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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

     
x
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
   
  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003
 
   
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
   
  For the transition period from __________ to __________
 
   
  Commission file number 0-24120

WESTERN OHIO FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Name of registrant in its charter)
     
DELAWARE   31-1403116
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
28 East Main Street    
Springfield, Ohio   45501-0509
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (937) 325-4683

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(Title of class)

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 requirements for the past 90 days. YES x. NO o

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2. YES o NO x.

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant, based upon the last reported sale price of the registrant’s Common Stock on June 30, 2003 was $42.8 million.

At March 1, 2004, there were issued and outstanding 1,779,823 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Parts II and IV of Form 10-K — Portions of the Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
Part III of Form 10-K — Portions of the Proxy Statement for the registrant’s 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Western Ohio Financial Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Cornerstone Bank, may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements,” including statements contained in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements may be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the exhibits attached to it, in the Company’s reports to shareholders and in other communications, which are made in good faith by us pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

These forward-looking statements include statements about our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions, that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors, some of which are beyond our control. The words “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause our financial performance to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements:

    the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct operations;

    the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board;

    inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations;

    the timely development and acceptance of our new products and services 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 willingness of users to substitute our products and services for products and services of our competitors;

    our success in gaining regulatory approval of our products and services, when required;

    the impact of changes in financial services’ laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance);

    the impact of technological changes;

    acquisitions;

    changes in consumer spending and saving habits; and,

    our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

The list of important factors stated above is not exclusive. We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of Western Ohio Financial Corporation or Cornerstone Bank.

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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Item 10A. CODE OF ETHICS
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
SIGNATURES
EX-13
EX-21
EX-23
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32


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PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

Western Ohio Financial Corporation (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, was organized in March 1994 for the purpose of becoming a savings and loan holding company. Western Ohio Financial Corporation owns Cornerstone Bank (the “Bank”) whose principal business has traditionally consisted of attracting deposits from the general public, and making loans secured by residential real estate. In October 1997, the Company formed another subsidiary, CornerstoneBanc Financial Services, Incorporated (formerly West Central Mortgage Services, Incorporated), (“CFSI”). This subsidiary originates and purchases mortgage loans, which are outside of the normal lending area for Cornerstone Bank.

The Company is subject to supervision by the Office of Thrift Supervision, Department of Treasury (“OTS”) and the Bank is subject to comprehensive regulation, examination and supervision by the OTS and by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) system and its deposits are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government and are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC.

The Company serves its customers through its main office in Springfield, Ohio and six branch offices in Enon, New Carlisle, Springfield, Yellow Springs, Beavercreek and Centerville. At December 31, 2003, the Company had total assets of $399.5 million, deposits of $248.7 million and shareholders’ equity of $44.4 million, or 11.1% of total assets. The Company’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “WOFC.”

The Company has been, and intends to continue to be, a community-oriented savings and loan holding company offering a variety of financial services to meet the needs of the communities it serves. The principal business of the Company consists of attracting retail deposits from the general public and investing those funds primarily in one- to four family residential real estate, commercial and multi-family real estate, construction loans and consumer and commercial business loans, all primarily within the Company’s market areas.

The executive offices of the Company are located at 28 East Main Street, Springfield, Ohio 45501-0509, and the telephone number at that address is (937) 325-4683.

The Corporation’s primary market area consists of Clark, Greene, Franklin and portions of Montgomery counties. Located in west-central Ohio, Clark and Greene counties’ economic environment consists of a traditional industrial base supplemented by the service and support industries, and its close proximity to a major U.S. military installation, Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Since September 11, 2001, the Air Force Base has increased some of its military operations. Navistar Truck Manufacturer is the largest industrial employer in Clark County. While Navistar’s Clark county operations have provided stable employment for the area over the last several decades, in recent years Navistar has shifted its operations to smaller truck production, which has led to layoffs that could possibly affect the economic viability of the Corporation’s market area. The Community Hospital, Clark State Community College, Mercy Medical Center and Wittenberg University are also major employers in the area. While the Bank has no branches in Franklin County, the Company does commercial and commercial real estate lending to business customers in this market located in central Ohio. The Franklin County market, which includes Columbus, Ohio, the state capital, Ohio State University, and a relatively high concentration of insurance companies, is primarily a service-oriented economy with a fairly stable economic environment. According to the estimated 2001 U.S. Census, Clark County had a population of approximately 144,076, Greene county 148,426 and Montgomery county 554,232. In comparison to the 1990 U.S. Census, Clark County decreased .5%, Greene County increased .4% and Montgomery county decreased .9%.

Unemployment for all four counties has improved during the past year with Clark and Montgomery County unemployment rates moving fairly consistent with the national average while Greene County has remained below the national rate of unemployment. In 2002, Clark County had an unemployment rate of 6.4% as compared to the State of Ohio at 5.0%. The unemployment rate in Clark County decreased to 6.0% in 2003 as compared with 6.2% for the State of Ohio. For the year ended 2003, Greene County had an unemployment rate of 4.6%, up from 3.9% in 2002. Montgomery County had an unemployment rate of 5.3% in 2003 compared to 4.7% in the year 2002. In addition, Franklin County had an unemployment rate of 4.0% in 2003 compared to 3.9% in the year 2002.

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RISK FACTORS

Like all regulated financial institutions, the Company is exposed to numerous risks that could adversely impact profits, financial condition and cash flows, and, ultimately, franchise value. In order to mitigate these risks somewhat, the Company has various policies, personnel and committees that establish limits for and monitor various aspects of its risk profile. There can be no assurance that such policies, personnel and committees will be effective in controlling these or other risks.

Geographic Risks

A significant majority of the Company’s assets, deposits and fee income is generated in Company’s local lending area. As a result, deterioration of local economic conditions in this area could expose the Company to losses associated with higher loan default rates and lower asset collateral values, deposit withdrawals and other factors that could adversely impact its financial condition and results of operations.

Fluctuations in Interest Rates (Market Risk)

Significant increases in market interest rates, or the perception that an increase may occur, could adversely impact the Company’s ability to generate new variable loans and cause the value of its fixed-rate assets to decline. An increase in market interest rates may also adversely impact the ability of adjustable rate borrowers to meet repayment obligations, thereby causing nonperforming loans and loan charge-offs to increase. Significant decreases in market interest rates could result in an acceleration of loan repayments thereby mitigating the positive impact of declining interest rates on fixed rate assets. Changes in market interest rates, including changes in the relationship between short-term and long-term market interest rates or between different rate indices, can impact interest rate spread.

Competition Risk

The Company faces significant competitive pressure from local, regional, national and international banking institutions as well as thrifts, finance companies, credit unions, brokerage and insurance companies and other financial intermediaries. Many of the Company’s competitors are larger and have greater financial and other resources. The Company competes on the basis of its reputation, localized decision-making, interest rates, convenient locations and quality of customer service.

Credit Risk

The Company is exposed to credit risk on the loans and other credit instruments it has in its portfolio. While the portfolio is closely monitored and an on-going analysis and evaluation of this risk is performed, because of the nature of the Company’s business, unexpected credit losses may subsequently be identified as a result of additional analysis performed by the Company or comments received from regulatory examiners. In addition, collateral values may deteriorate subsequent to the making of a loan so that a loss exposure develops.

Legislative and Regulatory Risk

The Company’s operations are subject to extensive regulation by federal banking authorities and are also subject to various laws and judicial and administrative decisions imposing requirements and restrictions on its operations. Policies adopted and positions taken by these regulatory and administrative entities can impact the Company’s operations. In addition, these authorities periodically conduct examinations of the Company and may impose various requirements or sanctions. The regulatory environment may periodically change significantly as new laws

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and regulations are promulgated. As a result of new laws and regulations, the competitive environment may also change significantly.

Dividend Limitation Risk

The Company is a holding company and its operations are conducted primarily through the Bank, its operating subsidiary. Thus, the Company’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders and to service its debt is dependent primarily upon the ability of the Bank to make dividend and other payments to the Company. Certain laws and regulatory requirements restrict the ability of the Bank to make such payments to the Company, and the Company to make payments to shareholders.

Liquidity Risk

The Company closely monitors its liquidity position including its sources of funding and commitments to fund assets or deposit withdrawals. The Company maintains several credit facilities. The Company believes that it has sufficient liquidity to fund its commitments. However, changes in the stability of the economic, social or political environments culminating in large withdrawals, or a deterioration in the public’s confidence in the banking system in general or the Company in particular, could have an adverse impact on the Company’s liquidity position.

Operational Risk

The Company relies on various information systems for operating significant aspects of its business, including loan and deposit information, as well as internal management systems. These systems and the Company’s operations could be adversely affected by, among other things, damage or interruption from natural disasters, power loss, network failure, improper operations, security breaches, computer viruses or sabotage. Controls and procedures have been implemented to minimize these risks, but any disruption in the operation of the Company’s various information systems could adversely impact its operations, which may affect its results of operations and financial condition.

Reputation Risk

The Company strives to operate in a professional manner and has implemented various personnel policies and procedures, including an employee code of conduct applicable to all employees, to help ensure the maintenance of integrity and professionalism. Nevertheless, the Company or its employees may fail to perform in accordance with these policies and procedures, or the Company may find itself in a situation that is embarrassing from a public relations perspective and, upon this information becoming public knowledge, may suffer damage to its reputation. This damage could adversely impact customer confidence and have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Disintermediation

In the banking and financial services businesses, disintermediation is the process by which customers and potential customers bypass banks and other traditional financial institutions thereby depleting anticipated revenue streams. While the Company continues its efforts to make its products and services an integral, valuable component of its customers’ financial transactions, the possibility of disintermediation is an inherent risk in the banking and traditional financial services business as customers may migrate to other financial intermediaries.

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Lending Activities

General

The Company primarily focuses its lending activities on the origination of loans secured by first mortgages on owner-occupied, one-to-four family real estate, commercial and multi-family real estate and construction loans, home equity and commercial business loans in its market area as well as other areas beyond its normal lending territory. At December 31, 2003, the Company’s net loan portfolio, excluding loans in process and deferred loan fees, premiums and discounts, totaled $334.5 million. At December 31, 2003, the Company’s gross loan portfolio totaled $337.3 million, of which $175.1 million, or 51.9%, was comprised of permanent loans secured by one-to-four family real estate.

