PULASKI FINANCIAL CORP - 10-K Annual Report

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨.

Indicate by check mark 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. ¨.

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

The market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $91.7 million.

There were issued and outstanding 5,534,826 shares of the registrant’s common stock as of December 14, 2004

Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Part III).

This report contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which are made in good faith pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not historical facts, rather statements based on Pulaski Financial Corp.’s current expectations regarding its business strategies, intended results and future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally 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 Pulaski Financial Corp. operates, as well as nationwide, Pulaski Financial Corp.’s 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. Subject to applicable law and regulation, Pulaski Financial Corp. assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Pulaski Financial Corp. (the “Company” or the “Registrant”) is the holding company for Pulaski Bank (the “Bank”). The Company’s primary asset is its investment in the Bank, but also maintains an investment securities portfolio for liquidity. The Company has both subordinated debt in the form of trust preferred securities and other borrowings, the proceeds from which have been injected in the Bank as capital. Accordingly, the information set forth in this report, including the consolidated financial statements and related financial data, relates primarily to the Bank.

The Bank is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”), its primary regulator, and by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), the insurer of its deposits. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the FDIC up to applicable legal limits under the Savings Association Insurance Fund (the “SAIF”). The Bank has been a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (the “FHLB”) System since 1946.

The Bank is a community oriented financial institution offering traditional financial services. The Bank’s business consists principally of attracting retail deposits from the general public and using them to originate mortgage loans secured by one-to four-family residences and, home equity loans and commercial mortgages. To a lesser extent, the Company also originates commercial and industrial loans that are secured by inventory, equipment and other assets.

The Bank has developed two distinct market areas in the metropolitan areas of St. Louis and Kansas City. In St. Louis, the Bank conducts operations out of its main office and six branch offices located in St. Louis County, the city of St. Louis and St Charles County. During fiscal 2003, the Bank opened a mortgage lending office in Johnson County, Kansas. Subsequently, the Bank acquired a retail branch location approximately six miles from the Johnson County lending office in the neighboring county of Jackson County, Missouri. Most of the Bank’s depositors live in the areas surrounding its branches. However, the Bank’s lending area is broader, consisting of the entire metropolitan areas of St. Louis and Kansas City.

The Bank faces intense competition attracting savings deposits (its primary source of lendable funds) and originating loans. Its most direct competition for savings deposits has historically come from commercial banks, other thrift institutions, and credit unions located in its market area. The Bank has faced additional significant competition for investors’ funds from short-term money market securities and other corporate and government securities.

At June 30, 2004, which is the most recent date for which data is available from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Bank held approximately, 0.86% of the deposits in the St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area, which was the 19^th largest market share out of 134 financial institutions with offices in this metropolitan statistical area. Also at June 30, 2004, the Bank held approximately 0.09% of the deposits in the Kansas City, Missouri-Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area, which was the 118^th largest market share out of 154 financial institutions with offices in this metropolitan statistical area. In addition, banks owned by large bank holding companies such as US Bancorp, Bank of America Corporation and Union Planters Corp. also operate in our market area. These institutions are significantly larger than us and, therefore, have significantly greater resources that allow them to offer a wider variety of products and services.

The Bank’s competition for loans comes principally from other financial institutions, mortgage banking companies and mortgage brokers. The Bank expects 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 market 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. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which permits affiliation among banks, securities firms and insurance companies also has changed the competitive environment as several non-traditional banking companies have begun collecting deposits in the metropolitan areas of St. Louis and Kansas City.

General. The following table sets forth the composition of the Bank’s loan portfolio at the dates indicated.

The majority of the Bank’s mortgage production is sold on a best efforts, flow basis, servicing released, to more than fifteen different regional and national secondary market investors. This strategy enables the Bank to have a much larger lending capacity, provide a much more comprehensive product offering and drastically reduce the interest rate, prepayment and credit risks associated with residential lending. This strategy also allows the Bank to offer more competitive interest rates. Loans originated for sale are closed in the name of the Bank and held in “warehouse” until they are sold to the investors, typically within 30 days. The loans held in warehouse provide an attractive asset yield because the Bank is able to fund a longer-term asset (typically a 30 year mortgage) with low yielding, short term funds. Loan sale activity is the Bank’s largest source of non-interest income.

The Bank is a direct endorsement lender with the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”). Consequently, the Bank’s FHA approved direct endorsement underwriters are authorized to approve or reject FHA-insured loans up to maximum amounts established by FHA. The Bank is also an automatic lender with the Veterans’ Administration (“VA”), which enables designated qualified Bank personnel to approve or reject loans on behalf of VA.

The Bank offers a variety of adjustable-rate mortgage (“ARM”) loans. These ARM loans may be sold in the secondary market or originated for portfolio investment. The loan fees charged, interest rates and other provisions of the Bank’s ARM loans are determined by the Bank on the basis of its own pricing criteria, the composition and interest rate risk of its current loan portfolio and market conditions. Interest rates and payments on the Bank’s ARM loans generally are adjusted periodically to a rate typically equal to 2.00% to 3.75% above the one-year constant maturity U.S. Treasury index. The periodic interest rate cap (the maximum amount by which the interest rate may be increased or decreased in a given period) on the Bank’s ARM loans is generally 2% per adjustment period and the lifetime interest rate cap is generally 6% over the initial interest rate of the loan. The Bank qualifies the borrower based on the borrower’s ability to repay the ARM loan based on the maximum interest rate at the first adjustment in the case of one-year ARM loans, and based on the initial interest rate in the case of ARM loans that adjust after two or more years. The Bank does not originate negative amortization loans for portfolio investment. The Bank believes that the periodic adjustment feature of its ARM loans provides flexibility to meet competitive conditions as to initial rate concessions while preserving the Bank’s return on equity objectives by limiting the duration of the initial rate concession.

Borrower demand for ARM loans versus fixed-rate mortgage loans is a function of the level of current and expected market interest rates and the difference between the initial interest rates and fees charged for each type of loan. The relative amount of fixed-rate mortgage loans and ARM loans that can be originated at any time is largely determined by the demand for each.

The retention of ARM loans in the Bank’s loan portfolio helps reduce the Bank’s exposure to changes in interest rates. There are, however, unquantifiable credit risks resulting from the potential of increased costs to be paid by the customer due to changed rates. During periods of rising interest rates, the risk of default on ARM loans increases as a result of repricing and the increased costs to the borrower. Furthermore, because the ARM loans originated by the Bank generally provide, as a marketing incentive, for initial rates of interest below the rates which would apply were the adjustment index used for pricing initially (discounting), these

loans are theoretically subject to increased risks of default, delinquency, or prepayment. Another consideration is that although ARM loans allow the Bank to increase the sensitivity of its asset base to changes in interest rates, the extent of this interest sensitivity is limited by the periodic and lifetime interest rate adjustment limits. Because of these considerations, the Bank has no assurance that yields on ARM loans will be sufficient to offset increases in the Bank’s cost of funds.

