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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                         September 30, 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 November 3, 2003    

Common Stock, par value $2.50

                13,952,907

per share                         


                                       

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.


                                          INDEX



PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

 Page No.

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets -

September 30, 2003, December 31, 2002, and

September 30, 2002


 

        3

  

Consolidated Statements of Operations -

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003, and 2002


        4

  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity -

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003, and 2002


        6

  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003, and 2002


        7

  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


        8

  

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial

Condition and Results of Operations


      22

  

Controls and Procedures

      38

  

Part II.

Other Information


      39

  




                      





#



                                                                        

      AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

                                                        CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                                      

(In thousands)


 

 

September 30,

December 31,

September 30,

     

2003

2002

2002

 

(Unaudited)

 

 (Unaudited)

ASSETS

   

Cash and due from banks

$      28,144

$     26,812

$      28,002

Interest bearing deposits

  716

362

327

Investment securities:

   

Available for sale

549,099

   490,701

491,861

Held to maturity (market value $28,429 on

September 30, 2003, and $15,320 on

December 31, 2002)

 


28,275

    


15,077

    


 -

Loans held for sale

 2,442

      4,217

 4,015

Loans

497,918

  573,641

595,832

Less:     Unearned income

3,409

4,881

5,562

Allowance for loan losses

       11,872

      10,035

       5,757

Net loans

482,637

  558,725

584,513

Premises and equipment, net

11,515

12,674

12,967

Accrued income receivable

5,255

      6,069

6,404

Mortgage servicing rights

 1,859

 6,917

 5,146

Goodwill

9,544

9,743

9,743

Core deposit intangibles

5,077

6,151

6,509

Bank owned life insurance

29,211

28,301

27,990

Other assets

         7,141

         9,801

         5,201

TOTAL ASSETS

$ 1,160,915

$ 1,175,550

$ 1,182,678

    

LIABILITIES

   

Non-interest bearing deposits

$      94,382

$    99,226

$     101,439

Interest bearing deposits

     554,462

    570,703

     573,134

Total deposits

     648,844

    669,929

     674,573

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under

   

agreements to repurchase

10,900

       9,225

4,650

Other short-term borrowings

101,029

 91,563

 86,683

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

281,071

274,847

284,855

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest

debentures


       34,500


       34,500


       34,500

Total borrowed funds

     427,500

      410,135

     410,688

Other liabilities

       11,883

       17,730

      17,706

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 1,088,227

  1,097,794

 1,102,967

    

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;

18,040,302 shares issued

and 13,949,383 outstanding

on September 30, 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 September 30, 2002









45,101









44,973









45,146

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

               periods  presented


(65,824)


(65,824)


(65,824)

Capital surplus

66,791

   66,755

67,026

Retained earnings

26,416

 26,047

28,427

Unearned compensation

-    

 -

(584)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

             204

          5,805

         5,520

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

        72,688

        77,756

        79,711

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


$ 1,160,915


$ 1,175,550


$ 1,182,678

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                                      

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

                                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

   (In thousands)                           

    Unaudited


                                                                                 

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

                                                                                 

2003

2002

2003

2002

INTEREST INCOME

    

Interest and fees on loans and loans held for sale

$    8,044

$  10,191

$   25,722

$  31,187

Deposits with banks

  9

 70

 46

246

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under

           agreements to repurchase


 -


 1


 -


 9

Investment securities:

    

Available for sale

   4,745

   5,940

  15,460

  19,091

Held to maturity

      281

           -

      820

           -

Total Interest Income

  13,079

   16,202

   42,048

   50,533

     

INTEREST EXPENSE

    

Deposits                                                                

  2,765

  4,015

  8,870

 12,519

Federal funds purchased and securities

sold under agreements to repurchase


 8


 13


25


 43

Other short-term borrowings

323

325

1,027

613

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

     3,547

     4,315

    11,129

    14,454

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest

          debentures

 

       740

 

       740

 

     2,220

 

     2,220

Total Interest Expense

    7,383

    9,408

   23,271

   29,849

  

    

NET INTEREST INCOME

   5,696

   6,794

  18,777

  20,684

Provision for loan losses

      384

   3,380

    2,577

    4,735

     

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR

LOAN LOSSES

  

5,312

  

3,414

  

16,200

  

15,949

 

    

NON-INTEREST INCOME

    

Trust fees

1,254

1,077

3,760

3,591

    Net realized gains on investment securities

   402

 1,356

3,100

  3,307

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

   165

   160

    559

   425

Service charges on deposit accounts

   812

   732

   2,379

 2,100

Net mortgage servicing fees

   55

   97

  203

   312

Bank owned life insurance

 305

 309

 910

1,180

Loss on sale of mortgage servicing

-

-

(758)

-

Other income

      989

   1,198

   2,919

   3,686

Total Non-Interest Income

 3,982

 4,929

13,072

14,601

     

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

    

Salaries and employee benefits

  4,729

  5,342

 14,235

 15,615

Net occupancy expense

   682

   682

 2,135

 2,171

Equipment expense

692

741

2,259

2,292

Professional fees

   951

   1,057

 2,912

 2,654

Supplies, postage and freight

 326

 371

1,040

1,123

Miscellaneous taxes and insurance

    398

    398

  1,221

   1,219

FDIC deposit insurance expense

   75

   28

  129

   86

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

358

358

1,074

1,074

Impairment (credit) charge for mortgage servicing rights

  (230)

 3,034

  390

  3,698

Goodwill impairment loss

-

-

199

-

Wholesale mortgage production exit costs

-

-

-

(40)

Restructuring costs

  -

920

   -

920

Other expense

  1,131

  2,074

  3,424

  5,184

Total Non-Interest Expense

 $  9,112

 $ 15,005

 $29,018

 $ 35,996


CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE









CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

(In thousands, except per share data)                           

 Unaudited

                                    

           

                                                             

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

                                                    

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

                                                                                   

2003

2002

2003

2002

     

    

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 $     182

 $ (6,662)

 $      254

 $   (5,446)

Benefit for income taxes

      (67)

   (2,438)

       (115)

    (2,256)

     

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$     249

$  (4,224)

$      369

$   (3,190)

     

PER COMMON SHARE DATA:

    

Basic:

    

Net income (loss)

$     0.02

$    (0.31)

$    0.03

$   (0.23)

Average shares outstanding

13,946

13,800

13,935

13,746

Diluted:

    

Net income (loss)

$     0.02

$    (0.31)

$    0.03

$    (0.23)

Average shares outstanding

13,955

13,801

13,941

13,766

Cash dividends declared

 $           -

 $     0.09

 $          -

 $     0.27



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.













































                                                                  

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

                                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                                                                          (In thousands)

                                                                         

Unaudited


 

Nine Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30, 2003

September 30, 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

    128

     813

Balance at end of period

45,101

45,146

   

TREASURY STOCK

  
   

Balance at beginning of period

(65,824)

(65,824)

Treasury stock, purchased 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

      36

     603

Balance at end of period

66,791

67,026

   

RETAINED EARNINGS

  
   

Balance at beginning of period

26,047

35,329

Net income

  369

 (3,190)

Cash dividends declared

          -

(3,712)

Balance at end of period

 26,416

 28,427

   

UNEARNED COMPENSATION

  
   

Balance at beginning of period

     -

     -

Supplemental executive retirement plan

          -

     (584)

Balance at end of period

          -

    (584)

   

ACCUMULATED OTHER

  

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

  
   

Balance at beginning of period

 5,805

(771)

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax

    (5,601)

   6,291

Balance at end of period

         204

   5,520

   

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$  72,688

$  79,711

   



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.









      AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

                                                          

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                                    (In thousands)

                                                                                        Unaudited

 

Nine Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30, 2003

September 30, 2002

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

  

Net income (loss)

$      369

$   (3,190)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash

  

   provided by operating activities:

  

Provision for loan losses

 2,577

 4,735

Depreciation expense

  1,606

    1,451

Amortization expense of core deposit intangibles

    1,074

    1,074

Goodwill impairment loss

199

-

Amortization expense of mortgage servicing rights

    632

    1,301

Impairment charge for mortgage servicing rights

     390

     3,698

Net amortization of investment securities

     2,385

     1,248

Net realized gains on investment securities

    (3,100)

    (3,307)

Net realized gains on loans and loans held for sale

(559)

(425)

Net realized losses on mortgage servicing rights

758

-

Origination of mortgage loans held for sale

(53,228)

(44,057)

Sales of mortgage loans held for sale

55,003

46,222

Decrease in accrued income receivable

   814

 263  

Decrease in accrued expense payable

    (1,585)

    (1,795)

Net cash provided by operating activities

      7,335

      7,218

   

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

  

Purchases of investment securities and other short-term investments -

  

    available for sale

(508,192)

(593,475)

Purchases of investment securities and other short-term investments -

  

    held to maturity

(18,221)

-

Proceeds from maturities of investment securities and

  

   other short-term investments – available for sale

    119,475

   106,336

Proceeds from maturities of investment securities and

  

   other short-term investments – held to maturity

4,949

-

Proceeds from sales of investment securities and

  

   other short-term investments – available for sale

         322,492

         504,675

Long-term loans originated

 (60,463)

 (137,174)

Loans held for sale

(2,442)

(4,015)

Principal collected on long-term loans

151,968

 158,138

Loans purchased or participated

   (16,315)

   (19,535)

Loans sold or participated

    -

  103

Net decrease in other short-term loans

1,322

1,131

Purchases of premises and equipment

(772)

(952)

Sale/retirement of premises and equipment

325

-

Net sale (purchase) of mortgage servicing rights

   3,278

  (2,317)

Net decrease (increase) in other assets

      4,765

     (3,438)

Net cash provided by investing activities

      2,169

        9,477

   

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

  

Proceeds from sales of certificates of deposit

   204,951

   242,146

Payments for maturing certificates of deposit

 (216,259)

 (246,178)

Net (decrease) increase in demand and savings deposits

     (9,777)

   2,259  

Net increase in federal funds purchased, securities sold

  

   under agreements to repurchase, and other short-term borrowings

11,141

78,479

Net principal borrowings (repayments) of advances from FHLB

     6,224

          (92,456)

Common stock cash dividends paid

                 -

            (3,712)

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debenture dividends paid

      (2,187)

      (2,187)

Proceeds from dividend reinvestment, stock

  

   purchase plan, and stock options exercised

164

832

Net (decrease) increase in other liabilities

  (2,075)

     3,330

Net cash used by financing activities

  (7,818)

   (17,487)

   

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH EQUIVALENTS

    1,686  

  (792)

CASH EQUIVALENTS AT JANUARY 1

   27,174

   29,121

CASH EQUIVALENTS AT SEPTEMBER 30

$ 28,860

$ 28,329


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.  AmeriServ Life is a captive insurance company that engages in underwriting as a reinsurer of credit life and disabilit y insurance.  The Trust Company offers a complete range of trust and financial services and has $1.0 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 of 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 296,276 and 467,582 shares of common stock were outstanding as of September 30, 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.


Stock Based Compensation


Employee compensation expense under stock options is reported using the intrinsic value method.  The following pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share assumes stock options granted subsequent to December 31, 1994, had been accounted for under the fair value method and the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the vesting period.  Compensation expense, net of related tax, of $15,000 and $46,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, and $17,000 and $46,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002, respectively, is included in the pro forma net income as reported below.


(In thousands, except

   per share data)

 

Three Months Ended

       September 30,

 

   Nine Months Ended

        September 30,

 

2003

2002

2003

2002

     

Pro forma net income

$234

$(4,241)

$323

         $(3,236)

Pro forma earnings per share:

    

    Basic

$0.02

$  (0.31)

$0.02

         $  (0.24)

    Diluted

$0.02

         $  (0.31)

$0.02

$  (0.24)


The fair value was estimated at the grant dates using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively: risk-free interest rates ranging from 2.97% to 3.93% and 3.97% to 5.07%, expected dividend yields of zero and 5.29% to 12.41%, expected volatility ranging from 36.4% to 36.5% and 30.2% to 34.1%, expected lives of ten years for both periods.    


4.

Comprehensive Income


For the Company, comprehensive income primarily includes net income, 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

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

 

2003

2002

2003

2002

Net income (loss)

 $   249

 $(4,224)

 $   369

 $ (3,190)

     

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:

    
     

     Gains on cashflow hedges arising during period

                       -

-

-

1,231

     Minimum pension liability adjustment

-

-

-

(173)

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


 

(5,718)


 

5,075


   

(5,517)



11,781

      Less: reclassification adjustment for gains

    

            included in net income                  

             402

           1,356

    3,100

           3,307

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:

(6,120)

  3,719

  (8,617)

  9,532

Income tax expense (benefit) related to items

    

           of other comprehensive income                      

 (2,142)

        1,264

         (3,016)

        3,241

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 (3,978)

    2,455

  (5,601)

    6,291

     

Comprehensive income (loss)

 $(3,729)

 $(1,769)

 $ (5,232)

 $    3,101

 

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 $109,000 in income tax payments in the first nine months of 2003 as compared to $584,000 for the first nine months of 2002.  Total interest expense paid amounted to $24,856,000 in 2003's first nine months compared to $31,661,000 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 net income and credited/(charged) to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders' equity on a net of tax basis. The m ark-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 (AFS):                          

      

        

 

          September 30, 2003

 

Gross      

Gross      

 
 

Cost  

Unrealized

Unrealized

Market   

 

      Basis    

      Gains   

    Losses   

      Value   

  U.S. Treasury

$    22,467

$        497

$         -

$    22,964

  U.S. Agency

   11,692

   52

    (3)

  11,741

  U.S. Agency mortgage-

    

     backed securities

480,861

 2,776

(3,011)

480,626

  Other securities(1)

     33,765

              23

         (20)

     33,768

       Total

$ 548,785

$     3,348

$   (3,034)

$  549,099

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

    

Investment securities held to maturity (HTM):                          


          September 30, 2003

 

Gross      

Gross      

 
 

Cost  

Unrealized

Unrealized

Market   

 

      Basis    

      Gains   

    Losses   

      Value   

  U.S. Agency

   $    8,106

      $         -

     $  (111)

   $     7,995

  U.S. Agency mortgage-

    

     backed securities

    20,169

       265

           -

     20,434

       Total

$  28,275

$     265

$   (111)

$   28,429

            






Investment securities available for sale (AFS):                          

      

        

 

          September 30, 2002

 

Gross      

Gross      

 
 

Cost  

Unrealized

Unrealized

Market   

 

      Basis    

      Gains   

    Losses   

      Value   

  U.S. Treasury

$    12,169

$        354

$         -

$    12,523

  U.S. Agency

 16,345

   307

     -

 16,652

  State and municipal

1,262

49

-

1,311

  U.S. Agency mortgage-

    

     backed securities

411,122

 8,132

(64)

419,190

  Other securities(1)

     42,205

                -

     (20)

     42,185

       Total

$ 483,103

$     8,842

$   (84)

$  491,861

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


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 September 30, 2003, 97.6% of the portfolio was rated "AAA" compared to 95.3% at September 30, 2002. Approximately 0.9% of the portfolio was rated below "A" or unrated at September 30, 2003.


