NBT 2nd Quarter 10Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
X  
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005.
OR
__  
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to ________.

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-14703
 
 
NBT BANCORP INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
 DELAWARE
 16-1268674
 (State of Incorporation)
 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
52 SOUTH BROAD STREET, NORWICH, NEW YORK 13815
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (607) 337-2265

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for shorter periods that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).
Yes [X] No [ ]

As of July 29, 2005, there were 32,521,095 shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock, $0.01 par value.





NBT BANCORP INC.
FORM 10-Q--Quarter Ended June 30, 2005
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
Item 1  Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited)
   
   Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2005, December 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004
   
   Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 and 2004
   
   Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 and 2004
   
   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 and 2004
   
   Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 and 2004
   
   Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
   
Item 2  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
   
Item 3  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
   
Item 4  Controls and Procedures
   
PART II  OTHER INFORMATION
   
Item 1  Legal Proceedings
Item 2  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3  Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Item 5  Other Information
Item 6  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
 
SIGNATURES
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 

 
NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
   
June 30,
2005
   
December 31,
2004
 
 
June 30, 2004
 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
                   
                     
ASSETS
                   
Cash and due from banks
 
$
118,358
 
$
98,437
 
$
102,705
 
Short-term interest bearing accounts
   
6,078
   
8,286
   
7,240
 
Securities available for sale, at fair value
   
961,944
   
952,542
   
980,097
 
Securities held to maturity (fair value - $89,465, $82,712 and $80,390)
   
88,771
   
81,782
   
79,766
 
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock
   
39,442
   
36,842
   
35,994
 
Loans and leases
   
2,995,964
   
2,869,921
   
2,753,625
 
Less allowance for loan and lease losses
   
46,411
   
44,932
   
43,482
 
Net loans
   
2,949,553
   
2,824,989
   
2,710,143
 
Premises and equipment, net
   
64,133
   
63,743
   
62,008
 
Goodwill
   
47,544
   
45,570
   
47,521
 
Intangible assets, net
   
4,092
   
2,013
   
2,189
 
Bank owned life insurance
   
32,968
   
32,302
   
31,609
 
Other assets
   
68,481
   
65,798
   
66,102
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
4,381,364
 
$
4,212,304
 
$
4,125,374
 
                     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits:
                   
Demand (noninterest bearing)
 
$
569,046
 
$
520,218
 
$
490,573
 
Savings, NOW, and money market
   
1,386,720
   
1,435,561
   
1,494,278
 
Time
   
1,222,293
   
1,118,059
   
1,055,758
 
Total deposits
   
3,178,059
   
3,073,838
   
3,040,609
 
Short-term borrowings
   
384,171
   
338,823
   
349,144
 
Trust preferred debentures
   
18,720
   
18,720
   
18,720
 
Long-term debt
   
419,377
   
394,523
   
369,567
 
Other liabilities
   
50,288
   
54,167
   
39,659
 
Total liabilities
   
4,050,615
   
3,880,071
   
3,817,699
 
                     
Stockholders’ equity:
                   
Common stock, $0.01 par value; shares authorized- 50,000,000;  
                   
Shares issffued 34,400,961, 34,401,008 and 34,401,041at June 30, 2005, December 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004, respectively
   
344 
   
344 
   
344 
 
Additional paid-in-capital
   
209,471
   
209,523
   
209,396
 
Retained earnings
   
159,378
   
145,812
   
133,146
 
Unvested stock awards
   
(747
)
 
(296
)
 
(413
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
2,240
   
4,989
   
(2,641
)
Treasury stock at cost 2,030,509, 1,544,247, and 1,786,211 shares at June 30, 2005, December 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004, respectively
   
(39,937
)
 
(28,139
)
 
(32,157
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
330,749
   
332,233
   
307,675
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
$
4,381,364
 
$
4,212,304
 
$
4,125,374
 
See notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

 
NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
Three months ended June 30,
Six months ended June 30,
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
   
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
     
Interest, fee and dividend income:
                         
Interest and fees on loans and leases
 
$
46,260
 
$
39,635
 
$
90,204
 
$
79,529
 
Securities available for sale
   
10,226
   
10,313
   
20,473
   
21,082
 
Securities held to maturity
   
831
   
755
   
1,634
   
1,552
 
Other
   
549
   
235
   
1,016
   
502
 
Total interest, fee and dividend income
   
57,866
   
50,938
   
113,327
   
102,665
 
                           
Interest expense:
                         
Deposits
   
12,018
   
9,674
   
22,738
   
19,719
 
Short-term borrowings
   
2,207
   
794
   
4,068
   
1,587
 
Long-term debt
   
4,032
   
3,627
   
7,840
   
7,242
 
Trust preferred debentures
   
285
   
163
   
543
   
343
 
Total interest expense
   
18,542
   
14,258
   
35,189
   
28,891
 
Net interest income
   
39,324
   
36,680
   
78,138
   
73,774
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
2,320
   
2,428
   
4,116
   
4,552
 
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses
   
37,004
   
34,252
   
74,022
   
69,222
 
                           
Noninterest income:
                         
Trust
   
1,251
   
1,142
   
2,503
   
2,249
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
   
4,311
   
4,090
   
8,240
   
8,127
 
ATM and debit card fees
   
1,544
   
1,396
   
2,944
   
2,654
 
Broker/dealer and insurance fees
   
736
   
1,783
   
2,088
   
3,514
 
Net securities gains
   
51
   
29
   
47
   
38
 
Bank owned life insurance income
   
333
   
409
   
666
   
794
 
Retirement plan administration fees
   
1,156
   
-
   
2,019
   
-
 
Other    
1,673
   
1,140
   
3,259
   
3,056
 
Total noninterest income
   
11,055
   
9,989
   
21,766
   
20,432
 
                           
Noninterest expenses:
                         
Salaries and employee benefits
   
14,848
   
12,542
   
30,071
   
26,655
 
Office supplies and postage
   
1,121
   
1,143
   
2,271
   
2,174
 
Occupancy
   
2,550
   
2,446
   
5,338
   
5,044
 
Equipment
   
1,931
   
1,781
   
4,027
   
3,634
 
Professional fees and outside services
   
1,381
   
1,424
   
3,056
   
3,056
 
Data processing and communications
   
2,530
   
2,852
   
5,188
   
5,544
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
142
   
71
   
260
   
142
 
Loan collection and other real estate owned
   
208
   
99
   
609
   
471
 
Other operating
   
3,985
   
3,505
   
6,757
   
6,345
 
Total noninterest expenses
   
28,696
   
25,863
   
57,577
   
53,065
 
Income before income tax expense
   
19,363
   
18,378
   
38,211
   
36,589
 
Income tax expense
   
6,235
   
5,810
   
12,294
   
11,650
 
Net income
 
$
13,128
 
$
12,568
 
$
25,917
 
$
24,939
 
Earnings per share:
                         
Basic
 
$
0.41
 
$
0.38
 
$
0.80
 
$
0.76
 
Diluted
 
$
0.40
 
$
0.38
 
$
0.79
 
$
0.75
 
See notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

 
NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
 
 
 
   
Common
Stock 
   
Additional
Paid-in-
Capital
 
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
Unvested
Stock
Awards
 
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss)/Income
 
 
Treasury
Stock
 
 
Total
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
                                   
                                             
Balance at December 31, 2003
 
$
344
 
$
209,267
 
$
120,016
 
$
(197
)
$
7,933
 
$
(27,329
)
$
310,034
 
Net income
               
24,939
                     
24,939
 
Cash dividends - $0.36 per share
               
(11,809
)
                   
(11,809
)
Purchase of 351,331 treasury shares
                                 
(7,558
)
 
(7,558
)
Issuance of 134,147 shares to employee benefit plans and other stock plans, including tax benefit
         
70
                     
2,494
   
2,564
 
Grant of 24,371 shares of restricted stock awards
         
59
         
(312
)
       
253
   
-
 
Forfeited 963 shares of restricted stock
                     
17
         
(17
)
 
-
 
Amortization of restricted stock awards
                     
79
               
79
 
Other comprehensive loss
                           
(10,574
)
       
(10,574
)
Balance at June 30, 2004
 
$
344
 
$
209,396
 
$
133,146
 
$
(413
)
$
(2,641
)
$
(32,157
)
$
307,675
 
                                             
Balance at December 31, 2004
 
$
344
 
$
209,523
 
$
145,812
 
$
(296
)
$
4,989
 
$
(28,139
)
$
332,233
 
Net income
               
25,917
                     
25,917
 
Cash dividends - $0.38 per share
               
(12,351
)
                   
(12,351
)
Purchase of 671,543 treasury shares
                                 
(15,339
)
 
(15,339
)
Issuance of 160,606 shares to employee benefit plans and other stock plans, including tax benefit
         
(17
)
                   
2,875
   
2,858
 
Grant of 24,675 shares of restricted stock awards
         
(35
)        
(631
)
       
666
   
-
 
Amortization of restricted stock awards
                     
180
               
180
 
Other comprehensive loss
                           
(2,749
)
       
(2,749
)
Balance at June 30, 2005
 
$
344
 
$
209,471
 
$
159,378
 
$
(747
)
$
2,240
 
$
(39,937
)
$
330,749
 
See notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
 
 
NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
   
2005
   
2004
 
(in thousands)
             
               
Operating activities:
             
Net income
 
$
25,917
 
$
24,939
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
             
Provision for loan losses
   
4,116
   
4,552
 
Depreciation of premises and equipment
   
3,169
   
3,028
 
Net amortization on securities
   
731
   
1,459
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
260
   
142
 
Amortization of restricted stock awards
   
180
   
79
 
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale
   
3,338
   
23,398
 
Origination of loans held for sale
   
(3,694
)
 
(1,025
)
Net gains on sale of loans
   
(9
)
 
(108
)
Net gain on sale of other real estate owned
   
(160
)
 
(652
)
Net security gains
   
(47
)
 
(38
)
Net (increase) decrease in other assets
   
(1,198
)
 
6,198
 
Net decrease in other liabilities
   
(3,776
)
 
(6,210
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
28,827
   
55,762
 
Investing activities:
             
Securities available for sale:
             
Proceeds from maturities
   
87,872
   
155,276
 
Proceeds from sales
   
27,868
   
12,794
 
Purchases
   
(130,357
)
 
(185,197
)
Securities held to maturity:
             
Proceeds from maturities
   
25,724
   
33,999
 
Purchases
   
(32,755
)
 
(16,572
)
Net purchases of FRB and FHLB stock
   
(2,600
)
 
(1,951
)
Cash paid for the acquisition of EPIC Advisor’s, Inc.
   
