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EX-31.2 - RICHARD C LARSON CERTIFICATION - WATERSTONE FINANCIAL INCexhibit312.htm
EX-32.1 - DOUGLAS GORDON SOX CERTIFICATION - WATERSTONE FINANCIAL INCexhibit321.htm
EX-32.2 - RICHARD C LARSON SOX CERTIFICATION - WATERSTONE FINANCIAL INCexhibit322.htm
EX-31.1 - DOUGLAS GORDON CERTIFICATION - WATERSTONE FINANCIAL INCexhitbit311.htm
 


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

R
 
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
     
     
   
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010
     
   
OR
     
     
*
 
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Commission File Number 000-51507

WATERSTONE FINANCIAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Federal
20-3598485
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)


11200 W. Plank Ct.
Wauwatosa, WI  53226
(414) 761-1000
(Address, including Zip Code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

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
R
 
No
*

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer
*
 
Accelerated filer
R
 
Non-accelerated filer
*
 
Smaller Reporting Company
*

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes
*
 
No
R


The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share, was 31,250,097 at October 31, 2010.
 
 
 
 
 


10-Q INDEX








 
Page No.
   
 
     
     
3
   
4
   
5
   
6-7
   
8-23
   
24-42
   
43
   
43
   
44
   
44
   
44
   
44
   
44
   
 
   
   
   


 
 
- 2 -
 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

   
(Unaudited)
       
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Assets
 
(In Thousands, except share data)
 
Cash
  $ 86,267       57,234  
Federal funds sold
    12,496       9,631  
Short term investments
    11,500       4,255  
Cash and cash equivalents
    110,263       71,120  
Securities available for sale (at fair value)
    206,901       205,415  
Securities held to maturity (at amortized cost),
               
fair value of $2,570 in 2010 and $1,930 in 2009
    2,648       2,648  
Loans held for sale (at fair value)
    106,966       45,052  
Loans receivable
    1,351,948       1,420,010  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    32,460       28,494  
Loans receivable, net
    1,319,488       1,391,516  
Office properties and equipment, net
    28,386       29,144  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock (at cost)
    21,653       21,653  
Cash surrender value of life insurance
    35,225       33,941  
Real estate owned
    53,092       50,929  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    11,660       16,848  
Total assets
  $ 1,896,282       1,868,266  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
               
Liabilities:
               
Demand deposits
  $ 63,468       61,420  
Money market and savings deposits
    99,076       92,028  
Time deposits
    1,009,715       1,011,442  
Total deposits
    1,172,259       1,164,890  
                 
Short term borrowings
    72,902       73,900  
Long term borrowings
    434,000       434,000  
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes
    23,025       630  
Other liabilities
    20,348       26,254  
Total liabilities
    1,722,534       1,699,674  
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock (par value $.01 per share)
               
Authorized 20,000,000 shares, no shares issued
           
Common stock (par value $.01 per share)
               
Authorized - 200,000,000 shares in 2010 and 2009
               
Issued - 33,974,450 shares in 2010 and in 2009
               
Outstanding - 31,250,097 shares in 2010 and in 2009
    340       340  
Additional paid-in capital
    109,677       108,883  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
    3,160       (2,001 )
Retained earnings
    109,461       110,900  
Unearned ESOP shares
    (3,629 )     (4,269 )
Treasury shares (2,724,353 shares), at cost
    (45,261 )     (45,261 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    173,748       168,592  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,896,282       1,868,266  


See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
 
- 3 -
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)


   
Nine months ended
September 30,
   
Three months ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Interest income:
                       
Loans
  $ 60,763       66,348       20,198       21,974  
Mortgage-related securities
    4,198       5,485       1,336       1,721  
Debt securities, cash and cash equivalents
    2,578       2,640       931       973  
Total interest income
    67,539       74,473       22,465       24,668  
Interest expense:
                               
Deposits
    16,282       27,429       5,069       8,337  
Borrowings
    14,319       15,065       4,866       5,087  
Total interest expense
    30,601       42,494       9,935       13,424  
Net interest income
    36,938       31,979       12,530       11,244  
Provision for loan losses
    18,737       19,055       6,249       8,853  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    18,201       12,924       6,281       2,391  
Noninterest income:
                               
Service charges on loans and deposits
    810       883       269       312  
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance
    978       1,037       511       529  
Mortgage banking income
    18,977       6,801       10,391       2,912  
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
    -       (8,205 )     -       -  
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes)
    -       7,093       -       -  
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
    -       (1,112 )     -       -  
Other
    845       639       308       202  
Total noninterest income
    21,610       8,248       11,479       3,955  
Noninterest expenses:
                               
Compensation, payroll taxes, and other employee benefits
    21,917       13,311       10,752       4,921  
Occupancy, office furniture and equipment
    4,233       3,596       1,514       1,227  
Advertising
    825       620       295       170  
Data processing
    1,037       1,049       336       341  
Communications
    671       508       219       159  
Professional fees
    1,201       910       464       218  
Real estate owned
    4,271       2,760       2,101       1,551  
Other
    7,073       4,246       2,572       1,331  
Total noninterest expenses
    41,228       27,000       18,253       9,918  
Loss before income taxes
    (1,417 )     (5,828 )     (493 )     (3,572 )
Income taxes (benefit)
    22       (5 )     -       -  
Net loss
  $ (1,439 )     (5,823 )     (493 )     (3,572 )
Loss per share:
                               
Basic
  $ (0.05 )     (0.19 )     (0.02 )     (0.12 )
Diluted
  $ (0.05 )     (0.19 )     (0.02 )     (0.12 )
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    30,793,831       30,670,671       30,813,404       30,689,552  
Diluted
    30,793,831       30,670,671       30,813,404       30,689,552  


See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.


 
 
- 4 -
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
                     
Accumulated
                         
               
Additional
   
Other
         
Unearned
         
Total
 
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-In
   
Comprehensive
   
Retained
   
ESOP
   
Treasury
   
Shareholders'
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Loss
   
Earnings
   
Shares
   
Shares
   
Equity
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Balances at December 31, 2008
    31,250     $ 340       107,839       (6,449 )     119,921       (5,123 )     (45,261 )     171,267  
                                                                 
 
                                                               
Cumulative effect adjustment related
  to a change in accounting
  principle related to available for
  sale securities, net of taxes of $448
                            (669 )     1,117                       448  
                                                                 
Comprehensive income:
                                                               
Net loss
                            (5,823 )                 (5,823 )
Other comprehensive income:
                                                               
Net unrealized holding gain on
  available for sale securities arising
  during the period, net of taxes
  of $2,499
                      4,996                         4,996  
Reclassification of adjustment
  for   net losses on available for
  sale securities realized during
  the period, net of taxes of $446
                      666                         666  
Total comprehensive income
                                                            (161 )
                                                                 
ESOP shares committed to be
  released to Plan participants
                (446 )                 640             194  
Stock based compensation
                1,257                               1,257  
                                                                 
Balances at September 30, 2009
    31,250     $ 340       108,650       (1,456 )     115,215       (4,483 )     (45,261 )     173,005  
                                                                 
                                                                 
Balances at December 31, 2009
    31,250     $ 340       108,883       (2,001 )     110,900       (4,269 )     (45,261 )     168,592  
                                                                 
Comprehensive income:
                                                               
Net income
                            (1,439 )                 (1,439 )
Other comprehensive income:
                                                               
Net unrealized holding gain on
  available for sale securities
  arising during the period, net
  of taxes of $2,520
                      5,166                         5,166  
Reclassification of adjustment
  for net gains on available for
  sale securities realized during
  the period, net of taxes of $4
                      (5 )                       (5 )
Total comprehensive income
                                                            3,722  
                                                                 
ESOP shares committed to be
  released to Plan participants
                (447 )                 640             193  
Stock based compensation
                1,241                               1,241  
                                                                 
Balances at September 30, 2010
    31,250     $ 340       109,677       3,160       109,461       (3,629 )     (45,261 )     173,748  
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
 
- 5 -
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)


   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Operating activities:
           
Net loss
  $ (1,439 )     (5,823 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
               
cash used in operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    18,737       19,055  
Depreciation
    1,393       1,504  
Deferred income taxes
    (565 )     (1,365 )
Stock based compensation
    1,241       1,257  
Net amortization of premium on debt and mortgage-related securities
    (82 )     (189 )
Amortization of unearned ESOP shares
    193       194  
Loss on impairment of securities
          1,112  
Loss on sale of real estate owned and other assets
    928       547  
Gain on sale of loans held for sale
    (18,977 )     (6,490 )
Loans originated for sale
    (700,096 )     (529,415 )
Proceeds on sales of loans originated for sale
    657,160       515,372  
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable
    263       (242 )
Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance
    (978 )     (1,037 )
Decrease in accrued interest on deposits and borrowings
    (862 )     (2,411 )
Decrease in other liabilities
    (1,045 )     (13,367 )
Decrease in accrued tax receivable
    3,137       623  
Other
    (430 )     (18 )
Net cash used in operating activities
    (41,422 )     (20,693 )
                 
Investing activities:
               
Net decrease in loans receivable
    29,261       44,703  
Purchases of:
               
Debt securities
    (58,764 )     (41,499 )
Mortgage-related securities
    (21,585 )     (13,011 )
Premises and equipment, net
    (635 )     (3,590 )
Bank owned life insurance
    (306 )     (306 )
Proceeds from:
               
Principal repayments on mortgage-related securities
    24,353       29,151  
Sales of mortgage-related securities
    2,056        
Sales of debt securities
    12,926        
Maturities of debt securities
    43,222       8,988  
Calls on structured notes
          7,289  
Sales of real estate owned and other assets
    21,271       20,643  
Net cash provided by investing activities
    51,799       52,368  


See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
 
- 6 -
 

WATERSTONE FINANCIAL, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)


   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Financing activities:
           
  Net increase (decrease) in deposits
    7,369       (7,772 )
  Net change in short-term borrowings
    (998 )     25,000  
  Net change in advance payments by borrowers for taxes
    22,395       22,670  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    28,766       39,898  
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
    39,143       71,573  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    71,120       23,849  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 110,263       95,422  
                 
Supplemental information:
               
  Cash paid, credited or (received) during the period for:
               
Income tax payments (refunds)
    (3,116 )     1,247  
Interest payments
    31,464       44,904  
  Noncash investing activities:
               
Loans receivable transferred to real estate owned
    24,030       37,835  
  Noncash financing activities:
               
Long-term FHLB advances reclassified to short-term borrowings
          23,900  





















See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
 
- 7 -
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Waterstone Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) and the Company’s subsidiaries.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information, Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X and the instructions to Form 10-Q. The financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s December 31, 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2010.

The preparation of the unaudited consolidated financial statements requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.  Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the allowance for loan losses, deferred income taxes, certain investment securities and real estate owned.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Note 2 — Reclassifications

Certain items in the prior period consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the September 30, 2010 presentation.

 
 
- 8 -
 

Note 3 — Securities

Securities Available for Sale

The amortized cost and fair values of the Company’s investment in securities available for sale follow:


 
   
September 30, 2010
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
unrealized
   
unrealized
       
   
cost
   
gains
   
losses
   
Fair value
 
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 43,468       2,005       (17 )     45,456  
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
Government agency issue
    39,248       1,279       (11 )     40,516  
Private label issue
    32,251       269       (1,237 )     31,283  
Mortgage-related securities
    114,967       3,553       (1,265 )     117,255  
                                 
Government sponsored entity bonds
    54,758       560             55,318  
Municipal securities
    27,921       1,288       (349 )     28,860  
Other debt securities
    5,250       218             5,468  
Debt securities
    87,929       2,066       (349 )     89,646  
    $ 202,896       5,619       (1,614 )     206,901  

 

   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
unrealized
   
unrealized
       
   
cost
   
gains
   
losses
   
Fair value
 
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 39,785       1,728             41,513  
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
Government agency issue
    43,372       1,614       (26 )     44,960  
Private label issue
    36,681             (6,319 )     30,362  
Mortgage-related securities
    119,838       3,342       (6,345 )     116,835  
                                 
Government sponsored entity bonds
    40,400       238       (49 )     40,589  
Municipal securities
    43,599       631       (989 )     43,241  
Other debt securities
    5,250             (500 )     4,750  
Debt securities
    89,249       869       (1,538 )     88,580  
    $ 209,087       4,211       (7,883 )     205,415  


 
 
- 9 -
 
At September 30, 2010, $40.9 million of the Company’s government sponsored entity bonds and $61.7 million of the Company’s mortgage-related securities were pledged as collateral to secure repurchase agreement obligations of the Company.
 
The amortized cost and fair values of investment securities by contractual maturity at September 30, 2010, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 

   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Debt securities
           
   Due within one year
  $ 3,251       3,310  
   Due after one year through five years
    56,881       57,885  
   Due after five years through ten years
    10,484       11,099  
   Due after ten years
    17,313       17,352  
Mortgage-related securities
    114,967       117,255  
    $ 202,896       206,901  


Gross unrealized losses on securities available for sale and the fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows:


   
September 30, 2010
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
value
   
loss
   
value
   
loss
   
value
   
loss
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 8,687       (17 )                 8,687       (17 )
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                                               
     Government agency issue
    4,119       (11 )                 4,119       (11 )
     Private-label issue
                21,096       (1,237 )     21,096       (1,237 )
Municipal securities
                4,126       (349 )     4,126       (349 )
    $ 12,806       (28 )     25,222       (1,586 )     38,028       (1,614 )
                                                 
                                                 
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
value
   
loss
   
value
   
loss
   
value
   
loss
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                                               
     Government agency issue
  $ 1,507       (26 )                 1,507       (26 )
     Private-label issue
    1,519       (7 )     28,843       (6,312 )     30,362       (6,319 )
Government sponsored entity bonds
    7,351       (49 )                 7,351       (49 )
Municipal securities
    12,802       (114 )     7,713       (875 )     20,515       (989 )
Other debt securities
                4,500       (500 )     4,500       (500 )
    $ 23,179       (196 )     41,056       (7,687 )     62,728       (7,883 )

The Company reviews the investment securities portfolio on a quarterly basis to monitor its exposure to other-than-temporary impairment.  In evaluating whether a security’s decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, management considers the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, financial condition of the issuer and the underlying obligors, quality of credit enhancements, volatility of the fair value of the security, the expected recovery period of the security and ratings agency evaluations.  In addition, with regard to its debt securities, the Company may also evaluate payment structure, whether there are defaulted payments or expected defaults, prepayment speeds and the value of any underlying collateral.  For certain debt securities in unrealized loss positions, the Company prepares a cash flow analysis to compare the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security.
 
