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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2011

 

or

 

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

 

For the transition period from __________________ to _________________

 

Commission File Number 0-51589

NEW ENGLAND BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland 04-3693643
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

855 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut 06082
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(860) 253-5200
(Issuer’s telephone number)

 

Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 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 S 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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes S No £

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer £ Accelerated filer £ Non-accelerated filer £ Smaller Reporting Company S

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes £ No S

 

The Issuer had 5,807,583 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of February 10, 2012.

 

 

 



 
  

 

Table of Contents

 

NEW ENGLAND BANCSHARES, INC.

FORM 10-Q

 

INDEX

 

      Page
       
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
       
Item 1. Financial Statements    
       
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 (Unaudited) and March 31, 2011   1
       
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)   2
       
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity at December 31, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)   3
       
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)   4
       
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)   6
       
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   19
       
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   29
       
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.   30
       
PART II: OTHER INFORMATION    
       
Item 1. Legal Proceedings   30
       
Item 1A Risk Factors   30
       
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   31
       
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities   31
       
Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)   31
       
Item 5. Other Information   31
       
Item 6. Exhibits   32
       
SIGNATURES   33
       
EXHIBITS   34-37

 

 
  

 

Table of Contents

 

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements. 

 

NEW ENGLAND BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

   December 31, 2011   March 31, 2011 
ASSETS  (Unaudited)     
Cash and due from banks  $7,773   $8,738 
Interest-bearing demand deposits with other banks   58,089    34,865 
Money market mutual funds       9 
Total cash and cash equivalents   65,862   43,612 
Investments in available-for-sale securities, at fair value   59,481    59,268 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost   4,396    4,396 
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $5,578 as of December 31, 2011 and $5,686 as of March 31, 2011   548,132    526,595 
Loans held for sale   308     
Premises and equipment, net   6,308    6,245 
Other real estate owned   1,559    1,496 
Accrued interest receivable   2,357    2,451 
Deferred income taxes, net   4,738    4,874 
Cash surrender value of life insurance   10,286    10,023 
Identifiable intangible assets   1,005    1,287 
Goodwill   16,783    16,783 
Other assets   3,387    5,014 
Total assets  $724,602   $682,044 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Deposits:          
Noninterest-bearing  $65,523   $59,787 
Interest-bearing   509,938    480,982 
Total deposits   575,461    540,769 
Advanced payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance   2,539    1,400 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances   37,577    39,113 
Subordinated debentures   3,925    3,918 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   27,494    21,666 
Other liabilities   4,267    4,487 
Total liabilities   651,263    611,353 
           
Stockholders’ Equity:          
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share: 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued        
Common stock, par value $.01 per share: 19,000,000 shares authorized; 6,945,591 shares issued at December 31, 2011 and 6,938,087 shares issued at March 31, 2011   69    69 
Paid-in capital   60,003    59,876 
Retained earnings   22,949    20,091 
Unearned ESOP shares, 147,641 shares at December 31, 2011 and 181,515 at March 31, 2011   (1,476)   (1,714)
Treasury stock, 931,776 shares at December 31, 2011 and 781,411 March 31, 2011, at cost   (8,922)   (7,431)
Unearned shares, stock-based plans, no shares at December 31, 2011 and 35,984 shares at March 31, 2011       (386)
Accumulated other comprehensive income   716    186 
Total stockholders’ equity   73,339    70,691 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $724,602   $682,044 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

NEW ENGLAND BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

 

(Unaudited)

 (In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   December 31,   December 31, 
   2011   2010   2011   2010 
Interest and dividend income:                    
Interest on loans  $7,647   $7,553   $22,744   $22,993 
Interest and dividends on securities:                    
Taxable   295    372    988    1,368 
Tax-exempt   179    179    506    513 
Interest on federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits and dividends on money market mutual funds   49    40    125    100 
Total interest and dividend income   8,170    8,144    24,363    24,974 
                     
