Form 11-K 2004


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K

( X ) Annual report pursuant to Section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004


OR


( ) Transition report pursuant to Section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the transition period from
_________________ to ________________.

Commission file number of the issuer: 0-15734


REPUBLIC BANCORP INC.
TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN AND TRUST
(Full title of plan)


REPUBLIC BANCORP INC.
1070 East Main Street
Owosso, Michigan 48867
(Name of the issuer and address of
its principal executive office)



REQUIRED INFORMATION

Items 1-3. 
Financial Statements
   
 
Not Applicable.
   
Item 4.  
ERISA Financial Statements
   
 
The attached financial statements and schedules, which are hereby incorporated by reference by the Republic Bancorp Inc. Tax-Deferred Savings Plan and Trust (the “Plan"), have been prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements of ERISA:
   
 
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2004 and 2003; Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the year ended December 31, 2004; Supplemental Schedules for the year ended December 31, 2004; and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated June 24, 2005
   
 
Attached as Exhibit 23 is a written Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Ernst & Young LLP.


 






REPUBLIC BANCORP INC.
TAX DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN AND TRUST

TABLE OF CONTENTS

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
Page Number
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
    1
   
Financial Statements:
 
   
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2004 and 2003
    2    
   
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the Year Ended
 
December 31, 2004
    3
   
Notes to Financial Statements
   4 - 9
   
Signatures
   10
   
Supplemental Schedules for the Year Ended December 31, 2004:
 
   
Schedule G, Part I - Schedule of Loans or Fixed Income Obligations in Default
 
or Classified as Uncollectible
   N/A
   
Schedule G, Part II - Schedule of Leases in Default or Classified as Uncollectible
   N/A
   
Schedule G, Part III - Schedule of Non-Exempt Transactions
   N/A
   
Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
    11
   
Schedule H, Line 4j - Schedule of Reportable Transactions
   N/A




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Trustees and Participants of
Republic Bancorp Inc. Tax-Deferred Savings Plan and Trust
Owosso, Michigan
 
We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets available for benefits of Republic Bancorp Inc. Tax-Deferred Savings Plan and Trust as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2004 is presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the financial statements but are supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. These supplemental schedules are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.
 
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

June 24, 2005








 

1


REPUBLIC BANCORP INC. TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN AND TRUST
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
AS OF DECEMBER 31,

 
   
2004
 
2003
 
           
ASSETS
         
           
Investments, at fair value:
             
Guaranteed Investment Contracts (contract value)
 
$
69,624
 
$
26,591
 
Republic Bancorp Inc. Common Stock
             
(2,756,105 and 3,109,911 shares at 12/31/04
             
and 12/31/03, respectively)
   
42,113,285
   
38,138,821
 
Mutual Funds
   
12,798,207
   
11,341,915
 
Pooled Separate Accounts
   
22,503,274
   
22,003,115
 
Loans to Participants
   
1,253,619
   
1,090,918
 
 
             
Net Assets Available for Benefits
 
$
78,738,009
 
$
72,601,360
 
               
               
See notes to financial statements.
             



























 

2


REPUBLIC BANCORP INC. TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN AND TRUST
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004



Net Assets Available for Benefits, January 1, 2004
 
$
72,601,360
 
         
Additions:
       
Participants’ contributions
   
4,144,361
 
Employer contributions, net of forfeitures
   
1,031,293
 
Dividends on Republic Bancorp Inc. stock
   
1,074,998
 
Interest income on loan fund
   
64,643
 
Net appreciation in fair value of Republic Bancorp Inc. stock
   
8,539,620
 
Net appreciation in fair value of investments in mutual funds and pooled separate accounts
   
2,949,616
 
         
Total additions
   
17,804,531
 
         
Deductions:
       
         
Benefits paid to participants
   
(11,648,944
)
Administrative fees
   
(18,938
)
         
Total deductions
   
(11,667,882
)
         
Net additions
   
6,136,649
 
         
Net Assets Available for Benefits, December 31, 2004
 
$
78,738,009
 
         
         
See notes to financial statements.
       















 

3


REPUBLIC BANCORP INC.
TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN AND TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.    PLAN DESCRIPTION

The following description of the Republic Bancorp Inc. Tax-Deferred Savings Plan and Trust (the “Plan”) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan document for a more complete description of the Plan's provisions. The Plan was established November 1, 1988 under the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code and is a voluntary savings plan for eligible employees of Republic Bancorp Inc. (the "Company"). It is subject to the provisions of The Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

All employees of the Company are eligible to participate in the Plan. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003 there were approximately 1,144 and 965 active participants and 1,523 and 1,594 total participants in the Plan, respectively.

