form10q.htm


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

FORM 10-Q
 
 
(mark one)
   
 
T
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
 
   
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
   
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011
 
   
or
 
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OF 15(d)
 
   
OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
   
For the transition period from ____ to ____
 
Commission File Number: 000-31225
 
, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Tennessee
 
62-1812853
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

150 Third Avenue South, Suite 900, Nashville, Tennessee
 
37201
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(615) 744-3700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changes since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  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 during the preceding 12 months (or for shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes  x
No  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 definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “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 you are a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes  o
No  x
 
As of October 28, 2011 there were 34,311,040 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, issued and outstanding.
 
 


 
 

 
 
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.
Report on Form 10-Q
September 30, 2011

Page No.
   
PART I – Financial Information:
 
3
31
53
53
   
PART II – Other Information:
 
54
Item 1A.  Risk Factors
54
54
54
54
54
Item 6.  Exhibits
54
55

 
Page 1


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain of the statements in this release 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 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-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin 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 impact of governmental restrictions on and discretionary regulatory authority over entities participating in the Capital Purchase Program, of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”); (xiv) further deterioration in the valuation of other real estate owned; (xv) inability to comply with regulatory capital requirements or to secure any required regulatory approvals for capital actions; and (xvi) 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. A more detailed description of these and other risks is contained in Pinnacle Financial's most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2011 and most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange commission on May 5, 2011 and July 29, 2011.  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.
 
 
Page 2

 
Item 1.                                                                                                         Part I.  Financial Information
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited)
 
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and noninterest-bearing due from banks
  $ 58,786,507     $ 40,154,247  
Interest-bearing due from banks
    111,701,085       140,647,481  
Federal funds sold
    10,047,791       7,284,685  
Short-term discount notes
    -       499,768  
Cash and cash equivalents
    180,535,383       188,586,181  
                 
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value
    940,162,454       1,014,316,831  
Securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $2,641,006 and $4,411,856 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)
    2,589,506       4,320,486  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
    23,814,429       16,206,034  
                 
Loans
    3,241,148,810       3,212,440,190  
Less allowance for loan losses
    (74,870,538 )     (82,575,235 )
Loans, net
    3,166,278,272       3,129,864,955  
                 
Premises and equipment, net
    78,534,670       82,374,228  
Other investments
    42,781,814       42,282,255  
Accrued interest receivable
    15,827,730       16,364,573  
Goodwill
    244,081,519       244,090,311  
Core deposits and other intangible assets
    8,557,782       10,705,105  
Other real estate owned
    45,499,852       59,608,224  
Other assets
    120,241,811       100,284,697  
Total assets
  $ 4,868,905,222     $ 4,909,003,880  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Deposits:
               
Noninterest-bearing
  $ 722,694,096     $ 586,516,637  
Interest-bearing
    577,683,159       573,670,188  
Savings and money market accounts
    1,554,858,658       1,596,306,386  
Time
    857,413,879       1,076,564,179  
Total deposits
    3,712,649,792       3,833,057,390  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    128,953,750       146,294,379  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    161,105,866       121,393,026  
Subordinated debt
    97,476,000       97,476,000  
Accrued interest payable
    2,681,791       5,197,925  
Other liabilities
    41,664,132       28,127,875  
Total liabilities
    4,144,531,331       4,231,546,595  
                 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 95,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
    91,772,130       90,788,682  
Common stock, par value $1.00; 90,000,000 shares authorized; 34,306,927 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and 33,870,380 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010
    34,306,927       33,870,380  
Common stock warrants
    3,348,402       3,348,402  
Additional paid-in capital
    534,971,880       530,829,019  
Retained earnings
    44,427,826       12,996,202  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes
    15,546,726       5,624,600  
Total stockholders’ equity
    724,373,891       677,457,285  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 4,868,905,222     $ 4,909,003,880  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Page 3

 
Item 1.                                                                                                         Part I.  Financial Information
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Interest income:
                       
Loans, including fees
  $ 38,571,893     $ 41,105,351     $ 115,830,529     $ 122,504,151  
Securities:
                               
Taxable
    5,952,599       7,004,256       18,792,778       24,150,109  
Tax-exempt
    1,819,642       1,942,650       5,593,341       5,978,849  
Federal funds sold
    543,496       598,181       1,684,376       1,635,934  
Total interest income
    46,887,630       50,650,438       141,901,024       154,269,043  
                                 
Interest expense:
                               
Deposits
    7,138,053       12,306,145       24,869,045       38,695,099  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    204,107       435,054       931,120       1,352,015  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
    1,189,742       1,849,300       3,929,119       5,904,792  
Total interest expense
    8,531,902       14,590,499       29,729,284       45,951,906  
Net interest income
    38,355,728       36,059,939       112,171,740       108,317,137  
Provision for loan losses
    3,632,440       4,789,322       16,358,767       48,523,927  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    34,723,288       31,270,617       95,812,973       59,793,210  
                                 
Noninterest income:
                               
Service charges on deposit accounts
    2,361,803       2,444,077       6,953,466       7,238,588  
Investment services
    1,698,886       1,234,421       4,844,398       3,786,067  
Insurance sales commissions
    1,001,716       954,015       3,055,194       2,957,393  
Gain on loans sold, net
    1,295,278       1,310,169       2,693,913       2,733,977  
Net gain on sale of investment securities
    376,509       -       827,708       2,623,674  
Trust fees
    753,551       726,094       2,253,474       2,377,182  
Other noninterest income
    2,592,170       1,925,459       7,585,231       5,932,154  
Total noninterest income
    10,079,913       8,594,235       28,213,384       27,649,035  
                                 
Noninterest expense:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    19,015,217       16,069,360       55,462,370       48,921,007  
Equipment and occupancy
    4,942,917       5,230,730       15,009,641       16,089,323  
Other real estate expense
    5,079,127       8,522,346       13,238,853       21,335,705  
Marketing and other business development
    751,094       748,206       2,271,267       2,295,820  
Postage and supplies
    509,279       636,492       1,544,253       2,070,536  
Amortization of intangibles
    715,514       744,492       2,147,323       2,236,494  
Other noninterest expense
    4,662,073       5,822,252       15,059,685       17,482,907  
Total noninterest expense
    35,675,221       37,773,878       104,733,392       110,431,792  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    9,127,980       2,090,974       19,292,965       (22,989,547 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (16,973,019 )     -       (16,684,605 )     5,106,734  
Net income (loss)
    26,100,999       2,090,974       35,977,570       (28,096,281 )
Preferred stock dividends
    1,213,889       1,213,889       3,602,083       3,602,083  
Accretion on preferred stock discount
    349,817       328,037       983,448       992,496  
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 24,537,293     $ 549,048     $ 31,392,039     $ (32,690,860 )
Per share information:
                               
Basic net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders
  $ 0.74     $ 0.02     $ 0.94     $ (1.00 )
Diluted net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders
  $ 0.72     $ 0.02     $ 0.92     $ (1.00 )
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    33,372,980       32,857,428       33,398,029       32,697,985  
Diluted
    33,993,914       33,576,963       34,037,739       32,697,985  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Page 4

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
    Preferred    
Common Stock
     Common      Additional            Accumulated      Total  
   
 Stock
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Stock Warrants
   
 Paid-in
Capital
   
Retained
Earnings
   
 Other Comp.
Income, net
   
Stockholders’ Equity
 
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
    -       329,558       329,558       -       1,992,279       -       -       2,321,837  
Issuance of restricted common shares, net of forfeitures
    -       312,219       312,219       -       (312,219 )     -       -       -  
Restricted shares withheld for taxes
    -       (11,034 )     (11,034 )     -       (137,744 )     -       -       (148,778 )
Compensation expense for restricted shares
    -       -       -       -       1,774,345       -       -       1,774,345  
Compensation expense for stock options
    -       -       -       -       1,273,286       -       -       1,273,286  
Accretion on preferred stock dividend
    992,496       -       -       -       -       (992,496 )     -       -  
Preferred dividends paid
    -       -       -       -       -       (3,562,500 )     -       (3,562,500 )
Comprehensive income:
                                                               
Net loss
    -       -       -       -       -       (28,096,281 )     -       (28,096,281 )
Net unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net of deferred tax
    -       -       -       -       -       -       11,946,683       11,946,683  
Total comprehensive loss
                                                            (16,149,598 )
Balances, September 30, 2010
  $ 90,455,129       33,660,462     $ 33,660,462     $ 3,348,402     $ 528,956,550     $ 10,721,466     $ 19,386,764     $ 686,528,773  
                                                                 
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 and related tax benefits
    -       131,923       131,923       -       833,107       -       -       965,030  
Issuance of restricted common shares, net of forfeitures
    -       287,565       287,565       -       (287,565 )     -       -       -  
Issuance of Salary Stock Units
    -       37,151       37,151       -       487,072       -       -       524,223  
Restricted shares withheld for taxes
    -       (20,092 )     (20,092 )     -       (270,697 )     -       -       (290,789 )
Compensation expense for restricted shares
    -       -       -       -       2,428,988       -       -       2,428,988  
Compensation expense for stock options
    -       -       -       -       951,956       -       -       951,956  
Accretion on preferred stock discount
    983,448       -       -       -       -       (983,448 )     -       -  
Preferred dividends paid
    -       -       -       -       -       (3,562,498 )     -       (3,562,498 )
Comprehensive income:
                                                               
Net income
    -       -       -       -       -       35,977,570       -       35,977,570  
Net unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net of deferred tax
    -       -       -       -       -       -       9,922,126       9,922,126  
Total comprehensive income
                                                            45,899,696  
Balances, September 30, 2011
  $ 91,772,130       34,306,927     $ 34,306,927     $ 3,348,402     $ 534,971,880     $ 44,427,826     $ 15,546,726     $ 724,373,891  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Page 5

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
   
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ 35,977,570     $ (28,096,281 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Net amortization/accretion of premium/discount on securities
    5,474,970       3,445,502  
Depreciation and amortization
    8,221,400       8,757,803  
Provision for loan losses
    16,358,767       48,523,927  
Gain on loan sales, net
    (2,693,913 )     (3,067,581 )
Gain on sale of investment securities, net
    (827,708 )     (2,623,674 )
Stock-based compensation expense
    3,905,168       3,047,631  
Deferred tax expense (benefit)
    (20,236,438 )     17,812,548  
Losses on other real estate and other investments
    11,242,202       19,334,546  
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation
    (10,010 )     (10,358 )
Mortgage loans held for sale:
               
Loans originated
    (249,141,853 )     (307,729,185 )
Loans sold
    244,202,474       301,434,231  
Increase in other assets
    23,678,737       11,887,367  
Increase in other liabilities
    11,020,122       20,536,331  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    87,171,488       93,252,807  
                 
Investing activities:
               
Activities in securities available-for-sale:
               
Purchases
    (252,396,360 )     (422,982,104 )
Sales
    158,418,558       146,082,535  
Maturities, prepayments and calls
    179,823,239       262,564,699  
Activities in securities held-to-maturity:
               
Sales
    -       954,388  
Maturities, prepayments and calls
    1,719,998       1,240,565  
Decrease (increase) in loans, net
    (79,929,662 )     186,760,840  
Purchases of software, premises and equipment
    (1,662,017 )     (7,674,801 )
Other investments
    (393,304 )     (1,873,641 )
Net cash provided by investing activities
    5,580,452       165,072,481  
                 
Financing activities:
               
Net (decrease) increase in deposits
    (120,365,027 )     2,229,029  
Net decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    (17,340,629 )     (84,073,048 )
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank:
               
Issuances
    50,000,000       90,000,000  
Payments/maturities
    (10,218,835 )     (181,130,196 )
Preferred dividends paid
    (3,562,498 )     (3,562,500 )
Exercise of common stock options and stock appreciation rights
    674,241       2,173,059  
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation
    10,010       10,358  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (100,802,738 )     (174,353,298 )
Net  increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (8,050,798 )     83,971,990  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    188,586,181       166,602,074  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 180,535,383     $ 250,574,064  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
Page 6

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
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 in its primary market areas of the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tennessee and Knoxville, Tennessee Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

Basis of Presentation — The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with instructions to Form 10-Q and therefore do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  All adjustments consisting of normally recurring accruals that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods covered by the report have been included.  The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Pinnacle Financial consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in the 2010 Annual Report previously filed on Form 10-K.

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, any impairment of intangible assets, including goodwill and the valuation of deferred tax assets, of other real estate owned, and of our investment portfolio including other-than-temporary impairment.
 