Interest expense:                    
Interest on deposits   2,057    2,211    6,258    6,650 
Interest on advanced payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance   4    4    12    11 
Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank advances   311    413    946    1,515 
Interest on subordinated debentures   26    25    76    143 
Interest on securities sold under agreements to repurchase   60    68    156    205 
Total interest expense   2,458    2,721    7,448    8,524 
Net interest and dividend income   5,712    5,423    16,915    16,450 
Provision for loan losses   362    359    1,237    1,666 
Net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses   5,350    5,064    15,678    14,784 
                     
Noninterest income:                    
Service charges on deposit accounts   346    321    1,031    1,018 
Gain on sale of securities, net   64    50    211    259 
Gain on sale of loans   35    80    164    297 
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies   86    89    263    273 
Gain from legal settlement   1,283        1,283     
Other income   83    6    274    281 
Total noninterest income   1,897    546    3,226    2,128 
Noninterest expense:                    
Salaries and employee benefits   2,136    2,071    6,654    6,268 
Occupancy and equipment expense   807    829    2,431    2,485 
Advertising and promotion   134    70    408    237 
Professional fees   488    187    841    476 
Data processing expense   177    166    525    501 
FDIC insurance assessment   157    228    539    674 
Stationery and supplies   40    46    136    153 
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets   90    101    283    316 
Write-down of other real estate owned           141    308 
Other real estate owned   54    37    153    140 
Other expense   501    469    1,464    1,543 
Total noninterest expense   4,584    4,204    13,575    13,101 
Income before income taxes   2,663    1,406    5,329    3,811 
Income tax expense   982    496    1,937    1,371 
Net income  $1,681   $910   $3,392   $2,440 
                     
Earnings per share:                    
Basic  $0.29   $0.15   $0.57   $0.41 
Diluted  $0.28   $0.15   $0.57   $0.41 
Dividends per share  $0.03   $0.03   $0.09   $0.07 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEW ENGLAND BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Condensed Consolidated Statements Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

For the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2011

(in thousands except for share amounts)

 

                       Unearned             
                       Shares             
                       Stock-       Accumulated     
                   Unearned   Based       Other     
    Common Stock     Paid-in    Retained    ESOP    Incentive    Treasury    Comprehensive 
    Shares    Amount    Capital    Earnings    Shares    Plans    Stock    Income    Total 
                                              
Balance, March 31, 2010   6,938,087   $69   $59,786   $17,530   $(1,952)  $(522)  $(7,302)  $298   $67,907 
ESOP shares released (33,892 shares)           3        238                241 
Compensation cost for stock-based incentive plans           86            102            188 
Dividends paid ($0.07 per share)               (416)                   (416)
Treasury stock purchases (17,613 shares)                           (129)       (129)
Comprehensive income:                                             
Net income               2,440                    2,440 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax effect                               (494)   (494)
Total Comprehensive income                                   1,946 
                                              
Balance, December 31, 2010   6,938,087   $69   $59,875   $19,554   $(1,714)  $(420)  $(7,431)  $(196)  $69,737 
                                              
Balance, March 31, 2011   6,938,087   $69   $59,876   $20,091   $(1,714)  $(386)  $(7,431)  $186   $70,691 
Issuance of stock for option exercise   7,504        62                        62 
ESOP shares released (33,874 shares)           85        238                323 
Compensation cost for stock-based incentive plans           74            57            131 
Dividends paid ($0.09 per share)               (534)                   (534)
Treasury stock purchases (125,018 shares)                           (1,256)       (1,256)
Transfer of ungranted incentive stock to treasury stock (25,347 shares)           (94)           329    (235)        
Comprehensive income:                                             
Net income               3,392                    3,392 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax effect                               530    530 
Total Comprehensive income                                   3,922 
                                              
Balance, December 31, 2011   6,945,591   $69   $60,003   $22,949   $(1,476)  $   $(8,922)  $716   $73,339 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEW ENGLAND BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

