Back to GetFilings.com



TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM 1. Financial Statements
CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(unaudited)
CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures
ITEM 5. Other Information
ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EX-11 Computation of Per Share Earnings
EX-31.1 Certification - CEO
EX-31.2 Certification - CFO
EX-32 Certificatoins Required by Section 1350


Table of Contents



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003

OR

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

Commission file number 001-15495

CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Delaware   34-1567092
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation   (I.R.S. Employer
or organization)   Identification No.)
     
1215 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio   44114
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(216) 566-5300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes_X_  No___

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

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s sole class of common stock as of October 31, 2003 was 222,628,528.



 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
Item        
Number   PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION   Page

     
1.   Financial Statements    

 
       
    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition —
  September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002.
  1

 
       
    Consolidated Statements of Income —
  Three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.
  2

 
       
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows —
  Nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.
  3

 
       
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   4

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

 
       
3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk   23

 
       
4.   Controls and Procedures   23

 
       
    PART II – OTHER INFORMATION    

 
       
5.   Other Information   23

 
       
6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K   24

 
       
Signatures   24

 
       
Index to Exhibits   25

 


Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(unaudited)

                         
            9/30/03   12/31/02
           
 
            (Dollars in thousands,
            except per share data)
       
ASSETS
               
Cash accounts
  $ 518,978     $ 436,970  
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
    7,556       9,731  
Federal funds sold and other
    516       512  
 
   
     
 
   
Total cash and cash equivalents
    527,050       447,213  
Investment securities:
               
 
Available for sale
    270,511       210,095  
 
Held to maturity (fair value of $4,241 and $4,276)
    3,952       3,973  
Mortgage-backed securities:
               
 
Available for sale
    11,078,285       11,536,608  
 
Held to maturity (fair value of $304,926 and $565,072)
    292,336       540,781  
Loans and leases, net
    27,735,087       25,852,846  
Loans held for sale
    296,078       351,892  
Bank owned life insurance
    823,676       829,043  
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock
    700,170       681,923  
Premises and equipment
    391,615       353,730  
Accrued interest receivable
    147,254       154,962  
Real estate and other collateral owned
    48,198       42,980  
Loan servicing assets
    168,697       128,564  
Goodwill
    415,696       386,372  
Other assets
    380,647       375,090  
 
   
     
 
   
Total assets
  $ 43,279,252     $ 41,896,072  
 
   
     
 
       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Deposits
  $ 28,046,238     $ 27,527,843  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    9,820,184       9,037,925  
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements
    62,716       283,912  
Other borrowings
    704,629       708,853  
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
    50,768       23,595  
Accrued interest payable
    65,075       38,372  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    1,288,801       1,191,747  
 
   
     
 
   
Total liabilities
    40,038,411       38,812,247  
 
   
     
 
Commitments and contingencies
           
Shareholders’ equity:
               
 
Preferred stock — $.01 par value per share; 20,000,000 shares authorized and unissued
           
 
Common stock — $.01 par value per share; 360,000,000 shares authorized; 229,944,441 and 227,571,468 shares issued
    2,299       2,276  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    2,274,947       2,193,095  
 
Retained earnings
    1,098,042       824,564  
 
Less 6,953,759 and 2,781,151 shares of common stock held in treasury at cost
    (215,085 )     (82,610 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    80,638       146,500  
 
   
     
 
     
Total shareholders’ equity
    3,240,841       3,083,825  
 
   
     
 
     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 43,279,252     $ 41,896,072  
 
   
     
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

1


Table of Contents

CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)

                                             
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
       
 
        9/30/03   9/30/02           9/30/03   9/30/02
       
 
         
 
        (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Interest income:
                                       
 
Loans and leases
  $ 368,952     $ 410,237             $ 1,114,278     $ 1,253,132  
 
Mortgage-backed securities:
                                       
   
Available for sale
    129,695       135,099               433,496       388,000  
   
Held to maturity
    5,326       10,695               20,453       37,756  
 
Investment securities:
                                       
   
Available for sale
    3,563       2,939               9,903       8,526  
   
Held to maturity
    51       61               161       192  
 
Other interest-earning assets
    7,531       9,729               22,772       27,119  
 
   
     
             
     
 
                                             
   
Total interest income
    515,118       568,760               1,601,063       1,714,725  
 
   
     
             
     
 
Interest expense:
                                       
 
Deposits
    115,862       160,821               376,339       500,798  
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    100,813       103,729               304,637       311,372  
 
Other borrowings
    13,185       13,943               40,357       31,324  
       
     
             
     
 
   
Total interest expense
    229,860       278,493               721,333       843,494  
 
   
     
             
     
 
   
Net interest income
    285,258       290,267               879,730       871,231  
Provision for loan and lease losses
    37,663       47,695               134,494       131,689  
 
   
     
             
     
 
   
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses
    247,595       242,572               745,236       739,542  
 
   
     
             
     
 
Other income:
                                       
 
Retail banking
    94,183       84,175               275,370       241,474  
 
Mortgage banking
    65,604       (36,961 )             41,682       (16,503 )
 
Leasing operations
    (4,118 )     404               (23,204 )     991  
 
Net gains
    16,112       83,881               201,314       143,448  
 
Bank owned life insurance and other
    8,638       7,582               25,044       26,014  
       
     
             
     
 
   
Total other income
    180,419       139,081               520,206       395,424  
 
   
     
             
     
 
Administrative expenses:
                                       
 
Compensation and employee benefits
    92,582       81,443               270,428       239,340  
 
Net occupancy and equipment
    31,985       30,288               93,637       86,485  
 
Marketing expenses
    22,411       11,788               56,263       30,629  
 
Federal deposit insurance premiums
    1,118       1,104               3,385       3,421  
 
Other administrative expenses
    46,733       46,683               149,162       142,209  
 
   
     
             
     
 
   
Total administrative expenses
    194,829       171,306               572,875       502,084  
 
   
     
             
     
 
Income before income taxes
    233,185       210,347               692,567       632,882  
Income taxes
    74,036       66,785               219,890       200,940  
 
   
     
             
     
 
   
Net income
  $ 159,149     $ 143,562             $ 472,677     $ 431,942  
 
   
     
             
     
 
Basic earnings per share
  $ .71     $ .63             $ 2.11     $ 1.87  
 
   
     
             
     
 
Diluted earnings per share
  $ .69     $ .61             $ 2.05     $ 1.82  
 
   
     
             
     
 
Average common shares outstanding:
                                       
 
Basic
    224,399,805       228,765,954               224,966,297       230,549,330  
 
   
     
             
     
 
 
Diluted
    230,661,929       235,615,457               230,739,490       237,653,561  
 
   
     
             
     
 
Cash dividends declared per share
  $ .26     $ .21             $ .72     $ .61  
 
   
     
             
     
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2


Table of Contents

CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)

                       
          Nine Months Ended
         
          9/30/03   9/30/02
         
 
          (Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
 
Net income
  $ 472,677     $ 431,942  
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
   
Provision for loan and lease losses
    134,494       131,689  
   
Net gains
    (201,314 )     (143,448 )
   
Accretion of discounts, amortization of premiums, and amortization of depreciation, net
    147,373       131,768  
   
Origination of loans held for sale
    (2,715,313 )     (1,652,269 )
   
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale
    2,711,096       1,647,746  
   
Increase in accrued interest payable
    26,703       8,489  
   
Other
    117,679       398,568  
 
   
     
 
     
Net cash provided by operating activities
    693,395       954,485  
 
   
     
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
 
Net principal disbursed on loans and leases
    (7,587,052 )     (4,910,650 )
 
Proceeds from principal repayments and maturities of:
               
   
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
    251,653       338,713  
   
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale
    5,169,325       1,267,603  
   
Investment securities held to maturity
    541       1,851  
   
Investment securities available for sale
    59,305       26,618  
 
Proceeds from sale of:
               
   
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale
    8,268,905       9,054,320  
   
Investment securities available for sale
    40,938       1,642  
   
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock
    18,492       8,082  
 
Purchase of:
               
   
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale
    (6,862,003 )     (5,730,658 )
   
Investment securities available for sale
    (57,235 )     (76,599 )
   
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock
    (10,213 )     (42,657 )
   
Loans
    (47,611 )     (12,727 )
   
Net cash received (paid) in connection with business combinations
    77,944       (90,425 )
 
Other
    (150,716 )     (122,819 )
 
   
     
 
     
Net cash used in investing activities
    (827,727 )     (287,706 )
 
   
     
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
 
Net decrease in short-term borrowings
    (1,261,196 )     (1,238,785 )
 
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    2,011,127       424,209  
 
Repayments of long-term borrowings
    (265,014 )     (24,237 )
 
Increase in deposits
    21,421       1,722,959  
 
Increase (decrease) in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
    27,173       (6,525 )
 
Payment of dividends on common stock
    (162,106 )     (141,367 )
 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    48,907       53,747  
 
Purchase of treasury stock
    (206,143 )     (342,740 )
 
   
     
 
   
Net cash provided by financing activities
    214,169       447,261  
 
   
     
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    79,837       1,114,040  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period
    447,213       516,520  
 
   
     
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 527,050     $ 1,630,560  
 
   
     
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
 
Cash paid for interest on deposits and borrowings
  $ 693,117     $ 977,446  
 
Cash paid for income taxes
    127,000       4,500  
Supplemental schedule of noncash activities:
               
 
Loans exchanged for mortgage-backed securities
    5,991,223       5,066,120  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


Table of Contents

CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

1.   These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Charter One Financial, Inc. (the “Company” or “Charter One”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. The interim financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim periods disclosed herein are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year.
 
