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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2004

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission File Number 0-25049

 


 

FIRST PLACE FINANCIAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   34-1880130

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

 

185 E. Market Street, Warren, OH 44481

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(330) 373-1221

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if change since last 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 whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act).    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

14,999,076 common shares as of January 31, 2005

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

              Page
Number


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    
     Item 1.   Financial Statements     
        

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition As of December 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004

   3
        

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

   4
        

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity For the Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

   5
        

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

   6
        

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   7-9
     Item 2.  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

   10-19
     Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    20-21
     Item 4.   Controls and Procedures    21

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

    
     Item 1.   Legal Proceedings    22
     Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    22
     Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    22
     Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    22-23
     Item 5.   Other Information    23
     Item 6.   Exhibits    23

SIGNATURES

       24


Table of Contents

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

FIRST PLACE FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

    

December 31,

2004


   

June 30,

2004


 
     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

                

Cash and due from banks

   $ 52,227     $ 67,350  

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks

     —         43,901  

Securities available for sale

     336,735       378,248  

Loans held for sale

     96,738       47,465  

Loans

                

Mortgage and construction

     879,325       810,167  

Commercial

     604,092       478,695  

Consumer

     248,642       211,659  
    


 


Total loans

     1,732,059       1,500,521  

Less allowance for loan losses

     17,584       16,528  
    


 


Loans, net

     1,714,475       1,483,993  

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     29,991       29,385  

Premises and equipment, net

     22,162       22,393  

Goodwill

     55,381       55,348  

Core deposit and other intangibles

     17,020       18,913  

Other assets

     60,573       100,084  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 2,385,302     $ 2,247,080  
    


 


LIABILITIES

                

Deposits

                

Non-interest bearing

   $ 238,714     $ 239,971  

Interest bearing checking

     112,822       101,726  

Savings

     154,850       141,244  

Money market

     448,705       455,946  

Certificates of deposit

     622,568       609,124  
    


 


Total deposits

     1,577,659       1,548,011  

Short-term borrowings

     269,754       204,613  

Long-term borrowings

     290,391       240,744  

Other liabilities

     19,663       30,602  
    


 


Total liabilities

     2,157,467       2,023,970  

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Preferred stock, $.01 par value:

                

3,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, $.01 par value:

                

33,000,000 shares authorized; 18,114,673 shares issued

     181       181  

Additional paid-in capital

     188,652       188,312  

Retained earnings

     93,385       91,041  

Unearned employee stock ownership plan shares

     (5,342 )     (5,639 )

Unearned recognition and retention plan shares

     (1,154 )     (1,205 )

Treasury stock, at cost, 3,125,879 shares at December 31, 2004 and 2,973,309 shares at June 30, 2004

     (44,970 )     (42,083 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (2,917 )     (7,497 )
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     227,835       223,110  
    


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 2,385,302     $ 2,247,080  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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FIRST PLACE FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,


  

Six months ended

December 31,


     2004

    2003

   2004

    2003

INTEREST INCOME

                             

Loans, including fees

   $ 25,715     $ 17,598    $ 49,756     $ 35,324

Securities

                             

Taxable

     3,173       3,146      6,564       6,127

Tax exempt

     417       482      816       960
    


 

  


 

TOTAL INTEREST INCOME

     29,305       21,226      57,136       42,411

INTEREST EXPENSE

                             

Deposits

     6,942       6,287      13,737       12,794

Short-term borrowings

     1,426       560      2,312       1,083

Long-term borrowings

     3,428       2,455      6,814       4,610
    


 

  


 

TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE

     11,796       9,302      22,863       18,487
    


 

  


 

NET INTEREST INCOME

     17,509       11,924      34,273       23,924

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     1,371       687      1,678       2,173
    


 

  


 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     16,138       11,237      32,595       21,751

NONINTEREST INCOME

                             

Service charges

     2,524       1,338      4,609       2,695

Net gains on sale of securities

     —         292      304       292

Impairment of securities

     (5,246 )     —        (5,246 )     —  

Net gains on sale of loans

     1,687       1,192      2,424       5,184

Loan servicing income

     88       1,367      67       506

Other income - bank

     507       226      1,047       489

Other income - non-bank subsidiaries

     1,535       1,550      3,202       3,221
    


 

  


 

TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME

     1,095       5,965      6,407       12,387

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

                             

Salaries and benefits

     6,761       5,685      13,711       10,942

Occupancy and equipment

     2,395       1,527      4,808       3,049

Professional fees

     645       296      1,206       759

Loan expenses

     498       120      1,037       683

Marketing

     563       168      1,237       391

Franchise taxes

     524       518      1,029       912

Intangible amortization

     986       251      1,944       500

Other

     2,538       2,356      4,766       3,896
    


 

  


 

TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSE

     14,910       10,921      29,738       21,132
    


 

  


 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND MINORITY INTEREST

     2,323       6,281      9,264       13,006

Provision for income tax

     678       1,937      2,847       4,106

Minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiary

     9       12      24       59
    


 

  


 

NET INCOME

   $ 1,636     $ 4,332    $ 6,393     $ 8,841
    


 

  


 

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.11     $ 0.34    $ 0.44     $ 0.70
    


 

  


 

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.11     $ 0.34    $ 0.44     $ 0.69
    


 

  


 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4


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FIRST PLACE FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three months ended
December 31,


    Six months ended
December 31,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 225,861     $ 183,909     $ 223,110     $ 182,681  

Comprehensive income:

                                

Net income

     1,636       4,332       6,393       8,841  

Loss on termination of interest rate swaps reclassified into income, net of tax

     408       420       819       843  

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of reclassification and tax effects

     1,623       (196 )     3,760       (2,024 )
    


 


 


 


Total comprehensive income

     3,667       4,556       10,972       7,660  

Cash dividends declared

     (2,007 )     (1,510 )     (4,049 )     (3,370 )

Commitment to release employee stock ownership plan shares

     320       287       599       545  

Commitment to release recognition and retention plan shares

     10       172       80       342  

Treasury shares acquired

     (290 )     (183 )     (3,381 )     (862 )

Stock options exercised and related tax benefit

     274       164       504       388  

Stock issued as employee compensation

     —         —         —         11  
    


 


 


 


Balance at end of period

   $ 227,835     $ 187,395     $ 227,835     $ 187,395  
    


 


 


 


Cash dividends declared per share

   $ 0.14     $ 0.14     $ 0.28     $ 0.28  
    


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

FIRST PLACE FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

Six months ended

December 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

   $ (3,335 )   $ 16,210  

Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Securities available for sale

                

Proceeds from sales

     17,363       23,511  

Proceeds from maturities, calls and principal paydowns

     59,973       33,690  

Purchases

     (35,563 )     (53,082 )

Net change in interest-bearing deposits in other banks

     43,901       150  

Net change in loans

     (246,758 )     (174,417 )

Proceeds from sale of loans

     12,946       46,215  

Premises and equipment expenditures, net

     (1,422 )     (1,080 )

Investment in nonbank affiliates

     (83 )     —    
    


 


