Back to GetFilings.com





===============================================================================

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-K

[X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934.
(No Fee Required)
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999

[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(No Fee Required)

Commission File Number 000-23129

NORTHWAY FINANCIAL, INC
-----------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New Hampshire 04-3368579
------------- ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

9 Main Street
Berlin, New Hampshire 03570
--------------------- -----
Address of principal executive offices (Zip Code)

(603) 752-1171
--------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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 $1.00

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 twelve months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past ninety days. YES [X] NO [ ]

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 II of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

The number of shares of common stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant
as of March 17, 2000 was 1,359,798 for an aggregate market value of $29,915,556.

At March 17, 2000, there were 1,602,569 shares of common stock outstanding,
par value $1.00 per share.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant's proxy statement for its 2000 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 of Part
III.

===============================================================================


FORM 10-K TABLE OF CONTENTS

NORTHWAY FINANCIAL, INC.

PART I
------

ITEM 1 Business....................................................... 1

ITEM 2 Properties..................................................... 7

ITEM 3 Legal Proceedings.............................................. 7

ITEM 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders............ 7

PART II
-------

ITEM 5 Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and Related Security
Holder Matters................................................. 7

ITEM 6 Selected Financial Data........................................ 8

ITEM 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations. ........................................ 10

ITEM 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk..... 10

ITEM 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Material................ 10

ITEM 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure........................................... 10

PART III
--------

ITEM 10 Directors and Executives Officers of the Registrant............ 10

ITEM 11 Executive Compensation......................................... 10

ITEM 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 10

ITEM 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions................. 10

PART IV
-------

ITEM 14 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K 11

Signatures.................................................. 12


PART 1
------

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Description of Business

Northway Financial, Inc. ("Northway") was incorporated on March 7, 1997,
under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, for the purpose of becoming the
holding company of The Berlin City Bank, a New Hampshire chartered bank
headquartered in Berlin, New Hampshire ("BCB") pursuant to a reorganization
transaction (the "BCB Reorganization") by and among Northway, BCB, and a
subsidiary of BCB, and, thereafter, effecting the merger (the "Merger") by and
among Northway, BCB and Pemi Bancorp, Inc. ("PEMI"), and its wholly owned
subsidiary, Pemigewasset National Bank, a national bank headquartered in
Plymouth, New Hampshire ("PNB"). The BCB Reorganization and the Merger became
effective on September 30, 1997. As of such date, BCB and PNB, (collectively the
"Banks"), became wholly owned subsidiaries of Northway. Unless the context
otherwise requires, references herein to "Northway" include Northway Financial,
Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Northway and its bank subsidiaries derive substantially all of their
revenue and income from the furnishing of bank and bank-related services,
principally to individuals and small and medium sized companies in New
Hampshire. The Banks operate as typical community banking institutions and do
not engage in any specialized finance or capital market activities. Northway
functions primarily as the holder of stock of its subsidiaries and assists the
management of its subsidiaries as appropriate.

Northway is subject to regulation by the New Hampshire Bank Commissioner,
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Comptroller of the Currency of
the United States, and the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System. See "Supervision and Regulation."

BCB, which was first organized in 1891, and PNB, which was first organized
in 1881, are engaged in a general commercial banking business and offer
commercial and construction loans, real estate mortgages, consumer loans,
including personal secured and unsecured loans, and lines of credit. During
1998, Northway, through the subsidiary banks, established an indirect lending
business unit in Concord, New Hampshire. The unit has substantially increased
the volume of secured consumer installment loans originated by the Banks. The
Banks accept savings, time, demand, NOW and money market deposit accounts, and
offer a variety of banking services including travelers checks, safe deposit
boxes, Master Charge accounts, overdraft lines of credit and wire transfer
services. The Banks have 17 automatic teller machines to allow customers limited
banking services on a 24 hour basis.

Northway is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries.
The right of Northway to participate in any distribution of assets or earnings
of any subsidiary is subject to the prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary,
except to the extent that claims, if any, of Northway itself as a creditor may
be recognized. See "Supervision and Regulation".

The following information concerning Northway's investment activities,
lending activities, asset quality and allowance for loan losses should be read
in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations," appearing under Item 7 and Northway's Consolidated
Financial Statements and Notes thereto.