(6,130
)
 
-
 
Cash received for the sale of M. Griffith Inc.
   
1,014
   
-
 
Net increase in loans
   
(128,450
)
 
(140,095
)
Purchase of premises and equipment, net
   
(3,368
)
 
(2,593
)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
   
477
   
1,899
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(160,705
)
 
(142,440
)
Financing activities:
             
Net increase in deposits
   
104,221
   
39,253
 
Net increase in short-term borrowings
   
45,348
   
46,214
 
Proceeds from issuance of long term debt
   
24,854
   
30,000
 
Repayments of long-term debt
   
-
   
(30,133
)
Proceeds from issuance of treasury shares to employee benefit plans and other stock plans, including tax benefit
   
2,858
   
2,564
 
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(15,339
)
 
(7,558
)
Cash dividends
   
(12,351
)
 
(11,809
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
149,591
   
68,531
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
17,713
   
(18,147
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
106,723
   
128,092
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
124,436
 
$
109,945
 

 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Continued
Six Months Ended June 30,
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
   
2005
   
2004
 
               
Cash paid during the period for:
             
Interest
 
$
34,785
 
$
29,705
 
Income taxes
   
13,262
   
7,335
 
               
Transfers:
             
Loans transferred to OREO
 
$
135
 
$
460
 
               
Dispositions:
             
Assets sold
 
$
2,064
   
-
 
               
Acquisitions:
             
Fair value of assets acquired
 
$
6,565
   
-
 
Fair value of liabilities assumed
   
435
   
-
 
See notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June 30,
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)
   
2005
   
2004
   
2005
 
 
2004
 
(in thousands)
     
Net income
 
$
13,128
 
$
12,568
 
$
25,917
 
$
24,939
 
                           
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
                         
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period [pre-tax amounts of $10,301, $(24,792), $(4,526) and $(17,548)]
   
6,194
   
(15,124
)
 
(2,721
)
 
(10,551
)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for net gainsincluded in net income [pre-tax amounts of $(51), $(29), $(47) and $(38)]
   
(31
)
 
(17
)
 
(28
)
 
(23
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
   
6,163
   
(15,141
)
 
(2,749
)
 
(10,574
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
19,291
 
$
(2,573
)
$
23,168
 
$
14,365
 
See notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.



NBT BANCORP INC. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2005

Note 1.  Description of Business

NBT Bancorp Inc. (the Company or the Registrant) is a registered financial holding company incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1986, with its principal headquarters located in Norwich, New York. The Company is the parent holding company of NBT Bank, N.A. (the Bank), NBT Financial Services, Inc. (NBT Financial) and CNBF Capital Trust I. Through these subsidiaries, the Company operates as one segment focused on community banking operations. The Company’s primary business consists of providing commercial banking and financial services to its customers in its market area. The principal assets of the Company are all of the outstanding shares of common stock of its direct subsidiaries, and its principal sources of revenue are the management fees and dividends it receives from the Bank and NBT Financial.

The Bank is a full service commercial bank formed in 1856, which provides a broad range of financial products to individuals, corporations and municipalities throughout the central and upstate New York and northeastern Pennsylvania market area. The Bank conducts business through two operating divisions, NBT Bank and Pennstar Bank.

Note 2.  Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NBT Bancorp Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, NBT Bank, N.A. and NBT Financial Services, Inc. Collectively, the Registrant and its subsidiaries are referred to herein as “the Company”. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Amounts in the prior period financial statements are reclassified whenever necessary to conform to current period presentation.
 
CNBF Capital Trust I (“Trust I”) is a Delaware statutory business trust formed in 1999, for the purpose of issuing $18 million in trust preferred securities and lending the proceeds to the Company. The Company guarantees, on a limited basis, payments of distributions on the trust preferred securities and payments on redemption of the trust preferred securities. Trust I is a variable interest entity (VIEs) for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary, as defined in Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 46 “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (Revised December 2003 (FIN 46R)).” In accordance with FIN 46R, which was implemented in the first quarter of 2004, the accounts of Trust I are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 3.  New Accounting Pronouncements

During December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment”(“SFAS 123R”), which requires companies to measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payments at fair value. Stock-based payments include stock option grants. The Company grants options to purchase common stock to some of its employees and directors under various plans at prices equal to the market value of the stock on the dates the options were granted. SFAS 123R is effective for the next fiscal year that begins after June 15, 2005. The Company is continuing to evaluate the expected impact that the adoption of SFAS 123R will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments.”EITF 03-1 provides guidance for determining when an investment is considered impaired, whether impairment is other-than-temporary, and measurement of an impairment loss. An investment is considered impaired if the fair value of the investment is less than its cost. Generally, an impairment is considered other-than-temporary unless: (i) the investor has the ability and intent to hold an investment for a reasonable period of time sufficient for an anticipated recovery of fair value up to (or beyond) the cost of the investment; and (ii) evidence indicating that the cost of the investment is recoverable within a reasonable period of time outweighs evidence to the contrary. If impairment is determined to be other-than-temporary, then an impairment loss should be recognized equal to the difference between the investment’s cost and its fair value. Certain disclosure requirements of EITF 03-1 were adopted in 2003 and the Company began presenting the new disclosure requirements in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003. The recognition and measurement provisions were initially effective for other-than-temporary impairment evaluations in reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2004. However, in September 2004, the effective date of these provisions was delayed until the finalization of a FASB Staff Position (FSP) to provide additional implementation guidance.

In June, the FASB decided not to provide additional guidance on the meaning of other-than-temporary impairment, but directed its staff to issue proposed FSP EITF 03-1-a, “Implementation Guidance for the Application of Paragraph 16 of EITF Issue No. 03-1,” as final. The final FSP will supersede EITF Issue No. 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments,” and EITF Topic No. D-44, “Recognition of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment upon the Planned Sale of a Security Whose Cost Exceeds Fair Value.” The final FSP (retitled FSP FAS 115-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments”) will replace the guidance set forth in paragraphs 10-18 of Issue 03-1 with references to existing other-than-temporary impairment guidance, such as FASB Statement No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”, SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 59, “Accounting for Noncurrent Marketable Equity Securities”, and APB Opinion No. 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock.” FSP FAS 115-1 will codify the guidance set forth in EITF Topic D-44 and clarify that an investor should recognize an impairment loss no later than when the impairment is deemed other than temporary, even if a decision to sell has not been made. The FASB decided that FSP FAS 115-1 would be effective for other-than-temporary impairment analysis conducted in periods beginning after September 15, 2005. The finalized FSP FAS 115-1 should be issued during the third quarter of 2005. The Company does not expect the impact of FSP FAS 115-1 will be material to its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In May 2005 the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3.” SFAS 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements for changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period−specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS 154 also requires that retrospective application of a change in accounting principle be limited to the direct effects of the change. Indirect effects of a change in accounting principle, such as a change in non−discretionary profit−sharing payments resulting from an accounting change, should be recognized in the period of the accounting change. SFAS 154 also requires that a change in depreciation, amortization, or depletion method for long−lived, non−financial assets be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate effected by a change in accounting principle. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. Early adoption is permitted for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after the date this Statement is issued. The Company is required to adopt the provisions of SFAS 154, as applicable, beginning in fiscal 2006. Adoption of this statement could have an impact if there are future voluntary accounting changes and correction of errors.

Note 4.  Use of Estimates

Preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilites at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period, as well as the disclosures provided. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates associated with the allowance for loan losses, pension expense, fair values of financial instruments and status of contingencies are particularly susceptible to material change in the near term.

The allowance for loan and lease losses is the amount which, in the opinion of management, is necessary to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio. The allowance is determined based upon numerous considerations, including local economic conditions, the growth and composition of the loan portfolio with respect to the mix between the various types of loans and their related risk characteristics, a review of the value of collateral supporting the loans, comprehensive reviews of the loan portfolio by the independent loan review staff and management, as well as consideration of volume and trends of delinquencies, nonperforming loans, and loan charge-offs. As a result of the test of adequacy, required additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses are made periodically by charges to the provision for loan and lease losses.

The allowance for loan and lease losses related to impaired loans is based on discounted cash flows using the loan’s initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain loans where repayment of the loan is expected to be provided solely by the underlying collateral (collateral dependent loans). The Company’s impaired loans are generally collateral dependent. The Company considers the estimated cost to sell, on a discounted basis, when determining the fair value of collateral in the measurement of impairment if those costs are expected to reduce the cash flows available to repay or otherwise satisfy the loans.

Management believes that the allowance for loan and lease losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize loan and lease losses, future additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions or changes in the values of properties securing loans in the process of foreclosure. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination which may not be currently available to management.

Other real estate owned (OREO) consists of properties acquired through foreclosure or by acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure. These assets are recorded at the lower of fair value of the asset acquired less estimated costs to sell or “cost” (defined as the fair value at initial foreclosure). At the time of foreclosure, or when foreclosure occurs in-substance, the excess, if any of the loan over the fair value of the assets received, less estimated selling costs, is charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses and any subsequent valuation write-downs are charged to other expense. Operating costs associated with the properties are charged to expense as incurred. Gains on the sale of OREO are included in income when title has passed and the sale has met the minimum down payment requirements prescribed by GAAP.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. The Company files consolidated tax returns on the accrual basis. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income or the existence of sufficient taxable income within the available carryback period. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Based on available evidence, gross deferred tax assets will ultimately be realized and a valuation allowance was not deemed necessary at June 30, 2005 and 2004. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Note 5.  Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is a party to financial instruments in the normal course of business to meet financing needs of its customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuating interest rates. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, unused lines of credit, and standby letters of credit. Exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to make loans and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policy to make such commitments as it uses for on-balance-sheet items. At June 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004, commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit totaled $505.6 million and $507.4 million. Since commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit may expire without being fully drawn upon, this amount does not necessarily represent future cash commitments. Collateral obtained upon exercise of the commitment is determined using management’s credit evaluation of the borrower and may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, land and other items.