The aggregate amount of loans that the Bank is permitted to make under applicable federal regulations to any one borrower, including related entities, or the aggregate amount that the Bank could have invested in any one real estate project, is generally the greater of 15% of unimpaired capital and surplus or $500,000. See “Regulation — Federal Regulation of Savings Institutions.” At December 31, 2003, the maximum amount that the Bank could have loaned to any one borrower and the borrower’s related entities was $6.5 million. At December 31, 2003, the Bank did not have any loans outstanding in excess of such limitation. The largest principal balance and commitment to lend to any one borrower, or group of related borrowers, at the Bank was $5.3 million secured by multiple loans ranging in size from approximately $5,000 for a motor vehicle to a letter of credit secured by real estate mortgage and a limited guarantee from Community hospital. In addition, one borrower had a tax-free bond purchased by Cornerstone secured by real estate on assisted living quarters. The third was a participation loan with Bank One secured by real estate. At December 31, 2003, each of these loans was performing in accordance with its terms.

Management always reserves the right to change its emphasis on the amount or type of lending in which the Company engages to adjust to market or other factors, including changes in the Company’s asset/liability management policies.

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Loan Portfolio Composition

The following information reflects the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio in dollar amounts and in percentages (before deductions for loans in process, deferred fees and discounts and allowance for losses) as of the dates indicated.

                                                                                 
    December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
    Amount
  Percent
  Amount
  Percent
  Amount
  Percent
  Amount
  Percent
  Amount
  Percent
                            (Dollars in Thousands)                                        
Real Estate Loans:
                                                                               
One-to-four family
  $ 175,139       51.91 %   $ 124,117       47.70 %   $ 154,915       56.82 %   $ 178,106       61.85 %   $ 178,304       68.01 %
Multi-family
    24,685       7.32       25,113       9.65       28,665       10.51       29,610       10.28       30,233       11.53  
Commercial real estate
    88,787       26.32       61,918       23.80       40,176       14.73       38,309       13.31       22,339       8.52  
Construction
    3,473       1.03       4,644       1.78       3,737       1.37       8,476       2.94       6,923       2.64  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total real estate loans
    292,084       86.58       215,792       82.93       227,493       83.43       254,501       88.38       237,799       90.70  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Other Loans:
                                                                               
Consumer Loans:
                                                                               
Home equity
    24,426       7.24       21,587       8.30       19,468       7.14       17,766       6.17       15,369       5.86  
Deposit account
    48             29             45       .02       85       .03       146       .06  
Home improvement
                                                           
Other secured
    222       .07       302       .12       471       .17       957       .33       1,664       .64  
Other
    479       .14       517       .20       773       .28       566       .20       1,679       .64  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total consumer loans
    25,175       7.45       22,435       8.62       20,757       7.61       19,374       6.73       18,858       7.20  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Commercial business loans
    20,107       5.96       21,977       8.45       24,415       8.96       14,090       4.89       5,499       2.10  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total other loans
    45,282       13.41       44,412       17.07       45,172       16.57       33,464       11.62       24,357       9.30  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total loans
    337,366       100.00 %     260,204       100.00 %     272,665       100.00 %     287,965       100.00 %     262,156       100.00 %
 
           
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
     
 
     
 
 
Less:
                                                                               
Loans in process
    (1,313 )             (1,390 )             (1,553 )             (2,609 )             (4,659 )        
Deferred fees and discounts
    217               (125 )             (117 )             (87 )             (62 )        
Allowance for loan losses
    (1,801 )             (1,806 )             (1,695 )             (1,665 )             (2,781 )        
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
         
Total loans , net
  $ 334,469             $ 256,883             $ 269,300             $ 283,604             $ 254,654          
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
         

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The following schedule shows the contractual maturity of the Company’s gross loan portfolio at December 31, 2003. The schedule does not include any principal prepayment assumptions (dollars in thousands).

                                                                                                 
    One- to                                   Construction and        
    Four-family
  Nonresidential
  Commercial
  Development
  Consumer
  Total
Due During                                                                        
Periods           Weighted           Weighted           Weighted           Weighted           Weighted           Weighted
Ending           Average           Average           Average           Average           Average           Average
December 31
  Amount
  Rate
  Amount
  Rate
  Amount
  Rate
  Amount
  Rate
  Amount
  Rate
  Amount
  Rate
2004(1)(2)
  $ 5,051       4.87 %   $ 15,180       4.29 %   $ 8,991       4.42 %   $ 3,145       5.91 %   $ 60       7.43 %   $ 32,427       4.58 %
2005 to 2008
    4,516       6.80       18,629       5.37       5,346       4.90                   5,881       4.70       34,372       5.37  
2009 and following
    165,572       5.69       79,663       5.86       5,770       6.57       328       7.38       19,234       4.09       270,567       5.65  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 175,139       5.69 %   $ 113,472       5.57 %   $ 20,107       5.16 %   $ 3,473       6.05 %   $ 25,175       4.24 %   $ 337,366       5.52 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

(1)   Includes construction loans.
 
(2)   Includes demand loans and loans having no stated maturity.

The following table sets forth at December 31, 2003, the dollar amount of gross loans receivable contractually due after December 31, 2004, and whether such loans have fixed interest rates or adjustable interest rates (dollars in thousands).

                         
    Due After December 31, 2004
    Fixed
  Adjustable
  Total
Real estate loans:
                       
One-to-four family
  $ 133,686     $ 36,402     $ 170,088  
Nonresidential
    11,260       87,032       98,292  
Construction
    328             328  
Other loans:
                       
Consumer loans
    610       24,505       25,115  
Commercial business loans
    1,674       9,442       11,116  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 147,558     $ 157,381     $ 304,939  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

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One- to Four-Family Residential Mortgage and Construction Lending

The Company focuses its lending efforts on the origination and purchase of loans secured by first mortgages on owner-occupied, one-to-four family residences. Residential loan originations of this type are generated by the Company’s marketing efforts, its present customers, walk-in customers and referrals from real estate agents and builders. At December 31, 2003, the Company’s one-to-four family residential permanent mortgage loans totaled $175.1 million, or 51.9% of the Company’s total gross loan portfolio.

At December 31, 2003, $134.6 million of the Company’s one-to-four family residential mortgage loans, or 39.9% of the Company’s total gross loan portfolio, had fixed interest rates. From time to time, the Company may purchase loans secured by one-to-four family residences.

The Company currently originates up to a maximum of 30-year, owner occupied one-to-four family residential mortgage loans in amounts up to 97% of the appraised value of the security property provided that private mortgage insurance is obtained in an amount sufficient to reduce the Company’s exposure to at or below the 80% loan-to-value level. Interest rates charged on these loans are priced on a regular basis according to market conditions. Residential loans do not include prepayment penalties. The Company also originates up to a maximum of 30-year one-to-four family residential loans to nonowner-occupants, with loan-to-value ratios of up to 100% with private mortgage insurance.

In underwriting one-to-four family residential real estate loans, the Company evaluates, among other things, both the borrower’s ability to make monthly payments and the value of the property securing the loan. Most properties securing real estate loans made by the Company are appraised by independent licensed fee appraisers approved by the Board of Directors. The Company requires borrowers to obtain title, fire and property insurance (including flood insurance, if necessary) in an amount not less than the amount of the loan. In prior years, the Company has accepted title opinions. Real estate loans originated by the Company generally contain a “due on sale” clause allowing the Company to declare the unpaid principal balance due and payable upon the sale or disposition of the secured property.

The Company originates a limited number of loans to finance the construction of one-to-four family residences. At December 31, 2003, the Company had loans to finance the construction of one-to-four family residences totaling $3.5 million, or 1.0% of the Company’s loan portfolio. Substantially all of these loans are made to individuals who propose to occupy the premises upon completion of construction. Construction loans are generally structured for up to a 30-year term with a six-month construction phase, during which the borrower pays interest only. Upon completion of the construction phase, these loans continue as permanent loans of the Company. Loan proceeds are disbursed in increments as construction progresses and as inspections warrant.

Multi-Family and Commercial Real Estate Lending

The Company also engages in commercial and multi-family real estate lending. At December 31, 2003, the Company had $113.5 million of permanent commercial and multi-family real estate loans, which represented 33.6% of the Company’s gross loan portfolio.

The Company’s commercial and multi-family real estate loan portfolio is secured primarily by apartment buildings, office buildings, strip shopping centers, motels, nursing homes, restaurants and churches located in the Company’s market areas. Multi-family and commercial real estate loans generally have terms that do not exceed 15 years. Generally, the loans are made in amounts up to 75% of the appraised value of the secured property. The Company analyzes the financial condition of the borrower, the borrower’s credit history, and the reliability and predictability of the cash flow generated by the property securing the loan. Currently, appraisals on properties securing multi-family and commercial real estate loans originated by the Company are performed by independent licensed fee appraisers. Construction loans on multi-family and commercial real estate projects are structured to be converted to permanent loans at the end of the construction phase, which generally runs up to 12 months. These construction loans have rates and terms that generally match any permanent multi-family or commercial real estate loan then offered by the Company, except that during the construction phase, the

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borrower pays interest only. These loans generally provide for the payment of interest and loan fees from loan proceeds.

Construction and development loans are obtained principally through continued business from developers and builders who have previously borrowed from the Company, as well as referrals from existing customers and walk-in customers. The application process includes a submission to the Company of accurate plans, specifications and costs of the project to be constructed/developed. These items are used as a basis to determine the appraised value of the subject property. Loans are based on the lesser of current appraised value or the cost of construction (land plus building).

In addition, the Company from time to time has purchased loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate. The Company purchased approximately $6.9 million of commercial and multi-family real estate participation loans in fiscal 2003.

Loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate properties are generally larger and involve a greater degree of credit risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Because payments on loans secured by commercial real estate properties are often dependent on the successful operation or management of the properties, repayment of such loans may be subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. If the cash flow from the project is reduced (for example, if leases are not obtained or renewed), the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. The largest single loan is $5.3 million and is secured by commercial real estate and was performing in accordance with its terms as of December 31, 2003.

