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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(X)     ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003,
                                                                                                         or
( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______ to ______

Commission file number 0-23863

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
PENNSYLVANIA
23-2931852
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
50 MAIN STREET, HALLSTEAD, PA
18822
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(570) 879-2175
(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes ____ No X

Number of shares outstanding as of September 30, 2003   COMMON STOCK
($2 Par Value)

  3,165,248
 
  (Title Class)   (Outstanding Shares)  

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         Page
PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION   Number
     Item 1   Financial Statements  
       Consolidated Balance Sheets
as of September 30, 2003 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2002 (Audited)
  3
       Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited) for the Three Months and the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002
  4
       Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
(Unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002
  5
       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002
  6-7
       Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 8-10
     Item 2   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   11-20
     Item 3   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   21
     Item 4   Controls and Procedures   21
   
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION  
Item 1   Legal Proceedings   22
     Item 2   Changes in Securities   22
     Item 3   Defaults in Senior Securities   22
     Item 4   Submission of Matters for Security Holder Vote   22
     Item 5   Other Information   22
     Item 6   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K   23
       Signatures   24
       Exhibit Index   25
       Exhibits   26-29

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, 2003 (UNAUDITED) and December 31, 2002 (AUDITED)
September
2003

December 2002
(In Thousands, except Per Share Data)
ASSETS
Cash and Due from Banks   $     7,285  $     6,237   
Interest Bearing Deposits in Other Banks   169    103   
         Cash and Cash Equivalents 7,454    6,340   
Securities Available for Sale   112,854    105,972   
Loans 231,530    221,193   
Allowance for Loan Loss ( 2,089)   ( 1,935)  
         Loans, Net 229,441    219,258   
Premises and Equipment, net  4,424    3,830   
Accrued Interest Receivable  1,988    2,166   
Other Assets  9,150 
  9,276 
 
      Total Assets   $ 365,311 
  $ 346,842 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES    
     Deposits: 
         Non-Interest Bearing   $   38,014  $   32,411   
         Interest Bearing   237,724 
  226,776 
 
         Total Deposits   275,738    259,187   
     Accrued Interest Payable 632    656   
     Short-term Borrowings 5,724    13,113   
     Long-term Borrowings 42,176    34,744   
     Other Liabilities  1,049 
  819 
 
      Total Liabilities   $ 325,319 
  $ 308,519 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock, par value $2 per share; authorized 12,500,000 shares;
     issued 3,341,250 and 2,227,500 shares;
     outstanding 3,165,248 shares and 2,100,000 shares;
     at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 respectively   6,683  4,455   
Surplus   2,615    4,617   
Treasury Stock at Cost   ( 2,746) ( 2,861)
Retained Earnings 32,673    30,016   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 767 
  2,096 
 
    Total Stockholders' Equity 39,992 
  38,323 
 
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 365,311 
  $ 346,842 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
Nine Months Ended
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2003
September 30, 2002
September 30, 2003
September 30, 2002
(In Thousands, except Per Share Data)
INTEREST INCOME        
     Loans receivable, including fees  $ 11,368    $ 11,387    $ 3,748   $ 3,872   
     Securities: 
         Taxable  2,406    2,938    808   986   
         Tax-exempt  996    998    351   336   
     Other  33 
  23 
  13
 
 
         Total Interest Income   14,803 
  15,346 
  4,920
  5,199 
 
INTEREST EXPENSE  
     Deposits  4,149    5,023    1,323   1,573   
     Borrowed funds  1,602 
  1,295 
  546
  450 
 
         Total Interest Expense   5,751 
  6,318 
  1,869
  2,023 
 
         Net Interest Income   9,052    9,028    3,051    3,176   
 
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES   180 
  120 
  60
  60 
 
         Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses   8,872 
  8,908 
  2,991
  3,116 
 
OTHER INCOME (LOSSES)  
     Customer service fees  943    870    309   313   
     Gains (losses) on security sales  652    148    456   66   
     Impairment of security  -- (850)   --   --  
     Other income  519 
  501 
  189
  169 
 
         Total Other Income   2,114 
  669 
  954
  548 
 
OTHER EXPENSES  
     Salaries and benefits  2,747    2,463    900   872   
     Occupancy  334    297    112   102   
     Equipment  223    254    73   73   
     FDIC insurance and assessments  101    97    34   33   
     Professional fees and outside services  175    165    62   50   
     Computer service and supplies  392    337    134   113   
     Taxes, other than payroll and income  261    238    86   81   
     Other  1,100 
  1,250 
  350
  325 
 
         Total Other Expenses   5,333 
  5,101 
  1,751
  1,649 
 
         Income before Income Taxes   5,653    4,476    2,194   2,015   
 
INCOME TAXES   1,478 
  1,038 
  591
  513 
 
         Net Income   $   4,175 
  $  3,438 
  $  1,603
  $    1,502 
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE  
     Basic  $     1.32 
  $    1.09 
  $    0.51
  $    0.48 
 
     Diluted  $     1.31 
  $    1.09 
  $    0.50
  $    0.47 
 
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE  
       $     0.48 
  $    0.43 
  $    0.16
  $    0.14 
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2002
(UNAUDITED)
Common
Stock

