pfbi10q03312008.htm



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

FORM 10-Q

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

 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008

 
or

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

 
For the transition period from ___________ to ___________

 
Commission file number 0-20908

 
PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Kentucky
 
61-1206757
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
2883 Fifth Avenue
Huntington, West Virginia
 
 
25702
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number    (304) 525-1600

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 filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the 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  o.
   Non-accelerated filer  o
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act).  Yeso     No þ.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date.

Common stock, no par value, – 6,392,772 shares outstanding at May 1, 2008


PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
MARCH 31, 2008
INDEX TO REPORT


 
3
22
29
29
31
31
31
31
31
31
31
31
32



PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
MARCH 31, 2008


PART I  - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

The accompanying information has not been audited by independent public accountants; however, in the opinion of management such information reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim period.  All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature.  Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc.’s (“Premier’s”) accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Certain accounting principles used by Premier involve a significant amount of judgment about future events and require the use of estimates in their application.  The following policies are particularly sensitive in terms of judgments and the extent to which estimates are used: allowance for loan losses, the identification and evaluation of impaired loans, the impairment of goodwill, the realization of deferred tax assets and stock based compensation disclosures.  These estimates are based on assumptions that may involve significant uncertainty at the time of their use.  However, the policies, the estimates and the estimation process as well as the resulting disclosures are periodically reviewed by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and material estimates are subject to review as part of the external audit by the independent public accountants.

The accompanying financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all of the disclosures normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America or those normally made in the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K.  Accordingly, the reader of the Form 10-Q may wish to refer to the registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 for further information in this regard.

Index to consolidated financial statements:

4
5
6
7
9









PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
MARCH 31, 2008 AND DECEMBER 31, 2007
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


   
(UNAUDITED)
     
   
2008
   
2007
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and due from banks
  $ 19,755     $ 22,365  
Federal funds sold
    37,305       32,035  
    144,541       124,242  
Loans held for sale
    3,418       1,891  
    335,947       346,570  
    (6,407 )     (6,497 )
Net loans
    329,540       340,073  
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock
    3,338       3,314  
Premises and equipment, net
    6,412       6,200  
Real estate and other property acquired through foreclosure
    354       174  
Interest receivable
    2,851       2,768  
Goodwill
    15,816       15,816  
Other assets
    438       377  
Total assets
  $ 563,768     $ 549,255  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Deposits
               
Non-interest bearing
  $ 75,191     $ 75,271  
Time deposits, $100,000 and over
    54,902       55,345  
Other interest bearing
    334,186       318,417  
Total deposits
    464,279       449,033  
Federal funds purchased
    -       392  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    12,726       12,477  
    4,798       4,843  
    8,041       8,412  
Interest payable
    1,041       1,064  
Other liabilities
    3,094       5,645  
Total liabilities
    493,979       481,866  
                 
               
Preferred stock, no par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized;
               
none issued or outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized;
               
5,237,899 shares issued and outstanding
    1,109       1,109  
Additional paid in capital
    43,789       43,763  
Retained earnings
    23,694       22,444  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,197       73  
Total stockholders' equity
    69,789       67,389  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 563,768     $ 549,255  



PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Interest income
           
Loans, including fees
  $ 6,553     $ 6,764  
Securities available for sale
               
Taxable
    1,530       1,296  
Tax-exempt
    36       39  
Federal funds sold and other
    308       513  
Total interest income
    8,427       8,612  
                 
Interest expense
               
Deposits
    2,588       2,670  
Repurchase agreements and other
    53       79  
FHLB advances and other borrowings
    192       352  
Total interest expense
    2,833       3,101  
                 
Net interest income
    5,594       5,511  
Provision for loan losses
    (135 )     36  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    5,729       5,475  
                 
Non-interest income
               
Service charges on deposit accounts
    638       633  
Electronic banking income
    163       137  
Secondary market mortgage income
    161       135  
Life insurance benefit
    -       212  
Other
    104       129  
      1,066       1,246  
Non-interest expenses
               
Salaries and employee benefits
    2,225       2,334  
Occupancy and equipment expenses
    500       505  
Outside data processing
    584       526  
Professional fees
    179       78  
Taxes, other than payroll, property and income
    154       153  
Write-downs, expenses, sales of
other real estate owned, net
    10       1  
Supplies
    82       75  
Other expenses
    388       476  
      4,122       4,148  
Income before income taxes
    2,673       2,573  
Provision for income taxes
    899       787  
                 
Net income
  $ 1,774     $ 1,786  
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
               
Basic
    5,238       5,237  
Diluted
    5,253       5,264  
                 
Net income per share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.34     $ 0.34  
Diluted
    0.34       0.34  

PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net income
  $ 1,774     $ 1,786  
                 
Other comprehensive income:
               
Unrealized gains arising during the period
    1,703       570  
Reclassification of realized amount
    -       -  
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities
    1,703       570  
Less tax impact
    579       194  
Other comprehensive income:
    1,124       376  
                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 2,898     $ 2,162  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows from operating activities
           
Net income
  $ 1,774     $ 1,786  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities
               
Depreciation
    189       198  
Provision for loan losses
    (135 )     36  
Amortization (accretion), net
    (7 )     (10 )
FHLB stock dividends
    (33 )     -  
OREO writedowns (gains on sales), net
    5       (3 )
    26       36  
Loans originated for sale
    (7,020 )     (6,177 )
Secondary market loans sold
    5,654       6,286  
Secondary market income
    (161 )     (135 )
Changes in :
               
Interest receivable
    (83 )     11  
Other assets
    (61 )     364  
Interest payable
    (23 )     (5 )
Other liabilities
    370       (598 )
Net cash from operating activities
    495       1,789  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities
               