Net cash from investing activities

     (149,643 )     (125,013 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Net change in deposits

     29,648       (3,212 )

Net proceeds from issuance of subordinated debt securities

     —         30,629  

Cash dividends paid

     (4,049 )     (3,370 )

Proceeds and tax benefit from stock options exercised

     504       388  

Purchase of treasury stock

     (3,381 )     (862 )

Net change in short-term borrowings

     65,141       62,488  

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

     50,000       24,350  

Repayment of long-term borrowings

     (8 )     (5,973 )
    


 


Net cash from financing activities

     137,855       104,438  
    


 


Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (15,123 )     (4,365 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     67,350       32,206  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 52,227     $ 27,841  
    


 


Supplemental cash flow information:

                

Cash payments of interest expense

   $ 21,875     $ 17,234  

Cash payments of income taxes

     3,780       4,040  

Supplemental noncash disclosures:

                

Loans securitized

   $ 72,123     $ 20,292  

Transfer of loans to other real estate

     3,304       581  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

FIRST PLACE FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in First Place Financial Corp.’s 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders incorporated by reference into First Place Financial Corp.’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items), which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods disclosed herein are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year.

 

Principles of Consolidation. The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First Place Financial Corp. (Company) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, First Place Bank (Bank) and First Place Holdings, Inc. The condensed consolidated financial statements also include the subsidiaries of First Place Bank, Franklin Safe Deposit Corporation and Franklin Mortgage Services LLC. The condensed consolidated financial statements also include subsidiaries of First Place Holdings, Inc. - First Place Insurance Agency, Ltd., Coldwell Banker First Place Real Estate, Ltd., APB Financial Group, Ltd., American Pension Benefits, Inc. and TitleWorks Agency, LLC. TitleWorks Agency, LLC is a 75% owned affiliate of First Place Holdings, Inc. The investments of the Company in First Place Capital Trust and First Place Capital Trust II have been accounted for under the equity method. This accounting treatment is based on the purpose of First Place Capital Trust and First Place Capital Trust II as protecting the interests of the holders of the securities they have issued. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The allowance for loan losses and the valuation of mortgage servicing rights are particularly subject to change.

 

Stock Options. Employee compensation expense under stock options is reported using the intrinsic value method. No stock-based compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted had an exercise price equal to or greater than the market price of the underlying common stock at the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if expense had been measured using the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.”

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,


  

Six months ended

December 31,


(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

   2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Net income as reported

   $ 1,636    $ 4,332    $ 6,393    $ 8,841

Deduct: Stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value based method

     28      108      59      216
    

  

  

  

Pro forma net income

   $ 1,608    $ 4,224    $ 6,334    $ 8,625
    

  

  

  

Basic earnings per share as reported

   $ 0.11    $ 0.34    $ 0.44    $ 0.70

Pro forma basic earnings per share

   $ 0.11    $ 0.34    $ 0.44    $ 0.69

Diluted earnings per share as reported

   $ 0.11    $ 0.34    $ 0.44    $ 0.69

Pro forma diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.11    $ 0.33    $ 0.43    $ 0.67

 

Segment Information. While the Company’s chief decision-makers monitor the revenue streams of the Company’s various products and services, the identifiable segments are not material, and operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the Company’s financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment, community banking.

 

7


Table of Contents

Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in order to conform to the current period presentation.

 

2. Earnings per Share

 

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is shown in the following table:

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,


   

Six months ended

December 31,


 

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

   2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Basic earnings per share computation:

                                

Net Income

   $ 1,636     $ 4,332     $ 6,393     $ 8,841  
    


 


 


 


Gross weighted average shares outstanding

     14,981,810       13,287,503       15,023,513       13,291,742  

Less: Average unearned ESOP shares

     (543,926 )     (603,278 )     (551,371 )     (610,724 )

Less: Average unearned RRP shares

     (87,540 )     (126,596 )     (88,587 )     (132,970 )
    


 


 


 


Net weighted average shares outstanding

     14,350,344       12,557,629       14,383,555       12,548,048  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.11     $ 0.34     $ 0.44     $ 0.70  
    


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per share computation:

                                

Net Income

   $ 1,636     $ 4,332     $ 6,393     $ 8,841  
    


 


 


 


Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share

     14,350,344       12,557,629       14,383,555       12,548,048  

Add: Dilutive effects of assumed exercises of stock options

     273,899       248,746       244,480       235,998  

Add: Dilutive effects of unearned Recognition and Retention Plan shares

     514       6,714       413       7,093  
    


 


 


 


Weighted average shares and potentially dilutive shares

     14,624,757       12,813,089       14,628,448       12,791,139  
    


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.11     $ 0.34     $ 0.44     $ 0.69  
    


 


 


 


 

There were no stock options that were antidilutive for the three or six-month periods ended December 31, 2004 or December 31, 2003. Therefore, all stock options were considered in computing diluted earnings per share.

 

3. Impairment of Securities

 

During the Quarter ended December 31, 2004, the Company determined that certain Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock experienced impairment that was other-than-temporary. Analysis of activity for the six months ended December 31, 2004 follows.

 

    

Amortized

Cost


   

Unrealized

Gain


   

Unrealized

Loss


   

Fair

Value


 

June 30, 2004

   $ 23,192     $ 254     $ (3,463 )   $ 19,983  

Change in market value

     —         (102 )     (1,783 )     (1,885 )
Recognition of impairment      (5,246 )             5,246       —    

December 31, 2004

   $ 17,946     $ 152     $ —       $ 18,098  

 

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4. Short-term and Long-term Borrowings

 

    

December 31,

2004


  

June 30,

2004


Short-term borrowings

             

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

   $ 263,054    $ 196,255

Securities sold under agreement to repurchase

     6,700      8,358
    

  

Total

   $ 269,754    $ 204,613
    

  

Long-term borrowings

             

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

   $ 236,712    $ 187,065

Securities sold under agreement to repurchase

     22,750      22,750

Junior Subordinated deferrable interest debentures held by affiliated trusts that issued guaranteed capital securities

     30,929      30,929
    

  

Total

   $ 290,391    $ 240,744
    

  

 

5. Business Combination

 

On May 28, 2004, the Company completed the acquisition of Franklin Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company headquartered in Southfield, Michigan and its wholly owned subsidiary, Franklin Bank N.A. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase and the results of operations of Franklin Bancorp, Inc. have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date. Concurrent with the acquisition, Franklin Bank N.A. converted from a federally chartered national association to a federally chartered savings association and changed its name to Franklin Bank. Franklin Bank was subsequently merged with First Place Bank effective July 2, 2004.

 

6. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk

 

The Company regularly enters into transactions that generate off-balance-sheet risk. These transactions include commitments to originate loans, commitments to sell loans, loans with future commitments to disburse funds such as construction loans and lines of credit, recourse obligations for loans sold and letters of credit. The Company enters into these transactions to meet customer needs or facilitate the sale of assets. These transactions are recorded on the books of the Company based on their fair value. The nominal values of these types of transactions as of December 31, 2004 are shown below.