2.   Charter One has one operating segment, consumer banking, which offers an array of products and services to its customers. Pursuant to its consumer banking strategy, emphasis is placed on building relationships and identifying cross-sell opportunities with its customers, as opposed to building specific lines of business. As a result, Charter One works as an integrated unit to customize solutions for its customers, with business line emphasis and product offerings changing over time as needs and demands change.
 
3.   In November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.” This interpretation expands the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its financial statements about its obligations under certain guarantees and requires the guarantor to recognize a liability for the fair value of an obligation assumed under a guarantee. FIN 45 clarifies the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” relating to guarantees. In general, FIN 45 applies to contracts or indemnification agreements that contingently require the guarantor to make payments to the guaranteed party based on changes in an underlying that is related to an asset, liability, or equity security of the guaranteed party. Certain guarantee contracts are excluded from both the disclosure and recognition requirements of FIN 45, including, among others, guarantees relating to employee compensation, residual value guarantees under capital lease arrangements, commercial letters of credit, loan commitments, subordinated interests in a special purpose entity, and guarantees of a company’s own future performance. Other guarantees are subject to the disclosure requirements of FIN 45 but not to the recognition provisions and include, among others, a guarantee accounted for as a derivative instrument under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, a parent’s guarantee of debt owed to a third party by its subsidiary or vice versa, and a guarantee which is based on performance, not price. The disclosure requirements of FIN 45 are effective for the Company as of December 31, 2002, and require disclosure of the nature of the guarantee, the maximum potential amount of future payments that the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee, and the current amount of the liability, if any, for the guarantor’s obligations under the guarantee. The recognition requirements of FIN 45 are to be applied prospectively to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The adoption of FIN 45 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
 
4.   In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation -Transition and Disclosure,” an amendment of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” SFAS No. 148 provides alternative methods of transition for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. It also amends the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosure about the effects on reported net income of an entity’s accounting policy decisions with respect to stock-based employee compensation. Finally, SFAS No. 148 amends Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require disclosure about those effects in interim financial information. The Company has elected to continue application of APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock-based employee compensation plans. Accordingly, no stock-based employee compensation cost is, or is expected to be, reflected in net income, as all options granted under the Company’s stock-based employee compensation plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Had stock-based employee compensation costs of the Company’s stock option plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under those plans consistent with the method of SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148, the Company’s net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

4


Table of Contents

                                   
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
     
 
      9/30/03   9/30/02   9/30/03   9/30/02
     
 
 
 
      (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net income:
                               
 
As reported
  $ 159,149     $ 143,562     $ 472,677     $ 431,942  
 
Less: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value method for all awards, net of tax
    (7,136 )     (6,887 )     (22,154 )     (20,971 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Pro forma
  $ 152,013     $ 136,675     $ 450,523     $ 410,971  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Basic earnings per share:
                               
 
As reported
  $ .71     $ .63     $ 2.11     $ 1.87  
 
Pro forma
    .68       .60       2.00       1.79  
Diluted earnings per share:
                               
 
As reported
    .69       .61       2.05       1.82  
 
Pro forma
    .66       .58       1.96       1.73  

    The fair value of each stock option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions used for grants in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002:

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
   
 
    9/30/03   9/30/02   9/30/03   9/30/02
   
 
 
 
Dividend yield
    3.00 %     3.00 %     3.00 %     3.00 %
Volatility
    37.65-37.84 %     36.04-37.15 %     37.65-47.26 %     35.94-37.15 %
Risk-free interest rate
    3.37-3.79 %     3.67-4.20 %     2.68-3.79 %     3.67-4.98 %
Life of grant
  6 years   6 years   6 years   6 years

    The estimated weighted-average date of grant fair value (based on the above option-pricing model and assumptions) was $9.82 and $9.36 for stock options granted in the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and $10.93 and $8.96 for stock options granted in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
 
5.   In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” FIN 46 provides guidance on how to identify a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and determine when the assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and results of operations of a VIE need to be included in a company’s consolidated financial statements. FIN 46 also requires additional disclosures by primary beneficiaries and other significant variable interest holders. The provisions of the interpretation became effective upon issuance. The adoption of FIN 46 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
 
6.   In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 149 amends SFAS No. 133 for certain decisions made by the FASB as part of the Derivatives Implementation Group (“DIG”) process. For those amendments that relate to SFAS No. 133 implementation guidance, the specific SFAS No. 133 Implementation Issue necessitating the amendment is identified. If the amendment relates to a cleared issue, the clearance date also is noted. SFAS No. 149 also amends SFAS No. 133 to incorporate clarifications of the definition of a derivative. SFAS No. 149 contains amendments relating to FASB Concepts Statement No. 7, “Using Cash Flow Information and Present Value in Accounting Measurements,” SFAS No. 65, “Accounting for Certain Mortgage Banking Activities,” SFAS No. 91, “Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases,” SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows,” and SFAS No. 126, “Exemption from Certain Required Disclosures about Financial Instruments for Certain Nonpublic Entities.”
 
    SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, except as stated below and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. In addition, except as stated below, all provisions of SFAS No. 149 should be applied prospectively. The provisions of SFAS No. 149 that relate to SFAS No. 133 Implementation Issues that have been effective for fiscal quarters that began prior to June 15, 2003, should continue to be applied in accordance with their respective effective dates. In addition, guidance related to forward purchases or sales of when-issued securities or other securities that do not yet exist, should be applied

5


Table of Contents

    to both existing contracts and new contracts entered into after June 30, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
 
7.   In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS No. 150 establishes standards on how to classify and measure certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS No. 150 requires an issuer to classify certain freestanding financial instruments as liabilities, which may have been previously classified as equity, because those instruments embody obligations of the issuer. SFAS No. 150 also requires disclosure of the nature and terms of the financial instruments and the rights and obligations embodied in those instruments. SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and is otherwise effective as of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
 
8.   On June 6, 2003, the Company completed its acquisition of Advance Bancorp (“Advance”), the holding company of Advance Bank, an Illinois state-chartered commercial bank headquartered in Lansing, Illinois. On July 11, 2003, Advance Bank was merged into Charter One Bank, N.A. On June 6, 2003, Advance had assets of $667.5 million and deposits of $482.1 million in 14 branches located in Cook County, Illinois. The Company issued 2,389,795 common shares and initially recorded $46.6 million of goodwill based on a preliminary determination of the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired as a result of this transaction. During the third quarter of 2003, the Company reduced its goodwill related to the Advance acquisition by $17.3 million to an ending balance of $29.3 million at September 30, 2003. The reduction resulted from adjustments to the fair values of certain commercial real estate and corporate banking loans acquired from Advance. The Company included the results of operations of Advance in its Consolidated Financial Statements from the effective date of the acquisition. Pro forma results of operations for this acquisition, had the acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2003, are not significant and, accordingly, are not provided.

6


Table of Contents

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

HOLDING COMPANY BUSINESS

The following financial review presents an analysis of the asset and liability structure of Charter One Financial, Inc. and a discussion of the results of operations for each of the periods presented.

General

Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Charter One Financial, Inc., hereafter referred to as “Charter One” or the “Company,” is a financial holding company. Charter One is a Delaware corporation. As of September 30, 2003, the Company owned all of the outstanding capital stock of Charter One Bank, N.A., a national bank. We sometimes refer to this financial institution in this document as the “Bank.” The Bank’s primary business is providing consumer banking services to certain major markets in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, New York, Vermont, and in some markets of Massachusetts, Indiana, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. As of September 30, 2003, the Bank and its subsidiaries were doing business through 566 full-service branches, 27 loan production offices and 956 ATMs.

Discussion of Forward-Looking Statements

This document, including information incorporated by reference, contains, and future filings by Charter One on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K and future oral and written statements and press releases by Charter One and its management may contain, forward-looking statements about Charter One which we believe are within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements with respect to anticipated future operating and financial performance, including revenue creation, lending origination, operating efficiencies, loan sales, charge-offs and loan loss provisions, deposits and refinancing of liabilities, growth opportunities, interest rates, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, and synergies, efficiencies, cost savings and funding advantages expected to be realized from prior acquisitions. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and management’s views and assumptions regarding future events. These forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and investors must recognize that actual results may differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, Charter One cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

Many of these forward-looking statements appear throughout this document. Words such as may, could, should, would, believe, anticipate, estimate, expect, intend, plan and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. The important factors discussed below, as well as other factors discussed elsewhere in this document and factors identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and those presented elsewhere by our management from time to time, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this document. Among the factors that could cause our actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements are:

  the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct our operations; general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally, may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in the credit quality of our loans and leases and other assets;
 
  the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board;
 
  financial markets, monetary and interest rate fluctuations, particularly the relative relationship of short-term interest rates to long-term interest rates;
 
  the timely development of and acceptance of new products and services of Charter One and the perceived overall value of these products and services by users, including the features, pricing and quality compared to competitors’ products and services;
 
  the impact of changes in financial services laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, accounting standards, banking, securities and insurance); legislative or regulatory changes may adversely affect the business in which we are engaged;
 
  the impact of technological changes;

7


Table of Contents

  our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions into our existing operations, and the availability of new acquisitions, joint ventures and alliance opportunities that build shareholder value;
 
  changes in consumer spending and saving habits; and
 
  our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

Charter One disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements based on the occurrence of future events, the receipt of new information, or otherwise.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Performance Overview

Figure 1 sets forth financial results and annualized performance ratios for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.