Purchases of securities available for sale
    (44,059 )     (13,127 )
Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities available for sale
    21,970       14,721  
Redemption of FHLB  stock, (net of purchases)
    9       (21 )
Net change in federal funds sold
    (5,270 )     (19,487 )
Net change in loans
    10,483       2,183  
Purchases of premises and equipment, net
    (401 )     (114 )
Proceeds from sale of other real estate acquired through foreclosure
    -       66  
Net cash from investing activities
    (17,268 )     (15,779 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities
               
Net change in deposits
    15,246       16,207  
Cash dividends paid
    (524 )     (524 )
Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    (45 )     (2,226 )
Repayment of other borrowed funds
    (371 )     (840 )
Net change in federal funds purchased
    (392 )     (976 )
Net change in agreements to repurchase securities
    249       1,117  
Net cash from financing activities
    14,163       12,758  
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (2,610 )     (1,232 )
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    22,365       16,974  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 19,755     $ 15,742  


(continued)
7

PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008AND 2007
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


   
2008
   
2007
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
           
Cash paid during period for interest
  $ 2,856     $ 3,106  
                 
Loans transferred to real estate acquired through foreclosure
    185       187  
                 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE  1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc. (the Company) and its wholly owned subsidiaries:

             
March 31, 2008
 
   
Year
 
Total
   
Net Income
 
Subsidiary                               
Location                      
Acquired
 
Assets
   
Qtr
 
Citizens Deposit Bank & Trust
Vanceburg, Kentucky
1991
  $ 126,654     $ 445  
Farmers Deposit Bank
Eminence, Kentucky
1996
    72,646       270  
Ohio River Bank
Ironton, Ohio
1998
    90,009       288  
First Central Bank, Inc.
Philippi, West Virginia
1998
    112,578       336  
Boone County Bank, Inc.
Madison, West Virginia
1998
    163,060       548  
Mt. Vernon Financial Holdings, Inc.
Huntington, West Virginia
1999
            200  
Parent and Intercompany Eliminations
        (986 )     (298 )
  Consolidated Total
      $ 549,803     $ 1,786  

All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.  The standard provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities.  The new standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2008.  The Company did not elect the fair value option for any financial assets or financial liabilities as of January 1, 2008.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements.  This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  This Statement establishes a fair value hierarchy about the assumptions used to measure fair value and clarifies assumptions about risk and the effect of a restriction on the sale or use of an asset.  The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157.  This FSP delays the effective date of FAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The impact of adoption was not material.  See Note 9 for additional information on Premier’s measurement of fair value.

In November 2007, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 109 (SAB 109), “Written Loan Commitments Recorded at Fair Value Through Earnings.”  SAB 109 supercedes SAB 105, “Application of Accounting Principles to Loan Commitments,” and indicates that the expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of the loan should be included in the measurement of all written loan commitments that are accounted for at fair value through earnings.  The guidance in SAB 109 is applied on a prospective basis to derivative loan commitments issued or modified in fiscal quarters beginning after December 15, 2007.  SAB 109 was adopted January 1, 2008 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operation.

PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE  1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION – continued

In September 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue 06-4, “Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements” was ratified.  This EITF addresses accounting for an arrangement which splits life insurance benefits between an employer and employee.  The Issue requires the employer to recognize a liability for future benefits payable to the employee under this arrangement.  The effects of applying this Issue must be recognized as either a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect adjustment to stockholders’ equity or through the retrospective application to all prior periods.   The Issue is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007.  The Company currently does not have Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements- an amendment of ARB No. 51.”  SFAS No. 160 improves the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information that an entity provides in its consolidated financial statements by establishing accounting and reporting standards for a noncontrolling interest or minority interest, the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent.  The Company currently does not have any noncontrolling interests in its subsidiaries.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007) (R), “Business Combinations.”  SFAS No. 141 (R) improves the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of the financial information that an entity provides in its financial reports regarding business combinations and its effects.

SFAS No. 160 and SFAS No. 141 (R) are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2008.  The Company is currently reviewing the applications of SFAS No. 160 and SFAS No. 141 (R).

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.”  SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and improves the transparency of financial reporting.  SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with earlier application encouraged.  The Company currently does not engage in hedging activities and is reviewing the applications of SFAS No. 161.


PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE  2 –SECURITIES

Amortized cost and fair value of investment securities, by category, at March 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:
   
Amortized Cost
   
Unrealized Gains
   
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
 
Available for sale
                       
U. S. Treasury securities
  $ 4,482     $ 204     $ -     $ 4,686  
U. S. agency securities
    90,158       1,151       (23 )     91,287  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    3,759       44       (3 )     3,799  
Mortgage-backed securities
    44,329       534       (94 )     44,769  
Total available for sale
  $ 142,728     $ 1,933     $ (120 )   $ 144,541  

Amortized cost and fair value of investment securities, by category, at December 31, 2007 are summarized as follows:
   
Amortized Cost
   
Unrealized Gains
   
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
 
Available for sale
                       
U. S. Treasury securities
  $ 5,477     $ 97     $ -     $ 5,574  
U. S. agency securities
    74,515       427       (83 )     74,859  
Obligations of states and political
subdivisions
    3,789       31       (4 )     3,816  
Mortgage-backed securities
    40,350       131       (488 )     39,993  
Total available for sale
  $ 124,131     $ 686     $ (575 )   $ 124,242  

Securities with unrealized losses at March 31, 2008 aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position are as follows:

   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
Description of Securities
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Loss
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Loss
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Loss
 