The Bank requires title insurance insuring the status of its lien on all of its real estate secured loans and also requires that fire and extended coverage casualty insurance (and, if appropriate, flood insurance) be maintained in an amount equal to the greater of the outstanding loan balance or the full replacement cost of the dwelling.

The Bank’s lending policies generally limit the maximum loan-to-value ratio on first mortgage loans secured by owner-occupied properties to 80% of the lesser of the appraisal value or the purchase price. Typically, the Bank will make loans in excess of that limit provided the borrower obtains mortgage insurance or the customer demonstrates sufficient credit history and ability to service the debt. In some cases, borrowers choose to obtain subordinate financing to limit the first mortgage to 80% or less. These second mortgages are priced with enhanced yields so that the Bank is compensated for the absence of mortgage insurance. In the cases of loans guaranteed by FHA or VA, the Bank offers loans on loan-to-value ratios of up to 97% and 100%, respectively.

The Bank generally obtains appraisals on its real estate loans from outside appraisers, but, in limited instances (i.e., loan-to-value ratios less than 55%), may waive its outside appraisal requirement.

Construction and Development Loans. The Company also originates real estate construction and development loans that consist primarily of 1-4 family residence construction loans made to both developers and retail mortgage customers. Loan disbursements are closely monitored by the management of the Bank to ensure funds are being used strictly for the purposes agreed upon in the loan covenants. The Company employs both internal staff and external title company experts to ensure loan disbursements are substantiated by regular inspections and review. Construction and development loans are similar to all residential loans in that borrowers are underwritten according to their adequacy of repayment sources at the time of approval. Unlike conventional residential lending signs of deterioration in the customers ability to repay the loan is measured throughout the life of the loan and not just at origination or when the loan becomes past due. In most instances, loan amounts are limited to 85% of the appraised value upon completion of the construction project. Credit risk for construction and development loans arise from borrowers lacking the ability or willingness to repay the loan, or by a shortfall in the collateral value in relation the outstanding loan balance in cases of default.

Commercial Real Estate Loans. The Bank engages in commercial real estate lending, typically through direct originations. The Bank has expanded its commercial real estate portfolio to provide diversification and to generate assets that are sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates. Commercial real estate loans are generally prime-based floating rate loans, or short-term (1-5 year) fixed-rate loans. The Bank’s commercial loan policy limits the Bank’s lending limit to 15% of its unimpaired capital plus reserves, which was $8.5 million at September 30, 2004. Loans secured by commercial real estate generally have larger loan values and involve greater risks than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Payments on loans secured by such properties are often dependent on successful management and operation of the properties. Repayment of such loans may be subject to a greater extent to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. The Bank seeks to minimize these risks in a variety of ways, including limiting the size of such loans and strictly scrutinizing the financial condition of the borrower, the quality of the collateral and the

management of the property securing the loan. The Bank also obtains loan guarantees from financially capable parties. The Bank’s lending personnel or an agent of the Bank inspects all of the properties securing the Bank’s commercial real estate loans before the loan is made. The Bank also obtains appraisals on each property in accordance with applicable regulations.

Commercial and Industrial Loans. The Company also originates commercial and industrial loans that are secured by other property such as inventory, equipment and finished goods.

The Bank’s largest commercial loan was a $3.8 million loan secured by commercial real estate. This loan was performing according to its terms at September 30, 2004. All commercial loans are evaluated for the adequacy of repayment sources at the time of approval and are regularly reviewed for any possible deterioration in the ability of the borrower to repay the loan. In most instances, collateral is required to provide an additional source of repayment in the event of default by the borrower. The structure of the collateral varies from loan to loan depending on the financial strength of the borrower, the amount and terms of the loan, and the collateral available to be pledged.

Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of a borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment or other income, and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial loans are of higher risk and typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial loans may depend substantially on the success of the business itself. Further, any collateral securing such loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value.

Consumer and Other Loans. The Bank’s consumer loan department makes consumer loans to residents of the metropolitan areas of St. Louis and Kansas City. These loans consist primarily of home equity lines of credit (“HELOC”), but also include automobile loans, unsecured loans, and other secured consumer goods loans.

Home equity lines of credit are secured with a deed of trust and are issued up to 100% of the appraised or assessed value of the property securing the line of credit, less the outstanding balance on the first mortgage. Home equity loans with greater than 90% LTV are insured with mortgage insurance by the Bank. Interest rates on the home equity lines of credit are adjustable and are tied to the current prime interest rate. This rate is obtained from the Wall Street Journal and adjusts on a monthly basis. The Bank’s introductory rate on HELOC loans is also the floor rate on all new originations. Interest rates are based upon the loan-to-value ratio of the property with better rates given to borrowers with more equity. Home equity lines of credit, which are secured by residential properties, are secured by stronger collateral than automobile loans and because of the adjustable rate structure, contain less interest rate risk to the Bank. Lending up to 100% of the value of the property presents greater credit risk to the Bank. Consequently, the Bank limits this product to customers with a favorable credit history.

The automobile loans currently in the portfolio consist of fixed-rate loans secured by both new and used cars and light trucks. New cars are financed for a period of up to 72 months while used cars are financed for 60 months or less depending on the year and model. Collision and comprehensive insurance coverage is required on all automobile loans.

Consumer loans entail greater risk than residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles. In such cases, any

repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation. The remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower beyond obtaining a deficiency judgment. 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 that can be recovered on such loans. Such loans may also give rise to claims and defenses by a consumer loan borrower against an assignee of such loans such as the Bank, and a borrower may be able to assert against such assignee claims and defenses that it has against the seller of the underlying collateral.

Other Banking Operations. The Company also offers fixed income security trading and sales and the sales of title insurance.

The title insurance business, which is a division of the Bank, began operations in the third quarter of fiscal 2004. The division provides traditional title insurance services and products, including owner’s policies of insurance, lender’s policies of insurance and miscellaneous title information products (e.g., letter reports). The policies are issued primarily on residential transactions; however, the division also performs certain commercial transactions. Customers of the title division consist primarily of residential mortgage customers that have been referred to the title division.

The Bank also operates a fixed income sales division that was formed shortly after fiscal year end. The division was formed following the hiring of five veteran management and sales personnel who have an average of 20 years experience in fixed income investment trading and sales. The business consists primarily of buying and selling bonds for community bank investment portfolio managers in Missouri, Illinois and surrounding states. The business will not include developing portfolio for trading for the Bank.

Loan Maturity and Repricing. The following table sets forth certain information at September 30, 2004 regarding the dollar amount of loans maturing in the Bank’s portfolio based on their contractual terms to maturity, but does not include potential prepayments. Demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity, and overdrafts are reported as due in one year or less. Mortgage loans that have adjustable rates are shown as maturing at their next repricing date.

The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 2004, the dollar amount of all loans due or repricing after September 30, 2005, which have fixed interest rates and have adjustable interest rates.

