SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549


Form 8-K


Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 16, 2007


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.

(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania        0-11204        25-1424278

(State or other     (commission    (I.R.S. Employer

jurisdiction        File Number)   Identification No.)

of Incorporation)


Main and Franklin Streets, Johnstown, Pa.  15901

(address or principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 814-533-5300


N/A

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


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to

simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under

any of the following provisions:


( ) Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities

Act (17 CFR 230.425)


( ) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange

Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the

Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the

Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4c))













Form 8-K


Item 2.02 Results of operation and financial condition.


AMERISERV FINANCIAL Inc. (the "Registrant") announced third quarter and first nine months results as of September 30, 2007.  For a more detailed description of the announcement see the press release attached as Exhibit #99.1.  


Exhibits

--------


Exhibit 99.1

Press release dated October 16, 2007, announcing the third quarter and first nine months results as of September 30, 2007.



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 hereunto duly authorized.



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.


By /s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

Jeffrey A. Stopko

Senior Vice President

& CFO


Date: October 16, 2007







Exhibit 99.1


AMERISERV FINANCIAL REPORTS INCREASED EARNINGS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER AND FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2007     


JOHNSTOWN, PA – AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASRV) reported third quarter 2007 net income of $874,000 or $0.04 per diluted share.  This represents an increase of $231,000 or 35.9% over the third quarter 2006 net income of $643,000 or $0.03 per diluted share.  For the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, the Company has earned $2.1 million or $0.10 per diluted share.  This represents an increase of $359,000 or 20.5% when compared to net income of $1.8 million or $0.08 per diluted share for the first nine months of 2006.  The following table highlights the Company’s financial performance for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006:

  

   

 

Third Quarter 2007

Third Quarter 2006

 

Nine Months Ended

 September 30, 2007

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2006

      

Net income

$874,000

$643,000

 

$2,110,000

$1,751,000

Diluted earnings per share

            $ 0.04

           $ 0.03

 

                         $ 0.10

$ 0.08


At September 30, 2007, ASRV had total assets of $898 million and shareholders’ equity of $88.5 million or a book value of $3.99 per share.  The Company’s asset leverage ratio remained strong at 10.44% at September 30, 2007.


 Allan R. Dennison, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the 2007 results, “Our focus on executing our strategic plan has caused AmeriServ Financial to report improved financial performance for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2007.  We are better leveraging our expense base to generate increased non-interest revenue as evidenced by the successful acquisition of West Chester Capital Advisors earlier in 2007.  Continued solid growth in both loans and deposits has caused our net interest income to increase for three consecutive quarters in 2007 after bottoming in the fourth quarter of 2006.  Our asset quality continues to be sound as non-performing assets amounted to only 0.39% of total loans and our loan loss reserve provided 289% coverage of non-performing assets at September 30, 2007. The recent turmoil in the financial markets that led to a reduction in interest rates positions AmeriServ Financial for further net interest income improvement in the fourth quarter.”  


The Company’s net interest income in the third quarter of 2007 decreased by $77,000 from the prior year’s third quarter and for the first nine months of 2007 decreased by $592,000 when compared to the first nine months of 2006.  The Company’s net interest margin is also down by six and 14 basis points, respectively for the quarter and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007.  The decline in both net interest income and net interest margin resulted from the Company’s cost of funds increasing at a faster pace than the earning asset yield.  This resulted from deposit customer preference for higher yielding certificates of deposit and money market accounts due to the inverted/flat yield curve with short-term interest rates exceeding intermediate to longer term rates for the majority of the past 18 months.  As mentioned earlier, on a quarterly basis the Company’s net interest margin has shown improvement and stability in 2007 increasing from 2.97% in the first quarter to 3.00% in the third quarter.  This helped to reverse a trend of four consecutive quarters of net interest income and margin contraction experienced in 2006 where the margin declined from 3.20% to a low of 2.93% in the fourth quarter.  The recent Federal Reserve reduction in short-term interest rates and the return to a more positively sloped yield curve positions the Company well for net interest income and margin expansion in the fourth quarter of 2007.  


