Edgar Filing: FULTON FINANCIAL CORP

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Fulton Financial Corporation -- Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20459

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010, or

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

For the transition period from to

Commission File No. 0-10587

FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


PENNSYLVANIA		23-2195389
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

One Penn Square, P.O. Box 4887, Lancaster, Pennsylvania		17604
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(717) 291-2411

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

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

Common Stock, $2.50 Par Value – 198,951,000 shares outstanding as of October 31, 2010.

FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

INDEX


Description	Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited):

(a) Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009		3

(b) Consolidated Statements of Income - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009		4

(c) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income - Nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009		5

(d) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009		6

(e) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		7

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		30

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		55

Item 4. Controls and Procedures		61

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings		62

Item 1A. Risk Factors		62

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		63

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities		63

Item 4. Removed and Reserved		63

Item 5. Other Information		63

Item 6. Exhibits		63

Signatures		64

Exhibit Index		65

Certifications

Item 1.

Financial Statements

FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per-share data)


	September 30 2010 (unaudited)			December 31 2009
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	255,800		$	284,508
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks		193,421			16,591
Loans held for sale		103,240			85,384
Investment securities:
Held to maturity (estimated fair value of $8,012 in 2010 and $8,797 in 2009)		7,930			8,700
Available for sale		2,754,308			3,258,386
Loans, net of unearned income		11,950,618			11,972,424
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(281,724	)		(256,698	)

Net Loans		11,668,894			11,715,726

Premises and equipment		204,001			204,203
Accrued interest receivable		55,167			58,515
Goodwill		535,417			534,862
Intangible assets		13,753			17,701
Other assets		538,842			451,059

Total Assets	$	16,330,773		$	16,635,635

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	2,163,807		$	2,012,837
Interest-bearing		10,404,310			10,085,077

Total Deposits		12,568,117			12,097,914

Short-term borrowings:
Federal funds purchased		8,864			378,067
Other short-term borrowings		462,217			490,873

Total Short-Term Borrowings		471,081			868,940

Accrued interest payable		35,402			46,596
Other liabilities		180,350			144,930
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and long-term debt		1,199,513			1,540,773

Total Liabilities		14,454,463			14,699,153

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, $1,000 par value, 376,500 shares authorized and outstanding in 2009		0			370,290
Common stock, $2.50 par value, 600 million shares authorized, 215.3 million shares issued in 2010 and 193.0 million shares issued in 2009		538,242			482,491
Additional paid-in capital		1,419,563			1,257,730
Retained earnings		132,918			71,999
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gains on investment securities not other-than-temporarily impaired		48,876			24,975
Unrealized non-credit related losses on other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities		(4,075	)		(8,349	)
Unrecognized pension and postretirement plan costs		(5,887	)		(5,942	)
Unamortized effective portions of losses on forward-starting interest rate swaps		(3,124	)		(3,226	)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		35,790			7,458
Treasury stock, 16.4 million shares in 2010 and 16.6 million shares in 2009, at cost		(250,203	)		(253,486	)

Total Shareholders’ Equity		1,876,310			1,936,482

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	16,330,773		$	16,635,635

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per-share data)


	Three Months Ended September 30						Nine Months Ended September 30
	2010			2009			2010			2009
INTEREST INCOME
Loans, including fees	$	158,060		$	162,375		$	473,222		$	486,965
Investment securities:
Taxable		22,363			29,376			75,658			85,648
Tax-exempt		3,226			3,966			10,169			12,618
Dividends		686			543			2,075			1,715
Loans held for sale		919			1,550			2,142			4,439
Other interest income		102			51			358			140

Total Interest Income		185,356			197,861			563,624			591,525
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits		29,755			43,825			95,312			141,727
Short-term borrowings		267			835			1,206			3,193
Long-term debt		15,148			20,400			49,253			61,744

Total Interest Expense		45,170			65,060			145,771			206,664

Net Interest Income		140,186			132,801			417,853			384,861
Provision for loan losses		40,000			45,000			120,000			145,000

Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses		100,186			87,801			297,853			239,861
OTHER INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts		14,752			15,321			44,501			45,276
Gains on sales of mortgage loans		12,111			2,778			18,538			18,764
Other service charges and fees		10,637			10,003			30,531			27,952
Investment management and trust services		8,604			8,191			25,347			23,970
Other		4,165			4,932			14,103			14,558
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses		(2,428	)		(1,211	)		(12,013	)		(15,235	)
Less: Portion of (gain) loss recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes)		(387	)		(1,584	)		723			6,021

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses		(2,815	)		(2,795	)		(11,290	)		(9,214	)
Net gains on sale of investment securities		4,641			2,750			11,797			12,165

Net investment securities gains (losses)		1,826			(45	)		507			2,951

Total Other Income		52,095			41,180			133,527			133,471
OTHER EXPENSES
Salaries and employee benefits		54,533			54,086			161,532			165,189
Net occupancy expense		10,519			10,165			32,688			31,428
FDIC insurance expense		4,709			5,244			14,799			21,738
Professional fees		3,040			2,385			8,621			6,702
Equipment expense		2,956			3,281			8,710			9,660
Data processing		2,284			3,121			7,272			9,100
Marketing		2,601			1,982			6,702			6,277
Telecommunications		2,084			2,139			6,440			6,483
Intangible amortization		1,293			1,429			3,948			4,326
Operating risk loss		666			338			1,817			6,683
Other		17,123			15,640			48,666			46,402

Total Other Expenses		101,808			99,810			301,195			313,988

Income Before Income Taxes		50,473			29,171			130,185			59,344
Income taxes		12,793			5,825			33,343			9,802

Net Income		37,680			23,346			96,842			49,542
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion		(6,172	)		(5,046	)		(16,303	)		(15,123	)

Net Income Available to Common Shareholders	$	31,508		$	18,300		$	80,539		$	34,419

PER COMMON SHARE:
Net income (basic)	$	0.16		$	0.10		$	0.43		$	0.20
Net income (diluted)		0.16			0.10			0.43			0.20
Cash dividends		0.03			0.03			0.09			0.09

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009


	Preferred Stock			Common Stock				Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Treasury Stock			Total
	Preferred Stock			Shares Outstanding		Amount		Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Treasury Stock			Total
								(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	370,290			176,364	$	482,491	$	1,257,730		$	71,999		$	7,458		$	(253,486	)	$	1,936,482
Comprehensive income:
Net income												96,842									96,842
Other comprehensive income															28,332						28,332

Total comprehensive income																					125,174

Stock issued, including related tax benefits					22,519		55,751		171,205									3,283			230,239
Stock-based compensation awards									1,428												1,428
Redemption of preferred stock and repurchase of common stock warrant		(376,500	)						(10,800	)											(387,300	)
Preferred stock discount accretion		6,210										(6,210	)								0
Preferred stock cash dividends												(12,498	)								(12,498	)
Common stock cash dividends - $0.09 per share												(17,215	)								(17,215	)

Balance at September 30, 2010	$	0			198,883	$	538,242	$	1,419,563		$	132,918		$	35,790		$	(250,203	)	$	1,876,310

Balance at December 31, 2008	$	368,944			175,044	$	480,978	$	1,260,947		$	31,075		$	(17,907	)	$	(264,390	)	$	1,859,647
Cumulative effect of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 adoption (net of $3.4 million tax effect)												6,298			(6,298	)					0
Comprehensive income:
Net income												49,542									49,542
Other comprehensive income															35,211						35,211

Total comprehensive income																					84,753

Stock issued, including related tax benefits					1,105		1,217		(4,708	)								9,432			5,941
Stock-based compensation awards									1,369												1,369
Preferred stock discount accretion		1,006										(1,006	)								0
Preferred stock cash dividends												(12,130	)								(12,130	)
Common stock cash dividends - $0.09 per share												(15,817	)								(15,817	)

Balance at September 30, 2009	$	369,950			176,149	$	482,195	$	1,257,608		$	57,962		$	11,006		$	(254,958	)	$	1,923,763

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2010			2009
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income	$	96,842		$	49,542
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses		120,000			145,000
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment		15,371			15,395
Net amortization of investment securities premiums		2,916			1,265
Investment securities gains		(507	)		(2,951	)
Net (increase) decrease in loans held for sale		(17,856	)		11,074
Amortization of intangible assets		3,948			4,326
Stock-based compensation		1,428			1,369
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable		3,348			(1,867	)
Increase in other assets		(9,424	)		(18,462	)
Decrease in accrued interest payable		(11,194	)		(3,716	)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities		(17,527	)		5,417

Total adjustments		90,503			156,850

Net cash provided by operating activities		187,345			206,392
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale		401,518			548,119
Proceeds from maturities of securities held to maturity		382			3,836
Proceeds from maturities of securities available for sale		567,825			588,003
Purchase of securities held to maturity		(194	)		(3,501	)
Purchase of securities available for sale		(467,698	)		(1,654,074	)
Increase in short-term investments		(176,830	)		(2,338	)
Net increase in loans		(70,873	)		(9,042	)
Net purchases of premises and equipment		(15,169	)		(17,258	)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		238,961			(546,255	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net increase in demand and savings deposits		892,809			1,133,516
Net (decrease) increase in time deposits		(422,606	)		347,248
Decrease in short-term borrowings		(397,859	)		(1,040,152	)
Additions to long-term debt		47,900			0
Repayments of long-term debt		(389,160	)		(136,927	)
Redemption of preferred stock		(376,500	)		0
Repurchase of warrant to purchase common stock		(10,800	)		0
Dividends paid		(29,037	)		(48,923	)
Net proceeds from issuance of stock		230,239			5,941

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(455,014	)		260,703

Net Decrease in Cash and Due From Banks		(28,708	)		(79,160	)
Cash and Due From Banks at Beginning of Period		284,508			331,164

Cash and Due From Banks at End of Period	$	255,800		$	252,004

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	156,965		$	210,380
Income taxes		41,018			9,076

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

NOTE A – Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Fulton Financial Corporation (the Corporation) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements as well as revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2010. The Corporation evaluates subsequent events through the date of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

NOTE B – Net Income Per Common Share and Other Comprehensive Income

The Corporation’s basic net income per common share is calculated as net income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Net income available to common shareholders is calculated as net income less accrued dividends and discount accretion related to preferred stock.

