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U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Commission File Number: 0-50347

JEFFERSON BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (423) 586-8421

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 $0.01 per share

(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 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 the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).     Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was $87,783,236 based upon the closing price ($12.39 per share) as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market on July 2, 2003, which was the date the registrant’s common stock commenced trading. Solely for purposes of this calculation, the shares held by the directors and officers of the registrant are deemed to be held by affiliates.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of September 26, 2003 was 8,375,985.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None

INDEX

This report contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are not historical facts, rather statements based on Jefferson Bancshares, Inc.’s current expectations regarding its business strategies, intended results and future performance. Forward-looking statements are preceded by terms such as “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends” and similar expressions.

Management’s ability to predict results or the effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could affect actual results include interest rate trends, the general economic climate in the market area in which Jefferson Bancshares operates, as well as nationwide, Jefferson Bancshares’ ability to control costs and expenses, competitive products and pricing, loan delinquency rates and changes in federal and state legislation and regulation. These factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Jefferson Bancshares assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

PART I

General

Jefferson Bancshares, Inc. (also referred to as the “Company” or “Jefferson Bancshares”) was organized as a Tennessee corporation at the direction of Jefferson Federal Bank, formerly “Jefferson Federal Savings and Loan Association of Morristown” (referred to as the “Bank” or “Jefferson Federal”), in March 2003 to become the holding company for Jefferson Federal upon the completion of its “second-step” mutual-to-stock conversion (the “Conversion”) of Jefferson Bancshares, M.H.C. (the “MHC”). The Conversion was completed on July 1, 2003. As part of the Conversion, the MHC merged into Jefferson Federal thereby ceasing to exist and Jefferson Federal Savings and Loan Association of Morristown changed its name to “Jefferson Federal Bank.” The Company sold 6,612,500 shares of its common stock at a price of $10.00 per share to depositors of the Bank in a subscription offering raising approximately $64.5 million in net proceeds. The Company also exchanged approximately 1,389,000 shares of its common stock for all the outstanding shares of the Bank’s common stock (other than shares held by the MHC), representing an exchange ratio of 4.2661 for each share of Jefferson Federal outstanding. In addition, the Bank established the Jefferson Federal Charitable Foundation, which was funded with $250,000 and 375,000 shares of Company common stock.

The Company has no significant assets, other than all of the outstanding shares of the Bank and the portion of the net proceeds it retained from the Conversion, and no significant liabilities. Management of the Company and the Bank are substantially similar and the Company neither owns nor leases any property, but instead uses the premises, equipment and furniture of the Bank. Accordingly, the information set forth in this report, including the consolidated financial statements and related financial data, relates primarily to the Bank.

Jefferson Federal operates as a community-oriented financial institution offering traditional financial services to consumers and businesses in its market area. Jefferson Federal attracts deposits from the general public and uses those funds to originate loans, which it holds for investment.

Available Information

We maintain an Internet website at http://www.jeffersonfederal.com. We make available our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other information related to us, free of charge, on this site as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file those documents with, or otherwise furnish them to, the SEC. Our Internet website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not intended to be incorporated into this annual report on Form 10-K.

Market Area

We are located in Morristown, Tennessee, which is situated approximately 40 miles northeast of Knoxville, Tennessee in the northeastern section of the state. We consider Hamblen County, with a population of

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approximately 59,000, and its contiguous counties to be our primary market area. The economy of our market area is primarily oriented to manufacturing and agriculture. Morristown and Hamblen County also serve as a hub for retail shopping and medical services for a number of surrounding rural counties. The manufacturing sector is focused on three types of products: automotive and heavy equipment components; plastics, paper and corrugated products; and furniture. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rates for the State of Tennessee have compared favorably to the national rate as well as the rate in Hamblen County. In this regard, the average monthly unemployment rate in Hamblen County has decreased from 6.2% for 2001 to 5.6% for 2002, but remained above the state average and slightly below the national average. Importantly, the slow economy in Jefferson Federal’s market has been evidenced in other ways such as through diminished hours worked for hourly employees in the manufacturing sector, which is the largest component of the local economy.

Competition

We face significant competition for the attraction of deposits and origination of loans. Our most direct competition for deposits has historically come from the several financial institutions operating in our market area and, to a lesser extent, from other financial service companies, such as brokerage firms, credit unions and insurance companies. We also face competition for investors’ funds from money market funds and other corporate and government securities. At June 30, 2002, which is the most recent date for which data is available from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, we held 31.34% of the deposits in Hamblen County, which is the largest market share out of eight financial institutions with offices in the county. However, banks owned by Suntrust Banks, Inc., First Tennessee National Corporation, Union Planters Corporation and National Commerce Financial Corporation, all of which are large regional bank holding companies, also operate in Hamblen County. These institutions are significantly larger than us and, therefore, have significantly greater resources.

Our competition for loans comes primarily from financial institutions in our market area, and to a lesser extent from other financial service providers, such as mortgage companies and mortgage brokers. Competition for loans also comes from the increasing number of non-depository financial service companies entering the mortgage market, such as insurance companies, securities companies and specialty finance companies.

We expect competition to increase in the future as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and the continuing trend of consolidation in the financial services industry. Technological advances, for example, have lowered barriers to entry, allowed banks to expand their geographic reach by providing services over the Internet and made it possible for non-depository institutions to offer products and services that traditionally have been provided by banks. Changes in federal law permit affiliation among banks, securities firms and insurance companies, which promotes a competitive environment in the financial services industry. Competition for deposits and the origination of loans could limit our growth in the future.

Lending Activities

General. Our loan portfolio consists of a variety of mortgage, commercial and consumer loans. As a community-oriented financial institution, we try to meet the borrowing needs of consumers and businesses in our market area. Mortgage loans constitute a significant majority of the portfolio, and residential mortgage loans are the largest segment in that category.

One- to Four-Family Residential Loans. Our primary lending activity is the origination of mortgage loans to enable borrowers to purchase or refinance existing homes or to construct new one- to four-family homes. We offer fixed-rate mortgage loans with terms up to 15 years and adjustable-rate mortgage loans with terms up to 25 years. Borrower demand for adjustable-rate loans versus fixed-rate loans is a function of the level of interest rates, the expectations of changes in the level of interest rates, the difference between the interest rates and loan fees offered for fixed-rate mortgage loans and the first year interest rates and loan fees for adjustable-rate loans. The relative amount of fixed-rate mortgage loans and adjustable-rate mortgage loans that can be originated at any time is largely determined by the demand for each in a competitive environment and the effect each has on our interest rate risk.

While we anticipate that adjustable-rate loans will better offset the adverse effects of an increase in interest rates as compared to fixed-rate mortgages, the increased mortgage payments required of adjustable-rate loan

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borrowers in a rising interest rate environment could cause an increase in delinquencies and defaults. The marketability of the underlying property also may be adversely affected in a high interest rate environment. In addition, although adjustable-rate mortgage loans help make our asset base more responsive to changes in interest rates, the extent of this interest sensitivity is limited by the annual and lifetime interest rate adjustment limits.

The loan fees charged, interest rates and other provisions of mortgage loans are determined by us on the basis of our own pricing criteria and competitive market conditions. Interest rates and payments on our adjustable-rate loans generally are adjusted annually based on any change in the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders as published by the Federal Housing Finance Board. Changes in this index tend to lag behind changes in market interest rates. Our adjustable-rate mortgage loans may have initial fixed-rate periods ranging from one to five years.