Selected Financial Results and Ratios (Figure 1)

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
   
 
    9/30/03   9/30/02   9/30/03   9/30/02
   
 
 
 
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net income
  $ 159,149     $ 143,562     $ 472,677     $ 431,942  
Diluted earnings per share
    .69       .61       2.05       1.82  
Return on average assets
    1.46 %     1.46 %     1.45 %     1.50 %
Return on average equity
    20.12       18.89       19.52       19.47  
Return on average tangible equity(1)
    23.59       21.70       22.58       22.38  
Average equity to average assets
    7.25       7.72       7.41       7.68  
Net interest income to administrative expenses
    1.46 x     1.69 x     1.54 x     1.74 x
Administrative expenses to average assets
    1.79 %     1.74 %     1.75 %     1.74 %
Efficiency ratio(2)
    41.84       39.90       40.92       39.64  


(1)   Computed as the ratio of net income, excluding the amortization of other intangible assets, to average tangible equity.
(2)   Computed as the ratio of total administrative expenses to net interest income and total other income.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the difference between the interest and dividend income earned on our loans and investments and the interest expense on our deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is our principal source of earnings. Net interest income is affected by a number of factors including the level, pricing and maturity of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, interest rate fluctuations and asset quality, as well as general economic conditions and regulatory policies.

The following table shows average balances, interest earned or paid, and average interest rates for the periods indicated. Nonaccrual loans are included in the average balance of loans. The mark-to-market adjustments on securities available for sale are included in noninterest-earning assets. Noninterest-bearing demand deposit accounts are included in noninterest-bearing liabilities. The cost of liabilities includes the annualized effect of interest rate risk management instruments.

8


Table of Contents

Average Balances, Interest Rates and Yields/Costs (Figure 2)

                                                       
                          Three Months Ended                
         
                  9/30/03                   9/30/02        
         
 
                          Avg.                   Avg.
          Average           Yield/   Average           Yield/
          Balance   Interest   Cost   Balance   Interest   Cost
         
 
 
 
 
 
          (Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
                                               
 
Loans and leases
  $ 26,993,081     $ 368,952       5.46 %   $ 25,460,404     $ 410,237       6.43 %
 
Mortgage-backed securities:
                                               
   
Available for sale
    12,414,464       129,695       4.18       9,364,722       135,099       5.77  
   
Held to maturity
    317,638       5,326       6.71       677,206       10,695       6.32  
 
Investment securities:
                                               
   
Available for sale
    282,726       3,563       5.04       181,769       2,939       6.47  
   
Held to maturity
    3,771       51       5.37       4,480       61       5.52  
 
Other interest-earning assets
    723,721       7,531       4.07       979,454       9,729       3.89  
 
   
     
             
     
         
     
Total interest-earning assets
    40,735,401       515,118       5.05       36,668,035       568,760       6.19  
 
           
                     
         
Allowance for loan and lease losses
    (379,527 )                     (267,486 )                
Noninterest-earning assets
    3,272,787                       2,968,951                  
 
   
                     
                 
     
Total assets
  $ 43,628,661                     $ 39,369,500                  
 
   
                     
                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
 
Deposits:
                                               
   
Checking accounts
  $ 6,166,100       14,960       .96     $ 6,283,029       33,721       2.13  
   
Money market and savings accounts
    8,545,286       23,765       1.10       8,378,267       44,790       2.12  
   
Certificates of deposit
    10,708,517       77,138       2.86       9,831,050       82,310       3.32  
 
   
     
             
     
         
     
Total deposits
    25,419,903       115,863       1.81       24,492,346       160,821       2.61  
 
   
     
             
     
         
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    10,265,634       100,812       3.89       7,944,811       103,729       5.18  
 
Other borrowings
    871,430       13,185       6.03       929,957       13,943       5.97  
 
   
     
             
     
         
     
Total borrowings
    11,137,064       113,997       4.06       8,874,768       117,672       5.26  
 
   
     
             
     
         
     
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    36,556,967       229,860       2.49       33,367,114       278,493       3.31  
 
   
     
             
     
         
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
 
Demand deposit accounts
    2,615,262                       1,789,713                  
 
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities
    1,292,960                       1,173,108                  
 
   
                     
                 
   
Total noninterest-bearing liabilities
    3,908,222                       2,962,821                  
 
   
                     
                 
     
Total liabilities
    40,465,189                       36,329,935                  
Shareholders’ equity
    3,163,472                       3,039,565                  
 
   
                     
                 
     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 43,628,661                     $ 39,369,500                  
 
   
                     
                 
Net interest income
          $ 285,258                     $ 290,267          
 
           
                     
         
Interest rate spread
                    2.56                       2.88  
Net yield on average interest- earning assets
                    2.80                       3.17  
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
                    111.43 %                     109.89 %

9


Table of Contents

                                                       
          Nine Months Ended
         
          9/30/03   9/30/02
         
 
                          Avg.                   Avg.
          Average           Yield/   Average           Yield/
          Balance   Interest   Cost   Balance   Interest   Cost
         
 
 
 
 
 
          (Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
                                               
 
Loans and leases
  $ 26,321,364     $ 1,114,278       5.65 %   $ 25,296,320     $ 1,253,132       6.61 %
 
Mortgage-backed securities:
                                               
   
Available for sale
    13,026,174       433,496       4.44       8,710,523       388,000       5.94  
   
Held to maturity
    397,442       20,453       6.86       771,416       37,756       6.53  
 
Investment securities:
                                               
   
Available for sale
    249,032       9,903       5.30       160,661       8,526       7.08  
   
Held to maturity
    3,928       161       5.47       4,998       192       5.13  
 
Other interest-earning assets
    775,216       22,772       3.87       952,088       27,119       3.76  
 
   
     
             
     
         
     
Total interest-earning assets
    40,773,156       1,601,063       5.24       35,896,006       1,714,725       6.37  
 
           
                     
         
Allowance for loan and lease losses
    (355,880 )                     (260,458 )                
Noninterest-earning assets
    3,156,356                       2,863,644                  
 
   
                     
                 
     
Total assets
  $ 43,573,632                     $ 38,499,192                  
 
   
                     
                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
 
Deposits:
                                               
   
Checking accounts
  $ 6,881,546       68,990       1.34     $ 6,102,712       100,558       2.20  
   
Money market and savings accounts
    8,271,203       85,295       1.38       7,915,705       132,271       2.23  
   
Certificates of deposit
    10,005,413       222,054       2.97       10,107,847       267,969       3.54  
 
   
     
             
     
         
     
Total deposits
    25,158,162       376,339       2.00       24,126,264       500,798       2.78  
 
   
     
             
     
         
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    10,690,548       304,637       3.81       7,966,061       311,372       5.22  
 
Other borrowings
    870,680       40,357       6.17       598,769       31,324       6.96  
 
   
     
             
     
         
     
Total borrowings
    11,561,228       344,994       3.98       8,564,830       342,696       5.35  
 
   
     
             
     
         
     
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    36,719,390       721,333       2.62       32,691,094       843,494       3.45  
 
   
     
             
     
         
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
 
Demand deposit accounts
    2,315,988                       1,745,700                  
 
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities
    1,309,737                       1,104,913                  
 
   
                     
                 
   
Total noninterest-bearing liabilities
    3,625,725                       2,850,613                  
 
   
                     
                 
     
Total liabilities
    40,345,115                       35,541,707                  
Shareholders’ equity
    3,228,517                       2,957,485                  
 
   
                     
                 
     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 43,573,632                     $ 38,499,192                  
 
   
                     
                 
Net interest income
          $ 879,730                     $ 871,231          
 
           
                     
         
Interest rate spread
                    2.62                       2.92  
Net yield on average interest- earning assets
                    2.88                       3.24  
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
                    111.04 %                     109.80 %

10


Table of Contents

Figure 3 shows the approximate relative contribution of changes in average interest rates and volume to changes in net interest income for the periods indicated. Changes not attributable solely to volume or rate have been allocated in proportion to the changes due to volume and rate. Amortization of net deferred loan costs and automobile dealer reserves included as a reduction in interest income was $26.9 million and $26.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and $83.3 million and $74.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Rate/Volume Analysis (Figure 3)

                                                         
            Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
           
 
            2003 v. 2002   2003 v. 2002
           
 
            Increase (decrease) due to           Increase (decrease) due to        
           
         
       
            Rate   Volume   Total   Rate   Volume   Total
           
 
 
 
 
 
            (Dollars in thousands)
Interest income:
                                               
 
Loans and leases
  $ (65,820 )   $ 24,535     $ (41,285 )   $ (189,122 )   $ 50,268     $ (138,854 )
 