Consumer Lending

The Company offers secured and unsecured consumer loans, including home improvement loans, home equity loans, loans secured by savings deposits and equity securities, and retail mobile home loans. The Company currently originates all of its consumer loans in its primary market areas. The Company originates consumer loans on a direct basis by extending credit directly to the borrower.

At December 31, 2003, consumer loans excluding home equity loans were $749,000 or .2% of the Company’s gross loan portfolio. Home equity loans were $24.4 million or 7.2% of the Company’s gross loan portfolio as of December 31, 2003.

Consumer loan terms vary according to the type and value of collateral, length of contract and creditworthiness of the borrower. Loans secured by deposit accounts at the Company are currently originated for up to 90% of the account balance with a hold placed on the account restricting the withdrawal of the account balance.

The underwriting standards employed by the Company for consumer loans, other than loans secured by deposits, include an application, a determination of the applicant’s payment history on other debts and an assessment of ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan. Although creditworthiness of the applicant is a primary consideration, the underwriting process also includes a comparison of the value of the security, if any, in relation to the proposed loan amount.

Consumer loans may entail greater credit risk than do residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured. In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss, depreciation or fluctuation in value. In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus are more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans.

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Commercial Business Lending

Commercial business loans have been added to the list of the Company’s products. The outstanding balance of unsecured commercial lines of credit was $57,000 as of December 31, 2003. Commercial loans secured by other than mortgage had outstanding balances of $20.0 million as of December 31, 2003. The purpose of these loans will generally be for working capital or expansion of existing businesses. These loans have been priced at prime plus a specified spread, or at the one-year constant-maturity treasury index plus a specified spread. Some of these loans are payable on demand.

Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment and other income and which are secured by real property the value of which tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial business loans typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial business loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself (which, in turn, is likely to be dependent upon the general economic environment). The Bank’s commercial business loans may be secured by business assets. However, the collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business.

Originations, Purchases and Sales of Loans

While the Company offers fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans, its ability to originate loans is dependent upon the relative customer demand for loans in its market areas, which is affected by the interest rate environment and other factors. From time to time, the Company may purchase loans in order to continue to leverage the Bank’s borrowing ability, provide more interest rate sensitive assets, and supplement a slow down in the local mortgage market. The Bank will continue to evaluate purchase opportunities.

Non-Performing Assets and Classified Assets

When a borrower fails to make a required payment on real estate secured loans and consumer loans, a notice is sent 30 days after payment is due. At 60 days after the payment is due, the Company generally initiates collection procedures by written notice and/or telephone call. In most cases, delinquencies are cured promptly. However, if a loan secured by real estate or other collateral has been delinquent for more than 90 days, satisfactory payment arrangements must be adhered to or the Company will initiate proceedings for foreclosure or repossession.

When a loan becomes delinquent 90 days or more or when the collection of principal or interest becomes doubtful, the Company will place the loan on non-accrual status and, as a result, previously accrued interest income on the loan is taken out of current income. The loan will remain on non-accrual status as long as the loan is 90 days or more delinquent.

The following table sets forth information concerning delinquent loans at December 31, 2003. The amounts presented represent the total remaining principal balances of the related loans, rather than the actual payment amounts which are overdue.

                         
    Loans Delinquent for:
                    Total
    60-89 Days
  90 Days and Over
  60 Days and Over
    (Dollars in Thousands)
Real estate
                       
One- to four-family
  $ 523     $ 1,266     $ 1,789  
Construction
                 
Commercial
    80             80  
Multi-family
                 
Consumer/commercial
    62       153       215  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 665     $ 1,419     $ 2,084  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

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The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of non-performing assets in the Company’s loan portfolio. For all periods presented, the Company has had no troubled debt restructurings (which involve forgiving a portion of interest or principal on any loans or making loans at a rate materially less than that of market rates). Foreclosed assets include assets acquired in settlement of loans.

                                         
    At December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
Nonaccruing loans
                                       
One- to four-family
  $ 1,266     $ 1,536     $ 1,767     $ 2,443     $ 1,304  
Consumer
    149       32       11       64       20  
Commercial real estate/business loans
    4       211       1,040       1,094       1,431  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
    1,419       1,779       2,818       3,601       2,755  
Accruing loans delinquent more than 90 days
                             
Troubled debt restructurings
                             
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total nonperforming loans
  $ 1,419     $ 1,779     $ 2,818     $ 3,601     $ 2,755  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total as a percentage of total loans
    0.36 %     0.66 %     0.82 %     1.02 %     0.84 %
Total allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans
    126.92 %     101.52 %     60.15 %     46.24 %     100.94 %

For the year ended December 31, 2003, gross interest income that would have been recorded had the non-accruing loans been current in accordance with their original terms amounted to approximately $16,000.

As of December 31, 2003, the Company had no other interest bearing assets, which would be required to be disclosed as non-performing if such assets were loans.

The Company had no foreign loans outstanding for any of the years presented. Other than the categories noted on page 5, there is no concentration of loans in any industry greater than 10% in the portfolio.

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Classified Assets

Federal regulations provide for the classification of loans and other assets such as debt and equity securities considered by the OTS to be of lesser quality, as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss.” An asset is considered “substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the “distinct possibility” that the Bank will sustain “some loss” if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as “doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified “substandard,” with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make “collection or liquidation in full,” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, “highly questionable and improbable.” Assets classified as “loss” are those considered “uncollectible” and of such little value that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted. Assets that do not currently expose the Bank to sufficient risk to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories but possess weaknesses are required to be designated “special mention” by management.

When a bank classifies problem assets as either substandard or doubtful, it may establish general allowances for loan losses in an amount deemed prudent by management. General allowances represent loss allowances that have been established to recognize the inherent risk associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets. When a savings bank classifies problem assets as “loss,” it is required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of that portion of the asset so classified or to charge-off such amount. A savings bank’s determination as to the classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances is subject to review by the savings bank’s Regional Director at the regional OTS office, who may order the establishment of additional general or specific loss allowances.

In connection with the filing of its periodic reports with the OTS and in accordance with its classification of assets policy, the Bank regularly reviews the loans in its portfolio to determine whether any loans require classification in accordance with applicable regulations. On the basis of management’s review of its assets, at December 31, 2003, the Bank had classified a total of $1.6 million, or .4%, of its total assets as substandard and $168,000 as doubtful. At December 31, 2002, total classified assets were $1.9 million, or .5% of the Bank’s assets.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk in its loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of its loan activity. Such evaluation, which includes a review of loans for which full collectibility may not be reasonably assured, considers among other matters, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an adequate loan loss allowance.

Real estate properties acquired through foreclosure are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value. If fair value at the date of foreclosure is lower than the balance of the related loan, the difference will be charged-off to the allowance at the time of transfer. Valuations are periodically updated by management and if the value declines, a specific provision for losses on such property is established by a charge to operations.

Although management believes that it uses the best information available to determine the allowance for loan losses, unforeseen market conditions could result in adjustments and net earnings could be significantly affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the final determination. At December 31, 2003, the Company had a total allowance for loan losses of $1.8 million, or .53%of total loans. See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders filed as Exhibit 13 hereto.

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The following table sets forth an analysis of the Company’s allowance for loan losses.

                                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
            (Dollars in Thousands)        
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 1,806     $ 1,695     $ 1,665     $ 2,781     $ 3,200  
Charge-offs
                                       
One- to four-family
    (34 )     (246 )     (57 )     (41 )     (215 )
Consumer
    (50 )     (20 )     (125 )     (103 )     (373 )
Commercial
    (269 )     (267 )     (231 )     (1,444 )     (148 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    (353 )     (533 )     (413 )     (1,588 )     (736 )
Recoveries
                                       
One- to four-family
    14       38       27       38       20  
Consumer
    6       16       41       66       48  
Commercial
    42       247       17       19       3  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    62       301       85       123       71  
Net charge-offs
    (291 )     (232 )     (328 )     (1,465 )     (665 )
Additions charged to operations
    286       343       358       349       246  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance at end of period
  $ 1,801     $ 1,806     $ 1,695     $ 1,665     $ 2,781  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the year
    0.10 %     0.09 %     0.12 %     0.54 %     0.27 %

The distribution of the Company’s allowance for losses on loans at the dates indicated is summarized as follows:

                                                                                 
    December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
        % of           % of           % of           % of           % of
        Total           Total           Total           Total           Total
    Amount
  Loans
  Amount
  Loans
  Amount
  Loans
  Amount
  Loans
  Amount
  Loans
                                    (Dollars in Thousands)                                
One- to four-family
  $ 377       52.9 %   $ 609       49.5 %   $ 636       58.2 %   $ 686       64.8 %   $ 477       70.7 %
Commercial real estate
    344       33.6       268       33.5       168       25.2       156       23.6       898       20.0  
Consumer/ Commercial business
    85       13.5       45       17.0       340       16.6       534       11.6       771       9.3  
Unallocated
    995             884             551             289             635        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 1,801       100.0 %   $ 1,806       100.0 %   $ 1,695       100.0 %   $ 1,665       100.0 %   $ 2,781       100.0 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

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Investment Activities

Liquidity may increase or decrease depending upon the availability of funds and comparative yields on investments in relation to the return on loans. Historically, the Bank has maintained its liquid assets above the minimum requirements imposed by the OTS regulations and at a level believed adequate to meet requirements of normal daily activities, repayment of maturing debt and potential deposit outflows. As of December 31, 2003, Cornerstone considers its available liquidity sufficient to meet its outstanding short and long-term needs.

Federally chartered savings institutions have the authority to invest in various types of liquid assets, including United States Treasury obligations, securities of various federal agencies, mortgage-backed securities (“MBSs”), collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), certain certificates of deposit of insured banks and savings institutions, certain bankers’ acceptances, repurchase agreements and federal funds. Subject to various restrictions, federally chartered savings institutions may also invest their assets in commercial paper, investment grade corporate debt securities and mutual funds whose assets conform to the investments that a federally chartered savings institution is otherwise authorized to make directly.

The investment policy of the Company is to invest funds among various categories of investments and maturities based upon the need for liquidity, to achieve balance between its desire to minimize risk and maximize yield, to provide collateral for borrowings, and to fulfill the Company’s asset/liability management policies.

