Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x Quarterly Report Pursuant To Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010

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 No. 001-33384

 

 

ESSA Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Pennsylvania   20-8023072

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

200 Palmer Street, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania   18360
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(570) 421-0531

(Registrant’s telephone number)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

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 such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  x    NO  ¨.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES  ¨    NO  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer” and “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  ¨    NO  x

As of August 6, 2010 there were 13,761,112 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

ESSA Bancorp, Inc.

FORM 10-Q

Index

 

          Page
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1.    Financial Statements (unaudited)    3
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    20
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    29
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures    30
Part II. Other Information
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings    30
Item 1A.    Risk Factors    30
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    32
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities    32
Item 4.    (Removed and Reserved)   
Item 5.    Other Information    32
Item 6.    Exhibits    32
Signature Page    33

 

2


Table of Contents

Part I. Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(UNAUDITED)

 

     June 30, 2010     September 30, 2009  
     (dollars in thousands)  

ASSETS

    

Cash and due from banks

   $ 10,611      $ 7,103   

Interest-bearing deposits with other institutions

     15,093        11,490   
                

Total cash and cash equivalents

     25,704        18,593   

Certificates of deposit

     1,996        5,355   

Investment securities available for sale

     230,728        217,566   

Investment securities held to maturity (estimated fair value of $14,266 and $6,923)

     13,841        6,709   

Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $7,022 and $5,815)

     730,192        733,580   

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     20,727        20,727   

Premises and equipment

     12,570        10,620   

Bank-owned life insurance

     15,482        15,072   

Foreclosed real estate

     2,141        2,579   

Other assets

     13,772        11,318   
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 1,067,153      $ 1,042,119   
                

LIABILITIES

    

Deposits

   $ 515,873      $ 408,855   

Short-term borrowings

     —          48,091   

Other borrowings

     362,257        390,507   

Advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance

     6,224        1,377   

Other liabilities

     6,140        7,783   
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     890,494        856,613   
                

Commitment and contingencies

     —          —     

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Preferred Stock ($.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued)

     —          —     

Common stock ($.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized, 16,980,900 issued; 13,875,012 and 14,878,620 outstanding at June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009)

     170        170   

Additional paid in capital

     163,950        162,243   

Unallocated common stock held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

     (12,002     (12,339

Retained earnings

     63,844        62,337   

Treasury stock, at cost; 3,105,888 and 2,102,280 shares at June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009

     (40,295     (27,695

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     992        790   
                

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     176,659        185,506   
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 1,067,153      $ 1,042,119   
                

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

     For the Three  Months
Ended June 30,
    For the Nine Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2010    2009     2010    2009  
     (dollars in thousands, except per share data)  

INTEREST INCOME

          

Loans receivable

   $ 10,105    $ 10,682      $ 30,612    $ 31,806   

Investment securities:

          

Taxable

     1,925      2,467        6,326      7,564   

Exempt from federal income tax

     78      83        238      248   

Other investment income

     3      1        5      121   
                              

Total interest income

     12,111      13,233        37,181      39,739   
                              

INTEREST EXPENSE

          

Deposits

     1,769      1,635        4,633      5,394   

Short-term borrowings

     1      70        85      343   

Other borrowings

     3,670      4,085        11,305      12,356   
                              

Total interest expense

     5,440      5,790        16,023      18,093   
                              

NET INTEREST INCOME

     6,671      7,443        21,158      21,646   

Provision for loan losses

     500      375        1,650      1,125   
                              

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     6,171      7,068        19,508      20,521   
                              

NONINTEREST INCOME

          

Service fees on deposit accounts

     799      790        2,403      2,369   

Services charges and fees on loans

     126      158        351      450   

Trust and investment fees

     203      209        635      623   

Impairment loss on securities

     —        (68     —        (68

Gain on sale of investments, net

     305      148        613      148   

Gain on sale of loans, net

     41      372        236      372   

Earnings on Bank-owned life insurance

     135      137        410      415   

Other

     10      1        34      25   
                              

Total noninterest income

     1,619      1,747        4,682      4,334   
                              

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

          

Compensation and employee benefits

     3,731      3,636        11,068      10,810   

Occupancy and equipment

     823      696        2,145      2,160   

Professional fees

     373      306        1,136      1,028   

Data processing

     524      466        1,441      1,402   

Advertising

     208      191        472      543   

FDIC premiums

     157      457        638      542   

Loss on foreclosed real estate

     —        —          1,200      —     

Other

     519      535        1,511      1,468   
                              

Total noninterest expense

     6,335      6,287        19,611      17,953   
                              

Income before income taxes

     1,455      2,528        4,579      6,902   

Income taxes

     387      787        1,114      1,794   
                              

NET INCOME

   $ 1,068    $ 1,741      $ 3,465    $ 5,108   
                              

Earnings per share

          

Basic

   $ 0.09    $ 0.13      $ 0.27    $ 0.36   

Diluted

   $ 0.09    $ 0.13      $ 0.27    $ 0.36   

Dividends per share

   $ 0.05    $ 0.04      $ 0.15    $ 0.12   

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Common Stock                              
     Number of
Shares
    Amount    Additional
Paid In
Capital
   Unallocated
Common
Stock Held by
the ESOP
    Retained
Earnings
    Treasury
Stock
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   Total
Stockholders’

Equity
 
                     (dollars in thousands)                   

Balance, September 30, 2009

   14,878,620      $ 170    $ 162,243    $ (12,339   $ 62,337      $ (27,695   $ 790    $ 185,506   

Net income

               3,465             3,465   

Other comprehensive income:

                   

Unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of income tax benefit of $25

                   48      48   

Change in unrecognized pension cost, net of income taxes of $80

                   154      154   

Cash dividends declared ($0.15 per share)

               (1,958          (1,958

Stock based compensation

          1,604               1,604   

Allocation of ESOP stock

          83      337               420   

Restricted stock forfeitures

   (1,600        20          (20        —     

Treasury shares purchased

   (1,002,008               (12,580        (12,580
                                                           

Balance, June 30, 2010

   13,875,012      $ 170    $ 163,950    $ (12,002   $ 63,844      $ (40,295   $ 992    $ 176,659   
                                                           

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     For the Nine Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2010     2009  
     (dollars in thousands)  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

   $ 3,465      $ 5,108   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Provision for loan losses

     1,650        1,125   

Provision for depreciation and amortization.

     895        903   

Accretion of discounts and premiums, net

     474        (130

Gain on sale of investment securities, net

     (613     (148

Gain on sale of loans, net

     (236     (372

Origination of mortgage loans sold

     (9,750     (4,461

Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans originated for sale

     9,986        4,517   

Compensation expense on ESOP

     420        463   

Stock based compensation

     1,604        1,614   

Decrease in accrued interest receivable

     208        276   

Increase in accrued interest payable

     191        11   

Earnings on bank-owned life insurance

     (410     (415

Deferred federal income taxes

     (50     (352

Increase in prepaid federal deposit insurance premiums

     (1,455     —     

Decrease in accrued pension liability

     (1,196     (1,331

Loss on foreclosed real estate

     1,200        —     

Other, net

     (1,811     6   
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     4,572        6,814   
                

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Proceeds from repayments of certificates of deposit

     3,385        3,497   

Purchase of certificates of deposit

     —          (2,926

Investment securities available for sale:

    

Proceeds from sale of investment securities

     28,105        15,880   

Proceeds from principal repayments and maturities

     47,113        78,398   

Purchases

     (88,275     (118,150

Investment securities held to maturity:

    

Proceeds from principal repayments and maturities

     3,024        2,129   

Purchases

     (10,163     —     

(Decrease) increase in loans receivable, net

     1,127        (52,623

Proceeds from sale of loans

     —          19,274   

Redemption of FHLB stock

     —          509   

Purchase of FHLB stock

     —          (2,048

Investment in limited partnership

     —          (2,729

Proceeds from sale of other real estate

     —          21   

Capital improvements to foreclosed real estate

     (63     —     

Purchase of premises, equipment, and software

     (2,859     (906
                

Net cash used for investing activities

     (18,606     (59,674
                

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Increase in deposits, net

     107,018        30,710   

Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings

     (48,091     28,643   

Proceeds from other borrowings

     17,250        96,260   

Repayment of other borrowings

     (45,500     (83,000

Increase in advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance

     4,847        4,238   

Purchase of treasury stock.