Participant contributions were limited to $13,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004, or such amounts as may be approved by the Internal Revenue Service. Beginning in 2002, if a participant was age 50 or older, participants were able to make elective contributions in addition to those described in the preceding sentence in order to increase retirement savings. The catch-up dollar limit for 2004 was $3,000. The Company contributes an amount equal to 50% of each participant's elective deferrals for the Plan year up to 7% of the participant's annual compensation. The Company does not match the catch-up contributions. The Company's contributions to the Plan are invested in the Republic Bancorp Inc. Common Stock Fund. The Company's contributions are vested 25% after two years of service and an additional 25% each year thereafter.

If a nonvested participant is terminated from the Plan, the participant will forfeit a portion of his account related to employer contributions. Such forfeitures are applied as a reduction to required employer contributions. For the Plan years ending December 31, 2004 and 2003, the amount of forfeited nonvested accounts used to reduce employer contributions totaled $401,668 and $180,610, respectively.

Each participant's account is credited with the participant's contribution and an allocation of the Company's contribution and Plan earnings. Allocations are based upon the participant's account balances. Expenses of operating the Plan are paid by the Company, with the exception of administrative loan fees which are paid by Plan participants.

Although it has not expressed any interest to do so, the Company has the right to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. Such termination of the Plan, if any, would not affect an employee's interest in assets already in the Plan and all employer contributions would become fully vested.

At December 31, 2004, the Plan provided participants with the following 17 investment options:

Republic Bancorp Inc. Common Stock seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing entirely in the common stock of Republic Bancorp Inc.

The Principal Guaranteed Interest Accounts hold private-market bonds, commercial mortgages and mortgage-backed securities. All General Account assets, including reserves and assets, back up promises to all General Account customers. The Principal makes the guarantee.






 

4


American Century Ultra Fund seeks capital growth. The fund typically invests in equities selected for their appreciation potential. The majority of these securities are common stocks issued by companies that meet management’s standards for earnings and revenue growth. The fund generally invests in securities of companies that have operated continuously for three or more years.

American Century Small-Cap Value Fund seeks long-term capital growth; income is a secondary objective. The fund normally invests at least 65% of assets in equity securities of U.S. companies with small market capitalizations. It may invest in foreign securities, convertible securities, corporate and government debt, and non-leveraged stock index futures contracts. The fund invests in companies that the advisor believes are undervalued by the market.

American Funds American Balanced Fund seeks capital preservation, current income, and long-term growth of capital and income. The fund normally invests in a broad range of equities, debt, and cash instruments. It typically maintains at least 50% of assets in equities and at least 25% in bonds. Fixed-income securities must be rated investment-grade at the time of purchase. The fund may invest up to 10% of assets in foreign securities. Management of the fund primarily seeks securities that it believes are undervalued and provide long-term opportunities.

Fidelity Advisor Mid-Cap Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The fund normally invests at least 80% of assets in companies with medium market capitalizations. These companies generally have market capitalizations that fall within the range of the S&P MidCap 400 Index. The fund may invest the balance of assets in other types of securities and in issuers of other sizes.

Principal Money Market Separate Account primarily invests in high quality commercial paper (short-term unsecured corporate loans). The portfolio will have an average maturity of no more than 90 days.

Principal High Quality Short-term Bond Separate Account seeks an above-average rate of return at a low expense level. This is done primarily through the purchase of high quality fixed-income securities, such as bonds of U.S. corporations, Treasuries, Agencies, including mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities. Under normal circumstances, the account will maintain an average maturity of more than 1 year but less than 5 years.

Principal Bond & Mortgage Separate Account invests primarily in intermediate-term, fixed-income investments such as public and private corporate bonds, commercial and residential mortgages, asset-backed securities, and U.S. government and agency-backed securities. Value is added primarily through sector allocation and security selection.

Principal Large-Cap Stock Index Separate Account primarily invests in common stocks of those companies listed in the S&P 500 Stock index.

Principal Partners Large-Cap Blend Separate Account seeks long-term growth of capital. The fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in companies with market capitalizations similar to companies in the S&P 500 Index. Management of the fund looks at stocks with value and/or growth characteristics and constructs an investment portfolio that is a “blend” of stocks with these characteristics. The fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in foreign securities.

Principal Partners Large-Cap Value Separate Account seeks long-term growth of capital. The fund invests primarily in undervalued equity securities of companies among the 750 largest by market capitalization that the sub-advisor believes to offer above-average potential for growth in future earnings. The fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in companies with large market capitalization similar to companies in the Russell 1000 Value Index. The fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in foreign securities.