                                     
U.S. agency securities
  $ 5,214     $ (23 )   $ -     $ -     $ 5,214     $ (23 )
Obligations of states and
political subdivisions
    246       (3 )     -       -       246       (3 )
Gov’t guaranteed mortgage-
backed securities
    722       (2 )     3,789       (26 )     4,511       (28 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    8,969       (50 )     944       (16 )     9,913       (66 )
                                                 
Total temporarily impaired
  $ 15,151     $ (78 )   $ 4,733     $ (42 )   $ 19,884     $ (120 )


PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE  2–SECURITIES - continued

Securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2007 aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position are as follows:

   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
Description of Securities
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Loss
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Loss
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Loss
 
                                     
U.S. agency securities
  $ 1,997     $ (3 )   $ 24,712     $ (80 )   $ 26,709     $ (83 )
Obligations of states and
political subdivisions
    245       (3 )     210       (1 )     455       (4 )
Gov’t guaranteed mortgage-
backed securities
    -       -       11,019       (239 )     11,019       (239 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    4,404       (49 )     10,179       (200 )     14,583       (249 )
                                                 
Total temporarily impaired
  $ 6,646     $ (55 )   $ 46,120     $ (520 )   $ 52,766     $ (575 )

The investment portfolio is predominately high quality interest-bearing bonds with defined maturity dates backed by the U.S. Government or Government sponsored agencies.  The unrealized losses at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are price changes resulting from changes in the interest rate environment and are not considered to be other than temporary declines in the value of the securities.  Their fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach their maturity date and/or market conditions improve.


NOTE  3 – LOANS

Major classifications of loans at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are summarized as follows:
   
2007
   
2007
 
Commercial, secured by real estate
  $ 98,490     $ 100,278  
Commercial, other
    36,327       40,438  
Real estate construction
    22,137       24,035  
Residential real estate
    134,673       133,776  
Agricultural
    2,135       1,845  
Consumer and home equity
    39,861       41,893  
Other
    2,324       4,305  
    $ 335,947     $ 346,570  




PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE  3 – LOANS - continued

The following table sets forth information with respect to the Company’s impaired loans at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
   
2008
   
2007
 
Impaired loans at period end with an allowance
  $ 5,231     $ 4,761  
Impaired loan at period end with no allowance
    -       -  
Amount of allowance for loan losses allocated
    1,481       1,482  

The following table sets forth information with respect to the Company’s nonperforming loans at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
   
2008
   
2007
 
Non-accrual loans
  $ 2,882     $ 3,157  
Accruing loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more
    871       987  
Restructured loans
    1,731       1,489  
Total
  $ 5,484     $ 5,633  

NOTE  4 – ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 6,497     $ 6,661  
Gross charge-offs
    (79 )     (260 )
Recoveries
    124       139  
Provision for loan losses
    (135 )     36  
Balance, end of period
  $ 6,407     $ 6,576  



PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE  5 – FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES

The Banks own stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Cincinnati, Ohio and the FHLB of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvainia. This stock allows the Banks to borrow advances from the FHLB.

Advances from the FHLB at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:

   
2008
   
2007
 
Payments due at maturity in May 2010, fixed rate  at rates from 6.25% to 6.64%, averaging 6.5%
  $ 4,000     $ 4,000  
Payments due monthly with maturities from October 2011 to June 2012, fixed rates from 4.10% to 4.40%, averaging 4.27%
    798       843  
    $ 4,798     $ 4,843  

Advances are secured by the FHLB stock, certain pledged investment securities and substantially all single family first mortgage loans of the participating Banks.  Scheduled principal payments due on advances during the five years subsequent to March 31, 2008 are as follows:

2008 (remaining nine months)
  $ 140  
2009
    193  
2010
    4,201  
2011
    201  
2012
    63  
Thereafter
    -  
    $ 4,798  



PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE  6 –OTHER BORROWED FUNDS

On January 31, 2006, the Company executed and delivered to First Guaranty Bank of Hammond, Louisiana a Promissory Note and Business Loan Agreement dated January 31, 2006 for the principal amount of $7,000,000, bearing interest floating daily at the “Wall Street Journal” prime rate (currently 5.25%) and requiring monthly principal payments of $50,000 until maturity on September 28, 2017.  The note is secured by a pledge of Premier’s 100% interest in Boone County Bank (a wholly owned subsidiary) under Commercial Pledge Agreement dated January 31, 2006.  Premier’s chairman owns approximately 27.6% of the voting stock of First Guaranty Bank.  Premier’s board of directors reviewed the loan and authorized the Company to enter into the loan transaction.

On November 10, 2006, the Company executed and delivered to The Bankers’ Bank of Kentucky, Inc. of Frankfort, Kentucky (“Bankers’ Bank”) a Term Note and Business Loan Agreement dated November 10, 2006 in the principal amount of $6,500,000 bearing interest floating daily at the “Wall Street Journal” prime rate minus 1.00% (currently 4.25%) and requiring 83 monthly principal and interest payments of $100,000 and a final payment of any balance due at maturity on November 9, 2013. The note is secured by a pledge of Premier’s 100% interest in Citizens Deposit Bank and Trust, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary) and Premier’s 100% interest in Farmers-Deposit Bank, Eminence, Kentucky (a wholly owned subsidiary) under a Stock Pledge and Security Agreement dated November 10, 2006.