 
 
- 10 -
 
 
As of September 30, 2010, the Company had eight securities which had been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer, including: three private-label issue collateralized mortgage obligation securities and five municipal securities.  Based upon the aforementioned factors, the Company identified two collateralized mortgage obligation securities at September 30, 2010 with a combined amortized cost of $21.3 million for which a cash flow analysis was performed to determine whether an other than temporary impairment charge was warranted.  This evaluation indicated that the two collateralized mortgage obligations were other-than-temporarily impaired.  Estimates of discounted cash flows based on expected yield at time of original purchase, prepayment assumptions based on actual and anticipated prepayment speed, actual and anticipated default rates and estimated level of severity given the loan to value ratios, credit scores, geographic locations, vintage and levels of subordination related to the security and its underlying collateral resulted in a projected credit loss on the collateralized mortgage obligations.  One of these securities had been deemed other-than-temporarily impaired in 2008 resulting in a cumulative-effect adjustment of $1.1 million made to retained earnings as of January 1, 2009 to reflect the difference between the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis as of the beginning of the period to reflect a change in accounting principal.  Additional estimated credit losses on the two collateralized mortgage obligations of $1.1 million were charged to earnings during the year ended December 31, 2009.  These two securities had an amortized cost of $21.3 million and a fair value of $20.1 million as of September 30, 2010.  As of September 30, 2010, unrealized losses on these collateralized mortgage obligations include other-than-temporary impairment recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes) of $1.2 million.
 
The following table presents the change in other-than-temporary credit related impairment charges on collateralized mortgage obligations for which a portion of the other-than-temporary impairments related to other factors was recognized in other comprehensive loss.
 
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Credit related impairments on securities as of December 31, 2008
  $ 1,872  
Cumulative effect adjustment related to a change in accounting principle
    (1,117 )
Credit related impairments related to securities for which an other-than-temporary
       
     impairment was not previously recognized
    977  
Increase in credit related impairments related to securities for which an other-than-
       
     temporary impairment was previously recognized
    135  
Credit related impairments on securities as of December 31, 2009
    1,867  
Credit related impairments related to securities for which an other-than-temporary
       
     impairment was not previously recognized
    -  
Increase in credit related impairments related to securities for which an other-than-
       
     temporary impairment was previously recognized
    -  
Credit related impairments on securities as of September 30, 2010
  $ 1,867  

 
Exclusive of the two aforementioned collateralized mortgage obligations, the Company has determined that the decline in fair value of the remaining securities is not attributable to credit deterioration, and based on the foregoing evaluation criteria and as the Company does not intend to sell nor is it more likely than not that it will be required to sell these securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis, these securities are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.
 
Continued deterioration of general economic market conditions could result in the recognition of future other-than-temporary impairment losses within the investment portfolio and such amounts could be material to our consolidated financial statements.
 
Securities Held to Maturity
 
As of September 30, 2010, the Company held one security that has been designated as held to maturity.  The security has an amortized cost of $2.65 million and an estimated fair value of $2.57 million.  The final maturity of this security is 2022, however, it is callable quarterly.  Due to the magnitude of the difference between fair value and amortized cost, the Company has performed an assessment to determine whether this security is other-than-temporarily impaired.  Based upon a number of factors, including significant and repeated investments on the part of the United States government, the Company has determined that the security is not other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2010.
 
 
- 11 -
 
 
Note 4 — Loans Receivable

Loans receivable are summarized as follows:
 

 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Mortgage loans:
           
Residential real estate:
           
One- to four-family
  $ 621,298       681,578  
Over four-family residential
    546,738       536,731  
Home equity
    73,544       85,964  
Commercial real estate
    50,697       48,948  
Construction and land
    60,025       69,814  
Consumer loans
    209       619  
Commercial business loans
    43,254       48,094  
Gross loans receivable
    1,395,765       1,471,748  
Less:
               
Undisbursed loan proceeds
    41,867       49,818  
Unearned loan fees
    1,950       1,920  
Total loans receivable
  $ 1,351,948       1,420,010  

 

The Company provides several types of loans to its customers, including residential, construction, commercial and consumer loans.  The Company does not have a concentration of loans in any specific industry.  Credit risks tend to be geographically concentrated since a majority of the Company’s customer base lies in the Milwaukee metropolitan area.  Furthermore, as of September 30, 2010, 87.7% of the Company’s loan portfolio consists of loans that are secured by real estate properties located primarily within the Milwaukee metropolitan area.  Residential real estate collateralizing $128.7 million, or 9.2%, of gross loans receivable is located outside of the state of Wisconsin.

The unpaid principal balance of loans serviced for others was $4.6 million at September 30, 2010 and $4.7 million at December 31, 2009. These loans are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements.
 
A summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses is as follows:


   
For the Nine Months Ended
   
September 30,
   
2010
 
2009
   
(In Thousands)
         
Balance at beginning of period
 $28,494
 
 25,167
 
Provision for loan losses
 18,737
 
 19,055
 
Charge-offs
 (14,905)
 
 (12,965)
 
Recoveries
 134
 
 241
Balance at end of period
 $32,460
 
 31,498
         
Allowance for loan losses to loans receivable
2.40%
 
2.15%
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding (annualized)
1.37%
 
1.11%
Allowance for loan losses to non-accrual loans
32.39%
 
33.69%
Non-accrual loans to loans receivable
7.41%
 
6.38%

 
 
- 12 -
 

 
Non-accrual loans totaled $100.2 million at September 30, 2010 and $75.3 million at December 31, 2009.
 
Beginning in 2007 and continuing through the current quarter, the Company experienced significant deterioration in credit quality, primarily in its residential and construction and land portfolios.  These two segments represent a significant portion of the overall loan portfolio.  The downturn in the residential real estate market has reduced demand and market prices for vacant land, new construction and existing residential units.  The overall economic downturn and the depressed real estate market have negatively impacted many residential real estate customers and have resulted in an increase in nonperforming assets.
 
The following table presents data on impaired loans at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.


   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Impaired loans for which a specific allowance has been provided
  $ 87,647       90,787  
Impaired loans for which no specific allowance has been provided
    62,558       61,123  
Total loans determined to be impaired
  $ 150,205       151,910  
                 
Specific allowance for loan losses related to all impaired loans
  $ 14,055       12,517  


The determination as to whether an allowance is required with respect to impaired loans is based upon an analysis of the value of the underlying collateral and/or the borrower’s intent and ability to make all principal and interest payments in accordance with contractual terms.  The evaluation process is subject to the use of significant estimates and actual results could differ from estimates.  This analysis is primarily based upon third party appraisals and/or a discounted cash flow analysis.  In those cases in which no allowance has been provided for an impaired loan, the Company has determined that the estimated value of the underlying collateral exceeds the remaining outstanding balance of the loan.  Of the total $62.6 million of impaired loans for which no allowance has been provided, $25.3 million represent loans on which a total of $10.1 million in charge-offs have been recorded to reduce the outstanding loans balance to an amount that is commensurate with the estimated net realizable value of the underlying collateral.  To the extent that further deterioration in collateral value continues, the Company may have to reevaluate the sufficiency of the collateral servicing these impaired loans resulting in additional provisions to the allowance for loans losses or charge-offs.
 
At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, total impaired loans include $31.8 million and $42.7 million, respectively of troubled debt restructurings that are performing in accordance with their restructured terms and are accounted for on an accrual basis.  The vast majority of debt restructurings include a modification of terms to allow for an interest only payment and/or reduction in interest rate.  The restructured terms are typically in place for six to twelve months.
 
The Company serves the credit needs of its customers by offering a variety of loan programs. The loan portfolio is diversified by types of borrowers, collateral type, and market areas. Significant loan concentrations are considered to exist for a financial institution when there are amounts loaned to one borrower or to multiple borrowers engaged in similar activities that would cause them to be similarly impacted by economic or other conditions. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, no loans to one borrower or industry concentrations in excess of 10% existed in the Company’s loan portfolio.

 
Note 5 — Deposits

A summary of the contractual maturities of time deposits at September 30, 2010 is as follows:
 
 
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
       
Within one year
  $ 447,209  
More than one to two years
    543,964  
More than two to three years
    7,502  
More than three to four years
    3,397  
More than four through five years
    7,643  
    $ 1,009,715  

 

 
 
- 13 -
 

Note 6 — Borrowings
 
Borrowings consist of the following:
 
 
     
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
           
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
           
Average
         
Average
 
     
Balance
   
Rate
   
Balance
   
Rate
 
     
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
                           
Bank line of credit
    $ 47,902       5.00 %   $ -       -  
                                   
Federal Home Loan Bank, Chicago (FHLBC) advances maturing:
                               
 
2010
    25,000       4.72 %     73,900       3.61 %
 
2016
    220,000       4.34 %     220,000       4.34 %
 
2017
    65,000       3.19 %     65,000       3.19 %
 
2018
    65,000       2.97 %     65,000       2.97 %
                                   
Repurchase agreements maturing
2017
    84,000       3.96 %     84,000       3.96 %
      $ 506,902       4.01 %   $ 507,900       3.85 %

 
The bank line of credit is the outstanding portion of revolving lines with two unrelated banks.  The $20.0 million and $35.0 million lines of credit are utilized by Waterstone Mortgage Corporation to finance loans originated for sale.  Related interest rates are based upon the note rate associated with the loans being financed.
 
The $25.0 million advance due in 2010 matured in October.
 
The $220.0 million in advances due in 2016 consist of eight advances with rates ranging from 4.01% to 4.82% callable quarterly until maturity.
 
The $65.0 million in advances due in 2017 consist of three advances with rates ranging from 3.09% to 3.46% callable quarterly until maturity.
 
The $65.0 million in advances due in 2018 consist of three callable advances with rates ranging from 2.73% to 3.03% callable quarterly until maturity.
 
The $84.0 million in repurchase agreements have rates ranging from 2.89% to 4.31% callable quarterly until maturity.
 
The Company selects loans that meet underwriting criteria established by the FHLBC as collateral for outstanding advances.  The Company’s FHLBC borrowings are limited to 60% of the carrying value of qualifying, unencumbered one- to four-family mortgage loans, 50% of the carrying value of home equity loans and 60% of the carrying value of over four-family loans.  In addition, these advances are collateralized by FHLBC stock totaling $21.7 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 

 
 
- 14 -
 

Note 7 – Regulatory Capital
 

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements, or overall financial performance deemed by the regulators to be inadequate, can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items, as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.
 
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier I capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined).  As of September 30, 2010, that the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.  On December 18, 2009, WaterStone Bank entered into a consent order with its federal and state bank regulators whereby it has agreed to maintain a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.50% and a minimum total risk based capital ratio of 12.00%.  At September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with these higher capital requirements.  The consent order prohibits the Bank from paying dividends or repurchasing common stock without the written consent of the WDFI and FDIC.  In addition, the consent order prohibits the Bank from accepting or renewing brokered deposits.
 
As of September 30, 2010 the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Bank as quantitatively “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as “well capitalized,” the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based and Tier I leverage ratios, as set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category, however, the outstanding consent order limits transactions otherwise available to “well capitalized” banks.
 
As a state-chartered savings bank, the Bank is required to meet minimum capital levels established by the state of Wisconsin in addition to federal requirements. For the state of Wisconsin, regulatory capital consists of retained income, paid-in-capital, capital stock equity and other forms of capital considered to be qualifying capital by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
 
The actual capital amounts and ratios for WaterStone Bank as of September 30, 2010 are presented in the table below:
 

 
   
September 30, 2010
 
                           
To Be Well-Capitalized
 
               
For Capital
   
Under Prompt Corrective
 
   
Actual
   
Adequacy Purposes
   
Action Provisions
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
               
(Dollars in Thousands)
             
WaterStone Bank
                                   
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
  $ 181,166       13.20 %   $ 109,788       8.00 %   $ 137,235       10.00 %
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    163,823       11.94 %     54,894       4.00 %     82,341       6.00 %
Tier I capital (to average assets)
    163,823       8.80 %     74,483       4.00 %     93,104       5.00 %
State of Wisconsin capital required (to total assets)
    163,823       8.67 %     113,321       6.00 %     N/A       N/A  
                                                 
   
December 31, 2009
 
WaterStone Bank
                                               
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
  $ 181,344       13.74 %   $ 105,559       8.00 %   $ 131,949       10.00 %
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    164,693       12.48 %     52,780       4.00 %     79,170       6.00 %
Tier I capital (to average assets)
    164,693       8.71 %     75,674       4.00 %     94,592       5.00 %
State of Wisconsin capital required (to total assets)
    164,693       8.86 %     111,484       6.00 %     N/A       N/A  

 
 
- 15 -
 
 
Note 8 – Income Taxes
 
Despite a pre-tax loss, we recorded income tax expense of $22,000 through the third quarter of 2010. Because of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets we were not able to record an income tax benefit related to the pre-tax loss incurred.  A current income tax benefit that would normally result from a pre-tax loss was offset by additional deferred tax expense due to an increase in the required valuation allowance.  The income tax expense recorded through the third quarter of 2010 is related to certain states in which our mortgage banking subsidiary does business and will file a separate company state income tax return.

Under generally accepted accounting principles, a deferred tax asset valuation allowance is required to be recognized if it is “more likely than not” that the deferred tax asset will not be realized.  The determination of the realizability of the deferred tax assets is highly subjective and dependent upon judgment concerning management’s evaluation of both positive and negative evidence, the forecasts of future income, applicable tax planning strategies, and assessments of current and future economic and business conditions. We consider both positive and negative evidence regarding the ultimate realizability of our deferred tax assets.  Examples of positive evidence may include the existence, if any, of taxes paid in available carry-back years and the likelihood that taxable income will be generated in future periods.  Examples of negative evidence may include a cumulative loss in the current year and prior two years and negative general business and economic trends.  We currently maintain a valuation allowance against substantially all of our net deferred tax assets because it is “more likely than not” that all of these net deferred tax assets will not be realized.  This determination was based, largely, on the negative evidence of a cumulative loss in the most recent three-year period caused primarily by the loan loss provisions made during those periods.  In addition, general uncertainty surrounding future economic and business conditions has increased the likelihood of volatility in our future earnings.
 