Investment Activities

The following table presents the carrying amount of Northway's investment
securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity as of December 31, 1999, 1998
and 1997 (dollars in thousands):

1999 1998 1997
------- ------- -------
Available-for-sale:
US Treasury and other
US government agencies $26,449 $17,391 $11,929
Mortgage-backed securities(1) 18,813 24,512 31,235
Corporate notes -- -- 5,000
Marketable equity securities 2,780 2,741 2,796
Nonmarketable equity securities 4,456 2,038 2,038
State and political subdivisions 3,500 3,885 4,143
------- ------- -------
55,998 50,567 57,141
------- ------- -------
Held-to-maturity:
Mortgage-backed securities(1) $ 3,601 $ 5,501 $ 8,400
State and political subdivisions 1,550 1,008 2,912
------- ------- -------
5,151 6,509 11,312
------- ------- -------
Total Investment Securities $61,149 $57,076 $68,453
======= ======= =======

(1) Includes Collateralized Mortgage Obligations.

The following table sets forth the amortized cost of Northway's debt
obligations maturing within stated periods and their related weighted average
yields, reported on a tax equivalent basis, as of December 31, 1999 (dollars in
thousands):


Maturities
-------------------------------------------------
One to Five to Over
Available-for-sale: Within five ten ten Total
one year years years years Cost
-------- ----- ----- ----- ----
US Treasury and other
US government agencies $500 $14,496 $12,470 $ -- $27,466
Mortgage-backed
securities (1) -- 824 16,034 2,460 19,318
State and political
subdivisions 102 368 728 2,280 3,478
---- ------- ------- ------- -------
$602 $15,688 $29,232 $ 4,740 $50,262
==== ======= ======= ======= =======
Market value $604 $15,279 $28,159 $ 4,720 $48,762
==== ======= ======= ======= =======

Weighted average yield 6.88% 6.16% 6.09% 6.78% 6.19%


Maturities
---------------------------------------------
One to Five to Over
Held-to-maturity: Within five ten ten Total
one year years years years Cost
-------- ----- ----- ----- ----
Mortgage-backed securities(1) $ -- $570 $1,377 $1,654 $3,601
State and political subdivisions 1,050 -- -- 500 1,550
------ ---- ------ ------ ------

$1,050 $570 $1,377 $2,154 $5,151
====== ==== ====== ====== ======
Market value $1,054 $568 $1,358 $2,115 $5,095
====== ==== ====== ====== ======

Weighted average yield 7.60% 7.18% 6.14% 6.67% 6.77%

(1) Includes Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

Lending Activities

The following table sets forth information with respect to the composition of
Northway's loan portfolio, excluding loans held for sale, as of December 31,
1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995 (dollars in thousands):



December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------

Real estate:
Residential $139,389 $146,603 $152,041 $145,847 $139,941
Commercial 93,061 77,680 61,873 43,901 37,595
Construction 4,360 4,118 5,664 2,329 363
Commercial 28,833 25,874 21,460 27,293 24,283
Installment 24,147 25,070 23,476 18,733 14,533
Indirect Installment 76,339 18 -- -- --
Other 7,369 4,795 2,769 2,999 2,277
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total Loans 373,498 284,158 267,283 241,102 218,992
Less:
Unearned income 732 332 526 719 1,014
Allowance for loan losses 4,887 4,404 4,156 3,941 3,866
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
5,619 4,736 4,682 4,660 4,880
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net Loans $367,879 $279,422 $262,601 $236,442 $214,112
======== ======== ======== ======== ========


The following table presents the maturity distribution of Northway's real estate
construction and commercial loans at December 31, 1999 (dollars in thousands):

Percent of
Amount Total
------ ---------
Within one year $ 3,017 9.09%
One to five years 11,562 34.83
Over five years 18,614 56.08
$33,193 100.00%

Northway's real estate construction and commercial loans due after one year at
December 31, 1999 were comprised of the following (dollars in thousands):

Amount
------
Fixed interest rate $17,933
Adjustable interest rate 12,243
-------
$30,176
=======

Asset Quality

At December 31, 1999, Northway had no classified loans. Any such loans
represent a higher degree of risk and could become non-performing loans in the
future.

Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table reflects activity in Northway's allowance for loan losses
for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995 (dollars in
thousands):



Years ended December 31,
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------ ------ ------ ------ ------

Balance at the beginning of period $4,404 $4,156 $3,941 $3,866 $3,682
Charge-offs:
Real estate 159 383 452 583 456
Commercial 25 67 105 29 190
Installment loans to individuals 120 74 48 27 29
Credit card -- -- 1 11 21
Other -- -- 6 -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total 304 524 612 650 696
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Recoveries:
Real estate 213 115 212 160 177
Commercial 21 98 55 11 28
Installment loans to individuals 12 17 19 28 11
Credit card 1 2 4 14 12
Other -- -- 2 -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total 247 232 292 213 228
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net charge-offs 57 292 320 437 468
Provision charged to expense 540 540 535 512 652
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Balance at the end of period $4,887 $4,404 $4,156 $3,941 $3,866
====== ====== ====== ====== ======

Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans 0.02% 0.11% 0.12% 0.20% 0.32%


Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table sets forth the breakdown of Northway's allowance for loan
losses in Northway's portfolio by category of loan and the percentage of loans
in each category to total loans in the respective portfolios at the dates
indicated (dollars in thousands):



December 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
-------------------- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Percent of Percent of Percent of Percent of Percent of
loans in each loans in each loans in each loans in each loans in each
category to category to category to category to category to
Amount total loans Amount total loans Amount total loans Amount total loans Amount total loans
------ ------------- ------ ------------ ------ ------------- ------ ------------- ------ -----------

Commercial $ 530 7.7% $ 651 9.1% $ 613 8.0% $ 582 11.3% $ 924 11.1%
Real estate:
Commercial &
Construction 1,773 26.1 1,325 28.8 1,251 25.3 1,186 19.2 675 17.2
Residential 503 37.3 1,478 51.6 1,395 56.9 1,323 60.5 1,417 64.1
Installment 1,125 26.9 210 8.8 198 8.8 188 7.8 147 6.6
Other 60 2.0 58 1.7 55 1.0 52 1.2 53 1.0
Unallocated 896 N/A 682 N/A 644 N/A 610 N/A 650 N/A
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
$4,887 100.0% $4,404 100.0% $4,156 100.0% $3,941 100.0% $3,866 100.0%
====== ===== ====== ===== ====== ===== ====== ===== ====== =====


Deposits

The information set forth on page 30 of Registrants 1999 Annual Report is
incorporated herein by reference.

Supervision and Regulation

As a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of
1956, as amended (the "BHC Act"), Northway is subject to substantial regulation
and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board and is required to file periodic
reports and such additional information as the Federal Reserve Board may
require. The Federal Reserve Board also makes periodic inspections of Northway
and its subsidiaries. Under the BHC Act, Northway is prohibited, with certain
exceptions, from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than
5 percent of the voting shares of any company which is not a bank and from
engaging in any business other than that of banking, managing or controlling
banks or furnishing services to, or acquiring premises for, its affiliated
banks, except that Northway may engage in and own voting shares of companies
engaging in certain activities determined by the Federal Reserve Board, by order
or by regulation, to be so closely related to banking or to managing or
controlling banks "as to be a proper incident thereto."

On November 12, 1999 the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the "Act") was signed by the
president and enacted into law. The Act does three fundamental things; (i) it
repeals key provisions of the Glass Steagall Act with the intent to facilitate
affiliations among banks, securities firms, insurance firms and other financial
companies; (ii) it substantially modifies the Bank Holding Company Act ("BHC
Act") to authorize bank holding companies that qualify to become "financial
holding companies" allowing them to engage in securities, insurance and other
activities that are financial in nature or incidental to a financial activity;
(iii) it allows subsidiaries of banks to engage in a broad range of financial
activities that are not permitted for banks themselves. The activities of bank
holding companies would continue to be limited to activities authorized
currently under the BHC Act. The Company has not pursued "financial holding
company" status at this time and is therefore subject to the restrictions of the
BHC Act as outlined above.

PNB is a national banking association, organized pursuant to the provisions of
the National Bank Act. As such, its primary regulatory authority is the
Comptroller of the Currency of the United States (the "Comptroller"). The
Comptroller regularly examines national banks and their operations. In addition,
operations of national banks are subject to federal statutes and regulations.
Such statutes and regulations relate to required reserves, investments, loans,
mergers, payment of dividends, issuance of securities and many other aspects of
operations.

With respect to the ability of a national bank to pay dividends, the
Comptroller's approval is required if the total dividends declared by a national
bank in any year will exceed the total of its net profits for that year combined
with its retained net profits for the preceding two years, less any required
transfer to surplus. The Comptroller also has authority to approve or disapprove
mergers, consolidations, the establishment of branches and similar corporate
actions. The comptroller also has the power to prevent a national bank from
engaging in unsafe or unsound practices or violating applicable laws in
conducting its business.

PNB is also subject to applicable provisions of New Hampshire law insofar as
they do not conflict with or are not otherwise preempted by federal banking law.

