking. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Pinnacle Financial to differ materially from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation, (i) deterioration in the financial condition of borrowers resulting in significant increases in loan losses and provisions for those losses; (ii) continuation of the historically low, short-term interest rate environment; (iii) the inability of Pinnacle Financial to grow its loan portfolio in the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin MSA (“the Nashville MSA”) and the Knoxville MSA; (iv) changes in loan underwriting, credit review or loss reserve policies associated with economic conditions, examination conclusions, or regulatory developments; (v) effectiveness of Pinnacle Financial’s asset management activities in improving, resolving or liquidating lower-quality assets; (vi) increased competition with other financial institutions; (vii) greater than anticipated adverse conditions in the national or local economies including the Nashville MSA and the Knoxville MSA, particularly in commercial and residential real estate markets; (viii) rapid fluctuations or unanticipated changes in interest rates; (ix) the results of regulatory examinations; (x) the development of any new market other than Nashville or Knoxville; (xi) a merger or acquisition; (xii) any matter that would cause Pinnacle Financial to conclude that there was impairment of any asset, including intangible assets; (xiii) the ability to attract additional financial advisors or to attract customers from other financial institutions and conversely, the inability to realize the economic benefits of newly hired financial advisors; (xiv) the impact of governmental restrictions on and discretionary regulatory authority over entities participating in the Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “U.S. Treasury”); (xv) further deterioration in the valuation of other real estate owned and increased expenses associated therewith; (xvi) inability to comply with regulatory capital requirements or to secure any required regulatory approvals for capital actions, including redemption of the remaining preferred shares sold to the U.S. Treasury that are outstanding; and, (xvii) changes in state and federal legislation, regulations or policies applicable to banks and other financial service providers, including regulatory or legislative developments arising out of current unsettled conditions in the economy, including implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). A more detailed description of these and other risks is contained in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” below.  Many of such factors are beyond Pinnacle Financial’s ability to control or predict, and readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Pinnacle Financial disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

PART I

Unless this Form 10-K indicates otherwise or the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” “the firm,” “Pinnacle Financial Partners,” “Pinnacle” or “Pinnacle Financial” as used herein refer to Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc., and its subsidiaries, including Pinnacle National Bank, which we sometimes refer to as “Pinnacle National,” “our bank subsidiary” or “our bank” and its other subsidiaries.  References herein to the fiscal years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 mean our fiscal years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
 
OVERVIEW

Pinnacle Financial Partners is the second-largest bank holding company headquartered in Tennessee, with $4.9 billion in assets as of December 31, 2011.  Incorporated on February 28, 2000, the holding company is the parent company of Pinnacle National and owns 100% of the capital stock of Pinnacle National.  The firm started operations on October 27, 2000, with one office in Nashville, Tennessee, and has since grown to 32 offices, including 29 in eight Middle Tennessee counties.  The firm also has three offices in Knoxville, Tennessee, the state’s third-largest banking market.

The firm operates as a community bank primarily in the urban markets of Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee.  As an urban community bank, Pinnacle Financial provides the personalized service most often associated with small community banks, while seeking to offer the sophisticated products and services, such as investments and treasury management, more typically offered by large regional and national banks.   This approach has enabled Pinnacle Financial to attract clients from the regional and national banks in the Nashville and Knoxville MSAs.  As a result, Pinnacle has grown to the fourth largest market share in the Nashville MSA and to the seventh largest market share in the Knoxville MSA.

 
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Competitive Conditions

The Nashville MSA banking market is very competitive, with 63 financial institutions with over $37.9 billion in deposits in the market as of June 30, 2011, up from approximately $37.2 billion at June 30, 2010 according to FDIC data.  As of June 30, 2011, approximately 63.8% of this deposit base was controlled by seven large, multi-state banks headquartered outside of Nashville, consisting of the following: Bank of America (headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina), Regions Financial (headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama), SunTrust (headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia), First Horizon (headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee), Wells Fargo (headquartered in San Francisco, CA), Fifth Third (headquartered in Cinncinnati, OH), and US Bank National Association (headquartered in Minneapolis, MN).  According to FDIC deposit information, the collective market share of deposits in the Nashville MSA of Regions Financial (including the acquired Union Planters National Bank and AmSouth Bank), Bank of America, US Bank National Association (including the acquired First Union) and SunTrust (including the acquired National Bank of Commerce) declined from approximately 68.9% to 63.8% between June 30, 2001 and June 30, 2011.  Pinnacle, on the other hand, after only eleven years of operations, now holds the No. 4 market share position in the Nashville MSA at June 30, 2011 with 9.0% of the market, immediately behind the top three out-of-state banks.

The Knoxville MSA banking market is also very competitive, with 44 financial institutions with over $13.7 billion in deposits in the market as of June 30, 2011.  According to FDIC data, bank and thrift deposits in the Knoxville MSA grew from approximately $12.6 billion at June 30, 2010 to more than $13.7 billion at June 30, 2011.  As of June 30, 2011, approximately 61.6% of this deposit base was controlled by four large, multi-state banks headquartered outside of Knoxville, consisting of the following: First Horizon, SunTrust, Regions Financial, and BB&T (headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina).  According to FDIC deposit information, the collective market share of deposits in the Knoxville MSA of First Horizon, Regions Financial, BB&T (including the acquired BankFirst) and SunTrust declined from 65.7% to 61.6% between June 30, 2001 and June 30, 2011. At June 30, 2007, shortly after Pinnacle Financial first opened a location in Knoxville, the collective market share of deposits in the Knoxville MSA for the same four competitors was 63.4%.  A significant portion of the decline in market share for the top four competitors has occurred since Pinnacle Financial established a presence in the Knoxville MSA.
 
Consequently, while large, multi-state institutions are well established in both of our market areas, the general trends indicate that a majority of the community banks in our market areas have been able to increase their aggregate deposit market share in recent years at the expense of the larger, multi-state banks.

We believe that the most important criteria to our bank’s targeted clients when selecting a bank is their desire to receive exceptional and personal customer service while being able to enjoy convenient access to a broad array of sophisticated financial products. Additionally, when presented with a choice, we believe that many of our bank’s targeted clients would prefer to deal with a locally-owned institution headquartered in Tennessee, like Pinnacle National, as opposed to a large, multi-state bank, where many important decisions regarding a client’s financial affairs are made elsewhere.

Employees

As of February 15, 2012, we employed 742.5 full-time equivalent associates.  We believe these associates are Pinnacle’s most important asset. We consider our relationship with our associates to be excellent.  This is supported by the fact that for the ninth consecutive year, Pinnacle was named by the Nashville Business Journal as the “Best Place to Work in Nashville” among Middle Tennessee’s large companies with more than 100 employees.  The selection is based on an anonymously conducted survey of associates.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Lending Services

We offer a full range of lending products, including commercial, real estate and consumer loans to individuals and small-to medium-sized businesses and professional entities.  We compete for these loans with competitors who are also well established in the Nashville and Knoxville MSAs.

Pinnacle National’s loan approval policies provide for various levels of officer lending authority. When the total amount of loans to a single borrower exceeds an individual officer’s lending authority, officers with higher lending authority determine whether to approve any new loan requests or renewals of existing loans.  Loans to insiders require approval of the board, and, beginning in February 2010, extensions of credit to certain adversely classified loans require approval of a loan committee of the board.

 
Page 5

 
Pinnacle National’s lending activities are subject to a variety of lending limits imposed by federal law. Differing limits apply based on the type of loan or the nature of the borrower, including the borrower’s relationship to Pinnacle National. In general, however, at December 31, 2011, we were able to loan any one borrower a maximum amount equal to approximately $79.3 million plus an additional $132.1 million, or a total of approximately $211.4 million, for loans that meet certain additional federal collateral guidelines. These legal limits will increase or decrease as our bank subsidiary’s capital increases or decreases as a result of its earnings or losses, the injection of additional capital, payments of dividends, or for other reasons. In addition to these regulatory limits, Pinnacle National currently imposes upon itself an internal lending limit of $15 million for relationships seeking current credit approval, which is significantly less than the prescribed legal lending limit. Prior to October 2009, our internal lending limit was $22 million.  At that time, we maintained relationships which had aggregate exposure of greater than $15 million.  These relationships have been grand-fathered under the previous guidelines and are not subject to our $15 million limitation.  We currently have 21 relationships greater than our current in-house limit of $15 million with no relationship in excess of $25 million. Our loan policy requires that the executive committee of the board of directors determine whether to approve any increases in exposure for any relationships that exceed this internal limit.

The principal economic risk associated with each category of loans that Pinnacle National expects to make is the creditworthiness of the borrower. General economic factors affecting a commercial or consumer borrower’s ability to repay include interest, inflation and unemployment rates, as well as other factors affecting a borrower’s assets, clients, suppliers and employees.  Many of Pinnacle National’s commercial loans are made to small- to medium-sized businesses that are sometimes less able to withstand competitive, economic and financial pressures than larger borrowers.  During periods of economic weakness, like those currently being experienced, these businesses may be more adversely affected than other enterprises and may cause increased levels of nonaccrual or other problem loans, loan charge-offs and higher provision for loan losses.

Primarily as a result of our acquisitions of Calvary Bancorp in Murfreesboro, TN in 2006 and Mid-America Bancshares in Nashville, TN in 2007, our portfolio includes residential construction and land acquisition and development loans.  The prolonged and continuing weakness in the economy in our market areas has negatively impacted this industry, and many of our borrowers, significantly.

Pinnacle National’s commercial clients borrow for a variety of purposes. The terms of these loans (which include equipment loans and working capital loans) will vary by purpose and by type of any underlying collateral. Commercial loans may be unsecured or secured by accounts receivable or by other business assets. Pinnacle National also makes a variety of commercial real estate loans, including both investment properties and business loans secured by real estate.  We are seeking to decrease our exposure to the residential construction and land acquisition and development components of our portfolio and since December 31, 2008 we have reduced the amount of these loans from $645.4 million to $274.2 million, a decrease of $371.2 million.

Pinnacle National also makes a variety of loans to individuals for personal, family, investment and household purposes, including secured and unsecured installment and term loans, residential first mortgage loans, home equity loans and home equity lines of credit.   In 2012, Pinnacle National also began offering auto dealer finance services to expand our product offering to automobile dealers and their customers. We also began offering Pinnacle-branded consumer credit cards to select clients of our firm. Prior to 2012, we issued credit cards to our customers on behalf of a third party.

Deposit Services

Pinnacle National seeks to establish a broad base of core deposits, including savings, checking, interest-bearing checking, money market and certificate of deposit accounts. To attract deposits, Pinnacle National has employed a marketing plan in its overall service area primarily based on relationship banking and features a broad product line and competitive rates and services. The primary sources of deposits are residents and businesses located in the Nashville and Knoxville MSAs. Pinnacle National traditionally has obtained these deposits primarily through personal solicitation by its officers and directors, although its use of media advertising has increased in 2011 because of its advertising and banking sponsorship with the Tennessee Titans NFL football team.   In 2009, we began to reduce our reliance on non-core deposits including brokered certificates of deposits and public funds.  At December 31, 2011, we had no brokered deposits.

Pinnacle National also offers its targeted commercial clients a comprehensive array of treasury management services as well as remote deposit services, which allow electronic deposits to be made from the client’s place of business.

 
Page 6


Investment, Trust and Insurance Services

Pinnacle National contracts with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. (RJFS), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, to offer and sell various securities and other financial products to the public from Pinnacle National’s locations through Pinnacle National employees that are also RJFS employees. RJFS is a subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc.

Pinnacle National offers, through RJFS, non-FDIC insured investment products in order to assist Pinnacle National’s clients in achieving their financial objectives consistent with their risk tolerances. Pinnacle National’s suite of investment products include:

 Mutual Funds;
 
 Fixed Annuities;
 Variable Annuities;
 
 Stocks;
 Money Market Instruments;
 
 Financial Planning;
 U.S. Treasury Securities;
 
 Asset Management Accounts; and
 Bonds;
 
 Listed Options.

All of the financial products listed above are offered by RJFS from Pinnacle National’s main office and its other offices. Additionally, we believe that the brokerage and investment advisory program offered by RJFS complements Pinnacle National’s general banking business, and further supports its business philosophy and strategy of delivering to our clients those products and services that meet their financial needs.  Pursuant to its contract with us, RJFS is primarily responsible for the compliance monitoring of dual employees of RJFS and Pinnacle National.  Additionally, Pinnacle National has developed its own compliance-monitoring program in an effort to further ensure that Pinnacle National personnel deliver these products in a manner consistent with the various regulations governing such activities.

Pinnacle National receives a percentage of commission credits and fees generated by the program. Pinnacle National remains responsible for various expenses associated with the program, including promotional expenses, furnishings and equipment expenses and general personnel costs.

Pinnacle National also maintains a trust department which provides fiduciary and investment management services for individual and commercial clients.  Account types include personal trust, endowments, foundations, individual retirement accounts, pensions and custody.  Pinnacle Advisory Services, Inc., a registered investment advisor, provides investment advisory services to its clients.  Additionally, Miller Loughry Beach Insurance Services, Inc., an insurance agency subsidiary of Pinnacle National, provides insurance products, particularly in the property and casualty area, to its clients.

Other Banking Services

Given client demand for increased convenience in accessing banking and investment services, Pinnacle National also offers a broad array of convenience-centered products and services, including 24 hour telephone and Internet banking, debit cards, direct deposit and cash management services for small- to medium-sized businesses. Additionally, Pinnacle National is associated with a nationwide network of automated teller machines of other financial institutions that our clients are able to use throughout Tennessee and other regions. In many cases, Pinnacle National, in contrast to many of its regional competitors, reimburses its clients for any fees that may be charged to the client for utilizing the nationwide ATM network, providing greater convenience as compared to these competitors. Pinnacle National does not charge an annual or monthly fee for use of this ATM network.

OTHER INFORMATION

Investment Securities

In addition to loans, Pinnacle National has investments primarily in obligations of the United States government, obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States government and other securities. No investment in any of those instruments exceeds any applicable limitation imposed by law or regulation. The executive committee of the board of directors reviews the investment portfolio on an ongoing basis in order to ensure that the investments conform to Pinnacle National’s asset liability management policy as set by the board of directors.

Asset and Liability Management

Our Asset Liability Management Committee (ALCO), composed of senior managers of Pinnacle National, manages Pinnacle National’s assets and liabilities and strives to provide a stable, optimized net interest income and margin, adequate liquidity and ultimately a suitable after-tax return on assets and return on equity. ALCO conducts these management functions within the framework of written policies that Pinnacle National’s board of directors has adopted.  ALCO works to maintain an acceptable position between rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities.  The executive committee of the board of directors oversees the ALCO function on an ongoing basis.
 
 
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Available Information

We file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549.  The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  We are an electronic filer, and the SEC maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov that contains the reports, proxy and information statements, and other information we have filed electronically.  Our website address is www.pnfp.com.  Please note that our website address is provided as an inactive textual reference only.  We make available free of charge through our website, the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.  The information provided on our website is not part of this report, and is therefore not incorporated by reference unless such information is otherwise specifically referenced elsewhere in this report.

We have also posted our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Luxury Expenditure Policy, our Corporate Code of Conduct for directors, officers and employees, and the charters of our Audit Committee, Human Resources and Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our board of directors on the Corporate Governance section of our website at www.pnfp.com.  Our corporate governance materials are available free of charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc., 150 Third Avenue South, Suite 900, Nashville, Tennessee 37201.

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

Both Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle National are subject to extensive state and federal banking laws and regulations that impose restrictions on and provide for general regulatory oversight of Pinnacle Financial’s and Pinnacle National’s operations.  These laws and regulations are generally intended to protect depositors and borrowers, not stockholders.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was signed into law, incorporating numerous financial institution regulatory reforms. Many of these reforms were implemented over the course of 2011 through regulations adopted by various federal banking and securities regulatory agencies, while others are expected to be implemented during 2012. The following discussion describes the material elements of the regulatory framework that currently apply. The Dodd-Frank Act implements far-reaching reforms of major elements of the financial landscape, particularly for larger financial institutions. Many of its most far-reaching provisions do not directly impact community-based institutions like Pinnacle National. For instance, provisions that regulate derivative transactions and limit derivatives trading activity of federally-insured institutions, enhance supervision of “systemically significant” institutions, impose new regulatory authority over hedge funds, limit proprietary trading by banks, and phase-out the eligibility of trust preferred securities for Tier 1 capital are among the provisions that do not directly impact Pinnacle Financial either because of exemptions for institutions below a certain asset size or because of the nature of  Pinnacle Financial’s operations. Other provisions that have either been adopted or are expected to be adopted have impacted and will continue to impact Pinnacle National and Pinnacle Financial include:

 
Changing the assessment base for federal deposit insurance from the amount of insured deposits to consolidated assets less tangible capital, eliminating the ceiling and increasing the size of the floor of the Deposit Insurance Fund, and offsetting the impact of the increase in the minimum floor on institutions with less than $10 billion in assets.
 
 
Making permanent the $250,000 limit for federal deposit insurance, increasing the cash limit of Securities Investor Protection Corporation protection to $250,000 and providing unlimited federal deposit insurance until December 31, 2012 for non-interest-bearing demand transaction accounts at all insured depository institutions.
 
 
Repealing the federal prohibition on payment of interest on demand deposits, thereby permitting depositing institutions to pay interest on business transaction and other accounts.
 
 
Centralizing responsibility for consumer financial protection by creating a new agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, responsible for implementing federal consumer protection laws, although banks below $10 billion in assets will continue to be examined and supervised for compliance with these laws by their federal bank regulator.
 
 
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Restricting the preemption of state law by federal law and disallowing national bank subsidiaries from availing themselves of such preemption.

 
Limiting the debit interchange fees that certain financial institutions are permitted to charge.

 
Imposing new requirements for mortgage lending, including new minimum underwriting standards, prohibitions on certain yield-spread compensation to mortgage originators, special consumer protections for mortgage loans that do not meet certain provision qualifications, prohibitions and limitations on certain mortgage terms and various new mandated disclosures to mortgage borrowers.
 
 
Applying the same leverage and risk based capital requirements that apply to insured depository institutions to holding companies, although Pinnacle Financial’s currently outstanding trust preferred securities (but not new issuances) will continue to qualify as Tier 1 capital.
 
 
Permitting national and state banks to establish de novo interstate branches at any location where a bank based in that state could establish a branch, and requiring that bank holding companies and banks be well-capitalized and well managed in order to acquire banks located outside their home state.
 
 
Imposing new limits on affiliated transactions and causing derivative transactions to be subject to lending limits.
 
 
Implementing certain corporate governance revisions that apply to all public companies.
 
As described above, many aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act are not yet effective and remain subject to rulemaking and will take effect over several years, and their impact on Pinnacle Financial or the financial industry is difficult to predict before such regulations are adopted.
 
Pinnacle Financial

We are a bank holding company under the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. As a result, we are subject to the supervision, examination, and reporting requirements of the Bank Holding Company Act and the regulations of the Federal Reserve.

Acquisition of Banks. The Bank Holding Company Act requires every bank holding company to obtain the Federal Reserve’s prior approval before:
 
 
Acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank if, after the acquisition, the bank holding company will directly or indirectly own or control more than 5% of the bank’s voting shares;
 
 
Acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of any bank; or
 
 
Merging or consolidating with any other bank holding company.
 
Additionally, the Bank Holding Company Act provides that the Federal Reserve may not approve any of these transactions if it would substantially lessen competition or otherwise function as a restraint of trade, or result in or tend to create a monopoly, unless the anticompetitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed by the public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of the communities to be served. The Federal Reserve is also required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding companies and banks concerned; the effectiveness of the company in combatting money laundering; the convenience and needs of the communities to be served; and the extent  to which the proposal would result in greater or more concentrated risk to the United States banking or financial system.
 
Under the Bank Holding Company Act, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, if well-capitalized and well managed, a bank holding company located in Tennessee may purchase a bank located outside of Tennessee. Conversely, a well-capitalized and well managed bank holding company located outside of Tennessee may purchase a bank located inside Tennessee. In each case, however, state law restrictions may be placed on the acquisition of a bank that has only been in existence for a limited amount of time or will result in specified concentrations of deposits. For example, Tennessee law currently prohibits a bank holding company from acquiring control of a Tennessee-based financial institution until the target financial institution has been in operation for three years.
 
 
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Change in Bank Control. Subject to various exceptions, the Bank Holding Company Act and the Federal Change in Bank Control Act, together with related regulations, require Federal Reserve approval prior to any person or company acquiring “control” of a bank holding company. Control is conclusively presumed to exist if an individual or company acquires 25% or more of any class of voting securities of the bank holding company. Control is rebuttably presumed to exist if a person or company acquires 10% or more, but less than 25%, of any class of voting securities and either:
 
 
The bank holding company has registered securities under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or
 
 
No other person owns a greater percentage of that class of voting securities immediately after the transaction.
 
Our common stock is registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The regulations provide a procedure for challenge of the rebuttable control presumption.

Permitted Activities. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 amended the Bank Holding Company Act and expanded the activities in which bank holding companies and affiliates of banks are permitted to engage. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act eliminated many federal and state law barriers to affiliations among banks and securities firms, insurance companies, and other financial service providers. Generally, if we qualify and elect to become a financial holding company, which is described below, we may engage in activities that are:
 
 
Financial in nature;
 
 
Incidental to a financial activity (as determined by the Federal Reserve in consultation with the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury); or
 
 
Complementary to a financial activity and do not pose a substantial risk to the safety or soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally (as determined by the Federal Reserve).
 
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act expressly lists the following activities as financial in nature:
 
 
Lending, trust and other banking activities;
 
 
Insuring, guaranteeing, or indemnifying against loss or harm, or providing and issuing annuities, and acting as principal, agent, or broker for these purposes, in any state;
 
 
Providing financial, investment, or advisory services;
 
 
Issuing or selling instruments representing interests in pools of assets permissible for a bank to hold directly;
 
 
Underwriting, dealing in or making a market in securities;
 
 
Activities that the Federal Reserve has determined to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident to banking or managing or controlling banks;
 
 
Activities permitted outside of the United States that the Federal Reserve has determined to be usual in connection with banking or other financial operations abroad;
 
 
Merchant banking through securities or insurance affiliates; and
 
 
Insurance company portfolio investments.
 
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act also authorizes the Federal Reserve, in consultation with the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, to determine activities in addition to those listed above that are financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity. In determining whether a particular activity is financial in nature or incidental or complementary to a financial activity, the Federal Reserve must consider (1) the purpose of the Bank Holding Company Act and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, (2) changes or reasonably expected changes in the marketplace in which financial holding companies compete and in the technology for delivering financial services, and (3) whether the activity is necessary or appropriate to allow financial holding companies to effectively compete with other financial service providers and to efficiently deliver information and services.  We have not elected to become a financial holding company as of the date of this report.
 
 
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Under the Bank Holding Company Act, a bank holding company, which has not qualified or elected to become a financial holding company, is generally prohibited from engaging in or acquiring direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company engaged in nonbanking activities unless, prior to the enactment of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Federal Reserve found those activities to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident to the business of banking. Activities that the Federal Reserve has found to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident to the business of banking include:
 
 
Factoring accounts receivable;
 
 
Acquiring or servicing loans;
 
 
Leasing personal property;
 
 
Conducting discount securities brokerage activities;
 
 
Performing selected data processing services;
 
 
Acting as agent or broker in selling credit life insurance and other types of insurance in connection with credit transactions; and
 
 
Underwriting certain insurance risks of the holding company and its subsidiaries.
 
Despite prior approval, the Federal Reserve may order a bank holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any of these activities or to terminate its ownership or control of any subsidiary when it has reasonable cause to believe that the bank holding company’s continued ownership, activity or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness, or stability of any of its bank subsidiaries.

Support of Subsidiary Institutions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, and previously under Federal Reserve policy, we are required to act as a source of financial strength for our bank subsidiary, Pinnacle National, and to commit resources to support Pinnacle National. This support can be required at times when it would not be in the best interest of our stockholders or creditors to provide it. In the unlikely event of our bankruptcy, any commitment by us to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of Pinnacle National would be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.

Participation in the Capital Purchase Program of the Troubled Asset Relief Program.  On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) became law. On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), more commonly known as the economic stimulus or economic recovery package. ARRA, which amends EESA, includes a wide variety of programs intended to stimulate the economy and provide for extensive infrastructure, energy, health, and education needs.  Under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) authorized by EESA, the U.S. Treasury established a capital purchase program (CPP) providing for the purchase of senior preferred shares of qualifying U.S. controlled banks, savings associations and certain bank and savings and loan holding companies. On December 12, 2008, Pinnacle Financial sold 95,000 shares of Series A preferred stock and warrants to acquire 534,910 shares of common stock to the U.S. Treasury pursuant to the CPP for aggregate consideration of $95 million. Under ARRA, Pinnacle Financial is permitted to redeem the preferred shares it sold to the U.S. Treasury without penalty and without the need to raise new capital, subject to the U.S. Treasury’s consultation with Pinnacle Financial’s and Pinnacle National’s appropriate regulatory agency.  On June 16, 2009, Pinnacle Financial completed the sale of 8,855,000 shares of its common stock in a public offering, resulting in net proceeds to Pinnacle Financial of approximately $109.0 million.  As a result, and pursuant to the terms of the warrants issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with Pinnacle Financial’s participation in the CPP, the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with the CPP was reduced by 50%, or 267,455 shares.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, Pinnacle Financial repurchased 25% of the preferred shares originally issued to the U.S. Treasury under the CPP in a transaction totaling approximately $23.9 million. Following the partial redemption of preferred shares, 71,250 shares of Series A Preferred stock remain issued and outstanding and held by the U.S. Treasury.

In connection with Pinnacle Financial’s participation in the CPP, Pinnacle Financial agreed to not pay dividends on its common stock for three years following consummation of the U.S. Treasury’s investment and to certain limitations on executive compensation.  For as long as the U.S. Treasury owns any debt or equity securities of Pinnacle Financial issued in connection with the CPP, Pinnacle Financial will be required to take all necessary action to ensure that its benefit plans with respect to its senior executive officers comply in all respects with Section 111(b) of EESA, as amended by ARRA, and the regulations issued and in effect thereunder as of the closing date of the sale of the preferred shares to the U.S. Treasury, as modified by the U.S. Treasury’s interim final rule related to compensation and corporate governance issued on June 15, 2009 (the IFR). This means that, among other things, while the U.S. Treasury owns debt or equity securities issued by Pinnacle Financial in connection with the CPP, Pinnacle Financial must:
 
 
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Ensure that the incentive compensation programs for its senior executive officers do not encourage unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of Pinnacle Financial;
 
 
Implement a required clawback of any bonus or incentive compensation paid to Pinnacle Financial’s senior executive officers and next twenty most highly compensated employees based on materially inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance metric and such employees may not receive any gross up or reimbursement of taxes owed on any compensation;
 
 
Not make any bonus, incentive or retention payment to any of Pinnacle Financial’s five most highly compensated employees, except as permitted under the IFR;
 
 
Not make any “golden parachute payment” (as defined in the IFR) to any of Pinnacle Financial’s senior executive officers or five next most highly compensated employees; and
 
 
Not deduct for tax purposes executive compensation in excess of $500,000 in any one fiscal year for each of Pinnacle Financial’s senior executive officers.
 
Pinnacle National

We own one bank - Pinnacle National.  Pinnacle National is a national bank chartered under the federal National Bank Act. As a result, it is subject to the supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the National Bank Act and the regulations of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the OCC). The OCC has the authority to approve or disapprove mergers, the establishment of branches and similar corporate actions.  The OCC regularly examines national banks like Pinnacle National and in connection with its examinations may identify matters necessary to improve a bank’s operation in accordance with principles of safety and soundness.  Any matters identified in such examinations are required to be appropriately addressed by the bank. Pinnacle National is also subject to numerous state and federal statutes and regulations that will affect its business, activities and operations.

Branching. While the OCC has authority to approve branch applications, national banks are required by the National Bank Act to adhere to branching laws applicable to state chartered banks in the states in which they are located. With prior regulatory approval, Tennessee law permits banks based in the state to either establish new or acquire existing branch offices throughout Tennessee. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, Pinnacle National and any other national or state-chartered bank generally may branch across state lines to the same extent as banks chartered in the state of the branch.

FDIC Insurance. The FDIC has adopted a risk-based assessment system for insured depository institutions that takes into account the risks attributable to different categories and concentrations of assets and liabilities. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC has adopted regulations that base deposit insurance assessments on total assets less capital rather than deposit liabilities and  include off-balance sheet liabilities of institutions and their affiliates in risk-based assessments.

The Dodd-Frank Act increased the basic limit on federal deposit insurance coverage to $250,000 per depositor. In addition, non-interest bearing deposit transaction accounts have unlimited FDIC insurance coverage until December 31, 2012. The Dodd-Frank Act also repealed the prohibition on paying interest on demand transaction accounts, but did not extend unlimited insurance protection for these accounts.

The FDIC may terminate its insurance of deposits if it finds that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC.

Capital Adequacy

Both Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle National are required to comply with the capital adequacy standards established by the Federal Reserve, in our case, and the OCC, in the case of Pinnacle National. The Federal Reserve has established a risk-based and a leverage measure of capital adequacy for bank holding companies. Pinnacle National is also subject to risk-based and leverage capital requirements adopted by the OCC, which are substantially similar to those adopted by the Federal Reserve for bank holding companies. In addition, the OCC may require national banks to maintain capital at levels higher than those required by general regulatory requirements.
 
 
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The risk-based capital standards are designed to make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banks and bank holding companies, to account for off-balance-sheet exposure, and to minimize disincentives for holding liquid assets. Assets and off-balance-sheet items, such as letters of credit and unfunded loan commitments, are assigned to broad risk categories, each with appropriate risk weights. The resulting capital ratios represent capital as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets and off-balance-sheet items.

Under Federal Reserve guidelines, the minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets is 8%. Total capital consists of two components, Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital. Tier 1 capital generally consists of common stock, minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, and a limited amount of cumulative perpetual preferred stock, less goodwill and other specified intangible assets. The preferred stock that Pinnacle Financial sold to the U.S. Treasury in connection with the CPP and the trust preferred securities previously issued by Pinnacle Financial each qualifies as Tier 1 capital, and as described below will continue to qualify as Tier 1 capital under the Dodd-Frank Act. Under Federal Reserve guidelines, Tier 1 capital must equal at least 4% of risk-weighted assets. Tier 2 capital generally consists of subordinated debt, other preferred stock, and a limited amount of loan loss reserves. The total amount of Tier 2 capital is limited to 100% of Tier 1 capital.  For a holding company to be considered “well-capitalized,” it must maintain a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6% and not be subject to a written agreement, order or directive to maintain a specific capital level.

In addition, the Federal Reserve has established minimum leverage ratio guidelines for bank holding companies. These guidelines provide that a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets, less goodwill and other specified intangible assets, of at least 4% should be maintained for most bank holding companies. The guidelines also provide that bank holding companies experiencing high internal growth or making acquisitions will be expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels. Furthermore, the Federal Reserve has indicated that it will consider a bank holding company’s Tier 1 capital leverage ratio, after deducting all intangibles, and other indicators of capital strength in evaluating proposals for expansion or new activities.

In late 2010, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision issued Basel III, a new capital framework for banks and bank holding companies. Basel III will impose a stricter definition of capital, with more focus on common equity for those banks to which it is applicable. At this time, we do not know whether Basel III, as implemented in the United States will be applicable to us and Pinnacle National.

The Federal Reserve has recently adopted regulations applicable to bank holding companies with assets over $50 billion that require such holding companies to develop and submit to the Federal Reserve annually capital plans demonstrating the company’s ability to meet, under various stressed economic conditions and over a nine-quarter planning horizon, the above-described minimum leverage capital, Tier 1 risk based capital and total risk based capital requirements, as well as a minimum Tier 1 common capital Ratio (Tier 1 risk based capital less preferred stock and trust preferred securities) of at least 5%.

The OCC has adopted regulations requiring national banks to meet minimum ratios for leverage capital to assets and total capital to risk-based assets. The minimum leverage capital ratio is generally 4% and the minimum total risk based capital ratio is 8%. The OCC can require individual banks to maintain higher minimum ratios, and in the first quarter of 2010, the OCC established a minimum leverage capital ratio for Pinnacle National of 8% and a minimum total capital to net based assets ratio of 12%. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the OCC lifted this individual minimum capital requirement on Pinnacle National although it remains as an internal policy.

Failure to meet statutorily mandated capital guidelines or more restrictive ratios separately established for a financial institution could subject a bank or bank holding company to a variety of enforcement remedies, including issuance of a capital directive, the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, a prohibition on accepting or renewing brokered deposits, limitations on the rates of interest that the institution may pay on its deposits and other restrictions on its business. As described above, significant additional restrictions can be imposed on FDIC-insured depository institutions that fail to meet applicable capital requirements.

Additionally, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 establishes a system of prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized financial institutions. Under this system, the federal banking regulators have established five capital categories (well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized) into one of which all institutions are placed. Federal banking regulators are required to take various mandatory supervisory actions and are authorized to take other discretionary actions with respect to institutions in the three undercapitalized categories. The severity of the action depends upon the capital category in which the institution is placed. Generally, subject to a narrow exception, the banking regulator must appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is critically undercapitalized. The federal banking agencies have specified by regulation the relevant capital level for each category.
 
 
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Under OCC regulations, a national bank is “well capitalized” if it has a leverage capital ratio of 5% or better, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6% or better, a total risk based capital ratio of 10% or better, and is not subject to a regulatory agreement, order or directive to maintain a specific level for any capital measure. A national bank is considered “adequately capitalized” if it has a leverage ratio of at least 4%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 4%, a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 8% and does not meet the definition of a well-capitalized bank. Lower levels of capital result in a bank being considered undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized.

National banks are required to be ‘well capitalized” in order to take advantage of expedited procedures on certain applications, such as branches and mergers, and to accept and renew brokered deposits without further regulatory approval.

Federal banking regulators are required to take various mandatory supervisory actions and are authorized to take other discretionary actions with respect to institutions in the three undercapitalized categories. The severity of the action depends upon the capital category in which the institution is placed. Generally, subject to a narrow exception, the banking regulator must appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is critically undercapitalized. The federal banking agencies have specified by regulation the relevant capital level for each category.

An institution that is categorized as undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, or critically undercapitalized is required to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan to its appropriate federal banking agency. In addition, a bank holding company must guarantee that a subsidiary depository institution meets its capital restoration plan, subject to various limitations. The controlling holding company’s obligation to fund a capital restoration plan is limited to the lesser of 5% of an undercapitalized subsidiary’s assets or the amount required to meet regulatory capital requirements. An undercapitalized institution is also generally prohibited from increasing its average total assets, making acquisitions, establishing any branches or engaging in any new line of business, except under an accepted capital restoration plan or with FDIC approval. The regulations also establish procedures for downgrading an institution into a lower capital category based on supervisory factors other than capital.  As of December 31, 2011, Pinnacle National would be considered “well-capitalized” by the OCC.

The Dodd-Frank Act contains a number of provisions dealing with capital adequacy of insured depository institutions and their holding companies, and for the most part will result in insured depository institutions and their holding companies being subject to more stringent capital requirements. Under the so-called Collins Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act, federal regulators have established minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements for, among other entities, banks and bank holding companies on a consolidated basis. These minimum requirements require that a bank holding company maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio of not less than 4% and a total risk-based capital ratio of not less than 8%. The Collins Amendment also excludes trust preferred securities issued after May 19, 2010 from being included in Tier 1 capital unless the issuing company is a bank holding company with less than $500 million in total assets. Trust preferred securities issued prior to that date will continue to count as Tier 1 capital for bank holding companies with less than $15 billion in total assets, and such securities will be phased out of Tier 1 capital treatment for bank holding companies with over $15 billion in total assets over a three-year period beginning in 2013. The Collins Amendment did not exclude preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury through the CPP from Tier 1 capital treatment. Accordingly, Pinnacle Financial’s trust preferred securities and preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury through the CPP will continue to qualify as Tier 1 capital.

At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle National’s Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 12.5%, its total risk-based capital ratio was 14.0% and its leverage ratio was 10.3%, compared to 11.8%, 13.4 % and 9.2% at December 31, 2010, respectively.  More information concerning our, and Pinnacle National’s, regulatory ratios at December 31, 2011 is included in Note 20 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Payment of Dividends

We are a legal entity separate and distinct from Pinnacle National. Since inception, Pinnacle Financial has not paid dividends to its common stockholders. Over time, the principal source of our cash flow, including cash flow to pay dividends to our holders of trust preferred securities, holders of the Series A preferred stock we issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with the CPP and any potential dividends we may ultimately pay to common stock stockholders, will be dividends that Pinnacle National pays to us as its sole stockholder. Under Tennessee law, we are not permitted to pay dividends if, after giving effect to such payment, we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the usual course of business or our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus any amounts needed to satisfy any preferential rights if we were dissolving. In addition, in deciding whether or not to declare a dividend of any particular size, our board of directors must consider our and Pinnacle National’s current and prospective capital, liquidity, and other needs.

 
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In addition to the limitations on our ability to pay dividends under Tennessee law, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock has also been limited by our participation in the CPP and by certain statutory or regulatory limitations.  Prior to December 12, 2011, the consent of the U.S. Treasury was required before we could declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on our common stock. After December 12, 2011, we are no longer prohibited from paying dividends on our common stock without the consent of the U.S. Treasury; however, to pay common dividends, we must be current in the payment of quarterly dividends on the Series A preferred stock.  Additionally, we have informally committed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, that we will not pay dividends on our preferred stock, including our Series A preferred stock, trust preferred securities or common stock without the prior consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Generally, the Federal Reserve indicates that holding companies that are experiencing financial difficulties generally should eliminate, reduce or defer dividends on Tier 1 capital instruments, including trust preferred, preferred stock or common stock, if the holding company needs to conserve capital for safe and sound operation and to serve as a source of strength to its subsidiaries.

Statutory and regulatory limitations also apply to Pinnacle National’s payment of dividends to us.  Pinnacle National is required by federal law to obtain the prior approval of the OCC for payments of dividends if the total of all dividends declared by its board of directors in any year will exceed (1) the total of Pinnacle National’s net profits for that year, plus (2) Pinnacle National’s retained net profits of the preceding two years, less any required transfers to surplus.  As of January 1, 2012, Pinnacle National could pay dividends to us of $20.8 million. However, we have informally committed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta that we will not pay any dividends to Pinnacle Financial from Pinnacle National without their prior consent. During 2011, Pinnacle National did not pay dividends to Pinnacle Financial. Generally, federal regulatory policy encourages holding company debt to be serviced by subsidiary bank dividends or additional equity rather than debt issuances.  Until such time as it receives dividends from Pinnacle National, Pinnacle Financial anticipates servicing its preferred stock dividend and subordinated indebtedness requirements from its available cash balances which amounted to approximately $36.5 million at December 31, 2011.

The payment of dividends by Pinnacle National and us may also be affected by other factors, such as the requirement to maintain adequate capital above statutorily mandated guidelines, or more restrictive requirements imposed on Pinnacle National or us by our regulators. The federal banking agencies have indicated that paying dividends that deplete a depository institution’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice. Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, a depository institution may not pay any dividend if payment would cause it to become undercapitalized or if it already is undercapitalized. Moreover, the federal agencies have issued policy statements that provide that bank holding companies and insured banks should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings. See “Capital Adequacy” above.

Restrictions on Transactions with Affiliates

Both Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle National are subject to the provisions of Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act. Section 23A places limits on the amount of:
 
A bank’s loans or extensions of credit, including purchases of assets subject to an agreement to repurchase, to affiliates;
 
A bank’s investment in affiliates;
 
Assets a bank may purchase from affiliates, except for real and personal property exempted by the Federal Reserve;
 
The amount of loans or extensions of credit to third parties collateralized by the securities or obligations of affiliates;
 
Transactions involving the borrowing or lending of securities and any derivative transaction that results in credit exposure to an affiliate; and
 
A bank’s guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit issued on behalf of an affiliate.
 
The total amount of the above transactions is limited in amount, as to any one affiliate, to 10% of a bank’s capital and surplus and, as to all affiliates combined, to 20% of a bank’s capital and surplus. In addition to the limitation on the amount of these transactions, each of the above transactions must also meet specified collateral requirements. Pinnacle National must also comply with other provisions designed to avoid the taking of low-quality assets.

Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle National are also subject to the provisions of Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act which, among other things, prohibits an institution from engaging in the above transactions with affiliates unless the transactions are on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the institution or its subsidiaries, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated companies.