 
Note 9 – Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk
 

Off-balance sheet financial instruments or obligations whose contract amounts represent credit and/or interest rate risk are as follows:
 
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent potential credit risk:
           
Commitments to extend credit under amortizing loans (1)
  $ 7,078       13,607  
Unused portion of home equity lines of credit
    26,553       28,376  
Unused portion of construction loans
    4,472       7,861  
Unused portion of business lines of credit
    10,842       13,581  
Standby letters of credit
    1,001       1,001  

 
(1) Excludes commitments to originate loans held for sale which are derivative instruments.
 

 
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements of the Company. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counter-party. Collateral obtained generally consists of mortgages on the underlying real estate.
 
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The Company holds mortgages on the underlying real estate as collateral supporting those commitments for which collateral is deemed necessary.
 
The Company has determined that there are no probable losses related to commitments to extend credit or the standby letters of credit as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
 
- 16 -
 
 
Residential mortgage loans sold to others are conventional residential first lien mortgages that are sold on a servicing released basis.  The Company’s agreements to sell residential mortgage loans in the normal course of business usually require certain representations and warranties on the underlying loans sold related to credit information, loan documentation and collateral, which if subsequently are untrue or breached, could require the Company to repurchase certain loans affected.  There have been insignificant instances of repurchase under representations and warranties.  The Company’s agreements to sell residential mortgage loans also contain limited recourse provisions.  The recourse provisions are limited in that the recourse provision ends after certain payment criteria have been met.  With respect to these loans, repurchase could be required if defined delinquency issues arose during the limited recourse period.  Given that the underlying loans delivered to buyers are predominantly conventional first lien mortgages and that historical experience shows negligible losses and insignificant repurchase activity, management believes that losses and repurchases under the limited recourse provisions will continue to be insignificant.
 
In connection with its mortgage banking activities, the Company enters into forward loan sale commitments.  Forward commitments to sell mortgage loans represent commitments obtained by the Company from a secondary market agency to purchase mortgages from the Company at specified interest rates and within specified periods of time.  Commitments to sell loans are made to mitigate interest rate risk on interest rate lock commitments to originate loans and loans held for sale.  Interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale and forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans are considered derivative instruments, and the fair value of these commitments is recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition with the changes in fair value recorded as a component of mortgage banking income.  The net fair value of the mortgage derivatives at September 30, 2010, was a gain of $226,000, comprised of the net loss of $171,000 on forward commitments to sell $129.8 million of residential mortgage loans to various investors and the net gain of $397,000 on interest rate lock commitments to originate $55.5 million of residential mortgage loans held for sale to individual borrowers.


Note 10 – Earnings (loss) per share

Earnings per share are computed using the two-class method.  Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income allocated to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period, excluding outstanding participating securities.  Participating securities include unvested restricted shares.  Unvested restricted shares are considered participating securities because holders of these securities have the right to receive dividends at the same rate as holders of the Company’s common stock.  Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted for the dilutive effect of all potential common shares.  Unvested restricted stock and stock options are considered outstanding for diluted earnings (loss) per share only.  Unvested restricted stock and stock options totaling 103,400 and 312,000 shares for the nine and three month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 149,900 and 462,000 shares for the nine and three month periods ended September 30, 2009 are antidilutive and are excluded from the earnings (loss) per share calculation.
 
Presented below are the calculations for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
 

   
Nine Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In Thousands, except per share data)
 
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (1,439 )     (5,823 )   $ (493 )     (3,572 )
Net income (loss) available to unvested restricted shares
    -       -       -       -  
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ (1,439 )     (5,823 )   $ (493 )     (3,572 )
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding
    30,794       30,671       30,813       30,690  
Effect of dilutive potential common shares
    -       -       -       -  
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
    30,794       30,671       30,813       30,690  
                                 
Basic earnings (loss) per share
  $ (0.05 )     (0.19 )   $ (0.02 )     (0.12 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ (0.05 )     (0.19 )   $ (0.02 )     (0.12 )


 
 
- 17 -
 

Note 11 – Fair Value Measurements

The FASB issued an accounting standard (subsequently codified into ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”) which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This accounting standard applies to reported balances that are required or permitted to be measured at fair value under existing accounting pronouncements. The standard also emphasizes that fair value (i.e., the price that would be received in an orderly transaction that is not a forced liquidation or distressed sale at the measurement date), among other things, is based on exit price versus entry price, should include assumptions about risk such as nonperformance risk in liability fair values, and is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. When considering the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, this accounting standard establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels.

Level 1 inputs - In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access.

Level 2 inputs - Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs use inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets where there are few transactions and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

Level 3 inputs - Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.  The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.


 
 
- 18 -
 

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table presents information about our assets recorded in our consolidated statement of financial position at their fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value.


         
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
   
September 30,
2010
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                         
Available for sale securities
                       
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 45,456     -       45,456       -  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    71,799      -       51,718       20,081  
Government sponsored entity bonds
    55,318      -       55,318       -  
Municipal securities
    28,860      -       28,860       -  
Other debt securities
    5,468      5,468       -       -  
                               
Loans held for sale
    106,966       -       106,966       -  
Mortgage banking derivative assets
    397       -       -       397  
Mortgage banking derivative liabilities
    161       -       -       161  
                                 
           
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
   
December 31,
2009
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                                 
Available for sale securities
                               
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 41,513        -       41,513       -  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    75,322       -       59,523       15,799  
Government sponsored entity bonds
    40,589       -       40,589       -  
Municipal securities
    43,241       -       43,241       -  
Other debt securities
    4,750       4,750        -       -  
                                 
Loans held for sale
    45,052       -       45,052       -  
Mortgage banking derivative assets
    252       -       -       252  
Mortgage banking derivative liabilities
    135       -       -       135  
 
The following summarizes the valuation techniques for assets recorded in our consolidated statements of financial condition at their fair value on a recurring basis:

Available for sale securities – The Company’s investment securities classified as available for sale include: mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, government sponsored entity bonds, municipal securities and other debt securities. The fair value of mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and government sponsored entity bonds are determined by a third party valuation source using observable market data utilizing a matrix or multi-dimensional relational pricing model.  Standard inputs to these models include observable market data such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, prepayment models and bid/offer market data.  For securities with an early redemption feature, an option adjusted spread model is utilized to adjust the issuer spread.  These model and matrix measurements are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.  The fair value of municipal securities is determined by a third party valuation source using observable market data utilizing a multi-dimensional relational pricing model.  Standard inputs to this model include observable market data such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker quotes, rating updates and issuer spreads.  These model measurements are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.    The fair value of other debt securities, which includes a trust preferred security issued by a financial institution, is determined through quoted prices in active markets and is classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

 
 
- 19 -
 
 
Loans held for sale – Effective January 1, 2009, the Company elected to carry loans held for sale at fair value under the fair value option model.  Fair value is generally determined by estimating a gross premium or discount, which is derived from pricing currently observable in the secondary market, principally from observable prices for forward sale commitments.  At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, loans held-for-sale totaled $107.0 million and $45.1 million, respectively.  Loans held-for-sale are considered to be Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy of valuation techniques.

Mortgage banking derivatives - Mortgage banking derivatives include interest rate lock commitments to originate residential loans held for sale to individual customers and forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans to various investors.  The Company relies on a valuation model to estimate the fair value of its interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale, which includes applying a pull through rate based upon historical experience and the current interest rate environment and then multiplying by quoted investor prices.  The Company also relies on a valuation model to estimate the fair value of its forward commitments to sell residential loans, which includes matching specific terms and maturities of the forward commitments against applicable investor pricing available.  While there are Level 2 and 3 inputs used in the valuation models, the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs significant in the valuation of both of the mortgage banking derivatives fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
 
The table below presents reconciliation for all assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during 2010 and 2009.


   
Nine Months Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 15,799       4,242  
Transfer into level 3
    -       9,870  
Change in unrealized holding losses arising during the period:
               
   Included in other comprehensive income
    4,961       2,427  
   Other than temporary impairment included in net loss
    -       (1,112 )
Principal repayments
    (788 )     (750 )
Net accretion of discount/amortization of premium
    109       5  
Cummulative-effect adjustment
    -       1,117  
Balance at end of period
  $ 20,081       15,799  


Level 3 available-for-sale securities include two corporate collateralized mortgage obligations which are deemed non-investment grade.  The market for these securities was not active as of September 30, 2010.  As such, the Company valued these securities based on the present value of estimated future cash flows.   Additional impairment may be incurred in future periods if estimated future cash flows are less than the cost basis of the securities.  There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 or Level 2 measurements during the periods.

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

The following table presents information about our assets recorded in our consolidated statement of financial position at their fair value on a non-recurring basis as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value.
 
         
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
   
September 30, 2010
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                         
Loans (1)
  $ 72,688       -       -       72,688  
Real estate owned
    53,092       -       -       53,092  
                                 
           
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
   
December 31, 2009
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                                 
Loans (1)
  $ 78,271       -       -       78,271  
Real estate owned
    50,929       -       -       50,929  
____________________________
(1)  Represents collateral-dependent impaired loans, net, which are included in loans.
 
- 20 -
 
 
Loans – We do not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis.  On a non-recurring basis, loans determined to be impaired are analyzed to determine whether a collateral shortfall exists, and if such a shortfall exists, are recorded on our consolidated statements of financial condition at net realizable value of the underlying collateral.  Fair value is determined based on third party appraisals.  Appraised values are adjusted to consider disposition costs and also to take into consideration the age of the most recent appraisal.  Given the significance of the adjustments made to appraised values necessary to estimate the fair value of impaired loans, loans that have been deemed to be impaired are considered to be Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy of valuation techniques.  At September 30, 2010, loans determined to be impaired with an outstanding balance of $86.7 million were carried net of specific reserves of $14.1 million for a fair value of $72.7 million.  At December 31, 2009, loans determined to be impaired with an outstanding balance of $90.8 million were carried net of specific reserves of $12.5 million for a fair value of $78.3 million.  Impaired loans collateralized by assets which are valued in excess of the net investment in the loan do not require any specific reserves.

Real estate owned – On a non-recurring basis, real estate owned, is recorded in our consolidated statements of financial condition at the lower of cost or fair value.  Fair value is determined based on third party appraisals obtained at the time the Company takes title to the property and, if less than the carrying value of the loan, the carrying value of the loan is adjusted to the fair value. Appraised values are adjusted to consider disposition costs and also to take into consideration the age of the most recent appraisal.  Given the significance of the adjustments made to appraised values necessary to estimate the fair value of the properties, real estate owned is considered to be Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy of valuation techniques.  At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, real estate owned totaled $53.1 million and $50.9 million, respectively.

Fair value information about financial instruments follows, whether or not recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. Certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments are excluded from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.
 
The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments consist of the following at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
 

 
   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
   
amount
   
value
   
amount
   
value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Financial Assets
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 110,263       110,263       71,120       71,120  
Securities available-for-sale
    206,901       206,901       205,415       205,415  
Securities held-to-maturity
    2,648       2,570       2,648       1,930  
Loans held for sale
    106,966       106,966       45,052       45,052  
Loans receivable
    1,351,948       1,371,749       1,420,010       1,403,266  
FHLB stock
    21,653       21,653       21,653       21,653  
Cash surrender value of life insurance
    35,225       35,225       33,941       33,941  
Accrued interest receivable
    4,262       4,262       4,525       4,525  
Mortgage banking derivative assets
    397       397       252       252  
                                 
Financial Liabilities
                               
Deposits
    1,172,259       1,179,977       1,164,890       1,167,834  
Advance payments by
                               
borrowers for taxes
    23,025       23,025       630       630  
Borrowings
    506,902       556,879       507,900       513,596  
Accrued interest payable
    2,208       2,208       3,070       3,070  
Mortgage banking derivative liabilities
    161       161       211       211  
                                 
Other Financial Instruments
                               
Stand-by letters of credit
    3       3       5       5  

 
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in determining its fair value disclosures for financial instruments.
 
 
- 21 -
 
 
 Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The carrying amount reported in the consolidated statements of financial condition for cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
 
 Securities
 
The fair value of securities is determined by a third party valuation source using observable market data utilizing a matrix or multi-dimensional relational pricing model.  Standard inputs to these models include observable market data such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities and bid/offer market data.  For securities with an early redemption feature, an option adjusted spread model is utilized to adjust the issuer spread.  Prepayment models are used for mortgage related securities with prepayment features.
 
Loans Held for Sale
 
 
Fair value is estimated using the prices of the Company’s existing commitments to sell such loans and/or the quoted market price for commitments to sell similar loans.
 
Loans Receivable
 
Loans determined to be impaired are analyzed to determine whether a collateral shortfall exists, and if such a shortfall exists, are recorded on our consolidated statements of financial condition at fair value.  Fair value is determined based on third party appraisals.  Appraised values are adjusted to consider disposition costs and also to take into consideration the age of the most recent appraisal.  With respect to loans that are not considered to be impaired, fair value is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows using discount rates that that reflect a current rate offered to borrowers of similar credit standing for the remaining term to maturity.  This method of estimating fair value does not incorporate the exit-price concept of fair value prescribed by ASC 820-10 and generally produces a higher fair value.
 
FHLBC Stock
 
For FHLBC stock, the carrying amount is the amount at which shares can be redeemed with the FHLBC and is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
 
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance
 
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated statements of financial condition for the cash surrender value of life insurance approximate those assets’ fair values.
 
Deposits and Advance Payments by Borrowers for Taxes
 
The fair values for interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts). The fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates of similar remaining maturities to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities of the outstanding certificates of deposit. The advance payments by borrowers for taxes are equal to their carrying amounts at the reporting date.
 
Borrowings
 
Fair values for borrowings are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies current interest rates to estimated future cash flows of the borrowings.
 