7.

Loans Held for Sale


At September 30, 2003, $2,442,000 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 (usually 60 days or less) and the minimal historical dollar amount of commitments outstanding, the corresponding impact on the C ompany’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):


 

September 30,

 2003

December 31,

 2002

September 30,

2002

     Commercial

$    70,837

$    89,127

$    91,560

     Commercial loans secured

   

        by real estate

194,872

222,854

232,051

     Real estate – mortgage

202,363

229,154

238,834

     Consumer

      29,846

      32,506

      33,387

       Loans

497,918

  573,641

595,832

     Less:  Unearned income

        3,409

        4,881

        5,562

     Loans, net of unearned income

$  494,509

$  568,760

$  590,270


Real estate-construction loans comprised 4.5%, 7.2%, and 7.7% of total loans, net of unearned income, at September 30, 2003, December 31, 2002, and September 31, 2002, respectively.  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 defines classified loans as those loans rated substandard and doubtful.  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

 

                 Nine Months Ended

 

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

 

      2003

              2002

      2003

              2002

Balance at beginning of period

  $11,916

  $ 5,518

  $10,035

  $ 5,830

Charge-offs:

    

     Commercial               

       (272)

    (3,071)

    (274)

   (5,103)

     Real estate-mortgage

  (106)

  (117)

  (287)

  (235)

     Consumer   

         (133)

           (80)

         (338)

         (215)

     Total charge-offs

       (511)

    (3,268)

       (899)

    (5,553)

Recoveries:

    

     Commercial  

   33

   38

   50

  577

     Real estate-mortgage

  21

  55

  36

  79

     Consumer     

           29

           34

           73

           89

     Total recoveries

           83

         127

         159

         745

     

Net charge-offs

   (428)

(3,141)

   (740)

(4,808)

Provision for loan losses

          384

      3,380

       2,577

      4,735

Balance at end of period

  $ 11,872

  $  5,757

  $ 11,872

  $  5,757

     

As a percent of average loans and loans held

    

     for sale, net of unearned income:

    

     Annualized net charge-offs

  0.33%

  2.08%

  0.18%

  1.08%

     Annualized provision for loan losses

 0.30

 2.24

 0.64

 1.07

Allowance as a percent of loans and loans

    

     held for sale, net of unearned income

    

     at period end               

 2.39

 0.97

 2.39

 0.97

Total classified loans

 $35,887

 $13,816

 $35,887

 $13,816

 

    

(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 26 and 34, 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 $12,906,000 and $8,282,000 being specifically identified as impaired and a corresponding reserve allocation of $1,794,000 and $448,000 at September 30, 2003, and September 30, 2002, respectively.  The average outstanding balance for loans being specifically identified as impaired was $12,299,000 for the nine months of 2003 compared to $10,421,000 for the nine 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 first nine months of 2003 was $330,000, compared to $298,000 for the first nine 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):

 

  

September 30,

 2003

 

December 31, 2002

 

September 30,

 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

$   2,388

14.3%

$ 1,932

15.6%

$   1,572

15.4%

Commercial

      

  loans secured

      

  by real estate

7,236

39.2

5,968

38.9  

2,423

39.0

Real estate -

      

  Mortgage

419

41.2  

469

40.7

417

40.9  

Consumer

  818

 5.3  

826

 4.8

  641

 4.7  

Allocation to

      

  general risk

    1,011

          -   

     840

          -   

     704

          -   

     Total

$11,872

   100.0%

$10,035

   100.0%

$ 5,757

   100.0%


Even though residential real estate-mortgage loans comprise approximately 41% of the Company's total loan portfolio, only $419,000 or 3.5% 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 of the loan portfolio during 2003 and 2002.  Factors considered by the Company that led to increased qualitati ve 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 but reduced number of financial information and documentation exceptions.


At September 30, 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 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 interest 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):


 

September 30,

December 31,

September 30,

 

2003

2002

2002

    

Non-accrual loans

$ 10,276

$  6,791   

$  4,967

Loans past due 90

   

   days or more

  488

 50     

  223

Other real estate owned

      463

      123   

      217

Total non-performing assets

$ 11,227

$  6,964   

$  5,407

Total non-performing

   

   assets as a percent

   

   of loans and loans

   

   held for sale, net

   

   of unearned income,

   

   and other real estate owned    

2.26%

1.22%  

0.91%

    

(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 34.)


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

 

      Nine Months Ended

 

                                                         

     September 30,

 

     September 30,

 

                                                     

2003

2002

2003

2002

Interest income due in accordance

    

   with original terms

$166

$ 101

$519

$343

Less: interest income recorded

     4

       -

 101

     1

Net reduction in interest income

$162

$ 101

$418

$342


12.

Derivative Hedging Instruments


The Company may use various interest rate contracts, such as interest rate swaps, caps, floors and swaptions to help manage interest rate and market valuation risk exposure, which is incurred in normal recurrent banking activities.  The Company uses derivative instruments, primarily interest rate swaps, to manage interest rate risk and match the rates on certain assets by hedging the fair value of certain fixed rate debt, which converts the debt to variable rates and by hedging the cashflow variability associated with certain variable rate debt by converting the debt to fixed rates.


Fair Value Hedge


In June 2003, the Company entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $50 million, inclusive of a swaption feature, effectively hedging a $50 million FHLB convertible advance with a fixed cost of 6.10% that is callable quarterly with a seven-year maturity.   The Company will make variable rate payments based on 90-day LIBOR.  The swap is carried at its fair value and the carrying amount of the FHLB advance includes the change in their fair values since the inception of the hedge.  Because the hedge is considered highly effective, changes in the swap’s fair value exactly offset the corresponding changes in the fair value of the FHLB advance and as a result, the change in fair value does not have any impact on net income.  


Cashflow Hedge


In 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 this $80 million swap was recorded in the Company's balance sheet, with the offset to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.  This hedge matured on April 15, 2002.