For diluted net income per common share, net income available to common shareholders is divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the incremental number of shares added as a result of converting common stock equivalents, calculated using the treasury stock method. The Corporation’s common stock equivalents consist of outstanding stock options, restricted stock and common stock warrants.

A reconciliation of weighted average common shares outstanding used to calculate basic net income per common share and diluted net income per common share follows.

Three months ended
September 30

Nine months ended
September 30

2010

2009

2010

2009

(in thousands)

Weighted average shares outstanding (basic)

198,282

175,783

188,306

175,552

Effect of dilutive securities

510

295

529

233

Weighted average shares outstanding (diluted)

198,792

176,078

188,835

175,785

Stock options and common stock warrants excluded from the diluted net income per share computation as their effect would have been anti-dilutive

5,822

11,719

5,438

11,831

The following table presents the components of other comprehensive income:


	Nine months ended September 30
	2010			2009
	(in thousands)
Unrealized gain on securities (net of $16.4 million and $20.7 million tax effect in 2010 and 2009, respectively)	$	30,390		$	38,437
Non-credit related unrealized loss on other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities (net of $1.0 million and $2.1 million tax effect, respectively)		(1,886	)		(3,914	)
Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments (net of $55,000 tax effect in 2010 and 2009) (1)		102			102
Unrealized postretirement gains arising in 2009 due to plan amendment (net of $1.2 million tax effect)		0			2,125
Amortization of unrecognized pension and postretirement costs (net of $30,000 and $204,000 tax effect in 2010 and 2009, respectively)		55			379
Reclassification adjustment for securities gains included in net income (net of $177,000 and $1.0 million tax expense in 2010 and 2009, respectively)		(329	)		(1,918	)

Other comprehensive income	$	28,332		$	35,211

(1)

Amounts represent the amortization of the effective portions of losses on forward-starting interest rate swaps, designated as cash flow hedges and entered into in prior years in connection with the issuance of fixed-rate debt. The total amount recorded as a reduction to accumulated other comprehensive income upon settlement of these derivatives is being amortized to interest expense over the life of the related securities using the effective interest method. The amount of net losses in accumulated other comprehensive income that will be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months is expected to be approximately $135,000.

NOTE C – Common Stock Offering and Redemption of Preferred Stock

On May 5, 2010, the Corporation issued 21.8 million shares of its common stock, in an underwritten public offering, for total proceeds of $226.3 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions.

On July 14, 2010 the Corporation redeemed all 376,500 outstanding shares of its Series A preferred stock with a total payment to the U.S. Department of the Treasury (UST) of $379.6 million, consisting of $376.5 million of principal and $3.1 million of dividends. The preferred stock had a carrying value of $371.0 million on the redemption date, as a result of allocating the proceeds received upon issuance to the preferred stock and common stock warrants, also issued to the UST, based on their relative fair values. Upon redemption, the remaining $5.5 million preferred stock discount was recorded as a reduction to third quarter net income available to common shareholders.

On September 8, 2010, the Corporation repurchased its outstanding common stock warrant for the purchase of 5.5 million shares of its common stock, for $10.8 million, completing the Corporation’s participation in the UST’s Capital Purchase Program (CPP). Upon repurchase, the common stock warrant had a carrying value of $7.6 million. The repurchase price of $10.8 million was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital on the statement of shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income.

NOTE D – Investment Securities

The following tables present the amortized cost and estimated fair values of investment securities:


Held to Maturity at September 30, 2010	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
U.S. Government sponsored agency securities	$	6,325	$	12	$	0		$	6,337
State and municipal securities		443		0		0			443
Mortgage-backed securities		1,162		70		0			1,232

	$	7,930	$	82	$	0		$	8,012


Available for Sale at September 30, 2010
Equity securities	$	138,016	$	1,710	$	(1,304	)	$	138,422
U.S. Government securities		1,325		0		0			1,325
U.S. Government sponsored agency securities		11,390		280		(2	)		11,668
State and municipal securities		354,994		14,199		(14	)		369,179
Corporate debt securities		142,408		4,540		(19,066	)		127,882
Collateralized mortgage obligations		928,048		35,731		0			963,779
Mortgage-backed securities		837,560		39,198		0			876,758
Auction rate securities		271,642		1,831		(8,178	)		265,295

	$	2,685,383	$	97,489	$	(28,564	)	$	2,754,308


Held to Maturity at December 31, 2009	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
U.S. Government sponsored agency securities	$	6,713	$	7	$	0		$	6,720
State and municipal securities		503		0		0			503
Mortgage-backed securities		1,484		90		0			1,574

	$	8,700	$	97	$	0		$	8,797


Available for Sale at December 31, 2009
Equity securities	$	142,531	$	2,758	$	(4,919	)	$	140,370
U.S. Government securities		1,325		0		0			1,325
U.S. Government sponsored agency securities		91,079		905		(28	)		91,956
State and municipal securities		406,011		9,819		(57	)		415,773
Corporate debt securities		154,029		424		(37,714	)		116,739
Collateralized mortgage obligations		1,102,169		25,631		(4,804	)		1,122,996
Mortgage-backed securities		1,043,518		36,948		(442	)		1,080,024
Auction rate securities		292,145		3,227		(6,169	)		289,203

	$	3,232,807	$	79,712	$	(54,133	)	$	3,258,386

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of debt securities as of September 30, 2010, by contractual maturity, are shown in the following table. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.


	Held to Maturity				Available for Sale
	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	6,487	$	6,499	$	68,937	$	69,234
Due from one year to five years		281		281		85,648		88,799
Due from five years to ten years		0		0		115,824		120,586
Due after ten years		0		0		511,350		496,730

		6,768		6,780		781,759		775,349
Collateralized mortgage obligations		0		0		928,048		963,779
Mortgage-backed securities		1,162		1,232		837,560		876,758

	$	7,930	$	8,012	$	2,547,367	$	2,615,886

The following table presents information related to the Corporation’s gains and losses on the sales of equity and debt securities, and losses recognized for the other-than-temporary impairment of investments:


	Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses			Other-than- temporary Impairment Losses			Net Gains (Losses)
	(in thousands)
Three months ended September 30, 2010:
Equity securities	$	601	$	(391	)	$	(480	)	$	(270	)
Debt securities		4,485		(54	)		(2,335	)		2,096

Total	$	5,086	$	(445	)	$	(2,815	)	$	1,826

Three months ended September 30, 2009:
Equity securities	$	49	$	(408	)	$	(949	)	$	(1,308	)
Debt securities		3,130		(21	)		(1,846	)		1,263

Total	$	3,179	$	(429	)	$	(2,795	)	$	(45	)

Nine months ended September 30, 2010:
Equity securities	$	1,451	$	(391	)	$	(1,813	)	$	(753	)
Debt securities		10,809		(72	)		(9,477	)		1,260

Total	$	12,260	$	(463	)	$	(11,290	)	$	507

Nine months ended September 30, 2009:
Equity securities	$	640	$	(689	)	$	(2,739	)	$	(2,788	)
Debt securities		12,343		(129	)		(6,475	)		5,739

Total	$	12,983	$	(818	)	$	(9,214	)	$	2,951

The following table presents a summary of other-than-temporary impairment charges by investment security type:


	Three months ended September 30				Nine months ended September 30
	2010		2009		2010		2009
	(in thousands)
Financial institution stocks	$	480	$	949	$	1,813	$	2,633
Mutual funds		0		0		0		106

Total equity securities charges		480		949		1,813		2,739
Debt securities - pooled trust preferred securities		2,335		1,846		9,477		6,475

Total other-than-temporary impairment charges	$	2,815	$	2,795	$	11,290	$	9,214

The $480,000 and $1.8 million of other-than-temporary impairment charges related to financial institution stocks during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, were due to the severity and duration of the declines in fair values of certain bank stock holdings, in conjunction with management’s assessment of the near-term prospects of each specific issuer. As of September 30, 2010, after other-than-temporary impairment charges, the financial institutions stock portfolio had a cost basis of $28.7 million and a fair value of $29.1 million.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Corporation recorded $2.3 million and $9.5 million, respectively, of other-than-temporary impairment losses for pooled trust preferred securities based on an expected cash flows model.