Scheduled principal payments due on the two bank borrowings subsequent to March 31, 2008 are as follows:

2008 (remaining nine months)
  $ 1,187  
2009
    1,620  
2010
    1,664  
2011
    1,710  
2012
    1,493  
Thereafter
    367  
    $ 8,041  

In addition to the $6,500,000 Term Note, Premier executed and delivered to the Bankers’ Bank a Promissory Note whereby Premier may request and receive monies from Bankers’ Bank from time to time, but the aggregate outstanding principal balance under the Promissory Note at any time shall not exceed $3,500,000 and the right to request and receive monies from Bankers’ Bank expires on November 9, 2008. The outstanding principal balance under this Promissory Note shall bear annual interest floating daily at the “Wall Street Journal” prime rate minus 1.00% (currently 4.25%). Interest on this Promissory Note shall be due and payable on the 5th day of each, January, April, July and October during the term of this Promissory Note, and at the maturity date hereof. Any outstanding principal amount loaned to Premier under this Promissory Note, and not previously repaid, shall be due on November 9, 2008.  The Promissory Note is secured by the same collateral as the $6,500,000 Term Note. At March 31, 2008, there was no outstanding principal balance on the Promissory Note.

PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE  7 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND REGULATORY MATTERS

The Company’s principal source of funds for dividend payments to shareholders is dividends received from the subsidiary Banks.  Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid without prior approval of regulatory agencies.  Under these regulations, the amount of dividends that may be paid in any calendar year is limited to the current year’s net profits, as defined, combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years, subject to the capital requirements and additional restrictions as discussed below.  During 2008, the Banks could, without prior approval, declare dividends of approximately $3.0 million plus any 2008 net profits retained to the date of the dividend declaration.

The Company and the subsidiary Banks are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the 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 Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Banks must meet specific guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.

These quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and Banks to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of Total and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier I capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes, as of March 31, 2008, that the Company and the Banks meet all quantitative capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

Shown below is a summary of regulatory capital ratios for the Company:
   
Mar 31,
2008
   
December 31,
2007
   
Regulatory
Minimum
Requirements
   
To Be Considered
Well Capitalized
 
Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
    16.7 %     16.1 %     4.0 %     6.0 %
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
    18.0 %     17.3 %     8.0 %     10.0 %
Tier I Capital (to Average Assets)
    9.9 %     9.8 %     4.0 %     5.0 %

As of March 31, 2008, the most recent notification from the FRB categorized the Company and its subsidiary Banks as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company must maintain minimum Total risk-based, Tier I risk-based and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the preceding table.  There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Company’s category.


PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE  8 – STOCK COMPENSATION EXPENSE

From time to time the Company grants stock options to its employees.  The Company accounts for these option grants using SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payments,” which establishes accounting requirements for share-based compensation to employees.  Under SFAS 123R, the Company estimates the fair value of the options at the time they are granted to employees and expenses that fair value over the vesting period of the option grant.

On February 20, 2008, 45,300 incentive stock options were granted out of the 2002 Plan at an exercise price of $12.92, the closing market price of Premier on the grant date.  These options vest in three equal annual installments ending on February 20, 2011.  On January 17, 2007, 37,000 incentive stock options were granted out of the 2002 Plan at an exercise price of $14.22.  These options vest in three equal annual installments ending on January 17, 2010.  On February 15, 2006, 35,250 incentive stock options were granted out of the 2002 Plan at an exercise price of $16.00.  These options vest in three equal annual installments ending on February 15, 2009.  On January 19, 2005, 35,000 incentive stock options were granted out of the 2002 Plan at an exercise price of $11.62.  These options vested in three equal annual installments and were fully vested on January 19, 2008.  On February 18, 2004, 28,200 incentive stock options were granted out of the 2002 Plan at an exercise price of $9.30.  These options vested in three equal annual installments and were fully vested on February 18, 2007.

The fair value of the Company's employee stock options granted is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. Additionally, there may be other factors that would otherwise have a significant effect on the value of employee stock options granted but are not considered by the model. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model are as follows

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Risk-free interest rate
    3.50 %     4.78 %     4.62 %
Expected option life (yrs)
    7.00       5.00       5.00  
Expected stock price volatility
    23.00 %     25.00 %     26.00 %
Dividend yield
    3.10 %     1.41 %     0.00 %
Weighted average fair value of
    options granted during the year
  $ 2.55     $ 3.81     $ 5.21  

The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of the grant.  The expected option life was estimated since there has been little option exercise history.  The expected stock price volatility is based on historical volatilities of the Company’s common stock.  The estimated dividend yield is the dividend yield at the time of the option grant.

PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE  8 – STOCK COMPENSATION EXPENSE - continued

Compensation expense of $26,000 was recorded for the first three months of 2008 while $37,000 was recorded for the first three months of 2007.  Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaled $160,000 at March 31, 2008. This unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized over the next 34 months based on the vesting periods of the options.

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information is presented below for the three months ended March 31:

   
- - - - - - 2008 - - - - - -
   
- - - - - - 2007 - - - - - -
 
         
Weighted
Average
Exercise
       
Weighted
Average
Exercise
 
   
Options
 
Price
   
Options
 
Price
 
Outstanding at beginning of year
    150,249   $ 12.65       120,248   $ 12.25  
Grants
    45,300     12.92       37,000     14.22  
Exercises
    -     -       -     -  
Forfeitures or expired
    -     -       -     -  
Outstanding at March 31,
    195,549   $ 12.71       157,248   $ 12.72  
                             
Exercisable at March 31,
    117,433             85,764        
Weighted average remaining life of options outstanding
    7.4             7.7        
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year
  $ 2.55           $ 3.81        

Additional information regarding stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2008, is provided in the following table:

     
- - - - - - - - Outstanding - - - - - - - -
   
- - - - - - - - Currently Exercisable - - - - - - - -
 
Range of Exercise Prices
   
Number
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
   
Number
   
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
 
                                             
$7.50 to $10.00       42,416     $ 8.69     $ 128       42,416       5.4     $ 8.69     $ 128  
$10.01 to $12.50
      31,833       11.62       3       31,833       6.8       11.62       3  
$12.51 to $15.00
      78,800       13.47       0       11,175       8.8       14.22       0  
$15.01 to $17.50
      42,500       16.13       0       32,900       5.4       16.17       0  
Outstanding - Mar 31, 2008
      195,549       12.71     $ 131       117,433       6.1       12.05     $ 131  
                                                           


PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE  9 – FAIR VALUE

Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement 157 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Statement 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

When possible, the Company looks to active and observable markets to price identical assets or liabilities. When identical assets and liabilities are not traded in active markets, the Company looks to observable market data for similar assets and liabilities. However, certain assets and liabilities are not traded in observable markets and the Company must use other valuation methods to develop a fair value.