Accrued Interest Payable and Accrued Interest Receivable
 
For accrued interest payable and accrued interest receivable, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
 
 
 
- 22 -
 
Note 12 – Recent Accounting Developments
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued ASC Topic 860-10-65, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets.  The standard removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity from ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, and eliminates the exception for qualifying special-purpose entities from consolidation guidance.  In addition, the standard establishes specific conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale.  If the transfer does not meet established sale conditions, the transferor and transferee must account for the transfer as a secured borrowing.  An enterprise that continues to transfer portions of a financial asset that do not meet the established sale conditions would be eligible to record a sale only after it has transferred all of its interest in that asset.  The effective date is fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009.  The adoption did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operation or liquidity.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-17, “Consolidations (Topic 810) – Improvements to Financial Reporting for Enterprises involved with Variable Interest Entities”.  The standard replaces the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise, if any, is the primary beneficiary and is required to consolidate the variable interest entity with a qualitative approach focused on identifying which enterprise has both the power to direct the activities of the variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the entity.  In addition, the standard requires reconsideration of whether an entity is a variable interest entity when any changes in facts and circumstances occur such that the holders of the equity investment at risk, as a group, lose the power from voting rights or similar rights of those investments to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance.  It also requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and additional disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement in variable interest entities. The effective date is for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009.  The adoption did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operation or liquidity.
 
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements”. The new standard requires disclosure regarding transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 classifications within the fair value hierarchy as well as requiring further detail of activity within the Level 3 category of the fair value hierarchy. The new standard also requires disclosures regarding the fair value for each class of assets and liabilities, which is a subset of assets or liabilities within a line item in a company’s balance sheet. Additionally, the standard will require further disclosures surrounding inputs and valuation techniques used in fair value measurements. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures set forth in this ASU are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the additional disclosures regarding Level 3 fair value measurements, for which the effective date is for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company has partially adopted the provisions of this ASU as of January 1, 2010 for all new disclosure requirements except for the aforementioned requirements regarding Level 3 fair-value measurements, for which the Company will adopt that portion of the ASU on January 1, 2011. The portion of this ASU that was adopted on January 1, 2010 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impacts, if any, of the implementation of the portion of this ASU that relates to Level 3 fair value measurements.
 
In March 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-11 “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Scope Exception Related to Embedded Credit Derivatives”.  The guidance eliminates the scope exception for bifurcation of embedded credit derivatives in interests in securitized financial assets, unless they are created solely by subordination of one financial debt instrument to another. The guidance is effective beginning in the first reporting period after June 15, 2010, with earlier adoption permitted for the quarter beginning after March 31, 2010. This clarification did not have a material impact to our financial position or results of operations.
 
In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-20—“Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses”.  The main objective of this guidance is to provide financial statement users with greater transparency about an entity’s allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of its financing receivables. This pronouncement requires additional disclosures to assist financial statement users in assessing an entity’s credit risk exposures and evaluating the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses.  The guidance is effective beginning in the first interim and annual reporting period after December 15, 2010.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential impacts, if any, of the implementation of this guidance with respect to its financial position, results of operation or liquidity.
 
 
 
- 23 -
 
 

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This report contains or incorporates by reference various forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s prospects that are based on the current expectations and beliefs of management.  Forward-looking statements may also be made by the Company from time to time in other reports and documents as well as in oral presentations.  When used in written documents or oral statements, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “objective” and similar expressions and verbs in the future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  The statements contained herein and such future statements involve or may involve certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause the Company’s actual results and performance to differ materially from what is expected.  In addition to the assumptions and other factors referenced specifically in connection with such statements, the following factors could impact the business and financial prospects of the Company:


·
 
regulatory action requiring maintenance of minimum regulatory capital ratios higher than generally applicable minimum ratios; noncompliance could result in additional regulatory enforcement action; compliance could result in lower future return on equity and dilution for current stock holders;
·
 
adverse changes in the real estate markets;
·
 
adverse changes in the securities markets;
·
 
general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected;
·
 
inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments;
·
 
our ability to maintain adequate levels of liquidity given regulatory limits on sources of funding and rates that can be paid for funding;
·
 
legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business;
·
 
our ability to enter new markets successfully and take advantage of growth opportunities;
·
 
significantly increased competition among depository and other financial institutions;
·
 
changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies and the Financial Accounting Standards Board; and
·
 
changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits.

See also the factors referred to in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (particularly those under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K).

Overview

The following discussion and analysis is presented to assist the reader in the understanding and evaluation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. It is intended to complement the unaudited consolidated financial statements, footnotes, and supplemental financial data appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction therewith. The detailed discussion focuses on the results of operations for the nine and three month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and the financial condition as of September 30, 2010 compared to the financial condition as of December 31, 2009.
 
Our results of operations are highly dependent on our net interest income and the provision for loan losses.  In recent periods our results of operations have also been negatively impacted by the establishment of valuation allowances with respect to our deferred tax assets, other than temporary impairment of securities available for sale, by increased real estate owned expense and by higher deposit insurance premiums.  Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on loans receivable, investment securities and cash and cash equivalents and the interest we pay on deposits and other borrowings.  The Company’s banking subsidiary, WaterStone Bank SSB (“WaterStone Bank” or “Bank”) is primarily a mortgage lender with loans secured by real estate comprising 96.9% of total loans receivable on September 30, 2010.  Further, 89.0% of loans receivable are residential mortgage loans with over four-family loans comprising 39.2% of all loans on September 30, 2010.  WaterStone Bank funds loan production primarily with retail deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank advances.  The Bank’s mortgage banking subsidiary, Waterstone Mortgage Corporation, utilizes a line of credit provided by the Bank as its primary source of funding loans held for sale.  In addition, Waterstone Mortgage Corporation utilizes lines of credit with two external banks when loan origination volumes exceed the limit of the line of credit provided by the Bank.  On September 30, 2010, deposits comprised 68.1% of total liabilities.  Time deposits, also known as certificates of deposit, accounted for 86.1% of total deposits at September 30, 2010.  Federal Home Loan Bank advances outstanding on September 30, 2010 totaled $375.0 million, or 21.8% of total liabilities.  During the current period of low interest rates and economic weakness, we have determined that an investment philosophy emphasizing short-term liquid investments is prudent and will position the Company to take advantage of the investment, lending and interest rate risk management opportunities that will exist as the local and national economies recover from the recession.
 
 
- 24 -
 
 
During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, our results of operations continued to be adversely affected by elevated levels of nonperforming loans and real estate owned.  Weaknesses in our loan portfolio have required that we establish higher provisions for loan losses and incur significant loan charge-offs.  The continued downturn in the local real estate market requires the Company to continually reevaluate the assumptions used to determine the fair value of collateral and net present value of discounted future estimated cash flows related to loans receivable to ensure that the allowance for loan losses continues to be an accurate reflection of management’s best estimate of the amount needed to provide for the probable and estimable loss on impaired loans and other incurred losses in the loan portfolio.  As a result, the Company determined that a provision for loan losses of $18.7 million was necessary during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at an appropriate level in relation to the risks management believe are inherent and estimable in our portfolio.  Additional information regarding loan quality and its impact on our financial condition and results of operations can be found in the “Asset Quality” discussion.  Our results of operations are also affected by noninterest income and noninterest expense.  Noninterest income consists primarily of mortgage banking fee income.  A significant increase in the sale of mortgage loans in the secondary market, resulting from a decline in mortgage interest rates during the period and additional mortgage banking offices added over the past twelve months, yielded a $12.2 million increase in mortgage banking income during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  In addition to the increase in mortgage banking activity, the increase in noninterest income compared to the prior period resulted from an $1.1 million decrease in impairment charge on securities considered to be other than temporarily impaired.  Noninterest expense consists primarily of compensation and employee benefits, FDIC insurance premiums, occupancy expenses and real estate owned expense.  The primary reason for the increase in noninterest expense compared to the prior year relates to the expansion of our mortgage banking operations.  Of the $14.2 million increase in noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, $11.4 million relates to our mortgage banking operations. In 2010 our noninterest expense has been and will continue to be adversely affected by higher deposit insurance premium assessments from the FDIC.  FDIC insurance premium expense has increased $1.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Our results of operations are also significantly affected by general and local economic and competitive conditions, governmental policies and actions of regulatory authorities.
 
Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are those that involve significant judgments and assumptions by management and that have, or could have, a material impact on our income or the carrying value of our assets.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses. The Company establishes valuation allowances on loans that are deemed to be impaired. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events it is probable that we will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. A valuation allowance is established for an amount equal to the impairment when the carrying amount of the loan exceeds the present value of the expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate or the fair value of the underlying collateral.
 
The Company also establishes valuation allowances based on an evaluation of the various risk components that are inherent in the loan portfolio. The risk components that are evaluated include past loan loss experience; the level of non-performing and classified assets; current economic conditions; volume, growth, and composition of the loan portfolio; adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay; the estimated value of any underlying collateral; peer group comparisons; regulatory guidance; and other relevant factors. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to earnings and recoveries of previously charged-off loans and reduced by charge-offs. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is reviewed and approved quarterly by the WaterStone Bank board of directors. The allowance reflects management’s best estimate of the amount needed to provide for the probable loss on impaired loans and other inherent losses in the loan portfolio, and is based on a risk model developed and implemented by management and approved by the WaterStone Bank board of directors.
 
Actual results could differ from this estimate, and future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on unforeseen changes in loan quality and economic conditions. In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review WaterStone Bank’s allowance for loan losses. Such regulators have the authority to require WaterStone Bank to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their review or examination.
 
Income Taxes.  The Company and its subsidiaries file consolidated federal and Wisconsin income tax returns. The provision for income taxes is based upon income in the consolidated financial statements, rather than amounts reported on the income tax return.  Our federal income tax returns do not include the financial results of our mutual holding company parent.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date.

Under generally accepted accounting principles, a deferred tax asset valuation allowance is required to be recognized if it is “more likely than not” that the deferred tax asset will not be realized.  The determination of the realizability of the deferred tax assets is highly subjective and dependent upon judgment concerning management’s evaluation of both positive and negative evidence, the forecasts of future income, applicable tax planning strategies, and assessments of current and future economic and business conditions. We consider both positive and negative evidence regarding the ultimate realizability of our deferred tax assets.  Examples of positive evidence may include the existence, if any, of taxes paid in available carry-back years and the likelihood that taxable income will be generated in future periods.  Examples of negative evidence may include a cumulative loss in the current year and prior two years and negative general business and economic trends.  We currently maintain a valuation allowance against substantially all of our net deferred tax assets because it is “more likely than not” that all of these net deferred tax assets will not be realized.  This determination was based, largely, on the negative evidence of a cumulative loss in the most recent three-year period caused primarily by the loan loss provisions made during those periods.  In addition, general uncertainty surrounding future economic and business conditions has increased the likelihood of volatility in our future earnings.
 
 
- 25 -
 
 
In addition, positions taken in the Company’s tax returns may be subject to challenge by the taxing authorities upon examination.  The benefit of uncertain tax positions are initially recognized in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities.  Such tax positions are both initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with the tax authority, assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts.  Interest and penalties on income tax uncertainties are classified within income tax expense in the income statement.
 
Management believes its tax policies and practices are critical because the determination of the tax provision and current and deferred tax assets and liabilities have a material impact on our net income and the carrying value of our assets.  We have no plans to change the tax recognition methodology in the future.  If our estimated deferred tax valuation allowance is adjusted it will affect our future results of operations.
 
Federal Legislation

Congress recently enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which will significantly change the current bank regulatory structure and affect the lending, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies.  The Dodd-Frank Act will eliminate our current primary federal regulator, the Office of Thrift Supervision.  The Dodd-Frank Act authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to supervise and regulate all savings and loan holding companies like the Company, in addition to bank holding companies which it currently regulates.  As a result, the Federal Reserve Board’s current regulations applicable to bank holding companies, including holding company capital requirements, will apply to savings and loan holding companies like the Company.  These capital requirements are substantially similar to the capital requirements currently applicable to the Bank.  The Dodd-Frank Act also requires the Federal Reserve Board to set minimum capital levels for bank holding companies that are as stringent as those required for the insured depository subsidiaries, and the components of Tier 1 capital would be restricted to capital instruments that are currently considered to be Tier 1 capital for insured depository institutions.  Bank holding companies with assets of less than $500 million are exempt from these capital requirements.  Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the proceeds of trust preferred securities are excluded from Tier 1 capital unless such securities were issued prior to May 19, 2010 by bank or savings and loan holding companies with less than $15 billion of assets.  We do not have any outstanding trust preferred securities.  The legislation also establishes a floor for capital of insured depository institutions that cannot be lower than the standards in effect today, and directs the federal banking regulators to implement new leverage and capital requirements within 18 months that take into account off-balance sheet activities and other risks, including risks relating to securitized products and derivatives.  The Company will be regulated by the FDIC following the elimination of the OTS.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act also creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions such as the Bank, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets.  Banks and savings institutions with $10 billion or less in assets will be examined by their applicable bank regulators.  The new legislation also weakens the federal preemption available for national banks and federal savings associations, and gives state attorneys general the ability to enforce applicable federal consumer protection laws.
 
The legislation also broadens the base for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance assessments.  Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution.  The Dodd-Frank Act permanently increased the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2009, and non-interest bearing transaction accounts now have unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2013.  Lastly, the Dodd-Frank Act will increase stockholder influence over boards of directors by requiring companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments, and authorizing the Securities and Exchange Commission to promulgate rules that would allow stockholders to nominate their own candidates using a company’s proxy materials.  The legislation also directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives, regardless of whether the company is publicly traded or not.
 
Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

General - Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 totaled $1.4 million, or $0.05 for both basic and diluted loss per share, compared to net loss of $5.8 million, or $0.19 for both basic and diluted loss per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The nine months ended September 30, 2010 generated an annualized loss on average assets of 0.10% and an annualized loss on average equity of 1.14%, compared to an annualized loss on average assets of 0.41% and an annualized loss on average equity of 4.63% for the comparable period in 2009.  The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflect continuing deterioration in asset quality which resulted in an $18.7 million provision for loan losses during the current year.  The current year-to-date provision represents a $317,000 decrease from the $19.1 million provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Increases of $5.0 million in net interest income and $12.2 million in mortgage banking income and a $1.1 million decrease in impairment charge on securities considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired for the first nine months of 2010 over the prior year were partially offset by increases of $8.6 million in compensation expense, $1.5 million in real estate owned expense and a $2.8 million increase in other noninterest expense of which $1.3 million was attributable to FDIC insurance expense and $1.2 million was attributable to expenses related to the expansion of our mortgage banking operations.  Loan charge-off activity and specific loan reserves are discussed in additional detail in the Asset Quality section.  The net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was 2.82% compared to 2.34% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
 
- 26 -
 
Average Balance Sheets, Interest and Yields/Costs
 
The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated.  No tax-equivalent yield adjustments were made, as the effect thereof was not material.  Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances.  The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense.
 