Loans — 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 September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, net deferred loan fees of $396,000 and $579,000, respectively, were included in loans on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

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.

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 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, 2010 and at September 30, 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.).
 
 
Page 7

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
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. The determination of the allowance for loan losses 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 — As part of management’s quarterly assessment of the allowance, management divides the loan portfolio into five segments:  commercial, commercial real estate, small business lending, consumer and consumer real estate.  Each segment is then analyzed such that an allocation of the allowance is estimated for each loan segment.  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 the bank’s own historical loan loss migration analysis into our determination of the allowance for loan losses.  We believe the increased emphasis on our historical loss experience metrics provides a better estimate of losses inherent in our portfolio.  This refinement of our own methodology did not result in a material change in our allowance.

The allowance allocation for commercial and commercial real estate loans begins with a process of estimating the probable losses inherent for these types of loans.  The estimates for these loans are established by category and based on our internal system of credit risk ratings and historical loss data.  The estimated loan loss allocation rate for our internal system of credit risk grades for commercial and commercial real estate loans is based on our historical loss experience adjusted for current environmental factors and industry loss factors.  Our historical loss experience is based on a migration analysis of all loans that were charged-off during prior years.  In the first, second and third quarters of 2011, the migration analysis was based on an eight, nine and ten quarter look-back period, respectively, to capture the recent loan loss experience of the firm during  this economic cycle.  In this current economic environment, we believed the extension of our look-back period 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.  As we move through the current economic cycle, we will continue to use judgment to determine our look-back period as we seek to capture the inherent risks in our portfolio.  The migration analysis assists in evaluating loan loss allocation rates for the various risk grades assigned to loans in our portfolio. We compare the migration analysis results to the other factors used to determine the loss allocation rates for the commercial and commercial real estate 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 consumer, consumer real estate, and small business lending portfolios which includes installment, home equity, consumer mortgages, automobiles and others is established for each of the categories by estimating probable losses inherent in that particular category of consumer, consumer real estate and small business loans.  The estimated loan loss allocation rate for each category is based on consideration of our actual historical loss rates and industry loss rates. Consumer, consumer real estate and small business loans are evaluated as a group by category (i.e. consumer mortgages, installment, etc.) rather than on a loan credit risk rating basis because these loans are smaller and homogeneous.  We weight the allocation methodologies for the consumer, consumer real estate and small business lending portfolios and determine a weighted average allocation for these portfolios.
 
The estimated loan loss allocation for all five loan portfolio 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 component, is increased or decreased based on the incremental assessment of these various environmental factors.  The environmental factors accounted for approximately 8.3% of the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2011 compared to 6.8% of allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2010.  As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the environmental allocation was 0.20% and 0.19%, respectively, of the outstanding principal balance of commercial, commercial real estate and small business loan portfolios and 0.18% and 0.16%, respectively, of consumer and consumer real estate loans.  The increase in the environmental allocation between the two periods is based on our analysis of the above factors as of both balance sheet dates.
 
 
Page 8

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

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 — The second component of our 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.

For 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 September 30, 2011, the principal balance of these small impaired loans was $6.7 million, which represented 12.3% 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.

Cash Flow Information — Supplemental cash flow information addressing certain cash and noncash transactions for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:

   
For the nine months ended
September 30
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cash Transactions:
           
Interest paid
  $ 32,356,615     $ 47,024,839  
Income taxes paid
    1,638,414       100,000  
Noncash Transactions:
               
Loans charged-off to the allowance for loan losses
    27,201,443       58,729,862  
Loans foreclosed upon and transferred to other real estate owned
    26,689,198       68,087,450  
 
 
Page 9

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
Income (Loss) Per Common Share — Basic net income (loss) per share available to common stockholders (EPS) is computed by dividing net income or loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period.  Weighted average common shares outstanding for the period include restricted shares that have been issued to associates and outside directors.  Weighted average common shares outstanding also include salary stock units issued to the named executive officers.  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 shares with performance based criteria. The dilutive effect of outstanding options, common stock appreciation rights, warrants and restricted shares with performance based criteria is reflected in diluted EPS by application of the treasury stock method.

As of September 30, 2011, there were approximately 1,616,000 stock options and 8,100 stock appreciation rights outstanding to purchase common shares.  Additionally, as of September 30, 2011, there were 267,455 outstanding warrants to purchase shares of Pinnacle Financial common stock.  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 2. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, approximately 621,000 and 640,000, respectively, of dilutive stock options, stock appreciation rights and warrants were included in the earnings per share calculation.  As of September 30, 2010, there were approximately 2,015,000 stock options and 8,800 stock appreciation rights outstanding to purchase common shares.  For the quarter ended September 30, 2010, there were 720,000 dilutive stock options, stock appreciation rights and warrants outstanding to purchase common shares that were included in the earnings per share calculation.  Due to the net loss attributable to common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, 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 antidilutive effect on the loss per share.  
 
The following is a summary of the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

   
For the three months ended
September 30,
   
For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Basic earnings per share calculation:
                       
Numerator - Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 24,537,293     $ 549,048     $ 31,392,039     $ (32,690,860 )
                                 
Denominator - Average common shares outstanding
    33,372,980       32,857,428       33,398,029       32,697,985  
Basic net income (loss) per share available to common stockholders
  $ 0.74     $ 0.02     $ 0.94     $ (1.00 )
                                 
Diluted earnings per share calculation:
                               
Numerator – Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 24,537,293     $ 549,048     $ 31,392,039     $ (32,690,860 )
                                 
Denominator - Average common shares outstanding
    33,372,980       32,857,428       33,398,029       32,697,985  
Dilutive shares contingently issuable
    620,934       719,535       639,710       -  
Average diluted common shares outstanding
    33,993,914       33,576,963       34,037,739       32,697,985  
Diluted net income (loss) per share available to common stockholders
  $ 0.72     $ 0.02     $ 0.92     $ (1.00 )
 
 
Page 10

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
Note 2. Participation in U.S. Treasury Capital Purchase Program
 
On December 12, 2008, Pinnacle Financial issued 95,000 shares of preferred stock to the Treasury for $95 million pursuant to the Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program (CPP) under the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP).  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 Treasury under the CPP at any time subject to a requirement that it must consult with its primary federal regulator before redemption.  Additionally, Pinnacle Financial issued warrants to purchase 534,910 shares of common stock to the Treasury as a condition to its 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.  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 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 Treasury in connection with the CPP was reduced by 50%, or 267,455 shares.
 
Note 3.  Securities
 
The amortized cost and fair value of securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are summarized as follows:
 
   
September 30, 2011
 
   
Amortized
 Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
 
Securities available-for-sale:
                       
U.S. government agency securities
  $ 40,095,765     $ 356,405     $ 16,620     $ 40,435,550  
Mortgage-backed securities
    664,260,000       22,024,846       685,237       685,599,609  
State and municipal securities
    191,498,612       11,517,501       61,457       202,954,656  
Corporate notes and other
    9,845,106       1,327,533       -       11,172,639  
    $ 905,699,483     $ 35,226,285     $ 763,314     $ 940,162,454  
Securities held-to-maturity:
                               
State and municipal securities
  $ 2,589,506     $ 55,567     $ 4,068     $ 2,641,006  
    $ 2,589,506     $ 55,567     $ 4,068     $ 2,641,006  
       
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Amortized
 Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
 
Securities available-for-sale:
                               
U.S. Government agency securities
  $ 90,214,825     $ 487,320     $ 286,707     $ 90,415,438  
Mortgage-backed securities
    686,938,731       16,742,783       2,419,943       701,261,571  
State and municipal securities
    208,562,713       4,580,704       1,662,378       211,481,039  
Corporate notes and other
    10,474,074       761,487       76,778       11,158,783  
    $ 996,190,343     $ 22,572,294     $ 4,445,806     $ 1,014,316,831  
Securities held-to-maturity:
                               
State and municipal securities
    4,320,486       104,643       13,273       4,411,856  
    $ 4,320,486     $ 104,643     $ 13,273     $ 4,411,856  
 
At September 30, 2011, approximately $676.2 million of securities within Pinnacle Financial’s investment portfolio were either pledged to secure public funds and other deposits or securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

 
Page 11

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

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities as of September 30, 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.

   
Available-for-sale
   
Held-to-maturity
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair
Value
   
Amortized Cost
   
Fair
Value
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 3,799,528     $ 3,835,204     $ 1,960,695     $ 1,982,828  
Due in one year to five years
    57,327,115       58,966,983       628,811       658,178  
Due in five years to ten years
    75,613,294       81,446,151       -       -  
Due after ten years
    104,699,546       110,314,507       -       -  
Mortgage-backed securities
    664,260,000       685,599,609       -       -  
    $ 905,699,483     $ 940,162,454     $ 2,589,506     $ 2,641,006  

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, included in securities were the following investments with unrealized losses.  The information below classifies these investments according to the term of the unrealized losses of less than twelve months or twelve months or longer:

   
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 September 30, 2011:
                                   
                                     
U.S. government agency securities
  $ 6,966,399     $ 16,620     $ -     $ -     $ 6,966,399     $ 16,620  
Mortgage-backed securities
    142,016,634       610,266       22,984,635       74,971       165,001,269       685,237  
State and municipal securities
    2,790,815       41,159       2,102,623       24,366       4,893,438       65,525  
Corporate notes
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total temporarily-impaired securities
  $ 151,773,848     $ 668,045     $ 25,087,258     $ 99,337     $ 176,861,106     $ 767,382  
                                                 
At December 31, 2010:
                                               
                                                 
U.S. government agency securities
  $ 22,011,159     $ 286,707     $ -     $ -     $ 22,011,159     $ 286,707  
Mortgage-backed securities
    275,389,573       2,418,995       225,984       948       275,615,557       2,419,943  
State and municipal securities
    53,420,235       880,615       6,979,207       795,036       60,399,442       1,675,651  
Corporate notes
    258,282       823       424,046       75,955       682,328       76,778  
Total temporarily-impaired securities
  $ 351,079,249     $ 3,587,140     $ 7,629,237     $ 871,939     $ 358,708,486     $ 4,459,079  

 
The applicable date for determining when securities are in an unrealized loss position is September 30, 2011.  As such, it is possible that a security had a market value that exceeded its amortized cost on other days during the past twelve-month period, but is not in the “Investments with an Unrealized Loss of less than 12 months” category above.
 
As shown in the table above, at September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial had unrealized losses of $767,000 on $176.9 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 September 30, 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.
 
 
Page 12

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
For the quarter ended,
 
Fair Value of securities sold
   
Gain recognized
   
Loss recognized
   
Net
   
Other-than-temporary impairment
   
Gain on the sale of securities, net
 
March 31, 2011(1)
  $ 19,300,000     $ 612,000     $ (365,000 )   $ 247,000     $ (406,000 )   $ (159,000 )
June 30, 2011(2)
    31,800,000       650,000       -       650,000       (40,000 )     610,000  
September 30, 2011 (3)
    107,300,000       606,000       (229,000 )     377,000       -       377,000  
Total
  $ 158,400,000     $ 1,868,000     $ (594,000 )   $ 1,274,000     $ (446,000 )   $ 828,000  

 
(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 the sale of 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.
 
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 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

For financial reporting purposes, Pinnacle Financial classifies its loan portfolio 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).

Commercial loans receive risk ratings by the assigned financial advisor that 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 September 30, 2011, approximately 75% of our loan portfolio was analyzed as a commercial loan type with a specifically assigned risk rating in the allowance for loan loss assessment.  Consumer loans and small business loans are generally not assigned an individual risk rating but are evaluated as either accrual or nonaccrual based on the performance of the loan.  However, certain consumer real estate-mortgage loans and certain consumer and other loans do receive a specific risk rating due to the loan proceeds being used for commercial purposes even though the collateral may be of a consumer loan nature.

Risk ratings are subject to continual review by the loan officer.  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 respective loan officer.  Each loan grade 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.

The following table presents our loan balances by primary loan classification and the amount classified within each risk rating category.  Pass rated loans include all credits other than those included in special mention, substandard and doubtful which are defined as follows:

 
·
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.
 
