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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

Commission File Number: 1-14671

 

 

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC.

 


 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

04-3444269


 


(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

31 Court Street, Westfield, Massachusetts

 

01085


 


(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number: (413) 568-9141

 

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered


 


Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

 

The American Stock Exchange

 

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

          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.

YES  
x
     

NO  

o

          Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

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

YES  
o
     

NO  

x 

          The market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was $66,585,618, which was computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.  Solely for purposes of this calculation, the shares held by the directors and officers of the registrant are deemed to be affiliates.

          As of February 26, 2003, there were 3,622,325 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

          Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.




Table of Contents

INDEX

 

 

Page No.

 

 


PART I

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Business

1

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Properties

34

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

35

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

35

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Market for the Company’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

35

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

36

 

 

 

 

 

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

38

 

 

 

 

 

Item 7a.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

49

 

 

 

 

 

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

55

 

 

 

 

 

Item 9.

Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

56

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

56

 

 

 

 

 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

56

 

 

 

 

 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

56

 

 

 

 

 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

56

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 14.

Controls and Procedures

57

 

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

57

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

59

 

 

CERTIFICATIONS

61


Table of Contents

PART I

Item 1. Business.

          Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. (the “Corporation”) has no significant assets other than all of the outstanding shares of Woronoco Savings Bank (the “Bank”).  Management of the Corporation and the Bank are substantially similar and the Corporation neither owns nor leases any property, but instead uses the premises, equipment and furniture of the Bank. Accordingly, the information set forth in this report for Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company’), including the consolidated financial statements and related financial data, relates primarily to the Bank.

          The Bank is a Massachusetts stock savings bank, which was organized in 1871.  The Bank’s principal business consists of the acceptance of retail deposits from the general public and the investment of those deposits, together with funds generated from borrowings, retail operations, investment management and insurance services into a broad line of lending products including 1-4 family, multi-family, commercial real estate, construction and development and other types of consumer loans including home equity lines of credit and automobile loans.  The Bank originates loans primarily for investment.  However, the Bank may sell some loans from time to time in the secondary market, while generally retaining the servicing rights.  The Bank also purchases conforming 1-4 family residential loans from time to time and invests in mortgage-backed securities and other permissible investments.  The Bank’s revenues are derived from the generation of interest and fees on loans originated, interest and dividends on investment securities and fees from its retail banking operation, investment management and insurance services.  The Bank’s primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and investments and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (the “FHLB”).

Market Area

          The Company is headquartered in Westfield, Massachusetts.  The Company’s primary lending and deposit market areas include Hampden and Hampshire Counties in western Massachusetts and parts of northern Connecticut. The city of Westfield is largely suburban and is located in the Pioneer Valley near the intersection of U. S. Interstates 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) and 91.  Interstate 90 is the major east-west highway that crosses Massachusetts.  Interstate 91 is the major north-south highway that runs directly through the heart of New England.  Westfield is located approximately 90 miles west of Boston, Massachusetts, 70 miles southeast of Albany, New York and 30 miles north of Hartford, Connecticut.  Located in the region known as New England’s knowledge corridor, the Bank benefits from a concentration of 116,000 students at 32 higher education institutions including some of the most prestigious in the nation. Additional economic support is gained from the presence of large employers such as Hasbro Games, Smith & Wesson, Solutia, N.E. Utilities, Yankee Candle, Spalding Sports Worldwide, Friendly Ice Cream, Bay State Health Systems and United Technologies.  Other economic activity is provided by the U.S. Air Force Reserve and Massachusetts Air National Guard, Bradley International Airport and significant tourist attractions such as the Basketball Hall of Fame and Six Flags New England.

Competition

          The Company faces significant competition both in generating loans and in attracting deposits.  The Company’s primary market area is highly competitive and the Company faces direct competition from a significant number of financial institutions, many with a local, state-wide or regional presence and, in some cases, a national presence.  Many of these financial institutions are significantly larger and have greater financial resources than the Company.  The Company’s competition for loans comes principally from commercial banks, other savings banks,  mortgage brokers, mortgage banking companies and insurance companies.  Its most direct competition for deposits has historically come from savings and commercial banks.  In addition, the Company faces significant competition for deposits from non-bank institutions such as brokerage firms and insurance companies in such instruments as short-term money market funds, corporate and government securities funds, mutual funds, 401(k) plans and annuities. The Company expects competition to increase in the future as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and the continuing trend of consolidation in the industry.  Technological advances, for example, have lowered barriers to market entry, allowed banks to expand their geographic reach by providing services over the Internet and made it possible for non-depository institutions to offer products and services that traditionally have been provided by banks. The Gramm-Leech-Bliley Act, which permits affiliation among banks, securities firms and insurance companies, also has changed the competitive environment in which the Company conducts business.  Competition has also increased as a result of the removal of restrictions on the interstate operations of financial institutions. The Company has also experienced significant competition from credit unions, which have applied for and received, in some cases, regulatory approval to expand beyond the traditional definition of a group to include, for instance, an entire community versus a particular company.

1


Table of Contents

In addition, credit unions are exempt from taxation.  Such competitive advantages have placed increased pressure on the Company with respect to its loan and deposit pricing.

Lending Activities

          Loan Portfolio Composition.   The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio in dollar amounts and as a percentage of the respective portfolio at the dates indicated. Most of the Company’s loans, with the exception of certain purchased one- to four-family residential mortgage loans and home equity loans and lines of credit, are located in the Company’s primary market area.

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Amount

 

Percent
of Total

 

Amount

 

Percent
of Total

 

Amount

 

Percent
of Total

 

Amount

 

Percent
of Total

 

Amount

 

Percent
of Total

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

Real estate loans:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
One- to four-family

 

$

271,010

 

 

55.96

%

$

245,990

 

 

55.62

%

$

225,144

 

 

55.92

%

$

170,808

 

 

54.83

%

$

157,698

 

 

54.95

%

 
Multi-family

 

 

34,090

 

 

7.04

%

 

33,821

 

 

7.65

%

 

33,529

 

 

8.33

%

 

26,104

 

 

8.38

%

 

22,962

 

 

8.00

%

 
Commercial

 

 

53,486

 

 

11.05

%

 

36,221

 

 

8.19

%

 

29,257

 

 

7.27

%

 

23,796

 

 

7.64

%

 

20,595

 

 

7.18

%

 
Construction and development

 

 

19,785

 

 

4.09

%

 

16,145

 

 

3.65

%

 

11,361

 

 

2.82

%

 

2,873

 

 

0.92

%

 

3,464

 

 

1.21

%

 
 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total real estate loans

 

 

378,371

 

 

78.14

%

 

332,177

 

 

75.11

%

 

299,291

 

 

74.34

%

 

223,581

 

 

71.77

%

 

204,719

 

 

71.34

%

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Consumer loans:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Home equity

 

 

83,222

 

 

17.19

%

 

84,117

 

 

19.02

%

 

81,888

 

 

20.34

%

 

69,821

 

 

22.41

%

 

64,705

 

 

22.55

%

 
Automobile

 

 

8,800

 

 

1.82

%

 

12,174

 

 

2.75

%

 

12,941

 

 

3.21

%

 

9,653

 

 

3.10

%

 

9,460

 

 

3.30

%

 
Other

 

 

2,676

 

 

0.55

%

 

3,382

 

 

0.76

%

 

3,550

 

 

0.88

%

 

3,551

 

 

1.14

%

 

3,454

 

 

1.20

%

 
 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total consumer loans

 

 

94,698

 

 

19.56

%

 

99,673

 

 

22.53

%

 

98,379

 

 

24.43

%

 

83,025

 

 

26.65

%

 

77,619

 

 

27.05

%

 
 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Commercial loans
 

 

11,136

 

 

2.30

%

 

10,447

 

 

2.36

%

 

4,936

 

 

1.23

%

 

4,907

 

 

1.58

%

 

4,613

 

 

1.61

%

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total loans

 

 

484,205

 

 

100.00

%

 

442,297

 

 

100.00

%

 

402,606

 

 

100.00

%

 

311,513

 

 

100.00

%

 

286,951

 

 

100.00

%

 
 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

Less:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Unadvanced loan funds (1)

 

 

(11,627

)

 

 

 

 

(13,070

)

 

 

 

 

(9,537

)

 

 

 

 

(2,350

)

 

 

 

 

(1,453

)

 

 

 

 
Net deferred loan origination costs

 

 

802

 

 

 

 

 

883

 

 

 

 

 

807

 

 

 

 

 

553

 

 

 

 

 

711

 

 

 

 

 
Allowance for loan losses

 

 

(3,156

)

 

 

 

 

(2,701

)

 

 

 

 

(2,590

)

 

 

 

 

(2,309

)

 

 

 

 

(2,166

)

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
Loans, net

 

$

470,224

 

 

 

 

$

427,409

 

 

 

 

$

391,286

 

 

 

 

$

307,407

 

 

 

 

$

284,043

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

(1) Includes committed but unadvanced loan amounts.

          Origination, Purchase, Sale and Servicing of Loans.  The Company’s mortgage lending activities are conducted primarily by its salaried loan representatives operating at its ten full service banking offices (nine after the sale of the Bank’s Boston Road supermarket branch in February 2003) and its commissioned, offsite loan originators. All loans originated by the Company are underwritten in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures. The Company originates both adjustable-rate (“ARM”) and fixed-rate mortgage loans. The Company’s ability to originate fixed or ARM loans is dependent upon the relative customer demand for such loans, which is affected by the current and expected future level of interest rates.  From time to time, the Company also purchases ARM loans from various financial institutions.

          The Company is primarily a portfolio lender, originating substantially all of its loans for investment.  However, the Company may sell or securitize a portion of its outstanding loans in order to improve, among other factors, interest rate risk and liquidity.  The Company sold longer-term, low coupon, fixed-rate residential mortgages with outstanding balances totaling $30.4 million in 2002 and $17.5 million in 2001. In 2001, the Company sold $14.3 million of loans that were held for sale in 2000.  The Company utilized the proceeds from these sales to fund loan originations and to pay-down certain borrowings.  In 1998, the Company completed the securitization of $19.1 million of 30-year fixed-rate one- to four-family mortgage loans with Fannie Mae to improve liquidity.  Such loans are serviced as mortgage-backed securities for Fannie Mae. The Company may sell and/or securitize a portion of its loans, mostly 30-year fixed-rate one- to four-family mortgage loans, in the future.  Any loans originated for sale by the Company conform to the underwriting standards specified by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Company generally retains the servicing rights on mortgage loans sold or securitized.

2


Table of Contents

          At December 31, 2002, the Company was servicing $61.8 million of loans for others, consisting of conforming fixed-rate mortgage loans sold or securitized by the Company.  Loan servicing includes collecting and remitting loan payments, accounting for principal and interest, contacting delinquent mortgagors, supervising foreclosures and property dispositions when there are unremedied defaults, making insurance and tax payments on behalf of the borrowers and generally administering the loans.  The gross servicing fee income from loans sold is generally 25 basis points of the total balance of the loan being serviced.   The balance of capitalized servicing rights related to these loans, net of valuation allowances, was $520,000 and $250,000 at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, and is included in other assets. The fair value of these rights approximates carrying amounts.  Amortization of mortgage servicing rights totaled $67,000, $27,000 and $14,000 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

          During the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, the Company originated $88.5 million, $62.1 million and $4.1 million of fixed-rate one- to four-family loans, respectively, of which $66.0 million, $55.8 million and $4.1 million, respectively, were retained by the Company.  During these same periods, the Company also originated $27.4 million, $30.0 million and $21.9 million of adjustable-rate one- to four-family loans, respectively, all of which were retained by the Company.  The Company recognizes, at the time of sale, the cash gain or loss on the sale of loans based on the difference between the net cash proceeds received and the carrying value of the loans sold.  The Company has, from time to time, participated in loans, primarily multi-family, commercial real estate, construction and development and commercial business loans and, at December 31, 2002, had $3.1 million in loan participation interests.

          The following table sets forth the Company’s loan originations and purchases, sales and principal repayments for the periods indicated. 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Loans, net, beginning of period
 

$

427,409

 

$

391,286

 

$

307,407

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
Loans originated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Real estate

 

 

155,428

 

 

127,140

 

 

58,170

 

 
Consumer:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Home equity

 

 

30,840

 

 

32,704

 

 

32,586

 

 
Automobile

 

 

3,175

 

 

6,265

 

 

8,963

 

 
Other

 

 

2,276

 

 

3,005

 

 

3,483

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Total consumer

 

 

36,291

 

 

41,974

 

 

45,032

 

 
Commercial

 

 

7,474

 

 

6,845

 

 

1,373

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Total loans originated

 

 

199,193

 

 

175,959

 

 

104,575

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Real estate loans purchased

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

43,620

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Principal repayments, unadvanced funds and other, net

 

 

(125,946

)

 

(122,014

)

 

(64,236

)

 
Sale of mortgage loans, principal balance

 

 

(30,385

)

 

(17,461

)

 

—  

 

 
Loan charge-offs, net

 

 

(47

)

 

(84

)

 

(19

)

 
Transfers to REO

 

 

—  

 

 

(277

)

 

(61

)

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Total deductions

 

 

(156,378

)

 

(139,836

)

 

(64,316

)

 
 

 



 



 



 

Net loan activity
 

 

42,815

 

 

36,123

 

 

83,879

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
Loans, net, end of period

 

$

470,224

 

$

427,409

 

$

391,286

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

3


Table of Contents

          Loan Maturity.  The following table shows the remaining contractual maturity of the Company’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2002.  The table does not include prepayments or scheduled principal amortization.  Prepayments and scheduled principal amortization on loans totaled $136.2 million, $140.3 million and $89.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

 

 

At December 31, 2002

 

 

 


 

 

 

One- to
Four-
Family

 

Multi-
 Family

 

Commercial
Real estate

 

Construction
and
Development

 

Home Equity
Loans

 

Automobile

 

Other
Consumer

 

Commercial

 

Total
Loans
Receivable

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Amounts due:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
One year or less

 

$

7,780

 

$

75

 

$

—  

 

$

7,555

 

$

323

 

$

1,907

 

$

804

 

$

661

 

$

19,105

 

 
After one year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
More than one year to three years

 

 

4,382

 

 

1,867

 

 

4,157

 

 

1,091

 

 

1,827

 

 

5,710

 

 

659

 

 

1,785

 

 

21,478

 

 
More than three years to five years

 

 

13,339

 

 

187

 

 

5,305

 

 

—  

 

 

3,718

 

 

1,183

 

 

47

 

 

1,211

 

 

24,990

 

 
More than five years to 10 years

 

 

37,586

 

 

9,503

 

 

6,074

 

 

7,905

 

 

5,753

 

 

—  

 

 

161

 

 

4,228

 

 

71,210

 

 
More than ten years to 15 years

 

 

81,113

 

 

7,715

 

 

9,352

 

 

—  

 

 

6,224

 

 

—  

 

 

173

 

 

—  

 

 

104,577

 

 
More than 15 years

 

 

126,810

 

 

14,743

 

 

28,598

 

 

3,234

 

 

65,377

 

 

—  

 

 

832

 

 

3,251

 

 

242,845

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total amount due

 

$

271,010

 

$

34,090

 

$

53,486

 

$

19,785

 

$

83,222

 

$

8,800

 

$

2,676

 

$

11,136

 

 

484,205

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

Less:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Unadvanced loan funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11,627

)

 
Net deferred loan origination costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

802

 

 
Allowance for loan losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,156

)

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Loans, net
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

470,224

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 


          The following table sets forth at December 31, 2002, the dollar amount of gross loans receivable contractually due after December 31, 2003, and whether such loans have fixed interest rates or adjustable interest rates.

 

 

Due After December 31, 2003

 

 

 


 

 

 

Fixed

 

Adjustable

 

Total

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Real estate loans:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
One- to four-family

 

$

165,681

 

$

97,549

 

$

263,230

 

 
Multi-family and commercial real estate

 

 

13,044

 

 

74,457

 

 

87,501

 

 
Construction and development

 

 

10,205

 

 

2,025

 

 

12,230

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Total real estate loans

 

 

188,930

 

 

174,031

 

 

362,961

 

 
 


 



 



 

Consumer loans:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Home equity

 

 

17,130

 

 

65,769

 

 

82,899

 

 
Automobile

 

 

6,893

 

 

—  

 

 

6,893

 

 
Other

 

 

1,872

 

 

—  

 

 

1,872

 

Commercial loans
 

 

7,029

 

 

3,446

 

 

10,475

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
Total loans

 

$

221,854

 

$

243,246

 

$

465,100

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

4


Table of Contents

          One- to Four-Family Loans.  The Company currently offers both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage (“ARM”) loans which are secured by one- to four-family residences located mainly in the Company’s primary market area. One- to four-family mortgage loan originations are generally obtained from the Company’s in-house and commissioned offsite loan originators, from existing or past customers, through advertising, and through referrals from local builders, real estate brokers and attorneys. The Company also purchases from time to time ARM loans from various financial institutions.  At December 31, 2002, the Company’s one- to four-family mortgage loans totaled $271.0 million, or 56.0% of total loans.  Of the one- to four-family mortgage loans outstanding at that date, 61.3% were fixed-rate mortgage loans and 38.7% were ARM loans.

          The Company currently offers fixed-rate mortgage loans with terms of up to 30 years.  The Company also currently offers a number of ARM loans with terms of up to 30 years and interest rates which adjust every one or three years from the outset of the loan or which adjust annually after a five year or seven year initial fixed period.  The interest rates for the Company’s ARM loans are indexed to either the one, three or five year Constant Maturity Treasury (“CMT”) Index.  The Company’s ARM loans generally provide for periodic (not more than 2%) and overall (not more than 6%) caps on the increase or decrease in the interest rate at any adjustment date and over the life of the loan.  The Company’s purchased ARM loans generally have terms of up to 30 years and interest rates which adjust annually after three and five years and provide for periodic (not more than 2%) and overall (not more than 6%) caps on the increase or decrease in the interest rate at any adjustment date and over the life of the loan.  These purchased loans are generally serviced by the seller.

          The origination or purchase of adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans, as opposed to fixed-rate residential mortgage loans, helps reduce the Company’s exposure to increases in interest rates.  However, adjustable-rate loans generally pose credit risks not inherent in fixed-rate loans, primarily because as interest rates rise, the underlying payments of the borrower also rise, thereby increasing the potential for default.  The Company attempts to minimize such risk, particularly on one-year adjustable-rate mortgages, by assuming a 200 basis point increase in the loan’s interest rate when evaluating a borrower’s creditworthiness.  Periodic and lifetime caps on interest rate increases also help to reduce the risks associated with adjustable-rate loans but also limit the interest rate sensitivity of such loans.

          All one- to four-family mortgage loans are underwritten according to the Company’s policies and secondary market underwriting guidelines.  Generally, the Company originates one- to four-family residential mortgage loans in amounts up to 80% of the lower of the appraised value or the selling price of the property securing the loan and up to 95% of the lesser of the appraised value or selling price if private mortgage insurance is obtained.  Mortgage loans originated by the Company generally include due-on-sale clauses which provide the Company with the contractual right to deem the loan immediately due and payable if a borrower transfers ownership of the property without the Company’s consent.  The Company requires fire, casualty, title and flood insurance, if applicable, on all properties securing real estate loans made by the Company.

          In an effort to provide financing for first-time home buyers, the Company offers a first-time home buyer loan program. This program offers one- and two-family owner-occupied residential mortgage loans to qualified low-to-moderate income individuals.  These loans are offered with initial five year fixed-rates of interest which adjust annually thereafter with terms of up to 30 years. The program includes initially discounted rates, periodic (not more than 1%) and overall (not more than 4%) caps on the increase or decrease in the interest rate at any adjustment date and over the life of the loan and reduced loan origination fees and closing costs. These loans are originated using more liberal underwriting guidelines than the Company’s other one- to four-family mortgage loans.  Such loans are originated in amounts of up to 95% of the lower of the property’s appraised value or the sale price.  Private mortgage insurance is required for loans with loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios of over 80%.  The Company also offers first-time home buyer loans through the Federal Housing Authority and Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency programs.

          Home Equity Lines of Credit and Loans.  The Company offers home equity revolving lines of credit, substantially all of which are secured by second mortgages on owner-occupied one- to four-family residences located in the Company’s primary market area and, to a lesser extent, by properties in northern Connecticut and in Franklin County, Massachusetts.  The lines of credit maintained outside of the Company’s primary market were largely generated through the services of a third party telemarketing firm and later approved by the Company.  Such third party completed limited solicitation on behalf of the Company in 1999 and 2000.  Home equity lines of credit have adjustable-rates of interest which adjust on a monthly basis.  The adjustable-rate of interest charged on such loans is indexed to the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal.  Home equity lines of credit generally have an 18% lifetime limit on interest rates. Generally, the maximum LTV ratio on home equity lines of credit is 80% of the assessed value of the property less

5


Table of Contents

the outstanding balance of the first mortgage up to a maximum of $100,000.  The underwriting standards employed by the Company for home equity lines of credit include a determination of the applicant’s credit history, an assessment of the applicant’s ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan and the value of the collateral securing the loan.  The stability of the applicant’s monthly income may be determined by verification of gross monthly income from primary employment and, additionally, from any verifiable secondary income.

          The home equity line of credit may be drawn down by the borrower for a period of ten years from the date of the loan agreement (the “draw period”).  During the draw period, the borrower has the option of paying, on a monthly basis, either principal and interest or only the interest.  Following the draw period, the borrower has fifteen years in which to pay back the line of credit (the “repayment period”).  A borrower is precluded from accessing the home equity line of credit during the repayment period unless terms are renegotiated with the Company.  A prepayment penalty may be assessed if the home equity line of credit is discharged within three years from the date of the note.

          At any time during the draw period, all, or a portion of the outstanding balance of a home equity line of credit, may be converted to a fixed-rate, fixed-term home equity loan.  The interest rate for the term loan is based on rates offered by the Company at the time the conversion request is received.  Maturities offered on home equity term loans are five, ten and 15 years. When the term loan is repaid in full, the original principal balance becomes available under the home equity credit line.  The Company also offers fixed-rate, fixed-term equity loans that are not tied to a line of credit.  Repayment terms are the same as the aforementioned home equity term loans.  At December 31, 2002, home equity loans and lines of credit totaled $83.2 million, or 17.2% of the Company’s total loans and 87.9% of consumer loans.

          Multi-Family and Commercial Real Estate Lending.  The Company originates multi-family and commercial real estate loans that are generally secured by five or more unit apartment buildings and properties used for business purposes such as small office buildings, industrial facilities or retail facilities mainly located in the Company’s primary market area.  The Company’s multi-family and commercial real estate underwriting policies provide that such real estate loans may be made in amounts of up to 80% of the appraised value of the property, 75% if the property is being refinanced, provided such loan complies with the Company’s current loans-to-one-borrower limit, which at December 31, 2002 was $8.0 million. The Company’s multi-family and commercial real estate loans may be made with terms of up to 25 years and are offered with interest rates that adjust periodically and are generally indexed to the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal or the one, three or five year CMT Index.  In reaching its decision on whether to make a multi-family or commercial real estate loan, the Company considers the net operating income of the property, the borrower’s expertise, credit history and profitability and the value of the underlying property.  In addition, with respect to commercial real estate rental properties, the Company will also consider the term of the lease and the quality of the tenants.  The Company has generally required that the properties securing these real estate loans have debt service coverage ratios (the ratio of earnings before debt service to debt service) of at least 1.15x.  Environmental impact surveys are generally required for commercial real estate loans.  Generally, all multi-family and commercial real estate loans made to corporations, partnerships and other business entities require personal guarantees by the principals.  The Company’s multi-family real estate loan portfolio at December 31, 2002 was $34.1 million, or 7.0% of total loans, and the Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio at such date was $53.5 million, or 11.1% of total loans.  The largest multi-family or commercial real estate loan in the Company’s portfolio at December 31, 2002 was a $4.1 million real estate loan secured by a 54-unit apartment building and 36,000 square feet of commercial/retail space located in Northampton, Massachusetts.  This loan was performing according to its terms at December 31, 2002.

          The Company participates in loans, often community-based, with area lenders with whom the Company has a relationship. When determining whether to participate in such loans, the Company will underwrite its participation interest according to its own underwriting standards. At December 31, 2002, $896,400, or 1.7% of the commercial real estate loan portfolio, were participation loans of this nature.  

          Loans secured by multi-family and commercial real estate properties generally involve larger principal amounts and a greater degree of risk than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Because payments on loans secured by multi-family and commercial real estate properties are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties, repayment of such loans may be affected by adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. The Company seeks to minimize these risks through its underwriting standards.

          Construction and Development Lending.  The Company originates construction and development loans primarily to finance the construction of one- to four-family, owner-occupied residential real estate and commercial real

6


Table of Contents

estate properties located in the Company’s primary market area.  Construction loans typically convert into permanent financing.  Construction and development loans are generally offered to customers and experienced builders with whom the Company has an established relationship.  Construction and development loans are typically offered with terms of up to 12 months; however, terms may be extended up to four years under certain circumstances. The maximum LTV limit applicable to such loans is 80% for contract sales and 75% for speculative properties.  Construction loan proceeds are disbursed periodically in increments as construction progresses and as inspections by the Company’s lending officers or, on larger projects, independent architects or engineering firms, warrant.  At December 31, 2002, the Company’s largest construction and development loan was a $7.0 million construction/permanent mortgage to build a 60,000 square foot medical office building in Springfield, Massachusetts. To date, $6.5 million has been disbursed and the building is fully occupied.  At December 31, 2002, construction and development loans totaled $19.8 million, or 4.1%, of the Company’s total loans.

          The Company originates land loans to local contractors and developers for the purpose of making improvements thereon, or for the purpose of holding or developing the land for sale.  Such loans are secured by a lien on the property, are generally limited to 60% of the lower of the acquisition price or the appraised value of the land and have a term of up to four years with a floating interest rate based on the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal.  The Company’s land loans are generally secured by property in its primary market area.  The Company requires title insurance and, if applicable, a hazardous waste survey.

          The Company participates in loans, often community-based, with area lenders with whom the Company has a relationship. When determining whether to participate in such loans, the Company will underwrite its participation interest according to its own underwriting standards. At December 31, 2002, $2.0 million, or 10.0% of the construction and development loan portfolio, were participation loans of this nature.  

          Construction and development financing is generally considered to involve a higher degree of credit risk than long-term financing on improved, owner-occupied real estate.  Risk of loss on a construction loan is dependent largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction compared to the estimated cost (including interest) of construction and other assumptions, including the estimated time to sell residential properties. If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, the Company may be confronted with a project, when completed, having a value which is insufficient to assure full repayment. 

          Automobile and Other Consumer Lending.  The Company offers automobile loans with terms of up to 72 months and loan-to-value ratios of 90% for new cars.  For used cars, the maximum loan-to-value ratio is 90% of the lesser of the retail value shown in the NADA Used Car Guide or the purchase price, and the terms for used automobile loans range between 36 months (for older vehicles) to 60 months (for automobiles up to four years old).  At December 31, 2002, automobile loans totaled $8.8 million, or 1.8% of the Company’s total loans and 9.3% of consumer loans. Other consumer loans at December 31, 2002 amounted to $2.7 million, or 0.6% of the Company’s total loans and 2.8% of consumer loans.  These loans include education, second mortgages, collateral, motorcycle, boat, mobile home and unsecured personal loans.  Motorcycle, boat and mobile home loans are generally made in amounts of up to 80% of the fair market value of the property securing the loan.  Collateral loans are generally secured by a passbook account, a certificate of deposit, securities or life insurance.  Unsecured personal loans generally have a maximum borrowing limitation of $5,000 and a maximum term of three years.

          Loans secured by rapidly depreciable assets such as automobiles, motorcycles and boats, or that are unsecured, entail greater risks than one- to four-family mortgage loans.  In such cases, repossessed collateral for a defaulted loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance, since there is a greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation of the underlying collateral.  Further, collections on these loans are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability and, therefore, are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.  Finally, the application of various federal and state laws, including federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans if a borrower defaults.

          Commercial Lending.  At December 31, 2002, the Company had $11.1 million in commercial loans which amounted to 2.3% of total loans. In addition, at such date, the Company had $4.6 million of unadvanced commercial lines of credit.  The Company makes commercial business loans primarily in its market area to a variety of professionals, sole proprietorships and small businesses.  The Company offers a variety of commercial lending products, including term loans for fixed assets and working capital, revolving lines of credit, letters of credit, and Small Business Administration guaranteed loans.   Term loans are generally offered with initial fixed rates of interest for the first five years and with

7


Table of Contents

terms of up to 7 years.  Business lines of credit have adjustable rates of interest and are payable on demand, subject to annual review and renewal.  Business loans with adjustable rates of interest adjust on a monthly basis and are indexed to the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal

          In making commercial business loans, the Company considers the financial statements of the borrower, the Company’s lending history with the borrower, the debt service capabilities of the borrower, the projected cash flows of the business and the value of the collateral.  Commercial business loans are generally secured by a variety of collateral, primarily equipment, assets and accounts receivable, and are supported by personal guarantees.  Depending on the collateral used to secure the loans, commercial loans are made in amounts of up to 80% of the adjusted value of the collateral securing the loan.  The Company generally does not make unsecured commercial loans.  In addition, the Company participates in loans, often community-based, with area lenders with whom the Company has a relationship. When determining whether to participate in such loans, the Company will underwrite its participation interest according to its own underwriting standards. At December 31, 2002, $205,000, or 1.8% of the commercial loan portfolio, were participation loans of this nature. In an effort to increase its emphasis on commercial loans, in 2002 the Company hired an experienced commercial loan officer with the primary responsibility of increasing commercial business loan volume.

          Unlike mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment or other income, and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial loans are of higher risk and typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business.  As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself.  Further, any collateral securing such loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value. At December 31, 2002, the Company’s largest commercial loan relationship consisted of eight term loans totaling $3.6 million and a revolving line of credit for $150,000 to a fast food franchisee.  These loans were performing according to their original terms at December 31, 2002.

          Loan Approval Procedures and Authority.   The lending policies and loan approval limits of the Company are established through the Executive Lending Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors.  The Committee, in accordance with authority delegated by the Board of Directors, reviews and approves and/or ratifies all loans made or acquired, all changes in security pledged, rates of interest charged for loans, all purchases of loans, all foreclosures on mortgages of real estate and sale of property held in foreclosure, liquidation of secured assets and interim changes to the loan policy.  In connection with one- to four-family mortgage loans, the Committee has authorized the following persons to approve the loans up to the amounts indicated: one assistant vice president and one vice president of commercial lending may approve loans up to $150,000 and $200,000, respectively; the vice president of residential lending and all loan origination and underwriting officers may approve loans up to $322,700; and the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President, Lending may approve loans up to $500,000.

          With respect to consumer loans, the Committee has authorized the following persons to approve loans up to the amounts indicated: 10 assistant branch managers may approve secured and unsecured loans of up to $15,000 and $5,000, respectively; branch managers, loan origination and underwriting officers and the vice president of operations and two vice presidents may approve secured and unsecured loans of up to $30,000 and $10,000, respectively; and the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President, Lending may approve loans up to $75,000 and $50,000, respectively.

          The Committee has authorized the following individuals to approve home equity loans and lines of credit up to the amounts indicated: two lending vice presidents, an assistant vice president and loan origination and underwriting officers may approve loans up to $100,000; and the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President, Lending may approve loans up to $200,000.