The following table presents a summary of the cumulative credit related other-than-temporary impairment charges, recognized as components of earnings, for pooled trust preferred securities still held by the Corporation:


	Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
	2010			2009			2010			2009
	(in thousands)
Balance of cumulative credit losses on pooled trust preferred securities, beginning of period	$	(22,754	)	$	(10,771	)	$	(15,612	)	$	(6,142	)
Additions for credit losses recorded which were not previously recognized as components of earnings		(2,335	)		(1,846	)		(9,477	)		(6,475	)
Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over the remaining life of the security		21			0			21			0

Balance of cumulative credit losses on pooled trust preferred securities, end of period	$	(25,068	)	$	(12,617	)	$	(25,068	)	$	(12,617	)

The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of investments, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at September 30, 2010:


	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
	Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(in thousands)
U.S. Government sponsored agency securities	$	0	$	0		$	373	$	(2	)	$	373	$	(2	)
State and municipal securities		3,443		(13	)		402		(1	)		3,845		(14	)
Corporate debt securities		1,825		(2,022	)		60,976		(17,044	)		62,801		(19,066	)
Auction rate securities		25,717		(395	)		178,020		(7,783	)		203,737		(8,178	)

Total debt securities		30,985		(2,430	)		239,771		(24,830	)		270,756		(27,260	)
Equity securities		4,504		(1,007	)		1,020		(297	)		5,524		(1,304	)

	$	35,489	$	(3,437	)	$	240,791	$	(25,127	)	$	276,280	$	(28,564	)

For its investments in equity securities, most notably its investments in stocks of financial institutions, management evaluates the near-term prospects of the issuers in relation to the severity and duration of the impairment. Based on that evaluation and the Corporation’s ability and intent to hold those investments for a reasonable period of time sufficient for a recovery of fair value, the Corporation does not consider those investments with unrealized holding losses as of September 30, 2010 to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

The unrealized holding losses on investments in student loan auction rate securities, also known as auction rate certificates (ARCs), are attributable to liquidity issues resulting from the failure of periodic auctions. Fulton Financial Advisors (FFA), the investment management and trust division of the Corporation’s Fulton Bank, N.A. subsidiary, held ARCs for some of its customers’ accounts. FFA had previously sold ARCs to customers as short-term investments with fair values that could be derived based on periodic auctions under normal market conditions. During 2008 and 2009, the Corporation purchased ARCs from customers due to the failure of these periodic auctions, which made these previously short-term investments illiquid.

At September 30, 2010, approximately $212 million, or 80%, of the ARCs were rated above investment grade, with approximately $166 million, or 63%, AAA rated. Approximately $39 million, or 15%, of ARCs were rated below investment grade by at least one ratings agency. Of this amount, approximately $24 million, or 61%, of the student loans underlying the ARCs have principal payments which are guaranteed by the Federal government. In total, approximately $232 million, or 87%, of the student loans underlying the ARCs have principal payments which are guaranteed by the Federal government. At September 30, 2010, all ARCs were current and making scheduled interest payments. Because the Corporation does not have the intent to sell and does not believe it will more likely than not be required to sell any of these securities prior to a recovery of their fair value to amortized cost, the Corporation does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of September 30, 2010.

The following table presents the amortized cost and estimated fair values of corporate debt securities:


	September 30, 2010				December 31, 2009
	Amortized cost		Estimated fair value		Amortized cost		Estimated fair value
	(in thousands)
Single-issuer trust preferred securities	$	93,502	$	84,681	$	95,481	$	75,811
Subordinated debt		34,968		35,692		34,886		32,722
Pooled trust preferred securities		10,870		4,441		20,435		4,979

Corporate debt securities issued by financial institutions		139,340		124,814		150,802		113,512
Other corporate debt securities		3,068		3,068		3,227		3,227

Available for sale corporate debt securities	$	142,408	$	127,882	$	154,029	$	116,739

The Corporation’s investments in single-issuer trust preferred securities had an unrealized loss of $8.8 million at September 30, 2010. The Corporation did not record any other-than-temporary impairment charges for single-issuer trust preferred securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 or 2009, respectively. The Corporation holds ten single-issuer trust preferred securities that were rated below investment grade by at least one ratings agency, with an amortized cost of $37.1 million and an estimated fair value of $35.5 million at September 30, 2010. The majority of the single-issuer trust preferred securities rated below investment grade were rated BB or Baa. Single-issuer trust preferred securities with an amortized cost of $11.2 million and an estimated fair value of $8.3 million at September 30, 2010, were not rated by any ratings agency.

The Corporation holds ten pooled trust preferred securities. Nine of these securities, with an amortized cost of $10.0 million and an estimated fair value of $3.7 million, were rated below investment grade by at least one ratings agency, with ratings ranging from C to Ca. For each of the nine pooled trust preferred securities rated below investment grade, the class of securities held by the Corporation is below the most senior tranche, with the Corporation’s interests being subordinate to other investors in the pool. The Corporation determines the fair value of pooled trust preferred securities based on quotes provided by third-party brokers.

The amortized cost of pooled trust preferred securities is the purchase price of the securities, net of cumulative credit related other-than-temporary impairment charges, determined using an expected cash flows model. The most significant input to the expected cash flows model was the expected payment deferral rate for each pooled trust preferred security. The Corporation evaluates the financial metrics, such as capital ratios and non-performing asset ratios, of the individual financial institution issuers that comprise each pooled trust preferred security to estimate its expected deferral rate. The actual weighted average cumulative defaults and deferrals as a percentage of original collateral were approximately 35% at September 30, 2010. The discounted cash flow modeling for pooled trust preferred securities held by the Corporation as of September 30, 2010 assumed, on average, an additional 12% expected deferral rate.

Based on management’s other-than-temporary impairment evaluations, and because the Corporation does not have the intent to sell and does not believe it will more likely than not be required to sell any of these securities prior to a recovery of their fair value to amortized cost, which may be maturity, corporate debt securities with a fair value of $127.9 million were not considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2010.

NOTE E – Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses

The following table presents a summary of gross loans, by type:


	September 30, 2010			December 31, 2009
	(in thousands)
Real-estate – commercial mortgage	$	4,346,120		$	4,292,300
Commercial – industrial, financial and agricultural		3,683,577			3,699,198
Real-estate – home equity		1,654,359			1,644,260
Real-estate – residential mortgage		1,001,837			921,741
Real-estate – construction		834,266			978,267
Consumer		366,927			360,698
Leasing and other		64,676			69,922
Overdrafts		6,659			13,753

		11,958,421			11,980,139
Unearned income		(7,803	)		(7,715	)

	$	11,950,618		$	11,972,424

The following table presents the components of the allowance for credit losses:


	September 30, 2010		December 31, 2009
	(in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses	$	281,724	$	256,698
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments		3,150		855

Allowance for credit losses	$	284,874	$	257,553

The following table presents non-performing assets:


	September 30, 2010		December 31, 2009
	(in thousands)
Non-accrual loans	$	284,408	$	238,360
Accruing loans greater than 90 days past due		58,164		43,359
Other real estate owned		30,195		23,309

	$	372,767	$	305,028

The following table presents loans whose terms were modified under troubled debt restructurings:


	September 30, 2010		December 31, 2009
	(in thousands)
Real-estate – residential mortgage	$	35,380	$	24,639
Real-estate – commercial mortgage		16,683		15,007
Real-estate – construction		5,746		0
Commercial – industrial, financial and agricultural		3,965		1,459
Consumer		265		0

Total accruing troubled debt restructurings		62,039		41,105
Non-accrual troubled debt restructurings (1)		25,283		13,004

Total troubled debt restructurings	$	87,322	$	54,109

(1)	Included within non-accrual loans in table detailing non-performing assets above.

Impaired Loans

Impaired loans are loans which the Corporation believes it is probable that all amounts will not be collected according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.

The Corporation uses an internal risk rating process for its commercial loans, commercial mortgages and construction loans, consisting of nine general classifications ranging from “excellent” to “loss.” Risk ratings are initially assigned to loans by loan officers and are reviewed on a regular basis by loan review staff in the normal course of their loan review procedures. Risk rating allows management to identify riskier credits in a timely manner and to allocate resources to managing troubled accounts.

Larger balance commercial loans, commercial mortgages and construction loans with risk ratings of “substandard” or lower are individually reviewed for impairment under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (FASB ASC) Section 310-10-35. A loan with a “substandard” credit rating is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower or by the collateral pledged, if any. In addition, there exists a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the normal repayment of the debt. Collection of principal may be collateral-intensive. Substandard credits are usually characterized by current or expected unprofitable operations, inadequate debt service coverage, inadequate liquidity, or marginal capitalization.

An allowance for loan losses is established for an impaired loan if its carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, the estimated fair values of substantially all of the Corporation’s impaired loans were measured based on the estimated fair value of each loan’s collateral. Collateral could be in the form of real estate in the case of impaired commercial mortgages and construction loans, or business assets, such as accounts receivable or inventory, in the case of commercial and industrial loans. Commercial and industrial loans may also be secured by real property.

For loans secured by real estate, estimated fair values are determined primarily through certified third-party appraisals. When a real estate secured loan becomes impaired, a decision is made regarding whether an updated certified appraisal of the real estate is necessary. This decision is based on various considerations, including: the age of the most recent appraisal; the loan-to-value ratio based on the original appraisal; the condition of the property; the Corporation’s experience and knowledge of the market; the purpose of the loan; environmental factors; payment status; the strength of any guarantors; and the existence and age of other indications of value such as broker price opinions, among others. When the Corporation concludes that an updated appraisal is not necessary, estimated fair values for real estate collateral are based on one or more of the following: the original appraisal; a less formal broker price opinion; or a discounted cash flow analysis.

As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, approximately 30% and 40% of impaired loans secured by real estate with principal balances greater than $1 million were measured at estimated fair value using certified third-party appraisals that had been updated within the preceding 12 months. Appraised values are discounted to arrive at the estimated selling price of the collateral, which is considered to be the estimated fair value. The discounts also include estimated costs to sell the property.

For loans secured by non-real estate collateral, such as accounts receivable or inventory, estimated fair values are determined based on borrower financial statements, inventory listings, accounts receivable agings or borrowing base certificates. Indications of value from these sources are generally discounted based on the age of the financial information or the quality of the assets. Liquidation or collection discounts are applied to these assets based upon existing loan evaluation policies.