 

    

Nominal

Value


  

Current

Value


GUARANTEE OBLIGATIONS

             

Loans sold with recourse

   $ 174,869    $ 50

Standby letters of credit

     3,263      29

OTHER OBLIGATIONS

             

Commitments to disburse construction loan funds

     171,693       

Commitments to originate or purchase loans

     154,553       

Commitments to sell loans

     75,000       

Unused lines of credit

     40,917       

Commercial letters of credit

     37,654       

 

The loans sold with recourse were sold to government sponsored enterprises beginning in 2001. This recourse is limited and is eliminated when the loans reach certain loan to value ratios. The Company is able to reasonably estimate credit losses associated with sold loans where recourse currently exists. Therefore, a liability has been established to recognize those credit losses.

 

7. Effect of New Accounting Standards

 

In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) arrived at a Consensus regarding EITF 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and its Application to Certain Investments. This Consensus provided additional

 

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guidance and originally required additional disclosure for annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2004 and for other reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2004. The EITF has delayed implementation of this guidance to a later date. The Company has recorded other-than-temporary impairment on certain securities as of December 31, 2004 as discussed in Note 3. The Company currently has other investments where the current market value is less than the amortized cost. As of December 31, 2004, management believed that substantially all of the impairment other than the securities discussed in Note 3 was related to the current level of interest rates and therefore, was considered to be temporary. While management does not believe that this Consensus will have any material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition at this time, a final determination cannot be made until the final guidance is issued.

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a revised version of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123. It requires that the fair value of stock options and other share-based compensation be measured as of the date the grant is awarded and expensed over the period of employee service, typically the vesting period. It will be required for the Company as of July 1, 2005. Compensation cost will also be recorded for prior options to the extent that they vest after the effective date. The effect of this pronouncement on future operations will depend on the fair value of options issued after July 1, 2005 and therefore can not be determined at this time. Existing options that will vest after July 1, 2005 will result in expense of $60, $60, $59 and $8 in fiscal 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively.

 

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

 

The following analysis discusses changes in the Company’s results of operations and financial condition during the periods included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which are part of this filing.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

When used in this Form 10-Q, or in future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases or other public or shareholder communications, or in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases “will likely result”, “are expected to”, “will continue”, “is anticipated”, “estimate”, “project” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the Company’s actual results to be materially different from those indicated. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including changes in economic conditions in the market areas the Company conducts business, which could materially impact credit quality trends, changes in laws, changes in policies by regulatory agencies, fluctuations in interest rates, demand for loans in the market areas the Company conducts business, and competition, that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of the Three Months and Six Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

General. Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 totaled $1.6 million or $0.11 per diluted share compared to net income of $4.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2003. A charge for other-than-temporary impairment of securities of $5.2 million or $3.4 million after-tax was included in the current quarter results of operations. This impairment charge was the reason that net income, return on assets, return on equity and the efficiency ratio were all less favorable than they were for the same quarter in the prior year. This charge was to recognize impairment of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stocks where the market value had been below the cost for more than three years and where that situation is expected to continue for an indefinite period into the future. Return on average equity for the quarter was 2.88% compared with 9.30% for the quarter ended December 31, 2003. Return on average assets for the quarter was 0.28% compared with 1.02% for the quarter ended December 31, 2003. The efficiency ratio for the current year quarter was 79.2% compared to 60.2% for the prior year quarter. Net income for the

 

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quarter reflected the positive impact of an increase in noninterest income and net interest income from the Franklin Bancorp, Inc. (Franklin) acquisition in May 2004 partially offset by increases in noninterest expense also from the Franklin acquisition.

 

Net income for the six months ended December 31, 2004 totaled $6.4 million compared with $8.8 million for the six months ended December 31, 2003. Return on average equity for the first half of fiscal 2005 was 5.65%, compared with 9.57% for the first half of fiscal 2004. Return on average assets for the first half of fiscal 2005 was 0.55% compared with 1.07% for the first half of fiscal 2004. The negative impact of the second quarter impairment charge and the positive impact of the Franklin acquisition also had a significant impact on the first half of fiscal 2005 compared with the first half of fiscal 2004.

 

Explanation of Certain Non-GAAP Measures This Form 10-Q contains certain financial information determined by methods other than with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Specifically, the Company has provided financial measures that are based on core earnings rather than net income. Ratios and other financial measures with the word Core in their title were computed using core earnings rather than net income. Core earnings excludes merger, integration and restructuring expense, extraordinary income or expense, income or expense from discontinued operations, and income, expense, gains and losses that are not reflective of ongoing operations or that we do not expect to reoccur. Management of the Company believes that this information is useful to both investors and to management and can aid them in understanding the Company’s current performance, performance trends and financial condition. While core earnings can be useful in evaluating current performance and projecting current trends into the future, Management does not believe that core earnings are a substitute for GAAP net income. We encourage investors and others to use core earnings as a supplemental tool for analysis and not as a substitute for GAAP net income. The Company’s non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to the non-GAAP numbers of other companies. In addition, future results of operations may include nonrecurring items that would not be included in core earnings. A reconciliation from GAAP net income to the non-GAAP measure of core earnings is shown below.

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,


  

Six months ended

December 31,


(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

 

   2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Reconciliation of Net Income To Core Earnings

                       

GAAP Net income

   $ 1,636    4,332    $ 6,393    8,841

Merger, integrated and restructuring costs, net of tax

     —      —        —      —  

Other than temporary impairment of securities, net of tax

     3,410    —        3,410    —  
    

  
  

  

Core earnings

   $ 5,046    4,332    $ 9,803    8,841
    

  
  

  

 

Core earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 were $5.0 million, a 16.5% increase over core earnings of $4.3 million for the same quarter in the prior year. Diluted core earnings per share were $0.35 for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 compared with $0.34 for the prior year quarter. Core earnings for the six months ended December 31, 2004 were $9.8 million, a 10.9% increase from core earnings of $8.8 million for the same period in the prior year. Diluted core earnings per share were $0.67 for the six months ended December 31, 2004 compared with $0.69 for the same period in the prior year. The increase in core earnings during the second quarter and first half of the current fiscal year compared with the same periods in the prior year were primarily due to the Franklin Bancorp, Inc acquisition in May 2004. Diluted core earnings per share for the current quarter and first half of the current fiscal year were near prior year levels as the effect of the shares issued as consideration in the Franklin acquisition substantially offset the increase in core earnings.

 

Net Interest Income. Net interest income for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 totaled $17.5 million, an increase of $5.6 million, or 46.8% from $11.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003. The increase in net interest income resulted from an increase of $629 million or 41.5% in average interest-earning assets compared to the same quarter a year ago and was primarily due to the Franklin acquisition. Historically, Franklin Bancorp, Inc had significant balances of noninterest-bearing checking accounts. This trend has continued during the first half of fiscal 2005 for the Franklin Division of First Place Bank. As a result, the ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities increased to 116.3% for the current quarter compared to 107.1% for the same quarter in the prior year. The net interest margin for the current quarter was 3.30% up from 3.21% in the prior year quarter primarily due to the improvement in the ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities. All individual categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities except securities increased primarily due to the

 

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Franklin acquisition. In addition, there was significant growth in loans and short-term borrowings during the current quarter. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 5.50% for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 compared with 5.66% for the same quarter in the prior year. .The decrease was due to a decrease in the yield on loans to 5.80% from 6.15% a year earlier. That decrease was partially offset by a shift in the mix of interest earning assets to include more loans and relatively less securities. The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was 2.53% for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 compared to 2.61% for the prior year quarter, a decrease of 8 basis points. This decrease was primarily due to a 27 basis point decrease in the average cost of certificates of deposit but was substantially offset by growth of $102 million in long-term borrowings.