 
Page 13


PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
The following table outlines the amount of each loan classification categorized into each risk rating class as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

   
Performing Loans
   
Impaired Loans
       
September  30, 2011
 
Pass
   
Special Mention
   
Substandard (1)
   
Total Performing
   
Substandard
Impaired
   
Doubtful
Impaired
   
Total
Impaired
   
Total
Loans
 
Commercial real estate - mortgage
  $ 970,124     $ 28,556     $ 79,362     $ 1,078,042     $ 9,291     $ -     $ 9,291     $ 1,087,333  
Consumer real estate - mortgage
    662,096       17,717       21,051       700,864       9,211       1,919       11,130       711,994  
Construction and land development
    206,149       23,080       28,029       257,258       21,402       -       21,402       278,660  
Commercial and industrial
    1,037,303       24,774       20,740       1,082,817       11,313       907       12,220       1,095,037  
Consumer and other
    66,794       734       -       67,528       597       -       597       68,125  
    $ 2,942,466     $ 94,861     $ 149,182     $ 3,186,509     $ 51,814     $ 2,826     $ 54,640     $ 3,241,149  
                                                                 
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 $131.0 million at September 30, 2011, compared to $223.1 million at December 31, 2010.   At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, approximately $18.2 million and $20.5 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 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 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.

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 September 30, 2011 presentation. Consumer loans previously classified as performing have been further classified into special mention and substandard.

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were no loans classified as nonaccrual that were not deemed to be impaired. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, all impaired loans were on nonaccruing interest status.  The principal balances of these nonaccrual loans amounted to $54.6 million and $80.9 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, and are included in the table above.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011 the average balance of impaired loans was $67.9 million as compared to $108.4 million for the twelve months 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 $4.0 million and $7.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively, and $678,000 and $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.
 
 
Page 14


PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
The following table details the recorded investment, unpaid principal balance and related allowance and average recorded investment of our impaired loans at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 by loan category and the amount of interest income recognized on a cash basis throughout the quarter and year then ended, respectively, on these loans that remain on our balance sheet (in thousands):

   
At September 30, 2011
   
For the nine months ended
 September 30, 2011
 
   
Recorded investment
   
Unpaid principal balance
   
Related allowance(1)
   
Average recorded investment
   
Interest income recognized
 
                               
Impaired loans with no recorded allowance:
                             
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 8,097     $ 9,528     $ -     $ 9,304     $ 5  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    7,938       11,189       -       10,996       -  
Construction and land development
    12,677       13,583       -       13,621       37  
Commercial and industrial
    3,290       5,276       -       5,196       -  
Consumer and other
    -       -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 32,002     $ 39,576     $ -     $ 39,117     $ 42  
                                         
                                         
Impaired loans with a recorded allowance:
                                       
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 1,194     $ 2,151     $ 99     $ 2,136     $ -  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    3,192       4,938       266       4,840       1  
Construction and land development
    8,724       11,425       2,016       11,826       -  
Commercial and industrial
    8,931       11,206       3,074       10,352       -  
Consumer and other
    597       903       50       902       -  
Total
  $ 22,638     $ 30,623     $ 5,505     $ 30,056     $ 1  
                                         
Total Impaired Loans
  $ 54,640     $ 70,199     $ 5,505     $ 69,173     $ 43  


   
At December 31, 2010
   
For the year ended
December 31, 2010
 
   
Recorded investment
   
Unpaid principal balance
   
Related allowance(1)
   
Average recorded investment
   
Interest income recognized
 
                               
Impaired loans with no recorded allowance:
                             
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  
                                         
Impaired loans with a recorded allowance:
                                       
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  

 
(1)
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.

Pinnacle Financial’s policy is that once a loan is classified as impaired and placed on nonaccrual status, interest income is subsequently recognized to the extent cash payments are received while the loan is classified as nonaccrual, but each 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 $50,000 and $1,340,000 of interest income from cash payments received during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and the year ended December 31, 2010 while the underlying loans were placed on impaired status.
 
 
Page 15

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
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 as of the restructure date are reported as troubled debt restructurings.  At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were $18.2 million and $20.5 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 September 30, 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 $­­­­5.2 million, and the allowance for loan losses associated with those receivables, on the basis of a current evaluation of loss, was $553,000.

The following table outlines the amount of each troubled debt restructuring categorized by loan classification as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (dollars in thousands):

   
September 30, 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
    6     $ 11,888     $ 11,881       9     $ 16,129     $ 15,992  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    8       3,153       3,044       1       560       560  
Construction and land development
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial and industrial
    15       3,146       2,700       2       3,779       3,778  
Consumer and other
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
      29     $ 18,187     $ 17,625       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 September 30, 2011 with the comparative exposures for December 31, 2010:

   
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
September 30,
 2011
   
December 31,
2010
 
Lessors of nonresidential buildings
  $ 488,995     $ 502,268  
Lessors of residential buildings
    177,232       132,668  
Land subdividers
    127,005       144,550  
 
 
Page 16

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
The table below presents past due balances at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, by loan classification allocated between performing and impaired status (in thousands):

   
At September 30, 2011
 
   
30-89 days
past due and performing
   
90 days or more past
due and performing
   
Total past
due and performing
   
Impaired (1)
   
Current
and
performing
   
Total
Loans
 
                                     
Commercial real estate:
                                   
Owner-occupied
  $ 1,141     $ -     $ 1,141     $ 7,557     $ 546,997     $ 555,695  
All other
    375       -       375       1,734       529,529       531,638  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    3,318       991       4,309       11,130       696,555       711,994  
Construction and land development
    396       -       396       21,402       256,862       278,660  
Commercial and industrial
    1,534       920       2,454       12,220       1,080,363       1,095,037  
Consumer and other
    438       -       438       597       67,090       68,125  
    $ 7,202     $ 1,911     $ 9,113     $ 54,640     $ 3,177,396     $ 3,241,149  

   
At December 31, 2010
 
   
30-89 days
past due and performing
   
90 days or more past
due and performing
   
Total past
due and performing
   
Impaired (1)
   
Current
and
performing
   
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 September 30, 2011 and December 31, 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 classification for performing and impaired loans at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

   
Performing Loans
   
Impaired Loans
   
Total Allowance
for Loan Losses
 
   
September 30,
2011
   
December 31,
2010
   
September 30,
2011
   
December 31,
2010
   
September 30,
2011
   
December 31,
2010
 
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 20,689     $ 19,076     $ 99     $ 176     $ 20,788     $ 19,252  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    10,008       9,330       266       568       10,274       9,898  
Construction and land development
    10,698       15,297       2,016       3,825       12,714       19,122  
Commercial and industrial
    18,021       17,428       3,074       3,998       21,095       21,426  
Consumer and other
    1,131       1,484       50       390       1,181       1,874  
Unallocated
    8,819       11,003       -       -       8,819       11,003  
    $ 69,366     $ 73,618     $ 5,505     $ 8,957     $ 74,871     $ 82,575  
 
 
Page 17

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
The following table details the changes in the allowance for loan losses from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 to September 30, 2011 by loan classification (in thousands):

       
   
Commercial real estate –
mortgage
   
Consumer
real estate – mortgage
   
Construction and land development
   
Commercial and
industrial
   
Consumer
and other
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
                                           
Balances, January 1, 2010
  $ 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
    (2,735 )     (4,275 )     (6,861 )     (12,367 )     (963 )     -       (27,201 )
Recovery of previously charged-off loans
    118       401       1,286       1,219       114       -       3,138  
Provision for loan losses
    4,153       4,250       (833 )     10,817       156       (2,189 )     16,359  
Balances, September 30, 2011
  $ 20,788     $ 10,274     $ 12,714     $ 21,095     $ 1,181     $ 8,819     $ 74,871  

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 experience, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations.

   At September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial had granted loans and other extensions of credit amounting to approximately $10.9 million to current directors, executive officers, and their related entities, of which $9.4 million had been drawn upon.  At December 31, 2010, Pinnacle Financial had granted loans and other extensions of credit amounting to approximately $22.6 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 on substantially the same terms customary for other persons similarly situated for the type of loan involved.   None of these loans to directors, executive officers, and their related entities were impaired at September 30, 2011.

Residential Lending

At September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial had approximately $23.8 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial recognized $1.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively, in gains on the sale of these loans compared to $1.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

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.

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.
 
 
Page 18

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
From inception of Pinnacle National’s mortgage department in January 2003 through September 30, 2011, Pinnacle National originated and sold approximately 10,250 mortgage loans totaling $2.182 billion to third-party purchasers.  Of the approximately 10,250 mortgage loans, Pinnacle underwrote approximately 2,450 conventional loans at a 80% or less loan-to-value that were sold to other investors and underwrote 2,010 loans that were sold to the HUD/VA.  To date, repurchase activity pursuant to the terms of these representations and warranties 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 September 30, 2011, Pinnacle National has $705.1 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. Pinnacle National has not imposed any freezes on foreclosures. Based on information currently available, management believes that it does not have material exposure to faulty foreclosure practices.

Note 5.  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 September 30, 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 September 30, 2011.

As of September 30, 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.

 Pinnacle Financial and its subsidiaries file consolidated U.S. Federal and state of Tennessee income tax returns. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2011 of $288,000 as a result of timing differences identified during the course of the exam.  Pinnacle Financial is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the IRS for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the state of Tennessee for the years ended December 31, 2007 through 2010.

Pinnacle Financial's effective tax rate differs from the Federal income tax statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the full reversal of the beginning of year valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets.  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 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 pre-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.  Pursuant to ASC 740, Income Taxes, at September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial has a remaining valuation allowance of $1.4 million recorded against its net deferred tax asset that will be released during the fourth quarter of 2011 to achieve a consistent effective tax rate for all of 2011.  As such, we anticipate nominal income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2011 and for fiscal year 2012, we expect effective tax rate to be between 29% and 32%.
 
 
Page 19

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
Note 6.  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 September 30, 2011, these commitments amounted to $839.2 million.

Standby letters of credit are generally issued on behalf of an applicant (our 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 September 30, 2011, these commitments amounted to $82.4 million.

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.

Various legal claims also arise from time to time in the normal course of business.   In the opinion of management, the resolution of these claims outstanding at September 30, 2011 will not have a material impact on Pinnacle Financial’s financial statements.

Note 7.  Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Shares

As described more fully in the Form 10-K, Pinnacle Financial has two equity incentive plans.  Additionally, Pinnacle Financial has assumed equity plans in connection with acquisitions of Cavalry Bancorp, Inc. (Cavalry) and Mid-America Bancshares, Inc. (Mid-America) under which it has granted stock options and stock appreciation rights to its employees to purchase common stock at or above the fair market value on the date of grant and granted restricted share awards to employees and directors.  At September 30, 2011, there were approximately 536,000 shares available for future issuances under these plans.
 
 
Page 20

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
Common Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

As of September 30, 2011, there were approximately 1,616,000 stock options and 8,100 stock appreciation rights outstanding to purchase common shares.  A summary of the stock option and stock appreciation rights activity within the equity incentive plans during the nine months ended  September 30, 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, 2010
    1,795,785     $ 19.49       4.82     $ 3,692  
Granted
    -       -                  
Exercised (2)
    (131,923 )   $ 6.29                  
Forfeited
    (39,516 )   $ 22.90                  
Outstanding at September 30, 2011
    1,624,346     $ 20.60       3.83     $ 1,800  
Outstanding and expected to vest as of September 30, 2011
    1,622,104     $ 20.59       3.83     $ 1,800  
Options exercisable at September 30, 2011 (3)
    1,483,460     $ 20.03       3.64     $ 1,800  

 
(1)
The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the quoted closing price of Pinnacle Financial common stock of $10.94 per common share for the approximately 458,160 options and stock appreciation rights that were in-the-money at September 30, 2011.
 
(2)
There were no stock appreciation rights exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
 
(3)
In addition to these outstanding options, there were 267,455 warrants outstanding at September 30, 2011 that were issued in conjunction with the CPP.  These warrants, if exercised, will result in the issuance of common shares.

During the three months ended September 30, 2011, approximately 23,590 option awards vested at an average exercise price of $30.99 with no intrinsic value.

As of September 30, 2011, there was approximately $631,000 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 0.93 years.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial recorded stock option compensation expense of $271,000 and $952,000, respectively, using the Black-Scholes valuation model for awards granted prior to, but not yet vested, as of January 1, 2006 and for awards granted after January 1, 2006, compared to $416,000 and $1,273,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.  For these awards, Pinnacle Financial has recognized compensation expense using a straight-line amortization method. Stock-based compensation expense has been reduced for estimated forfeitures.

Restricted Shares

Additionally, Pinnacle Financial’s 2004 Equity Incentive Plan and the Mid-America Plans provide for the granting of restricted share awards and other performance or market-based awards.  There were no market-based awards outstanding as of September 30, 2011 under any of these plans.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial awarded shares of restricted common stock to certain Pinnacle Financial associates and outside directors.