 
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Pinnacle National is also subject to restrictions on extensions of credit to its executive officers, directors, principal stockholders and their related interests. These extensions of credit (1) must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with third parties, and (2) must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.

Community Reinvestment

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requires that, in connection with examinations of financial institutions within their respective jurisdictions, the Federal Reserve, the OCC or the FDIC shall evaluate the record of each financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. These facts are also considered in evaluating mergers, acquisitions, and applications to open a branch or facility. Failure to adequately meet these criteria could impose additional requirements and limitations on Pinnacle National. Additionally, banks are required to publicly disclose the terms of various Community Reinvestment Act-related agreements. Pinnacle National received a “satisfactory” CRA rating from the OCC on its most recent regulatory examination.

Privacy

Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, financial institutions are required to disclose their policies for collecting and protecting confidential information. Customers generally may prevent financial institutions from sharing personal financial information with nonaffiliated third parties except for third parties that market the institutions’ own products and services. Additionally, financial institutions generally may not disclose consumer account numbers to any nonaffiliated third party for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing or other marketing through electronic mail to consumers. Pinnacle National has established a privacy policy to ensure compliance with federal requirements.

Other Consumer Laws and Regulations

Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by Pinnacle National are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates. For example, under the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, a lender is generally prohibited from charging an annual interest rate in excess of 6% on any obligations for which the borrower is a person on active duty with the United States military. Pinnacle National’s loan operations are also subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as the:
 
Federal Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;
 
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves;
 
Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited factors in extending credit;
 
Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1978, governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies;
 
Fair Debt Collection Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies;
 
Bank Secrecy Act, governing how banks and other firms report certain currency transactions and maintain appropriate safeguards against “money laundering” activities;
 
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, governing the repayment terms of, and property rights underlying, secured obligations of persons in active military service; and
 
Rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing the federal laws.
 
 
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Pinnacle National’s deposit operations are subject to the:
 
Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records; and
 
Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E issued by the Federal Reserve to implement that act, which govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers’ rights and liabilities (including with respect to the permissibility of overdraft charges) arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services.
 
Anti-Terrorism Legislation

On October 26, 2001, the President of the United States signed the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001. Under the USA PATRIOT Act, financial institutions are subject to prohibitions against specified financial transactions and account relationships as well as enhanced due diligence and “know your customer” standards in their dealings with foreign financial institutions and foreign customers.

In addition, the USA PATRIOT Act authorizes the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury to adopt rules increasing the cooperation and information sharing between financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement authorities regarding individuals, entities and organizations engaged in, or reasonably suspected based on credible evidence of engaging in, terrorist acts or money laundering activities. Any financial institution complying with these rules will not be deemed to have violated the privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, as discussed above. Pinnacle National currently has policies and procedures in place designed to comply with the USA PATRIOT Act.

Recent and Proposed Legislation and Regulatory Action

New regulations and statutes are regularly proposed that contain wide-ranging proposals for altering the structures, regulations and competitive relationships of the nation’s financial institutions. In 2010, the U.S. Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Act, which includes significant consumer protection provisions related to, among other things, residential mortgage loans that have increased, and are likely to further increase, our regulatory compliance costs. We expect that the Dodd-Frank Act will continue to have a negative impact on our earnings through fee reductions, higher costs and new restrictions.  The ultimate impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on our businesses and results of operations will depend on regulatory interpretation and rulemaking, as well as the success of any of our actions to mitigate the negative earnings impact of certain provisions. We cannot predict whether or in what form any proposed regulation or statute will be adopted or the extent to which our business may be affected by any new regulation or statute. With the enactments of EESA, AARA and the Dodd-Frank Act and the significant amount of regulations that have been issued in 2010 and 2011 and that are to come from the passage of that legislation, the nature and extent of the future legislative and regulatory changes affecting financial institutions and the resulting impact on those institutions is very unpredictable at this time. The Dodd-Frank Act, in particular, requires that a significant number of new regulations be adopted by various financial regulatory agencies over 2011 and 2012.

Effect of Governmental Monetary Policies

Our earnings are affected by domestic economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government and its agencies. The Federal Reserve’s monetary policies have had, and are likely to continue to have, an important impact on the operating results of commercial banks through the Federal Reserve’s statutory power to implement national monetary policy in order, among other things, to curb inflation or combat a recession. The Federal Reserve, through its monetary and fiscal policies, affects the levels of bank loans, investments and deposits through its control over the issuance of United States government securities, its regulation of the discount rate applicable to member banks and its influence over reserve requirements to which member banks are subject. We cannot predict the nature or impact of future changes in monetary and fiscal policies.

 
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ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves various risks which are particular to our company, our industry and our market area. If any of the following risks were to occur, we may not be able to conduct our business as currently planned and our financial condition or operating results could be negatively impacted.  These matters could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline in future periods.

Negative developments in the U.S. and local economy and in local real estate markets have adversely impacted our results and may continue to adversely impact our results in the future.

Economic conditions in the markets in which we operate deteriorated significantly between early 2008 and the middle of 2010. As a result, we incurred significant losses in 2009 and the first half of 2010 and have continued to experience reduced earnings since that period as compared to our historical level of performance. These challenges resulted primarily from provisions for loan losses and other real estate expense related to declining collateral values in our real estate loan portfolio and increased costs associated with our portfolio of other real estate owned. Although economic conditions began to stabilize in our markets in the second half of 2010 and throughout 2011 and we began to refocus our efforts on growing our earning assets, we believe that we will continue to experience a somewhat, albeit less, challenging economic environment in 2012. Accordingly, we expect that our results of operations will continue to be negatively impacted by economic conditions, including reduced loan demand, in 2012. There can be no assurance that the economic conditions that have adversely affected the financial services industry, and the capital, credit and real estate markets, generally, or us in particular, will improve materially, or at all, in the near future, or thereafter, in which case we could continue to experience reduced earnings or again experience significant losses and write-downs of assets, and could face capital and liquidity constraints or other business challenges.

Our loan portfolio includes a meaningful amount of real estate construction and development loans, which have a greater credit risk than residential mortgage loans.

Although we have made meaningful progress over the last two years in reducing our concentration of real estate construction and development loans, the percentage of these loans in Pinnacle National’s portfolio was approximately 8.3% of total loans at December 31, 2011. These loans make up approximately 27.1% of our non-performing loans at December 31, 2011. This type of lending is generally considered to have relatively high credit risks because the principal is concentrated in a limited number of loans with repayment dependent on the successful completion and operation of the related real estate project. The credit quality of many of these loans has deteriorated as a result of the current adverse conditions in the real estate market. The continued depression in residential real estate market prices and demand could result in further price reductions in home and land values adversely affecting the value of collateral securing the construction and development loans that we hold. These adverse economic and real estate market conditions may lead to further increases in non-performing loans and other real estate owned, increased losses and expenses from the management and disposition of non-performing assets, increases in provision for loan losses, and increases in operating expenses as a result of the allocation of management time and resources to the collection and work out of loans, all of which would negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.

We have a concentration of credit exposure to borrowers in certain industries, and we also target small to medium-sized businesses.

At December 31, 2011, we had significant credit exposures to borrowers in certain businesses, including commercial and residential building lessors, new home builders, and land subdividers. These industries continue to experience adversity as a result of the continued sluggish economic conditions, and, as a result, an increased level of borrowers in these industries have been unable to perform their obligations under their existing loan agreements with us, or have suffered loan downgrades which has negatively impacted our results of operations. If the economic environment in our markets does not improve significantly in 2012 or beyond, these industry concentrations could result in higher than normal deterioration in credit quality, past dues, loan charge offs and collateral value declines, which could cause our earnings to be negatively impacted. Furthermore, any of our large credit exposures that deteriorate unexpectedly could cause us to have to make significant additional loan loss provisions, negatively impacting our earnings.
 
 
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A substantial focus of our marketing and business strategy is to serve small to medium-sized businesses in the Nashville and Knoxville MSAs. As a result, a relatively high percentage of our loan portfolio consists of commercial loans primarily to small to medium-sized businesses. At December 31, 2011, our commercial and industrial loans accounted for almost 34.8% of our total loans up from 31.5% at December 31, 2010. Additionally, approximately, 17.7% of our loans at December 31, 2011 are owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, which are loans to businesses secured by the businesses’ real estate. We expect to seek to expand the amount and percentage of such loans in our portfolio in 2012. During periods of economic weakness like those we are currently experiencing, small to medium-sized businesses may be impacted more severely and more quickly than larger businesses. Consequently, the ability of such businesses to repay their loans may deteriorate, and in some cases this deterioration may occur quickly, which would adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

We are geographically concentrated in the Nashville, Tennessee and Knoxville, Tennessee MSAs, and changes in local economic conditions impact our profitability.

We currently operate primarily in the Nashville, Tennessee and Knoxville, Tennessee MSAs, and most of our loan, deposit and other customers live or have operations in these areas. Accordingly, our success significantly depends upon the growth in population, income levels, deposits and housing starts in these markets, along with the continued attraction of business ventures to the areas, and our profitability is impacted by the changes in general economic conditions in these markets. Economic conditions in the Nashville and Knoxville MSAs remained sluggish during 2011, negatively affecting our operations, particularly the real estate construction and development segment of our loan portfolio. We cannot assure you that economic conditions, including loan demand, in our markets will improve during 2012 or thereafter, and in that case, we may not be able to grow our loan portfolio in line with our expectations, the ability of our customers to repay their loans to us may be negatively impacted and our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted.

Compared to regional or national financial institutions, we are less able to spread the risks of unfavorable local economic conditions across a large number of diversified economies. Moreover, we cannot give any assurance that we will benefit from any market growth or return of more favorable economic conditions in our primary market areas if they do occur.

If our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings will decrease.

If  loan customers with significant loan balances fail to repay their loans, our earnings and capital levels will suffer. We make various assumptions and judgments about the probable losses in our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of any collateral securing the loans. We maintain an allowance for loan losses to cover our estimate of the probable losses in our loan portfolio. In determining the size of this allowance, we utilize estimates  based on analyses of volume and types of loans, internal loan classifications, trends in classifications, volume and trends in delinquencies, nonaccruals and charge-offs, loss experience of various loan categories, national and local economic conditions, industry and peer bank loan quality indications, and other pertinent factors and information. If our assumptions are inaccurate, our current allowance may not be sufficient to cover potential loan losses, and additional provisions may be necessary which would decrease our earnings.

In addition, federal and state regulators periodically review our loan portfolio and may require us to increase our allowance for loan losses or recognize loan charge-offs. Their conclusions about the quality of a particular borrower or our entire loan portfolio may be different than ours. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge offs as required by these regulatory agencies could have a negative effect on our operating results. Moreover, additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic and real estate market conditions, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our management’s control. These additions may require increased provision expense which would negatively impact our results of operations.

We have increased levels of other real estate owned, primarily as a result of foreclosures, and we anticipate higher levels of foreclosed real estate expense.

As we have acted to resolve non-performing real estate loans, we have increased the level of foreclosed properties, primarily those acquired from builders and from residential land developers. Foreclosed real estate expense consists of three types of charges: maintenance costs, valuation adjustments to appraisal values and gains or losses on disposition. As levels of other real estate owned increase and also as local real estate values decline, these charges will increase, negatively impacting our results of operations.

 
Page 19

 
The effectiveness of our asset management activities are critical to our ability to improve, resolve or liquidate nonperforming loans and other real estate owned and thereby reduce loan losses and other real estate expense.
 
Over the last several years, we have undertaken various initiatives to enhance our credit review, loan administration and special asset management and administration procedures, and believe that these enhancements have begun to reduce the levels of our problem and potential problem assets.  However, continued improvement is dependent to a degree on the market conditions and other factors beyond our control and if we are unable to successfully manage our problem and potential problem assets in a timely matter, we could experience materially increased loan losses and other real estate expense.

We are dependent on our information technology and telecommunications systems and third-party servicers, and systems failures, interruptions or breaches of security could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks. Although we take protective measures and endeavor to modify these systems as circumstances warrant, the security of our computer systems, software and networks may be vulnerable to breaches, unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses or other malicious code and other events that could have a security impact.  We outsource many of our major systems, such as data processing, loan servicing and deposit processing systems. The failure of these systems, or the termination of a third-party software license or service agreement on which any of these systems is based, could interrupt our operations. Because our information technology and telecommunications systems interface with and depend on third-party systems, we could experience service denials if demand for such services exceeds capacity or such third-party systems fail or experience interruptions. If sustained or repeated, a system failure or service denial could result in a deterioration of our ability to process new and renewal loans, gather deposits and provide customer service, compromise our ability to operate effectively, damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business and/or subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, we provide our customers the ability to bank remotely, including online over the Internet. The secure transmission of confidential information is a critical element of remote banking. Our network could be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes, spam attacks, human error, natural disasters, power loss and other security breaches. We may be required to spend significant capital and other resources to protect against the threat of security breaches and computer viruses, or to alleviate problems caused by security breaches or viruses. To the extent that our activities or the activities of our customers involve the storage and transmission of confidential information, security breaches and viruses could expose us to claims, litigation and other possible liabilities. Any inability to prevent security breaches or computer viruses could also cause existing customers to lose confidence in our systems and could adversely affect our reputation, results of operations and ability to attract and maintain customers and businesses. In addition, a security breach could also subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability and cause reputational damage.

Environmental liability associated with commercial lending could result in losses.

In the course of business, Pinnacle National may acquire, through foreclosure, properties securing loans it has originated or purchased which are in default. Particularly in commercial real estate lending, there is a risk that hazardous substances could be discovered on these properties. In this event, we, or Pinnacle National, might be required to remove these substances from the affected properties at our sole cost and expense. The cost of this removal could substantially exceed the value of affected properties. We may not have adequate remedies against the prior owner or other responsible parties and could find it difficult or impossible to sell the affected properties. These events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

National or state legislation or regulation may increase our expenses and reduce earnings.
 
Federal bank regulators are increasing regulatory scrutiny, and additional restrictions (including those originating from the Dodd-Frank Act) on financial institutions have been proposed or adopted by regulators and by Congress. Changes in tax law, federal legislation, regulation or policies, such as bankruptcy laws, deposit insurance, consumer protection laws, and capital requirements, among others, can result in significant increases in our expenses and/or charge-offs, which may adversely affect our earnings. Changes in state or federal tax laws or regulations can have a similar impact. Many state and municipal governments, including the State of Tennessee, are under financial stress due to the economy.  As a result, these governments could seek to increase their tax revenues through increased tax levies which could have a meaningful impact on our results of operations.  Furthermore, financial institution regulatory agencies are expected to continue to be very aggressive in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations, including the continued issuance of additional formal or informal enforcement or supervisory actions.   These actions, whether formal or informal, could result in our agreeing to limitations or to take actions that limit our operational flexibility, restrict our growth or increase our capital or liquidity levels. Failure to comply with any formal or informal regulatory restrictions, including informal supervisory actions, could lead to further regulatory enforcement actions. Negative developments in the financial services industry and the impact of recently enacted or new legislation in response to those developments could negatively impact our operations by restricting our business operations, including our ability to originate or sell loans, and adversely impact our financial performance. In addition, industry, legislative or regulatory developments may cause us to materially change our existing strategic direction, capital strategies, compensation or operating plans.
 
 
Page 20

 
Implementation of the various provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act may increase our operating costs or otherwise have a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Act. This landmark legislation includes, among other things, (i) the creation of a Financial Services Oversight Counsel to identify emerging systemic risks and improve interagency cooperation; (ii) the elimination of the Office of Thrift Supervision and the transfer of oversight of federally chartered thrift institutions and their holding companies to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve; (iii) the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency authorized to promulgate and enforce consumer protection regulations relating to financial products that would affect banks and non-bank finance companies; (iv) the establishment of new capital and prudential standards for banks and bank holding companies; (v) the termination of investments by the U.S. Treasury under TARP; (vi) enhanced regulation of financial markets, including the derivatives, securitization and mortgage origination markets; (vii) the elimination of certain proprietary trading and private equity investment activities by banks; (viii) the elimination of barriers to de novo interstate branching by banks; (ix) a permanent increase of the previously implemented temporary increase of FDIC deposit insurance to $250,000; (x) the authorization of interest-bearing transaction accounts; and (xi) changes in how the FDIC deposit insurance assessments will be calculated and an increase in the minimum designated reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund.

Certain provisions of the legislation are not immediately effective or are subject to required studies and implementing regulations. Further, community banks with less than $10 billion in assets (like us) are exempt from certain provisions of the legislation. Although certain regulations implementing portions of the Dodd-Frank Act have been promulgated, we are still unable to predict how this significant new legislation may be interpreted and enforced or how implementing regulations and supervisory policies may affect us. There can be no assurance that these or future reforms will not significantly increase our compliance or operating costs or otherwise have a significant impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to continue to expand into the Knoxville MSA in the time frame and at the levels that we currently expect.
 
In order to continue our expansion into the Knoxville MSA, we will be required to hire additional associates and expand our branch network. We cannot assure you that we will be able to hire the number of experienced associates that we need to successfully execute our strategy in the Knoxville MSA, nor can we assure you that the associates we hire will be able to successfully execute our growth strategy in that market. Additionally, we are required to seek OCC approval prior to the construction of any new branch facility, which cannot be assured.  Because we seek to hire experienced associates, the compensation cost associated with these individuals may be higher than that of other financial institutions of similar size in the market. If we are unable to grow our loan portfolio at planned rates or slow our growth in the Knoxville MSA, the increased compensation expense of these experienced associates may negatively impact our results of operations. Because there will be a period of time before we are able to fully deploy our resources in the Knoxville MSA, our start up costs, including the cost of our associates and our branch expansion, will negatively impact our results of operations.

If we are unable to redeem the remaining outstanding shares of our Series A preferred stock prior to December 12, 2013, the dividend rate payable by us on those shares increases to 9% per annum.

The dividend rate on our Series A preferred stock is currently 5% per annum and will remain 5% per annum until the five year anniversary of the issuance date of those shares.  Thereafter, the dividend rate increases to 9% per annum.  While we believe that we will be able to redeem the remaining outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock prior to the dividend rate increasing, we must receive the approval of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta in order to do so.  While we believe that we will be able to redeem the remaining outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock with minimal or no dilution to our common shareholders, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta may require us to increase our common equity capital in connection with granting its required approval.  If we are required to sell additional shares of common stock to raise additional equity capital in connection with the redemption of shares of our Series A preferred stock that remain outstanding, we may have to sell these shares of common stock at prices below the then current market price of those shares, diluting the ownership interest of our then common shareholders.

 
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Our ability to maintain required capital levels and adequate sources of funding and liquidity could be impacted by changes in the capital markets and deteriorating economic and market conditions.
 
We, and Pinnacle National, are required to maintain certain capital levels established by banking regulations or specified by bank regulators, including those capital maintenance standards imposed on us as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, and we are required to serve as a source of strength to Pinnacle National. We must also maintain adequate funding sources in the normal course of business to support our operations and fund outstanding liabilities. Our ability to maintain capital levels, sources of funding and liquidity could be impacted by changes in the capital markets in which we operate and deteriorating economic and market conditions. We have informally agreed to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta before incurring new debt, repurchasing stock, paying interest on subordinated debt or paying dividends on our common or preferred stock. This repayment and any failure to obtain such approval, could adversely affect our access to the capital markets or ability to obtain funding. Pinnacle National will be required to obtain regulatory approval in order to pay dividends to us unless the amount of such dividends does not exceed its retained net profits for that year plus the preceding two years. Failure by our bank subsidiary to meet applicable capital guidelines or to satisfy certain other regulatory requirements could subject our bank subsidiary to a variety of enforcement remedies available to the federal regulatory authorities.
 
Certain of our deposits and other funding sources may be volatile and impact our liquidity.
 
In addition to the traditional core deposits, such as demand deposit accounts, interest checking, money market savings and certificates of deposits, we utilize several noncore funding sources, such as brokered certificates of deposit, Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Cincinnati advances, federal funds purchased and other sources. We utilize these noncore funding sources to fund the ongoing operations and growth of Pinnacle National. The availability of these noncore funding sources is subject to broad economic conditions and to investor assessment of our financial strength and, as such, the cost of funds may fluctuate significantly and/or be restricted, thus impacting our net interest income, our immediate liquidity and/or our access to additional liquidity. We have somewhat similar risks to the extent core deposits exceed the amount of deposit insurance coverage available.
 
 We impose certain internal limits as to the absolute level of noncore funding we will incur at any point in time. Should we exceed those limitations, we may need to modify our growth plans, liquidate certain assets, participate loans to correspondents or execute other actions to allow for us to return to an acceptable level of noncore funding within a reasonable amount of time.

If the federal funds rate remains at current extremely low levels, our net interest margin, and consequently our net earnings, may be negatively impacted.
 
Because of significant competitive pressures in our market and the negative impact of these pressures on our deposit and loan pricing, coupled with the fact that a significant portion of our loan portfolio has variable rate pricing that moves in concert with changes to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors’ federal funds rate (which is at an extremely low rate as a result of current economic conditions), our net interest margin may be negatively impacted. Additionally, the amount of non-accrual loans and other real estate owned has been and may continue to be elevated. We also expect loan pricing to remain competitive in 2012 and believe that economic factors affecting broader markets will likely result in reduced yields for our investment securities portfolio as prepayments continue to escalate.  As a result, our net interest margin, and consequently our profitability, may continue to be negatively impacted in 2012 and beyond.

Fluctuations in interest rates could reduce our profitability.
 
 The absolute level of interest rates as well as changes in interest rates may affect our level of interest income, the primary component of our gross revenue, as well as the level of our interest expense. Interest rate fluctuations are caused by many factors which, for the most part, are not under our control. For example, national monetary policy plays a significant role in the determination of interest rates. Additionally, competitor pricing and the resulting negotiations that occur with our customers also impact the rates we collect on loans and the rates we pay on deposits.
 
As interest rates change, we expect that we will periodically experience “gaps” in the interest rate sensitivities of our assets and liabilities, meaning that either our interest-bearing liabilities (usually deposits and borrowings) will be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than our interest-earning assets (usually loans and investment securities), or vice versa. In either event, if market interest rates should move contrary to our position, this “gap” may work against us, and our earnings may be negatively affected. Changes in the level of interest rates also may negatively affect our ability to originate loans, the value of our assets and our ability to realize gains from the sale of our assets, all of which ultimately affect our earnings. A decline in the market value of our assets may limit our ability to borrow additional funds. As a result, we could be required to sell some of our loans and investments under adverse market conditions, upon terms that are not favorable to us, in order to maintain our liquidity. If those sales are made at prices lower than the amortized costs of the investments, we will incur losses.
 
 
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A decline in our stock price or expected future cash flows, or a material adverse change in our results of operations or prospects, could result in impairment of our goodwill.
 
A significant and sustained decline in our stock price and market capitalization below book value, a significant decline in our expected future cash flows, a significant adverse change in the business climate, slower growth rates or other factors could result in impairment of our goodwill. At December 31, 2011, our goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets totaled approximately $251.9 million. If we were to conclude that a write-down of our goodwill is necessary, then the appropriate charge would likely cause a material loss. Any significant loss would further adversely impact the capacity of Pinnacle National to pay dividends to us without seeking prior regulatory approval, which could adversely affect our ability to pay required interest payments and preferred stock dividends.

We have a significant deferred tax asset and cannot assure you that it will be fully realized.
 
We had net deferred tax assets of $15.8 million as of December 31, 2011. There is no valuation allowance against our federal net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2011 because we believe that it is more likely than not that all of these assets will be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we considered the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, tax planning strategies and estimated future taxable income based on management prepared forecasts. This process required significant judgment by management about matters that are by nature uncertain. If future events differ significantly from our current forecasts, we may need to establish a valuation allowance, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Competition with other banking institutions could adversely affect our profitability.
 
A number of banking institutions in the Nashville and Knoxville MSAs have higher lending limits, more banking offices, and a larger market share of loans or deposits. In addition, our asset management division competes with numerous brokerage firms and mutual fund companies which are also much larger. In some respects, this may place these competitors in a competitive advantage. This competition may limit or reduce our profitability, reduce our growth and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Inability to retain senior management and key employees or to attract new experienced financial services professionals could impair our relationship with our customers, reduce growth and adversely affect our business.

We have assembled a senior management team which has substantial background and experience in banking and financial services in the Nashville market. We have also been able to attract experienced financial services professionals who have been able to attract customers from other financial institutions.  Inability to retain these key personnel could negatively impact our growth and future growth because of their skills, customer relationships and/or the potential difficulty of promptly replacing them.

The limitations on bonuses, retention awards, severance payments and incentive compensation contained in ARRA may adversely affect our ability to retain our highest performing employees.

         For so long as any equity securities that we issued to the U.S. Treasury under the CPP remain outstanding, ARRA severely restricts bonuses, retention awards, severance payments and other incentive compensation payable to our most highly compensated employees including our senior executive officers. It is possible that we may be unable to create a compensation structure that permits us to retain such officers or other key employees or recruit additional employees, especially if we are competing against institutions that are not subject to the same restrictions. Regulatory approval may be required in order to add or replace certain executive officers. Our key employees are not subject to post-termination non-competition or non-solicitation agreements. Failure to retain our key employees could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We are subject to certain litigation, and our expenses related to this litigation may adversely affect our results.

We are from time to time subject to certain litigation in the ordinary course of our business. These claims and legal actions, including supervisory actions by our regulators, could involve large monetary claims and significant defense costs. The outcome of these cases is uncertain. However, during the current credit crisis, we have seen both the number of cases and our expenses related to those cases increase. Substantial legal liability or significant regulatory action against us could have material adverse financial effects or cause significant reputational harm to us, which in turn could seriously harm our business prospects.
 
 
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We may issue additional common stock or other equity securities in the future which could dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders.
 
In order to maintain our or Pinnacle National’s capital at desired or regulatory-required levels or to replace existing capital such as our preferred stock, we may issue additional shares of common stock, or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or representing rights to acquire shares of common stock. We may sell these shares at prices below the current market price of shares, and the sale of these shares may significantly dilute stockholder ownership. We could also issue additional shares in connection with acquisitions of other financial institutions, which would also dilute stockholder ownership.

Even though our common stock is currently traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market’s Global Select Market, it has less liquidity than many other stocks quoted on a national securities exchange.
 
The trading volume in our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market has been relatively low when compared with larger companies listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or other stock exchanges.  Although we have experienced increased liquidity in our stock, we cannot say with any certainty that a more active and liquid trading market for our common stock will continue to develop. Because of this, it may be more difficult for stockholders to sell a substantial number of shares for the same price at which stockholders could sell a smaller number of shares.
 
We cannot predict the effect, if any, that future sales of our common stock in the market, or the availability of shares of common stock for sale in the market, will have on the market price of our common stock. We can give no assurance that sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the market, or the potential for large amounts of sales in the market, would not cause the price of our common stock to decline or impair our future ability to raise capital through sales of our common stock.
 
The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly, and may fluctuate in the future. These fluctuations may be unrelated to our performance. General market or industry price declines or overall market volatility in the future could adversely
affect the price of our common stock, and the current market price may not be indicative of future market prices.

If a change in control is delayed or prevented, the market price of our common stock could be negatively affected.
 
Provisions in our corporate documents, as well as certain federal and state regulations, may make it difficult and expensive to pursue a tender offer, change in control or takeover attempt that our board of directors opposes. As a result, our stockholders may not have an opportunity to participate in such a transaction, and the trading price of our stock may not rise to the level of other institutions that are more vulnerable to hostile takeovers. Anti-takeover provisions contained in our charter also will make it more difficult for an outside stockholder to remove our current board of directors or management.

Holders of Pinnacle Financial’s bank indebtedness and junior subordinated debentures have rights that are senior to those of Pinnacle Financial’s stockholders.
 
Pinnacle Financial has supported its continued growth through the issuance of trust preferred securities from special purpose trusts and accompanying junior subordinated debentures. At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial had outstanding trust preferred securities and accompanying junior subordinated debentures totaling $82.5 million. Payments of the principal and interest on the trust preferred securities of these trusts are conditionally guaranteed by Pinnacle Financial. Further, the accompanying junior subordinated debentures Pinnacle Financial issued to the trusts are senior to Pinnacle Financial’s shares of common stock and preferred stock. As a result, Pinnacle Financial must make payments on the junior subordinated debentures before any dividends can be paid on its preferred stock, or common stock and, in the event of Pinnacle Financial’s bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation, the holders of the junior subordinated debentures must be satisfied before any distributions can be made on Pinnacle Financial’s common stock and preferred stock. Pinnacle Financial has the right to defer distributions on its junior subordinated debentures (and the related trust preferred securities) for up to five years, during which time no dividends may be paid on its common stock or preferred stock. If our financial condition deteriorates or if we do not receive required regulatory approvals, we may be required to cease paying dividends on our preferred stock and to defer distributions on our junior subordinated debentures.

Our business is dependent on technology, and an inability to invest in technological improvements may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
 
The financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to better serving customers, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs. We have made significant investments in data processing, management information systems and internet banking accessibility. Our future success will depend in part upon our ability to create additional efficiencies in our operations through the use of technology. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. We cannot make assurances that our technological improvements will increase our operational efficiency or that we will be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers.
 
 
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We are subject to various statutes and regulations that may impose additional costs or limit our ability to take certain actions.

We operate in a highly regulated industry and are subject to examination, supervision, and comprehensive regulation by various regulatory agencies. Our compliance with these regulations is costly and restricts certain of our activities, including payment of dividends, mergers and acquisitions, investments, loans and interest rates charged on loans, interest rates paid on deposits and locations of offices. We are also subject to capital requirements established by our regulators, which require us to maintain specified levels of capital. Recent bank and thrift closures have depleted the Deposit Insurance Fund, and we were assessed a special assessment in the second quarter of 2009 and were required to prepay our risk based assessment for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012 in the fourth quarter of 2009. It is possible that our assessments may increase in the future. Any future assessment increases could negatively impact our results of operations. Significant changes in laws and regulations applicable to the banking industry have been recently adopted and others are being considered in Congress.  We cannot predict the effects of these changes on our business and profitability. Because government regulation greatly affects the business and financial results of commercial banks and bank holding companies, our cost of compliance could adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.
 
ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

The Company’s executive offices are located at 150 Third Avenue South, Suite 900, Nashville, Tennessee. The Company operates 32 banking locations throughout our market areas, of which for 9 locations the Company leases the land, the building or both.  The Company has locations in the Tennessee municipalities of Nashville, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Dickson, Ashland City, Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Franklin, Brentwood, Hendersonville, Goodlettsville, Smyrna and Shelbyville.
 
 
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ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Various legal proceedings to which Pinnacle Financial or a subsidiary of Pinnacle Financial is party arise from time to time in the normal course of business. Except as described below, as of the date hereof, there are no material pending legal proceedings to which Pinnacle Financial or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of its or its subsidiaries’ properties are subject.

During the fourth quarter, a customer of Pinnacle National’s filed a punative class action lawsuit (styled John Higgins, et al. v. Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc., d/b/a Pinnacle National Bank) in Davidson County, Tennessee Circuit Court against Pinnacle National and Pinnacle Financial, on his own behalf, as well as on behalf of a purported class of Pinnacle National’s customers within the State of Tennessee alleging that Pinnacle National’s method of ordering debit card transactions had caused customers of Pinnacle National to incur higher overdraft charges than had a different method been used.  In support of his claims, the plaintiff asserts theories of breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment and unconscionability. The plaintiff is seeking, among other remedies, an award of unspecified compensatory, pre-judgment interest, costs and attorneys’ fees.  On January 17, 2012, Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle National filed a motion to dismiss the complaint.  As of December 31, 2011, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the probability of a potential loss, if any, associated with this litigation and intends to contest this matter vigorously.
 
 
ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 
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PART II

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

Pinnacle Financial’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “PNFP” and has traded on that market since July 3, 2006. The following table shows the high and low closing sales price information for Pinnacle Financial’s common stock for each quarter in 2011 and 2010 as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

   
Price Per Share
 
   
High
   
Low
 
2011:
           
First quarter
  $ 16.60     $ 13.55  
Second quarter
    16.82       14.15  
Third quarter
    16.21       10.52  
Fourth quarter
    16.65       10.28  
2010:
               
First quarter
  $ 16.88     $ 13.10  
Second quarter
    18.93       11.81  
Third quarter
    14.33       8.51  
Fourth quarter
    13.74       9.27  

As of February 24, 2012, Pinnacle Financial had approximately 3,579 stockholders of record.

Pinnacle Financial has not paid any cash dividends on our common stock since inception, and it does not anticipate that it will consider paying dividends until Pinnacle National has achieved a level of profitability appropriate to fund such dividends and support asset growth.  See ITEM 1. “Business – Supervision and Regulation – Payment of Dividends” and ITEM 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional information on dividend restrictions applicable to Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle National.

Pinnacle Financial repurchased shares of its common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 as follows:

Period
 
Total Number of
Shares
Repurchased (1)
   
Average
Price
 Paid Per
Share
   
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
   
Maximum Number
(or Approximate
 Dollar Value) of
Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
 
October 1, 2011 to October 31, 2011
    -       -       -       -  
November 1, 2011 to November 30, 2011
    -       -       -       -  
December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011
    11,838     $ 16.41       -       -  
Total
    11,838     $ 16.41       -       -  

 
(1) 
On December 30, 2011, we issued 54,526 shares of our common stock to certain of our executive officers in settlement of salary stock units that had been issued to these individuals throughout 2011.  We withheld 11,838 of these shares to satisfy tax withholding requirements related to this issuance.

 
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ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007(1)
 
   
($ in 000s except per share data)
 
Statement of Financial Condition Data (as of December 31):
                             
Total assets
  $ 4,863,951     $ 4,909,004     $ 5,128,811     $ 4,754,075     $ 3,794,170  
Loans, net of unearned income
    3,291,351       3,212,440       3,563,382       3,354,907       2,749,641  
Allowance for loan losses
    73,975       82,575       91,959       36,484       28,470  
Total securities
    897,292       1,018,637       937,555       849,781       522,685  
Goodwill, core deposit  and other intangible assets
    251,919       254,795       257,793       261,032       260,900  
Deposits and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    3,785,931       3,979,352       4,099,064       3,717,544       3,081,390  
Advances from FHLB and other borrowings
    226,069       121,393       212,655       273,609       141,666  
Subordinated debt
    97,476       97,476       97,476       97,476       82,476  
Stockholders’ equity
    710,145       677,457       701,020       627,298       466,610  
                                         
Statement of Operations Data:
                                       
Interest income
  $ 188,347     $ 203,348     $ 205,716     $ 206,082     $ 150,931  
Interest expense
    36,882       58,975       74,925       91,867       75,219  
Net interest income
    151,465       144,373       130,791       114,215       75,712  
Provision for loan losses
    21,798       53,695       116,758       11,214       4,720  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    129,667       90,678       14,033       103,001       70,992  
Noninterest income
    37,940       36,315       39,651       34,718       22,521  
Noninterest expense
    139,107       146,883       118,577       94,478       60,480  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    28,500       (19,890 )     (64,893 )     43,241       33,033  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (15,238 )     4,410       (29,393 )     12,367       9,992  
Net income (loss)
    43,737       (24,300 )     (35,500 )     30,874       23,041  
Preferred dividends and accretion on common stock warrants
    6,664       6,142       5,930       309       -  
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 37,073     $ (30,442 )   $ (41,430 )   $ 30,565     $ 23,041  
                                         
Per Share Data:
                                       
Earnings (loss) per share available to common stockholders – basic
  $ 1.11     $ (0.93 )   $ (1.46 )   $ 1.34     $ 1.43  
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
    33,420,015       32,789,871       28,395,618       22,793,699       16,100,076  
Earnings (loss) per common share available to common stockholders – diluted
  $ 1.09     $ (0.93 )   $ (1.46 )   $ 1.27     $ 1.34  
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted
    34,060,228       32,789,871       28,395,618       24,053,972       17,255,543  
Book value per common share
  $ 18.56     $ 17.22     $ 18.41     $ 22.40     $ 20.96  
Common shares outstanding at end of period
    34,354,960       33,870,380       33,029,719       23,762,124       22,264,817  
                                         
Performance Ratios and Other Data:
                                       
Return on average assets
    0.77 %     (0.61 %)     (0.82 %)     0.74 %     0.96 %
Return on average stockholders’ equity
    5.27 %     (4.37 %)     (6.10 %)     6.13 %     8.34 %
Net interest margin (2)
    3.55 %     3.25 %     2.93 %     3.17 %     3.55 %
Net interest spread (3)
    3.33 %     2.99 %     2.64 %     2.78 %     2.88 %
Noninterest income to average assets
    0.78 %     0.72 %     0.79 %     0.84 %     0.94 %
Noninterest expense to average assets
    2.88 %     2.93 %     2.34 %     2.30 %     2.53 %
Efficiency ratio (4)
    73.45 %     81.29 %     69.57 %     63.43 %     61.57 %
Average loan to average deposit ratio
    86.76 %     87.64 %     94.51 %     97.70 %     94.88 %
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
    125.84 %     120.27 %     117.52 %     115.27 %     119.46 %
Average equity to average total assets ratio
    14.6 %     13.90 %     13.55 %     12.15 %     11.56 %
                                         
Asset Quality Ratios:
                                       
Allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans
    154.6 %     102.1 %     73.7 %     335.95 %     144.69 %
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
    2.25 %     2.57 %     2.58 %     1.09 %     1.04 %
Nonperforming assets to total assets
    1.80 %     2.86 %     3.01 %     0.61 %     0.56 %
Nonperforming assets to total loans and other real estate
    2.66 %     4.29 %     4.29 %     0.86 %     0.78 %
Net loan charge-offs to average loans
    0.94 %     1.96 %     1.71 %     0.11 %     0.06 %
                                         
Capital Ratios (Pinnacle Financial):
                                       
Leverage (5)
    11.4 %     10.7 %     10.7 %     10.5 %     11.6 %
Tier 1 risk-based capital
    13.8 %     13.8 %     13.1 %     12.1 %     9.5 %
Total risk-based capital
    15.3 %     15.4 %     14.8 %     13.5 %     10.4 %
 

(1)
Information for 2007 fiscal year includes the post-merger operations of Mid-America, which Pinnacle Financial merged with on November 30, 2007 and reflects approximately 6.7 million shares of Pinnacle Financial common stock issued in connection with the merger.
(2)
Net interest margin is the result of net interest income for the period divided by average interest earning assets.
(3)
Net interest spread is the result of the difference between the interest earned on interest earning assets less the interest paid on interest bearing liabilities.
(4)
Efficiency ratio is the result of noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income.
(5)
Leverage ratio is computed by dividing Tier 1 capital by average total assets for the fourth quarter of each year.
 
 
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ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is a discussion of our financial condition at December 31, 2011 and 2010 and our results of operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011.  The purpose of this discussion is to focus on information about our financial condition and results of operations which is not otherwise apparent from the consolidated financial statements.  The following discussion and analysis should be read along with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere herein.

Overview

General.  During 2011, our focus has been to build our core earnings capacity and to aggressively deal with troubled assets.   Our fully diluted net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $1.09 per common share available to common stockholders compared to fully diluted net loss per common share available to common stockholders of $0.93 and $1.46 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  At December 31, 2011, net loans totaled $3.291 billion, as compared to $3.212 billion at December 31, 2010, while total deposits decreased slightly to $3.654 billion at December 31, 2011 from $3.833 billion at December 31, 2010.

Results of operations.  Our net interest income increased to $151.5 million for 2011 compared to $144.4 million for 2010 and $130.8 million for 2009.   The net interest margin (the ratio of net interest income to average earning assets) for 2011 was 3.55% compared to 3.25% for 2010 and 2.93% for 2009.  Our net interest margin was impacted favorably in all three years by our decreased dependency on wholesale funding and an increased effort to reduce to our cost of funds.  Growth within our lower cost money market account balances and a decrease within our time deposits also favorably impacted our net interest margin.

Impacting the provision for loan losses in any accounting period are several matters including the change in outstanding loan balances during the period, the level of charge-offs during the period, the changes in the amount of impaired loans, changes in the risk ratings assigned to our loans, results of regulatory examinations, credit quality comparison to peer banks and the industry at large, and, ultimately, the results of our quarterly assessment of the inherent risks of our loan portfolio including past loan loss experience. The economic downturn and excess supply forced degradation in the local real estate market; that deterioration impacted the amount of charge-offs, impaired loans, risk rating downgrades and assessment of risk inherent in the loan portfolio particularly in 2009 and 2010. Our 2009 provisioning expense was also negatively impacted by a single charge-off of a large, $21.55 million loan to a Georgia bank holding company as a result of the receivership of its bank subsidiary.

