text: Salaries and employee benefits for 2001 totaled $28.7 million, an increase of $1.6 million as compared to 2000. 
  The increase resulted primarily from normal salary increases and the addition of employees from our acquisition 
  finalized in July 2001. Net occupancy and equipment expense in the aggregate for 2001 increased by $710 thousand 
  and resulted primarily from higher utilities and repair and maintenance expense. Other professional fees for 2001 
  increased $302 thousand as compared to the prior year. The increase resulted primarily from; (i) executive search 
  fees; (ii) leasehold improvement design fees; and (iii) technology systems conversions. Printing, stationery, and 
  supplies expense for 2001 increased $202 thousand as compared to 2000 and reflects expense related to the printing 
  of additional customer disclosures and supplies related to implementation of check imaging at a number of our 
  subsidiary banks. 