 

Net interest income for the six months ended December 31, 2004 was $34.3 million, an increase of $10.3 million or 43.3% from the quarter ended December 31, 2003.. Substantially all of the increase was due to a $618 million or 41.6% increase in average interest earning assets compared to the same period in the prior year. That increase was primarily due to the Franklin acquisition. The Franklin acquisition also resulted in a significant increase in noninterest-bearing checking accounts, which was the primary factor in the increase in average interest-earning assets as a percent of average interest-bearing liabilities to 115.86% for the six months ended December 31, 2004 compared with 107.27% for the same period in the prior year. Net interest margin was 3.30% for the current year six-month period, an increase of only 1 basis point from 3.29% for the same period in the prior year. The positive effect of the increase in the ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities was substantially offset by the decrease in the interest rate spread of 14 basis points to 2.98% from 3.12%. The average yield on interest-earning assets for the six months ended December 31, 2004 was 5.48%, down 30 basis points from 5.78% for the same period in the prior year. The decrease was due to a 51 basis point decrease in the yield on loans to 5.82% from 6.33% for the same period in the prior year. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the six months ended December 31, 2004 was 2.50%, down 16 basis points from 2.66% for the same period in the prior year.

 

The following schedule details the various components of net interest income for the quarters and semiannual periods indicated. All asset yields are calculated on tax-equivalent basis where applicable. Security yields are based on amortized historic cost.

 

12


Table of Contents

 

Average Balances, Interest Rates and Yields

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Quarter ended December 31, 2004

    Quarter ended December 31, 2003

 
     Average
Balance


    Interest

  

Average

Yield/cost


    Average
Balance


    Interest

   Average
Yield/cost


 

ASSETS

                                          

Interest-earning assets

                                          

Loans and loans held for sale

   $ 1,774,323     $ 25,748    5.80 %   $ 1,146,872       17,631    6.15 %

Securities and interest-bearing deposits

     342,684       3,477    4.03 %     347,730       3,618    4.38 %

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     29,732       305    4.07 %     22,752       229    4.00 %
    


 

        


 

      

Total interest-earning assets

     2,146,739       29,530    5.50 %     1,517,354       21,478    5.66 %

Noninterest-earning assets

                                          

Cash and due from banks

     62,911                    29,470               

Allowance for loan losses

     (17,367 )                  (10,884 )             

Other assets

     157,972                    151,326               
    


              


            

Total assets

   $ 2,350,255                  $ 1,687,266               
    


              


            

LIABILITIES

                                          

Interest-bearing liabilities

                                          

Deposits

                                          

Checking accounts

   $ 110,666       97    0.34 %   $ 73,146       54    0.29 %

Savings and money market accounts

     614,978       1,947    1.26 %     436,302       1,323    1.21 %

Certificates of deposit

     594,185       4,898    3.27 %     551,166       4,910    3.54 %
    


 

        


 

      

Total deposits

     1,319,829       6,942    2.09 %     1,060,614       6,287    2.36 %

Borrowings

                                          

Short-term

     284,401       1,426    1.99 %     216,672       559    1.03 %

Long-term

     242,107       3,428    5.62 %     139,848       2,456    6.98 %
    


 

        


 

      

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     1,846,337       11,796    2.53 %     1,417,134       9,302    2.61 %

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

                                          

Noninterest-bearing checking accounts

     249,994                    41,968               

Other liabilities

     28,646                    42,800               
    


              


            

Total liabilities

     2,124,977                    1,501,902               

Shareholders’ equity

     225,278                    185,364               
    


              


            

Total liabilities and shareholders equity

   $ 2,350,255                  $ 1,687,266               
    


              


            

Fully tax-equivalent net interest income

             17,734                    12,176       

Interest rate spread

                  2.97 %                  3.05 %

Net interest margin

                  3.30 %                  3.21 %

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

                  116.27 %                  107.07 %

Tax-equivalent adjustment

             225                    252       
            

                

      

Net interest income

           $ 17,509                  $ 11,924       
            

                

      

 

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Table of Contents

Average Balances, Interest Rates and Yields

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

Six months ended

December 31, 2004


   

Six months ended

December 31, 2003


 
     Average
Balance


    Interest

   Average
Yield/cost


    Average
Balance


    Interest

   Average
Yield/cost


 

ASSETS

                                          

Interest-earning assets

                                          

Loans and loans held for sale

   $ 1,712,608     $ 49,821    5.82 %   $ 1,118,723       35,391    6.33 %

Securities and interest-bearing deposits

     360,818       7,136    3.92 %     311,996       7,066    4.78 %

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     29,609       622    4.17 %     22,642       456    4.01 %
    


 

        


 

      

Total interest-earning assets

     2,103,035       57,579    5.48 %     1,485,358       42,913    5.78 %

Noninterest-earning assets

                                          

Cash and due from banks

     72,995                    31,292               

Allowance for loan losses

     (16,981 )                  (10,605 )             

Other assets

     160,803                    141,861               
    


              


            

Total assets

   $ 2,319,852                  $ 1,647,906               
    


              


            

LIABILITIES

                                          

Interest-bearing liabilities

                                          

Deposits

                                          

Checking accounts

   $ 148,001       366    0.49 %   $ 73,693       102    0.28 %

Savings and money market accounts

     568,820       3,556    1.24 %     436,596       2,712    1.24 %

Certificates of deposit

     593,492       9,814    3.28 %     553,634       9,980    3.59 %
    


 

        


 

      

Total deposits

     1,310,313       13,736    2.08 %     1,063,924       12,794    2.39 %

Borrowings

                                          

Short-term

     263,530       2,312    1.74 %     195,948       1,083    1.10 %

Long-term

     241,380       6,815    5.60 %     124,807       4,610    7.35 %
    


 

        


 

      

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     1,815,223       22,863    2.50 %     1,384,679       18,487    2.66 %

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

                                          

Noninterest-bearing checking accounts

     246,517                    41,327               

Other liabilities

     33,593                    38,181               
    


              


            

Total liabilities

     2,095,333                    1,464,186               

Shareholders’ equity

     224,519                    183,720               
    


              


            

Total liabilities and shareholders equity

   $ 2,319,852                  $ 1,647,906               
    


              


            

Fully tax-equivalent net interest income

             34,716                    24,426       

Interest rate spread

                  2.98 %                  3.12 %

Net interest margin

                  3.30 %                  3.29 %

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

                  115.86 %                  107.27 %

Tax-equivalent adjustment

             443                    502       
            

                