Our provision for loan losses was $21.8 million for 2011 compared to $53.7 million in 2010 and $116.8 million in 2009.  Our net charge-offs were $30.4 million during 2011 compared to $63.1 million in 2010 and $61.3 million in 2009.  During 2011, we decreased our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans from 2.57% at December 31, 2010 to 2.25% at December 31, 2011 primarily due to the ongoing resolution of non-performing loans, the reduction of our construction and development portfolio and overall improvements in the asset quality of our loan portfolio during 2011.

Noninterest income for 2011 compared to 2010 increased by $1.6 million, or 4.5%. This growth was primarily attributable to increased production in our fee-based products such as investments, insurance and trust as well as our mortgage origination business. Noninterest income for 2010 compared to 2009 decreased by $3.3 million, or 8.4%, which was primarily attributable to substantially higher gains on the sale of investment securities for the year ended 2009 as compared to 2010.

Noninterest expense for 2011 compared to 2010 decreased by $7.8 million, or 5.3%, primarily due to decreased other real estate owned expenses which decreased by $11.8 million over the 2010 levels. The decrease in other real estate owned expense was partially offset by salaries and employee benefits expense which increased by $9.8 million.  The increase in salaries and benefits was primarily attributable to incentive compensation earned in 2011 and the payment of stock-settled salary stock units to our executive officers. The remaining decrease in noninterest expense is attributable to a reduction in various administrative expenses such as FDIC assessments, insurance, and franchise taxes and other expenses.  Noninterest expense for 2010 compared to 2009 increased by $28.3 million, or 23.9%, primarily due to increased other real estate owned expenses which increased by $15.0 million over the 2009 levels, and increased salaries and employee benefits expense which increased by $7.9 million. The increase in salary expense between 2009 and 2010 was largely due to new personnel hired to resolve problem assets and increased health insurance costs.  The number of full-time equivalent employees decreased from 777 at December 31, 2009 to 769 at December 31, 2010.  There were 747 full-time equivalent employees at December 31, 2011.

 
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Income tax benefit for 2011 was $15.2 million compared to income tax expense of $4.4 million in 2010 and income tax benefit of $29.4 million in 2009.  The effective income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2011 was approximately 53.5%, compared to an income tax rate of 22.2% for the year ended December 31, 2010.  For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, our income tax expense rate was principally impacted by the reversal of the deferred tax valuation allowance in the third quarter of 2011 which had been initially established during the second quarter of 2010.  We realized an effective income tax expense rate of 45.3% for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Our efficiency ratio (the ratio of noninterest expense to the sum of net interest income and noninterest income) was 73.5% in 2011 compared to 81.3% in 2010 and 69.6% in 2009.  Our efficiency ratio was negatively impacted by other real estate owned expenses and other costs related to the management and collection of troubled loans.

Net income available to common stockholders for 2011 was $37.1 million compared to $30.4 million and $41.4 million in net loss available to common stockholders in 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Fully-diluted net income per common share available to common stockholders was $1.09 for 2011 compared to fully-diluted net loss per common share available to common stockholders of $0.93 for 2010 and $1.46 for 2009.  Included in net income available to common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2011 was approximately $4.6 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of charges related to preferred stock dividends and accretion of the preferred stock discount related to our participation in the U.S. Treasury’s CPP, as compared to $4.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2010 and $4.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increased charges associated with the accretion of the preferred stock discount in fiscal 2011 over fiscal 2010 were the result of our redemption of 23,750 shares of Series A preferred stock on December 28, 2011.

Financial Condition.

Our loan balances increased by $78.9 million during 2011 compared to a decrease of $350.9 million in 2010.  The increase in our outstanding loan balances was offset in part by the continued resolution of non-performing loans, specifically loans within the construction and development portfolio. We reduced our construction and development portfolio by $57.0 million during 2011 and $194.0 million in 2010.  We continue to focus on the timely resolution of nonperforming assets.
 
Total deposits decreased from $3.833 billion at December 31, 2010 to $3.654 billion at December 31, 2011.  Within our deposits, the ratio of core funding to total deposits increased from 81.6% at December 31, 2010 to 83.8% at December 31, 2011.  The increase in our core funding percentage contributed significantly to our improved cost of funds during 2011. Additionally, we reduced our brokered deposit balance from $14.2 million at December 31, 2010 to zero at December 31, 2011.  This reduction was largely due to the efforts of our sales force.  We have hired experienced relationship managers that have significant client portfolios and longstanding reputations within the communities we serve.  As such, we believe they will attract additional loans and deposits by new and existing small-and middle-market clients as our economy continues to recover.
 
Capital and Liquidity.  At December 31, 2011 and 2010, our capital ratios, including our bank’s capital ratios, exceeded regulatory minimum capital requirements.  Additionally, we believe our bank would be considered to be “well-capitalized” pursuant to banking regulations at these dates.  Our bank may require additional capital from us over that which can be earned through operations.   To support the capital needs of Pinnacle National, at December 31, 2011, we had approximately $36.5 million of cash and cash equivalents at the holding company. Additionally, we would continue to use various capital raising techniques in order to support the capital needs of our bank, if necessary.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2008, we further increased our capital through our participation in the CPP, issuing 95,000 shares of Series A preferred stock for $95 million.  Additionally, we issued warrants to acquire 534,910 shares of our common stock to the U.S. Treasury. The warrants have an exercise price of $26.64 each, are immediately exercisable and expire 10 years from the date of issuance.  The common stock warrants were assigned a fair value of $6.7 million, as of December 12, 2008.  The resulting $88.3 million was assigned to the Series A preferred stock issued in the CPP and will be accreted up to the redemption amount of $95 million prior to the redemption of the Series A preferred stock. During the fourth quarter of 2011, we repurchased 25% of the shares of Series A preferred stock originally issued to the U.S. Treasury under the CPP in a transaction totaling approximately $23.9 million. This partial redemption was financed from available cash resources of the Company.  Following the partial redemption of the 23,750 shares of Series A preferred stock, 71,250 shares of Series A preferred stock remain issued and outstanding and held by the U.S. Treasury.
 
 
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Approximately $4.5 million of the discount recorded on the preferred stock has been accreted as a reduction to net income available to common stockholders through December 31, 2011, including the acceleration of the remaining preferred stock discount associated with the shares we redeemed on December 28, 2011.  The remaining discount is $2.2 million at December 31, 2011.  This discount will be accreted as a reduction to net income available to common stockholders over the next two years at approximately $1.1 million per year unless we receive permission from our regulators to redeem the remaining shares of the Series A preferred stock at which time the remaining balance of the discount associated with such redeemed shares will be reflected as a reduction to net income available to common stockholders.

On June 16, 2009, we issued 8,855,000 shares of our common stock through a public offering resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately $109.0 million further increasing our capital position.  As a result, and pursuant to the terms of the warrants issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with our participation in the CPP, the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with the CPP was reduced by 50%, or 267,455 shares.

Pinnacle National is a national bank chartered under the Federal National Bank Act. As a result, it is subject to the supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the National Bank Act and the regulations of the OCC.  In January 2010, Pinnacle National informally agreed to an OCC requirement that it maintain a minimum Tier 1 capital to average assets ratio of 8% and a minimum total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 12%.  During the fourth quarter of 2011, the OCC lifted this individual minimum capital requirement although it remains as an internal policy.  At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle National had a 13.8% Tier 1 capital to average assets ratio and a 15.3% total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio.  Information concerning our and Pinnacle National’s regulatory ratios at December 31, 2011 is included in Note 20 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Critical Accounting Estimates

The accounting principles we follow and our methods of applying these principles conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and with general practices within the banking industry.  In connection with the application of those principles, we have made judgments and estimates which, in the case of the determination of our allowance for loan losses, the valuation of other real estate owned, the assessment of the valuation of deferred tax assets and the assessment of impairment of intangibles has been critical to the determination of our financial position and results of operations.

Allowance for Loan Losses (allowance).  Our management assesses the adequacy of the allowance prior to the end of each calendar quarter.  This assessment includes procedures to estimate the allowance and test the adequacy and appropriateness of the resulting balance.  The level of the allowance is based upon management’s evaluation of the loan portfolio, past loan loss experience, current asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay (including the timing of future payment), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, economic conditions, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations.  The level of allowance maintained is believed by management to be adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date.  The allowance is increased by provisions charged to expense and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off.  Allocation of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, is deemed to be uncollectible.

In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, we also consider the results of our ongoing independent loan review process.  We undertake this process both to ascertain those loans in the portfolio with credit risk and to assist in our overall evaluation of the risk characteristics of the entire loan portfolio.  Our loan review process includes the judgment of management, independent internal loan reviewers, and reviews that may have been conducted by third-party reviewers including regulatory examiners. We incorporate relevant loan review results in the loan impairment determination.

Our allowance for loan losses is composed of the result of two independent analyses pursuant to the provisions of ASC 450-20, Loss Contingencies and ASC 310-10-35, Receivables.  The ASC 450-20 analysis is intended to quantify the inherent risk in our performing loan portfolio.  The component of the allowance generated by ASC 310-10-35 is the result of a loan-by-loan analysis of loans that have been specifically identified as impaired or troubled.

The ASC 450-20 component of the allowance for loan losses begins with a process of estimating the probable losses based on our internal system of risk ratings and historical loss data for our risk rated portfolio.  Prior to 2010, because of Pinnacle Financial’s limited loss history, loss estimates were primarily derived from historical loss data by loan categories for comparable peer institutions.  During 2010, we incorporated the results of our own historical migration analysis of all loans that were charged-off during the prior eight quarters.  The look-back period in our migration analysis was extended in 2011 to eleven quarters to continue to include the losses incurred by Pinnacle Financial in the second quarter of 2009. In this current economic environment, we believed the extension of our look-back period in our migration analysis was appropriate due to the risks inherent in our loan portfolio.  Absent the extension, the early cycle periods in which we experienced significant losses would have been excluded from the determination of the allowance for loan losses.  This migration analysis assists in evaluating loan loss allocation rates for the various risk grades assigned to loans in our portfolio. The results of the migration analysis are then compared to other industry factors to determine the loss allocation rates for the risk rated loan portfolios.  The loss allocation rates from our migration analysis and the industry loss factors are weighted to determine a weighted average loss allocation rate for these portfolios.
 
 
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The allowance allocation for non risk-rated portfolios is based on consideration of our actual historical loss rates and industry loss rates for those particular segments. Non risk-rated loans are evaluated as a group by category rather than on a individual loan basis because these loans are smaller and homogeneous.  We weight the allocation methodologies for the non risk-rated loan portfolio and determine a weighted average allocation for these portfolios.

The estimated loan loss allocation for all loan segments is then adjusted for management’s estimate of probable losses for several environmental factors. The allocation for environmental factors is particularly subjective and does not lend itself to exact mathematical calculation.  This amount represents estimated probable inherent credit losses which exist, but have not yet been identified, as of the balance sheet date, and is based upon quarterly trend assessments in delinquent and nonaccrual loans, unanticipated charge-offs, credit concentration changes, prevailing economic conditions, changes in lending personnel experience, changes in lending policies or procedures and other influencing factors.  These environmental factors are considered for each of the five loan segments, and the allowance allocation, as determined by the processes noted above for each segment, is increased or decreased based on the incremental assessment of these various environmental factors.

The ASC 450-20 portion of the allowance also includes an unallocated component.  We believe that the unallocated amount is warranted for inherent factors that cannot be practically assigned to individual loan categories, such as the imprecision in the overall loss allocation measurement process, the volatility of the local economies in the markets we serve and imprecision in our credit risk ratings process.

The second component of the allowance for loan losses is determined pursuant to ASC 310-10-35.  Loans are impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Collection of all amounts due according to the contractual terms means that both the interest and principal payments of a loan will be collected as scheduled in the loan agreement.  This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans that may be susceptible to significant change.  Loan losses are charged off when management believes that the full collectability of the loan is unlikely.  A loan may be partially charged-off after a “confirming event” has occurred which serves to validate that full repayment pursuant to the terms of the loan is unlikely.

An impairment allowance is recognized if the fair value of the loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan (recorded investment in the loan is the principal balance plus any accrued interest, net of deferred loan fees or costs and unamortized premium or discount).  The impairment is recognized through the provision for loan losses and is a component of the allowance.  Loans that are impaired are recorded at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or if the loan is collateral dependent, the fair value of the collateral, less estimated disposal costs. If the loan is collateral dependent, the principal balance of the loan is charged-off in an amount equal to the impairment measurement.  The fair value of collateral dependent loans is derived primarily from collateral appraisals performed by independent third-party appraisers.  Management believes it follows appropriate accounting and regulatory guidance in determining impairment and accrual status of impaired loans.

Pursuant to the guidance set forth in ASU No. 2011-02, A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring, the above impairment methodology is applied to those loans identified as troubled debt restructurings.

We then test the resulting allowance by comparing the balance in the allowance to historical trends and industry and peer information.  Our management then evaluates the result of the procedures performed, including the results of our testing, and decides on the appropriateness of the balance of the allowance in its entirety.  The audit committee of our board of directors reviews and approves the assessment prior to the filing of quarterly and annual financial information.

While our policies and procedures used to estimate the allowance for loan losses, as well as the resultant provision for loan losses charged to operations, are considered adequate by management and are reviewed from time to time by our regulators, they are necessarily approximate and imprecise.  There are factors beyond our control, such as conditions in the local and national economy, a local real estate market or particular industry conditions which may negatively impact, materially, our asset quality and the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses and, thus, the resulting provision for loan losses.
 
Other Real Estate Owned. Other real estate owned (OREO), consists of properties obtained through foreclosure or through deed in lieu of foreclosure in satisfaction of loans, is reported at the lower of cost or fair value based on appraised value, less selling costs estimated as of the date acquired, with any loss recognized as a charge-off through the allowance for loan losses.  Additional OREO losses for subsequent downward valuation adjustments are determined on a specific property basis and are included as a component of other noninterest expense along with holding costs. The fair value of other real estate owned is derived primarily from independent appraisers. At December 31, 2011, the average age of our other real estate owned appraisals was 4.53 months. Any net gains or losses on disposal realized at the time of disposal are reflected in noninterest income or noninterest expense, as applicable.  Significant judgments and complex estimates are required in estimating the fair value of other real estate owned, and the period of time within which such estimates can be considered current is significantly shortened during periods of market volatility, as experienced during the last three years. As a result, the net proceeds realized from sales transactions could differ significantly from appraisals, comparable sales, and other estimates used to determine the fair value of other real estate owned.
 
 
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Deferred Tax Asset Valuation. A valuation allowance is recognized for a deferred tax asset if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. Primarily as a result of credit losses, we entered into a three-year cumulative pre-tax loss position as of June 30, 2010. A cumulative loss position is considered significant negative evidence in assessing the realizability of a deferred tax asset which is difficult to overcome and accordingly, we established a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax asset at June 30, 2010. Subsequently, Pinnacle Financial reported several linked-quarters with increasing profitability, demonstrated an improved ability to produce reliable projections, and realized an improvement in overall asset quality and related credit metrics. Due to these factors, other positive trends, and the relatively short period of time in which we forecast we will be able to exit a three-year cumulative tax loss position and utilize our net deferred tax asset, we determined during the quarter ended September 30, 2011 that we had sufficient objective positive evidence to reverse the beginning of the year deferred tax valuation allowance at September 30, 2011.  At December 31, 2011, we do not have a deferred tax valuation allowance.

Impairment of Intangible Assets.  Long-lived assets, including purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, such as our core deposit intangible asset, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.  Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. There are no such assets to be disposed of at December 31, 2011.

Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.  The annual assessment date is September 30 for Pinnacle Financial.  An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value.   The goodwill impairment analysis is a two-step test. The first step, used to identify potential impairment, involves comparing each reporting unit’s estimated fair value to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the first step is “passed” and no further impairment tests are required. If the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value, there is an indication of potential impairment and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment, if any.

We engage an independent third-party valuation firm to assist in performing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment assessment. Step 1 of the goodwill impairment assessment determines the fair value of equity of Pinnacle Financial as a whole since Pinnacle Financial is deemed to have only one reporting unit, and compares the result to the carrying value.  Step 1 testing consists of three testing methods to determine the estimated fair value of Pinnacle Financial:  the Guideline Publicly Traded Company Method, the Guideline Merged or Acquired Company Method, and the Subject Company Stock Transactions Method as more fully discussed below.
 
·
Guideline Publicly Traded Company Method – This method considers the implied value of Pinnacle Financial by comparing Pinnacle Financial to a select peer group of public companies and their current market capitalizations, adjusted for differences between the companies.  This value is then increased by a control premium which is supported by expected cost savings, or synergies, that could be realized by a market participant.  To develop the control premium assumptions, management performed a detailed analysis of expenses that would be eliminated by a future acquirer based on a likely management/operational structure that would be established by the acquiring entity.  The synergies were identified based on our historical experience realized in previous acquisitions and known redundancies that could be eliminated in a merger scenario.  The resulting control premium utilized in Step 1 testing was corroborated by current period acquisitions.
 
 
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·
Guideline Merged/Acquired Company Method –This method considers the amount an acquiring company might be willing to pay to gain control of Pinnacle Financial based on multiples of tangible book value paid by acquirers in recent merger and acquisition transactions.

·
Subject Company Stock Transaction Method –This method relies on the closing stock price on the testing date, as well as the five and ten day closing stock price averages surrounding the closing stock price on the testing date, multiplied by the number of shares outstanding to arrive at an estimated fair value for Pinnacle Financial.  The control premium, as discussed more fully under the Guideline Publicly Traded Company method, is also applied to the subject company stock transaction method.

The results of the three testing methodologies are then weighted equally to determine our estimate of the fair value of equity.  If the fair value of equity determined through Step 1 is less than the carrying value of the assets and liabilities, Step 2 of the goodwill impairment analysis must be performed.  Step 2 testing involves calculating an implied fair value of goodwill for which the first step indicated potential impairment. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to the amount of goodwill calculated in a business combination, by measuring the excess of the estimated fair value, as determined in the first step, over the aggregate estimated fair values of the individual assets, liabilities and identifiable intangibles as if Pinnacle Financial was being acquired in a business combination. If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying value of goodwill, there is no impairment. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded for the excess.

While we believe that the assumptions utilized in our testing were appropriate, they may not reflect actual outcomes that could occur. Specific factors that could negatively impact the assumptions used include the following: a change in the control premiums being realized in the market or a meaningful change in the number of mergers and acquisitions occurring; the amount of expense savings that may be realized in an acquisition scenario;  significant fluctuations in our asset/liability balances or the composition of our balance sheet; a change in the overall valuation of the stock market, specifically bank stocks; performance of Southeast U.S. Banks; and Pinnacle Financial’s performance relative to peers.  Changing these assumptions, or any other key assumptions, could have a material impact on the amount of goodwill impairment, if any.

We performed our annual evaluation of goodwill impairment as of September 30, 2011.  The September 30, 2011 closing price for our common stock was less than our carrying value per share of our assets and liabilities at September 30, 2011.  However, using the September 30, 2011, closing stock price of $10.94 and a control premium estimate calculated in accordance with the methodology discussed above, the fair value of Pinnacle Financial’s assets and liabilities exceeded the carrying value of our assets and liabilities by approximately 3% and, as a result, Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test was met, and we determined that further testing for impairment was not required.  For each dollar increase in our common stock price and resulting market cap, the excess of fair value over carrying value increases by approximately 5% of total equity.  Our closing stock price was $16.15 at December 31, 2011 which exceeded our September 30, 2011 closing price providing further evidence of no impairment of goodwill.  Our common stock at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011 was trading at levels higher than those that were utilized in our impairment testing as of September 30, 2010.  At September 30, 2010, Pinnacle Financial performed a Step 2 assessment which resulted in no impairment.  Based on the results of these analyses, we determined that there was no impairment at December 31, 2011.  Should our common stock price decline or other impairment indicators become known, additional impairment testing of goodwill may be required. Should it be determined in a future period that the goodwill has become impaired, then a charge to earnings will be recorded in the period such determination is made.

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-8, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, regarding testing goodwill for impairment. The new guidance provides an entity the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines that this is the case, it is required to perform the currently prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized for that reporting unit (if any). Based on the qualitative assessment, if an entity determines that the fair value of a reporting unit is more than its carrying amount, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. The new guidance will be effective for Pinnacle Financial beginning January 1, 2012. We will not know the impact of the adoption of this pronouncement on our financial position or results of operations as it is not practical to determine its effect until each prospective reporting date and after we have completed the qualitative assessments outlined in this ASU. At this time, we have no reason to believe it will have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 
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Results of Operations

The following is a summary of our results of operations for 2011, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands except per share data):

   
Years ended
    2011-2010    
Year ended
    2010-2009  
   
December 31,
   
Percent
   
December 31,
   
Percent
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Increase (Decrease)
    2009    
Increase (Decrease)
 
   
 
   
 
                         
Interest income
  $ 188,346     $ 203,348       (7.4 %)   $ 205,716       (1.2 %)
Interest expense
    36,882       58,975       (37.5 %)     74,925       (21.3 %)
Net interest income
    151,464       144,373       4.9 %     130,791       10.4 %
Provision for loan losses
    21,798       53,695       (59.4 %)     116,758       (54.0 %)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    129,666       90,678       43.0 %     14,033       546.2 %
Noninterest income
    37,940       36,315       4.5 %     39,651       (8.4 %)
Noninterest expense
    139,107       146,883       (5.3 %)     118,577       23.9 %
Net income (loss) before income taxes
    28,499       (19,890 )     243.3 %     (64,893 )     (69.3 %)
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (15,238 )     4,410       445.5 %     (29,393 )     (115.0 %)
Net income (loss)
    43,737       (24,300 )     280.0 %     (35,500 )     (31.5 %)
Preferred dividends and preferred stock discount accretion
    6,665       6,142       8.5 %     5,930       3.6 %
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 37,072     $ (30,442 )     221.8 %   $ (41,430 )     (26.5 %)
Basic net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders
  $ 1.11     $ (0.93 )     219.4 %   $ (1.46 )     (36.4 %)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders
  $ 1.09     $ (0.93 )     217.2 %   $ (1.46 )     (36.4 %)

Net Interest Income. Net interest income represents the amount by which interest earned on various earning assets exceeds interest paid on deposits and other interest bearing liabilities and is the most significant component of our earnings. For the year ended December 31, 2011, we recorded net interest income of $151,464,000, which resulted in a net interest margin (net interest income divided by the average balance of interest earning assets) of 3.55%.  For the year ended December 31, 2010, we recorded net interest income of $144,373,000, which resulted in a net interest margin of 3.25% for the year.  For the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded net interest income of $130,791,000, which resulted in a net interest margin of 2.93%.
 
 
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The following table sets forth the amount of our average balances, interest income or interest expense for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the average interest rate for total interest-earning assets and total interest-bearing liabilities, net interest spread and net interest margin for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 (in thousands):
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
Average
Balances
   
Interest
   
Rates/
Yields
   
Average
Balances
   
Interest
   
Rates/
Yields
   
Average
Balances
   
Interest
   
Rates/
Yields
 
Interest-earning assets:
                   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Loans (1)
  $ 3,218,123     $ 154,749       4.82 %   $ 3,362,024     $ 162,902       4.85 %   $ 3,525,033     $ 162,271       4.61 %
Securities:
                                                                       
Taxable
    768,063       23,972       3.12 %     780,643       30,306       3.88 %     754,623       35,057       4.65 %
Tax-exempt (2)
    193,397       7,394       5.10 %     205,029       7,917       5.09 %     165,702       6,541       5.21 %
Federal funds sold and other
    167,932       2,232       1.43 %     188,091       2,223       1.27 %     93,212       1,847       2.16 %
Total interest-earning assets
    4,347,515       188,347       4.40 %     4,535,787       203,348       4.55 %     4,538,570       205,716       4.58 %
Nonearning assets:
                                                                       
Intangible assets
    253,443                       256,379                       259,483                  
Other nonearning assets
    232,477                       221,730                       213,681                  
    $ 4,833,435                     $ 5,013,896                     $ 5,011,734                  
                                                                         
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Interest-bearing deposits:
                                                                       
Interest checking
  $ 583,212     $ 3,522       0.60 %   $ 520,351       3,491       0.67 %   $ 359,774       1,983       0.55 %
Savings and money market
    1,597,965       13,773       0.86 %     1,368,659       18,310       1.34 %     884,173       11,049       1.25 %
Certificates of deposit
    876,864       13,293       1.52 %     1,419,358       28,056       1.98 %     2,022,196       50,097       2.48 %
Total deposits
    3,058,041       30,588       1.00 %     3,308,368       49,857       1.51 %     3,266,143       63,129       1.93 %
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    161,845       1,110       0.69 %     222,179       1,750       0.79 %     250,435       1,689       0.67 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
    137,466       2,519       1.83 %     143,372       4,044       2.82 %     247,992       6,106       2.46 %
Subordinated debt
    97,476       2,665       2.73 %     97,476       3,324       3.41 %     97,476       4,001       4.10 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    3,454,828       36,882       1.07 %     3,771,395       58,975       1.56 %     3,862,046       74,925       1.94 %
Noninterest-bearing deposits
    650,602       -       -       527,673       -       -       463,683       -       -  
Total deposits and interest- bearing liabilities
    4,105,430       36,882       0.90 %     4,299,068       58,975       1.37 %     4,325,729       74,925       1.73 %
Other liabilities
    24,752                       17,842                       6,968                  
Stockholders' equity
    703,253                       696,986                       679,037                  
    $ 4,833,435                     $ 5,013,896                     $ 5,011,734                  
Net interest income
          $ 151,465                     $ 144,373                     $ 130,791          
Net interest spread (3)
                    3.33 %                     2.99 %                     2.64 %
Net interest margin (4)
                    3.55 %                     3.25 %                     2.93 %
 

 
(1)
  Average balances of nonperforming loans are included in average loan balances.
 
(2)
  Yields based on the carrying value of those tax exempt instruments are shown on a fully tax equivalent basis.
 
(3)
Yields realized on interest-bearing assets less the rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest spread calculation excludes   the impact of demand deposits. Had the impact of demand deposits been included, the net interest spread for the year ended December 31, 2011 would have been 3.50% compared to a net interest spread for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 of 3.18% and 2.85%, respectively.
 
(4)
Net interest margin is the result of net interest income calculated on a tax-equivalent basis divided by average interest earning assets for the period.

The banking industry uses two key ratios to measure relative profitability of net interest income - the net interest spread and the net interest margin.  The net interest spread measures the difference between the average yield on interest earning assets and the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities.  The interest rate spread eliminates the effect of non-interest-bearing deposits and other non-interest bearing funding sources and gives a direct perspective on the effect of market interest rate movements.  The net interest margin is an indication of the profitability of a company’s overall balance sheet management activities and is defined as net interest income as a percentage of total average interest earning assets, which includes the positive effect of funding a portion of interest earning assets with customers’ non-interest bearing deposits and with stockholders’ equity.

 
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For the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, our net interest spread was 3.33% and 2.99%, respectively, while the net interest margin was 3.55% and 3.25%, respectively. The net interest spread and net interest margin were 2.64% and 2.93%, respectively, for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2009.  The improving net interest margin reflected management’s efforts to maximize earnings by focusing on loan and, particularly, deposit pricing.  During the year ended December 31, 2011, total funding rates were less than those rates for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 by 47 and 83 basis points, respectively.  The net decrease was largely impacted by the continued shift in our deposit mix, as we increased our savings and money market account balances and concurrently reduced balances of both our higher cost time deposits and higher-cost wholesale funding.

Additionally, lower levels of nonperforming loans positively impacted our net interest margin during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 when compared to the same period in 2010.  Average nonperforming loans were $63.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, which was less than the $108.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.  Also, we continue to increase our focus on loan pricing.  Loan pricing competition for creditworthy borrowers is becoming more competitive in our markets and limited our ability to increase pricing on new and renewed loans over the last several quarters.
 
We continue to deploy various asset liability management strategies to manage our risk to interest rate fluctuations.  We currently believe that short term rates will remain stable for an extended period of time.  We believe our net interest margin should increase during 2012 due to several factors related to pricing adjustments primarily for deposits.  We believe margin expansion over the longer term will be challenging due to increased pricing competition for quality loan opportunities and an anticipated flattening of the yield curve.

We believe our net interest income should increase in 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to an anticipated increased net interest margin and an increased emphasis by our sales force on pursuing quality loans. We anticipate funding these increased loan fundings by focusing on continuing to grow our core deposits, limited wholesale deposit fundings and reducing the size of our investment portfolio in relation to our total assets.

Rate and Volume Analysis. Net interest income increased by $7,091,000 between the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011 and by $13,582,000 between the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010.  The following is an analysis of the changes in our net interest income comparing the changes attributable to rates and those attributable to volumes (in thousands):

   
2011 Compared to 2010
   
2010 Compared to 2009
 
   
Increase (decrease) due to
   
Increase (decrease) due to
 
   
Rate
   
Volume
   
Net
   
Rate
   
Volume
   
Net
 
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Loans
  $ (1,153 )   $ (7,012 )   $ (8,165 )   $ 8,460     $ (7,829 )   $ 631  
Securities:
                                               
Taxable
    (5,925 )     (409 )     (6,334 )     (5,811 )     1,060       (4,751 )
Tax-exempt
    27       (549 )     (522 )     (199 )     1,575       1,376  
Federal funds sold
    310       (301 )     9       (830 )     1,206       376  
Total interest-earning assets
    (6,741 )     (8,271 )     (15,012 )     1,620       (3,988 )     (2,368 )
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Interest-bearing deposits:
                                               
Interest checking
    (369 )     400       31       432       1,076       1,508  
Savings and money market
    (6,513 )     1,975       (4,538 )     796       6,465       7,261  
Certificates of deposit
    (6,538 )     (8,224 )     (14,762 )     (10,111 )     (11,930 )     (22,041 )
Total deposits
    (13,420 )     (5,849 )     (19,269 )     (8,883 )     (4,389 )     (13,272 )
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    (217 )     (423 )     (640 )     301       (240 )     61  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
    (1,409 )     (123 )     (1,532 )     893       (2,955 )     (2,062 )
Subordinated debt
    (664 )     2       (662 )     (673 )     (4 )     (677 )
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    (15,710 )     (6,393 )     (22,103 )     (8,362 )     (7,588 )     (15,950 )
Net interest income
  $ 8,969     $ (1,878 )   $ 7,091     $ 9,982     $ 3,600     $ 13,582  
 

Changes in net interest income are attributed to either changes in average balances (volume change) or changes in average rates (rate change) for earning assets and sources of funds on which interest is received or paid.  Volume change is calculated as change in volume times the previous rate while rate change is change in rate times the previous volume.  The change attributed to rates and volumes (change in rate times change in volume) is considered above as a change in volume.

 
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Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses represents a charge to earnings necessary to establish an allowance for loan losses that, in our management’s evaluation, should be adequate to provide coverage for the inherent losses on outstanding loans.  The provision for loan losses amounted to approximately $21,798,000, $53,695,000, and $116,758,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Provision expense for year ended December 31, 2011 has decreased as compared to 2010 and 2009, primarily due to a reduction in both net charge-offs and in the overall amount of the allowance for loan losses. Elevated net-charge offs and increased non-performing assets were the primary reasons for the provisioning expense in 2010 and 2009.  Our construction and development loan portfolio contributed to elevated credit costs. This portfolio experienced credit deterioration due to depressed real estate market conditions.  For substantially all construction and development loans, our collateral is our primary source of repayment and as the value of the collateral deteriorates, ultimate repayment in full by the borrower becomes increasingly difficult. Our provisioning expense for 2010 as compared to 2009 decreased due to the slowing of non-performing and troubled loan inflows. Also, our 2009 provisioning expense was impacted by a $21.55 million charge-off of a bank holding company loan when the subsidiary bank was placed in receivership by the OCC in the second quarter of 2009 and by an overall increase in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans from 1.08% to 2.58%.

Based upon management's assessment of the loan portfolio, we adjust our allowance for loan losses to an amount deemed appropriate to adequately cover probable losses in the loan portfolio.  Our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans decreased from 2.57% at December 31, 2010 to 2.25% at December 31, 2011.  Based upon our evaluation of the loan portfolio, we believe the allowance for loan losses to be adequate to absorb our estimate of probable losses existing in the loan portfolio at December 31, 2011.  While our policies and procedures used to estimate the allowance for loan losses, as well as the resultant provision for loan losses charged to operations, are considered adequate by management, they are necessarily approximate and imprecise.  There are factors beyond our control, such as conditions in the local and national economy, local real estate market or a particular industry or borrower which may negatively impact, materially, our asset quality and the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses and, thus, the resulting provision for loan losses.

Noninterest Income. Our noninterest income is composed of several components, some of which vary significantly between quarterly and annual periods.  Service charges on deposit accounts and other noninterest income generally reflect our growth and market conditions, while investment services and fees from the origination of mortgage loans and gains on the sale of securities will often reflect market conditions and fluctuate from period to period.  The opportunities for recognition of gains on loan sales and net gains on sales of investment securities may also vary widely from quarter to quarter and year to year.

The following is the makeup of our noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 (in thousands):

   
Years ended
    2011-2010    
Year ended
    2010-2009  
   
December 31,
   
Percent
   
December 31,
   
Percent
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Increase (Decrease)
    2009    
Increase (Decrease)
 
Noninterest income:
 
 
                               
Service charges on deposit accounts
  $ 9,244     $ 9,592       (3.63 %)   $ 10,200       (5.96 %)
Investment services
    6,246       5,050       23.68 %     4,181       20.78 %
Insurance sales commissions
    3,999       3,864       3.49 %     4,026       (4.02 %)
Trust fees
    3,000       2,872       4.46 %     2,591       10.85 %
Gains on mortgage loans sold, net
    4,155       4,086       1.69 %     4,929       (17.10 %)
Net gain on sale of investment securities
    961       2,624       (63.38 %)     6,462       (59.39 %)
Other noninterest income:
                                       
ATM and other consumer fees
    6,381       5,373       18.76 %     4,510       19.14 %
Bank-owned life insurance
    1,159       913       27.08 %     518       76.06 %
Other noninterest income
    2,795       1,941       44.00 %     2,235       (13.15 %)
Total other noninterest income
    10,335       8,227       25.62 %     7,263       13.27 %
Total noninterest income
  $ 37,940     $ 36,315       4.47 %   $ 39,652       (8.42 %)

The decrease in service charges on deposit accounts in 2011 compared to 2010 is primarily related to decreased overdraft protection and insufficient fund charges on individual retail consumer accounts.  Overall, depository fees are down due to recent regulatory changes required of banks and changes in client spending behavior patterns.
 
 
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Also included in noninterest income are commissions and fees from investment services at our financial advisory unit, Pinnacle Asset Management, a division of Pinnacle National.  At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Asset Management was receiving commissions and fees in connection with approximately $1.06 billion in brokerage assets held with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. compared to $1.04 billion at December 31, 2010.  Insurance commissions were approximately $4.0 million during 2011 compared to $3.9 million during 2010.  Additionally, at December 31, 2011, our trust department was receiving fees on approximately $633 million in assets compared to $693 million at December 31, 2010.

Gains on loans sold consists of fees from the origination and sale of mortgage loans.  These mortgage fees are for loans originated in both the Middle Tennessee and Knoxville markets that are subsequently sold to third-party investors.  All of our mortgage loan sales transfer servicing rights to the buyer.  Generally, mortgage origination fees increase in lower interest rate environments and more robust housing markets and decrease in rising interest rate environments and more challenging housing markets.  As a result, mortgage origination fees may fluctuate greatly in different rate or housing environments.  The fees from the origination and sale of mortgage loans have been netted against the commission expense associated with these originations.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial realized approximately $961,000 in net gains from the sale of $166.4 million of available-for-sale securities. Sales during the year ended 2011 consisted of three primary groups: securities identified as other-than-temporarily-impaired in previous quarters during 2011, which had previously been marked-to-market, mortgage-backed securities in which the pre-payment frequency was expected to accelerate due to the mortgage refinancing expected due to lower rates, and municipal securities that had fallen outside of the parameters of our Asset/Liability policy due to a change in the quality of the security.

Included in other noninterest income are miscellaneous consumer fees, such as ATM revenues and other consumer fees.  The fees realized during the year ended December 31, 2011 have increased as compared to the same periods in the prior year due to increased check card usage.  Based on the recent changes under the Dodd-Frank Act, we expect income from check card and interchange fees to decline over time. While we are exempt from the cap on debit interchange fees because of our current asset size, we believe that there may be downward pressure on interchange fees as debit networks compete for transaction volume.  We believe that this potential reduction in interchange fees will likely happen gradually over an extended period of time.

Additionally, noninterest income from increases in the cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance was $1,159,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $913,000 in the same prior year period.  Pinnacle Financial has not had any additional investments in bank-owned life insurance policies during 2011.   The assets that support these policies are administered by the life insurance carriers and the income we receive (i.e., increases or decreases in the cash surrender value of the policies) on these policies is dependent upon the returns the insurance carriers are able to earn on the underlying investments that support the policies.  Earnings on these policies generally are not taxable.
 
 
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Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense consists of salaries and employee benefits, equipment and occupancy expenses, and other operating expenses.  The following is the makeup of our noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):
 
   
Years ended
    2011-2010    
Year ended
    2010-2009  
   
December 31,
   
Percent
   
December 31,
   
Percent
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Increase (Decrease)
    2009    
Increase (Decrease)
 
Noninterest expense:
 
 
   
 
                         
Salaries and employee benefits:
 
 
   
 
                         
Salaries
  $ 43,450     $ 44,994       (3.43 %)   $ 38,478       16.93 %
Commissions
    3,992       2,834       40.86 %     2,479       14.32 %
Incentives
    9,389       -       100.00 %     45       (100.00 %)
Employee benefits and other
    17,594       16,801       4.72 %     15,708       6.96 %
Total salaries and employee benefits
    74,425       64,629       15.16 %     56,710       13.96 %
Equipment and occupancy
    19,987       21,077       (5.17 %)     18,056       16.73 %
Other real estate expense
    17,432       29,210       (40.32 %)     14,257       104.88 %
Marketing and business development
    3,303       3,233       2.17 %     2,534       27.58 %
Postage and supplies
    2,121       2,538       (16.43 %)     2,929       (13.35 %)
Amortization of  intangibles
    2,863       2,981       (3.96 %)     3,185       (6.41 %)
Other noninterest expense:
                                       
Deposit related expenses
    9,330       12,507       (25.40 %)     11,492       8.83 %
Lending related expenses
    1,707       2,175       (21.52 %)     1,074       102.51 %
Investment sales expense
    272       316       (13.92 %)     425       (25.65 %)
Trust expenses
    376       343       9.62 %     305       12.46 %
Administrative and other expenses
    7,291       7,874       (7.4 %)     7,610       3.47 %
Total other noninterest expense
    18,976       23,215       (18.26 %)     20,906       11.04 %
Total noninterest expense
  $ 139,107     $ 146,883       (5.29 %)   $ 118,577       23.87 %

The increase in total salaries and employee benefits expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to prior years is primarily related to incentive compensation costs. We believe that variable pay incentives are a valuable tool in motivating an employee base that is focused on providing our clients effective financial advice and increasing stockholder value. As a result, and unlike many other financial institutions, all of our salary-based employees have historically participated in our annual cash incentive plan. Under the plan, the targeted level of incentive payments requires us to achieve a certain soundness threshold and a targeted level of pre-tax earnings. To the extent that actual pre-tax earnings are above or below targeted amount, the aggregate incentive payments generally are increased or decreased. Our performance for fiscal 2011 was in line with our targeted performance levels under our annual incentive plan which resulted in increased incentive costs in 2011 as compared to 2010, in which no incentives were accrued because our performance objectives were not met.  As a result of our participation in the CPP, our named executive officers do not participate in the annual cash incentive plan.

We also believe that equity incentives provide an excellent vehicle for all associates to become meaningful stockholders of the Company over an extended period of time and create a stockholder centric culture throughout our Company. Thus, early in our  history we elected to support and provide a broad-based equity inventive plan for all associates. As a result, included in employee benefits and other expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 were approximately $4.4 million, $3.9 million, and $3.3 respectively, of compensation expenses related to stock options and restricted share awards which have been issued to our associates. Also included in employee benefits and other expenses in 2011 was $777,000 in costs related to the salary stock units issued to our senior executives. In connection with these awards, the executive officers received salary stock units throughout the year which were settled in the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis at the end of 2011.  We believe that upon our ultimate redemption of all of the preferred shares issued pursuant to the CPP that the Human Resources and Compensation Committee will no longer employ salary stock units as a component of our executive officers’ compensation, as these executive officers will then be eligible to participate in our annual cash incentive plan after the date of the redemption of the preferred shares.
 