The following table summarizes the interest rate transactions that impacted the Company’s nine month 2003 and 2002 performance:

        
    

Fixed

Floating

 

Decrease

Hedge

Notional

Start

Termination

Rate

Rate

Repricing

 in Interest

Type

Amount

Date

Date

Received

Paid

Frequency

Expense

 

2003

      

Fair value

$ 50,000,000

6-09-03

9-22-10

2.58%

1.06%

Quarterly

     $(238,000)

        
    

Fixed

Floating

 

Increase

Hedge

Notional

Start

Termination

Rate

Rate

Repricing

 in Interest

Type

Amount

Date

Date

Paid

Received

Frequency

Expense

 

2002

 

Matured

    

Cashflow

$ 80,000,000

4-13-00

4-15-02

6.92%

1.91%

Expired

$1,161,000


The Company believes that its exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by its counterparty (which is Regions Bank) is remote.  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, interest rate caps/floors, and swaptions.  All hedge transactions must be approved in advance by the Investment Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) of the Board of Directors.  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 evaluates 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 deposit intangible, which the Company currently believes has a finite life.  The Co mpany completed its initial goodwill impairment test based on data from June 30, 2002.  This evaluation indicated that there was no impairment of the Company’s goodwill.  


During the three month period ended 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 eliminated all goodwill allocated to this segment and has been reflected as an operating expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The Company’s remaining goodwill of $9.5 million is allocated to the retail banking segment and was evaluated for impairment during the third quarter of 2003 on its annual impairment evaluation date.  The result of this eva luation indicated that the Company’s goodwill had no impairment.  The Company hired an independent consultant to review and test the methodology used in this evaluation.  The result of this study indicated that the Company’s evaluation process was valid.


As of September 30, 2003, the Company’s core deposit intangibles had an original cost of $17.6 million with accumulated amortization of $12.5 million.   The weighted average amortization period of the Company’s core deposit intangibles at September 30, 2003, is 4.75 years. Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 totaled $1,074,000. Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2003 and the next five years is summarized as follows (in thousands):     


           Remaining 2003

 $    358

                      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 September 30, 2003, (in thousands, except percentages):

   

Weighted

Type

Maturing

Amount

Average Rate

Open Repo Plus

Overnight

$   101,029

    1.40%  

    

Advances and wholesale repurchase

2003

55,000

1.35     

   Agreements

2004

        -

-     

 

2005

15,000

6.74     

 

2006

-

-  

 

2007

-

-     

 

2008 and after

 211,071

5.98     

     

 

 

 

Total advances and wholesale

 

    281,071

5.11   

   repurchase agreements

   

        

   

Total FHLB borrowings

 

  $ 382,100

4.13%

    

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 the Company and the Bank to: (i) improve credit quality and credit administration practices, (ii) improve data secu rity 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 financial 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

September 30, 2003

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

   

(In thousands, except ratios)

   

Total Capital (to Risk

Weighted Assets)

      

                Consolidated

$  99,622

16.73%

$   47,648

 8.00%

$  59,560

10.00%

                Bank

94,006

15.86  

47,412

 8.00  

59,265

10.00   

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk

Weighted Assets)

      

                Consolidated

  81,774

13.73  

   23,824

 4.00  

  35,736

 6.00   

                Bank

86,598

14.61  

23,706

 4.00  

35,559

 6.00   

       

Tier 1 Capital (to

Average Assets)

      

                Consolidated

81,774

7.19

45,513

4.00

56,892

5.00

                Bank

86,598

7.66

45,245

4.00

56,556

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 investment/parent business segment.  The key performance measures the Company focuses on for each business segment ar e 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 and nine months periods of 2003 and 2002 were as follows (in thousands, except ratios):


  

Three months  ended

 

Nine months ended

 
  

September 30, 2003

 

September 30, 2003

  September 30, 2003

 


Net income (loss)

Risk adjusted

return on equity


Net income (loss)

Risk adjusted

return on equity


          Total assets

Retail banking

$    1,107

17.7%

$   3,077

16.4%

$   370,016

Commercial lending

44

2.7

(560)

(6.7)

206,010

Mortgage banking

(3)

(0.3)

(1,552)

(49.8)

3,833

Trust

187

21.1

607

24.8

1,746

Other fee based

13

 3.4

80

6.6

2,250

Investment/Parent

  (1,099)

(13.6)

  (1,283)

(5.7)

     577,060

Total

$      249

1.4%

$      369

0.7%

$1,160,915

      
  

Three months  ended

 

Nine Months ended

 
  

September 30, 2002

 

September 30, 2002

  September 30, 2002

 


Net income (loss)

Risk adjusted

return on equity


Net income (loss)

Risk adjusted

return on equity


          Total assets

Retail banking

$         764

11.1%

$    3,269

15.5%

$   404,382

Commercial lending

(1,880)

(42.1)

(1,568)

(12.3)

267,159

Mortgage banking

(2,220)

(215.5)

(3,019)

(95.0)

14,477

Trust

 31

 4.2

471

20.4

1,874

Other fee based

(21)

(4.2)

 44

 3.0

2,925

Investment/Parent

           (898)

(12.3)

    (2,387)

(11.9)

     491,861

Total

$   (4,224)

(20.2)%

$  (3,190)

(5.2)%

$1,182,678

      

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 $3.2 million as of September 30, 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 these 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 SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 VS. THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 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

 

September 30, 2003

September 30, 2002

 Net income

$ 249

$ (4,224)

 Diluted earnings per share

 0.02

(0.31)

 Return on average equity

 1.35%

(20.19)%

   

 The Company completed its second consecutive quarter of profitability by reporting net income for the third quarter of 2003 of $249,000 or $0.02 per diluted share.  This represents significant improvement and a dramatic turnaround from the net loss of $4.2 million or $0.31 per share reported in the third quarter of 2002.  As a result of the positive second and third quarter 2003 performance, the Company is also profitable for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 with net income of $369,000 or $0.03 per diluted share compared to a net loss of $3.2 million or $0.23 per share for the same period in 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 third quarter of 2003 to the third quarter of 2002 (in thousands, except percentages):




Three Months Ended

September 30, 2003

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2002



$ Change



% Change

Interest income

$ 13,079

$ 16,202

$(3,123)

 (19.3)%

Interest expense

    7,383

    9,408

 (2,025)

      (21.5)

Net interest income

 5,696

 6,794

  (1,098)

      (16.2)

Tax-equivalent adjustment

         10  

         20

       (10)

      (50.0)

Net tax-equivalent interest income

 $  5,706

 $  6,814

$(1,108)

      (16.3)

 

    

Net interest margin

2.14%

2.48%

(0.34)

N/M

N/M - not meaningful


The Company’s net interest income in the third quarter of 2003 decreased by $1.1 million from the prior year third quarter due to a reduced level of earning assets and a 34 basis point decline in the net interest margin to 2.14%.   Loan portfolio shrinkage experienced during 2003 was a predominant factor contributing to both the lower level of earning assets and the net interest margin contraction.  The overall net decrease in loans reflects continuing prepayment pressures caused by the historically low interest rate environment and the Company’s internal focus on improving asset quality.  The Company has restructured of its lending division during the first nine months of 2003 and is now better positioned to generate increased new loan production in the last quarter of the year.


The record rate of mortgage refinancings also contributed to accelerated prepayments on the Company’s mortgage backed securities portfolio.  This caused an approximate $500,000 increase in amortization expense on premiums associated with the mortgage-backed securities thus reducing the yield earned on the investment securities portfolio.  The Company believes that the after-effect of the significant May-June refinancing wave is now largely completed and the negative earnings impact related to these accelerated prepayments should decline in the fourth quarter.  