          All loans in excess of these approval amounts must be approved by either the Executive Vice President, Lending, the Officers’ Loan Committee and/or the Committee.  The Officers’ Loan Committee, which currently consists of five lending officers, is selected by the Committee and ratified by the Board of Directors.  Specifically, all loans, commitments or other extensions of credit, which either alone or in the aggregate total up to $500,000 may be approved by the Executive Vice President, Lending.  Those loan commitments or other extensions of credit, either alone or in the aggregate, which are greater than $500,000 but are less than $1.5 million must be approved by the Officers’ Loan Committee and those loans commitments or other extensions of credit, either alone or in the aggregate, which exceed $1.5 million must be approved by the Committee.  Additionally, those loans less than $1.5 million must be ratified by

8


Table of Contents

the Committee.  All loans, commitments and other extensions of credit which increase the total aggregate unsecured liability of a borrower to $150,000 or more must be approved by the Officers’ Loan Committee.

          With respect to commercial loans, the Committee has authorized the following persons to approve loans up to the amounts indicated: the Assistant Vice President, Loan Servicing and Collection may approve commercial real estate loans, commercial secured and unsecured loans in amounts of up to $150,000, $100,000 and $20,000, respectively; the vice president/commercial lending officers may approve commercial real estate loans, commercial secured and unsecured loans in amounts of up to $300,000, $250,000 and $125,000, respectively; and the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President, Lending may approve commercial real estate loans, commercial secured and unsecured loans in amounts of up to $500,000, $300,000 and $150,000, respectively. 

          All loans in excess of these approval amounts for commercial loans must be approved by either the Officers’ Loan Committee and/or the Committee.  Specifically, all loans, commitments or other extensions of credit, either alone or in the aggregate which exceed $500,000 or $1.5 million must be approved by the Officers’ Loan Committee and the Committee, respectively.  Additionally, all loans, commitments and other extensions of credit which increase the total aggregate unsecured liability of a borrower to $150,000 or more must be approved by the Officers’ Loan Committee.

Delinquent Loans, Classified Assets and Real Estate Owned

          Delinquent Loans.  Reports listing all delinquent accounts are generated and reviewed by management and the Executive Lending Committee on a monthly basis and the Board of Directors performs a monthly review of all loans or lending relationships delinquent 90 days or more.  The procedures taken by the Company with respect to delinquencies vary depending on the nature of the loan, period and cause of delinquency and whether the borrower is habitually delinquent.  When a borrower fails to make a required payment on a loan, the Company generally sends the borrower a written notice of non-payment after the loan is 15 days past due.  The Company’s guidelines provide that telephone and written correspondence will be attempted to ascertain the reasons for delinquency and the prospects of repayment. When contact is made with the borrower at any time before foreclosure, the Company will offer to work out a repayment schedule with the borrower to avoid foreclosure.  If payment is not then received or the loan not otherwise satisfied, additional letters and telephone calls generally are made.  If the loan is still not brought current or satisfied and it becomes necessary for the Company to take legal action, which typically occurs after a loan is 90 days or more delinquent, the Company will demand the loan and then commence foreclosure proceedings against any real property that secured the loan or accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure.  If a foreclosure action is instituted and the loan is not brought current, paid in full, or refinanced before the foreclosure sale, the property securing the loan generally is sold at foreclosure and, if purchased by the Company, becomes real estate owned.

          Classified Assets.  Federal regulations and the Company’s internal policies require that the Company utilize an internal asset classification system as a means of reporting problem and potential problem assets.  The Company currently classifies problem and potential problem assets as “Substandard,” “Doubtful” or “Loss” assets.  An asset is considered Substandard if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth, paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Substandard assets include those characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Assets classified as Doubtful have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. Assets classified as Loss are those considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as assets, without the establishment of a specific loss reserve, is not warranted.  Assets which do not currently expose the Company to a sufficient degree of risk to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories but possess weaknesses are required to be designated “Special Mention.”

          When the Company classifies one or more assets, or portions thereof, as Substandard or Doubtful, it is required to establish an allowance for loan losses in an amount deemed prudent by management unless the loss of principal appears to be remote.  When the Company classifies one or more assets, or portions thereof, as Loss, it is required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of the amount of the assets so classified or to charge off the loan in full.

          Management of the Company and the Executive Lending Committee review and classify the assets of the Company on a monthly basis and the Board of Directors reviews the results of the reports on a monthly basis.  The Company classifies its assets in accordance with the management guidelines described above.  

9


Table of Contents

          The following table sets forth the Company’s classified assets at December 31, 2002.

 

 

Loss

 

Doubtful

 

Substandard

 

Special Mention

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Number of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance

 

Number of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance

 

Number of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance

 

Number of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Real estate loans:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
One- to four-family

 

 

—  

 

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

—  

 

 

19

 

$

1,721

 

 

12

 

$

899

 

 
Multi-family and commercial real estate

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5

 

 

814

 

 

2

 

 

302

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total real estate loans

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

24

 

 

2,535

 

 

14

 

 

1,201

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Consumer loans:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Home equity

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

9

 

 

324

 

 

3

 

 

164

 

 
Automobile

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

6

 

 

66

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Other

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

12

 

 

24

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Commercial loans
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1

 

 

8

 

 

2

 

 

73

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total loans

 

 

—  

 

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

—  

 

 

52

 

$

2,957

 

 

19

 

$

1,438

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total loans in each category to total assets
 

 

 

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

 

 

0.42

%

 

 

 

 

0.20

%

          At December 31, 2002, all of these classified assets represented 0.9% of total loans.

          At December 31, 2002, the Company had one loan, classified as Substandard and included in the multi-family and commercial real estate category, with a balance of $618,000.  The loan is secured by a blanket first mortgage on ten multi-family properties located in Westfield, Massachusetts.  Currently, the borrower provides the Company with monthly financial statements and the Company actively monitors the properties’ vacancy rates.  The borrower is current with respect to payments.

10


Table of Contents

          The following table sets forth the delinquencies in the Company’s loan portfolio as of the dates indicated.

 

 

December 31, 2002

 

December 31, 2001

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

60-89 Days

 

90 Days or More

 

60-89 Days

 

90 Days or More

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Number
of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance of
Loans

 

Number
of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance of
Loans

 

Number
of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance of
Loans

 

Number
of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance of
Loans

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

One- to four- family

 

 

4

 

$

285

 

 

11

 

$

1,034

 

 

10

 

$

771

 

 

4

 

$

243

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

1

 

 

126

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1

 

 

21

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Home equity

 

 

4

 

 

194

 

 

2

 

 

58

 

 

1

 

 

27

 

 

1

 

 

11

 

Other consumer

 

 

8

 

 

22

 

 

2

 

 

14

 

 

8

 

 

18

 

 

7

 

 

290

 

Commercial

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1

 

 

12

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total loans

 

 

17

 

$

627

 

 

15

 

$

1,106

 

 

20

 

$

837

 

 

13

 

$

556

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Delinquent loans to total loans (1)

 

 

 

 

 

0.13

%

 

 

 

 

0.23

%

 

 

 

 

0.19

%

 

 

 

 

0.13

%


 

 

December 31, 2000

 

December 31, 1999

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

60-89 Days

 

90 Days or More

 

60-89 Days

 

90 Days or More

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Number
of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance of
Loans

 

Number
of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance of
Loans

 

Number
of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance of
Loans

 

Number
of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance of
Loans

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

One- to four- family
 

 

1

 

$

100

 

 

1

 

$

4

 

 

1

 

$

77

 

 

1

 

$

49

 

Commercial real estate
 

 

1

 

 

50

 

 

2

 

 

235

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1

 

 

12

 

Home equity
 

 

2

 

 

70

 

 

1

 

 

22

 

 

1

 

 

24

 

 

2

 

 

114

 

Other consumer
 

 

6

 

 

11

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

3

 

 

6

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total loans
 

 

10

 

$

231

 

 

4

 

$

261

 

 

5

 

$

107

 

 

4

 

$

175

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Delinquent loans to total loans (1)
 

 

 

 

 

0.06

%

 

 

 

 

0.07

%

 

 

 

 

0.03

%

 

 

 

 

0.06

%

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 1998

 

 

 


 

 

 

60-89 Days

 

90 Days or More

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Number
of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance of
Loans

 

Number
of
Loans

 

Principal
Balance of
Loans

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

One- to four- family
 

 

1

 

$

74

 

 

2

 

$

167

 

Commercial real estate
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

2

 

 

109

 

Home equity
 

 

1

 

 

6

 

 

1

 

 

30

 

Other consumer
 

 

3

 

 

5

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 



 

Total loans
 

 

5

 

$

85

 

 

5

 

$

306

 

 
 


 



 



 



 

Delinquent loans to total loans (1)
 

 

 

 

 

0.03

%

 

 

 

 

0.11

%

(1) Total loans includes gross loans, less unadvanced loan funds, plus net deferred loan costs

11


Table of Contents

          Non-performing Assets and Impaired Loans.   The following table sets forth information regarding non-accrual loans and real estate owned (“REO”).  Non-accrual loans increased $550,000 to $1.1 million at December 31, 2002 compared to $556,000 at December 31, 2001 largely attributable to several residential mortgage loans placed on non-accrual status during the year ended December 31, 2002, partially offset by payoffs of two collateral loans secured by stock.  The Company generally ceases the accrual of interest on loans 90 days or more past due. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on non-accrual is reversed against income.  If interest payments on all non-accrual loans for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 had been made in accordance with original loan agreements, interest income of $55,000, $19,000 and $18,000, respectively, would have been recognized. The Company did not recognize cash basis non-accrual loan income during the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000.  The Company has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 114 “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan,” as amended by SFAS No. 118. At December 31, 2002, the Company had a $19,000 recorded investment in impaired loans with a specific allowance of $19,000.  At December 31, 2001, the Company had an $84,000 recorded investment in impaired loans with a specific allowance of $41,000.  At December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company had no REO. When the Company acquires property through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, it is initially recorded at the lower of the recorded investment in the corresponding loan or the fair value of the related assets at the date of foreclosure, less costs to sell.  Thereafter, if there is a further deterioration in value, the Company provides for a specific allowance and charges operations for the diminution in value.

 
 

At December 31,

 

 
 

 

 
 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Non-accrual loans:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Real estate:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
One- to four- family

 

$

1,034

 

$

243

 

$

4

 

$

49

 

$

167

 

 
Commercial

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

235

 

 

12

 

 

109

 

 
Home equity

 

 

58

 

 

11

 

 

22

 

 

114

 

 

30

 

 
Other consumer

 

 

14

 

 

290

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Commercial

 

 

—  

 

 

12

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 

 
Total

 

 

1,106

 

 

556

 

 

261

 

 

175

 

 

306

 

Real estate owned, net (1)
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

61

 

 

879

 

 

241

 

Other repossessed assets
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 

 
Total nonperforming assets

 

 

1,106

 

 

556

 

 

322

 

 

1,058

 

 

547

 

Troubled debt restructurings
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

773

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 

Troubled debt restructurings and total nonperforming assets
 

$

1,106

 

$

556

 

$

322

 

$

1,058

 

$

1,320

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 

Total nonperforming loans and troubled debt restructurings as a percentage of total loans (2) (3)
 

 

0.23

%

 

0.13

%

 

0.07

%

 

0.06

%

 

0.38

%

Total nonperforming assets and troubled debt restructurings as a percentage of total assets (3)
 

 

0.16

%

 

0.08

%

 

0.05

%

 

0.21

%

 

0.31

%


(1)

REO balances are shown net of related loss allowances.

(2)

Total loans includes loans, less unadvanced loan funds, plus net deferred loan costs.

(3)

Nonperforming assets consist of nonperforming loans, REO and other repossessed assets.  Nonperforming loans consist of all loans 90 days or more past due and other loans which have been identified by the Company as presenting uncertainty with respect to the collectibility of interest or principal.

12


Table of Contents

Allowance for Loan Losses

          Management prepares a loan loss sufficiency analysis on a quarterly basis based upon the loan portfolio composition, asset classifications, loan-to-value ratios of loans in portfolio, impairments in the loan portfolio, historical loan loss experience and other relevant factors.  This analysis is compared to actual losses, peer group data and economic trends and conditions. The allowance for loan losses is maintained through the provision for loan losses, which is charged to operations.

          The allowance for loan losses is maintained at an amount that management considers adequate to cover estimated losses in its loan portfolio based on management’s on-going evaluation of the risks inherent in its loan portfolio, consideration of trends in delinquency and impaired loans, the amount of charge-offs and recoveries, volume of loans, changes in risk selection, credit concentrations, national and regional economies and the real estate market in the Company’s primary lending area. Management believes that the current allowance for loan losses accurately reflects the level of risk in the current loan portfolio.  The Company’s loan loss allowance determinations also incorporate factors and analyses which consider the principal loss associated with the loan. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

          The Company’s methodology for assessing the adequacy of the loan loss allowance consists of a review of the components, which includes a specific allowance for identified problem and impaired loans and a general allowance for current performing loans.  All loans are considered in the evaluation, whether on an individual or group basis. Changes in the balances of problem and impaired loans affect the specific reserve, while changes in volume and concentrations of current performing loans affects the general reserve and the allocation of the allowance of the loan losses among loan types.

          The specific allowance incorporates the results of measuring impairment for specifically identified non-homogeneous problem loans in accordance with SFAS No. 114.  In accordance with SFAS No. 114, the specific allowance reduces the carrying amount of the impaired loans to their estimated fair value.  A loan is recognized as impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all interest and principal payments due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  A loan is not deemed to be impaired if there is a short delay in receipt of payment or if, during a longer period of delay, the Company expects to collect all amounts due including interest accrued at the contractual rate during the period of delay.  Impairment can be measured based on present value of the expected future principal and interest cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the Company may measure impairment based on a loan’s observable market price or the fair market value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent.  Larger groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment, such as residential real estate mortgages, home equity loans and consumer and installment loans, are not included within the scope of SFAS No. 114.

          The general allowance is calculated by applying reserve percentages to outstanding loans by type, excluding loans for which a specific allowance has been determined.  As part of this analysis, each quarter management prepares an allowance for loan losses summary worksheet in which the loan portfolio is categorized by risk characteristics such as loan type and loan grade.  Changes in the mix of loans and the internal loan grades affect the amount of the general allowance. Reserve percentages are assigned to each category based on the Company’s assessment of each category’s inherent risk.  In determining the reserve percentages to apply to each loan category, management considers historical losses, peer group comparisons, industry data and loss percentages used by banking regulators for similarly graded loans. Reserve percentages may be adjusted for qualitative factors that, in management’s judgement, affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date.

          Performing loan loss reserve percentages are based on actual losses for the previous three years adjusted for qualitative factors, such as new loan products, credit quality trends (including trends in non-performing loans expected to result from existing conditions), collateral values, loan volumes and concentrations and specific industry conditions within portfolio segments that exist at the balance sheet date.  The reserve percentages are applied to outstanding loans by loan type.

          The Company’s methodologies include several factors that are intended to reduce the difference between estimated and actual losses. The reserve percentages that are used to establish the allowance for current performing loans are designed to be self-correcting by taking into account changes in loan classification, loan concentrations and loan volumes and by permitting adjustments based on management’s judgements of qualitative factors as of the evaluation

13


Table of Contents

date.  Similarly, by basing the current performing loan reserve percentages on loss experience over the prior three years, the methodology is designed to take the Company’s recent loss experience into account.

          The Company’s allowance methodology has been applied on a consistent basis.  Based on this methodology, it believes that it has established and maintained the allowance for loan losses at adequate levels. However, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary if economic, real estate, loan growth and portfolio diversification and other conditions differ substantially from the current operating environment, resulting in estimated and actual losses differing substantially.

          The Company determines the classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances.  These determinations can be reviewed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Commissioner of Banks for the Massachusetts Department of Banking, which can order the establishment of additional specific or general loss allowances.  The FDIC, in conjunction with the other federal banking agencies, maintains an interagency policy statement on the allowance for loan and lease losses.  The policy statement provides guidance for financial institutions on both the responsibilities of management for the assessment and establishment of adequate allowances and guidance for banking agency examiners to use in determining the adequacy of general valuation guidelines.  Generally, the policy statement recommends that institutions have effective systems and controls to identify, monitor and address asset quality problems; that management has analyzed all significant factors that affect the collectibility of the portfolio in a reasonable manner; and that management has established acceptable allowance evaluation processes that meet the objectives set forth in the policy statement.  While the Company believes that it has established an adequate allowance for loan losses, there can be no assurance that regulators, in reviewing the Company’s loan portfolio, will not request the Company to materially increase its allowance for loan losses, thereby negatively affecting the Company’s financial condition and earnings.

14


Table of Contents

          The following table sets forth activity in the Company’s allowance for loan losses for the periods set forth in the table.

 

 

At or for the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period
 

$

2,701

 

$

2,590

 

$

2,309

 

$

2,166

 

$

1,952

 

Charged-off loans:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Real estate

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

8

 

 

—  

 

 
Consumer

 

 

116

 

 

117

 

 

108

 

 

78

 

 

100

 

 
Commercial

 

 

12

 

 

5

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total charged-off loans

 

 

128

 

 

122

 

 

108

 

 

86

 

 

100

 

 
 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Recoveries on loans previously charged-off:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Real estate

 

 

39

 

 

13

 

 

52

 

 

12

 

 

37

 

 
Consumer

 

 

37

 

 

25

 

 

37

 

 

37

 

 

37

 

 
Commercial

 

 

5

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total recoveries

 

 

81

 

 

38

 

 

89

 

 

49

 

 

74

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 

Net loans charged-off
 

 

47

 

 

84

 

 

19

 

 

37

 

 

26

 

Provision for loan losses
 

 

502

 

 

195

 

 

300

 

 

180

 

 

240

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 

Allowance for loan losses, end of period
 

$

3,156

 

$

2,701

 

$

2,590

 

$

2,309

 

$

2,166

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 

Net loans charged-off to average loans, net
 

 

0.01

%

 

0.02

%

 

0.01

%

 

0.01

%

 

0.01

%

Allowance for loan losses to total loans (1)
 

 

0.67

%

 

0.63

%

 

0.66

%

 

0.75

%

 

0.76

%

Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans and troubled debt restructuring (2)
 

 

285.35

%

 

485.79

%

 

992.34

%

 

1,319.43

%

 

200.74

%

Net loans charged-off to allowance for loan losses
 

 

1.49

%

 

3.11

%

 

0.73

%

 

1.60

%

 

1.20

%

Recoveries to charge-offs
 

 

63.28

%

 

31.15

%

 

82.41

%

 

56.98

%

 

74.00

%


(1)

Total loans includes loans, less unadvanced loan funds, plus net deferred loan costs.

(2)

Nonperforming loans and troubled debt restructuring consist of all loans 90 days or more past due and other loans which have been identified by the Company as presenting uncertainty with respect to the collectibility of interest or principal.

15


Table of Contents

          The following table sets forth the Company’s percent of allowance for loan losses to total allowances and the percent of loans to total loans in each of the categories listed at the dates indicated.  Management believes that the allowance can be allocated by category only on an approximate basis.  These allocations are not necessarily indicative of future losses and do not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in any other loan category.

 

 

For Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Amount

 

% of
Allowance
in each
Category
to Total
Allowance

 

Percent
of Loans
in each
Category
to Total
Loans

 

Amount

 

% of Allowance
in each
Category
to Total Allowance

 

Percent
of Loans
in each
Category
to Total Loans

 

Amount

 

% of
Allowance
in each
Category to Total
Allowance

 

Percent
of Loans
in each
Category
to Total
Loans

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Real estate loans (1)
 

$

2,336

 

 

74.02

%

 

78.14

%

$

2,035

 

 

75.35

%

 

75.11

%

$

1,827

 

 

70.54

%

 

74.34

%

Consumer loans (1)
 

 

667

 

 

21.13

%

 

19.56

%

 

573

 

 

21.21

%

 

22.53

%

 

665

 

 

25.68

%

 

24.43

%

Commercial loans
 

 

153

 

 

4.85

%

 

2.30

%

 

93

 

 

3.44

%

 

2.36

%

 

98

 

 

3.78

%

 

1.23

%

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total allowance for loan losses

 

$

3,156

 

 

100.00

%

 

100.00

%

$

2,701

 

 

100.00

%

 

100.00

%

$

2,590

 

 

100.00

%

 

100.00

%

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 


 

 

For Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

1999

 

1998

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Amount

 

% of
Allowance
in each
Category
to Total
Allowance

 

Percent
of Loans
in each
Category
to Total
Loans

 

Amount

 

% of
Allowance
in each
Category
to Total
Allowance

 

Percent
of Loans
in each
Category
to Total
Loans

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Real estate loans (1)
 

$

1,547

 

 

67.00

%

 

71.77

%

$

1,543

 

 

71.24

%

 

71.34

%

Consumer loans (1)
 

 

664

 

 

28.76

%

 

26.65

%

 

525

 

 

24.24

%

 

27.05

%

Commercial loans
 

 

98

 

 

4.24

%

 

1.58

%

 

98

 

 

4.52

%

 

1.61

%

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total allowance for loan losses

 

$

2,309

 

 

100.00

%

 

100.00

%

$

2,166

 

 

100.00

%

 

100.00

%

 
 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 


(1) The real estate loans allowance for losses includes an amount for the home equity loan portfolio.  In the loan portfolio composition table,  home equity loans are included in the consumer loan category.

16


Table of Contents

Investment Activities

          The Board of Directors establishes the investment policy and procedures of the Company.  It is the general policy of the Company that all investment transactions be conducted in a safe and sound manner.  The Company’s investment policy further provides that investment decisions be based upon a thorough analysis of each proposed investment to determine its quality, inherent risks, fit within the Company’s overall asset/liability management objectives, the effect on the Company’s risk-based capital and prospects for yield and/or appreciation.  While general investment strategies are developed and authorized by the Board of Directors, the execution of specific investment actions and the day-to-day oversight of the Company’s investment portfolio rests with the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer.  These officers are authorized to execute investment transactions of up to $5 million without the prior approval of the Executive Committee if such transactions are within the scope of the Company’s established investment policy. On a monthly basis, the Board of Directors reviews and evaluates all investment activities for safety and soundness, adherence to the Company’s investment policy and assurance that authority levels are maintained.

          Generally accepted accounting principles require that securities be categorized as either “held to maturity,” “trading securities” or “available for sale,” based on management’s intent as to the ultimate disposition of each security. Debt securities may be classified as “held to maturity” and reported in financial statements at amortized cost only if the reporting entity has the positive intent and ability to hold those securities to maturity.  Securities that might be sold in response to changes in market interest rates, changes in the security’s prepayment risk, increases in loan demand, or other similar factors cannot be classified as “held to maturity.”  Debt and equity securities held for current resale are classified as “trading securities.”  These securities are reported at fair value, and unrealized gains and losses on the securities would be included in earnings.  Debt and equity securities not classified as either “held to maturity” or “trading securities” are classified as “available for sale.”  These securities are reported at fair value, and unrealized gains and losses on the securities are excluded from earnings and reported, net of deferred taxes, as a separate component of equity. 

          The Company generally invests in securities to utilize funds not employed for loan origination activity, to maintain liquidity at levels deemed appropriate by management, to enhance profitability within overall asset/liability management objectives and to provide a degree of high credit quality assets to the balance sheet.  At December 31, 2002, the Company’s trading account portfolio totaled $16.3 million, or 2.3% of assets and the available-for-sale securities portfolio totaled $155.3 million, or 22.0% of assets.

          Trading Account Securities.  The Company currently maintains a diversified equity security portfolio, consisting of common and preferred stocks.  During the quarter ended December 31, 2002, the Company reclassified its common and preferred stock portfolio, except for a $110,000 equity investment in a bank service bureau, from “available for sale” to “trading”.  The shift in the portfolio classification resulted in the recognition of an unrealized loss of $2.1 million, which was previously reflected on the balance sheet in equity capital as a component of comprehensive income.  As such, this reclassification was neutral to stated equity capital.  This reclassification reflects a shift in the Company’s equity investment strategy.  Historically, the Company invested in common and preferred stock as a means of diversifying its investment portfolio and mitigating interest rate risk.  As a result of the equity market declines, a portion of the Company’s equity portfolio has experienced sizable declines and impairment.  After an analysis of the portfolio and the specific securities that comprise the portfolio, management determined that a large portion of the securities in the portfolio no longer meet the Company’s investment criteria.  Therefore, management intends to capitalize on short-term fluctuations in price to reduce the common and preferred stock portfolio.

          The Company’s current policies generally provide that the maximum investment in common and preferred stock of any one corporation shall not exceed $500,000.

          Investments in equity securities involve risk as they are not insured or guaranteed investments and are affected by stock market fluctuations.  Such investments are carried at their market value and can directly affect the net equity capital of the Company.  The Company also utilizes, from time to time, “covered” call  options with respect to common stocks as a means to further supplement its revenues associated with equity investments.  Such investment activity is specifically authorized by both federal and Massachusetts law.

          Equity Securities Available-for-Sale.  The Company currently has a $110,000 equity investment in a bank service provider. 

17


Table of Contents

          Mortgage-Backed Securities Available-for-Sale.  The Company purchases mortgage-backed securities to (1) achieve positive interest rate spreads with minimal administrative expense and (2) lower its credit risk as a result of the guarantees provided by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and Ginnie Mae.  Mortgage-backed securities are created by the pooling of mortgages and issuance of a security with an interest rate which is less than the interest rate on the underlying mortgage. Mortgage-backed securities typically represent a participation interest in a pool of single-family or multi-family mortgages, although the Company focuses its investments on mortgage-backed securities backed by one- to four-family mortgages.  The issuers of such securities pool and resell the participation interests in the form of securities to investors such as the Company and guarantee the payment of principal and interest to investors.  Mortgage-backed securities generally yield less than the loans that underlie such securities because of the cost of payment guarantees and credit enhancements.  However, mortgage-backed securities are usually more liquid than individual mortgage loans and may be used to collateralize specific liabilities and obligations of the Company. 

          At December 31, 2002, mortgage-backed securities totaled $82.6 million, or 11.7% of assets and 12.4% of interest earning assets, all of which are classified as available-for-sale.  At December 31, 2002, 5.6% of the mortgage-backed securities were backed by adjustable-rate loans and 94.4% were backed by fixed-rate loans.  The mortgage-backed securities portfolio had a stated rate of 6.83% at December 31, 2002.  Investments in mortgage-backed securities involve a risk that actual prepayments may differ from estimated prepayments over the life of the security, which may require adjustments to the amortization of any premium or accretion of any discount relating to such instruments, thereby changing the net yield on such securities.  There is also reinvestment risk associated with the cash flows from such securities or if such securities are redeemed by the issuer.  In addition, the market value of such securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates.

          Although the Company no longer invests in Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (“REMICs”), the Company did maintain $4.6 million of such investments in its securities portfolio at December 31, 2002.  Generally, REMICs hold commercial and/or residential real estate mortgages in trust and issue securities representing an undivided interest in such mortgages.  A REMIC, which can be a corporation, trust, association or partnership, assembles mortgages into pools and issues pass-through certificates, multiclass bonds (similar to a collateralized mortgage obligation) or other securities to investors in the secondary mortgage market.

          Other Debt Securities Available-for-Sale.  The Company currently has a portfolio of other debt securities, consisting of U.S. agency, municipal and trust preferred securities.  As of December 31, 2002, the Company’s total investment in U.S. agency securities was $29.1 million, consisting of bonds issued and guaranteed by the Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Bank.  These bonds have maturities ranging from less than one month to 41 months with a weighted average life of 1.7 years and a weighted average yield of 3.6%. The Company invested in these bonds in anticipation of accelerated cash flows from the mortgage-backed securities portfolio.  Management believes these securities will enhance net interest income as a result of positive interest rate spreads, position the balance sheet for expected future rate increases and improve liquidity.  These securities can also be used as collateral for certain borrowings.  As of December 31, 2002, the Company has a municipal bond portfolio totaling $22.0 million with a weighted average tax equivalent yield of 7.0%.  The Company invested in these bonds to capitalize on the favorable income tax treatment, attractive yields and spreads, call protection for six to ten years, significant insurance coverage and excellent credit ratings.  As of December 31, 2002, the Company has a trust preferred portfolio totaling $21.5 million.  Trust preferred securities are corporate debt securities issued by bank and savings and loan holding companies. The maximum investment in the trust preferred security of any one corporation shall not exceed 5% of capital.

18


Table of Contents

          The following table sets forth at the dates indicated information regarding the amortized cost and market values of the Company’s investment securities.

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Trading account securities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Preferred stocks

 

$

4,647

 

$

4,647

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

 
Common stocks

 

 

11,637

 

 

11,637

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total trading account securities

 

$

16,284

 

$

16,284

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

Available-for-sale securities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Preferred stocks

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

$

4,116

 

$

4,147

 

$

3,243

 

$

2,916

 

 
Common stocks

 

 

110

 

 

110

 

 

12,490

 

 

12,289

 

 

11,654

 

 

12,063

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total equity securities

 

 

110

 

 

110

 

 

16,606

 

 

16,436

 

 

14,897

 

 

14,979

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Mortgage-backed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Freddie Mac

 

 

9,186

 

 

9,785

 

 

19,689

 

 

20,323

 

 

25,730

 

 

26,017

 

 
Fannie Mae

 

 

45,541

 

 

49,045

 

 

58,771

 

 

61,299

 

 

72,992

 

 

75,052

 

 
Ginnie Mae

 

 

18,459

 

 

19,153

 

 

27,015

 

 

26,868

 

 

36,833

 

 

36,031

 

 
REMIC

 

 

4,466

 

 

4,590

 

 

5,438

 

 

5,405

 

 

6,272

 

 

6,463

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total mortgage-backed securities

 

 

77,652

 

 

82,573

 

 

110,913

 

 

113,895

 

 

141,827

 

 

143,563

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
U.S. agency

 

 

28,207

 

 

29,135

 

 

7,944

 

 

8,393

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Municipal bonds

 

 

21,454

 

 

21,950

 

 

18,340

 

 

17,398

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Trust preferred

 

 

19,885

 

 

21,538

 

 

19,600

 

 

19,586

 

 

19,455

 

 

18,191

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total other debt securities

 

 

69,546

 

 

72,623

 

 

45,884

 

 

45,377

 

 

19,455

 

 

18,191

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total debt securities

 

 

147,198

 

 

155,196

 

 

156,797

 

 

159,272

 

 

161,282

 

 

161,754

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total available-for-sale securities (1)

 

$

147,308

 

$

155,306

 

$

173,403

 

$

175,708

 

$

176,179

 

$

176,733

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 


(1)

Does not include $13.8 million of FHLB-Boston stock held by the Company in 2002, 2001 and 2000.

19


Table of Contents

          The following table sets forth the Company’s securities activities for the periods indicated.  This table does not include FHLB stock held by the Company.