   Nine Months Ended 
   December 31, 
   2011   2010 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income  $3,392   $2,440 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Net amortization of fair value adjustments   79    (309)
Accretion of securities, net   68    (45)
Gain on sales and calls of investments, net   (211)   (259)
Writedown of other real estate owned   141    308 
Provision for loan losses   1,237    1,666 
Gain on sale of loans, net   (164)   (297)
Loans originated for sale   (3,872)   (2,479)
Proceeds from sale of loans for sale   3,641    2,562 
Loss on sale of other real estate owned   15    9 
Change in deferred loan origination costs, net   (204)   (574)
Depreciation and amortization   638    659 
Decrease in accrued interest receivable   94    280 
Deferred income tax benefit   (202)   (264)
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies   (263)   (273)
Decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets   1,611    2,474 
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets   282    316 
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities   114    (543)
Undistributed net loss of subsidiary       52 
ESOP shares released   323    241 
Compensation cost for stock option plan   57    85 
Compensation cost for stock-based incentive plan   74    102 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities   6,850    6,151 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchases of available-for-sale securities   (32,576)   (32,136)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities   18,968    15,065 
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities   14,076    21,964 
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned   311    589 
Loan originations and principal collections, net   (28,528)   (5,699)
Purchases of loans       (9,206)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off   89     
Proceeds from sale of loans   5,344    8,276 
Non-refundable deposit on other real estate owned   6     
Investment in cash surrender value of life insurance       (71)
Capital expenditures - premises and equipment   (682)   (107)
           
Net cash used in investing activities   (22,992)   (1,325)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

NEW ENGLAND BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

(continued)

 

   Nine Months Ended 
   December 31, 
   2011   2010 
         
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Net increase in demand, NOW, MMDA and savings accounts   31,543    16,107 
Net increase in time deposits   3,149    466 
Net increase in advanced payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance   1,139    952 
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances       1,798 
Principal payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances   (1,539)   (23,038)
Net increase in securities sold under agreement to repurchase   5,828    5,232 
Purchase of treasury stock   (1,256)   (129)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options   62     
Payments of cash dividends on common stock   (534)   (416)
           
Net cash provided by financing activities   38,392    972 
           
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   22,250    5,798 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   43,612    38,982 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $65,862   $44,780 
           
Supplemental disclosures:          
Interest paid  $7,463   $8,980 
Income taxes paid   2,461    1,417 
(Decrease) increase in due from broker   (335)   500 
Loans transferred to other real estate owned   536    966 
Other real estate owned transferred to other assets       1,248 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEW ENGLAND BANCSHARES, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 – Nature of Operations

 

New England Bancshares, Inc. (“New England Bancshares,” or the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation and the bank holding company for New England Bank (the “Bank”). The principal asset of the Company is its investment in the Bank with branches in Hartford, Tolland and New Haven Counties. The Bank, incorporated in 1999, is a Connecticut chartered commercial bank headquartered in Enfield, Connecticut. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the FDIC. The Bank is engaged principally in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and investing those deposits primarily in residential real estate loans, commercial real estate loans, and commercial loans, and to a lesser extent, home equity loans and lines of credit and consumer loans.

 

NOTE 2 – Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial statements and the instructions to Form 10-Q, and accordingly do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary, consisting of only normal recurring accruals, to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented. In preparing the interim financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. The interim results of operations presented are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the year ending March 31, 2012 or any interim period.

 

While management believes that the disclosures presented are adequate so as not to make the information misleading, it is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2011.

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2011 was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements, but does not include all the disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

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NOTE 3 – Earnings per Share (EPS)

 

Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity. There were 130,146 and 143,293 shares that were anti-dilutive for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, 158,664 shares were anti-dilutive for both the three and nine month periods. Anti-dilutive shares are stock options with exercise prices in excess of the weighted-average market value for the same period and are not included in the determination of diluted earnings per share. Unallocated common shares held by the Bank’s employee stock ownership plan are not included in the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating both basic and diluted EPS.