At December 31, 2003, the Company’s cash and interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions totaled $6.9 million, or 1.7% of total assets. The Company also has a $9.3 million investment in the common stock of the FHLB of Cincinnati in order to satisfy the requirement for membership therein.

The Company periodically invests in MBSs and CMOs (collectively “mortgage-backed securities”). At December 31, 2003 the Company had investments in mortgage-backed securities of $21.8 million, or 5.5% of total assets. The MBSs, which totaled $36.9 million at December 31, 2002, were all insured or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae. Accordingly, management believes that the Company’s mortgage-backed securities are generally more resistant to credit problems than loans, which generally lack such insurance or guarantees. Because these securities represent a pass through of principal and interest from underlying individual 30-year mortgages, such securities do present prepayment risk. The CMO securities held by the Company also carry certain risks. The principal represented by such securities may be repaid over a longer or shorter period than initially assumed and may hinder certain aspects of the Company’s asset/liability management strategy. As of December 31, 2003, the Company held $4.6 million of CMO securities. Mortgage-backed securities can serve as collateral for borrowings and, through sales and repayments, as a source of liquidity.

At December 31, 2003, the Company held $6.8 million in municipal securities, a decrease of $122,000. These municipal securities are primarily Ohio municipal debenture bonds with fixed rates.

OTS regulations restrict investments in corporate debt and equity securities by the Bank. These restrictions include prohibitions against investments in the debt securities of any one issuer in excess of 15% of the Bank’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus as defined by federal regulations, plus an additional 10% if the investments are fully secured by readily marketable collateral. At December 31, 2003, the Bank was in compliance with this regulation. See “Regulation - Federal Regulation of Savings Institutions” for a discussion of additional restrictions on the Bank’s investment activities.

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The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s investment portfolio at the dates indicated.

                                                 
    December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
    Amortized   Fair   Amortized   Fair   Amortized   Fair
    Cost
  Value
  Cost
  Value
  Cost
  Value
                    (Dollars in Thousands)                
Securities:
                                               
U.S. government agencies
  $ 4,090     $ 4,094     $ 2,052     $ 2,180     $ 2,105     $ 2,079  
Municipal securities
    6,774       6,833       6,932       6,955       1,634       1,563  
Mortgage-backed securities
    21,894       21,808       36,301       36,866       35,814       36,006  
FHLB stock
    9,335       9,335       8,971       8,971       8,568       8,568  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total securities and FHLB stock
  $ 42,093     $ 42,070     $ 54,256     $ 54,972     $ 48,121     $ 48,216  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

The table below sets forth certain information regarding the carrying value, weighted average yields and contractual maturities of the investment securities portfolio, excluding FHLB of Cincinnati stock, as of December 31, 2003. The weighted average yield has been computed using the historical amortized cost for securities available for sale.

                                         
    December 31, 2003
    Less Than   1 to 5   6 to 10   Over 10    
    1 Year
  Years
  Years
  Years
  Total
    Carrying   Carrying   Carrying   Carrying   Carrying
    Value
  Value
  Value
  Value
  Value
            (Dollars in Thousands)        
Securities:
                                       
U.S. government agencies
  $     $ 4,094     $     $     $ 4,094  
Municipal securities
                      6,833       6,833  
Mortgage-backed securities
    251       4,352       60       17,145       21,808  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total securities
  $ 251     $ 8,446     $ 60     $ 23,978     $ 32,735  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Weighted average yield
    7.50 %     5.26 %     11.40 %     4.20 %     4.51 %

Excluding those holdings in the investment portfolio in the U.S. government agencies, there were no investments in securities of any one issuer, which exceeded 10% of the consolidated shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2003.

Sources of Funds

General

The Company’s primary sources of funds are deposits, borrowings, repayment of loan principal, sales and repayments of mortgage-backed securities, and funds provided from operations. Borrowings, consisting of FHLB advances, may be used at times to compensate for seasonal reductions in deposits or deposit inflows at less than projected levels, and may be used on a longer-term basis to support expanded lending activities.

Deposits

The Company offers a variety of deposit accounts having a wide range of interest rates and terms. The Company’s deposits consist of passbook and statement savings accounts, NOW, demand and money market fund accounts, and certificate accounts ranging in terms from six months to ten years. The Company solicits deposits

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from its market area and sometimes uses brokers to obtain deposits. The Company relies primarily on competitive pricing policies, advertising and customer service to attract and retain these deposits.

The variety of deposit accounts offered by the Company has allowed it to be competitive in obtaining funds and to respond with flexibility to changes in consumer demand. The Company has become more susceptible to short-term fluctuations in deposit flows, as customers have become more interest rate conscious. The Company endeavors to manage the pricing of its deposits in keeping with its asset/liability management and profitability objectives. The ability of the Company to attract and maintain certificates of deposit accounts and the rates paid on these deposits has been and will continue to be significantly affected by market conditions.

The following table sets forth the average dollar amount of deposits in the various types of deposit programs offered by the Company and the average rate paid for those deposits for the periods indicated.

                                                 
    Year Ended December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
    Average   Average   Average   Average   Average   Average
    Amount
  Rate
  Amount
  Rate
  Amount
  Rate
                    (Dollars in Thousands)                
Demand and NOW accounts
  $ 29,064       0.34 %   $ 24,382       0.50 %   $ 19,148       0.81 %
Savings and money market accounts
    76,356       1.15       71,728       2.04       60,117       3.57  
Certificates of deposit
    119,122       3.55       121,156       4.68       133,226       5.98  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total deposits
  $ 224,542       2.40 %   $ 217,266       3.34 %   $ 212,491       4.83 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

The following table indicates the amount of the Company’s certificates of deposit and other deposits by time remaining until maturity as of December 31, 2003.

                                         
    Maturity
            Over   Over        
    3 Months   3 to 6   6 to 12   Over    
    or Less
  Months
  Months
  12 Months
  Total
            (Dollars in Thousands)        
Certificates of deposit less than $100,000
  $ 2,409     $ 2,365     $ 4,739     $ 41,260     $ 50,773  
Certificates of deposit $100,000 or more
    8,553       5,876       24,199       50,411       89,039  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total certificates of deposit
  $ 10,962     $ 8,241     $ 28,938     $ 91,671     $ 139,812  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Borrowings

Another source of funds includes advances from the FHLB of Cincinnati. As a member of the FHLB of Cincinnati, the Bank is required to own capital stock and is authorized to apply for advances. Each FHLB credit program has its own interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, and includes a range of maturities. The FHLB of Cincinnati may prescribe the acceptable uses to which these advances may be put, as well as limitations in the size of the advances and repayment provisions. The FHLB advances are secured by the Bank’s blanket agreement for advances and security agreement and are not tied to specific investments or loans.

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The following table sets forth the maximum month-end balance and average balance of FHLB advances for the periods indicated.

                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
    (Dollars in Thousands)
Average balance outstanding during the year
  $ 88,466     $ 83,599     $ 88,898  
Maximum balance outstanding at any month-end during the year
  $ 103,473     $ 90,737     $ 101,518  
Balance outstanding at end of period
  $ 103,473     $ 81,243     $ 76,655  
Weighted average interest rate during the year
    4.45 %     5.03 %     5.55 %
Weighted average interest rate at end of year
    4.03 %     4.92 %     5.45 %

Service Corporation Activities

Federal savings institutions generally may invest a limited percentage of their assets in service corporations. In addition, federal savings institutions may invest up to 50% of their regulatory capital in conforming loans to their service corporations. In addition to investments in service corporations, federal savings institutions are permitted to invest an unlimited amount in operating subsidiaries engaged solely in activities in which federal savings institutions may engage directly.

At December 31, 2003, the Bank had a book investment of $1.4 million in CornerstoneBanc Financial Services, an operating subsidiary created to generate mortgage lending in areas outside of the Bank’s normal lending area.

Competition

The Company faces strong competition, both in originating real estate and other loans and in attracting deposits. Competition in originating real estate loans comes primarily from commercial banks, other savings institutions, credit unions and mortgage bankers making loans secured by real estate located in the Company’s market area. The Company competes for real estate and other loans principally based on interest rates charged, the quality of services it provides to borrowers, loan fees it charges, and the types of loans it originates.

The Company attracts most of its deposits through its retail banking offices, primarily from the communities in which those retail banking offices are located; therefore, competition for those deposits is principally from commercial banks, other savings institutions, credit unions and brokerage firms located in the same communities. Periodically, the Company will solicit brokered deposits. The Company competes for these deposits by offering a variety of deposit accounts at competitive rates, convenient business hours, and convenient branch locations with interbranch deposit and withdrawal privileges at each.

On November 12, 1999, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “GLB Act”) was enacted into law. The GLB Act made sweeping changes in the financial services in which various types of financial institutions may engage. The Glass-Steagall Act, which had generally prevented banks from affiliation with securities and insurance firms, was repealed. A new “financial holding company,” which owns only well capitalized and well managed depository institutions, will be permitted to engage in a variety of financial activities, including insurance and securities underwriting and agency activities.

The GLB Act permits unitary savings and loan holding companies in existence on May 4, 1999, including the Company, to continue to engage in all activities that they were permitted to engage in prior to the enactment of the Act. Such activities are essentially unlimited, provided that the thrift subsidiary remains a qualified thrift lender. Any thrift holding company formed after May 4, 1999 will be subject to the same restrictions as a multiple

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thrift holding company. In addition, a unitary thrift holding company in existence at May 4, 1999 may be sold only to a financial holding company engaged in activities permissible for multiple savings and loan holding companies.

The GLB Act is not expected to have a material effect on the activities in which the Company is currently engaged, except to the extent that competition with other types of financial institutions may increase as they engage in activities not permitted prior to enactment of the GLB Act.

REGULATION

General

The Bank is subject to regulation, examination and oversight by the OTS and the FDIC. The Bank must file periodic reports with the OTS and FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition. Examinations are conducted periodically by federal regulators to determine whether the Bank complies with various regulatory requirements and is operating in a safe and sound manner. The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Cincinnati.