     (12,421     (24,477

Dividends on common stock

     (1,958     (1,703
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     21,145        50,671   
                

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     7,111        (2,189

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     18,593        12,614   
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 25,704      $ 10,425   
                

 

6


Table of Contents

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

    

Cash Paid:

    

Interest

   $ 15,832      $ 18,082

Income taxes

     1,869        2,655

Noncash items:

    

Other real estate owned

     699        2,667

Treasury stock payable

     (159     1,008

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

7


Table of Contents

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

The unaudited, consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), and its wholly owned subsidiary, ESSA Bank & Trust (the “Bank”), and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries, ESSACOR Inc. and Pocono Investment Company. The primary purpose of the Company is to act as a holding company for the Bank. The Company is subject to regulation and supervision by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”). The Bank is a Pennsylvania chartered savings association located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The Bank’s primary business consists of the taking of deposits and granting of loans to customers generally in Monroe, Northampton and Lehigh counties, Pennsylvania. The Bank is subject to regulation and supervision by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and the OTS. The investment in subsidiary on the parent company’s financial statements is carried at the parent company’s equity in the underlying net assets.

ESSACOR, Inc. is a Pennsylvania corporation that is currently inactive. Pocono Investment Company is a Delaware corporation formed as an investment company subsidiary to hold and manage certain investments, including certain intellectual property. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which in the opinion of management are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods and are of a normal and recurring nature. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2010.

 

2. Earnings per Share

The following table sets forth the composition of the weighted-average common shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.

 

     Three months ended     Nine months ended  
     June 30, 2010     June 30, 2009     June 30, 2010     June 30, 2009  

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

   16,980,900      16,980,900      16,980,900      16,980,900   

Average treasury stock shares

   (2,892,908   (1,788,732   (2,555,593   (1,185,291

Average unearned ESOP shares

   (1,193,894   (1,249,170   (1,205,255   (1,260,531

Average unearned non-vested shares

   (373,905   (492,146   (383,006   (501,430
                        

Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents used to calculate basic earnings per share

   12,520,193      13,450,852      12,837,046      14,033,648   
                        

Additional common stock equivalents (non-vested stock) used to calculate diluted earnings per share

   —        17,860      —        —     

Additional common stock equivalents (stock options) used to calculate diluted earnings per share

   —        —        —        —     
                        

Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents used to calculate diluted earnings per share

   12,520,193      13,468,712      12,837,046      14,033,648   
                        

At June 30, 2010 and 2009 there were options to purchase 1,458,379 shares of common stock outstanding at a price of $12.35 per share that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because to do so would have been anti-dilutive. At June 30, 2010 and 2009 there were common stock equivalents outstanding of 342,656 and 461,702 shares, respectively at a price of $12.35 per share that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because to do so would have been anti-dilutive.

 

3. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The accounting principles followed by the Company and its subsidiaries and the methods of applying these principles conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and to general practice within the banking industry. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the consolidated balance sheet date and related revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

 

8


Table of Contents
4. Comprehensive Income

The components of other comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
June  30
    Nine Months Ended
June 30
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Net income

   $ 1,068      $ 1,741      $ 3,465      $ 5,108   
                                

Unrealized gain on securities available for sale

     1,683        710        478        4,599   

Realized gains included in net income, net of tax

     (202     (98     (405     (98

Change in unrecognized pension cost

     78        51        234        159   
                                

Other comprehensive income before tax

     1,559        663        307        4,660   

Income taxes related to comprehensive income

     531        225        105        1,584   
                                

Other comprehensive income

     1,028        438        202        3,076   
                                

Comprehensive income

   $ 2,096      $ 2,179      $ 3,667      $ 8,184   
                                

 

5. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the FASB issued an accounting standard related to the accounting for transfers of financial assets, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009, and interim periods within those fiscal years. This standard enhances reporting about transfers of financial assets, including securitizations, and where companies have continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. This standard eliminates the concept of a “qualifying special-purpose entity” and changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets. This standard also requires additional disclosures about all continuing involvements with transferred financial assets including information about gains and losses resulting from transfers during the period. This accounting standard was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 860. The adoption of this standard is expected to not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2009-05, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) – Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value. This ASU provides amendments for fair value measurements of liabilities. It provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more techniques. ASU 2009-05 also clarifies that when estimating a fair value of a liability, a reporting entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustment to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability. ASU 2009-05 is effective for the first reporting period (including interim periods) beginning after issuance or fourth quarter 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operation, financial position, or disclosure.

In April 2009, the FASB issued new guidance impacting ASC 825-10-50, Financial Instruments, which relates to fair value disclosures for any financial instruments that are not currently reflected on the balance sheet of companies at fair value. This guidance amended existing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

In April 2009, the FASB issued new guidance impacting ASC 320-10, Investments — Debt and Equity Securities, which provides additional guidance designed to create greater clarity and consistency in accounting for and presenting impairment losses on securities. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

9


Table of Contents

On April 1, 2009, the FASB issued new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which became effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2008. ASC Topic 805 applies to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. ASC Topic 805 requires an acquirer, upon initially obtaining control of another entity, to recognize the assets, liabilities and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at fair value as of the acquisition date. Contingent consideration is required to be recognized and measured at fair value on the date of acquisition rather than at a later date when the amount of that consideration may be determinable beyond a reasonable doubt. This fair value approach replaces the cost-allocation process required under previous accounting guidance whereby the cost of an acquisition was allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value. ASC Topic 805 requires acquirers to expense acquisition-related costs as incurred rather than allocating such costs to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as was previously the case under prior accounting guidance. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are to be recognized at fair value if fair value can be reasonably estimated. If fair value of such an asset or liability cannot be reasonably estimated, the asset or liability would generally be recognized in accordance with ASC Topic 450, Contingencies. Under ASC Topic 805, the requirements of ASC Topic 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations, would have to be met in order to accrue for a restructuring plan in purchase accounting. Pre-acquisition contingencies are to be recognized at fair value, unless it is a non-contractual contingency that is not likely to materialize, in which case, nothing should be recognized in purchase accounting and, instead, that contingency would be subject to the probable and estimable recognition criteria of ASC Topic 450, Contingencies. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In June 2009, the FASB issued new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 810, Consolidation, which amends prior guidance to change how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated. The determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design and a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. The new authoritative accounting guidance requires additional disclosures about the reporting entity’s involvement with variable-interest entities and any significant changes in risk exposure due to that involvement as well as its affect on the entity’s financial statements. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

On December 30, 2008, the FASB issued new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 715, Compensation—Retirement Benefits, which provides guidance related to an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of defined benefit pension or other post-retirement benefit plans. Under ASC Topic 715, disclosures should provide users of financial statements with an understanding of how investment allocation decisions are made, the factors that are pertinent to an understanding of investment policies and strategies, the major categories of plan assets, the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets, the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets for the period and significant concentrations of risk within plan assets. This guidance is effective fiscal year ending after December 15, 2009. The adoption of this new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

The FASB issued new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events, which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or available to be issued. ASC Topic 855 defines (i) the period after the balance sheet date during which a reporting entity’s management should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, (ii) the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and (iii) the disclosures an entity should make about events or transactions

 

10


Table of Contents

that occurred after the balance sheet date. The new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 855 is effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

In December 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-16, Accounting for Transfer of Financial Assets. ASU 2009-16 provides guidance to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of the information that an entity provides in its financial statements about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement, if any, in transferred financial assets. ASU 2009-16 is effective for annual periods beginning after November 15, 2009 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In December 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-17, Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities. The objective of ASU 2009-17 is to improve financial reporting by enterprises involved with variable interest entities and to provide more relevant and reliable information to users of financial statements. ASU 2009-17 is effective for annual periods beginning after November 15, 2009 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

In September 2009, the FASB issued new guidance impacting Topic 820. This creates a practical expedient to measure the fair value of an alternative investment that does not have a readily determinable fair value. This guidance also requires certain additional disclosures. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-15, Accounting for Own-Share Lending Arrangements in Contemplation of Convertible Debt Issuance or Other Financing. ASU 2009-15 amends Subtopic 470-20 to expand accounting and reporting guidance for own-share lending arrangements issued in contemplation of convertible debt issuance. ASU 2009-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2009 and interim periods within those fiscal years for arrangements outstanding as of the beginning of those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-01, Equity (Topic 505): Accounting for Distributions to Shareholders with Components of Stock and Cash – a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force. ASU 2010-01 clarifies that the stock portion of a distribution to shareholders that allows them to elect to receive cash or stock with a potential limitation on the total amount of cash that all shareholders can elect to receive in the aggregate is considered a share issuance that is reflected in EPS prospectively and is not a stock dividend. ASU 2010-01 is effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009 and should be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Accounting and reporting for Decreases in Ownership of a Subsidiary – a Scope Clarification. ASU 2010-02 amends Subtopic 810-10 to address implementation issues related to changes in ownership provisions including clarifying the scope of the decrease in ownership and additional disclosures. ASU 2010-02 is effective beginning in the period that an entity adopts Statement 160. If an entity has previously adopted Statement 160, ASU 2010-02 is effective beginning in the first interim or annual reporting period ending on or after December 15, 2009 and should be applied retrospectively to the first period Statement 160 was adopted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-04, Accounting for Various Topics – Technical Corrections to SEC Paragraphs. ASU 2010-04 makes technical corrections to existing SEC guidance including the following topics: accounting for subsequent investments, termination of an interest rate swap,