 

   Income   Shares   Per-Share 
   (Numerator)   (Denominator)   Amount 
   (In thousands)         
Three Months ended December 31, 2011               
Basic EPS               
Net Income  $1,681          
Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to unvested shares             
Net income and income available to common stockholders  $1,681    5,891,989   $0.29 
Effect of dilutive securities options       83,719      
Diluted EPS               
Income available to common stockholders and assumed conversions  $1,681    5,975,708   $0.28 
                
Nine Months ended December 31, 2011               
Basic EPS               
Net Income  $3,392          
Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to unvested shares   (4)         
Net income and income available to common stockholders  $3,388    5,923,897   $0.57 
Effect of dilutive securities options       66,983      
Diluted EPS               
Income available to common stockholders and assumed conversions  $3,388    5,990,880   $0.57 
                
Three Months ended December 31, 2010               
Basic EPS               
Net Income  $910          
Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to unvested shares   (2)         
Net income and income available to common stockholders  $908    5,910,582   $0.15 
Effect of dilutive securities options       26,992      
Diluted EPS               
Income available to common stockholders and assumed conversions  $908    5,937,574   $0.15 
                
Nine Months ended December 31, 2010               
Basic EPS               
Net Income  $2,440          
Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to unvested shares   (7)         
Net income and income available to common stockholders  $2,433    5,911,071   $0.41 
Effect of dilutive securities options       28,877      
Diluted EPS               
Income available to common stockholders and assumed conversions  $2,433    5,939,948   $0.41 

 

 

 

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NOTE 4 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02, “A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.” This ASU provides additional guidance or clarification to help creditors determine whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. For public entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption. As a result of applying these amendments, an entity may identify receivables that are newly considered impaired, and should measure impairment on those receivables prospectively for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011. Additional disclosures are also required under this ASU. The Company adopted this ASU as of July 1, 2011. Refer to Note 7 – Allowance for Loan Losses, Impaired Assets and Troubled Debt Restructuring for this disclosure.

 

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-03, “Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements.” The objective of this ASU is to improve the accounting for repurchase agreements and other agreements that both entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity. This ASU prescribes when an entity may or may not recognize a sale upon the transfer of financial assets subject to repurchase agreements. The guidance in this ASU is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company does not expect this ASU to have a significant impact on its financial position or results of operations.

 

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards.” The amendments in this ASU explain how to measure fair value. They do not require additional fair value measurements and are not intended to establish valuation standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied prospectively. For public entities, the amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect this ASU to have a significant impact on its financial position or results of operations.

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” The objective of this ASU is to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. Under this ASU, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. An entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. An entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The amendments in this ASU should be applied retrospectively. For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect this ASU to have a significant impact on its financial position or results of operations.

 

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In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” This ASU is to enhance current disclosures. Entities are required to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. An entity should provide the disclosures required by those amendments retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. The amendments in this update defer those changes in ASU 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income for all periods presented. All other requirements in ASU 2011-05 are not affected by this update. The amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operation.

 

NOTE 5 – Stock-Based Incentive Plan

 

At December 31, 2011, the Company maintained a stock-based incentive plan and an equity incentive plan. For the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, compensation cost for the Company’s stock plans was measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and was recognized over the service period, which was the vesting period. The compensation cost that has been charged against income in the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 for the granting of stock options under the plans was $74,000 and $86,000, respectively. During the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company granted 20,000 and 8,000 stock options, respectively.

 

The compensation cost that has been charged against income for the granting of restricted stock awards under the plan for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $57,000 and $102,000, respectively.

 

The ungranted Stock-Based Incentive Plan shares were retired and transferred to Treasury Stock on December 29, 2011. There had been no grants from this plan in the last five years leading to the decision to retire the shares. Future grants of incentive stock under the plan, if any, will come from Treasury Stock and will be accounted for accordingly.