USA Patriot Act of 2001. In October 2001, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 was enacted in response to the terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., which occurred on September 11, 2001. The Patriot Act is intended to strengthen U.S. law enforcement’s and the intelligence communities’ abilities to work cohesively to combat terrorism on a variety of fronts. The potential impact of the Patriot Act on financial institutions of all kinds is significant and wide ranging. The Patriot Act contains sweeping anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws and imposes various regulations, including standards for verifying client identification at account opening, and rules to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulators and law enforcement entities in identifying parties that may be involved in terrorism or money laundering.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. On July 30, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the SOA. The SOA is the most far-reaching U.S. securities legislation enacted in many years, and includes many substantive and disclosure-based requirements. The stated goals of the SOA are to increase corporate responsibility, to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies and to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to the securities laws. The SOA generally applies to all companies, both U.S. and non-U.S., that file or are required to file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Given the extensive and continuing SEC role in implementing rules relating to many of the SOA’s new requirements, the effects of these requirements remain to be determined, although it is likely that the Company’s costs will increase somewhat, at least in the short term, as a result of SOA implementation. The Company is continuing to assess the financial effects of the SOA on its operations.

Office of Thrift Supervision

General

The OTS is an office in the Department of the Treasury and is responsible for the regulation and supervision of all federally-chartered savings and loan associations and all other savings and loan associations the deposits of which are insured by the FDIC. The OTS issues regulations governing the operation of savings and loan associations based on their asset size to cover the costs of this supervision and examination. The OTS also may initiate enforcement actions against savings and loan associations and certain persons affiliated with them for violations of laws or regulations or for engaging in unsafe or unsound practices. If the grounds provided by law exist, the OTS may appoint a conservator or receiver for a savings and loan association.

Savings associations are subject to regulatory oversight under various consumer protection and fair lending laws. These laws govern, among other things, truth-in-lending disclosures, equal credit opportunity, fair credit

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reporting and community reinvestment. Failure to abide by federal laws and regulations governing community reinvestment could limit the ability of an association to open a new branch or engage in a merger. Community reinvestment regulations evaluate how well and to what extent an institution lends and invests in its designated service area, with particular emphasis on low-to-moderate income communities and borrowers in that area. The Bank has received a “satisfactory” examination rating under those regulations.

Federal Regulation of Savings Institutions. The OTS has extensive authority over the operations of federal savings institutions. As part of this authority, the Bank is required to file periodic reports with the OTS and is subject to periodic examinations by the OTS and the FDIC. When these examinations are conducted by the OTS and the FDIC, the examiners may require an institution to provide for higher general or specific loan-loss reserves. All federal savings institutions are subject to a semi-annual assessment, based upon the institution’s total assets, to fund OTS operations. The Bank’s OTS assessment for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 was $81,000.

The OTS also has extensive enforcement authority over all federal savings institutions and their holding companies, including the Company. This enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease-and-desist or removal orders and to initiate injunctive actions. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated for violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. Other actions or inactions may provide the basis for enforcement action, including misleading or untimely reports filed with the OTS. Except under certain circumstances, public disclosure of final enforcement actions by the OTS is required.

In addition, the investment, lending and branching authority of the Bank is prescribed by federal laws and they are prohibited from engaging in any activities not permitted by such laws. For instance, no federal savings institution may invest in non-investment grade corporate debt-securities. In addition, the permissible level of investment by federal institutions in loans secured by non-residential real property may not exceed 400% of total capital, except with approval of the OTS. Federal savings institutions are also generally authorized to branch nationwide. The Bank complies with the noted restrictions.

The Bank’s general permissible lending limit for loans-to-one borrower is equal to the greater of $500,000 or 15% of unimpaired capital and surplus (except for loans fully secured by certain readily marketable collateral, in which case this limit is increased to 25% of unimpaired capital and surplus). At December 31, 2003 the Bank’s lending limit under this restriction was $6.5 million. The Bank complies with the loans-to-one borrower limitation.

The OTS, as well as the other federal banking agencies, has adopted guidelines establishing safety and soundness standards on such matters as loan underwriting and documentation, asset quality, earnings standards, internal controls and audit systems, interest rate risk exposure and compensation and other employee benefits. Any institution that fails to comply with these standards must submit a compliance plan.

Insurance of Accounts and Regulation by the FDIC

The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Savings Association Insurance Fund (“SAIF”), which is administered by the FDIC. Deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC and such insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. As insurer, the FDIC imposes deposit insurance premiums and is authorized to conduct examinations of and to require reporting by FDIC-insured institutions. It also may prohibit any FDIC-insured institution from engaging in any activity the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose a serious risk to the SAIF or the BIF. The FDIC also has the authority to initiate enforcement actions against savings associations, after giving the OTS an opportunity to take such action, and may terminate the deposit insurance if it determines that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, or is in an unsafe or unsound condition.

The FDIC’s deposit insurance premiums are assessed through a risk-based system under which all insured depository institutions are placed into one of nine categories and assessed insurance premiums based upon their

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level of capital and supervisory evaluation. Under the system, institutions classified as well capitalized (i.e., a core capital ratio of at least 5%, a ratio of Tier 1 or core capital to risk-weighted assets (“Tier 1 risk-based capital”) of at least 6% and a risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%) and considered healthy pay the lowest premium while institutions that are less than adequately capitalized (i.e., core or Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios of less than 4% or a risk-based capital ratio of less than 8%) and considered of substantial supervisory concern pay the highest premium. Risk classification of all insured institutions is made by the FDIC for each semi-annual assessment period. The Bank is classified as well capitalized.

The FDIC is authorized to increase assessment rates, on a semiannual basis, if it determines that the reserve ratio of the SAIF will be less than the designated reserve ratio of 1.25% of SAIF insured deposits. In setting these increased assessments, the FDIC must seek to restore the reserve ratio to that designated reserve level, or such higher reserve ratio as established by the FDIC. The FDIC may also impose special assessments on SAIF members to repay amounts borrowed from the United States Treasury or for any other reason deemed necessary by the FDIC.

Effective January 1, 1997, the premium schedule for BIF and SAIF insured institutions ranged from 0 to 27 basis points. However SAIF insured institutions are required to pay a Financing Corporation (“FICO”) assessment, in order to fund the interest on bonds issued to resolve thrift failures in the 1980s. The assessment was 1.7 basis points for the quarter ended December 31, 2003. These assessments, which may be revised based upon the level of BIF and SAIF deposits, will continue until the bonds mature in the year 2017.

Regulatory Capital Requirements

Federally insured savings associations are required to maintain a minimum level of regulatory capital. The OTS has established capital standards, including a tangible capital requirement, a leverage ratio (or core capital) requirement and a risk-based capital requirement applicable to such savings associations. These capital requirements must be generally as stringent as the comparable capital requirements for national banks. The OTS is also authorized to impose capital requirements in excess of these standards on individual associations on a case-by-case basis.

The capital regulations require tangible capital of at least 1.5% of adjusted total assets (as defined by regulation). Tangible capital generally includes common shareholders’ equity and retained income, and certain noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related income. In addition, all intangible assets, other than a limited amount of purchased mortgage-servicing rights, must be deducted from tangible capital.

The OTS regulations establish special capitalization requirements for savings associations that own subsidiaries. In determining compliance with the capital requirements, all subsidiaries engaged solely in activities permissible for national banks or engaged in certain other activities solely as agent for its customers are “includable” subsidiaries that are consolidated for capital purposes in proportion to the association’s level of ownership. For excludable subsidiaries, the debt and equity investments in such subsidiaries are deducted from assets and capital. The Bank’s subsidiaries are includable subsidiaries.

At December 31, 2003, the Bank had tangible capital of $41.3 million, or 10.3% of adjusted total assets, which is $35.3 million above the minimum requirement of 1.5% of adjusted total assets in effect on that date.

The capital standards also require core capital equal to at least 3% of adjusted total assets. Core capital generally consists of tangible capital plus certain intangible assets, including a limited amount of purchased credit card relationships. At December 31, 2003, the Bank had no intangibles that were subject to these tests. As a result of the prompt corrective action provisions discussed below, however, a savings association must maintain a core capital ratio of at least 4% to be considered adequately capitalized unless its supervisory condition is such to allow it to maintain a 3% ratio.

At December 31, 2003, the Bank had core capital equal to $41.3 million, or 10.3% of adjusted total assets, which is $25.3 million above the minimum leverage ratio requirement of 4% in effect on that date.

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The OTS risk-based requirement requires savings associations to have total capital of at least 8% of risk-weighted assets. Total capital consists of core capital, as defined above, and supplementary capital. Supplementary capital consists of certain permanent and maturing capital instruments that do not qualify as core capital and general valuation loan and lease loss allowances up to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets. Supplementary capital may be used to satisfy the risk-based requirement only to the extent of core capital. The OTS is also authorized to require a savings association to maintain an additional amount of total capital to account for concentration of credit risk and the risk of non-traditional activities. At December 31, 2003, the Bank had no capital instruments that qualify as supplementary capital and $1.8 million of general loss reserves, which was less than 1.0% of risk-weighted assets.

Certain exclusions from capital and assets are required to be made for the purpose of calculating total capital. Such exclusions consist of equity investments (as defined by regulation) and that portion of land loans and nonresidential construction loans in excess of an 80% loan-to-value ratio and reciprocal holdings of qualifying capital instruments. The Bank had no such exclusions from capital and assets at December 31, 2003.

In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet items, will be multiplied by a risk weight, ranging from 0% to 100%, based on the risk inherent in the type of asset. For example, the OTS has assigned a risk weight of 50% for prudently underwritten permanent one-to-four family first lien mortgage loans not more than 90 days delinquent and having a loan-to-value ratio of not more than 80% at origination unless insured to such ratio by an insurer approved by the Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

OTS regulations also require every savings association with more than normal interest rate risk exposure to deduct from its total capital, for purposes of determining compliance with such requirement, an amount equal to 50% of its interest rate risk exposure multiplied by the present value of its assets. This exposure is a measure of the potential decline in the net portfolio value of a savings association, greater than 2% of the present value of its assets, based upon a hypothetical 200 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates (whichever results in a greater decline). Net portfolio value is the present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts. The rule will not become effective until the OTS evaluates the process by which savings associations may appeal an interest rate risk deduction determination. It is uncertain as to when this evaluation may be completed. Any savings institution with less than $300 million in assets and a total capital ratio in excess of 12% is exempt from this requirement unless the OTS determines otherwise.