 
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Equipment and occupancy expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 5.2 % less than in 2010 and 10.7% greater than in 2009. The decrease from 2010 is attributable to the consolidation of our corporate offices in our new central location which was completed in the second quarter of 2010.  In the third quarter of 2011, we converted two of our Middle Tennessee offices to drive-thru facilities only and on September 30, 2011, we closed one branch in the Middle Tennessee market.  Subsequently, we closed one of the drive-thru facilities as of December 31, 2011. We expect to return to branch expansion in the Knoxville MSA beginning in 2012.   The increase between 2010 and 2009 is primarily attributable to the continued market expansion in the Knoxville MSA, and increased presence in the Nashville MSA since the end of 2009.

Other real estate expense was $17.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $29.2 million and $14.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Approximately $12.8 million, $25.7 million, and $11.9 million of the other real estate expense incurred during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were realized losses on dispositions and holding losses due to reduced valuations of OREO properties.  The remaining other real estate expense consisted of carrying costs to maintain or improve the properties.

Until we are able to significantly reduce the absolute level of our other real estate portfolio, other real estate expense for the next several quarters will likely remain elevated and fluctuate depending on market conditions as we maintain and market for sale various foreclosed properties. These properties could also be subject to future valuation adjustments as a result of updated appraisal information and further deterioration in real estate values, thus causing additional fluctuations in our quarterly other real estate expense.  Additionally, we will continue to incur expenses associated with maintenance costs and property taxes associated with these assets.

Management’s strategy is to aggressively pursue disposition of nonperforming loans and other real estate owned in order to ultimately reduce the expense associated with carrying these nonperforming assets and better position the firm for increased future profitability.  Our disposition strategy generally has been to negotiate sales of foreclosed properties on a property-by-property basis.  We have also utilized both traditional and online auctions. Our strategy is reviewed on an on-going basis and could change in the future.

Noninterest expense related to the amortization of intangibles relates primarily to the intangibles acquired in the Mid-America and Cavalry mergers.  The core deposit intangibles are being amortized over ten years for Mid-America and over seven years for Cavalry, in each case using an accelerated method which anticipates the life of the underlying deposits to which the intangible is attributable.  Amortization expense associated with these core deposit intangibles will approximate $700,000 to $1.0 million per year for the next six years with lesser amounts for the remaining amortization period.  Additionally, in connection with our acquisition of an insurance brokerage firm in July of 2008, we recorded a customer list intangible of $1,270,000 which is being amortized over 20 years on an accelerated basis.  Amortization of the customer list intangible amounted to $109,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011 and $115,000 and $118,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Total other noninterest expenses decreased to $19.0 million or by 18.3% during 2011 when compared to 2010.  A substantial portion of the decrease in this expense is attributable to decreased FDIC deposit insurance assessments and decreased lending related expenses related to problem assets, including appraisal, legal and other charges, and other expenses which are incidental variable costs related to deposit gathering and lending.  Also included in total other noninterest expenses are expenses related to ATM networks, correspondent bank service charges, check losses, and closing attorney expenses.

Our efficiency ratio (ratio of noninterest expense to the sum of net interest income and noninterest income) was 73.5%  in fiscal year 2011 compared to 81.3% in fiscal year 2010. The efficiency ratio measures the amount of expense that is incurred to generate a dollar of revenue. Our efficiency ratio was adversely impacted by other real estate owned and other credit related costs, including the increase in associates dedicated to problem loan resolution.

Income Taxes.  During the year ended December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial recorded income tax benefit of $15.3 million as a result of the reversal of the beginning of year valuation allowance.  Our effective income tax benefit rate was 53.5% for the year ended December 31, 2011.  Pinnacle Financial's effective income tax benefit rate differs from the Federal income tax statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the reversal of the deferred tax valuation allowance.

 
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Preferred Stock Dividends and Preferred Stock Discount Accretion. Net income (loss) available for common stockholders was reduced (increased) by preferred stock dividends of $4,606,000 in 2011 and $4,816,000 in 2010 and 2009, and the accretion on the preferred stock discount of $2,058,000, $1,326,000, and $1,114,000, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  On December 12, 2008, we received $95.0 million from the sale of preferred stock to the U.S. Treasury as a result of our participation in the CPP. The Series A preferred stock we sold the U.S. Treasury pays cumulative dividends quarterly at a rate of 5 percent per annum for the first five years and 9 percent thereafter.   During the fourth quarter of 2011, Pinnacle Financial repurchased 25% of the preferred shares originally issued to the U.S. Treasury under the CPP in a transaction totaling approximately $23.9 million. This partial redemption was the cause of the increase in the accretion on the preferred stock discount in 2011 as compared to 2010 and 2009. Following the partial redemption of preferred shares, 71,250 shares of Series A preferred stock remain issued and outstanding and held by the U.S. Treasury.  On June 16, 2009, we issued 8,855,000 shares of common stock through a public offering resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately $109.0 million.  As a result, and pursuant to the terms of the warrants issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with our participation in the CPP, the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with the CPP was reduced by 50%, or 267,455 shares.

Financial Condition

Our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2011 reflects an increase of $78.9 million in outstanding loans to $3.29 billion and a decrease of $178.7 million in total deposits to $3.65 billion.  Total assets were $4.86 billion at December 31, 2011 as compared to $4.91 billion at December 31, 2010.

Loans.
 
Loan Origination Risk Management. We maintain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income within an acceptable level of risk. Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis. A reporting system supplements the review process by providing management with frequent reports related to loan production, loan quality, concentrations of credit, loan delinquencies and non-performing and potential problem loans. Diversification in the loan portfolio is a means of managing risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions.

Underwriting standards are designed to promote relationship banking rather than transactional banking. Our management examines current and projected cash flows to determine the expected ability of a borrower to repay its obligations as agreed. Commercial and industrial loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flows of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. The cash flows of borrowers, however, may not be as expected and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. Most commercial and industrial loans are secured by the assets being financed or other business assets such as accounts receivable, inventory or equipment and may incorporate a personal guarantee; however, some short-term loans may be made on an unsecured basis. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the availability of funds for the repayment of these loans may be substantially dependent on the ability of the borrower to collect amounts due from its customers.

Commercial real estate loans are subject to underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial and industrial loans. These loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. Commercial real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts and the repayment of these loans is generally largely dependent on the successful operation of the property securing the loan or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. Commercial real estate loans may be adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy. As detailed in the discussion of real estate loans below, the properties securing our commercial real estate portfolio generally are diverse in terms of type and industry. We believe this diversity helps reduce our exposure to adverse economic events that affect any single industry or type of real estate product. Management monitors and evaluates commercial real estate loans based on cash flow, collateral, geography and risk grade criteria. We also utilize third-party experts to provide insight and guidance about economic conditions and trends affecting market areas we serve.

Although we have substantially reduced the amount of residential construction and development loans in our portfolio, we continue to pursue sound commercial construction and development projects. With respect to commercial construction and development loans we may originate from time to time, we generally require the borrower to have had an existing relationship with us and have a proven record of success. Construction loans are underwritten utilizing feasibility studies, independent appraisal reviews, sensitivity analysis of absorption and lease rates and financial analysis of the developers and property owners. Construction loans are generally based upon estimates of costs and value associated with the complete project. These estimates may be inaccurate. Construction loans often involve the disbursement of funds with repayment substantially dependent on the success of the ultimate project. Sources of repayment for these types of loans may be pre-committed permanent loans from approved long-term lenders, sales of developed property or an interim loan commitment from us until permanent financing is obtained. These loans are closely monitored by on-site inspections and are considered to have higher risks than other real estate loans because their ultimate repayment is sensitive to interest rate changes, governmental regulation of real property, general economic conditions and the availability of long-term financing.

 
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We also originate consumer loans, including consumer real-estate loans, where we typically use a computer-based credit scoring analysis to supplement the underwriting process. To monitor and manage consumer loan risk, policies and procedures are developed and modified, as needed, jointly by line and staff personnel. This activity, coupled with relatively small loan amounts that are spread across many individual borrowers, seeks to minimize risk. Additionally, trend and outlook reports are reviewed by management on a regular basis. Underwriting standards for home equity loans are heavily influenced by statutory requirements.

We also maintain an independent loan review department that reviews and validates the credit risk program on a periodic basis. Results of these reviews are presented to management and the audit committee. The loan review process complements and reinforces the risk identification and assessment decisions made by lenders and credit personnel, as well as our policies and procedures.
 
The composition of loans at December 31 for each of the past five years and the percentage (%) of each segment to total loans are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
Commercial real estate - Mortgage
  $ 1,110,962       33.8 %   $ 1,094,615       34.1 %   $ 1,118,068       31.4 %   $ 963,530       28.7 %   $ 710,546       25.9 %
Consumer real estate - Mortgage
    695,745       21.1 %     705,487       22.0 %     756,015       21.2 %     675,606       20.1 %     539,768       19.6 %
Construction and land development
    274,248       8.3 %     331,261       10.3 %     525,271       14.7 %     658,799       19.6 %     582,959       21.2 %
Commercial and industrial
    1,145,735       34.8 %     1,012,091       31.5 %     1,071,444       30.0 %     966,563       28.8 %     794,419       28.9 %
Consumer and other
    64,661       2.0 %     68,986       2.1 %     92,584       2.7 %     90,409       2.8 %     121,949       4.4 %
Total loans
  $ 3,291,351       100.0 %   $ 3,212,440       100.0 %   $ 3,563,382       100.0 %   $ 3,354,907       100.0 %   $ 2,749,641       100.0 %

The primary change within the composition of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2011 as compared to previous periods is the percentage of construction and land development loans in our portfolio and a 13.2% increase in our commercial and industrial loans.  The decrease in the construction and land development loans is due in part to our decision to reduce our exposure to this particular segment.  Our continued reduction of these types of loans will likely restrain our loan growth in the future in comparison to historical periods.  The commercial real estate – mortgage category includes owner-occupied commercial real estate loans.  Owner-occupied commercial real estate is similar in many ways to our commercial and industrial lending in that these loans are generally made to businesses on the basis of the cash flows of the business rather than on the valuation of the real estate.  We continue to consider commercial real estate mortgage products to be desirable.  At December 31, 2011, approximately 52% of the outstanding principal balance of our commercial real estate loans was secured by owner-occupied properties.

The following table classifies our fixed and variable rate loans at December 31, 2011 according to contractual maturities of (1) one year or less, (2) after one year through five years, and (3) after five years.  The table also classifies our variable rate loans pursuant to the contractual repricing dates of the underlying loans (in thousands):

   
Amounts at December 31, 2011
   
 
   
 
 
   
Fixed
   
Variable
   
 
   
At December 31,
   
At December 31,
 
   
Rates
   
Rates
   
Totals
   
2011
   
2010
 
Based on contractual maturity:
                   
 
   
 
 
Due within one year
  $ 224,216     $ 729,153     $ 953,369       29.0 %     31.6 %
Due in one year to five years
    702,950       757,923       1,460,873       44.4 %     47.1 %
Due after five years
    298,473       578,636       877,109       26.6 %     21.3 %
Totals
  $ 1,225,639     $ 2,065,712     $ 3,291,351       100.0 %     100.0 %
                                         
Based on contractual repricing dates:
                                       
Daily floating rate(*)
  $ -     $ 1,066,514     $ 1,066,514       32.4 %     36.6 %
Due within one year
    224,216       827,408       1,051,624       32.0 %     30.3 %
Due in one year to five years
    702,950       165,552       868,502       26.4 %     30.3 %
Due after five years
    298,473       6,238       304,711       9.3 %     2.8 %
Totals
  $ 1,225,639     $ 2,065,712     $ 3,291,351       100.0 %     100.0 %
 

The above information does not consider the impact of scheduled principal payments.
(*)Daily floating rate loans are tied to Pinnacle National’s prime lending rate or a national interest rate index with the underlying loan rates changing in relation to changes in these indexes. Included in variable rate loans are $1.250 billion of loans which are currently priced at their contractual floors with a weighted average rate of 4.75%. The weighted average contractual rates on these loans is $3.58%. As a result, interest income on these loans will not adjust until the contractual rate on the underlying loan exceeds the interest rate floor.

 
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Lending Concentrations.  We periodically analyze our commercial loan portfolio to determine if a concentration of credit risk exists to any one or more industries.  We use broadly accepted industry classification systems in order to classify borrowers into various industry classifications.  We have a credit exposure (loans outstanding plus unfunded commitments) exceeding 25% of Pinnacle National’s total risk-based capital to borrowers in the following industries at December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

   
At December 31, 2011
       
   
Outstanding
Principal
Balances
   
Unfunded
Commitments
   
Total exposure
   
Total Exposure at
December 31, 2010
 
                         
Lessors of nonresidential buildings
  $ 454,952     $ 54,051     $ 509,003     $ 502,268  
Lessors of residential buildings
    150,903       26,511       177,414       132,668  
Land subdividers
    104,051       15,055       119,106       144,550  

The decrease in our credit exposure to land subdividers is primarily due to our focused reduction of the construction and land development portfolio, in which the majority of these loans were included.

We also acquire certain loans from other banks and sell certain loans to other banks.  At December 31, 2011, we had acquired approximately $130.4 million of commercial loans which were originated by other banks and sold approximately $62.2 million of loans to other banks.  Substantially all of these loans are to Nashville or Knoxville based businesses and were acquired in order to potentially develop other business opportunities with these firms or to balance our exposure to a particular borrower or industry.

Performing Loans in Past Due Status.  The following table is a summary of our accruing loans that were past due between 30 and 90 days and greater than 90 days as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
Accruing loans past due 30 to 89 days:
 
2011
   
2010
 
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 5,749     $ 1,964  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    2,589       3,544  
Construction and land development
    1,572       2,157  
Commercial and industrial
    648       1,636  
Consumer and other
    526       152  
Total accruing loans past due 30 to 90 days
  $ 11,084     $ 9,453  
                 
Accruing loans past due 89 days or more:
               
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ -     $ -  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    254       -  
Construction and land development
    -       38  
Commercial and industrial
    604       100  
Consumer and other
    -       -  
Total accruing loans past due 90 days or more
  $ 858     $ 138  
                 
Ratios:
               
Accruing loans past due 30 to 90 days as a percentage of total loans
    0.34 %     0.29 %
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more as a percentage of total loans
    0.03 %     0.01 %
Total accruing loans in past due status as a percentage of total loans
    0.36 %     0.30 %

Potential Problem Loans.  Potential problem loans, which are not included in nonperforming loans, amounted to approximately $130.4 million, or 3.4% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2011, compared to $223.1 million, or 7.0% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2010.  Potential problem loans represent those loans with a well-defined weakness and where information about possible credit problems of borrowers has caused management to have serious doubts about the borrower’s ability to comply with present repayment terms.  This definition is believed to be substantially consistent with the standards established by the OCC, Pinnacle National’s primary regulator, for loans classified as substandard or worse, but not considered nonperforming loans.  Approximately $6.9 million of potential problem loans were past due at least 30 but less than 90 days as of December 31, 2011.

 
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Non-Performing Assets  and Troubled Debt Restructurings.  At December 31, 2011, we had $87.6 million in nonperforming assets compared to $140.5 million at December 31, 2010.  Included in nonperforming assets were $47.9 million in nonperforming loans and $39.7 million in other real estate owned at December 31, 2011 and $80.9 million in nonperforming loans and $59.6 million in other real estate owned at December 31, 2010.   At December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were $23.4 million and $20.3 million, respectively, of troubled debt restructurings that were performing as of the restructured date and remain in a performing status.

We have dedicated experienced credit administration resources to the residential construction and residential development portfolios by assigning senior executives and bankers to these portfolios.  These individuals meet frequently to discuss the performance of the portfolio and specific relationships with emphasis on underperforming assets.  Their objective is to identify relationships that warrant continued support and remediate those relationships that will tend to cause our portfolio to underperform over the long term.  We reappraise real estate-related nonperforming assets to ascertain appropriate valuations, and we continue to systematically review these valuations as new data is received. We seek to maintain current appraisals on nonperforming real estate loans and other real estate owned with a maximum age of nine months.

All nonaccruing loans are reviewed by and, in many cases, reassigned to a special assets officer who was not responsible for originating the loan.  If the loan is reassigned, the special assets officer is responsible for developing an action plan designed to minimize our future losses.  Typically, these special assets officers review our loan files, interview prior officers assigned to the relationship, meet with borrowers, inspect collateral, reappraise collateral and/or consult with legal counsel.  The special assets officer then recommends an action plan to a committee of directors and/or senior associates including lenders and workout specialists, which could include foreclosing on collateral, restructuring the loan, issuing demand letters or other actions.

We discontinue the accrual of interest income when (1) there is a significant deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower and full repayment of principal and interest is not expected or (2) the principal or interest is more than 90 days past due, unless the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection.

Due to the weakening credit status of a borrower, we may elect to formally restructure certain loans to facilitate a repayment plan that seeks to minimize the potential losses, if any, that we might incur.  These loans are considered troubled debt restructurings. If on nonaccruing status as of the date of restructuring, any restructured loan is included in the nonperforming loan balances noted above and is classified as an impaired loan.  Loans that have been restructured that were performing in accordance with the loan’s restructured terms as of the restructure date are not included in nonperforming loans.  At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were $23.4 million and $20.3 million, respectively, of troubled debt restructurings that remain in a performing status.
 
 
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The following table is a summary of our nonperforming assets and troubled debt restructurings at December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

   
At
December 31,
2010
   
Increases (3)
   
Decreases (4)
   
At
December 31,
2011
 
Nonperforming assets:
                       
Nonperforming loans (1):
                       
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 12,542     $ 16,390     $ (18,970 )   $ 9,962  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    9,035       22,497       (19,045 )     12,487  
Construction and land development
    43,514       15,417       (45,966 )     12,965  
Commercial and industrial
    14,740       25,791       (28,641 )     11,890  
Consumer and other
    1,032       930       (1,411 )     551  
Total nonperforming loans (2)
    80,863       81,025       (114,033 )     47,855  
Other real estate owned
    59,608       33,916       (53,810 )     39,714  
Total nonperforming assets
    140,471       114,941       (167,843 )     87,569  
Troubled debt restructurings:
                               
Commercial real estate – mortgage
    16,129       3,681       (4,432 )     15,378  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    561       6,745       (1,433 )     5,873  
Construction and land development
    -       77       -       77  
Commercial and industrial
    3,778       3,961       (5,895 )     1,844  
Consumer and other
    -       242       -       242  
Total troubled debt restructurings:
    20,468       14,706       (11,760 )     23,414  
Total nonperforming assets and troubled debt restructurings
  $ 160,939       129,647       (179,603 )   $ 110,983  
                                 
Ratios:
                               
Nonperforming loans to total loans
    2.52 %                     1.45 %
Nonperforming assets to total loans plus other real estate owned
    4.29 %                     2.75 %
Nonperforming loans plus troubled debt restructurings to total loans and other real estate owned
    3.10 %                     2.23 %
Nonperforming assets, potential problem loans and troubled debt  restructurings to Pinnacle National Tier I capital and allowance for  loan losses
    75.4 %                     44.2 %
 

(1)
Nonperforming loans exclude loans that have been restructured and remain on accruing status.  These loans are not considered to be nonperforming if they were performing loans immediately prior to their restructuring and are currently performing in accordance with the restructured terms.
(2)
Approximately $25.5 million and $33.2 million as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, of nonperforming loans included above are currently performing pursuant to their contractual terms.  If a loan does not have a substantiated cash repayment plan, that loan is classified as an impaired loan—although the loan continues to perform according to its contractual terms.
(3)
Increases in nonperforming loans represent loans where we have discontinued the accrual of interest at some point during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.  Increases in other real estate owned represent the value of properties that have been foreclosed upon or acquired by deed in lieu of foreclosure during fiscal year 2011.  Increases in troubled debt restructurings are those loans where we have granted the borrower a concession due to the deteriorating financial condition of the borrower during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.  These concessions can be in the form of a reduced interest rate, extended maturity date or other matters.
(4)
Decreases in nonperforming loans are primarily attributable to payments we have collected from borrowers, charge-offs of recorded balances and transfers of balances to other real estate owned during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.  Decreases in other real estate owned represent either the sale, disposition or valuation adjustment on properties which had previously been foreclosed upon or acquired by deed in lieu of foreclosure.  Decreases in troubled debt restructurings are those loans which were previously restructured and the borrower has satisfactorily performed in accordance with the restructured terms.

 
Page 46

 
At December 31, 2011, we owned $39.7 million in real estate which we had acquired, usually through foreclosure, from borrowers compared to $59.6 million at December 31, 2010; all of this real estate is located within our principal markets.  We categorize other real estate owned into four types: new home construction, developed lots, undeveloped land, and other.  Included in the “other” category are primarily condos, office buildings and existing homes.  The following table shows the amounts of our other real estate owned (in thousands) in such categories:

   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
New home construction
  $ 2,733     $ 10,370  
Developed lots
    7,091       14,037  
Undeveloped land
    22,455       18,675  
Other
    7,435       16,526  
    $ 39,714     $ 59,608  

Allowance for Loan Losses (allowance).  We maintain the allowance at a level that our management deems appropriate to adequately cover the probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  As of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, our allowance for loan losses was $74.0 million and $82.6 million, respectively, which our management deemed to be adequate at each of the respective dates.  The decrease in the allowance for loan losses in 2011 as compared to 2010 is primarily the result of improving credit metrics within our portfolio.  Our allowance for loan loss as a percentage of total loans has decreased from 2.57% at December 31, 2010 to 2.25% at December 31, 2011. The judgments and estimates associated with our allowance determination are described under “Critical Accounting Estimates” above.

The following table sets forth, based on management's best estimate, the allocation of the allowance to types of loans as well as the unallocated portion as of December 31 for each of the past five years and the percentage of loans in each category to total loans (in thousands):
 
   
At December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
Commercial real estate - Mortgage
  $ 23,397       33.8 %   $ 19,252       34.1 %   $ 22,505       31.4 %   $ 11,523       28.7 %   $ 8,068       25.9 %
Consumer real estate - Mortgage
    10,302       21.1 %     9,898       22.0 %     10,725       21.2 %     5,149       20.1 %     1,890       19.6 %
Construction and land development
    12,040       8.3 %     19,122       10.3 %     23,027       14.7 %     7,899       19.6 %     4,897       21.2 %
Commercial and industrial
    20,789       34.8 %     21,426       31.5 %     26,332       30.0 %     9,966       28.8 %     11,660       28.9 %
Consumer and other
    1,125       2.0 %     1,874       2.1 %     2,456       2.7 %     1,372       2.8 %     1,400       4.4 %
Unallocated
    6,322    
NA
      11,003    
NA
      6,914    
NA
      575    
NA
      555    
NA
 
Total allowance for loan losses
  $ 73,975       100.0 %   $ 82,575       100.0 %   $ 91,959       100.0 %   $ 36,484       100.0 %   $ 28,470       100.0 %
 
As the table reflects, our allowance for loan losses has decreased as a percentage of total loans in each category as compared to previous periods with the exception of commercial and industrial portfolio.  The decrease in the overall allowance for loan losses is due to the improvement in the economy. The unallocated category is intended to allow for losses that are inherent in our portfolio that we have not yet identified.  The allocation by category is determined based on the assigned risk rating, if applicable, and environmental factors applicable to each category of loans. The decrease in the allowance between 2010 and 2011 is primarily due to improvement in our loan portfolio and resolution of our problem credits.   As we have worked to resolve our troubled assets, the specific allocations for impaired loans have decreased.  Specific valuation allowances related to impaired loans were approximately $4.4 million at December 31, 2011 compared to $8.9 million at December 31, 2010.  The decrease in the specific allocation for impaired loans between 2011and 2010 was due to many factors, including the resolution of a significant number of troubled assets and improving economic stability.  Additional information on the breakdown of the allowance between performance and impaired loans in various loan categories is provided in Note 6 to the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 
Page 47


The following is a summary of changes in the allowance for loan losses for each of the years in the five year period ended December 31, 2011 and the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans as of the end of each period (in thousands):

   
For the year ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 82,575     $ 91,959     $ 36,484     $ 28,470     $ 16,118  
Provision for loan losses
    21,798       53,695       116,758       11,214       4,720  
Allowance from acquisitions
    -       -       -       -       8,695  
Charged-off loans:
                                       
Commercial real estate - Mortgage
    (3,044 )     (9,041 )     (986 )     (62 )     (22 )
Consumer real estate - Mortgage
    (5,076 )     (6,769 )     (4,881 )     (1,144 )     (364 )
Construction and land development
    (10,157 )     (27,526 )     (23,952 )     (2,172 )     (271 )
Commercial and industrial
    (15,360 )     (23,555 )     (31,134 )     (773 )     (326 )
Consumer and other
    (1,213 )     (652 )     (1,646 )     (982 )     (359 )
Total charged-off loans
    (34,850 )     (67,543 )     (62,599 )     (5,133 )     (1,342 )
Recoveries of previously charged-off loans:
                                       
Commercial real estate - Mortgage
    116       343       -       731       -  
Consumer real estate - Mortgage
    495       377       622       3       125  
Construction and land development
    1,530       2,618       139       55       1  
Commercial and industrial
    2,167       874       258       844       51  
Consumer and other loans
    144       252       297       300       102  
Total recoveries of previously charged-off loans
    4,452       4,464       1,316       1,933       279  
Net charge-offs
    (30,397 )     (63,079 )     (61,283 )     (3,200 )     (1,063 )
Balance at end of period
  $ 73,975     $ 82,575     $ 91,959     $ 36,484     $ 28,470  
                                         
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans outstanding at end of period
    2.25 %     2.57 %     2.58 %     1.09 %     1.04 %
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding for the period
    0.92 %     1.96 %     1.71 %     0.11 %     0.06 %

As noted in our critical accounting policies, management assesses the adequacy of the allowance prior to the end of each calendar quarter.  This assessment includes procedures to estimate the allowance and test the adequacy and appropriateness of the resulting balance.  The level of the allowance is based upon management’s evaluation of the loan portfolios, past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, the views of Pinnacle National’s regulators, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, economic conditions, historical loss experience, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors.  This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans that may be susceptible to significant change.
 
Investments.  Our investment portfolio, consisting primarily of Federal agency bonds, state and municipal securities and mortgage-backed securities, amounted to $897.3 million and $1.0 billion at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Our investment portfolio serves many purposes including serving as a stable source of income, collateral for public funds and as a potential liquidity source.  A summary of certain aspects of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2011 follows:

 
December 31, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
Weighted average life
          4.25 years
 
           5.37 years
Effective duration
2.45%
 
3.74%
Weighted average coupon
4.26%
 
4.36%
Tax equivalent yield
3.6%
 
4.4%
 
 
Page 48

 
The following table shows the carrying value of investment securities according to contractual maturity classifications of (1) one year or less, (2) after one year through five years, (3) after five years through ten years, and (4) after ten years.  Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities of mortgage-backed securities because the mortgages underlying the securities may be called or prepaid with or without penalty.  Therefore, these securities are not included in the maturity categories but are listed below these categories as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

       
   
U.S. Treasury
securities
   
U.S. government
agency securities
   
State and Municipal
securities
   
Corporate securities
   
Totals
 
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
 
At December 31, 2011:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Due in one year or less
  $ -       0.0 %   $ 517       0.6 %   $ 2,482       5.1 %   $ 306       2.2 %   $ 3,304       4.1 %
Due in one year to five years
    -       0.0 %     30,411       1.0 %     28,834       4.9 %     1,313       3.1 %     60,558       2.9 %
Due in five years to ten years
    -       0.0 %     7,024       3.1 %     67,441       5.7 %     9,511       5.0 %     83,976       5.4 %
Due after ten years
    -       0.0 %     4,362       3.3 %     97,194       5.9 %     -       0.0 %     101,556       5.8 %
    $ -       0.0 %   $ 42,314       1.6 %   $ 195,951       5.7 %   $ 11,130       4.7 %     249,394       4.9 %
Mortgage-backed securities
                                                                    645,567       3.1 %
                                                                    $ 894,961       3.6 %
                                                                                 
Securities held-to-maturity:
                                                                               
Due in one year or less
  $ -       0.0 %   $ -       0.0 %   $ 1,705       4.9 %   $ -       0.0 %   $ 1,705       4.9 %
Due in one year to five years
    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     625       4.9 %     -       0.0 %     625       4.9 %
Due in five years to ten years
    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %
Due after ten years
    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %
    $ -       0.0 %   $ -       0.0 %   $ 2,330       4.9 %   $ -       0.0 %     2,330       4.9 %
Mortgage-backed securities
                                                                    -       0.0 %
Total held-for-sale securities
                                                                  $ 2,330       4.9 %
                                                                                 
At December 31, 2010:
                                                                               
Securities available-for-sale:
                                                                               
Due in one year or less
  $ -       0.0 %   $ 253       1.7 %   $ 2,664       4.0 %   $ 153       5.6 %   $ 3,070       3.4 %
Due in one year to five years
    -       0.0 %     25,279       2.4 %     28,467       3.8 %     2,187       4.9 %     55,933       3.2 %
Due in five years to ten years
    -       0.0 %     46,581       3.1 %     66,676       4.4 %     8,819       5.3 %     122,076       4.0 %
Due after ten years
    -       0.0 %     18,302       3.5 %     113,674       4.2 %     -       0.0 %     131,976       4.2 %
    $ -       0.0 %   $ 90,415       3.0 %   $ 211,481       4.2 %   $ 11,159       5.2 %     313,055       3.9 %
Mortgage-backed securities
                                                                    701,262       4.6 %
Total available-for-sale securities
                                                            $ 1,014,317       4.4 %
                                                                                 
Securities held-to-maturity:
                                                                               
Due in one year or less
  $ -       0.0 %   $ -       0.0 %   $ 1,839       3.4 %   $ -       0.0 %   $ 1,839       3.4 %
Due in one year to five years
    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     2,481       3.5 %     -       0.0 %     2,481       3.5 %
Due in five years to ten years
    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       - %     -       0.0 %     -       - %
Due after ten years
    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       - %     -       0.0 %     -       - %
    $ -       0.0 %   $ -       0.0 %   $ 4, 320       3.5 %   $ -       0.0 %     4,320       3.5 %
Mortgage-backed securities
                                                                    -       - %
Total held-for-sale securities
                                                                  $ 4,320       3.5 %
 

We computed yields using coupon interest, adding discount accretion or subtracting premium amortization, as appropriate, on a ratable basis over the life of each security. We computed the weighted average yield for each maturity range using the acquisition price of each security in that range.
 
 
Page 49

 
Deposits and Other Borrowings. We had approximately $3.65 billion of deposits at December 31, 2011 compared to $3.83 billion at December 31, 2010.  Our deposits consist of noninterest and interest-bearing demand accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts and time deposits.  Additionally, we entered into agreements with certain customers to sell certain of our securities under agreements to repurchase the security the following day.  These agreements (which are typically associated with comprehensive treasury management programs for our commercial clients and provide the client with short-term returns for their excess funds) amounted to $131.6 million at December 31, 2011 and $146.3 million at December 31, 2010.  Additionally, at December 31, 2011, we had borrowed $226.1 million in advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati compared to $121.4 million at December 31, 2010.

Generally, we have classified our funding as core funding or non-core funding.  Core funding consists of all deposits other than time deposits issued in denominations of $250,000 or greater.  All other funding is deemed to be non-core.  Non-core is further segmented between relationship based non-core funding and wholesale funding.  The following table represents the balances of our deposits and other fundings and the percentage of each type to the total at December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):
 
   
December 31,
         
December 31,
       
   
2011
   
Percent
   
2010
   
Percent
 
Core funding:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Noninterest-bearing deposit accounts
  $ 717,379       17.5 %   $ 586,517       14.0 %
Interest-bearing demand accounts
    637,203       15.5 %     573,670       13.7 %
Savings and money market accounts
    1,585,260       38.6 %     1,596,306       38.0 %
Time deposit accounts less than $250,000 (1)
    501,705       12.2 %     669,078       15.9 %
Total core funding
    3,441,547       83.8 %     3,425,571       81.6 %
Non-core funding:
                               
Relationship based non-core funding:
                               
Reciprocating time deposits (2)
    108,507       2.6 %     188,510       4.5 %
Other time deposits
    104,284       2.5 %     204,747       4.9 %
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    131,591       3.2 %     146,294       3.5 %
Total relationship based non-core funding
    344,382       8.4 %     539,551       12.9 %
Wholesale funding:
                               
Public funds
    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %
Brokered deposits
    -       0.0 %     14,229       0.3 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    226,069       5.5 %     121,393       2.9 %
Subordinated debt – Pinnacle National
    15,000       0.3 %     15,000       0.4 %
Subordinated debt – Pinnacle Financial
    82,476       2.0 %     82,476       1.9 %
Total wholesale funding
    323,545       7.8 %     233,098       5.5 %
Total non-core funding
    667,927       16.2 %     772,649       18.4 %
Totals
  $ 4,109,474       100.0 %   $ 4,198,220       100.0 %

 
(1)
As of December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial updated the definition of core funding to include time deposits issued in denominations up to and including $250,000.  Previously, Pinnacle Financial excluded all time deposits greater than $100,000 from core funding. The December 31, 2010 balances shown above have been recast from the presentation shown on our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, to reflect the change in our definition of core-funding.
 
(2)
The reciprocating time deposit category consists of deposits we receive from a bank network (the CDARS network) in connection with deposits of our customers in excess of our FDIC coverage limit that we place with the CDARS network.

Our funding policies limit the amount of non-core funding we can utilize.  Periodically, we may exceed our policy limitations, at which time management will develop plans to bring our core funding ratios back within compliance.  At December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with our core funding policies. As noted in the table above, our core funding as a percentage of total funding increased from 81.6% at December 31, 2010 to 83.8% at December 31, 2011.  Continuing to grow our core deposit base is a key strategic objective of our firm.

 
Page 50


The amount of time deposits as of December 31, 2011 amounted to $714.5 million. The following table, which includes core, non-core and reciprocal deposits, shows our time deposits in denominations of under $250,000 and those of denominations of $250,000 and greater by category based on time remaining until maturity of (1) three months or less, (2) over three but less than six months, (3) over six but less than twelve months and (4) over twelve months and the weighted average rate for each category (in thousands):

   
Balances
   
Weighted Avg. Rate
 
Denominations less than $250,000
           
Three months or less
  $ 233,034       0.87 %
Over three but less than six months
    158,664       0.93 %
Over six but less than twelve months
    121,409       0.94 %
Over twelve months
    99,272       1.77 %
    $ 612,379       1.04 %
Denomination $250,000 and greater
               
Three months or less
  $ 26,511       1.58 %
Over three but less than six months
    30,318       1.08 %
Over six but less than twelve months
    23,537       1.30 %
Over twelve months
    21,752       1.75 %
    $ 102,118       1.41 %
Totals
  $ 714,497       1.10 %

Subordinated debt.  We have four wholly-owned Pinnacle Financial subsidiaries that are statutory business trusts. We are the sole sponsor of the Trusts and acquired each Trust’s common securities. The Trusts were created for the exclusive purpose of issuing 30-year capital trust preferred securities and used the proceeds to acquire junior subordinated debentures (Subordinated Debentures) issued by Pinnacle Financial.  The sole assets of the Trusts are the Subordinated Debentures.  At December 31, 2011, our $2,476,000 investment in the Trusts is included in other investments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and our $82,476,000 obligation is reflected as subordinated debt.

 
Date
Established
Maturity
 
Common
Securities
   
Subordinated
Debentures
 
Floating Interest
Rate
 
Interest Rate at
December 31, 2011
 
Trust I
December 29, 2003
December 30, 2033
  $ 310,000     $ 10,000,000  
Libor + 2.80%
    3.35 %
Trust II
September 15, 2005
September 30, 2035
    619,000       20,000,000  
Libor + 1.40%
    1.98 %
Trust III
September 7, 2006
September 30, 2036
    619,000       20,000,000  
Libor + 1.65%
    2.23 %
Trust IV
October 31, 2007
September 30, 2037
    928,000       30,000,000  
Libor + 2.85%
    3.40 %

The securities bear a floating interest rate based on a spread over 3-month LIBOR which is set each quarter.  Distributions are payable quarterly.  Pinnacle Financial has informally agreed to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta before making these quarterly payments. To date all subordinated debt payments were approved by the Federal Reserve Bank including the payments due for the first quarter of 2012.  The Trust Preferred Securities are subject to mandatory redemption upon repayment of the Subordinated Debentures at their stated maturity date or their earlier redemption in an amount equal to their liquidation amount plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption.  We guarantee the payment of distributions and payments for redemption or liquidation of the Trust Preferred Securities to the extent of funds held by the Trusts.  Pinnacle Financial’s obligations under the Subordinated Debentures together with the guarantee and other back-up obligations, in the aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by Pinnacle Financial of the obligations of the Trusts under the Trust Preferred Securities.
 
The Subordinated Debentures are unsecured; bear interest at a rate equal to the rates paid by the Trusts on the Trust Preferred Securities and mature on the same dates as those noted above for the Trust Preferred Securities.  Interest is payable quarterly.  We may defer the payment of interest at any time for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters provided that the deferral period does not extend past the stated maturity.  During any such deferral period, distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities will also be deferred and our ability to pay dividends on our common shares and preferred shares will be restricted.

Subject to approval by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (Federal Reserve Bank) and the limitations on repurchase resulting from Pinnacle Financial’s participation in the CPP, the Trust Preferred Securities may be redeemed prior to maturity at our option except for Trust IV which may be redeemed at our option after September 30, 2012.  The Trust Preferred Securities may also be redeemed at any time in whole (but not in part) in the event of unfavorable changes in laws or regulations that result in (1) the Trust becoming subject to federal income tax on income received on the Subordinated Debentures, (2) interest payable by the parent company on the Subordinated Debentures becoming non-deductible for federal tax purposes, (3) the requirement for the Trust to register under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (4) loss of the ability to treat the Trust Preferred Securities as “Tier I capital” under the Federal Reserve capital adequacy guidelines.
 
 
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On August 5, 2008, Pinnacle National entered into a $15 million subordinated term loan with a regional bank.  The loan bears interest at three month LIBOR plus 3.5%, matures in 2015 and at December 31, 2011, $9 million qualified as Tier 2 Capital for regulatory capital purposes. The portion that qualifies as Tier 2 capital decreases by $3 million at August 2012 and at each subsequent anniversary.
 
Capital Resources. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, our stockholders’ equity amounted to $710.1 million and $677.5 million, respectively.  Substantially all of the increase in stockholders’ equity resulted from our net income in 2011, the unrealized gain on our security portfolio, offset by the partial redemption of the preferred shares outstanding.

On December 12, 2008, we issued 95,000 shares of preferred stock to the U.S. Treasury for $95 million pursuant to the CPP.  Additionally, we issued 534,910 common stock warrants to the U.S. Treasury as a condition to our participation in the CPP.  The warrants have an exercise price of $26.64 each, are immediately exercisable and expire 10 years from the date of issuance. The accrued dividend costs and the accretion of the discount recorded on the preferred stock totaled $6,665,000 and $6,142,000 during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Proceeds from this sale of preferred stock were contributed to Pinnacle National for general corporate purposes, including its lending activities. During the fourth quarter of 2011, Pinnacle Financial repurchased 25% of the preferred shares originally issued to the U.S. Treasury under the CPP in a transaction totaling approximately $23.9 million. This partial redemption was financed from available cash resources of the Company. Following the partial redemption of preferred shares, 71,250 shares of Series A preferred stock remain issued and outstanding and held by the U.S. Treasury.

The Series A preferred stock sold pursuant to the CPP is non-voting, other than having class voting rights on certain matters, and pays cumulative dividends quarterly at a rate of 5 percent per annum for the first five years and 9 percent thereafter.  The preferred shares are redeemable at liquidation value ($1,000 per share) at any time, with Federal Reserve Board approval. The shares of Series A preferred stock qualify as Tier 1 capital under current regulatory definitions.

On June 16, 2009, we completed the sale of 8,855,000 shares of our common stock in a public offering, resulting in net proceeds to Pinnacle Financial of approximately $109.0 million. As a result, and pursuant to the terms of the warrant issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with our participation in the CPP, the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with the CPP was reduced by 50%, or 267,455 shares.
 