...COMPONENT CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME... Regarding the separate components of net interest income, the Company's total interest income for the third quarter of 2003 decreased by $3.1 million or 19.3% when compared to the same 2002 quarter. This decrease was due to a $22.5 million decline in average earning assets and a 104 basis point drop in the earning asset yield.  Within the earning asset base, the yield on the total investment securities portfolio dropped by 137 basis points to 3.55% while the yield on the total loan portfolio decreased by 46 basis points to 6.28%. 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 550 basis points since 2001 in an effort to stimulate economic growth.  These significant rate reductions have caused accelerated asset prepayments as borr owers have elected to refinance their higher fixed rate loans into lower cost loans.  The securities portfolio yield was also negatively impacted by the previously mentioned $500,000 increase in amortization expense on premiums associated with the mortgage-backed securities.


The $22.5 million decline in the volume of average earning assets was due to a $94.1 million or 15.9% reduction in average loans outstanding which more than offset growth in both AFS and HTM investment securities.  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 Management was inwardly focused on reorganizing its commercial lending division during 2003.  This reorganization included the hiring of a new chief lending officer in February of 2003 and the hiring of four experienced commercial lenders through the end of the third quarter of 2003.  The Company hopes to reverse this trend of net loan portfolio shrinkage during the last quarter of the year.   


The Company's total interest expense for the third quarter of 2003 decreased by $2.0 million or 21.5% 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 interest bearing liabilities were $18.2 million or 1.8% lower in the third quarter of 2003 due to a $21.2 million decrease in average deposits which was partially offset by a $3.0 million increase in total borrowings.


The total cost of funds declined by 77 basis points to 3.00% and was driven down by a reduced cost of both deposits and borrowings.  Specifically, the cost of interest bearing deposits decreased by 79 basis points to 1.96% and the cost of FHLB advances and short-term borrowings declined by 85 basis points to 4.07%.  The lower deposit cost was caused by lower rates paid particularly for savings accounts and certificates of deposit.  The lower cost of borrowings reflects the downward repricing of maturing FHLB advances to lower current market rates as a result of the previously discussed decline in interest rates and the favorable impact that a fair value hedge had on reducing interest expense. (See Note #12, Derivative Hedging Instruments, for further discussion).  

        

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 loan fees or amortization of such fees which have been deferred, as well as, inter est 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 September 30 (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



$  497,647



$  8,054



6.28%

 



$  591,743



$  10,206



6.74%

Deposits with banks

  5,183

  9

0.67  

 

  15,379

 70

1.78  

Federal funds sold

80

 -

0.88

 

    124

 1

1.68  

Investment securities - AFS

    535,451

   4,745

3.55  

 

    483,688

   5,945

4.92  

Investment securities - HTM

  30,026

    281

3.70

 

            -

          -

-

Total investment securities

    565,477

 5,026

3.55  

 

483,688

 5,945

4.92  

Total interest earning

   assets/interest income


1,068,387


13,089


4.86

 


1,090,934


16,222


5.90

Non-interest earning assets:

       

Cash and due from banks

22,008

   

21,957

  

Premises and equipment

11,827

   

13,060

  

Other assets

62,114

   

67,308

  

Allowance for loan losses

    (11,881)

   

      (5,529)

  

TOTAL ASSETS

$1,152,455

   

$1,187,730

  
        

Interest bearing liabilities:

       

Interest bearing deposits:

       

   Interest bearing demand

$   52,565

$     36

0.27%

 

$   49,633

$     63

0.50%

   Savings

105,055

236

0.89

 

103,435

356

1.37

   Money markets

122,536

  316

1.02

 

125,893

  346

1.09

   Other time

     278,641

    2,177

3.10

 

     301,037

    3,251

4.28

Total interest bearing deposits

558,797

 2,765

1.96

 

579,998

 4,016

2.75

Short term borrowings:

       

Federal funds purchased,   

   securities sold under        

   agreements to repurchase and    other short-term borrowings




100,602




     331




1.29

 




70,244




     339




1.90

Advances from Federal  

   Home Loan Bank


277,313


 3,547


5.07

 


304,645


 4,313


5.62

Guaranteed junior subordinated  

   deferrable interest debentures


       34,500


  740


8.58

 


       34,500


  740


8.58

Total interest bearing

   liabilities/interest expense


  971,212


 7,383


3.00

 


    989,387


  9,408


3.77

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

       

Demand deposits

102,378

   

106,752

  

Other liabilities

 6,048

   

  8,602

  

Stockholders' equity

       72,817

   

       82,989

  

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND

   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


$1,152,455

   


$1,187,730

  

Interest rate spread

  

1.86

   

2.13

Net interest income/

   net interest margin

 


 5,706


2.14%

  


 6,814


2.48%

Tax-equivalent adjustment

 

      (10)

   

      (20)

 

Net Interest Income

 

$  5,696

   

$  6,794

 


 



…..PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES..... The Company’s provision for loan losses totaled $384,000 or 0.30% of total loans in the third quarter of 2003.  This represented a decrease of $3.0 million from the third quarter 2002 provision of $3.4 million or 2.24% of total loans.  Net charge-offs also experienced a similar decline dropping from $3.1 million or 2.08% of total loans in the third quarter of 2002 to $428,000 or 0.33% of total loans in the third quarter of 2003.  The Company’s allowance for loan losses totaled $11.9 million at September 30, 2003.


The actions taken to strengthen the allowance for loan losses in 2003 reflect deterioration in credit quality that was evidenced by a higher level of classified loans and non-performing assets.  Classified loans totaled $35.9 million at September 30, 2003; an increase of $15.2 million or 73.7% from December 31, 2002.  This increased level of substandard credits was caused by rating downgrades on several loans in the hotel sector and retail shopping sector due to the continued weak economic environment.  Non-performing assets also increased from $7.0 million at December 31, 2002 to $11.2 million at September 30, 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 106% at September 30, 2003 compared to 144% at December 31, 2002 and 106% at September 30, 2002.  The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans, however, increased to 2.39% at September 30, 2003 compared to 1.75% at December 31, 2002 and 0.97% at September 30, 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 third quarter of 2003 totaled $4.0 million; a $947,000 or 19.2% decrease from the third quarter 2002 performance.  Factors contributing to the lower non-interest income in 2003 included:

     

* a $954,000 decrease in gains realized on the sale of investment securities as the increasing rate environment limited the Company’s ability to capture profits on prepaying securities.  


* a $177,000 or 16.4% increase in trust fees due to successful business development efforts related to union collective investment funds and improving equity market values that have increased the value of trust assets on which fees are assessed.  

  

* an $80,000 increase in deposit service charges due to higher levels of overdraft fees and checking service charges.




* a $209,000 decrease in other income resulting from the Company’s decision to exit the merchant card business in the fourth quarter of 2002 and reduced revenue generated from the sale of annuities due to the lower interest rate environment.  


