form11k.htm


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

FORM 11-K

(Mark One)

T
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007

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

For the transition period from _______________ to _______________

Commission File Number:  0-32637

A.
Full title of the Plan and the address of the Plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

Ames National Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan

B.
Name of the issuer of the securities held pursuant to the Plan and the address of its principal executive office:

Ames National Corporation
405 Fifth Street
Ames, Iowa 50010
 


 
 

 
 
REQUIRED INFORMATION

 
1.
Financial statements and schedules of the Ames National Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 are attached hereto.

 
2.
A written consent of Independent Auditors is attached hereto as Exhibit 23 and is incorporated herein by this reference.


 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Plan Administrator
Ames National Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
Ames, Iowa


We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of Ames National Corporation 401(k) Profit sharing Plan as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  The Plan is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.  Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of Ames National Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole.  The accompanying supplemental schedule is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.  The supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management.  The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is presented fairly, in all material respects, in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
 
Graphic
West Des Moines, Iowa
June 23, 2008

 
AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
December 31, 2007 and 2006

   
2007
   
2006
 
INVESTMENTS
           
Participant-directed investments
  $ 20,045,982     $ 4,856,324  
Nonparticipant-directed investments
    -       14,009,144  
                 
Total investments
    20,045,982       18,865,468  
                 
CASH     526,655       456,086  
                 
RECEIVABLES
               
Accrued interest and dividends
    60,934       71,035  
Contributions receivable from employer
    3,273       50,387  
                 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
  $ 20,636,844     $ 19,442,976  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 
AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
Years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006

   
2007
   
2006
 
ADDITIONS TO NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTED TO:
           
Investment income:
           
Interest
  $ 232,078     $ 326,142  
Dividends
    186,461       395,948  
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
    751,144       520,685  
                 
Total investment income
    1,169,683       1,242,775  
                 
Contributions:
               
Employer
    615,764       579,254  
Participants
    653,791       577,665  
                 
Total contributions
    1,269,555       1,156,919  
                 
Total additions
    2,439,238       2,399,694  
                 
DEDUCTIONS FROM NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTED TO:
               
Benefits paid to participants
    1,245,370       1,501,072  
Operating expenses
    -       338  
                 
Total deductions
    1,245,370       1,501,410  
                 
NET INCREASE
    1,193,868       898,284  
                 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
    19,442,976       18,544,692  
 
               
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS, END OF YEAR
  $ 20,636,844     $ 19,442,976  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007 and 2006


NOTE 1 - DESCRIPTION OF PLAN

The Ames National Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the Plan) is sponsored by Ames National Corporation and its subsidiaries:  First National Bank, Ames, Iowa (the Plan trustee); Boone Bank & Trust, Boone, Iowa; Randall-Story State Bank, Story City, Iowa; State Bank & Trust, Nevada, Iowa; and United Bank & Trust, Marshalltown, Iowa (collectively, the Companies).  The following description of the Plan provides only general information.  Participants should refer to the Plan agreement for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.

General and eligibility

The Plan is a defined contribution plan covering employees of the Companies who have completed six months of employment with a minimum of 500 hours of service and are age 21 or older.  Employees are eligible to make salary deferral contributions to the Plan on January 1, or July 1, following their eligibility date.  To be entitled to employer contributions, a participant must complete 1,000 hours of service during the plan year and must be employed by the Companies on the last day of the Plan year.  The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

Contributions

Participants may contribute up to 100% of their annual compensation as defined by the Plan subject to limits of $15,500 and $15,000 in 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The Companies provide a matching contribution up to 2% of the participant’s compensation, a nondiscretionary contribution of 5% of the participants’ compensation and may also make additional discretionary contributions based on profits.  The discretionary contributions are determined by the Boards of Directors on an annual basis.  Participants may also contribute amounts representing distributions from other qualified defined benefit or contribution plans.  For 2007, all Plan investments were participant-directed.  In 2006, the Plan investments for deferral and matching contributions were participant-directed, and the Companies’ nondiscretionary and discretionary contributions were invested by the Plan trustee (nonparticipant-directed).