Surplus
Retained
Earnings

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income(Loss)

Treasury
Stock

Total
(In Thousands, except Per Share Data)
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 2002   $  4,455   $  4,617    $ 30,016    $  2,096   $(2,861) $ 38,323 
 
Comprehensive income:  
    Net income  --   --    4,175    --   --    4,175   
    Net change in unrealized gains (losses)on securities available for sale, net of taxes  --   --    --    (1,329)   --    (1,329) 
 
    Total Comprehensive Income             2,846 
 
    Cash dividends declared, $0.48 per share  --   --    (1,518) --   --    (1,518)
       Treasury stock purchase   --   --   --   --   (34)  (34)
       Treasury stock issued for dividend reinvestment plan and stock option plan   --   226    --    --   149    375   
       Three-for-two stock split 2,227,500 shares  2,228
  (2,228)
-- 
  --
  -- 
  -- 
 
BALANCE - SEPTEMBER 30, 2003   6,683   2,615    32,673    767   (2,746) 39,992 
 
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 2001   4,455   4,611    26,851    536   (2,699) 33,754 
 
Comprehensive income: 
    Net income  --   --    3,438    --   --    3,438   
    Net change in unrealized gains (losses)on securities available for sale, net of taxes  --   --    --    1,499   --    1,499 
 
    Total Comprehensive Income             4,937 
 
    Cash dividends paid, $0.43 per share  --   --    (1,368) --   --    (1,368)
    Purchase of treasury stock  --
  --
  -- 
  --
  (167)
(167)
BALANCE - SEPTEMBER 30, 2002   $  4,455   $  4,611    $ 28,921    $  2,035   $(2,866) $ 37,156 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2003
2002
(In Thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 Net income   $   4,175    $   3,438   
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
            Depreciation and amortization  243    272   
            Provision for loan losses  180    120   
            Loss on sale of equipment  18    -- 
            Loss on sale of other real estate    22 
            Amortization of securities premiums and accretion of discounts  629    190   
            (Gains) on sales of investment securities, net  (652) (148)
            Impairment of securities  --    850 
            Increase in accrued interest receivable   178  143 
            Decrease (Increase) in other assets   917    (544)  
            Increase (Decrease) in accrued interest payable  (24)   (44)  
            Increase in other liabilities  230 
  192 
                  Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities   5,900 
  4,491 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES  
     Proceeds from sale of available for sale securities  22,360    17,993   
     Proceeds from maturities of available for sale securities  4,734    14,717   
     Purchase of available for sale securities  (59,557) (43,710)
     Principal payments on mortgage-backed securities  23,411  7,471 
     Net increase in loans  (10,398) (22,967)
     Purchase of premises and equipment  (855) (614)
     Proceeds from sale of other real estate  102 
  39 
 
                  Net Cash Used in Investing Activities   (20,203)
(27,071)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES  
     Cash dividends paid  (1,518)   (1,368)  
     Increase in deposits  16,551    20,602   
     Proceeds from long-term borrowings  8,000    15,000   
     Repayment of long-term borrowings  (568)   (178)  
     Net decrease in short-term borrowings  (7,389)   (10,022)  
     Purchase of treasury stock  (34) (167)
     Issuance of treasury stock  375 
  -- 
 
              Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities   15,417 
  23,867 
 
              Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents   1,114 
  1,287 
 

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2003
2002
(In Thousands)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF YEAR   $  6,340
  $  7,279
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF YEAR   $ 7,454
  $  8,566
 
SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURES OF CASH PAID      
     Interest paid  $  5,751
  $  6,318
 
     Income taxes paid  $  1,339
  $     891
 
SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES  
     Transfer from loans to real estate through foreclosure  $       35
  $       105
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1.     BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Peoples Financial Services Corp. (the “Corporation” or the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Peoples National Bank (the “Bank”). All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal, recurring nature. Operating results for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2003. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

2.     EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share, as adjusted for the stock split declared April 1, 2003:

Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2003
September 30, 2002
September 30, 2003
September 30, 2002
Net income applicable to common stock   $ 1,603,000   $ 1,502,000   $ 4,175,000 $ 3,438,000  
Weighted average common shares outstanding  3,165,248   3,149,325   3,160,129   3,153,129  
Effect of dilutive securities, stock options  33,988
  6,273
  26,168
  5,774
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding used to         
        calculate diluted earnings per share  3,199,236   3,155,598   3,186,297   3,158,903  
       
Basic earnings per share   $            .51   $            .48   $           1.32   $           1.09  
Diluted earnings per share   $            .50   $            .47   $           1.31   $           1.09  

3.     OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The components of other comprehensive income and related tax effects for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:

Nine Months Ended
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2003
September 30, 2002
September 30, 2003
September 30, 2002
(In Thousands, except Per Share Data)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available for sale securities   $ (1,361)   $   1,569    $ (2,310) $  1,320   
Less reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized in net income  652 
  (702)
  456 
  66 
 
        Net unrealized gains  (2,013)   2,271    (2,766)   1,254   
Tax effect   684 
  (772)
  940 
  (426)
 
        Other comprehensive income   $  (1,329)
  $  1,499 
  $  (1,826)
  $  828 
 

4.     STOCK OPTION PLAN

The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Accordingly, no compensation costs have been recognized for options granted in 2003 and 2002. Had compensation costs for stock options granted been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under the plan consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income and earnings per share for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, would have been reduced to the proforma amounts indicated below:

Nine Months Ended
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2003
September 30, 2002
September 30, 2003
September 30, 2002
(In Thousands, except Per Share Data)
Net income as reported   $ 4,175    $ 3,438    $ 1,603  $ 1,502   
Total stock-based compensation cost, net of tax, that would have been
    included in the determination of net income if the fair value based
    method had been applied to all awards.
 