We originate all adjustable-rate loans at the fully indexed interest rate. The maximum amount by which the interest rate may be increased or decreased is generally 2% per year and the lifetime interest rate cap is generally 5% over the initial interest rate of the loan. Our adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans generally do not provide for a decrease in the rate paid below the initial contract rate. The inability of our residential real estate loans to adjust downward below the initial contract rate can contribute to increased income in periods of declining interest rates, and also assists us in our efforts to limit the risks to earnings and equity value resulting from changes in interest rates, subject to the risk that borrowers may refinance these loans during periods of declining interest rates.

While one- to four-family residential real estate loans are normally originated with up to 25-year terms; such loans typically remain outstanding for substantially shorter periods because borrowers often prepay their loans in full upon sale of the property pledged as security or upon refinancing the original loan. In addition, substantially all of the mortgage loans in the our loan portfolio contain due-on-sale clauses providing that Jefferson Federal may declare the unpaid amount due and payable upon the sale of the property securing the loan. Jefferson Federal enforces these due-on-sale clauses to the extent permitted by law. Therefore, average loan maturity is a function of, among other factors, the level of purchase and sale activity in the real estate market, prevailing interest rates and the interest rates payable on outstanding loans.

We do not emphasize the origination of loans that conform to guidelines for sale in the secondary mortgage market, as we have not sold any loans in recent years. We generally do not make conventional loans with loan-to-value ratios exceeding 85% and generally make loans with a loan-to-value ratio in excess of 85% only when secured by first liens on owner-occupied, one- to four-family residences. Loans with loan-to-value ratios in excess of 90% generally require private mortgage insurance or additional collateral. We require all properties securing mortgage loans in excess of $50,000 to be appraised by a board-approved appraiser. We require title insurance on all mortgage loans in excess of $25,000. Borrowers must obtain hazard or flood insurance (for loans on property located in a flood zone) prior to closing the loan.

Home Equity Lines of Credit. We offer home equity lines of credit on single family residential property in amounts up to 80% of the appraised value. Rates and terms vary by borrower qualifications, but are generally offered on a variable rate, open-end term basis with maturities of ten years or less.

Commercial Real Estate and Multi-Family Loans. An important segment of our loan portfolio is mortgage loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate. Our commercial real estate loans are secured by professional office buildings, shopping centers, manufacturing facilities, hotels, vacant land, churches and, to a lesser extent, by other improved property such as restaurants and retail operations. We intend to continue to emphasize and grow this segment of our loan portfolio.

We originate both fixed- and adjustable-rate loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate with terms up to 25 years. Fixed-rate loans have provisions that allow us to call the loan after five years. Adjustable-rate loans are based on prime and adjust monthly. Loan amounts generally do not exceed 85% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price. When the borrower is a corporation, partnership or other entity, we generally require personal guarantees from significant equity holders. Currently, it is our philosophy to originate commercial real estate loans only to borrowers known to us and on properties in or near our market area.

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Loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate are generally larger and involve a greater degree of risk than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Of primary concern in commercial and multi-family real estate lending is the borrower’s creditworthiness and the feasibility and cash flow potential of the project. Payments on loans secured by income properties are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties. As a result, repayment of such loans may be subject to a greater extent than residential real estate loans to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. In order to monitor cash flows on income properties, we require borrowers and loan guarantors, if any, to provide annual financial statements and rent rolls on multi-family loans. We also perform annual reviews and prepare write-ups on all lending relationships of $250,000 or more where the loan is secured by commercial or multi-family real estate.

At June 30, 2003, loans with principal balances of $500,000 or more secured by commercial real estate totaled $15.9 million, or 32.5% of commercial real estate loans, and loans with principal balances of $500,000 or more secured by multi-family properties totaled $8.3 million, or 62.4% of multifamily loans. At June 30, 2003, all of these loans were performing in accordance with their terms.

Construction Loans. We originate loans to finance the construction of one-to four-family homes and, to a lesser extent, multi-family and commercial real estate properties. At June 30, 2003, $4.0 million of our construction loans were for the construction of one- to four-family homes and $1.2 million was for the construction of commercial or multi-family real estate. We principally finance the construction of single-family, owner-occupied homes. Construction loans are generally made on a “pre-sold” basis, however, contractors who have sufficient financial strength and a proven track record are considered for loans for model and speculative purposes, with preference given to contractors with whom we have had successful relationships. We generally limit loans to contractors for speculative construction to a total of $225,000 per contractor. Construction loans generally provide for interest-only payments at fixed-rates of interest and have terms of six to 12 months. At the end of the construction period, the loan generally converts into a permanent loan. Construction loans to a borrower who will occupy the home, or to a builder who has pre-sold the home, will be considered for loan-to-value ratios of up to 85%. Construction loans for speculative purposes, models, and commercial properties may be considered for loan-to-value ratios of up to 80%. Loan proceeds are disbursed in increments as construction progresses and as inspections warrant. We generally use in-house inspectors for construction disbursement purposes; however, we may rely on architect certifications for disbursements on larger commercial loans.

Construction financing is generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk of loss than long-term financing on improved, occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction loan is dependent largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction or development and the estimated cost (including interest) of construction. During the construction phase, a number of factors could result in delays and cost overruns. If the estimate of construction costs proves to be inaccurate, we may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed to permit completion of the development. If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, we may be confronted, at or prior to the maturity of the loan, with a project having a value which is insufficient to assure full repayment. As a result of the foregoing, construction lending often involves the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment dependent, in part, on the success of the ultimate project rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest. If we are forced to foreclose on a project prior to or at completion due to a default, there can be no assurance that we will be able to recover all of the unpaid balance of, and accrued interest on, the loan as well as related foreclosure and holding costs.

Land Loans. We originate loans secured by unimproved property, including lots for single family homes, raw land, commercial property and agricultural property. We originate both fixed- and adjustable-rate land loans with terms up to 15 years. Adjustable-rate loans are based on prime and adjust monthly. Loans secured by unimproved commercial property or for land development generally have five-year terms with a longer amortization schedule. Loans secured by undeveloped land or improved lots generally involve greater risks than residential mortgage lending because land loans are more difficult to evaluate. If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, in the event of default and foreclosure, we may be confronted with a property the value of which is insufficient to assure full repayment. Loan amounts generally do not exceed 75% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price.

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At June 30, 2003, our largest land loan was for $4.3 million and was secured by commercial real estate. At June 30, 2003, loans with principal balances of $500,000 or more secured by unimproved property totaled $5.1 million, or 49.6% of land loans. All of these loans were performing in accordance with their terms at that date.

Commercial Business Loans. We extend commercial business loans on an unsecured and secured basis. Secured loans generally are collateralized by industrial/commercial machinery and equipment, livestock, farm machinery and, to a lesser extent, accounts receivable and inventory. We originate both fixed- and adjustable-rate commercial loans with terms up to 20 years. Fixed-rate loans have provisions that allow us to call the loan after five years. Adjustable-rate loans are based on prime and adjust monthly. Where the borrower is a corporation, partnership or other entity, we generally require personal guarantees from significant equity holders.