A summary of activity for unvested restricted share awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is as follows:

   
Number
   
Grant Date Weighted-Average Cost
 
Unvested at December 31, 2010
    640,394     $ 17.63  
Shares awarded
    347,916     $ 13.92  
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to associates/directors
    (82,761 )   $ 17.38  
Shares forfeited
    (60,351 )   $ 20.82  
Unvested at September 30, 2011
    845,198     $ 15.92  
 
 
Page 21


PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
Pinnacle Financial grants restricted share awards to associates, executive management and outside directors with a combination of time and performance vesting criteria. The following table outlines restricted stock grants that were made, grouped by similar vesting criteria, during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011:
 
Grant
Year
Group(1)
 
Vesting
Period in years
   
Shares
awarded
   
Restrictions Lapsed and shares released to participants(1)
   
Shares Forfeited by participants
   
Shares Unvested
 
Time Based Awards (2)
                             
2011
Associates
    5       130,095       -       5,275       124,820  
Performance Based Awards
                                       
2011
Leadership team (3)
    10       63,302       -       -       63,302  
2011
Leadership team (4)
    3       21,097       -       -       21,097  
2011
Leadership team (3)
    10       88,791       -       -       88,791  
2011
Leadership team (4)
    3       29,595       -       -       29,595  
Outside Director Awards (5)
                                       
2011
Outside directors
    1       15,036       -       2,506       12,530  

 
(1)
Groups include our employees (referred to as associates above), our executive managers (referred to as our Leadership team above) and our outside directors.  When the restricted shares are awarded, a participant receives voting rights with respect to the shares, but is not able to transfer the shares until the restrictions have lapsed.  Once the restrictions lapse, the participant is taxed on the value of the award and, subject to the limitations of the CPP, may elect to sell shares to pay the applicable income taxes associated with the award.
 
(2)
These shares vest in equal annual installments on the anniversary date of the grant.
 
(3)
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. These shares vest over 10 years; however, if the recipient will reach the age of 65 prior to ten years, vesting occurs equally over the number of years before the recipient reaches 65.
 
(4)
The forfeiture restrictions on these restricted share awards lapse in separate equal installments should Pinnacle Financial achieve certain pretax 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.
 
(5)
Restricted share awards are issued to the outside members of the board of directors in accordance with their board compensation plan.  Restrictions lapse on the one year anniversary date of the award based on each individual board member meeting their attendance goals for the various board and board committee meetings to which each member was scheduled to attend.

Compensation expense associated with the performance-based restricted share awards is recognized over the performance period that the restrictions associated with the awards are anticipated to lapse based on a graded vesting schedule such that each performance traunche is amortized separately.  Compensation expense associated with the time-based restricted share awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the time period that the restrictions associated with the awards lapse based on the total cost of the award.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial recognized approximately $859,000 and $2,428,000, respectively, in compensation costs attributable to all restricted share awards issued prior to the end of those periods, compared to $583,000 and $1,774,000, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Salary Stock Unit Awards

During the first quarter of 2011, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of Pinnacle Financial adopted and 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.  SSUs will accrue and be 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, or as soon as administratively practical following, December 30, 2011 (Settlement Date), but in no event later than two and one-half months following the Settlement Date. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial issued  18,471 and  37,151 salary stock units, respectively, and recognized approximately $233,000 and $524,000, respectively, in compensation costs attributable to the SSUs.

 
Page 22

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 8.  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 shareholders 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 on common stock since inception, and it does not anticipate that it will consider paying such dividends in the foreseeable future.    Pursuant to federal banking regulations and due to losses incurred in 2009 and 2010, Pinnacle National may not, without the prior consent of the OCC, pay any dividends to Pinnacle Financial until such time that current year profits exceed the net losses and dividends of the prior two years.  Until such time as it may receive dividends from Pinnacle National, Pinnacle Financial anticipates servicing its preferred stock dividend and subordinated indebtedness requirements from its available cash balances, which approximates $61.89 million at September 30, 2011. Pinnacle Financial has informally agreed to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta before making such quarterly dividend and subordinated debt payments.

 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 September 30, 2011, that Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle National met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.  To be categorized as well-capitalized under applicable banking regulations, 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 (dollars in thousands):

   
Actual
   
Regulatory Minimum
Capital
Requirement
   
Regulatory Minimum
To Be
Well-Capitalized
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
At September 30, 2011
                                   
                                     
Total capital to risk weighted assets:
                                   
Pinnacle Financial
  $ 595,901       15.88 %   $ 300,118       8.0 %   $ 378,049       10.0 %
Pinnacle National
  $ 517,148       13.81 %   $ 299,474       8.0 %   $ 377,254       10.0 %
Tier I capital to risk weighted assets:
                                               
Pinnacle Financial
  $ 539,645       14.38 %   $ 150,059       4.0 %   $ 226,829       6.0 %
Pinnacle National
  $ 460,991       12.31 %   $ 149,737       4.0 %   $ 226,353       6.0 %
Tier I capital to average assets (*):
                                               
Pinnacle Financial
  $ 539,645       11.89 %   $ 181,495       4.0 %  
NA
   
NA
 
Pinnacle National
  $ 460,991       10.18 %   $ 181,130       4.0 %   $ 226,412       5.0 %

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

In January 2010, Pinnacle National agreed to an OCC requirement 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%. As noted above, Pinnacle National had a 10.18% Tier 1 capital to average assets ratio and a 13.81% total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio at September 30, 2011 and therefore was in compliance with the OCC requirement.

Note 9.  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. Pinnacle Financial enters 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 with a large U.S. financial institution in order to minimize the risk to Pinnacle Financial.  These swaps are derivatives, but are not designated as hedging instruments.  At September 30, 2011 and 2010, Pinnacle Financial had not entered into any derivative contracts to assist in managing its interest rate sensitivity and has no derivatives designated as hedges.
 
 
Page 23

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
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, has no credit risk.

A summary of Pinnacle Financial’s interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2011 is included in the following table (in thousands):

   
Notional
Amount
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
Interest rate swap agreements:
           
Pay fixed / receive variable swaps
  $ 265,560     $ 19,045  
Pay variable / receive fixed swaps
    265,560       (19,252 )
Total
  $ 531,120     $ (207 )
 
Note 10.  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.

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.
 
 
Page 24


PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
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 expense 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 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.

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.
 
 
Page 25

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
The following tables present the financial instruments carried at fair value as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 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 September 30, 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
  $ 40,435     $ -     $ 40,435     $ -  
Mortgage-backed securities
    685,600       -       685,600       -  
State and municipal securities
    202,954       -       202,954       -  
Corporate notes and other
    11,173       -       11,173       -  
Total investment securities available-for-sale
    940,162       -       940,162       -  
Other investments
    3,370       -       -       3,370  
Other assets
    68,161       -       19,046       49,115  
Total assets at fair value
  $ 1,011,693     $ -     $ 959,208     $ 52,485  
                                 
Other liabilities
  $ 19,252     $ -     $ 19,252     $ -  
Total liabilities at fair value
  $ 19,252     $ -     $ 19,252     $ -  

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
 
(Level 1)
   
Models with significant observable market parameters
(Level 2)
   
Models with significant unobservable market parameters
(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     $ -  

 
Page 26

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of September 30, 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 gains (losses) for the quarter ended
September 30,
   
Total gains (losses ) for the nine months ended September 30,
 
          (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     2011     2011  
Other real estate owned
  $ 45,500     $ -     $ -     $ 45,500     $ (2,985 )   $ (5,224 )
Impaired loans, net (1)
    49,134       -       -       49,134       (4,430 )     (8,481 )
Total
  $ 96,634     $ -     $ -     $ 96,634     $ (7,415 )   $ (13,705 )

 
(1)
Amount is net of a valuation allowance of $5.5 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 gains (losses) for the year ended December 31,
 
          (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     2010  
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 nine months ended September 30, 2011, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3.

The table below includes a rollforward of the balance sheet amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 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):

   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Other
assets
   
Other liabilities
   
Other
assets
   
Other liabilities
 
Fair value, January 1
  $ 50,962     $     $ 49,518     $  
Total realized gains included in income
    1,130             766        
Change in unrealized gains/losses included in other comprehensive income for assets and liabilities still held at September 30
                       
Purchases, issuances and settlements, net
    393             422        
Transfers out of Level 3
                       
Fair value, September 30
  $ 52,485     $     $ 50,706     $  
Total realized gains included in income related to financial assets and liabilities still on the consolidated balance sheet at September 30
  $ 1,130     $     $ 766     $  

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 September 30, 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.
 
 
Page 27

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
 
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 carrying value 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, floating rate advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank and floating rate subordinated debt approximate their fair values. Fair values for certificates of deposit, fixed rate advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank and fixed rate subordinated debt are estimated using discounted cash flow models, using current market interest rates offered on certificates, advances and other borrowings with similar remaining maturities.  For fixed rate subordinated debt, the maturity is assumed to be as of the earliest date that the indebtedness will be repriced.

 
Off-Balance Sheet Instruments - The fair values of Pinnacle Financial's off-balance-sheet financial instruments are based on 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.

 
Page 28


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

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of Pinnacle Financial's financial instruments at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value (1)
   
Carrying Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value (1)
 
Financial assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 180,535     $ 180,535     $ 188,586     $ 188,586  
Securities available-for-sale
    940,162       940,162       1,014,317       1,014,317  
Securities held-to-maturity
    2,590       2,641       4,320       4,412  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
    23,814       23,814       16,206       16,206  
Loans, net (2)
    3,166,278       2,857,638       3,129,865       2,874,894  
Derivative assets
    19,045       19,045       14,441       14,441  
Bank owned life insurance
    48,598       48,598       47,724       47,724  
Other investments
    3,370       3,370       2,693       2,693  
                                 
Financial liabilities:
                               
Deposits and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  $ 3,841,604     $ 3,813,527     $ 3,979,352     $ 3,974,408  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    161,106       161,665       121,393       126,399  
Subordinated debt
    97,476       71,389       97,476       75,360  
Derivative liabilities
    19,252       19,252       14,639       14,639  
                                 
   
Notional
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Notional
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Off-balance sheet instruments:
                               
Commitments to extend credit (3)
  $ 839,159     $ 1,400     $ 848,023     $ 998  
Standby letters of credit (4)
    82,448       423       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 $316 million and $310 million, respectively, at September 30, 2011 and at December 31, 2010, respectively.  The 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.  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 September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial included in other liabilities $1.4 million representing the inherent risks associated with these off-balance sheet commitments.
 
(4)
At September 30, 2011, the fair value of Pinnacle Financial’s standby letters of credit was $423,000.  This amount represents the unamortized fee associated with these standby letters of credit and is included in the consolidated balance sheet of Pinnacle Financial.  This fair value will decrease over time as the existing standby letters of credit approach their expiration dates.

Note 11.  Variable Interest Entities

Under ASC 810, Pinnacle Financial is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and required to consolidate a 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 for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, and the year ended December 31, 2010 has been prepared in accordance with ASC 810.

At September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial did not have any consolidated variable interest entities to disclose but did have several nonconsolidated VIEs.  As discussed more fully in form 10-K, Pinnacle Financial has the following non-consolidated variable interest entities: low income housing partnerships, trust preferred issuances, accrued restructuring commercial loans, and managed discretionary trusts.
 
 
Page 29

 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
The following table summarizes VIE’s that are not consolidated by Pinnacle Financial as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
       
 
Type
 
Maximum
Loss
Exposure
   
Liability
Recognized
   
Maximum
Loss
Exposure
   
Liability
Recognized
   
Balance Sheet
Classification
 
Low Income Housing Partnerships
  $ 3,958     $ -     $ 4,095     $ -    
Other Assets
 
Trust Preferred Issuances
    N/A       82,476       N/A       82,476    
Subordinated Debt
 
Commercial Troubled Debt Restructurings
    15,033       -       19,907       -    
Loans
 
Managed Discretionary Trusts
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  

 
Page 30

 
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is a discussion of our financial condition at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.  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.  Although the economy is beginning to show signs of improvement, as reflected in our profitability for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, our current performance continues to be negatively impacted by the costs associated with the resolution of nonperforming assets and weak loan demand.  Our fully diluted net income per common share available to common stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was $0.72, compared to fully diluted net income per common share available to common stockholders of $0.02 for the same period in 2010.  Our fully diluted net income per common share available to common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $0.92, compared to fully diluted net loss per common share available to common stockholders of $1.00 for the same period in 2010.  Impacting our  results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was a $22.5 million tax benefit for the reversal of the beginning of year valuation allowance for deferred tax assets offset by projected 2011 tax expense.  This reversal approximated $0.51 of diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.  At September 30, 2011, loans had increased to $3.241 billion, as compared to $3.212 billion at December 31, 2010, while total deposits decreased to $3.713 billion at September 30, 2011 from $3.833 billion at December 31, 2010.