Scheduled contractual principal repayments of loans generally do not reflect the actual life of such assets. The average life of loans is substantially less than their contractual terms because of prepayments. In addition, due-on-sale clauses on loans generally give the Bank the right to declare loans immediately due and payable if, among other things, the borrower sells the real property subject to the mortgage and the loan is not repaid. The average life of mortgage loans tends to increase, however, when current mortgage loan market rates are substantially higher than rates on existing mortgage loans and, conversely, decreases when rates on existing mortgage loans are substantially higher than current mortgage loan market rates.

Loan Marketing and Processing. Loan applicants come through direct marketing efforts by loan officers of the Bank, as well as through referrals by REALTORs, financial planners, previous and present customers and, to a far lesser extent, through television, Internet and print advertising promotions. All types of loans may be originated in any of the Bank’s offices, though most loans are closed at the Bank’s main office. Loans are serviced from the Bank’s main office. Loans sold into the secondary mortgage market are generally serviced by the purchaser. Loans sold on a participation basis are serviced by the Bank. Loan officers are compensated for their loan production based upon the dollar volume closed, as well as the gain on the sale produced.

Upon receipt of a loan application from a prospective borrower, a credit report and other data are obtained to verify specific information relating to the loan applicant’s employment, income and credit standing. An appraisal of the real estate offered as collateral is performed by a fee appraiser approved by the Bank and licensed or certified by the State of Missouri.

An internal loan committee approves commercial loans up to $3.0 million, while all loans above this level are approved by the board of directors. Residential loans in the amount of $400,000 or less may be approved by one Senior Officer and an underwriter. Loans over $400,000 and up to $750,000 require the approval of the Senior Vice President of Lending in conjunction with underwriters, Senior Officers and a member of the Executive Committee, depending upon the amount of the loan. Any loans in excess of $750,000 require consent of the Executive Committee and approval by the Senior Vice President of Lending. Consumer and auto loan approvals are delegated to several consumer loan officers who can individually lend up to $50,000.

Loan applicants are promptly notified of the decision of the Bank. Interest rates are subject to change if the approved loan is not closed within the time of the commitment, which usually is 60 to 90 days.

To manage its interest rate risk position, the Bank generally sells the fixed-rate mortgage loans that it originates. The sale of loans in the secondary mortgage market reduces the Bank’s risk that the interest rates paid on deposits will increase while the Bank holds long-term, fixed-rate loans in its portfolio. It also allows the Bank to continue to fund loans when deposit flows decline or funds are not otherwise available. Mortgage loans generally have been sold with servicing released. Gains, net of origination expense, from the sale of such loans are recorded at the time of sale. Generally a loan is committed to be sold and a price for the loan is determined at the same time the interest rate on the loan is locked in with the customer, which may be at the time the applicant applies for the loan or anytime up to the date of closing. This eliminates the risk to the Bank that a rise in market interest rates will reduce the value of a mortgage before it can be sold.

Additionally, the Bank generally negotiates a best efforts delivery, which minimizes any exposure from loans that do not close. Certain loans are sold on a mandatory-delivery basis. Loans sold in this manner are hedged against changes in interest rate risk through forward sales of mortgage-backed securities. The issuing of interest rate commitments by the Bank is considered a derivative investment and changes in market value are reported on the Bank’s consolidated balance sheet and statement of income and comprehensive income.

The following table shows total loans originated, purchased, sold and repaid during the periods indicated.

Loan Origination and Other Fees. The Bank, in some instances, receives loan origination fees and discount “points.” Loan fees and points are a percentage of the principal amount of the loan which are charged to the borrower for funding the loan. The amount of points charged by the Bank varies, though the range generally is between 0% and 2%. Current accounting standards require fees received (net of certain loan origination costs) for originating loans to be deferred and amortized into interest income over the contractual life of the loan. Net deferred fees or costs associated with loans that are prepaid are recognized as interest income adjustments at the time of prepayment. Deferred fees or costs are recognized as mortgage revenue on loans that are sold to investors.

Nonperforming Assets and Delinquencies. All commercial loans are evaluated for the adequacy of repayment sources at the time of approval and are regularly reviewed for any possible deterioration in the ability of the borrower to repay the loan. Residential mortgage loan borrowers are typically only downgraded after origination when they have failed to make a required payment. The Bank follows the following collection procedures for all types of loans, excluding consumer loans, although larger customers are typically contacted sooner. The first notice is mailed to the borrower 18 days after the payment due date. Attempts to contact the

borrower by telephone generally begin approximately 20 days after the payment due date. If a satisfactory response is not obtained, continuous follow-up contacts are attempted until the loan has been brought current. At the 45^th day after the due date, a default letter is sent. Before the 60^th day of delinquency, attempts to interview the borrower, preferably in person, are made to establish: (1) the cause of the delinquency; (2) whether the cause is temporary; (3) the attitude of the borrower toward the debt; and (4) a mutually satisfactory arrangement for curing the default. Also, in the case of second mortgage loans, before the 60^th day of delinquency, all superior lien holders are contacted to determine: (1) the status and unpaid principal balance of each superior lien; (2) whether any mortgage constituting a superior lien has been sold to any investor; and (3) whether the borrower is also delinquent under a superior lien and what the affected lien holder intends to do to resolve the delinquency.

If the borrower cannot be reached and does not respond to collection efforts, a personal collection visit or property inspection is made and a photograph of the exterior is taken. The physical condition and occupancy status of the property is determined before recommending further servicing action. Such inspection normally takes place on or about the 45^th day of delinquency. Generally, after 60 days into the delinquency procedure, the Bank notifies the borrower that home ownership counseling is available for eligible homeowners. If by the 91^st day of delinquency, or sooner if the borrower is chronically delinquent and all reasonable means of obtaining payment on time have been exhausted, foreclosure, according to the terms of the security instrument and applicable law, is initiated.

When a consumer loan borrower fails to make a required payment, the Bank institutes collection procedures. The first notice is mailed to the borrower 15 days following the payment due date. The Bank daily receives a computer-generated collection report. The customer is contacted by telephone to ascertain the nature of the delinquency. If by the 30^th day following the payment due date, no progress has been made, a written notice is mailed informing the borrowers of their right to cure the delinquency within 20 days and of the Bank’s intent to begin legal action if the delinquency is not corrected. Depending on the type of property held as collateral, the Bank either obtains a judgment in small claims court or takes action to repossess the collateral.

Loans are placed on non-accrual status when, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to the timely collectibility of interest or principal. Non-accrual loans are returned to accrual status when, in the opinion of management, the financial position of the borrower indicates there is no longer any reasonable doubt as to the timely collectibility of interest or principal.

The Bank’s Board of Directors is informed on a quarterly basis as to the status of all mortgage and consumer loans that are delinquent 90 days or more, the status on all loans currently in foreclosure, and the status of all foreclosed and repossessed property owned by the Bank.