(1) 

 

(23)

 

(1)

 

--

 
Pro forma net income  $ 4,174    $ 3,415    $ 1,602    $ 1,502   
       
Basic earnings per share:          
        As reported   $       1.32   $       1.09   $        .51   $        .48  
        Pro forma   $       1.32   $       1.08   $        .51   $        .48  
Diluted earnings per share:          
        As reported   $       1.31   $       1.09   $        .50   $        .47  
        Pro forma   $       1.31   $       1.08   $        .50   $        .47  

5.     NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 45 (FIN 45), “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.” This Interpretation expands the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its financial statements about its obligations under certain guarantees and requires the guarantor to recognize a liability for the fair value of an obligation assumed under certain specified guarantees. FIN 45 clarifies the requirements of FASB Statement No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” In general, FIN 45 applies to contracts or indemnification agreements that contingently require the guarantor to make payments to the guaranteed party based on changes in an underlying that is related to an asset, liability or equity security of the guaranteed party, which would include standby letters of credit. Certain guarantee contracts are excluded from both the disclosure and recognition requirements of this Interpretation, including, among others, guarantees related to commercial letters of credit and loan commitments. The disclosure requirements of FIN 45 require disclosure of the nature of the guarantee, the maximum potential amount of future payments that the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee and the current amount of the liability, if any, for the guarantor’s obligations under the guarantee. The accounting recognition requirements of FIN 45 are to be applied prospectively to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. Adoption of FIN 45 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Outstanding letters of credit written are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company had $1,093,000 of standby letters of credit as of September 30, 2003. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

The majority of these standby letters of credit expire within the next twelve months. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending other loan commitments. The Company requires collateral supporting these letters of credit as deemed necessary. The maximum undiscounted exposure related to these commitments at September 30, 2003 was $1,093,000, and the approximate value of underlying collateral upon liquidation that would be expected to cover this maximum potential exposure was $466,000. The current amount of the liability as of September 30, 2003 for guarantees under standby letters of credit issued after December 31, 2002 is not material.

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51". This interpretation provides new guidance for the consolidation of variable interest entities (VIEs) and requires such entities to be consolidated by their primary beneficiaries if the entities do not effectively disperse risk among parties involved. The interpretation also adds disclosure requirements for investors that are involved with unconsolidated VIEs. The disclosure requirements apply to all financial statements issued after January 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements apply immediately to VIEs created after January 31, 2003 and are effective December 31, 2003 for VIEs acquired before February 1, 2003. The adoption of this interpretation did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In April 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 149, “Amendment of Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. This statement clarifies the definition of a derivative and incorporates certain decisions made by the board as part of the Derivatives Implementation Group process. This Statement is effective for contracts entered into or modified and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003, and should be applied prospectively. The provisions of the statement that relate to implementation issues addressed by the Derivatives Implementation Group that have been effective should continue to be applied in accordance with their respective dates. Adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In May 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” This Statement requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability. Many of these instruments were previously classified as equity. This Statement was effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and otherwise was effective beginning July 1, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation is presented to provide insight into management’s assessment of financial results. The Corporation’s only subsidiary, Peoples National Bank provides financial services to individuals and businesses within the Bank’s primary market area made up of Susquehanna, Wyoming and northern Lackawanna counties in Pennsylvania, and southern Broome County in New York. The Bank also operates a branch in Conklin, New York. The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and subject to regulation, supervision, and examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Except for historical information, this Report may be deemed to contain “forward looking” information. Examples of forward looking information may include, but are not limited to (a) projections of or statements regarding future earnings, interest income, other income, earnings or loss per share, asset mix and quality, growth prospects, capital structure and other financial terms, (b) statements of plans and objectives of management or the Board of Directors, (c) statements of future economic performance, and (d) statements of assumptions, such as economic conditions in the market areas served by the Corporation and the Bank, underlying other statements and statements about the Corporation and the Bank or their respective businesses. Such forward looking information can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “intends,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” or the negative of any of the foregoing or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussion of strategy. No assurance can be given that the future results covered by the forward looking information will be achieved. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking information. Important factors that could impact operating results include, but are not limited to, (i) the effects of changing economic conditions in both the market areas served by the Corporation and the Bank and nationally, (ii) credit risks of commercial, real estate, consumer and other lending activities, (iii) significant changes in interest rates, (iv) changes in federal and state banking laws and regulations which could affect operations, (v) funding costs, and (vi) other external developments which could materially affect business and operations.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Disclosure of the Company’s significant accounting policies is included in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. Some of these policies are particularly sensitive requiring significant judgments, estimates and assumptions to be made by Management. Additional information is contained on page 16 of this report for the provision and allowance for loan losses.