.....NON-INTEREST EXPENSE..... Non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2003 totaled $9.1 million; a $5.9 million or 39.3% decrease from the third quarter 2002 performance. This decline reflects the Company’s continued focus on reducing and containing expenses. Factors contributing to the lower non-interest expense in 2003 included:


* the Company recorded a $3.0 million impairment charge on its mortgage servicing rights in the third quarter of 2002 compared to a modest impairment reversal of $230,000 in the third quarter of 2003.  The dramatic downsizing of the mortgage servicing asset in the first quarter of 2003 has significantly reduced the volatility of this business line on the Company’s financial performance.  The value of the Company’s mortgage servicing rights has declined from $6.9 million at December 31, 2002 to $1.9 million at September 30, 2003.              


* salaries and employee benefits dropped by $613,000 or 11.5% as on average there were 42 fewer full time equivalent employees when compared to the beginning of the third quarter of 2002. The lower salaries expense was partially offset by higher medical insurance costs as a result of premium increases and increased pension expense.  


* other expenses declined by $943,000 due to cost cutting in numerous expense categories some of the larger of which included advertising expense, merchant card expense, business development expense and education expense.


* the Company also recorded in the third quarter of 2002 a $920,000 restructuring charge associated with implementing its earnings improvement program.  There was no such charge in the third quarter of 2003.


.....INCOME TAX EXPENSE..... The Company recognized an income tax benefit of $67,000 or an effective rate of 36.8% in the third quarter of 2003.  The Company recognized a benefit for income taxes of $2.4 million or an effective tax rate of 36.6% in the third quarter of 2002.  The lower tax benefit in 2003 was due to the Company’s improved earnings performance this year.








NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 VS. NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002


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

 

 

Nine Months

Ended

Nine Months

 Ended

 

September 30, 2003

September 30, 2002

 Net income

           $ 369

         $ (3,190)

 Diluted earnings per share

             0.03

              (0.23)

 Return on average equity

 0.65%

(5.25)%

   

 

The Company reported net income of $369,000 or $0.03 per diluted share in the first nine months of 2003 compared to a net loss of $3.2 million or $0.23 per share in the first nine months of 2002.  The sharply improved net income in 2003 resulted from reduced non-interest expenses and a lower provision for loan losses.  These positive items more than offset reduced revenue from both net interest income and non-interest income and a lower income tax benefit.         

             

.....NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN.....The following table compares the Company's net interest income performance for the first nine months of 2003 to the first nine months of 2002 (in thousands, except percentages):




Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2003

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2002



$ Change



% Change

Interest income

$ 42,048

$ 50,533

$(8,485)

 (16.8)%

Interest expense

  23,271

   29,849

 (6,578)

      (22.0)

Net interest income

18,777

20,684

(1,907)

       (9.2)

Tax-equivalent adjustment

         33  

         54

      (21)

     (38.9)

Net tax-equivalent interest income

 $ 18,810

 $ 20,738

$(1,928)

      (9.3)

 

    

Net interest margin

2.34%

2.49%

(0.15)

N/M

N/M - not meaningful


The Company’s net interest income in the first nine months of 2003 decreased by $1.9 million or 9.2% from the same prior year period due to a $34.7 million reduction in the level of earning assets and a 15 basis point decline in the net interest margin to 2.34%.   The previously discussed loan portfolio shrinkage experienced in the first nine months of 2003 was a predominant factor contributing to both the lower level of earning assets and the net interest margin contraction.   Additionally, the net interest margin compression also reflects increased mortgage-related cash flows in the investment securities portfolio. This has reduced the securities portfolio yield due in part to accelerated amortization of premiums on mortgage-backed securities to correlate with the heightened prepayments and the reinvestment of this cash into new shorter duration securities with lower yields.     



...COMPONENT CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME... Regarding the separate components of net interest income, the Company's total interest income for the first nine months of 2003 decreased by $8.5 million or 16.8% when compared to the same 2002 period. This decrease was due to a $34.7 million decline in earning assets and an 86 basis point drop in the earning asset yield to 5.26%.  Within the earning asset base, the yield on the total investment securities portfolio dropped by 107 basis points to 4.08% while the yield on the total loan portfolio decreased by 60 basis points to 6.37%.  Both of these declines reflect the lower interest rate environment in place in 2003 which has caused the downward repricing of floating rate assets and the reinvestment of cash received on higher yielding prepaying assets into assets with lower interest rates.  


The decline in the volume of earning assets was due to a $59.9 million reduction in average loans outstanding with decreases experienced in both the commercial and residential mortgage loan portfolios.  The reasons for the decline in commercial loans were previously discussed in the quarterly section of this MD&A.  The decline in residential mortgage loans was partially due to the Company’s decision to sell approximately $53 million or 61% of the new mortgage loan production into the secondary market for interest rate risk management purposes.      


The Company's total interest expense for the first nine months of 2003 decreased by $6.6 million or 22.0% when compared to the same 2002 period.  This reduction in interest expense was due to a lower volume of interest bearing liabilities and a reduced cost of funds. Total average interest bearing liabilities were $31.4 million lower in the first nine months of 2003 as fewer deposits and borrowings were needed to fund a smaller earning asset base.  


The total cost of funds declined by 79 basis points to 3.20% and was driven down by a reduced cost of both deposits and borrowings.  Specifically, the cost of interest bearing deposits decreased by 77 basis points to 2.10% and the cost of short-term borrowings and FHLB advances declined by 87 basis points to 4.41%.  The April 15, 2002 maturity of an $80 million cash flow hedge 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 1.40% in the first nine months 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 31.9% in the first nine months of 2003 which was comparable with the 32.0% average in the first nine months of 2002. The total revenue contribution from leverage assets (including investment security gains) amounted to $2.3 million in the first nine months of 2003 compared to $2.9 million for the first nine months 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 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002.  For a detailed discussion of the components and assumptions included in the table, see the paragraph before the quarterly tables on page 24.   


#



Nine Months Ended September 30 (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



$526,902



$ 25,755



6.37

 



$  586,753



$  31,231



6.97%

Deposits with banks

  5,475

 46

1.09  

 

  16,800

246

1.93  

Federal funds sold

 38

 -

0.96

 

    702

 9

1.55  

Investment securities - AFS

    507,477

  15,460

4.06  

 

    494,591

  19,101

5.15  

Investment securities - HTM

  24,239

    820

4.55

 

            -

            -

-

Total investment securities

 531,716

16,280

4.08  

 

 494,591

  19,101

5.15  

Total interest earning

   assets/interest income


1,064,131


42,081


5.26

 


1,098,846


50,587


6.12

Non-interest earning assets:

       

Cash and due from banks

22,366

   

22,218

  

Premises and equipment

12,142

   

13,249

  

Other assets

67,674

   

67,798

  

Allowance for loan losses

    (11,286)

   

      (5,959)

  

TOTAL ASSETS

$1,155,027

   

$1,196,152

  
        

Interest bearing liabilities:

       

Interest bearing deposits:

       

   Interest bearing demand

$   51,868

$    167

0.43%

 

$   49,290

$    185

0.50%

   Savings

103,470

713

0.92

 

100,213

1,058

1.41

   Money markets

125,199

 1,004

1.07

 

130,710

1,063

1.09

   Other time

     284,244

    6,986

3.29

 

     302,521

   10,213

4.51

Total interest bearing deposits

564,781

 8,870

2.10

 

582,734

12,519

2.87

Short term borrowings:

       

Federal funds purchased,   

   securities sold under        

   agreements to repurchase and    other short-term borrowings




98,839




    1,052




1.40

 