As a result of execution of our community bank focused strategic plan, the Company did have increased loans and deposits on our balance sheet in 2007.  Since year-end 2006, total loans have grown by $40 million or 6.8% to $629.6 million while total deposits have increased by $22 million or 3.0% to $763.8 million.  The loan growth was most evident in the commercial loan portfolio with particularly strong performance during the third quarter of 2007.  The deposit growth was caused by increased certificates of deposit as customers have demonstrated a preference for this product due to higher short-term interest rates.  

The Company recorded a $150,000 provision for loan losses in the third quarter of 2007 compared to no loan loss provision in the third quarter of 2006.  For the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, the provision for loan losses also amounted to $150,000 compared to a negative loan loss provision of $50,000 realized for the same period in 2006.  The Company did experience higher net charge-offs in the third quarter of 2007 due almost entirely to the $875,000 complete charge-off of a commercial loan that resulted from fraud committed by the borrower.  This caused net charge-offs to average loans to total 0.61% in the third quarter of 2007 compared to 0.39% in the third quarter of 2006.  For the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, net charge-offs have amounted to $1.1 million or 0.25% of total loans compared to net charge-offs of $791,000 or 0.19% of total loans for the same nine month period in 2006.  Non-performing assets totaled $2.5 million or only 0.39% of total loans at September 30, 2007.  This compares favorably to non-performing assets of $3.0 million or 0.51% of total loans at September 30, 2006.  The allowance for loan losses provided 289% coverage of non-performing assets at September 30, 2007 compared to 353% coverage at December 31, 2006, and 279% coverage at September 30, 2006.  The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans amounted to 1.13% at September 30, 2007.  Note also that the Company has no exposure to sub-prime mortgage loans in either the loan or investment portfolios.

      

The Company’s non-interest income in the third quarter of 2007 increased by $775,000 from the prior year’s third quarter and for the first nine months of 2007 increased by $1.1 million when compared to the first nine months of 2006.  The increase for both periods was due in part to the West Chester Capital Advisors acquisition which closed in early March of 2007.  This accretive acquisition provided $275,000 of investment advisory fees in the third quarter of 2007 and $706,000 of fees for the nine month period ended September 30, 2007.  Trust fees also increased by $74,000 for the third quarter 2007 and by $155,000 or 3.2% for the first nine months of 2007 due to continued successful new business development efforts and an increased value for trust assets.  The fair market value of trust assets totaled $1.85 billion at September 30, 2007.  The Company also realized an increase on gains realized on residential mortgage loan sales into the secondary market that amounted to $90,000 for the third quarter of 2007 and $151,000 for the first nine months of 2007.  These increases reflect greater residential mortgage production from the Company’s primary market as this has been an area of emphasis in the strategic plan.  Finally, other income increased by $259,000 in the third quarter and $51,000 for the first nine months of 2007 due in part to a $69,000 gain realized on the sale of a closed branch facility and a $120,000 gain realized on the sale of equipment obtained from a lease financing arrangement.  The Company also benefited from increased fees associated with the higher residential mortgage loan production.


Total non-interest expense in the third quarter of 2007 increased by $209,000 from the prior year’s third quarter but for the first nine months of 2007 declined by $231,000 when compared to the first nine months of 2006. The largest factor responsible for the quarterly increase was the inclusion of $233,000 of non-interest expenses from West Chester Capital Advisors; the largest component of which was reflected in salaries and employee benefits.  West Chester Capital Advisors has contributed $568,000 in non-interest expenses for the nine month period ended September 30, 2007.  The overall reduction in expenses for the nine month period reflects the Company’s continuing focus on containing and reducing non-interest expenses.  The largest expense reductions were experienced in equipment expense ($223,000), professional fees ($118,000), other expenses ($466,000) and FDIC deposit insurance expense (103,000).  


This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report and Form 10-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Actual results may differ materially.