The recorded investment in loans that were considered to be impaired and the related allowance for loan losses is summarized as follows:


	September 30, 2010					December 31, 2009
	Recorded Investment		Related Allowance for Loan Loss			Recorded Investment		Related Allowance for Loan Loss
	(in thousands)
Accruing loans	$	629,706	$	(92,115	)	$	558,630	$	(96,439	)
Non-accrual loans		262,893		(43,161	)		211,240		(30,542	)

Total impaired loans	$	892,599	$	(135,276	)	$	769,870	$	(126,981	)

As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 there were $392.3 million and $295.6 million, respectively, of impaired loans that did not have a related allowance for loan loss. The estimated fair values of the collateral for these loans exceeded the carrying amount of the loans and, accordingly, no specific valuation allowance was considered to be necessary.

The average recorded investment in impaired accruing loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was approximately $605.6 million and $588.5 million, respectively. The average recorded investment in impaired non-accrual loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was approximately $253.0 million and $232.8 million, respectively. For 2009, the average recorded investment in impaired performing loans and impaired non-accrual loans was approximately $446.0 million and $161.8 million, respectively.

The Corporation generally applies all payments received on non-accruing impaired loans to principal until such time as the principal is paid off, after which time any additional payments received are recognized as interest income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Corporation recognized interest income of approximately $7.9 million and $23.0 million on impaired loans, respectively. For 2009, the Corporation recognized interest income of approximately $23.9 million on impaired loans.

NOTE F – Mortgage Servicing Rights

The following table summarizes the changes in mortgage servicing rights (MSRs), which are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets:


	Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
	2010			2009			2010			2009
	(in thousands)
Amortized cost:
Balance at beginning of period	$	25,327		$	17,719		$	23,498		$	8,491
Originations of mortgage servicing rights		3,197			4,605			6,870			15,019
Amortization expense		(998	)		(573	)		(2,842	)		(1,759	)

Balance at end of period	$	27,526		$	21,751		$	27,526		$	21,751

Valuation allowance:
Balance at beginning of period	$	(1,000	)	$	(1,000	)	$	(1,000	)	$	(1,000	)
Additions		(550	)		0			(550	)		0

Balance at end of period	$	(1,550	)	$	(1,000	)	$	(1,550	)	$	(1,000	)

Net MSRs at end of period	$	25,976		$	20,751		$	25,976		$	20,751

MSRs represent the economic value of existing contractual rights to service mortgage loans that have been sold. Accordingly, actual and expected prepayments of the underlying mortgage loans can impact the value of MSRs.

The Corporation estimates the fair value of its MSRs by discounting the estimated cash flows from servicing income, net of expense, over the expected life of the underlying loans at a discount rate commensurate with the risk associated with these assets. Expected life is based on the contractual terms of the loans, as adjusted for prepayment projections for mortgage-backed securities with rates and terms comparable to the loans underlying the MSRs.

The Corporation determined that the estimated fair value of MSRs was $26.0 million at September 30, 2010 and, as such, a $550,000 impairment charge was recognized as a reduction to servicing income and an increase to the valuation allowance.

NOTE G – Stock-Based Compensation

The fair value of equity awards granted to employees is recognized as compensation expense over the period during which employees are required to provide service in exchange for such awards. The Corporation grants equity awards to employees, consisting of stock options and restricted stock, under its Stock Option and Compensation Plan (Option Plan). In addition, employees may purchase stock under the Corporation’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

The following table presents compensation expense and the related tax benefits for equity awards recognized in the consolidated statements of income:


	Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
	2010			2009			2010			2009
	(in thousands)
Stock-based compensation expense	$	817		$	542		$	1,428		$	1,369
Tax benefit		(192	)		(111	)		(320	)		(186	)

Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	625		$	431		$	1,108		$	1,183

Under the Option Plan, stock options and restricted stock are granted to key employees. Restricted stock fair values and stock option exercise prices are equal to the average trading price of the Corporation’s stock on the date of grant. Stock options carry terms of up to ten years. Restricted stock awards earn dividends during the vesting period, which are forfeitable if the awards do not vest. Stock options and restricted stock are typically granted annually on July 1st and become fully vested over or after a three-year vesting period. Certain events, as defined in the Option Plan, result in the acceleration of the vesting of both stock options and restricted stock. On July 1, 2010, the Corporation granted approximately 578,000 stock options and 265,000 shares of restricted stock under its Option Plan. As of September 30, 2010, the Option Plan had 12.9 million shares reserved for future grants through 2013.

In connection with the Corporation’s participation in the UST’s CPP, the 2009 and 2010 restricted stock granted to certain key employees is subject to the requirements and limitations contained in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, as amended, and related regulations. Among other things, restricted stock grants to these key employees may not fully vest until the longer of: two years after the date of grant, or the Corporation’s participation in the CPP ends. None of the key employees who received 2009 and 2010 restricted stock grants subject to the CPP vesting restrictions received 2009 or 2010 stock option awards.

NOTE H – Employee Benefit Plans

The Corporation maintains a defined benefit pension plan (Pension Plan) for certain employees. Contributions to the Pension Plan are actuarially determined and funded annually, if required. Pension Plan assets are invested in: money markets; fixed income securities, including corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury securities and common trust funds; and equity securities, including common stocks and common stock mutual funds. In 2007, the Corporation curtailed the Pension Plan, discontinuing the accrual of benefits for all existing participants effective January 1, 2008.

The Corporation currently provides medical and life insurance benefits under a postretirement benefits plan (Postretirement Plan) to certain retired full-time employees who were employees of the Corporation prior to January 1, 1998. Certain full-time employees may become eligible for these discretionary benefits if they reach retirement age while working for the Corporation.

The Corporation recognizes the funded status of its Pension Plan and Postretirement Plan on the consolidated balance sheets and recognizes the changes in that funded status through other comprehensive income.

The net periodic benefit cost for the Corporation’s Pension Plan and Postretirement Plan, as determined by consulting actuaries, consisted of the following components for the three and nine months ended September 30:


	Pension Plan
	Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
	2010			2009			2010			2009
	(in thousands)
Service cost (1)	$	26		$	36		$	78		$	110
Interest cost		842			818			2,526			2,455
Expected return on plan assets		(802	)		(722	)		(2,406	)		(2,166	)
Net amortization and deferral		119			262			357			786

Net periodic benefit cost	$	185		$	394		$	555		$	1,185

(1)	The Pension Plan service cost recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, was related to administrative costs associated with the plan and not due to the accrual of additional participant benefits.


	Postretirement Plan
	Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
	2010			2009			2010			2009
	(in thousands)
Service cost	$	48		$	37		$	146		$	218
Interest cost		110			73			330			390
Expected return on plan assets		(1	)		(1	)		(3	)		(3	)
Net accretion and deferral		(91	)		(81	)		(273	)		(162	)

Net periodic benefit cost	$	66		$	28		$	200		$	443

NOTE I – Derivative Financial Instruments

In connection with its mortgage banking activities, the Corporation enters into commitments to originate fixed-rate residential mortgage loans for customers, also referred to as interest rate locks. In addition, the Corporation enters into forward commitments for the future sale or purchase of mortgage-backed securities to or from third-party investors to hedge the effect of changes in interest rates on the values of both the interest rate locks and mortgage loans held for sale. Forward sales commitments may also be in the form of commitments to sell individual mortgage loans at a fixed price on a future date. Both the interest rate locks and the forward commitments are accounted for as derivatives and carried at fair value, determined as the amount that would be necessary to settle each derivative financial instrument at the balance sheet date. The amount necessary to settle each interest rate lock is based on the price that secondary market investors would pay for loans with similar characteristics, including interest rate and term, as of the date fair value is measured. Gross derivative assets and liabilities are recorded within other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, with changes in fair value during the period recorded within gains on sales of mortgage loans on the consolidated statements of income.

During the third quarter of 2010, the Corporation recorded a $3.3 million increase in mortgage banking income resulting from the correction of its methodology for determining the fair value of its interest rate locks. Previously, the fair value of interest rate locks included only the value related to the change in interest rates between the date the rate was locked and the reporting date and excluded the value of the expected gain on sale as of the lock date. At September 30, 2010, the fair value of interest rate locks represented the expected gain on sale had those locks been settled and sold as of the reporting date.

This change in methodology did not result in a material difference in reported gains on sale in prior periods.

The following presents a comparison of gains on sales of mortgage loans as reported on the consolidated statements of income to the amount that would have been reported had this methodology been applied for all periods presented:


	Three months ended September 30					Nine months ended September 30
	2010		2009			2010		2009
	(in thousands)
Reported gains on sales of mortgage loans	$	12,111	$	2,778		$	18,538	$	18,764
Pro-forma gains on sales of mortgage loans		10,445		4,472			17,087		18,334

Difference	$	1,666	$	(1,694	)	$	1,451	$	430

The following table presents a summary of the notional amounts and fair values of derivative financial instruments recorded on the consolidated balance sheets, none of which have been designated as hedging instruments:


	September 30, 2010					December 31, 2009
	Notional Amount		Asset (Liability) Fair Value			Notional Amount		Asset (Liability) Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Interest Rate Locks with Customers:
Positive fair values	$	414,554	$	5,874		$	58,165	$	534
Negative fair values		0		0			106,921		(945	)

Net Interest Rate Locks with Customers				5,874					(411	)
Forward Commitments:
Positive fair values		133,620		5			232,310		1,819
Negative fair values		555,402		(2,892	)		59,432		(535	)

Net Forward Commitments				(2,887	)				1,284

			$	2,987				$	873

The following table presents a summary of the fair value gains and losses on derivative financial instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30:


	Three months ended September 30					Nine months ended September 30,
	2010		2009			2010			2009
	(in thousands)
Interest rate locks with customers	$	3,764	$	2,187		$	6,285		$	1,476
Forward commitments		2,005		(4,068	)		(4,171	)		(1,605	)
Interest rate swaps		0		0			0			(18	)

	$	5,769	$	(1,881	)	$	2,114		$	(147	)

NOTE J – Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

The Corporation is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. Those financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets. Exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit is represented by the outstanding amount of those instruments.