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Equity securities available for sale:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Equity securities, beginning of period

 

$

16,436

 

$

14,979

 

$

17,607

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Purchases

 

 

6,020

 

 

6,412

 

 

7,444

 

 
Sales

 

 

(4,010

)

 

(4,702

)

 

(11,175

)

 
Increase (decrease) in unrealized gain

 

 

34

 

 

(253

)

 

1,103

 

 
Transfer of common and preferred stocks to trading

 

 

(18,370

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Net (decrease) increase in equity securities

 

 

(16,326

)

 

1,457

 

 

(2,628

)

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Equity securities, end of period

 

$

110

 

$

16,436

 

$

14,979

 

 
 


 



 



 

Debt securities available-for-sale:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Mortgage-backed securities, beginning of period

 

$

113,895

 

$

143,563

 

$

120,005

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Purchases

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

30,519

 

 
Repayments and prepayments

 

 

(33,278

)

 

(30,931

)

 

(12,871

)

 
Net accretion

 

 

16

 

 

18

 

 

52

 

 
Increase in unrealized gain

 

 

1,940

 

 

1,245

 

 

5,858

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Net (decrease) increase in mortgage-backed securities

 

 

(31,322

)

 

(29,668

)

 

23,558

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Mortgage-backed securities, end of period

 

 

82,573

 

 

113,895

 

 

143,563

 

 
 


 



 



 

U.S. agencies:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
U.S. agency securities, beginning of period

 

 

8,393

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Purchases

 

 

20,721

 

 

7,961

 

 

—  

 

 
Net amortization

 

 

(458

)

 

(18

)

 

—  

 

 
Increase in unrealized gain

 

 

479

 

 

450

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Net increase in U.S. agency securities

 

 

20,742

 

 

8,393

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
U.S. agency securities, end of period

 

 

29,135

 

 

8,393

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 

Municipal bonds:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Municipal bonds, beginning of period

 

 

17,398

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Purchases

 

 

3,126

 

 

18,340

 

 

—  

 

 
Net amortization

 

 

(11

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Increase (decrease) in unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

1,437

 

 

(942

)

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Net increase in municipal bonds

 

 

4,552

 

 

17,398

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Municipal bonds, end of period

 

 

21,950

 

 

17,398

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

Trust preferred securities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Trust preferred securities, beginning of period

 

 

19,586

 

 

18,191

 

 

12,345

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Purchases

 

 

4,241

 

 

125

 

 

6,081

 

 
Sales

 

 

(3,968

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Net accretion

 

 

12

 

 

20

 

 

21

 

 
Increase (decrease) in unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

1,667

 

 

1,250

 

 

(256

)

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Net increase in trust preferred securities

 

 

1,952

 

 

1,395

 

 

5,846

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Trust preferred securities, end of period

 

 

21,538

 

 

19,586

 

 

18,191

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Total debt securities, end of period

 

$

155,196

 

$

159,272

 

$

161,754

 

 
 


 



 



 

Trading account securities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Trading account securities, beginning of period

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Transfer of common and preferred stocks to trading

 

 

18,370

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Recognition of unrealized loss associated with reclassification of common and preferred stocks to trading from available for sale

 

 

(2,086

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Net increase in trading account securities

 

 

16,284

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Trading account securities, end of period

 

$

16,284

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 

20


Table of Contents

          The table below sets forth information regarding the carrying value, weighted average yields and contractual maturities of the Company’s securities portfolio as of December 31, 2002.

 

 

Less than One Year

 

More than One Year
to Five Years

 

More than Five Years
to Ten Years

 

More than Ten
Years

 

Total

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Carrying
Value

 

Weighted
Average
Yield

 

Carrying
Value

 

Weighted
Average
Yield

 

Carrying
Value

 

Weighted
Average
Yield

 

Carrying
Value

 

Weighted
Average
Yield

 

Carrying
Value

Weighted
Average
Yield

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Available-for-sale securities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Mortgage-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Freddie Mac

 

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

1,261

 

 

7.43

%

$

8,524

 

 

7.05

%

$

9,785

 

 

7.10

%

 
Fannie Mae

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

14,388

 

 

7.37

%

 

4,490

 

 

7.35

%

 

30,167

 

 

6.94

%

 

49,045

 

 

7.10

%

 
Ginnie Mae

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

19,153

 

 

6.40

%

 

19,153

 

 

6.40

%

 
REMICS

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,590

 

 

6.80

%

 

4,590

 

 

6.80

%

 
 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
Total mortgage-backed securities

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

14,388

 

 

7.37

%

 

5,751

 

 

7.37

%

 

62,434

 

 

6.78

%

 

82,573

 

 

6.92

%

 
Other securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
U.S. agency

 

 

5,113

 

 

2.46

%

 

24,022

 

 

3.82

%

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

29,135

 

 

3.58

%

 
Municipal bonds (1)

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

21,950

 

 

6.98

%

 

21,950

 

 

6.98

%

 
Trust preferreds

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

21,538

 

 

8.20

%

 

21,538

 

 

8.20

%

 
 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
Total other debt securities

 

 

5,113

 

 

2.46

%

 

24,022

 

 

3.82

%

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

43,488

 

 

7.59

%

 

72,623

 

 

5.98

%

 
 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
Total debt securities

 

 

5,113

 

 

2.46

%

 

38,410

 

 

5.15

%

 

5,751

 

 

7.37

%

 

105,922

 

 

7.11

%

 

155,196

 

 

6.48

%

 
Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Common stocks

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

110

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
Total equity securities

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

110

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
Total available-for-sale securities (2)

 

$

5,113

 

 

 

 

$

38,410

 

 

 

 

$

5,751

 

 

 

 

$

105,922

 

 

 

 

$

155,306

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 


(1)

The yield on municipal bonds is presented in this table on a tax equivalent basis using a tax rate of 34%.  The book yield for these instruments is 4.61%.

(2)

Does not include $13.8 million of FHLB stock held by the Company.

Sources of Funds

          GeneralDeposits, repayments and prepayments of loans, cash flows generated from operations and FHLB advances are the primary sources of the Company’s funds for use in lending, investing and for other general purposes.

          Deposits.  The Company offers a variety of consumer and commercial deposit accounts with a range of interest rates and terms.  The Company’s deposit accounts consist of savings, retail checking/NOW accounts, commercial checking accounts, money market accounts, certificate of deposit accounts and Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”) and other qualified retirement plan accounts .  The Company from time to time offers certificate of deposit accounts with balances in excess of $100,000 (jumbo certificates) and certificate of deposit accounts with special rates.  The Company also utilizes brokered certificates of deposits as an alternative source of funds.

          At December 31, 2002, the Company’s deposits totaled $370.7 million, or 58.7% of total liabilities.   The Company had a total of $113.5 in retail certificates of deposit at December 31, 2002, including $81.7 million scheduled to mature in less than one year.   At December 31, 2002 core deposits, consisting of savings, NOW, money market and demand accounts, represented approximately 57.7% of total deposits, retail certificates of deposits accounts represented 30.6% of total deposits and brokered certificates of deposits represented 11.7% of total deposits.  At December 31, 2001, the Company’s core deposits represented 56.3% of total deposits, retail certificate accounts represented 34.9% of deposits and brokered certificates of deposit represented 8.8% of total deposits. Although a significant portion of the Company’s deposits are in core deposits, management monitors activity in this category and, based on historical experience and the Company’s current pricing strategy, believes it will continue to retain a large portion of such accounts. The Company is not limited with respect to the rates it may offer on deposit products.

          During 2002, the Company announced a significant change in its branch network strategy.   The Company elected to exit all supermarket branches and to focus on full service facilities.  In conjunction with this strategy, the Company announced the intended sale of three supermarket branches and the relocation of its fourth supermarket branch in South Hadley to a new full service facility located in Chicopee.  In December 2002 the Company completed the sale of its Amherst and West Springfield supermarket branches.  Under the terms of the transaction, the Bank recognized a net gain of approximately $815,000 in the sale of approximately $8.9 million in deposits.  In February 2003 the Company completed the sale of its Boston Road supermarket branch, realizing a net gain of approximately $165,000 from the sale of approximately $4.3 million in deposits.

21


Table of Contents

          The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in money market rates, prevailing interest rates and competition.  The Company’s deposits are obtained predominantly from the areas in which its banking offices are located.  The Company relies primarily on customer service, advertising and long-standing relationships with customers to attract and retain these deposits; however, market interest rates and rates offered by competing financial institutions affect the Company’s ability to attract and retain deposits.  The Company uses traditional means of advertising its deposit products, including television, radio and print media.  The Company also uses its website to attract deposits.  While certificate accounts in excess of $100,000 are accepted by the Company, and may receive special rates, the Company does not actively solicit jumbo certificates as these accounts are more difficult to retain than core deposits.  All Massachusetts savings banks are required to be members of the Deposit Insurance Fund, a private deposit insurer, which insures all deposits in member banks in excess of FDIC deposit insurance limits.  Member banks are required to pay the assessments of the Fund.

          The following table presents the deposit activity of the Company for the periods indicated.

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Increase (decrease) before interest credited and effect of branch sales
 

$

34,383

 

$

(1,229

)

$

51,492

 

Sale of supermarket branch deposits
 

 

(8,929

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Interest credited (1)
 

 

9,136

 

 

12,034

 

 

10,567

 

 
 


 



 



 

Net increase
 

$

34,590

 

$

10,805

 

$

62,059

 

 
 


 



 



 


(1)

Does not include escrow interest credited of $12,000, $10,000 and $9,000 for the periods ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

          At December 31, 2002, the Company had $17.6 million in certificate accounts in amounts of $100,000 or more, maturing as follows:

Maturity Period

 

Amount

 

Weighted
Average
Rate

 


 


 


 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Three months or less
 

$

5,274

 

 

2.86

%

Over three through six months
 

 

1,953

 

 

2.50

%

Over six through 12 months
 

 

3,471

 

 

2.74

%

Over 12 months
 

 

6,900

 

 

3.83

%

 
 


 

 

 

 

Total
 

$

17,598

 

 

3.18

%

 
 


 

 

 

 

22


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth the distribution of the Company’s deposit accounts for the periods indicated.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Balance

 

Percent
of Total
Deposits

 

Balance

 

Percent
of Total
Deposits

 

Balance

 

Percent
of Total
Deposits

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Demand
 

$

22,388

 

 

6.04

%

$

20,077

 

 

5.97

%

$

16,165

 

 

4.97

%

Savings
 

 

77,120

 

 

20.81

%

 

71,490

 

 

21.27

%

 

65,250

 

 

20.06

%

Money market
 

 

47,500

 

 

12.82

%

 

34,289

 

 

10.20

%

 

27,034

 

 

8.31

%

NOW
 

 

66,944

 

 

18.06

%

 

63,426

 

 

18.87

%

 

48,217

 

 

14.82

%

Brokered deposits
 

 

43,205

 

 

11.66

%

 

29,630

 

 

8.82

%

 

49,857

 

 

15.33

%

Certificates of deposit
 

 

113,493

 

 

30.61

%

 

117,148

 

 

34.87

%

 

118,732

 

 

36.51

%

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total deposits

 

$

370,650

 

 

100.00

%

$

336,060

 

 

100.00

%

$

325,255

 

 

100.00

%

 
 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

          The following table presents by various rate categories, the amount of certificate accounts, including brokered certificates, outstanding at the dates indicated and the periods to maturity of the certificate accounts outstanding at December 31, 2002.

 

 

Period to Maturity from December 31, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less
than
One
Year

 

One
to
Two
Years

 

 

Two
to
Three
Years

 

 

Over
Three
Years

 

Total at
December 31,2002

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Certificate accounts:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
0 to 4.00%

 

$

74,925

 

$

14,237

 

$

9,450

 

$

—  

 

$

98,612

 

$

35,631

 

$

1,874

 

 
4.01% to 5.00%

 

 

3,060

 

 

3,890

 

 

12,832

 

 

5,148

 

 

24,930

 

 

53,609

 

 

19,778

 

 
5.01% to 6.00%

 

 

3,755

 

 

276

 

 

14

 

 

29,111

 

 

33,156

 

 

37,697

 

 

65,167

 

 
6.01% to 7.00%

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

19,841

 

 

41,913

 

 
7.01% to 8.00%

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

39,857

 

 
 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total

 

$

81,740

 

$

18,403

 

$

22,296

 

$

34,259

 

$

156,698

 

$

146,778

 

$

168,589

 

 
 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

          Borrowed Funds.  As part of its operating strategy, the Company utilizes advances from the FHLB as an alternative to retail deposits to fund its operations.  By utilizing FHLB advances, which possess varying stated maturities, the Company can meet its liquidity needs without otherwise being dependent upon retail deposits, which have no stated maturities (except for certificates of deposit), are interest rate sensitive and may be withdrawn from the Company at any time.  These FHLB advances are collateralized primarily by the Company’s first mortgage loans on owner-occupied residential property and mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government agencies and secondarily by the Company’s investment in capital stock of the FHLB.  FHLB advances are made under several different credit programs, each of which has its own interest rate and range of maturities.  Certain advances are callable at the option of the FHLB in 2003, 2004 and 2006.  The maximum amount that the FHLB will advance to member institutions, including the Company, fluctuates from time-to-time in accordance with the policies of the FHLB.  At December 31, 2002, the Company had $253.0 million in outstanding advances from the FHLB compared to $248.8 million at December 31, 2001. 

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Table of Contents

          The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s FHLB advances at or for the periods ended on the dates indicated:

 

 

At or For the Year Ended
December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

FHLB advances:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Average balance outstanding

 

$

254,138

 

$

226,328

 

$

208,502

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the period

 

$

264,000

 

$

271,000

 

$

247,206

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Balance outstanding at end of period

 

$

253,000

 

$

248,849

 

$

241,000

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Weighted average interest rate during the period

 

 

4.97

%

 

5.49

%

 

6.40

%

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Weighted average interest rate at end of period

 

 

4.92

%

 

4.86

%

 

6.25

%

 
 

 



 



 



 

          The Company also maintains a line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.  Commercial loans with a principal balance of $1.9 million, $3.1 million and $4.2 million were pledged at December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 as security for this line of credit.  No amounts were outstanding as of December 31, 2002, 2001 or 2000 under this line of credit.

Financial Services

          In the third quarter of 2002, the Company entered into an agreement with Infinex Financial Group and Infinex Insurance Agency to offer a variety of non-deposit investment products and services to individuals.  These financial products and services are offered through a Financial Services Consultant, who receives variable compensation from the Bank based upon commission volume.  The Company receives commission income from a profit sharing arrangement it has with Infinex.  Through its partnership with Infinex, the Company’s Financial Services Department now offers stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, permanent life insurance, term life insurance, long term care insurance, and disability insurance to its customers.  All products are recommended and sold only by qualified and licensed personnel.

          While the Company will retain its trust powers, its focus has shifted to growing the investment management services portion of its businesses through the promotion of non-deposit products and services available through Infinex. At December 31, 2002, the Financial Services Department (including all trust and investment management services accounts) was managing 228 accounts with assets of $16.2 million, in aggregate, of which the largest relationship totaled $2.9 million, or 17.9% of the Financial Services Departments total assets at December 31, 2002.

Subsidiary Activities

          The Bank has several wholly-owned subsidiaries.  Walshingham Enterprises, Inc. was established in July 1983 for the purpose of acquiring and holding other real estate owned. Woronoco Security Corporation was established in November 1996 for the purpose of acquiring and holding investment securities of a type that are permissible for banks to hold under applicable law. Court Street Security Corporation and Little River Security Corporation were established in 1999 for the same purpose.  Woronoco Security Corporation, Court Street Security Corporation and Little River Security Corporation qualify as “securities corporations” for Massachusetts tax purposes. Income earned by a qualifying securities corporation is generally entitled to special Massachusetts income tax treatment.

          The Company offers a complete line of property and casualty insurance and various life insurance and group life products and services through its wholly owned subsidiary Keyes, Mattson & Agan Insurance Agency, Inc (“KMA”). The Company entered into the insurance business in 2000, with the purchase of Agan Insurance Agency, Inc., in an effort to offer a full array of risk management products and services and to develop full relationships with customers.  Agan

24


Table of Contents

Insurance Agency, Inc. acquired the net assets of Keyes & Mattson Insurance Agency, Inc. in November 2001 to form KMA.  The results of operations of all of the Bank’s subsidiaries are consolidated in the results and operations of the Company.  All of the Bank’s subsidiaries were incorporated in Massachusetts.

          Woronoco Bancorp is the parent company for WRO Funding Corporation.  WRO Funding Corporation was incorporated in Massachusetts in 1999.  WRO Funding Corporation provided a loan of $4.6 million to the Woronoco Savings Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust, which was used to purchase 8%, or 479,908 shares, of the Company’s outstanding common stock in the open market.

Segment Reporting

          Prior to the acquisitions of Agan and Keyes and Mattson insurance agencies, the Company’s chief decision-makers monitored the revenue streams of the various products and services, while the Company’s operations were managed and financial performance was evaluated on a company-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the Company’s operations were considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.  Subsequent to the acquisitions of the insurance agencies, the Company’s operations continue to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment, except for KMA, which is evaluated on a stand-alone basis.

          The 2002 results for KMA were affected by the recognition of commissions on an accrual basis rather than the cash basis the agency had utilized prior to being acquired.  In 2002, cash basis commissions totaled $1.1 million.  The Company expects KMA to be profitable in 2003.

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Table of Contents

          Information about reportable segments, and reconciliation of such information to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, follows:

 

 

Banking

 

Insurance

 

Intersegment
Elimination

 

Consolidated
Totals

 

 
 


 



 



 



 

2002
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest and dividend income
 

$

20,890

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

$

20,890

 

Other revenue - external customers
 

 

2,689

 

 

814

 

 

—  

 

 

3,503

 

Other revenue - from other segments
 

 

—  

 

 

4

 

 

(4

)

 

—  

 

Depreciation and amortization
 

 

1,034

 

 

34

 

 

—  

 

 

1,068

 

Provision for loan losses
 

 

502

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

502

 

Profit (loss)
 

 

5,039

 

 

(114

)

 

(3

)

 

4,922

 

Assets
 

 

703,634

 

 

2,382

 

 

(380

)

 

705,636

 

2001
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest and dividend income
 

$

18,995

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

$

18,995

 

Other revenue - external customers
 

 

2,450

 

 

494

 

 

—  

 

 

2,944

 

Other revenue - from other segments
 

 

—  

 

 

5

 

 

(5

)

 

—  

 

Depreciation and amortization
 

 

1,059

 

 

5

 

 

—  

 

 

1,064

 

Provision for loan losses
 

 

195

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

195

 

Profit (loss)
 

 

4,271

 

 

(20

)

 

(3

)

 

4,248

 

Assets
 

 

665,931

 

 

2,156

 

 

(81

)

 

668,006

 

2000
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest and dividend income
 

$

16,597

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

$

16,597

 

Other revenue - external customers
 

 

2,254

 

 

471

 

 

—  

 

 

2,725

 

Other revenue - from other segments
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Depreciation and amortization
 

 

861

 

 

24

 

 

—  

 

 

885

 

Provision for loan losses
 

 

300

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

300

 

Profit (loss)
 

 

4,100

 

 

(16

)

 

—  

 

 

4,084

 

Total assets
 

 

641,710

 

 

833

 

 

(83

)

 

642,460

 

REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

General

          As a savings and loan holding company, the Company is required to file reports with, and otherwise comply with the rules and regulations, of the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”).  As a savings bank chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Bank is subject to extensive regulation, examination and supervision by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, as its primary regulator, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as the deposit insurer.  The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System and, with respect to deposit insurance, of the Bank Insurance Fund managed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  The Bank must file reports with the Commissioner and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation concerning its activities and financial condition in addition to obtaining regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions such as mergers with, or acquisitions of, other savings institutions.  The Commissioner and/or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation conduct periodic examinations to test the Bank’s safety and soundness and compliance with various regulatory requirements.  This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which an institution can engage and is intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors.  The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes.  Any change in such regulatory requirements and policies, whether by the Commissioner, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or Congress, could have a material adverse impact on the

26


Table of Contents

Company, the Bank and their operations. Certain regulatory requirements applicable to the Bank and to the Company are referred to below or elsewhere herein.  The description of statutory provisions and regulations applicable to savings institutions and their holding companies set forth in this Form 10-K does not purport to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effects on the Bank and the Company.

Massachusetts Banking Laws and Supervision

          Massachusetts savings banks are regulated and supervised by the Commissioner. The Commissioner is required to regularly examine each state-chartered bank. The approval of the Commissioner is required to establish or close branches, to merge with another bank, to form a holding company, to issue stock or to undertake many other activities. Any Massachusetts bank that does not operate in accordance with the regulations, policies and directives of the Commissioner may be sanctioned.  The Commissioner may suspend or remove directors or officers of a bank who have violated the law, conducted a bank’s business in a manner which is unsafe, unsound or contrary to the depositors’ interests, or been negligent in the performance of their duties.  In addition, the Commissioner has the authority to appoint a receiver or conservator if it determines that the bank is conducting its business in an unsafe or unauthorized manner and under certain other circumstances.

          All Massachusetts-chartered savings banks are required to be members of the Deposit Insurance Fund, a private deposit insurer, which insures all deposits in member banks in excess of FDIC deposit insurance limits.  Member banks are required to pay the assessments of the Fund.  In addition, the Mutual Savings Central Fund acts as a source of liquidity to its members in supplying them with low-cost funds, and purchasing qualifying obligations from them.

          The powers which Massachusetts-chartered savings bank can exercise under these laws are summarized below.

          Payment of Dividends.  A savings bank may only pay dividends on its capital stock if such payment would not impair the bank’s capital stock.  No dividends may be paid to stockholders of a bank if such dividends would reduce stockholders’ equity of the bank below the amount of the liquidation account required by Massachusetts conversion regulations.

          Lending Activities.  A Massachusetts-chartered savings bank may make a wide variety of mortgage loans. Fixed-rate loans, adjustable-rate loans, variable-rate loans, participation loans, graduated payment loans, construction and development loans, condominium and co-operative loans, second mortgage loans and other types of loans may be made in accordance with applicable regulations.  Commercial loans may be made to corporations and other commercial enterprises with or without security. Consumer and personal loans may also be made with or without security. Loans to individual borrowers generally must be limited to 20% of the total of a bank’s capital accounts and stockholders’ equity.

          Investments Authorized.  Massachusetts-chartered savings banks have broad investment powers under Massachusetts law, including so-called “leeway” authority for investments that are not otherwise specifically authorized.  The investment powers authorized under Massachusetts law are restricted by federal law to permit, in general, only investments of the kinds that would be permitted for national banks. The Bank has authority to invest in all of the classes of loans and investments that are permitted by its existing loan and investment policies.

          Parity Regulation.  Effective November 19, 2002, Massachusetts law was amended to increase the powers of Massachusetts banks under certain conditions.  As a result of such amendment, a Massachusetts bank may engage in any activity or offer any product or service if the activity, product or service is engaged in or offered in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and has been authorized for national banks, federal thrifts or state banks in a state other than Massachusetts; provided that the activity is permissible under applicable federal and Massachusetts law and subject to the same limitations and restrictions imposed on the national bank, federal thrift or out-of-state bank that had previously been granted the power.

          Assessments.  Savings banks are required to pay assessments to the Commissioner to fund operations.  Assessments paid by the Bank for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 totaled $50,159.

Federal Regulations

          Capital Requirements.Under FDIC regulations, federally insured state-chartered banks that are not members

27


Table of Contents

of the Federal Reserve System (“state non-member banks”), such as the Bank, are required to comply with minimum leverage capital requirements. For an institution determined by the FDIC to not be anticipating or experiencing significant growth and to be in general a strong banking organization, rated composite 1 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Ranking System (the “Rating System”) established by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, the minimum capital leverage requirement is a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of 3%. For all other institutions, the minimum leverage capital ratio is not less than 4%. Tier 1 capital is the sum of common stockholders’ equity, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock (including any related surplus) and minority investments in certain subsidiaries, less intangible assets (except for certain servicing rights and credit card relationships) and a percentage of certain nonfinancial equity investments.

          The Bank must also comply with FDIC risk-based capital guidelines. The FDIC guidelines require state non-member banks to maintain certain levels of regulatory capital in relation to regulatory risk-weighted assets. The ratio of regulatory capital to regulatory risk-weighted assets is referred to as the Bank’s “risk-based capital ratio.”  Risk-based capital ratios are determined by allocating assets and specified off-balance sheet items to four risk-weighted categories ranging from 0% to 100%, with higher levels of capital being required for the categories perceived as representing greater risk. For example, under the FDIC’s risk-weighting system, cash and securities backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government are given a 0% risk weight, loans secured by one- to four-family residential properties generally have a 50% risk weight and commercial loans have a risk weighting of 100%.

          State non-member banks must maintain a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8%, of which at least one-half must be Tier 1 capital. Total capital consists of Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 or supplementary capital items, which include allowances for loan losses in an amount of up to 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, cumulative preferred stock, a portion of the net unrealized gain on equity securities and other capital instruments. The includable amount of Tier 2 capital cannot exceed the amount of the institution’s Tier 1 capital.

          The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (“FDICIA”) required each federal banking agency to revise its risk-based capital standards for insured institutions to ensure that those standards take adequate account of interest-rate risk, concentration of credit risk, and the risk of nontraditional activities, as well as to reflect the actual performance and expected risk of loss on multi-family residential loans.  The FDIC, along with the other federal banking agencies, has adopted a regulation providing that the agencies will take into account the exposure of a bank’s capital and economic value to changes in interest rate risk in assessing a bank’s capital adequacy.  Banks with specified amounts of trading activity may be subject to adjustments to its risk-based capital requirement to ensure adequate capital to support market risk.

          As a savings and loan holding company regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision, the Company is not, under current law, subject to any separate regulatory capital requirements.

          The following is a summary of the Bank’s regulatory capital at December 31, 2002:

GAAP Capital to Total Assets
 

 

9.52

%

Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets
 

 

14.15

%

Tier I Leverage Ratio
 

 

8.60

%

Tier I to Risk-Weighted Assets
 

 

13.44

%

          Standards for Safety and Soundness.  The federal banking agencies adopted regulations and Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safety and Soundness (the “Guidelines”) to implement safety and soundness standards.  The Guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired.  If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the Guidelines, the agency may require the institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard.

Investment Activities

          Under federal law, all state-chartered FDIC insured banks, including savings banks, have generally been limited to activities such as principal and equity investments of the type and in the amount authorized for national banks, notwithstanding state law.  The FDIC and FDICIA permit certain exceptions to these limitations.  For example, state chartered banks, such as the Bank, may, with FDIC approval, continue to exercise grandfathered state authority to invest

28


Table of Contents

in common or preferred stocks listed on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market and in the shares of an investment company registered under federal law.  In addition, the FDIC is authorized to permit such institutions to engage in state authorized activities or investments that do not meet this standard (other than non-subsidiary equity investments) for institutions that meet all applicable capital requirements if it is determined that such activities or investments do not pose a significant risk to the BIF.  All non-subsidiary equity investments, unless otherwise authorized or approved by the FDIC, must have been divested by December 19, 1996, under a FDIC-approved divestiture plan, unless such investments were grandfathered by the FDIC. The Bank received grandfathering authority from the FDIC in February 1993 to invest in listed stocks and/or registered shares.  The maximum permissible investment was 100% of Tier 1 capital, as specified by the FDIC’s regulations, or the maximum amount permitted by Massachusetts Banking Law, whichever is less.  Such grandfathering authority may be terminated upon the FDIC’s determination that such investments pose a safety and soundness risk to the Bank or if the Bank converts its charter, other than a mutual to stock conversion, or undergoes a change in control.  As of December 31, 2002, the Bank had securities with a market value of $16.3 million which were held under such grandfathering authority.  The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 requires that any state bank which invests in a subsidiary that engages in activities only permissable for a “financial subsidiary” of a national bank must meet certain conditions, including being well-capitalized and deducting such investment for regulatory capital purposes.

Interstate Banking and Branching

          As a savings and loan holding company, the Company is limited under the Home Owners’ Loan Act with respect to its acquisition of a savings association located in a state other than Massachusetts.  In general, a savings and loan holding company may not acquire an additional savings association subsidiary that is located in a state other than the home state of its first savings association subsidiary unless such an interstate acquisition is permitted by the statutes of such other state.  Many states permit such interstate acquisitions if the statutes of the home state of the acquiring savings and loan holding company satisfy various reciprocity conditions.  Massachusetts is one of a number of states that permit, subject to the reciprocity conditions of the Massachusetts Banking Law, out-of-state bank and savings and loan holding companies to acquire Massachusetts savings associations.

          In contrast, bank holding companies are generally authorized to acquire banking subsidiaries in more than one state irrespective of any state law restrictions on such acquisitions.  The Interstate Banking Act, which was enacted on September 29, 1994, permits approval under the Bank Holding Company Act of the acquisition of a bank located outside of the holding company’s home state regardless of whether the acquisition is permitted under the law of the state of the acquired bank.  The Federal Reserve Board may not approve an acquisition under the Bank Holding Company Act that would result in the acquiring holding company controlling more than 10% of the deposits in the United States or more than 30% of the deposits in any particular state.

          Beginning June 1, 1997, the Interstate Banking Act permitted the responsible federal banking agencies to approve merger transactions between banks located in different states, regardless of whether the merger would be prohibited under the law of the two states.  The Interstate Banking Act also permitted a state to “opt in” to the provisions of the Interstate Banking Act before June 1, 1997, and permitted a state to “opt out” of the provisions of the Interstate Banking Act by adopting appropriate legislation before that date.  Accordingly, beginning June 1, 1997, the Interstate Banking Act permitted a bank, such as the Bank, to acquire an institution by merger in a state other than Massachusetts unless the other state had opted out of the Interstate Banking Act.  The Interstate Banking Act also authorizes de novo branching into another state if the host state enacts a law expressly permitting out of state banks to establish such branches within its borders.

Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action

          Federal law requires, among other things, that federal bank regulatory authorities take “prompt corrective action” with respect to banks that do not meet minimum capital requirements.  For these purposes, the law establishes five capital categories: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized.

          The FDIC has adopted regulations to implement the prompt corrective action legislation.  An institution is deemed to be “well capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6% or greater and a leverage ratio of 5% or greater.  An institution is “adequately capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4% or greater.  An institution is “adequately capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4% or greater and generally a leverage ratio of

29


Table of Contents

4% or greater.  An institution is “undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4%, or generally a leverage ratio of less than 4% (3% or less for institutions with the highest examination rating).  An institution is deemed to be “significantly undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3%, or a leverage ratio of less than 3%.  An institution is considered to be “critically undercapitalized” if it has a ratio of tangible equity (as defined in the regulations) to total assets that is equal to or less than 2%.  As of December 31, 2002, the Bank was a “well capitalized” institution.

          “Undercapitalized” banks must adhere to growth, capital distribution (including dividend) and other limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan.  A bank’s compliance with such plan is required to be guaranteed by any company that controls the undercapitalized institution in an amount equal to the lesser of 5% of the institution’s total assets when deemed undercapitalized or the amount necessary to achieve the status of adequately capitalized.  If an “undercapitalized” bank fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly undercapitalized.”  “Significantly undercapitalized” banks must comply with one or more of a number of additional restrictions, including but not limited to an order by the FDIC to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to reduce total assets and cease receipt of deposits from correspondent banks or dismiss directors or officers, and restrictions on interest rates paid on deposits, compensation of executive officers and capital distributions by the parent holding company.  “Critically undercapitalized” institutions must comply with additional sanctions including, under to a narrow exception, the appointment of a receiver or conservator within 270 days after it obtains such status.  No savings bank may pay a dividend that would cause it to be “undercapitalized.”