46,697




     656




1.88

Advances from Federal  

   Home Loan Bank


270,110


11,129


5.51

 


335,700


14,454


5.76

Guaranteed junior subordinated  

   deferrable interest debentures


      34,500


   2,220


8.58

 


      34,500


    2,220


8.58

Total interest bearing

   liabilities/interest expense


  968,230


23,271


3.20

 


    999,631


 29,849


3.99

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

       

Demand deposits

104,761

   

105,604

  

Other liabilities

 6,738

   

  9,634

  

Stockholders' equity

      75,298

   

      81,283

  

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND

   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


$1,155,027

   


$1,196,152

  

Interest rate spread

  

2.05

   

2.13

Net interest income/

   net interest margin

 


18,810


2.34%

  


20,738


2.49%

Tax-equivalent adjustment

 

      (33)

   

      ( 54)

 

Net Interest Income

 

$ 18,777

   

$ 20,684

 


 



…..PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES..... The Company’s provision for loan losses totaled $2.6 million or 0.64% of total loans in the first nine months of 2003.  This represented a decrease of $2.2 million from the first nine months 2002 provision of $4.7 million or 1.07% of total loans.  The first nine months 2003 provision exceeded net charge-offs for the same period that totaled $740,000 or 0.18% of total loans.  As a result of the provision exceeding net charge-offs, the balance in the allowance for loan losses increased by $1.8 million during the first nine months of the year to total $11.9 million at September 30, 2003.  This strengthening of the allowance for loan losses reflects the weak economic environment and was needed to address deterioration in credit quality that was evidenced by a higher level of classified loans and non-performing assets.

      

.....NON-INTEREST INCOME..... Non-interest income for the first nine months of 2003 totaled $13.1 million; a $1.5 million or 10.5% decrease from the first nine months of 2002 performance.  Factors contributing to the lower non-interest income in 2003 included:

 

* a $758,000 loss realized in the first quarter of 2003 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 $1.9 million at September 30, 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 $270,000 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.


* a $767,000 decrease in other income resulting from the Company’s decision to exit the merchant card business in the fourth quarter of 2002 and reduced revenue generated from the sale of annuities.


.....NON-INTEREST EXPENSE..... Non-interest expense for the first nine months of 2003 totaled $29.0 million; a $7.0 million or 19.4% decrease from the first nine months of 2002 performance.  Factors contributing to the lower non-interest expense in 2003 included:

              

* salaries and employee benefits dropped by $1.4 million or 8.8% as on average there were 39 fewer full time equivalent employees when compared to the first nine months of 2002. The lower salaries expense was partially offset by higher medical insurance costs as a result of premium increases and increased pension expense.


* the dramatic downsizing of the mortgage servicing asset in the first quarter of 2003 reduced the impact of lower mortgage rates on the Company’s performance.  Specifically, the Company’s impairment charge on mortgage servicing rights amounted to $3.7 million in the first nine months of 2002 compared to $390,000 in the first nine months of 2003 or a decline of $3.3 million.


* other expenses declined by $1.8 million or 34.0% due to cost cutting in numerous expense categories some of the larger of which included advertising expense, merchant card expense, business development expense, and education expense.


* the Company also recorded in the third quarter of 2002 a $920,000 restructuring charge associated with implementing its earnings improvement program.  There was no such charge in 2003.  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 nine months of 2003, the Company paid $391,000 for items associated with the restructuring charge.  The remaining liability at September 30, 2003 totals $164,000.


* professional fees increased by $258,000 or 9.7% due to higher legal fees, auditing costs and regulatory related costs.

  

 

 

.....INCOME TAX EXPENSE..... The Company recognized an income tax benefit of $115,000 in the first nine months of 2003.  The Company recognized a benefit for income taxes of $2.3 million or an effective tax rate of 41.4% in the first nine months of 2002.  The lower tax benefit in 2003 was due to the Company’s improved earnings performance this year.  The Company’s recorded tax benefit reflects the overall level of pre-tax earnings and the tax-free income the Company receives predominantly from bank owned life insurance.

  

…..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 three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.  Retail banking was again the largest net income contributor earning $3.1 million or a 16.4% ROE in the first nine months of 2003.  The retail banking net income contribution is down $192,000 from the first nine months of the prior year due to reduced net interest income.  The retail banking segment has benefited from lower non-interest expense and increased revenue resulting from higher deposit service charges.


The trust segment’s net income contribution in the first nine months of 2003 amounted to $607,000 or 24.8% 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 16% during the first nine months of 2003 to $237.3 million and this has helped the trust segment increase its revenue from the prior year.


The Company has experienced the greatest earnings pressure in the mortgage banking segment which lost $1.6 million in the first nine months of 2003 which was reduced from the $3 million loss incurred in the same 2002 period.  This negative performance in 2003 reflects the previously discussed $758,000 loss realized on the sale of a significant portion of the Company’s




mortgage servicing rights, a $390,000 mortgage servicing impairment charge and a $199,000

goodwill impairment loss.  This downsizing of the mortgage servicing asset, however, significantly reduced the size of the mortgage servicing impairment charge in 2003 when compared to the prior year.


The commercial lending segment also lost $560,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to a net loss of $1.6 million in the first nine months of 2002.  The loss in both periods resulted primarily from a higher provision for loan losses.  The 2003 performance also reflects reduced net interest income due to fewer loans outstanding.  The net loss in the investment/parent segment was reduced by $1.1 million in 2003 due to lower non-interest expenses (includes the non-recurrence of the $920,000 restructuring charge).  This more than offset a $500,000 decrease in the revenue contribution from leveraged assets.

    

.....BALANCE SHEET.....The Company's total consolidated assets were $1.161 billion at September 30, 2003, compared with $1.176 billion at December 31, 2002, which represents a decrease of $14.6 million or 1.24%. This lower level of assets resulted from a $76.0 million or 13.3% decline in total loans and loans held for sale resulting from the continuing prepayment pressures caused by the historically low interest rate environment and reduced new loan production.  Mortgage servicing rights dropped by $5.1 million or 73.1% due primarily to the completed sale of the servicing rights on approximately $450 million in mortgage loan principal values.  These items were partially offset by a $71.6 million increase in the investment securities portfolio as the cash generated from the net loan paydowns was redeployed into both AFS and HTM securities.       


The Company’s deposits totaled $648.8 million at September 30, 2003, which was $21.1 million or 3.2% lower than the December 31, 2002 level due to certificate of deposit run-off and reduced money market account balances.  Total borrowed funds increased by $17.4 million in order to maintain the funding of the earning asset base.  Total stockholders equity decreased by $5.1 million as a result of a drop in accumulated other comprehensive income due to a lower value of the AFS investment securities portfolio.  The Company continues to be considered well capitalized for regulatory purposes with an asset leverage ratio at September 30, 2003 of 7.19%, compared to a regulatory minimum of 5.0%.  The Company’s book value per share at September 30, 2003 was $5.21.   




