The following table sets forth information with respect to the Bank’s non-performing assets at the dates indicated.

Interest income that would have been recorded for the years ended September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003, had non-accruing loans been current according to their original terms amounted to $29,000 and $69,000, respectively. The amount of interest related to these loans included in interest income was $13,000 for the year ended September 30, 2004 and $27,000 for the year ended September 30, 2003.

Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired by the Bank as a result of foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure is classified as real estate owned until it is sold. When property is acquired it is recorded at the lower of its cost, which is the unpaid principal balance of the related loan plus foreclosure costs, or fair market value. Subsequent to foreclosure, the property is carried at the lower of the foreclosed amount or fair value. Upon receipt of a new appraisal and market analysis, the carrying value is written down through a charge to income, if appropriate. The balance of real estate owned increased from $35,000 at September 30, 2003 to $1.1 million at September 30, 2004. The increase in real estate owned is attributed to the Bank’s acquisition of two large residential properties in settlement of debts outstanding by residential mortgage customers. Each of the two properties have appraised values of approximately one half million dollars after being written down to 93% of appraised value. When writing real estate down to appraised value, the Company typically recognizes an additional 7% below fair market value in order to leave allowances for selling costs.

Asset Classification. The Bank has adopted the Uniform Credit Classification Policy issued by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, which was subsequently adopted by the OTS regarding problem assets of savings institutions. The regulations require that each insured institution review and classify its assets on a regular basis. In addition, in connection with examinations of insured institutions, OTS examiners have authority to identify problem assets and, if appropriate, require them to be classified. There are three classifications for problem assets: substandard, doubtful and loss. Substandard assets must have one or more defined weaknesses and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the insured institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Doubtful assets have the weaknesses of substandard assets with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values questionable, and there is a high possibility of loss. An asset classified as loss is considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as an asset of the institution without establishment of a specific reserve is not warranted. If an asset or portion thereof is classified as loss, the insured institution establishes specific allowances for loan losses for the full amount of the portion of the asset classified as loss. A portion of general loan loss allowances established to cover possible losses related to assets classified substandard or doubtful may be included in determining an institution’s regulatory capital, while specific valuation allowances for loan losses generally do not qualify as regulatory capital. OTS regulations also require that assets that do not currently expose an institution to a sufficient degree of risk to warrant classification as loss, doubtful or substandard but do possess credit deficiencies or potential weakness deserving management’s close attention shall be designated “special mention” by either the institution or its examiners

The Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and collection department personnel meet quarterly to review all classified assets, to approve action plans developed to resolve the problems associated with the assets and to review recommendations for new classifications, any changes in classifications and recommendations for reserves.

The following table sets forth the number and amount of classified loans at September 30, 2004:

Allowance for Loan Losses. In originating loans, the Bank recognizes that losses will be experienced and that the risk of loss will vary with, among other things, the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower over the term of the loan, general economic conditions and, in the case of a secured loan, the quality of the security for the loan. All charged-off loans are charged to the allowance and all recoveries are credited to it. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to the Bank’s income. The allowance for loan losses is based on management’s periodic evaluation of the Bank’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations which may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral and current economic conditions. The Bank periodically recognizes losses on loans, which have active collection efforts through the use of specific valuation allowances or “SVA” in order to reduce loan balances below the market value of the collateral.

The following assessments are performed quarterly in accordance with the Bank’s allowance for loan losses methodology:

Homogeneous residential mortgage loans are given one of five standard risk ratings at the time of origination. The risk ratings are assigned through the use of a credit- scoring model, which assesses credit risk determinants from the borrower’s credit history, the loan-to-value, the affordability ratios and other personal history. Five-year historical loss rates and industry data for each credit rating is used to determine the appropriate allocation percentage for each loan grade. Commercial real estate loans are individually reviewed and assigned a credit risk rating on an annual basis by the internal loan committee. Consumer and home equity loans are assigned standard risk weightings that determine the allocation percentage.

When commercial real estate loans are over 30 days delinquent or residential, consumer and home equity loans are over 90 days past due, they are evaluated individually for impairment. Additionally, loans that demonstrate credit weaknesses that may impact the borrower’s ability to repay or the value of the collateral are also reviewed individually for impairment. The Company considers a loan to be impaired when management believes it will be unable to collect all principal and interest due according to the contractual terms of the loan. If a loan is impaired, the Company records a loss valuation equal to the excess of the loan’s carrying value over the present value of estimated future cash flows or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Management believes that the amount maintained in the allowance will be adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the portfolio. Although management believes that it uses the best information available to make such determinations, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary and results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the determinations. While the Bank believes it has established its existing allowance for loan losses in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, there can be no assurance that the Bank’s regulators, in reviewing the Bank’s loan portfolio, will not request the Bank to increase significantly its allowance for loan losses. In addition, because future events affecting borrowers and collateral cannot be predicted with certainty, there can be no assurance that the existing allowance for loan losses is adequate or that substantial increases will not be necessary should the quality of any loans deteriorate as a result of the factors discussed above. Any material increase in the allowance for loan losses will adversely affect the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’s methodology includes factors that allow the Company to adjust its estimates of losses based on the most recent information available. Historic loss rates used to determine the allowance are adjusted to reflect the impact of current conditions, including actual collection and charge-off experience. Any material increase in non-performing loans will adversely affect the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations.

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

The following table sets forth the breakdown of the allowance for loan losses by loan category at the dates indicated.

The Bank is permitted under applicable law to invest in various types of liquid assets, including U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of various federal agencies and state and municipal governments, deposits at the FHLB-Des Moines, certificates of deposit of federally insured institutions, certain bankers’ acceptances and federal funds. Subject to various restrictions, savings institutions may also invest a portion of their assets in commercial paper, corporate debt securities, equity securities and mutual funds. Savings institutions like the Bank are also required to maintain an investment in FHLB stock and a minimum level of liquid assets.

The Company maintains a portfolio of mortgage-backed securities in the form of Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae participation certificates. Ginnie Mae certificates are guaranteed as to principal and interest by the full faith and credit of the United States, while Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae certificates are guaranteed by the respective agencies. Mortgage-backed securities generally entitle the Company to receive a pro rata portion of the cash flows from an identified pool of mortgages. The Company maintains a portfolio of collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), which are securities issued by special purpose entities generally collateralized by pools of mortgage-backed securities called “ tranches”. The cash flows from such pools are segmented and paid in accordance with a predetermined priority to various classes of securities issued by the entity. The Company’s CMOs are short-maturity tranches.

The Investment Committee, comprised of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, determines appropriate investments in accordance with the Board of Directors’ approved investment policies and procedures. Investments are made following certain considerations, which include the Company’s liquidity position and anticipated cash needs and sources (which in turn include outstanding commitments, upcoming maturities, estimated deposits and anticipated loan amortization and repayments). Further, the effect that the proposed investment would have on the Company’s credit and interest rate risk, and risk-based capital is considered. The interest rate, yield, settlement date and maturity are also reviewed.

