23
Forward
Looking Statements
Certain
statements included herein are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as
the
Securities Act. All statements other than statements of
historical facts contained herein, including statements regarding our plans,
objectives, goals, strategies, future
events, capital expenditures, future
results, our competitive strengths, our business strategy and the trends in our
industry are forward-looking statements. The words
“believe,”
“may,” “could,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,”
“plan,” “expect,” “appear,” “future,” “likely,” “probably,” “suggest,” “goal,”
“potential”and
similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of
historical
fact,
included herein regarding our financial position, business strategy and plans or
objectives for future operations are forward-looking
statements.
Forward-looking
statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking
statements. For example, and in addition to the “Risk Factors”
discussed in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.
333-166286),
risks
and uncertainties can arise with changes in:
· general
economic conditions, including current turmoil in the financial markets and the
efforts of government agencies to stabilize the financial system;
· the
adequacy of our allowance for loan losses and our methodology for determining
such allowance;
· adverse
changes in our loan portfolio and credit risk-related losses and
expenses;
· concentrations
within our loan portfolio, including our exposure to commercial real estate
loans, and to our primary service area;
· changes
in interest rates;
· business
conditions in the financial services industry, including competitive pressure
among financial services companies, new service and product offerings
by
competitors,
price pressures, and similar items;
· deposit
flows;
· loan
demand;
· the
regulatory environment, including evolving banking industry standards, changes
in legislation or regulation;
· our
securities portfolio and the valuation of our securities;
· accounting
principles, policies and guidelines as well as estimates and assumptions used in
the preparation of our financial statements;
· rapidly
changing technology;
· litigation
liabilities, including costs, expenses, settlements and judgments;
and
· other
economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors
affecting our operations, pricing, products and services.
Readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement,
which reflects management’s analysis only as of the date of the
statement.
Except
as required by applicable law or regulation, we do not undertake, and
specifically disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements
to reflect any changed assumptions, any unanticipated events or any changes in
the future.
In
addition, you should refer to the “Risk Factors” section of the Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-166286) for a discussion of factors
that
may
cause our actual results to differ materially from those which may be inferred
from our forward-looking statements. As a result of these factors,
the
forward-looking
statements herein may prove to be inaccurate. Furthermore, if our
forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be
material. In
light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you
should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by
us
or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any
specified time frame, if at all. Accordingly, you should not place
undue reliance
on
these forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral
forward-looking statements attributable to us or the persons acting on our
behalf
are
expressly qualified in their entirety by the applicable cautionary
statements.