Results of Operations.  Our net interest income after provision for loan losses increased $3.4 million to $34.7 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared to $31.3 million for the third quarter of 2010.   Our net interest income after provision for loan losses increased $36.0 million to $95.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $59.8 million for the same period in prior year.   The net interest margin (the ratio of net interest income to average earning assets) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was 3.60% and 3.52%, compared to 3.23% and 3.24%, respectively, for the same periods in 2010.
 
Our provision for loan losses was $3.6 million and $16.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 compared to $4.8 million and $48.5 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2010.  The decrease in our provisioning expense correlates with the reduction in both net charge-offs and the overall level of our allowance for loan losses.  Net charge-offs were $5.7 million and $24.1 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 compared to $7.3 million and $55.9 million, respectively, for the same periods in the prior year.  Our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans decreased from 2.57% at December 31, 2010 to 2.31% at September 30, 2011, as a result of improving credit metrics within our loan portfolio.
 
Noninterest expenses decreased by $2.1 million and $5.7 million as compared to the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010. Costs associated with the disposal and maintenance of other real estate owned decreased by $3.4 million and $8.1 million compared to the three and nine month periods in 2010, respectively.  The decrease in other real estate owned expense was partially offset by an increase in salaries and employee benefits which was largely due to increased incentive accruals pursuant to our annual cash incentive program.
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial recorded income tax benefit of $17.0 million and $16.7 million, respectively. Tax expense (benefit) reported for the year includes the reversal in the quarter ended September 30, 2011 of the $22.5 million beginning of the year valuation allowance which has been partially offset by nine month period tax expense and estimated tax expense for the fourth quarter of 2011. Pinnacle Financial's effective tax rate differs from the federal income tax statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the reversal of the valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets.
 
Our efficiency ratio (the ratio of noninterest expense to the sum of net interest income and noninterest income) was 73.7% and 74.6% for the three and nine month periods of 2011 compared to 84.6% and 81.2%, respectively, for the same periods in 2010. Our efficiency ratio continues to be negatively impacted by other real estate expense and other credit related costs.
 
 
Page 31

 
Net income available to common stockholders for the third quarter of 2011 was $24.5 million compared to net income available to common stockholders of $549,000 for the same period in 2010. Net income available to common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $31.4 million compared to a net loss available to common stockholders of $32.7 million for the same period in the prior year.  Included in net income (loss) available to common stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $1.6 million and $4.6 million, respectively, of charges related to preferred stock dividends and accretion of the preferred stock discount related to our participation in the CPP.
 
Financial Condition.  Net loans increased $36.4 million during the first nine months of 2011.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial foreclosed on approximately $26.7 million of nonperforming loans and moved these assets to other real estate. Total deposits were $3.713 billion at September 30, 2011 compared to $3.833 billion at December 31, 2010, a decrease of $120.4 million.  In comparing the deposit balances at September 30, 2011 with the balances at December 31, 2010, we have increased our non-interest bearing deposits $136.2 million or 23.2%.  This decrease in reliance on higher cost non-core deposits, including brokered deposits has contributed to the expansion in net interest margin.
 
Capital and Liquidity.  At September 30, 2011, our capital ratios, including our bank’s capital ratios, exceeded regulatory minimum capital requirements as well as those elevated levels that our bank agreed with the OCC that it would exceed.  Additionally, at September 30, 2011, our bank would be considered to be “well-capitalized” pursuant to applicable banking regulations.  To support the capital needs of Pinnacle National and holding company cash requirements, at September 30, 2011, we had approximately $62 million of cash at the holding company.
 
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.  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.  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.

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.

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 independent 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.

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.
 
 
Page 32

 
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.
 
As part of management’s quarterly assessment of the allowance, management divides the loan portfolio into five segments based on loan type:  commercial, commercial real estate, small business lending, consumer and consumer real estate.  Each segment is then analyzed such that an allocation of the allowance is estimated for each loan segment.  Prior to 2010, because of our 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 internal historical loan loss migration analysis into our determination of the allowance for loan losses.  We believe the increased emphasis on our internal historical loss experience metrics provides a better estimate of losses inherent in our portfolio.  This refinement of our methodology did not result in a material change in our allowance.

The allowance allocation for commercial and commercial real estate loan portfolios begins with a process of estimating the probable losses inherent for these types of loans.  The estimates for these loans are established by category and based on our internal system of credit risk ratings and historical loss data.  The estimated loan loss allocation rate for our internal system of credit risk grades for commercial and commercial real estate loans is based on our historical loss experience adjusted for current environmental factors and industry loss factors.  Our historical loss experience is based on a migration analysis of all loans that were charged-off during prior years. In the first, second, and third quarters of 2011, the migration analysis was based on an eight, nine, and ten quarter look-back periods, respectively, to capture the recent loan loss experience of the firm in this economic cycle.  In the current economic environment, we believed the extension of our look-back period was necessary due to the risks inherent in our loan portfolio.  Absent the extension of our look-back, the early cycle periods in which we experienced significant losses would be excluded from the determination of the allowance for loan losses. As we move through the current economic cycle, we will continue to use judgment to determine our look-back period as we seek to capture the inherent risks in our portfolio.  The migration analysis assists in evaluating loan loss allocation rates for the various risk grades assigned to loans in our portfolio.  We compare the migration analysis results to the other factors used to determine the loss allocation rates for the commercial and commercial real estate 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 consumer, consumer real estate, and small business lending portfolio segments which include installment, home equity, consumer mortgages, automobiles and others is established for each segment by estimating probable losses inherent in that particular category of consumer and consumer real estate loans.  The estimated loan loss allocation rate for each category is based on consideration of our actual historical loss rates and industry loss rates. Consumer, consumer real estate, and small business lending portfolio segments are evaluated as a group by category (i.e. consumer mortgage, installment, etc.) rather than on a loan credit risk rating basis because these loans are smaller and homogeneous.  We weight the allocation methodologies for the consumer, consumer real estate and small business lending portfolio segments and determine a weighted average allocation for these segments.

The estimated loan loss allocation for all five loan portfolio 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 are 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 component, is increased or decreased based on the incremental assessment of these various environmental factors.  The environmental factors accounted for approximately 8.3% of the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2011 compared to 6.8% of the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2010.  As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the environmental allocation was 0.20% and 0.19%, respectively, of the outstanding principal balance of our commercial, commercial real estate and small business loan portfolios and 0.18% and 0.16%, respectively, of consumer and consumer real estate loans.  The increase in the environmental allocation between the two periods is based on our analysis of the above factors as of both balance sheet dates.

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 imprecision in the overall measurement process, in particular the volatility of the local economies in the markets we serve, and imprecision in assigning credit risk ratings.

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.
 
 
Page 33

 
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 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.  Any gains or losses on disposal realized at the time of disposal are reflected in noninterest expense.  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 two 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.

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 its 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 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 31, 2011 that we had sufficient objective positive evidence to reverse the beginning of the year deferred tax valuation allowance at September 30, 2011.  Pursuant to ASC 740, Income Taxes, at September 30, 2011, we have a remaining valuation allowance of $1.4 million recorded against our net deferred tax asset that will be released during the fourth quarter of 2011 to achieve a consistent effective tax rate for all of 2011.

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.

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.
 
 
Page 34

 
 
·
Guideline Publicly Traded Company – 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.
 
·
Guideline Merged/Acquired Company –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 stock price 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 stock price and resulting market cap, the excess of fair value over carrying value increases by approximately 5% of total equity.  Our average closing stock price was $12.68 for the period from October 1, 2011 to October 25, 2011 which exceeded our September 30, 2011 closing price providing further evidence of no impairment of goodwill.  Further, at September 30, 2011, our stock price was trading at levels higher than those that were utilized in our impairment testing last year 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 September 30, 2011.  Should our 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.

 
Page 35


Results of Operations

The following is a summary of our results of operations (in thousands):

   
Three months ended
      2011-2010    
Nine months ended
     2011-2010  
   
September 30
   
Percent
   
September 30,
   
Percent
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Increase (Decrease)
      2011       2010    
Increase (Decrease)
 
Interest income
  $ 46,888     $ 50,650       (7.4 %)   $ 141,901     $ 154,269       (8.0 %)
Interest expense
    8,532       14,590       (41.5 %)     29,729       45,952       (35.3 %)
Net interest income
    38,356       36,060       6.4 %     112,172       108,317       3.6 %
Provision for loan losses
    3,632       4,789       (24.2 %)     16,359       48,524       (66.3 %)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    34,723       31,271       11.0 %     95,813       59,793       60.2 %
Noninterest income
    10,080       8,594       17.3 %     28,213       27,649       2.0 %
Noninterest expense
    35,675       37,774       (5.6 %)     104,733       110,432       (5.2 %)
Net income (loss) before income taxes
    9,128       2,091       336.5 %     19,293       (22,990 )     183.9 %
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (16,973 )     -    
NM
(1)     (16,685 )     5,107    
NM
(1)
Net income (loss)
    26,101       2,091       1,148.3 %     35,978       (28,096 )     228.1 %
Preferred dividends and preferred stock discount accretion
    1,564       1,542       1.4 %     4,586       4,595       (0.2 %)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 24,537     $ 549       4,369.4 %   $ 31,392     $ (32,691 )     196.0 %
Basic net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders
  $ 0.74     $ 0.02       3,600.0 %   $ 0.94     $ (1.00 )     194.0 %
Diluted net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders
  $ 0.72     $ 0.02       3,500.0 %   $ 0.92     $ (1.00 )     192.0 %
 
(1)NM—The percentage change is not considered meaningful.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income (the difference between the interest earned on assets and the interest paid on deposits and other liabilities) is the single largest component of our revenue.  We actively manage this revenue source to provide optimal levels of revenue while seeking to balance interest rate, credit, and liquidity risks.  Net interest income totaled $38.4 million and $112.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $2.3 million and $3.9 million, from the levels recorded in the same periods of 2010.   Despite limited loan demand and few attractive investment opportunities in the securities portfolio we were able to increase net interest income for 2011 compared to 2010 due primarily to our focus on deposit pricing.

 
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The following tables set 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 interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, net interest spread and net interest margin for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):
 
   
Three months ended
September 30, 2011
   
Three months ended
September 30, 2010
 
   
Average Balances
   
Interest
   
Rates/ Yields
   
Average Balances
   
Interest
   
Rates/ Yields
 
Interest-earning assets:
                                   
Loans (1)
  $ 3,207,213     $ 38,572       4.78 %   $ 3,295,531     $ 41,105       4.96 %
Securities:
                                               
Taxable
    747,784       5,953       3.16 %     750,427       7,004       3.70 %
Tax-exempt (2)
    191,994       1,820       5.02 %     204,442       1,943       4.97 %
Federal funds sold and other
    161,719       543       1.44 %     269,556       598       0.95 %
Total interest-earning assets
    4,308,710     $ 46,888       4.38 %     4,519,956     $ 50,650       4.51 %
Nonearning assets
                                               
Intangible assets
    253,102                       256,011                  
Other nonearning assets
    224,673                       225,406                  
Total assets
  $ 4,786,485                     $ 5,001,373                  
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Interest bearing deposits
                                               
Interest checking
  $ 564,077     $ 821       0.58 %   $ 540,387     $ 890       0.65 %
Savings and money market
    1,622,200       3,299       0.81 %     1,397,396       4,787       1.36 %
Time
    841,480       3,018       1.42 %     1,387,170       6,629       1.90 %
Total interest-bearing deposits
    3,027,757       7,138       0.94 %     3,324,953       12,306       1.47 %
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    145,050       204       0.56 %     210,037       435       0.82 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
    111,699       532       1.89 %     126,130       921       2.90 %
Subordinated debt
    97,476       658       2.68 %     97,476       928       3.78 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    3,381,982       8,532       1.00 %     3,758,596       14,590       1.54 %
Noninterest-bearing deposits
    671,796       -       -       534,171       -       -  
Total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities
    4,053,778     $ 8,532       0.84 %     4,292,767     $ 14,590       1.35 %
Other liabilities
    23,734                       21,708                  
Stockholders' equity
    708,973                       686,898                  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 4,786,485                     $ 5,001,373                  
Net interest income
          $ 38,356                     $ 36,060          
Net interest spread (3)
                    3.38 %                     2.97 %
Net interest margin (4)
                    3.60 %                     3.23 %

 
(1)
Average balances of nonperforming loans are included in the above amounts.
 