All of the Company’s debt securities and mortgage-backed securities carry market risk insofar as increases in market interest rates would generally cause a decline in their market value. They also carry prepayment risk insofar as they may be called or repaid before their stated maturity during times of low market interest rates, so that the Company may have to reinvest the funds at a lower interest rate.

The following table sets forth the carrying value of the Company’s investment and mortgage-backed securities portfolio at the dates indicated. The Company’s investment securities portfolio at September 30, 2004 did not contain securities of any issuer with an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of retained earnings, excluding those issued by the government or its agencies.

The following table sets forth the maturities and weighted average yields of the securities in the Company’s investment and mortgage-backed securities portfolios at September 30, 2004. Expected maturities of mortgage-backed securities will differ from contractual maturities due to scheduled repayments and because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties. At September 30, 2004, the Company’s portfolio did not include any callable securities. The following table does not take into consideration the effects of scheduled repayments or the effects of possible prepayments.

General. Deposits, loan repayments, loan sales and FHLB borrowings are the major sources of the Bank’s funds for lending and other investment purposes. Scheduled loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows and loan prepayments are influenced significantly by general interest rates and money market conditions. Borrowings from FHLB-Des Moines, other borrowing arrangements and proceeds from the issuance of trust preferred securities, may be used to compensate for reductions in the availability of funds from other sources.

Deposit Accounts. The Bank’s depositors reside predominately in the State of Missouri. Deposits are attracted from within the Bank’s market area through the offering of a broad selection of commercial and retail deposit instruments, including checking accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal (“NOW”) accounts, money market deposit accounts, regular savings accounts, certificates of deposit, retirement savings plans and treasury management services. 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 its deposit accounts, the Bank considers current market interest rates, the pricing of competitors, and profitability to the Bank, matching deposit and loan products and its customer preferences and concerns. The Bank’s Asset Liability Committee regularly reviews its deposit mix and pricing. The following table sets forth the balances (inclusive of interest credited) of deposits in the various types of accounts offered by the Bank at the dates indicated.

The following table indicates the amount of the Bank’s jumbo certificates of deposit by time remaining until maturity as of September 30, 2004. Jumbo certificates of deposit represent minimum deposits of $100,000 and are not issued at premium interest rates; however, special rates are offered to “President Club” members who have deposits of $50,000 or more.

Time Deposits by Rates. The following table sets forth the certificates of deposits in the Bank classified by rates at the dates indicated.

Time Deposits by Maturities. The following table sets forth the amount and maturities of time deposits at September 30, 2004.

Deposit Activity. The following table sets forth the deposit activities of the Bank for the periods indicated.

Borrowings. The Bank uses advances from the FHLB-Des Moines to supplement its supply of lendable funds and to meet deposit withdrawal requirements. The FHLB-Des Moines functions as a central reserve bank providing credit for savings associations and certain other member financial institutions. As a member, the Bank is required to own capital stock in the FHLB-Des Moines and is authorized to apply for advances on the security of such stock and certain of its mortgage loans and other assets (principally securities which are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. Government) provided certain creditworthiness standards have been met. Advances are made pursuant to several different credit 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 on the financial condition of the member institution and the adequacy of collateral pledged to secure the credit. The line of credit is subject to available collateral of one-to four- family residential loans, home equity loans and loans held for sale. Periodically, the FHLB performs collateral audits in order to review the quality of the collateral, which could result in reduced borrowing capacity.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Bank’s use of FHLB advances during the periods indicated.

As of September 30, 2004, the Bank had the equivalent of 258 full-time employees. The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit, and the Bank believes its relationship with its employees is good.

Other than the Bank, the Company maintains one wholly-owned subsidiary, Pulaski Financial Statutory Trust I (the “Trust”), a Connecticut statutory trust. The Trust issued $9.0 million of adjustable-rate preferred securities in March 2004. The proceeds of the offering were dividends to the holding Company, which was then injected into the Bank as Tier 1 capital.

The Bank’s subsidiary, Pulaski Service Corporation, sells insurance products and annuities. Federal savings associations generally may invest up to 3% of their assets in service corporations, provided that any amount in excess of 2% is used primarily for community, inner city and community development projects. At September 30, 2004, the Bank’s equity investment in its subsidiary was $390,000 or 0.06% of the Bank’s assets.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the executive officers of the Company and the Bank.

Set forth below is certain information regarding the executive officers of the Company and the Bank. Unless otherwise stated, each executive officer has held his or her current occupation for the last five years. There are no family relationships among the executive officers.

William A. Donius has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank since December 1, 1997. Mr. Donius is also the Chairman of the Board of the Company and the Bank.

Ramsey K. Hamadi joined the Bank in June 2000 as Controller before being named Chief Financial Officer in July 2001. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Hamadi was a Safety and Soundness Examiner at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Christopher K. Reichert joined the Bank in 1999 as Senior Vice President of Lending before being named Executive Vice President in January 2001.

The Bank is subject to extensive regulation, examination and supervision by the OTS, as its chartering agency, and the FDIC, as the deposit insurer. The Bank is a member of the FHLB System and its deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the SAIF managed by the FDIC. The Bank must file reports with the OTS and the FDIC 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 financial institutions. There are periodic examinations by the OTS and the FDIC to test the Bank’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 OTS, the FDIC or through legislation, could have a material adverse impact on the Company, the Bank and their operations. The Company, as a savings and loan holding company, is required to file certain reports with, and otherwise comply with the rules and regulations of the OTS under federal laws. Certain of the regulatory requirements applicable to the Bank and to the Company are referred to below or elsewhere herein.

The description of statutory provisions and regulations set forth in this document do not purport to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effects on the Company and the Bank.

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

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

QTL Test. Federal law requires savings institutions to meet a qualified thrift lender (“QTL”) test. Under the test, a savings bank is required to either be a “domestic building and loan association” within the definition of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” (total assets less (i) specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets, (ii) intangibles, including goodwill, and (iii) the value of property used to conduct business) in certain “qualified thrift investments” (primarily residential mortgages and related investments, including certain mortgage-backed securities) on a monthly basis in 9 out of every 12 months.

A savings institution that fails the QTL test is subject to certain operating restrictions and may be required to convert to a bank charter. As of September 30, 2004, the Bank meets the QTL test.

Limitation on Capital Distributions. OTS regulations impose limitations upon all capital distributions by a savings institution, such as 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 OTS is required prior to any capital distribution if the institution does not meet the criteria for “expedited treatment” of applications under OTS regulations (i.e., generally examination ratings in the two top categories), the total capital distributions for the calendar year exceed 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 OTS. If an application is not required, the institution must still provide prior notice to OTS of the capital distribution. If the Bank’s capital fell below its regulatory requirements or the OTS notified it that it was in need of more than normal supervision, the Bank’s ability to make capital distributions could be restricted. In addition, the OTS could prohibit a proposed capital distribution by any institution, which would otherwise be permitted by the regulation, if the OTS determines that such distribution would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.