In the first quarter of 2010, the OCC established a requirement for Pinnacle National to maintain a minimum Tier 1 capital to average assets ratio of 8% and a minimum total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 12%.  During the fourth quarter of 2011, Pinnacle National was notified that the individual minimum capital requirement was lifted although it remains as an internal policy.  At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle National’s Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 13.8%, the total risk-based capital ratio was 15.3% and the leverage ratio was 11.4%, compared to 13.8%, 15.4% and 10.7% at December 31, 2010, respectively.

Dividends. Pinnacle National is subject to restrictions on the payment of dividends to Pinnacle Financial under federal banking laws and the regulations of the OCC.

Pinnacle National is required by federal law to obtain the prior approval of the OCC for payments of dividends if the total of all dividends declared by its board of directors in any year will exceed (1) the total of Pinnacle National’s net profits for that year, plus (2) Pinnacle National’s retained net profits of the preceding two years, less any required transfers to surplus. As of January 1, 2012, Pinnacle National’s retained net profits from 2011 and 2010 were approximately $20.8 million. Generally, federal regulatory policy discourages payment of holding company or bank dividends if the holding company or its subsidiaries are experiencing losses.  Pinnacle Financial has informally agreed to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta before making preferred stock dividends and trust preferred distributions or causing Pinnacle National to pay dividends. Until such time as it may receive dividends from Pinnacle National, Pinnacle Financial anticipates servicing its preferred stock dividend and trust preferred distributions from its available cash balances which totaled approximately $36.5 million as of December 31, 2011. To date all preferred dividend payments owed the U.S. Treasury pursuant to the CPP were approved by the Federal Reserve Bank including the payments due for the first quarter of 2012.

Pinnacle Financial has not paid any common stock dividends to date, nor does it anticipate paying dividends to its common stockholders for the foreseeable future.  Future dividend policy will depend on Pinnacle Financial's earnings, capital position, financial condition and other factors.
 
 
Page 52


Market and Liquidity Risk Management

Our objective is to manage assets and liabilities to provide a satisfactory, consistent level of profitability within the framework of established liquidity, loan, investment, borrowing, and capital policies.  Our Asset Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) is charged with the responsibility of monitoring these policies, which are designed to ensure acceptable composition of asset/liability mix.  Two critical areas of focus for ALCO are interest rate sensitivity and liquidity risk management.

Interest Rate Sensitivity.  In the normal course of business, we are exposed to market risk arising from fluctuations in interest rates.  ALCO measures and evaluates the interest rate risk so that we can meet customer demands for various types of loans and deposits.  ALCO determines the most appropriate amounts of on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet items.  Measurements which we use to help us manage interest rate sensitivity include an earnings simulation model and an economic value of equity model.  These measurements are used in conjunction with competitive pricing analysis.

 
·
Earnings simulation model. We believe that interest rate risk is best measured by our earnings simulation modeling.  Earning assets, interest-bearing liabilities, and off-balance sheet financial instruments are combined with ALCO forecasts of interest rates for the next 12 months and are combined with other factors in order to produce various earnings simulations.  To limit interest rate risk, we have guidelines for our earnings at risk which seek to limit the variance of net interest income in both gradual and instantaneous changes to interest rates.  For changes up or down in rates from management’s flat interest rate forecast over the next twelve months, limits in the decline in net interest income are as follows:
 
·
-15.5% for a gradual change of 400 basis points; -31.0% for an instantaneous change of 400 basis points
 
·
-10.5% for a gradual change of 300 basis points; -21.0% for an instantaneous change of 300 basis points
 
·
-6.5% for a gradual change of 200 basis points; -13.0% for an instantaneous change of 200 basis points
 
·
-3.0% for a gradual change of 100 basis points; -6.0% for an instantaneous change of 100 basis points

 
·
Economic value of equity. Our economic value of equity model measures the extent that estimated economic values of our assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items will change as a result of interest rate changes.  Economic values are determined by discounting expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items, which establishes a base case economic value of equity.  To help limit interest rate risk, we have a guideline stating that for an instantaneous 400 basis point change in interest rates up or down, the economic value of equity should not decrease by more than 40 percent from the base case; for a 300 basis point instantaneous change in interest rates up or down, the economic value of equity should not decrease by more than 30 percent; for a 200 basis point instantaneous change in interest rates up or down, the economic value of equity should not decrease by more than 20 percent; and for a 100 basis point instantaneous change in interest rates up or down, the economic value of equity should not decrease by more than 10 percent.

At December 31, 2011, our model results indicated that our balance sheet is slightly liability sensitive to parallel shifts in interest rates in increments of 100 to 200 basis points.  The slight liability sensitivity present at the 100 to 200 bps increment level is primarily attributable to the fact that our loan floors will prevent any rise in yields on our loan portfolio from out-pacing the potential rise in deposit costs.  We become asset-sensitive once those rate increments reach 200 to 250 basis points as we break through interest rate floors placed on variable and floating rate loans at a more substantial level.  Absent any other asset liability strategies an interest rate increase of a 200 to 250 basis point level could result in slightly increased margins. Over time, we expect to reduce our slight liability sensitivity as we engage in initiatives to bring our firm toward an interest rate neutral position over the next several quarters.

Each of the above analyses may not, on its own, be an accurate indicator of how our net interest income will be affected by changes in interest rates.  Income associated with interest-earning assets and costs associated with interest-bearing liabilities may not be affected uniformly by changes in interest rates.  In addition, the magnitude and duration of changes in interest rates may have a significant impact on net interest income.  For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods of repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates.  Interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities fluctuate in advance of changes in general market rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in general market rates.  In addition, certain assets, such as adjustable rate mortgage loans, have features (generally referred to as interest rate caps and floors) which limit changes in interest rates.  Prepayment and early withdrawal levels also could deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating the maturity of certain instruments. The ability of many borrowers to service their debts also may decrease during periods of rising interest rates.  ALCO reviews each of the above interest rate sensitivity analyses along with several different interest rate scenarios as part of its responsibility to provide a satisfactory, consistent level of profitability within the framework of established liquidity, loan, investment, borrowing, and capital policies.
 
 
Page 53


We may also use derivative financial instruments to improve the balance between interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities and as one tool to manage our interest rate sensitivity while continuing to meet the credit and deposit needs of our customers.  We also enter into interest rate swaps (“swaps”) to facilitate customer transactions and meet their financing needs.  These swaps qualify as derivatives, but are not designated as hedging instruments. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had not entered into any derivative contracts designated as hedging instruments to assist managing our interest rate sensitivity.

Liquidity Risk Management.  The purpose of liquidity risk management is to ensure that there are sufficient cash flows to satisfy loan demand, deposit withdrawals, and our other needs.  Traditional sources of liquidity for a bank include asset maturities and growth in core deposits.  A bank may achieve its desired liquidity objectives from the management of its assets and liabilities and by internally generated funding through its operations.  Funds invested in marketable instruments that can be readily sold and the continuous maturing of other earning assets are sources of liquidity from an asset perspective.  The liability base provides sources of liquidity through attraction of increased deposits and borrowing funds from various other institutions.

Changes in interest rates also affect our liquidity position.  We currently price deposits in response to market rates and our management intends to continue this policy.  If deposits are not priced in response to market rates, a loss of deposits could occur which would negatively affect our liquidity position.

Scheduled loan payments are a relatively stable source of funds, but loan payoffs and deposit flows fluctuate significantly, being influenced by interest rates, general economic conditions and competition. Additionally, debt security investments are subject to prepayment and call provisions that could accelerate their payoff prior to stated maturity.  We attempt to price our deposit products to meet our asset/liability objectives consistent with local market conditions.  Our ALCO is responsible for monitoring our ongoing liquidity needs.  Our regulators also monitor our liquidity and capital resources on a periodic basis.

In addition, Pinnacle National is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (FHLB).  As a result, Pinnacle National may request advances from the FHLB, pursuant to the terms of various borrowing agreements, which assist it in the funding of its home mortgage and commercial real estate loan portfolios.   Under the borrowing agreements with the FHLB, Pinnacle National has pledged certain qualifying residential mortgage loans and, pursuant to a blanket lien, certain qualifying commercial mortgage loans as collateral.  Additionally, Pinnacle Financial recognized a discount on FHLB advances in conjunction with previous acquisitions.  The remaining discount was $319,000 and $406,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle National had received advances from the FHLB totaling $225.75 million at the following rates and maturities (in thousands):
 
   
Scheduled
Maturities
   
Weighted
Average
Interest
Rates
 
             
2012
  $ 115,000       0.12 %
2013
    -       0.00 %
2014
    75,000       2.03 %
2015
    -       0.00 %
2016
    15,000       3.11 %
Thereafter
    20,750       1.57 %
    $ 225,750          
Weighted average interest rate
            1.09 %

Pinnacle National also has accommodations of $135 million with upstream correspondent banks for unsecured short-term advances.  These accommodations have various covenants related to their term and availability, and in most cases must be repaid within less than a month.  Although there were no amounts outstanding at December 31, 2011, for the year ended December 31, 2011, we averaged borrowings from correspondent banks of $726,000 under such agreements.  Additionally, Pinnacle National has approximately $820 million in accommodations available through the Federal Reserve Bank discount window, with no advances outstanding at December 31, 2011.

At December 31, 2011, there were no brokered certificates of deposit compared to $14.2 million at December 31, 2010.  We previously issued these brokered certificates through several different brokerage houses based on competitive bid.  Typically, these funds were for varying maturities up to two years and were issued at rates which were competitive to rates we would be required to pay to attract similar certificates of deposit from the local market as well as rates for FHLB advances of similar maturities.  Although we have historically considered these deposits to be a ready source of liquidity under current market conditions, we have reduced our reliance on these deposits throughout 2010 and 2011.

 
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Our short-term borrowings (borrowings which mature within the next fiscal year) consist primarily of securities sold under agreements to repurchase (these agreements are typically associated with comprehensive treasury management programs for our clients and provide them with short-term returns on their excess funds) and FHLB advances.  Information concerning our short-term borrowings as of and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

   
At December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Amounts outstanding at year-end:
                 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  $ 131,591     $ 146,294     $ 275,465  
Federal funds purchased
    -       -       -  
Holding Company line of credit
    -       -       -  
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term  advances
    115,000       10,000       91,072  
                         
Weighted average interest rates at year-end:
                       
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    0.44 %     0.75 %     0.71 %
Federal funds purchased
    -       -       -  
Holding Company line of credit
    -       -       -  
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term  advances
    0.12 %     1.90 %     2.41 %
                         
Maximum amount of borrowings at any month-end:
                       
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  $ 244,233     $ 284,323     $ 321,508  
Federal funds purchased
    -       -       38,255  
Holding Company line of credit
    -       -       18,000  
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term  advances
    115,000       75,980       116,436  
                         
Average balances for the year:
                       
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  $ 161,845     $ 222,179     $ 250,435  
Federal funds purchased
    -       260       13,422  
Holding Company line of credit
    -       -       8,877  
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term  advances
    31,250       30,288       76,662  
                         
Weighted average interest rates for the year:
                       
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    0.69 %     0.79 %     0.67 %
Federal funds purchased
    0.94 %     1.04 %     0.49 %
Holding Company line of credit
    -       -       2.26 %
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term  advances
    0.12 %     2.66 %     2.20 %

The following table presents additional information about our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2011, which by their terms have contractual maturity and termination dates subsequent to December 31, 2011 (in thousands):

   
At December 31, 2011
 
   
Next 12 months
   
13-36 months
   
37-60 months
   
More than 60 months
   
Totals
 
Contractual obligations:
                             
Certificates of deposit
  $ 593,473     $ 98,327     $ 22,669     $ 28     $ 714,497  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    131,591       -       -       -       131,591  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    115,000       75,000       15,000       20,750       225,750  
Subordinated debt
    -       -       15,000       82,476       97,476  
Minimum operating lease commitments
    3,796       7,061       6,902       33,136       50,895  
Totals
  $ 843,860     $ 180,388     $ 59,571     $ 136,390     $ 1,220,209  

Our management believes that we have adequate liquidity to meet all known contractual obligations and unfunded commitments, including loan commitments and reasonable borrower, depositor, and creditor requirements over the next twelve months.

 
Page 55


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.  At December 31, 2011, we had outstanding standby letters of credit of $76.2 million and unfunded loan commitments outstanding of $937.1 million.  Because these commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and many will expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment level does not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  If needed to fund these outstanding commitments, Pinnacle National has the ability to liquidate Federal funds sold or securities available-for-sale, or on a short-term basis to borrow and purchase Federal funds from other financial institutions.  The following table presents additional information about our unfunded commitments as of December 31, 2011, which by their terms, have contractual maturity dates subsequent to December 31, 2011 (in thousands):

   
At December 31, 2011
 
   
Next 12 months
   
13-36 months
   
37-60 months
   
More than 60 months
   
Totals
 
Unfunded commitments:
                             
Lines of credit
  $ 545,948     $ 106,904     $ 105,552     $ 178,679     $ 937,083  
Letters of credit
    72,468       1,709       2,000       -       76,177  
Totals
  $ 618,416     $ 108,613     $ 107,552     $ 178,679     $ 1,013,260  

Impact of Inflation

The consolidated financial statements and related consolidated financial data presented herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and practices within the banking industry which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all the assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on a financial institution's performance than the effects of general levels of inflation.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2011, FASB issued ASU No. 2011-02 A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring, intended to provide additional guidance to assist creditors in determining whether a restructuring of a receivable meets the criteria to be considered a troubled debt restructuring. The amendments in this ASU were effective for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 and have been applied retrospectively to the beginning of the current year.

As a result of applying these amendments, Pinnacle Financial reviewed all substandard loans that were renewed since January 1, 2011 and identified twenty-one new loan modifications that qualified as a troubled debt restructuring.  Pursuant to the guidance set forth in the standard, an impairment amount was calculated on each identified transaction consistent with the methodology followed for other impaired loans, described above.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-8, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, regarding testing goodwill for impairment. The new guidance provides an entity the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines that this is the case, it is required to perform the currently prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized for that reporting unit (if any). Based on the qualitative assessment, if an entity determines that the fair value of a reporting unit is more than its carrying amount, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. The new guidance will be effective for Pinnacle Financial beginning January 1, 2012. We will not know the impact of the adoption of this pronouncement on our financial position or results of operations as it is not practical to determine its effect until each prospective reporting date and after we have completed the qualitative assessments outlined in this ASU. At this time, we have no reason to believe it will have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income, new disclosure guidance related to the presentation of the Statement of Comprehensive Income. This guidance eliminates the current option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity and requires presentation of reclassification adjustments on the face of the income statement. Pinnacle Financial will adopt this accounting standard upon its effective date for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011.  This adoption will not have any impact on our financial position or results of operations but will impact our financial statement presentation.

 
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In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (Topic 820)-Fair Value Measurement (ASU 2011-04), to provide a consistent definition of fair value and ensure that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements particularly for level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 is effective for Pinnacle Financial in its first quarter of fiscal 2012 and will be applied prospectively. Pinnacle Financial is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2011-04, but currently believes there will be no significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Other than those pronouncements discussed above, there were no other recently issued accounting pronouncements that are expected to impact Pinnacle Financial.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The response to this Item is included in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, on pages 28 through 56 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 
Page 57

 
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
59
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Financial statements
60
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Internal Control over Financial Reporting
61
   
Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
Consolidated balance sheets
62
Consolidated statements of operations
63
Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity and comprehensive income (loss)
64
Consolidated statements of cash flows
65
Notes to consolidated financial statements
66

 
Page 58

 
MANAGEMENT REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The management of Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (‘the Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.  The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.  All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011.  In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.

Based on our assessment we believe that, as of December 31, 2011, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  This report appears on page 61 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 
Page 59

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 2, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
(signed) KPMG LLP
 
Nashville, Tennessee
March 2, 2012
 
 
Page 60

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.:
 
We have audited Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.’s (the Company’s) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and our report dated March 2, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
 
(signed) KPMG LLP
 
Nashville, Tennessee
March 2, 2012
 
 
Page 61

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   
December 31,
 
ASSETS
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
Cash and noninterest-bearing due from banks
  $ 63,015,997     $ 40,154,247  
Interest-bearing due from banks
    108,422,470       140,647,481  
Federal funds sold and other
    724,573       7,284,685  
Short-term discount notes
    -       499,768  
Cash and cash equivalents
    172,163,040       188,586,181  
                 
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value
    894,962,246       1,014,316,831  
Securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $2,369,118 and $4,411,856 at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)
    2,329,917       4,320,486  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
    35,363,038       16,206,034  
                 
Loans
    3,291,350,857       3,212,440,190  
Less allowance for loan losses
    (73,974,675 )     (82,575,235 )
Loans, net
    3,217,376,182       3,129,864,955  
                 
Premises and equipment, net
    77,127,361       82,374,228  
Other investments
    44,653,840       42,282,255  
Accrued interest receivable
    15,243,366       16,364,573  
Goodwill
    244,076,492       244,090,311  
Core deposits and other intangible assets
    7,842,267       10,705,105  
Other real estate owned
    39,714,415       59,608,224  
Other assets
    113,098,540       100,284,697  
Total assets
  $ 4,863,950,704     $ 4,909,003,880  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
                 
Deposits:
               
Non-interest-bearing
  $ 717,378,933     $ 586,516,637  
Interest-bearing
    637,203,420       573,670,188  
Savings and money market accounts
    1,585,260,139       1,596,306,386  
Time
    714,496,974       1,076,564,179  
Total deposits
    3,654,339,466       3,833,057,390  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    131,591,412       146,294,379  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    226,068,796       121,393,026  
Subordinated debt
    97,476,000       97,476,000  
Accrued interest payable
    2,233,330       5,197,925  
Other liabilities
    42,097,132       28,127,875  
Total liabilities
    4,153,806,136       4,231,546,595  
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 71,250 and 95,000 shares, respectively, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010
    69,096,828       90,788,682  
Common stock, par value $1.00; 90,000,000 shares authorized; 34,354,960 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 33,870,380 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010
    34,354,960       33,870,380  
Common stock warrants
    3,348,402       3,348,402  
Additional paid-in capital
    536,227,537       530,829,019  
Retained earnings
    49,783,584       12,996,202  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes
    17,333,257       5,624,600  
Total stockholders’ equity
    710,144,568       677,457,285  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 4,863,950,704     $ 4,909,003,880  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Page 62

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
   
For the years ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Interest income:
                 
Loans, including fees
  $ 154,748,491     $ 162,901,763     $ 162,271,036  
Securities:
                       
Taxable
    23,971,787       30,306,189       35,056,848  
Tax-exempt
    7,394,134       7,916,596       6,540,653  
Federal funds sold and other
    2,232,423       2,223,816       1,847,661  
Total interest income
    188,346,835       203,348,364       205,716,198  
                         
Interest expense:
                       
Deposits
    30,588,033       49,856,815       63,128,940  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    1,110,078       1,749,905       1,689,073  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
    5,184,313       7,368,258       10,106,922  
Total interest expense
    36,882,424       58,974,978       74,924,935  
Net interest income
    151,464,411       144,373,386       130,791,263  
Provision for loan losses
    21,797,613       53,695,454       116,758,231  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    129,666,798       90,677,932       14,033,032  
                         
Noninterest income:
                       
Service charges on deposit accounts
    9,244,165       9,591,543       10,199,838  
Investment services
    6,246,414       5,050,105       4,181,101  
Insurance sales commissions
    3,999,153       3,864,340       4,025,839  
Trust fees
    2,999,731       2,872,490       2,590,997  
Gains on mortgage loans sold, net
    4,155,137       4,085,657       4,928,542  
Net gain on sale of investment securities
    960,763       2,623,674       6,462,241  
Other noninterest income
    10,334,847       8,227,237       7,263,068  
Total noninterest income
    37,940,210       36,315,046       39,651,626  
                         
Noninterest expense:
                       
Salaries and employee benefits
    74,424,851       64,628,991       56,709,814  
Equipment and occupancy
    19,986,976       21,077,223       18,056,080  
Other real estate expense
    17,431,926       29,210,197       14,257,005  
Marketing and other business development
    3,303,151       3,233,224       2,533,953  
Postage and supplies
    2,120,722       2,538,021       2,929,447  
Amortization of intangibles
    2,862,837       2,980,986       3,185,111  
Other noninterest expense
    18,976,865       23,214,670       20,906,040  
Total noninterest expense
    139,107,328       146,883,312       118,577,450  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    28,499,680       (19,890,334 )     (64,892,792 )
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (15,237,687 )     4,410,158       (29,392,825 )
Net income (loss)
    43,737,367       (24,300,492 )     (35,499,967 )
Preferred stock dividends
    4,606,493       4,815,973       4,815,972  
Accretion on preferred stock discount
    2,058,146       1,326,049       1,113,986  
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 37,072,728     $ (30,442,514 )   $ (41,429,925 )
                         
Per share information:
                       
Basic net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders
  $ 1.11     $ (0.93 )   $ (1.46 )
Diluted net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders
  $ 1.09     $ (0.93 )   $ (1.46 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                       
Basic
    33,420,015       32,789,871       28,395,618  
Diluted
    34,060,228       32,789,871       28,395,618  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Page 63

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

For the each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011
 
   
Preferred Stock
   
Common Stock
   
Common Stock
   
Additional
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
   
Total Stockholders’
 
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Warrants
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Equity
 
Balances, December 31, 2008
  $ 88,348,647       23,762,124     $ 23,762,124     $ 6,696,804     $ 417,040,974     $ 84,380,447     $ 7,069,400     $ 627,298,396  
Exercise of employee common stock options, stock appreciation rights, common stock warrants and related tax benefits
    -       123,754       123,754       -       909,095       -       -       1,032,849  
Issuance of restricted common shares, net of forfeitures
    -       292,473       292,473       -       (292,473 )     -       -       -  
Restricted shares withheld for taxes
    -       (3,632 )     (3,632 )     -       (63,183 )     -       -       (66,815 )
Issuance of 8,855,000 shares of common stock, net of offering costs of $6,087,215
    -       8,855,000       8,855,000       -       100,172,785       -       -       109,027,785  
Cancellation of 267,455 warrants previously issued to U.S. Treasury
    -       -       -       (3,348,402 )     3,348,402       -       -       -  
Compensation expense for restricted shares
    -       -       -       -       1,444,274       -       -       1,444,274  
Compensation expense for stock options
    -       -       -       -       1,806,729       -       -       1,806,729  
Accretion on preferred stock discount
    1,113,986       -       -       -       -       (1,113,986 )             -  
Preferred dividends paid
    -       -       -       -       -       (4,393,751 )     -       (4,393,751 )
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                                               
Net loss
    -       -       -       -       -       (35,499,967 )     -       (35,499,967 )
Net unrealized holding gains on securities available-for-sale, net of taxes
    -       -       -       -       -       -       370,681       370,681  
Total comprehensive loss
                                                            (35,129,286 )
Balances,  December 31, 2009
  $ 89,462,633       33,029,719     $ 33,029,719     $ 3,348,402     $ 524,366,603     $ 43,372,743     $ 7,440,081     $ 701,020,181  
Exercise of employee common stock options, stock appreciation rights, common stock warrants and related tax benefits
    -       601,023       601,023       -       2,884,789       -       -       3,485,812  
Issuance of restricted common shares, net of forfeitures
    -       252,053       252,053       -       (252,053 )     -       -       -  
Restricted shares withheld for taxes
    -       (12,415 )     (12,415 )     -       (151,333 )     -       -       (163,748 )
Compensation expense for restricted shares
    -       -       -       -       2,303,720       -       -       2,303,720  
Compensation expense for stock options
    -       -       -       -       1,677,293       -       -       1,677,293  
Accretion on preferred stock discount
    1,326,049       -       -       -       -       (1,326,049 )     -       -  
Preferred dividends paid
    -       -       -       -       -       (4,750,000 )     -       (4,750,000 )
Comprehensive loss:
    -       -       -       -       -                          
Net loss
    -       -       -       -       -       (24,300,492 )     -       (24,300,492 )
Net unrealized holding losses on securities available-for-sale, net of taxes
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (1,815,481 )     (1,815,481 )
Total comprehensive loss
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (26,115,973 )
Balances,  December 31, 2010
  $ 90,788,682       33,870,380     $ 33,870,380     $ 3,348,402     $ 530,829,019     $ 12,996,202     $ 5,624,600     $ 677,457,285  
Exercise of employee common stock options, stock appreciation rights, common stock warrants and related tax benefits
    -       163,829       163,829       -       1,014,653       -       -       1,178,482  
Repurchase of preferred stock
    (23,750,000 )     -       -       -       -       -       -       (23,750,000 )
Issuance of restricted common shares, net of forfeitures
    -       299,715       299,715       -       (299,715 )     -       -       -  
Issuance of salary stock units
    -       54,526       54,526               722,292                       776,818  
Restricted shares withheld for taxes
    -       (33,490 )     (33,490 )     -       (474,448 )     -       -       (507,938 )
Compensation expense for restricted shares
    -       -       -       -       3,239,677       -       -       3,239,677  
Compensation expense for stock options
    -       -       -       -       1,196,059       -       -       1,196,059  
Accretion on preferred stock discount
    2,058,146       -       -       -       -       (2,058,146 )     -       -  
Preferred dividends paid
    -       -       -       -       -       (4,891,839 )     -       (4,891,839 )
Comprehensive income:
    -       -       -       -       -               -          
Net income
    -       -       -       -       -       43,737,367       -       43,737,367  
Net unrealized holding gains on securities available-for-sale, net of taxes
    -       -       -       -       -       -       11,708,657       11,708,657  
Total comprehensive income
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       55,446,025  
Balances, December 31, 2011
  $ 69,096,828       34,354,960     $ 34,354,960     $ 3,348,402     $ 536,227,537     $ 49,783,584     $ 17,333,257     $ 710,144,568  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Page 64

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
For the years ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Operating activities:
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 43,737,367     $ (24,300,492 )   $ (35,499,967 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Net amortization/accretion of premium/discount on securities
    7,702,123       5,667,069       4,735,074  
Depreciation and amortization
    10,950,434       11,500,075       10,804,664  
Provision for loan losses
    21,797,613       53,695,454       116,758,231  
Gains on sales of investment securities, net
    (960,763 )     (2,623,674 )     (6,462,241 )
Gain on loan sales, net
    (4,155,137 )     (4,085,657 )     (4,928,542 )
Stock-based compensation expense
    5,018,294       3,981,013       3,251,003  
Deferred tax (benefit) expense
    (23,395,052 )     17,822,071       (24,645,791 )
Losses on other real estate and other investments
    14,081,857       25,459,851       11,987,395  
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation
    (13,819 )     (16,776 )     (53,538 )
Mortgage loans held for sale:
                       
Loans originated
    (394,020,876 )     (444,833,043 )     (626,402,322 )
Loans sold
    378,996,474       445,227,014       644,098,081  
Increase in other assets
    42,346,579       27,366,049       16,214,893  
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
    11,004,661       14,730,158       (19,551,401 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    113,089,755       129,589,112       90,305,539  
                         
Investing activities:
                       
Activities in available-for-sale securities:
                       
Purchases
    (268,141,975 )     (548,916,132 )     (721,011,285 )
Sales
    166,415,738       146,082,535       346,895,583  
Maturities, prepayments and calls
    233,622,196       322,414,157       284,950,245  
Activities in held-to-maturity securities:
                       
Sales
    -       954,388       -  
Maturities, prepayments and calls
    1,975,000       1,235,612       3,960,000  
Increase (decrease) in loans, net
    (144,581,478 )     194,133,354       (329,573,695 )
Purchases of premises and equipment and software
    (2,031,265 )     (9,587,707 )     (19,175,840 )
Other investments
    (407,504 )     (1,878,676 )     (6,859,089 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (13,149,288 )     104,437,531       (440,814,081 )
                         
Financing activities:
                       
Net (decrease) increase in deposits
    (178,660,721 )     9,688,996       290,833,250  
Net (decrease) increase in repurchase agreements
    (14,702,967 )     (129,170,717 )     91,167,303  
Net decrease in Federal funds purchased
    -       -       (71,643,000 )
Federal Home Loan Bank:
                       
Issuances
    215,000,000       90,000,000       70,000,000  
Payments
    (110,236,705 )     (181,149,655 )     (41,153,298 )
Net increase (decrease) in borrowings under lines of credit
    -       -       (18,000,000 )
Exercise of common stock warrants
    -       285,000       300,000  
Exercise of common stock options and stock appreciation rights
    864,805       3,037,064       666,034  
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation
    13,819       16,776       53,538  
Preferred dividends paid
    (4,891,839 )     (4,750,000 )     (4,393,751 )
Proceeds from the sale of common stock, net of expenses
    -       -       109,027,785  
Repurchase of preferred shares outstanding
    (23,750,000 )     -       -  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (116,363,608 )     (212,042,536 )     426,857,861  
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (16,423,141 )     21,984,107       76,349,319  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    188,586,181       166,602,074       90,252,755  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 172,163,040     $ 188,586,181     $ 166,602,074  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Page 65

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business — Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (Pinnacle Financial) is a bank holding company whose primary business is conducted by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pinnacle National Bank (Pinnacle National).  Pinnacle National is a commercial bank headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Pinnacle National provides a full range of banking services, including investment, mortgage, and insurance services, and comprehensive wealth management services, in its primary market areas of the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tennessee and Knoxville, Tennessee Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

Basis of Presentation — These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Pinnacle Financial and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. PNFP Statutory Trust I, PNFP Statutory Trust II, PNFP Statutory Trust III, and PNFP Statutory Trust IV are affiliates of Pinnacle Financial and are included in these consolidated financial statements pursuant to the equity method of accounting.  Significant intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term include the determination of the allowance for loan losses, determination of any impairment of intangible assets, the valuation of other real estate owned and the valuation of deferred tax assets.

Impairment — Long-lived assets, including purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, such as core deposit intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.  Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated.

Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at least annually and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.  That annual assessment date for Pinnacle Financial is September 30.  An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds fair value.   The goodwill impairment analysis is a two-step test. The first step, used to identify potential impairment, involves comparing each reporting unit’s estimated fair value to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is considered not to be impaired. If the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value, there is an indication of potential impairment and the second step is performed to measure the amount of any impairment.

If required, the second step involves calculating an implied fair value of goodwill for each reporting unit for which the first step indicated potential impairment. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to the amount of goodwill calculated in a business combination, by measuring the excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in the first step, over the aggregate estimated fair values of the individual assets, liabilities and identifiable intangibles as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying value of goodwill assigned to the reporting unit, there is no impairment. If the carrying value of goodwill assigned to a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded for the excess.  Subsequent reversal of goodwill impairment losses is not permitted.

Prior to 2009, Pinnacle Financial’s stock price historically traded above its book value per common share.  At September 30, 2011, the stock price was trading below its book value per common share which could have been an indicator of goodwill impairment.  Pinnacle Financial performed its annual evaluation of whether there was goodwill impairment as of September 30, 2011, and determined that there was no impairment.  At December 31, 2011, the price of Pinnacle Financial’s common stock was trading at levels that, although lower than the stock’s book value per common share, were higher than those that were utilized in our impairment testing at September 30, 2011.  Pinnacle Financial determined that there were no other indicators of impairment and concluded that no further assessment of goodwill impairment was required as of December 31, 2011.  Should our stock price decline further below our book value per common share than was the case at September 30, 2011, an impairment charge to goodwill may be required. Should it be determined in a future period that the goodwill has been impaired, then a charge to earnings will be recorded in the period such determination is made.

 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-8, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, regarding testing goodwill for impairment. The new guidance provides an entity the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines that this is the case, it is required to perform the currently prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized for that reporting unit (if any). Based on the qualitative assessment, if an entity determines that the fair value of a reporting unit is more than its carrying amount, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. The new guidance will be effective for Pinnacle Financial beginning January 1, 2012. We will not know the impact of the adoption of this pronouncement on our financial position or results of operations as it is not practical to determine its effect until each prospective reporting date and after we have completed the qualitative assessments outlined in this ASU. At this time, we have no reason to believe it will have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Cash Equivalents and Cash Flows — Cash on hand, cash items in process of collection, amounts due from banks, Federal funds sold, short-term discount notes and securities purchased under agreements to resell, with original maturities within ninety days, are included in cash and cash equivalents.  The following supplemental cash flow information addresses certain cash payments and noncash transactions for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 as follows:

   
For the years ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Cash Payments:
     
Interest
  $ 39,991,746     $ 60,675,865     $ 77,333,798  
Income taxes paid (refunded)
    3,988,414       (4,722,776 )     3,200,000  
Noncash Transactions:
                       
Loans charged-off to the allowance for loan losses
    34,849,910       67,543,395       62,598,965  
Loans foreclosed upon with repossessions transferred to other real estate
    34,580,351       92,873,551       58,974,257  

Securities — Securities are classified based on management’s intention on the date of purchase. All debt securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value with any unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of the deferred income tax effects. Securities that Pinnacle Financial has both the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and are carried at historical cost and adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.

Interest and dividends on securities, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts calculated under the effective interest method, are included in interest income.  For certain securities, amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts is computed based on the anticipated life of the security which may be shorter than the stated life of the security.  Realized gains and losses from the sale of securities are determined using the specific identification method, and are recorded on the trade date of the sale.

Other-than-temporary Impairment — A decline in the fair value of any available-for-sale or held-to-maturity security below cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary results in a reduction in the carrying amount of the security.  To determine whether impairment is other-than-temporary, management considers whether the entity expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security by reviewing the present value of the future cash flows associated with the security.  The shortfall of the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected in relation to the amortized cost basis is referred to as a credit loss and is deemed to be other-than-temporary impairment. If a credit loss is identified, the credit loss is recognized as a charge to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established.  If management concludes that a credit loss exists, but a full recovery is expected and it is not more-likely-than-not that it will be required to sell the security before maturity, then the security is not other-than-temporarily impaired and the shortfall is recorded as a component of equity.

Mortgage loans held-for-sale — Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value as determined on a loan-by-loan basis.  Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income.  Realized gains and losses are recognized when legal title to the loans has been transferred to the purchaser and payments have been received and are reflected in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations in gains on loans sold, net of related costs such as compensation expenses.  Pinnacle Financial does not securitize mortgage loans and does not retain the servicing for loans sold.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Loans — Pinnacle Financial has five loan segments: commercial, commercial real estate, construction and development, consumer and consumer real estate that are determined based on the underlying collateral utilized to secure each loan. This classification is consistent with those utilized in the Quarterly Report of Condition and Income filed with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Loans are reported at their outstanding principal balances, net of the allowance for loan losses and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income on loans is accrued based on the principal balance outstanding.  Loan origination fees, net of certain loan origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment to the related loan yield using a method which approximates the interest method.  At December 31, 2011 and 2010, net deferred loan fees of $208,000 and $579,000, respectively, were included in loans on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

As part of our routine credit monitoring process, commercial loans receive risk ratings by the assigned financial advisor and are subject to validation by our independent loan review department.  Risk ratings are categorized as pass, special mention, substandard, substandard-impaired or doubtful-impaired.  Pinnacle Financial believes that our categories follow those outlined by our primary regulator.  At December 31, 2011, approximately 75% of our loan portfolio was assigned a specifically assigned risk rating in the allowance for loan loss assessment.  Certain consumer loans and commercial relationships that possess certain qualifying characteristics are generally not assigned an individual risk rating but are evaluated as a homogenous pool of loans as either accrual or nonaccrual based on the performance of the loan.

Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when there is a significant deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower, which often is determined when the principal or interest is more than 90 days past due, unless the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection.  Generally, all interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual status is reversed against current interest income.  Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received while the loan is classified as nonaccrual, but interest income recognition is reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if the payment should be applied to interest or principal pursuant to regulatory guidelines.  A nonaccrual loan is returned to accruing status once the loan has been brought current and collection is reasonably assured or the loan has been “well-secured” through other techniques.  Past due status is determined based on the contractual due date per the underlying loan agreement.

All loans that are placed on nonaccrual status are further analyzed to determine if they should be classified as impaired loans.  At December 31, 2011, there were no loans classified as nonaccrual that were not also deemed to be impaired.  A loan is considered to be impaired when it is probable Pinnacle Financial will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan. This determination is made using a variety of techniques, which include a review of the borrower’s financial condition, debt-service coverage ratios, global cash flow analysis, guarantor support, other loan file information, meetings with borrowers, inspection or reappraisal of collateral and/or consultation with legal counsel as well as results of reviews of other similar industry credits (e.g. builder loans, development loans, church loans, etc.).

Loans are charged off when management believes that the full collectability of the loan is unlikely.  As such, a loan may be partially charged-off after a “confirming event” has occurred which serves to validate that full repayment pursuant to the terms of the loan is unlikely.

Allowance for Loan Losses — The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level that management believes to be adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when they are known. Subsequent recoveries are credited to the allowance.  Management’s determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on an evaluation of the portfolio, current economic conditions, volume, growth, composition of the loan portfolio, homogeneous pools of loans, risk ratings of specific loans, historical loan loss factors, loss experience of various loan segments, identified impaired loans and other factors related to the portfolio. This evaluation is performed quarterly and is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that are susceptible to significant change including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on any impaired loans.

In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, we also consider the results of our ongoing independent loan review process.  We undertake this process both to ascertain whether there are loans in the portfolio whose credit quality has weakened over time and to assist in our overall evaluation of the risk characteristics of the entire loan portfolio.  Our loan review process includes the judgment of management, independent loan reviewers, and reviews that may have been conducted by third-party reviewers. We incorporate relevant loan review results in the loan impairment determination. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, will periodically review Pinnacle Financial’s allowance for loan losses and may require Pinnacle Financial to record adjustments to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In addition to the independent loan review process, the aforementioned risk ratings are subject to continual review by the loan officer to determine that the appropriate risk ratings are being utilized in our allowance for loan loss process.  At least annually, and in many cases twice per year, our credit policy requires that each risk-rated loan is subject to a formal credit risk review to be performed by the responsible loan officer.  Each risk rating is also subject to review by our independent loan review department.  Currently, our independent loan review department targets reviews of at least 70% of our risk rated portfolio annually.  Included in the 70% coverage are independent loan reviews of loans in targeted portfolio segments such as certain consumer loans, land loans, loans assigned to a particular lending officer and/or loan types in certain geographies.

All of the above factors are utilized in the determination of the allowance for loan losses which is composed of the results of two distinct impairment analyses pursuant to the provisions of both ASC 450-20 (formerly SFAS 5) and ASC 310-10-35 (formerly SFAS 114) as discussed below.

ASC 450-20, Loss Contingencies —  The ASC 450-20 component of the allowance for loan losses begins with a process of estimating the probable losses based on our internal system of risk ratings and historical loss data for our risk rated portfolio.  Prior to 2010, because of Pinnacle Financial’s limited loss history, loss estimates were primarily derived from historical loss data by loan categories for comparable peer institutions.  During 2010, we incorporated the results of Pinnacle National’s own historical migration analysis of all loans that were charged-off during the prior eight quarters.  The look-back period in our migration analysis was extended in 2011 to eleven quarters to continue to include the losses incurred by Pinnacle Financial in the second quarter of 2009. In this current economic environment, we believed the extension of our look-back period in our migration analysis was appropriate due to the risks inherent in our loan portfolio.  Absent the extension, the early cycle periods in which we experienced significant losses would have been excluded from the determination of the allowance for loan losses.  This migration analysis assists in evaluating loan loss allocation rates for the various risk grades assigned to loans in our portfolio. The results of the migration analysis are then compared to other industry factors to determine the loss allocation rates for the risk rated loan portfolios.  The loss allocation rates from our migration analysis and the industry loss factors are weighted to determine a weighted average loss allocation rate for these portfolios.

The allowance allocation for non risk-rated portfolios is based on consideration of our actual historical loss rates and industry loss rates for those particular segments. Non risk-rated loans are evaluated as a group by category rather than on a individual loan basis because these loans are smaller and homogeneous.  We weight the allocation methodologies for the non risk-rated loan portfolio and determine a weighted average allocation for these portfolios.

The estimated loan loss allocation for all loan segments is then adjusted for management’s estimate of probable losses for several environmental factors. The allocation for environmental factors is particularly subjective and does not lend itself to exact mathematical calculation.  This amount represents estimated probable inherent credit losses which exist, but have not yet been identified, as of the balance sheet date, and is based upon quarterly trend assessments in delinquent and nonaccrual loans, unanticipated charge-offs, credit concentration changes, prevailing economic conditions, changes in lending personnel experience, changes in lending policies or procedures and other influencing factors.  These environmental factors are considered for each of the five loan segments, and the allowance allocation, as determined by the processes noted above for each segment, is increased or decreased based on the incremental assessment of these various environmental factors.  The environmental factors accounted for approximately 8.8% of the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2011 compared to 6.8% of allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2010.