Mortgage-backed securities:
                                               
   
Available for sale
    (42,830 )     37,426       (5,404 )     (114,553 )     160,049       45,496  
   
Held to maturity
    624       (5,993 )     (5,369 )     1,852       (19,155 )     (17,303 )
 
Investment securities:
                                               
   
Available for sale
    (750 )     1,374       624       (2,505 )     3,882       1,377  
   
Held to maturity
          (10 )     (10 )     12       (43 )     (31 )
 
Other interest-earning assets
    444       (2,642 )     (2,198 )     826       (5,173 )     (4,347 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
     
Total
    (108,332 )     54,690       (53,642 )     (303,490 )     189,828       (113,662 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Interest expense:
                                               
 
Checking accounts
    (18,144 )     (617 )     (18,761 )     (43,166 )     11,598       (31,568 )
 
Money market and savings accounts
    (22,080 )     1,056       (21,024 )     (54,156 )     7,179       (46,977 )
 
Certificates of deposit
    (12,121 )     6,947       (5,174 )     (43,225 )     (2,689 )     (45,914 )
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    (15,308 )     12,392       (2,916 )     (73,784 )     67,049       (6,735 )
 
Other borrowings
    (308 )     (450 )     (758 )     (2,693 )     11,726       9,033  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
       
Total
    (67,961 )     19,328       (48,633 )     (217,024 )     94,863       (122,161 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Change in net interest income
  $ (40,371 )   $ 35,362     $ (5,009 )   $ (86,466 )   $ 94,965     $ 8,499  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 

Net interest income was $285.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003, down $5.0 million, or 1.7%, from the third quarter of 2002. Net yield on average interest-earning assets during the third quarter of 2003 was 2.80%, down 37 basis points from the third quarter of 2002. The reduction in net interest income and the net yield resulted from downward pressure on asset yields in the declining interest rate environment, offset in part by the benefits obtained from deposit and borrowings repricings in the past year.

Net interest income was $879.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, up $8.5 million from the comparable period in 2002. The increase in net interest income was due to the growth in interest-earning assets, as well as benefits obtained from deposit and borrowings repricings in the past year. Net yield on average interest-earning assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was 2.88%, down 36 basis points from the comparable period in 2002. The reduction in the net yield resulted from downward pressure on asset yields in the declining interest rate environment, offset in part by the benefits obtained from deposit and borrowings repricings in the past year.

In the present interest rate environment, Charter One expects to limit its asset growth over the next few quarters. This will be accomplished through efforts to reduce Charter One’s combined one-to-four family and mortgage-backed securities portfolios, offset by an expected increase in non one-to-four family loans. As a result of this strategy and assuming no additional reductions in core deposit repricings, net interest income could experience further pressure in the near term.

Provision for Loan and Lease Losses

The provision for loan and lease losses for the three months ended September 30, 2003 was $37.7 million, a decrease of $10.0 million from the three months ended September 30, 2002. The ratio of the allowance for loan and lease losses to total loans and leases before the allowance increased to 1.37% at September 30, 2003 from 1.24% at December 31, 2002 and 1.13% at September 30, 2002. The provision for loan and lease losses for the nine months

11


Table of Contents

ended September 30, 2003 was $134.5 million, an increase of $2.8 million from the comparable period in 2002. The increased provision year over year was necessary to cover higher charge-offs and maintain the allowance for loan and lease losses at a level considered adequate to absorb losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio. Additionally, the provision for loan and lease losses was increased to reflect the continued weakening in the national economy in the first nine months of 2003, specifically in the airline industry.

As part of the Bank’s conversion in May 2002 to a national bank subject to regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), the Company conformed various policies and reporting practices associated with asset quality to more closely compare to those of its commercial bank peers. These changes neither increased nor decreased ultimate net loan and lease charge-offs. They only affected the timing of recognizing net consumer asset charge-offs through the allowance for loan and lease losses and the disclosure of underperforming consumer assets. Consumer assets include single-family, retail consumer, automobile and consumer finance loan portfolios. These changes had no impact on Charter One’s non-consumer loan portfolios, which include commercial real estate and corporate loans and its lease portfolio, as these portfolios already conformed with OCC-regulated banking practices.

The most significant effect of the change in charge-off policy was in the automobile and consumer finance portfolios. Prior to the second quarter of 2002, automobile loans were charged off at the point of repossessed collateral disposition. Beginning with the second quarter of 2002, consistent with OCC-regulated banking practices, automobile loans going through repossession or bankruptcies were written down to the net realizable value of the collateral at the time of the repossession or bankruptcy discharge. Any automobile loan that reached the 120-day delinquency point was charged off completely. Charge-offs in the consumer finance portfolio were previously recognized at the point of foreclosure. Beginning with the second quarter of 2002, consistent with OCC-regulated banking practices, consumer finance loans, along with other loans backed by single-family residential real estate collateral, were reflected at the lower of cost or net realizable value at the earliest point of six payments past due or foreclosure. These policy changes resulted in an additional $27.3 million of charge-offs recognized during the second quarter of 2002.

Excluding the charge-offs associated with the 2002 policy change discussed above, net charge-offs totaled $24.7 million and $78.1 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively, compared to $22.1 million and $70.2 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002, respectively. The $78.1 million of net charge-offs for 2003 included a $6.1 million charge-off related to the resolution of a $19.6 million airline lease in the first quarter of 2003, as well as a $2.1 million charge-off on an airline lease in the second quarter of 2003.

The Company’s aircraft leasing portfolio totaled $357.5 million at September 30, 2003, or 1.26% of its total loans and leases. The aircraft leasing portfolio includes $257.4 million to domestic air carriers, with the remainder on corporate jets and cargo planes leased to corporations. The Company has no direct exposure to US Air, United Airlines, American Airlines or Air Canada.

See “Financial Condition – Asset Quality” for further information regarding our allowance for loan and lease losses.

Other Income

Other income for the three months ended September 30, 2003 was $180.4 million, an increase of $41.3 million, or 29.7%, over the $139.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002. The increase was primarily attributable to income from retail banking and mortgage banking. Retail banking income increased $10.0 million, or 11.9%, over the comparable period in 2002. The biggest driver of the increase was deposit-related revenue, which totaled $82.7 million in the third quarter of 2003, up 14.4% over the year ago quarter. Deposit-related revenue reflected the benefits of our strategy to emphasize noninterest-bearing checking account growth. Offsetting the benefits of this strategy was the impact of reduced revenue from debit card transactions that resulted from the April 27, 2003 MasterCard International, Inc. settlement of a class action lawsuit with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and other retailers. The settlement, which went into effect August 1, 2003, reduced third quarter revenue by approximately $2.3 million. Without that reduction, third quarter 2003 deposit–related revenue would have been up 17.5% over the third quarter of 2002. The other components of retail banking revenue include fees from retail brokerage activities ($7.6 million, down 10.7% from the year ago quarter) and other revenue related to retail operations ($3.9 million, up 15.8% from the year ago quarter).

With respect to retail franchise development activities, we are planning aggressive de novo expansion during 2003 and 2004. The 2003 goal is to open approximately 125 new banking centers, with 99 in-store and 26 traditional locations. We expect additional expansion during 2004. During the third quarter of 2003, we opened 44 new banking centers, for a total of 92 new banking centers since December 31, 2002 (excluding 13 banking centers added in the July 2003 acquisition of Advance Bancorp).

12


Table of Contents

Mortgage banking income totaled $65.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003, an increase of $102.6 million over the $37.0 million loss recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2002. Due to slower projected prepayment speeds in our loan servicing portfolio, we recorded a $50.3 million decrease in the valuation allowance on mortgage servicing assets in the third quarter of 2003, resulting in an ending valuation allowance of $82.7 million. Total mortgage banking income, excluding the $50.3 million decrease in the valuation allowance, was $15.4 million in the third quarter of 2003. In the year ago quarter, mortgage banking income totaled $19.0 million, excluding a $56.0 million increase in the valuation allowance. The portfolio of loans serviced for others totaled $16.7 billion at September 30, 2003, and carried a weighted average coupon of 6.24%. The portfolio decreased slightly from the third quarter of 2002 reflecting prepayments and the lack of securitization activity during the third quarter of 2003. The related mortgage servicing assets were 1.01% of the portfolio, or $168.7 million, at September 30, 2003. With an average servicing spread of 35 basis points, that translates into a servicing asset valuation of 2.9 times the servicing spread.

Net gains totaled $16.1 million for the third quarter of 2003, a decrease of $67.8 million from the $83.9 million of net gains for the third quarter of 2002. Net gains for the third quarter of 2003 included $28.0 million of net gains from the sale of $2.4 billion of mortgage-backed securities, as well as $4.7 million in gains on interest-rate exchange agreements that do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133. Offsetting the gains was a loss of $18.0 million from the termination of a $250.0 million FHLB advance (with a weighted average cost of 4.99%) scheduled to mature in 2006. Net gains for the third quarter of 2002 included $107.8 million of net gains from the sale of $4.5 billion of mortgage-backed securities, offset by a $22.1 million unrealized loss on interest rate swaps that are accounted for at fair value under SFAS No. 133. The $22.1 million unrealized loss was the result of the decline in interest rates during the third quarter of 2002. We did not utilize any special-purpose entities for the sale of any of our mortgage-backed securities.