BCB is organized under New Hampshire law and is subject to the regulations of
the New Hampshire Bank Commissioner, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
and the Federal Reserve Board. BCB's operations are subject to various
requirements and restrictions under the laws of the United States and the State
of New Hampshire, including those related to the maintenance of adequate levels
of capital, the payment of dividends, the nature and amount of loans which can
be originated and the rate of interest that can be charged thereon, investments
and other activities of BCB.

Both BCB and PNB are subject to the provisions of the Community Reinvestment
Act (CRA). Under the terms of the CRA, the appropriate federal bank regulatory
agency is required, in connection with its examination of a subsidiary
institution, to assess such institution's record in meeting the credit needs of
the community served by the institution, including those of low and moderate
income neighborhoods. The regulatory agency's assessment of the institution's
record is made available to the public.

An institution's CRA rating is taken into account by its regulators in
considering various types of applications. In addition, an institution receiving
a rating of substantial noncompliance is subject to civil money penalties or a
cease and desist order under Section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the
FDIA). CRA remains a critical component of the regulatory examination process.
CRA examination results and related concerns have been cited as a reason to
reject and or modify branching and merger applications by various federal and
state banking agencies. Formation of a "financial holding company" under the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act is also dependent of the maintenance of a "satisfactory"
CRA rating.

The banking industry in the United States, which includes commercial banks,
savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, capital stock savings
banks, credit unions, and bank and savings and loan holding companies, is part
of the broader financial services industry which includes insurance companies,
mutual funds, and the brokerage industry among others. In recent years, intense
market demands and economic pressures have eroded once clearly defined industry
classifications and have forced the financial services institutions to diversify
their services, increase returns on deposits, and become more cost effective as
a result of competition with one another and with new types of financial
services companies, including non-bank competitors.

The present bank regulatory scheme is undergoing significant change, both as
it affects the banking industry itself and as it affects competition between
banks and non-bank financial institutions. There has been significant regulatory
change in the bank mergers and acquisitions area, in the products and services
banks can offer, and in the non-banking activities in which bank holding
companies can engage. Banks are now actively competing with non-bank financial
institutions for products such as money market funds.

Federal banking laws permit adequately capitalized bank holding companies to
venture across state lines to offer banking services through bank subsidiaries
to a wider geographic market. Consequently, it is possible for large
organizations to enter many new markets including the markets served by
Northway. Certain of these competitors, by virtue of their size and resources,
may enjoy certain efficiencies and competitive advantages over Northway in
pricing, delivery, and marketing of their products and services. It is not
possible to assess what impact these changes in the regulatory scheme will have
on Northway.

Government Monetary Policy

Northway's banking subsidiaries are affected by the credit policies of
monetary authorities, including the Federal Reserve Board. An important function
of the Federal Reserve Board is to regulate the national supply of bank credit.
Among the instruments of monetary policy used by the Federal Reserve Board are
open market operations in U. S. Government securities, changes in the discount
and fed funds rates, reserve requirements on member bank deposits, and funds
availability regulations. The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board
have in the past had a significant effect on the operations of financial
institutions, including Northway and its subsidiaries, and will continue to do
so in the future. Changing conditions in the national economy and money markets,
as well as the impact of actions by monetary and fiscal authorities, make it
difficult to predict the effect of future changes in interest rates, deposit
levels or loan demand on the business and income of Northway and its
subsidiaries.

Competition

Northway's banking subsidiaries face significant competition in their
respective market from commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, consumer
finance companies, insurance companies, "non-bank banks," mutual funds,
government agencies, investment management companies, investment advisors,
brokers and investment bankers. In addition, increasing consolidation within the
banking and financial services industry, as well as increased competition from
larger regional and out-of-state banking organizations and non-bank providers of
various financial services, may adversely affect Northway's ability to achieve
its financial goals. Many of these large competitors have significantly more
financial resources, larger market share and greater name recognition in the
market areas served by Northway.

BCB and PNB compete in this environment by providing a broad range of
financial services, competitive interest rates and a personal level of service
that, combined, tend to retain the loyalty of its customers in its market areas
against competitors with far larger resources. To a lesser extent, convenience
of branch locations and hours of operations are also considered competitive
advantages of the Banks.

