Regions Bank 2009 Annual Report Download - page 45

or toxic substances or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation
activities could be substantial. In addition, if we are the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, we may
be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental
contamination emanating from the property. If we become subject to significant environmental liabilities our
financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our information systems may experience an interruption or security breach.
We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. Any failure,
interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer
relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems. While we have policies and procedures
designed to prevent or limit the effect of the possible failure, interruption or security breach of our information
systems, there can be no assurance that any such failure, interruption or security breach will not occur or, if they
do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failure, interruption or security breach of
our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to
additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability.
The market price of shares of our common stock will fluctuate.
The market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations due to a change in
sentiment in the market regarding our operations or business prospects. Such risks may be affected by:
• Operating results that vary from the expectations of management, securities analysts and investors;
• Developments in our business or in the financial sector generally;
• Regulatory changes affecting our industry generally or our business and operations;
• The operating and securities price performance of companies that investors consider to be comparable
to us;
• Announcements of strategic developments, acquisitions and other material events by us or our
competitors;
• Expectations of or actual equity dilution;
• Changes in the credit, mortgage and real estate markets, including the markets for mortgage-related
securities; and
• Changes in global financial markets and global economies and general market conditions, such as
interest or foreign exchange rates, stock, commodity, credit or asset valuations or volatility.
Stock markets in general and our common stock in particular have shown considerable volatility in the
recent past. The market price of our common stock may continue to be subject to similar market fluctuations that
may be unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. Increased volatility could result in a decline in the
market price of our common stock.
We may not pay dividends on your common stock.
Holders of shares of our common stock are only entitled to receive such dividends as our board of directors
may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. Although we have historically declared cash
dividends on our common stock, we are not required to do so and may reduce or eliminate our common stock
dividend in the future. This could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Also, participation in
the CPP limits our ability to increase our dividend or to repurchase our common stock for so long as any
securities issued under such program remain outstanding, as discussed in greater detail in the “Stockholders’
Equity” section of Item 6. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
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