The ASC 450-20 portion of the allowance also includes an unallocated component.  We believe that the unallocated amount is warranted for inherent factors that cannot be practically assigned to individual loan categories, such as the imprecision in the overall loss allocation measurement process, the volatility of the local economies in the markets we serve and imprecision in our credit risk ratings process.

ASC 310-10-35, Receivables — ASC 310-10-35 component of the allowance for loan loss is the allowance for impaired loans.  Generally, loans with an identified weakness and principal balance of $250,000 or more are subject to an individual determination of the amount of impairment that exists for a particular loan. The amount of the impairment is measured based on the present value of expected payments using the loan’s original effective rate as the discount rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the measure of fair value, a specific valuation allowance is established as a component of the allowance for loan losses or, in the case of collateral dependent loans, the excess is charged off.   Changes to the valuation allowance are recorded as a component of the provision for loan losses.  Any subsequent adjustments to present value calculations for impaired loan valuations as a result of the passage of time, such as changes in the anticipated payback period for repayment, are recorded as a component of the provision for loan losses.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For impaired loans less than $250,000, Pinnacle Financial assigns a valuation allowance to these loans utilizing an allocation rate equal to the allocation rate calculated for loans of a similar type greater than $250,000.  In addition, Pinnacle Financial reviews impaired collateral dependent loans less than $250,000 to determine if any amounts should be charged-off pursuant to regulatory requirements.  At December 31, 2011, the principal balance of these small impaired loans was $7.2 million, which represented 15.1% of all impaired loans.  At December 31, 2010, the principal balance of these small impaired loans was $8.9 million, which represented 11.0% of all impaired loans.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement — In April 2011, FASB issued ASU No. 2011-02 A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring, intended to provide additional guidance to assist creditors in determining whether a restructuring of a receivable meets the criteria to be considered a troubled debt restructuring. The amendments in this ASU were effective for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 and have been applied retrospectively to the beginning of the current year.

As a result of applying these amendments, Pinnacle Financial reviewed all substandard loans that were renewed since January 1, 2011 and identified twenty-one new loan modifications that qualified as a troubled debt restructuring.  Pursuant to the guidance set forth in the standard, an impairment amount was calculated on each identified transaction consistent with the methodology followed for other impaired loans, described above.

Transfers of Financial Assets — Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from Pinnacle Financial, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) Pinnacle Financial does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before maturity.

Premises and Equipment and Leaseholds — Premises and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization computed principally by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the expected lease terms for leasehold improvements, whichever is shorter. Useful lives for all premises and equipment range between three and thirty years.

Pinnacle National is the lessee with respect to several office locations.  All such leases are being accounted for as operating leases within the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  Several of these leases include rent escalation clauses.  Pinnacle National expenses the costs associated with these escalating payments over the life of the expected lease term using the straight-line method.  At December 31, 2011, the deferred liability associated with these escalating rentals was approximately $1,759,000 and is included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Other Investments —Pinnacle Financial is required to maintain certain minimum levels of equity investments with certain regulatory and other entities in which Pinnacle Financial has an ongoing business relationship based on the common stock and surplus (Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta) or outstanding borrowings (Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati) of Pinnacle National. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the cost of these investments was $32,861,000 and $33,018,000, respectively.  Pinnacle Financial determined that cost approximates the fair value of these investments.  Additionally, Pinnacle Financial has recorded certain investments in other entities, at fair value, of $3,400,000 and $2,693,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  During 2011 and 2010, Pinnacle Financial recorded gains of $314,000 and $272,000, respectively, due to changes in the fair value of these investments.  As discussed more fully described in footnote 10, Pinnacle Financial has an investment in four Trusts valued at $2,476,000 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. The Trusts were established to issue subordinated debentures. Also, as part of the Community Reinvestment Act, we had investments totaling $5,917,000 and $4,095,000, net, as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These investments are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in other investments.

Other Real Estate Owned — Other real estate owned (OREO) represents real estate foreclosed upon or acquired by deed in lieu of foreclosure by Pinnacle National through loan defaults by customers.  Substantially all of these amounts relate to lots, homes and residential development projects that are either completed or are in various stages of construction for which Pinnacle Financial believes it has adequate collateral.  Upon foreclosure, the property is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, based on appraised value, less selling costs estimated as of the date acquired with any loss recognized as a charge-off through the allowance for loan losses.  Additional OREO losses for subsequent valuation downward adjustments are determined on a specific property basis and are included as a component of noninterest expense along with holding costs.  Net gains or losses realized at the time of disposal are reflected in noninterest income or noninterest expense, as applicable.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2011 is $52,711,000 of OREO with a related valuation allowance of $12,997,000. At December 31, 2010 the amount was $72,530,000 with a related valuation allowance of $12,922,000.  During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, Pinnacle Financial incurred $17,432,000, $29,210,000, and $14,257,000, respectively, of foreclosed real estate expense, of which $12,806,000, $25,732,000, and $11,861,000 were realized losses on dispositions and holding losses on valuations of OREO properties during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Other Assets — Included in other assets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, is approximately $1,318,000 and $1,509,000, respectively, of computer software related assets, net of amortization. This software supports Pinnacle Financial’s primary data systems and relates to amounts paid to vendors for installation and development of such systems. These amounts are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of three to seven years. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, Pinnacle Financial’s amortization expense was approximately $818,000, $754,000, and $550,000, respectively. Software maintenance fees are capitalized in other assets and amortized over the term of the maintenance agreement.

Pinnacle National is the owner and beneficiary of various life insurance policies on certain key executives and former directors of Cavalry Bancorp, Inc. (Cavalry) which Pinnacle Financial acquired in 2006, including policies that were acquired in its merger with Cavalry.   Collectively, these policies are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at their respective cash surrender values.  At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the aggregate cash surrender value of these policies, which is reflected in other assets, was $48,883,000 and $47,724,000, respectively. Noninterest income related to these policies was $1,159,000, $913,000, and $518,000, during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Also included in other assets at December 31, 2011 and 2010 is $498,000 and $544,000, respectively, which is related to loan participations which have been sold to correspondent banks prior to 2010.  These amounts represent the present value, net of amortization, of the future net cash flows retained by Pinnacle Financial which is referred to as the loan participation interest rate spread.  These amounts are amortized against net interest income over the life of the loan.  Amortization of these amounts was $68,000, $91,000, and $155,000, for 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

In November 2009, the FDIC issued a rule that required all insured depository institutions, with limited exceptions, to prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012.  The remaining $7.0 million in pre-paid deposit insurance is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011.

Derivative Instruments — In accordance with ASC Topic 815 Derivatives and Hedging, all derivative instruments are recorded on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at their respective fair values.  The accounting for changes in fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and if so, on the reason for holding it.  If the derivative instrument is not designated as a hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recognized in earnings in the period of change.  None of the derivatives utilized by Pinnacle Financial have been designated as a hedge.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase — Pinnacle National routinely sells securities to certain treasury management customers and then repurchases these securities the next day.  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are reflected as a secured borrowing in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at the amount of cash received in connection with each transaction.

Investment Services and Trust Fees — Investment services and trust fees are recognized when earned.  As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, Pinnacle Financial had accumulated approximately $1.06 billion and $1.04 billion, respectively, in brokerage assets under management.  Additionally, the trust department had accumulated approximately $633 million and $693 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, in trust assets under management.

Insurance Sales Commissions — Insurance sales commissions are recognized as of the effective date of the policy, when the premium due under the policy can be reasonably estimated and when the premium is billable to the client, less a provision for commission refunds in the event of policy cancellation prior to termination date.

Advertising — Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses are included as a component of marketing and other business development and totaled $339,000, $259,000, and $43,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Income Taxes — ASC 740, Income Taxes, defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax return positions in the financial statements as “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority.  This section also provides guidance on the derecognition, measurement and classification of income tax uncertainties, along with any related interest and penalties, and includes guidance concerning accounting for income tax uncertainties in interim periods. As of December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial had no unrecognized tax benefits related to Federal or State income tax matters and does not anticipate any material increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits relative to any tax positions taken prior to December 31, 2011.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates.  The net deferred tax asset is reflected as a component of other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. A valuation allowance is required for deferred tax assets if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the asset may not be realized due to the inability to generate sufficient taxable income in the period and/or of the character necessary to utilize the benefit of the deferred tax asset.

Income tax expense or benefit for the year is allocated among continuing operations and other comprehensive income (loss), as applicable. The amount allocated to continuing operations is the income tax effect of the pretax income or loss from continuing operations that occurred during the year, plus or minus income tax effects of (a) changes in certain circumstances that cause a change in judgment about the realization of deferred tax assets in future years, (b) changes in income tax laws or rates, and (c) changes in income tax status, subject to certain exceptions.  The amount allocated to other comprehensive income (loss) is related solely to changes in the valuation allowance on items that are normally accounted for in other comprehensive income (loss) such as unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities.

Pinnacle Financial and its subsidiaries file consolidated U.S. Federal and state of Tennessee income tax returns. Each entity provides for income taxes based on its contribution to income or loss of the consolidated group. Pinnacle Financial has a Real Estate Investment Trust that files a separate federal tax return, but its income is included in the consolidated group’s return as required by the federal tax laws. The IRS concluded its examination of the 2007, 2008 and 2009 federal tax returns during the second quarter of 2011.  As a result of the examination, Pinnacle Financial recorded income tax expense, penalties and interest for the year ended December 31, 2011 of $288,000 as a result of timing differences identified during the course of the exam.  Pinnacle Financial remains open to audit under the statute of limitations by the IRS for the years ended December 31, 2007 through 2011 and the state of Tennessee for the years ended December 31, 2008 through 2011.

As of December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial has accrued no interest and no penalties related to uncertain tax positions. Pinnacle Financial’s policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Income (Loss) Per Common Share — Basic income (loss) per share available to common stockholders (EPS) is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period.  Weighted average common shares outstanding for the period includes restricted shares that have been issued to associates and outside directors.  Diluted EPS reflects the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted.  The difference between basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding is attributable to common stock options, common stock appreciation rights, warrants, and restricted stock awards with performance based criteria. The dilutive effect of outstanding options, common stock appreciation rights, warrants and restricted stock awards with performance based criteria is reflected in diluted EPS by application of the treasury stock method.

As of December 31, 2011, there were approximately 1,573,000 stock options and 8,100 stock appreciation rights outstanding to purchase common shares.  Most of these options and stock appreciation rights have exercise prices and compensation costs attributable to current services, which is less than the average market price of Pinnacle Financial’s common stock.  As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, Pinnacle Financial had 267,445 outstanding warrants to purchase common shares.  These warrants were issued in conjunction with Pinnacle Financial’s participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program (CPP) as more fully discussed in Note 3.  For the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 640,000 of dilutive stock options, stock appreciation rights and warrants were included in the earnings per share calculation.  For the year ended December 31, 2011, there were common stock options and warrants of 1,208,332 outstanding which were considered anti-dilutive and thus have not been considered in the fully-diluted share calculations below.  Due to the net loss available to common stockholders for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, no potentially dilutive shares related to these stock options, stock appreciation rights, and warrants were included in the loss per share calculations, as including such shares would have an anti-dilutive effect on loss per share.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The following is a summary of the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Basic earnings per share calculation:
                 
Numerator - Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 37,072,728     $ (30,442,514 )   $ (41,429,925 )
                         
Denominator - Average common shares outstanding
    33,420,015       32,789,871       28,395,618  
Basic net income (loss) per share available to common stockholders
  $ 1.11     $ (0.93 )   $ (1.46 )
                         
Diluted earnings per share calculation:
                       
Numerator - Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 37,072,728     $ (30,442,514 )   $ (41,429,925 )
                         
Denominator - Average common shares outstanding
    33,420,015       32,789,871       28,395,618  
Dilutive shares contingently issuable
    640,213       -       -  
Average diluted common shares outstanding
    34,060,228       32,789,871       28,395,618  
Diluted net income (loss) per share available to common stockholders
  $ 1.09     $ (0.93 )   $ (1.46 )

Stock-Based Compensation — Stock-based compensation expense recognized is based on the fair value of the portion of stock-based payment awards that are ultimately expected to vest, reduced for estimated forfeitures. ASC 718-20 Compensation – Stock Compensation Awards Classified as Equity requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.  Service based awards with multiple vesting periods are expensed over the entire requisite period as if the award were a single award.   For awards with performance vesting criteria, anticipated performance is projected to determine the number of awards expected to vest, and the corresponding aggregate expense is adjusted to reflect the elapsed portion of the performance period.
 
Comprehensive Income (Loss) — Comprehensive income (loss) consists of the total of all components of comprehensive income (loss) including net income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles are included in comprehensive income (loss) but excluded from net income (loss). Currently, Pinnacle Financial’s other comprehensive income (loss) consists solely of unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred income taxes, on available-for-sale securities.

Fair Value Measurement — ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  ASC 820 applies only to fair-value measurements that are already required or permitted by other accounting standards and is expected to increase the consistency of those measurements.  The definition of fair value focuses on the exit price, i.e., the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, not the entry price, (i.e., the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or received to assume the liability at the measurement date).  The statement emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement; not an entity-specific measurement.  Therefore, the fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Pinnacle Financial has an established process for determining fair values. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If listed prices or quotes are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models or processes that use primarily market-based or independently-sourced market data, including interest rate yield curves, option volatilities and third party information. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. Furthermore, while Pinnacle Financial believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

Subsequent Events — ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events, as amended by ASU No. 2010-09, establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued.  Pinnacle Financial evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after December 31, 2011, through the date of the issued financial statements.  During this period there were no material recognizable subsequent events that required recognition in our disclosures to the December 31, 2011 financial statements.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2.  Acquisitions and Intangibles

Acquisition – Mid-America Bancshares, Inc.  On November 30, 2007, we consummated a merger with Mid-America Bancshares, Inc. (Mid-America), a two-bank holding company located in Nashville, Tennessee. Pinnacle Financial recognized $9.4 million as a core deposit intangible.  This identified intangible is being amortized over ten years using an accelerated method which anticipates the life of the underlying deposits to which the intangible is attributable.  For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 approximately $1,026,000, $1,062,000, and $1,097,000, respectively, was recognized in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations as amortization of intangibles.  Amortization expense associated with this identified intangible will approximate $700,000 to $1.0 million per year for the next six years.

Pinnacle Financial also recorded other adjustments to the carrying value of Mid-America’s assets and liabilities in order to reflect the fair value at the date of acquisition.  The discounts and premiums related to financial assets and liabilities are being accreted and amortized into the consolidated statements of operations using a method that approximates the level yield over the anticipated lives of the underlying financial assets or liabilities.  For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the accretion and amortization of the fair value discounts and premiums related to the acquired assets and liabilities increased net interest income by approximately $145,000, $259,000, and $686,000, respectively. Based on the estimated useful lives of the acquired loans, deposits and FHLB advances, Pinnacle Financial will recognize increases in net interest income related to amortization and accretion of these purchase accounting adjustments of approximately $650,000 over the next six years.

Acquisition – Cavalry Bancorp, Inc.  On March 15, 2006, Pinnacle Financial consummated its merger with Cavalry, a one-bank holding company located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Pinnacle Financial recognized $13.2 million as a core deposit intangible.  This identified intangible is being amortized over seven years using an accelerated method which anticipates the life of the underlying deposits to which the intangible is attributable.  For each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, approximately $1.7 million,  $1.8 million, and $1.9 million, respectively, was recognized in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as amortization of intangibles.  Amortization expense associated with this identified intangible will approximate $1.6 million for fiscal 2012 with $273,000 expected for fiscal 2013.

Acquisition - Beach & Gentry. During the third quarter of 2008, Pinnacle National acquired Murfreesboro, Tennessee based Beach & Gentry Insurance LLC (Beach & Gentry).  Concurrently, Beach & Gentry merged with Miller & Loughry Insurance & Services Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pinnacle National, also located in Murfreesboro.  In connection with this acquisition, Pinnacle Financial recorded a customer list intangible of $1,270,000 which is being amortized over 20 years on an accelerated basis.  Amortization of this intangible amounted to $109,000, $115,000, and $118,000, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.  Additionally, if certain performance thresholds are met over the three years following the date of acquisition, Pinnacle National will be required to pay up to an additional $1.0 million to the former principal of Beach & Gentry. No payments were made during 2011, 2010, or 2009 related to these performance thresholds.

Note 3.  Participation in U.S. Treasury Capital Purchase Program

On December 12, 2008, Pinnacle Financial issued 95,000 shares of preferred stock to the U.S. Treasury for $95 million pursuant to the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program (CPP) under the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP).   Additionally, Pinnacle Financial issued warrants to purchase 534,910 shares of common stock to the U.S. Treasury as a condition to its participation in the CPP.  The warrants have an exercise price of $26.64 each, are immediately exercisable, expire 10 years from the date of issuance and have a fair value of $6.7 million.  On June 16, 2009, Pinnacle Financial completed the sale of 8,855,000 shares of its common stock in a public offering, resulting in net proceeds to Pinnacle Financial of approximately $109.0 million.  As a result, and pursuant to the terms of the warrants issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with Pinnacle Financial’s participation in the CPP, the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with the CPP was reduced by 50%, or 267,455 shares.

Proceeds from this sale of the preferred stock were contributed to Pinnacle National for general corporate purposes, including its lending activities.  The CPP preferred stock is non-voting, other than having class voting rights on certain matters, and pays cumulative dividends quarterly at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years and 9% thereafter.  Pinnacle Financial can redeem the preferred shares issued to the U.S. Treasury under the CPP at any time subject to a requirement that it must obtain approval from our primary regulators, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, before redemption.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Management used a cost of capital model to calculate the fair value of the Series A preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with the CPP.  The cost of capital model involved estimating a reasonable return for a similar $95 million capital investment in Pinnacle Financial.  The model incorporated a risk free rate (Long Term U.S. Treasury bond rate) added to a market premium for Pinnacle Financial’s common stock.  For the market premium for Pinnacle Financial’s common stock, Pinnacle Financial multiplied its beta factor as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Markets’ website as of December 11, 2008 by 5% (the result of which was the estimated market risk premium).  Additionally, due to the relatively small size of the offering, Pinnacle Financial added an additional risk premium of 2.3% to the total.  The result was a cost of capital calculation of 8.3%.  Pinnacle Financial believed 8.3% was a reasonable after-tax return to an investor who might be willing to acquire a $95 million interest in Pinnacle Financial.  Pinnacle Financial then forecasted the cash outflows of the preferred stock issuance at the 5% dividend rate assuming a terminal payment of $95 million five years from issuance prior to the dividend payment rate’s increase from 5% to 9%.  Using a discounted cash flow model with a discount rate of 8.3%, the result was a fair value for the Series A preferred stock of $83.7 million.

The fair value of the common stock warrants issued in tandem with the Series A preferred stock was determined to be approximately $6.3 million.  The fair value of the common stock warrants as of December 12, 2008 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions:
 
Risk free interest rate
    2.64 %
Expected life of warrants  
10 years
 
Expected dividend yield
    0.00 %
Expected volatility
    30.3 %
Weighted average fair value
  $ 11.86  

Pinnacle Financial’s computation of expected volatility was based on weekly historical volatility since September of 2002.  The risk free interest rate of the warrants was based on the closing market bid for U.S. Treasury securities corresponding to the expected life of the common stock warrants in effect at the time of grant.

The fair value of the Series A preferred stock and the fair value of the common stock warrants were summed and the initial carrying amounts for the Series A preferred stock and the common stock warrants were calculated based on an allocation of the two fair value components.  The aggregate fair value result for both the Series A preferred stock and the common stock warrants was calculated to be $90.0 million, with 7% of this aggregate total allocated to the warrants and 93% allocated to the Preferred Stock.  As a result of this allocation, the $95 million issuance resulted in the warrants having a value of $6.7 million, which created the aforementioned preferred stock discount, and the Series A preferred stock having an initial value of $88.3 million. Management calculated the accretion amount of the Series A preferred stock discount using the effective interest method which resulted in an effective rate of 6.51%.  That is to accrete the $6.7 million discount on the Series A preferred stock over the five year period following issuance of the Series A preferred stock on an effective interest method resulted in a calculation of 6.51% for the five year period.  The $6.7 million will be amortized as a reduction in net income available for common stockholders over the five year period following issuance of the Series A preferred stock at approximately $1.3 million to $1.4 million per year.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, Pinnacle Financial repurchased 25% of the preferred shares originally issued to the U.S. Treasury under the CPP in a transaction totaling approximately $23.9 million.  Following the partial redemption of preferred shares, 71,250 shares of Series A preferred stock remain issued and outstanding and held by the U.S. Treasury at December 31, 2011.

Note 4.  Restricted Cash Balances

Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Act requires that banks maintain reserve balances with the Federal Reserve Bank based principally on the type and amount of their deposits.  At its option, Pinnacle Financial maintains additional balances to compensate for clearing and other services.  For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the average daily balance maintained at the Federal Reserve was approximately $112,863,000 and $93,972,000, respectively.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5.  Securities

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

   
December 31, 2011
 
   
Amortized Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair
Value
 
Securities available-for-sale:
                       
U.S. Government agency securities
  $ 41,978     $ 344     $ 9     $ 42,313  
Mortgage-backed securities
    623,684       22,254       371       645,567  
State and municipal securities
    182,206       13,768       22       195,952  
Corporate notes
    9,687       1,443       -       11,130  
    $ 857,555     $ 37,809     $ 402     $ 894,962  
Securities held-to-maturity:
                               
U.S. Government agency securities
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
State and municipal securities
    2,330       39       -       2,369  
    $ 2,330     $ 39     $ -     $ 2,369  

   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Amortized Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
 
Securities available-for-sale:
                       
U.S. Government agency securities
  $ 90,214     $ 487     $ 287     $ 90,414  
Mortgage-backed securities
    686,939       16,743       2,420       701,262  
State and municipal securities
    208,563       4,581       1,662       211,482  
Corporate notes
    10,474       762       77       11,159  
    $ 996,190     $ 22,573     $ 4,446     $ 1,014,317  
Securities held-to-maturity:
                               
U.S. Government agency securities
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
State and municipal securities
    4,320       105       13       4,412  
    $ 4,320     $ 105     $ 13     $ 4,412  

 At December 31, 2011, approximately $592.7 million of Pinnacle Financial’s investment portfolio was pledged to secure public funds and other deposits and securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities as of December 31, 2011 by contractual maturity are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities of mortgage-backed securities since the mortgages underlying the securities may be called or prepaid with or without penalty. Therefore, these securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following summary (in thousands):

   
Available-for-sale
   
Held-to-maturity
 
   
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 3,280     $ 3,305     $ 1,705     $ 1,714  
Due in one year to five years
    59,070       60,558       625       655  
Due in five years to ten years
    76,789       83,976       -       -  
Due after ten years
    94,732       101,556       -       -  
Mortgage-backed securities
    623,684       645,567       -       -  
    $ 857,555     $ 894,962     $ 2,330     $ 2,369  

 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, included in securities were the following investments with unrealized losses.  The information below classifies these investments according to the term of the unrealized loss of less than twelve months or twelve months or longer (in thousands):

   
Investments with an
Unrealized Loss of
less than 12 months
   
Investments with an
Unrealized Loss of
12 months or longer
   
Total Investments
with an
Unrealized Loss
 
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
At December 31, 2011:
                                   
                                     
U.S. government agency securities
  $ 5,452     $ 9     $ -     $ -     $ 5,452     $ 9  
Mortgage-backed securities
    41,598       341       17,826       30       59,424       371  
State and municipal securities
    1,967       17       1,205       5       3,172       22  
Corporate notes
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total temporarily-impaired securities
  $ 49,017     $ 367     $ 19,031     $ 35     $ 68,048     $ 402  
                                                 
At December 31, 2010:
                                               
                                                 
U.S. government agency securities
  $ 22,011     $ 287     $ -     $ -     $ 22,011     $ 287  
Mortgage-backed securities
    275,390       2,419       226       1       275,616       2,420  
State and municipal securities
    53,420       881       6,979       795       60,399       1,676  
Corporate notes
    258       -       424       76       682       76  
Total temporarily-impaired securities
  $ 351,079     $ 3,587     $ 7,629     $ 872     $ 358,708     $ 4,459  

The applicable date for determining when securities are in an unrealized loss position is December 31, 2011.  As such, it is possible that a security had a market value that exceeded its amortized cost on other days during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011, but is not in the “Investments with an Unrealized Loss of less than 12 months” category above.
 
As shown in the table above, at December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial had unrealized losses of $402,000 on $68.0 million of available-for-sale securities. The unrealized losses associated with these investment securities are primarily driven by changes in interest rates and are not due to the credit quality of the securities.  These securities will continue to be monitored as a part of our ongoing impairment analysis, but are expected to perform even if the rating agencies reduce the credit rating of the bond issuers.  Management evaluates the financial performance of the issuers on a quarterly basis to determine if it is probable that the issuers can make all contractual principal and interest payments.  Because Pinnacle Financial currently does not intend to sell these securities and it is not more-likely-than-not that Pinnacle Financial will be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be maturity, Pinnacle Financial does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2011.
 
Periodically, available-for-sale securities may be sold or the composition of the portfolio realigned to improve yields, quality or marketability, or to implement changes in investment or asset/liability strategy, including maintaining collateral requirements, raising funds for liquidity purposes and in the event of a bank merger where certain investment holdings acquired via the merger are outside of the firm’s investment policy. Additionally, if an available-for-sale security loses its investment grade, tax-exempt status, the underlying credit support is terminated or collection otherwise becomes uncertain based on factors known to management, Pinnacle Financial will consider selling the security, but will review each security on a case-by-case basis as it becomes known. The table below shows the fair value of securities that have been sold during 2011 and the amount of gain or loss recognized on those securities (in thousands):
 
For the quarter ended,
 
Fair Value of
securities sold
   
Realized gain
   
Realized loss
   
Net
   
Previously
recognized
other-than-
temporary
impairment
   
Recognized
gain on the
sale of
securities, net
 
March 31, 2011(1)
  $ 19,300     $ 612     $ (365 )   $ 247     $ (406 )   $ (159 )
June 30, 2011(2)
    31,800       650       -       650       (40 )     610  
September 30, 2011 (3)
    107,300       606       (229 )     377       -       377  
December 31, 2011 (4)
    8,000       165       (32 )     133       -       133  
Total
  $ 166,400     $ 2,033     $ (626 )   $ 1,407     $ (446 )   $ 961  


 
(1)
Sales during the first quarter of 2011, included mortgage backed securities where the resulting balance had been paid down to minimal amounts and municipal securities that had fallen outside of the parameters of our Asset/Liability policy due to a change in the quality of the security.  Also, during the first quarter of 2011, Pinnacle Financial determined that an available-for-sale security was other-than-temporarily impaired as the credit worthiness of the security had deteriorated and was subsequently sold in the second quarter of 2011.
 
(2)
Sales during the second quarter of 2011 included a security which was deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired during the first quarter of 2011, and mortgage backed and municipal securities that had fallen outside of the parameters of our Asset/Liability policy.  Additionally, three securities were deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired and were subsequently sold in the third quarter of 2011.
 
(3)
Sales during the third quarter of 2011 consisted of two primary groups of securities: securities identified as other-than-temporarily-impaired in the second quarter of 2011, and mortgage-backed securities in which the pre-payments speeds were expected to accelerate due to the mortgage refinancing expected due to lower rates.  The loss recognized during the third quarter of 2011 related to further deterioration of the three securities previously identified as having other-than-temporary impairment.
 
(4)
Sales during the fourth quarter of 2011 consisted of investment grade municipal securities that had received a credit downgrade from an “A” from Standard & Poors or “A3” from Moody’s. Although these securities were still considered investment grade and were not considered exceptions to Pinnacle’s Investment Policy, the securities were sold  to further enhance the credit quality of the securities portfolio.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The carrying values of Pinnacle Financial’s investment securities could decline in the future if the financial condition of issuers deteriorates and management determines it is probable that Pinnacle Financial will not recover the entire amortized cost bases of the securities.  As a result, there is a risk that other-than-temporary impairment charges may occur in the future.
 
Note 6.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table outlines the amount of each loan segment categorized into each risk rating class as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. Pass rated loans include all credits other than those included in special mention, substandard, substandard-impaired, and doubtful-impaired which are defined as follows (in thousands):

 
·
Special mention loans have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in Pinnacle Financial’s credit position at some future date.
 
·
Substandard loans are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize collection of the debt.  Substandard loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that Pinnacle Financial will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
 
·
Substandard-impaired loans are substandard loans that have been placed on nonaccrual.
 
·
Doubtful-impaired loans have all the characteristics of substandard loans with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.  Pinnacle Financial considers all doubtful loans to be impaired and places the loan on nonaccrual status.
 
   
Accruing Loans
   
Impaired Loans
       
December 31, 2011
 
Pass
   
Special
Mention
   
Substandard (1)
   
Total
Accruing
   
Substandard
Impaired
   
Doubtful
Impaired
   
Total
Impaired
   
Total
Loans
 
Commercial real estate - mortgage
  $ 994,252     $ 19,403     $ 87,345     $ 1,101,000     $ 9,962     $ -     $ 9,962     $ 1,110,962  
Consumer real estate - mortgage
    647,555       15,225       20,478       683,258       11,990       497       12,487       695,745  
Construction and land development
    204,773       27,553       28,957       261,283       12,965       -       12,965       274,248  
Commercial and industrial
    1,099,847       17,029       16,969       1,133,845       11,194       696       11,890       1,145,735  
Consumer and other
    63,460       649       1       64,110       551       -       551       64,661  
    $ 3,009,887     $ 79,859     $ 153,750     $ 3,243,496     $ 46,662     $ 1,193     $ 47,855     $ 3,291,351  

December 31, 2010
                                               
Commercial real estate -  mortgage
  $ 947,593     $ 46,520     $ 87,960     $ 1,082,073     $ 11,351     $ 1,191     $ 12,542     $ 1,094,615  
Consumer real estate - mortgage
    661,234       12,384       22,834       696,452       4,622       4,413       9,035       705,487  
Construction and land development
    188,470       29,670       69,607       287,747       43,203       311       43,514       331,261  
Commercial and industrial
    918,414       13,511       65,426       997,351       13,347       1,393       14,740       1,012,091  
Consumer and other
    66,916       65       973       67,954       879       153       1,032       68,986  
    $ 2,782,627     $ 102,150     $ 246,800     $ 3,131,577     $ 73,402     $ 7,461     $ 80,863     $ 3,212,440  

 
(1)
Potential problem loans, which are not included in nonperforming assets, amounted to approximately $130.4 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $223.1 million at December 31, 2010.   At December 31, 2011 and 2010, approximately $23.4 million and $20.3 million, respectively of substandard loans were deemed to be troubled debt restructurings and were not included in potential problem loans.  Potential problem loans represent those loans with a well-defined weakness and where information about possible credit problems of borrowers has caused management to have doubts about the borrower’s ability to comply with present repayment terms.    This definition is believed to be substantially consistent with the standards established by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, or OCC, Pinnacle National’s primary regulator, for loans classified as substandard, excluding the impact of substandard nonperforming loans and substandard troubled debt restructurings.

 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The information presented above for December 31, 2010 has been reclassified from the presentation in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 to conform to the December 31, 2011 presentation. Consumer loans previously classified as performing have been further classified into special mention and substandard.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no loans classified as nonaccrual that were not deemed to be impaired. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, all impaired loans were on nonaccruing interest status.  The principal balances of these nonaccrual loans amounted to $47.9 million and $80.9 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and are included in the table above.  For the year ended December 31, 2011, the average balance of impaired loans was $63.9 million as compared to $108.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.  At the date such loans were placed on nonaccrual status, Pinnacle Financial reversed all previously accrued interest income against current year earnings.  Had nonaccruing loans been on accruing status, interest income would have been higher by $5.0 million, $7.6 million and $7.1 million for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, respectively.

Our impaired loan portfolio consists of both collateral dependent and cash flow dependent loans. Collateral dependent loans are typically charged-off to their net realizable value pursuant to regulatory requirements and no specific allowance is carried related to those loans. Further, if a loan does not have a documented cash payment plan, the loan is deemed to be collateral dependent and is charged down equal to the fair value of the collateral.  For cash flow dependent impaired loans, the amount of impairment is based on the present value of expected payments using the loan’s original effective rate as the discount rate or the loan’s observable market price. If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the measure of fair value, a specific valuation allowance is established as a component of the allowance for loan losses.  At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had approximately $25.5 million and $33.2 million of loans classified as impaired loans that were performing pursuant to their contractual terms.

The following table details the recorded investment, unpaid principal balance and related allowance and average recorded investment of our impaired loans at December 31, 2011 and 2010 by loan category and the amount of interest income recognized on a cash basis throughout the year then ended, respectively, on these loans that remain on our balance sheet (in thousands):

   
At December 31, 2011
   
For the year ended
 December 31, 2011
 
   
Recorded investment
   
Unpaid principal balance
   
Related allowance
   
Average recorded investment
   
Interest income recognized
 
                               
Collateral dependent impaired loans:
                             
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 9,345     $ 12,099     $ -     $ 12,450     $ 5  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    9,248       9,961       -       10,140       -  
Construction and land development
    6,917       9,093       -       9,288       37  
Commercial and industrial
    3,036       3,546       -       3,689       -  
Consumer and other
    -       -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 28,546     $ 34,699     $ -     $ 35,567     $ 42  
                                         
Cash flow dependent impaired loans:
                                       
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 617     $ 661     $ 57     $ 792     $ -  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    3,239       4,902       301       5,005       -  
Construction and land development
    6,048       6,822       1,264       7,074       -  
Commercial and industrial
    8,854       11,041       2,767       11,497       -  
Consumer and other
    551       856       51       857       -  
Total
  $ 19,309     $ 24,282     $ 4,440     $ 25,225     $ -  
Total Impaired Loans
  $ 47,855     $ 58,981     $ 4,440     $ 60,792     $ 42  

 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   
At December 31, 2010
   
For the year ended
December 31, 2010
 
   
Recorded investment
   
Unpaid principal balance
   
Related allowance
   
Average recorded investment
   
Interest income recognized
 
                               
Collateral dependent impaired loans:
                             
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 10,585     $ 12,468     $ -     $ 12,478     $ 278  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    4,063       5,041       -       5,041       83  
Construction and land development
    31,106       35,525       -       35,631       188  
Commercial and industrial
    2,865       5,501       -       5,501       9  
Consumer and other
    272       368       -       368       -  
Total
  $ 48,891     $ 58,903     $ -     $ 59,019     $ 558  
                                         
Cash flow dependent impaired loans:
                                       
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 1,957     $ 2,328     $ 176     $ 2,328     $ 55  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    4,972       5,869       568       5,875       143  
Construction and land development
    12,408       12,619       3,825       12,623       234  
Commercial and industrial
    11,875       13,005       3,998       12,996       324  
Consumer and other
    760       846       390       846       17  
Total
  $ 31,972     $ 34,667     $ 8,957     $ 34,668     $ 773  
Total Impaired Loans
  $ 80,863     $ 93,570     $ 8,957     $ 93,687     $ 1,331  
 
Pinnacle Financial’s policy is that once a loan is classified as impaired and placed on nonaccrual status each subsequent payment is reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if the payment should be applied to interest or principal pursuant to regulatory guidelines.  Pinnacle Financial recognized approximately $42,000 and $1,331,000 of interest income from cash payments received during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, while the underlying loans were placed on impaired status.  Also, during the year ended December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial also recognized approximately $1,579,000 of interest payments as principal reductions on these impaired loans.

Impaired loans also include loans that Pinnacle National has elected to formally restructure when, due to the weakening credit status of a borrower, the restructuring may facilitate a repayment plan that seeks to minimize the potential losses that Pinnacle National may have to otherwise incur.  If on nonaccruing status as of the date of restructuring, the loans are included in nonperforming loans and are classified as impaired loans. Loans that have been restructured that were performing pursuant to the restructured terms as of the restructure date are reported as troubled debt restructurings.  At December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were $23.4 million and $20.3 million, respectively, of troubled debt restructurings that were performing as of the restructure date.  Troubled commercial loans are restructured by specialists within our Special Asset Group and all restructurings are approved by committees and credit officers separate and apart from the normal loan approval process.  These specialists are trained to reduce Pinnacle Financial’s overall risk and exposure to loss in the event of a restructuring through obtaining either or all of the following:  improved documentation, additional guaranties, increase in curtailments, reduction in collateral release terms, additional collateral or other similar strategies.

As a result of adopting the amendments in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-02 in the third quarter of 2011, Pinnacle Financial reassessed all restructurings that occurred on or after January 1, 2011 for identification as troubled debt restructurings. Pinnacle Financial identified as troubled debt restructurings certain receivables for which the allowance for loan losses had previously been measured under the general allowance for loan losses methodology. Upon identifying those receivables as troubled debt restructurings, Pinnacle Financial accounted for these loans under the guidance in ASC 310-10-35. The amendments in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-02 require prospective application of the impairment measurement guidance in Section 310-10-35 for those receivables newly identified as a troubled debt restructuring. At December 31, 2011, the recorded investment in receivables for which the allowance for loan losses was previously measured under a general allowance for loan losses methodology and are now individually measured for impairment as outlined under ASC 310-10-35, troubled debt restructurings totaled $3.1 million, and the allowance for loan losses associated with those receivables, on the basis of a current evaluation of loss, was $364,000.

 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The following table outlines the amount of each troubled debt restructuring categorized by loan classification as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Number
of
contracts
   
Pre
Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
   
Post
Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment,
net of
related
allowance
   
Number
of
contracts
   
Pre
Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
   
Post
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment,
net of related
allowance
 
Commercial real estate – mortgage
    9     $ 15,378     $ 12,619       9     $ 16,129     $ 15,992  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    16       5,874       5,358       1       560       560  
Construction and land development
    2       77       65       -       -       -  
Commercial and industrial
    26       1,845       1,563       2       3,779       3,778  
Consumer and other
    4       242       205       -       -       -  
      57     $ 23,416     $ 19,810       12     $ 20,468     $ 20,330  

Pinnacle Financial has not had any troubled debt restructurings that subsequently defaulted. A default is defined as an occurrence which violates the terms of the receivable’s contract.

In addition to the loan metrics above, Pinnacle Financial analyzes its commercial loan portfolio to determine if a concentration of credit risk exists to any industries.  Pinnacle Financial utilizes broadly accepted industry classification systems in order to classify borrowers into various industry classifications.  Pinnacle Financial has a credit exposure (loans outstanding plus unfunded lines of credit) exceeding 25% of Pinnacle National’s total risk-based capital to borrowers in the following industries at the date shown (in thousands):

   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Lessors of nonresidential buildings
  $ 509,003     $ 502,268  
Lessors of residential buildings
    177,414       132,668  
Land subdividers
    119,106       144,550  

 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The table below presents past due balances at December 31, 2011 and 2010, by loan segment and class allocated between performing and impaired status (in thousands):

   
At December 31, 2011
 
   
30-89 days
past due and 
accruing
   
90 days or more past
 due and 
accruing
   
Total past
due and 
accruing
   
Impaired (1)
   
Current
and 
accruing
   
Total
Loans
 
                                     
Commercial real estate:
                                   
Owner-occupied
  $ 2,489     $ -     $ 2,489     $ 6,735     $ 572,746     $ 581,970  
All other
    3,260       -       3,260       3,227       522,505       528,992  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    2,589       254       2,843       12,487       680,415       695,745  
Construction and land development
    1,572       -       1,572       12,965       259,711       274,248  
Commercial and industrial
    648       604       1,252       11,890       1,132,593       1,145,735  
Consumer and other
    526       -       526       551       63,584       64,661  
    $ 11,084     $ 858     $ 11,942     $ 47,855     $ 3,231,554     $ 3,291,351  

   
At December 31, 2010
 
   
30-89 days past due and accruing
   
90 days or more past
 due and
accruing
   
Total past
 due and accruing
   
Impaired (1)
   
Current
and
 accruing
   
Total
Loans
 
                                     
Commercial real estate:
                                   
Owner-occupied
  $ 1,602     $ -     $ 1,602     $ 10,037     $ 520,260     $ 531,899  
All other
    362       -       362       2,505       559,849       562,716  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    3,544       -       3,544       9,035       692,908       705,487  
Construction and land development
    2,157       38       2,195       43,514       285,552       331,261  
Commercial and industrial
    1,636       100       1,736       14,740       995,615       1,012,091  
Consumer and other
    152       -       152       1,032       67,802       68,986  
    $ 9,453     $ 138     $ 9,591     $ 80,863     $ 3,121,986     $ 3,212,440  
 

 
(1)
Approximately $25.5 million and $33.2 million of impaired loans as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, are currently performing pursuant to their contractual terms.  All impaired loans as of these dates are on nonaccrual status.  Troubled debt restructurings are not included in impaired loans.