Premier’s reported fair values of securities available for sale are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1 inputs) or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs).  The fair value of impaired loans is based on the fair value of the underlying collateral, which is estimated through third party appraisals or internal estimates of collateral values (Level 3 inputs).


PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE  9 – FAIR VALUE - continued

Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

         
Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2008 Using
 
   
March 31, 2008
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Assets:
                       
Available for sale securities
  $ 144,541     $ 4,686     $ 139,855     $ -  


Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Non-Recurring Basis

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below:

         
Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2008 Using
 
   
March 31, 2008
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Assets:
                       
Impaired Loans
  $ 3,750     $ -     $ -     $ 3,750  

Impaired loans, which are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a carrying amount of $5,231,000 with a valuation allowance of $1,481,000, resulting in a negative provision for loan losses of $1,000 for the period.

PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED, DOLLARS IN TABLES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE  10 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

At the close of business on April 30, 2008, the Company completed its acquisition of Citizens First Bank, Inc. (“Citizens First”) a $62 million bank headquartered in Ravenswood, West Virginia.  Under terms of the definitive agreement of merger dated October 24, 2007, each share of Citizens First common stock is entitled to merger consideration of $13.25 cash and 1.20 shares of Premier common stock.  Premier issued approximately 480,000 shares of its common stock and paid in total $5.3 million in cash to the shareholders of Citizens First.  The cash portion of the merger consideration was funded from cash on hand of Premier.  The value of the transaction is estimated at $11.7 million.

Also at the close of business on April 30, 2008, the Company completed its acquisition of Traders Bankshares, Inc. (“Traders”), a $108 million bank holding company headquartered in Spencer, West Virginia.  Under terms of the definitive agreement of merger dated November 27, 2007, each share of Traders common stock is entitled to merger consideration of $50.00 cash and 3.75 shares of Premier common stock.  Premier issued appoximately 675,000 shares of its common stock and paid in total $9.0 million in cash to the shareholders of Traders.  The cash portion of the merger consideration was funded by proceeds from a borrowing from First Guaranty Bank more fully described below.  The value of the transaction is estimated at $18.1 million.

On April 30, 2008, the Company executed and delivered to First Guaranty Bank a Promissory Note and Business Loan Agreement dated April 30, 2008 for the principal amount of $11,550,000, bearing interest generally floating daily at the “Wall Street Journal” prime rate (“the Index”) minus 1.00% and requiring 59 monthly principal payments of $50,000 and one final payment of $8.6 million due at maturity on April 30, 2013.  If the Index is between 5.00% and 6.00%, the interest on the note will be 5.00%.  If the Index falls below 5.00%, then the interest on the note will float with the Index.  The note is secured by a pledge of Premier’s 100% interest in Boone County Bank (a wholly owned subsidiary) under Commercial Pledge Agreement dated April 30, 2008.  The proceeds of this note were used to fund the $9,000,000 of cash needed to purchase Traders Bankshares, Inc. described above and to refinance the remaining $2,550,000 balance of Premier’s current outstanding note with First Guaranty Bank. Premier’s chairman owns approximately 27.6% of the voting stock of First Guaranty Bank.  Premier’s board of directors reviewed the loan and authorized the Company to enter into the loan transaction.


 
21

PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
MARCH 31, 2008

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis
   of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Management's discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future financial performance. However, such performance involves risks and uncertainties, and there are certain important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These important factors include, but are not limited to, economic conditions (both generally and more specifically in the markets in which Premier operates), competition for Premier's customers from other providers of financial services, government legislation and regulation (which changes from time to time), changes in interest rates, Premier's ability to originate quality loans, collect delinquent loans and attract and retain deposits, the impact of Premier's growth, Premier's ability to control costs, and new accounting pronouncements, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Premier.  The words “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “will,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “continue” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

A.         Results of Operations

A financial institution’s primary sources of revenue are generated by interest income on loans, investments and other earning assets, while its major expenses are produced by the funding of these assets with interest bearing liabilities.  Effective management of these sources and uses of funds is essential in attaining a financial institution’s optimal profitability while maintaining a minimum amount of interest rate risk and credit risk.

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $1,774,000, or $0.34 per share, compared to net income of $1,786,000, or $0.34 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The slight decrease in income reported for 2008 was primarily the result of a $212,000 decrease in non-recurring non-interest income, substantially offset by an increase in other types of non-interest income, an increase in net interest income and a $135,000 negative provision for loan losses.  The annualized returns on shareholders’ equity and average assets were approximately 10.20% and 1.28% for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to 11.57% and 1.31% for the same period in 2007.