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
Average Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/Cost
   
Average Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/Cost
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Assets
                                   
Interest-earning assets:
                                   
Loans receivable, net
  $ 1,440,736       60,763  (1)     5.64 %   $ 1,533,203       66,348  (1)     5.79 %
Mortgage related securities(2)
    105,372       4,198       5.33       129,337       5,485       5.67  
Debt securities,(2) federal funds sold and
  short-term investments
    203,808       2,578       1.69       163,772       2,640       2.15  
Total interest-earning assets
    1,749,916       67,539       5.16       1,826,312       74,473       5.45  
                                                 
Noninterest-earning assets
    94,743                       89,601                  
Total assets
  $ 1,844,659                     $ 1,915,913                  
                                                 
Liabilities and equity
                                               
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Demand accounts
  $ 38,192       31       0.11     $ 31,012       29       0.13  
Money market and savings accounts
    106,000       366       0.46       97,648       431       0.59  
Time deposits
    1,011,755       15,885       2.10       1,056,271       26,969       3.41  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    1,155,947       16,282       1.88       1,184,931       27,429       3.09  
Borrowings
    480,192       14,319       3.99       526,287       15,065       3.83  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    1,636,139       30,601       2.50       1,711,218       42,494       3.32  
                                                 
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
                                               
Non interest-bearing deposits
    25,804                       23,634                  
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities
    13,290                       13,089                  
Total noninterest-bearing liabilities
    39,094                       36,723                  
Total liabilities
    1,675,233                       1,747,941                  
Equity
    169,426                       167,972                  
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 1,844,659                     $ 1,915,913                  
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 36,938                     $ 31,979          
Net interest rate spread (3)
                    2.66 %                     2.13 %
Net interest-earning assets (4)
  $ 113,777                     $ 115,094                  
Net interest margin (5)
                    2.82 %                     2.34 %
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
                    106.95 %                     106.73 %
__________
(1)  Includes net deferred loan fee amortization income of $564,000 and $728,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
(2)  Average balance of mortgage related and debt securities are based on amortized historical cost.
(3)  Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing
      liabilities.
(4)  Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(5)  Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.


 
 
- 27 -
 

Rate/Volume Analysis
The following table sets forth the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the periods indicated.  The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume).  The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate).  The net column represents the sum of the prior columns.  For purposes of this table, changes attributable to changes in both rate and volume that cannot be segregated have been allocated proportionately based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2010 versus 2009
 
   
Increase (Decrease) due to
 
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Interest income:
                 
Loans receivable(1) (2)
  $ (3,931 )     (1,654 )     (5,585 )
Mortgage related securities
    (970 )     (317 )     (1,287 )
Other earning assets(3)
    573       (635 )     (62 )
 Total interest-earning assets
    (4,328 )     (2,606 )     (6,934 )
                         
Interest expense:
                       
Demand accounts
    5       (4 )     1  
Money merket and savings accounts
    35       (100 )     (65 )
Time deposits
    (1,093 )     (9,990 )     (11,083 )
Total interest-bearing deposits
    (1,053 )     (10,094 )     (11,147 )
Borrowings
    (1,359 )     613       (746 )
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    (2,412 )     (9,481 )     (11,893 )
Net change in net interest income
  $ (1,916 )     6,875       4,959  
______________
(1)
Includes net deferred loan fee amortization income of $564,000 and $728,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
(2)
Non-accrual loans have been included in average loans receivable balance.
(3)    Includes available for sale securities.  Average balance of available for sale securities is based on amortized historical cost.

Total Interest Income - Total interest income decreased $6.9 million, or 9.3%, to $67.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $74.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Interest income on loans decreased $5.6 million, or 8.4%, to $60.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $66.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.   The decrease in interest income was primarily due to a $92.5 million, or 6.0%, decrease in the average balance of loans outstanding to $1.44 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $1.53 billion during the comparable period in 2009.  The decrease in interest income attributable to the decrease in average balance was compounded by a 15 basis point decrease in the average yield on loans to 5.64% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 from 5.79% for the comparable period in 2009.  Unrecognized interest income on non-accrual loans totaled $3.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  This had the effect of reducing the average yield on loans during the same period by 35 basis points.  Unrecognized interest income on non-accrual loans totaled $4.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, effectively reducing the average yield on loans for that period by 43 basis points.

Interest income from mortgage-related securities decreased $1.3 million, or 23.5%, to $4.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $5.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The decrease in interest income was primarily due to a $24.0 million, or 18.5%, decrease in the average balance of mortgage-related securities to $105.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $129.3 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The decrease in interest income attributable to the decrease in average balance was compounded by a decrease in average yield.  The average yield on mortgage-related securities decreased 34 basis points to 5.33% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from 5.67% for the comparable period in 2009.  The decline in the average balance of mortgage-related securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflects management’s decision to deemphasize investments in mortgage-related securities and emphasize more liquid, less volatile, government agency securities.

Finally, interest income from debt securities, federal funds sold and short-term investments remained stable at $2.6 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  Interest income decreased due to a 47 basis point decline in the average yield on other earning assets to 1.69% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from 2.16% for the comparable period in 2009.  The decline in average yield provided by these assets reflects the lower overall interest rate environment as opposed to a shift in investment strategy and product mix.  The decrease in average rate was partially offset by an increase of $40.0 million, or 24.4%, in the average balance of other earning assets to $203.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $163.8 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The increase in average balance reflects a strategic shift towards higher levels of liquidity.  The Company intends to maintain higher than usual liquidity given the current economic environment and relatively low rates of return available on loans and mortgage related securities.  The average balance of debt securities, federal funds sold and short-term investments includes FHLBC stock of $21.7 million for each of the nine month-periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  On October 10, 2007, the FHLBC entered into a consensual cease and desist order with its regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Board. Under the terms of the order, dividend declarations are subject to the prior written approval of the Federal Housing Finance Board.  The FHLBC has not declared a dividend since it entered into the cease and desist order.
 
 
- 28 -
 
 
Total Interest Expense - Total interest expense decreased by $11.9 million, or 28.0%, to $30.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $42.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  This decrease was the result of a decrease of 82 basis points in the average cost of funds to 2.50% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from 3.32% for the comparable period ended September 30, 2009.  The decrease in interest expense resulted from a decrease in the average cost of funds as well as a decrease of $75.1 million, or 4.4%, in average interest bearing deposits and borrowings outstanding to $1.64 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to an average balance of $1.71 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Interest expense on deposits decreased $11.1 million, or 40.6%, to $16.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $27.4 million during the comparable period in 2009.  This was due to a decrease in the average cost of deposits of 121 basis points to 1.88% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 3.09% for the comparable period during 2009.  The decrease in interest expense attributable to the decrease in the cost of deposits was compounded by a decrease of $29.0 million, or 2.4%, in the average balance of interest bearing deposits to $1.16 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $1.18 billion during the comparable period in 2009.  The decrease in the cost of deposits reflects the Federal Reserve’s historically low short-term interest rate policy.  These rates are typically used by financial institutions in pricing deposit products.  The decrease in the average balance of interest bearing deposits was primarily due to a $44.5 million decline in average non-local or brokered deposits.  The average balance of brokered deposits totaled $38.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $82.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Interest expense on borrowings decreased $746,000, or 5.0%, to $14.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $15.1 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The decrease resulted from a $46.1 million, or 8.8%, decrease in average borrowings outstanding to $480.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $526.3 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The decrease due to average balance was partially offset by a 16 basis point increase in the average cost of borrowings to 3.99% during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from 3.83% during the comparable period in 2009.  The decreased use of borrowings as a source of funding during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflects our decision to utilize core deposits as our primary funding source.

Net Interest Income - Net interest income increased by $5.0 million or 15.5%, to $36.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $32.0 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The increase in net interest income resulted primarily from a 53 basis point increase in our interest rate spread to 2.66% for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 from 2.13% for the comparable period in 2009.  The 53 basis point increase in the interest rate spread resulted from an 82 basis point decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities which was partially offset by a 29 basis point decrease in the yield on interest earning assets.  The increase in net interest income resulting from an increase in our net interest rate spread was partially offset by a decrease in net average earning assets of $1.3 million, or 1.1%, to $113.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $115.1 million during the comparable period in 2009.

Provision for Loan Losses – Our provision for loan losses decreased $317,000, or 1.7%, to $18.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, from $19.1 million during the comparable period during 2009.  The provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily the result of $14.8 million of net loan charge-offs combined with continued weakness in local real estate markets.  See the Asset Quality section for an analysis of charge-offs, nonperforming assets, specific reserves and additional provisions.

Noninterest Income - Total noninterest income increased $13.4 million to $21.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $8.2 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The increase resulted primarily from an increase in mortgage banking income.  Mortgage banking income increased $12.2 million to $19.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $6.8 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The increase was the result of increased mortgage loan sales driven by mortgage loan refinancings as borrowers sought to take advantage of declines in mortgage interest rates during the period and an expansion of our mortgage banking operations over the past year.  In addition to an increase in the volume of loans sold, the expansion of our mortgage banking operations has resulted in increased levels of profitability through expansion into geographic regions and mortgage products that yield a higher margin.  In addition, the Company has significantly increased its use of mandatory delivery in the secondary market which has produced a higher margin on current year sales.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company sold $657.2 million of mortgage loans into the secondary market, as compared to $515.4 million during the comparable period in 2009.  In addition to the increase in mortgage banking activity, the increase in noninterest income compared to the prior period resulted from an $1.1 million decrease in impairment charge on securities considered to be other than temporarily impaired.
 

 
 
- 29 -
 
 
Noninterest Expense - Total noninterest expense increased $14.2 million, or 52.7%, to $41.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $27.0 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The increase was primarily attributable to increased compensation, real estate owned expense and FDIC insurance premium expense.

Compensation, payroll taxes and other employee benefit expense increased $8.6 million, or 64.7%, to $21.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $13.3 million during the comparable period in 2009.  Due primarily to an expansion of our mortgage banking operations, total compensation, payroll taxes and other benefits at our mortgage banking subsidiary increased $8.6 million to $12.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $3.5 million during the comparable period in 2009.

Real estate owned expense increased $1.5 million to $4.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $2.8 million during the comparable period in 2009.  Real estate owned expense includes the net operating and carrying costs related to the properties.  In addition, it includes net gain or loss recognized upon the sale of a foreclosed property, as well as writedowns recognized to maintain the properties at their estimated fair value.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, net operating expense increased $1.2 million to $3.3 million from $2.2 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The increase in net operating expense compared to the prior period resulted from an increase in the number of foreclosed properties owned.  The average balance of real estate owned totaled $52.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $37.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Net loss recognized on the sale or write down of real estate owned totaled $947,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $596,000 during the comparable period in 2009.

Other noninterest expense increased $2.8 million or 66.6%, to $7.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $4.2 million during the comparable period in 2009.  FDIC insurance premium expense increased $1.3 million to $3.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $2.0 million during the comparable period during 2009.  The increase in FDIC insurance premium reflects an increase in the premium rate.  In addition to the increase in FDIC deposit insurance premiums, noninterest expense increased by $1.2 million due to an increase in operational costs related to the expansion of our mortgage banking operations.
 
Income Taxes – Despite a pre-tax loss, we recorded income tax expense of $22,000 through the third quarter of 2010. Because of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets we were not able to record an income tax benefit related to the pre-tax loss incurred.  A current income tax benefit that would normally result from a pre-tax loss was offset by additional deferred tax expense due to an increase in the required valuation allowance.  The income tax expense recorded through the third quarter of 2010 is related to certain states in which our mortgage banking subsidiary does business and will file a separate company state income tax return.  We recorded an income tax benefit of $5,000 through the third quarter of 2009.

Net Income (Loss) - As a result of the foregoing factors, net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $1.4 million as compared to a net loss of $5.8 million during the comparable period in 2009.