The outstanding amounts of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit were as follows:


	September 30, 2010		December 31, 2009
	(in thousands)
Commitments to extend credit	$	4,004,554	$	4,479,546
Standby letters of credit		515,723		551,064
Commercial letters of credit		34,586		37,662

The Corporation records a reserve for unfunded lending commitments, which represents management’s estimate of losses associated with unused commitments to extend credit on loans impaired under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35. See Note E, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” for additional details.

Residential Lending

Residential mortgages are originated and sold by the Corporation through Fulton Mortgage Company, which operates as a division of each of the Corporation’s subsidiary banks. The loans originated and sold are predominantly “prime” loans that conform to published standards of government sponsored agencies. Prior to 2008, the Corporation’s former Resource Bank subsidiary operated a national wholesale mortgage lending operation which originated and sold non-prime loans from the time the Corporation acquired Resource Bank in 2004 through 2007.

Beginning in 2007, Resource Bank experienced an increase in requests from secondary market purchasers to repurchase non-prime loans sold to those investors. These repurchase requests resulted in the Corporation recording charges representing the write-downs that were necessary to reduce the loan balances to their estimated net realizable values, based on valuations of the underlying properties, as adjusted for market factors and other considerations. Many of the loans the Corporation repurchased were delinquent and were settled through foreclosure and sale of the underlying collateral.

The following table presents actual and potential repurchases of loans originated by the Corporation’s former Resource Bank subsidiary, including a summary of the approximate principal balances and related reserves/write-downs recognized on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets, by general category:


	September 30, 2010					December 31, 2009
	Principal		Reserves/ Write-downs			Principal		Reserves/ Write-downs
	(in thousands)
Outstanding repurchase requests (1) (2)	$	5,300	$	(2,970	)	$	6,130	$	(3,750	)
No repurchase request received – sold loans with identified potential misrepresentations of borrower information (1) (2)		3,260		(820	)		3,650		(1,260	)
Repurchased loans (3)		4,250		(430	)		5,580		(870	)
Foreclosed real estate (OREO) (4)		4,320		0			9,140		0

Total reserves/write-downs			$	(4,220	)			$	(5,880	)

(1)	Principal balances had not been repurchased and, therefore, are not included on the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

(2)	Reserve balance included as a component of other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

(3)	Principal balances, net of write-downs, are included as a component of loans, net of unearned income on the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

(4)	OREO is written down to its estimated fair value upon transfer from loans receivable.

Management believes that the reserves recorded as of September 30, 2010 are adequate for the known potential repurchases. However, continued declines in collateral values or the identification of additional loans to be repurchased could necessitate additional reserves in the future.

NOTE K – Fair Value Option

FASB ASC Subtopic 825-10 permits entities to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value and requires certain disclosures for amounts for which the fair value option is applied.

The Corporation has elected to measure mortgage loans held for sale at fair value to more accurately reflect the financial performance of its mortgage banking activities in its consolidated financial statements. Derivative financial instruments related to these activities are also recorded at fair value, as noted within Note I, “Derivative Financial Instruments.” The Corporation determines fair value for its mortgage loans held for sale based on the price that secondary market investors would pay for loans with similar characteristics, including interest rate and term, as of the date fair value is measured. Changes in fair value during the period are recorded as components of gains on sales of mortgage loans on the consolidated statements of income. Interest income earned on mortgage loans held for sale is recorded within interest income on the consolidated statements of income.

The following table presents a summary of the Corporation’s fair value elections for mortgage loans held for sale:


	September 30, 2010		December 31, 2009
	(in thousands)
Cost	$	100,354	$	78,819
Fair value		103,240		79,577

Fair value adjustment	$	2,886	$	758

NOTE L – Fair Value Measurements

FASB ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements

FASB ASC Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into the following three categories (from highest to lowest priority):

•

Level 1 – Inputs that represent quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

•

Level 2 – Inputs that represent quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, or quoted prices for identical instruments in non-active markets. Also includes valuation techniques whose inputs are derived principally from observable market data other than quoted prices, such as interest rates or other market-corroborated means.

•

Level 3 – Inputs that are largely unobservable, as little or no market data exists for the instrument being valued.

The Corporation has categorized all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis into the above three levels.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements” (ASC Update 2010-06). ASC Update 2010-06 requires companies to disclose, and provide the reasons for, all transfers of assets and liabilities between the Level 1 and 2 fair value categories. ASC Update 2010-06 also clarifies that companies should disclose fair value measurement disclosures for classes of assets and liabilities which are subsets of line items within the balance sheet, if necessary. In addition, ASC Update 2010-06 provides additional clarification related to disclosures about the fair value techniques and inputs for assets and liabilities classified within Level 2 or 3 categories. The disclosure requirements prescribed by ASC Update No. 2010-06 were effective for the Corporation on March 31, 2010. The Corporation did not record any transfers of assets or liabilities between the Level 1 and Level 2 fair value categories during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2010.

ASC Update 2010-06 also requires companies to reconcile changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities by separately providing information about Level 3 purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis. This provision of ASC Update 2010-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, or March 31, 2011 for the Corporation. The adoption of this provision of ASC Update 2010-06 is not expected to materially impact the Corporation’s fair value measurement disclosures.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The Corporation’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and reported on the consolidated balance sheets were as follows:


	September 30, 2010
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
Mortgage loans held for sale	$	0	$	103,240	$	0	$	103,240
Available for sale investment securities:
Equity securities		37,347		0		0		37,347
U.S. Government securities		0		1,325		0		1,325
U.S. Government sponsored agency securities		0		11,668		0		11,668
State and municipal securities		0		369,179		0		369,179
Corporate debt securities		0		114,890		12,992		127,882
Collateralized mortgage obligations		0		963,779		0		963,779
Mortgage-backed securities		0		876,758		0		876,758
Auction rate securities		0		0		265,295		265,295

Total available for sale investments		37,347		2,337,599		278,287		2,653,233
Other financial assets		13,357		5,879		0		19,236

Total assets	$	50,704	$	2,446,718	$	278,287	$	2,775,709

Other financial liabilities	$	13,357	$	2,892	$	0	$	16,249


	December 31, 2009
Mortgage loans held for sale	$	0	$	79,577	$	0	$	79,577
Available for sale investment securities:
Equity securities		41,256		0		0		41,256
U.S. Government securities		0		1,325		0		1,325
U.S. Government sponsored agency securities		0		91,956		0		91,956
State and municipal securities		0		415,773		0		415,773
Corporate debt securities		0		104,779		11,960		116,739
Collateralized mortgage obligations		0		1,122,996		0		1,122,996
Mortgage-backed securities		0		1,080,024		0		1,080,024
Auction rate securities		0		0		289,203		289,203

Total available for sale investments		41,256		2,816,853		301,163		3,159,272
Other financial assets		13,882		2,353		0		16,235

Total assets	$	55,138	$	2,898,783	$	301,163	$	3,255,084

Other financial liabilities	$	13,882	$	1,480	$	0	$	15,362

The valuation techniques used to measure fair value for the items in the tables above are as follows:

•

Mortgage loans held for sale – This category consists of mortgage loans held for sale that the Corporation has elected to measure at fair value. Fair values as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were measured as the price that secondary market investors were offering for loans with similar characteristics.

•

Available for sale investment securities – Included within this asset category are both equity and debt securities:

•

Equity securities – Equity securities consist of stocks of financial institutions ($29.1 million at September 30, 2010 and $32.3 million at December 31, 2009) and mutual fund and other equity investments ($8.2 million at September 30, 2010 and $9.0 million at December 31, 2009). These Level 1 investments are measured at fair value based on quoted prices for identical securities in active markets. Restricted equity securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and Federal Reserve Bank ($101.1 million at September 30, 2010 and $99.1 million at December 31, 2009) have been excluded from the above table.

•

U.S. Government securities/U.S. Government sponsored agency securities/State and municipal securities/Collateralized mortgage obligations/Mortgage-backed securities – These debt securities are classified as Level 2 investments. Fair values are determined by a third-party pricing service using both quoted prices for similar assets, when available, and model-based valuation techniques that derive fair value based on market-corroborated data, such as instruments with similar prepayment speeds and default interest rates. The pricing data and market quotes the Corporation obtains from outside sources are reviewed internally for reasonableness.

•

Corporate debt securities – This category includes subordinated debt issued by financial institutions ($35.7 million at September 30, 2010 and $32.7 million at December 31, 2009), single-issuer trust preferred securities issued by financial institutions ($84.7 million at September 30, 2010 and $75.8 million at December 31, 2009), pooled trust preferred securities issued by financial institutions ($4.4 million at September 30, 2010 and $5.0 million at December 31, 2009) and other corporate debt issued by non-financial institutions ($3.1 million at September 30, 2010 and $3.2 million at December 31, 2009).

Classified as Level 2 investments are the subordinated debt, other corporate debt issued by non-financial institutions and $76.1 million and $68.8 million of single-issuer trust preferred securities held at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. These corporate debt securities are measured at fair value by a third-party pricing service using both quoted prices for similar assets, when available, and model-based valuation techniques that derive fair value based on market-corroborated data, such as instruments with similar prepayment speeds and default interest rates. As with the debt securities described above, an active market presently exists for securities similar to these corporate debt security holdings.