Transactions with Affiliates

          Under current federal laws, transactions between depository institutions and their affiliates are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act.  In a holding company context, at a minimum, the parent holding company of a savings institution and any companies which are controlled by such parent holding company are affiliates of the savings institution.  Generally, Section 23A limits the extent to which a savings bank or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate to 10% of such savings bank’s capital stock and surplus, and contains an aggregate limit on all such transactions with all affiliates to 20% of capital stock and surplus.  The term “covered transaction” includes, among other things, the making of loans or other extensions of credit to an affiliate and the purchase of assets from an affiliate.  There are also specific collateral requirements for loans or extensions of credit to, or guarantees, acceptances on letters of credit issued on behalf of an affiliate.  Section 23B also requires that covered transactions and a broad list of other specified transactions be on terms substantially the same, or no less favorable, to the savings institution or its subsidiary as similar transactions with nonaffiliates.

          Further, federal law restricts an institution with respect to loans to directors, executive officers, and principal stockholders (“insiders”).  Loans to insiders and their related interests may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such persons and affiliated entities, the institution’s total capital and surplus.  Loans to insiders above specified amounts must receive the prior approval of the board of directors.  Further, loans to directors, executive officers and principal shareholders must be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons, except that such insiders may receive preferential loans made under a benefit or compensation program that is widely available to the Bank’s employees and does not give preference to the insider over the employees.  Federal law places additional limitations on loans to executive officers.

Enforcement

          The FDIC has extensive enforcement authority over insured savings banks, including the Bank.  This enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease and desist orders and to remove directors and officers.  In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated in response to violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices.

          The FDIC has authority under federal law to appoint a conservator or receiver for an insured bank under limited circumstances.  The FDIC is required, with certain exceptions, to appoint a receiver or conservator for an insured state non-member bank if that bank was “critically undercapitalized” on average during the calendar quarter beginning 270 days after the date on which the institution became “critically undercapitalized.”  See “—Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action.”  The FDIC may also appoint itself as conservator or receiver for an insured state non-member institution under specific circumstances on the basis of the institution’s financial condition or upon the occurrence of other events,

30


Table of Contents

including: (1) insolvency; (2) substantial dissipation of assets or earnings through violations of law or unsafe or unsound practices; (3) existence of an unsafe or unsound condition to transact business; and (4) insufficient capital, or the incurring of losses that will deplete substantially all of the institution’s capital with no reasonable prospect of replenishment without federal assistance.

Insurance of Deposit Accounts

          The FDIC has adopted a risk-based insurance assessment system.  The FDIC assigns an institution to one of three capital categories based on the institution’s financial information consisting of (1) well capitalized, (2) adequately capitalized or (3) undercapitalized, and one of three supervisory subcategories within each capital group.  The supervisory subgroup to which an institution is assigned is based on a supervisory evaluation provided to the FDIC by the institution’s primary federal regulator and information which the FDIC determines to be relevant to the institution’s financial condition and the risk posed to the deposit insurance funds.  An institution’s assessment rate depends on the capital category and supervisory category to which it is assigned.  Assessment rates for insurance fund deposits currently range from 0 basis points for the strongest institution to 27 basis points for the weakest.  Bank Insurance Fund members are also required to assist in the repayment of bonds issued by the Financing Corporation in the late 1980’s to recapitalize the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation.  Effective January 1, 2000, full pro rata sharing of the payments between Bank Insurance Fund and Savings Association Insurance Fund members commenced.  The FDIC is authorized to raise the assessment rates.  The FDIC has exercised this authority several times in the past and may raise insurance premiums in the future.  If such action is taken by the FDIC, it could have an adverse effect on the earnings of the Bank.

          The FDIC may terminate insurance of deposits if it finds that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC.  The management of the Bank does not know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance.

          The Bank, as a member of the Depositor Insurance Fund, is also subject to its assessments.   See “ - Massachusetts Banking Laws and Supervision.”

Federal Reserve System

          The Federal Reserve Board regulations require depository institutions to maintain non-interest-earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts).  The Federal Reserve Board regulations generally require that reserves be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts as follows:  for that portion of transaction accounts aggregating $41.3 million or less (which may be adjusted by the Federal Reserve Board) the reserve requirement is 3%; and for amounts greater than $42.1 million, the reserve requirement is 10% (which may be adjusted by the Federal Reserve Board between 8% and 14%) against that portion of total transaction accounts in excess of $42.1 million.  The first $6.0 million of otherwise reservable balances (which may be adjusted by the Federal Reserve Board) are exempted from the reserve requirements.  The Bank is in compliance with the foregoing requirements. 

Community Reinvestment Act

          Under the Community Reinvestment Act, as implemented by FDIC regulations, a state non-member bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods.  The Community Reinvestment Act neither establishes specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor limits an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community.  The Community Reinvestment Act requires the FDIC, in connection with its examination of an institution, to assess the institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to consider such record when it evaluates applications made by such institution.  The Community Reinvestment Act requires public disclosure of an institution’s Community Reinvestment Act rating.  The Bank’s latest Community Reinvestment Act rating received from the FDIC was “Satisfactory.” 

          The Bank is also subject to similar obligations under Massachusetts law which has an additional CRA rating category.  The Massachusetts Community Reinvestment Act requires the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner to consider a bank’s Massachusetts Community Reinvestment Act rating when reviewing a bank’s application to engage in certain transactions, including mergers, asset purchases and the establishment of branch offices or automated teller

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machines, and provides that such assessment may serve as a basis for the denial of such application.  The Bank’s latest Massachusetts Community Reinvestment Act rating received from the Massachusetts Division of Banks was “High Satisfactory.”

Federal Home Loan Bank System

          The Bank is a member of the FHLB System, which consists of 12 regional FHLBs.  The FHLB provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions.  The Bank, as a member of the FHLB, is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the FHLB in an amount equal to at least 1% of the aggregate principal amount of its unpaid residential mortgage loans and similar obligations at the beginning of each year, or 1/20 of its advances (borrowings) from the FHLB, whichever is greater.  The Bank was in compliance with this requirement with an investment in FHLB stock at December 31, 2002 of $13.8 million.  At December 31, 2002, the Bank had $253.0 million in FHLB advances.

Holding Company Regulation

          Federal law allows a state savings bank that qualifies as a “qualified thrift lender” (“QTL”), discussed below, to elect to be treated as a savings association for purposes of the savings and loan holding company provisions of federal law.  Such election results in its holding company being regulated as a savings and loan holding company by the OTS rather than as a bank holding company by the Federal Reserve Board.  The Bank has made such election and the Company is a non-diversified unitary savings and loan holding company within the meaning of federal law.  As such, the Company is registered with the OTS and must adhere to the OTS’ regulations and reporting requirements.  In addition, the OTS may examine and supervise the Company and the OTS has enforcement authority over the Company and its non-savings institution subsidiaries.  Among other things, this authority permits the OTS to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to the subsidiary savings institution.  Additionally, the Bank is required to notify the OTS at least 30 days before declaring any dividend to the Company.

          As a unitary savings and loan holding company, the Company is generally not restricted under existing laws as to the types of business activities in which it may engage. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 expanded the authority of bank holding companies to affiliate with other financial services companies such as insurance companies and investment banking companies.  The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, however, provided that unitary savings and loan holding companies may only engage in activities permitted to financial holding companies under that Act and those authorized for multiple savings and loan holding companies.  Unitary savings and loan holding companies existing prior to May 4, 1999, such as the Company, were grandfathered as to the unrestricted activities.  Upon any non-supervisory acquisition by the Company of another savings association as a separate subsidiary, the Company would become a multiple savings and loan holding company.  Federal law limits the activities of a multiple savings and loan holding company and its non-insured institution subsidiaries primarily to activities permissible for bank holding companies under Section 4(c)(8) of the Bank Holding Company Act, provided the prior approval of the OTS is obtained, to other activities authorized by OTS regulation and to those permitted for financial holding companies. Multiple savings and loan holding companies are generally prohibited from acquiring or retaining more than 5% of a non-subsidiary company engaged in activities other than those permitted.

          The HOLA prohibits a savings and loan holding company from, directly or indirectly, acquiring more than 5% of the voting stock of another savings association or savings and loan holding company or from acquiring such an institution or company by merger, consolidation or purchase of its assets, without prior written approval of the OTS. In evaluating applications by holding companies to acquire savings associations, the OTS considers the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the company and institution involved, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the insurance funds, the convenience and needs of the community and competitive factors.

          The OTS is prohibited from approving any acquisition that would result in a multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings institutions in more than one state, except:  (1) interstate supervisory acquisitions by savings and loan holding companies; and (2) the acquisition of a savings institution in another state if the laws of the state of the target savings institution specifically permit such acquisitions. 

          To be regulated as a savings and loan holding company by the OTS (rather than as a bank holding company by the Federal Reserve Board), the Bank must qualify as a QTL.  To qualify as a QTL, the Bank must maintain compliance with the test for a “domestic building and loan association,” as defined in the Code, or with a Qualified Thrift Lender Test (“QTL Test”).  Under the QTL Test, a savings institution is required to maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets”

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Table of Contents

(total assets less: (1) specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets; (2) intangibles, including goodwill; and (3) the value of property used to conduct business) in certain “qualified thrift investments” (primarily residential mortgages and related investments, including certain mortgage-backed and related securities) in at least 9 months out of each 12 month period.  As of December 31, 2002, the Bank maintained in excess of 65% of its portfolio assets in qualified thrift investments.  The Bank also met the QTL test in each of the prior 12 months and, therefore, met the QTL test.

          Massachusetts Holding Company Regulation.  In addition to the federal holding company regulations, a bank holding company organized or doing business in Massachusetts must comply with Massachusetts law.  The term “bank holding company,” for the purposes of Massachusetts law, is defined generally to include any company which, directly or indirectly, owns, controls or holds with power to vote more than 25% of the voting stock of each of two or more banking institutions, including commercial banks and state co-operative banks, savings banks and savings and loan associations and national banks, federal savings banks and federal savings and loan associations.  In general, a holding company controlling, directly or indirectly, only one banking institution is not deemed to be a bank holding company for the purposes of Massachusetts law.  Under Massachusetts law, the prior approval of the Board of Bank Incorporation is required before: any company may become a bank holding company; any bank holding company acquires direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting stock of, or all or substantially all of the assets of, a banking institution; or any bank holding company merges with another bank holding company.  Although the company is not a bank holding company for purposes of Massachusetts law, any future acquisition of ownership, control, or the power to vote 25% of more of the voting stock of another banking institution or bank holding company would cause it to become such.  The Company has no current plan or arrangement to acquire ownership or control, directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the voting stock of another banking institution.

Federal Securities Laws

          The Company’s common stock is registered with the SEC under the Exchange Act.  The Company is required to observe the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements under the Exchange Act.

          The registration under the Securities Act of shares of the common stock does not cover the resale of such shares.  Shares of the common stock purchased by persons who are not affiliates of the Company may be resold without registration.  The resale restrictions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act govern shares purchased by an affiliate of the Company.  If the Company meets the current public information requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, each affiliate of the Company who complies with the other conditions of Rule 144 (including those that require the affiliate’s sale to be aggregated with those of other persons) would be able to sell in the public market, without registration, a number of shares not to exceed, in any three-month period, the greater of (1) 1% of the outstanding shares of the Company or (2) the average weekly volume of trading in such shares during the preceding four calendar weeks.  Provision may be made in the future by the Company to permit affiliates to have their shares registered for sale under the Securities Act under specific circumstances.

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Table of Contents

Item 2.  Properties.

          The Company currently conducts its business through its main office located in Westfield, Massachusetts and nine other banking offices, one of which was sold in February 2003, and two stand-alone ATM’s.  The Company believes that the Bank’s facilities are adequate to meet the present and immediately foreseeable needs of the Bank and the Company.

Location

 

Leased,
Licensed
or
Owned

 

Original
Year
Leased
or Acquired

 

Date of Lease/
License
Expiration

 

Net Book Value
of Property
or Leasehold
Improvements
at December 31,
2002

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Main/Executive Office:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 Court Street Westfield, Massachusetts  01085
 

 

Owned

 

 

1951

 

 

—  

 

$

4,390

 

Banking Offices:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44 Little River Road Westfield, Massachusetts 01085
 

 

Owned

 

 

1971

 

 

—  

 

 

122

 

185 College Highway Southwick, Massachusetts 01077
 

 

Owned

 

 

1988

 

 

—  

 

 

543

 

74 Lamb Street South Hadley, Massachusetts 01075
 

 

Owned

 

 

1995

 

 

—  

 

 

421

 

608 College Highway Southwick, Massachusetts 01077
 

 

Leased

 

 

1977

 

 

2007

(1)

 

45

 

1359 Springfield Street Feeding Hills, Massachusetts 01013
 

 

Leased

 

 

1994

 

 

2005

(2)

 

28

 

800 Boston Road Springfield, Massachusetts 01119
 

 

Licensed

 

 

1994

 

 

2005

(2)(3)(4)

 

79

 

44 Willimansett Street South Hadley, Massachusetts 01075
 

 

Licensed

 

 

1997

 

 

2002

(3)(5)

 

53

 

72 Shaker Road East Longmeadow, Massachusetts 01028
 

 

Owned

 

 

2000

(6)

 

—  

 

 

1,415

 

431 Center Street Ludlow, Massachusetts  01056
 

 

Owned

 

 

2000

(7)

 

—  

 

 

1,354

 

Other Properties:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2-16 Central Street Westfield, Massachusetts 01085 (8) (9)
 

 

Owned

 

 

1990

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

119 Winsor Street Ludlow, Massachusetts 01056 (7)
 

 

Owned

 

 

1997

 

 

—  

 

 

281

 

127 North Elm Street Westfield, Massachusetts 01085 (10)
 

 

Leased

 

 

1998

 

 

2003

 

 

4

 

98 Lower Westfield Road Holyoke, Massachusetts 01040 (11)
 

 

Leased

 

 

2000

 

 

2010

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

8,735

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 


(1)

The Company has an option to renew this lease for two additional five-year periods.

(2)

The Company has an option to renew this lease/license for two additional five-year periods.

(3)

This banking office is located inside a supermarket/grocery store operated by the regionally based Big Y Foods, Inc. The Company maintains a sublicense or, in the case of the South Hadley office, a license to possess the property. Generally, the holder of a license or sublicense has less property rights than the possessor of a leasehold interest.

(4)

The Company sold its Boston Road branch in February 2003.

(5)

The Company did not exercise its option to renew this license.  The Company intends to relocate the supermarket branch to a full service facility in Chicopee in 2003 and will close the existing facility at that time.

(6)

The East Longmeadow branch opened in March 2001.

(7)

The 431 Center Street branch opened in February 2001.  The facility located at Winsor Street was closed upon the opening of the new branch.  The Company plans to use the Winsor Street facility for various bank operations.

(8)

The property consists of vacant office space which the Company currently utilizes as a storage facility.

(9)

Net book value of the property is included in net book value for the Bank’s main office.

(10)

Consists of a stand-alone ATM located at a Dunkin’ Donuts establishment.  The ATM became operational in 1998.

(11)

Consists of a stand-alone ATM located at the entrance to the Holyoke Mall.  The ATM became operational in October 2000.

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Table of Contents

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.

             The Company is not involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business.  Such routine legal proceedings, in the aggregate, are believed by management to be immaterial to the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

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

              None

PART II

Item 5.  Market for the Company’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

             (a)     The Company’s common stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange (the “AMEX”) under the symbol “WRO.”  The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices of the common stock for the past two years, as reported by AMEX.  For information relating to restrictions on the Company’s declaration of dividends, see “Item I. Business – Regulation and Supervision”.

 

 

Dividend

 

High

 

Low

 

 

 


 


 


 

2002
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter
 

$

0.1100

 

$

18.76

 

$

17.38

 

Second Quarter
 

$

0.1150

 

$

20.89

 

$

18.72

 

Third Quarter
 

$

0.1200

 

$

21.25

 

$

17.88

 

Fourth Quarter
 

$

0.1250

 

$

22.00

 

$

21.10

 

2001
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter
 

$

0.0675

 

$

15.50

 

$

12.63

 

Second Quarter
 

$

0.0700

 

$

15.20

 

$

14.43

 

Third Quarter
 

$

0.0800

 

$

17.20

 

$

15.30

 

Fourth Quarter
 

$

0.1000

 

$

17.90

 

$

16.25

 

             (b)     As of February 26, 2003, the Company had approximately 1,699 holders of record of the Company’s common stock.

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Table of Contents

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.

             We have derived the following selected consolidated financial and other data of the Company in part from our consolidated financial statements and notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Selected Financial Data:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Total assets

 

$

705,636

 

$

668,006

 

$

642,460

 

$

500,948

 

$

426,826

 

 
Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

27,801

 

 

27,209

 

 

25,368

 

 

16,185

 

 

12,011

 

 
Loans, net

 

 

470,224

 

 

427,409

 

 

391,286

 

 

307,407

 

 

284,043

 

 
Loans held for sale

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

14,313

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Trading account securities

 

 

16,284

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Other debt securities available-for-sale

 

 

72,623

 

 

45,377

 

 

18,191

 

 

12,345

 

 

—  

 

 
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale

 

 

82,573

 

 

113,895

 

 

143,563

 

 

120,005

 

 

88,764

 

 
Equity securities available-for-sale

 

 

110

 

 

16,436

 

 

14,979

 

 

17,607

 

 

22,645

 

 
Deposits

 

 

370,650

 

 

336,060

 

 

325,255

 

 

263,196

 

 

275,041

 

 
FHLB Advances

 

 

253,000

 

 

248,849

 

 

241,000

 

 

152,147

 

 

111,163

 

 
Total stockholders' equity

 

 

74,410

 

 

69,849

 

 

70,759

 

 

80,895

 

 

35,773

 

 
Other real estate owned, net

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

61

 

 

883

 

 

241

 

 
Nonperforming assets and troubled debt restructurings

 

 

1,106

 

 

556

 

 

322

 

 

1,058

 

 

1,320

 


 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Selected Operating Data:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Total interest and dividend income

 

$

41,650

 

$

42,315

 

$

40,406

 

$

30,548

 

$

25,054

 

 
Interest expense

 

 

20,760

 

 

23,320

 

 

23,809

 

 

14,625

 

 

13,477

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 

 
Net interest income

 

 

20,890

 

 

18,995

 

 

16,597

 

 

15,923

 

 

11,577

 

 
Provision for loan losses

 

 

502

 

 

195

 

 

300

 

 

180

 

 

240

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 

 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

 

20,388

 

 

18,800

 

 

16,297

 

 

15,743

 

 

11,337

 

 
Other income

 

 

3,342

 

 

4,172

 

 

4,268

 

 

3,851

 

 

3,553

 

 
Other expenses

 

 

17,057

 

 

16,260

 

 

14,375

 

 

17,367

 

 

10,087

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 

 
Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

 

6,673

 

 

6,712

 

 

6,190

 

 

2,227

 

 

4,803

 

 
Income taxes

 

 

1,751

 

 

2,303

 

 

2,106

 

 

822

 

 

1,693

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 

 
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

 

4,922

 

 

4,409

 

 

4,084

 

 

1,405

 

 

3,110

 

 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for derivative instruments, net of tax benefit of $92

 

 

—  

 

 

(161

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 

 
Net income

 

$

4,922

 

$

4,248

 

$

4,084

 

$

1,405

 

$

3,110

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 


Table of Contents

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

Selected Operating Ratios and Other Data:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance Ratios:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Average tax equivalent yield on interest-earning assets

 

 

6.39

%

 

7.00

%

 

7.39

%

 

7.03

%

 

7.34

%

 
Average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

3.46

%

 

4.26

%

 

4.87

%

 

3.87

%

 

4.27

%

 
Average tax equivalent interest rate spread

 

 

2.93

%

 

2.74

%

 

2.52

%

 

3.16

%

 

3.07

%

 
Tax equivalent net interest margin

 

 

3.25

%

 

3.14

%

 

3.04

%

 

3.66

%

 

3.39

%

 
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

109.78

%

 

110.48

%

 

111.94

%

 

115.09

%

 

108.18

%

 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses to other expenses

 

 

119.53

%

 

115.62

%

 

113.37

%

 

90.65

%

 

112.39

%

 
Other expenses as a percent of average assets

 

 

2.44

%

 

2.54

%

 

2.48

%

 

3.71

%

 

2.79

%

 
Return on average assets

 

 

0.70

%

 

0.66

%

 

0.70

%

 

0.30

%

 

0.86

%

 
Return on average equity

 

 

6.78

%

 

5.94

%

 

5.49

%

 

1.85

%

 

8.89

%

 
Ratio of average equity to average assets

 

 

10.37

%

 

11.17

%

 

12.83

%

 

16.22

%

 

9.66

%

 
Efficiency ratio (1)

 

 

70.96

%

 

73.68

%

 

73.76

%

 

96.29

%

 

75.16

%

 
Dividend payout ratio

 

 

31.71

%

 

26.32

%

 

24.56

%

 

16.73

%

 

N/A

 


(1)

The efficiency ratio represents the ratio of other expenses divided by the sum of tax equivalent net interest income and other income.  This ratio excludes gains (losses) on trading account securities, investment securities, property, loans and other, net.  For 2002, the affect of the $644,000 pension termination gain is also excluded.


 

 

At or For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

Regulatory Capital Ratios:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Leverage capital

 

 

9.64

%

 

10.17

%

 

10.81

%

 

16.77

%

 

9.35

%

 
Total risk-based capital

 

 

15.77

%

 

15.39

%

 

17.74

%

 

26.97

%

 

13.87

%

Asset Quality Ratios:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonperforming loans and troubled debt restructurings as a percent of total loans
 

 

0.23

%

 

0.13

%

 

0.07

%

 

0.06

%

 

0.38

%

Nonperforming assets and troubled debt restructurings as a percent of total assets
 

 

0.16

%

 

0.08

%

 

0.05

%

 

0.21

%

 

0.31

%

Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans
 

 

0.67

%

 

0.63

%

 

0.66

%

 

0.75

%

 

0.76

%

Allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonperforming loans and troubled debt restructurings
 

 

285.35

%

 

485.79

%

 

992.34

%

 

1319.43

%

 

200.74

%

Net loans charged-off to average interest-earning loans
 

 

0.01

%

 

0.02

%

 

0.01

%

 

0.01

%

 

0.01

%

37


Table of Contents

Item 7.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

             The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the “Selected Financial Data” and the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto, each appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

General

             The Company’s results of operations are dependent primarily on net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on the Company’s interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the interest expense on its interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings.  The Company also generates non-interest income such as gains on securities and loan sales, fees from deposit and trust and investment management services, insurance commissions and other fees.  The Company’s non-interest expenses primarily consist of employee compensation and benefits, occupancy and equipment expense, marketing expenses, data processing, professional services and other general and administrative expenses.  The Company’s results of operations are also significantly affected by general economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, government policies and actions of regulatory agencies. 

Forward-Looking Statements

             This Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is including this statement for purposes of these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company include, but are not limited to: changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Company’s market area and accounting principles and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

             The Company does not undertake – and specifically disclaims any obligation – to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Management Strategy

             The Company, through its wholly-owned community-oriented savings bank, offers a wide variety of financial products and services. The primary objectives of the Company’s strategic plan are to improve its profitability and enhance shareholder value while maintaining a strong capital position, sound asset quality and a reasonable level of interest rate and credit risk.  To accomplish these objectives, the Company has sought to: 

              

•   

Provide superior service, competitive rates and attractive products to increase loans and deposits, including commercial accounts

 

 

 

 

Control credit risk by emphasizing the origination of single-family, owner-occupied residential mortgage loans and consumer loans, consisting primarily of home equity loans and lines of credit

 

 

 

 

Originate high quality, multi-family and commercial real estate and commercial business loans which increase the yields earned on its overall loan portfolio, without incurring unnecessary risk

 

 

 

 

Expand its lending and deposit base through the establishment of full-service banking offices

38


Table of Contents

              

•    

Control interest rate risk by selectively utilizing off-balance sheet  hedging transactions such as interest rate swaps, caps and floors

 

 

 

 

Implement various capital management strategies, particularly dividends and stock repurchases, to enhance stockholder value

 

 

 

 

Explore opportunities to expand its existing fee-based businesses and to diversify its product lines to include a full range of products and services in order to become less dependent upon net interest income

 

 

 

 

Examine opportunities to leverage the potential capabilities of the internet and other technologies, including internet banking

             The Company implemented several initiatives in 2002 in conjunction with these key strategies.  In the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company realized a net gain of $815,000 from the sale of two supermarket branches.  Additionally, the Company sold a third supermarket branch in February of 2003.  The sales of these branches, along with the planned relocation in 2003 of its South Hadley supermarket office to a full service facility in Chicopee, will allow management to concentrate on growing the loan and deposit bases in the traditional branches. In the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company also introduced relationship banking through the creation of five unique product bundles designed to meet the needs of customers through the various stages in their life.  The Classic Relationship Packages were designed to reward customers for choosing Woronoco as their primary bank by offering preferred rates on deposits, free or reduced fees on products and services such as check re-orders, safe deposit boxes and mortgage appraisal fees and value added benefits available through our Classic checking account program.  The relationship banking packages should enhance the ability of the Company to grow its loan and deposit base. 

             During the quarter ended December 31, 2002, the Company reclassified its equity and preferred stock portfolio, except for a $110,000 equity investment in a bank service provider, from “available for sale” to “trading”.  The shift in the portfolio classification resulted in the recognition of an unrealized loss of $2.1 million, which was previously reflected on the balance sheet in equity capital as a component of comprehensive income.  As such, this reclassification was neutral to stated equity capital.  This reclassification reflects a shift in the Company’s equity investment strategy. Historically, the Company invested in equity securities and preferred stock as a means of diversifying its investment portfolio and mitigating interest rate risk.  As a result of the equity market declines, a portion of the Company’s equity portfolio has experienced sizable declines and impairment.  After an analysis of the portfolio and the specific securities that comprise the portfolio, management determined that a large portion of the securities in the portfolio no longer meet the Company’s investment criteria.  Therefore, management intends to capitalize on short-term fluctuations in price to reduce the common and preferred stock portfolio.

             The Company sold approximately $30.4 million of long-term fixed rate residential mortgages during 2002, resulting in a gain of $1.2 million.  The Company continues to experience a significant amount of refinancing volume, particularly in lower coupon fixed-rate products. These sales will help reduce the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk while improving liquidity. The Company will continue to evaluate the sale of additional longer-term fixed rate mortgages in 2003.

             The Company completed the integration of Agan Insurance Agency, Inc. and Keyes & Mattson Insurance Agency, Inc. in 2002. Offering insurance products through KMA, along with the Company’s full line of financial products including banking, lending, and financial services, allows the Company to meet all of the financial needs of its customers. KMA receives annual premiums of approximately $8 million.  The Company will continue to evaluate opportunities to expand its insurance business. 

             In the third quarter of 2002, the Company entered into an agreement with Infinex Financial Group and Infinex Insurance Agency to offer a variety of non-deposit investment products and services to individuals.  These financial products and services are offered through a Financial Services Consultant, who receives variable compensation from the Bank based upon commission volume.  The Company receives commission income from a profit sharing arrangement it has with Infinex.  Through its partnership with Infinex, the Company’s Financial Services Department now offers stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, permanent life insurance, term life insurance, long term care insurance, and disability insurance to its customers.  All products are recommended and sold only by qualified and licensed personnel. While the Company will retain its trust powers, its focus has shifted to growing the financial services portion of its

39


Table of Contents

businesses through the promotion of non-deposit products and services available through Infinex.

             The Company’s Internet banking product Woronoco Online Link, launched in 1999, continues to attract new customers and exceed the Company’s expectations.  As of December 31, 2002, in excess of 14% of the Company’s checking account customers were using online banking to transfer funds, complete balance and transaction history inquiries and pay bills.  The Company also offers an Internet-based cash management product for business customers. The product enables businesses to transfer funds, initiate wire transfers and make payments through the Automated Clearing House (ACH).

             In an effort to enhance shareholder value, the Company continues with its current capital management strategies, which include a share repurchase program and the payment of cash dividends.  In November 2001, the Company announced its sixth repurchase plan, under which up to 10% of the remaining shares outstanding, or approximately 374,000 shares, will be purchased in open market purchases from time to time, subject to market conditions.  Through December 31, 2002, the Company has acquired approximately 240,000 shares.  In January 2003, the Company announced a 20% increase, from the prior quarter, in its dividend to $0.15 per share, payable on March 6, 2003 to stockholders of record as of February 11, 2003.

40


Table of Contents

Analysis of Net Interest Income

             Net interest income represents the difference between income on interest-earning assets and expense on interest-bearing liabilities.  Net interest income depends on the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rate earned or paid on them.

             Average Balance SheetThe following table sets forth information relating to the Company for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000.  The average yields and costs are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities, respectively, for the periods shown.  Average balances are derived from average daily balances. The yields and costs include fees which are considered adjustments to yields.  Loan interest and yield data does not include any accrued interest from nonaccruing loans.

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Yield/
Rate

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Yield/
Rate

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Yield/
Rate

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Interest-earning assets: (1)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Mortgage-backed securities

 

$

99,271

 

$

6,432

 

 

6.48

%

$

132,207

 

$

8,677

 

 

6.56

%

$

136,841

 

$

9,622

 

 

7.03

%

 
U.S. Government and agency securities

 

 

26,751

 

 

958

 

 

3.58

%

 

1,359

 

 

52

 

 

3.83

%

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Equity securities

 

 

50,796

 

 

3,047

 

 

6.00

%

 

49,478

 

 

3,277

 

 

6.62

%

 

46,451

 

 

3,167

 

 

6.82

%

 
State and municipal securities (2)

 

 

20,974

 

 

1,486

 

 

7.08

%

 

1,204

 

 

82

 

 

6.81

%

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Loans: (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Residential real estate loans

 

 

290,519

 

 

19,258

 

 

6.63

%

 

265,008

 

 

19,131

 

 

7.22

%

 

227,618

 

 

16,877

 

 

7.41

%

 
Commercial real estate loans

 

 

54,359

 

 

4,153

 

 

7.64

%

 

36,560

 

 

2,997

 

 

8.20

%

 

28,710

 

 

2,537

 

 

8.84

%

 
Consumer loans

 

 

96,496

 

 

5,877

 

 

6.09

%

 

99,812

 

 

7,065

 

 

7.08

%

 

92,333

 

 

7,305

 

 

7.91

%

 
Commercial loans

 

 

11,086

 

 

753

 

 

6.79

%

 

7,263

 

 

560

 

 

7.71

%

 

6,247

 

 

434

 

 

6.95

%

 
 


 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 
Loans, net

 

 

452,460

 

 

30,041

 

 

6.64

%

 

408,643

 

 

29,753

 

 

7.28

%

 

354,908

 

 

27,153

 

 

7.65

%

 
Other

 

 

9,034

 

 

191

 

 

2.11

%

 

12,176

 

 

502

 

 

4.12

%

 

8,556

 

 

464

 

 

5.42

%

 
 


 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 
Total interest-earning assets

 

 

659,286

 

 

42,155

 

 

6.39

%

 

605,067

 

 

42,343

 

 

7.00

%

 

546,756

 

 

40,406

 

 

7.39

%

 
 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Noninterest-earning assets
 

 

40,279

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

35,880

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,431

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Total assets

 

$

699,565

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

640,947

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

580,187

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Money market accounts

 

$

40,408

 

$

807

 

 

2.00

%

$

29,694

 

$

819

 

 

2.76

%

$

28,067

 

$

866

 

 

3.09

%

 
Savings accounts (4)

 

 

77,438

 

 

938

 

 

1.21

%

 

70,323

 

 

1,244

 

 

1.77

%

 

67,674

 

 

1,303

 

 

1.93

%

 
NOW accounts

 

 

64,997

 

 

710

 

 

1.09

%

 

57,542

 

 

922

 

 

1.60

%

 

41,305

 

 

477

 

 

1.15

%

 
Certificates of deposit (5)

 

 

163,444

 

 

5,678

 

 

3.47

%

 

163,651

 

 

7,840

 

 

4.79

%

 

142,802

 

 

7,733

 

 

5.42

%

 
 


 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 
Total interest-bearing deposits

 

 

346,287

 

 

8,133

 

 

2.35

%

 

321,210

 

 

10,825

 

 

3.37

%

 

279,848

 

 

10,379

 

 

3.71

%

 
Borrowings

 

 

254,291

 

 

12,627

 

 

4.97

%

 

226,444

 

 

12,495

 

 

5.52

%

 

208,581

 

 

13,430

 

 

6.44

%

 
 


 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 
Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

600,578

 

 

20,760

 

 

3.46

%

 

547,654

 

 

23,320

 

 

4.26

%

 

488,429

 

 

23,809

 

 

4.87

%

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 
Demand deposits

 

 

21,649

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,404

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities

 

 

4,780

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,359

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,913

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Total liabilities

 

 

627,007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

569,388

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

505,746

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Total stockholders' equity

 

 

72,558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

71,559

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

74,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

699,565

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

640,947

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

580,187

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Net interest-earning assets

 

$

58,708

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

57,413

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

58,327

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
Tax equivalent net interest income/interest rate spread (6)

 

 

 

 

 

21,395

 

 

2.93

%

 

 

 

 

19,023

 

 

2.74

%

 

 

 

 

16,597

 

 

2.52

%

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 
Tax equivalent net interest margin as a percentage of interest-earning assets (7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.25

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.14

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.04

%

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 
Ratio of interest earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

109.78

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

110.48

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

111.94

%

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 
Less: tax equivalent adjustment (2)

 

 

 

 

 

(505

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(28

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

—  

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
Net interest income as reported on income statement

 

 

 

 

$

20,890

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

18,995

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

16,597

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 


(1)

Includes related assets available-for-sale and unamortized discounts and premiums.