 

11


Table of Contents

issuance of financial statements - subsequent events, use of residential method to value acquired assets other than goodwill, adjustments in assets and liabilities for holding gains and losses, and selections of discount rate used for measuring defined benefit obligation. ASU 2010-04 is effective January 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-05, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Escrowed Share Arrangements and the Presumption of Compensation. ASU 2010-05 updates existing guidance to address the SEC staff’s views on overcoming the presumption that for certain shareholders escrowed share arrangements represent compensation. ASU 2010-05 is effective January 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. ASU 2010-06 amends Subtopic 820-10 to clarify existing disclosures, require new disclosures, and includes conforming amendments to guidance on employers’ disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets. ASU 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-08, Technical Corrections to Various Topics. ASU 2010-08 clarifies guidance on embedded derivatives and hedging. ASU 2010-08 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

In March 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-11, Derivatives and Hedging. ASU 2010-11 provides clarification and related additional examples to improve financial reporting by resolving potential ambiguity about the breadth of the embedded credit derivative scope exception in ASC 815-15-15-8. ASU 2010-11 is effective at the beginning of the first fiscal quarter beginning after June 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In April 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-13, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades. ASU 2010-13 provides guidance on the classification of a share-based payment award as either equity or a liability. A share-based payment that contains a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition is required to be classified as a liability. ASU 2010-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In April 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-18, Receivables (Topic 310): Effect of a Loan Modification When the Loan is a Part of a Pool That is Accounted for as a Single Asset – a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force. ASU 2010-18 clarifies the treatment for a modified loan that was acquired as part of a pool of assets. Refinancing or restructuring the loan does not make it eligible for removal from the pool, the FASB said. The amendment will be effective for loans that are part of an asset pool and are modified during financial reporting periods that end July 15, 2010 or later and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In July 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-20, Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses. ASU 2010-20 is intended to provide additional information to assist financial statement users in assessing an entity’s credit risk exposures and evaluating the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses. The disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The amendments in ASU 2010-20 encourage, but do not require,

 

12


Table of Contents

comparative disclosures for earlier reporting periods that ended before initial adoption. However, an entity should provide comparative disclosures for those reporting periods ending after initial adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

6. Investment Securities

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities available for sale and held to maturity are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2010
     Amortized
Cost
   Gross Unrealized
Gains
   Gross Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value

Available for Sale

          

Fannie Mae

   $ 73,692    $ 2,182    $ —        $ 75,874

Freddie Mac

     63,847      2,699      (16     66,530

Governmental National Mortgage Association securities

     26,900      1,197      —          28,097
                            

Total mortgage-backed securities

     164,439      6,078      (16     170,501

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     10,640      202      (18     10,824

U.S. government agency securities

     48,011      285      (3     48,293

Corporate obligations

     1,075      —        —          1,075
                            

Total debt securities

     224,165      6,565      (37     230,693

Equity securities

     11      24      —          35
                            

Total

   $ 224,176    $ 6,589    $ (37   $ 230,728
                            

Held to Maturity

          

Fannie Mae

   $ 2,908    $ 159    $ —        $ 3,067

Freddie Mac

     10,933      266      —          11,199
                            

Total

   $ 13,841    $ 425    $ —        $ 14,266
                            
     September 30, 2009
     Amortized
Cost
   Gross Unrealized
Gains
   Gross Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value

Available for Sale

          

Fannie Mae

   $ 66,709    $ 1,716    $ (2   $ 68,423

Freddie Mac

     83,005      2,864      —          85,869

Governmental National Mortgage Association securities

     32,734      1,238      —          33,972
                            

Total mortgage-backed securities

     182,448      5,818      (2     188,264

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     7,168      315      —          7,483

U.S. government agency securities

     21,458      288      —          21,746
                            

Total debt securities

     211,074      6,421      (2     217,493

Equity securities

     12      61      —          73
                            

Total

   $ 211,086    $ 6,482    $ (2   $ 217,566
                            

Held to Maturity

          

Fannie Mae

   $ 4,492    $ 150    $ —        $ 4,642

Freddie Mac

     2,217      65      (1     2,281
                            

Total

   $ 6,709    $ 215    $ (1   $ 6,923
                            

 

13


Table of Contents

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at June 30, 2010, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties (in thousands):

 

     Available For Sale    Held To Maturity
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value    Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value

Due in one year or less

   $ 6,182    $ 6,203    $ 691    $ 697

Due after one year through five years

     43,006      43,225      —        —  

Due after five years through ten years

     27,150      28,126      2,578      2,754

Due after ten years

     147,827      153,139      10,572      10,815
                           

Total

   $ 224,165    $ 230,693    $ 13,841    $ 14,266
                           

For the nine months ended June 30, 2010 the Company realized gross gains of $613,000 and proceeds from the sale of investment securities of $28.1 million. The Bank realized gross gains of $148,000 and proceeds from the sale of $15.9 million of investment securities for the nine months ended June 30, 2009.

 

7. Unrealized Losses on Securities

The following table shows the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2010  
          Less than Twelve Months     Twelve Months or Greater     Total  
     Number of
Securities
   Fair Value    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 

Freddie Mac

   1      2,431      (16     —        —          2,431      (16

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

   4      3,106      (18     —        —          3,106      (18

U.S. government agency securities

   1      1,000      (3     —        —          1,000      (3
                                                  

Total

   6    $ 6,537    $ (37   $ —      $ —        $ 6,537    $ (37
                                                  
     September 30, 2009  
          Less than Twelve Months     Twelve Months or Greater     Total  
     Number of
Securities
   Fair Value    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 

Fannie Mae

   2    $ 5,353    $ (2   $ —      $ —        $ 5,353    $ (2

Freddie Mac

   1      —        —          38      (1     38      (1
                                                  

Total

   3    $ 5,353    $ (2   $ 38    $ (1   $ 5,391    $ (3
                                                  

The Company’s investment securities portfolio contains unrealized losses on securities, including mortgage-related instruments issued or backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government, or generally viewed as having the implied guarantee of the U.S. government, and debt obligations of a U.S. State or political subdivision.

The Company reviews its position quarterly and asserts that at June 30, 2010, the declines outlined in the above table represent temporary declines and the Company would not be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery in market value.

The Company has concluded that any impairment of its investment securities portfolio is not other than temporary but is the result of interest rate changes that are not expected to result in the non-collection of principal and interest during the period.

 

14


Table of Contents
8. Loans Receivable, Net and Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans receivable consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2010
   September 30,
2009

Real Estate Loans:

     

Residential

   $ 597,468    $ 603,830

Construction

     945      1,707

Commercial

     74,927      68,040

Commercial

     16,928      16,452

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     44,281      46,792

Other

     2,445      2,526
             
     736,994      739,347

Plus deferred loan costs

     220      48
             
     737,214      739,395

Less allowance for loan losses

     7,022      5,815
             

Net loans

   $ 730,192    $ 733,580
             

The activity in the allowance for loan losses is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2010     2009  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 5,815      $ 4,915   

Add

    

Provision charged to operations

     1,650        1,125   

Loan recoveries

     29        2   
                
     7,494        6,042   

Less loans charged off

     (472     (548
                

Balance, end of period

   $ 7,022      $ 5,494   
                

Nonperforming assets were $11.3 million at June 30, 2010. Nonperforming assets were $6.8 million at June 30, 2009. Nonperforming loans increased $5.1 million to $9.1 million at June 30, 2010 from $4.0 million at June 30, 2009. Nonperforming loans at June 30, 2010 included 43 residential loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $7.3 million that were past due 90 or more days, 11 commercial loans with aggregate outstanding balances of $1.2 million and 9 consumer loans with aggregate balances of $335,000. Nonperforming loans at June 30, 2009 included 19 residential loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $3.6 million that were past due 90 or more days, 4 commercial loans with aggregate balances of $377,000 and 3 consumer loans with aggregate balances of $110,000. Foreclosed real estate was $2.1 million at June 30, 2010 and $2.7 million at June 30, 2009.

