text: **CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING**
  **FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS**
  
  This Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the 
  Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this Form 10-K, 
  words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “predict,” “project,” and similar expressions, 
  as they relate to us or our management, identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are 
  based on information currently available to our management. Actual results could differ materially from those 
  contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to: 
  
  •  general economic conditions; 
  
  •  legislative and regulatory actions and reforms; 
  
  •  competition from other financial institutions and financial holding companies; 
  
  • 
  the effects of and changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of 
  the Federal Reserve Board; 
  
  •  changes in the demand for loans; 
  
  •  fluctuations in value of collateral and loan reserves; 
  
  •  inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; 
  
  •  changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; 
  
  •  acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; and 
  
  • other factors described in “PART II, Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
  Condition and Results of Operations.” 