The Company guarantees the obligations or performance of customers by issuing stand-by letters of credit to third parties. These stand-by letters of credit are frequently issued in support of third party debt, such as corporate debt issuances, industrial revenue bonds, and municipal securities. The risk involved in issuing stand-by letters of credit is essentially the same as the credit risk involved in extending loan facilities to customers, and they are subject to the same credit origination, portfolio maintenance and management procedures in effect to monitor other credit and off-balance sheet products. Typically, these instruments have terms of five years or less and expire unused; therefore, the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Standby letters of credit totaled $42.7 million at June 30, 2005 and $31.6 million at December 31, 2004. As of June 30, 2005, the fair value of standby letters of credit was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 6.   Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity (such as the Company’s dilutive stock options).

The following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented in the consolidated statements of income.

Three months ended June 30,
   
2005
   
2004
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
             
               
Basic EPS:
             
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
32,323
   
32,758
 
Net income available to common shareholders
 
$
13,128
 
$
12,568
 
Basic EPS
 
$
0.41
 
$
0.38
 
               
Diluted EPS:
             
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
32,323
   
32,758
 
Dilutive potential common stock
   
261
   
326
 
Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents
   
32,584
   
33,084
 
Net income available to common shareholders
 
$
13,128
 
$
12,568
 
               
Diluted EPS
 
$
0.40
 
$
0.38
 
               
Six months ended June 30,
   
2005
   
2004
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
             
               
Basic EPS:
             
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
32,497
   
32,777
 
Net income available to common shareholders
 
$
25,917
 
$
24,939
 
Basic EPS
 
$
0.80
 
$
0.76
 
               
Diluted EPS:
             
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
32,497
   
32,777
 
Dilutive potential common stock
   
282
   
352
 
Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents
   
32,779
   
33,129
 
Net income available to common shareholders
 
$
25,917
 
$
24,939
 
               
Diluted EPS
 
$
0.79
 
$
0.75
 

There were 382,197 stock options for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and 337,393 stock options for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 that were not considered in the calculation of diluted earnings per share since the stock options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price during these periods. There were 357,132 stock options for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 337,393 stock options for the six months ended June 30, 2004 that were not considered in the calculation of diluted earnings per share since the stock options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price during these periods.

Note 7.  Stock-Based Compensation

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure” which provides guidance on how to transition from the intrinsic value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation under Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” to SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” which accounts for stock-based compensation using the fair value method of accounting, if a company so elects. The Company currently accounts for stock-based employee compensation under APB No. 25. As such, compensation expense would be recorded only if the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant exceeded the exercise price. Because the fair value on the date of grant of the underlying stock of all stock options granted by the Company is equal to the exercise price of the options granted, no compensation cost has been recognized for stock options in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Compensation expense for restricted stock awards is based on the market price of the stock on the date of grant and is recognized ratably over the vesting period of the award.

Had the Company determined compensation cost based on the fair value at the date of grant for its stock options and employee stock purchase plan under SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income and net income per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

   
Three months ended
June 30,
 
Six months ended
June 30,
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
Net income, as reported
 
$
13,128
 
$
12,568
 
$
25,917
 
$
24,939
 
Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects
   
98
   
26
   
164
   
49
 
Less: Stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects
                         
 
   
(389
)
 
(289
)
 
(633
)
 
(571
)
Pro forma net income
 
$
12,837
 
$
12,305
 
$
25,448
 
$
24,417
 
                           
Net income per share:
                         
Basic - as reported
 
$
0.41
 
$
0.38
 
$
0.80
 
$
0.76
 
Basic - Pro forma
 
$
0.40
 
$
0.38
 
$
0.78
 
$
0.74
 
                           
Diluted - as reported
 
$
0.40
 
$
0.38
 
$
0.79
 
$
0.75
 
Diluted - Pro forma
 
$
0.39
 
$
0.37
 
$
0.77
 
$
0.74
 

The Company granted 379,333 stock options for the six months ended June 30, 2005 with a weighted average exercise price of $23.11 per share compared to 343,552 stock options granted for the six months ended June 30, 2004 with a weighted average exercise price of $22.15 per share. The per share weighted average fair value of the stock options granted for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 was $5.86 and $5.81. The assumptions used for the grants noted above were as follows:
 
 
Six months ended
June 30, 2005
Six months ended
June 30, 2004
Dividend Yield
3.17% - 3.70%
3.01% - 3.14%
Expected Volatility
29.16% - 30.00%
31.48% - 31.51%
Risk-free interest rate
3.85% - 4.03%
3.56% - 3.90%
Expected life
7 years
7 years
 
The fair value of stock options granted was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This model was developed for use in estimating fair value of publicly traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Additionally, the model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions. Because the Company’s employee and director stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of publicly traded stock options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the Black-Scholes option-pricing model does not provide a single measure of the fair value of the Company’s employee and director stock options.

Note 8.  Goodwill and Intangible Assets

A summary of goodwill by operating subsidiaries follows:
 
(in thousands)
   
January 1,
2004
 
 
Goodwill
Acquired
 
 
Goodwill
Disposed
 
 
June 30,
2004
 
NBT Bank, N.A.
 
$
44,520
   
-
   
-
 
$
44,520
 
NBT Financial Services, Inc.
   
3,001
   
-
   
-
   
3,001
 
Total
 
$
47,521
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
47,521
 
                           
 
(in thousands)
   
January 1,
2005
 
 
Goodwill
Acquired
 
 
Goodwill
Disposed
 
 
June 30,
2005
 
NBT Bank, N.A.
 
$
44,520
   
-
   
-
 
$
44,520
 
NBT Financial Services, Inc.
   
1,050
   
3,024
   
1,050
   
3,024
 
Total
 
$
45,570
 
$
3,024
 
$
1,050
 
$
47,544
 

In January 2005, the Company acquired EPIC Advisors, Inc., a 401(k) record keeping firm located in Rochester, NY. In that transaction, the Company recorded customer relationship intangible assets of $2.1 million and non-compete provision intangible assets of $0.2 million, which have amortization periods of 13 years and 5 years, respectively. Also in connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded $3.0 million in goodwill.

In March 2005, the Company sold its broker/dealer subsidiary, M. Griffith Inc. In connection with the sale of M. Griffith Inc., goodwill was reduced by $1.1 million and was allocated against the sales price. In the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company recorded a $2.0 million goodwill impairment charge in connection with the above mentioned sale. A definitive agreement was signed by the Company and the acquirer in the fourth quarter of 2004. The negotiation and resolution of sale terms for M. Griffith Inc. during the fourth quarter of 2004 resulted in the goodwill impairment charge.

The Company has finite-lived intangible assets capitalized on its consolidated balance sheet in the form of core deposit and other intangible assets. These intangible assets continue to be amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from one to twenty-five years.

A summary of core deposit and other intangible assets follows:
 
June 30,
     
2005
 
 
2004
 
(in thousands)
             
Core deposit intangibles:
             
Gross carrying amount
 
$
2,186
 
$
2,186
 
Less: accumulated amortization
   
1,446
   
1,214
 
Net Carrying amount
   
740
   
972
 
               
Other intangibles:
             
Gross carrying amount
   
3,197
   
857
 
Less: accumulated amortization
   
362
   
191
 
Net Carrying amount
   
2,835
   
666
 
               
Other intangibles not subject to amortization: Pension asset
   
517
   
551
 
               
Total intangibles with definite useful lives:
             
Gross carrying amount
   
5,900
   
3,594
 
Less: accumulated amortization
   
1,808
   
1,405
 
Net Carrying amount
 
$
4,092
 
$
2,189
 

Amortization expense on finite-lived intangible assets is expected to total $0.4 million for the remainder of 2005, $0.5 million for each of 2006 and 2007, $0.4 million for 2008 and $0.3 million for 2009 and $2.0 million thereafter.

Note 9.  Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Postretirement Health Plan

The Company maintains a qualified, noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees. Benefits paid from the plan are based on age, years of service, compensation, social security benefits, and are determined in accordance with defined formulas. The Company’s policy is to fund the pension plan in accordance with ERISA standards. In addition, the Company provides certain health care benefits for retired employees. Benefits are accrued over the employees’ active service period. Only employees that were employed by NBT Bank, N.A. on or before January 1, 2000 are eligible to receive postretirement health care benefits. The Company funds the cost of the postretirement health plan as benefits are paid.

The Components of pension expense and postretirement expense are set forth below (in thousands):

 
Three months ended June 30,
Six months ended June 30,
Pension plan:
   
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
Service cost
 
$
469
 
$
427
 
$
938
 
$
854
 
Interest cost
   
561
   
533
   
1,122
   
1,066
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(947
)
 
(934
)
 
(1,894
)
 
(1,868
)
Net amortization
   
374
   
64
   
748
   
128
 
Total
 
$
457
 
$
90
 
$
914
 
$
180
 
                           
       
Postretirement Health Plan:
   
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
Service cost
 
$
9
 
$
9
 
$
18
 
$
18
 
Interest cost
   
67
   
68
   
134
   
136
 
Net amortization
   
(15
)
 
(10
)
 
(30
)
 
(20
)
Total
 
$
61
 
$
67
 
$
122
 
$
134
 

Note 10.   Business Combination

On June 14, 2005, NBT announced that it had agreed to acquire CNB Bancorp, Inc. (CNB), with total assets at March 31, 2005, of approximately $420 million, which is headquartered in Gloversville, NY. The consideration to be paid in the merger will be 45% cash and 55% stock. Shareholders of CNB will be able to elect to receive either $38.00 in cash or 1.64 shares of Company common stock, for each share of CNB common stock, subject to customary proration and allocation procedures. The merger is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2005 pending regulatory and CNB shareholder approval.
 

 
NBT BANCORP INC. and Subsidiaries
Item 2 -- MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The purpose of this discussion and analysis is to provide the reader with a concise description of the financial condition and results of operations of NBT Bancorp Inc. (Bancorp) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, NBT Bank, N.A. (NBT), and NBT Financial Services, Inc. (collectively referred to herein as the Company). This discussion will focus on Results of Operations, Financial Position, Capital Resources and Asset/Liability Management. Reference should be made to the Company's consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in this Form 10-Q as well as to the Company's 2004 Form 10-K for an understanding of the following discussion and analysis.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this filing and future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the Company’s press releases or other public or shareholder communications, contain forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements may be identified by the use of phrases such as “anticipate,”“believe,”“expect,”“forecasts,”“projects,” or other similar terms. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (1) competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may increase significantly; (2) revenues may be lower than expected; (3) changes in the interest rate environment may effect interest margins; (4) general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally, may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and/or a reduced demand for credit; (5) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards or tax laws, may adversely affect the businesses in which the Company is engaged; (6) competitors may have greater financial resources and develop products that enable such competitors to compete more successfully than the Company; (7) adverse changes may occur in the securities markets or with respect to inflation; (8) acts of war or terrorism; (9) the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation; (10) internal control failures; (11) the costs that will be incurred from the CNB acquisition and the risk of not obtaining regulatory or CNB shareholder approval; and (12) the Company’s success in managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and to advise readers that various factors, including those described above, could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause the Company’s actual results or circumstances for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected.