 

9. Deposits

Deposits consist of the following major classifications (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2010
   September 30,
2009

Non-interest bearing demand accounts

   $ 28,858    $ 25,415

NOW accounts

     56,092      54,635

Money market accounts

     120,758      109,265

Savings and club accounts

     70,881      66,305

Certificates of deposit

     239,284      153,235
             

Total

   $ 515,873    $ 408,855
             

 

10. Net Periodic Benefit Cost-Defined Benefit Plan

For a detailed disclosure on the Bank’s pension and employee benefits plans, please refer to Note 15 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended September 30, 2009 included in the Company’s Form 10-K.

 

15


Table of Contents

The following table comprises the components of net periodic benefit cost for the periods ended (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Nine Months Ended
June  30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service Cost

   $ 106      $ 90      $ 317      $ 270   

Interest Cost

     142        127        427        381   

Expected return on plan assets

     (145     (127     (435     (381

Amortization of prior service cost

     4        2        9        6   

Amortization of unrecognized loss

     74        49        225        153   
                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 181      $ 141      $ 543      $ 429   
                                

The Bank contributed $1.5 million to its pension plan in 2010. The Bank expects to contribute $500,000 to its pension plan in 2011.

 

11. Equity Incentive Plan

The Company maintains the ESSA Bancorp, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides for a total of 2,377,326 shares of common stock for issuance upon the grant or exercise of awards. Of the shares available under the Plan, 1,698,090 may be issued in connection with the exercise of stock options and 679,236 may be issued as restricted stock. The Plan allows for the granting of non-qualified stock options (“NSOs”), incentive stock options (“ISOs”), and restricted stock. Options are granted at no less than the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant.

Certain officers, employees and outside directors were granted in aggregate 1,140,469 NSOs; 317,910 ISOs; and 590,320 shares of restricted stock. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for Share-Based Payments, the Company began to expense the fair value of all share-based compensation grants over the requisite service periods.

The Company classifies share-based compensation for employees and outside directors within “Compensation and employee benefits” in the consolidated statement of income to correspond with the same line item as compensation paid. Additionally, generally accepted accounting principles require the Company to report: (1) the expense associated with the grants as an adjustment to operating cash flows and (2) any benefits of realized tax deductions in excess of previously recognized tax benefits on compensation expense as a financing cash flow.

Stock options vest over a five-year service period and expire ten years after grant date. Management recognizes compensation expense for the fair values of these awards, which vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards.

Restricted shares vest over a five-year service period. The product of the number of shares granted and the grant date market price of the Company’s common stock determines the fair value of restricted shares under the Company’s restricted stock plan. Management recognizes compensation expense for the fair value of restricted shares on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

For the nine months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded $1.6 million of share-based compensation expense, comprised of stock option expense of $521,000 and restricted stock expense of $1.1 million. Expected future expense relating to the 875,027 non-vested options outstanding as of June 30, 2010, is $2.0 million over the remaining vesting period of 2.92 years. Expected future compensation expense relating to the 352,448 restricted shares at June 30, 2010, is $4.2 million over the remaining vesting period of 2.92 years.

 

16


Table of Contents

The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for its option plan for the nine months ended June 30, 2010.

 

     Number of Stock
Options
   Weighted-
average

Exercise
Price
   Weighted-
average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)

Outstanding, September 30, 2009

   1,458,379    $ 12.35    8.67    $ 1,254

Granted

   —           

Exercised

   —           

Forfeited

   —           
             

Outstanding, June 30, 2010

   1,458,379    $ 12.35    7.92    $ —  
             

Exercisable at June 30, 2010

   583,352    $ 12.35    7.92    $ —  
             

The weighted-average grant date fair value of the Company’s non-vested options as of June 30, 2010 and 2009, was $2.38.

The following is a summary of the status of the Company’s restricted stock as of June 30, 2010, and changes therein during the nine months then ended:

 

     Number of
Restricted Stock
   Weighted-
average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Nonvested at September 30, 2009

   471,531    $ 12.35

Granted

   —        —  

Vested

   117,483      —  

Forfeited

   1,600      12.35
       

Nonvested at June 30, 2010

   352,448    $ 12.35

 

12. Fair Value Measurement

The Company adopted new generally accepted accounting principles related to Fair Value Measurements on October 1, 2008 which provides consistency and comparability in determining fair value measurements and provides for expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. The definition of fair value maintains the exchange price notion in earlier definitions of fair value but focuses on the exit price of the asset or liability. The exit price is the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability adjusted for certain inherent risks and restrictions. Expanded disclosures are also required about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities.

The following tables presents information about the Company’s securities, other real estate owned and impaired loans measured at fair value as of June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Bank to determine such fair value:

 

     Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2010

Fair Value Measurements Utilized for the
Company’s Financial Assets (in thousands):

   Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs

(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable  Inputs

(Level 3)
   Balances as of
June 30, 2010

Securities available-for-sale measured on a recurring basis

           

Mortgage backed securities

   $ —      $ 170,501    $ —      $ 170,501

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     —        10,824      —        10,824

U.S. government agencies

     —        48,293      —        48,293

Corporate obligations

     —        1,075      —        1,075

Equity securities

     35      —        —        35
                           

Total debt and equity securities

   $ 35    $ 230,693    $ —      $ 230,728

Foreclosed real estate owned measured on a non-recurring basis

   $ —      $ 2,141    $ —      $ 2,141

Impaired loans measured on a non-recurring basis

   $ —      $ 11,058    $ —      $ 11,058

Mortgage servicing rights

   $ —      $ —      $ 336    $ 336

 

17


Table of Contents

Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2009

Fair Value Measurements Utilized for
the

Company’s Financial Assets (in
thousands):

   Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs

(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable  Inputs

(Level 3)
   Balances as of
September 30, 2009

Securities available-for-sale measured on a recurring basis

           

Mortgage backed securities

   $ —      $ 188,264    $ —      $ 188,264

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     —        7,483      —        7,483

U.S. government agencies

     —        21,746      —        21,746

Equity securities

     73      —        —        73
                           

Total debt and equity securities

   $ 73    $ 217,493    $ —      $ 217,566
                           

Foreclosed real estate owned measured on a non-recurring basis

   $ —      $ 2,579    $ —      $ 2,579

Impaired loans measured on a non-recurring basis

   $ —      $ 3,694    $ —      $ 3,694

Mortgage servicing rights

   $ —      $ —      $ 289    $ 289

Each financial asset and liability must be identified as having been valued according to specified level of input, 1, 2 or 3. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Bank has the ability to access at the measurement date. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy, within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls, has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset.

The measurement of fair value should be consistent with one of the following valuation techniques: market approach, income approach, and/or cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities (including a business). For example, valuation techniques consistent with the market approach often use market multiples derived from a set of comparables. Multiples might lie in ranges with a different multiple for each comparable. The selection of where within the range the appropriate multiple falls requires judgment, considering factors specific to the measurement (qualitative and quantitative). Valuation techniques consistent with the market approach include matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique used principally to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on a security’s relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. Most of the securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quoted market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things. Securities reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs are limited to actively traded equity securities whose market price is readily available from the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ exchange. Other real estate owned (OREO) is measured at fair value, less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure. Valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell. Income and expenses from operations and changes in valuation allowance are included in the net expenses from OREO. Impaired loans are reported at fair value utilizing level two inputs. For these loans, a review of the collateral is conducted and an appropriate allowance for loan losses is allocated to the loan. At June 30, 2010, 74 impaired loans with a carrying value of $11.9 million were reduced by specific valuation allowance totaling $832,000 resulting in a net fair value of $11.1 million based on Level 2 inputs.

 

18


Table of Contents

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values presented represent the Company’s best estimate of fair value using the methodologies discussed below.