Commercial business lending generally involves greater risk than residential mortgage lending and involves risks that are different from those associated with commercial and multi-family real estate lending. Although the repayment of commercial and multi-family real estate loans depends primarily on the cash-flow of the property or related business, the underlying collateral generally provides a sufficient source of repayment. Although commercial business loans are often collateralized by equipment, inventory, accounts receivable or other business assets, the liquidation of collateral if a borrower defaults is often an insufficient source of repayment because accounts receivable may be uncollectible and inventories and equipment may be obsolete or of limited use, among other things. Accordingly, the repayment of a commercial business loan depends primarily on the cash-flow, character and creditworthiness of the borrower (and any guarantors), while liquidation of collateral is secondary.

Consumer Loans. We offer a variety of consumer loans, primarily secured by automobiles and savings accounts. Other consumer loans include loans on recreational vehicles and boats, debt consolidation loans, and personal unsecured debt. We market education loans as a “Team Lender” through the Educational Funding of the South, Inc. (“EdSouth”), whereas EdSouth funds the loans and pays a marketing fee to us.

The procedures for underwriting consumer loans include an assessment of the applicant’s payment history on other debts and ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loans. Although the applicant’s creditworthiness is a primary consideration, the underwriting process also includes a comparison of the value of the collateral, if any, to the proposed loan amount. We use a credit scoring system and charge borrowers with poorer credit scores higher interest rates to compensate for the additional risks associated with those loans.

Consumer loans may entail greater risk than do residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured or secured by assets that depreciate rapidly, such as automobiles, boats and recreational vehicles. In such cases, repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment for the outstanding loan and the remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower. In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans.

Subprime Loans. In the past, as part of our philosophy of serving the credit needs of all of the members of our local community, we regularly made loans to persons with poor or marginal credit histories. In making loans to these persons, we often relied on the value of the collateral securing the loan and gave less consideration to their credit history. Several years ago, we began to monitor our residential mortgage and consumer loans by reference to the borrower’s Beacon credit score. A Beacon score is a principal measure of credit quality and is one of the significant criteria we now rely upon in our underwriting. We categorized loans to borrowers with a Beacon credit score below 600 as “subprime” and loans to borrowers with a Beacon credit score of 600 or above as “prime.” Although in the past we frequently made loans to subprime borrowers, we did not have a subprime lending program in the sense that we did not focus on subprime lending through planned business strategies, tailored products or explicit borrower targeting. Our subprime loans were made as part of our general lending efforts on the same terms and under the same policies as prime loans.

We have revised our underwriting guidelines to focus on the borrower’s income or cash flow as the primary source of repayment, with the collateral as the second or third source of payment. As a result of these changes in our underwriting guidelines, we generally do not make loans to borrowers with a Beacon credit score below 600.

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With approval of our Loan Committee or Board of Directors, we may make exceptions to this policy for existing customers. The consequence of our revised underwriting guidelines is that the balance of subprime loans in our portfolio is declining as these loans are repaid and not replaced.

Loan Originations. All of our loans are originated by in-house lending officers and are underwritten and processed in-house. We rely on advertising, referrals from realtors and customers, and personal contact by our staff to generate loan originations. We generally retain for our portfolio all of the loans that we originate. We occasionally purchase participation interests in commercial real estate loans through other financial institutions in our market area.

Loan Approval Procedures and Authority. Loan approval authority has been granted by the Board of Directors to certain officers on an individual and combined basis for consumer (including residential mortgages) and commercial purpose loans up to a maximum of $500,000 per transaction. All loans with aggregate exposure of $1.0 million or more require the approval of our Loan Committee or Board of Directors.

The Loan Committee meets every two weeks to review all mortgage loans made within granted lending authority of $75,000 or more and all non-mortgage loans made within granted lending authority of $50,000 or more. The committee approves all requests which exceed granted lending authority or when the request carries aggregate exposure to us of $1.0 million or more. The committee reviews credit relationships of $250,000 or more on a periodic basis in addition to addressing all other credit guideline issues as they may arise. The minutes of the committee are reported to and reviewed by the Board of Directors.

Loans to One Borrower. The maximum amount that we may lend to one borrower and the borrower’s related entities is limited by regulation. At June 30, 2003 our regulatory limit on loans to one borrower was $5.7 million. At that date our largest lending relationship was $4.3 million and consisted of a commercial real estate loan. This loan was performing according to its original repayment terms at June 30, 2003.

Loan Commitments. We issue commitments for fixed-rate and adjustable-rate single-family residential mortgage loans conditioned upon the occurrence of certain events. Commitments to originate mortgage loans are legally binding agreements to lend to our customers and generally expire in 90 days or less.

Delinquencies. When a borrower fails to make a required loan payment, we take a number of steps to have the borrower cure the delinquency and restore the loan to current status. We make initial contact with the borrower when the loan becomes 17 days past due. If payment is not then received, additional letters and phone calls generally are made. When the loan becomes 60 days past due, we send a letter notifying the borrower that we will commence foreclosure proceedings if the loan is not brought current within 30 days. When the loan becomes 90 days past due, we will commence foreclosure proceedings against any real property that secures the loan or attempt to repossess any personal property that secures a consumer loan. If a foreclosure action is instituted and the loan is not brought current, paid in full, or refinanced before the foreclosure sale, the real property securing the loan generally is sold at foreclosure. Exceptions on commencement of foreclosure actions for commercial real estate loans and mortgage loans are made on a case-by-case basis by the Board of Directors. We may consider loan workout arrangements with certain borrowers under certain circumstances.

Investment Activities

We have legal authority to invest in various types of liquid assets, including U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of various federal agencies and of state and municipal governments, deposits at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and certificates of deposit of federally insured institutions. Within certain regulatory limits, we also may invest a portion of our assets in corporate securities. We also are required to maintain an investment in Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati stock.

At June 30, 2003, our investment portfolio consisted of Federal agency debt securities with maturities of seven years or less and mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae with stated final maturities of 30 years or less. We purchase mortgage-backed securities in an effort to increase yield, improve liquidity, provide call protection, and enhance our qualified thrift lender ratio.

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Our investment objectives are to provide and maintain liquidity, to maintain a balance of high quality, diversified investments to minimize risk, to provide collateral for pledging requirements, to establish an acceptable level of interest rate risk, to provide an alternate source of low-risk investments when demand for loans is weak, and to generate a favorable return. Any two of the following officers are authorized to purchase or sell investments: President, Executive Vice President, and/or Vice President. There is a limit of $2.0 million par value on any single investment purchase unless approval is obtained from the Board of Directors. For mortgage-backed securities, real estate mortgage investment conduits and collateralized mortgage obligations issued by Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, purchases are limited to a current par value of $2.5 million without Board approval.

Deposit Activities and Other Sources of Funds

General. Deposits and loan repayments are the major sources of our funds for lending and other investment purposes. Loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows and loan prepayments are significantly influenced by general interest rates and money market conditions. We may use borrowings on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in the availability of funds from other sources. Borrowings may also be used on a longer term basis for general business purposes.