Unless required by law, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligations to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect statements to the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

Management of the Company considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan and lease losses to be a critical accounting policy given the uncertainty in evaluating the level of the allowance required to cover credit losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio and the material effect that such judgments can have on the results of operations. While management’s current evaluation of the allowance for loan and lease losses indicates that the allowance is adequate, under adversely different conditions or assumptions, the allowance would need to be increased. For example, if historical loan and lease loss experience significantly worsened or if current economic conditions significantly deteriorated, additional provisions for loan and lease losses would be required to increase the allowance. In addition, the assumptions and estimates used in the internal reviews of the Company’s non-performing loans and potential problem loans has a significant impact on the overall analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses. While management has concluded that the current evaluation of collateral values is reasonable under the circumstances, if collateral evaluations were significantly lowered, the Company’s allowance for loan and lease policy would also require additional provisions for loan and lease losses.

Management of the Company considers the accounting policy relating to pension accounting to be a critical accounting policy. Management is required to make various assumptions in valuing its pension assets and liabilities. These assumptions include the expected rate of return on plan assets, the discount rate, and the rate of increase in future compensation levels. Changes to these assumptions could impact earnings in future periods. The Company takes into account the plan asset mix, funding obligations, and expert opinions in determining the various rates used to estimate pension expense. The Company also considers the Moody’s AA corporate bond yields and other market interest rates in setting the appropriate discount rate. In addition, the Company reviews expected inflationary and merit increases to compensation in determining the rate of increase in future compensation levels. While differences in these rate assumptions could alter pension expense, given not only past history, it is not expected that such estimates could adversely impact pension expense.
 
Overview

The Company earned net income of $13.1 million ($0.40 diluted earnings per share) for the three months ended June 30, 2005 compared to net income of $12.6 million ($0.38 diluted earnings per share) for the three months ended June 30, 2004. The quarter to quarter increase in net income from 2005 to 2004 was primarily the result of increases in net interest income of $2.6 million and noninterest income of $1.1 million offset by increases in total noninterest expense of $2.8 million and income tax expense of $0.4 million. The increase in net interest income resulted primarily from 9% growth in average loans during the three months ended June 30, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. The increase in noninterest income was due mainly to $1.2 million in retirement plan administration fees associated with the acquisition of EPIC Advisors, Inc., in January 2005, as well as increases in service charges on deposit accounts, ATM and debit card fees and other income offset by a decrease in broker/dealer and insurance revenue of $1.0 million from the sale of M. Griffith Inc. in March 2005. The increase in total noninterest expense was due primarily to increases in salaries and employee benefits of $2.3 million and other expense of $0.5 million. The increase in income tax expense resulted primarily from an increase in income before taxes of $1.0 million period over period.

The Company earned net income of $25.9 million ($0.79 diluted earnings per share) for the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to net income of $24.9 million ($0.75 diluted earnings per share) for the six months ended June 30, 2004. The increase in net income from 2005 to 2004 was primarily the result of increases in net interest income of $4.4 million and noninterest income of $1.3 million offset by increases in total noninterest expense of $4.5 million and income tax expense of $0.6 million. The increase in net interest income resulted primarily from 9% growth in average loans during the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. The increase in noninterest income was due mainly to $2.0 million in retirement plan administration fees associated with the previously mentioned acquisition of EPIC Advisors, Inc., as well as increases in trust fees, service charges on deposit accounts, ATM and debit card fees and other income offset by a decrease in broker/dealer and insurance revenue of $1.4 million from the previously mentioned sale of M. Griffith Inc. The increase in total noninterest expense was due primarily to increases in salaries and employee benefits of $3.4 million, occupancy of $0.3 million, equipment expense of $0.4 million and other expense of $0.4 million. The increase in income tax expense resulted mainly from an increase in income before taxes of $1.6 million period over period.

Table 1 depicts several annualized measurements of performance using GAAP net income. Returns on average assets and equity measure how effectively an entity utilizes its total resources and capital, respectively. Net interest margin, which is the net federal taxable equivalent (FTE) interest income divided by average earning assets, is a measure of an entity's ability to utilize its earning assets in relation to the cost of funding. Interest income for tax-exempt securities and loans is adjusted to a taxable equivalent basis using the statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%.
 
Table 1
Performance Measurements
                   
2005
   
First Quarter
   
Second Quarter
   
Six Months
 
Return on average assets (ROAA)
   
1.23
%
 
1.22
%
 
1.23
%
Return on average equity (ROE)
   
15.74
%
 
16.21
%
 
15.99
%
Net interest margin (Federal taxable equivalent)
   
4.09
%
 
4.02
%
 
4.06
%
                     
2004
                   
Return on average assets (ROAA)
   
1.23
%
 
1.24
%
 
1.24
%
Return on average equity (ROE)
   
15.73
%
 
16.05
%
 
15.89
%
Net interest margin (Federal taxable equivalent)
   
4.10
%
 
3.99
%
 
4.04
%

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the difference between interest income on earning assets, primarily loans and securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, primarily deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is affected by the interest rate spread, the difference between the yield on earning assets and cost of interest-bearing liabilities, as well as the volumes of such assets and liabilities. Net interest income is one of the major determining factors in a financial institution’s performance as it is the principal source of earnings. Table 2 represents an analysis of net interest income on a federal taxable equivalent basis.

Federal taxable equivalent (FTE) net interest income increased $2.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2005 compared to the same period of 2004. The increase in FTE net interest income resulted primarily from 6% growth in average earning assets. The Company’s interest rate spread declined 4 bp during the three months ended June 30, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. The yield on earning assets for the period increased 36 bp to 5.86% for the three months ended June 30, 2005 from 5.50% for the same period in 2004. Meanwhile, the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased 40 bp, to 2.18% for the three months ended June 30, 2005 from 1.78% for the same period in 2004.

Total FTE interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2005 increased $6.9 million compared to the same period in 2004, a result of the previously mentioned increase in average earning assets as well as the increase in yield on earning assets of 36 bp. The growth in earning assets during the period was driven primarily by growth in average loans and leases of 9%. The growth in average loans and leases resulted primarily from growth in commercial and consumer loans. The increase in the yield on earning assets can be primarily attributed to variable rate earning assets that are tied to the Prime lending rate, which has increased 200 bp since July 1, 2004.

During the same time period, total interest expense increased $4.3 million, primarily the result of the 200 bp increase in the Federal Funds rate since July 1, 2004, which impacts the Company’s short-term borrowing and short-term time deposit rates. Additionally, average interest-bearing liabilities increased $180.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 when compared to the same period in 2004. Total average interest-bearing deposits increased $101.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 when compared to the same period in 2004. The rate paid on average interest-bearing deposits increased 29 bp from 1.52% for the three months ended June 30, 2004 to 1.81% for the same period in 2005. The increase interest-bearing deposits resulted primarily from increase in time deposits, which were up $179.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 as compared to the same period in 2004. The increase in time deposits was driven mainly by an increase in municipal time deposits. Total borrowings increased $78.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004, primarily from loan growth exceeding deposit growth.

Another important performance measurement of net interest income is the net interest margin. Net interest margin increased slightly to 4.02% for the three months ended June 30, 2005, from 3.99% for the comparable period in 2004. The margin remained stable for the three months ended June 30, 2005, despite recent increases in the discount rate from 1.25% to 3.25% charged by the Federal Reserve Bank which drives short-term interest rates. The Company thus far has been successful in lagging deposit pricing increases and offsetting the impact of increased short-term borrowing costs from increases in prime-based earning assets and investing cash flow from loan and securities repayments at relatively similar or higher rates. Additionally, average demand deposits are up 8% for the three months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004, as this deposit source provides a positive benefit towards the Company’s net interest margin.

Federal taxable equivalent (FTE) net interest income increased $4.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to the same period of 2004. The increase in FTE net interest income resulted primarily from 9% growth in average loans. The Company’s interest rate spread declined 3 bp to 3.74% for the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to 3.77% for the same period in 2004. However, the Company’s net interest margin increased 2 bp during this same period, to 4.06% for the six months ended June 30, 2005 from 4.04% for the same period a year ago. The increase in the Company’s net interest margin is primarily attributable to an 8% increase in average demand deposits. The yield on earning assets increased 26 bp to 5.84% for the six months ended June 30, 2005 from 5.58% for the same period in 2004. Meanwhile, the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased 29 bp, to 2.10% for the six months ended June 30, 2005 from 1.81% for the same period in 2004.
 