OVERVIEW

Net income for the quarter increased 6.7% to $1.603 million as compared to $1.502 million for the third quarter of 2002. Diluted earnings per share increased 6.4% to $.50 per share for the second quarter of 2003 from $.47 per share in the second quarter of 2002, as adjusted for the stock split declared April 1, 2003. At September 30, 2003 the Company had total assets of $365.311 million, total net loans of $229.441 million, and total deposits of $275.738 million.


FINANCIAL CONDITION

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

At September 30, 2003 cash, federal funds sold, and deposits with other banks totaled $7.454 million as compared to $6.340 million on December 31, 2002.

Management believes the liquidity needs of the Corporation are satisfied by the current balance of cash and cash equivalents, readily available access to traditional funding sources, and the portion of the investment and loan portfolios that matures within one year. The continuous decline in interest rates continues to increase liquidity. The current sources of funds will enable the Corporation to meet all its cash obligations as they come due.

Investments:

Investments totaled $112.854 million on September 30, 2003, increasing by $6.882 million over the December 31, 2002 total of $105.972 million. As loan demand has slowed in the first three quarters of 2003, the investment portfolio and Fed Funds have utilized the increase in deposits in that same time period.

The total investment portfolio is held as available for sale. This strategy was implemented in 1995 to provide more flexibility in using the investment portfolio for liquidity purposes as well as providing more flexibility in selling when market opportunities occur.

Investments available for sale are accounted for at fair value with unrealized gains or losses, net of deferred income taxes, reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The carrying value of investments as of September 30, 2003 included an unrealized gain of $1.163 million reflected as accumulated other comprehensive income of $767 thousand in stockholders’ equity, net of deferred income taxes of $396 thousand. This compares to an unrealized gain of $3.176 million at December 31, 2002 reflected as accumulated other comprehensive income of $2.096 million, net of deferred income taxes of $1.080 million.

Management monitors the earnings performance and effectiveness of liquidity of the investment portfolio on a monthly basis through the Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”). The ALCO also reviews and manages interest rate risk for the Corporation. Through active balance sheet management and analysis of the investment securities portfolio, the Corporation maintains sufficient liquidity to satisfy depositor requirements and various credit needs of its customers.

Loans:

Net loans increased $10.183 million or 4.64% to $229.441 million as of September 30, 2003 from $219.258 million as of December 31, 2002. Of the loan growth experienced in the first half of 2003, the most significant growth occurred in commercial loans. Commercial loans increased $11.378 million or 11.99% to $106.312 million as of September 30, 2003 compared to $94.934 million as of December 31, 2002.

Increasing the loan to deposit ratio is a goal of the Bank, but loan quality is always considered in this effort. Management has continued its efforts to create good underwriting standards for both commercial and consumer credit. The Bank’s lending continues to consist primarily of retail lending which includes single family residential mortgages and other consumer lending. Most commercial lending is done primarily with locally owned small businesses.


Other Assets:

Other Assets decreased $126 thousand or 1.36% to $9.150 million as of September 30, 2003 from $9.276 million as of December 31, 2002. The largest portion of the decrease in other assets was due to the receipt of $1.187 million due to the bank in partial settlement of the fraud case against Robert E. Bentley, his d/b/a Entrust Group and Bentley Financial Services, Inc. This settlement directly reduced other assets.

Deposits:

Deposits are attracted from within the Bank’s primary market area through the offering of various deposit instruments including NOW accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and IRA’s. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003, total deposits increased by $16.551 million or 6.39% to $275.738 million.

Borrowings:

The Bank utilizes borrowings as a source of funds for its asset/liability management. Advances are available from the FHLB provided certain standards related to credit worthiness have been met. Repurchase and term agreements are also available from the FHLB.

Total short-term borrowings at September 30, 2003 were $5.724 million as compared to $13.113 million as of December 31, 2002 a decrease of $7.389 million or 56.35%. Long-term borrowings were $42.176 million as of September 30, 2003 compared to $34.744 million as of December 31, 2002 an increase of $7.432 million or 21.39%. The decrease in short-term borrowings was directly related to the increase in long-term borrowings as the bank moved to lock in at historically low long-term borrowing rates.

Capital:

The adequacy of the Corporation’s capital is reviewed on an ongoing basis with reference to the size, composition and quality of the Corporation’s resources and regulatory guidelines. Management seeks to maintain a level of capital sufficient to support existing assets and anticipated asset growth, maintain favorable access to capital markets, and preserve high quality credit ratings. As of September 30, 2003 regulatory capital to total assets was 9.79% as compared to 9.91% on December 31, 2002. The Company repurchases its stock in the open market or from individuals as warranted to leverage the capital account and to provide stock for a dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan.

The Corporation has complied with the standards of capital adequacy mandated by the banking regulators. The bank regulators have established “risk-based” capital requirements designed to measure capital adequacy. Risk-based capital ratios reflect the relative risks of various assets the banks hold in their portfolios. A weight category of either 0% (lowest risk asset), 20%, 50%, or 100% (highest risk assets) is assigned to each asset on the balance sheet. Capital is being maintained in compliance with risk-based capital guidelines. The Company’s Tier 1 capital to risk weighted asset ratio was 14.62% and the total capital ratio to risk weighted assets ratio was 15.47% at September 30, 2003. The Corporation is deemed to be well-capitalized under regulatory standards.


Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity:

Liquidity measures an organization’s ability to meet cash obligations as they come due. The consolidated statement of cash flows presented in the accompanying financial statements included in Part I of this Form 10Q provide analysis of the Corporation’s cash and cash equivalents. Additionally, management considers that portion of the loan and investment portfolio that matures within one year as part of the Corporation’s liquid assets.

The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) addresses the liquidity needs of the Bank to see that sufficient funds are available to meet credit demands and deposit withdrawals as well as to the placement of available funds in the investment portfolio. In assessing liquidity requirements, equal consideration is given to the current position as well as the future outlook.

The Company’s financial statements do not reflect various commitments that are made in the normal course of business, which may involve some liquidity risk. These commitments consist primarily of commitments to grant new loans and unfunded commitments of existing loans and letters of credit made under the same standards as on-balance sheet instruments. Unused commitments on September 30, 2003 totaled $30.514 million, which consisted of $19.725 million in unfunded commitments of existing loans, $9.696 million to grant new loans and $1.093 million in letters of credit. Due to fixed maturity dates and specified conditions within these instruments, many will expire without being drawn upon. Management believes that amounts actually drawn upon can be funded in the normal course of operations and therefore, do not represent a significant liquidity risk to the Company.

The management of interest rate sensitivity seeks to avoid fluctuating net interest margins and to provide consistent net interest income through periods of changing interest rates.

The Company’s risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments, or market risk, is composed primarily of interest rate risk. The primary objective of the Company’s asset/liability management activities is to maximize net interest income while maintaining acceptable levels of interest rate risk. The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) is responsible for establishing policies to limit exposure to interest rate risk, and to ensure procedures are established to monitor compliance with those policies. The guidelines established by ALCO are reviewed by the Company’s Board of Directors.

The tools used to monitor sensitivity are the Statement of Interest Sensitivity Gap and the interest rate shock analysis. The Bank uses a software model to measure and to keep track. In addition, an outside source does a quarterly analysis to make sure our internal analysis is current and correct. The statement of Interest Sensitivity Gap is a good assessment of current position and is a very useful tool for the ALCO in performing its job. This report is monitored in an effort to “match” maturities or repricing opportunities of assets and liabilities in order to attain the maximum interest within risk tolerance policy guidelines. The statement does, although, have inherent limitations in that certain assets and liabilities may react to changes in interest rates in different ways with some categories reacting in advance of changes and some lagging behind the changes. In addition, there are estimates used in determining the actual propensity to change of certain items such as deposits without maturities.


The following table sets forth the Company’s interest sensitivity analysis as of September 30, 2003:

Maturity or Repricing In:
3 Months
3 to 6
Months

6 to 12
Months

1 to 5
Years

Over 5
Years

RATE SENSITIVE ASSETS
Loans   $ 46,233   $   11,314    $   26,831   $  108,123   $  36,940  
Securities  5,098   3,195    11,299   52,047   41,215  
Federal Funds Sold  --
  -- 
  --
  --
  --
 
Total Rate Sensitive Assets  51,331
  14,509 
  38,130
  160,170
  78,155
 
Cumulative Rate Sensitive Assets  51,331
  65,840 
  103,970
  264,140
  342,295
 
 
RATE SENSITIVE LIABILITIES 
Interest Bearing Checking  814   814    1,627   13,017   10,847  
Money Market Deposits  1,049   1,049    2,098   16,789   13,991  
Regular Savings  2,668   1,769    3,538   28,306   23,588  
CDs and IRAs  19,097   12,954    35,387   45,785   2,537  
Short-term Borrowings  5,724   --    --   --   --  
Long-term Borrowings  --
  -- 
  --
  17,670
  24,506
 
Total Rate Sensitive Liabilities  29,352
  16,586 
  42,650
  121,567
  75,469
 
Cumulative Rate Sensitive Liabilities  29,352
  45,938 
  88,588
  210,155
  285,624
 
 
Period Gap  21,979 (2,077)   (4,520)   38,603   2,686  
Cumulative Gap  21,979 19,902  15,382 53,985   56,671  
Cumulative Rate Sensitive Assets to Liabilities  174.88 % 143.32  % 117.36 % 125.69 % 119.84 %
Cumulative Gap to Total Assets  6.02 % 5.45  % 4.21 % 14.78 % 15.51 %

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Interest Income:

For the three months ended September 30, 2003 total interest income decreased by $279 thousand, or 5.37%, to $4.920 million as compared to $5.119 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002. This decrease was primarily due to the continued decrease in yield on earnings assets, which decreased to 5.58% as compared to 6.56% for the second quarter of 2002. Average earning assets increased to $349.546 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to $314.345 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003 total interest income decreased by $543 thousand, or 3.54% to $14.803 million as compared to $15.346 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. This was also due to the decrease in yield on earning assets, which decreased to 5.84% for the first three quarters of 2003 as compared to 6.71% for the first three quarters of 2002. Average earning assets increased to $338.837 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to $305.610 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

Total interest expense decreased by $154 thousand, or 7.61% to $1.869 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from $2.023 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002. This decrease was attributable to the decrease in the cost of funds, which decreased to 2.58 % as compared to 3.07 % for the third quarter of 2002. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased to $287.370 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to $261.777 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003 total interest expense decreased by $567 thousand, or 8.97% to $5.751 million as compared to $6.318 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Again, the decrease in the cost of funds to 2.73% for the first three quarters of 2003 as compared to 3.31% for the first three quarters of 2002 caused this decrease. Average interest bearing liabilities increased to $282.015 million for the first three quarters of 2003 compared to $255.441 million for the first three quarters of 2002.