      

Net interest income

           $ 34,273                  $ 23,924       
            

                

      

 

Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses was $1.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 compared with $0.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003. The increase in the provision was consistent with the increase in loans and the increase in charge-offs. Total loans at December 31, 2004 were $1.732 billion, an increase of $700 million from total loans of $1.032 billion at December 31, 2003. Net charge-offs for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 were $843 thousand compared with $410 thousand for the prior year quarter. The increase in net charge-offs was primarily due to the increase in the size of the loan portfolio as a result of the Franklin acquisition. The provision for loan losses for the six months ended December 31, 2004 was $1.7 million compared with $2.2 million for

 

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the six months ended December 31, 2003. Net charge-offs for the six months ended December 31, 2004 were $621 thousand compared with $974 thousand for the comparable period in the prior year. Nonperforming loans were $11.6 million at December 31, 2004 a decrease of $2.5 million from a year earlier. This decrease in nonperforming loans combined with a significant increase in loans resulted in a reduction of the ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans to 0.67% at December 31, 2004 compared to 1.37% a year earlier.

 

Noninterest Income. Noninterest income totaled $1.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2004, a decrease of $4.9 million or 88.6% from $6.0 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease was due to recording a charge of $5.2 million for other-than-temporary impairment of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock. Noninterest income for the six months ended December 31, 2004 was $6.4 million a decrease of $6.0 million or 48.3% from $12.4 million for the same period in the prior year. This decrease was also primarily due to the $5.2 million charge for impairment of securities.

 

When the market value of a security remains significantly below amortized cost (impairment) for an extended period of time, generally accepted accounting principles require a company to make a determination whether that impairment is temporary, other-than-temporary or permanent. All of the securities currently on the books of the Company are classified as available for sale. Therefore, all securities are recorded in the statement of condition at market value. This is accomplished by a credit or charge to other comprehensive income, and those market value changes are not reflected in the income statement. If securities are impaired and the impairment is determined to be other-than-temporary or permanent, the securities are written down by reversing the existing charge to other comprehensive income and recording a charge to the income statement.

 

The Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae preferred stocks owned by the Company have been impaired for approximately three years. In order to determine the nature of that impairment the following factors were considered:

 

    The likelihood that changes in interest rates would result in a recovery of impairment;

 

    The Company’s expectation for the direction and the magnitude of changes in interest rates;

 

    The level of confidence associated with the Company’s expectation of future interest rates;

 

    Current ratings of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities outstanding;

 

    Alternative competing investments current available in the market;

 

    Public knowledge about current operations at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae;

 

    The political climate in which these agencies operate; and

 

    The length of time these securities have already been impaired.

 

Our investigation of these issues revealed the following information about relevant events since September 30, 2004:

 

    In December 2004 the Securities and Exchange Commission recommended that Fannie Mae restate their financial statements to comply with Statements of Financial Accounting Standards Nos. 91 and 133;

 

    In December 2004 the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight indicated that Fannie Mae was significantly undercapitalized as of September 30, 2004 as a result of accounting mistakes;

 

    Fannie Mae has accepted the retirement of its CEO, the resignation of its CFO and has changed auditors all since December 1, 2004;

 

    Between September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2004, the impaired securities declined $1.1 million value in market value which represented a 6.6% decline in value even though the rates the securities are indexed to went up; and

 

    In December 2004 Senators Sununu, Hagel and Dole called for changes in the regulatory oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac based on Fannie Mae’s recent problems with their financial statements and based on Freddie Mac’s financial reporting problems in 2003.

 

Based on this and other information the Company chose to take a conservative position in projecting the timing of recovery of impairment. Therefore, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $5.2 million to record a write-down to recognize other-than-temporary impairment on all Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae preferred stocks in the Company’s securities portfolio that were impaired. These stocks had a cost basis of $20.8 million and have been written down to their market value at December 31, 2004 of $15.6 million. This write down did not have any effect on total capital or the net asset value of the securities as they had already been recorded at market value as available for sale securities.

 

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Table of Contents

Gain on sale of loans was $1.7 million from the sale of $211 million of loans for the current fiscal quarter compared to $1.2 million on sales of $235 million for the prior year fiscal quarter. The increase in gains was primarily due to higher margins on the sale of loans as interest rates during the current quarter were less volatile than in the same quarter in the prior year. Total mortgage loan originations for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 were $334 million compared to $339 million in the prior year quarter. The Company was able to maintain a high level of originations due to continual efforts to focus on and develop business from purchases rather than refinances, the start-up of a wholesale lending program in the first quarter of fiscal 2004 and the contribution of mortgage production from the Franklin Bank Division of First Place Bank which was acquired in May 2004.

 

Gain on sale of loans was $2.4 million for the six months ended December 31, 2004 compared with $5.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2003. Gains were significantly higher in the prior year as interest rates reached 40-year lows in June 2003, which resulted in an unusually high level of loan closings, loan sales and gains on sales of loans in the first quarter of fiscal 2004.

 

Loan servicing income is composed of the current fees generated from the servicing of sold loans less the current amortization of mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) and the adjustment for any change in the allowance for impairment of MSRs, which are valued at the lower of cost or market. Both the amortization and the valuation of MSRs are sensitive to movements in interest rates. Both amortization and impairment valuation allowances tend to increase as rates fall and tend to decrease as rates rise. However, the level of amortization is a function of interest rates over the period while the level of impairment valuation allowances is a function of interest rates at the end of the period. Historically low interest rates over the past two years and volatility in rates recently have resulted in the increased variability of loan servicing income over the past two years. The table below shows how the change in the impairment of MSRs affects loan servicing income.

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,


   

Six months ended

December 31,


 
     2004

   2003

    2004

    2003

 

Loan servicing income (loss)

                               

Loan servicing revenue, net of amortization

   $ 49    $ (203 )   $ 210     $ (1,464 )

Change in impairment of MSRs

     39      1,570       (143 )     1,970  
    

  


 


 


Total loan servicing income (loss)

   $ 88    $ 1,367     $ 67     $ 506  
    

  


 


 


 

The decrease in total loan servicing income in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter was primarily due to the large recovery of impairment charges of $1.6 million in the prior year. This was partially offset by a lower level of amortization of servicing rights due to a lower level of payoffs in the current quarter compared with the prior year quarter. The decrease in total loan servicing income for the six months ended December 31, 2004 compared with the same period in the prior year was also due to the large recovery of impairment charges in the prior year. The process used to arrive at the estimated aggregate fair value of the Company’s MSRs is a material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant changes in the near term as interest rates and other factors change. The value of the loan servicing rights portfolio is analyzed quarterly by considering critical assumptions for prepayment speeds, the targeted investor yield to a buyer of loan servicing rights, and float on escrows. Market interest rates are an external factor that have a material influence on this valuation process, as interest rates influence prepayment speeds and targeted investor yield.

