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UNITED STATES

                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                      Washington, D.C. 20549


                                                  FORM 10-Q


                                                  (Mark One)


 

X

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

      

Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For the period ended                         March 31, 2003                           


          Transaction Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of    

       

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For the transaction period from                                      to                 __        

                                                                 

Commission File Number                      0-11204                                            

                                                 AmeriServ Financial, Inc.                                           

                                          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                    Pennsylvania                                                       25-1424278                

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation                            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 or organization)                                                                  


Main & Franklin Streets, P.O. Box 430, Johnstown, PA   15907-0430

(Address of principal executive offices)                                                               (Zip Code)

                           

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


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 filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                    

                    X     Yes    

       No


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).


                           Yes    

X     No

                            

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.


               Class                           

           

      Outstanding at May 1, 2003    

Common Stock, par value $2.50

       13,932,793

per share                         


#




                                       

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.


                                          INDEX



PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

 Page No.

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets -

March 31, 2003, December 31, 2002, and

March 31, 2002


 

        3

  

Consolidated Statements of Operations -

Three Months Ended March 31, 2003, and 2002


        4

  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity -

Three Months Ended March 31, 2003, and 2002


        6

  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -

Three Months Ended March 31, 2003, and 2002


        7

  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


        8

  

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial

Condition and Results of Operations


      21

  

Controls and Procedures

      32

  

Part II.

Other Information


      33

  




                      




                                                                        

      AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

                                                                    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                                      

(In thousands)


 

 

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

     

2003

2002

2002

 

(Unaudited)

 

 (Unaudited)

ASSETS

   

Cash and due from banks

$      23,315

$     26,812

$      20,411

Interest bearing deposits

289

362

250

Investment securities:

   

Available for sale

521,483

   490,701

532,349

Held to maturity (market value $25,332 on                              March 31, 2003, and $15,320 on December                        31, 2002)

 


24,944

    


15,077

    


 -

Loans held for sale

 3,018

      4,217

 2,539

Loans

556,711

  573,641

591,791

Less:     Unearned income

4,394

4,881

6,706

Allowance for loan losses

       11,415

      10,035

       6,286

Net loans

540,902

  558,725

578,799

Premises and equipment, net

12,175

12,674

13,363

Accrued income receivable

6,014

      6,069

6,969

Mortgage servicing rights

 2,214

 6,917

 8,315

Goodwill

9,544

9,743

9,743

Core deposit intangibles

5,793

6,151

7,225

Bank owned life insurance

28,599

28,301

27,372

Other assets

        12,070

         9,801

         6,429

TOTAL ASSETS

$ 1,190,360

$ 1,175,550

$ 1,213,764

    

LIABILITIES

   

Non-interest bearing deposits

$      94,460

$    99,226

$      97,584

Interest bearing deposits

     574,643

    570,703

     582,851

Total deposits

     669,103

    669,929

     680,435

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under

   

agreements to repurchase

     -

       9,225

3,175

Other short-term borrowings

144,738

 91,563

 36,366

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

251,088

274,847

364,804

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest

debentures


       34,500


       34,500


       34,500

Total borrowed funds

     430,326

      410,135

     438,845

Other liabilities

      15,567

       17,730

      16,433

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 1,114,996

  1,097,794

 1,135,713

    

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

   

Preferred stock, no par value; 2,000,000 shares

authorized; there were no shares issued and

outstanding for the periods presented



-



-



-

Common stock, par value $2.50 per share;

24,000,000 shares authorized;

18,020,243 shares issued

and 13,929,324 outstanding

on March 31, 2003; 17,989,221 shares

issued and 13,898,302 outstanding on

December 31, 2002; 17,902,514 shares

issued and 13,811,595 outstanding

on March 31, 2002









45,051









44,973









44,891

Treasury stock at cost, 4,090,919 shares for all

               periods  presented


(65,824)


(65,824)


(65,824)

Capital surplus

66,769

   66,755

66,838

Retained earnings

25,252

 26,047

34,722

Unearned compensation

-    

 -

(608)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

          4,116

          5,805

         (1,968)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

        75,364

        77,756

        78,051

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


$ 1,190,360


$ 1,175,550


$ 1,213,764

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                                      

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

                                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

   (In thousands)                           

    Unaudited


                                                                                 

 

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

March 31,

                                                                                 

2003

2002

INTEREST INCOME

  

Interest and fees on loans and loans held for sale        

$     9,083

$  10,562

Deposits with banks                                              

 14

 83

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under

           agreements to repurchase


 -


 7

Investment securities:

  

Available for sale                                        

   5,430

   6,608

Held to maturity

      216

           -  

Total Interest Income                  

  14,743

   17,260

   

INTEREST EXPENSE

  

Deposits                                                                

  3,140

  4,288

Federal funds purchased and securities

sold under agreements to repurchase


 8


 16

Other short-term borrowings                                 

332

 74

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank             

     3,876

     5,559

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest

          debentures

 

       740

 

       740

Total Interest Expense                                

    8,096

   10,677

  

  

NET INTEREST INCOME                                         

   6,647

   6,583

Provision for loan losses                                      

    1,659

      540

   

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR

LOAN LOSSES

  

4,988

  

6,043

 

  

NON-INTEREST INCOME

  

Trust fees                                                             

1,253

1,279

    Net realized gains on investment securities                

 1,278

   637

Net realized gains on loans held for sale  

   173

   124

Service charges on deposit accounts                    

   767

   674

Net mortgage servicing fees                                  

   71

   92

Bank owned life insurance                                    

 298

 554

Loss on sale of mortgage servicing

(758)

-

Other income                                                        

     913

   1,288

Total Non-Interest Income                          

 3,995

 4,648

   

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

  

Salaries and employee benefits                             

  4,789

  5,145

Net occupancy expense                                        

   752

   739

Equipment expense                                             

817

783

Professional fees                                                  

   903

   750

Supplies, postage and freight                              

 376

 378

Miscellaneous taxes and insurance                       

    420

    415

FDIC deposit insurance expense                           

   28

   29

Amortization of core deposit intangibles  

358

358

Impairment charge(credit) for mortgage servicing rights

  366

 (123)

Goodwill impairment loss

199

-

Wholesale mortgage production exit costs

-

(26)

Other expense                                                      

  1,112

  1,487

Total Non-Interest Expense                        

 $10,120

 $  9,935


CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE










CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

(In thousands)                           

 Unaudited

                                    

           

                                                             

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

                                                    

March 31,

March 31,

                                                                                   

2003

2002

     

  

INCOME(LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES        

 $ (1,137)

 $       756

Provision (benefit) for income taxes                         

      (342)

         130

   

NET INCOME(LOSS)                                                    

$    (795)

$       626

   

PER COMMON SHARE DATA:

  

Basic:

  

Net income(loss)                                            

$    (0.06)

$     0.05

Average shares outstanding                              

13,923

13,689

Diluted:

  

Net income(loss)                                                

$    (0.06)

$     0.05

Average shares outstanding                              

13,923

13,712

Cash dividends declared                                          

 $            -

 $     0.09



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

















































                                                                  

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

                                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                                                                          (In thousands)

                                                                         

Unaudited


 

March 31, 2003

March 31, 2002

   

PREFERRED STOCK

  
   

Balance at beginning of period

$          -

$          -

Balance at end of period

-

-

   

COMMON STOCK

  
   

Balance at beginning of period

44,973

44,333

Stock options exercised / new shares issued

      78

     558

Balance at end of period

45,051

44,891

   

TREASURY STOCK

  
   

Balance at beginning of period

(65,824)

(65,824)

Treasury stock, at cost

           -

           -

Balance at end of period

(65,824)

(65,824)

   

CAPITAL SURPLUS

  
   

Balance at beginning of period

66,755

66,423

Stock options exercised / new shares issued

      14

     415

Balance at end of period

66,769

66,838

   

RETAINED EARNINGS

  
   

Balance at beginning of period

26,047

35,329

Net income (loss)

 (795)

    626

Cash dividends declared

          -

(1,233)

Balance at end of period

 25,252

 34,722

   

UNEARNED COMPENSATION

  
   

Balance at beginning of period

     -

     -

Supplemental executive retirement plan

          -

     (608)

Balance at end of period

          -

    (608)

   

ACCUMULATED OTHER

  

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

  
   

Balance at beginning of period

 5,805

(771)

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

   (1,689)

  (1,197)

Balance at end of period

     4,116

  (1,968)

   

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$  75,364

$  78,051

   



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.






      AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

                                                          

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                                    (In thousands)

                                                                                        Unaudited

 

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

 

March 31, 2003

March 31, 2002

OPERATING ACTIVITIES     

  

Net income (loss)

$   (795)

$      626

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash

  

   provided by operating activities:

  

Provision for loan losses

 1,659

   540

Depreciation expense

    556

    500

Amortization expense of core deposit intangibles      

    358

    358

Goodwill impairment loss

199

-

Amortization expense of mortgage servicing rights              

    311

    430

Impairment charge (credit) for mortgage servicing rights

     366

    (123)

Net amortization of investment securities

     620

     725

Net realized gains on investment securities

    (1,278)

    (637)

Net realized gains on loans and loans held for sale

(173)

(124)

Net realized losses on mortgage servicing rights

758

-

Origination of mortgage loans held for sale

(19,833)

(8,507)

Sales of mortgage loans held for sale

21,032

12,148

Decrease (increase) in accrued income receivable

   55  

 (302)

Decrease in accrued expense payable

      (612)

    (1,081)

Net cash provided by operating activities

      3,223

      4,553

   

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

  

Purchases of investment securities and other short-term investments -

  

    available for sale

(204,847)

(186,742)

Purchases of investment securities and other short-term investments -

  

    held to maturity

(10,103)

-

Proceeds from maturities of investment securities and

  

   other short-term investments – available for sale

     34,856

    42,625

Proceeds from maturities of investment securities and

  

   other short-term investments – held to maturity

231

-

Proceeds from sales of investment securities and

  

   other short-term investments – available for sale

         137,273

         107,774

Long-term loans originated

 (25,817)

 (46,348)

Loans held for sale

(3,018)

(2,539)

Principal collected on long-term loans

 55,516

  76,876

Loans purchased or participated

   (10,910)

   (20,985)

Loans sold or participated

    -

  103

Net decrease in other short-term loans

  566

1,149

Purchases of premises and equipment

(57)

(397)

Net sale (purchase) of mortgage servicing rights

   3,268

  (794)

Net increase in other assets

    (1,657)

      (292)

Net cash used by investing activities

     (24,699)

 (29,570)

   

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

  

Proceeds from sales of certificates of deposit

    72,856

    77,918

Payments for maturing certificates of deposit

 (76,480)

 (77,418)

Net increase in demand and savings deposits

   2,798  

   3,589  

Net increase in federal funds purchased, securities sold

  

   under agreements to repurchase, and other short-term borrowings

43,950

26,687

Net principal repayments of advances from Federal Home Loan Bank     

                            (23,759)

          (12,507)

Common stock cash dividends paid

                 -

            (1,233)

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debenture dividends paid

      (729)

      (729)

Proceeds from dividend reinvestment, stock

  

   purchase plan, and stock options exercised

 92

365

Net decrease in other liabilities

      (822)

     (115)

Net cash provided by financing activities

  17,906  

  16,557  

   

NET DECREASE  IN CASH EQUIVALENTS

   (3,570)

   (8,460)

CASH EQUIVALENTS AT JANUARY 1

   27,174

   29,121

CASH EQUIVALENTS AT MARCH 31

$ 23,604

$ 20,661


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.   Principles of Consolidation


The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (the Company) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, AmeriServ Financial Bank (Bank), AmeriServ Trust and Financial Services Company (Trust Company), AmeriServ Associates, Inc., (AmeriServ Associates) and AmeriServ Life Insurance Company (AmeriServ Life).  The Bank is a state-chartered full service bank with 23 locations in Pennsylvania.  Standard Mortgage Corporation of Georgia (SMC), a subsidiary of the Bank, is a mortgage banking company whose business includes the servicing of mortgage loans. AmeriServ Associates, based in State College, is a registered investment advisory firm that provides investment portfolio and asset/liability management services to small and mid-sized financial institutions.  Amer iServ Life is a captive insurance company that engages in underwriting as a reinsurer of credit life and disability insurance.  The Trust Company offers a complete range of trust and financial services and has $1.1 billion in assets under management.  The Trust Company also offers the ERECT and BUILD Funds which are collective investment funds for trade union controlled pension fund assets.    


In addition, the Parent Company is an administrative group that provides support in such areas as audit, finance, investments, loan review, general services, and marketing. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.  


2.   Basis of Preparation


The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for interim financial information. In the opinion of management, all adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature and are considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  They are not, however, necessarily indicative of the results of consolidated operations for a full-year.


For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.


3.    Earnings Per Common Share


Basic earnings per share include only the weighted average common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share include the weighted average common shares outstanding and dilutive common stock equivalent shares in the calculation.  Treasury shares are treated as retired for earnings per share purposes.  Options to purchase 294,476 and 474,482 shares of common stock were outstanding during the first three months of 2003 and 2002, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share as the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common stock for the respective periods.   Employee compensation expense under stock options is reported using the intrinsic value method.  No stock-based compensation cos t is reflected in net income, as all options granted had an exercise price equal to or greater than the market price of the underlying common stock at date of grant.  The Company had no such grants in the first quarters of 2003 or 2002.  As such, under SFAS #123 fair value accounting for such options there would be no compensation expense recorded.


4.   Comprehensive Income


For the Company, comprehensive income primarily includes net income and unrealized holding gains and losses from available for sale investment securities and derivatives that qualify as cashflow hedges.  The changes in other comprehensive income are reported net of income taxes, as follows (in thousands):

                                                     

                                             

 

Three Months Ended

   
 

March 31,

March 31,

  
 

2003

2002

  

Net income (loss)

 $  (795)

 $     626

  
     

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:

    
     

     Gains on cashflow hedges arising during                        period


-


955

  

     Minimum pension liability adjustment

-

(173)

  

     Unrealized holding losses arising during                        period on investment securities available for             sale



(1,321)



(1,959)

  

      Less: reclassification adjustment for gains  

    

           included in net income (loss)                 

         1,278

             637

  

Other comprehensive loss, before tax:

 (2,599)

 (1,814)

  

Income tax benefit related to items

    

           of other comprehensive income                      

              (910)

          (617)

  

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:

  (1,689)

   (1,197)

  
     

Comprehensive loss

 $ (2,484)

 $     (571)

  

 

5.   Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows


On a consolidated basis, cash equivalents include cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with banks, and federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell.  For the Parent Company, cash equivalents also include short-term investments that have an overnight maturity.  The Company made $7,000 in income tax payments in the first three months of 2003 as compared to $573,000 for the first three months of 2002.  Total interest expense paid amounted to $8,708,000 in 2003's first three months compared to $11,758,000 in the same 2002 period.






6.   Investment Securities


Securities are classified at the time of purchase as investment securities held to maturity if it is management’s intent and the Company has the ability to hold the securities until maturity.  These held to maturity securities are carried on the Company’s books at cost, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount which is computed using the level yield method which approximates the effective interest method.  Securities classified as available for sale include securities  which may be sold to effectively manage interest rate risk exposure, prepayment risk, and other factors (such as liquidity requirements).  These available for sale securities are reported at fair value with unrealized aggregate appreciation/(depreciation) excluded from income (loss) and c redited/(charged) to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders' equity on a net of tax basis. The mark-to-market of the available for sale portfolio does inject more volatility in the book value of equity, but has no impact on regulatory capital.  Realized gain or loss on securities sold was computed upon the adjusted cost of the specific securities sold.


The cost basis and market values of investment securities are summarized as follows (in thousands):


Investment securities available for sale:                          

      

        

 

          March 31, 2003

 

Gross      

Gross      

 
 

Cost  

Unrealized

Unrealized

Market   

 

      Basis    

      Gains   

    Losses   

      Value   

  U.S. Treasury

$    12,957

$        363

$         -

$    13,320

  U.S. Agency    

    5,600

  134

     -

    5,734

  U.S. Agency mortgage-backed

    

     securities      

462,948

 6,245

(418)

468,775

  Other securities(1)

     33,647

              12

         (5)

     33,654

       Total

$ 515,152

$     6,754

$   (423)

$  521,483

(1)Other investment securities include corporate notes and bonds, asset-backed securities, and equity

  securities.

    

Investment securities held to maturity:                          


          March 31, 2003

 

Gross      

Gross      

 
 

Cost  

Unrealized

Unrealized

Market   

 

      Basis    

      Gains   

    Losses   

      Value   

     

  U.S. Agency mortgage-backed

    

     securities      

$  24,944

$     388

$       -

$   25,332

       Total

$  24,944

$     388

$       -

$   25,332

            

Maintaining investment quality is a primary objective of the Company's investment policy which, subject to certain limited exceptions, prohibits the purchase of any investment security below a Moody's Investor's Service or Standard & Poor's rating of "A."  At March 31, 2003, 97.4% of the portfolio was rated "AAA" compared to 94.9% at March 31, 2002. Approximately 1.0% of the portfolio was rated below "A" or unrated on March 31, 2003.


7.

Loans Held for Sale


At March 31, 2003, $3,018,000 of newly originated fixed-rate residential mortgage loans were classified as held for sale, because it is management's intent to sell these residential mortgage loans.  The residential mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or market value.  Net realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in "Net realized gains on loans held for sale"; unrealized net valuation adjustments (if any) are recorded in the same line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Management has identified potential embedded derivatives in certain loan commitments for residential mortgages where the Company has intent to sell to an outside investor.  Due to the short-term nature of these loan commitments (60 days or less) and the minimal historical dollar amount of commitments outstanding, the corresponding impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operation has not been material.


8.

Loans


The loan portfolio of the Company consists of the following (in thousands):


 

March 31,

 2003

December 31,

 2002

March 31,

2002

     Commercial

$    86,979

$    89,127

$   115,560

     Commercial loans secured

   

        by real estate

218,908

222,854

208,695

     Real estate – mortgage

219,686

229,154

233,087

     Consumer

      31,138

      32,506

      34,449

       Loans

556,711

  573,641

591,791

     Less:  Unearned income

        4,394

        4,881

        6,706

     Loans, net of unearned income

$  552,317

$  568,760

$  585,085


Real estate-construction loans comprised 5.7% of total loans net of unearned income at March 31, 2003.  The Company has no direct credit exposure to foreign countries.