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


    
 

September 30,

December 31,

September 30,

 

2003

2002

2002

     Total loan delinquency (past

   

         due 30 to 89 days)

$15,725

$17,878

$ 6,817

     Total non-accrual loans

10,276

6,791

4,967

     Total non-performing assets*

11,227

 6,964

5,407

     Loan delinquency, as a

   

        percentage of total loans

        and loans held for sale,

   

        net of unearned income

3.16%

3.12%

1.15%

    Non-accrual loans, as a

        percentage of total loans

   

        and loans held for sale,

   

        net of unearned income

2.07

1.19

0.84

     Non-performing assets, as a

        percentage of total loans and

        loans held for sale, net of

        unearned income, and other

        real estate owned





2.26





1.22





0.91

   

     *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 $2.2 million decline in total loan delinquency between December 31, 2002 and September 30, 2003 was due primarily to the transfer of a $4.8 million commercial mortgage loan into non-accrual status.  The transfer of this $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 and the corresponding ratios.  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 September 30, 2003 and the Company had established an allocation of $500,000 within the allowance for loan losses for this credit.     


In addition to the non-performing assets, the Company is carefully monitoring the performance of a $4.7 million commercial exposure to a borrower in the paper manufacturing industry.  As of September 30, 2003, the borrower is in default of their contractual payments.  $3.7 million of this credit is supported by an 80% guarantee by the US Department of Agriculture and is secured by a first mortgage on the paper manufacturing facility.  The remaining portion of exposure represents balances outstanding under an asset-based line of credit that is secured by lock box receivables, inventory, and equity in a residential property.  At September 30, 2003, the Company had established an allocation of $584,000 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):

    
 

September 30,

December  31,

September 30,

 

2003

2002

2002

Allowance for loan losses

$11,872

$10,035

$ 5,757

Allowance for loan losses as  

   

   a percentage of each of

   

   the following:

   

     total loans and loans held for sale,

   

       net of unearned income

2.39%

1.75%

0.97%

     total delinquent loans

   

       (past due 30 to 89 days)

75.50

56.13

84.45

     total non-accrual loans

115.53

147.77

115.90

     total non-performing assets

105.75

144.10

106.47

  

Since December 31, 2002, the Company’s loan loss reserve coverage of total non-performing assets declined to 106% due to the previously discussed increase in non-performing assets.  The allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio has increased to 2.39% due to the net paydown of the loan portfolio and 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 incorporates 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 val ue 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% 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 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 existing balance sheet that was developed under the flat interest rate scenario.


   

Interest Rate

Scenario

Variability of Net Interest Income

Change In Market Value of Portfolio Equity

   

200bp increase

(2.4)%

32.1%

100bp decrease

(4.7)%

(31.7)%

   

As indicated in the table, market value of portfolio equity increased by 32.1% under a 200 basis point increase scenario due to increased value of the Company’s core deposit base. The maximum negative variability of net interest 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 along with a reduced value for core deposits and a greater liability for fixed rate FHLB advances.  Net interest 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 rates.  Note that the fair value hedge executed in June 2003 helped reduce the Company’s exposure to flat and declining interest rates. < /P>


.....LIQUIDITY...... Liquidity can be analyzed by utilizing the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Cash equivalents increased by $1.7 million from December 31, 2002, to September 30, 2003, due to $7.3 million of cash provided by operating activities and $2.2 million of cash provided by investing activities.  This was partially offset by $7.8 million of cash used by financing activities.  Within investing activities, cash used to purchase new investment securities exceeded proceeds from investment security maturities and sales by $79.5 million.  Cash advanced for new loan fundings and purchases totaled $76.8 million and was $75.2 million less than the cash received from loan principal payments and sales.  Within financing activities, payments for maturing certificates of deposit exceeded proceeds from new certificates of deposit by $11.3 million.  


The Company used $2.2 million of cash to service the dividend on the guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (trust preferred securities) in the first nine months of 2003. As a result of income tax refunds and dividend upstreams from non-bank subsidiaries, the Parent Company will have ample cash to continue to make the dividend payment on the trust preferred securities through the first quarter of 2004.  The payment of the trust preferred dividend beyond that date is dependent upon the subsidiary bank maintaining 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 before these dividend upstreams can resume.  Through September 30, 2003, the bank had earned $1.6 million leaving a remaining lo ss to be recouped of $1.0 million.     


.....CONTRACTURAL OBLIGATIONS…..  As of September 30, 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 7.19% and the Tier 1 capital ratio was 13.73% at September 30, 2003.  Note that the impact of other comprehensive income (loss) is excluded from the regulatory capital ratios. At September 30, 2003, accumulated other comprehensive income amounted to $204,000.  Additionally, the Company has generated approximately $1.1 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 the Bank are considered “well capitalized” under all applicable FDIC regulations.  The Company anticipates that it will build its capital ratios during the remainder of 2003 and into 2004.


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 $0.27 per share in the first nine months 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 of Directors 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 Memoran dum 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 following 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 wil lingness 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 evaluation thereof, nor, except as noted herein,

were any corrective actions taken to address significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal controls.  The Company had identified material weaknesses in its credit administration processes.  In particular, the Company had concluded that, although its credit and credit administration policies are sound, adherence to these policies had 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 during 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 allo wance 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 and to strengthen loan funding controls are being consistently applied on an ongoing basis.  These procedures and controls are supporting 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

  

 3.2

Bylaws, Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30,

  2003.

  

15.1

Report of Deloitte & Touche LLP regarding unaudited interim financial statement

  information.

  

31.1

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  

31.2

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  

32.1

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906

  of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  

32.2

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 October 21, 2003, the Company filed an 8-K announcing its Third Quarter 2003

  results of operations.

  

     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: November 12, 2003

/s/Craig G. Ford

 

Craig G. Ford

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

  

Date: November 12, 2003

/s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

 

Jeffrey A. Stopko

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


STATEMENT OF MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY





November 5, 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

Chairman, President &

Senior Vice President &

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer



#



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 September 30, 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods then ended, changes in stockholders’ equity and of cash flows for the nine-month period then ended.  These interim 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  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 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 interim 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 sheets of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, 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

November 5, 2003

 










#



Exhibit 15.1



November 12, 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 September 30, 2003, as indicated in our report dated November 5, 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 September 30, 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


#



Exhibit 31.1


I, Craig G. Ford, Chief Executive Officer of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (ASF), certify that:


1.  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ASF;


2.  Based on my knowledge, this 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 report;


3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of ASF as of, and for, the periods presented in this 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-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for ASF and have:


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

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

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

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


5.  ASF's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to ASF's auditors and the audit committee of ASF's board of directors:


(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect ASF's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

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


Date: November 12, 2003

/s/Craig G. Ford

 

Craig G. Ford

 

Chairman, President & CEO



Exhibit 31.2


I, Jeffrey A. Stopko, Chief Financial Officer of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (ASF), certify that:


1.  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ASF;


2.  Based on my knowledge, this 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 report;


3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of ASF as of, and for, the periods presented in this 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-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for ASF and have:


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

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

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

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


5.  ASF's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to ASF's auditors and the audit committee of ASF's board of directors:


(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect ASF's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

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


Date: November 12, 2003

/s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

 

Jeffrey A. Stopko

 

Senior Vice President & CFO

Exhibit 32.1

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 ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Craig G. Ford, 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

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

November 12, 2003

Exhibit 32.2

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 ended September 30, 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

November 12, 2003


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