Deposit Accounts. Substantially all of our depositors are residents of the State of Tennessee. Deposits are attracted from within our primary market area through the offering of a broad selection of deposit instruments, including NOW accounts, money market accounts, regular savings accounts, Christmas club savings accounts, certificates of deposit and retirement savings plans. We do not utilize brokered funds. Deposit account terms vary according to the minimum balance required, the time periods the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate, among other factors. In determining the terms of our deposit accounts, we consider the rates offered by our competition, profitability to us, matching deposit and loan products and customer preferences and concerns. We generally review our deposit mix and pricing monthly. In the past, our strategy had been to attract and retain deposits by offering the highest rates in our market area. Our current strategy is to offer competitive rates, but not be the market leader in every type and maturity. We have also changed our advertising to emphasize transaction accounts, with the goal of shifting our mix of deposits towards a smaller percentage of higher cost time deposits.

Borrowings. We have occasionally relied upon advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati to supplement our supply of lendable funds and to meet deposit withdrawal requirements. Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank are typically secured by our first mortgage loans.

The Federal Home Loan Bank functions as a central reserve bank providing credit for member financial institutions. As a member, we are required to own capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank and are authorized to apply for advances on the security of such stock and certain of our mortgage loans and other assets (principally securities which are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States), provided certain standards related to creditworthiness have been met. Advances are made pursuant to several different programs. Each credit program has its own interest rate and range of maturities. Depending on the program, limitations on the amount of advances are based either on a fixed percentage of an institution’s net worth or on the Federal Home Loan Bank’s assessment of the institution’s creditworthiness. Under its current credit policies, the Federal Home Loan Bank generally limits advances to 25% of a member’s assets, and short-term borrowings of less than one year may not exceed 10% of the institution’s assets. The Federal Home Loan Bank determines specific lines of credit for each member institution. We have the authority to borrow up to 20% of assets under a short-term line of credit.

Personnel

As of June 30, 2003, we had 60 full-time employees and 7 part-time employees, none of whom is represented by a collective bargaining unit. We believe our relationship with our employees is good.

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Executive Officers

The executive officers of Jefferson Bancshares are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve at the Board’s discretion. Ages presented are as of June 30, 2003. The executive officers of Jefferson Bancshares are:

The executive officers of Jefferson Federal are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve at the Board’s discretion. Ages presented are as of June 30, 2003. The executive officers of Jefferson Federal are:

Biographical Information

Anderson L. Smith has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Jefferson Bancshares since March 2003 and President and Chief Executive Officer of Jefferson Federal since January 2002. Prior to joining Jefferson Federal, Mr. Smith was President, Consumer Financial Services - East Tennessee Metro, First Tennessee Bank National Association. Age 55. Director since 2002.

Jane P. Hutton has been Treasurer and Secretary of Jefferson Bancshares since March 2003 and Vice President and Comptroller of Jefferson Federal since July 2002. Ms. Hutton was named Chief Financial Officer of Jefferson Bancshares in connection with the consummation of the Conversion on July 1, 2003. From June 1999 until July 2002, Ms. Hutton served as Assistant Financial Analyst. Prior to joining Jefferson Federal, Ms. Hutton worked as a licensed insurance agent and was the business manager for a family-owned dairy farm in Greeneville, Tennessee. Age 45.

Douglas H. Rouse has been Senior Vice President of Jefferson Federal since January 2002. From March 1994 until January 2002, Mr. Rouse served as Vice President. Age 50.

Eric S. McDaniel has been Vice President and Senior Operations Officer of Jefferson Federal since July 2002. From March 1996 until July 2002, Mr. McDaniel served as Director of Compliance and Internal Auditor. Age 32.

Subsidiaries

We have one subsidiary, Jefferson Service Corporation of Morristown, Tennessee, Inc., which owns stock in Intrieve, Inc., a computer service bureau, and has an ownership interest in Bankers Title of East Tennessee, LLC, a title insurance agency. Our subsidiary also has a small investment in a credit life reinsurance company.

REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

General

As a savings and loan holding company, Jefferson Bancshares is required by federal law to report to, and otherwise comply with, the rules and regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision. Jefferson Federal is subject to extensive regulation, examination and supervision by the Office of Thrift Supervision, as its primary federal regulator, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as the deposit insurer. Jefferson Federal is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System and, with respect to deposit insurance, of the Savings Association Insurance Fund managed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Jefferson Federal must file reports with the Office of

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Thrift Supervision and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation concerning its activities and financial condition in addition to obtaining regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions such as mergers with, or acquisitions of, other savings institutions. The Office of Thrift Supervision conducts periodic examinations to test Jefferson Federal’s safety and soundness and compliance with various regulatory requirements. This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which an institution can engage and is intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors. The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. Any change in such regulatory requirements and policies, whether by the Office of Thrift Supervision, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or Congress, could have a material adverse impact on us and our operations. Certain of the regulatory requirements applicable to us are referenced below or elsewhere herein. The description of statutory provisions and regulations applicable to savings institutions and their holding companies set forth in this report does not purport to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effects on us.

Holding Company Regulation

Jefferson Bancshares is a nondiversified unitary savings and loan holding company within the meaning of federal law. Under federal law, Jefferson Bancshares may engage only in the activities permitted for financial holding companies under the Federal Bank Holding Company Act or for multiple savings and loan holding companies as described below. Upon any non-supervisory acquisition by Jefferson Bancshares of another savings association or savings bank that meets the qualified thrift lender test (as described below) and is deemed to be a savings institution by the Office of Thrift Supervision, Jefferson Bancshares would become a multiple savings and loan holding company (if the acquired association is held as a separate subsidiary) and would generally be limited to activities permissible for bank holding companies under Section 4(c)(8) of the Bank Holding Company Act, subject to the prior approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision, and certain activities authorized by Office of Thrift Supervision regulations. However, the Office of Thrift Supervision has issued an interpretation concluding that the multiple savings and loan holding companies may also engage in activities permitted for financial holding companies.

A savings and loan holding company is prohibited from, directly or indirectly, acquiring more than 5% of the voting stock of another savings institution or savings and loan holding company without prior written approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision and from acquiring or retaining control of a depository institution that is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In evaluating applications by holding companies to acquire savings institutions, the Office of Thrift Supervision considers the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the company and institution involved, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the deposit insurance funds, the convenience and needs of the community and competitive factors.

The Office of Thrift Supervision may not approve any acquisition that would result in a multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings institutions in more than one state, subject to two exceptions: (1) the approval of interstate supervisory acquisitions by savings and loan holding companies and (2) the acquisition of a savings institution in another state if the laws of the state of the target savings institution specifically permit such acquisitions. The states vary in the extent to which they permit interstate savings and loan holding company acquisitions.

Although savings and loan holding companies are not currently subject to specific capital requirements or specific restrictions on the payment of dividends or other capital distributions, federal regulations do prescribe such restrictions on subsidiary savings institutions as described below. Jefferson Federal must notify the Office of Thrift Supervision 30 days before declaring any dividend to Jefferson Bancshares. In addition, the financial impact of a holding company on its subsidiary institution is a matter that is evaluated by the Office of Thrift Supervision and the agency has authority to order cessation of activities or divestiture of subsidiaries deemed to pose a threat to the safety and soundness of the institution.