(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 quarter ended September 30, 2011 would have been 3.54% compared to a net interest spread of 3.16% for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.
 
(4)
Net interest margin is the result of annualized net interest income calculated on a tax-equivalent basis divided by average interest-earning assets for the period.
 
 
Page 37


   
Nine months ended
September 30, 2011
   
Nine months ended
September 30, 2010
 
   
Average Balances
   
Interest
   
Rates/ Yields
   
Average Balances
   
Interest
   
Rates/ Yields
 
Interest-earning assets:
                                   
Loans (1)
  $ 3,203,346     $ 115,831       4.84 %   $ 3,410,648     $ 122,504       4.81 %
Securities:
                                               
Taxable
    779,585       18,793       3.22 %     778,117       24,150       4.15 %
Tax-exempt (2)
    194,447       5,593       5.13 %     205,006       5,979       5.14 %
Federal funds sold and other
    170,192       1,684       1.43 %     173,732       1,636       1.36 %
Total interest-earning assets
    4,347,570     $ 141,901       4.43 %     4,567,503     $ 154,269       4.58 %
Nonearning assets
                                               
Intangible assets
    253,806                       256,754                  
Other nonearning assets
    225,640                       215,492                  
Total assets
  $ 4,827,016                     $ 5,039,749                  
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Interest bearing deposits
                                               
Interest checking
  $ 582,832     $ 2,765       0.63 %   $ 516,024     $ 2,593       0.67 %
Savings and money market
    1,599,737       11,149       0.93 %     1,312,209       13,623       1.39 %
Time
    916,510       10,955       1.60 %     1,503,524       22,479       2.00 %
Total interest-bearing deposits
    3,099,079       24,869       1.07 %     3,331,757       38,695       1.55 %
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    168,594       931       0.74 %     231,580       1,352       0.78 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
    113,151       1,952       2.31 %     150,772       3,249       2.88 %
Subordinated debt
    97,476       1,977       2.71 %     97,476       2,656       3.64 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    3,478,300       29,729       1.14 %     3,811,585       45,952       1.61 %
Noninterest-bearing deposits
    632,075       -       -       511,519       -       -  
Total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities
    4,110,375     $ 29,729       0.97 %     4,323,104     $ 45,952       1.42 %
Other liabilities
    22,332                       17,297                  
Stockholders' equity
    694,309                       699,348                  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 4,827,016                     $ 5,039,749                  
Net interest income
          $ 112,172                     $ 108,317          
Net interest spread (3)
                    3.29 %                     2.97 %
Net interest margin (4)
                    3.52 %                     3.24 %

 
(1)
Average balances of nonperforming loans are included in the above amounts.
 
(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 nine months ended September 30, 2011 would have been 3.46% compared to a net interest spread of 3.16% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
(4)
Net interest margin is the result of annualized net interest income calculated on a tax-equivalent basis divided by average interest-earning assets for the period.
 
 
Page 38


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 revenue 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 shareholders’ equity.

For the third quarters of 2011 and 2010, our net interest spread was 3.38% and 2.97%, respectively, while the net interest margin was 3.60% and 3.23%, respectively. For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, our net interest spread was 3.29% and 2.97%, respectively, while the net interest margin was 3.52% and 3.24%, respectively. The improving net interest margin reflected management’s efforts to maximize earnings by focusing on loan and, particularly, deposit pricing.  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.  Additionally, lower levels of nonperforming loans positively impacted our net interest margin during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011 when compared to the same periods in 2010.  Average nonperforming loans were $57.2 million and $67.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, which was less than the $110.7 million and $119.4 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011, total funding rates were less than those rates for the same periods in the prior year by 51 and 45 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 higher cost time deposits and higher-cost wholesale funding.
 
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 the next several quarters.  It is our belief that rates may eventually begin to rise in 2013.  Due to the percentage of variable rate loans with loan floors currently in place, our balance sheet would be considered slightly liability-sensitive.  In order to prepare for a rising rate environment, we continue to emphasize increasing spreads to loan pricing indices so that when rates increase we are in a better position to maintain our margins. We believe our net interest margin should increase during the remainder of this year due to several factors related to pricing adjustments primarily for deposits.  Offsetting the positive impact of any initiative we deploy to enhance our net interest margin will be the ongoing negative impact of nonperforming assets.  We believe margin expansion into 2012 will be challenging due to increased pricing competition for quality loan opportunities and an anticipated flattening of the yield curve.

Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses represents a charge to earnings necessary to establish an allowance for loan losses that, in management’s evaluation, should be adequate to provide coverage for the inherent losses on outstanding loans.   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 total loans decreased from 2.57% at December 31, 2010 to 2.31% at September 30, 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 September 30, 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 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, local real estate market, or particular industry or borrower-specific conditions, which may materially negatively impact our asset quality and the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses and, thus, the resulting provision for loan losses.

The provision for loan losses amounted to $3.6 million and $4.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $16.4 million and $48.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Provision expense for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 has decreased as compared to the same periods in prior year, primarily due to a reduction in both net charge-offs and in the overall amount of the allowance for loan losses. Based on our current loan pipeline, we anticipate provision expense will increase due to anticipated loan growth in the fourth quarter 2011 as compared to the third quarter of 2011.

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 customer growth trends, while fees from investment services and the origination of mortgage loans and gains and losses on the sale of securities will often reflect market conditions and fluctuate from period to period.

 
Page 39


The following is the makeup of our noninterest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

   
Three months ended
      2011-2010    
Nine months ended
      2011-2010  
   
September 30,
   
Percent
   
September 30,
   
Percent
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Increase (Decrease)
      2011       2010    
Increase (Decrease)
 
Noninterest income:
                                           
Service charges on deposit accounts
  $ 2,362     $ 2,444       (3.4 %)   $ 6,953     $ 7,239       (4.0 %)
Investment services
    1,699       1,234       37.7 %     4,844       3,786       27.9 %
Insurance sales commissions
    1,002       954       5.0 %     3,055       2,957       3.3 %
Gains on loans sold, net
    1,295       1,310       (1.2 %)     2,694       2,734       1.5 %
Net gain on sale of investment securities
    377       -       0.0 %     828       2,624       (68.4 %)
Trust fees
    754       726       3.9 %     2,253       2,377       (5.2 %)
Other noninterest income:
                                               
ATM and other consumer fees
    1,731       1,380       25.4 %     4,741       3,979       19.2 %
Bank-owned life insurance
    296       313       (5.4 %)     874       678       28.9 %
Other noninterest income
    564       232       143.1 %     1,970       1,275       54.5 %
Total other noninterest income
    2,591       1,925       34.6 %     7,585       5,932       27.9 %
Total noninterest income
  $ 10,080     $ 8,594       17.3 %   $ 28,213     $ 27,649       2.0 %

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.  With other Dodd-Frank Act changes pending and modest signs of an improving economy, we expect these trends to continue.

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 September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Asset Management was receiving commissions and fees in connection with approximately $988 million in brokerage assets held with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. compared to $966 million at September 30, 2010.  Insurance commissions were approximately $3.1 million in the first three quarters of 2011 and approximately $3.0 million in the first three quarters of 2010.  Additionally, at September 30, 2011, our trust department was receiving fees on approximately $607.7 million in assets compared to $647 million at September 30, 2010.

Gains on loans sold, net 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 these 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 third quarter ended September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial realized approximately $377,000 in net gains from the sale of $107.3 million of available-for-sale securities. Sales during the third quarter of 2011 consisted of two primary groups: securities identified as other-than-temporarily-impaired in the second quarter of 2011, which had previously been marked-to-market as of June 30, 2011, and mortgage-backed securities in which the pre-payment frequency was expected to accelerate due to the mortgage refinancing expected due to lower rates.

Included in other noninterest income are miscellaneous consumer fees, such as ATM revenues and other consumer fees.  The fees realized in the first three quarters of 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 is the potential for 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 $296,000 and $874,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $313,000 and $678,000 in the same periods in prior year.  Pinnacle 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, other real estate expenses, and other operating expenses.  The following is the makeup of our noninterest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

   
Three months ended
      2011-2010    
Nine months ended
      2011-2010  
   
September 30,
   
Percent
   
September 30,
   
Percent
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Increase (Decrease)
      2011       2010    
Increase (Decrease)
 
Noninterest expense:
                                           
Salaries and employee benefits:
                                           
Cash salaries
  $ 10,690     $ 11,277       (5.2 %)   $ 32,620     $ 33,928       (3.9 %)
Commissions
    1,057       716       47.6 %     3,070       2,099       46.2 %
Annual cash incentives
    3,065       -       -       6,657       -          
Employee benefits and other
    4,203       4,076       3.1 %     13,115       12,894       1.2 %
Total salaries and employee benefits
    19,015       16,069       18.3 %     55,462       48,921       13.4 %
Occupancy
    2,572       2,761       (6.8 %)     7,636       8,469       (9.8 %)
Equipment
    1,823       1,889       (3.5 %)     5,598       5,907       (5.3 %)
Communications
    375       362       3.6 %     1,085       1,072       1.1 %
Internet banking
    172       219       (21.5 %)     690       641       7.6 %
Other real estate expense
    5,079       8,522       (40.4 %)     13,239       21,336       (38.0 %)
Marketing and business development
    751       748       0.4 %     2,271       2,296       (1.1 %)
Postage and supplies
    509       636       (20.0 %)     1,544       2,071       (25.4 %)
Amortization of intangibles
    716       744       (3.8 %)     2,147       2,236       (4.0 %)
Other noninterest expense
                                               
Deposit related expense
    2,020       3,318       (39.1 %)     7,471       9,409       (20.6 %)
Lending related expense
    689       515       33.8 %     1,498       1,780       (15.8 %)
Investment sales expense
    57       76       (25.0 %)     206       259       (20. 5 %)
Total trust expense
    84       81       3.7 %     265       255       3.9 %
Administrative and other
    1,813       1,834       (1.1 %)     5,620       5,779       (2.8 %)
Total other noninterest expense
    4,663       5,824       (19.9 %)     15,060       17,483       (13.9 %)
Total noninterest expense
  $ 35,675     $ 37,774       (5.6 %)   $ 104,733     $ 110,432       (5.2 %)

Total salaries and employee benefits expense increased $2.9 million and $6.5 million or 18.3% and 13.4%, respectively over the three and nine month periods in the prior year.

The increase in salaries and employee benefits expense is primarily related to incentive compensation costs for the three and nine months period ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the same periods in prior years. 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 shareholder 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 are increased or decreased. Additionally, our Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has the ability to change the parameters of the variable cash award at any time prior to final distribution of the awards in order to take into account current events and circumstances that were not anticipated when the parameters were established and maximize the benefit of the awards to our firm and to the associates.  We currently believe that our performance for fiscal 2011 will be in line with our targeted performance levels under our annual incentive plan which will result in increased incentive costs in 2011 as compared to 2010, in which no incentives were accrued because our performance objectives were not met.  At September 30, 2011, our financial results include an accrual of the potential amount in excess of target payout of our incentive compensation plan to participating associates. As a result of our participation in the CPP, our named executive officers do not participate in the annual cash incentive plan.

Additionally, included in employee benefits and other expense for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, were approximately $1.4 million and $1 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, were approximately $3.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively, of compensation expenses related to stock options, restricted share awards and salary stock units.

Equipment and occupancy expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were 5.5% and 6.7% less than in the same periods in the prior year.  These decreases are 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.  We expect further branch expansion in the Knoxville MSA beginning in 2012.
 
 
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At September 30, 2011, we had $45.5 million in other real estate owned compared to $59.6 million at December 31, 2010.  Other real estate expense was $5.1 million and $13.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $8.5 million and $21.3 million, respectively, for the same periods in the prior year.  Approximately $9.0 million and $14.9 million of the other real estate expense incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were realized losses on dispositions and holding losses on valuations of OREO properties.
 
Until we are able to significantly reduce the absolute level of our other real estate portfolio, other real estate expense will likely remain elevated and fluctuate for the next several quarters 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.  A key component of our disposition strategy 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 $2.9 million per year for the next seven years with lesser amounts for the remaining amortization period.  Additionally, in connection with our acquisition of Beach and Gentry 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 $27,000 and $81,000 for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and $28,000 and $85,000 for the same periods in the prior year, respectively.