 

     June 30, 2010    September 30, 2009
     Carrying Value    Fair Value    Carrying Value    Fair Value

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 25,704    $ 25,704    $ 18,593    $ 18,593

Certificates of deposit

     1,996      1,996      5,355      5,355

Investment and mortgage-backed securities:

           

Available for sale

     230,728      230,728      217,566      217,566

Held to maturity

     13,841      14,266      6,709      6,923

Loans receivable, net

     730,192      752,172      733,580      750,163

Accrued interest receivable

     4,211      4,211      4,419      4,419

FHLB stock

     20,727      20,727      20,727      20,727

Mortgage servicing rights

     336      336      289      289

Bank owned life insurance

     15,482      15,482      15,072      15,072

Financial liabilities:

           

Deposits

     515,873      521,323      408,855      412,438

Short-term borrowings

     —        —        48,091      48,091

Other borrowings

     362,257      379,652      390,507      408,039

Advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance

     6,224      6,224      1,377      1,377

Accrued interest payable

     1,977      1,977      1,786      1,786

Financial instruments are defined as cash, evidence of an ownership interest in an entity, or a contract which creates an obligation or right to receive or deliver cash or another financial instrument from/to a second entity on potentially favorable or unfavorable terms.

Fair value is defined as the amount at which a financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties other than in a forced or liquidation sale. If a quoted market price is available for a financial instrument, the fair value would be calculated based upon the market price per trading unit of the instrument.

If no readily available market exists, the fair value for financial instruments should be based upon management’s judgment regarding current economic conditions, interest rate risk, expected cash flows, future estimated losses, and other factors as determined through various option pricing formulas or simulation modeling.

As many of these assumptions result from judgments made by management based upon estimates which are inherently uncertain, the resulting values may not be indicative of the amount realizable in the sale of a particular financial instrument. In addition, changes in the assumptions on which the values are based may have a significant impact on the resulting estimated values.

As certain assets and liabilities, such as deferred tax assets, premises and equipment, and many other operational elements of the Bank, are not considered financial instruments but have value, this fair value of financial instruments would not represent the full market value of the Company.

The Company employed simulation modeling in determining the fair value of financial instruments for which quoted market prices were not available based upon the following assumptions:

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accrued Interest Receivable, Short-Term Borrowings, Advances by Borrowers for Taxes and Insurance, and Accrued Interest Payable

The fair value approximates the current book value.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The fair value is equal to the cash surrender value of the Bank-owned life insurance.

 

19


Table of Contents

Investment and Mortgage-Backed Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity and FHLB Stock

The fair value of investment and mortgage-backed securities available for sale is equal to the available quoted market price. If no quoted market price is available, fair value is estimated using the quoted market price for similar securities. Since the FHLB stock is not actively traded on a secondary market and held exclusively by member financial institutions, the fair market value approximates the carrying amount.

Certificates of Deposit, Loans Receivable, Deposits, Other Borrowings, and Mortgage Servicing Rights

The fair values for loans and mortgage servicing rights are estimated by discounting contractual cash flows and adjusting for prepayment estimates. Discount rates are based upon market rates generally charged for such loans with similar characteristics. Demand, savings, and money market deposit accounts are valued at the amount payable on demand as of year end. Fair values for certificates of deposit, time deposits, and other borrowings are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies contractual costs currently being offered in the existing portfolio to current market rates being offered for deposits and borrowings of similar remaining maturities.

Commitments to Extend Credit

These financial instruments are generally not subject to sale, and fair values are not readily available. The carrying value, represented by the net deferred fee arising from the unrecognized commitment, and the fair value, determined by discounting the remaining contractual fee over the term of the commitment using fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements with similar credit risk, are not considered material for disclosure.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward Looking Statements

This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of such words as estimate, project, believe, intend, anticipate, plan, seek, expect and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include:

 

   

statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;

 

   

statements regarding our business plans and prospects and growth and operating strategies;

 

   

statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and

 

   

estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.

By identifying these forward-looking statements for you in this manner, we are alerting you to the possibility that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A of this Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the following factors:

 

   

significantly increased competition among depository and other financial institutions;

 

   

inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments;

 

   

general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected;

 

   

adverse changes in the securities markets;

 

   

legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business;

 

   

our ability to enter new markets successfully and take advantage of growth opportunities, and the possible short-term dilutive effect of potential acquisitions or de novo branches, if any;

 

   

changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

 

20


Table of Contents
   

changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies and the Financial Accounting Standards Board; and

 

   

changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans.

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

Comparison of Financial Condition at June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009

Total Assets. Total assets increased by $25.0 million, or 2.4%, to $1,067.2 million at June 30, 2010 from $1,042.1 million at September 30, 2009. This increase was primarily due to increases in cash and due from banks, interest bearing deposits with other institutions, investment securities available for sale and investment securities held to maturity offset, in part, by decreases in certificates of deposit and net loans.

Cash and Due from Banks. Cash and due from banks increased $3.5 million, or 49.4% to $10.6 million at June 30, 2010 from $7.1 million at September 30, 2009. The increase was primarily due to higher levels of cash activity on June 30, 2010 as compared to September 30, 2009.

Interest-Bearing Deposits with Other Institutions. Interest-bearing deposits with other institutions increased $3.6 million, or 31.4%, to $15.1 million at June 30, 2010 from $11.5 million at September 30, 2009. The primary reason for the increase was an increase of $3.3 million in the Company’s interest bearing deposit account at the FHLBank Pittsburgh. This increase was the result of deposit growth at the Company in excess of loan demand, investment purchases and other uses of cash.

Certificates of Deposit. The Company realized maturities of $3.4 million in certificates of deposit at other FDIC insured financial institutions during the nine months ended June 30, 2010.

Investment Securities Available for Sale. Investment securities available for sale increased $13.2 million, or 6.1%, to $230.7 million at June 30, 2010 from $217.6 million at September 30, 2009. The increase was due primarily to increases of $26.5 million in the Company's portfolio of US government agency securities and $3.3 million in the Company’s portfolio of municipal bonds. These increases were partially offset by a $17.8 million decrease in the Company's portfolio of mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government sponsored agencies or entities. The growth in United States government sponsored agencies or entities portfolio was due primarily to an investment strategy focused on shorter duration securities. The decrease in mortgage backed securities was primarily due to the partial reinvestment of repayments on mortgage backed securities into shorter duration U.S. government agency securities.

Investment Securities Held to Maturity. Investment securities held to maturity increased $7.1 million, or 106.3%, to $13.8 million at June 30, 2010 from $6.7 million at September 30, 2009. The increase was due primarily to the purchase of $10.2 million of mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government sponsored agencies or entities as part of a leverage strategy to take advantage of a steep yield curve.

Net Loans. Net loans decreased $3.4 million, or 0.5%, to $730.2 million at June 30, 2010 from $733.6 million at September 30, 2009. The primary reason for the decrease in net loans has been the significant decrease in demand by qualified borrowers for loans. During this period, residential loans outstanding decreased by $6.4 million to $597.5 million, construction loans outstanding declined by $762,000 to $945,000 and home equity loans and lines of credit outstanding decreased by $2.5 million to $44.3 million. These decreases were partially offset by increases in commercial real estate loans outstanding of $6.9 million to $74.9 million and commercial loans outstanding of $476,000 to $16.9 million. The Company sold $9.8 million of long term fixed rate residential mortgage loans during the nine months ended June 30, 2010, as part of an overall interest rate risk management strategy.

Deposits. Deposits increased $107.0 million, or 26.2%, to $515.9 million at June 30, 2010 from $408.9 million at September 30, 2009. At June 30, 2010 compared to September 30, 2009, certificate of deposit accounts increased $86.0 million to $239.3 million, money market accounts increased $11.5 million to $120.8 million, non-interest bearing demand accounts increased $3.4 million to $28.9 million, NOW accounts increased $1.5 million

 

21


Table of Contents

to $56.1 million and savings and club accounts increased $4.6 million to $70.9 million. Included in the certificates of deposit at June 30, 2010 was an increase of $54.8 million in corporate jumbo certificates of deposit and an increase of $42.5 million in brokered certificates of deposit to $64.5 million. The increase in brokered certificates was the result of the Company’s use of these funds to replace matured borrowings at a lower cost.

Borrowed Funds. Borrowed funds decreased by $76.3 million, or 17.4%, to $362.3 million at June 30, 2010, from $438.6 million at September 30, 2009. The decrease in borrowed funds was primarily due to the increases in deposit accounts along with decreased loan growth.

Stockholders’ Equity. Stockholders’ equity decreased by $8.8 million, or 4.8%, to $176.7 million at June 30, 2010 from $185.5 million at September 30, 2009. This decrease was primarily the result of a stock repurchase program the company began in June 2008. In June, 2009, the Company announced that it had completed its first stock repurchase program having purchased 2,547,135 shares at a weighted average cost of $13.14. It was also announced that the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a second stock repurchase program to purchase up to an additional 10% of its outstanding shares. As of June 30, 2010, the Company had purchased an additional 1,081,400 shares at a weighted average cost of $12.61 per share under the second stock repurchase program including the repurchase of 326,871 shares at an average cost of $12.66 per share during the three months ended June 30, 2010.