 
- 30 -
 

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

General - Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2010 totaled $493,000, or $0.02 for both basic and diluted loss per share, compared to a net loss of $3.6 million, or $0.12 for both basic and diluted loss per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  The three months ended September 30, 2010 generated an annualized loss on average assets of 0.10% and an annualized loss on average equity of 1.13%, compared to an annualized loss on average assets of 0.74% and an annualized loss on average equity of 8.31% for the comparable period in 2009.  The improvement in the results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009 reflects a $2.7 million decrease in the provision for loan losses.  The provision for loan losses totaled $6.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $8.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  Loan charge-off activity and specific loan loss reserves are discussed in additional detail in the Asset Quality section.  Increases of $1.3 million in net interest income and $7.5 million in mortgage banking income for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the prior year were partially offset by increases of $5.8 million in compensation expense, $1.2 million in other noninterest expense and $550,000 in real estate owned expense.  The net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was 2.80% compared to 2.46% for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Average Balance Sheets, Interest and Yields/Costs
 
The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated.  No tax-equivalent yield adjustments were made, as the effect thereof was not material.  Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances.  The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense.
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/Cost
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/Cost
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Assets
                                   
Interest-earning assets:
                                     
Loans receivable, net
  $ 1,446,052       20,198       5.54 %   $ 1,491,604       21,974        5.84 %
Mortgage related securities(2)
    100,638       1,336       5.27       121,847       1,721       5.60  
Debt securities,(2) federal funds sold and
  short-term investments
    229,784       931       1.61       202,415       973       1.91  
Total interest-earning assets
    1,776,474       22,465       5.02       1,815,866       24,668       5.39  
                                                 
Noninterest-earning assets
    91,476                       97,573                  
Total assets
  $ 1,867,950                     $ 1,913,439                  
                                                 
Liabilities and equity
                                               
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Demand accounts
  $ 36,659       8       0.08     $ 33,817       9       0.11  
Money market and savings accounts
    117,100       134       0.45       95,148       148       0.62  
Time deposits
    1,009,823       4,927       1.94       1,044,787       8,180       3.11  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    1,163,582       5,069       1.73       1,173,752       8,337       2.82  
Borrowings
    490,313       4,866       3.94       533,323       5,087       3.78  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    1,653,895       9,935       2.38       1,707,075       13,424       3.12  
                                                 
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
                                               
Non interest-bearing deposits
    28,726                       23,006                  
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities
    12,866                       12,749                  
Total noninterest-bearing liabilities
    41,592                       35,755                  
Total liabilities
    1,695,487                       1,742,830                  
Equity
    172,463                       170,609                  
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 1,867,950                     $ 1,913,439                  
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 12,530                     $ 11,244          
Net interest rate spread (3)
                    2.64 %                     2.27 %
Net interest-earning assets (4)
  $ 122,579                     $ 108,791                  
Net interest margin (5)
                    2.80 %                     2.46 %
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
                    107.41 %                     106.37 %
____________________
(1)  Includes net deferred loan fee amortization income of $208,000 and $194,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
(2)  Average balance of mortgage related and debt securities are based on amortized historical cost.
(3)  Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing
      liabilities.
(4)  Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(5)  Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
 
 
- 31 -
 

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

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2010 versus 2009
 
   
Increase (Decrease) due to
 
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Interest income:
                 
Loans receivable(1) (2)
  $ (658 )     (1,118 )     (1,776 )
Mortgage related securities
    (286 )     (99 )     (385 )
Other earning assets(3)
    121       (163 )     (42 )
 Total interest-earning assets
    (823 )     (1,380 )     (2,203 )
                         
Interest expense:
                       
Demand accounts
    1       (2 )     (1 )
Money merket and savings accounts
    30       (44 )     (14 )
Time deposits
    (265 )     (2,988 )     (3,253 )
Total interest-bearing deposits
    (234 )     (3,034 )     (3,268 )
Borrowings
    (419 )     198       (221 )
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    (653 )     (2,836 )     (3,489 )
Net change in net interest income
  $ (170 )     1,456       1,286  

______________
(1)
Includes net deferred loan fee amortization income of $208,000 and $194,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
(2)
Non-accrual loans have been included in average loans receivable balance.
(3)    Includes available for sale securities.  Average balance of available for sale securities is based on amortized historical cost.

Total Interest Income - Total interest income decreased $2.2 million, or 8.9%, to $22.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $24.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Interest income on loans decreased $1.8 million, or 8.1%, to $20.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $22.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2009.  The decrease in interest income was primarily due to a $45.6 million, or 3.1%, decrease in the average balance of loans outstanding to $1.45 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $1.49 billion during the comparable period in 2009.  The decrease in interest income also reflects a 30 basis point decrease in the average yield on loans to 5.54% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 from 5.84% for the comparable period in 2009.  Unrecognized interest income on non-accrual loans totaled $1.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010.  This had the effect of reducing the average yield on loans during the same period by 34 basis points.  Unrecognized interest income on non-accrual loans totaled $1.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2009, effectively reducing the average yield on loans for that period by 35 basis points.

Interest income from mortgage-related securities decreased $385,000, or 22.4%, to $1.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $1.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2009.  The decrease in interest income was primarily due to a $21.2 million, or 17.4%, decrease in the average balance of mortgage-related securities to $100.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $121.8 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The decrease in interest income from mortgage-related securities also reflects a decrease in average yield.  The average yield on mortgage-related securities decreased 33 basis points to 5.27% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from 5.60% for the comparable period in 2009.  The decline in the average balance of mortgage-related securities during the three months ended September 30, 2010 reflects management’s decision to deemphasize investments in mortgage-related securities and emphasize more liquid, less volatile, government agency securities.
 
 
- 32 -
 
 
Finally, interest income from debt securities, federal funds sold and short-term investments decreased slightly to $931,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $973,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  Interest income decreased due to a 30 basis point decline in the average yield on other earning assets to 1.61% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from 1.91% for the comparable period in 2009.  The decline in average yield provided by these assets reflects the lower overall interest rate environment as opposed to a shift in investment strategy and product mix.  The decrease in average rate was partially offset by an increase of $27.4 million, or 13.5%, in the average balance of other earning assets to $229.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $202.4 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The increase in average balance reflects a strategic shift towards investments which provide higher levels of liquidity.  The Company intends to maintain higher than usual liquidity given the current economic environment and relatively low rates of return available on loans and mortgage related securities.  The average balance of debt securities, federal funds sold and short-term investments includes FHLBC stock of $21.7 million for each of the three month-periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  On October 10, 2007, the FHLBC entered into a consensual cease and desist order with its regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Board. Under the terms of the order, dividend declarations are subject to the prior written approval of the Federal Housing Finance Board.  The FHLBC has not declared a dividend since it entered into the cease and desist order.
 
Total Interest Expense - Total interest expense decreased by $3.5 million, or 26.0%, to $9.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $13.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2009.  This decrease was the result of a decrease of 74 basis points in the average cost of funds to 2.38% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from 3.12% for the comparable period ended September 30, 2009.  The decrease in interest expense resulted from a decrease in the average cost of funds as well as a decrease of $53.2 million, or 3.1%, in average interest bearing deposits and borrowings outstanding to $1.65 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to an average balance of $1.71 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Interest expense on deposits decreased $3.3 million, or 39.2%, to $5.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $8.3 million during the comparable period in 2009.  This was due to a decrease in the cost of average deposits of 109 basis points to 1.73% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 2.82% for the comparable period during 2009.  The decrease in interest expense attributable to the decrease in the cost of deposits was compounded by a decrease of $10.2 million, or 0.9%, in the average balance of interest bearing deposits to $1.16 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $1.17 billion during the comparable period in 2009.  The decrease in the cost of deposits reflects the low interest rate environment due to the Federal Reserve’s low short term interest rate policy.  These rates are typically used by financial institutions in pricing deposit products.  The decrease in the average balance of interest bearing deposits was primarily due to a $43.5 million decline in average non-local or brokered deposits.  The average balance of brokered deposits totaled $25.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $69.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  Because of the consent order issued by state and federal regulators effective December 18, 2009, the Bank is prohibited from accepting or renewing brokered deposits.

Interest expense on borrowings decreased $221,000, or 4.3%, to $4.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $5.1 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The decrease resulted from a $43.0 million, or 8.1%, decrease in average borrowings outstanding to $490.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $533.3 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The decrease in interest expense due to average balance was partially offset by a 16 basis point increase in the average cost of borrowings to 3.94% during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from 3.78% during the comparable period in 2009.  The decreased use of borrowings as a source of funding during the three months ended September 30, 2010 reflects our decision to utilize core deposits as our primary funding source.

Net Interest Income - Net interest income increased by $1.3 million or 11.4%, to $12.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $11.2 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The increase in net interest income resulted primarily from a 37 basis point increase in our interest rate spread to 2.64% for the three month period ended September 30, 2010 from 2.27% for the comparable period in 2009.  The 37 basis point increase in the interest rate spread resulted from a 74 basis point decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities, which was partially offset by a 37 basis point decrease in the yield on interest earning assets.  The increase in net interest income resulting from an increase in our net interest rate spread was compounded by an increase in net average earning assets of $13.8 million, or 12.7%, to $122.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $108.8 million during the comparable period in 2009.

Provision for Loan Losses – Our provision for loan losses decreased $2.7 million or 29.4%, to $6.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010, from $8.9 million during the comparable period during 2009.    With respect to both periods under discussion, the provision for loan losses was primarily driven by the need for additional specific reserves on impaired loans for which we have determined that the carrying amount of the loan exceeds the fair value of the underlying collateral.  During the third quarter ended September 30, 2010, impaired loans decreased $13.9 million, as compared to a $24.4 million increase during the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, net charge offs totaled $8.2 million.  The vast majority of the charge offs related to specific reserves that had been identified and provided for in prior quarters.  See the Asset Quality section for an analysis of charge-offs, nonperforming assets, specific reserves and additional provisions.
 
 
- 33 -
 
 
Noninterest Income - Total noninterest income increased $7.5 million to $11.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $4.0 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The increase resulted primarily from an increase in mortgage banking income.  Mortgage banking income increased $7.5 million to $10.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $2.9 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The increase was the result of increased mortgage loan refinancing as borrowers sought to take advantage of declines in mortgage interest rates during the period and an expansion of our mortgage banking operations over the past year.  In addition to an increase in the volume of loans sold, the expansion of our mortgage banking operations has resulted in increased levels of profitability through expansion into geographic regions and mortgage products that yield a higher margin.  During the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company sold $295.4 million of mortgage loans into the secondary market, as compared to $162.0 million during the comparable period in 2009.

Noninterest Expense - Total noninterest expense increased $8.3 million, or 84.0%, to $18.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $9.9 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The increase was primarily attributable to increased compensation, real estate owned expense and other noninterest expense.

Compensation, payroll taxes and other employee benefit expense increased $5.8 million to $10.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $4.9 million during the comparable period in 2009.  Due primarily to an expansion of our mortgage banking operations, total compensation, payroll taxes and other benefits at our mortgage banking subsidiary increased $5.7 million  to $7.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $1.6 million during the comparable period in 2009.

Real estate owned expense increased $550,000 or 35.5%, to $2.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $1.6 million during the comparable period in 2009.  Real estate owned expense includes the net operating and carrying costs related to the properties.  In addition, it includes net gain or loss recognized upon the sale of a foreclosed property, as well as writedowns recognized to maintain the properties at their estimated fair value.  During the three months ended September 30, 2010, net operating expense, which includes but is not limited to property taxes, maintenance and management fees, net of rental income increased $390,000 to $940,000 from $550,000 during the comparable period in 2009.  The increase in net operating expense compared to the prior period resulted from an increase in the number of properties owned.  The average balance of real estate owned totaled $50.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $45.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  Net losses recognized on the sale or writedown of real estate owned totaled $1.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $1.0 million during the comparable period in 2009.

Other noninterest expense increased $1.2 million or 93.2%, to $2.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $1.3 million during the comparable period in 2009.  The increase resulted from an increase in FDIC insurance premium expense of $528,000 to $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $552,000 during the comparable period in 2009 and an increase in operational costs related to the expansion of our mortgage banking operations of $511,000 to $949,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $438,000 during the comparable period in 2009.
 
Income Taxes – There was no income tax expense during the three months ended September 30, 2010 as expense was fully offset by reductions in deferred tax asset valuation allowances.  There was no income tax benefit recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2009 due to having previously utilized all net operating loss carry backs.

Net Income (Loss) - As a result of the foregoing factors, net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $493,000 as compared to net loss of $3.6 million during the comparable period in 2009.

Comparison of Financial Condition at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

Total Assets - Total assets increased by $28.0 million, or 1.5%, to $1.9 billion at September 30, 2010 from $1.87 billion at December 31, 2009. The increase in total assets is comprised of increases in cash and cash equivalents of $39.1 million and loans held for sale of $59.1 million, partially offset by decreases in loans receivable of $68.1 million and prepaid expenses and other assets of $2.4 million.

Cash and Cash EquivalentsCash and cash equivalents increased by $39.1 million, or 55.0%, to $110.3 million at September 30, 2010 from $71.1 million at December 31, 2009.  The increase in cash and cash equivalents reflects the Company’s decision to maintain higher than usual liquidity given the current economic environment and relatively low rates of return available on securities and other investments.  Of the total $39.1 million increase in cash and cash equivalents, $29.0 million reflects an increase in cash held in other depository institutions.  An additional $7.2 million of the total increase in cash and cash equivalents reflects an increase in short term investments.  Short term investments at both September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are variable rate demand notes backed by bank letters of credit.  Rates reset every seven days and the bonds are bought and sold at par with five business days notice.

Securities Available for Sale – Securities available for sale increased by $1.5 million, or 0.7%, to $206.9 million at September 30, 2010 from $205.4 million at December 31, 2009.  This change is comprised of a $7.7 million increase in net unrealized gains on debt securities to $4.0 million at September 30, 2010 compared to net unrealized losses of $3.7 million at December 31, 2009.  This increase in estimated fair value was partially offset by a $6.2 million, or 3.0%, decline in the amortized cost basis of debt securities.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the amortized cost basis of municipal securities declined by $15.7 million, or 36.0%, and the amortized cost basis of mortgage-related securities decreased by $4.9 million, or 4.1%.  The declines were partially offset by a $14.4 million, or 35.5%, increase in the amortized cost basis of government sponsored entity bonds.

Loans Held for SaleLoans held for sale increased by $61.9 million, or 137.4%, to $107.0 million at September 30, 2010, from $45.1 million at December 31, 2009.  During the current year, Waterstone Mortgage Corporation entered into interim financing agreements with two external banks that provides for a total of $55.0 in lines of credit.  Access to these lines of credit allowed Waterstone Mortgage Corporation to significantly increase its loan origination activity.
 
 
- 34 -
 
 
Loans Receivable - Loans receivable held for investment decreased $68.1 million, or 4.8%, to $1.35 billion at September 30, 2010 from $1.42 billion at December 31, 2009.  The 2010 decrease in total loans receivable was primarily attributable to a $60.3 million decrease in one- to four-family loans.  The decrease reflects a decline in loan demand for variable-rate real estate mortgage loans as recent borrowers have preferred long-term fixed-rate products that the Company does not generally retain in its portfolio.  Decreases in loan balances in this and other categories also reflect an overall decrease in demand due to current economic conditions combined with the Company’s more stringent loan underwriting requirements.  As a result of the low rate environment with respect to long-term fixed real estate mortgage products, the Company has experienced a shift in the composition of our loan originations during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from one- to four-family residential variable-rate loans to residential real estate loans collateralized by over four-family properties, as this category of borrower displayed relatively stable levels of demand for our existing products.  During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, $24.0 million in loans were transferred to real estate owned.

The following table shows loan origination, principal repayment activity, transfers to real estate owned, charge offs and sales during the periods indicated.
 