Total other noninterest expenses decreased to $4.7 million or by 19.9% in the third quarter of 2011 when compared to 2010 and decreased to $15.1 million or by 13.9% for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011.  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 73.7% for the third quarter of 2011 compared to 84.6% in the third quarter 2010 and 74.6% for the first nine months of 2011 compared to 81.2% in 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial recorded income tax benefit of $17.0 million and $16.7 million, respectively, as a result of the reversal of the beginning of year valuation allowance.  Pinnacle Financial's effective tax rate differs from the Federal income tax statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the reversal. Pursuant to ASC 740, Income Taxes, at September 30, 2011, we have a remaining valuation allowance of $1.4 million recorded against its net deferred tax asset that will be released during the fourth quarter of 2011 to achieve a consistent effective tax rate of zero for all of 2011. Beginning in 2012, we expect our effective tax rate to range between 29% and 32%.

Preferred stock dividends and preferred stock discount accretion.  Net income (loss) available for common stockholders was reduced by $1.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively, in each of the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 for preferred stock dividends.  Accretion on preferred stock discount associated with the preferred securities of $350,000 and $328,000 was reflected for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $983,000 and $992,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 
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Financial Condition

Our consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 reflects an increase in total loans outstanding to $3.241 billion at September 30, 2011 compared to $3.212 billion at December 31, 2010. Total deposits decreased by $120.4 million between December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2011.  Total assets were $4.87 billion at September 30, 2011 compared to $4.91 billion at December 31, 2010.

Loans.  The composition of loans at September 30, 2011 and at December 31, 2010 and the percentage (%) of each classification to total loans are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):

   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 1,087,333       33.5 %   $ 1,094,615       34.1 %
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    711,994       22.0 %     705,487       22.0 %
Construction and land development
    278,660       8.6 %     331,261       10.3 %
Commercial and industrial
    1,095,037       33.8 %     1,012,091       31.5 %
Consumer and other
    68,125       2.1 %     68,986       2.1 %
Total loans
  $ 3,241,149       100.0 %   $ 3,212,440       100.0 %

The primary changes within the composition of our loan portfolio at September 30, 2011 as compared to December 31, 2010 are the reduced percentage of the construction and land development loans and the increased percentage of the commercial and industrial loans in our portfolio.  The decrease in the construction and land development loans is primarily due to our decision to reduce our exposure to this particular segment.  Our continued reduction of these type loans will likely restrain our loan growth in the future in comparison to historical periods.  The increase in the commercial and industrial loans is primarily due to an increase in loan demand specifically in this loan segment. The commercial real estate – mortgage category includes owner-occupied commercial real estate loans.  At September 30, 2011, approximately 51% of the outstanding principal balance of our commercial real estate mortgage loans was secured by owner-occupied properties. 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.

The following table classifies our fixed and variable rate loans at September 30, 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 (dollars in thousands):

   
Amounts at September 30, 2011
   
Percentage
 
   
Fixed
   
Variable
         
At September 30,
   
At December 31,
 
   
Rates
   
Rates
   
Totals
   
2011
   
2010
 
Based on contractual maturity:
                             
Due within one year
  $ 217,653     $ 731,758     $ 949,411       29.3 %     35.7 %
Due in one year to five years
    696,720       767,036       1,463,756       45.2 %     47.1 %
Due after five years
    242,899       585,083       827,982       25.5 %     21.3 %
Totals
  $ 1,157,272     $ 2,083,877     $ 3,241,149       100.0 %     100.0 %
                                         
Based on contractual repricing dates:
                                       
Daily floating rate (*)
  $ -     $ 1,069,889     $ 1,069,889       33.0 %     36.6 %
Due within one year
    217,653       818,354       1,036,007       32.0 %     30.3 %
Due in one year to five years
    696,720       186,746       883,466       27.2 %     30.3 %
Due after five years
    242,899       8,887       251,787       7.8 %     2.8 %
Totals
  $ 1,157,272     $ 2,083,877     $ 3,241,149       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.  Interest rate floors are currently in effect on approximately $866 million of our daily floating rate loan portfolio and on approximately $476 million of the variable rate loan portfolio at varying maturities.  The weighted average rate of the floors for the daily floating rate portfolio is 4.94% and the weighted average rate of the floors for the remaining variable rate portfolio is 4.46%.  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 industry.  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 September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (dollars in thousands):


   
At September 30, 2011
       
   
Outstanding Principal Balances
   
Unfunded Commitments
   
Total exposure
   
Total Exposure at December 31, 2010
 
                         
Lessors of nonresidential buildings
  $ 436,819     $ 52,176     $ 488,995     $ 502,268  
Lessors of residential buildings
    152,935       24,297       177,232       132,668  
Land subdividers
    110,473       16,532       127,005       144,550  

We also acquire certain loans from other banks.  At September 30, 2011, we had acquired approximately $136.7 million of commercial loans from 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.

Performing Loans in Past Due Status.  The following table is a summary of our performing loans that were past due at least 30 days but less than 89 days and 90 days or more past due as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
Performing loans past due 30 to 89 days:
 
2011
   
2010
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 1,516     $ 1,964  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    3,318       3,544  
Construction and land development
    396       2,157  
Commercial and industrial
    1,534       1,636  
Consumer and other
    438       152  
Total performing loans past due 30 to 89 days
  $ 7,202     $ 9,453  
                 
Performing loans past due 90 days or more:
               
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ -     $ -  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    991       -  
Construction and land development
    -       38  
Commercial and industrial
    920       100  
Consumer and other
    -       -  
Total performing loans past due 90 days or more
  $ 1,911     $ 138  
                 
Ratios:
               
Performing loans past due 30 to 89 days as a percentage of total loans
    0.22 %     0.29 %
Performing loans past due 90 days or more as a percentage of total loans
    0.06 %     0.01 %
Total performing loans in past due status as a percentage of total loans
    0.28 %     0.30 %

Potential Problem Loans. Potential problem loans, which are not included in nonperforming assets, amounted to approximately $131.0 million or 4.0% of total loans at September 30, 2011 compared to $223.1 million or 7.0% of total loans 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, excluding the impact of substandard nonaccrual loans and substandard troubled debt restructurings.  Troubled debt restructurings are not included in potential problem loans.   The decrease in potential problem loans from December 31, 2010 was caused primarily by upgrades in the commercial and industrial and residential construction loans category.
 
Non-Performing Assets and Troubled Debt Restructurings.  At September 30, 2011, we had $100.1 million in nonperforming assets compared to $140.5 million at December 31, 2010.  Included in nonperforming assets were $54.6 million in nonperforming loans and $45.5 million in other real estate owned at September 30, 2011 and $80.9 million in nonperforming loans and $59.6 million in other real estate assets at December 31, 2010.   At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were $18.2 million and $20.5 million, respectively, of troubled debt restructurings that were performing as of the restructured date and remain in a performing status.
 
 
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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 maintain current appraisals on nonperforming real estate loans and OREO with a maximum age of 9 months.

All nonaccruing loans are reviewed by and, in many cases, reassigned to a special assets officer that was not the individual responsible for originating the loan.  If the loan is reassigned, the special assets officer is responsible for developing an action plan designed to minimize any future losses that may accrue to us.  Typically, these special assets officers review our loan files, interview past loan 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 foreclosure, 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.  If on nonaccruing status as of the date of restructuring, the loans are included in the nonperforming loan balances noted above and are classified as impaired loans.  Not included in nonperforming loans are loans that have been restructured that were performing as of the restructure date.  At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were $18.2 million and $20.5 million, respectively, of troubled debt restructurings that remain in a performing status.

The following table is a summary of our nonperforming assets and troubled debt restructurings at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

   
At
December 31,
2010
   
Increases (3)
   
Decreases (4)
   
At
September 30,
2011
 
Nonperforming assets:
                       
Nonperforming loans (1):
                       
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 12,542       12,885       16,136     $ 9,291  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    9,035       15,571       13,476       11,130  
Construction and land development
    43,514       14,294       36,406       21,402  
Commercial and industrial
    14,740       17,765       20,285       12,220  
Consumer and other
    1,032       825       1,260       597  
Total nonperforming loans (2)
    80,863       61,340       87,563       54,640  
Other real estate owned
    59,608       26,025       40,133       45,500  
Total nonperforming assets
    140,471       87,365       127,696       100,140  
Troubled debt restructurings:
                               
Commercial real estate – mortgage
    16,129       26       4,267       11,888  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    561       3,156       564       3,153  
Construction and land development
    -       -       -       -  
Commercial and industrial
    3,778       3,145       3,779       3,146  
Consumer and other
    -       -       -       -  
Total troubled debt restructurings:
    20,468       6,327       8,608       18,187  
Total nonperforming assets and troubled debt restructurings
  $ 160,939       93,692       136,304     $ 118,327  
                                 
Ratios:
                               
Nonperforming loans to total loans
    2.52 %                     1.69 %
Nonperforming assets to total loans plus other real estate owned
    4.29 %                     3.05 %
Nonperforming loans plus troubled debt restructurings to total loans and other real estate owned
    3.10 %                     2.22 %
Nonperforming assets, potential problem loans and troubled debt restructurings to Pinnacle National Tier I capital and allowance for loan losses
    75.4 %                     46.5 %
 
 
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(1)
Nonperforming loans exclude loans that have been restructured and remain on accruing status.  These loans are not considered to be nonperforming because 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 September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, of nonperforming loans included above are currently performing pursuant to their contractual terms.
(3)
Increases in nonperforming loans are attributable to loans where we have discontinued the accrual of interest at some point during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  Increases in other real estate owned represent the value of properties that have been foreclosed upon during the first three quarters of 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 nine months ended September 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2011.  Decreases in other real estate owned represent either the sale, disposition or valuation adjustment on properties which had previously been foreclosed upon.  Decreases in troubled debt restructurings are those loans which were previously restructured whereby the borrower has satisfactorily performed in accordance with the restructured terms.
 
At September 30, 2011, we owned $45.5 million in real estate which we had acquired (usually through foreclosure) from borrowers, compared to $59.6 million at December 31, 2010, all of which is located within our principal markets.  We segment our other real estate owned into four categories: 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 classification of our other real estate owned (dollars in thousands):

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
New home construction
  $ 7,520     $ 10,370  
Developed lots
    4,827       14,037  
Undeveloped land
    24,348       18,675  
Other
    8,805       16,526  
    $ 45,500     $ 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 September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, our allowance for loan losses was $74.9 million and $82.6 million, respectively, which our management deemed to be adequate at each of the respective dates.  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 September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and the percentage of loans in each category to total loans (dollars in thousands):
             
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
Commercial real estate - mortgage
  $ 20,788       33.5 %   $ 19,252       34.1 %
Consumer real estate - mortgage
    10,274       22.0 %     9,898       22.0 %
Construction and land development
    12,714       8.6 %     19,122       10.3 %
Commercial and industrial
    21,095       33.8 %     21,426       31.5 %
Consumer and other
    1,181       2.1 %     1,874       2.1 %
Unallocated
    8,819    
NA
      11,003    
NA
 
Total allowance for loan losses
  $ 74,871       100.0 %   $ 82,575       100.0 %

 
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The following is a summary of changes in the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans as of the end of each period (dollars in thousands):

   
Nine months ended
September 30, 2011
   
Year ended
December 31, 2010
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 82,575     $ 91,959  
Provision for loan losses
    16,359       53,695  
Charged-off loans:
               
Commercial real estate – mortgage
    (2,735 )     (9,041 )
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    (4,275 )     (6,769 )
Construction and land development
    (6,861 )     (27,526 )
Commercial and industrial
    (12,367 )     (23,555 )
Consumer and other loans
    (963 )     (652 )
Total charged-off loans
    (27,201 )     (67,543 )
Recoveries of previously charged-off loans:
               
Commercial real estate – mortgage
    118       343  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    401       377  
Construction and land development
    1,286       2,618  
Commercial and industrial
    1,219       874  
Consumer and other loans
    114       252  
Total recoveries of previously charged-off loans
    3,138       4,464  
Net charge-offs
    (24,063 )     (63,079 )
Balance at end of period
  $ 74,871     $ 82,575  
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans outstanding at end of period
    2.31 %     2.57 %
Ratio of net charge-offs to average total loans by category (1)
               
Commercial real estate – mortgage
    0.32 %     0.79 %
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    0.73 %     0.87 %
Construction and land development
    2.49 %     5.82 %
Commercial and industrial
    1.41 %     2.18 %
Consumer and other loans
    1.66 %     0.50 %
Ratio of net charge-offs to average total loans outstanding for the period (1)
    1.00 %     1.96 %

 
(1)
Net charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 have been annualized.