The following table shows the allowance allocation by loan segment for accruing and impaired loans at December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):
 
   
Accruing Loans
   
Impaired Loans
   
Total Allowance
for Loan Losses
 
   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 23,340     $ 19,076     $ 57     $ 176     $ 23,397     $ 19,252  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    10,001       9,330       301       568       10,302       9,898  
Construction and land development
    10,776       15,297       1,264       3,825       12,040       19,122  
Commercial and industrial
    18,022       17,428       2,767       3,998       20,789       21,426  
Consumer and other
    1,074       1,484       51       390       1,125       1,874  
Unallocated
    6,322       11,003       -       -       6,322       11,003  
    $ 69,535     $ 73,618     $ 4,440     $ 8,957     $ 73,975     $ 82,575  

 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table details the changes in the allowance for loan losses from December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2011 by loan segment (in thousands):
       
   
Commercial real estate –
mortgage
   
Consumer
real estate – mortgage
   
Construction and land development
   
Commercial and
industrial
   
Consumer and other
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
                                           
Balances, December 31, 2009
  $ 22,505     $ 10,725     $ 23,027     $ 26,332     $ 2,456     $ 6,914     $  91,959  
Charged-off loans
    (9,041 )     (6,769 )     (27,526 )     (23,555 )     (652 )     -       (67,543 )
Recovery of previously charged-off loans
    343       377       2,618       874       252       -       4,464  
Provision for loan losses
    5,445       5,565       21,003       17,775       (182 )     4,089       53,695  
Balances, December 31, 2010
  $ 19,252     $ 9,898     $ 19,122     $ 21,426     $ 1,874     $ 11,003     $ 82,575  
Charged-off loans
    (3,044 )     (5,076 )     (10,157 )     (15,360 )     (1,213 )     -       (34,850 )
Recovery of previously charged-off loans
    116       495       1,530       2,167       144       -       4,452  
Provision for loan losses
    7,073       4,985       1,545       12,556       320       (4,681 )     21,798  
Balances, December 31, 2011
  $ 23,397     $ 10,302     $ 12,040     $ 20,789     $ 1,125     $ 6,322     $ 73,975  

The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is assessed at the end of each calendar quarter.  The level of the allowance is based upon evaluation of the loan portfolio, past loan loss experience, current asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay (including the timing of future payment), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, economic conditions, historical loss data including internal and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations.

At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial had granted loans and other extensions of credit amounting to approximately $10.8 million to current directors, executive officers, and their related entities, of which $9.6 million had been drawn upon.  At December 31, 2010, Pinnacle Financial had granted loans and other extensions of credit amounting to approximately $22.5 million to directors, executive officers, and their related entities, of which approximately $18.1 million had been drawn upon.  The terms on these loans and extensions are when the loan is made on substantially the same terms customary for other persons similarly situated for the type of loan involved.  None of these loans to certain directors, executive officers, and their related entities, were impaired at December 31, 2011 or 2010. At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle National classified $3.5 million of loans to one of its directors and affiliated entities of his as potential problem loans.
 
Residential Lending

At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial had approximately $35.4 million of mortgage loans held-for-sale compared to approximately $16.2 million at December 31, 2010.  These loans are marketed to potential investors prior to closing the loan with the borrower such that there is an agreement for the subsequent sale of the loan between the eventual investor and Pinnacle Financial prior to the loan being closed with the borrower.  Pinnacle Financial sells loans to third-party investors on a loan-by-loan basis and has not entered into any forward commitments with investors for future bulk loan sales.  All of these loan sales transfer servicing rights to the buyer.  During the three years ended December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial recognized $4.2 million, $4.1 million and $3.1 million in net gains on the sale of these loans, respectively.

These mortgage loans held-for-sale are originated internally and are primarily to borrowers in Pinnacle National’s geographic market footprint. These sales are typically on a best efforts basis to investors that follow conventional government sponsored entities (GSE) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development/U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (HUD/VA) guidelines. Generally, loans sold to the HUD/VA are underwritten by Pinnacle National while the majority of the loans sold to other investors are underwritten by the purchaser of the loans.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Each purchaser has specific guidelines and criteria for sellers of loans, and the risk of credit loss with regard to the principal amount of the loans sold is generally transferred to the purchasers upon sale. While the loans are sold without recourse, the purchase agreements require Pinnacle National to make certain representations and warranties regarding the existence and sufficiency of file documentation and the absence of fraud by borrowers or other third parties such as appraisers in connection with obtaining the loan. If it is determined that the loans sold were in breach of these representations or warranties, Pinnacle National has obligations to either repurchase the loan for the unpaid principal balance and related investor fees or make the purchaser whole for the economic benefits of the loan.

From inception of Pinnacle National’s mortgage department in January 2003 through December 31, 2011, Pinnacle National originated and sold approximately 10,854 mortgage loans totaling $2.323 billion to third-party purchasers.  Of the approximately 10,854 mortgage loans, Pinnacle National underwrote approximately 2,542 conventional loans at an 80% or less loan-to-value that were sold to other investors and underwrote 2,138 loans that were sold to the HUD/VA.  To date, repurchase activity pursuant to the terms of the representations and warranties associated with these loans has been insignificant and has resulted in insignificant losses to Pinnacle National. The remaining mortgage loans were underwritten by the purchasers of those loans, but funded by Pinnacle until settlement with the purchaser.

Based on information currently available, management believes that it does not have significant exposure to contingent losses that may arise relating to the representations and warranties that it has made in connection with its mortgage loan sales.

Due to the current focus on foreclosure practices of financial institutions nationwide, Pinnacle National evaluated its foreclosure process related to home equity and consumer mortgage loans within its loan portfolio. At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle National has $699.1 million of home equity and consumer mortgage loans which are secured by first or second liens on residential properties. Foreclosure activity in this portfolio has been minimal. Any foreclosures on these loans are handled by designated Pinnacle National personnel and external legal counsel, as appropriate, following established policies regarding legal and regulatory requirements. Based on information currently available, management believes that it does not have material exposure to faulty foreclosure practices.

Note 7.  Premises and Equipment and Lease Commitments

Premises and equipment at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

   
Range of Useful Lives
   
2011
   
2010
 
Land
    -     $ 19,206     $ 17,324  
Buildings
 
15 to 30 years
      46,155       47,836  
Leasehold improvements
 
15 to 20 years
      18,820       19,134  
Furniture and equipment
 
3 to 15 years
      47,483       47,451  
              131,664       131,745  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
            (54,537 )     (49,371 )
            $ 77,127     $ 82,374  

Depreciation and amortization expense was approximately $6.6 million, $7.4 million, and $6.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Pinnacle Financial has entered into various operating leases, primarily for office space and branch facilities.  Rent expense related to these leases for 2011, 2010 and 2009 totaled $3.8 million, $4.3 million and $2.6 million, respectively.  At December 31, 2011, the approximate future minimum lease payments due under the aforementioned operating leases for their base term are as follows (in thousands):

2012
  $ 3,796  
2013
    3,542  
2014
    3,519  
2015
    3,410  
2016
    3,492  
Thereafter
    33,135  
    $ 50,894  

 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 8.  Deposits

At December 31, 2011, the scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows (in thousands):

2012
  $ 593,473  
2013
    75,143  
2014
    23,184  
2015
    6,394  
2016
    16,275  
Thereafter
    28  
    $ 714,497  

Additionally, at December 31, 2011 and 2010, approximately $102.1 million and $151.3 million, respectively, of time deposits had been issued in denominations of $250,000 or greater.
 
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, Pinnacle Financial had $1.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of deposit accounts in overdraft status and thus have been reclassified to loans on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
Note 9.  Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
 
Pinnacle National is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (FHLB) and as a result, is eligible for advances from the FHLB, pursuant to the terms of various borrowing agreements, which assist Pinnacle National in the funding of its home mortgage and commercial real estate loan portfolios.  Pinnacle National has pledged certain qualifying residential mortgage loans and, pursuant to a blanket lien, certain qualifying commercial mortgage loans with an aggregate carrying value of approximately $1.0 billion as collateral under the borrowing agreements with the FHLB.
 
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, Pinnacle Financial had received advances from the FHLB totaling $225,750,000 and $120,987,000, respectively.  Additionally, Pinnacle Financial recognized a discount on FHLB advances in conjunction with previous acquisitions.  The remaining discount was $319,000 and $406,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectfully.  At December 31, 2011, the scheduled maturities of these advances and interest rates are as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Scheduled Maturities
   
Weighted average
interest rates
 
             
2012
  $ 115,000       0.12 %
2013
    -       0.00 %
2014
    75,000       2.03 %
2015
    -       0.00 %
2016
    15,000       3.11 %
Thereafter
    20,750       1.57 %
    $ 225,750          
Weighted average interest rate
            1.09 %

At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle National had accommodations which allow it to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s discount window and purchase Federal funds from several of its correspondent banks on an overnight basis at prevailing overnight market rates.  These accommodations are subject to various restrictions as to their term and availability, and in most cases, must be repaid within less than a month.  At December 31, 2011, there was no balance owed to the Federal Reserve Bank or other correspondents under these agreements. At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial had approximately $43 million in borrowing availability with the FHLB, the Federal Reserve Bank discount window, and other correspondent banks with whom Pinnacle National has arranged lines of credit.  At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle National was not carrying any balances under these arrangements.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 10.  Investments in Affiliated Companies and Subordinated Debt
 
On August 5, 2008, Pinnacle National entered into a $15 million subordinated term loan with a regional bank.  This loan bears interest at three month LIBOR plus 3.5%, matures in 2015 and at December 31, 2011, $9 million of borrowings under this loan qualified as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes.  The portion that qualifies as Tier 2 capital decreases by $3 million at August 2012 and each subsequent anniversary.

Beginning on December 29, 2003, Pinnacle Financial established Trusts that were created for the exclusive purpose of issuing 30-year capital trust preferred securities and used the proceeds to acquire junior subordinated debentures (Subordinated Debentures) issued by Pinnacle Financial.  The sole assets of the Trusts are the Subordinated Debentures.  The $2,476,000 investment in the Trusts is included in other investments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the $82,476,000 obligation is reflected as subordinated debt. The details of the Trusts established are as follows:
 
 
Date
Established
Maturity
 
Common Securities
   
Trust Preferred
Securities
 
Floating Interest
Rate
 
Interest Rate at
December 31, 2011
 
Trust I
December 29, 2003
December 30, 2033
  $ 310,000     $ 10,000,000  
Libor + 2.80%
    3.35 %
Trust II
September 15, 2005
September 30, 2035
    619,000       20,000,000  
Libor + 1.40%
    1.98 %
Trust III
September 7, 2006
September 30, 2036
    619,000       20,000,000  
Libor + 1.65%
    2.23 %
Trust IV
October 31, 2007
September 30, 2037
    928,000       30,000,000  
Libor + 2.85%
    3.40 %
 
Distributions are payable quarterly.  Pinnacle Financial has informally agreed to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta before making these quarterly payments.  The Trust Preferred Securities are subject to mandatory redemption upon repayment of the Subordinated Debentures at their stated maturity date or their earlier redemption in an amount equal to their liquidation amount plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption.  Pinnacle Financial guarantees the payment of distributions and payments for redemption or liquidation of the Trust Preferred Securities to the extent of funds held by the Trusts.  Pinnacle Financial’s obligations under the Subordinated Debentures together with the guarantee and other back-up obligations, in the aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by Pinnacle Financial of the obligations of the Trusts under the Trust Preferred Securities.
 
The Subordinated Debentures are unsecured; bear interest at a rate equal to the rates paid by the Trusts on the Trust Preferred Securities; and mature on the same dates as those noted above for the Trust Preferred Securities.  Interest is payable quarterly.  We may defer the payment of interest at any time for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters provided that the deferral period does not extend past the stated maturity.  During any such deferral period, distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities will also be deferred and our ability to pay dividends on our common shares and preferred shares will be restricted.
 
Subject to approval by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (Federal Reserve Bank) and the limitations on repurchase resulting from Pinnacle Financial’s participation in the CPP, the Trust Preferred Securities may be redeemed prior to maturity at our option except for Trust IV which may be redeemed at our option after September 30, 2012.  The Trust Preferred Securities may also be redeemed at any time in whole (but not in part) in the event of unfavorable changes in laws or regulations that result in (1) the Trust becoming subject to federal income tax on income received on the Subordinated Debentures, (2) interest payable by the parent company on the Subordinated Debentures becoming non-deductible for federal tax purposes, (3) the requirement for the Trust to register under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (4) loss of the ability to treat the Trust Preferred Securities as “Tier I capital” under the Federal Reserve capital adequacy guidelines.

 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Combined summary financial information for the Trusts follows (in thousands):

Combined Summary Balance Sheets
 
   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Asset – Investment in subordinated debentures issued by Pinnacle Financial
  $ 82,476     $ 82,476  
                 
Liabilities
  $ -     $ -  
                 
Stockholder’s equity – Trust preferred securities
    80,000       80,000  
Common securities (100% owned by Pinnacle Financial)
    2,476       2,476  
Total stockholder’s equity
    82,476       82,476  
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity
  $ 82,476     $ 82,476  

Combined Summary Income Statements
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Income – Interest income from subordinated debentures issued by Pinnacle Financial
  $ 2,082     $ 2,749     $ 3,319  
Net Income
  $ 2,082     $ 2,749     $ 3,319  

Combined Summary Statements of Stockholder’s Equity
 
   
Trust
Preferred
Securities
   
Total
Common
Stock
   
Retained
Earnings
   
Stockholder’s
Equity
 
Balances, December 31, 2008
  $ 80,000     $ 2,476     $ -     $ 82,476  
Net income
    -       -       3,319       3,319  
Issuance of trust preferred securities
    -       -       -       -  
Dividends:
                               
Trust preferred securities
    -       -       (3,217 )     (3,217 )
Common- paid to Pinnacle Financial
    -       -       (102 )     (102 )
Balances, December 31, 2009
  $ 80,000     $ 2,476     $ -     $ 82,476  
Net income
    -       -       2,749       2,749  
Issuance of trust preferred securities
    -       -       -       -  
Dividends:
                               
Trust preferred securities
    -       -       (2,669 )     (2,669 )
Common- paid to Pinnacle Financial
    -       -       (80 )     (80 )
Balances, December 31, 2010
  $ 80,000     $ 2,476     $ -     $ 82,476  
Net income
    -       -       2,082       2,082  
Issuance of trust preferred securities
    -       -       -       -  
Dividends:
                               
Trust preferred securities
    -       -       (2,017 )     (2,017 )
Common- paid to Pinnacle Financial
    -       -       (65 )     (65 )
Balances, December 31, 2011
  $ 80,000     $ 2,476     $ -     $ 82,476  

Note 11.  Income Taxes

ASC 740, Income Taxes, defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax return positions in the financial statements as “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority.  This section also provides guidance on the derecognition, measurement and classification of income tax uncertainties, along with any related interest and penalties, and includes guidance concerning accounting for income tax uncertainties in interim  periods. As of December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial had no unrecognized tax benefits related to Federal or State income tax matters and does not anticipate any material increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits relative to any tax positions taken prior to December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial has accrued no interest and no penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Income tax (benefit) expense attributable to continuing operations for each of the years ended December 31 is as follows (in thousands):

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Current tax expense (benefit):
                 
Federal
  $ 8,157     $ (13,412 )   $ (4,747 )
State
    -       -       -  
Total current tax (benefit) expense
    8,157       (13,412 )     (4,747 )
Deferred tax expense (benefit):
                       
Federal
    (19,646 )     13,482       (18,366 )
State
    (3,749 )     4,340       (6,280 )
Total deferred tax (benefit) expense
    (23,395 )     17,822       (24,646 )
Total income tax (benefit) expense
  $ (15,238 )   $ 4,410     $ (29,393 )

Pinnacle Financial's income tax (benefit) expense differs from the amounts computed by applying the Federal income tax statutory rates of 35% to income (loss) before income taxes. A reconciliation of the differences for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Income tax expense (benefit) at statutory rate
  $ 9,975     $ (6,962 )   $ (22,712 )
State excise tax (benefit) expense, net of federal tax effect
    (255 )     (2,305 )     (4,082 )
Tax-exempt securities
    (2,655 )     (3,017 )     (2,303 )
Federal tax credits
    -       (360 )     (360 )
Bank owned life insurance
    (406 )     (320 )     (181 )
Insurance premiums
    (151 )     (301 )     (385 )
Other items
    734       600       630  
Valuation allowance in continuing operations
    (22,480 )     17,075       -  
Income tax (benefit) expense
  $ (15,238 )   $ 4,410     $ (29,393 )

Pinnacle Financial's effective tax rate for 2011 and 2010 differs from the Federal income tax statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a state excise tax (benefit), investments in bank qualified municipal securities, bank owned life insurance, tax savings from our captive insurance subsidiary, PNFP Insurance, Inc., and the full reversal in fiscal 2011 of the beginning of year valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The components of deferred income taxes included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

   
2011
   
2010
 
Deferred tax assets:
           
Loan loss allowance
  $ 28,684     $ 32,068  
Loans
    783       268  
Insurance
    664       624  
Accrued liability for supplemental retirement agreements
    476       390  
Restricted stock and stock options
    3,525       2,896  
Net operating loss carryforward
    4,753       4,091  
Alternative minimum tax carryforward
    3,341       -  
Other real estate owned
    2,076       1,416  
Other deferred tax assets
    1,152       1,930  
Gross deferred tax assets
    45,454       43,683  
Less valuation allowance
    -       (22,480 )
Total deferred tax assets
    45,454       21,203  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    7,522       7,696  
Core deposit intangible asset
    2,735       3,815  
Securities
    14,675       7,116  
REIT dividends
    1,179       259  
FHLB related liabilities
    3,016       1,783  
Other deferred tax liabilities
    489       534  
Total deferred tax liabilities
    29,616       21,203  
Net deferred tax assets
  $ 15,838     $ -  

A valuation allowance is recognized for a deferred tax asset if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion of the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. Primarily as a result of credit losses, Pinnacle Financial entered into a three-year cumulative pre-tax loss position in 2010. A cumulative loss position is considered significant negative evidence in assessing the realizability of a deferred tax asset which is difficult to overcome and accordingly, Pinnacle Financial established a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax asset at June 30, 2010. Subsequently, Pinnacle Financial reported increasing profitability in subsequent fiscal quarters, demonstrated an improved ability to produce reliable projections, and realized an improvement in overall asset quality and related credit metrics. Due to these factors, other positive trends and the relatively short period of time in which Pinnacle Financial forecasted to exit a three-year cumulative pre-tax loss position and utilize our net deferred tax asset, Pinnacle Financial determined during the quarter ended September 30, 2011 that sufficient positive evidence, both subjective and objective existed to reverse the beginning of the year deferred tax valuation allowance.

Note 12.  Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

In the normal course of business, Pinnacle Financial has entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments which include commitments to extend credit (i.e., including unfunded lines of credit) and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit are usually the result of lines of credit granted to existing borrowers under agreements that the total outstanding indebtedness will not exceed a specific amount during the term of the indebtedness.  Typical borrowers are commercial concerns that use lines of credit to supplement their treasury management functions, thus their total outstanding indebtedness may fluctuate during any time period based on the seasonality of their business and the resultant timing of their cash flows.  Other typical lines of credit are related to home equity loans granted to consumers.  Commitments to extend credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  At December 31, 2011, these commitments amounted to $937.1 million.

Standby letters of credit are generally issued on behalf of an applicant (customer) to a specifically named beneficiary and are the result of a particular business arrangement that exists between the applicant and the beneficiary.  Standby letters of credit have fixed expiration dates and are usually for terms of two years or less unless terminated beforehand due to criteria specified in the standby letter of credit.  A typical arrangement involves the applicant routinely being indebted to the beneficiary for such items as inventory purchases, insurance, utilities, lease guarantees or other third party commercial transactions.  The standby letter of credit would permit the beneficiary to obtain payment from Pinnacle Financial under certain prescribed circumstances.  Subsequently, Pinnacle Financial would then seek reimbursement from the applicant pursuant to the terms of the standby letter of credit.  At December 31, 2011, these commitments amounted to $76.2 million.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Pinnacle Financial follows the same credit policies and underwriting practices when making these commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.  Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the amount of collateral obtained, if any, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer.  Collateral held varies but may include cash, real estate and improvements, marketable securities, accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, and personal property.

The contractual amounts of these commitments are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements and would only be reflected if drawn upon.  Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the contractual amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  However, should the commitments be drawn upon and should our customers default on their resulting obligation to us, Pinnacle Financial's maximum exposure to credit loss, without consideration of collateral, is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.  At December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, Pinnacle Financial had accrued $1,198,000 and $998,000 for the inherent risks associated with off balance sheet commitments.

Various legal proceedings to which Pinnacle Financial or a subsidiary of Pinnacle Financial is party arise from time to time in the normal course of business. Except as described below, as of the date hereof, there are no material pending legal proceedings to which Pinnacle Financial or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of its or its subsidiaries’ properties are subject.

During the fourth quarter, a customer of Pinnacle National’s filed a punative class action lawsuit (styled John Higgins, et al. v. Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc., d/b/a Pinnacle National Bank) in Davidson County, Tennessee Circuit Court against Pinnacle National and Pinnacle Financial, on his own behalf, as well as on behalf of a purported class of Pinnacle National’s customers within the State of Tennessee alleging that Pinnacle National’s method of ordering debit card transactions had caused customers of Pinnacle National to incur higher overdraft charges than had a different method been used.  In support of his claims, the plaintiff asserts theories of breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment and unconscionability. The plaintiff is seeking, among other remedies, an award of unspecified compensatory, pre-judgment interest, costs and attorneys’ fees.  On January 17, 2012, Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle National filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. As of December 31, 2011, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the probability of a potential loss, if any, associated with this litigation and intends to contest this matter vigorously.

Note 13.  Salary Deferral Plans
 
Pinnacle Financial has a 401(k) retirement plan (the 401k Plan) covering all employees who elect to participate, subject to certain eligibility requirements. The Plan allows employees to defer up to 50% of their salary subject to regulatory limitations with Pinnacle Financial matching 100% of the first 4% of employee self-directed contributions during 2011, 2010, and 2009. Pinnacle Financial’s expense associated with the matching component of the plan(s) for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 was approximately $1,887,000, $1,931,000 and $1,844,000, respectively, and is included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations in salaries and employee benefits expense.

Prior to the merger with Pinnacle Financial, Cavalry maintained an employee stock ownership plan for the benefit of certain employees (the Cavalry ESOP). The Cavalry ESOP was a noncontributory retirement plan adopted by Cavalry in 1998 for the benefit of certain employees who meet minimum eligibility requirements.  Cavalry was the plan sponsor and with the merger with Pinnacle Financial, Pinnacle Financial became the plan sponsor on March 15, 2006.  On March 15, 2006, the Cavalry ESOP owned approximately 683,000 common shares of Pinnacle Financial.  The Cavalry ESOP had no liabilities as of March 15, 2006, thus all of the Pinnacle Financial shares owned by the Cavalry ESOP were available for distribution to the participants in the Cavalry ESOP pursuant to the terms of the plan.  The terms of the Cavalry ESOP did not change as a result of the merger with Pinnacle Financial.
 
Pursuant to the terms of the Cavalry ESOP, participation in the plan has been frozen as of March 15, 2006 and all participants in the plan were fully vested prior to the merger date.  All assets of the plan were allocated to the participants pursuant to the plan’s provisions.  Thus, Pinnacle Financial is not required to make future contributions to the Cavalry ESOP.  Distributions to participants are only made upon the termination from employment from Pinnacle Financial or the participant’s death, at which time distributions will be made to the participant’s beneficiaries.
 
Pinnacle National serves as the Trustee of the Cavalry ESOP.  During the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, Pinnacle National assessed the Cavalry ESOP no fees as Trustee.  Additionally, Pinnacle National incurred administrative expenses, primarily auditing and consulting expenses, of $10,000 to maintain the Calvary ESOP in 2009.  During 2009, the Cavalry ESOP was terminated and all participant accounts were merged with and into the respective participant accounts of the Pinnacle 401k Plan.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Prior to the merger with Pinnacle Financial, Cavalry had adopted nonqualified noncontributory supplemental retirement agreements (the Cavalry SRAs) for certain directors and executive officers of Cavalry.  Cavalry invested in and, as a result of the Cavalry merger, Pinnacle Financial is the owner of single premium life insurance policies on the life of each participant and is the beneficiary of the policy value.  When a participant retires, the accumulated gains on the policy allocated to such participant, if any, will be distributed to the participant in equal installments for 15 years (the Primary Benefit).  In addition, any annual gains after the retirement date of the participant will be distributed on an annual basis for the lifetime of the participant (the Secondary Benefit).  As a result of the merger with Pinnacle Financial, all participants became fully vested in the Cavalry SRAs.  No new participants have been added to the Cavalry SRAs following the merger with Pinnacle Financial.

The Cavalry SRAs also provide the participants with death benefits, which is a percentage of the net death proceeds for the policy, if any, applicable to the participant.  The death benefits are not taxable to Pinnacle Financial or the participant’s beneficiary.

Pinnacle Financial recognized approximately $330,000, $63,000, and $22,000 in compensation expense in each year of the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 related to the Cavalry SRAs.  During 2007, Pinnacle Financial offered a settlement to all participants in the Cavalry SRAs with eleven participants accepting the settlement.  Two individuals remain as participants in the Cavalry SRAs.  Additionally, Pinnacle Financial incurred approximately $4,000 in administrative expenses to maintain the Cavalry SRA during the three-year period ended December 31, 2011.  At December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, included in other liabilities is $1,200,000, $994,000, and $1,042,000, respectively, which represents the net present value of the future obligations owed the two remaining participants in the Cavalry SRAs using a discount rate of 5% at December 31, 2011 and 2010.
 
Note 14.  Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares and Salary Stock Units

Pinnacle Financial has two equity incentive plans under which it has granted stock options to its employees to purchase common stock at or above the fair market value on the date of grant and granted restricted share and restricted stock unit awards to employees and directors.  At December 31, 2011, there were approximately 531,000 shares available for issuance under these plans.

During the first quarter of 2006 and in connection with its merger with Cavalry, Pinnacle Financial assumed a third equity incentive plan, the 1999 Cavalry Bancorp, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the Cavalry Plan).  All options granted under the Cavalry Plan were fully vested prior to Pinnacle Financial’s merger with Cavalry and expire at various dates between January 2011 and June 2012.  In connection with the merger, all options to acquire Cavalry common stock were converted to options to acquire Pinnacle Financial common stock at the 0.95 exchange ratio.  The exercise price of the outstanding options under the Cavalry Plan was adjusted using the same exchange ratio.  All other terms of the Cavalry options were unchanged.  At December 31, 2011, there were 3,401 shares of Pinnacle Financial common stock which could be acquired by the participants in the Cavalry Plan at an exercise price of $13.68 per share.

On November 30, 2007 and in connection with its merger with Mid-America, Pinnacle Financial assumed several equity incentive plans, including the Mid-America Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the Mid-America Plans).  All options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Mid-America Plans were fully vested prior to Pinnacle Financial’s merger with Mid-America and expire at various dates between June 2011 and July 2017.  In connection with the merger, all options and stock appreciation rights to acquire Mid-America common stock were converted to options or stock appreciation rights, as applicable, to acquire Pinnacle Financial common stock at the 0.4655 exchange ratio.  The exercise price of the outstanding options and stock appreciation rights under the Mid-America Plans were adjusted using the same exchange ratio with the exercise price also being reduced by $1.50 per share.  All other terms of the Mid-America options and stock appreciation rights were unchanged.  At December 31, 2011, there were 167,624 Pinnacle shares which could be acquired by the participants in the Mid-America Plan at exercise prices that ranged between $7.52 per share and $20.41 per share.  At December 31, 2011, there were approximately 89,000 shares available for issue under the Mid-America Plans to associates of Pinnacle Financial that were associates of Mid-America or its affiliates at the time of the merger.

Common Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

As of December 31, 2011, of the approximately 1,573,000 stock options and 8,100 stock appreciation rights outstanding, 705,000 options were granted with the intention to be incentive stock options qualifying under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code for favorable tax treatment to the option holder while 876,000 options would be deemed non-qualified stock options or stock appreciation rights and thus not subject to favorable tax treatment to the option holder.  Favorable treatment generally refers to the recipient of the award not having to report ordinary income at the date of exercise.  All stock options granted under the Pinnacle Financial equity incentive plans vest in equal increments over five years from the date of grant and are exercisable over a period of ten years from the date of grant.  All stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Cavalry Plan and Mid-America Plans were fully-vested at the date of those mergers.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A summary of stock option and stock appreciation right activity within the equity incentive plans during each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 and information regarding expected vesting, contractual terms remaining, intrinsic values and other matters was as follows:
 
    Number     Weighted- Average Exercise Price     Weighted- Average Contractual Remaining Term (in years)     Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) (000’s)  
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    2,232,100     $ 17.41                  
Granted
    -       -                  
Stock options exercised
    (63,754 )     9.67                  
Stock appreciation rights exercised (2)
    -       -                  
Forfeited
    (18,572 )     26.80                  
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    2,149,774     $ 17.54                  
Granted
    -       -                  
Stock options exercised
    (316,014 )     6.45                  
Stock appreciation rights exercised (2)
    (232 )     15.60                  
Forfeited
    (37,743 )     21.89                  
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    1,795,785     $ 19.49                  
Granted
    -       -                  
Stock options exercised
    (163,829 )     6.20                  
Stock appreciation rights exercised (2)
    -       15.60                  
Forfeited    
(50,918
   
23.44
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2011    
1,581,038
    $ 20.81      
3.62
    $ 3,683  
Outstanding and expected to vest at December 31, 2011    
1,579,123
    20.80      
3.61
    $ 3,683  
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011    
1,451,072
     20.34      
3.43
    $
  3,683
 
 

 
(1)
The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the quoted price of Pinnacle Financial common stock of $16.15 per common share at December 31, 2011 for the 440,507 options and stock appreciation rights that were in-the-money at December 31, 2011.
 
(2)
There were no stock appreciation rights exercised during 2009 or 2011. The 232 stock appreciation rights exercised during 2010 settled in 13 shares of Pinnacle Financial common stock.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 161,533 option awards vested at an average exercise price of $28.20.  Those awards which vested had no intrinsic value.  During each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, the aggregate intrinsic value of options and stock appreciation rights exercised under Pinnacle Financial’s equity incentive plans was $1,330,000, $1,919,000 and $640,000, respectively, determined as of the date of option exercise.

As of December 31, 2011, there was approximately $0.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options granted under our equity incentive plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.86 years.
 
 
Page 92

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Pinnacle Financial adopted ASC 718-20 Compensation using the modified prospective transition method on January 1, 2006. Accordingly, during the three-years ended December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial recorded stock-based compensation expense using the Black-Scholes valuation model for awards granted prior to, but not yet vested, as of January 1, 2006 and for stock-based awards granted after January 1, 2006, based on fair value estimates using the Black-Scholes valuation model.  For these awards, Pinnacle Financial has recognized compensation expense using a straight-line amortization method. As ASC 718-20 requires that stock-based compensation expense be based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest, stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. The impact on the results of operations (compensation and employee benefits expense) and earnings per share of recording stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718-20 (related to stock option awards) for the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 was as follows:

   
Awards granted
with
 the intention to be
classified
 as incentive stock
options
   
Non-qualified stock
 option awards
   
Totals
 
For the year ended December 31,2011:
                 
Stock-based compensation expense
  $ -     $ 1,196,059     $ 1,196,059  
Deferred income tax benefit
    -       469,214       469,214  
Stock-based compensation expense after deferred income tax benefit
  $ -     $ 726,845     $ 726,845  
Impact on per share results from stock-based compensation:
                       
Basic
  $ 0.00     $ 0.02     $ 0.02  
Fully diluted
  $ 0.00     $ 0.02     $ 0.02  
                         
For the year ended December 31,2010:
                       
Stock-based compensation expense
  $ 46,058     $ 1,631,235     $ 1,677,293  
Deferred income tax benefit
    -       639,933       639,933  
Stock-based compensation expense after deferred income tax benefit
  $ 46,058     $ 991,302     $ 1,037,360  
Impact on per share results from stock-based compensation:
                       
Basic
  $ 0.00     $ 0.03     $ 0.03  
Fully diluted
  $ 0.00     $ 0.03     $ 0.03  
                         
For the year ended December 31,2009:
                       
Stock-based compensation expense
  $ 227,200     $ 1,579,529     $ 1,806,729  
Deferred income tax benefit
    -       619,649       619,649  
Stock-based compensation expense after deferred income tax benefit
  $ 227,200     $ 959,880     $ 1,187,080  
Impact on per share results from stock-based compensation:
                       
Basic
  $ 0.01     $ 0.03     $ 0.04  
Fully diluted
  $ 0.01     $ 0.03     $ 0.04  

There were no options granted in the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 or 2009.

Restricted Shares

Additionally, Pinnacle Financial’s 2004 Equity Incentive Plan provides for the granting of restricted share awards and other performance or market-based awards.  There were no market-based awards or stock appreciation rights outstanding as of December 31, 2011 under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.  During the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial awarded 310,773 shares in 2009, 315,069 shares in 2010 and 361,966 shares in 2011 of restricted common stock awards to certain Pinnacle Financial associates and outside directors.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A summary of activity for unvested restricted share awards for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 follows:

   
Number
   
Grant Date Weighted-
Average
Cost
 
Unvested at December 31, 2008
    231,881     $ 24.76  
Shares awarded
    310,733       19.13  
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to associates/directors
    (39,838 )     24.20  
Shares forfeited
    (21,892 )     29.48  
Unvested at December 31, 2009
    480,884     $ 21.03  
Shares awarded
    315,069       14.35  
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to associates/directors
    (80,028 )     18.60  
Shares forfeited
    (75,431 )     22.37  
Unvested at December 31, 2010
    640,394     $ 17.63  
Shares awarded
    361,966       13.38  
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to associates/directors
    (90,406 )     17.62  
Shares forfeited
    (62,251 )     20.66  
Unvested at December 31, 2011
    849,703     $ 15.61  

Pinnacle Financial grants restricted share awards to associates, executive management and outside directors with a combination of time and performance vesting criteria. The following tables outline restricted stock grants that were made by grant year, grouped by similar vesting criteria, during the three year period ended December 31, 2011. The table below reflects the life-to-date activity for these awards:
 
Grant
Year
Group(1)
 
Vesting
Period in years
   
Shares
awarded
   
Restrictions
Lapsed and
shares released
to participants(1)
   
Shares Withheld
for taxes by participants(1)
   
Shares Forfeited by participants
   
Shares Unvested
 
Time Based Awards (2)
                                   
2009
Associates
  5       173,114       53,571       12,836       18,435       88,272  
2010
Associates
  5       140,849       21,622       5,582       13,375       100,270  
2011
Associates
  5       144,145       173       77       5,925       137,970  
Performance Based Awards (3)
                                             
2009
Leadership team (4)
  10       92,669       -       -       25,534       67,135  
2009
Leadership team (4)
  3       30,878       -       -       -       30,878  
2010
Leadership team (4)
  10       59,568       5,695       1,637       -       52,236  
2010
Leadership team (5)
  3       39,250       -       -       -       39,250  
2010
Leadership team (6)
  2       58,203       -       -       -       58,203  
2011
Leadership team (4)
  10       152,093       -       -       -       152,093  
2011
Leadership team (5)
  3       29,595       -       -       -       29,595  
2011
Leadership team (6)
  3       21,097       -       -       -       21,097  
Outside Director Awards (7)
                                             
2009
Outside directors
  1       14,112       12,348       1,764       -       -  
2010
Outside directors
  1       17,199       17,199       -       -       -  
2011
Outside directors
  1       15,036       12,530       -       2,506       -  
 

 
(1)
Groups include our employees (referred to as associates above), our executive managers (referred to as our Leadership Team above) and our outside directors.  Included in the Leadership Team awards noted above are awards to our named executive officers. When the restricted shares are awarded, a participant receives voting rights with respect to the shares, but is not able to transfer the shares other than to Pinnacle Financial in satisfaction of withholding tax obligations until the later of the date that the forfeiture restrictions have lapsed and the date we have redeemed the Series A preferred stock.  Once the forfeiture restrictions lapse, the participant is taxed on the value of the award and, subject to the limitations on transferability of the CPP, may elect to sell shares to pay the applicable income taxes associated with the award or have these shares remitted to Pinnacle Financial.
 
(2)
These shares vest in equal annual installments on the first five anniversary dates of the grant.
 
(3)
The forfeiture restrictions on these restricted share awards lapse in separate equal installments should Pinnacle Financial achieve certain earnings and soundness targets over each year of the subsequent vesting period (or alternatively, the cumulative vesting period), excluding the impact of any merger related expenses.  For those grants with a 10 year vesting period, the vesting period for individual awards is equal to ten years or the number of years remaining before an associate reaches the age of 65 whichever is less.
 
(4)
These awards include a provision that the shares do not vest if Pinnacle Financial is not profitable for the fiscal year immediately preceding the vesting date.
 
(5)
The forfeiture restrictions on these restricted share awards lapse in installments as follows: 66.6% on the second anniversary date should Pinnacle Financial achieve certain earnings and soundness targets, and 33.4% on the third anniversary date should Pinnacle Financial achieve certain earnings and soundness targets in each of these periods (or, alternatively, the cumulative three-year period).
 
(6)
The forfeiture restriction on these restricted share awards lapse in one lump sum on the second anniversary date of the grant so long as Pinnacle Financial is profitable for the fiscal year immediately preceding the vesting date.
 
(7)
Restricted share awards are issued to the outside members of the board of directors in accordance with their board compensation plan.  Restrictions lapsed on the one year anniversary date of the award based on each individual board member meeting his/her attendance goals for the various board and board committee meetings to which each member was scheduled to attend.  All board members who had been granted these restricted shares met their attendance goals with the exception of two board members during 2011 which resigned their board seats and forfeited their restricted share awards of 1,253 shares each.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Compensation expense associated with the performance based restricted share awards is recognized over the time period that the restrictions associated with the awards are anticipated to lapse based on a graded vesting schedule such that each traunche is amortized separately.  Compensation expense associated with the time based restricted share awards is recognized over the time period that the restrictions associated with the awards lapse on a straight-line basis based on the total cost of the award.

A summary of compensation expense, net of the impact of income taxes, related to restricted stock awards for the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, follows:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Restricted stock expense (1)
  $ 3,239,677     $ 2,303,720     $ 1,444,274  
Income tax benefit
    1,270,925       903,749       566,589  
Restricted stock expense, net of income tax benefit
  $ 1,968,752     $ 1,399,971     $ 877,685  
Impact on per share results from restricted stock expense:
                       
Basic
  $ 0.06     $ 0.04     $ 0.03  
Fully diluted
  $ 0.06     $ 0.04     $ 0.03  
 

 
(1)
During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, $149,000, $149,000 and $172,000, respectively, in previously expensed compensation associated with certain traunches of restricted share awards was reversed when Pinnacle Financial determined that the performance targets required to vest the awards were unlikely to be achieved.

Salary Stock Unit Awards

During the first quarter of 2011 and third quarter of 2011, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of Pinnacle Financial approved the issuance of Salary Stock Units (SSU) to the named executive officers of the Company. The SSUs are designed to comply with the U.S. Treasury’s Interim Final Rule on TARP Standards for Compensation and Corporate Governance issued on June 15, 2009. The SSUs accrue and are earned by the named executive officers over the course of the year during each payroll period, subject to such executive officer’s continued employment with the Company. Generally, SSUs granted to named executive officers are immediately vested (and therefore not subject to forfeiture) and are payable in shares of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis. For the year ended December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial issued 54,526 salary stock units and recognized approximately $777,000 in compensation costs attributable to the SSUs. Effective December 31, 2011, these restricted stock units were settled into 42,688 shares of Pinnacle Financial common stock, net of the 11,838 shares which were withheld for taxes.

Note 15.
Derivative Instruments

Financial derivatives are reported at fair value in other assets or other liabilities.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship.  For derivatives not designated as hedges, the gain or loss is recognized in current earnings.

Beginning in 2007, Pinnacle Financial entered into interest rate swaps (swaps) to facilitate customer transactions and meet their financing needs.  Upon entering into these instruments to meet customer needs, Pinnacle Financial enters into offsetting positions in order to minimize the risk.  These swaps qualify as derivatives, but are not designated as hedging instruments. All of the derivatives held at December 31, 2011 and 2010 related to these customer swaps.