Net interest income for the three months ending March 31, 2008 totaled $5.59 million, up $83,000 or 1.5% from the $5.51 million of net interest income earned in the first three months of 2007. Interest income in 2008 decreased by $185,000 or 2.1%. Interest income on loans decreased by $211,000, due to lower interest rates and a lower average volume of loans outstanding.  Interest earned on federal funds sold decreased by $210,000, due to lower yields earned, although there was a higher volume outstanding.  Interest earned on investments increased $234,000, however, due to higher average yields on an increased average volume of investments.  More than offsetting the decrease in interest income, interest expense decreased in total by $268,000 in 2008 compared to 2007.  Interest expense on deposits decreased by $82,000, largely due to lower rates paid, although on a slightly higher average balance outstanding.  Interest expense on repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings decreased $26,000, largely due to lower rates paid on a slightly smaller average balance.  Interest expense on FHLB advances and other borrowings decreased $160,000 due to accelerated principal payments made in 2007 on higher cost borrowings, and rate decreases on Premier’s variable rate borrowings at the parent.  The decreases in all sources of interest income and expense in 2008 are largely the result of the rapid decrease in market interest rates following the Federal Reserve Bank Board of Governors’ monetary policy changes in the first quarter.  The result has been a slight decrease in Premier’s net interest margin in the first three months of 2008 to 4.38% compared to 4.41% for the same period in 2007.

 
22

PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
MARCH 31, 2008
 
Additional information on Premier’s net interest income for the first quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2007 is contained in the following table.

PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
 
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
AND NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS
 
   
   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
 
   
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/Rate
   
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/Rate
 
Assets
                                   
Interest Earning Assets
                                   
Federal funds sold and other
  $ 39,118     $ 308       3.16 %   $ 38,991     $ 513       5.34 %
Securities available for sale
                                               
Taxable
    132,485       1,532       4.63       120,651       1,297       4.30  
Tax-exempt
    3,809       34       5.41       4,127       38       5.58  
Total investment securities
    136,294       1,566       4.65       124,778       1,335       4.34  
Total loans
    338,610       6,553       7.76       343,170       6,765       7.99  
Total interest-earning assets
    514,022       8,427       6.59 %     506,939       8,613       6.89 %
Allowance for loan losses
    (6,560 )                     (6,690 )                
Cash and due from banks
    14,222                       14,267                  
Other assets
    27,234                       29,269                  
Total assets
  $ 548,918                     $ 543,785                  
                                                 
Liabilities and Equity
                                               
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                               
Interest-bearing deposits
  $ 377,448       2,588       2.75     $ 374,496       2,670       2.89  
Short-term borrowings
    12,768       53       1.66       12,931       79       2.48  
FHLB advances
    4,814       74       6.17       6,655       120       7.31  
Other borrowings
    8,208       118       5.77       12,074       233       7.83  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    403,238       2,833       2.82 %     406,156       3,102       3.10 %
Non-interest bearing deposits
    74,141                       73,566                  
Other liabilities
    2,735                       2,398                  
Shareholders’ equity
    68,804                       61,665                  
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 548,918                     $ 543,785                  
                                                 
Net interest earnings
          $ 5,594                     $ 5,511          
Net interest spread
                    3.77 %                     3.79 %
Net interest margin
                    4.38 %                     4.41 %
                                                 


 
23

PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
MARCH 31, 2008

Non-interest income decreased $180,000 to $1,066,000 for the first three months of 2008.  Non-interest income in 2007 included $212,000 of life insurance benefits on the death of a former officer of a subsidiary.  Excluding this benefit, non-interest income in the first three months of 2008 increased $32,000, or 3.1% when compared to the first three months of 2007.  Service charges on deposit accounts increased slightly to $638,000 in 2008.  Electronic banking income (income from debit/credit cards, ATM fees and internet banking charges) increased $26,000 or 19.0% to $163,000 in 2008 due to increases in Premier’s deposit customer base and their greater propensity to use electronic means to conduct their banking business.  Premier’s conversion to a more modern banking software system in 2005 has allowed Premier to offer more electronic banking services and made it easier for customers to conduct their banking electronically.  Secondary market mortgage income increased $26,000, or 19.3%, to $161,000 in 2008 as Premier has continued to expand its efforts to originate high quality mortgage loans for brokers for a commission and service release fee.
 
Non-interest expenses for the first quarter of 2008 totaled $4,122,000 or 3.01% of average assets on an annualized basis compared to $4,148,000 or 3.05% of average assets for the same period of 2007.   Staff costs decreased by $109,000 or 4.7%, to $2,225,000 in 2008 as normal salary and benefit increases have been more than offset by staff reductions in 2007 and an increase in the deferral of loan origination costs.  Occupancy and equipment expenses decreased slightly to $500,000 in 2008.  Outside data processing costs increased by $58,000 or 11.0% to $584,000 in 2008 largely due to fee increases for core processing and ATM processing, additional costs for year-end processing, and new charges related to the electronic “capture” of customer checks for digital clearing purposes.  Professional fees increased by $101,000 or 129% to $179,000 in 2008 largely due to legal and other professional help to complete the acquisitions of Citizens First Bank and Traders Bankshares.  Taxes other than payroll, property and income remained relatively unchanged at $153,000 in 2008.  Write-downs, expenses and sales of other real estate owned (OREO) increased by $9,000 while supplies expense increased by $7,000 in 2008.  Offsetting these expense increases in 2008 was an $88,000 decrease in other expenses to $388,000 largely due to $120,000 of collection expense reimbursements received in 2008, partially offset by a $35,000 increase in FDIC insurance premiums.
 
Income tax expense was $899,000 for the first three months of 2008 compared to $787,000 for the first three months of 2007.  The increase in income tax expense can be primarily attributed to the increase in pre-tax income detailed above and the life insurance benefits realized in 2007 which are exempt from income tax.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2008 increased to 33.6%, compared to the 30.6% effective tax rate for the same period in 2006.  The decrease in the effective tax rate is largely due to the life insurance benefits realized in 2007 which are exempt from income tax.

 
24

PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
MARCH 31, 2008

B.         Financial Position
 
Total assets at March 31, 2008 increased $14.5 million to $563.8 million from the $549.3 million at December 31, 2007.  Earning assets increased to $522.4 million at March 31, 2008 from the $507.6 million at December 31, 2007, an increase of $14.9 million, or 2.9%.  The increase was due to an increase in securities available-for-sale and federal funds sold, with partially offsetting decreases in total loans and cash and due from banks (see below).
 