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, 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 $940 million and $1.0 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 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 our investment portfolio at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 follows:

   
September 30,
2011
   
December 31,
2010
 
Weighted average life
    4.19       4.09  
Effective duration
    2.73       3.74  
Weighted average coupon
    4.29 %     4.36 %
Tax equivalent yield
    3.54 %     3.75 %

Deposits and Other Borrowings. We had approximately $3.71 billion of deposits at September 30, 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 securities under agreements to repurchase the security the following day.  These agreements (which are typically associated with comprehensive treasury management programs for our clients and provide them with short-term returns for their excess funds) amounted to $129.0 million at September 30, 2011 and $146.3 million at December 31, 2010.   Additionally, at September 30, 2011, we had borrowed $161.1 million in advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati compared to $121.4 million at December 31, 2010.
At September 30, 2011, Pinnacle National also has approximately $94.0 million in availability with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati.
 
 
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Generally, we have classified our funding base as either 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.  The following table represents the balances of our deposits and other fundings and the percentage of each type to the total at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (dollars in thousands):

   
September 30,
         
December 31,
       
   
2011
   
Percent
   
2010
   
Percent
 
Core funding:
                       
Noninterest-bearing deposit accounts
  $ 722,694       17.6 %   $ 586,517       14.0 %
Interest-bearing demand accounts
    577,683       14.1 %     573,670       13.7 %
Savings and money market accounts
    1,554,859       37.9 %     1,596,306       38.0 %
Time deposit accounts less than $250,000 (1)
    533,456       13.01 %     669,078       15.9 %
Total core funding
    3,388,692       82.6 %     3,425,571       81.6 %
Non-core funding:
                               
Relationship based non-core funding:
                               
Reciprocating time deposits (2)
    115,669       2.8 %     188,510       4.5 %
Other time deposits greater than $250,000
    133,789       3.3 %     204,747       4.9 %
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    128,954       3.2 %     146,294       3.5 %
Total relationship based non-core funding
    378,412       9.2 %     539,551       12.9 %
Wholesale funding:
                               
Public fund time deposits
    75,000       1.8 %     -       0.0 %
Brokered deposits
    -       0.0 %     14,229       0.3 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    161,106       3.9 %     121,393       2.9 %
Subordinated debt – Pinnacle National
    15,000       0.4 %     15,000       0.4 %
Subordinated debt – Pinnacle Financial
    82,476       2.0 %     82,476       1.9 %
Total wholesale funding
    333,582       8.1 %     233,098       5.5 %
Total non-core funding
    711,994       17.4 %     772,649       18.4 %
Totals
  $ 4,100,686       100.0 %   $ 4,198,220       100.0 %

 
(1)
As of September 30, 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 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 September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 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 82.6% at September 30, 2011.  Continuing to grow our core deposit base is a key strategic objective of our firm.

The amount of time deposits as of September 30, 2011 amounted to $857.4 million.  The following table shows our time deposits, including brokered time deposits, in denominations of $250,000 and less and those of denominations greater than $250,000 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 (dollars in thousands):

 
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Balances
   
Weighted Avg. Rate
 
Denominations $250,000 and less
           
Three months or less
  $ 216,185       0.93 %
Over three but less than six months
    167,644       1.15 %
Over six but less than twelve months
    172,007       1.16 %
Over twelve months
    95,454       1.93 %
      651,290       1.19 %
Denomination greater than $250,000
               
Three months or less
    120,249       1.74 %
Over three but less than six months
    30,445       1.69 %
Over six but less than twelve months
    32,807       1.34 %
Over twelve months
    22,623       1.98 %
      206,124       1.69 %
Totals
  $ 857,414       1.31 %

Subordinated debt and other borrowings.  On December 29, 2003, we established PNFP Statutory Trust I; on September 15, 2005 we established PNFP Statutory Trust II; on September 7, 2006 we established PNFP Statutory Trust III and on October 31, 2007 we established PNFP Statutory Trust IV (Trust I; Trust II; Trust III, Trust IV or collectively, the Trusts).  All are 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 for $310,000; $619,000; $619,000, and $928,000, respectively.  The Trusts were created for the exclusive purpose of issuing 30-year capital trust preferred securities (Trust Preferred Securities) in the aggregate amount of $10,000,000 for Trust I;  $20,000,000 for Trust II; $20,000,000 for Trust III, and $30,000,000 for Trust IV and using the proceeds to acquire junior subordinated debentures (Subordinated Debentures) issued by Pinnacle Financial.  The sole assets of the Trusts are the Subordinated Debentures.  At September 30, 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.
 
The Trust I Preferred Securities bear a floating interest rate based on a spread over 3-month LIBOR (3.150% at September 30, 2011) which is set each quarter and matures on December 30, 2033.  The Trust II Preferred Securities bear a floating interest rate based on a spread over 3-month LIBOR (1.769% at September 30, 2011) which is set each quarter and matures on September 30, 2035.  The Trust III Preferred Securities bear a floating interest rate based on a spread over 3-month LIBOR (2.019% at September 30, 2011) which is set each quarter and matures on September 30, 2036.  The Trust IV Preferred Securities bear a floating interest rate based on a spread over 3-month LIBOR (3.197% at September 30, 2011) which is set each quarter and matures on September 30, 2037. 

Distributions are payable quarterly.  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 (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 on or after September 17, 2008 for Trust I; on or after September 30, 2010 for Trust II; September 30, 2011 for Trust III and September 30, 2012 for Trust IV.  The Trust Preferred Securities may also be redeemed at any time subject to the CPP restrictions 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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The Trust Preferred Securities for the Trusts qualify as Tier I capital under current regulatory definitions subject to certain limitations.  That treatment is expected to continue under the Dodd Frank Act.  Debt issuance costs associated with Trust I of $37,500 consisting primarily of underwriting discounts and professional fees are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.  These debt issuance costs are being amortized over ten years using the straight-line method.  There were no debt issuance costs associated with Trust II, Trust III or Trust IV.

On August 5, 2008, Pinnacle National also 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 September 30, 2011, $9.0 million qualified as Tier II capital for regulatory capital purposes.  The portion that qualifies as Tier II capital will decrease by $3 million at August 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Capital Resources.  At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, our stockholders’ equity amounted to $724.4 million and $677.5 million, respectively, an increase of approximately $46.9 million.  Substantially all of this increase is attributable to our comprehensive net income in the first three quarters of 2011.

In the first quarter of 2010, Pinnacle National agreed to an OCC requirement to maintain a minimum Tier 1 capital to average assets (leverage) ratio, of 8% and a minimum total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 12%. At September 30, 2011, Pinnacle National’s Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 12.3%, our total risk-based capital ratio was 13.8% and our leverage ratio was 10.2% compared to 11.8%, 13.4% and 9.2% at December 31, 2010, respectively.

At September 30, 2011, Pinnacle Financial’s Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 14.4%, total risk-based capital ratio was 15.9% and its leverage ratio was 11.9% 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. However, given the losses experienced by Pinnacle National during 2009 and 2010, Pinnacle National may not, without the prior approval of the OCC, pay any dividends to Pinnacle Financial until such time that current year profits exceed the net losses and dividends of the prior two years. Generally, federal regulatory policy discourages payment of holding company or bank dividends if the holding company or its subsidiaries are experiencing losses.  Accordingly, until such time as it may receive dividends from Pinnacle National, Pinnacle Financial anticipates servicing its preferred stock dividend and subordinated indebtedness requirements from its available cash balances which totaled approximately $62 million as of September 30, 2011.  Pinnacle Financial has informally agreed to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Bank before making such dividend and subordinated debt payments.  To date all such quarterly payments have been approved by the Federal Reserve Bank.

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

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.
 
 
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·
Earnings simulation model. We believe that interest rate risk is best measured by our earnings simulation modeling.  Forecasted levels of 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 300 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 September 30, 2011, our model results indicated that we were in compliance with the policies noted above at September 30, 2011 and that our balance sheet is slightly liability-sensitive. Liability-sensitivity implies that our liabilities will reprice faster than our assets.  Absent any other asset liability strategies, an interest rate increase could cause a short-term slow-down in the advancement of our net interest margin. This liability sensitivity is primarily attributable to the increase in loan rate floors that will remain constant during the initial stages of rising rates.  We continue to seek opportunities to reduce the cost of funds in our certificate of deposit portfolio thus helping to increase the short and mid range net interest margin forecast.  Deposit rates for our core deposit base are difficult to lower as we have achieved, for many deposit products, embedded floors, which basically means that we either are near a zero interest rate level or competitive pressures do not allow for meaningful decreases.
 
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.
 
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.  Beginning in 2007, we entered 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 September 30, 2011 and 2010, we had not entered into any derivative contracts to assist in 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.
 
 
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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 receives 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.   Additionally, Pinnacle Financial recognized a discount on FHLB advances in conjunction with previous acquisitions.  The remaining discount was $338,000 and $406,000 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  Under the borrowing agreements with the FHLB, Pinnacle National has pledged certain qualifying residential mortgage loans and, pursuant to a blanket lien, all qualifying commercial mortgage loans as collateral.  At September 30, 2011, Pinnacle National had received advances from the FHLB totaling $160.8 million at the following rates and maturities (dollars in thousands):
 
   
Amount
   
Interest Rates(1)
 
2012
  $ 50,000       0.14 %
2013
    -    
NA
 
2014
    75,000       1.86 %
2015
    -    
NA
 
Thereafter
    35,768       2.03 %
Total
  $ 160,768          
Weighted average interest rate
            1.37 %

 
(1)
Some FHLB advances include variable interest rates and could increase in the future.  The table reflects the rates in effect as of September 30, 2011.
         
Pinnacle National also has accommodations with upstream correspondent banks for unsecured short-term advances which aggregates $110 million.  These accommodations have various covenants related to their term and availability, and in most cases must be repaid within less than a month.  There were no outstanding borrowings under these agreements at September 30, 2011, or during the quarter then ended under such agreements.  Pinnacle National also has approximately $840 million in available Federal Reserve discount window lines.

At September 30, 2011, and excluding any reciprocating time deposits issued through the CDARS network, we had no brokered certificates of deposit compared to $14.2 million at December 31, 2010.  Historically, we have issued brokered certificates through several different brokerage houses based on competitive bid.  Typically, these funds have been for varying maturities of up to two years and were issued at rates which were competitive to rates we would be required to pay to attract similar deposits within our local markets as well as rates for FHLB advances of similar maturities.  Although we consider these deposits to be a ready source of liquidity under current market conditions, we began to reduce our reliance on these deposits throughout 2010 and the first three quarters of 2011 and anticipate that these deposits will represent an insignificant percentage of our total funding in 2011 as we seek to maintain a higher level of core deposits.

At September 30, 2011, we had no significant commitments for capital expenditures.  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.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.  At September 30, 2011, we had outstanding standby letters of credit of $82.4 million and unfunded loan commitments outstanding of $839.2 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 on a short-term basis to borrow and purchase Federal funds from other financial institutions.
 
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.
 
 
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 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.

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.

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.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information required by this Item 3 is included on pages 50 through 52 of Part I - Item 2 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

ITEM 4.  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.

Changes in Internal Controls

There were no changes in Pinnacle Financial’s internal control over financial reporting during Pinnacle Financial’s fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Pinnacle Financial’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or of which any of their property is the subject.
 
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
 
Investing in Pinnacle Financial involves various risks which are particular to our company, our industry and our market area. We believe all significant risks to investors in Pinnacle Financial have been outlined in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and in Part II, Item 1A, of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. However, other risks may prove to be important in the future, and new risks may emerge at any time. We cannot predict with certainty all potential developments which could materially affect our financial performance or condition.  There has been no material change to our risk factors as previously disclosed in the above described Reports.
 
ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
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
 
July 1, 2011 to July 31, 2011
    -       -       -       -  
August 1, 2011 to August 30, 2011
    1,973     $ 11.82       -       -  
September 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011
    -       -       -       -  
Total
    1,973     $ 11.82       -       -  

  (1) 
  During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, 9,330 shares of restricted stock previously awarded to certain of our associates vested.  We withheld 1,973 shares to satisfy tax withholding requirements for these associates.
 
ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
Not applicable
 
ITEM 4.  (REMOVED AND RESERVED)
 
 
ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION
 
None
 
ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS
 
 
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
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
101.SCH
XBRL Schema Document
 
101.CAL
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
 
101.LAB
XBRL Label Linkbase Document
 
101.PRE
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
 
101.DEF
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document

 
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SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
    PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC.  
       
October 31, 2011
  /s/ M. Terry Turner
    M. Terry Turner
    President and Chief Executive Officer
       
October 31, 2011   /s/ Harold R. Carpenter
    Harold R. Carpenter
    Chief Financial Officer
 
 
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