Leasing operations reflected a loss of $4.1 million in the third quarter of 2003, compared to income of $404,000 for the third quarter of 2002. The decline in income resulted from $5.5 million in residual adjustments on miscellaneous equipment, none of which was related to the aircraft industry.

Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $520.2 million, an increase of $124.8 million, or 31.6%, over the $395.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Retail banking income increased $33.9 million, or 14.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The reasons for this increase were substantially the same as for the third quarter results discussed in the above paragraphs. Net gains totaled $201.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, an increase of $57.9 million over the comparable 2002 period. Net gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 included $211.4 million in net gains from the sale of $8.1 billion in mortgage-backed securities, as well as $7.0 million in gains on interest-rate exchange agreements that do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133. Offsetting the gains was a loss of $18.0 million from the termination of a $250.0 million FHLB advance (with a weighted average cost of 4.99%) scheduled to mature in 2006. We did not utilize any special-purpose entities for the sale of any of our mortgage-backed securities.

Mortgage banking income totaled $41.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, compared to a loss of $16.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Due to slower projected prepayments in our loan servicing portfolio, we recorded a net $20.1 million decrease in the valuation allowance on mortgage servicing assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2003. However, a permanent impairment charge of $37.2 million was recorded during the second quarter of 2003.

Leasing operations reflected a loss of $23.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, compared to income of $991,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The decline in income resulted from $21.5 million in residual adjustments, which were primarily related to the Company’s aircraft leasing portfolio and $5.5 million in residual adjustments on miscellaneous equipment, none of which was related to the aircraft industry.

Administrative Expenses

Administrative expenses were $194.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003, an increase of $23.5 million, or 13.7%, from the third quarter of 2002. The increase in administrative expenses was primarily attributable to increased compensation and marketing costs associated with the Company’s significant retail expansion program discussed in “Other Income” above. Our efficiency ratio was 41.84% for the three months ended September 30, 2003, compared to 39.90% for the three months ended September 30, 2002.

Administrative expenses were $572.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, an increase of $70.8 million, or 14.1%, from the 2002 period. The increase in administrative expenses was substantially the same as for the third quarter results discussed in the above paragraph. Our efficiency ratio was 40.92% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, compared to 39.64% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

13


Table of Contents

Federal Income Tax

Federal income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2003 was $74.0 million, compared to $66.8 million for the same period in 2002. The primary reason for this increase in the provision for federal income taxes was an increase in pre-tax income. The effective tax rate was 31.7% for both the 2003 and 2002 periods.

Federal income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $219.9 million, compared to $200.9 million for the same period in 2002. The primary reason for this increase in the provision for federal income taxes was an increase in pre-tax income. The effective tax rate was 31.7% for both the 2003 and 2002 periods.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

At September 30, 2003, total assets were $43.3 billion, compared to total assets of $41.9 billion at December 31, 2002. As illustrated in Figure 5 below, loan and lease originations totaled a record $20.0 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2003, compared to $14.7 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Non one-to-four family loan originations totaled $9.3 billion, or 46.4% of the total. The non one-to-four family activity was led by $3.7 billion in consumer loans and $2.9 billion in auto finance loans.

As discussed in “Results of Operations – Net Interest Income,” we intend to limit balance sheet growth in the current interest rate environment by reducing our one-to-four family exposure. This strategy will likely constrain the growth in net interest income for the near term. At September 30, 2003, we had committed to sell $1.6 billion in mortgage-backed securities for a pre-tax gain of $41.7 million to be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2003.

Loans and Leases

Composition of Loans and Leases (Figure 4)

                         
            9/30/03   12/31/02
           
 
            (Dollars in thousands)
 
One-to-four family:
               
   
Permanent:
               
     
Fixed rate
  $ 6,737,463     $ 5,869,554  
     
Adjustable rate
    2,600,507       2,437,166  
   
Construction
    451,093       427,729  
 
   
     
 
 
    9,789,063       8,734,449  
 
   
     
 
 
Commercial real estate:
               
   
Multifamily
    752,006       730,263  
   
Commercial
    1,181,362       1,024,840  
   
Construction
    528,628       506,178  
 
   
     
 
 
    2,461,996       2,261,281  
 
   
     
 
 
Consumer:
               
   
Retail
    4,999,488       5,494,453  
   
Automobile
    6,376,830       5,606,329  
   
Consumer finance
    1,073,054       984,772  
 
   
     
 
 
    12,449,372       12,085,554  
 
   
     
 
 
Business:
               
   
Leasing
    2,166,350       2,133,468  
   
Corporate banking
    1,553,739       1,318,003  
 
   
     
 
 
    3,720,089       3,451,471  
 
   
     
 
 
Loans and leases before allowance for loan and lease losses
    28,420,520       26,532,755  
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses
    (389,355 )     (328,017 )
 
   
     
 
       
Loans and leases, net(1)
  $ 28,031,165     $ 26,204,738  
 
   
     
 
Portfolio of loans serviced for others
  $ 16,700,490     $ 16,893,609  
 
   
     
 


(1)   Includes loans held for sale.

14


Table of Contents

Loan and Lease Activity (Figure 5)

                                         
            Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
           
 
            9/30/03   9/30/02   9/30/03   9/30/02
           
 
 
 
            (Dollars in thousands)
Originations:
                               
Real estate:
                               
 
Permanent:
                               
   
One-to-four family
  $ 3,896,869     $ 2,481,022     $ 10,548,555     $ 7,113,855  
   
Multifamily
    75,185       49,187       184,076       108,885  
   
Commercial
    124,806       48,601       275,245       175,375  
 
   
     
     
     
 
     
Total permanent loans
    4,096,860       2,578,810       11,007,876       7,398,115  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Construction:
                               
   
One-to-four family
    62,180       54,377       151,273       27,720  
   
Multifamily
    30,371       13,950       57,267       38,938  
   
Commercial
    16,656       29,385       57,732       111,108  
 
   
     
     
     
 
     
Total construction loans
    109,207       97,712       266,272       177,766  
 
   
     
     
     
 
       
Total real estate loans originated
    4,206,067       2,676,522       11,274,148       7,575,881  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Retail consumer
    1,431,291       948,632       3,719,802       2,885,687  
Automobile
    909,477       1,012,926       2,916,836       2,478,734  
Consumer finance
    128,536       73,931       353,302       185,352  
Leases
    152,279       110,428       327,796       321,013  
Corporate banking
    443,732       512,600       1,365,735       1,265,413  
 
   
     
     
     
 
     
Total loans and leases originated
    7,271,382       5,335,039       19,957,619       14,712,080  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Acquired through business combinations and purchases
    2,737       2,637       409,826       213,992  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Sales and principal reductions:
                               
 
Loans sold
    1,067,083       527,011       2,715,313       1,652,269  
 
Loans exchanged for mortgage backed securities
    225,498       809,167       5,991,223       5,066,120  
 
Principal reductions
    3,447,925       2,943,422       9,733,849       8,262,966  
 
   
     
     
     
 
       
Total sales and principal reductions
    4,740,506       4,279,600       18,440,385       14,981,355  
 
   
     
     
     
 
       
Increase (decrease) before net items
  $ 2,533,613     $ 1,058,076     $ 1,927,060     $ (55,283 )
 
   
     
     
     
 

Investment and Mortgage-Backed Securities

Figures 6 and 7 summarize our investment and mortgage-backed securities portfolios at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002. The amounts reflected represent the fair value of securities available for sale and the amortized cost of securities held to maturity.

Investment Securities (Figure 6)

                       
          9/30/03   12/31/02
         
 
          (Dollars in thousands)
Available for Sale
               
 
U.S. Treasury and agency securities
  $ 97,934     $ 91,462  
 
Securities of U.S. states and political subdivisions
    40,323       1,898  
 
Corporate and other securities
    132,254       116,735  
 
   
     
 
   
Total investment securities available for sale
    270,511       210,095  
 
   
     
 
Held to Maturity
               
 
U.S. Treasury and agency securities
    262        
 
Securities of U.S. states and political subdivisions
    3,660       3,943  
 
Corporate and other securities
    30       30  
 
   
     
 
   
Total investment securities held to maturity
    3,952       3,973  
 
   
     
 
     
Total
  $ 274,463     $ 214,068  
 
   
     
 
 
Weighted average rate
    5.40 %     5.64 %
 
   
     
 

15


Table of Contents

Mortgage-Backed Securities (Figure 7)

                         
            9/30/03   12/31/02
           
 
            (Dollars in thousands)
Available for Sale
               
 
Participation certificates:
               
   
U.S. government and agency issues
  $ 10,317,012     $ 10,051,046  
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
               
   
U.S. government and agency issues
    657,857       1,068,518  
   
Private issues
    103,416       417,044  
 
   
     
 
     
Total mortgage-backed securities available for sale
    11,078,285       11,536,608  
 
   
     
 
Held to Maturity
               
 
Participation certificates:
               
   
U.S. government and agency issues
    211,148       311,398  
   
Private issues
    26,151       51,717  
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
               
   
U.S. government and agency issues
    33,016       96,130  
   
Private issues
    22,021       81,536  
 
   
     
 
     
Total mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
    292,336       540,781  
 
   
     
 
       
Total
  $ 11,370,621     $ 12,077,389  
 
   
     
 
   
Weighted average rate
    4.67 %     4.95 %
 
   
     
 

Asset Quality

Charter One has a Reserve Adequacy Committee that sets target levels for the allowance for loan and lease losses. The Committee meets quarterly and its membership includes management as well as Directors. That Committee considers several factors as it sets target levels of reserves that are deemed adequate to absorb losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio. Those factors include internal measurements of asset quality (such as charge-off trends, delinquency data, asset classification trends, and nonperforming and underperforming loan trends), the overall economic environment in which Charter One operates, and the size and mix of the loan and lease portfolio. All outstanding loans and leases are considered when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses. These various factors are utilized to calculate a range of reserves. Based upon the range calculated, the Committee then sets target levels for reserves. See also “Provision for Loan and Lease Losses” for further discussion.