(2)

State and municipal securities income and net interest income are presented on a tax equivalent basis using a tax rate of 34%. The tax equivalent adjustment is deducted from tax equivalent net interest income to agree to the amount reported in the income statement.

(3)

Amount is net of deferred loan origination costs, unadvanced loan funds, allowance for loan losses and includes nonaccrual loans.  The Company records interest income on nonaccruing loans on a cash basis.

(4)

Savings accounts include mortgagors' escrow deposits.

(5)

Certificates of deposit include brokered deposits.

(6)

Tax equivalent net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities

(7)

Tax equivalent net interest margin represents tax equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

41


Table of Contents

          Rate/Volume Analysis.  The following table presents the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have affected the Company’s tax equivalent interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated.  Information is provided in each category with respect to:  (i) changes attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate); (ii) changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume); and (iii) the net change.  The changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to the changes due to volume and the changes due to rate.

 

 

Year Ended
December 31, 2002
Compared to
December 31, 2001

 

Year Ended
December 31, 2001
Compared to
December 31, 2000

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)
Due to

 

Increase (Decrease)
Due to

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Volume

 

Rate

 

Net

 

Volume

 

Rate

 

Net

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Interest-earning assets:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Mortgage-backed securities

 

$

(2,135

)

$

(110

)

$

(2,245

)

$

(319

)

$

(626

)

$

(945

)

 
U.S. Government and agency securities

 

 

906

 

 

—  

 

 

906

 

 

26

 

 

26

 

 

52

 

 
Equity securities

 

 

85

 

 

(315

)

 

(230

)

 

199

 

 

(89

)

 

110

 

 
State and municipal securities

 

 

1,404

 

 

—  

 

 

1,404

 

 

27

 

 

27

 

 

54

 

 
Loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Residential real estate loans

 

 

1,760

 

 

(1,633

)

 

127

 

 

2,334

 

 

(80

)

 

2,254

 

 
Commercial real estate loans

 

 

1,372

 

 

(216

)

 

1,156

 

 

626

 

 

(166

)

 

460

 

 
Consumer loans

 

 

(229

)

 

(959

)

 

(1,188

)

 

807

 

 

(1,047

)

 

(240

)

 
Commercial loans

 

 

268

 

 

(75

)

 

193

 

 

76

 

 

50

 

 

126

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total loans

 

 

3,171

 

 

(2,883

)

 

288

 

 

3,843

 

 

(1,243

)

 

2,600

 

 
Other

 

 

(107

)

 

(204

)

 

(311

)

 

88

 

 

(50

)

 

38

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total interest-earning assets

 

$

3,324

 

$

(3,512

)

$

(188

)

$

3,864

 

$

(1,955

)

$

1,909

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Money market accounts

 

$

250

 

$

(262

)

$

(12

)

$

55

 

$

(102

)

$

(47

)

 
Savings accounts (1)

 

 

116

 

 

(422

)

 

(306

)

 

52

 

 

(111

)

 

(59

)

 
NOW accounts

 

 

108

 

 

(320

)

 

(212

)

 

222

 

 

223

 

 

445

 

 
Certificates of deposit

 

 

(10

)

 

(2,152

)

 

(2,162

)

 

523

 

 

(416

)

 

107

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total interest-bearing deposits

 

 

464

 

 

(3,156

)

 

(2,692

)

 

852

 

 

(406

)

 

446

 

 
Borrowings

 

 

1,471

 

 

(1,339

)

 

132

 

 

1,391

 

 

(2,326

)

 

(935

)

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

 
Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

1,935

 

 

(4,495

)

 

(2,560

)

 

2,243

 

 

(2,732

)

 

(489

)

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 

Increase in net interest income
 

$

1,389

 

$

983

 

$

2,372

 

$

1,621

 

$

777

 

$

2,398

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 


(1)

Includes interest on mortgagors’ escrow deposits.

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Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001

             Total assetsincreased by $37.6 million, or 5.6%, to$705.6 million at December 31, 2002, from $668.0 million at December 31, 2001.  The growth in assets was primarily attributable to an increase in net loans and purchases of agency and municipal bonds, partially offset by a reduction in mortgage-backed securities.   Net loans increased by $42.8 million, or 10.0%, to $470.2 million at December 31, 2002, from $427.4 million at December 31, 2001, primarily reflecting strong origination volume in the one- to four-family mortgage, home equity, commercial mortgage and construction and development loan portfolios and significant refinancing activity in residential and commercial mortgages.  These increases were offset somewhat by prepayments and normal amortization of the existing portfolios. The demand for the Company’s one- to four-family mortgage and home equity loan products was strong in 2002 as the economy and housing market remained healthy and market rates remained favorable for borrowers. Commercial real estate and construction and development loan origination activity was sound mainly due to solid local economic development and the favorable interest rate environment. The Company purchased government agency securities with original maturities of two to three years in anticipation of accelerated cash flows from the mortgage-backed securities portfolio. Management believes these securities will enhance net interest income as a result of positive interest rate spreads, position the balance sheet for expected future rate increases and improve liquidity.  These securities can also be used as collateral for certain borrowings.  The Company also invested in additional municipal bonds to capitalize on the favorable income tax treatment, attractive yields and spreads, call protection for six to ten years, significant insurance coverage and excellent credit ratings. Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale decreased by $31.3 million, or 27.5%, to $82.6 million at December 31, 2002 from $113.9 million at December 31, 2001 generally as a result of prepayments and amortization of existing mortgage-backed pools, partially offset by an increase in the unrealized gain balance due to lower rates.

             Asset growth was funded primarily with deposits, and to a lesser extent, FHLB advances.  Total deposits at December 31, 2002 were $370.7 million, an increase of $34.6 million, or 10.3%, compared to $336.1 million at December 31, 2001 reflecting growth in core deposits and brokered deposits, partially offset by the sale of approximately $8.9 million in deposits.  Core deposits, excluding certificates of deposit and brokered deposits, rose $24.7 million, or 13.0%, to $214.0 million at December 31, 2002 from $189.3 million at December 31, 2001.  The growth in core deposits was mainly attributable to aggressive promotional efforts, competitive pricing and attractive products, somewhat offset by the sale of supermarket branch deposits.  Brokered deposits, which the Company utilizes from time to time as an alternative funding source and to reduce dependence on FHLB advances when the interest rate on the brokered deposits is competitive compared to other funding vehicles, totaled $43.2 million at December 31, 2002.  The increase of $13.6 million in these deposits during the year ended December 31, 2002 reflects the net issuance of certificates of deposit. FHLB advances increased $4.2 million, or 1.7%, to $253.0 million at December 31, 2002 from $248.8 million at December 31, 2001.

             Total stockholders’ equity increased $4.6 million to $74.4 million at December 31, 2002 from $69.8 million at December 31, 2001 reflecting net income of $4.9 million, increases of $3.5 million in net unrealized gain on securities available for sale and $1.3 million in unearned compensation, the reissuance of $674,000 in treasury stock in connection with stock option exercises, the tax benefit of $304,000 related to the vesting of stock awards and stock option exercises and a $271,000 net gain on derivative instruments, partially offset by stock repurchases aggregating $4.8 million and dividends of $1.6 million.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001

             General.   For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company reported net income of $4.9 million, or $1.38 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.2 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2001.  Several factors influenced the 2002 results including strong growth in loans and core deposits and expansion in net interest income, fee income and insurance commissions, offset somewhat by increased provisions for loan losses and other expenses.  The 2002 results were also affected by gains of $1.2 million from the sale of mortgage loans, a net gain of $815,000 from the sale of two supermarket branches, a $644,000 pension termination gain, write-downs of equity securities totaling $486,000 and the recognition of an unrealized loss of $2.1 million associated with the reclassification of certain equity securities from “available for sale” to “trading”.  In 2001, the Company recognized gains totaling $785,000 from the sale of mortgage loans and a loss of $311,000 as a result of the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”

             Net Interest Income.      Net interest income, on a tax equivalent basis, totaled $21.4 million for the year ended

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December 31, 2002, an increase of $2.4 million, or 12.5%, from $19.0 million for the same period in 2001 reflecting growth in average earning assets of $54.2 million, or 9.0%, and expansion in the net interest margin.  Net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, increased 11 basis points to 3.25% for the year ended December 31, 2002 from 3.14% for the same period in 2001 primarily attributable to lower rates paid on deposits and FHLB advances and an increase in lower cost core deposits.  These favorable results were partially offset by a decrease in the tax equivalent yield on interest-earning assets.

             Interest and Dividend Income.   Interest and dividend income, on a tax equivalent basis, decreased $188,000, or 0.4%, to $42.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 from $42.3 million in 2001 largely reflecting a lower tax equivalent yield on interest-earning assets, somewhat mitigated by growth in average interest-earning assets.  The tax equivalent yield on interest-earning assets declined 61 basis points to 6.39% for the year ended December 31, 2002 principally due to the impact of falling interest rates. The lower interest rate environment led to reduced yields for new assets as well as the repricing of certain existing residential real estate, commercial real estate, consumer and commercial loans.  Average interest-earning assets totaled $659.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 compared to $605.1 million for the same period last year, representing an increase of $54.2 million, or 9.0%.  Average loans increased $43.8 million, or 10.7%, primarily reflecting strong origination volume in the residential real estate, commercial real estate, commercial and home equity portfolios and refinancing activity in the residential and commercial mortgage categories, partially offset by sales of fixed-rate residential mortgages as well as amortization and prepayments of the existing loan portfolio.

             Interest Expense.   Total interest expense decreased $2.5 million, or 11.0%, to $20.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 from $23.3 million in 2001 resulting primarily from lower rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities somewhat offset by growth in average interest-bearing liabilities.  The rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities declined 80 basis points to 3.46% for the year ended December 31, 2002 from 4.26% in 2001 reflecting the lower interest rate environment which led to reduced rates paid for new interest-bearing liabilities as well as the repricing of certain deposits and FHLB advances.  Interest-bearing liabilities totaled $600.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, representing an increase of $52.9 million, or 9.7%, from $547.7 million for the same period in 2001 due to an increase in core interest-bearing deposits, which exclude retail and brokered certificates of deposit, and borrowings.   Average core interest-bearing deposits grew $25.3 million, or 16.0%, to $182.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 primarily attributable to promotional activities, attractive products and competitive pricing.  Average borrowings increased $27.8 million, or 12.3%, to $254.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 resulting from an increase in FHLB advances to fund asset growth and share repurchases.

             Provision for Loan Losses.   The Company’s provision for loan losses increased by $307,000 to $502,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002 from $195,000 for the same period in 2001.  The primary factors contributing to the higher provision in 2002 include stronger loan growth, changes to loan concentrations including increases in commercial and commercial mortgage loans and the reclassification of several residential one- to four-family mortgage loans to lower credit grades due to delinquency.  At December 31, 2002, the Company’s allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total non-performing loans and troubled debt restructurings was 285%, compared to 486% at December 31, 2001.  At December 31, 2002, the Company’s allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 0.67% compared to 0.63% at December 31, 2001. 

             Other Income.   Other income decreased $830,000, or 19.9%, to $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 compared to $4.2 million for the same period in 2001 primarily resulting from the $2.1 million net loss on trading activities and write-downs of certain equity securities totaling $486,000.  The effect of these items was somewhat mitigated by growth in fee income, insurance commissions and gains on sales of loans as well as a net gain from the sale of supermarket branches.  The Company reclassified its common and preferred stock portfolio, except for its $110,000 equity investment in a bank service provider, from “available for sale” to “trading” in the fourth quarter of 2002.  The shift in the portfolio classification resulted in the recognition of an unrealized loss of $2.1 million, which was previously reflected on the balance sheet in equity capital as a component of comprehensive income. Fee income increased $239,000, or 9.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2002 mainly due to higher fees associated with strong growth in core deposit accounts.  Insurance commissions rose $320,000, or 64.8%, to $814,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002 primarily reflecting the impact of the acquisition of Keyes & Mattson Insurance Agency in November 2001 and growth in accounts as a result of successful business development efforts.  Gains on sales of loans totaled $1.2 million in 2002 compared to $785,000 in 2001 due to more favorable pricing for loans sold in 2002 compared to 2001.  The sale of longer-term fixed rate mortgages reflects the Company’s strategy to reduce exposure to interest rate risk while

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improving liquidity.  The Company will continue to evaluate the sale of additional longer-term fixed rate mortgages in 2003.

             Other Expenses.   Other expenses rose $797,000, or 4.9%, to $17.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 largely reflecting growth in salaries and benefits and marketing.  Salaries and benefits increased $624,000, or 7.3%, to $9.2 million in 2002 mainly as a result of standard wage increases, new staff hired to support the general growth of the Company and higher employee stock ownership plan expenses related to an increase in the Company’s average share price, partially offset by a $644,000 pension termination gain recorded in 2002.  Marketing costs grew $91,000, or 13.0%, principally due to increased promotional activities.  Data processing costs grew $44,000, or 4.8%, to $952,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002 resulting primarily from an increase in loan and deposit accounts.

             Income Taxes.   The Company’s income tax expense declined $552,000 to $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 compared to $2.3 million in 2001 mainly attributable to a reduced effective tax rate.  The Company’s effective tax rate fell to 26.2% in 2002 compared to 34.3% in 2001, primarily resulting from the purchase of municipal securities, which are exempt from federal taxes.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000

             General.   For the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company reported net income of $4.2 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.1 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2000.  The results for 2001 include a $715,000 gain on the sale of $17.5 million of mortgage loans and a $335,000 loss recognized as a result of the Company’s adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” effective January 1, 2001 and the related net tax expense of $101,000.  Net income for 2000 includes a pension curtailment gain of $270,000 and related tax expense of $92,000.  The results for 2001 were also affected by growth in net interest income and fee income, partially offset by lower gains on sales, disposition and impairment of securities, net as well as higher other expenses.

             Net Interest Income.   Net interest income, on a tax equivalent basis, totaled $19.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, an increase of $2.4 million, or 14.6%, from $16.6 million for the same period in 2000 reflecting growth in average earning assets of $58.3 million, or 10.7%, and expansion in the tax equivalent net interest margin. Net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, increased 10 basis points to 3.14% for the year ended December 31, 2001 from 3.04% for the same period in 2000 primarily attributable to lower rates paid on deposits and FHLB advances and an increase in lower cost core deposits.  These favorable results were partially offset by a decrease in the tax equivalent yield on interest-earning assets.

             Interest and Dividend Income.   Interest and dividend income, on a tax equivalent basis, increased $1.9 million, or 4.7%, to $42.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 from $40.4 million in 2000 largely reflecting growth in average interest-earning assets, somewhat mitigated by a lower tax equivalent yield on interest-earning assets. Average interest-earning assets totaled $605.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to $546.8 million for the same period last year, representing an increase of $58.3 million, or 10.7%.  Average loans increased $53.7 million, or 15.1%, primarily reflecting strong origination volume in the residential real estate, commercial real estate and home equity portfolios and, to a lesser extent, refinancing activity in the residential and commercial mortgage categories, partially offset by amortization and prepayments of the existing loan portfolio.  The tax equivalent yield on interest-earning assets declined 39 basis points to 7.00% for the year ended December 31, 2001 principally due to the impact of falling interest rates.  The lower interest rate environment led to reduced yields for new assets as well as the repricing of certain existing residential real estate, commercial real estate and consumer loans.

             Interest Expense.   Total interest expense decreased $489,000, or 2.1%, to $23.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 from $23.8 million in 2000 resulting primarily from lower rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities somewhat offset by growth in average interest-bearing liabilities.  The rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities declined 61 basis points to 4.26% for the year ended December 31, 2001 from 4.87% in 2000 reflecting the lower interest rate environment which led to reduced rates paid for new interest-bearing liabilities as well as the repricing of certain deposits and FHLB advances.  Interest-bearing liabilities totaled $547.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, representing an increase of $59.2 million, or 12.1%, from $488.4 million for the same period in 2000 due to an increase in core interest-bearing deposits, which exclude certificates of deposit and brokered deposits, brokered deposits and borrowings.  Average core deposits grew $20.5 million, or 15.0%, to $157.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 primarily attributable to the active promotion of our products, the new branch in East Longmeadow, the relocated

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branch in Ludlow and the migration of accounts from other banks as a result of recent merger activity.  Average brokered deposits rose $26.2 million to $46.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 resulting from the Company’s increased use of such deposits as an alternative funding source and to reduce dependence on FHLB advances when the interest rate on the brokered deposits is competitive when compared to other funding vehicles.  Average borrowings increased $17.9 million, or 8.6%, to $226.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 resulting from an increase in FHLB advances to fund asset growth and share repurchases.

             Provision for Loan Losses.   The Company’s provision for loan losses decreased by $105,000, or 35.0%, to $195,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001 from $300,000 for the same period in 2000.  Management determined that a decrease in the provision was warranted based upon an analysis of the adequacy of the balance in the allowance for loan losses.  The primary factors contributing to the reduced provision in 2001 include a $50.4 million increase in prepayments and scheduled principal amortization, a significant amount of loan originations concentrated in lower-risk residential mortgages and the sales of loans and loans held for sale totaling $31.8 million, offset by growth of $27.8 million in loan originations and purchases and the impact of an increase of $295,000 in nonaccruing loans.  At December 31, 2001, the Company’s allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total non-performing loans and troubled debt restructurings was 486%, compared to 992% at December 31, 2000, primarily due to an increase in nonaccruing loans offset by an increase in the allowance for loan losses.  At December 31, 2001, the Company’s allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans, net, was 0.63% compared to 0.66% at December 31, 2000. 

             Other Income.   Other income decreased $96,000, or 2.2%, to $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to $4.3 million for the same period in 2000 primarily resulting from lower gains on sales of securities and the $78,000 loss on derivative instruments and hedging activities, offset by the $785,000 gain from sales of mortgage loans and an increase in fee income.  The $785,000 gain from sales of loans in 2001 reflects the Company’s strategy to mitigate interest rate risk by selling or securitizing loans from time to time when conditions are favorable. Fee income increased $196,000, or 8.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2001 mainly due to higher fees associated with solid growth in core deposit accounts.

             Other Expenses.   Total other expenses rose $1.9 million, or 13.1%, to $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 mainly reflecting growth in salaries and benefits, occupancy and equipment expenses, professional services and other general and administrative expenses.  Salaries and benefits grew $1.0 million, or 14.0%, to $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 largely as a result of and the $270,000 pension curtailment gain recognized in 2000, standard wage increases, new staff hired to support the general growth of the Company and the East Longmeadow branch which opened in the first quarter of 2001 and higher employee stock ownership plan expenses related to an increase in the Company’s average share price.  Occupancy and equipment costs rose $317,000, or 16.8%, principally due to the purchase of two branch facilities in 2000 and the establishment of a remote ATM located in Holyoke, Massachusetts during the quarter ended December 31, 2000.  Professional services expenses grew $199,000, or 22.2%, primarily attributable to legal, audit and accounting and consulting costs associated with insurance acquisition activities and other corporate matters.  Data processing expenses were higher by $92,000, or 11.3%, due to growth in the Company’s loan and deposit accounts base.  Other general and administrative expenses increased $362,000, or 14.9%, resulting principally from the Company’s larger account base, costs associated with the new branches and the remote ATM, expenditures for the recently acquired Keyes & Mattson Insurance Agency and correspondent bank service charges.

             Income Taxes.   The Company’s income tax expense increased $197,000 to $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to $2.1 million in 2000 mainly attributable to higher pretax income in 2001.  The effective tax rate was 34.3% in 2001 compared to 34.0% in 2000.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

             Liquidity and funding strategies are the responsibility of the Company’s Asset Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”).  The ALCO is responsible for establishing liquidity targets and implementing strategies to meet desired goals.  Liquidity is measured by the Company’s ability to raise cash within 30 days at a reasonable cost and with a minimum of loss.  The Company’s primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities and borrowings from the FHLB-Boston. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit outflows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition. 

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             The primary source of funding for the Corporation is dividends from the Bank.  These funds have been used to pay dividends and to repurchase the Corporation’s common stock.  The Bank’s ability to pay dividends and other capital distributions to the Corporation is generally limited by Massachusetts banking regulations and regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  Additionally, the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation may prohibit the payment of dividends by the Bank to the Corporation which are otherwise permissible by regulation for safety and soundness reasons.

             The primary investing activities of the Company are the origination of one-to four-family mortgage loans and consumer loans, primarily home equity loans and lines of credit, and, to a lesser extent, the origination of multi-family and commercial real estate loans, construction and development loans, commercial business loans and other types of consumer loans and investments in mortgage-backed, debt and equity securities.  These activities are funded primarily by principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities, deposit growth and the utilization of FHLB advances.  During the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, the Company’s loan originations totaled $199.2 million, $176.0 million and $104.6 million, respectively.  Although the Company did not purchase loans during 2002 and 2001, it did purchase $43.6 million of adjustable rate one-to four-family residential mortgage loans for the year ended December 31, 2000.  During the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, the Company’s investments in mortgage-backed, other debt and equity securities totaled $155.3 million, $175.7 million and $176.7 million, respectively.  At December 31, 2002, the Company also held trading account securities totaling $16.3 million.  The Company experienced net increases in total deposits during the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 of $34.6 million, $10.8 million and $62.1 million, respectively.  For the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2000, the increase in deposits includes the Company’s net issuance of brokered deposits totaling $13.6 million and $49.9 million, respectively.  In 2001, $20 million of these brokered deposits were redeemed and no additional brokered certificates of deposit were issued.  The deposit balances in 2002 were also affected by the sale of $8.9 million in deposits of two supermarket branches.  Deposit flows are affected by the overall level of interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by the Company and its local competitors, as well as other factors.  The Company closely monitors its liquidity position on a daily basis.  If the Company requires funds beyond its ability to generate them internally, additional sources of funds are available through FHLB advances.  At December 31, 2002, the Company had $253.0 million of outstanding FHLB borrowings.

             During the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company sold $30.4 million and $17.5 million of residential mortgages, respectively.  In 2001 the Company also sold $14.3 million of loans held for sale.  The Company normally originates fixed and adjustable rate loans for its portfolio.  However, an analysis of the Company’s interest rate profile and the low rates at which these loans were originated led management to determine that these assets should be sold and the proceeds redeployed.  The sale of these loans reduced the amount of high quality collateral available to be pledged as security for borrowings in the secondary market.

             Outstanding commitments for all loans totaled $15.8 million at December 31, 2002.  The Company also had $74.3 million of unadvanced funds on lines of credit at December 31, 2002.  Management of the Company anticipates that it will have sufficient funds available to meet its current loan commitments.  Certificates of deposit which are scheduled to mature in one year or less from December 31, 2002 totaled $81.7 million.  The Company relies primarily on competitive rates, customer service, and long-standing relationships with customers to retain deposits. From time to time, the Company will also offer competitive special products to its customers to increase retention and to attract new deposits.  Based upon the Company’s experience with deposit retention and current retention strategies, management believes that, although it is not possible to predict future terms and conditions upon renewal, a significant portion of such deposits will remain with the Company.

             At December 31, 2002, the Bank exceeded all of its regulatory capital requirements with a Tier 1 capital level of $59.9 million, or 8.60% of adjusted average assets, which is above the required level of $27.9 million, or 4.00%, and risk-based capital of $63.1 million, or 14.15% of adjusted assets, which is above the required level of $35.7 million, or 8.00%.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

             The Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto presented herein have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which generally require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollar amounts without considering the changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of the Company’s

47


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operations.  Unlike industrial companies, nearly all of the assets and liabilities of the Company are monetary in nature.  As a result, interest rates have a greater impact on the Company’s performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation.  Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same extent as the prices of goods and services.

Impact of New Accounting Standards

             The Company adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” effective January 1, 2002.  Accordingly, goodwill is no longer subject to amortization over its estimated useful life, but is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair value based test. Additionally, under SFAS No. 142, acquired intangible assets (such as core deposit intangibles) are separately recognized if the benefit of the intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if the intangible asset can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, and amortized over their useful life. Branch acquisition transactions were outside the scope of SFAS No. 142 and, accordingly, intangible assets related to such transactions continued to amortize upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142.  On October 31, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 147, “Acquisitions of Certain Financial Institutions.”  This Statement amends (except for transactions between two or more mutual enterprises) previous interpretive guidance on the application of the purchase method of accounting to acquisitions of financial institutions, and requires the application of SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations” and SFAS No. 142 to branch acquisitions if such transactions meet the definition of a business combination.  This Statement amends SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, to include in its scope core deposit intangibles of financial institutions.  Accordingly, such intangibles are subject to a recoverability test based on undiscounted cash flows, and to the impairment recognition and measurement provisions that are required for other long-lived assets that are held and used.  The adoption of these statements did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Subsequent Accounting Changes

             In June, 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”, which requires recognition of a liability, when incurred, for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity. The liability shall be recognized at fair value.  The provisions of this Statement are effective for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002.  Management does not anticipate that the adoption of this Statement will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

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Item 7A.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Management of Interest Rate Risk and Market Risk Analysis

             The principal objective of the Company’s interest rate risk management is to evaluate the interest rate risk inherent in certain balance sheet accounts, determine the level of appropriate risk given the Company’s business strategy, operating environment, capital and liquidity requirements and performance objectives, and manage the risk consistent with approved guidelines.  Through such management, the Company seeks to reduce the vulnerability of its operations to changes in interest rates.  The Company maintains an ALCO responsible for reviewing its asset/liability policies and interest rate risk position on a quarterly basis.  The ALCO reports trends and the interest rate risk position to the Board of Directors each quarter. 

             The extent of the movement of interest rates is an uncertainty that could have a negative impact on the earnings of the Company.  Besides the risk that rising interest rates could cause the cost of liabilities to rise faster than the yield on assets, the Company’s interest rate spread and margin could also be negatively affected in a declining interest rate environment if prepayments were to increase and the Company were to reinvest such proceeds at a lower rate.  The Company’s spread and margin would also be negatively impacted if deposit interest rates did not decline commensurate with asset yields in such a declining interest rate environment.  Similarly, spreads and margins would contract in a so-called flat- or inverse-yield curve environment, in which traditional spreads between short- and long-term interest rates were to be compressed or become negative.

             In recent years, the Company has utilized the following strategies to manage interest rate risk:  (1) emphasizing the origination of adjustable rate mortgages with terms of up to 30 years and interest rates which adjust every one or three years from the outset of the loan or which adjust annually after a five year or seven year initial fixed period, shorter-term adjustable-rate loans, such as home equity loans and lines of credit, and multi-family and commercial real estate loans; (2) selling longer-term fixed-rate loans; (3) emphasizing the origination of non-certificate deposits and offering deposit products with a variety of interest rates; (4) preparing and monitoring income simulation models, static gap and asset/liability funding matrix reports; and (5) selectively utilizing off-balance sheet derivatives and hedging instruments, such as interest rate swaps, caps and floors.

             On-balance sheet derivatives and hedging instruments

             On January 1, 2001, the Company adopted SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” which required that all derivatives be recognized as assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measured at fair value.  The Company utilizes various derivative instruments for asset/liability management and other purposes. These transactions involve both credit and market risk.  The notional amounts are amounts on which calculations and payments are based.  Notional amounts do not represent direct credit exposures.  Direct credit exposure is limited to the net difference between the calculated amounts to be received and paid, if any.

             Interest rate swap agreements

             The Company uses an interest rate swap agreement to hedge a portfolio of variable rate home equity lines of credit.  These loans expose the Company to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. If interest rates decrease, interest income decreases.  Conversely, if interest rates increase, interest income increases.  During 2002, management believed it prudent to limit the variability of a portion of these interest receipts and entered into an interest rate swap agreement.  The terms of the interest rate swap agreement call for the Company to receive fixed interest rate payments and remit variable rate interest rate payments.  The interest rate swap is designated as a cash flow hedge.

49


Table of Contents

             At December 31, 2002 the information pertaining to the outstanding interest rate swap agreement used to hedge variable rate loans is as follows:

 
 

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2002

 

 
 

 


 

Notional amount
 

$

5,000

 

Pay rate (based upon the prime rate)
 

 

4.25

%

Receive rate
 

 

7.64

%

Maturity in years
 

 

4.4

 

Unrealized gain relating to interest rate swap
 

$

414

 

             The Company also uses interest rate swap agreements to hedge a portfolio of brokered certificates of deposit. These agreements are designated as fair value hedges since they are used to convert the cost of the brokered certificates of deposit from a fixed to a variable rate.  Since the hedge relationship is estimated to be 100% effective (gain or loss on the swap agreements will completely offset the gain or loss on the certificates of deposit) there is no impact on the statement of income or on comprehensive income.  Theapplication of SFAS No. 133 results in an adjustment to the balance sheet to reflect the swap and the certificates of deposit at fair value.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

Notional amount
 

$

20,000

 

$

30,000

 

Weighted average pay rate
 

 

1.62

%

 

2.27

%

Weighted average receive rate
 

 

5.25

%

 

6.05

%

Weighted average maturity in years
 

 

7.1

 

 

8.1

 

Unrealized gain (loss) relating to interest rate swaps
 

$

452

 

$

(265

)

             These agreements provide for the Company to make payments of a variable rate determined by a specified index (one or three-month LIBOR) in exchange for receiving payments at a fixed rate.