Nasdaq: ASRV

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DATA

October 16, 2007

(In thousands, except per share and ratio data)

(All quarterly and 2007 data unaudited)

2007

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

YEAR

    

TO DATE

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

    

Net income  

$428

$808

$874

$2,110

     

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

    

Return on average assets

0.20%

0.37%

0.39%

0.32%

Return on average equity

2.05

3.79

4.00

3.30

Net interest margin

2.97

3.01

3.00

3.00

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.06

0.07

0.61

0.25

Loan loss provision as a percentage of average loans

-

-

0.10

0.03

Efficiency ratio

94.16

88.52

87.15

89.84

     

PER COMMON SHARE:

    

Net income:

    

Basic

$0.02

$0.04

$0.04

$0.10

Average number of common shares outstanding

22,159

22,164

22,175

22,166

Diluted

0.02

0.04

0.04

0.10

Average number of common shares outstanding

22,166

22,171

22,177

22,170

     




2006

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

YEAR

    

TO DATE

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

    

Net income

$540

$568

$643

$1,751

     

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

    

Return on average assets

0.25%

0.26%

0.29%

0.27%

Return on average equity

2.59

2.71

3.00

2.77

Net interest margin

3.20

3.16

3.06

3.14

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.09

0.07

0.39

0.19

Loan loss provision as a percentage of average loans

-

(0.04)

-

(0.01)

Efficiency ratio

92.68

92.08

91.38

92.05

     

PER COMMON SHARE:

    

Net income:

    

Basic

$0.02

$0.03

$0.03

$0.08

Average number of common shares outstanding

22,119

22,143

22,148

22,137

Diluted

0.02

0.03

0.03

0.08

Average number of common shares outstanding

22,127

22,153

22,156

22,145

     


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

(In thousands, except per share, statistical, and ratio data)

(All quarterly and 2007 data unaudited)


2007

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

  

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

     

Assets

$891,559

$876,160

$897,940

  

Investment securities

185,338

174,508

170,765

  

Loans

603,834

604,639

629,564

  

Allowance for loan losses

8,010

7,911

7,119

  

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles

15,119

14,903

14,687

  

Deposits

768,947

762,902

763,771

  

FHLB borrowings

15,170

4,258

23,482

  

Stockholders’ equity

85,693

86,226

88,517

  

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

1,828,475

1,872,366

1,846,240

  

Non-performing assets

2,706

2,825

2,463

  

Asset leverage ratio

10.23%

10.36%

10.44%

  

PER COMMON SHARE:

     

Book value (A)

$3.87

$3.89

$3.99

  

Market value

4.79

4.40

3.33

  

Market price to book value

123.88%

113.12%

83.44%

  
      

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

     

Full-time equivalent employees

375

376

358

  

Branch locations

21

21

20

  

Common shares outstanding

22,161,445

22,167,235

22,180,650

  


2006

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

    

Assets

$876,393

$887,608

$882,837

$895,992

Investment securities

223,658

210,230

209,046

204,344

Loans

548,466

573,884

580,560

589,435

Allowance for loan losses

9,026

8,874

8,302

8,092

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles

12,031

11,815

11,599

11,382

Deposits

727,987

740,979

743,687

741,755

FHLB borrowings

45,223

43,031

31,949

50,037

Stockholders’ equity

84,336

84,231

86,788

84,684

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

1,669,525

1,679,634

1,702,210

1,778,652

Non-performing assets

4,193

4,625

2,978

2,292

Asset leverage ratio

10.36%

10.54%

10.52%

10.54%

PER COMMON SHARE:

    

Book value

$3.81

$3.80

$3.92

$3.82

Market value

5.00

4.91

4.43

4.93

Market price to book value

131.26%

129.09%

113.07%

128.98%

     

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

    

Full-time equivalent employees

375

367

364

369

Branch locations

22

22

21

21

Common shares outstanding

22,140,172

22,145,639

22,150,767

22,156,094


    NOTES:

        (A) Other comprehensive income had a negative impact of $0.22 on book value per share at September 30, 2007.

        (B)  Not recognized on the balance sheet.

    

AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(In thousands)

(All quarterly and 2007 data unaudited)

2007

    

YEAR

INTEREST INCOME

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

TO DATE

Interest and fees on loans

$10,061

$10,303

$10,591

$30,955

Total investment portfolio

2,114

2,005

1,863

5,982

Total Interest Income

12,175

12,308

12,454

36,937

     

INTEREST EXPENSE

    

Deposits

5,699

5,931

5,994

17,624

All borrowings

521

364

438

1,323

Total Interest Expense

6,220

6,295

6,432

18,947

     

NET INTEREST INCOME

5,955

6,013

6,022

17,990

Provision for loan losses

-

-

150

150

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES


5,955


6,013


5,872


17,840

     

NON-INTEREST INCOME

    