Table 2
Average Balances and Net Interest Income
The following table includes the condensed consolidated average balance sheet, an analysis of interest income/expense and average yield/rate for each major category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities on a taxable equivalent basis. Interest income for tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a taxable-equivalent basis using the statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%.
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30, 
 
 
2005
2004
(dollars in thousands)
   
Average Balance
 
 
Interest
 
 
Yield/Rates
 
 
Average Balance
 
 
Interest
 
 
Yield/Rates
 
ASSETS
                                     
Short-term interest bearing accounts
 
$
6,411
 
$
45
   
2.81
%
$
7,282
 
$
58
   
3.20
%
Securities available for sale (2)
   
955,166
   
10,724
   
4.50
%
 
974,046
   
10,922
   
4.51
%
Securities held to maturity (2)
   
88,401
   
1,227
   
5.57
%
 
87,802
   
1,082
   
4.95
%
Investment in FRB and FHLB Banks
   
36,617
   
504
   
5.52
%
 
33,301
   
178
   
2.15
%
Loans (1)
   
2,943,631
   
46,401
   
6.32
%
 
2,698,654
   
39,762
   
5.92
%
Total earning assets
   
4,030,226
   
58,901
   
5.86
%
 
3,801,085
   
52,002
   
5.50
%
Other assets
   
276,778
               
272,059
             
Total assets
 
$
4,307,004
             
$
4,073,144
             
                                       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                             
Money market deposit accounts
 
$
400,083
 
$
1,633
   
1.64
%
$
455,579
 
$
1,335
   
1.18
%
NOW deposit accounts
   
444,284
   
527
   
0.48
%
 
457,314
   
538
   
0.47
%
Savings deposits
   
572,070
   
1,007
   
0.71
%
 
581,589
   
926
   
0.64
%
Time deposits
   
1,240,760
   
8,851
   
2.86
%
 
1,061,108
   
6,875
   
2.60
%
Total interest bearing deposits
   
2,657,197
   
12,018
   
1.81
%
 
2,555,590
   
9,674
   
1.52
%
Short-term borrowings
   
320,151
   
2,207
   
2.76
%
 
283,701
   
794
   
1.13
%
Trust preferred debentures
   
18,720
   
285
   
6.10
%
 
18,720
   
163
   
3.50
%
Long-term debt
   
411,732
   
4,032
   
3.93
%
 
369,611
   
3,627
   
3.94
%
Total interest bearing liabilities
   
3,407,800
   
18,542
   
2.18
%
 
3,227,622
   
14,258
   
1.78
%
Demand deposits
   
521,348
               
483,650
             
Other liabilities
   
53,055
               
46,892
             
Stockholders’ equity
   
324,801
               
314,980
             
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
   
4,307,004
               
4,073,144
             
Net interest income (FTE basis)
         
40,359
               
37,744
       
Interest rate spread
               
3.68
%
             
3.72
%
Net interest margin
               
4.02
%
             
3.99
%
Taxable equivalent adjustment
         
1,035
               
1,064
       
Net interest income
       
$
39,324
             
$
36,680
       
 
(1) For purposes of these computations, nonaccrual loans are included in the average loan balances outstanding.
(2) Securities are shown at average amortized cost.
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 
 
 
2005
2004
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
Average Balance
 
 
Interest
 
 
Yield/Rates
 
 
Average Balance
 
 
Interest
 
 
Yield/Rates
 
ASSETS
                                     
Short-term interest bearing accounts
 
$
6,569
 
$
84
   
2.58
%
$
7,761
 
$
149
   
3.86
%
Securities available for sale (2)
   
954,013
   
21,498
   
4.55
%
 
969,347
   
22,309
   
4.63
%
Securities held to maturity (2)
   
86,602
   
2,403
   
5.61
%
 
91,878
   
2,227
   
4.87
%
Investment in FRB and FHLB Banks
   
36,576
   
932
   
5.15
%
 
33,648
   
354
   
2.11
%
Loans (1)
   
2,910,426
   
90,477
   
6.28
%
 
2,672,384
   
79,789
   
6.00
%
Total earning assets
   
3,994,186
   
115,394
   
5.84
%
 
3,775,018
   
104,828
   
5.58
%
Other assets
   
278,321
               
277,696
             
Total assets
 
$
4,272,507
             
$
4,052,714
             
                                       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                             
Money market deposit accounts
 
$
408,382
 
$
3,084
   
1.53
%
$
438,225
 
$
2,536
   
1.16
%
NOW deposit accounts
   
447,849
   
1,039
   
0.47
%
 
454,414
   
1,119
   
0.49
%
Savings deposits
   
572,272
   
1,983
   
0.70
%
 
568,101
   
1,930
   
0.68
%
Time deposits
   
1,202,462
   
16,632
   
2.79
%
 
1,077,779
   
14,134
   
2.64
%
Total interest bearing deposits
   
2,630,965
   
22,738
   
1.75
%
 
2,538,519
   
19,719
   
1.56
%
Short-term borrowings
   
324,912
   
4,068
   
2.53
%
 
286,658
   
1,587
   
1.11
%
Trust preferred debentures
   
18,720
   
543
   
5.86
%
 
17,869
   
357
   
4.02
%
Long-term debt
   
403,170
   
7,840
   
3.93
%
 
369,650
   
7,241
   
3.94
%
Total interest bearing liabilities
   
3,377,767
   
35,189
   
2.10
%
 
3,212,696
   
28,904
   
1.81
%
Demand deposits
   
513,447
               
476,186
             
Other liabilities
   
53,933
               
48,310
             
Stockholders’ equity
   
327,360
               
315,522
             
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
4,272,507
               
4,052,714
             
Net interest income (FTE basis)
         
80,205
               
75,924
       
Interest rate spread
               
3.74
%
             
3.77
%
Net interest margin
               
4.06
%
             
4.04
%
Taxable equivalent adjustment
         
2,067
               
2,150
       
Net interest income
       
$
78,138
             
$
73,774
       
 
(1) For purposes of these computations, nonaccrual loans are included in the average loan balances outstanding.
(2) Securities are shown at average amortized cost.
 
 
The following table presents changes in interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in volume (change in average balance multiplied by prior year rate), changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by prior year volume), and the net change in net interest income. The net change attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate has been allocated to each in proportion to the absolute dollar amounts of change.
 
Table 3
Analysis of Changes in Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Income
Three months ended June 30,
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
2005 over 2004 
(in thousands)
   
Volume
 
 
Rate
 
 
Total
 
                     
Short-term interest bearing accounts
 
$
(7
)
$
(6
)
$
(13
)
Securities available for sale
   
(212
)
 
14
   
(198
)
Securities held to maturity
   
7
   
138
   
145
 
Investment in FRB and FHLB Banks
   
19
   
307
   
326
 
Loans
   
3,752
   
2,887
   
6,639
 
Total (FTE) interest income
   
3,235
   
3,664
   
6,899
 
                     
Money market deposit accounts
   
(178
)
 
476
   
298
 
NOW deposit accounts
   
(15
)
 
4
   
(11
)
Savings deposits
   
(15
)
 
96
   
81
 
Time deposits
   
1,238
   
738
   
1,976
 
Short-term borrowings
   
114
   
1,299
   
1,413
 
Trust preferred debentures
   
-
   
122
   
122
 
Long-term debt
   
412
   
(7
)
 
405
 
Total interest expense
   
832
   
3,452
   
4,284
 
                     
Change in FTE net interest income
 
$
2,403
 
$
212
 
$
2,615
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
2005 over 2004
(in thousands)
   
Volume
 
 
Rate
 
 
Total
 
                     
Short-term interest bearing accounts
 
$
(20
)
$
(45
)
$
(65
)
Securities available for sale
   
(350
)
 
(461
)
 
(811
)
Securities held to maturity
   
(133
)
 
309
   
176
 
Investment in FRB and FHLB Banks
   
33
   
545
   
578
 
Loans
   
7,307
   
3,381
   
10,688
 
Total (FTE) interest income
   
6,231
   
4,335
   
10,566
 
                     
Money market deposit accounts
   
(182
)
 
730
   
548
 
NOW deposit accounts
   
(16
)
 
(64
)
 
(80
)
Savings deposits
   
14
   
39
   
53
 
Time deposits
   
1,696
   
802
   
2,498
 
Short-term borrowings
   
237
   
2,244
   
2,481
 
Trust preferred debentures
   
18
   
168
   
186
 
Long-term debt
   
652
   
(53
)
 
599
 
Total interest expense
   
1,543
   
4,742
   
6,285
 
                     
Change in FTE net interest income
 
$
4,688
 
$
(407
)
$
4,281
 
 
 
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income is a significant source of revenue for the Company and an important factor in the Company’s results of operations. The following table sets forth information by category of noninterest income for the years indicated:

 
Three months ended
June 30, 
Six months ended
June 30,
 
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
(in thousands)
                         
Service charges on deposit accounts
 
$
4,311
 
$
4,090
 
$
8,240
 
$
8,127
 
ATM and debit card fees
   
1,544
   
1,396
   
2,944
   
2,654
 
Broker/dealer and insurance fees
   
736
   
1,783
   
2,088
   
3,514
 
Trust
   
1,251
   
1,142
   
2,503
   
2,249
 
Net securities (losses) gains
   
51
   
29
   
47
   
38
 
Retirement plan administration fees
   
1,156
   
-
   
2,019
   
-
 
Bank owned life insurance income
   
333
   
409
   
666
   
794
 
Other
   
1,673
   
1,140
   
3,259
   
3,056
 
Total
 
$
11,055
 
$
9,989
 
$
21,766
 
$
20,432
 

Noninterest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 was $11.1 million, up $1.1 million or 11% from $10.0 million for the same period in 2004. Retirement plan administration fees were $1.2 million. This is a new service from our acquisition of EPIC Advisors, Inc. in January 2005. Other income increased $0.5 million from increases in consumer and commercial banking fees and title search revenue. Offsetting these increases was a $1.0 million decrease in broker/dealer and insurance revenue from the sale of the Company’s broker/dealer subsidiary M. Griffith Inc. in March 2005.

Noninterest income for the six months ended June 30, 2005 was $21.8 million, up $1.3 million or 7% from $20.4 million for the same period in 2004. Retirement plan administration fees totaled $2.0 million from the previously mentioned acquisition of EPIC Advisors, Inc. in January 2005. ATM and debit card fees increased $0.3 million compared with the same period a year ago, due to growth from transaction deposit accounts, which has led to an increase in the Company’s debit card base. Offsetting these increases was a $1.4 million decrease in broker/dealer and insurance revenue from the previously mentioned sale of the Company’s broker/dealer subsidiary M. Griffith Inc. in March 2005.
 
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expenses are also an important factor in the Company’s results of operations. The following table sets forth the major components of noninterest expense for the periods indicated:

 
Three months ended
June 30, 
Six months ended
June 30,
 
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
(in thousands)
                         
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
14,848
 
$
12,542
 
$
30,071
 
$
26,655
 
Occupancy
   
2,550
   
2,446
   
5,338
   
5,044
 
Equipment
   
1,931
   
1,781
   
4,027
   
3,634
 
Data processing and communications
   
2,530
   
2,852
   
5,188
   
5,544
 
Professional fees and outside services
   
1,381
   
1,424
   
3,056
   
3,056
 
Office supplies and postage
   
1,121
   
1,143
   
2,271
   
2,174
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
142
   
71
   
260
   
142
 
Loan collection and other real estate owned
   
208
   
99
   
609
   
471
 
Other
   
3,985
   
3,505
   
6,757
   
6,345
 
Total noninterest expense
 
$
28,696
 
$
25,863
 
$
57,577
 
$
53,065
 

Noninterest expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 was $28.7 million, up from $25.9 million for the same period in 2004. Salaries and employee benefits for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, increased $2.3 million over the same period in 2004, mainly from higher salaries from merit increases and higher incentive compensation costs. Other operating expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, increased $0.5 million compared with the same period in 2004, primarily from increases in insurance costs and consumer banking expenses.