             All swaps outstanding at December 31, 2001 were called in 2002.  All swaps outstanding at December 31, 2002 are callable by the counter party to the agreement in July 2003 and semi-annually thereafter.

             Interest rate protection agreements (caps)

             The Company had no outstanding interest rate protection agreements (caps) at December 31, 2002.  The Company had interest rate protection agreements (caps) with notional amounts totaling $150,000 at December 31, 2001, which expired in 2002. These caps were used to limit the Company’s exposure to rising interest rates on its short-term borrowings.  Under these agreements the Company paid premiums for the right to receive cash flow payments in excess of the predetermined cap rate; thus, effectively “capping” its interest rate cost for the duration of the agreements. The interest rate cap is carried on the balance sheet at fair value with the time and option volatility changes reflected in the current statement of income. Any intrinsic value is recorded in other comprehensive income and recognized in future statements of income as an offset to related future borrowing costs.

50


Table of Contents

             Information pertaining to the rate cap agreements entered into by the Company is as follows:

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

Notional amount
 

$

—  

 

$

150,000

 

Weighted average rate
 

 

—  

 

 

7.08

%

Cash received
 

 

—  

 

 

34

 

             Income simulation analysis.   The Company uses income simulation modeling in order to analyze its interest rate risk under various scenarios.  The income simulation model is designed to measure the performance of the Company’s net interest income based upon potential changes in interest rates over a select period of time. The model consists of current data related to cash flow characteristics, repricing opportunities, maturities and current rates for all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  In addition, management makes certain assumptions associated with prepayment speeds, maturities for non-certificate deposits, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, and reinvestment/replacement of asset and liability cash flows.  The model does not include assumptions about future changes to the structure of the balance sheet or actions the Company may take to mitigate projected risks.  The income simulation model is produced for several interest rate environments including a flat rate scenario (i.e. no change in current interest rates) over a twelve month period.   A second and third model are produced in which a gradual increase of 200 basis points and a decrease of 100 basis points occurs over a twelve month period.  Other models are produced, as appropriate, to simulate the flattening or steepening of the yield curve.  Under these scenarios, assets subject to repricing or prepayment are adjusted to account for faster or slower prepayment assumptions.  The resultant changes in net interest income are then measured against the flat rate scenario.  For the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, the model projects reductions of 1.48% and 0.04%, respectively, in the down 100 basis points scenario during the next twelve months.  In an up 200 basis points environment, the model forecasts net interest income contraction of 1.06% and 2.11%, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001.  The variability calculated in these models is well within the guidelines established by the Company’s interest rate risk policy.

             The preceding income simulation analysis does not represent a forecast of net interest income and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results.  These hypothetical estimates are based upon numerous assumptions including: the nature and timing of interest rate levels including the yield curve shape, prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment/replacement of asset and liability cash flows, and others.  Also, as market conditions vary from those assumed in the income simulation models, the actual results will differ reflecting prepayment/refinancing levels likely deviating from those assumed, the varying impact of interest rate changes on caps and floors embedded in adjustable rate loans, early withdrawal of deposits, changes in product preferences, and other internal/external variables.

             Gap analysis.   The matching of assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the extent to which such assets and liabilities are “interest rate sensitive” and by monitoring a bank’s interest rate sensitivity “gap.”  An asset or liability is said to be interest rate sensitive within a specific time period if it will mature or reprice within that time period. The interest rate sensitivity gap is defined as the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within a specific time period and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within that same time period.   At December 31, 2002, the Company’s one-year gap position, the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within one year and interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within one year, was positive 9.16%, compared to a negative gap of 0.06% at December 31, 2001.  A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest rate sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities.  A gap is considered negative when the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities exceeds the amount of interest rate sensitive assets.  Accordingly, during a period of rising interest rates, an institution with a positive gap position would be in a better position to invest in higher yielding assets which, consequently, may result in the yield on interest-earning assets increasing at a rate faster than its cost of its interest-bearing liabilities than if it had a negative gap.  Conversely, during a period of falling interest rates, an institution with a positive gap would tend to have its interest-earning assets repricing downward at a faster rate than its interest-bearing liabilities as compared to an institution with a negative gap which, consequently, may tend to negatively affect the growth of its net interest income. 

             The following table sets forth the amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities outstanding at December 31, 2002, which are anticipated by the Company, based upon certain assumptions, to reprice or mature in

51


Table of Contents

each of the future time periods shown (the “Gap Table”). The table sets forth an approximation of the projected repricing of assets and liabilities at December 31, 2002, on the basis of contractual maturities, anticipated prepayments, and scheduled rate adjustments for selected time intervals.  For loans on residential properties, adjustable-rate loans, and fixed-rate loans, actual repricing and maturity dates were used.  The mortgage-backed securities portfolio was assumed to prepay at a rate of between 3.93% and 53.52% annually. The stratification of savings deposits (including NOW, savings and money market accounts) is based on management’s philosophy of repricing core deposits in response to changes in the general interest rate environment.  Prepayment rates can have a significant impact on the Company’s estimated gap. While the Company believes such assumptions to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that assumed prepayment rates will approximate actual future loan prepayment activity.

52


Table of Contents
 

 

At December 31, 2002

 

 

 


 

 

 

1 Year
or Less

 

More than
1 Year to
2 Years

 

More than
2 Years to
3 Years

 

More than
3 Years to
4 Years

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Balance

 

Average
Rate

 

Balance

 

Average
Rate

 

Balance

 

Average
Rate

 

Balance

 

Average
Rate

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Interest-earning assets (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Trading account securities

 

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

33,436

 

 

6.66

%

 

11,281

 

 

6.79

%

 

5,506

 

 

6.76

%

 

6,475

 

 

6.99

%

 
Debt securities

 

 

5,401

 

 

2.42

%

 

12,761

 

 

3.44

%

 

5,035

 

 

3.90

%

 

5,010

 

 

4.76

%

 
Equity securities

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

10,081

 

 

8.20

%

 
FHLB stock

 

 

13,795

 

 

3.50

%

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Loans, net

 

 

188,848

 

 

5.85

%

 

77,017

 

 

6.47

%

 

44,799

 

 

6.59

%

 

41,391

 

 

6.42

%

 
Other

 

 

10,201

 

 

1.00

%

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
Total interest-earning assets

 

$

251,681

 

 

 

 

$

101,059

 

 

 

 

$

55,340

 

 

 

 

$

62,957

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Savings accounts

 

$

6,198

 

 

0.98

%

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Money market accounts

 

 

47,500

 

 

1.47

%

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
NOW accounts

 

 

18,903

 

 

1.69

%

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Certificates of deposit

 

 

83,229

 

 

2.92

%

 

17,113

 

 

3.59

%

 

22,097

 

 

3.97

%

 

234

 

 

5.00

%

 
Borrowings

 

 

31,235

 

 

1.93

%

 

39,000

 

 

5.49

%

 

3,000

 

 

3.19

%

 

72,000

 

 

6.05

%

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 
 
Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

$

187,065

 

 

 

 

$

56,113

 

 

 

 

$

25,097

 

 

 

 

$

72,234

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
Interest-rate sensitivity gap (2)

 

$

64,616

 

 

 

 

$

44,946

 

 

 

 

$

30,243

 

 

 

 

$

(9,277

)

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
Cumulative interest-rate sensitivity gap

 

$

64,616

 

 

 

 

$

109,562

 

 

 

 

$

139,805

 

 

 

 

$

130,528

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
Cumulative interest sensitivity gap as a percentage of total assets

 

 

9.16

%

 

 

 

 

15.53

%

 

 

 

 

19.81

%

 

 

 

 

18.50

%

 

 

 

 
Cumulative interest sensitivity gap as a percentage of total interest earning assets

 

 

9.84

%

 

 

 

 

16.69

%

 

 

 

 

21.30

%

 

 

 

 

19.89

%

 

 

 

 
Cumulative interest-earning assets as a percentage of cumulative interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

134.54

%

 

 

 

 

145.05

%

 

 

 

 

152.11

%

 

 

 

 

138.33

%

 

 

 


 
 

At December 31, 2002

 

 
 

 

 

 

More than
4 Years to
5 Years

 

More than
5 Years

 

Total
Amount

 

Fair
Value (3)

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 
 

Balance

 

Average
Rate

 

Balance

 

Average
Rate

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 
 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Interest-earning assets (1):
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Trading account securities

 

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

16,284

 

 

4.98

%

$

16,284

 

$

16,284

 

 
Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

11,335

 

 

7.17

%

 

9,619

 

 

6.66

%

 

77,652

 

 

82,573

 

 
Debt securities

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

21,454

 

 

6.98

%

 

49,661

 

 

51,085

 

 
Equity securities

 

 

1,992

 

 

7.91

%

 

7,922

 

 

8.42

%

 

19,995

 

 

21,648

 

 
FHLB stock

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

13,795

 

 

13,795

 

 
Loans, net

 

 

41,769

 

 

6.83

%

 

76,400

 

 

7.12

%

 

470,224

 

 

487,619

 

 
Other

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

10,201

 

 

10,201

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 
Total interest-earning assets

 

$

55,096

 

 

 

 

$

131,679

 

 

 

 

$

657,812

 

$

683,205

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 



 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Savings accounts

 

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

70,922

 

 

0.98

%

$

77,120

 

$

77,120

 

 
Money market accounts

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

47,500

 

 

47,500

 

 
NOW accounts

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

48,041

 

 

0.50

%

 

66,944

 

 

66,944

 

 
Certificates of deposit

 

 

13,573

 

 

5.00

%

 

21,597

 

 

4.85

%

 

157,843

 

 

161,805

 

 
Borrowings

 

 

18,000

 

 

4.29

%

 

90,000

 

 

4.89

%

 

253,235

 

 

272,266

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 
Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

$

31,573

 

 

 

 

$

230,560

 

 

 

 

$

602,642

 

$

625,635

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 
Interest-rate sensitivity gap (2)

 

$

23,523

 

 

 

 

$

(98,881

)

 

 

 

$

55,170

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
Cumulative interest-rate sensitivity gap

 

$

154,051

 

 

 

 

$

55,170

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Cumulative interest sensitivity gap as a percentage of total assets

 

 

21.83

%

 

 

 

 

7.82

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Cumulative interest sensitivity gap as a percentage of total interest earning assets

 

 

23.47

%

 

 

 

 

8.41

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Cumulative interest-earning assets as a percentage of cumulative interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

141.40

%

 

 

 

 

109.15

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Interest-earning assets are included in the period in which the balances are expected to be redeployed and/or repriced as a result of anticipated prepayments and contractual maturities.

(2)

Interest sensitivity gap represents the difference between net interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

(3)

The fair values of securities available for sale, including mortgage-backed securities, and trading account securities are based on quoted market prices. The fair values of performing loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses and interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality.  Fair values for non-performing loans are estimated using underlying collateral values, where applicable. The fair values of non-certificate deposit accounts is equal to the carrying amount.  Fair values for certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits. The fair values for FHLB advances are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based upon the Company's current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

53


Table of Contents

             Shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the Gap Table.  For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates.  Also, the interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates.  Additionally, some assets, such as adjustable-rate loans, have features which restrict changes in interest rates both on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset.  Further, if interest rates changed, prepayment and early withdrawal levels would likely deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating the table.  Finally, it would become more difficult for borrowers to repay their adjustable-rate loans if interest rates increased.

54


Table of Contents

Item 8.     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Page

 


Independent Auditors’ Report

F-1

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2002 and 2001

F-2

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

F-3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

F-4

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

F-5

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-6 – F-53


Table of Contents

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Woronoco Bancorp, Inc.
Westfield, Massachusetts

We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2002.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2002 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ WOLF & COMPANY, P.C.

 


 

Wolf Company, P.C.
Boston, Massachusetts
January 18, 2003

 

F-1


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

(In thousands, except share data)

 

ASSETS
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks
 

$

17,600

 

$

19,883

 

Interest-bearing deposits
 

 

731

 

 

7,326

 

Federal funds sold
 

 

9,470

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 

 
Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

27,801

 

 

27,209

 

Trading securities
 

 

16,284

 

 

—  

 

Securities available for sale, at fair value
 

 

155,306

 

 

175,708

 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
 

 

13,795

 

 

13,750

 

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses ($3,156 at December 31, 2002 and $2,701 at December 31, 2001)

 

 

470,224

 

 

427,409

 

Premises and equipment, net
 

 

10,343

 

 

11,172

 

Accrued interest receivable
 

 

3,385

 

 

3,036

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
 

 

1,889

 

 

1,923

 

Net deferred tax asset
 

 

—  

 

 

1,362

 

Cash surrender value of life insurance
 

 

2,602

 

 

2,412

 

Other assets
 

 

4,007

 

 

4,025

 

 
 


 



 

 
 

$

705,636

 

$

668,006

 

 
 


 



 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits
 

$

370,650

 

$

336,060

 

Mortgagors’ escrow accounts
 

 

1,597

 

 

1,130

 

Short-term borrowings
 

 

56,235

 

 

44,041

 

Long-term debt
 

 

197,000

 

 

205,000

 

Due to broker
 

 

—  

 

 

3,713

 

Net deferred tax liability
 

 

589

 

 

—  

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 

 

5,155

 

 

8,213

 

 
 


 



 

 
Total liabilities

 

 

631,226

 

 

598,157

 

 
 


 



 

Commitments and contingencies (notes 12 and 13)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Preferred stock ($.01 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding)

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Common stock ($.01 par value; 16,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued: 5,998,860 at December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001

 

 

60

 

 

60

 

 
Additional paid-in capital

 

 

59,020

 

 

58,294

 

 
Unearned compensation

 

 

(3,951

)

 

(4,834

)

 
Retained earnings

 

 

44,641

 

 

41,439

 

 
Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

5,222

 

 

1,497

 

 
Treasury stock, at cost (2,431,191 shares at December 31, 2002 and 2,261,592 shares at December 31, 2001)

 

 

(30,582

)

 

(26,607

)

 
 


 



 

 
Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

74,410

 

 

69,849

 

 
 


 



 

 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

705,636

 

$

668,006

 

 
 


 



 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-2


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Interest and dividend income:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Loans, including fees

 

$

30,041

 

$

29,753

 

$

27,153

 

 
Interest and dividends on securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Taxable interest

 

 

7,390

 

 

8,729

 

 

9,622

 

 
Tax exempt interest

 

 

981

 

 

54

 

 

—  

 

 
Dividends

 

 

3,047

 

 

3,277

 

 

3,167

 

 
Federal funds sold

 

 

136

 

 

233

 

 

118

 

 
Other

 

 

55

 

 

269

 

 

346

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
Total interest and dividend income

 

 

41,650

 

 

42,315

 

 

40,406

 

 
 


 



 



 

Interest expense:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Deposits
 

 

8,133

 

 

10,825

 

 

10,379

 

 
Short-term borrowings
 

 

678

 

 

2,838

 

 

12,271

 

 
Long-term debt
 

 

11,949

 

 

9,657

 

 

1,159

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
Total interest expense

 

 

20,760

 

 

23,320

 

 

23,809

 

 
 


 



 



 

Net interest and dividend income
 

 

20,890

 

 

18,995

 

 

16,597

 

Provision for loan losses
 

 

502

 

 

195

 

 

300

 

 
 


 



 



 

Net interest income, after provision for loan losses
 

 

20,388

 

 

18,800

 

 

16,297

 

 
 


 



 



 

Other income:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Fee income

 

 

2,689

 

 

2,450

 

 

2,254

 

 
Insurance commissions

 

 

814

 

 

494

 

 

471

 

 
(Loss) gain on sales, disposition and impairment of securities, net

 

 

(136

)

 

393

 

 

1,377

 

 
Net loss on trading account activities

 

 

(2,086

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Gain on sales of loans, net

 

 

1,198

 

 

785

 

 

—  

 

 
Gain on sale of supermarket branches

 

 

815

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities

 

 

1

 

 

(78

)

 

—  

 

 
Covered call option income

 

 

43

 

 

128

 

 

163

 

 
Miscellaneous

 

 

4

 

 

—  

 

 

3

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
Total other income

 

 

3,342

 

 

4,172

 

 

4,268

 

 
 


 



 



 

Other expenses:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Salaries and employee benefits

 

 

9,159

 

 

8,535

 

 

7,488

 

 
Occupancy and equipment

 

 

2,235

 

 

2,206

 

 

1,889

 

 
Other real estate owned

 

 

—  

 

 

(2

)

 

54

 

 
Marketing

 

 

793

 

 

702

 

 

781

 

 
Professional services

 

 

1,067

 

 

1,096

 

 

897

 

 
Data processing

 

 

952

 

 

908

 

 

816

 

 
Other general and administrative

 

 

2,851

 

 

2,815

 

 

2,450

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
Total other expenses

 

 

17,057

 

 

16,260

 

 

14,375

 

 
 


 



 



 

Income before income taxes and cumulative effect  of change in accounting principle
 

 

6,673

 

 

6,712

 

 

6,190

 

Provision for income taxes
 

 

1,751

 

 

2,303

 

 

2,106

 

 
 


 



 



 

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
 

 

4,922

 

 

4,409

 

 

4,084

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting for derivative instruments, net of tax benefit of $92
 

 

—  

 

 

(161

)

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
Net income

 

$

4,922

 

$

4,248

 

$

4,084

 

 
 


 



 



 

Earnings per share:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Basic

 

$

1.48

 

$

1.20

 

$

0.91

 

 
Diluted

 

$

1.38

 

$

1.14

 

$

0.90

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-3


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

 

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Unearned
Compensation

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

Treasury
Stock

 

Total

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 
 

(In thousands, except share data)

 

Balance at December 31, 1999
 

$

60

 

$

57,874

 

$

(6,604

)

$

35,230

 

$

(3,875

)

$

(1,790

)

$

80,895

 

Comprehensive income:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,084

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,084

 

Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of reclassification adjustment and tax effects
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,240

 

 

—  

 

 

4,240

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 
Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,324

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Decrease in unearned compensation
 

 

—  

 

 

50

 

 

862

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

912

 

Adjustment for tax benefit related to vesting of stock awards
 

 

—  

 

 

30

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

30

 

Cash dividends paid ($0.225 per share)
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(1,003

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(1,003

)

Treasury stock purchased (1,667,896 shares)
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(18,399

)

 

(18,399

)

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance at December 31, 2000
 

 

60

 

 

57,954

 

 

(5,742

)

 

38,311

 

 

365

 

 

(20,189

)

 

70,759

 

Comprehensive income:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,248

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,248

 

Change in net unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of reclassification adjustment and tax effects
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,132

 

 

—  

 

 

1,132

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 
Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,380

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Decrease in unearned compensation
 

 

—  

 

 

241

 

 

908

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,149

 

Adjustment for tax benefit related to vesting of stock awards and stock option exercises
 

 

—  

 

 

99

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

99

 

Reissuance of treasury shares in connection with stock option exercises (3,150 shares)
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(2

)

 

—  

 

 

37

 

 

35

 

Cash dividends paid ($0.3175 per share)
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(1,118

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(1,118

)

Treasury stock purchased (420,346 shares)
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(6,455

)

 

(6,455

)

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance at December 31, 2001
 

 

60

 

 

58,294

 

 

(4,834

)

 

41,439

 

 

1,497

 

 

(26,607

)

 

69,849

 

Comprehensive income:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,922

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,922

 

Change in net unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of reclassification adjustment and tax effects
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

3,454

 

 

—  

 

 

3,454

 

Net gain on derivative instruments
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

271

 

 

—  

 

 

271

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 
Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,647

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Decrease in unearned compensation
 

 

—  

 

 

422

 

 

883

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,305

 

Adjustment for tax benefit related to vesting of stock awards and stock option exercises
 

 

—  

 

 

304

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

304

 

Reissuance of treasury shares in connection with stock option exercises (67,455 shares)
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(159

)

 

—  

 

 

833

 

 

674

 

Cash dividends paid ($0.47 per share)
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(1,561

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(1,561

)

Treasury stock purchased (237,054 shares)
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(4,808

)

 

(4,808

)

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance at December 31, 2002
 

$

60

 

$

59,020

 

$

(3,951

)

$

44,641

 

$

5,222

 

$

(30,582

)

$

74,410

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-4


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Net income

 

$

4,922

 

$

4,248

 

$

4,084

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Provision for loan losses

 

 

502

 

 

195

 

 

300

 

 
Net amortization (accretion) of investments

 

 

444

 

 

(20

)

 

(73

)

 
Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,068

 

 

1,064

 

 

885

 

 
Amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets

 

 

50

 

 

78

 

 

77

 

 
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights

 

 

67

 

 

27

 

 

14

 

 
Employee stock ownership plan expense

 

 

816

 

 

672

 

 

435

 

 
Stock-based incentive plan expense

 

 

489

 

 

477

 

 

477

 

 
Deferred tax (benefit) provision

 

 

(431

)

 

(190

)

 

666

 

 
Covered call option income

 

 

(43

)

 

(128

)

 

(163

)

 
Gain (loss) on sales, disposition and impairment of securities, net

 

 

136

 

 

(393

)

 

(1,377

)

 
Net loss on trading activities

 

 

2,086

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Gain on sales of loans, net

 

 

(1,198

)

 

(785

)

 

—  

 

 
Gain on sale of other real estate owned

 

 

—  

 

 

(21

)

 

—  

 

 
Gain on sale of supermarket branches, net of expenses

 

 

(815

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Loans originated/purchased and held for sale

 

 

(30,385

)

 

(17,461

)

 

(14,313

)

 
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale

 

 

31,035

 

 

32,133

 

 

—  

 

 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Accrued interest receivable

 

 

(349

)

 

338

 

 

(1,111

)

 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

(1,463

)

 

4,108

 

 

570

 

 
Other, net

 

 

(1,875

)

 

(1,673

)

 

(1,014

)

 
 


 



 



 

 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

 

 

5,056

 

 

22,669

 

 

(10,543

)

 
 


 



 



 

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale

 

 

8,618

 

 

4,387

 

 

12,438

 

 
Purchases of securities available for sale

 

 

(37,821

)

 

(29,125

)

 

(44,044

)

 
Principal payments on mortgage-backed investments

 

 

33,277

 

 

30,931

 

 

12,871

 

 
Call option premiums received

 

 

67

 

 

171

 

 

277

 

 
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock

 

 

(45

)

 

—  

 

 

(6,208

)

 
Loan purchases

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(43,620

)

 
Loans originations and principal collections, net

 

 

(42,692

)

 

(36,339

)

 

(40,620

)

 
Additions to premises and equipment

 

 

(450

)

 

(1,105

)

 

(3,157

)

 
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment, net

 

 

201

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate

 

 

—  

 

 

359

 

 

883

 

 
Payment to purchase insurance agencies

 

 

—  

 

 

(1,303

)

 

(800

)

 
 


 



 



 

 
Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(38,845

)

 

(32,024

)

 

(111,980

)

 
 


 



 



 

Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Net increase in deposits, excluding deposits sold

 

 

43,520

 

 

10,805

 

 

62,059

 

 
Sale of supermarket branch deposits, net of premium and expenses

 

 

(8,105

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Net decrease in short-term borrowings

 

 

(19,806

)

 

(91,990

)

 

(16,286

)

 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

 

24,000

 

 

100,000

 

 

105,000

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in mortgagors’ escrow accounts

 

 

467

 

 

259

 

 

(12

)

 
Cash dividends paid

 

 

(1,561

)

 

(1,118

)

 

(1,003

)

 
Treasury stock purchased

 

 

(4,808

)

 

(6,795

)

 

(18,052

)

 
Reissuance of treasury stock in connection with stock option exercises

 

 

674

 

 

35

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

34,381

 

 

11,196

 

 

131,706

 

 
 


 



 



 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 

 

592

 

 

1,841

 

 

9,183

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 

 

27,209

 

 

25,368

 

 

16,185

 

 
 


 



 



 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 

$

27,801

 

$

27,209

 

$

25,368

 

 
 


 



 



 

Supplemental cash flow information:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Interest paid on deposits

 

$

9,136

 

$

12,034

 

$

10,567

 

 
Interest paid on borrowings

 

 

12,561

 

 

12,524

 

 

12,949

 

 
Income taxes paid

 

 

2,130

 

 

1,726

 

 

1,513

 

 
Transfer from loans to other real estate owned

 

 

—  

 

 

277

 

 

61

 

 
Transfer of long-term debt to short-term borrowings

 

 

32,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Trade date accounting for share repurchases

 

 

—  

 

 

7

 

 

347

 

 
Net due to brokers for investment securities transactions

 

 

—  

 

 

3,047

 

 

—  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-5


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

(Dollars in Thousands)

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

 

 

Basis of presentation and consolidation

 

 

 

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Woronoco Savings Bank and WRO Funding Corporation (the “Company”).  The accounts of Woronoco Savings Bank (the “Bank”) include all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

 

 

 

Use of estimates

 

 

 

 

 

In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  A material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relates to the determination of the allowance for loan losses.

 

 

 

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

The Company provides a variety of financial services, including trust and financial management services, and various deposit and lending products to individuals and small businesses through its ten offices in western Massachusetts.  Its primary deposit products are checking, savings, money market and term certificate accounts and its primary lending products are residential, commercial mortgage, consumer and home equity loans.

 

 

 

 

Through the Bank’s subsidiary, Keyes, Mattson & Agan Insurance Agency, Inc., the Company also offers a full line of property and casualty insurance products and various life insurance and group life, group health and accident insurance products for individuals and commercial clients.

F-6


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

 

 

Business (concluded)

 

 

 

Prior to the acquisitions of Keyes & Mattson Insurance Agency in 2001 and Agan Insurance Agency in 2000, the Company’s chief decision-makers monitored the revenue streams of the various products and services, while the Company’s operations were managed and financial performance was evaluated on a company-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the Company’s operations were considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.  Subsequent to the acquisitions of the insurance agencies, the Company’s operations continue to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment, except for Keyes, Mattson & Agan Insurance Agency, Inc. which is evaluated on a stand-alone basis.

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and balances due from banks, interest-bearing deposits and federal funds sold, all of which mature within ninety days.

 

 

 

 

Trading activities

 

 

 

The Company engages in trading activities for its own account.  Securities that are held principally for resale in the near term are recorded in the trading assets account at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings.  Interest and dividends are included in net interest income.

 

 

 

Quoted market prices are used to determine the fair value of trading instruments.

 

 

 

 

Securities

 

 

 

Securities not classified as “held to maturity” or “trading” are classified as “available for sale” and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income.

 

 

 

 

Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities.  Declines in the fair value of available for sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses.  In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers independent price quotations, projected target prices of investment analysts within the short term and the financial condition of the issuer.  Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.

F-7


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

 

 

 

The Company originates mortgage, commercial and consumer loans for its customers.  A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is represented by mortgage loans in the Company’s primary market area.  The ability of the Company’s debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate and general economic conditions in this area.

 

 

 

 

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans.  Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance.  Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method.

 

 

 

 

The accrual of interest on all loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due.  Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan.  In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

 

 

 

 

All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off is reversed against interest income.  The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual.  Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

 

 

 

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Impaired loans are generally maintained on a non-accrual basis.  Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for commercial and commercial real estate loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

 

 

 

 

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment.  Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer and residential loans for impairment disclosures.

F-8


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

 

 

 

The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings.  Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

 

 

 

 

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the risks inherent in its loan portfolio, consideration of trends in delinquency and impaired loans, the amount of charge-offs and recoveries, volume of loans, changes in risk selection, credit concentrations, national and regional economies and the real estate market in the Company’s primary lending area. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

 

 

 

 

The allowance consists of a specific allowance for identified problem and impaired loans and a general allowance for current performing loans.  All loans are considered in the evaluation, whether on an individual or group basis. Changes in the balances of problem and impaired loans affect the specific reserve, while changes in volume and concentrations of current performing loans affects the general reserve and the allocation of the allowance of the loan losses among loan types.

 

 

 

 

For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market value) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.  The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience, peer group comparisons, industry data and loss percentages used by banking regulators for similarly graded loans adjusted for qualitative factors.

F-9


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

 

 

 

Servicing

 

 

 

 

 

Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of financial assets.  Capitalized servicing rights are reported in other assets and are amortized into other income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets. Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost.  Impairment is determined by stratifying rights by predominant characteristics, such as interest rates and terms.  Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, when available, or based upon discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions.  Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual stratum, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the stratum.

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments and change in accounting principle

 

 

 

 

On January 1, 2001, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” which required that all derivatives be recognized as assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measured at fair value.

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative instruments used for asset/liability management

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

 

 

 

The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to hedge various exposures or to modify interest rate characteristics of various balance sheet accounts.  Derivatives that are used as part of the asset/liability management process are linked to specific assets or liabilities and have high correlation between the contract and the underlying item being hedged, both at inception and throughout the hedge period.  Interest rate swaps are contracts in which a series of interest rate flows are exchanged over a prescribed period.  The notional amount on which the interest rate payments are based is not exchanged.  Most interest rate swaps involve the exchange of fixed and floating interest payments.  By entering into the swap, the principal amount of the debt would remain unchanged but the interest payment streams would change.

F-10


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments and change in accounting principle (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative instruments used for asset/liability management (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

An example of a situation in which the Company would utilize an interest rate swap would be to convert a portion of its fixed-rate debt to a variable rate (fair value hedge) or to convert a portion of its variable-rate mortgage loans to a fixed rate (cash flow hedge).  Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 133, the Company did not recognize the fair value of its hedges.  According to SFAS No. 133, the gain or loss on a derivative designated and qualifying as a fair value hedging instrument, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item, is recognized currently in earnings in the same accounting period.  The gain or loss on a derivative designated and qualifying as a cash flow hedging instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.  The remaining gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, is recognized currently in earnings.

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate cap agreements

 

 

 

 

 

The Company utilizes interest rate caps to limit the Company’s exposure to rising interest rates on its borrowings.  Under these agreements the Company pays premiums for the right to receive cash flow payments in excess of the predetermined cap rate; thus, effectively “capping” its interest rate cost for the duration of the agreements.  Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 133, the Company accounted for the premiums paid under SFAS No. 80, “Accounting for Futures Contracts”, for hedge accounting.  Under SFAS No. 80, the premiums paid were amortized on a straight line method over the term of coverage as a prepaid expense. With the adoption of SFAS No. 133, the interest rate cap is carried on the balance sheet at fair value with the time and option volatility changes reflected in the current statement of income.

F-11


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments and change in accounting principle (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

Other derivative instruments

 

 

 

 

 

The Company also writes covered call options on marketable equity securities held in its investment portfolio to take advantage of fluctuating market prices and to generate non-interest income.  The Company receives a premium for writing the option, while the option holder receives an option to purchase the security at a specified price (the “strike” price).  The gain or loss on any derivative instrument not designated as a hedging instrument (such as this covered call option) is recognized currently in earnings.  Prior to adoption of SFAS No. 133, the Company recorded the receipt of premiums in other liabilities and upon expiration of the option recognized the deferred income in earnings.  The fair value of the call options was not recorded prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 133.

 

 

 

 

The cumulative effect of adopting SFAS No. 133 as of January 1, 2001 was a loss of $161, net of a tax benefit of $92, or $.05 per basic share and $.04 per diluted share.

 

 

 

 

Other real estate owned

 

 

 

 

Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis.  Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.  Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in net expenses from other real estate owned.

 

 

 

 

Premises and equipment

 

 

 

 

Land is carried at cost.  Buildings and improvements and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization, computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the terms of the leases, if shorter.