Acquisition of the Company. Under the Federal Change in Bank Control Act (“CIBCA”), a notice must be submitted to the Office of Thrift Supervision if any person (including a company), or group acting in concert, seeks to acquire 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting stock, unless the Office of Thrift Supervision has

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found that the acquisition will not result in a change of control of the Company. Under the CIBCA, the Office of Thrift Supervision has 60 days from the filing of a complete notice to act, taking into consideration certain factors, including the financial and managerial resources of the acquirer and the anti-trust effects of the acquisition. Any company that acquires control would then be subject to regulation as a savings and loan holding company.

Federal Savings Institution Regulation

Business Activities. The activities of federal savings institutions are governed by federal law and regulations. These laws and regulations delineate the nature and extent of the activities in which federal associations may engage. In particular, certain lending authority for a federal association, e.g., commercial, non-residential real property loans and consumer loans, is limited to a specified percentage of the institution’s capital or assets.

Capital Requirements. The Office of Thrift Supervision capital regulations require savings institutions to meet three minimum capital standards: a 1.5% tangible capital to total assets ratio, a 4% leverage (core capital) ratio (3% for certain institutions receiving the highest rating on the CAMELS examination rating system) and an 8% total risk-based capital ratio. In addition, the prompt corrective action regulations discussed below also establish minimum standards of a 4% leverage (core capital) ratio (3% for institutions receiving the highest CAMELS rating), a 4% Tier 1 risk-based ratio and an 8% total risk-based capital ratio in order for an institution to be adequately capitalized. The Office of Thrift Supervision regulations also require that, in meeting the tangible, leverage and risk-based capital standards, institutions must generally deduct investments in and loans to subsidiaries engaged in activities as principal that are not permissible for a national bank.

In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets, are multiplied by a risk-weight factor of 0% to 100%, assigned by the Office of Thrift Supervision capital regulation based on the risks believed inherent in the type of asset. A savings institution also must maintain risk–based capital for recourse obligations, direct credit substitutes and residual interests. The amount of risk-based capital required for a residual interest generally depends on its credit rating by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (or lack thereof). Core (Tier 1) capital is defined as common stockholders’ equity (including retained earnings), certain noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus, and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries less intangibles other than certain mortgage servicing rights and credit card relationships. The components of supplementary capital currently include cumulative perpetual preferred stock and certain other preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, subordinated debt, the allowance for loan and lease losses limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets and up to 45% of unrealized gains on available-for-sale equity securities with readily determinable fair market values. Overall, the amount of supplementary capital included as part of total capital cannot exceed 100% of core capital. The Office of Thrift Supervision also has authority to establish individual minimum capital requirements in appropriate cases upon a determination that an institution’s capital level is or may become inadequate in light of the particular circumstances. At June 30, 2003, Jefferson Federal met each of its capital requirements.

Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action. The Office of Thrift Supervision is required to take certain supervisory actions against undercapitalized institutions, the severity of which depends upon the institution’s degree of undercapitalization. Generally, a savings institution that has total risk-based capital of 10% or more has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6% or more, has a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 5% or more and is not subject to any order or final capital directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure is considered to be “well capitalized.” A savings institution that has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8% or more, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4% or more and Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 4% or more (3% under certain circumstances) and does not meet the definition of “well capitalized” is considered to be “adequately capitalized.” A savings institution that has a ratio of total capital to risk weighted assets of less than 8%, a ratio of Tier 1 (core) capital to risk-weighted assets of less than 4% or a ratio of core capital to total assets of less than 4% (3% or less for institutions with the highest examination rating) is considered to be “undercapitalized.” A savings institution that has a total risk-based capital ratio less than 6%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of less than 3% or a leverage ratio that is less than 3% is considered to be “significantly undercapitalized” and a savings institution that has a tangible capital to assets ratio equal to or less than 2% is deemed to be “critically undercapitalized.” Subject to narrow exceptions, the Office of Thrift Supervision is required to appoint a receiver or conservator 90 days after an institution becomes “critically undercapitalized.” The regulation also provides that a capital restoration plan must be filed with the Office of Thrift Supervision within 45 days of the date a savings institution receives notice that it is “undercapitalized,” “significantly

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undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.” The Office of Thrift Supervision will not accept a capital restoration plan unless it determines that the plan contains all of the required elements, is based on realistic assumptions, is likely to succeed in restoring the institution’s capital and would not appreciably increase the risk to which the institution is exposed. Compliance with the plan must be guaranteed by any parent holding company. This guarantee may prevent the holding company from making any capital distributions to shareholders, repurchasing any of its own stock or incurring additional debt. In addition, numerous mandatory supervisory actions become immediately applicable to an undercapitalized institution, including, but not limited to, increased monitoring by regulators and restrictions on growth, capital distributions and expansion. The Office of Thrift Supervision could also take any one of a number of discretionary supervisory actions, including the issuance of a capital directive and the replacement of senior executive officers and directors.

Insurance of Deposit Accounts. Jefferson Federal is a member of the Savings Association Insurance Fund. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation maintains a risk-based assessment system by which institutions are assigned to one of three categories based on their capitalization and one of three subcategories based on examination ratings and other supervisory information. An institution’s assessment rate depends upon the categories to which it is assigned. Assessment rates for Savings Association Insurance Fund member institutions are determined semiannually by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and currently range from zero basis points for the healthiest institutions to 27 basis points for the riskiest. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has authority to increase insurance assessments. A significant increase in Savings Association Insurance Fund insurance premiums would likely have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of Jefferson Federal. Management cannot predict what insurance assessment rates will be in the future.

In addition to the assessment for deposit insurance, institutions are required to make payments on bonds issued in the late 1980s by the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) to recapitalize the predecessor to the Savings Association Insurance Fund. During fiscal 2002, FICO payments for Savings Association Insurance Fund members approximated 1.68 basis points of assessable deposits.

Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Office of Thrift Supervision. We do not know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance.

Loans to One Borrower. Federal law provides that savings institutions are generally subject to the limits on loans to one borrower applicable to national banks. A savings institution may generally not make a loan or extend credit to a single or related group of borrowers in excess of 15% of its unimpaired capital and surplus. An additional amount may be lent, equal to 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus, if secured by specified readily-marketable collateral.

Qualified Thrift Lender Test. The Home Owners’ Loan Act requires savings associations to meet a qualified thrift lender test. Under the test, a savings association is required to either qualify as a “domestic building and loan association” under the Internal Revenue Code or maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” (total assets less: (1) specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets; (2) intangibles, including goodwill; and (3) the value of property used to conduct business) in certain “qualified thrift investments” (primarily residential mortgages and related investments, including certain mortgage-backed securities) in at least 9 months out of each 12 month period.

A savings association that fails the qualified thrift lender test is subject to certain operating restrictions and may be required to convert to a bank charter. In addition, its holding company may be required to register as a bank holding company. As of June 30, 2003, Jefferson Federal met the qualified thrift lender test.