   
As of or for the
   
As of or for the
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
Year Ended
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Total gross loans receivable and held for sale at
                 
beginning of period
  $ 1,516,800       1,636,277       1,636,277  
Real estate loans originated for investment:
                       
Residential
                       
One- to four-family
    3,255       20,987       25,660  
Over four-family
    51,696       53,566       66,657  
Construction and land
    8,280       4,492       7,914  
Commercial real estate
    1,093       7,352       7,352  
Home equity
    2,984       7,781       8,491  
Total real estate loans originated for investment
    67,308       94,178       116,074  
Consumer loans originated for investment
    76       136       180  
Commerical business loans originated for investment
    6,284       8,956       12,640  
Total loans originated for investment
    73,668       103,270       128,894  
                         
Principal repayments
    (110,863 )     (154,860 )     (202,722 )
Transfers to real estate owned
    (24,030 )     (37,835 )     (54,072 )
Loan principal charged-off
    (14,758 )     (12,724 )     (23,636 )
Net activity in loans held for investment
    (75,983 )     (102,149 )     (151,536 )
                         
Loans originated for sale
    700,096       529,415       739,151  
Loans sold
    (638,182 )     (508,882 )     (707,092 )
Net activity in loans held for sale
    61,914       20,533       32,059  
Total gross loans receivable and held for sale at end of period
  $ 1,502,731       1,554,661       1,516,800  


Real Estate Owned – Total real estate owned increased $2.2 million, or 4.2%, to $53.1 million at September 30, 2010 from $50.9 million at December 31, 2009.  The $2.2 million increase was primarily due to a $2.1 million increase in over four-family residential real estate.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, real estate owned increase by $24.0 million due to transfers from loans receivable, net of charge offs.  During that same period, real estate owned was reduced by $20.6 million in real estate sales net of gains and losses.

Prepaid Expenses and Other AssetsPrepaid expenses and other assets declined by $5.2 million or 30.8%, to $11.7 million at September 30, 2010 from $16.8 million at December 31, 2009.  The decline is primarily due to net federal income tax refunds of $3.1 million received during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 plus a decline in other current and deferred income taxes of $2.5 million.
 
 
- 35 -
 
 
Deposits – Total deposits increased $7.4 million, or 0.6%, to $1.17 billion at September 30, 2010 from $1.16 billion at December 31, 2009.  Total time deposits decreased $1.7 million, or 0.2%, to $1.01 billion at September 30, 2010 from $1.01 billion at December 31, 2009.  Time deposits originated through local retail outlets increased $41.6 million, or 4.4%, to $989.5 million at September 30, 2010 from $947.9 million at December 31, 2009.  The increase in time deposits originated through our local markets was partially offset by a decrease in time deposits originated through the wholesale market.  Time deposits originated through the wholesale market decreased $43.3 million, or 68.2%, to $20.2 million at September 30, 2010 from $63.6 million at December 31, 2009.  Because of the consent order issued by state and federal regulators effective December 18, 2009, the Bank is prohibited from accepting or renewing brokered deposits and all other deposit rates are capped by the FDIC.  Total money market and savings deposits increased $7.0 million, or 7.7%, to $99.1 million at September 30, 2010 from $92.0 million at December 31, 2009.  Total demand deposits increased $2.0 million, or 3.3%, to $63.5 million at September 30, 2010 from $61.4 million at December 31, 2009.

Borrowings – Total borrowings decreased $998,000, or 0.2%, to $506.9 million at September 30, 2010 from $507.9 million at December 31, 2009.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, four FHLBC advances totaling $48.9 million with an average rate of 3.04% matured.  The September 30, 2010 balance includes $47.9 million on two bank lines of credit totaling $55.0 million that were used to finance loans held for sale.  Interest rates on the lines of credit are based on the note rate of the loans financed and equaled 5.00% at September 30, 2010.  There was no comparable balance at December 31, 2009.

Advance Payments by Borrowers for Taxes - Advance payments by borrowers for taxes increased $22.4 million to $23.0 million at September 30, 2010 from $630,000 at December 31, 2009.  The increase was the result of payments received from borrowers for their real estate taxes and is seasonally normal, as balances increase during the course of the calendar year until real estate tax obligations are paid out in the fourth quarter.

Other Liabilities - Other liabilities decreased $5.9 million, or 22.5%, to $20.3 million at September 30, 2010 from $26.3 million at December 31, 2009.  The decrease resulted from an $8.7 million seasonal decrease in outstanding escrow checks.  The Company receives payments from borrowers for their real estate taxes during the course of the calendar year until real estate tax obligations are paid out in the fourth quarter.  These amounts remain classified as other liabilities until settled.

Shareholders’ Equity – Shareholders’ equity increased $5.2 million, or 3.1%, to $173.7 million at September 30, 2010 from $168.6 million at December 31, 2009.  The increase was primarily due to a $5.2 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss resulting from an increase in the fair value of available for sale securities.  Other comprehensive income totaled $3.2 million at September 30, 2010, compared to other comprehensive losses of $2.0 million at December 31, 2009.  In addition to the increase in accumulated other comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity was positively affected by a $794,000 increase in additional paid in capital related to stock compensation benefits and a $640,000 decrease in unearned ESOP shares.  The aforementioned increases in shareholders’ equity were partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in retained earnings reflecting the net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

 
 
- 36 -
 


ASSET QUALITY

 
The following table summarizes nonperforming loans and assets:
 
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
 

   
At September 30,
   
At December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Non-accrual loans:
           
Residential
           
One- to four-family
  $ 63,595       45,988  
Over four-family
    26,395       16,683  
Construction and land
    5,203       6,269  
Commercial real estate
    2,978       2,773  
Home equity
    381       1,159  
Commercial
    1,672       2,441  
Total non-accrual loans
    100,224       75,313  
Real estate owned
               
One- to four-family
    22,871       27,016  
Over four-family
    14,958       8,824  
Construction and land
    10,482       10,458  
Commercial real estate
    4,781       4,631  
Total real estate owned
    53,092       50,929  
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 153,316       126,242  
                 
Total non-accrual loans to total loans receivable
    7.41 %     5.30 %
Total non-accrual loans to total assets
    5.29 %     4.03 %
Total nonperforming assets to total assets
    8.09 %     6.76 %


 
The following table summarizes troubled debt restructurings:

 
TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS


   
At September 30,
   
At December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
             
Troubled debt restructurings - accrual
  $ 31,751       42,730  
Troubled debt restructurings - non-accrual
    12,085       9,355  
Total troubled debt restructurings
  $ 43,836       52,085  
                 
Total non-accrual loans and accruing troubled debt
               
restructurings to total loans receivable
    9.76 %     8.31 %

 
 
- 37 -
 
 
The following table summarizes loan delinquency in total dollars and as a percentage of the total loan portfolio:
 
LOAN DELINQUENCY


   
At September 30,
   
At December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
             
Loans past due less than 90 days
    27,252       51,062  
Loans past due in excess of 90 days
    85,770       62,354  
Total loans past due
    113,022       113,416  
                 
Total loans past due to total loans receivable
    8.36 %     7.99 %


Total non-accrual loans increased by $24.9 million, or 33.1%, to $100.2 million as of September 30, 2010 compared to $75.3 million as of December 31, 2009.  The ratio of non-accrual loans to total loans receivable was 7.41% at September 30, 2010 compared to 5.30% at December 31, 2009.  The $24.9 million increase in nonaccrual loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted from $72.0 million in loans that were placed on non-accrual status during the period.  The increase due to loans placed on non-accrual during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was partially offset by $24.0 million in transfers to real estate owned (net of $2.9 million in charge-offs), $11.6 million in partial charge-offs, $7.4 million in loans that returned to accrual status and $1.7 million in loans that were paid in full.

Of the $100.2 million in total non-accrual loans as of September 30, 2010, $82.9 million have been specifically reviewed to assess whether a specific valuation allowance is necessary.  A specific valuation allowance is established for an amount equal to the impairment when the carrying value of the loan exceeds the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate or the fair value of the underlying collateral with an adjustment made for costs to dispose of the asset.  Based upon these specific reviews, a total of $14.7 million in partial charge-offs have been recorded with respect to these loans.  In addition, specific reserves totaling $9.1 million have been recorded as of September 30, 2010.  The remaining $17.3 million of non-accrual loans were reviewed on an aggregate basis and $4.0 million in general valuation allowance was deemed necessary as of September 30, 2010.   The $4.0 million in general valuation allowance is based upon a migration analysis performed with respect to similar non-accrual loans in prior periods.

Total real estate owned increased by $2.2 million, or 4.3%, to $53.1 million at September 30, 2010, compared to $50.9 million at December 31, 2009.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, $24.0 million was transferred from loans to real estate owned upon completion of foreclosure.  Declines in property values evidenced by updated appraisals, responses to list prices on properties held for sale and/or deterioration in the condition of properties resulted in write downs totaling $1.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  During the same period, proceeds from the sale of real estate owned totaled $21.3 million which resulted in a net gain of $695,000.  The net gain on sale of real estate owned properties represented 3.3% of the recorded value of the properties as of the date of sale.  We owned 252 properties as of September 30, 2010, compared to 226 properties at December 31, 2009.  Of the $53.1 million in real estate owned properties as of September 30, 2010, $42.6 million consist of one– to four-family, over four-family and commercial real estate properties.  Of all real estate owned, these property types present the greatest opportunity to offset operating expenses through the generation of rental income.  Of the $42.6 million in one- to four-family, over four-family and commercial real estate properties, $18.2 million, or 42.6%, represent properties that are generating rental revenue.  Foreclosed properties are recorded at the lower of carrying value or fair value with charge-offs, if any, charged to the allowance for loan losses upon transfer to real estate owned.  The fair value is primarily based upon updated appraisals in addition to an analysis of current real estate market conditions.

During 2010 and 2009, as a result of continuing efforts to mitigate the risk of loan losses, the Company has increased its activity with respect to loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring.  Troubled debt restructurings involve granting concessions to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulty by temporarily modifying the terms of the loan, such as changes in payment schedule or interest rate, in an effort to avoid foreclosure.   As of September 30, 2010, $43.8 million in loans had been modified in troubled debt restructurings, and $12.1 million of these loans are included in the non-accrual loan total.  The remaining $31.7 million, while meeting the internal requirements for modification in a troubled debt restructuring, were current with respect to payments under their original loan terms at the time of the restructuring and thus, continue to be included with accruing loans.  Provided these loans perform in accordance with the modified terms, they will continue to be accounted for on an accrual basis.  Typical restructured terms include six to twelve months of principal forbearance and a reduction in interest rate.  Of the $43.8 million in restructured loans as of September 30, 2010, $29.7 million were one- to four-family loans.  An additional $10.0 million were over four-family loans.  All loans that have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring are considered to be impaired.  As such, an analysis has been performed with respect to all of these loans to determine the need for a valuation reserve.  When a borrower is expected to perform in accordance with the restructured terms and ultimately return to and perform under original terms, a valuation allowance is established for an amount equal to the impairment when the carrying amount of the loan exceeds the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted using the loan’s original effective rate.  When there is doubt as to the borrower’s ability to perform under the restructured terms or ultimately return to and perform under market terms, a valuation allowance is established equal to the impairment when the carrying amount exceeds fair value of the underlying collateral.  As a result of the impairment analysis, a $3.0 million valuation allowance has been established as of September 30, 2010 with respect to the $43.8 million in troubled debt restructurings.
 
There were no accruing loans past due 90 days or more during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
 
 
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A summary of the allowance for loan losses is shown below:

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

   
At or for the Nine Months
 
   
Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
             
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 28,494     $ 25,167  
Provision for loan losses
    18,737       19,055  
Charge-offs:
               
Mortgage
               
One- to four-family
    9,889       9,522  
Over four-family
    2,536       1,523  
Commercial real estate
    555       676  
Home Equity
    378       604  
Construction and land
    70       638  
Consumer
    13       2  
Commercial
    1,464       -  
Total charge-offs
    14,905       12,965  
Recoveries:
               
Mortgage
               
One- to four-family
    126       140  
Over four-family
    4       23  
Construction and land
    2       77  
Home Equity
    2       -  
Consumer
    -       1  
Total recoveries
    134       241  
Net charge-offs
    14,771       12,724  
Allowance at end of period
  $ 32,460     $ 31,498  
                 
Ratios:
               
Allowance for loan losses to non-accrual loans at end of period
    32.39 %     33.69 %
Allowance for loan losses to loans receivable at end of period
    2.40 %     2.15 %
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding (annualized)
    1.37 %     1.11 %
                                        _______________

At September 30, 2010, the allowance for loan losses was $32.5 million, compared to $28.5 million at December 31, 2009.  As of September 30, 2010, the allowance for loan losses represented 2.40% of total loans receivable and was equal to 32.39% of non-performing loans, compared to 2.01% and 37.83%, respectively, at December 31, 2009.  The $4.0 million increase in the allowance for loan loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is attributable to a $2.1 million increase in specific loan loss reserves related to impaired loans and a $1.9 million increase in the general valuation allowance.  The increase in specific loan loss reserves was the result of an increase in impaired loans and a decline in the value of collateral as evidenced by updated appraisals reflecting further decline in the value of those properties during the period.  The increase in the general valuation allowance resulted from an increase in loans that, while still performing, have been identified as having higher risk characteristics.  The increase in the amount and number of loans identified as exhibiting elevated levels of risk with respect to loss compounded the increase in overall delinquent loans.  Loans with elevated risk profiles include loans internally classified as special mention and watch.  These loans resulted in a $2.2 million increase to the general valuation allowance during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  Weakness in the residential real estate market has continued for the past three years and the risk of loss on loans secured by residential real estate remains at an elevated level.

Net charge-offs totaled $14.8 million, or an annualized 1.37% of average loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $12.7 million, or an annualized 1.11% of average loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Of the $14.8 million in net charge-offs during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, $9.8 million related to loans secured by one- to four-family residential loans.
 
 
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The $18.7 million loan loss provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflects the Company’s conclusion as to the need for the ending allowance to be $32.5 million following the net charge-offs recorded during the period and a review of the Bank’s loan portfolio and general economic conditions.  The increase reflects the estimated allowance for loan losses necessary to reflect risks in the portfolio, as well as the $14.8 million that was added to the provision to replenish net charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

The allowance for loan losses has been determined in accordance with GAAP. We are responsible for the timely and periodic determination of the amount of the allowance required. Future provisions for loan losses will continue to be based upon our assessment of the overall loan portfolio and the underlying collateral, trends in nonperforming loans, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. To the best of management’s knowledge, all probable losses have been provided for in the allowance for loan losses.