Trust fees

1,704

1,689

1,677

5,070

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

25

79

116

220

Service charges on deposit accounts

585

636

671

1,892

Investment advisory fees

102

329

275

706

Bank owned life insurance

258

265

479

1,002

Other income

559

594

804

1,957

Total Non-interest Income

3,233

3,592

4,022

10,847

     

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

    

Salaries and employee benefits

4,885

4,930

4,813

14,628

Net occupancy expense

664

615

618

1,897

Equipment expense

546

564

466

1,576

Professional fees

695

818

814

2,327

FDIC deposit insurance expense

22

22

22

66

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

216

216

216

648

Other expenses

1,645

1,357

1,824

4,826

Total Non-interest Expense

8,673

8,522

8,773

25,968

     

PRETAX INCOME

515

1,083

1,121

2,719

Income tax expense

87

275

247

609

NET INCOME  

$428

$808

$874

$2,110

     





2006

    

YEAR

INTEREST INCOME

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

TO DATE

Interest and fees on loans

$8,900

$9,155

$9,677

$27,732

Total investment portfolio

2,279

2,259

2,218

6,756

Total Interest Income

11,179

11,414

11,895

34,488

     

INTEREST EXPENSE

    

Deposits

4,026

4,563

5,143

13,732

All borrowings

861

660

653

2,174

Total Interest Expense

4,887

5,223

5,796

15,906

     

NET INTEREST INCOME

6,292

6,191

6,099

18,582

Provision for loan losses

-

(50)

-

(50)

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES


6,292


6,241


6,099


18,632

     

NON-INTEREST INCOME

    

Trust fees

1,641

1,671

1,603

4,915

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

23

20

26

69

Service charges on deposit accounts

627

651

645

1,923

Bank owned life insurance

256

260

428

944

Other income

695

666

545

1,906

Total Non-interest Income

3,242

3,268

3,247

9,757

     

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

    

Salaries and employee benefits

4,815

4,612

4,600

14,027

Net occupancy expense

655

591

573

1,819

Equipment expense

639

631

529

1,799

Professional fees

795

859

791

2,445

FDIC deposit insurance expense

73

74

22

169

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

216

216

216

648

Other expenses

1,665

1,794

1,833

5,292

Total Non-interest Expense

8,858

8,777

8,564

26,199

     

PRETAX INCOME

676

732

782

2,190

Income tax expense

136

164

139

439

NET INCOME

$540

$568

$643

$1,751

     



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

Nasdaq: ASRV

Average Balance Sheet Data (In thousands)

(All quarterly and 2007 data unaudited)


    Note:  2006 data appears before 2007.


2006

2007

  

NINE

 

NINE

 

3QTR

MONTHS

3QTR

MONTHS

Interest earning assets:

    

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income

$572,077

$558,176

$612,424

$601,592

Deposits with banks

698

669

616

525

Federal funds

-

-

2,249

3,009

Total investment securities

215,759

225,066

176,474

187,398

     

Total interest earning assets

788,534

783,911

791,763

792,524

     

Non-interest earning assets:

    

Cash and due from banks

19,146

18,975

18,673

17,734

Premises and equipment

8,088

8,337

8,607

8,722

Other assets

68,653

69,226

71,506

69,550

Allowance for loan losses

(8,739)

(8,922)

(7,808)

(7,947)

     

Total assets

$875,682

$871,527

$882,741

$880,583

     

Interest bearing liabilities:

    

Interest bearing deposits:

    

Interest bearing demand

$58,551

$57,329

$55,151

$56,559

Savings

80,663

84,235

71,503

73,112

Money market

169,022

171,525

173,844

182,215

Other time

330,900

313,598

353,331

344,153

Total interest bearing deposits

639,136

626,687

653,829

656,039

Borrowings:

    

Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and other short-term borrowings



26,128



34,459



6,760



8,441

Advanced from Federal Home Loan Bank

962

972

5,499

3,607

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures


13,085


13,085


13,085


13,085

Total interest bearing liabilities

679,311

675,203

679,173

681,172

     

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

    

Demand deposits

104,361

105,292

106,055

104,336

Other liabilities

7,059

6,584

10,768

9,477

Stockholders’ equity

84,951

84,448

86,745

85,598

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$875,682

$871,527

$882,741

$880,583