 

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NOTE 6 – Loans

 

A summary of the balances of loans follows:

 

   December 31, 2011   March 31, 2011 
   (In thousands) 
Residential real estate:          
1-4 family  $130,231   $149,740 
Home equity loans   38,716    40,364 
Commercial real estate   280,945    251,743 
Consumer loans   9,652    8,581 
Commercial loans   93,076    80,967 
Total loans   552,620    531,395 
           
Allowance for loan losses   (5,578)   (5,686)
Net deferred loan fees   1,090    886 
           
Loans, net  $548,132   $526,595 

 

The Company has transferred a portion of its originated commercial real estate loans and commercial loans to participating lenders. The amounts transferred have been accounted for as sales and therefore not included in the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company and participating lenders share ratably in any gains and losses that may result from a borrower’s lack of compliance with contractual terms of the loan. The Company continues to service the loans on behalf of the participating lenders and, as such, collects cash payments from the borrowers, remits payments (net of servicing fees) to participating lenders and disburses required escrow funds to relevant parties. At December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011, the Company was servicing loans for participants aggregating $13.5 million and $13.1 million, respectively.

 

NOTE 7 – Allowance for Loan Losses, Impaired Assets and Troubled Debt Restructuring

 

Analysis and Determination of the Allowance for Loan Losses. We maintain an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable losses inherent in the existing portfolio. When a loan, or portion thereof, is considered uncollectible, it is charged against the allowance. Recoveries of amounts previously charged-off are added to the allowance when collected. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management. Based on management’s judgment, the allowance for loan losses covers all known losses and inherent losses in the loan portfolio.

 

Our methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses consists of specific allowances for identified problem loans and a general valuation allowance on the remainder of the loan portfolio. Although we determine the amount of each element of the allowance separately, the entire allowance for loan losses is available for the entire portfolio.

 

Specific Allowances for Identified Problem Loans. We establish an allowance on identified problem loans based on factors including, but not limited to: (1) the borrower’s ability to repay the loan; (2) the type and value of the collateral; (3) the strength of our collateral position; and (4) the borrower’s repayment history.

 

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General Valuation Allowance on the Remainder of the Portfolio. We also establish a general allowance by applying loss factors to the remainder of the loan portfolio to capture the inherent losses associated with the lending activity. This general valuation allowance is determined by segregating the loans by loan category and assigning loss factors to each category. The loss factors are determined based on our historical loss experience, delinquency trends and management’s evaluation of the collectability of the loan portfolio. Based on management’s judgment, we may adjust the loss factors due to: (1) changes in lending policies and procedures; (2) changes in existing general economic and business conditions affecting our primary market area; (3) credit quality trends; (4) collateral value; (5) loan volumes and concentrations; (6) seasoning of the loan portfolio; (7) recent loss experience in particular segments of the portfolio; (8) duration of the current business cycle; and (9) bank regulatory examination results. Loss factors are re-evaluated quarterly to ensure their relevance in the current real estate environment.

 

Activity in the allowance for loan losses is summarized below:

 

   1 – 4 Family Residential   Home Equity Loans   Commercial Real Estate   Consumer Loans   Commercial Loans   Total 
   (In thousands) 
Balance March 31, 2011  $738   $154   $1,981   $99   $2,714   $5,686 
Provision   106    (33)   1,022    (19)   161    1,237 
Charge Offs   (269)       (337)   (32)   (796)   (1,434)
Recoveries   55        3    15    16    89 
Balance December 31, 2011  $630   $121   $2,669   $63   $2,095   $5,578 

 

The following table presents the balance in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment and based on impairment evaluation method as of December 31, 2011:

 

   Individually Evaluated for Impairment   Collectively Evaluated for Impairment   Total 
   (In thousands) 
Allowance for loan losses:               
1-4 Family Residential  $217   $413   $630 
Home equity loans       121    121 
Commercial real estate   932    1,737    2,669 
Consumer loans       63    63 
Commercial loans   631    1,464    2,095 
Total allowance for loan losses  $1,780   $3,798   $5,578 
                
Loan balances:               
1-4 Family Residential  $3,139   $127,092   $130,231 
Home equity loans   271    38,445    38,716 
Commercial real estate   10,106    270,839    280,945 
Consumer loans       9,652    9,652 
Commercial loans   4,838    88,238    93,076 
Total loan balances  $18,354   $534,266   $552,620 
                

 

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s methodology for evaluating the allowance for loan losses.