Participant accounts

Each participant’s account is credited with that participant’s contribution, the Companies’ matching contribution and an allocation of (a) the Companies’ discretionary contribution and (b) Plan earnings.  Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances, as defined.  The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.  Forfeited balances of terminated participants’ nonvested balances are used to reduce future contributions from the Companies.

Vesting

Participants are immediately vested in their voluntary contributions and the employer matching contributions and earnings thereon.  Vesting in the Companies’ discretionary and nondiscretionary contributions and earnings thereon is based on years of continuous service.  A participant is 100% vested in discretionary contributions after three years of credited service with no vesting prior to that time.


AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007 and 2006


NOTE 1 - DESCRIPTION OF PLAN (CONTINUED)

Payment of benefits

On termination of service due to death, disability, retirement or any other reason, a participant or their beneficiaries may elect to receive an amount equal to the value of the participant’s vested interest in his or her account in a lump sum amount.

Loans to participants

Participants may borrow from their fund accounts up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their vested account balance.  Loan transactions are treated as transfers between the investment fund and the participant loan fund.  Loans outstanding at December 31, 2007 mature through 2017 and the interest rates (as determined by the plan administrator) range from 4.5% to 7.75%.  Principal and interest are paid ratably through monthly payroll deductions, generally, over five years. However, repayment of loans for the purchase of a primary residence may exceed five years.  The loans are secured by the balance in the participant’s account.

Forfeited accounts

The forfeitures are used to reduce contributions from the Companies.  Forfeitures for non-vested account balances for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, were approximately $7,000 and $13,300, respectively.


NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Plan year ends on December 31.  Significant accounting policies followed by the Plan are presented below.

Basis of presentation

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting and present the net assets available for plan benefits and changes in those assets in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Use of estimates in preparing financial statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of additions to and deductions from net assets during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.


AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007 and 2006


NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Investments

The Plan’s investments are stated at fair value.  The fair value of the interest-bearing cash and certificates of deposit included in the ANC Balanced Fund are determined to be equal to cost plus accrued interest.  The fair values of other investments in the ANC Balanced Fund, which includes U.S. government and government agency securities, corporate bonds, and preferred and common stocks, and the Plan investments in Ames National Corporation common stock, are based on quoted market prices.  Shares of mutual funds are valued at the net asset value, based on quoted market prices, of shares held by the Plan at year-end.  The fair value of participant loans has been determined to be equal to the unpaid principal balance.

Purchases and sales of investment securities are recorded on a trade-date basis.  Interest is recorded on the accrual basis.  Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Payment of benefits

Benefits are recorded when paid.

New accounting pronouncement

The following new accounting pronouncement may affect future financial reporting by the Plan:

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157 (SFAS No. 157), Fair Value Measurements.  SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  SFAS No. 157 applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and does not require any new fair value measurements.  SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 generally for financial assets and liabilities, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 generally for non-financial assets and liabilities.  The Plan sponsor does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have a material effect on the Plan’s net assets or changes in net assets.


NOTE 3 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT RISK

The Plan maintains cash in bank deposit accounts, which, at times may exceed federally insured limits.  The Plan sponsor believes the Plan is not exposed to any significant credit risk on its cash accounts.


NOTE 4 - ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Certain administrative functions are performed by officers or employees of the Companies.  No such officer or employee receives compensation from the Plan.  Certain other administrative expenses are paid directly by the Companies.


AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007 and 2006


NOTE 5 - INVESTMENTS

The following table presents the Plan investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets:

   
2007
   
2006
 
             
ANC Balanced Fund
  $ 11,325,090     $ 14,009,144 *
Ames National Corporation common stock
    2,779,800       3,124,055  

*Nonparticipant-directed in 2006. (see Note 6)

During 2007 and 2006, the Plan’s investments (including investments bought, sold and held during the years) appreciated in value by $751,144 and $520,685, respectively.  Interest and dividends realized on the Plan investments for the years ended 2007 and 2006 was $418,539 and $722,090, respectively.