Interest rate swap contracts involve the risk of dealing with counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms.  When the fair value of a derivative instrument contract is positive, this generally indicates that the counter party or customer owes Pinnacle Financial, and results in credit risk to Pinnacle Financial.  When the fair value of a derivative instrument contract is negative, Pinnacle Financial owes the customer or counterparty and therefore, Pinnacle Financial has no credit risk.
 
 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A summary of Pinnacle Financial’s interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2011 is included in the following table (in thousands):

   
At December 31, 2011
 
   
Notional Amount
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
Interest rate swap agreements:
           
Pay fixed / receive variable swaps
  $ 257,639     $ 17,937  
Pay variable / receive fixed swaps
    257,639       (18,147 )
Total
  $ 515,278     $ (210 )

Note 16.  Employment Contracts

Pinnacle Financial has entered into, and subsequently amended, four continuously automatic-renewing three-year employment agreements with four of its senior executives: the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Administrative Officer and the Chief Financial Officer.  These agreements, as amended, will always have a three-year term unless any of the parties to the agreements gives notice of intent not to renew the agreement.  The agreements specify that in certain defined “Terminating Events,” Pinnacle Financial will be obligated to pay each of the four senior executives certain amounts, which vary according to the Terminating Event, which is based on their annual salaries and bonuses.  These Terminating Events include disability, cause, without cause and other events.  In connection with the CPP, the agreements were modified in 2008 to comply with certain limitations specified in the CPP for payment upon certain terminations of employment.  In 2009, and in connection with the ongoing developments and updated and revised regulations related to executive compensation issued by the U.S. Treasury under the CPP, the four senior executives again waived their right to receive certain benefits from Pinnacle Financial should payment of the benefit be prohibited by the CPP’s limitations on executive compensation at the time of payment would have otherwise been triggered.

Note 17.  Related Party Transactions

A local public relations company, of which one of Pinnacle Financial’s directors is a principal, provides various services for Pinnacle Financial.  For each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial incurred approximately $242,000, $234,000, and $282,000, respectively, in expense for services rendered by this public relations company.  Another former director is an officer in an insurance firm that serves as an agent in securing insurance in such areas as Pinnacle Financial’s property and casualty insurance and other insurance policies.

During 2004, Pinnacle Financial’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Pinnacle Credit Enhancement Holdings, Inc. (PCEH), acquired a 24.5% membership interest in Collateral Plus, LLC.  Collateral Plus, LLC serves as an intermediary between investors and borrowers in certain financial transactions whereby the borrowers require enhanced collateral in the form of guarantees or letters of credit issued by the investors for the benefit of banks and other financial institutions.  A former employee of Pinnacle National also owned a 24.5% interest in Collateral Plus, LLC.   PCEH’s 24.5% ownership of Collateral Plus, LLC resulted in other noninterest income of $26,000 in 2011, $113,000 in 2010, and $309,000 in 2009.  During 2011, PCEH divested of its investment in Collateral Plus, LLC.

Also see Note 6-Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, concerning loans and other extensions of credit to certain directors, officers, and their related entities and individuals and Note 13 – Salary Deferral Plans regarding supplemental retirement agreement obligations to two directors who were formerly directors of Cavalry.

Note 18.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The definition of fair value focuses on the exit price, i.e., the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, not the entry price, i.e., the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or received to assume the liability at the measurement date.  The statement emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement; not an entity-specific measurement.  Therefore, the fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
 
 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Valuation Hierarchy

FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

 
·
Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 
·
Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

 
·
Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such assets and liabilities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Assets

Securities available-for-sale – Where quoted prices are available for identical securities in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities include highly liquid government securities and certain other financial products. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models that use observable inputs or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation and more complex pricing models or discounted cash flows are used, securities are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Impaired loans – A loan is considered to be impaired when it is probable Pinnacle Financial will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected payments using the loan’s original effective rate as the discount rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral less selling costs if the loan is collateral dependent. If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the measure of fair value, a valuation allowance may be established as a component of the allowance for loan losses or the difference is recognized as a charge-off. Impaired loans are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.

Other investments – Included in other investments are investments in certain nonpublic private equity funds.  The valuation of nonpublic private equity investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such assets. These investments are valued initially based upon transaction price. The carrying values of other investments are adjusted either upwards or downwards from the transaction price to reflect expected exit values as evidenced by financing and sale transactions with third parties, or when determination of a valuation adjustment is confirmed through ongoing reviews by senior investment managers. A variety of factors are reviewed and monitored to assess positive and negative changes in valuation including, but not limited to, current operating performance and future expectations of the particular investment, industry valuations of comparable public companies and changes in market outlook and the third-party financing environment over time. In determining valuation adjustments resulting from the investment review process, emphasis is placed on current company performance and market conditions. These investments are included in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Other real estate owned – Other real estate owned (OREO) represents real estate foreclosed upon by Pinnacle National or acquired by deed in lieu of foreclosure through loan defaults by customers.  Substantially all of these amounts relate to lots, homes and development projects that are either completed or are in various stages of construction for which Pinnacle Financial believes it has adequate collateral.  Upon foreclosure, the property is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, based on appraised value, less selling costs estimated as of the date acquired with any loss recognized as a charge-off through the allowance for loan losses.  Additional OREO losses for subsequent valuation downward adjustments are determined on a specific property basis and are included as a component of noninterest expense along with holding costs.  Any gains or losses realized at the time of disposal are reflected in noninterest expense, as applicable.  Other real estate owned is included in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.
 
 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other assets – Included in other assets are certain assets carried at fair value, including the cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance policies and interest rate swap agreements.  The carrying amount of the cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance is based on information received from the insurance carriers indicating the financial performance of the policies and the amount Pinnacle Financial would receive should the policies be surrendered.  Pinnacle Financial reflects these assets within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.  The carrying amount of interest rate swap agreements is based on Pinnacle Financial’s pricing models that utilize observable market inputs obtained from a third party bank.  Pinnacle Financial reflects these assets within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Liabilities

Other liabilities – Pinnacle Financial has certain liabilities carried at fair value including certain interest rate swap agreements.  The fair value of these liabilities is based on Pinnacle Financial’s pricing models that utilize observable market inputs obtained from a third party bank and is reflected within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

The following tables present the financial instruments carried at fair value as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, by caption on the consolidated balance sheets and by FASB ASC 820 valuation hierarchy (as described above) (in thousands):

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011

   
Total carrying
value in the
consolidated
balance sheet
   
Quoted market
prices in an
active market
   
Models with
significant
observable market
parameters
   
Models with significant unobservable market parameters
 
          (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
Investment securities available-for-sale:
                       
U.S. government agency securities
  $ 42,314     $ -     $ 42,314     $ -  
Mortgage-backed securities
    645,567       -       645,567       -  
State and municipal securities
    195,952       -       195,952       -  
Corporate notes and other
    11,129       -       11,129       -  
Total investment securities available-for-sale
    894,962       -       894,962       -  
Other investments
    3,400       -       -       3,400  
Other assets
    67,319       -       17,937       49,382  
Total assets at fair value
  $ 965,681     $ -     $ 912,899     $ 52,782  
                                 
Other liabilities
  $ 18,147     $ -     $ 18,147     $ -  
Total liabilities at fair value
  $ 18,147     $ -     $ 18,147     $ -  

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010

   
Total carrying
value in the
consolidated
balance sheet
   
Quoted market
prices in an
active market
   
Models with
significant
observable market
parameters
   
Models with significant unobservable market parameters
 
         
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
                       
U.S. government agency securities
  $ 90,415     $ -     $ 90,415     $ -  
Mortgage-backed securities
    701,262       -       701,262       -  
State and municipal securities
    211,481       -       211,481       -  
Corporate notes and other
    11,159       -       11,159       -  
Total investment securities available-for-sale
    1,014,317       -       1,014,317       -  
Other investments
    2,693       -       -       2,693  
Other assets
    62,710       -       14,441       48,269  
Total assets at fair value
  $ 1,079,720     $ -     $ 1,028,758     $ 50,962  
                                 
Other liabilities
  $ 14,639     $ -     $ 14,639     $ -  
Total liabilities at fair value
  $ 14,639     $ -     $ 14,639     $ -  

 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2011

   
Total carrying value in the consolidated balance sheet
   
Quoted market
prices in an active
market
   
Models with significant observable market parameters
   
Models with significant unobservable market
parameters
   
Total losses
for the year ended December 31, 2011
 
         
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
       
Other real estate owned
  $ 39,714     $ -     $ -     $ 39,714     $ (6,890 )
Impaired loans, net (1)
    43,415       -       -       43,415       (8,661 )
Total
  $ 83,129     $ -     $ -     $ 83,129     $ (15,551 )
 

 
(1)
Amount is net of a valuation allowance of $4.4 million as required by ASC 310-10, “Receivables.”

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2010

   
Total carrying value in the consolidated balance sheet
   
Quoted market
prices in an active
 market
   
Models with significant observable market parameters
   
Models with significant unobservable market parameters
   
Total losses
for the year ended December 31, 2010
 
         
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
       
Other real estate owned
  $ 59,608     $ -     $ -     $ 59,608     $ (11,365 )
Impaired loans, net (2)
    71,906       -       -       71,906       (11,446 )
Total
  $ 131,514     $ -     $ -     $ 131,514     $ (22,811 )
 

 
(2)
Amount is net of a valuation allowance of $8.9 million as required by ASC 310-10, “Receivables.”

In the case of the bond portfolio, Pinnacle Financial monitors the valuation technique utilized by various pricing agencies to ascertain when transfers between levels have been affected.  The nature of the remaining assets and liabilities is such that transfers in and out of any level are expected to be rare.  For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3.

The table below includes a rollforward of the balance sheet amounts for the year ended December 31, 2011 (including the change in fair value) for financial instruments classified by Pinnacle Financial within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. When a determination is made to classify a financial instrument within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy, the determination is based upon the significance of the unobservable factors to the overall fair value measurement. However, since Level 3 financial instruments typically include, in addition to the unobservable or Level 3 components, observable components (that is, components that are actively quoted and can be validated to external sources), the gains and losses in the table below include changes in fair value due in part to observable factors that are part of the valuation methodology (in thousands):

   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Other assets
   
Other liabilities
   
Other assets
   
Other liabilities
 
Fair value, January 1
  $ 50,962     $ -     $ 49,518     $ -  
Total realized gains included in income
    1,427       -       1,022       -  
Change in unrealized gains/losses included in other comprehensive income for assets and liabilities still held at December 31
    -       -       -       -  
Purchases, issuances and settlements, net
    393       -       422       -  
Transfers out of Level 3
    -       -       -       -  
Fair value, December 31
  $ 52,782       -     $ 50,962       -  
Total realized gains included in income related to financial assets and liabilities still on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31
  $ 1,427     $ -     $ 1,022     $ -  

 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following methods and assumptions were used by Pinnacle Financial in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments that are not measured at fair value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using discounted cash flow models. Those models are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rates, estimates of future cash flows and borrower creditworthiness. The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  Such amounts have not been revalued for purposes of these consolidated financial statements since those dates and, therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

Cash and cash equivalents - The carrying amounts of cash, due from banks, federal funds sold, and short-term discount notes sold approximate their fair value due to their short-term nature.

Securities held-to-maturity and available-for-sale - Estimated fair values for investment securities are based on quoted market prices where available.  If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models that use observable inputs or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics.

Loans- Beginning in the second quarter of 2011, Pinnacle incorporated a component of credit risk into our determination of the fair value of our loans.  The addition of this credit risk assumption is intended to approximate the fair value that a market participant would realize in a hypothetical orderly transaction.  Our loan portfolio is initially fair valued using a segmented approach. We divide our loan portfolio into the following categories: variable rate loans, impaired loans and all other loans. The results are then adjusted to account for credit risk.
 
For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk, fair values approximate carrying values. Fair values for impaired loans are estimated using discounted cash flow models or based on the fair value of the underlying collateral.  For other loans, fair values are estimated using discounted cash flow models, using current market interest rates offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. The values derived from the discounted cash flow approach for each of the above portfolios are then further discounted to incorporate credit risk to determine the exit price.
 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale - Mortgage loans held-for-sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.  The estimate of fair value is equal to the selling price of these loans as they are usually sold within a few weeks of their origination.

Deposits, Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase, Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Subordinated Debt - The carrying amounts of demand deposits, savings deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank and subordinated debt approximate their fair values. Fair values for certificates of deposit, fixed rate advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank are estimated using discounted cash flow models, using current market interest rates offered on certificates, advances and other borrowings with similar remaining maturities.

Off-Balance Sheet Instruments - The fair values of Pinnacle Financial's off-balance-sheet financial instruments are based on current fees charged to enter into similar agreements. However, commitments to extend credit do not represent a significant value to Pinnacle Financial until such commitments are funded. Pinnacle Financial has determined that the fair value of commitments to extend credit is not significant.

 
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PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of Pinnacle Financial's financial instruments at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value (1)
   
Carrying Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value (1)
 
Financial assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 172,163     $ 172,163     $ 188,586     $ 188,586  
Securities available-for-sale
    894,962       894,962       1,014,317       1,014,317  
Securities held-to-maturity
    2,329       2,369       4,320       4,412  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
    35,363       35,363       16,206       16,206  
Loans, net (2)
    3,217,376       2,893,526       3,129,865       2,874,894  
Derivative assets
    17,937       17,937       14,441       14,441  
Bank owned life insurance
    48,883       48,883       47,724       47,724  
Other investments
    3,400       3,400       2,693       2,693  
                                 
Financial liabilities:
                               
Deposits and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  $ 3,785,931     $ 3,752,490     $ 3,979,352     $ 3,974,408  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    226,069       226,460       121,393       126,399  
Subordinated debt
    97,476       72,030       97,476       75,360  
Derivative liabilities
    18,147       18,147       14,639       14,639  
                                 
   
Notional
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Notional
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Off-balance sheet instruments:
                               
Commitments to extend credit (3)
  $ 937,084     $ 1,031     $ 848,023     $ 998  
Standby letters of credit (4)
    76,176       529       75,172       275  


 
(1)
Estimated fair values are consistent with an exit-price concept. The assumptions used to estimate the fair values are intended to approximate those that a market-participant would realize in a hypothetical orderly transaction.
 
(2)
The estimated fair value of loans included in the table above includes a credit risk adjustment of approximately $330 million and $310 million, respectively, at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The previously disclosed December 31, 2010 fair value of loans has been adjusted to incorporate the credit risk adjustment.
 
(3)
At the end of each quarter, Pinnacle Financial evaluates the inherent risks of the outstanding off-balance sheet commitments to extend credit.  In making this evaluation, Pinnacle Financial evaluates the credit worthiness of the borrower, the collateral supporting the commitments and any other factors similar to those used to evaluate the inherent risks of our loan portfolio.  Additionally, Pinnacle Financial evaluates the probability that the outstanding commitment will eventually become a funded loan.  As a result, at December 31, 2011 and 2010, Pinnacle Financial included in other liabilities $1.2 million and $998,000, respectively, representing the inherent risks associated with these off-balance sheet commitments.
 
(4)
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the fair value of Pinnacle Financial’s standby letters of credit was $260,000 and $275,000.  Included in this amount is the unamortized fee associated with these standby letters of credit.  This fair value will decrease over time as the existing standby letters of credit approach their expiration dates.

Note 19.  Variable Interest Entities

Under ASC 810, Pinnacle Financial is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and required to consolidate a variable interest entity (VIE) if it has a variable interest in the VIE that provides it with a controlling financial interest. For such purposes, the determination of whether a controlling financial interest exists is based on whether a single party has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. ASC 810 requires continual reconsideration of conclusions reached regarding which interest holder is a VIE’s primary beneficiary and disclosures surrounding those VIE’s which have not been consolidated. The consolidation methodology provided in this footnote as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 has been prepared in accordance with ASC 810.

 
Page 101

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Non-consolidated Variable Interest Entities

At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial did not have any consolidated variable interest entities to disclose but did have the following non-consolidated variable interest entities: low income housing partnerships, trust preferred issuances, troubled debt restructuring commercial loans, and managed discretionary trusts.

Since 2003, Pinnacle Financial has made equity investments as a limited partner in various partnerships that sponsor affordable housing projects. The purpose of these investments is to achieve a satisfactory return on capital and to support Pinnacle Financial’s community reinvestment initiatives. The activities of the limited partnerships include the identification, development, and operation of multi-family housing that is leased to qualifying residential tenants generally within Pinnacle Financial’s primary geographic region. These partnerships are considered VIEs because Pinnacle Financial, as the holder of the equity investment at risk, does not have the ability to direct the activities that most significantly affect the success of the entity through voting rights or similar rights. While Pinnacle Financial could absorb losses that are significant to these partnerships as it has a risk of loss for its initial capital contributions and funding commitments to each partnership, it is not considered the primary beneficiary of the partnerships as the general partners whose managerial functions give them the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the partnerships’ economic performance and who are exposed to all losses beyond Pinnacle Financial’s initial capital contributions and funding commitments are considered the primary beneficiaries.

Pinnacle Financial has previously issued subordinated debt totaling $82.5 million to PNFP Statutory Trust I, II, III, and IV.  These trusts are considered VIEs because Pinnacle Financial’s capital contributions to these trusts are not considered “at risk” in evaluating whether the holders of the equity investments at risk in the trusts have the power through voting rights or similar rights to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance. These trusts were not consolidated by Pinnacle Financial because the holders of the securities issued by the trusts absorb a majority of expected losses and residual returns.

For certain troubled commercial loans, Pinnacle Financial restructures the terms of the borrower’s debt in an effort to increase the probability of receipt of amounts contractually due. However, Pinnacle Financial does not assume decision-making power or responsibility over the borrower’s operations. Following a debt restructuring, the borrowing entity typically meets the definition of a VIE as the initial determination of whether the entity is a VIE must be reconsidered and economic events have proven that the entity’s equity is not sufficient to permit it to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or a restructuring of the terms of its financing. As Pinnacle Financial does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact such troubled commercial borrowers’ operations, it is not considered the primary beneficiary even in situations where, based on the size of the financing provided, Pinnacle Financial is exposed to potentially significant benefits and losses of the borrowing entity. Pinnacle Financial has no contractual requirements to provide financial support to the borrowing entities beyond certain funding commitments established upon restructuring of the terms of the debt to allow for completion of activities which prepare the collateral related to the debt for sale.

Pinnacle Financial serves as manager over certain discretionary trusts, for which it makes investment decisions on behalf of the trusts’ beneficiaries in return for a management fee. The trusts meet the definition of a VIE since the holders of the equity investments at risk do not have the power through voting rights or similar rights to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance. However, since the management fees Pinnacle Financial receives are not considered variable interests in the trusts as all of the requirements related to permitted levels of decision maker fees are met, such VIEs are not consolidated by Pinnacle Financial because it cannot be the trusts’ primary beneficiary. Pinnacle Financial has no contractual requirements to provide financial support to the trusts.

The following table summarizes VIE’s that are not consolidated by Pinnacle Financial as of December 31, 2011 (in thousands):

   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
   
 
Type
 
Maximum
Loss
Exposure
   
Liability
Recognized
   
Maximum
Loss
Exposure
   
Liability
Recognized
 
 
Classification
Low Income Housing Partnerships
  $ 5,917     $ -     $ 4,095     $ -  
Other Assets
Trust Preferred Issuances
    N/A       82,476       N/A       82,476  
Subordinated Debt
Commercial Troubled Debt Restructurings
    17,223       -       19,907       -  
Loans
Managed Discretionary Trusts
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
N/A

 
Page 102

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 20.  Regulatory Matters

Pinnacle National is subject to restrictions on the payment of dividends to Pinnacle Financial under federal banking laws and the regulations of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).  Pinnacle Financial is also subject to limits on payment of dividends to its stockholders by the rules, regulations and policies of federal banking authorities and by its participation in the CPP.  Pinnacle Financial has not paid any cash dividends since inception, and it does not anticipate that it will consider paying dividends until Pinnacle Financial generates sufficient capital through net income from operations to support both anticipated asset growth and dividend payments.  Pursuant to federal banking regulations, at December 31, 2011 Pinnacle National may not, without the prior consent of the OCC, pay any dividends to Pinnacle Financial unless such dividends do not exceed current year profits and exceed the net retained earnings less losses of the prior two years. At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle National’s retained net profits less losses for the two years then ended were $20.8 million. At December 31, 2011, until such time as it may receive dividends from Pinnacle National, Pinnacle Financialanticipates servicing its preferred stock dividend and subordinated indebtedness requirements from its available cash balances. Pinnacle Financial has informally agreed to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta before making dividend payments on its Series A preferred stock and subordinated debt payments on the subordinated debentures associated with its affiliated trusts’ trust preferred securities or causing Pinnacle National to pay dividends.

 Pinnacle Financial and its banking subsidiary are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary actions, by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle National must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Pinnacle Financial’s and Pinnacle National’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require Pinnacle Financial and its banking subsidiary to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Total and Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets and of Tier I capital to average assets. Management believes, as of December 31, 2011, that Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle National met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.  To be categorized as well-capitalized, Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle National must maintain minimum Total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the following table.  Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle National’s actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table (in thousands):

   
Actual
   
Minimum Capital
Requirement
   
Minimum
To Be Well-Capitalized
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
At December 31, 2011
                                   
                                     
Total capital to risk weighted assets:
                                   
Pinnacle Financial
  $ 579,877       15.3 %   $ 302,433       8.0 %   $ 380,799       10.0 %
Pinnacle National
  $ 528,436       14.0 %   $ 301,838       8.0 %   $ 380,063       10.0 %
Tier I capital to risk weighted assets:
                                               
Pinnacle Financial
  $ 523,277       13.8 %   $ 151,216       4.0 %   $ 228,479       6.0 %
Pinnacle National
  $ 471,928       12.5 %   $ 150,919       4.0 %   $ 228,038       6.0 %
Tier I capital to average assets (*):
                                               
Pinnacle Financial
  $ 523,277       11.4 %   $ 184,138       4.0 %     N/A       N/A  
Pinnacle National
  $ 471,928       10.3 %   $ 183,431       4.0 %   $ 229,289       5.0 %
                                                 
At December 31, 2010
                                               
                                                 
Total capital to risk weighted assets:
                                               
Pinnacle Financial
  $ 559,296       15.4 %   $ 291,128       8.0 %   $ 367,671       10.0 %
Pinnacle National
  $ 487,204       13.4 %   $ 290,589       8.0 %   $ 367,006       10.0 %
Tier I capital to risk weighted assets:
                                               
Pinnacle Financial
  $ 501,337       13.8 %   $ 145,564       4.0 %   $ 220,603       6.0 %
Pinnacle National
  $ 429,328       11.8 %   $ 145,295       4.0 %   $ 220,204       6.0 %
Tier I capital to average assets (*):
                                               
Pinnacle Financial
  $ 501,337       10.7 %   $ 187,463       4.0 %     N/A       N/A  
Pinnacle National
  $ 429,328       9.2 %   $ 186,812       4.0 %   $ 233,514       5.0 %
 

 
(*) Average assets for the above calculations were based on the most recent quarter.

 
Page 103

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
In January 2010, the OCC required Pinnacle National to maintain a minimum Tier 1 capital to average assets ratio of 8% and a minimum total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 12%.  During the fourth quarter of 2011, the OCC lifted this individual minimum capital requirement but Pinnacle National maintained it as an internal target.   As noted above, Pinnacle National had 10.3% of Tier 1 capital to average assets and 14.0% of total capital to risk-weighted assets at December 31, 2011.  At December 31, 2011, Pinnacle Financial has $36.5 million of cash available, if required, for further capital support of Pinnacle National.

Note 21.  Parent Company Only Financial Information

The following information presents the condensed balance sheets, statements of operations, and cash flows of Pinnacle Financial as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011:

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

   
2011
   
2010
 
Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 36,496,508     $ 64,144,219  
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries
    743,704,779       690,046,284  
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries:
               
PNFP Statutory Trust I
    310,000       310,000  
PNFP Statutory Trust II
    619,000       619,000  
PNFP Statutory Trust III
    619,000       619,000  
PNFP Statutory Trust IV
    928,000       928,000  
Other investments
    3,400,183       2,693,315  
Current income tax receivable
    478,134       10,365,547  
Other assets
    6,439,735       5,822,711  
    $ 792,995,339     $ 775,548,076  
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
               
Income taxes payable to subsidiaries
  $ 309,118     $ 15,548,096  
Subordinated debt and other borrowings
    82,476,000       82,476,000  
Other liabilities
    65,653       66,693  
Stockholders’ equity
    710,144,568       677,457,287  
    $ 792,995,339     $ 775,548,076  
 
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Revenues
  $ 1,228,999     $ 1,054,997     $ 364,501  
Expenses:
                       
Interest expense – subordinated debentures
    2,082,836       2,749,085       3,318,982  
Stock-based compensation expense
    4,435,739       3,981,013       3,251,003  
Other expense
    669,560       702,728       888,709  
Loss before income taxes and equity in undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries
    (5,959,136 )     (6,377,829 )     (7,094,193 )
Income tax benefit
    (7,641,435 )     (2,125,035 )     (2,420,852 )
Income (loss) before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries and accretion on preferred stock discount
    1,682,299       (4,252,794 )     (4,673,341 )
Equity in undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries
    42,055,068       (20,047,698 )     (30,826,626 )
Net income (loss)
    43,737,367       (24,300,492 )     (35,499,967 )
Preferred stock dividends
    4,606,493       4,815,972       4,815,972  
Accretion on preferred stock discount
    2,058,146       1,326,050       1,113,986  
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 37,072,728     $ (30,442,514 )   $ (41,429,925 )

 
Page 104


PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Operating activities:
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 43,737,367     $ (24,300,492 )   $ (35,499,967 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
                       
Stock-based compensation expense
    4,435,739       3,981,013       3,251,003  
Loss (gain) on other investments
    (313,562 )     (272,116 )     126,181  
Decrease in income tax payable, net
    (5,351,564 )     12,796,200       (6,996,798 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets
    124,239       (2,408,735 )     (3,345,104 )
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
    (1,040 )     (19,339,542 )     19,098,558  
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation
    (13,819 )     (16,776 )     (53,538 )
Deferred tax (expense) benefit
    (636,040 )     842,292       1,161,845  
Equity in undistributed (income) loss of subsidiaries
    (42,055,068 )     20,047,698       30,826,626  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (73,748 )     (8,670,458 )     8,568,806  
Investing activities:
                       
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries:
                       
Banking subsidiaries
    -       (25,000,000 )     (80,787,000 )
Other subsidiaries
    -       (200,000 )     (100,000 )
Investments in other entities
    (393,304 )     (422,076 )     (576,689 )
Net cash used by investing activities
    (393,304 )     (25,622,076 )     (81,463,689 )
Financing activities:
                       
Net increase (decrease) in borrowings from line of credit
    -       -       (18,000,000 )
Exercise of common stock warrants
    -       285,000       300,000  
Exercise of common stock options
    1,447,362       3,037,064       666,034  
Preferred dividends paid
    (4,891,840 )     (4,750,000 )     (4,393,751 )
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation arrangements
    13,819       16,776       53,538  
Partial redemption of preferred shares outstanding
    (23,750,000 )     -       -  
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs
    -       -       109,027,785  
Issuance of preferred stock, net of offering costs
    -       -       -  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (27,180,659 )     (1,411,160 )     87,653,606  
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    (27,647,711 )     (35,703,694 )     14,758,723  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    64,144,219       99,847,913       85,089,190  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 36,496,508     $ 64,144,219     $ 99,847,913  

Pinnacle National is subject to restrictions on the payment of dividends to Pinnacle Financial under federal banking laws and the regulations of the OCC.  Pinnacle National did not pay any dividends to Pinnacle Financial during the years ended December 31, 2011 or 2010.  During the year ended December 31, 2009, Pinnacle National paid dividends of $8,213,000 to Pinnacle Financial.

 
Page 105

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 22.  Quarterly Financial Results (unaudited)

A summary of selected consolidated quarterly financial data for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 follows:

(in thousands, except per share data)
 
First
Quarter
   
Second
Quarter
   
Third
Quarter
   
Fourth
Quarter
 
                         
2011
                       
Interest income
  $ 47,224     $ 47,789     $ 46,888     $ 46,446  
Net interest income
    29,882       31,208       34,723       33,854  
Provision for loan losses
    6,139       6,587       3,632       5,439  
Net income before taxes
    3,505       6,660       9,128       9,207  
Net income
    3,505       6,372       26,101       7,760  
Net income available to common stockholders
    2,011       4,844       24,537       5,681  
Basic net income per share available to common stockholders
  $ 0.06     $ 0.14     $ 0.74     $ 0.17  
Diluted net income per share per share available to common stockholders
  $ 0.06     $ 0.14     $ 0.72     $ 0.17  
                                 
2010
                               
Interest income
  $ 52,690     $ 50,929     $ 50,650     $ 49,079  
Net interest income
    36,560       35,697       36,060       36,056  
Provision for loan losses
    13,226       30,509       4,789       5,171  
Net (loss) income before taxes
    (4,347 )     (20,734 )     2,091       3,098  
Net (loss) income
    (3,822 )     (26,364 )     2,091       3,796  
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders
    (5,368 )     (27,871 )     549       2,248  
Basic net (loss) income per share available to common stockholders
  $ (0.16 )   $ (0.85 )   $ 0.02     $ 0.07  
Diluted net (loss) income  per share per share available to common stockholders
  $ (0.16 )   $ (0.85 )   $ 0.02     $ 0.07  
                                 
2009
                               
Interest income
  $ 49,518     $ 50,028     $ 52,442     $ 53,727  
Net interest income
    28,700       30,512       34,548       37,030  
Provision for loan losses
    13,610       65,320       22,134       15,694  
Net income (loss) before taxes
    2,983       (54,813 )     (7,130 )     (5,935 )
Net income (loss)
    2,090       (31,776 )     (3,347 )     (2,467 )
Net income (loss) available to  common stockholders
    643       (33,247 )     (4,852 )     (3,977 )
Basic net income (loss) per share available to common stockholders
  $ 0.03     $ (1.33 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.12 )
Diluted net income (loss) per share per share available to common stockholders
  $ 0.03     $ (1.33 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.12 )

 
Page 106

 
ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Pinnacle Financial maintains disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act 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 Pinnacle Financial’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Pinnacle Financial carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on the evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Pinnacle Financial’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The report of Pinnacle Financial's management on Pinnacle Financial’s internal control over financial reporting is set forth on page 59 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The report of Pinnacle Financial’s independent registered public accounting firm on Pinnacle Financial’s internal control over financial reporting is set forth on page 61 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Controls

There were no changes in Pinnacle Financial’s internal control over financial reporting during Pinnacle Financial’s fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Pinnacle Financial’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.
 
 
Page 107


PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The responses to this Item will be included in Pinnacle Financial’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 17, 2012 under the headings “Corporate Governance-Code of Conduct,” “Proposal #1 Election of Directors-Audit Committee,” “Proposal #1 Election of Directors,” “Executive Management,” and “Section 16A Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The responses to this Item will be included in Pinnacle Financial’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 17, 2012 under the heading, “Proposal #1 Election of the Directors-Director Compensation,” “Executive Compensation” and “Human Resources and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The responses to this Item regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners management and will be included in Pinnacle Financial’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 17, 2012 under the heading, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,” and are incorporated herein by reference.

The following table summarizes information concerning the Company's equity compensation plans at December 31, 2011:

Plan Category
 
Number of
Securities to be
Issued upon
 Exercise of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants
and Rights
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants
and Rights
   
Number of
Securities
Remaining
Available for Future
Issuance Under
Equity
Compensation Plans
(Excluding
Securities Reflected
in First Column)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders:
                 
2000 Stock Incentive Plan
    382,234     $ 21.41       -  
2004 Equity Incentive Plan
    1,027,779       21.41       442,062  
1999 Cavalry Bancorp, Inc.  Stock Option Plan
    3,401       13.68       -  
Bank of the South 2001 Stock Option Plan
    35,587       17.99       -  
PrimeTrust Bank 2001 Statutory-Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan
    651       7.52       -  
PrimeTrust Bank 2005 Statutory-Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan
    54,221       12.89       -  
Mid-America Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
    77,165       16.42       88,873  
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders
    N/A       N/A       N/A  
Total
    1,581,038     $ 20.77       530,935  
 
ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The responses to this Item will be included in Pinnacle Financial’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 17, 2012 under the headings, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,” and “Corporate Governance-Director Independence” and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The responses to this Item will be included in Pinnacle Financial’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 17, 2012 under the heading, "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" and are incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
Page 108


ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
(a) Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
2.1
 
Merger Agreement, dated September 30, 2005, by and between Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and Cavalry Bancorp, Inc. (schedules and exhibits to which have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K) (1)
2.2
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and Mid-America Bancshares, Inc. (schedules and exhibits to which been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K) (2)
 
Amended and Restated Charter, as amended (Restated for SEC filing purposes only)
3.2
 
Bylaws (3)
4.1.1
 
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (4)
4.1.2
 
See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of the Charter and Bylaws defining rights of holders of the Common Stock
4.2
 
Series A Preferred Stock Certificate (5)
10.1
 
Letter Agreement dated March 14, 2000 and accepted March 16, 2000 by and between Pinnacle Financial Corporation (now known as Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.) and Atkinson Public Relations (4)
10.2
 
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (4) *
10.3
 
Form of Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.'s Stock Option Award (4)  *
10.4
 
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (6)
10.5
 
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement (6)
10.6
 
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (7) *
10.7
 
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for non-employee directors (8) *
10.8
 
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (9) *
10.9
 
Calvary Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan (10) *
10.10
 
Amendment No. 1 to Calvary Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan (10) *
10.11
 
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (10)*
10.12
 
Amendment No. 1 to Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (10) *
10.13
 
Amendment No. 3 to Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (10) *
10.14
 
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (11) *
10.15
 
Amendment No. 4 to Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (12)
10.16
 
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (13) *
10.17
 
Amended Employment Agreement by and among Pinnacle National Bank, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and M. Terry Turner (14) *
10.18
 
Amended Employment Agreement by and among Pinnacle National Bank, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and Robert A. McCabe, Jr. (14) *
10.19
 
Amended Employment Agreement by and among Pinnacle National Bank, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and Hugh M. Queener (14) *
10.20
 
Amended Employment Agreement by and among Pinnacle National Bank, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and Harold R. Carpenter  (14) *
10.21
 
Bank of the South 2001 Stock Option Plan (14)
10.22
 
PrimeTrust Bank 2001 Statutory – Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (14) *
10.23
 
PrimeTrust Bank 2005 Statutory – Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (14) *
10.24
 
Mid-America Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (14) *
10.25
 
Amendment No. 1 to Mid-America Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (15) *
10.26
 
Revolving Credit Agreement by and between Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and SunTrust Bank dated February 28, 2008 (16)
10.27
 
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. Stock Purchase Agreement by and between Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. dated July 17, 2008 (17)
10.28
 
Registration Rights Agreement by and between Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. dated July 17, 2008 (17)
10.29
 
Subordinated Capital Note Series 2008-1 Note Purchase/Loan Agreement by and between Pinnacle National Bank and SunTrust Bank dated August 5, 2008 (18)
10.30
 
Pinnacle National Bank Subordinated Capital Note Series 2008-1 dated August 5, 2008 (18)
10.31
 
Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the United States Department of the Treasury and Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. dated December 12, 2008 (5)
10.32
 
Warrant to purchase 534,910 shares of Common Stock of Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (5)
10.33
 
Amendment No. 5 to Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (19)
10.34
 
2010 Annual Cash Incentive Plan (20)*
10.35
 
Senior Executive Officer Letter Agreement by and between Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and M. Terry Turner dated November 24, 2009 (21)*
10.36
 
Senior Executive Officer Letter Agreement by and between Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and Robert A. McCabe, Jr. dated November 24, 2009 (21)*
10.37
 
Senior Executive Officer Letter Agreement by and between Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and Hugh M. Queener dated November 24, 2009 (21)*
 
 
Page 109

 
10.38
 
Senior Executive Officer Letter Agreement by and between Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and Harold R. Carpenter dated November 24, 2009 (21)*
10.39
 
Bonus Agreement by and between Pinnacle National Bank and  J. Harvey White dated June 15, 2009 (21)*
10.40
 
Loan Agreement by and between Pinnacle National Bank and  J. Harvey White dated June 15, 2009 (21)*
10.41
 
2010 Named Executive Officer Compensation Summary (22)*
10.42
 
2010 TARP CPP Executive Officer Performance Vested Restricted Stock Agreement (22)*
10.43
 
2010 TARP CPP Executive Officer Time Vested Restricted Stock Agreement (22)*
10.44
 
Form of Salary Stock Unit Award Agreement (23)*
10.45
 
Form of 2011TARP CPP Executive Officer Performance Vested Restricted Stock Agreement (24)*
10.46
 
Form of 2011 TARP CPP Executive Officer Time Vested Restricted Stock Agreement (24)*
10.47
 
Form of Named Executive Officers 2012 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (25)*
10.48
 
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. 2012 Annual Cash Incentive Plan (25)*
 
2011 Named Executive Officers Compensation Summary*
 
Subsidiaries of Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.
 
Consent of KPMG LLP
 
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
 
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
 
Certification pursuant to 18 USC Section 1350 – Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Certification pursuant to 18 USC Section 1350 – Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under the Capital Purchase Program of the Troubled Assets Relief Program
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer under the Capital Purchase Program of the Troubled Assets Relief Program
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Schema Documents
101.CAL
 
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
 
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document

(*)   Management compensatory plan or arrangement

 
(1)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 3, 2005.
 
(2)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 15, 2007.
 
(3)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 26, 2009.
 
(4)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2, as amended (File No. 333-38018).
 
(5)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2008.
 
(6)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.
 
(7)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2005.
 
(8)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2006.
 
(9)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the SEC on February 24, 2006.
 
(10)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended on September 30, 2006.
 
(11)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2007.
 
(12)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 4, 2007.
 
(13)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2008.
 
(14)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2008.
 
(15)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 21, 2009.
 
(16)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 5, 2008.
 
(17)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 18, 2008.
 
(18)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2008.
 
(19)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2009.
 
(20)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2010.
 
(21)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2010.
 
(22)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the SEC on February 23, 2011.
 
(23)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2011.
 
(24)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 19, 2011.
 
(25)
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2012.

Pinnacle Financial is a party to certain agreements entered into in connection with the offering by PNFP Statutory Trust I, PNFP Statutory Trust II , PNFP Statutory Trust III, and PNFP Statutory Trust IV of an aggregate of $80,000,000 in trust preferred securities, as more fully described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  In accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(ii) of Regulation SB, and because the total amount of the trust preferred securities is not in excess of 10% of Pinnacle Financial’s total assets, Pinnacle Financial has not filed the various documents and agreements associated with the trust preferred securities herewith.  Pinnacle Financial has, however, agreed to furnish copies of the various documents and agreements associated with the trust preferred securities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
 
 
Page 110

 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

   
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC
 
       
 
By:
/s/  M. Terry Turner
 
   
M. Terry Turner
 
Date:  March 2, 2012
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

SIGNATURES
 
TITLE
 
DATE
         
/s/  Robert A. McCabe, Jr.
 
Chairman of the Board
 
March  2, 2012
Robert A. McCabe, Jr.
       
         
/s/  M. Terry Turner
 
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
March  2, 2012
M. Terry Turner
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
         
/s/  Harold R. Carpenter
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
March  2, 2012
Harold R. Carpenter
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
   
         
/s/  Sue R. Atkinson
 
Director
 
March  2, 2012
Sue R. Atkinson
       
         
/s/  H. Gordon Bone
 
Director
 
March  2, 2012
H. Gordon Bone
       
         
/s/  Gregory L. Burns
 
Director
 
March  2, 2012
Gregory L. Burns
       
         
/s/  James C. Cope
 
Director
 
March  2, 2012
James C. Cope
       
         
/s/  Colleen Conway-Welch
 
Director
 
March  2, 2012
Colleen Conway-Welch
       
         
/s/  William H. Huddleston
 
Director
 
March  2, 2012
William H. Huddleston
       
         
/s/  Ed C. Loughry, Jr.
 
Director
 
March  2, 2012
Ed C. Loughry, Jr.
       
         
/s/  Hal N. Pennington
 
Director
 
March  2, 2012
Hal  N. Pennington
       
         
/s/  Wayne J. Riley
 
Director
 
March  2, 2012
Wayne J. Riley
       
         
/s/  Gary Scott
 
Director
 
March  2, 2012
Gary Scott
       
 
 
Page 111