 

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Risk Characteristics by Portfolio Segment. Loans secured by one- to four-family residential real estate have historically been the least risky loan type. However they are affected by declines in the general residential housing market, unemployment and under-employment, and the tightening of lending requirements and standards. Loans secured by commercial real estate, including multi-family loans, generally have larger balances and involve a greater degree of risk than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Of primary concern in commercial real estate lending is the borrower’s creditworthiness and the feasibility and cash flow potential of the project. Payments on loans secured by income properties often depend on successful operation and management of the properties. As a result, repayment of such loans may be subject to a greater extent than residential real estate loans to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. Construction financing is generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk of loss than long-term financing on improved, occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction loan depends largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction and the estimated cost (including interest) of construction. During the construction phase, a number of factors could result in delays and cost overruns. If the estimate of construction costs proves to be inaccurate, we may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed to permit completion of the building. If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, we may be confronted, at or before the maturity of the loan, with a building having a value which is insufficient to assure full repayment. Commercial loans are of higher risk and typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial loans may depend substantially on the success of the business itself. Further, any collateral securing such loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value. Consumer loans may entail greater risk than do residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured or secured by assets that depreciate rapidly. In such cases, repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment for the outstanding loan and the remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower. In addition, consumer loan collections depend on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and therefore are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.

 

Credit Risk Management. Credit risk is the risk of not collecting the interest and/or the principal balance of a loan or investment when it is due. Our strategy for credit risk management focuses on having well-defined credit policies and uniform underwriting criteria and providing prompt attention to potential problem loans.

 

When a borrower fails to make a required loan payment, we take a number of steps to have the borrower cure the delinquency and restore the loan to current status. We make initial contact with the borrower when the loan becomes 15 days past due. If payment is not received by the 30th day of delinquency, additional letters and phone calls generally are made. Typically, when the loan becomes 60 days past due, we send a letter notifying the borrower that we may commence legal proceedings if the loan is not paid in full within 30 days. Generally, loan workout arrangements are made with the borrower at this time; however, if an arrangement cannot be structured before the loan becomes 90 days past due, we will send a formal demand letter and, once the time period specified in that letter expires, commence legal proceedings against any real property that secures the loan or attempt to repossess any business assets or personal property that secures the loan. If a foreclosure action is instituted and the loan is not brought current, paid in full or refinanced before the foreclosure sale, the real property securing the loan generally is sold at foreclosure.

 

We consider repossessed assets and loans that are 90 days or more past due to be non-performing assets. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. When a loan becomes 90 days delinquent, the loan is placed on non-accrual status at which time the accrual of interest ceases and an allowance for any uncollectible accrued interest is established and charged against operations. Typically, payments received on a non-accrual loan are applied to the outstanding principal and interest as determined at the time of collection of the loan. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

 

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Management informs the Boards of Directors monthly of the amount of loans delinquent more than 90 days, all loans in foreclosure and all foreclosed and repossessed property that we own.

 

Banking regulations require us to review and classify our assets on a regular basis. In addition, the Connecticut Department of Banking and FDIC have the authority to identify problem assets and, if appropriate, require them to be classified. There are three classifications for problem assets: substandard, doubtful and loss. “Substandard assets” must have one or more defined weaknesses and are characterized by the distinct possibility that we will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. “Doubtful assets” have the weaknesses of substandard assets with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values questionable and there is a high possibility of loss. An asset classified “loss” is considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as an asset of the institution is not warranted. The regulations also provide for a “special mention” category, described as assets that do not currently expose us to a sufficient degree of risk to warrant classification but do possess credit deficiencies or potential weaknesses deserving our close attention. When we classify an asset as substandard or doubtful, we establish a specific allowance for loan losses. If we classify an asset as loss, we charge off an amount equal to 100% of the portion of the asset classified as loss.