Noninterest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2005 was $57.6 million, up $4.5 million from $53.1 million for the same period in 2004. The increase in noninterest expense was driven by increases in salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment expense. Salaries and employee benefits increased $3.4 million, mainly from increases in salary expense and employee benefit expense, reflecting merit increases as well as higher pension and incentive compensation costs. Occupancy expense increased $0.3 million from branch expansion in the Albany, Binghamton and northeastern Pennsylvania markets. Equipment expense increased $0.4 million, principally from ATM and technology upgrades.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $6.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 compared to $5.8 million for the same period in 2004. The effective tax rate was 32.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2005 and 31.6% for the same period in 2004. Income tax expense was $12.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to $11.7 million for the same period in 2004. The effective tax rate was 32.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 31.8% for the same period in 2004.
 
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

Loans and Leases

A summary of loans and leases, net of deferred fees and origination costs, by category for the periods indicated follows:
   
June 30,
2005 
 
 
December 31,
2004
 
 
June 30,
2004
 
(in thousands)
                   
Residential real estate mortgages
 
$
706,244
 
$
721,615
 
$
688,631
 
Commercial and commercial real estate mortgages
   
1,066,280
   
1,018,548
   
1,006,727
 
Real estate construction and development
   
146,389
   
136,934
   
104,516
 
Agricultural and agricultural real estate mortgages
   
110,382
   
108,181
   
106,215
 
Consumer
   
450,942
   
412,139
   
411,117
 
Home equity
   
434,509
   
391,807
   
366,720
 
Lease financing
   
81,218
   
80,697
   
69,699
 
Total loans and leases
 
$
2,995,964
 
$
2,869,921
 
$
2,753,625
 

Total loans and leases were $3.0 billion, or 68.3% of assets, at June 30, 2005, and $2.9 billion at December 31, 2004, and $2.8 billion, or 66.7%, at June 30, 2004. Total loans and leases increased $242.3 million or 9% at June 30, 2005 over June 30, 2004. The solid year over year loan growth was driven mainly by increases in home equity loans of $67.8 million or 18%, primarily from market expansion and continued success in marketing this product throughout the Company’s branch network. Commercial loans and commercial mortgages increased $59.6 million or 6% year over year, as the Company has been successful in generating new business in the Albany, Binghamton, and Northeastern Pennsylvania markets. This market expansion has also helped drive the increase in real estate construction and development loans of $41.9 million. Consumer loans increased $39.8 million, mainly from increases in indirect automobile loans. Leases increased $11.5 million or 17% from an expanded presence in the Northeastern Pennsylvania market. Lastly, residential real estate mortgages, increased $17.6 million or 3% when compared to June 30, 2004. The modest growth in the residential mortgage portfolio resulted mainly from limiting the Company’s exposure to long-term interest rate risk by pricing 30-year mortgages above market rates. Furthermore, the Company began selling 20-year and 30-year residential mortgages from its pipeline in the second quarter 2005. At June 30, 2005, commercial loans, including commercial mortgages, represented approximately 44% of the loan and lease portfolio, while consumer loans and leases and residential mortgages represented 32% and 24%, respectively.

Securities

The Company classifies its securities at date of purchase as available for sale, held to maturity or trading. Held to maturity debt securities are those that the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. Available for sale securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available for sale securities are excluded from earnings and are reported in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Held to maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost. Trading securities are recorded at fair value, with net unrealized gains and losses recognized currently in income. Transfers of securities between categories are recorded at fair value at the date of transfer. A decline in the fair value of any available for sale or held to maturity security below cost that is deemed other-than-temporary is charged to earnings resulting in the establishment of a new cost basis for the security. Securities with an other-than-temporary impairment are generally placed on nonaccrual status.

Average total earning securities decreased $15.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 when compared to the same period in 2004. The average balance of securities available for sale decreased $18.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 when compared to the same period in 2004. The average balance of securities held to maturity remained relatively unchanged for the three months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. The average total securities portfolio represents 27% of total average earning assets for the three months ended June 30, 2005 down from 29% for the same period in 2004. The decrease in the securities portfolio for the period was primarily due to the Company’s efforts to limit exposure to rising interest rates.

The following details the composition of securities available for sale, securities held to maturity and regulatory investments for the periods indicated:

 
At June 30,
 
2005
2004
     
Mortgage-backed securities:
   
With maturities 15 years or less
42%
51%
With maturities greater than 15 years
6%
9%
Collateral mortgage obligations
15%
9%
Municipal securities
15%
14%
US agency notes
18%
12%
Other
4%
5%
Total
100%
100%

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Provision for Loan and Lease Losses, and Nonperforming Assets

The allowance for loan and lease losses is maintained at a level estimated by management to provide adequately for risk of probable losses inherent in the current loan and lease portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses is continuously monitored. It is assessed for adequacy using a methodology designed to ensure the level of the allowance reasonably reflects the loan portfolio’s risk profile. It is evaluated to ensure that it is sufficient to absorb all reasonably estimable credit losses inherent in the current loan and lease portfolio.

Management considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan and lease losses to be a critical accounting policy given the inherent uncertainty in evaluating the levels of the allowance required to cover credit losses in the portfolio and the material effect that such judgements can have on the consolidated results of operations.

For purposes of evaluating the adequacy of the allowance, the Company considers a number of significant factors that affect the collectibility of the portfolio. For individually analyzed loans, these include estimates of loss exposure, which reflect the facts and circumstances that affect the likelihood of repayment of such loans as of the evaluation date. For homogeneous pools of loans and leases, estimates of the Company’s exposure to credit loss reflect a thorough current assessment of a number of factors, which could affect collectibility. These factors include: past loss experience; the size, trend, composition, and nature of the loans and leases; changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices; trends experienced in nonperforming and delinquent loans and leases; current economic conditions in the Company’s market; portfolio concentrations that may affect loss experienced across one or more components of the portfolio; the effect of external factors such as competition, legal and regulatory requirements; and the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral component of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examination, which may not be currently available to management.

After a thorough consideration and validation of the factors discussed above, required additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses are made periodically by charges to the provision for loan and lease losses. These charges are necessary to maintain the allowance at a level which management believes is reasonably reflective of overall inherent risk of probable loss in the portfolio. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans and leases, additions to the allowance may fluctuate from one reporting period to another. These fluctuations are reflective of changes in risk associated with portfolio content and/or changes in management’s assessment of any or all of the determining factors discussed above. The allowance for loan and lease losses to outstanding loans and leases at June 30, 2005 was 1.55% compared to 1.57% at December 31, 2004 and 1.58% at June 30, 2004. Management considers the allowance for loan losses to be adequate based on evaluation and analysis of the loan portfolio.

Table 4 reflects changes to the allowance for loan and lease losses for the periods presented. The allowance is increased by provisions for losses charged to operations and is reduced by net charge-offs. Charge-offs are made when the collectability of loan principal within a reasonable time is unlikely. Any recoveries of previously charged-off loans are credited directly to the allowance for loan and lease losses.

Table 4
Allowance for Loan Losses
   
 
Three months ended June 30, 
(dollars in thousands)
   
2005
         
2004
       
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
45,389
       
$
43,303
       
Recoveries
   
1,333
         
722
       
Charge-offs
   
(2,631
)
       
(2,971
)
     
Net charge-offs
   
(1,298
)
       
(2,249
)
     
Provision for loan losses
   
2,320
         
2,428
       
Balance, end of period
 
$
46,411
       
$
43,482
       
Composition of Net Charge-Offs
                         
Commercial and agricultural
 
$
(389
)
 
30
%
$
(1,190
)
 
53
%
Real estate mortgage
   
149
   
(12
)%
 
(50
)
 
2
%
Consumer
   
(1,058
)
 
82
%
 
(1,009
)
 
45
%
Net charge-offs
 
$
(1,298
)
 
100
%
$
(2,249
)
 
100
%
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans
   
0.18
%
       
0.34
%
     

 
 
Six months ended June 30, 
(dollars in thousands)
   
2005
 
 
 
 
 
2004
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
44,932
       
$
42,651
       
Recoveries
   
2,412
         
1,551
       
Charge-offs
   
(5,049
)
       
(5,272
)
     
Net charge-offs
   
(2,637
)
       
(3,721
)
     
Provision for loan losses
   
4,116
         
4,552
       
Balance, end of period
 
$
46,411
       
$
43,482
       
Composition of Net Charge-Offs
                         
Commercial and agricultural
 
$
(494
)
 
19
%
$
(1,314
)
 
35
%
Real estate mortgage
   
(177
)
 
7
%
 
(69
)
 
2
%
Consumer
   
(1,966
)
 
74
%
 
(2,338
)
 
63
%
Net charge-offs
 
$
(2,637
)
 
100
%
$
(3,721
)
 
100
%
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans
   
0.18
%
       
0.28
%
     

Nonperforming assets consist of nonaccrual loans, loans 90 days or more past due, restructured loans, other real estate owned (OREO), and nonperforming securities. Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual when principal or interest payments become ninety days past due, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Loans may also be placed on nonaccrual when circumstances indicate that the borrower may be unable to meet the contractual principal or interest payments. OREO represents property acquired through foreclosure and is valued at the lower of the carrying amount or fair market value, less any estimated disposal costs. Nonperforming securities include securities which management believes are other-than-temporarily impaired, carried at their estimated fair value and are not accruing interest.

Total nonperforming assets were $13.9 million at June 30, 2005, and $16.6 million at December 31, 2004, and $14.2 million at June 30, 2004. The decrease in nonperforming assets when compared to December 31, 2004 resulted primarily from the sale of approximately $5 million in nonperforming loans during the quarter ended June 30, 2005. Nonaccrual loans decreased from $15.0 million at December 31, 2004 to $13.0 million at June 30, 2005, primarily from the previously mention sale of nonperforming loans. OREO has remained at relatively low levels throughout 2005 and 2004, as the Company’s nonperfoming loans have remained relatively stable and credit quality remains solid.