16


Table of Contents

Analysis of the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (Figure 8)

                                         
            Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
           
 
            9/30/03   9/30/02   9/30/03   9/30/02
           
 
 
 
            (Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
                               
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 376,393     $ 267,155     $ 328,017     $ 255,478  
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
    37,663       47,695       134,494       131,689  
 
Acquired through business combination
                4,969       3,184  
 
Loans and leases charged off:
                               
   
One-to-four family
    (655 )     (643 )     (2,361 )     (4,675 )
   
Commercial real estate
    (474 )     (290 )     (1,227 )     (1,208 )
   
Retail consumer
    (2,819 )     (2,308 )     (8,893 )     (10,096 )
   
Automobile
    (15,869 )     (16,429 )     (45,947 )     (63,024 )
   
Consumer finance
    (4,396 )     (5,160 )     (12,908 )     (20,610 )
   
Leases
          (519 )     (8,156 )     (2,780 )
   
Corporate banking
    (6,610 )     (4,776 )     (16,507 )     (10,813 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
     
Total charge-offs
    (30,823 )     (30,125 )     (95,999 )     (113,206 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Recoveries:
                               
   
One-to-four family
    31       881       89       915  
   
Commercial real estate
    68       488       277       618  
   
Retail consumer
    1,044       484       2,025       1,246  
   
Automobile
    4,279       3,574       12,955       9,105  
   
Consumer finance
    329       238       669       333  
   
Leases
    228       430       1,227       430  
   
Corporate banking
    143       1,980       632       3,008  
 
   
     
     
     
 
     
Total recoveries
    6,122       8,075       17,874       15,655  
 
   
     
     
     
 
       
Net loan and lease charge-offs
    (24,701 )     (22,050 )     (78,125 )     (97,551 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Balance, end of period
  $ 389,355     $ 292,800     $ 389,355     $ 292,800  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Net charge-offs to average loans and leases (annualized)
    .37 %     .35 %     .40 %     .51 %

Figure 9 sets forth information concerning nonperforming and underperforming assets for the periods reported. Underperforming assets consist of (1) nonperforming assets (nonaccrual loans and leases, restructured real estate mortgage loans, and real estate acquired through foreclosure and other collateral owned) and (2) accruing loans and leases delinquent more than 90 days.

17


Table of Contents

Nonperforming and Underperforming Assets (Figure 9)

                         
            9/30/03   12/31/02
           
 
            (Dollars in thousands)
Nonperforming assets:
               
 
Nonaccrual loans and leases:
               
   
Real estate mortgage loans:
               
     
One-to-four family
  $ 22,784     $ 27,904  
     
Multifamily and commercial
    11,333       5,369  
     
Construction and land
    22,974       9,885  
 
   
     
 
       
Total real estate mortgage loans
    57,091       43,158  
   
Retail consumer
    10,405       13,937  
   
Automobile
           
   
Consumer finance
    42,589       40,227  
   
Leases
    6,569       6,211  
   
Corporate banking
    25,078       39,098  
 
   
     
 
       
Total nonaccrual loans and leases
    141,732       142,631  
 
Restructured real estate mortgage loans
    481       501  
 
   
     
 
       
Total nonperforming loans and leases
    142,213       143,132  
 
Real estate and other collateral owned
    47,249       40,776  
 
   
     
 
       
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 189,462     $ 183,908  
 
   
     
 
Ratio of:
               
 
Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases
    .51 %     .55 %
 
Nonperforming assets to total assets
    .44       .44  
 
Nonperforming assets to total loans, leases and real estate and other collateral owned
    .67       .70  
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses to:
               
   
Nonperforming loans and leases
    273.78       229.17  
   
Total loans and leases before allowance
    1.37       1.24  
Accruing loans and leases delinquent more than 90 days:
               
 
Real estate mortgage loans:
               
   
One-to-four family
  $ 21,239     $ 25,643  
   
Multifamily and commercial
           
   
Construction and land
           
 
   
     
 
     
Total real estate mortgage loans
    21,239       25,643  
 
Retail consumer
    2,654       4,758  
 
Automobile
    2,680       3,621  
 
Consumer finance
    23,298       26,739  
 
Leases
          19  
 
Corporate banking
    311       1,536  
 
   
     
 
     
Total accruing loans and leases delinquent more than 90 days
  $ 50,182     $ 62,316  
 
   
     
 
Total underperforming assets
  $ 239,644     $ 246,224  
 
   
     
 
Ratio of:
               
 
Underperforming assets to total assets
    .55 %     .59 %
 
Underperforming assets to total loans, leases and real estate and other collateral owned
    .85       .94  

Loans and leases not reflected in the table above, but where known information about possible credit problems of borrowers causes management to have serious doubts as to the ability of the borrower to comply with present repayment terms and that may result in disclosure of such loans and leases as underperforming assets in the future, are commonly referred to as “potential problem loans and leases.” The amount included in potential problem loans and leases results from an evaluation, on a loan-by-loan basis, of loans and leases classified as “substandard.” The amount of potential problem loans and leases was $32.5 million at September 30, 2003, $25.7 million at June 30, 2003, $61.9 million at March 31, 2003 and $14.8 million at December 31, 2002. The vast majority of our potential problem loans and leases, as well as our underperforming assets, are collateralized.

18


Table of Contents

SOURCES OF FUNDS

Deposits

Composition of Deposits (Figure 10)

                                       
          9/30/03   12/31/02
         
 
                  Weighted           Weighted
                  Average           Average
          Amount   Rate   Amount   Rate
         
 
 
 
          (Dollars in thousands)
Checking accounts:
                               
 
Interest-bearing
  $ 5,810,478       .93 %   $ 7,460,530       1.80 %
 
Noninterest-bearing
    2,760,848             2,189,903        
 
   
             
         
   
Total checking accounts
    8,571,326       .63       9,650,433       1.39  
Money market and savings accounts
    8,686,491       1.01       8,157,534       1.51  
 
   
             
         
   
Total transactions accounts
    17,257,817       .82       17,807,967       1.45  
Certificates of deposit
    10,788,421       3.13       9,719,876       3.61  
 
   
             
         
     
Total deposits, net
  $ 28,046,238       1.71     $ 27,527,843       2.21  
 
   
             
         
Including the effect of interest rate swaps
            1.60 %             2.06 %

Investment securities and mortgage-backed securities with a par value of $578.8 million at September 30, 2003 and $489.0 million at December 31, 2002, were pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

Borrowings

At September 30, 2003, borrowings consisted primarily of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances. These positions were secured by our investment in the stock of the FHLB, as well as $11.4 billion in certain real estate loans and $4.4 billion in mortgage-backed securities.

FHLB Advances (Figure 11)

                                     
        9/30/03   12/31/02
       
 
                Weighted           Weighted
                Average           Average
        Amount   Rate   Amount   Rate
       
 
 
 
        (Dollars in thousands)
Short-term
  $ 1,686,800       1.44 %   $ 2,595,000       1.34 %
Long-term:
                               
 
Fixed-rate advances
    5,711,606       5.67       6,024,560       5.68  
 
Variable-rate advances
    2,409,605       1.14       409,605       1.23  
 
   
             
         
Total advances
    9,808,011       3.83       9,029,165       4.23  
Plus unamortized premium on advances
    12,173             8,760        
 
   
             
         
   
Total advances, net
  $ 9,820,184       3.79     $ 9,037,925       4.18  
 
   
             
         
Including the effect of interest rate swaps
            3.88 %             4.26 %

Interest Rate Swaps

We use interest rate swaps as one of the tools to manage our interest rate risk profile (defined as the sensitivity of our earnings and economic value to changes in interest rates). We utilize fixed receipt callable interest rate swaps to convert certain longer-term callable certificates of deposit into short-term and medium-term variable instruments. Under certain agreements totaling $135.0 million in notional principal amount, we have agreed to receive interest from the counterparty on a notional amount at a fixed rate defined in the agreement and to pay interest at a floating rate indexed to LIBOR during the entire term of the interest rate swap. In other agreements totaling $1.8 billion in notional principal amount, we have agreed to receive interest from the counterparty on a notional amount at a fixed rate defined in the agreement, and to pay interest at a fixed rate, converting to floating rate indexed to LIBOR after the first two years of the interest rate swap term. Such interest rate swaps are designated and qualify as fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133. We have assumed no ineffectiveness in the respective hedging relationships. Any gain or loss on the interest rate swap was offset by a gain or loss on the certificates of deposit during the period of change in fair values.