Net interest income decreased by $125 thousand, or 3.94 %, to $3.051 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from $3.176 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002. The Bank’s net interest spread decreased to 3.00% for the third quarter of 2003 from 3.50 % for the third quarter of 2002. The net interest margin decreased to 3.44 % from 3.98 % for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 respectively.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003 net interest income increased $24 thousand, or .27% to $9.052 million as compared to $9.028 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. This increase is due to an increase in the volume of average earning assets which offset a decrease in the net interest spread to 3.11% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to 3.41% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The net interest margin decreased to 3.57% from 3.95% for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Below are the tables which set forth average balances and corresponding yields for both the three month and six month periods ended September 30, 2003.


Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity;
Interest Rates and Interest Differential (Year to Date)
2003
2002
ASSETS Average Yield/ Average Yield/
Loans Balance
Interest
Rate
Balance
Interest
Rate
     Real Estate $  108,093   $  5,807   7.18% $105,626   $  6,063   7.67%
     Installment   17,976   941   7.00% 18,282   1,091   7.98%
     Commercial  92,314   4,330   6.27% 73,737   3,876   7.03%
     Tax Exempt  8,423   257   4.08% 9,926   323   4.35%
     Other Loans  627
  33
  7.04% 574
  34
  7.92%
Total Loans   227,433
  11,367
  6.68% 208,145
  11,388
  7.31%
Investment Securities (AFS)  
     Taxable   78,999   2,406   4.07% 70,455   2,938   5.58%
     Non-Taxable   28,612
  996
  4.65% 25,431
  998
  5.25%
Total Securities   107,611
  3,403
  4.23% 95,886
  3,956
  5.52%
Fed Funds Sold  3,793
  33
  1.16% 1,579
  23
  1.95%
Total Earning Assets  338,837
  14,803
  5.84% 305,610
  15,346
  6.71%
Less: Allowance for Loan Losses  ( 2,002         ( 1,841        
Cash and Due from Banks  6,340           5,882          
Premises and Equipment, Net  4,291           3,574          
Other Assets  10,581
          11,786
         
Total Assets  $ 358,047
          $ 325,011
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Deposits 
     Interest Bearing Demand  $24,152   165 0.91% $22,922   207   1.21%
     Regular Savings  58,717   589   1.34% 55,754   825   1.98%
     Money Market Savings  34,857   408   1.56% 33,844   565   2.23%
     Time  114,826
  2,987
  3.48% 106,977
  3,425
  4.28%
Total Interest Bearing Deposits  232,552   4,149   2.39% 219,497   5,022   3.06%
Other Borrowings  49,463
  1,602
  4.33% 35,944
  1,296
  4.82%
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities  282,015
  5,751
  2.73% 255,441
  6,318
  3.31%
Net Interest Spread    $9,052
3.11% $9,028
3.41%
Non-Interest Bearing Demand Deposits 35,386   33,435
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities   1,538   1,809
Stockholder's Equity   39,108
  34,326
Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity   $ 358,047
  $ 325,011
Interest Income/Earning Assets  5.84% 6.71%
Interest Expense/Earning Assets  2.27% 2.76%
Net Interest Margin   3.57% 3.95%

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity;
Interest Rates and Interest Differential (Quarter to Date)
2003
2002
ASSETS Average Yield/ Average Yield/
Loans Balance
Interest
Rate
Balance
Interest
Rate
     Real Estate $  107,321   $  1,901   7.03% $107,940   $  2,059   7.57%
     Installment   17,687   301   6.75% 18,380   345   7.45%
     Commercial  94,906   1,451   6.07% 79,392   1,371   6.85%
     Tax Exempt  8,501   83   3.87% 7,596   87   4.54%
     Other Loans  588
  11
  7.42% 525
  11
  8.31%
Total Loans   229,003
  3,747
  6.49% 213,833
  3,873
  7.19%
Investment Securities (AFS)  
     Taxable   83,943   809   3.82% 73,955   1,006   5.40%
     Non-Taxable   31,732
  351
  4.39% 25,564
  336
  5.21%
Total Securities   115,675
  1,160
  3.98% 99,519
  1,342
  5.35%
Fed Funds Sold  4,868
  12
  0.98% 993
  2
  0.80%
Total Earning Assets  349,546
  4,919
  5.58% 314,345
  5,199
  6.56%
Less: Allowance for Loan Losses  ( 2,053         ( 1,871        
Cash and Due from Banks  7,227           6,456          
Premises and Equipment, Net  4,456           3,709          
Other Assets  9,792
          11,804
         