9.

Allowance for Loan Losses and Charge-Off Procedures


As a financial institution which assumes lending and credit risks as a principal element of its business, the Company anticipates that credit losses will be experienced in the normal course of business.  Accordingly, the Company consistently applies a comprehensive methodology and procedural discipline to perform an analysis which is updated on a quarterly basis at the Bank level to determine both the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the necessary provision for loan losses to be charged against earnings. This methodology includes:


 * a detailed review of all criticized and impaired loans to determine if any specific reserve allocations are required on an individual loan basis.  The specific reserve established for these criticized and impaired loans is based on careful analysis of the loan's performance, the related collateral value, cash flow considerations and the financial capability of any guarantor.

*

the application of formula driven reserve allocations for all commercial and commercial real-estate loans are calculated by using a three-year migration analysis of net losses incurred within each risk grade for the entire commercial loan portfolio.  The difference between estimated and actual losses is reconciled through the dynamic nature of the migration analysis.


* the application of formula driven reserve allocations to installment and mortgage loans which are based upon historical charge-off experience for those loan types. The residential mortgage loan allocation is based upon the Company's five-year historical average of actual loan charge-offs experienced in that category. The same methodology is used to determine the allocation for consumer loans except the allocation is based upon an average of the most recent actual three-year historical charge-off experience for consumer loans.


*

the application of formula driven reserve allocations to all outstanding loans is based upon review of historical losses and qualitative factors, which include but are not limited to, economic trends, delinquencies, concentrations of credit, trends in loan volume, experience and depth of management, regulatory examination and audit results, effects of any changes in lending policies and trends in policy, financial information and documentation exceptions.


*

the maintenance of a general unallocated reserve to accommodate inherent risk in the Company’s portfolio that is not identified through the Company’s specific loan and portfolio segment reviews discussed above.  Management recognizes that there may be events or economic factors that have occurred affecting specific borrowers or segments of borrowers that may not yet be fully reflected in the information that the Company uses for arriving at reserves for a specific loan or portfolio segment. Therefore, the Company and its Board of Directors believe a general unallocated reserve is needed to recognize the estimation risk associated with the specific and formula driven allowances.  In conjunction with the establishment of the general unallocated reserve, the Company also looks at the total allowance for loan losses in relation to the size of the total loan portfolio, the level of non-performing assets and its coverage of these items as compared to peer banks.


After completion of this process, a formal meeting of the Loan Loss Reserve Committee is held to evaluate the adequacy of the reserve.  The Company believes that this quarterly process is in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and regulatory requirements.


When it is determined that the prospects for recovery of the principal of a loan have significantly diminished, the loan is immediately charged against the allowance account; subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance account. In addition, non-accrual and large delinquent loans are reviewed monthly to determine potential losses. Consumer loans are considered losses when they are 90 days past due, except loans that are insured for credit loss.


The Company's policy is to individually review, as circumstances warrant, each of its commercial and commercial mortgage loans to determine if a loan is impaired. At a minimum, credit reviews are mandatory for all commercial and commercial mortgage loans with balances in excess of $250,000 within a 12-month period.  The Company has also identified two pools of small dollar value homogeneous loans which are evaluated collectively for impairment.  These separate pools are for residential mortgage loans and consumer loans.  Individual loans within these pools are reviewed and removed from the pool if factors such as significant delinquency in payments of 90 days or more, bankruptcy, or other negative economic concerns indicate impairment.


An analysis of the changes in the allowance for loan losses follows (in thousands, except ratios):

                                                         

 

  

Three Months Ended

 

    Year Ended

 

March 31,

March 31,

December 31,

 
 

      2003

              2002

2002

 

Balance at beginning of period

  $10,035

  $ 5,830

  $ 5,830

 

Charge-offs:

    

     Commercial               

        2

      386

      5,119

 

     Real estate-mortgage  

  181

   99

  516

 

     Consumer   

           147

              58

           348

 

     Total charge-offs  

         330

         543

      5,983

 

Recoveries:

    

     Commercial  

   15

  415

  584

 

     Real estate-mortgage    

  12

  19

 160

 

     Consumer     

          24

           25

         179

 

     Total recoveries  

          51

         459

         923

 
     

Net charge-offs

   279

    84

5,060

 

Provision for loan losses   

       1,659

         540

       9,265

 

Balance at end of period   

  $ 11,415

  $  6,286

  $ 10,035

 
     

As a percent of average loans and loans held

    

     for sale, net of unearned income:

    

     Annualized net charge-offs

  0.20%

  0.06%

  0.85%

 

     Annualized provision for loan losses

 1.19

 0.37

 1.56

 

Allowance as a percent of loans and loans

    

     held for sale, net of unearned income

    

     at period end               

 2.06

 1.07

 1.75

 

Total classified loans            

 $35,217

 $21,800

 $20,666

 

 

    

(For additional information, refer to the "Provision for Loan Losses" and "Loan Quality" sections in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations on pages 25 and 28, respectively.)


10.

Components of Allowance for Loan Losses


For impaired loans, the measurement of impairment may be based upon:  1) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate; 2) the observable market price of the impaired loan; or 3) the fair value of the collateral of a collateral dependent loan.   

The Company had loans totaling $9,857,000 and $11,540,000 being specifically identified as impaired and a corresponding reserve allocation of $1,506,000 and $1,404,000 at March 31, 2003, and March 31, 2002, respectively.  The average outstanding balance for loans being specifically identified as impaired was $9,976,000 for the three months of 2003 compared to $11,717,000 for the three months of 2002.  All of the impaired loans are collateral dependent, therefore the fair value of the collateral of the impaired loans is evaluated in measuring the impairment.  The interest income recognized on impaired loans during the three months of 2003 was $116,000, compared to $106,000 for the three months of 2002.


The following table sets forth the allocation of the allowance for loan losses among various categories.  This allocation is determined using the quarterly process which was discussed above. This allocation, however, is not necessarily indicative of the specific amount or specific loan category in which future losses may ultimately occur (in thousands, except percentages):

 

  

March 31, 2003

 

December 31, 2002

 

March 31, 2002

  

Percent of

 

Percent of

 

Percent of

  

Loans in

 

Loans in

 

Loans in

  

Each

 

Each

 

Each

  

Category

 

Category

 

Category

 

Amount

to Loans

Amount

to Loans

Amount

to Loans

Commercial

$   2,340

15.7%

$ 1,932

15.6%

$   2,739

19.7%

Commercial

      

  loans secured

      

  by real estate

7,078

39.4

5,968

38.9  

2,293

35.5

Real estate -

      

  mortgage

359

40.1  

469

40.7

368

40.1  

Consumer

  834

 4.8  

826

 4.8

  606

 4.7  

Allocation to

      

  general risk

     804

        -   

     840

        -   

     280

        -   

     Total

$11,415

   100.0%

$10,035

   100.0%

$ 6,286

   100.0%


Even though residential real estate-mortgage loans comprise approximately 40% of the Company's total loan portfolio, only $359,000 or 3.1% of the total allowance for loan losses is allocated against this loan category.  The residential real estate-mortgage loan allocation is based upon the Company's five-year historical average of actual loan charge-offs experienced in that category and other qualitative factors.  The disproportionately higher allocations for commercial loans and commercial loans secured by real estate reflect the increased credit risk associated with this type of lending, the Company's historical loss experience in these categories, and other qualitative factors.  The Company has strengthened its allocations to the commercial and commercial real-estate components o f the loan portfolio during 2003 and 2002.  Factors considered by the Company that led to increased qualitative allocations to the commercial segments of the portfolio included:  the slowing of the national and regional economies and its corresponding impact on the Company’s loan delinquency trends, the increase in concentration risk among our 25 largest borrowers compared to total loans and the overall growth in the average size associated with these credits and a continued number of financial information and documentation exceptions that is sometimes symptomatic of borrower distress.


At March 31, 2003, management of the Company believes the allowance for loan losses was adequate to cover losses within the Company's loan portfolio.  The Company's management is unable to determine in what loan category future charge-offs and recoveries may occur.  (For a complete discussion concerning the operations of the "Allowance for Loan Losses" refer to Note #9.)


11.

Non-performing Assets


Non-performing assets are comprised of (i) loans which are on a non-accrual basis, (ii) loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments some of which are insured for credit loss, and (iii) other real estate owned (real estate acquired through foreclosure, in-substance foreclosures and repossessed assets). Loans are placed on non-accrual status immediately upon becoming 90 days past due in either principal or interest.  In addition, if circumstances warrant, the accrual of interest may be discontinued prior to 90 days.  In all cases, payments received on non-accrual loans are credited to principal until full recovery of principal has been recognized; it is only after full recovery of principal that any additional payments received are recognized as int erest income.  The only exception to this policy is for residential mortgage loans wherein interest income is recognized on a cash basis as payments are received.  