We utilize fixed payment interest rate swaps to convert certain floating-rate FHLB advances into fixed-rate instruments. Under these agreements totaling $409.6 million in notional principal amount, we have agreed to pay interest to the counterparty on a notional principal amount at a fixed rate defined in the agreement and receive interest at a floating rate indexed to LIBOR. The amounts of interest exchanged are calculated on the basis of

19


Table of Contents

notional principal amounts. Such interest rate swaps are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133. We have assumed no ineffectiveness in the respective hedging relationships. Any gain or loss on the interest rate swaps was offset by the expected future cash flows on the FHLB advances during the period of change in fair values.

We utilized a fixed receipt interest rate swap to convert our $400.0 million of subordinated notes into a variable instrument. Under this agreement, we have agreed to receive interest from the counterparty on a notional amount at a fixed rate defined in the agreement and to pay interest at a floating rate indexed to LIBOR. Such interest rate swap is designated and qualifies as a fair value hedge under SFAS No. 133. We have assumed no ineffectiveness in the hedging relationship. Any gain or loss on the interest rate swap was offset by a gain or loss on the subordinated notes during the period of change in fair values.

In May 2002, we entered into $575.0 million of fixed payment and variable receipt interest rate swaps related to the issuance of the Bank’s subordinated notes. However, these interest rate swaps did not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the net unrealized loss attributed to these interest rate swaps decreased $7.0 million to an ending balance of $18.9 million. The corresponding interest rate swap liabilities were recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at September 30, 2003 under the caption “Accrued expenses and other liabilities.”

Information on the interest rate swaps, by maturity date, is as follows:

Interest Rate Swaps (Figure 12)

                                                     
        9/30/03   12/31/02
       
 
        Notional   Receiving   Paying   Notional   Receiving   Paying
        Principal   Interest   Interest   Principal   Interest   Interest
        Amount   Rate   Rate   Amount   Rate   Rate
       
 
 
 
 
 
        (Dollars in thousands)
Fixed Payment and Fixed
Receipt(1)
                                               
 
2007
  $ 1,005,000       4.31 %     2.75 %   $ 1,005,000       4.31 %     2.75 %
 
2008
    760,000       3.59       1.95                    
 
   
                     
                 
   
Total
  $ 1,765,000       4.00 %     2.40 %   $ 1,005,000       4.31 %     2.75 %
 
   
                     
                 
Fixed Payment and Variable Receipt
                                               
 
2003
  $ 206,638       1.12 %     3.58 %   $ 409,605       1.42 %     3.55 %
 
2004
    375,000       1.13       3.66       375,000       1.40       3.66  
 
2006
    402,967       1.12       3.84       200,000       1.40       4.69  
 
   
                     
                 
   
Total
  $ 984,605       1.13 %(2)     3.71 %   $ 984,605       1.41 %(2)     3.82 %
 
   
                     
                 
Variable Payment and Fixed Receipt
                                               
 
2004
  $       %     %   $ 315,000       2.80 %     1.57 %
 
2005
    135,000       2.18       1.13                    
 
2007
                      555,000       5.51       1.55  
 
2012
    400,000       5.76       1.13       400,000       5.76       1.75  
 
   
                     
                 
   
Total
  $ 535,000       4.86 %     1.13 %(2)   $ 1,270,000       4.92 %     1.62 %(2)
 
   
                     
                 


(1)   Converts to variable payment indexed to LIBOR after the first two years of the interest rate swap agreement.
(2)   Rates are based upon LIBOR.

Additionally, we have entered into forward fixed payment and variable receipt interest rate swaps totaling $3.7 billion in notional principal amount that are not reflected in Figure 12 above. Under these agreements, we have agreed to pay interest to the counterparty on a notional principal amount at a fixed rate defined in the agreement and receive interest at a floating rate indexed to LIBOR. These forward interest rate swaps become effective between October 2003 and August 2004. The forward interest rate swaps mature between January 2006 and August 2007. The weighted average fixed payment rate on these forward interest rate swaps is 2.85%. The forward interest rate swaps will convert certain floating-rate FHLB advances into fixed-rate instruments. Such interest rate swaps are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133.

Information on these forward interest rate swaps, by effective date, is as follows:

20


Table of Contents

Forward Interest Rate Swaps (Figure 13)

                     
                Paying
        Notional   Interest
        Amount   Rate
       
 
        (Dollars in thousands)
Fixed Payment and Variable Receipt Forward Interest Rate Swaps Effective Date:
               
 
Fourth quarter 2003
  $ 206,638       3.05 %
 
First quarter 2004
    1,000,000       2.87  
 
Second quarter 2004
    1,500,000       2.84  
 
Third quarter 2004
    1,000,000       2.79  
 
   
         
   
Total
  $ 3,706,638       2.85 %
 
   
         

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap contracts is estimated as the difference in the present value of future cash flows between the Company’s existing agreements and current market rate agreements of the same duration. Information on the fair values of the interest rate swaps is as follows:

Fair Value of Interest Rate Swaps (Figure 14)

                     
        9/30/03   12/31/02
       
 
        (Dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gain (loss):
               
 
Fair value hedges
  $ 63,316     $ 84,341  
 
Cash flow hedges
    (29,031 )     (10,152 )
 
Unhedged interest rate swaps
    (18,879 )     (25,905 )
 
   
     
 
   
Total fair value
  $ 15,406     $ 48,284  
 
   
     
 

The net benefit of interest rate swaps included in interest expense is as follows:

Net Benefit of Interest Risk Management (Figure 15)

                                     
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
       
 
        9/30/03   9/30/02   9/30/03   9/30/02
       
 
 
 
        (Dollars in thousands)
Interest expense (income):
                               
 
Deposits
  $ (7,136 )   $ (11,003 )   $ (24,326 )   $ (34,386 )
 
FHLB advances
    2,508       1,808       7,087       5,294  
 
Subordinated notes
    (4,528 )     (3,898 )     (13,353 )     (5,635 )
 
Unhedged interest rate swaps
    3,996       3,089       11,654       4,441  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total net benefit
  $ (5,160 )   $ (10,004 )   $ (18,938 )   $ (30,286 )
 
   
     
     
     
 

Liquidity

Our principal sources of funds are deposits, advances from the FHLB of Cincinnati, federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements, repayments and maturities of loans and securities, proceeds from the sale of loans and securities and funds provided by operations. While scheduled loan, security and interest-bearing deposit amortization and maturity are relatively predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan and mortgage-backed securities repayments are greatly influenced by economic conditions, the general level of interest rates and competition. We utilize particular sources of funds based on comparative costs and availability. We generally manage the pricing of deposits to maintain a steady deposit balance, but from time to time may decide to supplement deposits with longer term and/or lower cost alternative sources of funds such as FHLB advances and federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements. We may, from time to time, decide to price deposits aggressively for strategic reasons which may result in significant deposit inflows.

In the ordinary course of business, we enter into off-balance-sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit, commercial letters of credit, standby letters of credit and commitments to purchase or sell assets. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they are funded or the related fees are incurred or received. We anticipate that we will have sufficient funds available to meet our commitments. As of September 30, 2003, there were outstanding commitments to originate $2.1 billion of mortgage loans and other loans and leases, all at market rates. Terms of the commitments extend up to nine months, but are generally less than two months. Additionally, there were outstanding unfunded consumer lines of credit of $5.1 billion and corporate banking lines of credit of $371.4 million as of September 30, 2003. Substantially all of the consumer

21


Table of Contents

loans, including consumer lines of credit, are secured by equity in the borrowers’ residences. The Company does not expect all of these lines to be used by the borrowers. Outstanding letters of credit totaled $136.4 million as of September 30, 2003.

Capital and Dividends

On April 23, 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized management to repurchase up to 10% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, or approximately 22 million shares, under a program of open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions. This program replaced the repurchase program that had been in effect since July 18, 2000 and under which the Company repurchased approximately 15.0 million shares for a total cost of $394.8 million. The Company repurchased 6.6 million shares under the new authorization during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 at an average cost of $31.00 per share. This brought the total number of shares repurchased under this program to 14.6 million shares at an average cost of $30.99 per share.