Total Assets  $ 368,968
          $ 334,443
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Deposits 
     Interest Bearing Demand  $25,847   58 0.89% $24,400   70   1.14%
     Regular Savings  60,509   181   1.19% 57,354   266   1.84%
     Money Market Savings  35,488   127   1.42% 35,874   176   1.95%
     Time  115,587
  957
  3.28% 106,759
  1,060
  3.94%
Total Interest Bearing Deposits  237,431   1,323   2.21% 224,387   1,572   2.78%
Other Borrowings  49,939
  546
  4.34% 37,390
  451
  4.79%
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities  287,370
  1,869
  2.58% 261,777
  2,023
  3.07%
Net Interest Spread    $3,050
3.00% $3,176
3.50%
Non-Interest Bearing Demand Deposits 39,804   35,787
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities   1,518   1,651
Stockholder's Equity   40,276
  35,228
Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity   $ 368,968
  $ 334,443
Interest Income/Earning Assets  5.58% 6.56%
Interest Expense/Earning Assets  2.14% 2.58%
Net Interest Margin   3.44% 3.98%

Provision for Loan Loss:

For the three month period ended September 30, 2003 the provision for Loan Loss was the same at $60,000 when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2002.

The provision for loan loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $180,000 an increase of $60,000, or 50.0% from $120,000 for the same period in 2002. Loan growth, particularly growth in commercial loans, required the increased provisions. One of the Bank’s main goals is to increase the loan to deposit ratio without jeopardizing loan quality. To reach its goal, management has continued its efforts to create strong underwriting standards for both commercial and consumer credit. The Bank’s lending consists primarily of retail lending which includes single family residential mortgages and other consumer lending and commercial lending primarily to locally owned small businesses.

In the three-month period ended September 30, 2003, charge-offs totaled $20,000 while net charge-offs totaled $1,000 as compared to $46,000 and $13,000 respectively for the same three-month period in 2002.

Charge-offs totaled $62,000 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 while net charge-offs totaled $26,000 as compared to charge-offs of $90,000 and net charge-offs of $40,000 for the comparable period in 2002.

Monthly, senior management uses a detailed analysis of the loan portfolio to determine loan loss reserve adequacy. The process considers all “problem loans” including classified, criticized, and monitored loans. Prior loan loss history and current market trends, both nationally and locally, are taken into consideration. A watch list of potential problem loans is maintained and monitored on a monthly basis by the board of directors. The Bank has not had nor presently has any foreign loans. Based upon this analysis, senior management has concluded that the allowance of loan loss is adequate.

Other Income:

Other income was $954 thousand for the three-months ended September 30, 2003, an increase of $406 thousand, or 74.09% over the comparable period in 2002. This is due to a sharp increase in gains on sales of available for sale securities and the sale of the defaulted World Com bond at a gain of $180,000, for total gains on securities sales of $456 thousand, an increase of $390,000 over prior quarters gains of $66 thousand.

Other income was $2.114 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003, an increase of $1.445 million, or 215.99% as compared to $669 thousand for the same nine month period in 2002. Again, this difference between the two periods is primarily due to the securities gains previously discussed. Gains on security sales increased $504 thousand to $652 thousand for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 as compared to $148 thousand for the same period in 2002. Increases in security gains in 2003 have been the result of the bank selling securities which would be called in the near term at par while those securities still had gains in them. Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 also included an $850 thousand impairment loss of the World Com Security.

Service charges and fees decreased 1.28%, or $4 thousand, to $309 thousand for the three month period ended September 30, 2003, from $313 thousand in the same period in 2002.

Service charges and fees increased 8.39%, or $73 thousand to $943 thousand for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 from $870 thousand for the nine month period ended September 30, 2002.


Other Operating Expenses:

Total other expenses increased 6.19%, or $102 thousand, to $1.751 million during the three month period ended September 30, 2003 compared to $1.649 million for the comparable period in 2002.

Total other expenses increased 4.55%, or $232 thousand to $5.333 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 as compared to total other expenses of $5.101 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2002.

Salaries and benefits increased 3.21%, or $28 thousand to $900 thousand for the three month period ended September 30, 2003 compared to $872 thousand for the same period in 2002 due to normal pay increases and increased staff.

Salaries and benefits increased 11.53%, or $284 thousand to $2.747 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 as compared to $2.463 million for the comparable period in 2002. The full-time equivalent number of employees was 96 as of September 30, 2003 compared to 92 as of September 30, 2002 due to the addition of branch staff for the first half of 2003, when compared to the same period in 2002.

Occupancy expenses increased 9.80%, or $10 thousand, to $112 thousand for the three month period ended September 30, 2003 compared to $102 thousand for the same period in 2002. Occupancy expenses increased 12.46%, or $37 thousand to $334 thousand for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 as compared to $297 thousand for the same period in 2002. Furniture and fixtures was the same at $73 thousand for the third quarter of 2003 compared to $73 thousand for the third quarter of 2002. Furniture and fixtures expense decreased 12.20%, or $31 thousand to $223 thousand for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 as compared to $254 thousand for the nine month period ended September 30, 2002. This decrease was due to the decrease of depreciation expense during the first three quarters of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002.