The following table presents information concerning non-performing assets (in thousands, except percentages):


 

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

 

2003

2002

2002

    

Non-accrual loans

$ 11,413

$  6,791   

$  8,211

Loans past due 90

   

   days or more

  204

 50     

  170

Other real estate owned

       70

      123   

      724

Total non-performing assets

$ 11,687

$  6,964   

$  9,105

Total non-performing

   

   assets as a percent

   

   of loans and loans

   

   held for sale, net

   

   of unearned income,

   

   and other real estate owned    

2.10%

1.22%  

1.55%

    

(For additional information refer to the "Loan Quality" section in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations on page 28.)


The Company is unaware of any additional loans which are required to either be charged-off or added to the non-performing asset totals disclosed above.  Other real estate owned is recorded at the lower of 1)fair value minus estimated costs to sell, or 2)carrying cost.






The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, (i) the gross interest income that would have been recorded if non-accrual loans had been current in accordance with their original terms and had been outstanding throughout the period or since origination if held for part of the period, (ii) the amount of interest income actually recorded on such loans, and (iii) the net reduction in interest income attributable to such loans (in thousands).


 

Three Months Ended

   

                                                         

March 31,

   

                                                     

2003

2002

  

Interest income due in accordance

    

   with original terms

$184

$144

  

Less: interest income recorded

 (66)

      1

  

Net reduction in interest income

$118

$143

  


12.  Derivative Hedging Instruments


The Company may use various interest rate contracts, such as interest rate swaps, caps and floors, to help manage interest rate and market valuation risk exposure, which is incurred in normal recurrent banking activities.  At March 31, 2003, the Company had no interest rate swaps outstanding.   At March 31, 2002, the Company had an interest rate swap agreement that effectively converted a notional amount of  $80 million from floating-rates to fixed-rates. The fair value of these contracts is recorded in the Company's balance sheet, with the offset to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.


    Borrowed Funds Hedges


The Company had entered into interest rate swaps to hedge short-term borrowings used to leverage the balance sheet during the period ended March 31, 2002.  Specifically, FHLB advances which reprice between 30 days and 90 days were used to fund fixed-rate agency mortgage-backed securities with durations ranging from two to five years.   Under these swap agreements, the Company paid a fixed-rate of interest and received a floating-rate which reset either monthly or quarterly.  These interest rate swaps qualified as cashflow hedges for the Company. At March 31, 2003, the Company had no interest rate swaps outstanding.  The following table summarizes the interest rate transaction, which impacted the Company’s first quarter of 2002 performance:

       
   

Fixed

Floating

 

Increase

Notional

Start

Termination

Rate

Rate

Repricing

 in Interest

Amount

Date

Date

Paid

Received

Frequency

Expense

$ 80,000,000

4-13-00

4-15-02

6.92%

1.91%

Expired

$ 1,001,000

       


The Company monitors and controls all derivative products with a comprehensive Board of Director approved hedging policy.  This policy permits a total maximum notional amount outstanding of $500 million for interest rate swaps, and interest rate caps/floors. The Company had no interest rate caps or floors outstanding for the periods presented.  


13.   Intangible Assets


The Company’s balance sheet shows both tangible assets (such as loans, buildings, and investments) and intangible assets (such as goodwill).  On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” under which goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized.  Such intangibles were evaluated for impairment as of January 1, 2002 (any such impairment at the date of adoption would have been reflected as a change in accounting principle).  In addition, each year, the Company will evaluate the intangible assets for impairment with any resulting impairment reflected as an operating expense.   The Company’s only intangible, other than goodwill, is its core depo sit intangible, which the Company currently believes has a finite life.  The Company completed its initial goodwill impairment test in the second quarter of 2002.  Due to specific triggering events, the Company also completed a goodwill impairment test as of September 30, 2002.  These evaluations indicated that there was no impairment of the Company’s goodwill.  


At March 31, 2003, under SFAS #142 the Company had a triggering event specific to the mortgage banking segment level.  This event was the sale of approximately 69% of its total servicing portfolio.  As a result, the Company reevaluated the $199,000 of goodwill that was allocated to the mortgage banking segment and determined that it was impaired based upon its analysis of the projected future cashflows in this business segment.  The resulting impairment charge has been reflected as an operating expense for the three months ended March 31, 2003.  The Company’s remaining goodwill of $9.5 million is allocated to the retail banking segment and will be evaluated for impairment at its annual impairment evaluation date as of the third quarter of 2003.


As of March 31, 2003, the Company’s core deposit intangibles had an original cost of $17.6 million with accumulated amortization of $11.8 million.   The weighted average amortization period of the Company’s core deposit intangibles at March 31, 2003, is 5.25 years. Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2003 totaled $358,000. Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2003 and the next five years is summarized as follows (in thousands):     


           Remaining 2003

 $  1,074

                      2004

     1,007

                      2005

  865

                      2006

    865

                      2007

    865

                      2008

    865

 

 







14.  Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings


Total Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings consist of the following at March 31, 2003, (in thousands, except percentages):

   

Weighted

Type

Maturing

Amount

Average Rate

Open Repo Plus

Overnight

$   144,738

    1.48%  

    

Advances and

2003

25,000

4.02     

   wholesale repurchase

2004

        -

-     

   agreements

2005

15,000

6.74     

 

2006

-

-  

 

2007

-

-     

 

2008 and after

 211,088

5.98     

     

 

 

 

Total advances and

 

    251,088

5.83   

   wholesale repurchase

   

   agreements

   

        

   

Total FHLB borrowings

 

  $ 395,826

4.24%

    

All of the above borrowings bear a fixed rate of interest until the next repricing period, with the only exceptions being the Open Repo Plus advances whose rate can change daily.  All FHLB stock along with an interest in certain mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities, with an aggregate statutory value equal to the amount of the advances, have been delivered as collateral to the FHLB of Pittsburgh to support these borrowings.


#




15.  Regulatory Matters


On February 28, 2003, the Company and the Bank entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia (Federal Reserve) and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking (Department).  Under the terms of the MOU, the Company and the Bank cannot declare dividends, the Company may not redeem any of its own stock, and the Company cannot incur any additional debt other than in the ordinary course of business, in each case, without the prior written approval of the Federal Reserve and the Department.  Accordingly, the Board of Directors of the Company cannot reinstate the previously suspended common stock dividend, or reinstitute its stock repurchase program without the concurrence of the Federal Reserve and the Department.  Other provisions of the MOU require t he Company and the Bank to: (i) improve credit quality and credit administration practices, (ii) improve data security and disaster recovery procedures, (iii) make periodic reports to the Federal Reserve and the Department regarding compliance with the MOU, and (iv) appoint a committee of independent directors to monitor compliance with the MOU.  The MOU will remain in effect until modified or terminated by the Federal Reserve and the Department.



The Company is subject to various capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company's assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  The Company's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgements by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company's consolidated fina ncial statements.


Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and of Tier 1 capital to average assets.  As of December 31, 2002, the Federal Reserve categorized the Company as Well Capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table.

    



 



Actual

 


For Capital Adequacy

Purposes

 

To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions

March 31, 2003

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

   

(In thousands, except ratios)

   

Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)

      

    Consolidated

$  98,135

15.44%

$   50,849

 8.00%

$  63,562

10.00%

                Bank

91,722

14.57  

50,347

 8.00  

62,933

10.00   

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)

      

    Consolidated

  79,363

12.49  

   25,425

 4.00  

  38,137

 6.00   

                Bank

83,855

13.32  

25,173

 4.00  

37,760

 6.00   

Tier 1 Capital (to                  Average Assets)

      

    Consolidated

  79,363

 6.94  

   45,754

 4.00  

  57,193

 5.00   

                Bank

83,855

 7.39  

45,359

 4.00  

56,699

 5.00   


16.  Segment Results


The financial performance of the Company is also monitored by an internal funds transfer pricing profitability measurement system which produces line of business results and key performance measures.  The Company's major business units include retail banking, commercial lending to businesses, mortgage banking, trust, other fee based businesses and investment/parent.  The reported results reflect the underlying economics of the business segments.  Expenses for centrally provided services are allocated based upon the cost and estimated usage of those services.  Capital has been allocated among the businesses on a risk-adjusted basis with a primary focus on credit risk.  The businesses are match-funded and interest rate risk is centrally managed and accounted for within the investme nt/parent business segment.  The key performance measures the Company focuses on for each business segment are net income and risk-adjusted return on equity.


Retail banking includes the deposit-gathering branch franchise, lending to both individuals and small businesses, and financial services.  Retail banking lending activities include residential mortgage loans, direct consumer loans, and small business commercial loans.   Financial services include the sale of mutual funds, annuities, and insurance products.  Commercial lending to businesses includes commercial loans, commercial real-estate loans, and commercial leasing (excluding certain small business lending through the branch network). Mortgage banking includes the servicing of mortgage loans.


The trust segment has two primary business divisions, institutional trust and personal trust. Institutional trust products and services include 401(k) plans, defined benefit and defined contribution employee benefit plans, individual retirement accounts, and collective investment funds for trade union pension funds.  Personal trust products and services include personal portfolio investment management, estate planning and administration, custodial services and pre-need trusts.  Other fee based businesses include AmeriServ Associates and AmeriServ Life.  The investment/parent includes the net results of investment securities and borrowing activities, general corporate expenses not allocated to the business segments, interest expense on the guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures, and centralized interest rate risk management.  Inter-segment revenues were not material.