Classified as Level 3 assets are the Corporation’s investments in pooled trust preferred securities and certain single-issuer trust preferred securities ($8.6 million at September 30, 2010 and $7.0 million at December 31, 2009). The fair values of these securities were determined based on quotes provided by third-party brokers who determined fair values based predominantly on internal valuation models which were not indicative prices or binding offers. The Corporation’s third-party pricing service cannot derive fair values for these securities primarily due to inactive market transactions for similar investments.

•

Auction rate securities – Due to their illiquidity, ARCs are classified as Level 3 investments and are valued through the use of an expected cash flows model prepared by a third-party valuation expert. The assumptions used in preparing the expected cash flows model include estimates for coupon rates, time to maturity and market rates of return. The expected cash flows model the Corporation obtains from outside sources is reviewed internally for reasonableness.

•

Other financial assets – Included within this asset category are: Level 1 assets, consisting of mutual funds that are held in trust for employee deferred compensation plans and measured at fair value based on quoted prices for identical securities in active markets; and Level 2 assets, representing the fair value of mortgage banking derivatives in the form of interest rate locks and forward commitments with secondary market investors. The fair value of the Corporation’s interest rate locks and forward commitments are determined as the amount that would be required to settle each derivative financial instrument at the balance sheet date. See Note I, “Derivative Financial Instruments,” for additional information.

•

Other financial liabilities – Included within this category are: Level 1 employee deferred compensation liabilities which represent amounts due to employees under the deferred compensation plans described under the heading “Other financial assets” above and Level 2 mortgage banking derivatives, described under the heading “Other financial assets” above.

The following tables present the changes in the Corporation’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:


Three months ended September 30, 2010
	Available for Sale Investment Securities								Other Financial Liabilities – ARC Financial Guarantee (1)
	Pooled Trust Preferred Securities			Single-issuer Trust Preferred Securities		ARC Investments
	(in thousands)
Balance, June 30, 2010	$	4,279		$	8,085	$	276,539		$	0
Realized adjustment to fair value (2)		(2,335	)		0		0			0
Unrealized adjustment to fair value (3)		2,805			466		(704	)		0
Sales		0			0		(10,233	)		0
Redemptions		(328	)		0		(1,470	)		0
Discount accretion (4)		20			0		1,163			0

Balance, September 30, 2010	$	4,441		$	8,551	$	265,295		$	0


Three months ended September 30, 2009

Balance, June 30, 2009	$	4,915		$	7,006	$	289,575		$	0
Realized adjustment to fair value (2)		(1,846	)		0		0			0
Unrealized adjustment to fair value (3)		1,781			1,054		3,457			0
Sales		0			0		(2,872	)		0
Redemptions		0			0		(5,549	)		0
(Premium amortization) Discount accretion (4)		(4	)		1		979			0

Balance, September 30, 2009	$	4,846		$	8,061	$	285,590		$	0



Nine months ended September 30, 2010
	Available for Sale Investment Securities								Other Financial Liabilities – ARC Financial Guarantee (1)
	Pooled Trust Preferred Securities			Single-issuer Trust Preferred Securities		ARC Investments
	(in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2009	$	4,979		$	6,981	$	289,203		$	0
Realized adjustment to fair value (2)		(9,477	)		0		0			0
Unrealized adjustment to fair value (3)		9,258			919		(4,346	)		0
Sales		0			0		(15,266	)		0
Redemptions		(328	)		0		(7,852	)		0
Transfers to Level 3 from Level 2		0			650		0			0
Discount accretion (4)		9			1		3,556			0

Balance, September 30, 2010	$	4,441		$	8,551	$	265,295		$	0


Nine months ended September 30, 2009
Balance, December 31, 2008	$	15,381		$	7,544	$	195,900		$	(8,653	)
Purchases (1)		0			0		89,383			14,890
Realized adjustment to fair value (2)		(6,475	)		0		0			(6,237	)
Unrealized adjustment to fair value (3)		(4,059	)		514		6,604			0
Sales		0			0		(2,872	)		0
Redemptions		0			0		(6,266	)		0
(Premium amortization) Discount accretion (4)		(1	)		3		2,841			0

Balance, September 30, 2009	$	4,846		$	8,061	$	285,590		$	0

(1)

In 2008, the Corporation offered to purchase illiquid ARCs from customers. The estimated fair value of the guarantee was determined based on the difference between the fair value of the underlying ARCs and their estimated purchase price. During 2009, the Corporation completed the repurchase of all eligible ARCs and, as of December 31, 2009, there were no longer any ARCs still held by customers that the Corporation had agreed to purchase.

(2)	For pooled trust preferred securities, realized adjustments to fair value represent credit related other-than-temporary impairment charges that were recorded as a reduction to investment securities gains on the consolidated statements of income.

(3)

Pooled trust preferred securities, single-issuer trust preferred securities, and ARCs are classified as available for sale investment securities; as such, the unrealized adjustment to fair value was recorded as an unrealized holding gain (loss) and included as a component of available for sale investment securities on the consolidated balance sheet.

(4)	Included as a component of net interest income on the consolidated statements of income.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain financial assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value measurement in certain circumstances, such as upon their acquisition or when there is evidence of impairment.

The Corporation’s assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and reported on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets were as follows:


	September 30, 2010
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
Net loans	$	0	$	344	$	757,323	$	757,667
Other financial assets		0		0		56,171		56,171

Total assets	$	0	$	344	$	813,494	$	814,838

Reserve for unfunded commitments	$	0	$	0	$	3,150	$	3,150


	December 31, 2009
Loans held for sale	$	0	$	5,807	$	0	$	5,807
Net loans		0		0		642,889		642,889
Other financial assets		0		0		45,807		45,807

Total assets	$	0	$	5,807	$	688,696	$	694,503

Reserve for unfunded commitments	$	0	$	0	$	855	$	855

The valuation techniques used to measure fair value for the items in the tables above are as follows:

•

Loans held for sale – This category consists of floating rate residential mortgage construction loans which are measured at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. Fair value was measured as the prices that secondary market investors were offering for loans with similar characteristics.

•

Net loans – This category consists of residential mortgage loans and home equity loans that were previously sold and repurchased from secondary market investors during the first nine months of 2010 and have been classified as Level 2 assets. Upon repurchase, these loans were written down to the appraised value of their underlying collateral, less estimated selling costs. See Note J, “Commitments and Contingencies” for additional information.

This category also consists of loans that were considered to be impaired under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35 and have been classified as Level 3 assets. Impaired loans are generally measured at the fair value of their underlying collateral. An allowance for loan losses is allocated to an impaired loan if its carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value. The amount shown is the balance of impaired loans, net of the related allowance for loan losses. See Note E, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” for additional details.

•

Other financial assets – This category includes other real estate owned (OREO) ($30.2 million at September 30, 2010 and $23.3 million at December 31, 2009) and mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) ($26.0 million at September 30, 2010 and $22.5 million at December 31, 2009), both classified as Level 3 assets.

Fair values for OREO were based on estimated selling prices less estimated selling costs for similar assets in active markets.

MSRs are initially recorded at fair value upon the sale of residential mortgage loans, which the Corporation continues to service, to secondary market investors. MSRs are amortized as a reduction to servicing income over the estimated lives of the underlying loans. MSRs are evaluated quarterly for impairment by comparing the carrying amount to estimated fair value. Fair value is determined at the end of each quarter through a discounted cash flows valuation.

Significant inputs to the valuation include expected net servicing income, the discount rate and the expected life of the underlying loans.

•

Reserve for unfunded commitments – This liability represents management’s estimate of losses associated with unused commitments to extend credit on loans which are impaired under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35, and included as Level 3 liabilities above. The reserve for unfunded commitments represents the shortfall between commitments to extend credit on impaired loans in comparison to the fair value of their underlying collateral. See Note E, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” for additional details.

FASB ASC Section 825-10-50 Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The following table details the book values and estimated fair values of the Corporation’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. A general description of the methods and assumptions used to estimate such fair values is also provided.

Fair values of financial instruments are significantly affected by assumptions used, principally the timing of future cash flows and discount rates. Because assumptions are inherently subjective in nature, the estimated fair values cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent market quotes and, in many cases, the estimated fair values could not necessarily be realized in an immediate sale or settlement of the instrument. Further, certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments not measured at fair value on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets are excluded. For financial instruments listed below which are not measured at fair value on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not necessarily represent management’s estimate of the underlying value of the Corporation.


	September 30, 2010				December 31, 2009
	Book Value		Estimated Fair Value		Book Value		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
FINANCIAL ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	255,800	$	255,800	$	284,508	$	284,508
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks		193,421		193,421		16,591		16,791
Loans held for sale (1)		103,240		103,240		85,384		85,384
Securities held to maturity		7,930		8,012		8,700		8,797
Securities available for sale (1)		2,754,308		2,754,308		3,258,386		3,258,386
Loans, net of unearned income (1)		11,950,618		11,923,576		11,972,424		11,972,109
Accrued interest receivable		55,167		55,167		58,515		58,515
Other financial assets (1)		150,315		150,315		128,374		128,374
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Demand and savings deposits	$	7,676,858	$	7,676,858	$	6,784,050	$	6,784,050
Time deposits		4,891,259		4,938,001		5,313,864		5,349,237
Short-term borrowings		471,081		471,081		868,940		868,940
Accrued interest payable		35,402		35,402		46,596		46,596
Other financial liabilities (1)		57,945		57,945		53,267		53,267
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and long-term debt		1,199,513		1,197,305		1,540,773		1,474,082

(1)	Description of fair value determinations for these financial instruments, or certain financial instruments within these categories, measured at fair value on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets, are detailed under the heading, “FASB ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements,” above.