Limitation on Capital Distributions. Office of Thrift Supervision regulations impose limitations upon all capital distributions by a savings institution, including cash dividends, payments to repurchase its shares and payments to shareholders of another institution in a cash-out merger. Under the regulations, an application to and the prior approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision is required prior to any capital distribution if the institution does not meet the criteria for “expedited treatment” of applications under Office of Thrift Supervision regulations (i.e., generally, examination ratings in the two top categories), the total capital distributions for the calendar year exceed

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net income for that year plus the amount of retained net income for the preceding two years, the institution would be undercapitalized following the distribution or the distribution would otherwise be contrary to a statute, regulation or agreement with or condition imposed by the Office of Thrift Supervision. If an application is not required, the institution must still provide prior notice to the Office of Thrift Supervision of the capital distribution if, like Jefferson Federal, it is a subsidiary of a holding company. In the event Jefferson Federal’s capital fell below its regulatory requirements or the Office of Thrift Supervision notified it that it was in need of more than normal supervision, Jefferson Federal’s ability to make capital distributions could be restricted. As a result of its Conversion, Jefferson Federal also may not make a capital distribution if the distribution would reduce its regulatory capital below the amount needed for the liquidation account established in connection with the Conversion and may not make a distribution that would constitute a return of capital during the three-year term of the business plan submitted in connection with the Conversion. In addition, the Office of Thrift Supervision could prohibit a proposed capital distribution by any institution, which would otherwise be permitted by the regulation, if the Office of Thrift Supervision determined that such distribution would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice. No insured depository institution may make a capital distribution if, after making the distribution, the institution would be undercapitalized.

Transactions with Related Parties. Jefferson Federal’s authority to engage in transactions with “affiliates” (e.g., any company that controls or is under common control with an institution, including Jefferson Bancshares and its non-savings institution subsidiaries) is limited by federal law. The aggregate amount of covered transactions with any individual affiliate is limited to 10% of the capital and surplus of the savings institution. The aggregate amount of covered transactions with all affiliates is limited to 20% of the savings institution’s capital and surplus. Certain transactions with affiliates are required to be secured by collateral in an amount and of a type described in federal law. The purchase of low quality assets from affiliates is generally prohibited. The transactions with affiliates must be on terms and under circumstances that are at least as favorable to the institution as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with non-affiliated companies. In addition, savings associations are prohibited from lending to any affiliate that is engaged in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies and no savings institution may purchase the securities of any affiliate other than a subsidiary.

The recently enacted Sarbanes-Oxley Act generally prohibits loans by Jefferson Bancshares to its executive officers and directors. However, that act contains a specific exception for loans by federally insured depository institutions to its executive officers and directors in compliance with federal banking laws. Under such laws, Jefferson Federal’s authority to extend credit to executive officers, directors and 10% shareholders (“insiders”), as well as entities such persons control, is limited. The law limits both the individual and aggregate amount of loans Jefferson Federal may make to insiders and requires certain board approval procedures to be followed. Such loans are required to be made on terms substantially the same as those offered to unaffiliated individuals and not to involve more than the normal risk of repayment. There is an exception for loans made pursuant to a benefit or compensation program that is widely available to all employees of the institution and does not give preference to insiders over other employees.

Enforcement. The Office of Thrift Supervision has primary enforcement responsibility over savings associations and has the authority to bring actions against the institution and all institution-affiliated parties, including shareholders, and any attorneys, appraisers and accountants who knowingly or recklessly participate in wrongful action likely to have an adverse effect on an insured institution. Formal enforcement action may range from the issuance of a capital directive or cease and desist order to removal of officers and/or directors to institution of receivership or conservatorship. Civil penalties cover a wide range of violations and can amount to $25,000 per day, or even $1 million per day in especially egregious cases. The OTS also has enforcement authority over savings and loan holding companies such as Jefferson Bancshares. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has the authority to recommend to the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision that enforcement action be taken with respect to a particular savings institution. If action is not taken by the Director, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has authority to take such action under certain circumstances. Federal law also establishes criminal penalties for certain violations.

Standards for Safety and Soundness. The federal banking agencies have adopted Interagency Guidelines prescribing Standards for Safety and Soundness. The guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. If the Office of Thrift Supervision determines that a savings institution fails to meet any standard

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prescribed by the guidelines, the Office of Thrift Supervision may require the institution to submit an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard.

Federal Home Loan Bank System

Jefferson Federal is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which consists of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks. The Federal Home Loan Bank provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions. Jefferson Federal, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in that Federal Home Loan Bank in an amount at least equal to 1.0% of the aggregate principal amount of its unpaid residential mortgage loans and similar obligations at the beginning of each year, or 1/20 of its advances (borrowings) from the Federal Home Loan Bank, whichever is greater. Jefferson Federal was in compliance with this requirement with an investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock at June 30, 2003 of $1.5 million.

The Federal Home Loan Banks are required to provide funds for the resolution of insolvent thrifts in the late 1980s and to contribute funds for affordable housing programs. These requirements could reduce the amount of dividends that the Federal Home Loan Banks pay to their members and could also result in the Federal Home Loan Banks imposing a higher rate of interest on advances to their members. If dividends were reduced, or interest on future Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased, Jefferson Federal’s net interest income would likely also be reduced. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act has changed the structure of the Federal Home Loan Banks funding obligations for insolvent thrifts, revised the capital structure of the Federal Home Loan Banks and implemented entirely voluntary membership for Federal Home Loan Banks. Management cannot predict the effect that these changes may have with respect to its Federal Home Loan Bank membership.

Federal Reserve System

The Federal Reserve Board regulations require savings institutions to maintain non-interest earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts). The regulations generally provide that reserves be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts as follows: a 3% reserve ratio is assessed on net transaction accounts up to and including $42.1 million; a 10% reserve ratio is applied above $42.1 million. The first $6.0 million of otherwise reservable balances (subject to adjustments by the Federal Reserve Board) are exempted from the reserve requirements. The amounts are adjusted annually. Jefferson Federal complies with the foregoing requirements.

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FEDERAL AND STATE TAXATION

Federal Income Taxation

General. We report our income on a fiscal year basis using the accrual method of accounting. The federal income tax laws apply to us in the same manner as to other corporations with some exceptions, including particularly our reserve for bad debts discussed below. The following discussion of tax matters is intended only as a summary and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of the tax rules applicable to us. Our federal income tax returns have been either audited or closed under the statute of limitations through tax year 1995. For its 2003 year, Jefferson Federal’s maximum federal income tax rate was 34%.

Bad Debt Reserves. For fiscal years beginning before June 30, 1996, thrift institutions that qualified under certain definitional tests and other conditions of the Internal Revenue Code were permitted to use certain favorable provisions to calculate their deductions from taxable income for annual additions to their bad debt reserve. A reserve could be established for bad debts on qualifying real property loans, generally secured by interests in real property improved or to be improved, under the percentage of taxable income method or the experience method. The reserve for nonqualifying loans was computed using the experience method. Federal legislation enacted in 1996 repealed the reserve method of accounting for bad debts and the percentage of taxable income method for tax years beginning after 1995 and require savings institutions to recapture or take into income certain portions of their accumulated bad debt reserves. Approximately $1.4 million of our accumulated bad debt reserves would not be recaptured into taxable income unless Jefferson Federal makes a “non-dividend distribution” to Jefferson Bancshares as described below.