 

Service charges increased $1.2 million or 88.6% to $2.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 compared with the same period in the prior year. This increase was due to growth in deposit account fees related to the growth in the numbers and balances of deposit accounts from the Franklin acquisition and to a lesser extent from fees recognized on letters of credit issued during the quarter. Similarly, service charges increased $1.9 million or 71.0% to $4.6 million for the six months ended December 31, 2004 compared with the same period in the prior year, also due to the impact of Franklin and letter of credit fees recognized. In addition to increasing the level of total deposits, more than half of the deposits acquired in the Franklin acquisition were checking accounts, and checking accounts generate the majority of fees and service charges on deposit accounts.

 

Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $4.0 million or 36.5% to $14.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004 compared with the same quarter in the prior year. Noninterest expense increased $8.6 million or 40.7% for the six months ended December 31, 2004 compared with the same period in the prior year. The increases in both periods were primarily due to the Franklin acquisition. Annualized noninterest expense as a percent of average assets was 2.52% for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 compared to 2.57% for the prior year quarter. Annualized

 

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noninterest expense as a percent of average assets was 2.54% for the first half of fiscal 2005 compared with 2.55% for the first half of fiscal 2004. The acquisition increased the number of retail sales offices from 23 to 28, the number of loan production offices from 12 to 15 and the number of employees by approximately 25%. Occupancy expense increased $0.9 million or 56.8% to $2.4 million for the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter and increased $1.8 million or 57.7% to $4.8 million for the first half of fiscal 2005 compared with the first half of fiscal 2004. This increase occurred because all of the locations from the Franklin acquisition except one are leased. In contrast to that, First Place Bank operates a number of retail sales offices that are owned and that were purchased or built a number of years ago, resulting in low levels of depreciation. Professional fees increased $0.3 million or 117.9% to $0.6 million in the current quarter compared to the prior year and increased $0.4 million or 58.9% to $1.2 million for the first half of fiscal 2005 compared to the first half of fiscal 2004. The increases were due to increased legal costs caused by the impact of the Franklin acquisition on the volume of legal activity, the outsourcing of the internal audit function as of July 1, 2004 and the outsourcing of a portion of the Sarbanes-Oxley section 404 work during fiscal 2005. Loan expense increased $0.4 million or 315.0% to $0.5 million for the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter and increased $0.3 million or 51.8% to $1.0 million for the first half of fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004. These increases reflected an increase in the volume of loan originations and servicing activities for consumer and commercial loans. Marketing expense was $0.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 an increase of $0.4 million or 235.1% over the prior year quarter and was $1.2 million for the first half of fiscal 2005, an increase of $0.8 million or 216.4% over the first half of 2004. These increases were the result of a strategic effort to increase brand awareness in Ohio, to market specific products to the customers of a competitor in Ohio that recently merged with a larger institution, and to market new products to consumers in Michigan. Amortization of intangible assets was $1.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 an increase of $0.7 or 292.8% over the corresponding period in the prior year and was $1.9 million for the first half of fiscal 2005, an increase of $1.4 million of 288.8% over the same period in the prior year. This increase was entirely due to the amortization of the core deposit intangible and other intangible assets related to the Franklin acquisition.

 

Income Taxes. Income tax expense was $0.7 and $2.8 million for the three and six months ended December 31, 2004 compared with $1.9 million and $4.1 million for the comparable periods in the prior year. The effective tax rate was 29.2% and 30.7% for the three and six months ended December 31, 2004 compared with 30.8% and 31.6% for the same periods in the prior year. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2005 was substantially less than the other periods because pretax income was significantly less during that quarter and nontaxable interest income on loans and securities had a larger impact on the reduced pretax income.

 

Financial Condition

 

General. Assets totaled $2.385 billion at December 31, 2004, an increase of $138 million, or 6.2% from June 30, 2004. Capital ratios remain strong, with the ratio of equity to total assets at December 31, 2004 of 9.55% down from 9.93% at June 30, 2004.

 

Interest-bearing deposits. The balance of interest-bearing deposits in other banks of $44 million at June 30, 2004 was primarily on the books of Franklin Bank and was used to reduce short-term borrowings after the banks were merged in July 2004.

 

Securities. Securities available for sale decreased $49 million or 10.4% during the first half of fiscal 2005 and totaled $337 million at December 31, 2004. The decrease was due to the amortization of mortgage-backed securities and to the sale of $17 million of corporate debt securities. These securities were sold to fund increases in the loan portfolio, which results in higher yields and lower capital requirements. In addition, these securities were likely to decline in value if interest rates were to rise significantly.

 

Loans Held for Sale. Loans held for sale totaled $97 million at December 31, 2004 compared to $47 million at June 30, 2004, an increase of $50 million or 104%. This fluctuation is not unusual as there is a high level of activity in loans held for sale and the timing of sales near the end of the quarter often determine the level of the asset at quarter-end.

 

Loans. The loan portfolio totaled $1.732 billion at December 31, 2004, an increase of $231 million, or 15.4% from $1.501 billion at June 30, 2004. Consumer loans grew $37 million or 17.5%. Commercial loans grew $125 million or 26.2%. Mortgage and construction loans grew $69 million or 7.9%. While the level of mortgage loan originations remained at a historically high level, the majority of the loans closed were fixed rate mortgages, which are originated to sell.

 

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Nonperforming Assets. Nonperforming assets at December 31, 2004 were $14.6 million, a decrease of 0.4% or $59 thousand compared with June 30, 2004. Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets declined to 0.61% at December 31, 2004, from 0.65% at June 30, 2004. Nonperforming loans were $11.6 million at December 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans improved to 0.67% at December 31, 2004 compared with 0.78% at June 30, 2004. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans improved to 151% at December 31, 2004 from 142% at June 30, 2004.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses. Management analyzes the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses regularly through reviews of the performance of the loan portfolio considering economic conditions, changes in interest rates and the effect of such changes on real estate values, changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, and trends in past due and nonperforming loans. The allowance for loan losses is a significant estimate that is particularly susceptible to changes in the near term and is established through a provision for loan losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk in the Company’s loan portfolio and the general economy. This evaluation, which includes a review of all loans for which full collectibility may not be reasonably assured, considers among other matters, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an adequate loan loss allowance. Future additions to the allowance for loan losses will be dependent on these factors. The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses at a level adequate to absorb management’s estimate of probable losses in the loan portfolio.

 

The allowance for loan losses increased to $17.6 million at December 31, 2004 compared to $16.5 million at June 30, 2004 and $10.8 million at December 31, 2003. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to portfolio loans was 1.02% at December 31, 2004 compared to 1.10% at June 30, 2004 and 1.05% at December 31, 2003. Delinquent loans were $18.7 million at December 31, 2004 or 1.08% of total loans compared with 1.17% at June 30, 2004 and 1.84% at December 31, 2003. The decrease in the allowance as a percentage of portfolio loans at December 31, 2004 compared with June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 is consistent with the decrease in delinquencies and nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans as of those same dates.