Cash and due from banks at March 31, 2008 was $19.8 million, a $2.6 million decrease from the $22.4 million at December 31, 2007.  Federal funds sold increased $5.3 million from the $32.0 million reported at December 31, 2007.  Changes in these two highly liquid assets are generally in response to increases in deposits, the demand for deposit withdrawals or the funding of loans and are part of Premier’s management of its liquidity and interest rate risks.  The increase in federal funds sold during the first three months of 2008 is in response to proceeds from increases in total deposits that were not entirely invested in high quality securities.  Some of these funds were held in federal funds sold pending anticipated funding of new loan growth in the second quarter of 2008.
 
Securities available for sale totaled $144.5 million at March 31, 2008, a $20.3 million increase from the $124.2 million at December 31, 2007.  The increase was largely due to $44.1 million of investment purchases versus the volume of calls and maturities that occurred during the first three months of 2008, complemented by a $3.6 million increase in the market value of the total portfolio.  During the first three months of 2008, Premier received investable funds from a $15.2 million increase in customer deposits plus $10.6 million in net loan repayments from customers.  Due to the rapidly declining interest rate yields following the Federal Reserve Bank Board of Governors’ monetary policy changes in the first quarter, Premier used these funds to diminish its downside interest rate risk by purchasing higher-yielding, 3 to 5 year fixed rate bonds in the investment portfolio.  The investment portfolio is predominately high quality interest-bearing bonds with defined maturity dates backed by the U.S. Government or Government sponsored agencies.  The unrealized gains at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are price changes resulting from changes in the interest rate environment.  Additional details on investment activities can be found in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
 
Total loans at March 31, 2008 were $335.9 million compared to $346.6 million at December 31, 2007, a decrease of $10.6 million.  The majority of this decrease is largely due to loan payoffs from a few large commercial borrowers which outpaced normal new loan production.
 
Deposits totaled $464.3 million as of March 31, 2008, a $15.2 million increase from the $449.0 million in deposits at December 31, 2007.  The increase is largely due to a $15.8 million increase in other interest bearing deposits (CD’s under $100,000, savings accounts and interest bearing transaction accounts).  Non-interest bearing deposits were relatively unchanged since year-end 2007, however, time deposits $100,000 and over decreased $443,000 or 0.8%, from December 31, 2007 to March 31, 2008.  Repurchase agreements with corporate and public entity customers also decreased slightly, declining by $143,000 to $12.7 million as of March 31, 2008.
 
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances declined by $45,000 in the first three months of 2008, and other borrowed funds decreased by $371,000 during that time due to regularly scheduled principal payments.  See Notes 5 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on the Company’s outstanding bank debt and FHLB advances.
 
 
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PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
MARCH 31, 2008
 
Other liabilities declined by $2.6 million since December 31, 2007 largely as a result of purchases of investment securities before the end of the year that did not require payment for the purchase until January 2008.
 
The following table sets forth information with respect to the Company’s nonperforming assets at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

   
(In Thousands)
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Non-accrual loans
  $ 2,882     $ 3,157  
Accruing loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more
    871       987  
Restructured
    1,731       1,489  
Total non-performing loans
    5,484       5,633  
Other real estate acquired through foreclosure (OREO)
    354       174  
Total non-performing assets
  $ 5,838     $ 5,807  
                 
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans
    1.63 %     1.63 %
                 
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets
    1.04 %     1.06 %
 
Total non-performing loans have decreased since year-end, largely due to payments received on non-accrual loans and a reduction in loans past due 90 days or more during the first quarter of 2008 due to collection efforts by the Company.  These declines were partially offset by an increase in loans that have been restructured in an effort help borrowers meet their obligation to repay their loans.  Premier continues to make a significant effort to reduce its past due and non-performing loans by reviewing loan files, using the courts to bring borrowers current with the terms of their loan agreements and/or the foreclosure and sale of OREO properties.  As in the past, when these plans are executed, Premier may experience increases in non-performing loans and non-performing assets. During the first quarter of 2008, total non-performing assets increased slightly from year-end 2007 due to an increase in other real estate acquired through foreclosure.  Furthermore, any resulting increases in loans placed on non-accrual status will have a negative impact on future loan interest income.  Also, as these plans are executed, other loans may be identified that would necessitate additional charge-offs and potentially additional provisions for loan losses.
 
During the first quarter of 2008, the Company reversed $135,000 of previously recorded provisions for loan losses, commonly referred to as “negative provisions”.  This compares to the first quarter of 2007 when Premier recorded $36,000 of additional provisions for loan losses.  The decrease in the provision was made in accordance with Premier’s policies regarding management’s estimation of probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, which are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The negative provisions in the first quarter of 2008 were the combined result of continued improvement in the estimated credit risk at banks formerly subject to regulatory agreements, payments on loans previously identified as having significant credit risk, net recoveries recorded during the quarter and the $10.6 million decline in loans outstanding.  In the first quarter of 2007, improvements in credit quality were not as significant and $36,000 of additional provisions were recorded to provide for the increased credit risk in the loan portfolio.  In the coming months, Premier will continue to monitor the impact that national housing market price declines may have on its local markets and collateral valuations as management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.  While some price deterioration is expected, it is not currently anticipated that Premier’s markets will be impacted as severely as other areas of the country due to the historically modest increases in real estate values in the Company’s markets.  Future provisions to the allowance for loan losses, positive or negative, will depend on future improvement or deterioration in estimated credit risk in the loan portfolio as well as whether additional payments are received on loans having significant credit risk.
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PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
MARCH 31, 2008
 
Gross charge-offs totaled $79,000 during the first three months of 2008.  Any collections on these loans would be presented in future financial statements as recoveries of the amounts charged against the allowance.  Recoveries recorded during the first three months of 2008 totaled $124,000, resulting in net recoveries for the first quarter of 2008 of $45,000.  This compares to $121,000 of net charge-offs recorded in the first quarter of 2007.  The allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2008 was 1.91% of total loans as compared to 1.90% at December 31, 2007.  The slightly increasing percentage of allowance for loan losses to total loans is largely due to the net recoveries recorded in the first quarter of 2008 and the $10.6 million decrease in total loans outstanding during that time.