NOTE 6 - NONPARTICIPANT-DIRECTED INVESTMENTS

For the year ended December 31, 2007, all assets were participant-directed.  As of and for the year ended December 31, 2006, information about the net assets and the significant components of the changes in net assets relating to the nonparticipant-directed investments is as follows:
 
 
Net assets:
     
Common stocks
  $ 8,196,381  
Preferred stocks
    556,200  
Corporate bonds
    1,963,302  
U.S. government and government agency securities
    2,053,755  
Mutual funds
    643,336  
Certificates of deposit
    95,057  
Interest-bearing cash
    501,113  
         
Total
  $ 14,009,144  
         
Changes in net assets in 2006:
       
Contributions
  $ 971,300  
Investment income
    1,004,890  
Benefits paid to participants
    (1,439,651 )
Transfers to participant directed investments
    (4,248,977 )
         
Total
  $ (3,712,438 )
 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007 and 2006


NOTE 7 - TRANSACTIONS WITH PARTIES-IN-INTEREST

At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Plan held 139,507 and 148,839 shares of Ames National Corporation, a party-in-interest, common stock with a fair value of $2,779,800 and $3,124,055, respectively.  At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Plan also held cash totaling $526,655 and $456,086 with First National Bank, Ames, Iowa.

The Plan trustee is the Trust Department of First National Bank, a subsidiary of the Plan sponsor, Ames National Corporation.  All assets are held through trust agreement by the trustee, who is also a party-in-interest.


NOTE 8 - PLAN TERMINATION

Although they have not expressed any intent to do so, the Companies have the right to terminate the Plan at any time subject to the provisions of ERISA.  Upon termination all participants will become 100% vested.


NOTE 9 - TAX STATUS

The Plan obtained its latest determination letter dated August 24, 2004, in which the Internal Revenue Service stated that the Plan, as then designed, was in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and, therefore, not subject to tax.  The Plan has been amended since receiving the aforementioned determination letter.  However, the Plan Administrator believes that the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with applicable requirements of the IRC.


NOTE 10 - RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Plan invests in various investment securities.  Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market and credit risks.  Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.


This information is an integral part of the accompanying financial statements.

 
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
 
 
AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i, SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
December 31, 2007

             
Number of
       
             
Shares or
       
   
Interest
   
Due
 
Principal
   
Fair
 
Description
 
Rate
   
Date
 
Amount
   
Value
 
                       
Assets held by First National Bank, as Trustee*
                     
                       
Mutual funds:
                     
American Funds Capital
                     
Income Builder R5
              3,458     $ 216,347  
American Europacific Growth R5
              6,089       309,756  
American Funds Income Fund
              10,678       206,941  
American Growth Fund of AM R5
              15,114       513,891  
Davis NY Venture A
              10,879       435,255  
DWS Dreman High Return Equity-A
              8,042       374,108  
Metlife Stable Value Fund
              3,325       41,942  
Oppenheimer Develop Markets
              17,230       838,225  
Vangaurd 500 Index
              2,222       300,237  
Vangaurd Small-Cap Index
              15,735       512,635  
Vanguard Develop Markets Index
              21,246       288,310  
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index
              18,297       378,754  
Vanguard Target Retire 2005
              184       2,216  
Vanguard Target Retire 2015
              7,402       96,677  
Vanguard Target Retire 2025
              35,623       488,744  
Vanguard Target Retire 2035
              14,301       209,087  
Vanguard Target Retire 2045
              10,250       154,666  
Vanguard Target Retire Income
              4,138       46,052  
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index
              36,616       372,023  
                        5,785,866  
                           
Bank administred trust fund:
                         
ANC Balanced Fund*
              1,002,423       11,325,090  
                           
Common stock:
                         
Ames National Corporation*
              139,507       2,779,800  
                           
Participant loans*
 
4.5% to
   
September
               
   
7.75%
   
2008
               
         
through
               
         
April 2017
            155,226  
                           
Total investments
                    $ 20,045,982  

* Indicates a party-in-interest to the Plan
 
10

 
 
SIGNATURES

The Plan.  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


Date:  June 27, 2008


 
AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
   
 
By:  First National Bank, Ames, Iowa, Trustee
   
   
  By:     
/s/ Steven J. McLaughlin
  Name:     
Steven J. McLaughlin
  Title:       
Senior Trust Officer

 
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
 
Number
Exhibit
   
Consent of Independent Registered Accounting Firm