The contribution of the major business segments to the consolidated results for the three months periods of 2003 and 2002 were as follows (in thousands, except ratios):


Three months ended

March 31, 2003


Net income (loss)

Risk adjusted return on equity


Total assets

Retail banking

$    808  

             13.0%

$   380,633

Commercial lending

     (625)

             (17.4)

252,281

Mortgage banking

  (1,193)

            (116.9)

6,855

Trust

     213

              26.8

1,838

Other fee based

       19

                4.1

2,326

Investment/Parent

      (17)

               (0.2)

    546,427

Total

$  (795)

              (4.2)%

$1,190,360

    

Three months ended

March 31, 2002


Net income (loss)

Risk adjusted return on equity


Total assets

Retail banking

$ 1,343

            18.9%

$   381,029

Commercial lending

      300

                7.0

277,815

Mortgage banking

     (105)

                (9.9)

17,337

Trust

     327

              36.3

2,173

Other fee based

      47

                9.9

3,061

Investment/Parent

(1,286)

               (21.4)

    532,349

Total

$    626

              3.2%

$1,213,764

    

17.  Commitments and Contingent Liabilities


The Company incurs off-balance sheet risks in the normal course of business in order to meet the financing needs of our consumers.  These risks derive from commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to these commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by their contractual amounts.  The Company had various outstanding commitments to extend credit approximating $80.4 million and standby letters of credit of $4.2 million as of March 31, 2003.  Additionally, the Company is also subject to a number of asserted and unasserted potential claims encountered in the normal course of business.  In the opinion of the Company, neither the resolution of th ese claims nor the funding of these credit commitments will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operation.


#



MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL  CONDITION AND RESULTS OF  OPERATIONS

("M.D.& A.")


THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2003 VS. THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002


.....PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW..... The following table summarizes some of the Company's key performance indicators (in thousands, except per share and ratios).      

 

 

Three Months

Ended

Three Months

 Ended

 

March 31, 2003

March 31, 2002

 Net income (loss)

$ (795)

$ 626

 Diluted earnings (loss) per share

(0.06)

0.05

 Return on average equity

(4.17)%

3.16%

   

 

The Company reported a net loss of $795,000 or $0.06 per share in the first quarter of 2003 compared to net income of $626,000 or $0.05 per share in the first quarter of 2002.  The first quarter 2003 loss was due primarily to an increased provision for loan losses and a loss realized on the sale of a significant portion of its mortgage servicing asset.  The Company did achieve progress in its turnaround as the size of the net loss declined sharply when compared to the two most recent quarters.  Specifically, the Company reported a net loss of $4.2 million in the third quarter of 2002 and a net loss of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2002.    

             

.....NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN..... The Company's net interest income represents the amount by which interest income on average earning assets exceeds interest paid on average interest bearing liabilities.  Net interest income is a primary source of the Company's earnings; it is affected by interest rate fluctuations as well as changes in the amount and mix of average earning assets and average interest bearing liabilities.  The following table compares the Company's net interest income performance for the first quarter of 2003 to the first quarter of 2002 (in thousands, except percentages):




Three Months Ended

March 31, 2003

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2002



$ Change



% Change

Interest income

$ 14,743

$ 17,260

(2,517)

 (14.6)

Interest expense

   8,096

   10,677

 (2,581)

(24.2)

Net interest income

 6,647

 6,583

  64

1.0

Tax-equivalent adjustment

       13  

       15  

        (2)

(13.3)

Net tax-equivalent interest income

 $  6,660

 $  6,598

  62

 0.9

 

    

Net interest margin

2.48%

2.35%

0.13

N/M

N/M - not meaningful






The Company’s net interest income in the first quarter of 2003 increased by $64,000 or 1.0% from the prior year first quarter due to a 13 basis point improvement in the net interest margin to 2.48%.  This increase in the net interest margin was partially offset by a reduced level of earning assets due to loan portfolio shrinkage experienced in the first quarter of 2003.  The overall net loan paydowns reflect continuing prepayment pressures caused by the historically low interest rate environment.  When analyzing more recent trends, both net interest income and net interest margin displayed stability.  Specifically, between the fourth quarter of 2002 and the first quarter of 2003, the Company’s net interest income declined by only $37,000 and the net interest margin improved by one basis point.    


...COMPONENT CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME... Regarding the separate components of net interest income, the Company's total interest income for the first quarter of 2003 decreased by $2.5 million or 14.6% when compared to the same 2002 quarter. This decrease was due to a $40 million decline in earning assets and a 71 basis point drop in the earning asset yield.  Within the earning asset base, the yield on the total investment securities portfolio dropped by 77 basis points to 4.54% while the yield on the total loan portfolio decreased by 69 basis points to 6.46%. Both of these declines reflect the lower interest rate environment in place in 2003 as the Federal Reserve reduced the federal funds rate by an unprecedented 525 basis points during 2001 and 2002 in an effort to stimulate economic gr owth.  These significant rate reductions have caused accelerated asset prepayments as borrowers have elected to refinance their higher fixed rate loans into lower cost borrowings.  


The $40 million decline in the volume of earning assets was due to the $27 million reduction in average loans outstanding and an $11 million drop in time deposits with banks. The loan decline in the first quarter of 2003 reflects continuing prepayment pressures caused by the historically low interest rate environment as both commercial loans and residential mortgage loans experienced net paydowns.  The decline in commercial loans was also caused by reduced new loan production as the Company was inwardly focused on reorganizing its commercial lending division in the first quarter of 2003.  This reorganization included the hiring of a new chief lending officer in February of 2003.  The Company most likely will experience continued net loan portfolio shrinkage in the second quarter of 2003 bu t hopes to reverse this trend during the second half of the year.   


The Company's total interest expense for the first quarter of 2003 decreased by $2.6 million or 24.2% when compared to the same 2002 quarter.  This reduction in interest expense was due to a lower volume of interest bearing liabilities and a reduced cost of funds. Total average borrowed funds were $28 million or 7.3% lower in the first quarter of 2003 as fewer borrowings were needed to fund a smaller earning asset base.  


The total cost of funds declined by 91 basis points to 3.39% and was driven down by a reduced cost of both deposits and borrowings.  Specifically, the cost of interest bearing deposits decreased by 76 basis points to 2.23% and the cost of borrowings declined by 114 basis points to 4.73%.  The April 15, 2002 maturity of an $80 million interest rate swap that had fixed the cost of certain FHLB borrowings at 6.92% was a key factor responsible for the reduced cost of borrowings.  Those hedged borrowings repriced to current market with a cost of approximately 1.5% in the first quarter of 2003.  The lower deposit cost was caused by lower rates paid particularly for savings accounts and certificates of deposit.


The Company’s ratio of FHLB advances and short-term borrowings to total assets averaged 31.2% in the first quarter of 2003 compared to 32.5% in the first quarter of 2002. The total revenue contribution from leverage assets (including investment security gains and losses) amounted to $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2003 compared to $65,000 for the first quarter of 2002.  The Company presently anticipates that the size of the leverage program in 2003 will be comparable with the full year 2002 average of $379 million or approximately 32% of total assets.  Longer-term the Company would like to reduce the size of its leverage program to 25% of total assets.

        

The table that follows provides an analysis of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis setting forth (i) average assets, liabilities, and stockholders' equity, (ii) interest income earned on interest earning assets and interest expense paid on interest bearing liabilities, (iii) average yields earned on interest earning assets and average rates paid on interest bearing liabilities, (iv) AmeriServ Financial's interest rate spread (the difference between the average yield earned on interest earning assets and the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities), and (v) AmeriServ Financial's net interest margin (net interest income as a percentage of average total interest earning assets). For purposes of these tables, loan balances include non-accrual loans and interest income on loans includes lo an fees or amortization of such fees which have been deferred, as well as, interest recorded on non-accrual loans as cash is received.  Additionally, a tax rate of approximately 35% is used to compute tax equivalent yields.   