Assessments. Savings institutions are required to pay assessments to the OTS to fund the agency’s operations. The general assessment, paid on a semi-annual basis, is computed as a percentage upon the savings institution’s total assets, including consolidated subsidiaries, as reported in the Bank’s latest quarterly thrift financial report.

Branching. The OTS regulations authorize federally chartered savings associations to branch nationwide to the extent allowed by federal statute. This permits federal savings and loan associations with interstate networks to more easily diversify their loan portfolios and lines of business geographically. The OTS authority preempts any state law purporting to regulate branching by federal savings institutions.

Community Reinvestment Act. Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), as implemented by OTS regulations, a savings institution has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income

neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA requires the OTS, in connection with its examination of a savings institution, to assess the institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by such institution. The CRA also requires all institutions to make public disclosure of their CRA ratings. The Bank received a “Satisfactory” CRA rating in its most recent examination.

Transactions with Related Parties. The Bank’s authority to engage in certain transactions with “affiliates” (i.e., any company that controls or is under common control with an institution, including the Company and any 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. Transactions with affiliates must be on terms and under circumstances that are at least as favorable as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with non-affiliated companies. In addition, savings institutions 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 Bank’s authority to extend credit to executive officers, directors and 10% shareholders (“insiders”) as well as entities controlled by such persons is also governed by federal law. Such loans are required to be made on terms substantially the same as those offered to unaffiliated individuals and may not involve more than the normal risk of repayment. An exception exists 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. The law limits both the individual and aggregate amount of loans the Bank may make to insiders based, in part, on the Bank’s capital position and requires certain board approval procedures to be followed.

Enforcement. The OTS has primary enforcement responsibility over savings institutions and has the authority to bring actions against the institution and all institution-affiliated parties, including stockholders, 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, conservatorship or termination of deposit insurance. 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 FDIC has the authority to recommend to the Director of the OTS that enforcement action to be taken with respect to a particular savings institution. If action is not taken by the Director, the FDIC has the 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 OTS determines that an institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the guidelines, the OTS may require the institution to submit an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard.

Capital Requirements. The OTS capital regulations require savings institutions to meet three minimum capital standards: a 1.5% tangible capital ratio, a 4% leverage ratio (3% for institutions receiving the highest rating on the CAMELS financial institution rating system), and an 8% risk-based capital ratio. In addition, the prompt corrective action standards discussed below also establish, in effect, a minimum 2% tangible capital standard, a 4% leverage capital ratio (3% for institutions receiving the highest rating in the CAMELS financial institution rating system) and, together with the risk-based capital standard itself, a 4% Tier I risk-based capital standard. The OTS 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.

The risk-based capital standard for savings institutions requires the maintenance of Tier 1 (core) and total capital (which is defined as core capital and supplementary capital) to risk weighted assets of 4% and 8%, respectively. In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets, recourse obligations and direct credit substitutes are multiplied by a risk-weight of 0% to 100%, as assigned by the OTS capital regulation based on the risks OTS believes are inherent in the type of asset. Core capital is defined as common stockholders’ equity (including retained earnings), certain non-cumulative 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 preferred stock, long-term perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, subordinated debt and intermediate preferred stock and allowance for loan and lease losses. Allowance for loan and lease losses includable in supplementary capital is limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets and up to 45% of unrealized gains in available-for-sale securities with readily determinable fair values. Overall, the amount of supplementary capital included as part of total capital cannot exceed 100% of core capital.

The OTS 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.

Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action. The OTS is required to take certain supervisory actions against undercapitalized institutions, the severity of which depends upon the institution’s degree of under-capitalization. Generally, a savings institution that has a ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of less than 8%, a ratio of Tier I (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 “under-capitalized.” 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 a narrow exception, the OTS is required to appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is “critically undercapitalized.” The regulation also provides that a capital restoration plan must be filed with the OTS within 45 days of the date a savings institution receives notice that it is “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.” Compliance with the plan must be guaranteed by any parent holding company. 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 OTS 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 on Deposit Accounts. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation maintains a risk-based 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 of deposits for healthy institutions to 27 basis points of deposits 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 the Bank. Management cannot predict what insurance assessment rates will be in the future.

Insurance of deposits may be terminated the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation upon finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in 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. The management of the Bank does not know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance.

Federal Home Loan Bank System. The Bank is a member of the FHLB System, which consists of 12 regional FHLBs. The FHLB provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions. The Bank, as a member of the FHLB, is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in that FHLB in an amount at least equal to 5% of the aggregate or 1/20 of its advances (borrowings) from the FHLB.

The FHLBs are required to provide funds for the resolution of insolvent thrifts and to contribute funds for affordable housing programs. These requirements could reduce the amount of dividends that the FHLBs pay to their members and could also result in the FHLBs imposing a higher rate of interest on advances to their members.

Federal Reserve System The FRB regulations require savings institutions to maintain non-interest-earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts). The regulations generally require that, during calendar year 2004, reserves be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts as follows: a 3% reserve ratio is assessed on net transaction accounts over up to and including $47.6 million; a 10% reserve ratio is applied over $47.6 million. The first $7.0 million of otherwise reservable balances (subject to adjustments by the FRB) were exempted from the reserve requirements. The Bank has complied with the foregoing requirements.

The Company is a non-diversified unitary savings and loan holding company within the meaning of federal law. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 provides that no company may acquire control of a savings association after May 4, 1999 unless it engages only in the financial activities permitted for financial holding companies under the law or for multiple savings and loan holding companies as described below. Further, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act specifies that, subject to a grandfather provision, existing savings and loan holding companies may only engage in such activities. The Company qualifies for the grandfathering and is therefore not restricted in terms of its activities. Upon any non-supervisory acquisition by the Company of another savings association as a separate subsidiary, the Company would become a multiple savings and loan holding company and would be limited to activities permitted multiple holding companies by OTS regulation. However, OTS has issued an interpretation concluding that multiple savings holding companies may also engage in activities permitted for financial holding companies, including lending, trust services, insurance activities and underwriting, investment banking and real estate investments.

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; (i) the approval of interstate supervisory acquisitions by savings and loan holding companies and (ii) 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. The Bank must notify the Office of Thrift Supervision 30 days before declaring any dividend to the Company. 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), a group acting in concert, seeks to acquire 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting stock, unless the Office of Thrift Supervision has found that the acquisition will not result in a change in 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 effect of the acquisition. Any company that so acquires control would then be subject to regulation as a savings and loan holding company.

The Bank conducts its business through seven full-service banking offices. The following table sets forth information on those offices as of September 30, 2004.

The Company is not involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business which, in the aggregate, involve amounts which are believed by management to be immaterial to the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Common Stock Information” in the Annual Report to Stockholders.

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Selected Consolidated Financial Information” in the Annual Report to Stockholders.