 

22


Table of Contents

Average Balance Sheets for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009

The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. All average balances are daily average balances, the yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees and discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income.

 

     For the Three Months Ended June 30  
     2010     2009  
     Average
Balance
    Interest
Income/
Expense
    Yield/ Cost     Average
Balance
    Interest
Income/
Expense
    Yield/ Cost  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Interest-earning assets:

            

Loans (1)

   $ 738,555      $ 10,105      5.49   $ 746,239      $ 10,682      5.74

Investment securities

            

Taxable (2)

     49,103        249      2.03     31,312        230      2.95

Exempt from federal income tax (2) (3)

     6,894        78      6.88     7,324        83      6.89
                                            

Total investment securities

     55,997        327      2.63     38,636        313      3.69

Mortgage-backed securities

     185,144        1,676      3.63     188,762        2,237      4.75

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     20,727        —        0.00     20,727        —        0.00

Other

     17,202        3      0.07     2,388        1      0.17
                                            

Total interest-earning assets

     1,017,625        12,111      4.79     996,752        13,233      5.34

Allowance for loan losses

     (6,732         (5,316    

Noninterest-earning assets

     52,758            50,221       
                        

Total assets

   $ 1,063,651          $ 1,041,657       
                        

Interest-bearing liabilities:

            

NOW accounts

   $ 57,585        11      0.08   $ 55,357        12      0.09

Money market accounts

     116,826        333      1.14     102,868        375      1.46

Savings and club accounts

     69,281        55      0.32     65,013        69      0.43

Certificates of deposit

     230,872        1,370      2.38     153,235        1,179      3.09

Borrowed funds

     370,440        3,671      3.97     439,650        4,155      3.79
                                            

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     845,004        5,440      2.58     816,123        5,790      2.85

Non-interest bearing NOW accounts

     27,742            25,520       

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

     11,720            11,664       
                        

Total liabilities

     884,466            853,307       

Equity

     179,185            188,350       
                        

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 1,063,651          $ 1,041,657       
                                    

Net interest income

     $ 6,671          $ 7,443     
                        

Interest rate spread

       2.21       2.49

Net interest-earning assets

   $ 172,621          $ 180,629       
                        

Net interest margin (4)

       2.63       3.00
            

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

       120.43         122.13  

 

(1) Non-accruing loans are included in the outstanding loan balances.
(2) Held to maturity securities are reported at amortized cost. Available for sale securities are reported at fair value.
(3) Yields on tax exempt securities have been calculated on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 34%.
(4) Represents the difference between interest earned and interest paid, divided by average total interest earning assets.

 

23


Table of Contents
     For the Nine Months Ended June 30,  
     2010     2009  
     Average Balance     Interest
Income/
Expense
    Yield/ Cost     Average Balance     Interest
Income/
Expense
    Yield/ Cost  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Interest-earning assets:

            

Loans (1)

   $ 736,410      $ 30,612      5.56   $ 732,134      $ 31,806      5.81

Investment securities

            

Taxable (2)

     38,963        641      2.20     37,427        963      3.44

Exempt from federal income tax (2) (3)

     7,078        238      6.81     7,156        247      6.99
                                            

Total investment securities

     46,041        879      2.91     44,583        1,210      4.01

Mortgage-backed securities

     186,746        5,685      4.07     179,683        6,602      4.91

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     20,727        —        0.00     20,338        112      0.74

Other

     10,499        5      0.06     6,289        9      0.19
                                            

Total interest-earning assets

     1,000,423        37,181      4.99     983,027        39,739      5.42

Allowance for loan losses

     (6,337         (4,999    

Noninterest-earning assets

     50,078            47,508       
                        

Total assets

   $ 1,044,164          $ 1,025,536       
                        

Interest-bearing liabilities:

            

NOW accounts

   $ 54,973        32      0.08   $ 54,135        33      0.08

Money market accounts

     113,537        975      1.15     90,466        1,253      1.85

Savings and club accounts

     67,189        163      0.32     62,371        200      0.43

Certificates of deposit

     180,498        3,463      2.57     155,627        3,908      3.36

Borrowed funds

     407,699        11,390      3.74     435,141        12,699      3.90
                                            

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     823,896        16,023      2.60     797,740        18,093      3.03

Non-interest bearing NOW accounts

     26,951            24,229       

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

     10,579            10,552       
                        

Total liabilities

     861,426            832,521       

Equity

     182,738            193,015       
                        

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 1,044,164          $ 1,025,536       
                                    

Net interest income

     $ 21,158          $ 21,646     
                        

Interest rate spread

       2.39       2.39

Net interest-earning assets

   $ 176,527          $ 185,287       
                        

Net interest margin (4)

       2.83       2.94

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

       121.43         123.23  

 

(1) Non-accruing loans are included in the outstanding loan balances.
(2) Held to maturity securities are reported at amortized cost. Available for sale securities are reported at fair value.
(3) Yields on tax exempt securities have been calculated on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 34%.
(4) Represents the difference between interest earned and interest paid, divided by average total interest earning assets.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009

Net Income. Net income decreased $673,000, or 38.7%, to $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to net income of $1.7 million for the comparable period in 2009.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income decreased $772,000 or 10.4%, to $6.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from $7.4 million for the comparable period in 2009. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in average net earning assets of $8.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to average net earning assets for the comparable period in 2009, along with a decrease of 28 basis points in the Company’s interest rate spread to 2.21% for the three months ended June 30, 2010, from 2.49% for the comparable period in 2009.

Interest Income. Interest income decreased $1.1 million or 8.5%, to $12.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from $13.2 million for the comparable 2009 period. The decrease resulted primarily from a 55 basis point decrease in average yield on interest earning assets partially offset by a $20.9 million increase in

 

24


Table of Contents

average interest-earning assets. The average yield on interest earning assets was 4.79% for the three months ended June 30, 2010, as compared to 5.34% for the comparable 2009 period as market interest rates remained low throughout the period. Average loans decreased $7.7 million between the two periods. Mortgage backed securities also decreased $3.6 million in average balances between the two periods. These decreases were offset in part by increases in the average balances of taxable investment securities of $17.8 million and average other interest earning assets of $14.8 million. The primary reason for the decrease in mortgage backed securities was the partial reinvestment of repayments on mortgage backed securities into U.S. government agency securities. This reinvestment into taxable U.S. government agency securities is the primary reason for the increase in the average balances of taxable investment securities. Average Federal Home Loan Bank stock was unchanged from the prior period. The increase in other interest earning assets was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of cash the Company held at FHLBank Pittsburgh.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $350,000 or 6.0%, to $5.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from $5.8 million for the comparable 2009 period. The decrease resulted from a 26 basis point decrease in the overall cost of interest bearing liabilities to 2.58% for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from 2.85% for the comparable 2009 period, and was partially offset by a $28.9 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities. Average interest bearing deposits increased $98.1 million and average borrowed funds decreased $69.2 million. Average interest bearing deposits increased primarily as a result of a $14.0 million increase in average money market accounts, a $77.6 million increase in average certificates of deposit including a $45.8 million increase in average brokered certificates of deposit, and a $4.3 million increase in savings and club accounts.

Provision for Loan Losses. In evaluating the level of the allowance for loan losses, management considers historical loss experience, the types of loans and the amount of loans in the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, peer group information and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are subject to interpretation and revision as more information becomes available or as future events occur. Non-performing assets at June 30, 2010 were $11.3 million compared to non-performing assets of $6.8 million at June 30, 2009. Nonperforming loans increased $5.1 million to $9.1 million at June 30, 2010 from $4.0 million at June 30, 2009. Nonperforming loans at June 30, 2010 included 43 residential loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $7.3 million that were past due 90 or more days, 11 commercial loans with aggregate outstanding balance of $1.2 million and 9 consumer loans with aggregate balances of $335,000. Nonperforming loans at June 30, 2009 included 19 residential loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $3.6 million that were past due 90 or more days, 4 commercial loans with aggregate balances of $377,000 and 3 consumer loans with aggregate balances of $110,000. Foreclosed real estate was $2.1 million at June 30, 2010 and $2.7 million at June 30, 2009. After an evaluation of these factors, management made a provision for loan losses of $500,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to $375,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The allowance for loan losses was $7.0 million, or 0.95% of loans outstanding, at June 30, 2010, compared to $5.5 million, or 0.74% of loans outstanding at June 30, 2009.