On December 31, 2003, the Bank had total capital (as defined above) of $43.1 million (including $41.3 million in core capital and $1.8 of general loss reserves) and risk-weighted assets of $293.9 million. Total capital was 14.7% of risk-weighted assets. This amount was $19.6 million above the 8.0% requirement in effect on that date.

The OTS and the FDIC are authorized and, under certain circumstances required, to take certain actions against savings associations that fail to meet their capital requirements. The OTS is generally required to take action to restrict the activities of an “undercapitalized association” (generally defined to be one with less than either a 4% core capital ratio, a 4% Tier 1 risked-based capital ratio or an 8% risk-based capital ratio). Any such association must submit a capital restoration plan and until such plan is approved by the OTS, may not increase its assets, acquire another institution, establish a branch or engage in any new activities, and generally may not make capital distributions. The OTS is authorized to impose the additional restrictions that are applicable to significantly undercapitalized associations.

As a condition to the approval of the capital restoration plan, any company controlling an undercapitalized association must agree that it will enter into a limited capital maintenance guarantee with respect to the institution’s achievement of its capital requirements.

Any savings association that fails to comply with its capital plan or is “significantly undercapitalized” (i.e., Tier 1 risk-based or core capital ratios of less than 3% or a risk-based capital ratio of less than 6%) must be made subject to one or more of additional specified actions and operating restrictions which may cover all aspects of its operations and include a forced merger or acquisition of the association. An association that becomes “critically

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undercapitalized” (i.e., a tangible capital ratio of 2% or less) is subject to further mandatory restrictions on its activities in addition to those applicable to significantly undercapitalized associations. In addition, the OTS must appoint a receiver (or conservator with the concurrence of the FDIC) for a savings association, with certain limited exceptions, within 90 days after it becomes critically undercapitalized. Any undercapitalized association is also subject to the general enforcement authority of the OTS and the FDIC, including the appointment of a conservator or a receiver.

The OTS is also generally authorized to reclassify an association into a lower capital category and impose the restrictions applicable to such category if the institution is engaged in unsafe or unsound practices or is in an unsafe or unsound condition.

The imposition by the OTS or the FDIC of any of these measures on the Bank may have a substantial adverse effect on the Company’s operations and profitability. The Company’s shareholders do not have preemptive rights, and therefore, if the Company is directed by the OTS or the FDIC to issue additional shares of Common Stock, such issuance may result in the dilution in the percentage of ownership of the Company.

Limitations on Capital Distributions. The OTS imposes various restrictions or requirements on the ability of associations to make capital distributions, according to ratings of associations based on their capital level and supervisory condition. Capital distributions, for purposes of such regulation, include, without limitation, payments of cash dividends, repurchases, and certain other acquisitions by an association of its shares and payments to stockholders of another association in an acquisition of such other association.

A savings and loan holding company must file a notice or an application with the OTS before it can declare and pay a dividend. An application must be submitted and approval from the OTS must be obtained (1) if the proposed distribution would cause total distributions for that year to exceed net income for that calendar year to date plus the savings association’s retained net income for the preceding two years; (2) if the savings association will not be at least adequately capitalized following the capital distribution; (3) if the proposed distribution would violate a prohibition contained in any applicable statute, regulation or agreement between the savings association and the OTS (or the FDIC), or a condition imposed on the savings association in an OTS-approved application or notice; or, (4) if the savings association has not received certain favorable examination ratings from the OTS. If a savings association subsidiary of a holding company is not required to file an application, it must file a notice with the OTS.

In addition to certain federal income tax considerations, OTS regulations impose limitations on the payment of dividends and other capital distributions by savings association. Under OTS regulations applicable to converted savings associations, the Bank is not permitted to pay a cash dividend on its common shares if its regulatory capital would, as a result of payment of such dividends, be reduced below the amount required for the Liquidation Account, or below applicable regulatory capital requirements prescribed by the OTS.

Liquidity. Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”) regulations presently require the Bank to maintain sufficient liquidity to assure its safe and sound operation. To that end, the Bank maintains investments having maturities of 5 years or less, sells loans into the secondary market and borrows funds from the FHLB. These activities are intended to provide a source of relatively liquid funds on which the Bank may rely, if necessary, to fund deposit withdrawals or other short-term funding needs. At December 31, 2003 the Bank had commitments to originate mortgage one-to-four family loans totaling $973,000 and commitments to originate commercial and consumer loans of $6.2 million. In addition, the Bank had $1.3 million in commitments to fund loans on residential properties under construction as well as $1.5 million in commitments to fund nonresidential loans. The Bank had no commitments to purchase or sell loans. The Bank considers its liquidity and capital reserves sufficient to meet its outstanding short and long-term needs.

Qualified Thrift Lender Test. Savings associations must meet one of two possible tests in order to be a qualified thrift lender (“QTL”). The first test requires a savings association to maintain a specified level of investments in assets that are designated as qualifying thrift investments (“QTI”), which are generally related to domestic residential real estate and manufactured housing and include credit card, student and small business loans and

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stock issued by any FHLB, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) or the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”). Under this test, 65% of an institution’s “portfolio assets” (total assets less goodwill and other intangibles, property used to conduct business, and 20% of liquid assets) must consist of QTI on a monthly average basis in nine out of every 12 months. The second test permits a savings association to qualify as a QTL by meeting the definition of “domestic building and loan association” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). In order for an institution to meet the definition of a “domestic building and loan association” under the Code, at least 60% of such institution’s assets must consist of specified types of property, including cash, loans secured by residential real estate or deposits, educational loans and certain governmental obligations. The OTS may grant exceptions to the QTL test under certain circumstances. If a savings association fails to meet the QTL test, the association and its holding company become subject to certain operating and regulatory restrictions. At December 31, 2003 the Bank met the QTL test.

Community Reinvestment Act. Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), every FDIC insured institution has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with safe and sound banking practices to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA requires the OTS, in connection with the examination of the Bank, to assess the institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications, such as a merger or the establishment of a branch, by the Bank. An unsatisfactory rating may be used as the basis for the denial of an application by the OTS or to impose fines or corrective measures. The Bank was examined for CRA compliance in 2003 and received a rating of satisfactory.

Transactions with Affiliates. Under federal law, all transactions between and among Cornerstone and its affiliates, which include its holding company, are subject to Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation W promulgated thereunder as interpreted by the OTS. Generally, these requirements limit these transactions to a percentage of the bank’s capital and require all of them to be on terms at least as favorable to the bank as transactions with non-affiliates. In addition, a bank may not lend to any affiliate engaged in non-banking activities not permissible for a bank holding company or acquire shares of any affiliate that is not a subsidiary. The OTS is authorized to impose additional restrictions on transactions with affiliates if necessary to protect and ensure safety and soundness standards. The OTS regulations also set forth various reporting requirements relating to transactions with affiliates.

Extensions of credit by Cornerstone to its executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are subject to Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act, which among other things, generally prohibits loans to any such individual where the aggregate amount exceeds an amount equal to 15% of an institution’s unimpaired capital and surplus plus an additional 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus in the case of loans that are fully secured by readily marketable collateral.

Section 22(h) permits loans to directors, executive officers and principal stockholders made pursuant to a benefit or compensation program that is widely available to employees of Cornerstone provided that no preference is given to any officer, director or principal stockholder, or related interest thereto, over any other employee. In addition, the aggregate amount of extensions of credit by a savings institution to all insiders cannot exceed the institution’s unimpaired capital and surplus. Furthermore, Section 22(g) places additional restrictions on loans to executive officers.

Holding Company Regulation. The Company is a unitary savings and loan company subject to regulatory oversight by the OTS. As such, the Company is required to register and file reports with the OTS and is subject to regulation and examination by the OTS. In addition, the OTS has enforcement authority over the Company and its non-savings association subsidiaries which also permits the OTS to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to the subsidiary savings association.

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As a unitary savings and loan company, the Company generally is not subject to activity restrictions. If the Company acquires control of another savings association as a separate subsidiary, it would become a multiple savings and loan company, and the activities of the Company and any of its subsidiaries (other than the Bank or any other SAIF insured savings association) would become subject to such restrictions unless such other associations each qualify as a QTL and were acquired in a supervisory acquisition.

If the Bank fails the QTL test, the Company must obtain the approval of the OTS prior to continuing after such failure, directly or through its other subsidiaries, any business activity other than those approved for multiple savings and loan holding companies or their subsidiaries. In addition, within one year of such failure the Company must register as, and will become subject to, the restrictions applicable to bank holding companies. The activities authorized for a bank holding company are more limited than are the activities authorized for a unitary or multiple savings and loan company. See “Qualified Thrift Lender Test.”

The Company must obtain approval from the OTS before acquiring control of any other SAIF insured association. Such acquisitions are generally prohibited if they result in a multiple savings and loan company controlling savings associations in more than one state. However, such interstate acquisitions are permitted based on specific state authorization or in a supervisory acquisition of a failing savings association.

Federal Securities Law. The stock of the Company is registered with the SEC under the Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Company is subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements of the SEC under the Exchange Act.

Company stock held by persons who are affiliates (generally officers, directors and principal shareholders) of the Company may not be resold without registration or unless sold in accordance with certain resale restrictions. If the Company meets specified current public-information requirements, each affiliate of the Company is able to sell in the public market, without registration, a limited number of shares in any three-month period.

FDIC. The FDIC is an independent federal agency that insures the deposits, up to prescribed statutory limits, of federally-insured banks and thrifts and safeguards the safety and soundness of the banking and thrift industries. The FDIC administers two separate insurance funds, the Bank Insurance Fund (the “BIF”) for commercial banks and state savings banks and the SAIF for savings associations. The FDIC is required to maintain designated levels of reserves in each fund. The Bank’s deposit accounts are insured by the FDIC in the SAIF up to the prescribed limits. The FDIC has examination authority over all insured depository institutions, including the Bank, and has authority to initiate enforcement actions if the FDIC does not believe the OTS has taken appropriate action to safeguard safety and soundness and the deposit insurance fund.