#



Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands, except percentages)


  

2003

   

2002

 
  

Interest

   

Interest

 
 

Average

Income/

Yield/

 

Average

Income/

Yield/

 

Balance

Expense

Rate

 

Balance

Expense

Rate

Interest earning assets:

       

Loans and loans held

     for sale, net of

     unearned income



$  557,123



$  9,096



6.46%

 



$  584,426



$  10,576



7.15%

Deposits with banks

  7,240

 14

0.77  

 

  18,478

 83

1.79  

Federal funds sold

  -

 -

-  

 

  1,703

 7

1.53  

Investment securities - AFS

    481,548

   5,430

4.51  

 

    497,841

   6,609

5.31  

Investment securities - HTM

  16,288

    216

5.29

 

            -

          -

-

Total investment securities

    497,836

 5,646

4.54  

 

 497,841

   6,609

5.31  

Total interest earning

   assets/interest income


1,062,199


14,756


5.57

 


1,102,448


17,275


6.28

Non-interest earning assets:

       

Cash and due from banks

23,557

   

22,014

  

Premises and equipment

12,477

   

13,467

  

Other assets

71,235

   

68,534

  

Allowance for loan losses

    (10,272)

   

      (6,101)

  

TOTAL ASSETS

$1,159,196

   

$1,200,362

  
        

Interest bearing liabilities:

       

Interest bearing deposits:

       

   Interest bearing demand

$   50,550

$     63

0.50%

 

$   48,557

$     60

0.50%

   Savings

102,116

236

0.94

 

94,916

350

1.50

   Money markets

128,232

  350

1.11

 

134,884

  359

1.08

   Other time

     289,213

    2,491

3.49

 

     303,206

    3,519

4.71

Total interest bearing deposits

570,111

 3,140

2.23

 

581,563

 4,288

2.99

Short term borrowings:

       

Federal funds purchased,   

   securities sold under        

   agreements to repurchase and    other short-term borrowings




93,652




     340




1.41

 




21,244




     90




1.72

Advances from Federal  

   Home Loan Bank


268,156


 3,876


5.86

 


368,966


 5,559


6.11

Guaranteed junior subordinated  

   deferrable interest debentures


34,500


  740


8.58

 


34,500


  740


8.58

Total interest bearing

   liabilities/interest expense


  966,419


 8,096


3.39

 


  1,006,273


 10,677


4.30

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

       

Demand deposits

107,847

   

102,632

  

Other liabilities

 7,692

   

 11,062

  

Stockholders' equity

       77,238

   

       80,395

  

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND

   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


$1,159,196

   


$1,200,362

  

Interest rate spread

  

2.17

   

1.98

Net interest income/

   net interest margin

 


 6,660


2.48%

  


 6,598


2.35%

Tax-equivalent adjustment

 

    ( 13)

   

    ( 15)

 

Net Interest Income

 

$  6,647

   

$  6,583

 


 



…..PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES..... The Company’s provision for loan losses totaled $1.7 million or 1.19% of total loans in the first quarter of 2003.  This represented an increase of $1.1 million from the first quarter 2002 provision of $540,000 or 0.37% of total loans.  The first quarter 2003 provision exceeded net charge-offs for the quarter that totaled $279,000 or 0.20% of total loans.  As a result of the provision exceeding net charge-offs, the balance in the allowance for loan losses increased by $1.4 million during the first quarter of 2003.  


The actions taken to further build the allowance for loan losses in the first quarter of 2003 reflect deterioration in credit quality that was evidenced by a higher level of classified loans and non-performing assets.  Classified loans totaled $35 million at March 31, 2003; an increase of $15 million or 70.4% from December 31, 2002.  This increased level of substandard credits was caused by rating downgrades on several loans in the hotel sector due to the continued weak economic environment.  Non-performing assets also increased from $7.0 million at December 31, 2002 to $11.7 million at March 31, 2003 due primarily to the transfer of a $4.8 million commercial mortgage loan into non-accrual status.  As discussed in the Company’s 2002 Annual Report and Form 10-K, this loan is to a borrower in the personal care industry and is supported by an 80% guarantee by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is secured by a first mortgage on the personal care facility.  As a result of the higher level of non-performing assets, the Company’s loan loss reserve coverage of non-performing assets amounted to 98% at March 31, 2003 compared to 144% at December 31, 2002 and 69% at March 31, 2002.  The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans, however, increased to 2.06% at March 31, 2003 compared to 1.75% at December 31, 2002 and 1.07% at March 31, 2002.  


    The Company applies a consistent methodology and procedural discipline to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis. (See further discussion in Note #9 of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Allowance for Loan Losses section of this MD&A.)    

   

.....NON-INTEREST INCOME..... Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2003 totaled $4.0 million; a $653,000 or 14.0% decrease from the first quarter 2002 performance.  Factors contributing to the lower non-interest income in 2003 included:

 

* a $758,000 loss realized on the sale of approximately 69% of the Company’s mortgage servicing portfolio.  Largely as a result of this sale, the value of the Company’s mortgage servicing rights declined from $6.9 million at December 31, 2002 to $2.2 million at March 31, 2003.  This downsizing of the mortgage servicing asset reduces the level of interest rate risk and earnings volatility at the Company and contributes to a more conservatively positioned balance sheet.    


* a $641,000 increase in gains realized on the sale of investment securities as the Company took advantage of the volatility in the market to shorten the investment portfolio duration and also capture profits on certain securities that had risks of accelerated prepayment in today’s low interest rate environment.  These increased gains also helped offset the mortgage servicing impairment charge.  

  

* a $256,000 drop in revenue from bank owned life insurance due to the receipt of a death benefit for an employee insured under the program in the prior year first quarter.  


.....NON-INTEREST EXPENSE..... Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2003 totaled $10.1 million; a $185,000 or 1.9% increase from the first quarter 2002 performance. Factors contributing to the higher non-interest expense in 2003 included:


* the Company recognized a $366,000 impairment charge on its mortgage servicing rights in the first quarter of 2003 compared to a $123,000 credit recognized in the first quarter of 2002.  This represents a net unfavorable change of $489,000.  This non-cash impairment charge reflects a decline in the value of the remaining mortgage servicing rights due to increased prepayment speeds resulting from unprecedented mortgage refinancing activity.  Specifically, the Mortgage Bankers Association Refinance Index reached in excess of 8000 in March 2003; the highest level ever recorded.              

* the Company recognized a $199,000 goodwill impairment loss in the first quarter of 2003 due to the write-off of the goodwill associated with the mortgage banking segment.  This impairment loss was based upon the Company’s analysis of the projected future cashflows in this business segment along with the previously discussed downsizing of the mortgage servicing asset.  


* salaries and employee benefits dropped by $356,000 or 6.9% as on average there were 40 fewer full time equivalent employees when compared to the first quarter of 2002. The lower salaries expense was partially offset by higher medical insurance costs as a result of premium increases.    


* other expenses declined by $375,000 due to cost cutting in numerous expense categories some of the larger of which included advertising expense and merchant card expense.

 

Non-interest expenses, exclusive of the mortgage servicing rights and goodwill impairment charges, however, declined by $503,000 from the first quarter of 2002 and by a more significant $816,000 from the fourth quarter of 2002.  This resulted from the Company’s focus on reducing expenses as part of its earnings improvement program.  


Additionally, in the third quarter of 2002, the Company recognized a $920,000 restructuring charge associated with the implementation of the earnings improvement program.  At December 31, 2002, the Company had a remaining liability of $555,000 related to the restructuring charge that was recorded within other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.  In the first quarter of 2003, the Company paid $175,000 for items associated with the restructuring charge.  The remaining liability at March 31, 2003 totals $380,000.



 

 

.....INCOME TAX EXPENSE..... The Company recognized an income tax benefit of $342,000 or an effective tax rate of (30.1%) in the first quarter of 2003.  The Company recognized a provision for income taxes of $130,000 or an effective tax rate of 17.2% in the first quarter of 2002.  The Company’s recorded tax benefit in 2003 is less than the statutory rate due in part to the non-deductibility of the goodwill impairment charge for tax purposes.

 

…..SEGMENT RESULTS.…. Note #16 of the Consolidated Financial Statements presents the results of the Company’s key business segments and identifies their net income contribution and risk-adjusted return on equity (ROE) performance for the quarters ended March 31, 2003 and 2002.  Retail banking was again the largest net income contributor earning $808,000 or a 13.0% ROE in the first quarter of 2003.  The retail banking net income contribution is down $535,000 from the prior year first quarter due to a higher allocated provision for loan losses and reduced net interest income.  The retail banking segment has benefited from increased non-interest income resulting from higher deposit service charges.


  The trust segment’s net income contribution in the first quarter 2003 amounted to $213,000 or 26.8% ROE.  The trust segment is focused on continuing to increase the fee revenue generated from union business activities, particularly the ERECT and BUILD Funds, which are collective investment funds for trade union controlled pension fund assets.  The value of assets in these funds has increased by 6% during the first quarter of 2003 and now totals $218 million.


The Company has experienced the greatest earnings pressure in the mortgage banking segment which lost $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2003 compared to a loss of $105,000 in the same 2002 period.  This negative performance reflects the previously discussed $758,000 loss realized on the sale of a significant portion of the Company’s mortgage servicing rights, a $366,000 mortgage servicing impairment charge and a $199,000 goodwill impairment loss.  This downsizing of the mortgage servicing asset, however, reduces the level of interest rate risk and earnings volatility at the Company and contributes to a more conservatively positioned balance sheet.  


The commercial lending segment also lost $625,000 in the first quarter of 2003 compared to a positive net income contribution of $300,000 in the first quarter of 2002.  The loss in 2003 resulted primarily from an increased provision for loan losses and reduced net interest income due to fewer loans outstanding.  The net loss in the investment/parent segment was significantly reduced by $1.2 million in 2003 due to increased revenue earned on leverage assets in 2003 as a result of higher investment security gains and the maturity of an interest rate swap that had increased interest expense in the first quarter of 2002.  