Charter One, a financial holding company, is subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 as amended, and the regulations of the FRB, including various capital requirements. The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the OCC. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly discretionary, actions by each regulator that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines, specific capital guidelines must be met that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The institution’s capital classification is also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require Charter One and the Bank to individually maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and of tier 1 capital to average assets. The actual regulatory capital ratios calculated for Charter One and the Bank, along with the capital amounts and ratios for capital adequacy purposes and the amounts required to be categorized as “well capitalized,” are as follows:

Regulatory Capital (Figure 16)

                                                                           
      9/30/03
     
                              For Capital                        
      Actual   Adequacy Purposes   To Be "Well Capitalized"
     
 
 
      Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio           Amount   Ratio
     
 
 
 
         
 
      (Dollars in thousands)
Charter One:
                                                                       
 
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
          $ 3,449,929       11.42 %           $ 2,417,224     > 8.00 %           $ 3,021,530     > 10.00 %
 
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
            2,673,060       8.85               1,208,612     > 4.00               1,812,918     > 6.00  
 
Tier 1 capital to average assets
            2,673,060       6.18               1,729,630     > 4.00               N/A       N/A  
Charter One Bank, N.A.:
                                                                       
 
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
            3,481,323       11.53               2,415,181     > 8.00               3,018,976     > 10.00  
 
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
            2,371,535       7.86               1,207,590     > 4.00               1,811,386     > 6.00  
 
Tier 1 capital to average assets
            2,371,535       5.51               1,720,835     > 4.00               2,151,044     > 5.00  
                                                   
      12/31/02
     
                      For Capital                
      Actual   Adequacy Purposes   To Be "Well Capitalized"
     
 
 
      Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio
     
 
 
 
 
 
      (Dollars in thousands)
Charter One:
                                               
 
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
  $ 3,239,604       11.67 %   $ 2,220,734     > 8.00 %   $ 2,775,917     > 10.00 %
 
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
    2,513,577       9.05       1,110,367     > 4.00       1,665,550     > 6.00  
 
Tier 1 capital to average assets
    2,513,577       6.10       1,648,861     > 4.00       N/A       N/A  
Charter One Bank, N.A.:
                                               
 
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
    3,150,686       11.36       2,219,719     > 8.00       2,774,649     > 10.00  
 
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
    2,091,615       7.54       1,109,860     > 4.00       1,664,789     > 6.00  
 
Tier 1 capital to average assets
    2,091,615       5.11       1,636,187     > 4.00       2,045,234     > 5.00  

Management believes that, as of September 30, 2003, Charter One and the Bank individually met the capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject. Events beyond management’s control, such as fluctuations in interest rates or a downturn in the economy in areas in which the institution’s loans and securities are concentrated

22


Table of Contents

could adversely affect future earnings and, consequently, the institution’s ability to meet its future capital requirements.

Quarterly Stock Prices and Dividends (Figure 17)

                                           
              Three Months Ended        
     
      9/30/03   6/30/03   3/31/03   12/31/02   9/30/02
     
 
 
 
 
Market price of common stock (NYSE: CF):
                                       
 
High
  $ 33.20     $ 32.59     $ 30.74     $ 31.48     $ 33.42  
 
Low
    30.10       27.24       27.05       23.89       25.81  
 
Close
    30.60       31.18       27.66       28.73       29.72  
Dividends declared and paid
    .26       .24       .22       .22       .21  

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

At September 30, 2003, our one-year gap was 6.57% of total interest-earning assets.

A comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis regarding market risk was disclosed in our December 31, 2002 Form 10-K. The assumptions used in our model have been updated as of September 30, 2003. The table below indicates the estimated impact on net interest income under the various interest rate scenarios as a percentage of base case net interest income projections.

         
Changes in   Estimated Percentage Change
Interest Rates   in Future Net Interest Income
(basis points)(1)   12 Months

 
+200 over one year
    (7.81 )%
+100 over one year
    (3.98 )
-100 over one year
    2.88  


(1)   In general, short and long-term rates are assumed to increase or decrease, in parallel fashion, across all four quarters and then remain unchanged. However, the rates paid on core deposits are assumed to reprice at only half the increment in the case of the up and down 100 basis points scenarios and up 200 basis points scenario.

Actual results will differ from simulated results due to timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest rate changes, as well as changes in market conditions and management strategies.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

An evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”)) as of September 30, 2003 was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and several other members of the Company’s senior management. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as currently in effect are effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Act is (i) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management (including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) in a timely manner, and (ii) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Act) that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2003, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

The Company intends to continually review and evaluate the design and effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures and to improve its controls and procedures over time and to correct any deficiencies that it may discover in the future. The goal is to ensure that senior management has timely access to all material financial and non-financial information concerning the Company’s business. While the Company believes the present design of its disclosure controls and procedures is effective to achieve its goal, future events affecting its business may cause the Company to modify its disclosure controls and procedures.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 5. Other Information

Cash Dividend – On October 22, 2003, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.26 per share. The cash dividend is payable November 20, 2003 to shareholders of record on

23


Table of Contents

November 6, 2003. This quarterly payout will bring the cash dividend to $.98 per share for the full year of 2003, up 18.1% from the $.83 per share paid in 2002.

ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  Exhibits: See Index to Exhibits.

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K: None

SIGNATURES

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

             
        CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL, INC.    
 
Date:   November 10, 2003   /s/ Charles John Koch

   
 
        Charles John Koch
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal
Executive Officer)
   
 
Date:   November 10, 2003   /s/ Richard W. Neu

   
 
        Richard W. Neu
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
   

24


Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

     
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
DESCRIPTION
     
3.1   Registrant’s Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and currently in effect, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 (File No. 001-15495), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
3.2   Registrant’s Bylaws, as amended and restated and currently in effect, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (File No. 001-15495), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
4.1   Form of Certificate of Common Stock, as currently in effect, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 (File No. 001-15495), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
4.2   Amended and Restated Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated October 20, 1999, between the Company and Fleet National Bank (f/k/a BankBoston, N.A.), as rights agent, filed as Exhibit 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed on October 30, 1999 (File No. 001-15495), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
4.3   The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, with copies of all instruments defining rights of holders of long-term debt of Charter One and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
     
 
10.1   Registrant’s Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, filed on January 22, 1988 as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-16207), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.2   Registrant’s Directors’ Stock Option Plan, filed on January 22, 1988 as Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-16207), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.3   Charter One Bank, F.S.B. Executive Incentive Goal Achievement Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 (File No. 000-16311) is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.4   First American Savings Bank, F.S.B. Nonqualified Retirement Plan and First Amendment thereto, filed as Exhibit 10.17 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993 (File No. 000-16311), are incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.5   FirstFed Michigan Corporation 1991 Stock Option Plan, filed on November 1, 1995 as an exhibit to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-61273), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.6   Amendment 1, dated May 3, 1996, to Forms of Supplemental Retirement Agreements, dated October 31, 1995, between Charter One and Charles John Koch, Richard W. Neu, John David Koch, Mark D. Grossi, and Robert J. Vana filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 000-16311), is incorporated herein by reference. The Agreements, originally filed on July 25, 1995 as Exhibits 10.4 and 10.5 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 33-61273), are incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.7   Amended and Restated Employment Agreements, effective August 1, 1999, between Charter One Financial, Inc. and Charles John Koch, Richard W. Neu, John D. Koch, Mark D. Grossi, and Robert J. Vana filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (File No. 000-16311), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.8   Alliance Bancorp 1997 Long-Term Incentive Stock Benefit Plan, filed as an attachment to the proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders of Alliance held on May 28, 1997 (File No. 000-20082), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
10.9   Hinsdale Financial Corporation 1994 Incentive Stock Option Plan, filed as an attachment to the proxy

25


Table of Contents

    statement for the annual meeting of stockholders of Alliance held on February 8, 1995 (File No. 000-20082), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.10   Hinsdale Financial Corporation 1992 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors and the Hinsdale Financial Corporation 1992 Incentive Stock Option Plan, filed as attachments to the proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders of Alliance held on February 10, 1993 (File No. 000-20082) is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.11   Charter One Financial, Inc. 1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 (File No. 001-15495), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.12   1992 Stock-Based Compensation Plan of RCSB Financial, Inc., filed on October 8, 1997, as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment Number One on Form S-8 to Form S-4 (File No. 333-33259), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.13   Home Federal Savings Bank Stock Compensation Program, filed on September 29, 1997 as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment Number One on Form S-8 to Form S-4 (File No. 333-33169), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.14   The RCSB Financial, Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated on December 1, 1998, filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 000-16311), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.15   ALBANK Financial Corporation 1992 Stock Incentive Plan for Key Employees, as amended and restated as of December 18, 1995, filed as Exhibit 10.11 to ALBANK’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 (File No. 000-19843), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.16   ALBANK Financial Corporation 1995 Stock Incentive Plan for Outside Directors, filed as Exhibit 10.12.1 to ALBANK’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 (File No. 000-19843), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.17   ALBANK Financial Corporation 1992 Stock Incentive Plan for Outside Directors, filed as an appendix to the Proxy Statement for the 1992 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of ALBANK held on October 26, 1992 (File No. 001-19843), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.18   Employment Agreement, dated November 30, 1998, between Charter One Financial, Inc. and Herbert G. Chorbajian, filed as Exhibit 10.20 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 000-16311), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.19   Charter One Financial, Inc. Top Executive Incentive Goal Achievement Plan, filed on October 1, 1998 as Annex E to the Prospectus contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-65137), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.20   Charter One Bank, N.A.’s Director Non-Stock Deferred Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 001-15495), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.21   Charter One Bank, N.A.’s Non-Stock Deferred Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 001-15495), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.22   Charter One Bank, N.A.’s Stock Deferred Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 001-15495), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.23   Master Trust Agreement for Charter One Financial, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plans, filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 001-15495), is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
 
10.24   Amendment No. 1 to the amended and restated Charter One Financial, Inc. 1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant’’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 001-15495), is incorporated herein by reference.

26


Table of Contents

11   Statement Regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings
 
     
 
31.1   Certification Required by Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-14(a) (Chief Executive Officer)
 
     
 
31.2   Certification Required by Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-14(a) (Chief Financial Officer)
 
     
 
32   Certifications Required by Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code

27