The FDIC is required to maintain designated levels of reserves in each fund. The FDIC may increase assessment rates for either fund if necessary to restore the fund’s ratio of reserves to insured deposits to its target level within a reasonable time and may decrease such rates if such target level has been met. The FDIC has established a risk-based assessment system for both SAIF and BIF members. Under this system, assessments vary based on the risk the institution poses to its deposit insurance fund. The risk level is determined based on the institution’s capital level and the FDIC’s level of supervisory concern about the institution. Since the Bank is considered a healthy institution under this system, it has historically paid the lowest assessment rate.

Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Board requires all depository institutions to maintain non-interest bearing reserves at specified levels against their transaction accounts (primarily checking, NOW, and Super NOW checking accounts). At December 31, 2003 the Bank complied with these reserve requirements. The balances maintained to meet the reserve requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve Board might be used to satisfy liquidity requirements that may be imposed by the OTS. (See “Liquidity.”)

Savings associations are authorized to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank “discount window,” but Federal Reserve Board regulations require associations to exhaust other reasonable alternative sources of funds, including FHLB borrowings, before borrowing from the Federal Reserve Bank.

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Federal Home Loan Banks. The FHLBs provide credit to their members in the form of advances. See “Deposits and Borrowings.” The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Cincinnati and must maintain an investment in the capital stock of the FHLB of Cincinnati in an amount equal to the greater of 1% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Bank’s residential mortgage loans, home purchase contracts, and similar obligations at the beginning of each year, or 5% of its advances from the FHLB. The Bank complies with this requirement with an investment in stock of the FHLB of Cincinnati of $9.3 million at December 31, 2003.

For the year ended December 31, 2003, dividends paid by the FHLB of Cincinnati to the Bank totaled $364,000, which constituted a $39,000 decrease over the amount of dividends received in 2002.

Federal Taxation

The Company and the Bank are each subject to the federal tax laws and regulations that apply to corporations generally. In addition to the regular income tax, the Company and the Bank may be subject to an alternative minimum tax imposed at a minimum tax rate of 20% on “alternative minimum taxable income"(which is the sum of a corporation’s regular taxable income, with certain adjustments, and tax preference items), less any available exemption. Such tax preference items include interest on certain tax-exempt bonds issued after August 7, 1986. In addition, 75% of the amount by which a corporation’s “adjusted current earnings” exceeds its alternative minimum taxable income computed without regard to this preference item and prior to reduction by net operating losses, is included in alternative minimum taxable income. Net operating losses can offset no more than 90% of alternative minimum taxable income. The alternative minimum tax is imposed to the extent it exceeds the corporation’s regular income tax. Payments of alternative minimum tax may be used as credits against regular tax liabilities in future years.

Prior to the enactment of the Small Business Jobs Protection Act (the “Small Business Act”), which was signed into law on August 21, 1996, certain thrift institutions were allowed deductions for bad debts under methods more favorable than those granted to other taxpayers. Qualified thrift institutions could compute deductions for bad debts using either the specific charge off method of Section 166 of the Code, or one of the two reserve methods of Section 593 of the Code. The reserve methods under Section 593 of the Code permitted a thrift institution annually to elect to deduct bad debts under either (i) the “percentage of taxable income” method applicable only to thrift institutions, or (ii) the “experience” method that also was available to small banks. Under the “percentage of taxable income” method, a thrift institution generally was allowed a deduction for an addition to its bad debt reserve equal to 8% of its taxable income (determined without regard to this deduction and with additional adjustments). Under the experience method, a thrift institution was generally allowed a deduction for an addition to its bad debt reserve equal to the greater of (i) an amount based on its actual average experience for losses in the current and five preceding taxable years, or (ii) an amount necessary to restore the reserve to its balance as of the close of the base year. A thrift institution could elect annually to compute its allowance addition to bad debt reserves for qualifying loans under either the experience method or the percentage of taxable income method.

The Small Business Act eliminated the percentage of taxable-income reserve method of accounting for bad debts by thrift institutions, effective for taxable years beginning after 1995. Thrift institutions that would be treated as small banks are allowed to use the experience method applicable to such institutions, while thrift institutions that are treated as large banks are required to use only the specific charge off method. The Company and the Bank qualify as a small bank.

A thrift institution required to change its method of computing reserves for bad debts will treat such change as a change in the method of accounting, initiated by the taxpayer, and having been made with the consent of the Secretary of the Treasury. Section 481(a) of the Code requires certain amounts to be recaptured with respect to such change. Generally, the amounts to be recaptured will be determined solely with respect to the “applicable excess reserves” of the taxpayer. The amount of the applicable excess reserves will be taken into account ratably over a six-taxable year period, beginning with the first taxable year beginning after 1995, subject to the residential loan requirement described below. In the case of a thrift institution that becomes a large bank, the amount of the institution’s applicable excess reserves generally is the excess of (i) the balances of its reserve for losses on

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qualifying real property loans (generally loans secured by improved real estate and its reserve or losses on nonqualifying loans (all other types of loans) as of the close of its last taxable year beginning before January 1, 1996, over (ii) the balances of such reserves as of the close of its last taxable year beginning before January 1, 1988 (i.e., the “pre-1988 reserves”). In the case of a thrift institution that becomes a small bank, the amount of the institution’s applicable excess reserves generally is the excess of (i) the balances of its reserve for losses on qualifying real property loans and its reserve for losses on nonqualifying loans as of the close of its last taxable year beginning before January 1, 1996, over (ii) the greater of the balance of (a) its pre-1988 reserves or (b) what the thrift’s reserves would have been at the close of its last year beginning before January 1, 1996, had the thrift always used the experience method.

For taxable years that began on or after January 1, 1996, and before January 1, 1998, if a thrift meets the residential loan requirement for a tax year, the recapture of the applicable excess reserves otherwise required to be taken into account as a Code Section 481(a) adjustment for the year will be suspended. A thrift meets the residential loan requirement if, for the tax year, the principal amount of residential loans made by the thrift during the year is not less than its base amount. The “base amount” generally is the average of the principal amounts of the residential loans made by the thrift during the six most recent tax years beginning before January 1, 1996. A residential loan is a loan as described in Section 7701(a)(C)(v) (generally a loan secured by residential real and church property and certain mobile homes), but only to the extent that the loan is made to the owner of the property.

The balance of the pre-1988 reserves is subject to the provisions of Section 593(e) as modified by the Small Business Act, which require recapture in the case of certain excessive distributions to shareholders. The pre-1988 reserves may not be utilized for payment of cash dividends or other distributions to a shareholder (including distributions in dissolution or liquidation) or for any other purpose (except to absorb bad debt losses). Distribution of a cash dividend by a thrift institution to a shareholder is treated as made: first, out of the institution’s post-1951 accumulated earnings and profits; second, out of the pre-1988 reserves; and third, out of such other accounts as may be proper. To the extent a distribution by the Bank to the Company is deemed paid out of its pre-1988 reserves under these rules, the pre-1988 reserves would be reduced and the Bank’s gross income for tax purposes would be increased by the amount which, when reduced by the income tax, if any, attributable to the inclusion of such amount in its gross income, equals the amount deemed paid of the pre-1988 reserves.

The Bank has not been audited by the IRS recently with respect to federal income tax returns. In the opinion of management, any examination of still open returns would not result in a deficiency that could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Bank.

Ohio Taxation

The Company is subject to the Ohio Corporation franchise tax, which, as applied to the Company, is a tax measured by both net earnings and net worth. The rate of tax is the greater of (i) 5.1% on the first $50,000 of computed Ohio taxable income and 8.5% of computed Ohio taxable income in excess of $50,000 and (ii) 0.4% times taxable net worth. Under these alternative measures of computing tax liability, the states to which a taxpayer’s adjusted total net income and adjusted total net worth are apportioned or allocated are determined by complex formulas. The minimum tax is $50 per year.

A special litter tax is also applicable to all corporations, including the Company, subject to the Ohio Corporation franchise tax other than “financial institutions.” If the franchise tax is paid on the net income basis, the litter tax is equal to .11% of the first $50,000 of computed Ohio taxable income and ..22% of computed Ohio taxable income in excess of $50,000. If the franchise tax is paid on the net worth basis, the litter tax is equal to .014% times taxable-net worth.

Certain holding companies, such as the Company, will qualify for complete exemption from the net worth tax if certain conditions are met. The Company has in the past and will most likely in the future meet these conditions and therefore, will calculate its Ohio franchise tax on the net income basis.

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The Bank is a “financial institution” for State of Ohio tax purposes. As such, it is subject to the Ohio corporate franchise tax on “financial institutions.” This annual tax was imposed at a rate of 1.3% for the 2003 tax year and thereafter of the Bank’s apportioned book net worth, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, less any statutory deduction. As a “financial institution,” the Bank is not subject to any tax based upon net income or net profits imposed by the State of Ohio.

Delaware Taxation

As a Delaware holding company, the Company is exempted from Delaware corporate income tax but is required to file an annual report with and pay an annual fee to the State of Delaware. The Company is also subject to an annual franchise tax imposed by the State of Delaware.

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Executive Officers

The executive officers of the Company are elected annually and hold office until their respective successors have been elected and qualified or until death, resignation or removal by the Board of Directors. Each executive officer of the Company is also an executive officer of the Bank. There are no arrangements or understandings between the persons named and any other person pursuant to which such officers were selected.

             
Name
  Age
  Positions Held with the Company
John W. Raisbeck
    64     President and Chief Executive Officer
Robert A. Kuehl
    56     Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
William E. Whitmoyer
    56     Senior Vice President
Robert P. Brezing
    58     Senior Vice President

The business experience of each executive officer who is not also a Director of the Company is set forth below.

Robert Kuehl. Mr. Kuehl is Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank, a position he has held since February 1, 2004. From January 2003 to October 2003, Mr. Kuehl served as Chief Financial Officer of Superior Bank, Little Rock, Arkansas. From October 2000 to March 2002, Mr. Kuehl served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Main Street Bank, Reading, Pennsylvania. Mr. Kuehl was Senior Vice President and Controller for Wilmington Savings Fund Society, Wilmington, Delaware, from December 1998 to October 2000.