Distributions. If Jefferson Federal makes “non-dividend distributions” to Jefferson Bancshares, the distributions will be considered to have been made from Jefferson Federal’s unrecaptured tax bad debt reserves, including the balance of its reserves as of June 30, 1988, to the extent of the “non-dividend distributions,” and then from Jefferson Federal’s supplemental reserve for losses on loans, to the extent of those reserves, and an amount based on the amount distributed, but not more than the amount of those reserves, will be included in Jefferson Federal’s taxable income. Non-dividend distributions include distributions in excess of Jefferson Federal’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated for federal income tax purposes, distributions in redemption of stock, and distributions in partial or complete liquidation. Dividends paid out of Jefferson Federal’s current or accumulated earnings and profits will not be so included in Jefferson Federal’s taxable income.

The amount of additional taxable income triggered by a non-dividend is an amount that, when reduced by the tax attributable to the income, is equal to the amount of the distribution. Therefore, if Jefferson Federal makes a non-dividend distribution to Jefferson Bancshares, approximately one and one-half times the amount of the distribution not in excess of the amount of the reserves would be includable in income for federal income tax purposes, assuming a 35% federal corporate income tax rate. Jefferson Federal does not intend to pay dividends that would result in a recapture of any portion of its bad debt reserves.

State Taxation

Tennessee imposes franchise and excise taxes. The franchise tax ($0.25 per $100) is applied either to our apportioned net worth or the value of property owned and used in Tennessee, whichever is greater, as of the close of our fiscal year. The excise tax (6.5%) is applied to net earnings derived from business done in Tennessee. Under Tennessee regulations, bad debt deductions are deductible from the excise tax. There have not been any audits of our state tax returns during the past five years.

Any cash dividends, in excess of a certain exempt amount, that are paid with respect to Jefferson Bancshares common stock to a shareholder (including a partnership and certain other entities) who is a resident of the State of Tennessee will be subject to the Tennessee income tax which is levied at a rate of six percent. Any distribution by a corporation from earnings according to percentage ownership is considered a dividend, and the definition of a dividend for Tennessee income tax purposes may not be the same as the definition of a dividend for federal income tax purposes. A corporate distribution may be treated as a dividend for Tennessee tax purposes if it is made from funds that exceed the corporation’s earned surplus and profits under certain circumstances.

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Properties

We conduct our business through our main office and drive-through facilities. The following table sets forth certain information relating to these facilities as of June 30, 2003. We believe that our facilities are adequate to meet our present and immediately foreseeable needs:

Jefferson Bancshares is not a party to any pending legal proceedings. Periodically, there have been various claims and lawsuits involving Jefferson Federal, such as claims to enforce liens, condemnation proceedings on properties in which Jefferson Federal holds security interests, claims involving the making and servicing of real property loans and other issues incident to Jefferson Federal’s business. Jefferson Federal is not a party to any pending legal proceedings that it believes would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operations of the Company.

A special meeting of shareholders of Jefferson Federal was held on June 25, 2003. The meeting was held for the purpose of considering and acting upon the approval of the plan of conversion and the establishment of the Jefferson Federal Charitable Foundation. The following table reflects the tabulation of the votes with respect to each matter voted upon at the special meeting:

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PART II

Until July 1, 2003, shares of Jefferson Federal’s common stock were traded over-the-counter and quoted on the Pink Sheets under the symbol “JFSZ.”

Jefferson Federal completed its second-step conversion on July 1, 2003. Jefferson Bancshares’ common stock began trading on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “JFBI” on July 2, 2003. The initial offering price was $10.00 per share. As of June 30, 2003, Jefferson Federal had approximately 262 holders of record (excluding the number of person or entities holding stock in street name through various brokerage firms), and 1,875,500 shares outstanding.

The following table sets forth high and low sales prices for each quarter during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2002 and June 30, 2003 for Jefferson Federal’s common stock, and corresponding quarterly dividends period per share. The data included in this table has been adjusted to reflect the exchange of 4.2661 shares of Jefferson Bancshares common stock for each share of Jefferson Federal common stock.

The Board of Directors of Jefferson Bancshares has the authority to declare dividends on the common stock, subject to statutory and regulatory requirements. The Board of Directors has declared an initial quarterly dividend of $.04 per share, which will be paid on October 10, 2003 to shareholders of record as of September 30, 2003. In the past, Jefferson Federal paid a special dividend in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year. Jefferson Bancshares will evaluate whether it is appropriate to pay a special dividend and makes no assurances that it will pay a special dividend. Declarations of dividends by the Board of Directors, if any, will depend upon a number of factors, including investment opportunities available to Jefferson Bancshares or Jefferson Federal, capital requirements, regulatory limitations, Jefferson Bancshares’ and Jefferson Federal’s financial condition and results of operations, tax considerations and general economic conditions. No assurances can be given, however, that any dividends will be paid or, if commenced, will continue to be paid.

Jefferson Bancshares is subject to the requirements of Tennessee law, which generally prohibits distributions to shareholders if, after giving effect to the distribution, the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business or the corporation’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.

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Use of Proceeds

The following information is provided with respect to the Company’s sale of its common stock as part of the Conversion.

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The objective of this section is to help shareholders and potential investors understand our views on our results of operations and financial condition. You should read this discussion in conjunction with the financial statements and notes to the financial statements that appear elsewhere in this report.

Overview

Income

We have two primary sources of pre-tax income. The first is net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income – which is the income that we earn on our loans and investments – and interest expense – which is the interest that we pay on our deposits and borrowings.

Our second principal source of pre-tax income is fee income – the compensation we receive from providing products and services. Most of our fee income comes from service charges on NOW accounts and fees for late loan payments. We also earn fee income from ATM charges, insurance commissions, safe deposit box rentals and other fees and charges.

We occasionally recognize gains or losses as a result of sales of investment securities or foreclosed real estate. These gains and losses are not a regular part of our income.

Expenses

The expenses we incur in operating our business consist of compensation and benefits expenses, occupancy expenses, equipment and data processing expense, deposit insurance premiums, advertising expenses, expenses for foreclosed real estate and other miscellaneous expenses.

Compensation and benefits consist primarily of the salaries and wages paid to our employees, fees paid to our directors and expenses for retirement and other employee benefits.

Occupancy expenses, which are the fixed and variable costs of building and equipment, consist primarily of lease payments, real estate taxes, depreciation charges, maintenance and costs of utilities.

Equipment and data processing expense includes fees paid to our third-party data processing service and expenses and depreciation charges related to office and banking equipment. Depreciation of premises and equipment is computed using the straight-line and accelerated methods based on the useful lives of the related assets. Estimated lives are five to 40 years for building and improvements, and three to 10 years for furniture and equipment.

Deposit insurance premiums are payments we make to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for insurance of our deposit accounts.

Expenses for foreclosed real estate include maintenance and repairs on foreclosed properties prior to sale.

Other expenses include expenses for attorneys, accountants and consultants, payroll taxes, franchise taxes, charitable contributions, insurance, office supplies, postage, telephone and other miscellaneous operating expenses.

Critical Accounting Policies

We consider accounting policies involving significant judgments and assumptions by management that have, or could have, a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income to be critical accounting policies. We consider the following to be our critical accounting policies: allowance for loan losses and deferred income taxes.

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Allowance for loan losses. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses necessarily involves a high degree of judgment. Management reviews the level of the allowance on a monthly basis and establishes the provision for loan losses based on the composition of the loan portfolio, delinquency levels, loss experience, economic conditions, and other factors related to the collectibility of the loan portfolio. Although we believe that we use the best information available to establish the allowance for loan losses, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on estimates that are susceptible to change as a result of changes in economic conditions and other factors. In addition, the Office of Thrift Supervision, as an integral part of its examination process, periodically reviews our allowance for loan losses. Such agency may require us to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on its judgments about information available to it at the time of its examination.