The establishment of the amount of the loan loss allowance inherently involves judgments by management as to the adequacy of the allowance, which ultimately may or may not be correct. Higher than anticipated rates of loan default would likely result in a need to increase provisions in future years. See “Critical Accounting Policies” above for a discussion on the use of judgment in determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The financial statements and accompanying notes of the Company have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. GAAP generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without consideration for changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations. Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater impact on performance than do the effects of inflation.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We maintain liquid assets at levels we consider adequate to meet our liquidity needs.  Our liquidity ratio averaged 4.5% and 4.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The liquidity ratio is equal to average daily cash and cash equivalents for the period divided by average total assets.  We adjust our liquidity levels to fund loan commitments, repay our borrowings, fund deposit outflows and pay real estate taxes on mortgage loans.  We also adjust liquidity as appropriate to meet asset and liability management objectives.  The operational adequacy of our liquidity position at any point in time is dependent upon the judgment of the senior management as supported by the Asset/Liability Committee.  Liquidity is monitored on a daily, weekly and monthly basis using a variety of measurement tools and indicators.
 
Our primary sources of liquidity are deposits, amortization and repayment of loans, sales of loans held for sale, maturities of investment securities and other short-term investments, and earnings and funds provided from operations.  While scheduled principal repayments on loans are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan repayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and rates offered by our competitors.  We set the interest rates on our deposits to maintain a desired level of total deposits.  In addition, we invest excess funds in short-term, interest-earning assets, which provide liquidity to meet lending requirements.  Additional sources of liquidity used for the purpose of managing long- and short-term cash flows include advances from the FHLBC.
 
A portion of our liquidity consists of cash and cash equivalents, which are a product of our operating, investing and financing activities.  At September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, $110.3 million and $95.4 million of our assets were invested in cash and cash equivalents.  Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of the following: $86.3 million in cash held at the Federal Reserve Bank and other depository institutions, $12.5 million in federal funds sold and $11.5 million in short term investments which are variable rate demand notes backed by bank letters of credit.  Our primary sources of cash are principal repayments on loans, proceeds from the calls and maturities of debt and mortgage-related securities, increases in deposit accounts, federal funds purchased and advances from the FHLBC.
 
 
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During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the collection of principal payment on loans, net of loan originations provided cash flow of $29.3 million, compared to $44.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The decrease in loans receivable is reflective of the general decline in loan demand for variable-rate residential real estate mortgage loans combined with the Company’s tightened underwriting standards given the current economic environment.  The decrease in the loan portfolio during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily attributable to a $60.3 million decrease in one- to four-family loans.
 
Deposit flows are generally affected by the level of interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by local competitors, and other factors.  Deposits increased by $7.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 consistent with national trends.  As a result of the consent order issued by state and federal regulators effective December 18, 2009, the Bank is prohibited from accepting or renewing brokered deposits and all other deposit rates are capped by the FDIC.
 
Liquidity management is both a daily and longer-term function of business management.  If we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, borrowing agreements exist with the FHLBC which provide an additional source of funds.  At September 30, 2010, we had $375.0 million in advances from the FHLBC, of which $25.0 million matured in October 2010.  The remainder have final maturity dates in 2016, 2017 or 2018 and are callable quarterly until maturity.  As an additional source of funds, we also enter into repurchase agreements.  At September 30, 2010, we had $84.0 million in repurchase agreements.  The agreements mature at various times beginning in 2017, however, all are callable quarterly until maturity.
 
On October 10, 2007, the FHLBC entered into a consensual cease and desist order with its regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Board. Under the terms of the order, capital stock repurchases and redemptions, including redemptions upon membership withdrawal or other termination, are prohibited unless the FHLBC has received approval of the Director of the Office of Supervision of the Federal Housing Finance Board ("OS Director"). The order also provides that dividend declarations are subject to the prior written approval of the OS Director.  At the request of the FHLBC, on July 24, 2008, the Finance Board amended the cease and desist order to allow the FHLBC to redeem incremental purchases of capital stock tied to increased levels of borrowing through advances after repayment of those new advances.  We currently hold, at cost, $21.7 million of FHLBC stock, all of which we believe we will ultimately be able to recover.  Based upon correspondence we received from the FHLBC, there is currently no expectation that this cease and desist order will impact the short- and long-term funding options provided by the FHLBC.
 
At September 30, 2010, we had outstanding commitments to originate loans of $7.1 million, unfunded commitments under construction loans of $4.5 million, unfunded commitments under business lines of credit of $10.8 million and unfunded commitments under home equity lines of credit and standby letters of credit of $27.6 million.  At September 30, 2010, certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in one year or less totaled $447.2 million.  Based on prior experience, management believes that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with us, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case.  In the event a significant portion of our deposits is not retained by us, we will have to utilize other funding sources, such as FHLBC advances, in order to maintain our level of assets.  However, we cannot assure that such borrowings would be available on attractive terms, or at all, if and when needed.  Alternatively, we would reduce our level of liquid assets, such as our cash and cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale in order to meet funding needs.  In addition, the cost of such deposits may be significantly higher if market interest rates are higher or there is an increased amount of competition for deposits in our market area at the time of renewal.
 

 
 
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 Contractual Obligations, Commitments, Contingent Liabilities, and Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
 
The following tables present information indicating various contractual obligations and commitments of the Company as of September 30, 2010 and the respective maturity dates.
 

 
Contractual Obligations
 
               
More than
   
More than
       
               
One Year
   
Three Years
   
Over
 
         
One Year
   
Through
   
Through
   
Five
 
   
Total
   
or Less
   
Three Years
   
Five Years
   
Years
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Deposits without a stated maturity (4)
  $ 162,544       162,544       -       -       -  
Certificates of deposit (4)
    1,009,715       447,209       551,466       11,040       -  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances (1)
    375,000       25,000       -       -       350,000  
Repurchase agreements (2)(4)
    84,000       -       -       -       84,000  
Lines of credit
    47,902       47,902                          
Operating leases (3)
    357       241       116       -       -  
Salary continuation agreements
    1,249       272       340       340       297  
    $ 1,680,767       683,168       551,922       11,380       434,297  
_______________
(1)  Secured under a blanket security agreement on qualifying assets, principally, mortgage loans.  Excludes interest which will accrue on the
      advances.  All Federal Home Loan Bank advances with maturities exceeding one year are callable on a quarterly basis.
(2)  The repurchase agreements are callable on a quarterly basis until maturity.
(3)  Represents non-cancelable operating leases for offices and equipment.
(4)  Excludes interest.


The following table details the amounts and expected maturities of significant off-balance sheet commitments as of September 30, 2010.


Other Commitments
 
               
More than
   
More than
       
               
One Year
   
Three Years
   
Over
 
         
One Year
   
Through
   
Through
   
Five
 
   
Total
   
or Less
   
Three Years
   
Five Years
   
Years
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Real estate loan commitments (1)
  $ 7,078       7,078       -       -       -  
Unused portion of home equity lines of credit (2)
    26,553       26,553       -       -       -  
Unused portion of business lines of credit
    10,842       10,842       -       -       -  
Unused portion of construction loans (3)
    4,472       4,472       -       -       -  
Standby letters of credit
    1,001       910       91       -       -  
Total Other Commitments
  $ 49,946       49,855       91       -       -  
______________
General:  Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the
   contract and generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses.
(1)  Commitments for loans are extended to customers for up to 90 days after which they expire.
(2)  Unused portions of home equity loans are available to the borrower for up to 10 years.
(3)  Unused portions of construction loans are available to the borrower for up to 1 year.

 

 
 
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Management of Market Risk

General. The majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature.  Consequently, our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk.  Our assets, consisting primarily of mortgage loans, have longer maturities than our liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits.  As a result, a principal part of our business strategy is to manage interest rate risk and reduce the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates.  Accordingly, WaterStone Bank’s board of directors has established an Asset/Liability Committee which is responsible for evaluating the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, for determining the level of risk that is appropriate given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives, and for managing this risk consistent with the guidelines approved by the Board of directors.  Management monitors the level of interest rate risk on a regular basis and the Asset/Liability Committee meets at least weekly to review our asset/liability policies and interest rate risk position, which are evaluated quarterly.

We have sought to manage our interest rate risk in order to minimize the exposure of our earnings and capital to changes in interest rates.  We have implemented the following strategies to manage our interest rate risk: (i) emphasizing variable rate loans including variable rate one- to four-family, and commercial real estate loans as well as three to five year commercial real estate balloon loans; (ii) reducing and shortening the expected average life of the investment portfolio; and (iii) whenever possible, lengthening the term structure of our deposit base and our borrowings from the FHLBC.  These measures should reduce the volatility of our net interest income in different interest rate environments.
 
Income Simulation.  Simulation analysis is an estimate of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time.  At least quarterly we review the potential effect changes in interest rates may have on the repayment or repricing of rate sensitive assets and funding requirements of rate sensitive liabilities.  Our most recent simulation uses projected repricing of assets and liabilities at September 30, 2010 on the basis of contractual maturities, anticipated repayments and scheduled rate adjustments.  Prepayment rate assumptions may have a significant impact on interest income simulation results.  Because of the large percentage of loans and mortgage-backed securities we hold, rising or falling interest rates may have a significant impact on the actual prepayment speeds of our fixed-rate mortgage related assets that may in turn affect our interest rate sensitivity position.  When interest rates rise, prepayment speeds slow and the average expected lives of our fixed-rate assets would tend to lengthen more than the expected average lives of our liabilities and therefore would most likely have a negative impact on net interest income and earnings.  This effect is offset by the impact that variable-rate assets have on net interest income as interest rates rise and fall.
 
 
Percentage Increase (Decrease)
in Estimated Annual Net
Interest Income Over 12 Months
   
300 basis point gradual rise in rates
2.73%
200 basis point gradual rise in rates
0.82%
100 basis point gradual rise in rates
(0.96%)
100 basis point gradual decline in rates
(3.63%)
200 basis point gradual decline in rates
(6.01%)
300 basis point gradual decline in rates
(7.53%)
 
WaterStone Bank’s Asset/Liability policy limits projected changes in net average annual interest income to a maximum decline of 20% for various levels of interest rate changes measured over a 12-month period when compared to the flat rate scenario.  In addition, projected changes in the economic value of equity are limited to a maximum decline of 10% to 80% for interest rate movements of 100 to 300 basis points when compared to the flat rate scenario.  These limits are re-evaluated on a periodic basis and may be modified, as appropriate.  Because our balance sheet is asset sensitive, net interest income is projected to decline as interest rates fall.  At September 30, 2010, a 100 basis point gradual increase in interest rates had the effect of decreasing forecast net interest income by 0.96% while a 100 basis point decrease in rates had the effect of decreasing net interest income by 3.63%.  At September 30, 2010, a 100 basis point gradual increase in interest rates had the effect of increasing the economic value of equity by 2.89% while a 100 basis point decrease in rates had the effect of decreasing the economic value of equity by 3.32%.  While we believe the assumptions used are reasonable, there can be no assurance that assumed prepayment rates will approximate actual future mortgage-backed security and loan repayment activity.
 
 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures : Company management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting : There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
 
- 43 -
 




We are not involved in any pending legal proceedings as a defendant other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business.  At September 30, 2010, we believe that any liability arising from the resolution of any pending legal proceedings will not be material to our financial condition or results of operations.
 
 
In addition to the “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, we set forth the following additional risk factors.
 
The Company Operates in a Highly Regulated Environment and is Subject to Supervision and Examination by Various Regulatory Agencies
 
As a savings bank holding company, the Company is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the Bank is regulated separately by various federal and state banking regulators.  This regulation is primarily intended to protect the Bank’s customers and their deposits rather than the Company’s shareholders.  In addition, the Company’s common stock is registered under the Exchange Act and it is subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and to public reporting requirements.
 
Under applicable laws, the Office of Thrift Supervision, the FDIC, as the Bank’s primary federal regulator and deposit insurer, and the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions as the Bank’s chartering authority, have the ability to impose sanctions, restrictions and requirements on the Company and on the Bank if they determine, upon examination or otherwise, violations of laws with which the Company and the Bank must comply, or weaknesses or failures with respect to general standards of safety and soundness.  Banking regulators can take actions at any time which could have an adverse impact on the Company and on the Bank.  These actions could include raising minimum capital amounts, restricting growth or other actions.  Noncompliance can result in more severe restrictions and civil money penalties.  Applicable law prohibits disclosure of specific examination findings by an institution although formal enforcement actions are routinely disclosed by regulatory authorities.
 
Challenges Posed by The Current Operating Environment
 
The Company is operating in a difficult and uncertain economic environment which presents greater challenges in increasing capital levels.  Options normally available to increase capital levels such as issuing common or preferred stock or borrowing funds at cost effective rates may not be available.  Sales of either fixed assets or pools of loans forced by an immediate need to increase capital may also result in a negative impact to the Company.  In addition to the deteriorating credit quality due to the economic downturn, high unemployment rate and contraction of the U.S. real estate market which have been reflected in higher provision for loan losses and loan charge-offs, these same trends may also cause valuation changes and losses in other balance sheet items, most notably the investment portfolio.  All of these factors have reduced the Company’s capital levels and may continue to do so in future periods.
 
 

                    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.
 


 
WATERSTONE FINANCIAL, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: November 5, 2010
  /s/ Douglas S. Gordon
 
Douglas S. Gordon
 
Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 5, 2010
  /s/ Richard C. Larson 
 
Richard C. Larson
 
Chief Financial Officer


 
 
- 44 -
 


WATERSTONE FINANCIAL, INC.

Form 10-Q for Quarter Ended September 30, 2010



Exhibit No.
Description
Filed Herewith
31.1
Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 302 Certification signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Waterstone Financial, Inc.
X
31.2
Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 302 Certification signed by the Chief Financial Officer of Waterstone Financial, Inc.
X
32.1
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S. C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Waterstone Financial, Inc.
X
32.2
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S. C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 signed by the Chief Financial Officer of Waterstone Financial, Inc.
X

 
 
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