In addition to the nonperforming loans discussed above, the Company has also identified approximately $66.5 million in potential problem loans at June 30, 2005 as compared to $48.0 million at December 31, 2004. The increase in potential problem loans resulted mainly from the downgrade of one large commercial loan relationship totaling $15 million to substandard during the three months ended March 31, 2005. Potential problem loans are loans that are currently performing, but where known information about possible credit problems of the related borrowers causes management to have serious doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the present loan repayment terms and which may result in disclosure of such loans as nonperforming at some time in the future. At the Company, potential problem loans are typically loans that are performing but are classified by the Company’s loan rating system as “substandard.” At June 30, 2005, potential problem loans primarily consisted of commercial real estate and commercial and agricultural loans. Management cannot predict the extent to which economic conditions may worsen or other factors which may impact borrowers and the potential problem loans. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that other loans will not become 90 days or more past due, be placed on non-accrual, become restructured, or require increased allowance coverage and provision for loan losses.

Net charge-offs totaled $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, down $0.9 million from the $2.2 million charged-off during the same period in 2004. The decrease in net charge-offs resulted primarily from larger recoveries during the three months ended June 30, 2005 in commercial and residential mortgage loans. The provision for loan and lease losses totaled $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, down slightly from the $2.4 million provided during the same period in 2004.

Net charge-offs totaled $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, down $1.1 million from the $3.7 million charged-off during the same period in 2004. The decrease in net charge-offs resulted primarily from larger commercial recoveries during the six months ended June 30, 2005. The provision for loan and lease losses totaled $4.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, down from the $4.6 million provided during the same period in 2004. The decrease in the provision for loan and lease losses for the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to the same period a year ago resulted mainly from lower net charge-offs and an improvement in credit quality ratios.

Table 5
Nonperforming Assets
                   
 
(dollars in thousands)
   
June 30,
2005
 
 
December 31,
2004
 
 
June 30,
2004
 
Commercial and agricultural
 
$
8,971
 
$
10,550
 
$
8,282
 
Real estate mortgage
   
2,229
   
2,553
   
2,353
 
Consumer
   
1,841
   
1,888
   
2,605
 
Total nonaccrual loans
   
13,041
   
14,991
   
13,240
 
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing:
                   
Commercial and agricultural
   
3
   
-
   
92
 
Real estate mortgage
   
-
   
737
   
185
 
Consumer
   
447
   
449
   
264
 
Total loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing
   
450
   
1,186
   
541
 
Total nonperforming loans
   
13,491
   
16,177
   
13,781
 
Other real estate owned (OREO)
   
395
   
428
   
365
 
Total nonperforming loans and OREO
   
13,886
   
16,605
   
14,146
 
Nonperforming securities
   
-
   
-
   
52
 
Total nonperforming assets
 
$
13,886
 
$
16,605
 
$
14,198
 
Total nonperforming loans to loans and leases
   
0.45
%
 
0.56
%
 
0.50
%
Total nonperforming assets to assets
   
0.32
%
 
0.39
%
 
0.34
%
Total allowance for loan and lease losses to nonperforming loans
   
344.01
%
 
277.75
%
 
315.52
%

Deposits

Total deposits were $3.2 billion at June 30, 2005, up $104.2 million from year-end 2004, and an increase of $137.5 million, or 5%, from the same period in the prior year. Total average deposits for the three months ended June 30, 2005 increased $139.3 million, or 5%, from the same period in 2004. The Company experienced an increase in time deposits, as average time deposits increased $179.7 million or 17%, for the three months ended June 30, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004, primarily from an increase in municipal time deposits. Meanwhile, average core deposits decreased $40.3 million or 2%, for the three months ended June 30, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004, mainly from a $55.5 million decrease in money market deposit accounts (primarily municipal money market accounts which migrated to time deposits). At June 30, 2005, total checking, savings and money market accounts represented 61.5% of total deposits compared to 65.3% at June 30, 2004.

Borrowed Funds

The Company's borrowed funds consist of short-term borrowings and long-term debt. Short-term borrowings totaled $384.2 million at June 30, 2005 compared to $338.8 million and $349.1 million at December 31, and June 30, 2004, respectively. Long-term debt was $419.4 million at June 30, 2005, and was $394.5 million and $369.6 million at December 31, and June 30, 2004. For more information about the Company’s borrowing capacity and liquidity position, see the section with the title caption of “Liquidity Risk” on page 35-36 in this discussion.

Capital Resources

Stockholders' equity of $330.7 million represents 7.5% of total assets at June 30, 2005, compared with $307.7 million, or 7.5% in the comparable period of the prior year, and $332.2 million, or 7.9% at December 31, 2004. The decline in tier 1 and total risked-based capital ratios resulted primarily from the repurchase of 671,543 shares of the Company’s common stock resulting in a $15.3 million reduction in stockholders’ equity during the six months ended June 30, 2005. The Company does not have a target dividend payout ratio, rather the Board of Directors considers the Company's earnings position and earnings potential when making dividend decisions.

As the capital ratios in Table 6 indicate, the Company remains “well capitalized”. Capital measurements are significantly in excess of regulatory minimum guidelines and meet the requirements to be considered well capitalized for all periods presented. Tier 1 leverage, Tier 1 capital and Risk-based capital ratios have regulatory minimum guidelines of 3%, 4% and 8% respectively, with requirements to be considered well capitalized of 5%, 6% and 10%, respectively.

Table 6
 
Capital Measurements
2005
March 31,
2005
June 30,
2005
Tier 1 leverage ratio
6.89%
6.91%
Tier 1 capital ratio
9.41%
9.23%
Total risk-based capital ratio
10.67%
10.48%
Cash dividends as a percentage of net income
48.57%
47.67%
Per common share:
   
Book value
$ 9.85
$ 10.22
Tangible book value
$ 8.25
$ 8.62
2004
   
Tier 1 leverage ratio
6.96%
6.90%
Tier 1 capital ratio
10.12%
9.74%
Total risk-based capital ratio
11.37%
11.00%
Cash dividends as a percentage of net income
45.20%
49.50%
Per common share:
   
Book value
$ 9.80
$ 9.43
Tangible book value
$ 8.29
$7.91

The accompanying Table 7 presents the high, low and closing sales price for the common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market, and cash dividends declared per share of common stock. The Company's price to book value ratio was 2.31 at June 30, 2005 and 2.37 in the comparable period of the prior year. The Company's price was 15.3 times trailing twelve months earnings at June 30, 2005, compared to 15.2 times for the same period last year.

Table 7
Quarterly Common Stock and Dividend Information
Quarter Ending
   
High
 
 
Low
 
 
Close
 
 
Cash Dividends Declared
 
2004
                         
March 31
 
$
23.00
 
$
21.21
 
$
22.50
 
$
0.170
 
June 30
   
23.18
   
19.92
   
22.34
   
0.190
 
September 30
   
24.34
   
21.02
   
23.43
   
0.190
 
December 31
   
26.84
   
21.94
   
25.72
   
0.190
 
2005
                         
March 31
 
$
25.66
 
$
21.48
 
$
22.41
 
$
0.190
 
June 30
 
$
24.15
 
$
20.10
 
$
23.64
 
$
0.190
 

Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity Management

Market Risk

Interest rate risk is among the most significant market risk affecting the Company. Other types of market risk, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk and commodity price risk, do not arise in the normal course of the Company’s business activities. Interest rate risk is defined as an exposure to a movement in interest rates that could have an adverse effect on the Company’s net interest income. Net interest income is susceptible to interest rate risk to the degree that interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice on a different basis than earning assets. When interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly than earning assets in a given period, a significant increase in market rates of interest could adversely affect net interest income. Similarly, when earning assets mature or reprice more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities, falling interest rates could result in a decrease in net interest income.

In an attempt to manage the Company's exposure to changes in interest rates, management monitors the Company’s interest rate risk. Management’s Asset Liability Committee (ALCO) meets monthly to review the Company’s interest rate risk position and profitability, and to recommend strategies for consideration by the Board of Directors. Management also reviews loan and deposit pricing, and the Company’s securities portfolio, formulates investment and funding strategies, and oversees the timing and implementation of transactions to assure attainment of the Board’s objectives in the most effective manner. Notwithstanding the Company’s interest rate risk management activities, the potential for changing interest rates is an uncertainty that can have an adverse effect on net income.

In adjusting the Company’s asset/liability position, the Board and management attempt to manage the Company’s interest rate risk while minimizing net interest margin compression. At times, depending on the level of general interest rates, the relationship between long- and short-term interest rates, market conditions and competitive factors, the Board and management may determine to increase the Company’s interest rate risk position somewhat in order to increase its net interest margin. The Company’s results of operations and net portfolio values remain vulnerable to changes in interest rates and fluctuations in the difference between long- and short-term interest rates.

The primary tool utilized by ALCO to manage interest rate risk is a balance sheet/income statement simulation model (interest rate sensitivity analysis). Information such as principal balance, interest rate, maturity date, cash flows, next repricing date (if needed), and current rates is uploaded into the model to create an ending balance sheet. In addition, ALCO makes certain assumptions regarding prepayment speeds for loans and leases and mortgage related investment securities along with any optionality within the deposits and borrowings.

The model is first run under an assumption of a flat rate scenario (i.e. no change in current interest rates) with a static balance sheet over a 12-month period. Three additional models are run with static balance sheets; (1) a gradual increase of 200 bp, (2) a gradual increase of 400 bp and (3) a gradual decrease of 200 bp takes place over a 12 month period with a static balance sheet. Under these scenarios, assets subject to prepayments are adjusted to account for faster or slower prepayment assumptions. Any investment securities or borrowings that have callable options embedded into them are handled accordingly based on the interest rate scenario. The resultant changes in net interest income are then measured against the flat rate scenario.

In the declining rate scenario, net interest income is projected to decrease when compared to the forecasted net interest income in the flat rate scenario through the simulation period. The decrease in net interest income is a result of earning assets repricing downward at a faster rate than interest bearing liabilities. The inability to effectively lower deposit rates will likely reduce or eliminate the benefit of lower interest rates. In the rising rate scenarios, net interest income is projected to experience a decline from the flat rate scenario. Net interest income is projected to remain at lower levels than in a flat rate scenario through the simulation period primarily due to a lag in assets repricing while funding costs increase. The potential impact on earnings is dependent on the ability to lag deposit repricing. If short-term rates continue to increase, the Company expects competitive pressures will likely result in core deposit pricing increases, which should lead to compression of net interest margin.