Deferred Income Taxes. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance is established. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. We exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting tax liabilities and assets, including projections of future taxable income. These judgments and estimates are reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change.

Results of Operations for the Years Ended June 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001

Overview.

2003 v. 2002. Net earnings for 2003 were $3.6 million, representing an increase of $1.2 million, or 48.1%, from net earnings of $2.4 million for 2002. On a diluted per share basis, earnings increased to $1.91 for fiscal 2003 from $1.29 for fiscal 2002. The resulting return on average assets was 1.32% and the return on average stockholders’ equity was 10.24%, as compared to 0.91% and 7.68%, respectively, for 2002. The increase in net earnings was primarily attributable to an increase in net interest income accompanied by a decrease in the provision for loan losses, which more than offset an increase in noninterest expense.

2002 v. 2001. Net earnings increased due primarily to an increase in both net interest income and noninterest income, which more than offset an increase in noninterest expense. Net interest income increased primarily as a result of growth in interest-earning assets and a decrease in the cost of funds. Noninterest income increased primarily as a result of an increase in the gain on sale of investment securities.

Net Interest Income.

2003 v. 2002. Net interest income for fiscal 2003 increased $1.6 million, or 17.9%, to $10.7 million as a result of a significant decrease in the cost of funds which more than offset a decrease in the average yield on interest earning assets. The interest rate spread increased to 3.66% for 2003 compared to 3.02% for 2002, while the net interest margin increased to 4.10% for 2003 compared to 3.53% for 2002.

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Interest income decreased $2.1 million, or 10.9%, to $17.3 million for 2003 due primarily to a decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets. The average yield on interest-earning assets declined 91 basis points to 6.59% for 2003 compared to 7.50% for 2002. The level of average interest-earning assets increased $3.6 million, or 1.4% as an increase in interest-earning deposits more than offset decreases in the average balances of loans, mortgage-backed securities, and investment securities. Interest on loans decreased $1.2 million, or 7.7%, to $14.8 million for 2003 due to decline in the average yield and the average balance of loans. The average yield on loans declined as we originated loans at lower interest rates due to the prevailing low interest rate environment. The average balance of loans decreased as a result of heavy refinancing activity and our decision to tighten underwriting to strengthen asset quality. Interest on mortgage-backed securities decreased $343,000, or 25.7%, to $992,000 for 2003 due to a decline in both the average balance and the average yield. The decrease in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities is the result of increased principal repayments due to the prevailing low interest rate environment. Approximately 85% of our mortgage-backed securities have adjustable rates and have repriced downward during the low interest rate environment. Interest on investment securities decreased $520,000, or 28.7%, to $1.3 million due to a decline in both the average balance and the average yield. During 2003, approximately $15.1 million of our investment securities were called resulting in a lower average balance and lower average yield.

Total interest expense decreased $3.7 million, or 36.5%, to $6.5 million for 2003 as the result of a 157 basis point decline in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 2.91% and a decline in the average balance of deposits of $6.5 million, or 2.8%. The decline in the average cost of deposits was the result of lower market interest rates and a transition of deposits into lower costing transaction accounts.

2002 v. 2001. Net interest income increased $1.6 million, or 21.3%, to $9.1 million for 2002. The increase in net interest income for 2002 was primarily attributable to a higher volume of interest-earning assets and a decrease in the cost of funds.

Total interest income increased $125,000, or 0.7%, to $19.4 million for 2002, resulting from an increase in the volume of interest-earning assets, which more than offset a decrease in the average yield. During 2002, average interest-earning assets increased by $23.3 million, or 9.9%, to $258.3 million, while the average yield decreased 69 basis points to 7.50%. The composition of interest-earning assets generally consists of loans, investments and interest-bearing deposits. The increase in average interest-earning assets was primarily due to increases in the average balance of loans and mortgage-backed securities, which were partially offset by a decrease in investment securities. Interest on loans receivable increased $108,000, or 0.7%, to $16.0 million for 2002 due primarily to an increase in the volume of loans, which more than offset a decrease in the yield on mortgage loans. During 2002, we originated loans at lower interest rates due to the prevailing low interest rate environment. Interest on mortgage-backed securities increased 77.3% as we increased our balance of these investments. Interest on investment securities decreased 22.8% as a result of a decrease in both the average balance and the average yield. Maturities and calls reduced the size of our investment securities portfolio and left us with lower yielding securities.

Total interest expense decreased $1.5 million, or 12.6%, to $10.3 million for 2002 due primarily to a decrease in the average rate paid on deposits, which more than offset an increase in the average balance. The average interest rate paid on deposits decreased 114 basis points as a result of the prevailing low interest rate environment. During 2002 we emphasized low yielding transaction accounts and our customers preferred to invest in shorter-term certificates of deposit.

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Average Balances and Yields. The following table presents information regarding average balances of assets and liabilities, as well as the total dollar amounts of interest income and dividends from average interest-earning assets and interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities and the resulting average yields and costs. The yields and costs for the periods indicated are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balances of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented. For purposes of this table, average balances have been calculated using the average of month-end balances, and nonaccrual loans are included in average balances; however, accrued interest income has been excluded from these loans.

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Rate/Volume Analysis. The following table sets forth the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The net column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to changes in both rate and volume that cannot be segregated have been allocated proportionately based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.

Provision for Loan Losses

2003 v. 2002. Provision for loan losses decreased $434,000, or 35.5%, to $787,000 for the year ended June 30, 2003. Net charge-offs for 2003 were $642,000, compared to $734,000 for 2002. The provision for loan losses was suspended in the fourth quarter of 2003 due to improvements in the quality of the loan portfolio and our assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The level of subprime loans decreased approximately $8.5 million, or 22.8%, to $28.8 million at June 30, 2003. In addition, nonaccrual loans decreased $312,000 to $1.8 million at June 30, 2003.

2002 v. 2001. Provision for loan losses increased $261,000, or 27%, to $1.2 million for 2002. The increase in the provision for loan losses reflected the continuation of higher losses due to the implementation of a more aggressive collection strategy, an increase in personal and business bankruptcies in our market area and the continuation of adverse local and national economic conditions. Net charge-offs decreased $47,000, or 6%, from $781,000 for 2001 to $734,000 for 2002.

An analysis of the changes in the allowance for loan losses is presented under “Allowance for Loan Losses and Asset Quality.”

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Noninterest Income. The following table shows the components of noninterest income and the percentage changes from 2003 to 2002 and from 2002 to 2001.

2003 v. 2002. Noninterest income decreased $42,000, or 4.1%, to $979,000 for 2003. The decrease in noninterest income was primarily attributable to a decrease in gain on sale of investments.

2002 v. 2001. The increase in noninterest income was attributable primarily to an increase in gain on sale of investment securities in fiscal 2002. During fiscal 2002, we sold fixed rate mortgage-backed securities, which had been classified as available for sale, for liquidity purposes and to reposition the investment portfolio to improve interest rate sensitivity.

Noninterest Expense. The following table shows the components of noninterest expense and the percentage changes from 2003 to 2002 and from 2002 to 2001.