Employees

As of December 31, 1999, Northway and its subsidiaries had approximately 242
full-time equivalent employees. Northway considers its employee relations to be
good.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Northway operates 17 branch offices and a loan origination facility in the
central and northern New Hampshire towns of Berlin, Conway (4), Gorham (2),
Groveton, Littleton, West Plymouth, Plymouth, Campton, Ashland, North Woodstock,
Tilton (2), Franklin and Concord. Eleven of these offices, including its main
offices in Berlin, New Hampshire and Plymouth, New Hampshire, are located in
properties it owns. Northway leases five of its branches and the loan
origination facility under five-year leases expiring between December 31, 2000
and November 20, 2004. Northway also operates a limited services facility at the
Plymouth Regional High School. Eleven of Northway's branches have drive-up
facilities and all are equipped with automated teller machines.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Northway is not a party to, nor are any of its subsidiaries the subject of,
any material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation
incidental to the business.


ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF STOCKHOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of stockholders during the quarter ended
December 31,1999.

PART II
-------

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER
MATTERS

Northway's common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.'s National
Market under the symbol "NWFI." The following table sets forth, for the periods
indicated, the high and low closing sale prices for the common stock, as
reported by the Nasdaq National Market, and the dividends paid on the common
stock:

Price Per Share
---------------
Low High Dividends Per Share
--- ---- -------------------

1999 4th Quarter $26.00 $28.75 $0.14
3rd Quarter $26.00 $29.75 $0.14
2nd Quarter $25.25 $30.25 $0.14
1st Quarter $29.75 $31.00 $0.14

1998 4th Quarter $24.00 $30.00 $0.14
3rd Quarter $24.75 $35.25 $0.14
2nd Quarter $32.50 $36.00 $0.14
1st Quarter $29.75 $32.75 --

On March 17, 2000, the closing sales price of the common stock on the Nasdaq
National Market was $22.00 per share. As of such date, there were approximately
1,480 holders of record of the Northway common stock.

Northway intends to continue to pay dividends on a quarterly basis subject to,
among other things, the financial condition and earnings of Northway, capital
requirements, and other factors, including applicable governmental regulations.
No dividends will be payable unless declared by the Board of Directors and then
only to the extent funds are legally available for the payment of such
dividends.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth the selected consolidated financial information
of Northway for the five years in the period ended December 31, 1999. This
selected consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" appearing under Item 7 and Northway's Consolidated Financial
Statements and Notes thereto. As a result of the Merger described under Item 1,
the selected consolidated financial data for 1997, 1996 and 1995 reflects the
combined results of operations and financial position of Northway Financial,
Inc. and Pemi Bancorp, Inc. restated for such periods pursuant to the pooling of
interests method of accounting. See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.




At or for the years ended December 31, 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
($000 Omitted, except per share data)


Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets $462,552 $403,972 $377,866 $372,581 $357,917
Investment securities available-for-sale 55,998 50,567 57,141 90,530 86,701
Investment securities held-to-maturity 5,151 6,509 11,312 12,199 15,377
Loans, net of unearned income 372,766 283,826 266,757 240,383 217,978
Allowance for loan losses 4,887 4,404 4,156 3,941 3,866
Other real estate owned 115 158 222 202 492
Deposit assumption premium 1,271 860 1,161 1,462 1,800
Deposits 343,029 350,921 322,063 322,315 310,388
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 7,468 6,791 6,146 4,620 6,087
Stockholders' equity 39,286 40,956 37,526 33,663 31,102
Income Statement Data:
Net interest and dividend income $ 19,341 $ 17,535 $ 17,027 $ 15,717 $ 15,493
Provision for loan losses 540 540 535 512 652
Noninterest income 2,724 2,019 1,680 1,602 1,257
Noninterest expense 15,799 12,910 11,859 10,976 10,613
Net income 3,764 4,068 4,039 3,857 3,596
Per Common Share Data:
Net income $ 2.25 $ 2.35 $ 2.33 $ 2.23 $ 2.08
Cash dividends declared 0.56 0.42 0.55 0.52 0.44
Book value 24.32 23.67 21.67 19.44 17.96
Tangible book value (1) 23.54 23.18 21.00 18.59 16.92
Selected Ratios:
Return on average assets 0.90% 1.06% 1.07% 1.05% 1.02%
Return on average equity 9.37 10.25 11.14 12.04 12.71
Dividend payout 25.03 17.90 23.69 23.13 21.22
Average equity to average assets 9.62 10.35 9.60 8.69 8.00

(1) Stockholders equity as of December 31, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995 has been reduced by deposit
assumption premium.



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

The information set forth on pages 9 through 19 of Registrants 1999 Annual
Report is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Information regarding quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market
risk is included in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" appearing under Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form
10-K and is hereby incorporated by reference in this Item 7A.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

The information set forth on pages 20 through 42 of Registrants 1999 Annual
Report is incorporated herein by reference.