 

The following table shows the risk rating grade of the loan portfolio broken-out by type as of December 31, 2011.

 

   Real Estate Loans     
   Residential   Home Equity   Commercial   Consumer   Commercial   Total 
   (In thousands) 
Grade:                              
Not formally rated  $126,821   $38,445   $   $9,576   $   $174,842 
Pass           266,258        88,068    354,326 
Special mention           5,408        1,390    6,798 
Substandard   3,410    271    9,279    76    3,618    16,654 
Doubtful                        
Loss                        
Total  $130,231   $38,716   $280,945   $9,652   $93,076   $552,620 
                               

 

Impaired Loans. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for commercial and construction loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

 

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The following table shows the Company’s impaired loans at December 31, 2011 and the interest income recognized on them for the three months ended December 31, 2011.

 

   Recorded
Investment
   Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   Related
Allowance
   Average
Recorded
Investment
   Interest
Income
Recognized
 
   (In thousands) 
With no related allowance recorded:                         
Residential real estate:                         
1-4 family  $2,062   $2,113   $   $2,160   $35 
Home equity loans   271    271        279    4 
Commercial real estate   7,601    7,749        6,726    82 
Commercial loans   2,378    2,637        2,668    22 
Total impaired with no related allowance recorded  $12,312   $12,770   $   $11,833   $143 
                          
With an allowance recorded:                         
Residential real estate:                         
1-4 family  $1,065   $1,123   $217   $1,141   $34 
Home equity loans                    
Commercial real estate   2,459    2,469    806    3,251    31 
Commercial loans   2,419    2,940    632    2,921    45 
Total impaired with an allowance recorded  $5,943   $6,532   $1,655   $7,313   $110 
                          
Total:                         
Residential real estate:                         
1-4 family  $3,127   $3,236   $217   $3,301   $69 
Home equity loans   271    271        279    4 
Commercial real estate   10,060    10,218    806    9,977    113 
Commercial loans   4,797    5,577    632    5,589    67 
Total impaired loans  $18,255   $19,302   $1,655   $19,146   $253 

 

Delinquencies. The following table provides information about delinquencies in our loan portfolio as of December 31, 2011.

 

   30-59
Days
   Greater
Than 60-
89 Days
   Greater
Than 90 Days
   Total
Past Due
   Non
Accrual
 
   (In thousands) 
     
Residential real estate:                         
1-4 family  $467   $   $1,831   $2,298   $3,061 
Home equity loans   39        71    110    172 
Commercial real estate   4,119    1,772    2,827    8,718    7,211 
Consumer loans   63    26    3    92    104 
Commercial loans   1,096    120    2,660    3,876    4,055 
Total  $5,784   $1,918   $7,392   $15,094   $14,603 

 

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Troubled Debt Restructuring. The following table provides information about troubled debt restructurings as of December 31, 2011.

 

   For the Nine Months Ended 
   December 31, 2011 
   Number of Contracts   Pre-modification Outstanding Recorded Investment   Post-modification Outstanding Recorded Investment 
Troubled debt restructurings               
Residential real estate:               
1-4 family   3   $501   $501 
Home equity loans            
Commercial real estate   2    1,215    1,215 
Consumer loans            
Commercial loans   4    706    706 
Total   9   $2,422   $2,422 

 

The loans that are included in this table have all been reviewed for individual impairment under FAS 114. Collateral values have been taken into consideration and adjustments to the allowance for loan and lease losses have been calculated accordingly. None of the loans noted above have defaulted.