F-12


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

 

 

 

Transfers of financial assets

 

 

 

 

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered.  Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or settled.  As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted accordingly through the provision for income taxes.  The Bank’s base amount of its federal income tax reserve for loan losses is a permanent difference for which there is no recognition of a deferred tax liability.  However, the loan loss allowance maintained for financial reporting purposes is a temporary difference with allowable recognition of a related deferred tax asset, if it is deemed realizable.

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation plans

 

 

 

 

SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” encourages all entities to adopt a fair value based method of accounting for employee stock compensation plans, whereby compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period.  However, it also allows an entity to continue to measure compensation cost for those plans using the intrinsic value based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” whereby compensation cost is the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock at the grant date (or other measurement date) over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock.  Stock options issued under the Company’s stock option plan have no intrinsic value at the grant date, and under Opinion No. 25 no compensation cost is recognized for them.

F-13


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation plans (concluded)

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2002, the Company has two stock-based compensations plans, which are described more fully in Note 16.  The Company has elected to continue with the accounting methodology in Opinion No. 25 and, as a result, has provided pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share, as if the fair value based method of accounting had been applied.  The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based employee compensation.


 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

Net income, as reported
 

$

4,922

 

$

4,248

 

$

4,084

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all options, net of related tax effects
 

 

(695

)

 

(673

)

 

(398

)

 
 


 



 



 

Pro forma net income
 

$

4,227

 

$

3,575

 

$

3,686

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Basic-as reported

 

$

1.48

 

$

1.20

 

$

0.91

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Basic-pro forma

 

$

1.27

 

$

1.01

 

$

0.82

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Diluted-as reported

 

$

1.38

 

$

1.14

 

$

0.90

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Diluted-pro forma

 

$

1.19

 

$

0.96

 

$

0.81

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 

 

Employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”)

 

 

 

Compensation expense is recognized as ESOP shares are committed to be released.  Allocated and committed-to-be-released ESOP shares are considered outstanding for earnings per share calculations based on debt service payments.  Other ESOP shares are excluded from earnings per share calculations.  Dividends declared on allocated ESOP shares are charged to retained earnings.  Dividends declared on unallocated ESOP shares are used to satisfy debt service.  The value of unearned shares to be allocated to ESOP participants for future services not yet performed is reflected as a reduction of stockholders’ equity.

F-14


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

 

 

Marketing

 

 

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

 

 

 

Earnings per common share

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share represents income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued.  Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to outstanding stock options, and are determined using the treasury stock method.

 

 

 

Earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 have been computed based upon the following:


 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

Net income applicable to common stock
 

$

4,922

 

$

4,248

 

$

4,084

 

 
 


 



 



 

Average number of common shares outstanding
 

 

3,327,388

 

 

3,531,314

 

 

4,483,396

 

Effect of dilutive options
 

 

236,866

 

 

188,910

 

 

49,405

 

 
 


 



 



 

Average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per common share
 

 

3,564,254

 

 

3,720,224

 

 

4,532,801

 

 
 


 



 



 


 

For the year ended December 31, 2002, 42,722 options granted were anti-dilutive and therefore not included in the earnings per share calculation.

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income.  Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.

F-15


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (continued)

 

 

 

The components of other comprehensive income and related tax effects are as follows:


 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities
 

$

3,471

 

$

2,144

 

$

8,082

 

Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in income
 

 

(350

)

 

(602

)

 

(1,377

)

 
 


 



 



 

Net unrealized gains
 

 

3,121

 

 

1,542

 

 

6,705

 

Reclassification adjustment for impairment losses realized in income
 

 

486

 

 

209

 

 

—  

 

Reclassification adjustment for losses related to transfer of equity securities from available-for-sale to trading
 

 

2,086

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 

Net unrealized gains
 

 

5,693

 

 

1,751

 

 

6,705

 

Tax effect
 

 

(2,239

)

 

(619

)

 

(2,465

)

 
 


 



 



 

 
 

 

3,454

 

 

1,132

 

 

4,240

 

 
 


 



 



 

Change in fair value of derivatives used for cash flow hedges
 

 

414

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Tax effect
 

 

(143

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
 

 

271

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
 

$

3,725

 

$

1,132

 

$

4,240

 

 
 


 



 



 

F-16


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (concluded)

 

 

 

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, included in stockholders’ equity, are as follows:


 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 
 

 



 


 

Net unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale
 

$

7,998

 

$

2,305

 

 
Tax effect

 

 

(3,047

)

 

(808

)

 
 


 



 

 
Net-of-tax amount

 

 

4,951

 

 

1,497

 

 
 

 



 



 

Net unrealized gain on derivatives used for cash flow hedges
 

 

414

 

 

—  

 

 
Tax effect

 

 

(143

)

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 

 
Net-of-tax amount

 

 

271

 

 

—  

 

 
 

 



 



 

 
 

$

5,222

 

$

1,497

 

 
 


 



 


 

Accounting changes

 

 

 

The Company adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” effective January 1, 2002, which provides that goodwill is no longer subject to amortization over its estimated useful life, but is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair value based test. Additionally, under SFAS No. 142, acquired intangible assets (such as core deposit intangibles) are separately recognized if the benefit of the intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if the intangible asset can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, and amortized over their useful life. Branch acquisition transactions were outside the scope of SFAS No. 142 and, accordingly, intangible assets related to such transactions continued to amortize upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142.

F-17


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (concluded)

 

 

 

Accounting changes (concluded)

 

 

 

On October 31, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 147, “Acquisitions of Certain Financial Institutions.”  This Statement amends (except for transactions between two or more mutual enterprises) previous interpretive guidance on the application of the purchase method of accounting to acquisitions of financial institutions, and requires the application of SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations” and SFAS No. 142 to branch acquisitions if such transactions meet the definition of a business combination.  This Statement amends SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” to include in its scope core deposit intangibles of financial institutions.  Accordingly, such intangibles are subject to a recoverability test based on undiscounted cash flows, and to the impairment recognition and measurement provisions that are required for other long-lived assets that are held and used.  The adoption of these statements did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

Subsequent Accounting Changes

 

 

 

In June, 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”, which requires recognition of a liability, when incurred, for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity. The liability shall be recognized at fair value.  The provisions of this Statement are effective for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002.  Management does not anticipate that the adoption of this Statement will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

2.

RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND AMOUNTS DUE FROM BANKS

 

 

 

The Company is required to maintain average balances on hand or with the Federal Reserve Bank.  At December 31, 2002 and 2001, these reserve balances amounted to $5,464 and $5,216, respectively.

 

 

3.

TRADING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

On December 31, 2002, the Company transferred almost all of its common and preferred equity securities from available-for-sale to trading.  At December 31, 2002, trading assets, at fair value, were $16,284.  There were no securities classified as trading during the years ended December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000.  The net loss on trading activities included in earnings was $2,086 for the year ended December 31, 2002.

F-18


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

4.

SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE

 

 

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available for sale, with gross unrealized gains and losses, follows:


 

 

December 31, 2002

 

 

 


 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Debt securities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
U.S. Agencies

 

$

28,207

 

$

928

 

$

—  

 

$

29,135

 

 
Municipal Bonds

 

 

21,454

 

 

496

 

 

—  

 

 

21,950

 

 
Mortgage-backed

 

 

77,652

 

 

4,921

 

 

—  

 

 

82,573

 

 
Trust Preferred

 

 

19,885

 

 

1,653

 

 

—  

 

 

21,538

 

 
 


 



 



 



 

 
Total debt securities

 

 

147,198

 

 

7,998

 

 

—  

 

 

155,196

 

Marketable equity securities
 

 

110

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

110

 

 
 


 



 



 



 

Total securities
 

$

147,308

 

$

7,998

 

$

—  

 

$

155,306

 

 
 


 



 



 



 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2001

 

 

 


 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Debt securities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
U.S. Agencies

 

$

7,944

 

$

449

 

$

—  

 

$

8,393

 

 
Municipal Bonds

 

 

18,340

 

 

—  

 

 

(942

)

 

17,398

 

 
Mortgage-backed

 

 

110,913

 

 

3,229

 

 

(247

)

 

113,895

 

 
Trust Preferred

 

 

19,600

 

 

235

 

 

(249

)

 

19,586

 

 
 


 



 



 



 

 
Total debt securities

 

 

156,797

 

 

3,913

 

 

(1,438

)

 

159,272

 

Marketable equity securities
 

 

16,606

 

 

1,247

 

 

(1,417

)

 

16,436

 

 
 


 



 



 



 

Total securities
 

$

173,403

 

$

5,160

 

$

(2,855

)

$

175,708

 

 
 


 



 



 



 

F-19


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE (concluded)

 

 

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2002 follows:


 

 

December 31, 2002

 

 

 


 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair Value

 

 

 


 


 

Within 1 year
 

$

5,083

 

$

5,113

 

Over 1 year through 5 years
 

 

23,124

 

 

24,022

 

Over 10 years
 

 

41,339

 

 

43,488

 

 
 


 



 

 
 

 

69,546

 

 

72,623

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities
 

 

77,652

 

 

82,573

 

 
 


 



 

 
 

$

147,198

 

$

155,196

 

 
 


 



 


 

At December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company has pledged securities available for sale with an amortized cost of $4,047 and $5,511, respectively, and a fair value of $4,242 and $5,755 respectively, as collateral against its treasury tax and loan account, interest rate swap agreements and repurchase agreements.

 

 

 

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale during the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 amounted to $8,618, $4,387 and $12,438, respectively.  Gross realized gains of $592, $822 and $1,868, and gross realized losses of $242, $220 and  $491, were realized during the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2002, gross gains of $762 and gross losses of $2,848 were included in the net loss on trading activities as a result of transfers of securities from available-for-sale to trading.

F-20


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

5.

LOANS

 

 

 

A summary of the balances of loans follows:


 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

Residential mortgage
 

$

305,100

 

$

279,811

 

Home equity loans and lines of credit
 

 

83,222

 

 

84,117

 

Commercial real estate
 

 

53,486

 

 

36,221

 

Construction
 

 

19,785

 

 

16,145

 

Consumer
 

 

11,476

 

 

15,556

 

Commercial
 

 

11,136

 

 

10,447

 

 
 


 



 

 
Total loans

 

 

484,205

 

 

442,297

 

Net deferred loan origination costs
 

 

802

 

 

883

 

Unadvanced loan funds
 

 

(11,627

)

 

(13,070

)

Allowance for loan losses
 

 

(3,156

)

 

(2,701

)

 
 


 



 

 
Loans, net

 

$

470,224

 

$

427,409

 

 
 


 



 

 

 

An analysis of the allowance for loan losses follows:


 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

Balance at beginning of period
 

$

2,701

 

$

2,590

 

$

2,309

 

Provision for loan losses
 

 

502

 

 

195

 

 

300

 

Recoveries
 

 

81

 

 

38

 

 

89

 

Loans charged-off
 

 

(128

)

 

(122

)

 

(108

)

 
 


 



 



 

Balance at end of period
 

$

3,156

 

$

2,701

 

$

2,590

 

 
 


 



 



 

F-21


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

LOANS (continued)

 

 

 

The following is a summary of the impaired and nonaccrual loans:


 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

Impaired loans without a valuation allowance
 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

Impaired loans with a valuation allowance
 

 

19

 

 

84

 

 
 


 



 

Total impaired loans
 

$

19

 

$

84

 

 
 


 



 

Valuation allowance related to impaired loans
 

$

19

 

$

41

 

 
 


 



 

Nonaccrual loans
 

$

1,106

 

$

556

 

 
 


 



 

 

 

No additional funds are committed to be advanced in connection with impaired loans.

 

 

 

There were no loans past-due ninety days or more and still accruing at December 31, 2002 and 2001.


 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

Average recorded investment in impaired loans
 

$

46

 

$

177

 

$

215

 

 
 


 



 



 

Interest income recognized on an accrual basis on impaired loans
 

$

1

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 

F-22


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

LOANS (concluded)

 

 

 

The Company has sold mortgage loans in the secondary mortgage market and has retained the servicing responsibility and receives fees for the services provided.  Loans sold and serviced for others amounted to $61,761 and $42,564 at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.  All loans serviced for others were sold without recourse provisions and are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  There were no loans held for sale at December 31, 2002 or 2001.

 

 

 

A summary of the activity in the balances of capitalized servicing rights follows:


 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

Balance at beginning of period
 

$

250

 

$

107

 

$

121

 

Additions
 

 

337

 

 

170

 

 

—  

 

Amortization
 

 

(67

)

 

(27

)

 

(14

)

 
 


 



 



 

Balance at end of period
 

$

520

 

$

250

 

$

107

 

 
 


 



 



 

 

 

The fair values of these rights approximate carrying amounts.

 

 

6.

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

A summary of the cost and accumulated depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment and their estimated useful lives follows:


 

 

December 31,

 

Estimated Useful Lives

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

 


 


 


 

Banking premises:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land
 

$

1,110

 

$

1,110

 

 

 

 

Buildings and improvements
 

 

9,773

 

 

10,078

 

5 - 40 years

 

Equipment
 

 

6,165

 

 

5,999

 

3 - 10 years

 

Construction in progress
 

 

109

 

 

—  

 

 

 

 

 
 


 



 

 

 

 

 
 

 

17,157

 

 

17,187

 

 

 

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
 

 

(6,814

)

 

(6,015

)

 

 

 

 
 


 



 

 

 

 

 
 

$

10,343

 

$

11,172

 

 

 

 

 
 


 



 

 

 

 

F-23


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (concluded)

 

 

 

The Company’s construction in progress primarily consists of costs related to the construction of a new branch in Chicopee. The Company intends to relocate the South Hadley supermarket branch to the new facility in 2003.  The Company has outstanding construction commitments to contractors and equipment contracts in the amount of $80.

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 amounted to $1,068, $1,064 and $885, respectively.

 

 

7.

DEPOSITS

 

 

 

A summary of deposit balances, by type, is as follows:


 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

Non-interest-bearing demand
 

$

22,388

 

$

20,077

 

NOW
 

 

66,944

 

 

63,426

 

Money market
 

 

47,500

 

 

34,289

 

Regular savings
 

 

77,120

 

 

71,490

 

 
 


 



 

 
Total non-certificate accounts

 

 

213,952

 

 

189,282

 

 
 


 



 

Certificate accounts less than $100,000
 

 

139,100

 

 

128,209

 

Certificate accounts of $100,000 or more
 

 

17,598

 

 

18,569

 

 
 


 



 

 
Total certificate accounts

 

 

156,698

 

 

146,778

 

 
 


 



 

 
 

$

370,650

 

$

336,060

 

 
 


 



 

 

 

Certificate accounts include $43,205 in brokered certificates of deposit at an average rate of 4.91% at December 31, 2002.

 

 

 

Certificate accounts include $29,630 in brokered certificates of deposit at an average rate of 6.05% at December 31, 2001.

F-24


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

DEPOSITS (concluded)

 

 

 

A summary of certificate accounts, by maturity, is as follows


 
 

December 31, 2002

 

December 31, 2001

 

 
 

 


 

 
 

 

Amount

 

 

Weighted
Average
Rate

 

 

Amount

 

 

Weighted
Average
Rate

 

 
 


 



 



 



 

Within 1 year
 

$

81,740

 

 

2.79

%

$

101,025

 

 

4.24

%

After 1 year to 3 years
 

 

40,699

 

 

3.77

%

 

15,892

 

 

4.25

%

After 3 years to 5 years
 

 

13,807

 

 

5.00

%

 

231

 

 

5.00

%

After 5 years
 

 

20,452

(1)

 

5.25

%

 

29,630

(2)

 

6.05

%

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
 

$

156,698

 

 

3.55

%

$

146,778

 

 

4.61

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes $20,000 of brokered deposits callable on July 18 and July 25, 2003.

(2)

Represents brokered deposits callable on April 11, July 11, and July 12, 2002.


8.

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings consist of the following:


 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 

$

56,000

 

$

42,000

 

Federal Home Loan Bank line of credit
 

 

—  

 

 

1,849

 

Repurchase agreements
 

 

235

 

 

192

 

 
 


 



 

 
 

$

56,235

 

$

44,041

 

 
 


 



 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank

 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank advances mature within one year at a weighted average rate of 3.96% and 2.09% at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.  The Bank also has an available line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLB”) at an interest rate that adjusts daily.  Borrowings under the line are limited to 2% of the Bank’s total assets.  All borrowings from the FHLB are secured by a blanket lien on qualified collateral, defined principally as 75% of the carrying value of first mortgage loans on owner-occupied residential property and 90% of the carrying value of mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government agencies.

F-25


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS (concluded)

Federal Home Loan Bank (concluded)

Additionally, as a member of the FHLB, the Bank is eligible to borrow amounts up to the level of qualified collateral maintained.

Repurchase agreements

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are summarized as follows:

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

Balance at year-end

 

$

235

 

$

192

 

Average amount outstanding during year

 

 

153

 

 

116

 

Interest expense incurred during year

 

 

3

 

 

4

 

Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end

 

 

235

 

 

207

 

Weighted average interest rate during the year

 

 

1.96

%

 

3.45

%

Weighted average interest rate on year-end balances

 

 

1.54

%

 

2.42

%

Mortgage-backed securities available for sale, with a market value of $330 and $416 and an amortized cost of $326 and $408 are pledged to secure the repurchase agreements at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.  The securities pledged to secure the repurchase agreements are under the Company’s control.

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Commercial loans with a principal balance of $1,886 and $3,082 were pledged to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, as security for a liquidity line of credit.  No amounts were outstanding as of December 31, 2002 or 2001 under this line of credit.

F-26


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

9.

LONG-TERM DEBT

 

 

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:


 

 

December 31, 2002

 

December 31, 2001

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Weighted
Average
Rate

 

 

Amount

 

 

Weighted
Average
Rate

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Fixed-rate FHLB advances maturing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
2003

 

$

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

32,000

 

 

5.74

%

 
2004

 

 

14,000

 

 

4.40

%

 

11,000

 

 

4.93

%

 
2005

 

 

63,000

 

 

6.04

%

 

60,000

 

 

6.18

%

 
2006

 

 

12,000

 

 

5.33

%

 

12,000

 

 

5.33

%

 
2007

 

 

18,000

 

 

4.29

%

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
2010

 

 

20,000

 

 

4.78

%

 

20,000

 

 

4.78

%

 
2011

 

 

70,000

 

 

4.93

%

 

70,000

 

 

4.93

%

 
 


 



 



 



 

Total FHLB advances
 

$

197,000

 

 

5.20

%

$

205,000

 

 

5.43

%

 
 


 



 



 



 

 

 

Certain FHLB advances are callable in 2003, 2004 and 2006.  All borrowings from the FHLB are secured by a blanket lien on qualified collateral, defined principally as 75% of the carrying value of first mortgage loans on owner-occupied residential property and 90% of the carrying value of mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government agencies. 

 

 

 

As a member of the FHLB, the Bank is eligible to borrow amounts up to the level of qualified collateral maintained. 

 

 

10.

INCOME TAXES

 

 

 

Allocation of federal and state income taxes between current and deferred portions, before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, is as follows:


 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

Current tax provision:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Federal

 

$

1,815

 

$

2,310

 

$

1,197

 

 
State

 

 

367

 

 

183

 

 

243

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
 

 

2,182

 

 

2,493

 

 

1,440

 

 
 


 



 



 

Deferred tax (benefit) provision:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Federal

 

 

(432

)

 

(108

)

 

531

 

 
State

 

 

1

 

 

(82

)

 

135

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
 

 

(431

)

 

(190

)

 

666

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
 

$

1,751

 

$

2,303

 

$

2,106

 

 
 


 



 



 

F-27


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

INCOME TAXES (continued)

The reasons for the differences between the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective tax rates, before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, are summarized as follows:

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

Statutory rate
 

 

34.0

%

 

34.0

%

 

34.0

%

Increase (decrease) resulting from:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit

 

 

3.6

 

 

1.0

 

 

4.0

 

 
Dividends received deduction

 

 

(2.8

)

 

(2.6

)

 

(3.4

)

 
Tax-exempt interest

 

 

(5.0

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Other, net

 

 

(3.6

)

 

1.9

 

 

(0.6

)

 
 


 



 



 

 
Effective tax rates

 

 

26.2

%

 

34.3

%

 

34.0

%

 
 


 



 



 

The components of the net deferred tax (liability) asset are as follows:

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

Deferred tax assets:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Federal

 

$

2,792

 

$

2,299

 

 
State

 

 

461

 

 

447

 

 
 


 



 

 
 

 

3,253

 

 

2,746

 

 
 


 



 

Deferred tax liabilities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Federal

 

 

(3,178

)

 

(1,237

)

 
State

 

 

(664

)

 

(147

)

 
 


 



 

 
 

 

(3,842

)

 

(1,384

)

 
 


 



 

Net deferred tax (liability) asset
 

$

(589

)

$

1,362

 

 
 


 



 

F-28


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

INCOME TAXES (continued)

The tax effects of each type of income and expense item that gave rise to deferred taxes are as follows: 

 

December 31,

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale

 

$

(3,047

)

$

(808

)

Net unrealized gain from cash flow hedge

 

 

(143

)

 

—  

 

Charitable contribution carryforward

 

 

657

 

 

882

 

Depreciation

 

 

8

 

 

(20

)

Deferred income

 

 

(651

)

 

(552

)

Allowance for loan losses

 

 

1,291

 

 

1,105

 

Employee benefit plans

 

 

321

 

 

457

 

Mark to market - derivatives

 

 

—  

 

 

136

 

Other-than-temporary declines in value

 

 

935

 

 

120

 

Other

 

 

40

 

 

42

 

 

 



 



 

Net deferred tax (liability) asset

 

$

(589

)

$

1,362

 

 

 



 



 

At December 31, 2002, the Company had a charitable contribution carryover for tax return purposes of approximately $1,932, which will expire on December 31, 2004 if not utilized.

A summary of the change in the net deferred tax (liability) asset is as follows:

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 



 



 



 

Balance at beginning of period
 

$

1,362

 

$

1,791

 

$

4,922

 

Deferred tax benefit (provision)
 

 

431

 

 

190

 

 

(666

)

Deferred tax effects of net unrealized gain on securities available for sale
 

 

(2,239

)

 

(619

)

 

(2,465

)

Deferred tax effect of net unrealized gain on cash flow hedge
 

 

(143

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 

Balance at end of period
 

$

(589

)

$

1,362

 

$

1,791

 

 
 


 



 



 

There was no valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000.

F-29


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

INCOME TAXES (concluded)

 

 

 

The federal income tax reserve for loan losses at the Company’s base year is $1,551.  If any portion of the reserve is used for purposes other than to absorb loan losses, approximately 150% of the amount actually used, limited to the amount of the reserve, would be subject to taxation in the fiscal year in which used.  As the Company intends to use the reserve to absorb only loan losses, a deferred tax liability of approximately $636 has not been provided.

 

 

11.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

Credit-related financial instruments

 

 

 

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

 

 

The Company’s exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of these commitments.  The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.

 

 

 

The following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:


 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

Commitments to grant loans:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Fixed-rate

 

$

10,251

 

$

16,889

 

 
Variable-rate

 

 

5,558

 

 

10,082

 

Unadvanced funds on lines of credit
 

 

74,310

 

 

69,781

 

Standby letters of credit
 

 

584

 

 

683

 

 

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  The commitments for lines of credit may expire without being drawn upon, therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The Company evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis.  These financial instruments are generally collateralized by real estate or other business assets.

F-30


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES (concluded)

Credit-related financial instruments (concluded)

Unfunded commitments under commercial lines-of-credit, revolving credit lines and overdraft protection agreements are commitments for possible future extensions of credit to existing customers.  These lines-of-credit are uncollateralized and usually do not contain a specified maturity date and may not be drawn upon to the total extent to which the Company is committed.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  These letters of credit are primarily issued to support borrowing arrangements and are generally written for one year terms.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  Standby letters of credit are collateralized by real estate and deposit accounts.

Lease commitments

Pursuant to the terms of non-cancelable lease agreements in effect at December 31, 2002, future minimum operating lease commitments pertaining to banking premises are as follows:

 
2003

 

$

389

 

 
2004

 

 

337

 

 
2005

 

 

221

 

 
2006

 

 

221

 

 
2007

 

 

210

 

Thereafter
 

 

2,917

 

 
 


 

 
 

$

4,295

 

 
 


 

Annual real estate taxes assessed to the leased premises will be added to the basic rental scheduled above.  The leases contain options to extend for periods from five to ten years.  The cost of such rentals is not included above.

Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 amounted to $304, $282 and $216, respectively.

F-31


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

12.

ON-BALANCE SHEET DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

The Company utilizes various derivative instruments for purposes other than trading such as asset/liability management.  These transactions involve both credit and market risk.  The notional amounts are amounts on which calculations and payments are based.  Notional amounts do not represent direct credit exposures.  Direct credit exposure is limited to the net difference between the calculated amounts to be received and paid, if any.

 

 

 

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

 

 

 

The Company uses an interest rate swap agreement to hedge a portfolio of variable rate home equity lines of credit.  These loans expose the Company to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. If interest rates decrease, interest income decreases.  Conversely, if interest rates increase, interest income increases.  During 2002, management believed it prudent to limit the variability of a portion of these interest receipts and entered into an interest rate swap agreement.  The terms of the interest rate swap agreement call for the Company to receive fixed interest rate payments and remit variable rate interest rate payments.  The interest rate swap is designated as a cash flow hedge.

 

 

 

At December 31, 2002 the information pertaining to the outstanding interest rate swap agreement used to hedge variable rate loans is as follows:


 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

 

 


 

Notional amount
 

$

5,000

 

Pay rate (based upon the prime rate)
 

 

4.25

%

Receive rate
 

 

7.64

%

Maturity in years
 

 

4.4

 

Unrealized gain relating to interest rate swap
 

$

414

 

F-32


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

ON-BALANCE SHEET DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (continued)

Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

Interest Rate Swap Agreements (concluded)

The Company also uses interest rate swap agreements to hedge a portfolio of brokered certificates of deposit.  These agreements are designated as fair value hedges since they are used to convert the cost of the brokered certificates of deposit from a fixed to a variable rate.  Since the hedge relationship is estimated to be 100% effective (gain or loss on the swap agreements will completely offset the gain or loss on the certificates of deposit) there is no impact on the statement of income or on comprehensive income.  The application of SFAS No. 133 results in an adjustment to the balance sheet to reflect the swap and the certificates of deposit at fair value. 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

Notional amount
 

$

20,000

 

$

30,000

 

Weighted average pay rate
 

 

1.62

%

 

2.27

%

Weighted average receive rate
 

 

5.25

%

 

6.05

%

Weighted average maturity in years
 

 

7.1

 

 

8.1

 

Unrealized gain (loss) relating to interest rate swaps
 

$

452

 

$

(265

)

These agreements provide for the Company to make payments of a variable rate determined by a specified index (one or three-month LIBOR) in exchange for receiving payments at a fixed rate.

All swaps outstanding at December 31, 2001 were called in 2002.  All swaps outstanding at December 31, 2002 are callable by the counter party to the agreement in July 2003 and semi-annually thereafter.

F-33


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

ON-BALANCE SHEET DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (concluded)

Derivative Financial Instruments (concluded)

Interest Rate Protection Agreements (caps)

The Company had no outstanding interest rate protection agreements (caps) at December 31, 2002.  The Company had interest rate protection agreements (caps) with notional amounts totaling $150,000 at December 31, 2001, which expired during 2002.  These caps were used to limit the Company’s exposure to rising interest rates on its short-term borrowings.  Under these agreements the Company paid premiums for the right to receive cash flow payments in excess of the predetermined cap rate; thus, effectively “capping” its interest rate cost for the duration of the agreements. The interest rate cap is carried on the balance sheet at fair value with the time and option volatility changes reflected in the current statement of income. 

Any intrinsic value will be recorded in other comprehensive income and recognized in future statements of income as an offset to related future borrowing costs. Information pertaining to the rate cap agreements entered into by the Company is as follows:

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

Notional amount
 

$

—  

 

$

150,000

 

Weighted average rate
 

 

—  

 

 

7.08

%

Cash received
 

 

—  

 

 

34

 

F-34


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

13.

OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

Employment and change in control agreements

 

 

 

Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. has entered into a five-year employment agreement with its President and Chief Executive Officer and three-year employment agreements with certain executives.  The Bank has entered into three-year employment agreements with its President and Chief Executive Officer and certain executives.   These agreements generally provide for a base salary and the continuation of certain benefits currently received. The Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. and Bank employment agreements renew on a daily and annual basis, respectively.  Under certain specified circumstances, the employment agreements require certain payments to be made for certain reasons other than cause, including a “change in control” as defined in the agreement.  However, such employment may be terminated for cause, as defined, without incurring any continuing obligations.

 

 

 

The Bank has also entered into three-year change in control agreements with certain officers, none of whom are covered by an employment agreement.  The change in control agreements are renewable on an annual basis and generally provide a severance payment and the continuation of certain benefits currently received following a “change in control” as defined in the agreements.

 

 

 

Legal claims

 

 

 

Various legal claims arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, these claims will have no material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

F-35


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

14.

MINIMUM REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

 

 

 

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies.  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 financial statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.  Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to savings and loan holding companies.

 

 

 

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined).  Management believes, as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, that the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject.

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2002, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Company categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  To be categorized as well capitalized, an institution must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following tables.  There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

F-36


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

MINIMUM REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS (concluded)

The Company’s and Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 are also presented in the table.

 

 

Actual

 

Minimum for Capital
Adequacy Purposes

 

Minimum
to be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 


 

As of December 31, 2002:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Company

 

 

$  70,403

 

 

15.8

%

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 
Bank

 

  

$  63,074

 

 

14.1

%

   

$  35,671

 

 

8.0

%

   

$  44,589

 

 

10.0

%

Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Company

 

 

$  67,247

 

 

15.1

%

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 
Bank

 

 

$  59,918

 

 

13.4

%

 

$  17,836

 

 

4.0

%

 

$  26,753

 

 

6.0

%

Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Company

 

 

$  67,247

 

 

9.6

%

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 
Bank

 

 

$  59,918

 

 

8.6

%

 

$  27,882

 

 

4.0

%

 

$  34,853

 

 

5.0

%

As of December 31, 2001:
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Company

 

 

$  68,973

 

 

15.4

%

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 
Bank

 

 

$  57,930

 

 

13.0

%

 

$  35,779

 

 

8.0

%

 

$  44,724

 

 

10.0

%

Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Company

 

 

$  66,272

 

 

14.8

%

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 
Bank

 

 

$  55,229

 

 

12.3

%

 

$  17,890

 

 

4.0

%

 

$  26,835

 

 

6.0

%

Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Company

 

 

$  66,272

 

 

10.2

%

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 
Bank

 

 

$  55,229

 

 

8.5

%

 

$  26,016

 

 

4.0

%

 

$  32,520

 

 

5.0

%

F-37


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

15.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

 

 

 

Defined benefit plan

 

 

 

The Bank terminated its defined benefit pension plan effective December 31, 2000.  During 2000, the Company recorded a gain of $270 for the curtailment of the plan.  The final plan settlement was approved by the IRS in 2001.  The final settlement of the plan, including the distribution of all plan assets, occurred in 2002 and resulted in the recognition of an additional gain of $644.