    

.....BALANCE SHEET..... The Company's total consolidated assets were $1.190 billion at March 31, 2003, compared with $1.176 billion at December 31, 2002, which represents an increase of $15 million or 1.3%. This higher level of assets resulted from a $41 million increase in the investment securities portfolio as a result of several security purchases that settled late in the quarter.  This growth in investment securities more than offset an $18 million decline in total loans and loans held for sale resulting from the continuing prepayment pressures caused by the historically low interest rate environment.  Mortgage servicing rights dropped by $4.7 million or 68% due primarily to the completed sale of the servicing rights on approximately $450 million in mortgage loan principal values. &nb sp;


The Company’s deposits totaled $669 million at March 31, 2003, which was comparable with the December 31, 2002 level.  Consequently, total borrowed funds increased by $20 million in order to fund the investment securities portfolio growth.  Total stockholders equity decreased by $2.4 million due to a decline in retained earnings as a result of the $795,000 loss experienced in the first quarter of 2003 and a drop in accumulated other comprehensive income due to a lower value of the available for sale investment securities portfolio.  The Company continues to be considered well capitalized for regulatory purposes with an asset leverage ratio at March 31, 2003 of 6.94%, compared to a regulatory minimum of 5.0%.  The Company’s book value per share at quarter end was $5.41.   ; 

 

.....LOAN QUALITY..... The following table sets forth information concerning the Company’s loan delinquency and other non-performing assets (in thousands, except percentages):


    
 

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

 

2003

2002

2002

     Total loan delinquency (past due

   

         30 to 89 days)

$13,988

$17,878

$11,027

     Total non-accrual loans

11,413

6,791

8,211

     Total non-performing assets*

11,687

 6,964

9,105

     Loan delinquency, as a percentage

   

        of total loans and loans held

   

        for sale, net of unearned income

2.52%

3.12%

1.88%

    Non-accrual loans, as a percentage

   

        of total loans and loans held

   

        for sale, net of unearned income

2.06

1.19

1.40

     Non-performing assets, as a                      percentage of total loans and                 loans held for sale, net of                       unearned income, and other real           estate owned





2.10





1.22





1.55

   

     *Non-performing assets are comprised of (i) loans that are on a non-accrual basis, (ii) loans that are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest and principal payments some of which are insured for credit loss, and (iii) other real estate owned.   

 


The $3.9 million decline in total loan delinquency between December 31, 2002 and March 31, 2003 was due to the transfer of a $4.8 million commercial mortgage loan into non-accrual status.  The increased loan delinquency when compared to March 31, 2002 reflects the weaker economic conditions experienced both nationally and in the Company’s local markets.   The transfer of the $4.8 million commercial mortgage loan into non-accrual status was also the primary cause of the noted increase in non-accrual loans and non-performing assets.  This loan is to a borrower in the personal care industry and is supported by an 80% guarantee by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is secured by a first mortgage on the personal care facility.  The 20% unguaranteed portion was rated doubtful at March 31, 2003 and the Company had established an allocation of $500,000 within the allowance for loan losses for this credit.     


At all dates presented, the Company had no troubled debt restructurings that  involve forgiving a portion of interest or principal on any loans or making loans at a rate materially less than that of market rates.        



.....ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES.....The following table sets forth the allowance for loan losses and certain ratios for the periods ended (in thousands, except percentages):

    
 

March 31,

December  31,

March 31,

 

2003

2002

2002

Allowance for loan losses

$11,415

$10,035

$ 6,286

Allowance for loan losses as  

   

   a percentage of each of

   

   the following:

   

     total loans and loans held for sale,

   

       Net of unearned income

2.06%

1.75%

1.07%

     total delinquent loans

   

       (past due 30 to 89 days)

 81.61

56.13

57.01

     total non-accrual loans

100.02

147.77

 76.56

     total non-performing assets

 97.67

144.10

 69.04

  

Since December 31, 2002, the Company’s loan loss reserve coverage of total non-performing assets declined to 98% due to the previously discussed increase in non-performing assets.  The allowance for loan losses to total loans and total delinquent loans ratios have increased to 2.06% and 81.6% respectively due to the building of the allowance for loan losses to address credit quality deterioration.  


.....INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY..... Asset/liability management involves managing the risks associated with changing interest rates and the resulting impact on the Company's net interest income, net income and capital.  The management and measurement of interest rate risk at the Company is performed by using the following tools:  1) simulation modeling which analyzes the impact of interest rate changes on net interest income, net income and capital levels over specific future time periods.  The simulation modeling forecasts earnings under a variety of scenarios that incorporate changes in the absolute level of interest rates, the shape of the yield curve, prepayments and changes in the volumes and rates of various loan and deposit categories. The simulation modeling also incorporates all hedging activity as well as assumptions about reinvestment and the repricing characteristics of certain assets and liabilities without stated contractual maturities; 2) market value of portfolio equity sensitivity analysis, and 3) static "GAP" analysis which analyzes the extent to which interest rate sensitive assets and interest rate sensitive liabilities are matched at specific points in time.  The overall interest rate risk position and strategies are reviewed by senior management and the Company's Board of Directors on an ongoing basis.


Management places primary emphasis on simulation modeling to manage and measure interest rate risk.  The Company's asset/liability management policy seeks to limit net interest income variability over the first twelve months of the forecast period to +/- 7.5% and net income variability to +/-20.0% based upon varied economic rate forecasts which include interest rate movements of at least 200 basis points.  Additionally, the Company also uses market value sensitivity measures to further evaluate the balance sheet exposure to changes in interest rates.  The Company monitors the trends in market value of portfolio equity sensitivity analysis on a quarterly basis.  


The following table presents an analysis of the sensitivity inherent in the Company’s net interest income, net income and market value of portfolio equity.  The interest rate scenarios in the table compare the Company’s base forecast, which was prepared using a flat interest rate scenario, to scenarios that reflect immediate interest rate increases of 200 basis points and immediate interest rate decreases of 100 basis points.  Under the current historically low interest rate environment, a declining 200 basis point or greater scenario is improbable and therefore is of limited value.  Each rate scenario contains unique prepayment and repricing assumptions that are applied to the Company’s balance sheet that was developed under the flat interest rate scenario for the simulatio ns and to the Company’s existing balance sheet for market value of portfolio equity analysis.


    

Interest Rate

Scenario

Variability of Net Interest Income

Variability of Net Income

Change In Market Value of Portfolio Equity

    

200bp increase

2.3%

76.7%

44.9%

100bp decrease

(8.4)%

(145.5)%

(41.0)%

 

   

As indicated in the table, the maximum positive variability of the Company’s net income was 76.7% under an upward rate shock forecast reflecting a 200 basis point increase in interest rates.  Market value of portfolio equity increased by 44.9% under this same scenario due to increased value of the Company’s core deposit base. The maximum negative variability of net income and market value of portfolio equity occurred in a 100 basis point downward rate shock and reflects further impairment of the remaining mortgage servicing rights in a falling interest rate environment.  Net interest income and net income in the declining rate forecast was also negatively impacted by the Company’s inability to further reduce certain core deposit costs given the historic lows of current interest r ates.  Finally, this sensitivity analysis is limited by the fact that it does not include all balance sheet repositioning actions the Company may take should severe movements in interest rates occur such as lengthening or shortening the duration of the securities portfolio or entering into additional hedging transactions.


.....LIQUIDITY...... Liquidity can be analyzed by utilizing the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Cash equivalents decreased by $3.6 million from December 31, 2002, to March 31, 2003, due primarily to $24.7 million of cash used by investing activities.  This was partially offset by $3.2 million of cash provided by operating activities and $17.9 million of cash provided by financing activities.  Within investing activities, cash used to purchase new investment securities exceeded proceeds from investment security maturities and sales by $42.6 million.  Cash advanced for new loan fundings and purchases totaled $36.7 million and was $18.8 million less than the cash received from loan principal payments and sales.  Within financing activities, net short-term borrowings increased by $44.0 million and were used to fund the investment securities growth.  The Company used $729,000 of cash to service the dividend on the guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (trust preferred securities) in the first quarter of 2003. As a result of an income tax refund that will be received in the second quarter of 2003, the Parent Company will have ample cash to continue to make the dividend payment on the trust preferred securities through the second and third quarters of 2003.  The payment of the trust preferred dividend in the fourth quarter of 2003 and beyond is dependent upon the subsidiary bank returning to consistent profitability so that it can resume upstreaming dividends to the parent company.  The subsidiary bank must first recoup the $2.6 million net loss that it incurred for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the $358,000 net loss it incurred in the first quarter of 2003 before these dividend upstreams can resume.  


.....CONTRACTURAL OBLIGATIONS…..  As of March 31, 2003, the Company’s significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations are discussed in Note #14 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.


.....CAPITAL RESOURCES..... As presented in Note #15 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company continues to be considered well capitalized as the asset leverage ratio was 6.94% and the Tier 1 capital ratio was 12.49% at March 31, 2003.  Note that the impact of other comprehensive income (loss) is excluded from the regulatory capital ratios. At March 31, 2003, accumulated other comprehensive income amounted to $4.1 million.  Additionally, the Company will generate approximately $1.4 million of tangible capital in 2003 due to the amortization of core deposit intangible assets.  


The Company exceeds all regulatory capital ratios for each of the periods presented.  Furthermore, both the Company and its subsidiary bank are considered “well capitalized” under all applicable FDIC regulations.  The Company anticipates that it will build its capital ratios during 2003.