William E. Whitmoyer. Mr. Whitmoyer is Senior Vice President of Mortgage lending. Mr. Whitmoyer has responsibility for all mortgage-banking functions and all consumer loans. From 1995 to February 2001, Mr. Whitmoyer served as Senior Vice President of Member Mortgage Services, a multi-state mortgage banking operation providing services to credit unions in a five state area.

Robert P. Brezing. Mr. Brezing is Senior Vice President of the Company and the Bank, positions he has held since October 1997. He is manager of Business Banking, responsible for all commercial loans and commercial real estate loans. From 1988 to 1997, Mr. Brezing served as Vice President of Banc One Corporation, Columbus, Ohio.

Employees

At December 31, 2003 the Company and its subsidiary had 87 employees, including 7 part-time employees. The Company’s employees are not represented by any collective bargaining group. Management considers its employee relations to be good.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company conducts its business at its main office, which also serves as its executive office, and the Bank’s six branch offices located in its market area. The following table sets forth information relating to each of the Company’s offices as of December 31, 2003.

  1.   Main Office, 28 East Main Street, Springfield, Ohio
 
  2.   Enon Branch, 7601 Dayton-Springfield Road, Enon, Ohio
 
  3.   New Carlisle Branch, 210 North Main Street, New Carlisle, Ohio
 
  4.   Springfield Branch, 1480 Upper Valley Pike, Springfield, Ohio
 
  5.   Yellow Springs Branch, 50 Kahoe Lane, Yellow Springs, Ohio
 
  6.   Beavercreek Branch, 3216 Seajay Drive, Beavercreek, Ohio
 
  7.   Centerville Branch, 6291 Wilmington Pike, Dayton, Ohio

The Company owns all of its offices. The total net book value of the Company’s premises and equipment (including land, building and leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment) at December 31, 2003 was $4.2 million. The Company considers all properties to be in good operating condition and suitable for the purpose for which they are used. The properties are unencumbered by any mortgage or security interest and are, in management’s opinion, adequately insured. See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report to Shareholders filed as Exhibit 13 hereto.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company and its subsidiary are involved from time to time as plaintiff or defendant in various legal actions arising in the normal course of their business. While the ultimate outcome of pending proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel representing the Company, the Bank or its subsidiary in the proceedings, that the resolution of these proceedings should not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the quarter ended December 31, 2003.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Page 5 of the Company’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders is herein incorporated by reference.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Pages 6 and 7 of the Company’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders are herein incorporated by reference.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Pages 8 through 18 of the Company’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders are herein incorporated by reference.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

In an attempt to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates, management monitors the Company’s interest rate risk. The Board of Directors meets at least quarterly to review the Company’s interest rate risk position and profitability. The Board of Directors also reviews the Company’s portfolio, formulates investment strategies and oversees the timing and implementation of transactions to assure attainment of the Company’s objectives in the most effective manner. In addition, the Board anticipates reviewing on a quarterly basis the Company’s asset/liability position, including simulations of the effect on the Company’s capital of various interest rate scenarios.

In managing its asset/liability mix, the Company, depending on the relationship between long- and short-term interest rates, market conditions and consumer preference, often places more emphasis on managing net interest margin than on better matching the interest rate sensitivity of its assets and liabilities in an effort to enhance net interest income. Management believes that the increased net interest income resulting from a mismatch in the maturity of its asset and liability portfolios can, during periods of declining or stable interest rates, provide high enough returns to justify the increased exposure to sudden and unexpected increases in interest rates.

The primary objective of the Company’s investment strategy is to provide liquidity necessary to meet funding needs as well as to address daily, cyclical and long-term changes in the asset/liability mix, while contributing to profitability by providing a stable flow of dependable earnings. Investments generally include interest-bearing deposits in other federally insured financial institutions, FHLB stock and U.S. Government securities.

Generally, the investment policy of the Company is to invest funds among various categories of investments and maturities based upon the Company’s need for liquidity, to achieve the proper balance between its desire to minimize risk and maximize yield, to provide collateral for borrowings, and to fulfill the Company’s asset/liability management policies.

The Company’s cost of funds responds to changes in interest rates due to the relatively short-term nature of its deposit portfolio. Consequently, the results of operations are heavily influenced by the levels of short-term interest rates. The Company offers a range of maturities on its deposit products at competitive rates and monitors the maturities on an ongoing basis. For additional information regarding market risk, see pages 21 to 22 of the Company’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Pages 27 through 55 of the Company’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders are herein incorporated by reference.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not Applicable.

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable (not absolute) assurance that its objectives will be met. Furthermore, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the last fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Information in response to this item is incorporated herein by reference from the sections “Election of Directors-General” and “Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors” from the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on April 22, 2004, (the “Proxy Statement”). For information concerning executive officers of the Company who are not also Directors, see “Executive Officers” in Part I of this Form 10-K.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company’s Common Stock (or any other equity securities, of which there is none), to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of the Company’s Common Stock. Officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003,

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all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were complied with in the year 2003.

Item 10A. CODE OF ETHICS

The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The Company undertakes to provide to any person without charge, upon written request to the Company Secretary, a copy of such code of ethics.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information in response to this item is incorporated herein by reference from the sections “Executive Compensation”, “Compensation of Directors,” “Employment Agreements”, “Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation” and “Stock Performance Presentation” from the Company’s Proxy Statement.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated herein by reference from the sections “Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof” and “Election of Directors-General” from the Company’s Proxy Statement.

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2003 related to our equity compensation plans in effect at that time.

                         
Equity Compensation Plan Information
    Number of            
    Securities to be           Number of
    Issued Upon   Weighted-average   Securities
    Exercise of   Exercise Price of   Remaining Available
    Outstanding   Outstanding   for Future Issuance
    Options, Warrants   Options, Warrants   Under Equity
Plan Category
  and Rights
  and Rights
  Compensation Plans
    (a)   (b)   (c)
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders
    160,814     $ 19.02       163,226  
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders
    -0-     $ -0-       -0-  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
    160,814     $ 19.02       163,226  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Information concerning certain relationships and related transactions is incorporated herein by reference from the section “Certain Transactions” from the Company’s Proxy Statement.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

         
Audit Fees
  $ 71,583.30  
Audit-Related Fees
    -0-  
Tax Fees
    20,520.00  
All Other Fees*
    11,905.28  

*   All Other Fees primarily includes review of Bank Secrecy Act procedures and professional fees associated with the Bank’s customer information file and related profitability reporting.

All of the above services were approved by the Audit Committee. The Company currently has no formal Audit Committee pre-approval procedures in place that permit management to engage the auditors with respect to pre-approved services. It is the Company’s policy that the Audit Committee approves in advance all services to be provided by the auditors.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) (1) Financial Statements:

     The following information appearing in the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as Exhibit 13.

     
    Pages in
    Annual
Annual Report Section
  Report
Report of Independent Auditors
  26
Consolidated Balance Sheets
  27
Consolidated Statements of Income
  28
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
  29
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
  30
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
  31-32
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
  33-55

(a) (2) Financial Statement Schedules:

Financial statement schedules are omitted as they are not applicable or the required information is contained in the financial statements or notes therein found in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders.

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(a) (3) Exhibits:

             
        Reference to Prior
Regulation       Filing or Exhibit
S-K Exhibit       Number Attached
Number
  Document
  Hereto
3 (i)
  Certificate of Incorporation     *  
 
           
3 (ii)
  Amended and Restated Bylaws     ****  
 
           
4
  Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures     *  
 
           
10
  Material contracts:        
 
           
  (a) 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan     **  
 
           
  (b) Management Recognition Plan     **  
 
           
  (c) Employment Agreement with John W. Raisbeck     ****  
 
           
  (d) Employment Agreement with Robert P. Brezing     ****  
 
           
  (e) Employment Agreement with Richard K. Smith     10-(e)  
 
           
  (f) Employment Agreement with John Clemmer     10-(f)  
 
           
  (g) Employment Agreement with William E. Whitmoyer     *****  
 
           
  (h) 1998 Omnibus Incentive Plan     ***  
 
           
  (i) Cornerstone Bank Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended     ****  
 
           
13
  Annual report to security holders     13  
 
           
21
  Subsidiaries of the registrant     21  
 
           
23
  Consent of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC     23  
 
           
31.1
  Certification by the CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002     31.1  
 
           
31.2
  Certification by the CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002     31.2  
 
           
32+
  Certifications of the CEO and CFO pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.     32  


+   Furnished herewith.
 
*   Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 33-76734.
 
**   Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.

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***   Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
 
****   Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.
 
*****   Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001

      (b) Reports on Form 8-K:
 
      The Company filed a current report on Form 8-K on October 17, 2003 regarding its quarterly earnings for the third quarter of 2003.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  WESTERN OHIO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
Date: March 26, 2004  By:   /s/ John W. Raisbeck    
    John W. Raisbeck, President and Chief   
      Executive Officer
(Duly Authorized Representative) 
 
 

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

             
By:
  /s/ John W. Raisbeck   By:   /s/ David L. Dillahunt
 
 
     
 
  John W. Raisbeck, President and Chief       David L. Dillahunt, Chairman of the Board
    Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
       
 
           
Date:
  March 26, 2004   Date:   March 26, 2004
 
           
By:
  /s/ Howard V. Dodds   By:   /s/ John E. Field
 
 
     
 
  Howard V. Dodds, Director       John E. Field, Director
 
           
Date:
  March 26, 2004   Date:   March 26, 2004
 
           
By:
  /s/ Artistides G. Gianakopoulos   By:   /s/ William N. Scarff
 
 
     
 
  Aristides G. Gianakopoulos, Director       William N. Scarff, Director
 
           
Date:
  March 26, 2004   Date:   March 26, 2004
 
           
By:
  /s/ Jeffrey L. Levine   By:   /s/ Peter J. Hackett
 
 
     
 
  Jeffrey L. Levine, Director       Peter J. Hackett, Director
 
           
Date:
  March 26, 2004   Date:   March 26, 2004

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By:
  /s/ Robert A. Kuehl        
 
 
       
  Robert A. Kuehl, Senior Vice President,
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
       
 
           
Date:
  March 26, 2004        

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