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

None.

PART III
--------

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
information set forth under the captions "Information Concerning Directors and
Nominees" and "Executive Officers" in Northway's definitive proxy statement to
be delivered in connection with its 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
information set forth under the caption "Executive Compensation" in Northway's
definitive proxy statement to be delivered in connection with its 2000 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, provided however, that the "Report on Executive
Compensation" and the "Stock Price Performance Graph" contained in such proxy
statement are not incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
information set forth under the caption "Security Ownership of Management" in
Northway's definitive proxy statement to be delivered in connection with its
2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
information set forth under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions" in Northway's definitive proxy statement to be delivered in
connection with its 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

PART IV
-------

ITEM 14 EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form
10-K:

(1) Financial Statements:

Report of Independent Accountants

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31,
1999 and 1998

Consolidated Statements of Income for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(2) Financial Statement Schedules:

None

(3) The Exhibits which are filed with this report or which are
incorporated herein by reference are set forth in the Exhibit Index.
The Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

(b) Northway filed no Reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended December
31, 1999.

(c) See Item 14(a)(3) above

(d) See Item 8 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to 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.

NORTHWAY FINANCIAL, INC.

March 21, 2000 BY: /S/ William J. Woodward
--------------------------------
William J. Woodward
President & CEO

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 the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----

Chairman of the Board, President March 21, 2000
and Chief Executive Officer
/S/ William J. Woodward (Principal Executive Officer)
- ---------------------------
William J. Woodward


/S/ Fletcher W. Adams Vice Chairman of the Board March 21, 2000
- ---------------------------
Fletcher W. Adams


/S/ John D. Morris Director March 21, 2000
- ---------------------------
John D. Morris


/S/ John H. Noyes Director March 21, 2000
- ---------------------------
John H. Noyes


/S/ Barry J. Kelley Director March 21, 2000
- ---------------------------
Barry J. Kelley


/S/ Randall G. Labnon Director March 21, 2000
- ---------------------------
Randall G. Labnon


/S/ Stephen G. Boucher Director March 26, 2000
- ---------------------------
Stephen G. Boucher


/S/ Peter H. Bornstein Director March 21, 2000
- ---------------------------
Peter H. Bornstein


/S/ Charles H. Clifford, Jr. Director March 21, 2000
- ---------------------------
Charles H. Clifford, Jr.


/S/ Arnold P. Hanson, Jr. Director March 21, 2000
- ---------------------------
Arnold P. Hanson, Jr.


/S/ Bruce W. Keough Director March 24, 2000
- ---------------------------
Bruce W. Keough


Senior Vice President, Chief March 21, 2000
Financial Officer and
Treasurer (Principal Financial
/S/ George L. Fredette and Accounting Officer)
- ---------------------------
George L. Fredette


INDEX OF EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number Description of Exhibit
- -------------- ----------------------

2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 14, 1997, by
and among Northway Financial, Inc., The Berlin City Bank, Pemi
Bancorp, Inc. and Pemigewasset National Bank (the "Merger
Agreement") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to
Registration Statement No. 333-33033)

3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Northway
Financial, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
Registration Statement No. 333-33033)

3.2 By-laws of Northway Financial, Inc (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.2 to Northway's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997).

4 Form of Certificate representing Northway Common Stock
(reference is also made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2) (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4 to Registration Statement No.
333-33033)

10.1 Employment Agreement for William J. Woodward (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Northway's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997).

10.2 Employment Agreement for Fletcher W. Adams (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Northway's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997).

10.3 Amendment to the Employment agreement for William J. Woodward.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Northway's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1998).(2)

10.4 Amendment to the Employment agreement for Fletcher W. Adams.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Northway's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1998). (2)

10.5 Employment agreement for Paul M. Ferguson. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Northway's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998). (2)

10.6 Northway Financial, Inc. 1999 Stock Option and Grant Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration
Statement No. 333-83571dated July 23,1999). (2)

10.7 Employment agreement for George L. Fredette. (1) (2)

10.8 Form of Key Employee Agreement. (1)

13 Northway Financial, Inc. 1999 Annual Report to
Stockholders (1)

21 List of Subsidiaries(1)

23.1 Consent of Shatswell, MacLeod & Company, P.C. (1)

27 Financial Data Schedule(1)

- -------------------
(1) Filed herewith
(2) Management contract or compensatory plan required to be filed as an exhibit
to this form pursuant to Item 14(c) of this report