Net interest income for the next twelve months in the + 200/+ 400/- 200 bp scenarios, as described above, is within the internal policy risk limits of not more than a 7.5% change in net interest income. The following table summarizes the percentage change in net interest income in the rising and declining rate scenarios over a 12-month period from the forecasted net interest income in the flat rate scenario using the June 30, 2005 balance sheet position:

Table 8
Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
 
Change in interest rates (in basis points)
Percent change in net interest income
+400
(4.46%)
+200
(1.26%)
-200
(2.07%)

Under the flat rate scenario with a static balance sheet, net interest income is anticipated to remain relatively unchanged from annualized net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The growth in earning assets over the past several periods should offset the impact of net interest margin compression. If the Company cannot maintain the level of earning assets at June 30, 2005, the Company expects net interest income to decline for the remainder of the year.

The Company has taken several measures to mitigate net interest margin compression. The Company began originating 20-year and 30-year residential real estate mortgages with the intent to sell at the end of the second quarter of 2005. The Company’s anticipates a significant increase in residential real estate mortgage sales from its pipeline in the third quarter of 2005. The Company has also shortened the average life of its investment securities portfolio by limiting purchases of mortgage-backed securities and redirecting proceeds into short-duration CMOs and US Agency notes and bonds. Lastly, the Company has increased its long-term debt in the second quarter of 2005 to offset exposure to long-term earning assets.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity involves the ability to meet the cash flow requirements of customers who may be depositors wanting to withdraw funds or borrowers needing assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs. The ALCO is responsible for liquidity management and has developed guidelines which cover all assets and liabilities, as well as off balance sheet items that are potential sources or uses of liquidity. Liquidity policies must also provide the flexibility to implement appropriate strategies and tactical actions. Requirements change as loans and leases grow, deposits and securities mature, and payments on borrowings are made. Liquidity management includes a focus on interest rate sensitivity management with a goal of avoiding widely fluctuating net interest margins through periods of changing economic conditions.

The primary liquidity measurement the Company utilizes is called the Basic Surplus which captures the adequacy of its access to reliable sources of cash relative to the stability of its funding mix of average liabilities. This approach recognizes the importance of balancing levels of cash flow liquidity from short- and long-term securities with the availability of dependable borrowing sources which can be accessed when necessary. At June 30 2005, the Company’s Basic Surplus measurement was 5.1% of total assets or $224 million, which was above the Company’s minimum of 5% or $219 million set forth in its liquidity policies.

This Basic Surplus approach enables the Company to adequately manage liquidity from both operational and contingency perspectives. By tempering the need for cash flow liquidity with reliable borrowing facilities, the Company is able to operate with a more fully invested and, therefore, higher interest income generating, securities portfolio. The makeup and term structure of the securities portfolio is, in part, impacted by the overall interest rate sensitivity of the balance sheet. Investment decisions and deposit pricing strategies are impacted by the liquidity position. At June 30, 2005, the Company Basic Surplus is tightening, as the Basic Surplus has decreased from 8.3% at June 30, 2004. If the Company’s Basic Surplus continues to tighten, the Company will likely utilize brokered time deposits or price retail time deposits or money market accounts in selected markets more competitively to fund loan and lease growth in the near term. These sources of funds are typically more costly than FHLB borrowings and may have an adverse effect on the Company’s net interest margin.

The Company’s primary source of funds is from its subsidiary, NBT Bank. Certain restrictions exist regarding the ability of the Company’s subsidiary bank to transfer funds to the Company in the form of cash dividends. The approval of the Office of Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is required to pay dividends when a bank fails to meet certain minimum regulatory capital standards or when such dividends are in excess of a subsidiary bank’s earnings retained in the current year plus retained net profits for the preceding two years (as defined in the regulations). At June 30, 2005, approximately $45.2 million of the total stockholders’ equity of NBT Bank was available for payment of dividends to the Company without approval by the OCC. NBT Bank’s ability to pay dividends also is subject to the Bank being in compliance with regulatory capital requirements. NBT Bank is currently in compliance with these requirements. Under the State of Delaware Business Corporation Law, the Company may declare and pay dividends either out of accumulated net retained earnings or capital surplus.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

Information called for by Item 3 is contained in the Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity Management section of the Management Discussion and Analysis.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of June 30, 2005. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to any material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries required to be included in the Company's periodic SEC filings.

There were no changes made in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.

Although as stated above we have not made any significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting in the most recent fiscal quarter, based on our documentation and testing to date, we have made improvements in the documentation, design or effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting. However, given the risks inherent in the design and operation of internal controls over financial reporting, we can provide no assurance as to our, or our independent auditor’s conclusions at December 31, 2005 with respect to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 -- Legal Proceedings

There are no material legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to business to which the Company is a party or of which any of its property is subject.

Item 2 -- Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securitries

(a)  
Not applicable
 
(b)  
Not applicable
 
(c)  
The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by the Company (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of our common stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2005:

Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid Per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans
Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plans (1)
4/1/05 - 4/30/05
67,075
$21.64
27,675
929,507
5/1/05 - 5/31/05
89,785
$22.17
89,785
839,722
6/1/05 - 6/30/05
-
-
-
839,722
Total
156,860
$21.94
156,860
839,722

(1) On January 24, 2005, NBT announced that the NBT Board of Directors approved a new repurchase program whereby NBT is authorized to repurchase up to an additional 1,500,000 shares (approximately 5%) of its outstanding common stock from time to time as market conditions warrant in open market and privately negotiated transactions. At that time, there were 719,800 shares remaining under a previous authorization that was be superseded by the new repurchase program. During the period January 1, 2005 and January 24, 2005, the Company purchased 11,265 shares of its common stock under the superseded plan.

Item 3 -- Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4 -- Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on May 3, 2005. At the Annual Meeting, stockholders approved the following:
 

1)  
A proposal to fix the number of directors to sixteen. There were 25,580,722 votes cast for the proposal, 515,615 votes cast against the proposal, and 263,038 abstentions.

2)  
The following directors were elected with terms expiring at the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders: Richard Chojnowski: 23,900,676 votes for election; 458,698 votes withheld.
 
Dr. Peter B. Gregory: 23,733,593 votes for election; 625,781 votes withheld.
Joseph A. Santangelo: 23,729,347 votes for election; 629,567 votes withheld
Janet H. Ingraham: 23,819,347 votes for election; 540,028 votes withheld.
Paul D. Horger: 20,759,467 votes for election; 3,599,907 votes withheld.
 
The following director was elected with a term expiring at the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders
 
Martin A. Dietrich: 23,554,788 votes for election; 804,587 votes withheld.
 
Continuing directors with terms expiring in 2007: Daryl R. Forsythe, William C. Gumble, William L Owens, Van Ness D. Robinson, and Patricia T. Civil.
 
Continuing directors with terms expiring in 2006 Andrew S. Kowalczyk, Jr. John C. Mitchell, Joseph G. Nasser, Michael H. Hutcherson, and Michael M. Murphy
 
Item 5 -- Other Information

On April 25, 2005, NBT Bancorp Inc. announced the declaration of a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 per share. The cash dividend will be paid on June 15, 2005 to stockholders of record as of June 1, 2005.

On June 14, 2005, NBT announced that it had agreed to acquire CNB Bancorp, Inc. (CNB), with total assets of approximately $420 million, which is headquartered in Gloversville, NY. The merger is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2005 pending regulatory and CNB shareholder approval.

Item 6 -- Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)   Exhibits
 
2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between NBT Bancorp Inc., and CNB Bancorp, Inc., dated as of June 13, 2005 (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on June 14, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
3.1   Certificate of Incorporation of NBT Bancorp Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-K of NBT Bancorp, Inc., filed on March 29, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
3.2   By-laws of NBT Bancorp Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 10-K of NBT Bancorp Inc., filed on March 29, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.1   Speciman common stock certificate for NBT's common stock (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Form S-4 of NBT Bancorp Inc. filed on August 2, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.2   Rights Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2004, between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Registrar and Transfer Company, as Rights Agent (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on Noember 18, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1   Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2   Written Statement of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report on FORM 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, this 8th day of August 2005.



NBT BANCORP INC.
 
By: /s/ MICHAEL J. CHEWENS
Michael J. Chewens, CPA
Senior Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
 


EXHIBIT INDEX
 
2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between NBT Bancorp Inc., and CNB Bancorp, Inc., dated as of June 13, 2005 (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on June 14, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
3.1   Certificate of Incorporation of NBT Bancorp Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-K of NBT Bancorp, Inc., filed on March 29, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
3.2   By-laws of NBT Bancorp Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 10-K of NBT Bancorp Inc., filed on March 29, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.1   Speciman common stock certificate for NBT's common stock (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Form S-4 of NBT Bancorp Inc. filed on August 2, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.2   Rights Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2004, between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Registrar and Transfer Company, as Rights Agent (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on Noember 18, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1   Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2   Written Statement of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.



EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Daryl R. Forsythe, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of NBT Bancorp Inc.

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting;

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operations of internal controls which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting.

Date: August 8, 2005

By: /s/ Daryl R. Forsythe
------------------------------
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
 

 
EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Michael J. Chewens, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of NBT Bancorp Inc.

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting;

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operations of internal controls which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting.

Date: August 8, 2005

By: /s/ Michael J. Chewens
--------------------------------
Senior Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and
Corporate Secretary



EXHIBIT 32.1

Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the
----------
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
-----------------------------

The undersigned, the Chief Executive Officer of NBT Bancorp Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certifies that to his knowledge on the date hereof:

(a)   the Form 10-Q of the Company for the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2005, filed on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(b)   information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
/s/ Daryl R. Forsythe
------------------------
Daryl R. Forsythe
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
August 8, 2005


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to NBT Bancorp Inc. and will be retained by NBT Bancorp Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
 

 
EXHIBIT 32.2

Written Statement of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the
----------
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
-----------------------------

The undersigned, the Chief Financial Officer of NBT Bancorp Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certifies that to his knowledge on the date hereof:

(a)   the Form 10-Q of the Company for the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2005, filed on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(b)   information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Michael J. Chewens
-------------------------
Michael J. Chewens
Senior Executive Vice President Chief
Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
August 8, 2005

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to NBT Bancorp Inc. and will be retained by NBT Bancorp Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.