 
5

Russell LifePoints Aggressive Strategy Separate Account seeks long-term capital appreciation and low levels of current income. The fund invests in other Frank Russell Investment Management Co. funds. This fund pursues its investment objectives by investing in the following underlying funds: Frank Russell’s Diversified Equity fund, Special Growth fund, Quantitative Equity fund, International Securities fund, Multistrategy Bond fund, Real Estate Securities fund, and Emerging Markets fund.

Russell LifePoints Balanced Strategy Separate Account seeks moderate levels of current income and long-term capital appreciation. The fund invests in other Frank Russell Investment Management Co. funds. The fund pursues its investment objectives by investing in these underlying funds: Frank Russell’s Diversified Equity fund, Special Growth fund, Quantitative Equity fund, International Securities fund, Diversified Bond fund, Multistrategy Bond fund, Real Estate Securities fund, and Emerging Markets fund.

Russell LifePoints Conservative Strategy Separate Account seeks high levels of current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation. The fund invests in other Frank Russell Investment Management Co. funds. The fund pursues its investment objectives by investing in these underlying funds: Frank Russell’s Diversified Equity fund, Quantitative Equity fund, International Securities fund, Real Estate Securities fund, Short Term Bond fund, and Emerging Markets fund.

Russell LifePoints Equity Aggressive Strategy Separate Account seeks long-term capital appreciation. The fund invests in other Frank Russell Investment Management Co. funds. The fund pursues its investment objectives by investing in these underlying funds: Frank Russell’s Diversified Equity fund, Special Growth fund, Quantitative Equity fund, International Securities fund, Real Estate Securities fund, and the Emerging Markets fund. This fund is non-diversified.

Russell LifePoints Moderate Strategy Separate Account seeks long-term capital appreciation and high levels of current income. The fund invests in other Frank Russell Investment Management Co. funds. The fund pursues its investment objectives by investing in these underlying funds: Frank Russell’s Diversified Equity fund, Special Growth fund, Quantitative Equity fund, International Securities fund, Short-Term Bond fund, Real Estate Securities fund, and Emerging Markets fund.

2.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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 disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of additions and deductions during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition: Except for the investment contracts, the Plan’s investments are stated at fair value which equals the quoted market price on the last business day of the plan year. The shares of registered investment companies are valued at quoted market prices which represent the net asset values of shares held by the Plan at year-end. The fair value of the participation units owned by the Plan in the pooled separate accounts are based on quoted redemption values on the last business day of the plan year. The participant loans are valued at their outstanding balances, which approximate fair value.

 
6

Investment contracts are recorded at their contract values, which represent contributions and reinvested income, less any withdrawals plus accrued interest, because these investments have fully benefit-responsive features. For example, participants may ordinarily direct the withdrawal or transfer of all or a portion of their investment at contract value. However, withdrawals influenced by Company-initiated events, such as in connection with the sale of a business, may result in a distribution at other than contract value. There are no reserves against contract values for credit risk of contract issues or otherwise. Contract value approximates fair value. The average yield for these contracts was 1.28% and 2.3% in 2004 and 2003, respectively. The crediting interest rate for these investment contracts ranged from .28% to 3.10% in 2004 and .75% to 3.25% in 2003. Rates on contracts remain fixed for the life of each contract.

Terminated Participants: As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, account balances of participants who had terminated employment with the Company totaled $24,037,947 and $22,425,221, respectively. Amounts allocated to withdrawn participants are recorded in the Form 5500 for benefit claims that have been processed and approved for payment prior to year-end but not yet paid. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, no participants had elected to withdraw from the Plan and not been paid.

3.    TAX STATUS

The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service dated September 18, 2002, stating that the written form of the underlying plan document is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualification. The plan administrator believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore, believes that the Plan is qualified and the related trust is tax exempt.

4.    RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Plan invests in various investment options. These investments are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of the investments will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.






















 

7


5.    INVESTMENTS

The following table represents the fair values of investments. Investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan's net assets available for benefits are separately identified with an asterisk. Non-participant directed contributions are included in the Republic Bancorp Inc. common stock fund.
   
December 31,
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
Guaranteed Investment Contracts:
             
Principal Guaranteed Interest Accounts
 
$
69,624
 
$
26,591
 
               
Common Stock:
             
Republic Bancorp Inc.
   