 

Deposits. Deposits increased $30 million, or 1.9%, during the first half of fiscal 2005 and totaled $1.577 billion at December 31, 2004 compared to $1.548 billion at June 30, 2004. The majority of the increase was due to the addition of $20 million of brokered certificates of deposits during the current quarter. Historically, the Company does not use brokered deposits extensively and at December 31, 2004, less than 2% of deposits were brokered deposits. The Company may increase its use of brokered deposits in the future if loan demand remains strong and if the rates are attractive compared to rates in the Company’s local deposit markets.

 

Borrowings. Long-term borrowings increased $49.6 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2005 due to a new five-year $50 million borrowing from the Federal Home Loan Bank. The Company borrowed these funds to fix the rate on a portion of borrowings in anticipation of future increases in long-term interest rates. Short-term borrowings increased $65 million due to increases in daily borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank. These increases funded the portion of the increase in assets that was not funded by increases in deposits during the first half of fiscal 2005. The rate on these daily borrowings generally approximates the Federal Funds rate and was approximately 2.25% near the end of the first half of fiscal 2005, up 100 basis points from the beginning of the fiscal year due to the four 25 basis point rate increases in the discount rate by the Federal Reserve Board.

 

Capital Resources. Total shareholders’ equity increased $4.7 million, or 2.1% during the six months ended December 31, 2004 and totaled $228 million. The overall increase in shareholders’ equity was due to current period earnings, a decrease in the unrealized loss on securities available for sale and a decrease in the unrealized loss on termination of interest rate swaps partially offset by cash dividends paid and treasury stock purchased. During the first half of the fiscal year, the Company repurchased 187,400 shares of common stock at an average price of $18.04 per share. During March 2004, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 750,000 shares of treasury stock over the following 12 months. Under that authorization an additional 279,000 shares can be purchased between January 1, 2005 and March 16, 2005. The stock repurchase program is a component of the Company’s strategy to invest or reduce excess capital after consideration of market and economic factors, the effect on shareholder dilution, adequacy of capital and the effect on liquidity. Shares repurchased by the Company may be used in its dividend reinvestment plan, its stock option plan, as consideration in an acquisition or for general corporate purposes.

 

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Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) regulations require savings institutions to maintain certain minimum levels of regulatory capital. Additionally, the regulations establish a framework for the classification of savings institutions into five categories: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. A comparison of the Bank’s actual capital ratios to ratios required to be well capitalized under OTS regulations at December 31, 2004 follows:

 

    

Actual

Ratio


   

Well Capitalized

Ratio


 

Total capital to risk-weighted assets

   10.79 %   10.00 %

Tier 1 (core) capital to risk-weighted assets

   9.77 %   6.00 %

Tier 1 (core) capital to adjusted total assets

   7.21 %   5.00 %

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Company follows financial accounting and reporting policies that are in accordance with US GAAP and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Some of these accounting policies require management to make estimates and judgments about matters that are uncertain. Application of assumptions different from those used by management could have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. These policies are considered to be critical accounting policies. These policies include the policies to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of the mortgage servicing rights. These policies, current assumptions and estimates utilized and the related disclosure of this process is determined by management and reviewed periodically with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Management believes that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate given the factual circumstances at the time. Details of the policies and the nature of the estimates follow.

 

Allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable losses in the portfolio at each balance sheet date. Management analyzes the adequacy of the allowance based on a review of the loans in the portfolio along with an analysis of external factors. Loans are reviewed individually, or in the case of small homogeneous loans, in the aggregate. This review includes historical data, the ability of the borrower to meet the terms of the loan, an evaluation of the collateral securing the loan, various collection strategies and other factors relevant to the loan or loans. External factors considered include economic conditions, current interest rates, trends in the borrower’s industry and the market for various types of collateral. In addition, overall information about the loan portfolio or segments of the portfolio are considered including historic loss experience, industry concentrations, delinquency statistics and workout experience based on factors such as the nature and volume of the portfolio, loan concentrations, specific problem loans and current economic conditions. As a result, determining the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses involves not only evaluating the current financial situation of individual borrowers or groups of borrowers but also current predictions about future cash flows which could change before an actual loss is determined. Based on the variables involved and the fact that management must make judgments about outcomes that are uncertain, the determination of the allowance for loss is considered to be a critical accounting policy.

 

Mortgage Servicing Rights. When the Company sells a mortgage loan and retains the rights to service that loan, the amortized cost of the loan is allocated between the loan sold and the mortgage servicing right retained. The basis assigned to the mortgage servicing right is amortized in proportion to and over the expected life of the net revenue to be received from servicing the loan. Mortgage servicing rights are valued at the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value. Fair value is measured by stratifying the portfolio of loan servicing rights into groups of loans with similar risk characteristics. When the amortized cost of a group of loans exceeds the fair value, an allowance for impairment is recorded to reduce the value of the mortgage servicing rights to fair value. Fair value for each group of loans is determined quarterly by obtaining an appraisal from an independent third party. That appraisal is based on a modeling process in conjunction with information on recent sales of mortgage servicing rights. Some of the assumptions used in the modeling process are prepayment speeds, delinquency rates, servicing costs, periods to hold idle cash, returns currently available on idle cash, and a discount rate, which takes into account the current rate of return anticipated by holders of servicing rights. The process of determining the fair value of servicing rights involves a number of judgments and estimates including the way loans are grouped, the estimation of the various assumptions used by recent buyers and a projection of how those assumptions may change in the future. The most important variable in valuing servicing rights is the level of interest rates. Long-term interest rates are the primary determinant of prepayment speeds while short-term interest rates determine the return available on idle cash. The process of estimating the value of loan servicing rights is further complicated by the fact that short-term and long-term interest rates may change in a similar magnitude and direction or may change independently of each other.

 

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Loan prepayment speeds have varied significantly over the past three years and could continue to vary in the future. In addition, any of the other variables mentioned above could change over time. Therefore, the valuation of mortgage servicing rights is, and is expected to continue to be, a critical accounting policy where the results are based on estimates that are subject to change over time and can have a significant financial impact on the Company.

 

Liquidity and Cash Flows

 

Liquidity is a measurement of the Company’s ability to generate adequate cash flows to meet the demands of its customers and provide adequate flexibility for the Company to take advantage of market opportunities. Cash is used to fund loans, purchase investments, fund the maturity of liabilities, and at times to fund deposit outflows and operating activities. The Company’s principal sources of funds are deposits; amortization, prepayments and sales of loans; maturities, sales and principal receipts from securities; borrowings; the issuance of debt or equity securities and operations. Managing liquidity entails balancing the need for cash or the ability to borrow against the objectives of maximizing profitability and minimizing interest rate risk. The most liquid types of assets typically carry the lowest yields.

 

At December 31, 2004, the Company had $235 million of cash and unpledged securities available to meet cash needs. Unpledged securities can be sold or pledged to secure additional borrowings. In addition, the Company had the ability to borrow an additional $80 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank based on loans currently pledged under blanket pledge agreements. This compared to $267 million of cash and unpledged securities and Federal Home Loan Bank availability of $180 million at June 30, 2004. Potential cash available as measured by liquid assets and borrowing capacity has decreased during fiscal 2005 as the Company has increased its investment in loans and funded the majority of that increase with borrowings. In addition to the sources of funds listed above, the Company has the ability to raise additional funds by increasing deposit rates relative to competition locally or in national markets, or to sell additional loans. Management believes that the current and potential resources mentioned are adequate to meet liquidity needs in the foreseeable future.