Non-interest Income. Non-interest income decreased $128,000 or 7.3%, to $1.6 million from $1.7 million for the comparable period in 2009. The primary reason for the decrease was the decline in gains on the sale of loans, net of $331,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the comparable period in 2009 which was partially offset by an increase in the gains on sale of investments of $157,000 for the same period.

Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $48,000, or 0.8%, to $6.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from $6.3 million for the comparable period in 2009. The primary reasons for the increase were increases in compensation and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment, professional fees, and data processing of $95,000, $127,000, $67,000, and $58,000, respectively for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in FDIC insurance of $300,000 for the same period. FDIC premium expense declined as a result of an industry wide special assessment of $400,000 during the quarter ended June 30, 2009.

Income Taxes. Income tax expense decreased $400,000 or 50.8%, to $387,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from $787,000 for the comparable 2009 period. The decrease was primarily a result of the decrease

 

25


Table of Contents

in income before taxes of $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010. The effective tax rate was 26.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared to 31.1% for the 2009 period.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009

Net Income. Net income decreased $1.6 million or 32.2%, to $3.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 compared to net income of $5.1 million for the comparable period in 2009. The net income of $3.5 million for the nine months ending June 30, 2010 included a write-down of foreclosed real estate of $1.2 million. The 2009 period included a one-time tax benefit of $317,000 related to the Company’s other than temporary impairment (OTTI) charge taken in the previous fiscal year. The OTTI charge related to Fannie Mae perpetual preferred stock held in the Company’s available for sale securities portfolio.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income decreased $488,000 or 2.3%, to $21.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from $21.6 million for the comparable period in 2009. The decrease was attributable to a decrease of $8.8 million in the Company’s average net earning assets for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the same period ended June 30, 2009. The Company’s interest rate spread for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 was 2.39%, unchanged from the comparable 2009 period.

Interest Income. Interest income decreased $2.6 million or 6.4%, to $37.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from $39.7 million for the comparable 2009 period. The decrease resulted primarily from a 43 basis point decrease in average yield on interest earning assets which was partially offset by a $17.4 million increase in average interest-earning assets. The average yield on interest earning assets was 4.99% for the nine months ended June 30, 2010, as compared to 5.42% for the comparable 2009 period. Loans increased on average $4.3 million between the two periods along with increases in the average balance of mortgage backed securities of $7.1 million. In addition, the average balances of investment securities increased $1.5 million and average other interest earning assets increased $4.2 million. The primary reason for the increase in mortgage backed securities was the partial reinvestment of borrowing proceeds, maturing certificates of deposit and investment securities into these assets. Other earning assets increased due to increased deposit growth.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $2.1 million, to $16.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from $18.1 million for the comparable 2009 period. The decrease resulted from a 43 basis point decrease in the overall cost of interest bearing liabilities to 2.60% for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from 3.03% for the comparable 2009 period, which was partially offset by a $26.2 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities. Average interest bearing deposits increased $53.6 million and average borrowed funds decreased $27.4 million. Average interest bearing deposits increased primarily as a result of increases of $23.1 million in average money market accounts and $24.9 million in certificates of deposit.

Provision for Loan Losses. In evaluating the level of the allowance for loan losses, management considers historical loss experience, the types of loans and the amount of loans in the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, peer group information and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are subject to interpretation and revision as more information becomes available or as future events occur. Non-performing assets at June 30, 2010 were $11.3 million compared to non-performing assets of $6.8 million at June 30, 2009. After an evaluation of these factors, management made a provision for loan losses of $1.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to $1.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009. The allowance for loan losses was $7.0 million, or 0.95% of loans outstanding, at June 30, 2010, compared to $5.5 million, or 0.74% of loans outstanding at June 30, 2009.

Non-interest Income. Non-interest income increased $348,000 or 8.03%, to $4.7 million from $4.3 million for the comparable period in 2009. The primary reason for the increase was an increase in the gain on sale of investments of $465,000 which was partially offset by declines in service charges and fees on loans of $99,000 and the gain on sale of loans of $136,000.

Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $1.7 million, or 9.2%, to $19.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from $18.0 million for the comparable period in 2009. The primary reasons for the increases were increases in write-down in other real estate of $1.2 million, FDIC insurance premiums of $96,000

 

26


Table of Contents

and compensation and employee benefits of $258,000. These increases were offset in part by decreases in occupancy and equipment expense of $15,000 and advertising expense of $71,000. Write-downs of foreclosed real estate increased because the Company incurred a $1.2 million charge off in the first fiscal quarter of 2010 related to a single property in the Bank’s foreclosed real estate portfolio. FDIC premiums increased as a result of increases in the cost of FDIC insurance and deposit growth. Compensation and employee benefits increased primarily as a result of the hiring of additional employees to staff the Company’s branch expansion.

Income Taxes. Income tax expense decreased $680,000 or 37.9%, to $1.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from $1.8 million for the comparable 2009 period. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily the result of a decrease of $2.3 million in income before taxes for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the comparable period in 2009. The effective tax rate was 24.3% for the nine months ended June 30, 2010, compared to 26.0% for the 2009 period.

Non-Performing Assets

The following table provides information with respect to the Bank’s non-performing assets at the dates indicated. (Dollars in thousands)

 

     June 30, 2010     September 30, 2009  

Non-performing assets:

    

Non-accruing loans

   $ 8,860      $ 4,565   

Troubled debt restructures

     255        589   
                

Total non-performing loans

     9,115        5,154   

Real estate owned

     2,141        2,579   
                

Total non-performing assets

   $ 11,256      $ 7,733   
                

Ratio of non-performing loans to total loans

     1.24     0.70

Ratio of non-performing loans to total assets

     0.85     0.49

Ratio of non-performing assets to total assets

     1.05     0.74

Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans

     0.95     0.79

Loans are reviewed on a regular basis and are placed on non-accrual status when they become more than 90 days delinquent. When loans are placed on non-accrual status, unpaid accrued interest is fully reserved, and further income is recognized only to the extent received. Nonperforming assets increased $3.5 million to $11.3 million at June 30, 2010 from $7.7 million at September 30, 2009. Nonperforming loans increased $3.9 million to $9.1 million at June 30, 2010 from $5.2 million at September 30, 2009. The $8.9 million of non-accruing loans included 43 residential loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $7.3 million that were past due 90 or more days at June 30, 2010, 11 commercial loans with aggregate outstanding balances of $1.2 million and 9 consumer loans with aggregate balances of $335,000. Foreclosed real estate decreased $438,000 to $2.1 million at June 30, 2010 from $2.6 million at September 30, 2009. The $438,000 decrease included a $1.2 million write-down of one property which was partially offset by the addition of 5 residential properties with carrying balances of $699,000 to the foreclosed real estate portfolio.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We maintain liquid assets at levels we consider adequate to meet both our short-term and long-term liquidity needs. We adjust our liquidity levels to fund deposit outflows, repay our borrowings and to fund loan commitments. We also adjust liquidity as appropriate to meet asset and liability management objectives.

Our primary sources of liquidity are deposits, prepayment and repayment of loans and mortgage-backed securities, maturities of investment securities and other short-term investments, and earnings and funds provided from operations, as well as access to FHLBank advances and other borrowing sources. While scheduled principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and rates offered by our competition. We set the interest rates on our deposits to maintain a desired level of total deposits.

 

27


Table of Contents

A portion of our liquidity consists of cash and cash equivalents and borrowings, which are a product of our operating, investing and financing activities. At June 30, 2010, $25.7 million of our assets were invested in cash and cash equivalents. Our primary sources of cash are principal repayments on loans, proceeds from the maturities of investment securities, principal repayments of mortgage-backed securities and increases in deposit accounts. Short-term investment securities (maturing in one year or less) totaled $6.9 million at June 30, 2010. As of June 30, 2010, we had $297.3 million in borrowings outstanding from FHLBank Pittsburgh, $65 million in borrowings through repurchase agreements with other financial institutions. We have access to additional FHLBank advances of up to approximately $194.0 million.

At June 30, 2010, we had $42.4 million in loan commitments outstanding, which included, in part, $7.2 million in undisbursed construction loans, $20.8 million in unused home equity lines of credit, $3.6 million in commercial lines of credit and $6.3 million to originate primarily multi-family and nonresidential mortgage loans. Certificates of deposit due within one year of June 30, 2010 totaled $60.6 million, or 25.3% of certificates of deposit. If these maturing deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including other certificates of deposit and borrowings. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit due on or before June 30, 2011. We believe, however, based on past experience, that a significant portion of our certificates of deposit will remain with us. We have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.

As reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, our cash flows are classified for financial reporting purposes as operating, investing or financing cash flows. Net cash provided by operating activities was $4.6 million and $6.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These amounts differ from our net income because of a variety of cash receipts and disbursements that did not affect net income for the respective periods. Net cash used in investing activities was $18.6 million and $59.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, principally reflecting our loan and investment security activities. Deposit and borrowing cash flows have comprised most of our financing activities which resulted in net cash provided of $21.1 million and $50.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Critical Accounting Policies

We consider accounting policies that require management to exercise significant judgment or discretion or make significant assumptions that have, or could have, a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income, to be critical accounting policies. We consider the following to be our critical accounting policies:

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is the estimated amount considered necessary to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance is established through the provision for loan losses which is charged against income. In determining the allowance for loan losses, management makes significant estimates and has identified this policy as one of our most critical. The methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy by management due to the high degree of judgment involved, the subjectivity of the assumptions utilized and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the recorded allowance for loan losses.

As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans and discounted cash flow valuations of properties are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisals and discounted cash flow valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals and discounted cash flow valuations are carefully reviewed by management to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the related loans.

Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Consideration is given to a variety of factors in establishing this estimate including, but not limited to, current

 

28


Table of Contents

economic conditions, delinquency statistics, geographic and industry concentrations, the adequacy of the underlying collateral, the financial strength of the borrower, results of internal and external loan reviews and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision based on changes in economic and real estate market conditions.

The analysis of the allowance for loan losses has two components: specific and general allocations. Specific allocations are made for loans that are determined to be impaired. Impairment is measured by determining the present value of expected future cash flows or, for collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of the collateral adjusted for market conditions and selling expenses. The general allocation is determined by segregating the remaining loans by type of loan, risk weighting (if applicable) and payment history. We also analyze historical loss experience, delinquency trends, general economic conditions and geographic and industry concentrations. This analysis establishes factors that are applied to the loan groups to determine the amount of the general allocations. Actual loan losses may be significantly more than the allowance for loan losses we have established which could have a material negative effect on our financial results.

Other-than-Temporary Investment Security Impairment. Securities are evaluated periodically to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. Management utilizes criteria such as the magnitude and duration of the decline, in addition to the reasons underlying the decline, to determine whether the loss in value is other-than-temporary. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospect for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the value of the security is reduced and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized.

Deferred Income Taxes. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities 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. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance is established. We consider the determination of this valuation allowance to be a critical accounting policy because of the need to exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets, including projections of future taxable income. These judgments and estimates are reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets may be required if the amount of taxes recoverable through loss carryback declines, or if we project lower levels of future taxable income. Such a valuation allowance would be established through a charge to income tax expense which would adversely affect our operating results. At June 30, 2010 the Company had a $2.6 million valuation allowance established against its deferred tax asset. The tax deduction generated by the contribution to the Foundation as part of the Company’s stock offering exceeded the allowable federal income tax deduction limitations resulting in the establishment of this valuation allowance for the contribution carry forward.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements (as such term is defined in applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contractual Obligations

During the first nine months of fiscal 2010, the Company’s contractual obligations did not change materially from those discussed in the Company’s Financial Statements for the year ended September 30, 2009.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Consequently, our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. Our assets, consisting primarily of mortgage loans, have longer maturities than our

 

29


Table of Contents

liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits and borrowings. As a result, a principal part of our business strategy is to manage interest rate risk and reduce the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has approved guidelines for managing the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives. Senior management monitors the level of interest rate risk on a regular basis and the asset/liability committee meets quarterly to review our asset/liability policies and interest rate risk position.

We have sought to manage our interest rate risk in order to minimize the exposure of our earnings and capital to changes in interest rates. The net proceeds from the offering increased our capital and provided management with greater flexibility to manage our interest rate risk. In particular, management used the majority of the capital we received to increase our interest-earning assets. There have been no material changes in our interest rate risk since September 30, 2009.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

There were no significant changes made in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or in other factors that could significantly affect the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Part II – Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these legal actions is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the “Risk Factors” disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 on Form 10-K filed on December 11, 2009 except as follows.

Financial reform legislation recently enacted will, among other things, create a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, tighten capital standards and result in new laws and regulations that are expected to increase our costs of operations.

On July 21, 2010 the President signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). This new law will significantly change the current bank regulatory structure and affect the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new implementing rules and regulations, and to prepare numerous studies and reports for Congress. The federal agencies are given significant discretion in drafting the implementing rules and regulations, and consequently, many of the details and much of the impacts of the Dodd-Frank Act may not be known for many months or years.

 

30


Table of Contents

The Dodd-Frank Act creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks with more than $10 billion in assets. Banks with $10 billion or less in assets will continue to be examined for compliance with the consumer laws by their primary bank regulators. The Dodd-Frank Act also weakens the federal preemption rules that have been applicable for national banks and federal savings associations, and gives state attorneys general the ability to enforce federal consumer protection laws.

The Dodd-Frank Act requires minimum leverage (Tier 1) and risk based capital requirements for bank and savings and loan holding companies that are no less than those applicable to banks, which will exclude certain instruments that previously have been eligible for inclusion by bank holding companies as Tier 1 capital, such as trust preferred securities (“TPS”).

The new law provides that the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”) will cease to exist one year from the date of the new law’s enactment. All functions of OTS relating to federal savings associations, and all rulemaking authority for federal and state savings associations, will be transferred to Office of Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”). All functions of OTS – other than rulemaking – with respect to state savings associations, such as the Bank, will be transferred to FDIC. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System will supervise and regulate all savings and loan holding companies that were formerly regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision.

Effective one year after the date of enactment is a provision of the Dodd-Frank Act that eliminates the federal prohibitions on paying interest on demand deposits, thus allowing businesses to have interest bearing checking accounts. Depending on competitive responses, this significant change to existing law could have an adverse impact on our interest expense.

The Dodd-Frank Act also broadens the base for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance assessments. Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution, rather than deposits. The Dodd-Frank Act also permanently increases the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2009, and non-interest bearing transaction accounts have unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2012. The legislation also increases the required minimum reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund, from 1.15% to 1.35% of insured deposits, and directs the FDIC to offset the effects of increased assessments on depository institutions with less than $10 billion in assets.

The Dodd-Frank Act will require publicly traded companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments, and authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission to promulgate rules that allow stockholders to nominate their own candidates using a company’s proxy materials. It also provides that the listing standards of the national securities exchanges shall require listed companies to implement and disclose “clawback” policies mandating the recovery of incentive compensation paid to executive officers in connection with accounting restatements. The legislation also directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives.

It is difficult to predict at this time what specific impact the Dodd-Frank Act and the yet to be written implementing rules and regulations will have on community banks. However, it is expected that at a minimum they will increase our operating and compliance costs and could increase our interest expense.

 

31


Table of Contents
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s share repurchases during the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

 

     Company Purchases of Common Stock          

Period

   Total number of
shares purchased
   Average price
paid per share
   Total number of
shares purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans or
programs
   Maximum number
of shares that may
yet be purchased
under the plans or
programs

April 1-April 30, 2010

   40,771    $ 13.10    40,771    703,762

May 1 – May 31, 2010*

   169,508      12.52    136,900    566,862

June 1 – June 30, 2010

   149,200      12.63    149,200    417,662
               

Total

   359,479    $ 12.63    326,871   
               

 

* In May 2010 the Bank purchased 32,608 shares at $12.32 per share as part of a non-public program.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. [Removed and Reserved]

 

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are either filed as part of this report or are incorporated herein by reference:

 

3.1    Certificate of Incorporation of ESSA Bancorp, Inc.*
3.2    Bylaws of ESSA Bancorp, Inc.*
4    Form of Common Stock Certificate of ESSA Bancorp, Inc.*
10.2    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for Gary S. Olson**
10.3    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for Robert S. Howes**
10.4    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for Allan A. Muto**
10.5    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for Diane K. Reimer**
10.6    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for V. Gail Warner**
10.7    Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan**
10.8    Endorsement Split Dollar Life Insurance Agreement for Gary S. Olson**
10.9    Endorsement Split Dollar Life Insurance Agreement for Robert S. Howes**
21    Subsidiaries of Registrant*
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    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

* Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (file no. 333-139157), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2006.
** Incorporated by reference to ESSA Bancorp, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 2008.

 

32


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  ESSA BANCORP, INC.
Date: August 9, 2010  

/S/ Gary S. Olson

  Gary S. Olson
  President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: August 9, 2010  

/S/ Allan A. Muto

  Allan A. Muto
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

33