For short-term financial instruments, defined as those with remaining maturities of 90 days or less and excluding those recorded at fair value and reported above under the heading “FASB ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements,” the book value was considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

The following instruments are predominantly short-term:


Assets		Liabilities
Cash and due from banks		Demand and savings deposits
Interest bearing deposits		Short-term borrowings
Federal funds sold		Accrued interest payable
Accrued interest receivable		Other financial liabilities

For those components of the above-listed financial instruments with remaining maturities greater than 90 days, fair values were determined by discounting contractual cash flows using rates which could be earned for assets with similar remaining maturities and, in the case of liabilities, rates at which the liabilities with similar remaining maturities could be issued as of the balance sheet date.

The estimated fair values of securities held to maturity as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were based on quoted market prices, broker quotes or dealer quotes.

For short-term loans and variable rate loans that reprice within 90 days, the book value was considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value. For other types of loans and time deposits, fair value was estimated by discounting future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.

The fair value of FHLB advances and long-term debt was estimated by discounting the remaining contractual cash flows using a rate at which the Corporation could issue debt with a similar remaining maturity as of the balance sheet date. The fair values of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, included within other financial liabilities above, are estimated to equal their carrying amounts.

NOTE M – New Accounting Standard

In July 2010, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2010-20, “Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses” (ASC Update 2010-20). The goal of ASC Update 2010-20 is to improve transparency in financial reporting by companies that hold financing receivables, which include loans, lease receivables, and other long-term receivables. ASC Update 2010-20 requires companies to provide more information in their disclosures about the credit quality of their financing receivables and the credit reserves held against them. The Corporation’s new and existing disclosures related to the credit quality of loans will be disaggregated based on how it develops its allowance for credit losses and how it measures credit exposures.

For publicly traded companies, the expanded disclosure requirements of ASC Update 2010-20 that relate to end of reporting period information are effective for periods ending on or after December 15, 2010, or December 31, 2010 for the Corporation. The expanded disclosure requirements that relate to credit quality activity during a reporting period are effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010, or January 1, 2011 for the Corporation. The adoption of ASC Update 2010-20 will impact the Corporation’s disclosures related to its allowance for credit losses; however, this update will not impact how the Corporation measures its allowance for credit losses.

NOTE N – Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the 2009 consolidated financial statements and notes have been reclassified to conform to the 2010 presentation.

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Management’s Discussion) relates to Fulton Financial Corporation (the Corporation), a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act and incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1982, and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Management’s discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes presented in this report.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Corporation has made, and may continue to make, certain forward-looking statements with respect to its financial conditions and results of operations. Many factors could affect future financial results, including without limitation: asset quality and the impact of adverse changes in the economy and in credit or other markets and resulting effects on credit risk and asset values; acquisition and growth strategies; market risk; changes or adverse developments in economic, political, or regulatory conditions; a continuation or worsening of the current disruption in credit and other markets, including the lack of or reduced access to, and the abnormal functioning of, markets for mortgages and other asset-backed securities and for commercial paper and other short-term borrowings; changes in the levels of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance premiums and assessments; the effect of competition and interest rates on net interest margin and net interest income; investment strategy and income growth; investment securities gains and losses; declines in the value of securities which may result in charges to earnings; changes in rates of deposit and loan growth or a decline in loans originated; balances of risk-sensitive assets to risk-sensitive liabilities; salaries and employee benefits and other expenses; amortization of intangible assets; goodwill impairment; capital and liquidity strategies, and other financial and business matters for future periods. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “should,” “will,” “could,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “future” and “intends” and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Corporation’s control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. The Corporation undertakes no obligation, other than as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary Financial Results

The Corporation generates the majority of its revenue through net interest income, or the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and interest paid on deposits and borrowings. Growth in net interest income is dependent upon balance sheet growth and/or maintaining or increasing the net interest margin, which is net interest income (fully taxable-equivalent, or FTE) as a percentage of average interest-earning assets. The Corporation also generates revenue through fees earned on the various services and products offered to its customers and through sales of assets, such as loans, investments or properties. Offsetting these revenue sources are provisions for credit losses on loans, operating expenses and income taxes.

The following table presents a summary of the Corporation’s earnings and selected performance ratios:


	As of or for the Three months ended September 30						As of or for the Nine months ended September 30
	2010			2009			2010			2009
Net income available to common shareholders (in thousands)	$	31,508		$	18,300		$	80,539		$	34,419
Income before income taxes (in thousands)	$	50,473		$	29,171		$	130,185		$	59,344
Diluted net income per share (1)	$	0.16		$	0.10		$	0.43		$	0.20
Return on average assets		0.91	%		0.56	%		0.79	%		0.40	%
Return on average common equity (2)		6.67	%		4.78	%		6.18	%		3.06	%
Return on average tangible common equity (3)		9.68	%		7.91	%		9.33	%		5.24	%
Net interest margin (4)		3.81	%		3.55	%		3.79	%		3.48	%
Non-performing assets to total assets		2.28	%		1.82	%		2.28	%		1.82	%
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)		1.19	%		0.81	%		1.03	%		0.93	%

(1)	Net income available to common shareholders divided by diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.

(2)	Net income available to common shareholders divided by average common shareholders’ equity.

(3)	Net income available to common shareholders, adjusted for intangible asset amortization (net of tax), divided by average common shareholders’ equity, excluding goodwill and intangible assets.

(4)	Presented on an FTE basis, using a 35% Federal tax rate and statutory interest expense disallowances. See also the “Net Interest Income” section of Management’s Discussion.

The Corporation’s income before income taxes for the third quarter of 2010 increased $21.3 million, or 73.0%, in comparison to the third quarter of 2009. Income before income taxes for the first nine months of 2010 increased $70.8 million, or 119.4%, in comparison to the first nine months of 2009. The increases were primarily due to the following significant items:

•

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, a $9.3 million, or 336.0%, increase in gains on sales of mortgage loans. During the third quarter of 2010, the Corporation recorded $3.3 million of mortgage sale gains resulting from a correction of its methodology for determining the fair value of its commitments to originate fixed-rate residential mortgage loans, also referred to as interest rate locks. See Note I, “Derivative Financial Instruments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details. Adjusting for the impact of this change, gains on sales of mortgage loans increased $6.0 million, or 133.6%. During the third quarter of 2010, interest rates on residential mortgage loans declined to historically low levels, resulting in strong refinance activity and increased margins on sales of loans.

•

Increases in net interest income of $7.4 million and $33.0 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. The increases in net interest income were a result of increases in the net interest margin. For the third quarter of 2010, the net interest margin increased 26 basis points, or 7.3%, in comparison to the third quarter of 2009. For the first nine months of 2010, net interest margin increased 31 basis points, or 8.9%. The increases in net interest margin resulted primarily from significant declines in funding costs.

•

Decreases in the provision for loan losses of $5.0 million and $25.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, allowance allocation needs for impaired loans slowed in comparison to the same periods in 2009, resulting in a decrease in the provision for loan losses.

•

Decreases in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance expense of $535,000 and $6.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. The decrease in FDIC insurance expense for the third quarter of 2010 was the result of the Corporation opting out of the Transaction Account Guarantee (TAG) Program. During the second quarter of 2009, the

Corporation paid a $7.7 million special FDIC assessment. Partially offsetting the impact of the special assessment was an increase in assessment rates and an increase in the balance of insured deposits in 2010.

•

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 in comparison the same period in 2009, a $6.2 million decrease in losses associated with the Corporation’s guarantee to purchase illiquid student loan auction rate securities, also known as auction rate certificates (ARCs). Fulton Financial Advisors (FFA), the investment management and trust division of the Corporation’s Fulton Bank, N.A. subsidiary, held ARCs for some of its customers’ accounts. FFA had previously sold ARCs to customers as short-term investments with fair values that could be derived based on periodic auctions under normal market conditions. During the first quarter of 2009, the Corporation recorded a pre-tax charge, as a component of operating risk loss on the consolidated statements of income, of $6.2 million, which represented contingent losses related to guarantees to purchase ARCs held by customers. As of December 31, 2009, the Corporation had purchased all remaining ARCs held by customers, and no additional charges were recorded during the first nine months of 2010.

Common Stock Offering and Redemption of Preferred Stock

In May 2010, the Corporation issued 21.8 million shares of its common stock for total proceeds of $226.3 million in anticipation of redeeming its outstanding preferred stock issued to the U.S. Department of the Treasury (UST).

In July 2010, the Corporation redeemed all 376,500 outstanding shares of its Series A preferred stock with a total payment to the UST of $379.6 million, consisting of $376.5 million of principal and $3.1 million of dividends. The preferred stock had a carrying value of $371.0 million on the redemption date, as a result of allocating the proceeds received upon issuance to the preferred stock and common stock warrants, also issued to the UST, based on their relative fair value. Upon redemption, the remaining $5.5 million preferred stock discount was recorded as a reduction to third quarter net income available to common shareholders.

In September 2010, the Corporation repurchased its outstanding common stock warrant for the purchase of 5.5 million shares of its common stock for $10.8 million, completing the Corporation’s participation in the UST’s Capital Purchase Program (CPP). Upon repurchase, the common stock warrant had a carrying value of $7.6 million. The repurchase price of $10.8 million was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital on the statement of shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income.