 

First Place Financial Corp., as a holding company, has more limited sources of liquidity. In addition to its existing liquid assets it can raise funds in the securities markets through debt or equity offerings or it can receive dividends from the Bank. Cash can be used by the holding company to make acquisitions, pay the quarterly interest payments on its Junior Subordinated Debentures, pay dividends to common shareholders and to fund operating expenses. At December 31, 2004, the holding company had cash and unpledged securities of $10 million available to meet cash needs. In addition, the holding company had a $20 million line of credit with a commercial bank. There were no funds borrowed on the line of credit as of December 31, 2004. Annual debt service on the Junior Subordinated Debentures is approximately $2 million. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that can be paid to the holding company without prior approval of the OTS. Generally, the Bank may pay dividends without prior approval as long as the dividend is not more than the total of the current calendar year-to-date earnings plus any earnings from the previous two years not already paid out in dividends, and as long as the Bank would remain well capitalized. The OTS approved the payment of a $10 million dividend from the Bank to the holding company in January 2005. Future dividend payments by the Bank will be based upon future earnings or the approval of the OTS.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

The Company, like other financial institutions, is subject to market risk. Market risk is the type of risk that occurs when a company suffers economic loss due to changes in the market value of various types of assets or liabilities. As a financial institution, the Company makes a profit by accepting and managing various risks with credit risk and interest rate risk being the most significant. Interest rate risk is the Company’s primary market risk. It is the risk that occurs when changes in market interest rates will result in a reduction in net interest income or net interest margin because interest-bearing assets and interest-bearing liabilities mature at different intervals and reprice at different times. Asset/liability management is the measurement and analysis of the Company’s exposure to changes in net interest income due to changes in interest rates. The objective of the Company’s asset/liability management function is to balance the goal of maximizing net interest income with the control of risks in the areas of liquidity, safety, capital adequacy and earnings volatility. In general, the Company’s customers seek loans with long-term fixed rates and deposit products with shorter maturities, which creates a mismatch of asset and liability maturities. The Company’s

 

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primary strategy to counteract this mismatch is to sell the majority of long-term fixed rate loans within 90 days after they are closed. The Company manages this risk and other aspects of interest rate risk on a continuing basis through a number of functions including review of monthly financial results, rate setting, cash forecasting and planning, budgeting and an Asset/Liability Committee.

 

On a quarterly basis, the Asset/Liability Committee reviews the results of an interest rate risk model that forecasts changes in net interest income and net portfolio value (NPV), based on one or more interest rate scenarios. NPV is the market value of financial assets less the market value of financial liabilities. The model combines detailed information on existing assets and liabilities with an interest rate forecast, loan prepayment speed assumptions and assumptions about how those assets and liabilities will react to changes in interest rates. These assumptions are inherently uncertain, and as a result, the model cannot precisely measure net interest income or precisely predict the impact of fluctuations in interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes as well as differences in how interest rates change at various points along the yield curve.

 

The change in the NPV ratio is a long-term measure of what might happen to the market value of financial assets and liabilities over time if interest rates changed instantaneously and the Company did not change existing strategies. The actual results could be better or worse based on changes in interest rate risk strategies. The table below indicates a comparison of the projected NPV for various changes in interest rates as of the end of the most recent quarter compared with the end of the previous fiscal year. The projections are based on an instantaneous change in interest rates and the assumption that short-term and long-term interest rates change by the same magnitude and in the same direction

 

Basis point change in rates


  

NPV Ratio

December 31, 2004


 

NPV Ratio

June 30, 2004


Up 200

   7.43%   9.93%

Up 100

   8.95%   10.01%

No Change

   10.08%   9.83%

Down 100

   10.70%   9.82%

 

The NPV projections indicate that the Company has increased its exposure to rising interest rate during the first half of fiscal 2005. This resulted from funding loan growth with a combination of growth in deposits, short-term borrowings and long-term borrowings where the duration of the new liabilities was less than the duration of the assets added.

 

In addition to the risk of changes in net interest income, the Company is exposed to interest rate risk related to loans held for sale and loan commitments. This is the risk that occurs when changes in interest rates will reduce gains or result in losses on the sale of residential mortgage loans that the Company has committed to originate but has not yet contracted to sell. The Company hedges this risk by executing commitments to sell loans or mortgage-backed securities based on the volume of committed loans that are likely to close. Additionally, MSRs act as an economic hedge against rising rates, as they becomes more valuable in a rising rate environment, often offsetting part or all of the decline in the value of loan commitments or loans held for sale in a rising rate environment.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the financial and nonfinancial information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including this Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2004, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. As a result, no corrective actions were taken.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

Neither the Company nor the Bank are involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business, which involve amounts in the aggregate believed by management to be immaterial to the financial condition of the Company and the Bank.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Company Purchases of Common Stock for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2004

 

Period


  

Total

Number

of Shares

Purchased


  

Average

Price Paid

Per Share


  

Total

Number of Shares

Purchased

as a Part of

a Publicly

Announced Plan


  

Maximum Number

of Shares That

May Yet Be

Purchased Under

a Publicly

Announced Plan


October 1, 2004 - October 31, 2004

   —        —      —      293,600

November 1, 2004 - November 30, 2004

   14,600    $ 19.87    14,600    279,000

December 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004

   —        —      —      279,000
    
         
    

Total

   14,600    $ 19.87    14,600     
    
         
    

 

All of the purchases indicated above were made pursuant to a buy-back program approved by the Board of Directors and announced to the public on March 17, 2004. This program provided for the repurchase of up to a maximum of 750,000 shares and will be in force through March 16, 2005.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities – Not applicable.

 

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

 

The Company held its annual meeting of shareholders on October 28, 2004. The voting results on each issue submitted to the shareholders at that meeting are indicated below.

 

Election of Directors for a three-year term

 

     For

   Withheld

A, Gary Bitonte, M. D.

   11,167,735    1,331,292

Earl T. Kissell

   10,498,642    2,000,385

E. Jeffrey Rossi

   11,283,576    1,215,451

William A. Russell

   11,371,098    1,127,929

Robert L. Wagmiller

   11,226,950    1,272,077

 

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Table of Contents
     For

   Against

   Abstain

Approval of the First Place Financial Corp. 2004 Incentive Plan

   6,060,052    3,243,965    148,929

Ratification of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC as independent auditors for fiscal 2005

   12,224,053    167,644    107,330

 

Item 5. Other Information – Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit 31.1     CEO certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Exhibit 31.2     PAO certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Exhibit 32.1     CEO certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Exhibit 32.2     PAO certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

FIRST PLACE FINANCIAL CORP.

 

Date: February 8, 2005   

/s/ Steven R. Lewis


 

/s/ Peggy R. DeBartolo


     Steven R. Lewis   Peggy R. DeBartolo
     President and Chief Executive Officer   Principal Accounting Officer

 

 

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