The Company’s business is subject to interest rate risk and variations in interest rates may negatively affect its financial performance.

Changes in the interest rate environment may reduce profits.  The Company’s earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon its net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between the interest earned on loans, securities and other interest-earning assets, and interest paid on deposits, borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities.  As prevailing interest rates change, net interest spreads are affected by the difference between the maturities and re-pricing characteristics of...