Quarter Ended September 30, 2010 compared to the Quarter Ended September 30, 2009

Net Interest Income

FTE net interest income increased $7.5 million, or 5.5%, from $136.6 million in the third quarter of 2009 to $144.1 million in the third quarter of 2010. This increase was the net result of a $12.4 million decrease in FTE interest income and a $19.9 million decrease in interest expense.

The following table provides a comparative average balance sheet and net interest income analysis for the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009. Interest income and yields are presented on an FTE basis, using a 35% Federal tax rate and statutory interest expense disallowances. The discussion following this table is based on these FTE amounts. All dollar amounts are in thousands.


	Three months ended September 30
	2010									2009
	Average Balance			Interest (1)			Yield/ Rate			Average Balance			Interest (1)			Yield/ Rate
ASSETS
Interest-earning assets:
Loans, net of unearned income (2)	$	11,958,145		$	160,125			5.32	%	$	11,913,581		$	163,915			5.46	%
Taxable investment securities (3)		2,303,692			22,363			3.88			2,722,751			29,376			4.31
Tax-exempt investment securities (3)		345,281			4,961			5.75			436,209			6,101			5.59
Equity securities (3)		138,993			760			2.18			132,176			632			1.90

Total investment securities		2,787,966			28,084			4.03			3,291,136			36,109			4.39
Loans held for sale		78,862			919			4.66			102,367			1,550			6.06
Other interest-earning assets		204,601			102			0.20			24,348			51			0.83

Total interest-earning assets		15,029,574			189,230			5.01	%		15,331,432			201,625			5.23	%
Noninterest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks		280,784									301,875
Premises and equipment		203,995									204,416
Other assets		1,133,469									959,628
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(285,801	)								(234,446	)

Total Assets	$	16,362,021								$	16,562,905

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits	$	2,129,407		$	1,868			0.35	%	$	1,883,087		$	2,119			0.45	%
Savings deposits		3,214,558			4,972			0.61			2,556,717			5,187			0.80
Time deposits		4,987,212			22,915			1.82			5,554,349			36,519			2.61

Total interest-bearing deposits		10,331,177			29,755			1.14			9,994,153			43,825			1.74
Short-term borrowings		489,013			267			0.22			863,281			835			0.38
FHLB advances and long-term debt		1,274,411			15,148			4.73			1,695,427			20,400			4.77

Total interest-bearing liabilities		12,094,601			45,170			1.48	%		12,552,861			65,060			2.06	%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits		2,140,866									1,922,460
Other		198,922									198,314

Total Liabilities		14,434,389									14,673,635
Shareholders’ equity		1,927,632									1,889,270

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	16,362,021								$	16,562,905

Net interest income/net interest margin (FTE)					144,060			3.81	%					136,565			3.55	%

Tax equivalent adjustment					(3,874	)								(3,764	)

Net interest income				$	140,186								$	132,801

(1)	Includes dividends earned on equity securities.

(2)	Includes non-performing loans.

(3)	Balances include amortized historical cost for available for sale securities. The related unrealized holding gains (losses) are included in other assets.

The following table summarizes the changes in FTE interest income and expense due to changes in average balances (volume) and changes in rates:


	2010 vs. 2009 Increase (decrease) due to change in
	Volume			Rate			Net
	(in thousands)
Interest income on:
Loans, net of unearned income	$	572		$	(4,362	)	$	(3,790	)
Taxable investment securities		(4,258	)		(2,755	)		(7,013	)
Tax-exempt investment securities		(1,313	)		173			(1,140	)
Equity securities		33			95			128
Loans held for sale		(315	)		(316	)		(631	)
Other interest-earning assets		116			(65	)		51

Total interest income	$	(5,165	)	$	(7,230	)	$	(12,395	)

Interest expense on:
Demand deposits	$	254		$	(505	)	$	(251	)
Savings deposits		1,170			(1,385	)		(215	)
Time deposits		(3,445	)		(10,159	)		(13,604	)
Short-term borrowings		(283	)		(285	)		(568	)
FHLB advances and long-term debt		(5,048	)		(204	)		(5,252	)

Total interest expense	$	(7,352	)	$	(12,538	)	$	(19,890	)

A 22 basis point, or 4.2%, decrease in average yields resulted in a $7.2 million decrease in interest income. The remaining $5.2 million decrease was due to a $301.9 million, or 2.0%, decrease in average interest-earning assets.

Average loans, by type, are summarized in the following table:


	Three months ended September 30				Increase (decrease)
	2010		2009		$			%
	(dollars in thousands)
Real estate – commercial mortgage	$	4,341,685	$	4,158,802	$	182,883			4.4	%
Commercial – industrial, financial and agricultural		3,671,128		3,667,854		3,274			0.1
Real estate – home equity		1,643,615		1,651,400		(7,785	)		(0.5	)
Real estate – residential mortgage		998,165		933,943		64,222			6.9
Real estate – construction		868,497		1,050,359		(181,862	)		(17.3	)
Consumer		366,719		371,676		(4,957	)		(1.3	)
Leasing and other		68,336		79,547		(11,211	)		(14.1	)

Total	$	11,958,145	$	11,913,581	$	44,564			0.4	%

Geographically, the growth in commercial mortgages was throughout all of the Corporation’s markets, with increases in Pennsylvania ($121.1 million, or 5.7%), New Jersey ($22.2 million, or 1.9%), Virginia ($20.1 million, or 6.1%) and Maryland ($19.3 million, or 5.2%).

The $64.2 million, or 6.9%, increase in residential mortgages was primarily due to the Corporation retaining 10 and 15 year fixed rate mortgages in portfolio. The majority of these loans were underwritten to the standards required for sale to third-party investors. However, the Corporation elected to retain them in portfolio.

The $181.9 million, or 17.3%, decrease in construction loans was primarily due to repayments and partially due to $65.0 million of charge-offs recorded since the end of the third quarter of 2009. Geographically, the decline in construction loans was attributable to the Corporation’s Maryland ($79.3 million, or 29.4%), Virginia ($68.5 million, or 25.0%) and New Jersey ($62.5 million, or 29.8%) markets, partially offset by an increase in the Pennsylvania ($29.6 million, or 10.5%) market.

The average yield on loans decreased 14 basis points, or 2.6%, from 5.46% in 2009 to 5.32% in 2010, despite the average prime rate remaining at 3.25% for the third quarters of both 2010 and 2009. The decrease in average yields on loans was attributable to repayments of higher-yielding loans and declining average rates on fixed and adjustable rate loans which, unlike floating rate loans, have a lagged repricing effect.

Average investments decreased $503.2 million, or 15.3%, due largely to sales and maturities of mortgage-backed securities, U.S. government sponsored agency securities, and state and municipal securities, the proceeds of which were not fully reinvested into the portfolio because current rates on many investment options were not attractive. The average yield on investments decreased 36 basis points, or 8.2%, from 4.39% in 2009 to 4.03% in 2010, as investment security purchases were at yields that were lower than the overall portfolio yield.

Other interest-earning assets, consisting of interest-bearing deposits with other banks, increased $180.3 million, or 740.3%. The increase was due to a lack of attractive alternative investments, as evidenced by the decline in investment securities and the slight decrease in loans.

Interest expense decreased $19.9 million, or 30.6%, to $45.2 million in the third quarter of 2010 from $65.1 million in the third quarter of 2009. Interest expense decreased $12.5 million as a result of a 58 basis point, or 28.2%, decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Interest expense decreased an additional $7.4 million as a result of a $458.3 million, or 3.7%, decline in average interest-bearing liabilities.

The following table summarizes the changes in average deposits, by type:


	Three months ended September 30				Increase (decrease)
	2010		2009		$			%
	(dollars in thousands)
Noninterest-bearing demand	$	2,140,866	$	1,922,460	$	218,406			11.4	%
Interest-bearing demand		2,129,407		1,883,087		246,320			13.1
Savings		3,214,558		2,556,717		657,841			25.7

Total demand and savings		7,484,831		6,362,264		1,122,567			17.6
Time deposits		4,987,212		5,554,349		(567,137	)		(10.2	)

Total deposits	$	12,472,043	$	11,916,613	$	555,430			4.7	%

The Corporation experienced an increase in noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing demand and savings accounts of $1.1 billion, or 17.6%. The increase in noninterest and interest-bearing demand and savings accounts consisted of a $608.7 million, or 19.2%, increase in municipal and business accounts and a $513.9 million, or 16.1%, increase in personal accounts. The growth in business accounts was due, in part, to businesses being required to keep higher balances on hand to offset service fees, as well as a migration from the Corporation’s cash management products due to low interest rates. The increase in personal accounts was largely due to a decrease in customer certificates of deposit.

The decrease in time deposits consisted of a $543.7 million, or 9.8%, decrease in customer certificates of deposit and a $23.5 million, or 73.2%, decrease in brokered certificates of deposit. As noted above, the decrease in customer certificates of deposit was largely due to customers transferring funds to interest-bearing demand and savings accounts as rates on certificates of deposit have not been attractive.

The average cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased 60 basis points, or 34.5%, from 1.74% in 2009 to 1.14% in 2010 primarily due to the maturities of higher-rate certificates of deposit. The average cost of time deposits decreased 79 basis points, or 30.3%. During the third quarter of 2010, $1.2 billion of time deposits matured at a weighted average rate of 1.59%, while $1.1 billion of time deposits were issued at a weighted average rate of 1.14%.

As average deposits increased, short-term and long-term borrowings decreased, as summarized in the following table:


	Three months ended September 30				Increase (decrease)
	2010		2009		$			%
	(dollars in thousands)
Short-term borrowings:
Customer repurchase agreements	$	203,158	$	259,534	$	(56,376	)		(21.7	%)
Customer short-term promissory notes		257,510		254,789		2,721			1.1

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company