 

 

Plan Years Ended October 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

Change in plan assets:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

$

5,049

 

$

5,716

 

$

4,875

 

 
Actual return on plan assets

 

 

—  

 

 

60

 

 

723

 

 
Employer contribution

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

339

 

 
Benefits paid

 

 

(5,049

)

 

(727

)

 

(225

)

 
Other

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

 

—  

 

 

5,049

 

 

5,716

 

 
 


 



 



 

Change in benefit obligation:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

 

4,956

 

 

4,278

 

 

4,208

 

 
Service cost

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

342

 

 
Interest cost

 

 

—  

 

 

304

 

 

326

 

 
Actuarial loss (gain)

 

 

—  

 

 

1,404

 

 

(374

)

 
Benefits paid

 

 

(5,049

)

 

(727

)

 

(225

)

 
Plan amendments

 

 

—  

 

 

1,416

 

 

—  

 

 
Curtailment of plan

 

 

—  

 

 

(1,719

)

 

—  

 

 
Other

 

 

93

 

 

—  

 

 

1

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
Benefit obligation at end of year

 

 

—  

 

 

4,956

 

 

4,278

 

 
 


 



 



 

Funded status
 

 

—  

 

 

94

 

 

1,438

 

Deferred gain
 

 

—  

 

 

(738

)

 

(2,386

)

Unrecognized prior service cost
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

33

 

 
 


 



 



 

Accrued pension cost
 

$

—  

 

$

(644

)

$

(915

)

 
 


 



 



 

F-38


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (continued)

Defined benefit plan (concluded)

The components of net periodic pension (benefit) cost are as follows:

 

 

Plan Years Ended October 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

Service cost

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

$

342

 

Interest cost

 

 

—  

 

 

304

 

 

326

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

—  

 

 

(229

)

 

(390

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4

 

Recognized net actuarial gain

 

 

—  

 

 

(104

)

 

(76

)

Recognized curtailment gain

 

 

(644

)

 

(270

)

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

$

(644

)

$

(299

)

$

206

 

 

 



 



 



 

Actuarial assumptions used in accounting were:

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

Discount rates on benefit obligations
 

 

N/A

 

 

6.75

%

 

7.75

%

Rates of increase in compensation levels
 

 

N/A

 

 

4.50

 

 

5.50

 

Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets
 

 

N/A

 

 

4.00

 

 

8.00

 

Defined contribution plan

The Bank has a 401(k) plan, where each employee reaching the age of 21 and having completed at least 1,000 hours of service in one twelve month period, beginning with such employee’s date of hire, automatically becomes a participant in the plan.  The plan provides for voluntary contributions by participating employees up to 15% of their compensation, subject to certain limits based on federal tax laws.  The Bank makes matching contributions up to 100% of the first 3% of compensation.  Beginning in 2001, the Bank also contributes 3% of compensation for all participating employees.  Total 401(k) plan expense for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 amounted to $339, $276 and $115, respectively.

F-39


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (continued)

Directors’ retirement plan

Under terms of a plan approved in 2002, directors are eligible to participate in the plan upon election to the Board of Directors.  The purpose of the plan is to provide a benefit upon termination of service or death.  The plan provides for benefits based upon years of service.  Directors having completed 5 years of service are eligible for the annual retirement benefit upon termination of service, other than for cause.  The expense for the retirement plan for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $165.

Under the terms of a predecessor plan, directors were eligible to participate in the plan upon election to the Board of Directors and the retirement benefits vested over a 10-year period.  The retirement benefit for any plan year was determined by the performance of related insurance contracts, as defined in the plan.  The Company paid a one-time premium to the insurer.  The change in the cash surrender value of the life insurance policies was recorded as a reduction to directors’ life insurance expense.  The plan has been terminated and replaced with a new plan; however, benefits will continue to be paid out to certain participants of this plan who are not covered by the new plan.  The expenses incurred under the predecessor plan for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 were $19, $41 and $37, respectively.

Supplemental executive retirement plan

Under terms of a plan approved in 2002, certain executives of the Company are eligible for supplemental retirement plan benefits.  The plan provides benefits for the executives upon retirement for a period of 20 years.  The executives will receive supplemental retirement benefits based upon average annual compensation and years of service.  The executives are eligible to receive reduced benefits for early retirement or termination of employment due to good cause or disability.  Benefits are payable to the beneficiaries of the executives upon death.

F-40


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (continued)

Supplemental executive retirement plan (continued)

Information pertaining to the activity in the plan is as follows:

 

 

Year Ended
December 31, 2002

 

 

 


 

Change in benefit obligation:
 

 

 

 

 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

—  

 

 
Service cost

 

 

67

 

 
Interest cost

 

 

70

 

 
Amount attributable to future salary increases

 

 

859

 

 
 


 

Benefit obligation at end of year
 

 

996

 

Unrecognized transition obligation
 

 

(784

)

 
 


 

Accrued supplemental retirement plan cost
 

$

212

 

 
 


 

The components of net periodic pension cost are as follows:

 

 

Year Ended
December 31, 2002

 

 

 

 

Service cost
 

$

67

 

Interest cost
 

 

70

 

Amortization of prior service cost
 

 

75

 

 
 

 


 

 
 

$

212

 

 
 


 

Actuarial assumptions used in accounting were:

 

 

2002

 

 
 


 

Discount rates on benefit obligations
 

 

7.00

%

Rates of increase in compensation levels
 

 

5.00

%

Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets
 

 

N/A

 

F-41


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (concluded)

 

 

 

Supplemental executive retirement plan (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

The Bank also has a plan to provide benefits to certain executives that would have been provided under the ESOP, but were not provided as a result of the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code.  The Bank recognized expenses for the plan years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 totaling $163, $64 and $72, respectively.

 

 

16.

STOCK–BASED INCENTIVE PLANS AND EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

 

 

 

Stock-based incentive plans

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

 

Under the Company’s 1999 Stock-Based Incentive and 2001 Stock Option Plans, the Company may grant options to its directors, officers and employees for up to 599,886 and 202,915 shares of common stock, respectively.  Both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options may be granted under the plans.  The exercise price of each option equals the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant and an option’s maximum term is ten years.  Options granted under the 1999 Stock-Based Incentive Plan vest at 20% per year.  Options granted under the 2001 Stock Option Plan vest at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, which is currently at 20% per year.

 

 

 

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock option plans for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 is presented below:

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Fixed Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Outstanding at beginning of year

 

 

594,695

 

$

9.91

 

 

589,408

 

$

9.75

 

 

577,408

 

$

9.69

 

 
Granted

 

 

93,222

 

 

18.96

 

 

20,478

 

 

14.75

 

 

31,361

 

 

10.83

 

 
Exercised

 

 

(67,455

)

 

9.95

 

 

(3,150

)

 

11.08

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Forfeited

 

 

(23,493

)

 

12.37

 

 

(12,041

)

 

9.76

 

 

(19,361

)

 

9.69

 

 
 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 
Outstanding at end of year

 

 

596,969

 

$

11.21

 

 

594,695

 

$

9.91

 

 

589,408

 

$

9.75

 

 
 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 



 

Options exercisable at year-end
 

 

273,767

 

$

9.73

 

 

225,836

 

$

9.70

 

 

111,609

 

$

9.69

 

Weighted-average fair value of  options granted during the year
 

$

5.62

 

 

 

 

$

6.22

 

 

 

 

$

5.28

 

 

 

 

F-42


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE PLANS AND EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN (continued)

Stock-based incentive plans (continued)

Stock options (concluded)

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

Dividend yield
 

 

2.31

%

 

2.08

%

 

2.10

%

Expected life in years
 

 

7

 

 

8

 

 

9

 

Expected volatility
 

 

13.82

%

 

18.14

%

 

23.29

%

Risk-free interest rate
 

 

3.92

%

 

5.07

%

 

5.12

%

Information pertaining to stock options outstanding at December 31, 2002 is as follows:

   

 

Options Oustanding

 

Options Exercisable

   

 


 


Exercise
Price 

 

Number
Outstanding

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Number
Exercisable

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


 




 


 


$9.69

   

 

474,114

 

 

6.8 years

 

$

9.69

 

 

263,190

 

$

9.69

9.69

   

 

15,000

 

 

7.3 years

 

 

9.69

 

 

6,000

 

 

9.69

11.88

   

 

13,088

 

 

7.8 years

 

 

11.88

 

 

3,272

 

 

11.88

13.50

   

 

8,545

 

 

8.0 years

 

 

13.50

 

 

1,305

 

 

13.50

17.90

   

 

33,500

 

 

9.0 years

 

 

17.90

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

18.97

   

 

10,000

 

 

9.2 years

 

 

18.97

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

20.25

   

 

10,000

 

 

9.3 years

 

 

20.25

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

21.10

   

 

32,722

 

 

9.9 years

 

 

21.10

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Outstanding at end of year
   

 

596,969

 

 

7.2 years

 

$

11.21

 

 

273,767

 

$

9.73

   
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

F-43


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE PLANS AND EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN (continued)

Stock-based incentive plans (concluded)

Stock awards

Under the Company’s Stock-Based Incentive Plan, the Company may grant stock awards to its directors, officers and employees for up to 239,954 shares of common stock.  The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related Interpretations in accounting for stock awards.  The stock awards vest at 20% per year.  The fair market value of the stock allocations, based on the market price at date of grant, is recorded as unearned compensation.  Unearned compensation is amortized over the periods to be benefited.  The Company recorded compensation cost related to the stock awards of $489 in 2002, $477 in 2001 and $477 in 2000.

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock awards is presented below:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 


 


 


 

Balance, beginning of year
 

 

239,954

 

 

232,060

 

 

239,954

 

 
Granted

 

 

—  

 

 

7,894

 

 

1,350

 

 
Canceled

 

 

(2,010

)

 

—  

 

 

(9,244

)

 
 

 



 



 



 

Balance, end of year
 

 

237,944

 

 

239,954

 

 

232,060

 

 
 


 



 



 

Weighted-average fair value of stock awards granted during the year
 

$

—  

 

$

17.90

 

$

13.00

 

F-44


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE PLANS AND EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN (continued)

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

The Bank has established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”) for the benefit of each employee that has reached the age of 21 and has completed at least 1,000 hours of service in the previous twelve-month period.  As part of the bank’s conversion from mutual to stock ownership, Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. invested in a subsidiary, WRO Funding Company.  WRO Funding Company used the proceeds from the investment to fund a loan to the Woronoco Savings Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust, which  used the proceeds from the loan to purchase 8%, or 479,908 shares, of the Company’s outstanding stock in the open market.  The loan bears interest equal to 7.75% and provides for quarterly payments of principal and interest.

At December 31, 2002, the remaining principal balance is payable as follows:

Years Ending
December 31,

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2003
 

 

$

339

 

2004
 

 

 

365

 

2005
 

 

 

395

 

2006
 

 

 

426

 

2007
 

 

 

460

 

Thereafter
 
 

 

1,426

 

 
 


 

 
 

$

3,411

 

 
 


 

The Bank has committed to make contributions to the ESOP sufficient to support the debt service of the loan.  The loan is secured by the shares purchased by Eastern Bank and Trust Company (“Trustee”), which are held in a suspense account for allocation among the participants as the loan is paid.  Total compensation expense applicable to the ESOP amounted to $823, $672 and $435 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

F-45


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE PLANS AND EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN (concluded)

 

 

 

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (concluded)

 

 

 

Shares held by the ESOP include the following:


 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

Allocated
 

 

113,138

 

 

73,282

 

Committed to be released
 

 

41,022

 

 

43,592

 

Unallocated
 

 

315,310

 

 

356,332

 

 
 


 



 

 
 

 

469,470

 

 

473,206

 

 
 


 



 


 

Cash dividends received on allocated shares are allocated to participants and cash dividends received on shares held in suspense are applied to repay the outstanding debt of the ESOP.  The fair value of unallocated shares at December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 was $6,826 and 6,378, respectively.

 

 

17.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has granted loans to officers, directors and their affiliates amounting to approximately $1,197 and $1,556 at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. 

 

 

 

An analysis of the activity of these loans is as follows:


 

 

Years Ended
December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 
 

 


 

Balance at beginning of year
 

$

1,556

 

$

1,812

 

Additions
 

 

269

 

 

57

 

Repayments
 

 

(628

)

 

(313

)

 
 


 



 

Balance at end of year
 

$

1,197

 

$

1,556

 

 
 


 



 

F-46


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

18.

RESTRICTIONS ON DIVIDENDS, LOANS AND ADVANCES

 

 

 

Federal and state banking regulations place certain restrictions on dividends paid and loans or advances made by the Bank to Woronoco Bancorp, Inc.  The total amount of dividends which may be paid at any date is generally limited to the retained earnings of the Bank, and loans or advances are limited to 10% of the Bank’s capital stock and surplus on a secured basis. At December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Bank’s retained earnings available for the payment of dividends was $35,671 and $35,779, respectively.  Funds available for loans or advances by the Bank to Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. amounted to $6,307 and $5,793 at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.  In addition, dividends paid by the Bank to Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements.

 

 

 

In conjunction with Massachusetts conversion regulations, the Bank established a liquidation account for eligible account holders in the amount of approximately $33 million.  In the event of a liquidation of the Bank, the eligible account holders will be entitled to receive their pro-rata share of the net worth of the Bank prior to conversion.  However, as qualifying deposits of the eligible account holders are reduced, the liquidation account will also be reduced in an amount proportionate to the reduction in the qualifying deposits accounts.

 

 

19.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

 

 

SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” requires disclosure of estimated fair values of all financial instruments where it is practicable to estimate such values.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques.  Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows.  Accordingly, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. Statement No. 107 excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements.  Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

 

 

 

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents:  The carrying amounts of cash and short-term instruments approximate fair values

F-47


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

 

 

 

 

Securities available for sale:  Fair values for securities available for sale are based on quoted market prices.

 

 

 

 

 

Trading account securities:  Fair values for trading account securities are based on quoted market prices.

 

 

 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock:  The carrying value of Federal Home Loan Bank stock approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans receivable:  Fair values for performing loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality.  Fair values for non-performing loans are estimated using underlying collateral values, where applicable.

 

 

 

 

 

Deposit liabilities:  The fair values of non-certificate accounts are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date which is their carrying amounts.  Fair values for certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank advances:  The fair values of the Company’s borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase agreements:  The carrying amounts of repurchase agreements, which are overnight borrowings, approximate their fair values.

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued interest:  The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value.

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments:  Fair values for derivative financial instruments, for other-than-trading purposes, are based upon quoted market prices, except in the case of certain options and swaps where pricing models are used.

 

 

 

 

 

Off-balance sheet instruments: Fair values of off-balance sheet, credit-related financial instruments are immaterial.

F-48


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (concluded)

 

 

 

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:


 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Carrying
Amount

 

Fair
Value

 

Carrying
Amount

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Financial assets:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

27,801

 

$

27,801

 

$

27,209

 

$

27,209

 

 
Trading account securities

 

 

16,284

 

 

16,284

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Securities available for sale

 

 

155,306

 

 

155,306

 

 

175,708

 

 

175,708

 

 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock

 

 

13,795

 

 

13,795

 

 

13,750

 

 

13,750

 

 
Loans, net

 

 

470,224

 

 

487,619

 

 

427,409

 

 

431,799

 

 
Accrued interest receivable

 

 

3,385

 

 

3,385

 

 

3,036

 

 

3,036

 

Financial liabilities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Deposits

 

 

370,650

 

 

374,160

 

 

336,060

 

 

337,683

 

 
Short-term borrowings

 

 

56,235

 

 

57,453

 

 

44,041

 

 

47,817

 

 
Long-term debt

 

 

197,000

 

 

214,813

 

 

205,000

 

 

209,718

 

Derivative financial instruments:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Assets

 

 

866

 

 

866

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
Liabilities

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

265

 

 

265

 

F-49


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

20.

QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Following is the quarterly financial information of the Company for 2002 and 2001:


 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter

 

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Interest and dividend income
 

$

10,192

 

$

10,556

 

$

10,557

 

$

10,345

 

$

10,960

 

$

10,513

 

$

10,436

 

$

10,406

 

Interest expense
 

 

5,133

 

 

5,346

 

 

5,208

 

 

5,073

 

 

6,545

 

 

5,799

 

 

5,704

 

 

5,272

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Net interest and dividend income
 

 

5,059

 

 

5,210

 

 

5,349

 

 

5,272

 

 

4,415

 

 

4,714

 

 

4,732

 

 

5,134

 

Provision for loan losses
 

 

109

 

 

243

 

 

113

 

 

37

 

 

—  

 

 

85

 

 

110

 

 

—  

 

Gain (loss) on sales, dispositions and impairment of securities, net
 

 

154

 

 

(33

)

 

(191

)

 

(66

)

 

115

 

 

228

 

 

162

 

 

(112

)

Net loss on trading activities
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(2,086

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Gain on sales of loans, net
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

206

 

 

992

 

 

70

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

715

 

Gain on sales branches, net
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

815

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Fees and other income
 

 

730

 

 

784

 

 

895

 

 

1,142

 

 

994

 

 

463

 

 

725

 

 

812

 

Other expenses
 

 

4,332

 

 

3,607

 

 

4,516

 

 

4,602

 

 

3,900

 

 

4,086

 

 

3,877

 

 

4,397

 

Income tax expense
 

 

426

 

 

644

 

 

514

 

 

167

 

 

618

 

 

427

 

 

563

 

 

695

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of taxes of $92
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(161

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Net income
 

$

1,076

 

$

1,467

 

$

1,116

 

$

1,263

 

$

915

 

$

807

 

$

1,069

 

$

1,457

 

 
 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Earnings per share:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Basic

 

$

0.32

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.25

 

$

0.23

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.43

 

 
Diluted

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.31

 

$

0.36

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.41

 

 

21.

CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY

 

 

 

Financial information pertaining to Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. is as follows:

 

 
 

December 31,

 

 
 

 

BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

2002

 

 

2001

 


 



 



 

Assets
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents due from Woronoco Savings Bank
 

$

613

 

$

3,754

 

Investment in common stock of Woronoco Savings Bank
 

 

67,081

 

 

58,806

 

Investment in common stock of WRO Funding Corporation
 

 

5,341

 

 

5,218

 

Other assets
 

 

1,473

 

 

2,165

 

 
 


 



 

 
Total assets

 

$

74,508

 

$

69,943

 

 
 

 



 



 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses
 

$

98

 

$

87

 

Other liabilities
 

 

—  

 

 

7

 

 
 


 



 

 
Total liabilities

 

 

98

 

 

94

 

Stockholders’ equity
 

 

74,410

 

 

69,849

 

 
 


 



 

 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

74,508

 

$

69,943

 

 
 

 



 



 

F-50


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY (concluded)

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 


 


 


 


 

Income:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Dividends from Woronoco Savings Bank

 

$

2,340

 

$

7,398

 

$

3,686

 

 
Interest on investments

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

406

 

 
 

 



 



 



 

 
Total income

 

 

2,340

 

 

7,398

 

 

4,092

 

Operating expenses
 

 

474

 

 

479

 

 

522

 

Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
 

 

1,866

 

 

6,919

 

 

3,570

 

Applicable income tax benefit
 

 

(161

)

 

(163

)

 

(36

)

 
 


 



 



 

Income before equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries
 

 

2,027

 

 

7,082

 

 

3,606

 

Equity in undistributed net income (loss) of Woronoco Savings Bank
 

 

2,772

 

 

(3,029

)

 

223

 

Equity in undistributed net income of WRO Funding Corporation
 

 

123

 

 

195

 

 

255

 

 
 


 



 



 

Net income
 

$

4,922

 

$

4,248

 

$

4,084

 

 
 


 



 



 


 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 


 


 


 


 

Cash flows from operating activities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Net income

 

$

4,922

 

$

4,248

 

$

4,084

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Equity in undistributed net loss (income) of Woronoco Savings Bank

 

 

(2,772

)

 

3,029

 

 

(223

)

 
Equity in undistributed net income of WRO Funding Corporation

 

 

(123

)

 

(195

)

 

(255

)

 
Other, net

 

 

694

 

 

(469

)

 

318

 

 
 


 



 



 

 
Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

2,721

 

 

6,613

 

 

3,924

 

 
 


 



 



 

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Investment in Woronoco Savings Bank

 

 

(167

)

 

(128

)

 

(99

)

 
 


 



 



 

 
Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(167

)

 

(128

)

 

(99

)

 
 


 



 



 

Cash flows from financing activities
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Payments to acquire common stock

 

 

(4,808

)

 

(6,795

)

 

(18,052

)

 
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock

 

 

674

 

 

35

 

 

—  

 

 
Dividends paid

 

 

(1,561

)

 

(1,118

)

 

(1,003

)

 
 


 



 



 

 
Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(5,695

)

 

(7,878

)

 

(19,055

)

 
 


 



 



 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 

 

(3,141

)

 

(1,393

)

 

(15,230

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 

 

3,754

 

 

5,147

 

 

20,377

 

 
 


 



 



 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
 

$

613

 

$

3,754

 

$

5,147

 

 
 


 



 



 

F-51


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

22.

SEGMENT REPORTING

 

 

 

The Company provides a variety of financial services, including trust and financial management services, and various deposit and lending products to individuals and small businesses through its ten offices in western Massachusetts.  Its primary deposit products are checking, savings, money market and term certificate accounts and its primary lending products are residential, commercial mortgage, consumer and home equity loans.

 

 

 

Through the Bank’s subsidiary, Keyes, Mattson & Agan Insurance Agency, Inc. (“KMA”), the Company also offers a full line of property and casualty insurance products and various life insurance and group life, group health and accident insurance products for individuals and commercial clients.

 

 

 

Prior to the acquisitions of the Agan and Keyes and Mattson insurance agencies, the Company’s chief decision-makers monitored the revenue streams of the various products and services, while the Company’s operations were managed and financial performance was evaluated on a company-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the Company’s operations were considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.  Subsequent to the acquisitions of the insurance agencies, the Company’s operations continue to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment, except for KMA, which is evaluated on a stand-alone basis.

F-52


Table of Contents

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (concluded)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SEGMENT REPORTING (concluded)

 

 

 

Information about reportable segments, and reconciliation of such information to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, follows:


 

 

Banking

 

Insurance

 

Intersegment
Elimination

 

Consolidated
Totals

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

2002
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest and dividend income
 

$

20,890

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

$

20,890

 

Other revenue - external customers
 

 

2,689

 

 

814

 

 

—  

 

 

3,503

 

Other revenue - from other segments
 

 

—  

 

 

4

 

 

(4

)

 

—  

 

Depreciation and amortization
 

 

1,034

 

 

34

 

 

—  

 

 

1,068

 

Provision for loan losses
 

 

502

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

502

 

Profit (loss)
 

 

5,039

 

 

(114

)

 

(3

)

 

4,922

 

Assets
 

 

703,634

 

 

2,382

 

 

(380

)

 

705,636

 

2001
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest and dividend income
 

$

18,995

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

$

18,995

 

Other revenue - external customers
 

 

2,450

 

 

494

 

 

—  

 

 

2,944

 

Other revenue - from other segments
 

 

—  

 

 

5

 

 

(5

)

 

—  

 

Depreciation and amortization
 

 

1,059

 

 

5

 

 

—  

 

 

1,064

 

Provision for loan losses
 

 

195

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

195

 

Profit (loss)
 

 

4,271

 

 

(20

)

 

(3

)

 

4,248

 

Assets
 

 

665,931

 

 

2,156

 

 

(81

)

 

668,006

 

2000
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest and dividend income
 

$

16,597

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

$

16,597

 

Other revenue - external customers
 

 

2,254

 

 

471

 

 

—  

 

 

2,725

 

Other revenue - from other segments
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Depreciation and amortization
 

 

861

 

 

24

 

 

—  

 

 

885

 

Provision for loan losses
 

 

300

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

300

 

Profit (loss)
 

 

4,100

 

 

(16

)

 

—  

 

 

4,084

 

Total assets
 

 

641,710

 

 

833

 

 

(83

)

 

642,460

 

 

F-53


Table of Contents

Item 9.     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

                  None.

PART III

Item 10.    Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

             The information relating to Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to the caption “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors” in the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 23, 2003. 

Item 11.    Executive Compensation.

             The response to this Item is contained in the discussion under the captions “Executive Compensation” (excluding the Executive Compensation Committee Report and Stock Performance Graph) and “Directors’ Compensation” of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 23, 2003, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 12.     Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

             The response to this Item is contained in the discussion under the caption “Stock Ownership” contained in the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 23, 2003, which is incorporated by reference herein.

             Additionally, the information about the Company’s equity compensation plans is contained below:

Plan Category

 

Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants and rights
(a)

 

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(b)

 

Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)

 


 


 



 



 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
 

 

596,969

 

 

11.21

 

 

205,832

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 
 


 



 



 

Total
 

 

596,969

 

 

11.21

 

 

205,832

 

 
 


 



 



 

Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

             The response to this Item is contained in the discussion under the caption “Transactions With  Management” contained in the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 23, 2003, which is incorporated by reference herein.

56


Table of Contents

PART IV

Item 14.    Controls and Procedures.

              (a)  Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.  The Company maintains controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Based upon their evaluation of those controls and procedures performed within 90 days of the filing date of this report, the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequate.

              (b)  Changes in internal controls.  The Company made no significant changes in its internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of evaluation of those controls by the chief executive officer and chief financial officer.

Item 15.    Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a) 1.                Financial Statements

             The following consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries are filed as part of this document under Item 8:

                         

•     

Independent Auditors’ Report

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2002 and 2001

 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(a) 2.                Financial Statement Schedules

             Financial Statement Schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

(b)     Reports on Form 8-K filed during the last quarter of 2002

 

On December 13, 2002, the Company filed a Form 8-K in which it announced that it had sold two of its supermarket branch offices.  The sale included the deposits in those offices as well as the transfer of the physical assets and leased premises.  The Company also announced that the sale of a third supermarket branch is expected to close in the first quarter of 2003 and that a fourth supermarket branch will be relocated to a new site in 2003, where it will operate as a full-service branch location. A press release announcing the acquisition was filed by exhibit.

 

 

 

On November 1, 2002, the Company filed a Form 8-K in which it announced that James A. Adams retired from the Boards of Directors of Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. and Woronoco Savings Bank.  Mr. Adams had served as a director of Woronoco Bancorp since its formation in 1998 and as a Trustee/Director of Woronoco Savings Bank since 1962.  In connection with Mr. Adams retirement, the size of each board was reduced by one seat.

57


Table of Contents

(c)     Exhibits Required by Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K

Exhibit
Number

 

3.1

Certificate of Incorporation of Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. (1)

 

3.2

Amended Bylaws of Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. (2)

 

4.0

Stock Certificate of Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. (1)

 

10.1

Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock Based Incentive Plan (3)

 

10.2

Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan (4)

 

10.3

Employment Agreement between Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. and Cornelius D. Mahoney (5)

 

10.4

Employment Agreement between Woronoco Savings Bank and Cornelius D. Mahoney (6)

 

10.5

Employment Agreement between Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. and Agostino J. Calheno (7)

 

10.6

Employment Agreement between Woronoco Savings Bank and Agostino J. Calheno (6)

 

10.7

Employment Agreement between Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. and Debra L. Murphy (7)

 

10.8

Employment Agreement between Woronoco Savings Bank and Debra L. Murphy (6)

 

10.9

Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement between Woronoco Savings Bank and Cornelius D. Mahoney (7)

 

10.10

Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement between Woronoco Savings Bank and Agostino J. Calheno (7)

 

10.11

Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement between Woronoco Savings Bank and Debra L. Murphy (7)

 

10.12

Woronoco Savings Bank Directors’ Retirement Plan (7)

 

10.13

Change in Control Agreement between Woronoco Savings Bank and Robert W. Thomas (8)

 

10.14

Change in Control Agreement between Woronoco Savings Bank and Susan L. DeFeo

 

11.0

Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings

 

21.0

Subsidiaries Information Incorporated Herein By Reference to Part 1 – Subsidiaries

 

23.0

Consent of Wolf & Company, P.C.

 

99.0

Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

 

 


 

(1) Incorporated by reference into this document from the Exhibits filed with the Registration Statement on Form S-1, and any amendments thereto, Registration No. 333-67255.

(2)

Incorporated by reference into this document from the Exhibit filed with the Form 10-Q on November 14, 2002.

(3)

Incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement for the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on March 20, 2000.

(4)

Incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement for the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on March 12, 2001.

(5)

Incorporated by reference into this document from the Exhibits filed with the Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2001.

(6)

Incorporated by reference into this document from the Exhibits filed with the Form 10-Q filed on May 17, 1999.

(7)

Incorporated by reference into this document from the Exhibits filed with the Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2002.

(8)

Incorporated by reference into this document from the Exhibits filed with the Form 10-K filed on March 19, 2002.

 

 

58


Table of Contents

CONFORMED

SIGNATURES

             Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

WORONOCO BANCORP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ CORNELIUS D. MAHONEY

 

March 19, 2003

 


 

 

 

Cornelius D. Mahoney
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

             Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Name

 

Title

 

        Date


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

/s/ CORNELIUS D. MAHONEY

 

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)

 

March 19, 2003


 

 

 

Cornelius D. Mahoney

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

/s/ DEBRA L. MURPHY

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal accounting and financial officer)

 

March 19, 2003


 

 

 

Debra L. Murphy

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

/s/ WILLIAM G. AIKEN

 

Director

 

March 19, 2003


 

 

 

 

William G. Aiken

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ JOHN D. DAVIES

 

Director

 

March 19, 2003


 

 

 

 

John D. Davies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ FRANCIS J. EHRHARDT

 

Director

 

March 19, 2003


 

 

 

 

Francis J. Ehrhardt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ JOSEPH M. HOUSER, JR.

 

Director

 

March 19, 2003


 

 

 

 

Joseph M. Houser, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ JOSEPH P. KEENAN

 

Director

 

March 19, 2003


 

 

 

 

Joseph P. Keenan

 

 

 

 

59


Table of Contents

/s/ CARMEN J. MASCARO

 

Director

 

March 19, 2003


 

 

 

 

Carmen J. Mascaro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ RICHARD L. POMEROY

 

Director

 

March 19, 2003


 

 

 

 

Richard L. Pomeroy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ NORMAN H. STOREY

 

Director

 

March 19, 2003


 

 

 

 

Norman H. Storey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ ANN V. SCHULTZ

 

Director

 

March 19, 2003


 

 

 

 

Ann V. Schultz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ D. JEFFREY TEMPLETON

 

Director

 

March 19, 2003


 

 

 

 

D. Jeffrey Templeton

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

CERTIFICATION

I, Cornelius D. Mahoney, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Woronoco Bancorp, Inc.;

 

 

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this annual 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 annual report;

 

 

 

 

3.

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

 

 

 

 

4.

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

 

 

 

 

 

a.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

b.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

c.

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

 

 

 

 

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

 

 

a.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

b.

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

 

 

 

 

 

6.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.


Date:     March 19, 2003

 /s/ Cornelius D. Mahoney

 


 

Cornelius D. Mahoney
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

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Table of Contents

CERTIFICATION

I, Debra L. Murphy, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Woronoco Bancorp, Inc.;

 

 

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this annual 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 annual report;

 

 

 

 

3.

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

 

 

 

 

4.

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

 

 

 

 

 

a.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

b.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

c.

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

 

 

 

 

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

 

 

a.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

b.

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

 

 

 

 

 

6.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.


Date:     March 19, 2003

 /s/ Debra L. Murphy

 


 

Debra L. Murphy
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

62