42,113,285
 *  
38,138,821
 *
               
Mutual Funds:
             
American Century Ultra Fund
   
7,212,041
 *
 
7,540,141
 *
American Century Small-Cap Value Fund
   
1,264,666
   
460,308
 
American Funds American Balanced Fund
   
3,277,959
   
2,894,836
 
Fidelity Advisor Mid-Cap Fund
   
1,043,541
   
446,630
 
     
12,798,207
   
11,341,915
 
Pooled Separate Accounts:
             
Principal Money Market Separate Account
   
5,036,429
 *  
5,476,301
 *
Principal High Quality Short-term Bond Separate Account
   
349,769
   
315,849
 
Principal Bond and Mortgage Separate Account
   
2,689,916
   
2,849,930
 
Principal Large-Cap Stock Index Separate Account
   
5,145,246
 *  
5,063,701
 *
Principal Partners Large-Cap Blend Separate Account
   
906,185
   
697,143
 
Principal Partners Large-Cap Value Separate Account
   
7,340,100
 *  
7,284,478
 *
Russell LifePoints Aggressive Strategy Separate Account
   
399,457
   
141,638
 
Russell LifePoints Balanced Strategy Separate Account
   
274,306
   
60,013
 
Russell LifePoints Conservative Strategy Separate Account
   
49,664
   
16,041
 
Russell LifePoints Equity Aggressive Strategy Separate Account
   
250,445
   
51,169
 
Russell LifePoints Moderate Strategy Separate Account
   
61,757
   
46,852
 
     
22,503,274
   
22,003,115
 
               
Loans to Participants
   
1,253,619
   
1,090,918
 
               
Total Investments
 
$
78,738,009
 
$
72,601,360
 

















 

8


6.    INVESTMENT IN REPUBLIC BANCORP INC. 

 
The Republic Bancorp Inc. Common Stock investment is the only investment with non-participant directed contributions. Activity for this fund is as follows for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Investment Balance at January 1, 2004
 
$
38,138,821
 
Participant contributions received
   
916,214
 
Employer contributions received
   
1,031,293
 
Net appreciation in fair value
   
8,539,620
 
Dividend income
   
1,074,998
 
Benefits paid to participants
   
(5,831,655
)
Net transfers to other funds
   
(1,746,776
)
Administrative fees 
   
(9,230
)
Investment Balance at December 31, 2004
 
$
42,113,285
 





































 

9


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



 
REPUBLIC BANCORP INC.
 
TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS
 
PLAN AND TRUST
   
 
REPUBLIC BANCORP INC.
 
Plan Administrator
   
Date: June 24, 2005
By: /s/ Travis D. Jones  
 
Travis D. Jones, as Agent
 

10

Republic Bancorp Inc. Tax-Deferred Savings Plan and Trust
Employer ID #38-2604669
Plan #001
Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
December 31, 2004

           
   
Units/
 
Fair
 
Description
 
Shares
 
Value
 
* Republic Bancorp Inc. Common Stock (cost $28,401,000)
   
2,756,105
   
42,113,285
 
American Century Ultra Fund
   
247,496
   
7,212,041
 
American Century Small-Cap Value Fund
   
124,353
   
1,264,666
 
American Funds American Balanced Fund
   
182,616
   
3,277,959
 
Fidelity Advisor Mid-Cap T Fund
   
41,378
   
1,043,541
 
* Principal Guaranteed Interest Accounts
   
69,624
   
69,624
 
* Principal Money Market Separate Account
   
126,608
   
5,036,429
 
* Principal High Quality Short-term Bond Separate Account
   
25,559
   
349,769
 
* Principal Bond and Mortgage Separate Account
   
4,113
   
2,689,916
 
* Principal Large-Cap Stock Index Separate Account
   
119,537
   
5,145,246
 
* Principal Partners Large-Cap Blend Separate Account
   
87,542
   
906,186
 
* Principal Partners Large-Cap Value Separate Account
   
566,841
   
7,340,100
 
Russell LifePoints Aggressive Strategy Separate Account
   
30,868
   
399,457
 
Russell LifePoints Balanced Strategy Separate Account
   
20,028
   
274,306
 
Russell LifePoints Conservative Strategy Separate Account
   
3,639
   
49,664
 
Russell LifePoints Equity Aggressive Strategy Separate Account
   
20,197
   
250,445
 
Russell LifePoints Moderate Strategy Separate Account
   
4,526
   
61,756
 
* Loans to 141 participants against their individual account
             
 balances (with interest rates ranging from 5.00% to 10.50%)
   
1,253,619
   
1,253,619
 
               
Total
       
$
78,738,009
 





* Party in interest






 
11