C.         Critical Accounting Policies
 
The Company follows financial accounting and reporting policies that are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.  These policies are presented in Note 1 to the consolidated audited financial statements in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.  Some of these accounting policies, as discussed below, are considered to be critical accounting policies.  Critical accounting policies are those policies that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.  The Company has identified two accounting policies that are critical accounting policies, and an understanding of these policies is necessary to understand the financial statements.  These policies relate to determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the impairment of goodwill.  A detailed description of these accounting policies is contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.  There have been no significant changes in the application of these accounting policies since December 31, 2007.
 
           Management believes that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate given the factual circumstances at the time.

 
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PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
MARCH 31, 2008

D.         Liquidity
 
Liquidity objectives for the Company can be expressed in terms of maintaining sufficient cash flows to meet both existing and unplanned obligations in a cost effective manner.  Adequate liquidity allows the Company to meet the demands of both the borrower and the depositor on a timely basis, as well as pursuing other business opportunities as they arise.  Thus, liquidity management embodies both an asset and liability aspect while attempting to maximize profitability. In order to provide for funds on a current and long-term basis, the Company’s subsidiary banks rely primarily on the following sources:

 
1.
Core deposits consisting of both consumer and commercial deposits and certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more.  Management believes that the majority of its $100,000 or more certificates of deposit are no more volatile than its other deposits.  This is due to the nature of the markets in which the subsidiaries operate.

 
2.
Cash flow generated by repayment of loans and interest.

 
3.
Arrangements with correspondent banks for purchase of unsecured federal funds.

 
4.
The sale of securities under repurchase agreements and borrowing from the Federal Home Loan Bank.

 
5.
Maintenance of an adequate available-for-sale security portfolio.  The Company owns $144.5 million of securities at market value as of March 31, 2008.

The cash flow statements for the periods presented in the financial statements provide an indication of the Company’s sources and uses of cash as well as an indication of the ability of the Company to maintain an adequate level of liquidity.


E.           Capital

At March 31, 2008, total shareholders’ equity of $69.8 million was 12.4% of total assets.  This compares to total shareholders’ equity of $67.4 million or 12.3% of total assets on December 31, 2007.
 
Tier I capital totaled $52.8 million at March 31, 2008, which represents a Tier I leverage ratio of 9.9%.  This ratio is up from the 9.8% at December 31, 2007 due to Premier’s continued profitability in relation to the growth in total assets.
 
Book value per share was $13.32 at March 31, 2008, and $12.87 at December 31, 2007.  The increase in book value per share was the result of the $0.34 per share earned during the quarter less the $0.10 per share common dividend.  Also increasing the book value per share was $2,347,000 of other comprehensive income for the first three months of 2008 related to the after tax increase in the market value of investment securities available for sale.
 
 
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PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
MARCH 31, 2008

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
The Company currently does not engage in any derivative or hedging activity.  Refer to the Company’s 2007 10-K for analysis of the interest rate sensitivity.  The Company believes there have been no significant changes in the interest rate sensitivity since previously reported on the Company’s 2007 10-K.


Item 4(T). Controls and Procedures

A.         Disclosure Controls & Procedures
 
Premier management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15c as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that all material information required to be filed in this quarterly report has been made known to them in a timely fashion.

B.         Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
 
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2008. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of March 31, 2008, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
 
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

     
/s/ Robert W. Walker
 
/s/ Brien M. Chase
Robert W. Walker, President and
 
Brien M. Chase, Senior Vice President
Chief Executive Officer
 
and Chief Financial Officer
     
Date:  May 14, 2008
 
Date:  May 14, 2008
     


 
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PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
MARCH 31, 2008

C.         Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in internal controls over financial reporting during the first fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect Premier's internal controls over financial reporting.

D.         Inherent Limitations on Internal Control
 
"Internal controls" are procedures, which are designed with the objective of providing reasonable assurance that (1) transactions are properly authorized; (2) assets are safeguarded against unauthorized or improper use; and (3) transactions are properly recorded and reported, all so as to permit the preparation of reports and financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. However, a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their cost. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. The design of any system of controls is also based, in part, upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, a control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Finally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control.


 
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PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
MARCH 31, 2008

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.         Legal Proceedings                                                                               None

Item 1A.      Risk Factors

Please refer to Premier’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 for disclosures with respect to Premier’s risk factors at December 31, 2007. There have been no material changes since year-end 2007 in the specified risk factors disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds     None

Item 3.         Defaults Upon Senior Securities                                                         None

Item 4.         Submission of Matters to a vote of Security Holders                         None

Item 5.         Other Information                                                                               None

Item 6.         Exhibits

 (a)           The following exhibits are furnished in accordance with the provisions of Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

31.1           Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2           Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32              Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 
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PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
MARCH 31, 2008


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.



Date: May 14, 2008                                        /s/ Robert W. Walker                                                          
Robert W. Walker
President & Chief Executive Officer


Date: May 14, 2008                                        /s/ Brien M. Chase                                                          
Brien M. Chase
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer



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