As a result of the net loss incurred for the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company announced on January 24, 2003 that it suspended its common stock cash dividend.  The Company had declared and paid common stock cash dividends of $0.09 per share in the first quarter of 2002.  While the Company has not repurchased any of its own shares since the year 2000, the Company has also suspended its treasury stock repurchase program.  For so long as the Company and the Board are parties to the Memorandum of Understanding, reinstatement of either the common stock dividend or the treasury stock repurchase program will require the prior written approval of the Company’s primary regulators – the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking.  (See Note #15, Regulatory Matters, for further discussion of the Memorandum Of Understanding.)


.....FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT.....This Form 10-Q contains various forward-looking statements and includes assumptions concerning the Company’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations estimates, intentions, operations, future results, and prospects, including statements that include the words "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan" or similar expressions.  These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and are subject to risk and uncertainties. In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company provides the follow ing cautionary statement identifying important factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) which could cause the actual results or events to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by the forward-looking statements and related assumptions.


Such factors include the following:  (i) the effect of changing regional and national economic conditions; (ii) the effects of trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (iii) significant changes in interest rates and prepayment speeds; (iv) inflation, stock and bond market, and monetary fluctuations; (v) credit risks of commercial, real estate, consumer, and other lending activities; (vi) changes in federal and state banking and financial services laws and regulations; (vii) the presence in the Company’s market area of competitors with greater financial resources than the Company; (viii) the timely development of competitive new products and services by the Company and the acceptance of those products and services by customers and regulators (when required); (ix) the willingness of customers to substitute competitors' products and services for those of the Company and vice versa; (x) changes in consumer spending and savings habits; (xi) unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings; and (xii) other external developments which could materially impact the Company's operational and financial performance.


The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive, and neither such list nor any forward-looking statement takes into account the impact that any future acquisition may have on the Company and on any such forward-looking statement.


.....CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES..... (a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within (90) days prior to the filing date of this Form 10-Q, are effective.


        

(b) Changes in Internal Controls.  Except as discussed herein, there were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of the date of the evaluation thereof, nor, except as noted herein,

were any corrective actions taken to address significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal controls.  The Company has identified material weaknesses in its credit administration processes.  In particular, the Company has concluded that, although its credit and credit administration policies are sound, adherence to these policies has not been consistent.  This resulted in incomplete or dated information in credit files.  The Company did, however, make a concerted effort in the fourth quarter of 2002 and first quarter of 2003 to obtain the most current information for the credit files.  The resulting analysis of this updated information led to a rating downgrade for numerous credits which contributed to an increased level of criticized and classified loans.  This deterioration of credit quality combined with continued economic weakness were factors that contributed to a significant addition to the allowance for loan losses in the fourth quarter of 2002 and first quarter of 2003.  


 In addition, the Company has implemented changes to more closely monitor adherence to credit and credit administration policies.  The Company has reviewed, redesigned and implemented procedures and processes to support these policies and strengthen credit controls.  Procedures that were initiated in the fourth quarter 2002 to obtain timely credit file information are being consistently applied on an ongoing basis.  These procedures and controls will support consistent adherence to sound credit and credit administration policies.

 


#



Part II     Other Information


Item 5.     Other Information


The Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have furnished to the SEC the certification with respect to this Form-Q that is required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


Item 6.     Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K


     (a)    Exhibits

  

15.1

Statement regarding predecessor independent public accountant’s

 awareness letters.

  

15.2

Report of Deloitte & Touche regarding unaudited interim financial

statement information.

  

99.1

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section1350, as adopted pursuant to

section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  

99.2

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section1350, as adopted pursuant to

section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

                   


     (b)    Reports on Form 8-K:  


 

On January 24, 2003, the Company filed an 8-K announcing its plan to strengthen its loan loss reserve and suspend its common stock dividend.

  
 

On February 6, 2003, the Company filed an 8-K announcing its plan to sell a substantial portion of its mortgage servicing asset.



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


AmeriServ Financial, Inc.             

Registrant


Date: May 9, 2003         

 /s/Craig G. Ford

Craig G. Ford

Interim Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer


Date: May 9, 2003          

/s/Jeffrey A. Stopko


Jeffrey A. Stopko

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer


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I, Craig G. Ford, certify that:


1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AmeriServ Financial Inc.  (“ASF”);


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


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


4.ASF’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for ASF and we have:

a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to ASF, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b. evaluated the effectiveness of ASF’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report( the “Evaluation Date”); and

c. presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as  of the Evaluation Date;

           

5.ASF’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to ASF’s auditors and the audit committee of ASF’s Board of Directors:

a. all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect ASF’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for ASF’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in ASF’s internal controls; and


6.ASF’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.


Date: May 9, 2003

                         

/s/Craig G. Ford

Craig G. Ford

Interim Chairman, President & CEO



I, Jeffrey A. Stopko, certify that:


1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AmeriServ Financial Inc.  (“ASF”);


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


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


4.ASF’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for ASF and we have:

a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to ASF, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b. evaluated the effectiveness of ASF’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report( the “Evaluation Date”); and

c. presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as  of the Evaluation Date;

           

5.ASF’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to ASF’s auditors and the audit committee of ASF’s Board of Directors:

a. all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect ASF’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for ASF’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in ASF’s internal controls; and


6.ASF’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.


Date: May 9, 2003                         

/s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

Jeffrey A. Stopko

 

Sr. Vice President & CFO



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STATEMENT OF MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY





April 21, 2003



To the Stockholders and

Board of Directors of

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.



Management of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have prepared the consolidated financial statements and other information in the Form 10-Q in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and are responsible for its accuracy.


In meeting its responsibilities, management relies on internal accounting and related control systems, which include selection and training of qualified personnel, establishment and communication of accounting and administrative policies and procedures, appropriate segregation of responsibilities, and programs of internal audit.  These systems are designed to provide reasonable assurance that financial records are reliable for preparing financial statements and maintaining accountability for assets, and that assets are safeguarded against unauthorized use or disposition.  Such assurance cannot be absolute because of inherent limitations in any internal control system.


Management also recognizes its responsibility to foster a climate in which Company affairs are conducted with the highest ethical standards.  The Company's Code of Conduct, furnished to each employee and director, addresses the importance of open internal communications, potential conflicts of interest, compliance with applicable laws, including those related to financial disclosure, the confidentiality of propriety information, and other items.  There is an ongoing program to assess compliance with these policies.


The Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors consists solely of outside directors.  The Audit Committee meets periodically with management and the independent accountants to discuss audit, financial reporting, and related matters.  Deloitte & Touche LLP and the Company's internal auditors have direct access to the Audit Committee.


/s/Craig G. Ford

/s/Jeffrey A. Stopko   

Craig G. Ford

Jeffrey A. Stopko

Interim Chairman, President &

Senior Vice President &

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer




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INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT


To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

Johnstown, Pennsylvania


We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2003, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the three-month period then ended.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.


We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and of making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.


Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such consolidated financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.


We have previously audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the consolidated balance sheet of the AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated January 31, 2003 (February 28, 2003 as to Notes 9 and 24), we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2002 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.  



/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP


Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

April 21, 2003


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


To the Stockholders and

Board of Directors of

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.:


We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (a Pennsylvania corporation) and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the three month period then ended.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  


We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.   It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.  


Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  


We have previously audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States, the consolidated balance sheet of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. as of December 31, 2001, and, in our report dated January 22, 2002, we expressed an unqualified opinion on that statement.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2001, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the balance sheet from which it has been derived.  


/s/Arthur Andersen LLP

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,

April 12, 2002


Note: The report of Arthur Andersen LLP presented above is a copy of a previously issued report by Arthur Andersen LLP.  The report has not been reissued by Arthur Andersen LLP nor has Arthur Andersen LLP consented to the inclusion of its report in this form 10-Q.


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Exhibit 15.1



We have attempted and have been unable to obtain from Arthur Andersen LLP (“Andersen”) an awareness letter for the reissuance of their review report on our consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2002 and the related consolidated statements of income for the three month period ended March 31, 2002 and the related consolidated statement of cash flows for the three month period ended March 31, 2002.  As such, we have included a copy of Andersen’s prior review report in the filing and will prominently disclose the fact that the review report is a copy and that it has not been reissued by Andersen.   











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Exhibit 15.2



May 9, 2003


AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

216 Franklin St., P.O. Box 430

Johnstown, PA  15907


We have made a review, in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, of the unaudited interim financial information of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries for the period ended March 31, 2003, as indicated in our report dated April 21, 2003; because we did not perform an audit, we expressed no opinion on that information.


We are aware that our report referred to above, which is included in your Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, is incorporated by reference in Registration Statement No. 33-56604 on Form S-3; Registration Statement No. 33-53935 on Form S-8; Registration Statement No. 33-55845 on Form S-8; Registration Statement No. 33-55207 on Form S-8; and Registration Statement No. 33-55211 on Form S-8.


We also are aware that the aforementioned report, pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, is not considered a part of the Registration Statement prepared or certified by an accountant or a report prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.



/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


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Exhibit 99.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Quarterly Report of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Craig G. Ford, Interim Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1).

The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and


2).

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



/s/Craig G. Ford

Craig G. Ford

Interim Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

May 9, 2003

Exhibit 99.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Quarterly Report of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jeffrey A. Stopko, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1).

The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and


2).

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



/s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

Jeffrey A. Stopko

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

May 9, 2003


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