All other operating expenses increased $64 thousand, or 10.63%, to $666 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to $602 thousand for the same period in 2002. All other operating expense categories decreased $58 thousand, or 2.78% to $2.029 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. This compares to $2.087 million for the comparable period in 2002. The decrease was aided by the $158 thousand provision for possible losses on the alleged fraud on the sale of securities by Bentley Financial Services, Inc., recorded in the first half of 2002. This charge against income was a non-recurring event.

Income Tax Provision:

The Corporation recorded an income tax provision of $591 thousand, or 26.9% of income, and $513 thousand, or 25.5% of income, for the quarters ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 respectively.

The income tax provision recorded was $1.478 million, or 26.1% of income, and $1.038 million, or 23.2% of income, for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 respectively.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

The Fed Funds rate was lowered by 25 basis points on June 25, 2003. It remains to be seen how this will effect the net interest income and net income position of the bank. As of September 30, 2003, the Bank is currently showing sensitivity to downward rate shift scenarios. While this remains in question, the results of the latest financial simulation follow. The simulation shows a possible increase in net interest income of 12.87% or $1,629,000 in a +200 basis point rate shock scenario over a one-year period. A decrease of 19399 % or $2,530,000 is shown in the model at a –200 basis point rate shock. The net interest income risk position of the Bank remains within the guidelines established by the Bank’s asset/liability policy. The Bank continuously monitors its rate sensitivity.

Equity value at risk is monitored regularly and is also within established policy limits. Please refer to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for December 31, 2002, for further discussion of this matter.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a)     Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
  The company maintains controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based upon their evaluation of those controls and procedures performed as of September 30, 2003, the chief executive and principal financial officers of the company concluded that the company’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequate.

(b)     Changes in internal controls.
  The Company made no significant changes in its internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the evaluation of the controls during the quarter ended September 30, 2003, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

PART II

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The nature of the Company’s business generates a certain amount of litigation involving matters arising out of the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, there are no legal proceedings that might have a material effect on the results of operations, liquidity, or the financial position of the Company at this time.

ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES

   None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS IN SENIOR SECURITIES

   None.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS FOR SECURITY HOLDER VOTE

   None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

   None.


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8K

 

(a)     Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
(3.1) Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Financial Services Corp. *  
(3.2) By laws of Peoples Financial Service Corp. as amended ** 
(10.1) Agreement dated January 14, 1997, between John W. Ord and Peoples Financial Services Corp. * 
(10.2) Excess Benefit Plan dated January 14, 1992, for John W. Ord * 
(10.4) Termination Agreement dated January 1, 1997, between Debra E. Dissinger and Peoples Financial 
Services Corp. * 
(11) The statement regarding computation of per share earnings required by this exhibit 
  is contained in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements captioned “Earnings Per  
  Share” filed as part of Item 1 of this report. 
(21) Subsidiaries of Peoples Financial Services Corp. * 
(31.1) Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) 
(31.2) Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) 
(32.1) Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 1350 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 
(32.2) Certification of Prinicpal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002  

*   Incorporated by reference to the Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form 10 as filed with the U.S. 
  Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 1998 
   
**   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 on Form 8K as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange 
  Commission on April 20, 2001  



 

(b)     Other events and reports on Form 8-K that have been previously filed are as follows:
Press Release of Peoples Financial Services Corp. to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on  
           July 21, 2003, submitted as Exhibit 99, regarding second quarter earnings and dividend announcement.

SIGNATURES

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

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP

By /s/ Debra E. Dissinger
Debra E. Dissinger, Executive Vice President


 
/s/ Frederick J. Malloy
Frederick J. Malloy, AVP/Controller



EXHIBIT INDEX

ITEM NUMBER
DESCRIPTION
PAGE
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer   26  
31.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer   27  
32.1 Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Section 1350   28  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer    
32.2 Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Section 1350  29  
Certification of Principal Financial Officer   

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

        I, John W. Ord, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Peoples Financial Services Corp.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) for the registrant and have:
    a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
    b) evaluated the effectiveness of the issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
    c) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
    a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
    b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.




By/s/ John W. Ord
Chief Executive Officer and President
 

Date:    November 13, 2003


Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Debra E. Dissinger, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form l0-Q of Peoples Financial Services Corp.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) for the registrant and have:
    a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
    b) evaluated the effectiveness of the issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
    c) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
    a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
    b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.




By/s/ Debra E. Dissinger
Executive Vice President
 

Date:    November 13, 2003


Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADDED BY
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Peoples Financial Services Corp. (the “Company”) for the period ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, John W. Ord, Chief Executive Officer and President, of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as added by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

    1.        The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

    2.        To my knowledge, the information contained in the Report fairly represents, in all material respects, the financial condition
               and results of operations of the Company as of and for the period covered by the Report.

By/s/ John W. Ord
Chief Executive Officer & President
 

Date:     November 13, 2003


Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADDED BY
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Peoples Financial Services Corp. (the “Company”) for the period ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Debra E. Dissinger, Executive Vice President, of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as added by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

    1.        The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

    2.        To my knowledge, the information contained in the Report fairly represents, in all material respects, the financial condition
               and results of operations of the Company as of and for the period covered by the Report.

By/s/ Debra E. Dissinger
Executive Vice President
 

Date:     November 13, 2003