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

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Annual Report to Stockholders.

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

There have been no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure that have not been previously reported by the Company. For information regarding the Company’s change in accountants during fiscal 2003, see the section captioned “Proposal 2-Ratification of Independent Auditors” in the Proxy Statement.

The Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective for the purpose of ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In addition, based on that evaluation, no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the year ended September 30, 2004 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

For information concerning the Board of Directors of the Company, the information contained under the section captioned “Proposal 1 - Election of Directors” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. Reference is made to the cover page of this Form 10-K and to the section captioned “Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act” in the Company’s annual meeting proxy statement for information regarding compliance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

For information concerning the Company’s code of ethics, the information contained under the section captioned “Corporate Governance-Code of Business Conduct” is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the code of ethics is available, without charge, upon written request to Christine A. Munro, Corporate Secretary, Pulaski Financial Corp., 12300 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63141.

The information contained under the sections captioned “Executive Compensation” and “Directors’ Compensation” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Stock Ownership” in the Proxy Statement.

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections captioned “Stock Ownership” in the Proxy Statement.

The Company is not aware of any arrangements, including any pledge by any person of securities of the Company, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Company.

The following table sets forth information about the Company common stock that may be issued upon exercise of options, warrants and rights under all of the Company’s equity compensation plans as of September 30, 2004.

The information set forth under the section captioned “Transactions with Management” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.

The information set forth under the section captioned “Ratification of Independent Auditors” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended September 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended September 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended September 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years ended September 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002

Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Annual Report to Stockholders.

We have audited the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of Pulaski Financial Corp. and subsidiaries for the year ended September 30, 2002. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects the results of Pulaski Financial Corp. and subsidiaries’ operations and their cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this report or are incorporated by reference herein.

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

PULASKI FINANCIAL CORP.

(Registrant)

/s/ William A. Donius

William A. Donius

President and Chief Executive Officer

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


		Page No.
PART I

Item 1.	Business	1

Item 2.	Properties	29

Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	31

Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	31

PART II

Item 5.	Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	31

Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	32

Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation	32

Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk	32

Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	32

Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	32

Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	32

Item 9B.	Other Information	33

PART III

Item 10.	Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant	33

Item 11.	Executive Compensation	33

Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	33

Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions	34

Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	34

PART IV

Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	35

SIGNATURES		37


	At September 30,
	2004					2003					2002					2001					2000
	Amount			Percent		Amount			Percent		Amount			Percent		Amount			Percent		Amount			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Real Estate Loans:
One to four family residential	$	248,311		47.79	%	$	167,410		59.25	%	$	157,776		66.70	%	$	155,900		75.36	%	$	169,770		79.87	%
Real estate construction & development		34,195		6.58			12,531		4.44			3,656		1.55			6,221		3.01			3,631		1.71
Multi-family residential		8,571		1.65			4,205		1.49			3,780		1.60			697		0.34			914		0.43
Commercial		44,341		8.53			4,700		1.66			8,147		3.44			1,409		0.68			412		0.19

Total real estate loans		335,418		64.55			188,846		66.84			173,359		73.29			164,227		79.39			174,727		82.20

Commercial and industrial		22,038		4.24			—		—			—		—			—		—			—		—

Consumer and Other Loans:
Automobile loans		1,813		0.35			2,592		0.92			5,886		2.49			12,109		5.85			21,450		10.09
Home equity loans		158,462		30.50			89,298		31.61			55,410		23.42			28,586		13.82			14,396		6.77
Other		1,895		0.36			1,794		0.63			1,893		0.80			1,956		0.94			1,983		0.94

Total consumer and other loans		162,170		31.21			93,684		33.16			63,189		26.71			42,651		20.61			37,829		17.80

Total loans		519,626		100.00	%		282,530		100.00	%		236,548		100.00	%		206,878		100.00	%		212,556		100.00	%

Less:
Loans in process		6,615					3,083					7,293					1,577					2,288
Unamortized loan origination costs, net of loan fees		(3,152	)				(1,313	)				(879	)				(658	)				(1,017	)
Allowance for loan losses		5,579					3,866					2,553					1,844					1,366

Total loans receivable, net	$	510,584				$	276,894				$	227,581				$	204,115				$	209,919


	Due Within One Year		Due After One Year Through Five Years		Due Beyond Five Years		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	17,590	$	3,345	$	1,103	$	22,038
Real estate construction and development		32,930		950		315		34,195
Residential real estate		72,565		148,845		35,472		256,882
Consumer and other		156,836		3,044		2,290		162,170
Commercial real estate		32,694		9,537		2,110		44,341

Total loans	$	312,615	$	165,721	$	41,290	$	519,626


	Fixed		Adjustable
	(In thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	4,448	$	—
Real estate construction and development		950		315
Residential real estate		67,689		116,628
Consumer and other		2,390		2,944
Commercial real estate		11,363		284

Total	$	86,840	$	120,171


	Years Ended September 30,
	2004			2003			2002
	(In thousands)
Total gross loans, including loans held for sale, at beginning of period	$	343,703		$	332,943		$	244,723

Loans originated:
Commercial and industrial		22,038			—			—
Real estate construction an development		21,808			7,809			3,614
Consumer and other		1,030,780			1,633,838			834,257
Commercial real estate		96,823			9,532			4,046
Consumer and other		167,679			119,351			65,288

Total loans originated		1,339,128			1,770,530			907,205

Loans purchased:
Residential real estate		731			305			446
Commercial real estate		10,292			10,931			13,051

Loans sold:
Total whole loans sold		(872,310	)		(1,567,394	)		(701,003	)

Mortgage loan principal repayments		(109,111	)		(86,605	)		(44,713	)
Consumer loan repayments and all other		(143,195	)		(117,007	)		(86,766	)

Net loan activity		225,535			10,760			88,220

Total gross loans, including loans held for sale, at end of period	$	569,238		$	343,703		$	332,943

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	Loss			Doubtful			Substandard			Special Mention
	Number	Amount		Number	Amount		Number	Amount		Number	Amount
	(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate:
Commercial and industrial	—	$	—	—	$	—	—	$	—	—	$	—
Real estate construction & development	—		—	—		—	—		—	—		—
Residential	3		45	—		—	25		2,767	—		—
Commercial	—		—	—		—	1		433	—		—

Consumer:
Automobile loans	17		56	—		—	19		71	—		—
Home Equity loans	1		15				5		198
Other	—		—	—		—	—		—

Total	21	$	116	—	$	—	50	$	3,469	—	$	—


	At September 30, 2004
	Due in Less Than One Year				Due in One to Five Years				Due in Five to Ten Years				Due in Over Ten Years
	Amount		Weighted Average Yield		Amount		Weighted Average Yield		Amount		Weighted Average Yield		Amount		Weighted Average Yield
	(Dollars in thousands)
Held to maturity:
Investment securities:
Certificates of Deposit	$	715	1.71	%	$	—	—		$	—	—		$	—	—
Mortgage-backed securities:
Mortgage-backed securities	$	—	—		$	66	9.30	%	$	15	11.87	%	$	703	8.51	%
CMOs		—	—			—	—			—	—			81	2.53	%

Total mortgage-backed securities	$	—	—		$	66	9.30	%	$	15	11.87	%	$	784	7.89	%

Available for sale:
Investment securities:
U.S. Treasury and agency obligations	$	9,224	2.32	%	$	—	—		$	—	—		$	—	—
Other		—	—			—	—			—	—			279	3.90	%

Total investment securities	$	9,224	2.32	%	$	—	—		$	—	—		$	279	3.90	%

Mortgage-backed securities:
Mortgage-backed securities	$	—	—			340	5.99	%	$	4,361	3.82	%	$	1,009	7.14	%


Maturity Period	Amount (In thousands)
Three months or less	$	24,142
Over 3 through 6 months		38,624
Over 6 through 12 months		19,867
Over 12 months		20,523

Total	$	103,156


	Year Ended September 30,
	2004		2003		2002
	(In thousands)
0.00 - 1.99%	$	141,154	$	90,188	$	35,741
2.00 - 2.99%		60,548		53,479		30,178
3.00 - 3.99%		27,326		19,336		13,077
4.00 - 4.99%		10,911		14,925		15,498
5.00 - 5.99%		1,577		3,313		6,028
6.00 - 6.99%		—		—		3,841
7.00 - 7.99%		124		128		143

Total	$	241,640	$	181,369	$	104,506


	Amount Due
	Within One Year		After 1 Year But Within 2 Years		After 2 Years But Within 3 Years		After 3 Years But Within 4 Years		Thereafter		Total
	(In thousands)
0.00 - 1.99%	$	126,161	$	13,623	$	1,370	$	—	$	—	$	141,154
2.00 - 2.99%		29,563		27,792		678		1,418		1,097		60,548
3.00 - 3.99%		6,390		6,011		12,950		1,684		291		27,326
4.00 - 4.99%		1,789		832		6,671		1,276		343		10,911
5.00 - 5.99%		594		265		718		—		—		1,577
6.00 - 6.99%		—		—		—		—		—		—
7.00 - 7.99%		124		—		—		—		—		124

Total	$	164,621	$	48,523	$	22,387	$	4,378	$	1,731	$	241,640


Name	Age (1)	Position
William A. Donius	46	Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Ramsey K. Hamadi	35	Chief Financial Officer
Christopher K. Reichert	40	Executive Vice President


Location	Year Opened	Net Book Value (1)			Owned/ Leased		Approximate Square Footage
	(Dollars in thousands)
Main Office:

12300 Olive Boulevard St. Louis, Missouri 63141	1978	$	3,327		Owned		29,000

Branch Offices:
199 Jamestown Mall Florissant, Missouri 63034	1998		42		Leased	(2)	2,500

3760 South Grand Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63118	1967		639		Owned		3,500

4226 Bayless Road St. Louis, Missouri 63123	2001		607		Owned	(3)	3,200

1928 Zumbehl Road St. Charles, Missouri 63303	2000		868		Owned		2,800

1700 O’Fallon Road O’Fallon, Missouri 63304	2003		1,475		Owned		4,000

8442 Wornall Road Kansas City, Missouri 64114	2003		598		Owned		3,500

Other Offices:
12152 Olive Boulevard St. Louis, Missouri 63141	2002		65		Leased	(4)	5,000

6600 College Boulevard Overland Park, Kansas 66211	2002		516		Leased	(5)	10,045

One Insurance Center Plaza St. Louis, Missouri 63141	2003		2,442		Owned	(6)	26,000

Chesterfield Tower Center Chesterfield, Missouri 63005			122	(7)


Period	(a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased	(b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)		(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	(d) Maximum Number (or approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
July 1, 2004 through July 31, 2004	77	$	18.50	77	26,492
August 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004	156		17.52	156	26,336
September 1, 2004 through September 30, 2004	—		—	—	26,336
Total	233	$	17.52	233	N/A


Plan category	Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a)	Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b)		Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c )
*Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders*	571,613	$	8.10	112,428
*Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders*	60,510	$	7.06	—

*Total*	632,123	$	8.00	112,428


3.1		Articles of Incorporation of Pulaski Financial Corp.¹

3.2		Bylaws of Pulaski Financial Corp.¹

4.0		Form of Certificate for Common Stock²

10.1		Employment Agreement between Pulaski Financial Corp. and William A. Donius³

10.2		Pulaski Financial Corp. 2002 Stock Option Plan.¹

10.3		Pulaski Financial Corp. 2000 Stock-Based Incentive Plan⁴

10.4		Amendment to Pulaski Financial Corp. 2002 Stock Option Plan⁵

10.5		Pulaski Financial Corp. Deferred Compensation Plan (“Equity Trust Plan”)⁶

10.6		Employment Agreement between Pulaski Bank and William A. Donius⁷

13.0		Annual Report to Stockholders

21.0		Subsidiaries of Pulaski Financial Corp.

23.1		Consent of KPMG LLP

23.2		Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

31.1		Rule 13a-14(a) 15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer

31.2		Rule 13a-14(a) 15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer

32.1		Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


	At September 30,
	2004				2003				2002
	Amount		Percent of Total		Amount		Percent of Total		Amount		Percent of Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Non-interest-bearing	$	16,207	3.98	%	$	9,395	3.00	%	$	5,736	2.85	%
NOW checking		35,243	8.66			25,848	8.24			21,591	10.73
Regular savings		33,702	8.28			32,657	10.41			27,539	13.68
Money market deposit		80,006	19.67			64,337	20.52			41,898	20.82
Certificates which mature (1):
Within 1 year		164,621	40.47			139,595	44.51			78,048	38.78
After 1 year, but within 3 years		70,910	17.43			29,481	9.40			18,707	9.29
Certificate maturing thereafter		6,109	1.50			12,294	3.92			7,751	3.85

Total	$	406,798	100.00	%	$	313,607	100.00	%	$	201,270	100.00	%


32.2		Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


NAME	TITLE	DATE
/s/ William A. Donius	President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)	December 14, 2004
William A. Donius

/s/ Ramsey K. Hamadi	Chief Financial Officer (principal accounting and financial officer)	December 14, 2004
Ramsey K. Hamadi

/s/ Christopher K. Reichert	Executive Vice-President and Director	December 7, 2004
Christopher K. Reichert

/s/ Robert A. Ebel	Director	December 7, 2004
Robert A. Ebel

/s/ E. Douglas Britt	Director	December 7, 2004
E. Douglas Britt

/s/ Leon A. Felman	Director	December 14, 2004
Leon A. Felman

/s/ Timothy K. Reeves	Director	December 8, 2004
Timothy K. Reeves

/s/ William M. Corrigan, Jr.	Director	December 10, 2004
William M. Corrigan, Jr.