 

NOTE 8 – Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities

 

Debt securities have been classified in the consolidated balance sheets according to management’s intent. The amortized cost of securities and their approximate fair values are as follows as of December 31 and March 31, 2011:

 

   Amortized
Cost Basis
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
 
   (In thousands) 
December 31, 2011:                
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies  $7,754   $28   $6   $7,776 
Debt securities issued by states of the United States and political subdivisions of the states   20,718    337    135    20,920 
Mortgage-backed securities   29,836    1,210    261    30,785 
Marketable equity securities                
    58,308    1,575    402    59,481 
Money market mutual funds included in cash and cash equivalents                
   $58,308   $1,575   $402   $59,481 
                     
March 31, 2011:                    
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies  $7,355   $25   $48   $7,332 
Debt securities issued by states of the United States and political subdivisions of the states   19,372    83    688    18,767 
Mortgage-backed securities   32,236    1,169    236    33,169 
Marketable equity securities   9            9 
    58,972    1,277    972    59,277 
Money market mutual funds included in cash and cash equivalents   (9)           (9)
   $58,963   $1,277   $972   $59,268 

 

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At December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011, the majority of our mortgage-backed securities were issued by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

 

The following table summarizes gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time the investments have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2011:

 

   Less than 12 Months   12 Months or Longer   Total 
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
 
   (In thousands) 
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies  $994   $6   $   $   $994   $6 
Debt securities issued by states of United States and political subdivisions of the states   4,065    27    2,127    108    6,192    135 
Mortgage-backed securities   5,231    96    1,402    57    6,633    153 
Total temporarily impaired securities   10,290    129    3,529    165    13,819    294 
Other-than-temporarily impaired securities                              
Mortgage-backed securities           390    108    390    108 
Total temporarily impaired securities  $10,290   $129   $3,919   $273   $14,209   $402 

 

Management has assessed the securities which are classified as available-for-sale and in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2011 and determined the decline in fair value below amortized cost to be temporary, except for those securities described below. In making this determination management considered the period of time the securities were in a loss position, the percentage decline in comparison to the securities’ amortized cost, the financial condition of the issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold these securities until their fair value recovers to their amortized cost. Management believes the decline in fair value is primarily related to the current interest rate environment and not to the credit deterioration of the individual issuer, except for those securities described below.

 

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such evaluation. The investment securities portfolio is generally evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment under ASC 320-10, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities.” However, certain purchased beneficial interests, including non-agency mortgage-backed securities and pooled trust preferred securities are evaluated using ASC 325-40, “Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets.”

 

For those debt securities for which the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost and the Company does not intend to sell such security and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell such security prior to the recovery of its amortized cost basis less any credit losses, ASC 320-10 requires that the credit component of the other-than-temporary impairment losses be recognized in earnings while the noncredit component is recognized in other comprehensive loss, net of related taxes.

 

Activity related to the credit component recognized in earnings on debt securities held by the Company for which a portion of other-than-temporary impairment was recognized in other comprehensive income for the three months ended December 31, 2011 is as follows:

 

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   Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed 
   (In thousands) 
Balance, April 1, 2011  $63 
Additions for the credit component on debt securities in which other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized    
      
Balance December 31, 2011  $63 

 

In accordance with ASC 320-10, the Company estimated the portion of loss attributable to credit using a discounted cash flow model. Significant inputs for the non-agency mortgage-backed securities included the estimated cash flows of the underlying collateral based on key assumptions, such as default rate, loss severity and prepayment rate. Assumptions used can vary widely from loan to loan, and are influenced by such factors as loan interest rate, geographical location of the borrower, borrower characteristics and collateral type. The present value of the expected cash flows was compared to the Company’s holdings to determine the credit-related impairment loss. Based on the expected cash flows derived from the model, the Company expects to recover the remaining unrealized losses on non-agency mortgage-backed securities. Significant assumptions used in the valuation of non-agency mortgage-backed securities were as follows as of December 31, 2011.

 

   Weighsted   Range 
   Average   Minimum   Maximum 
Prepayment rates   14.3%   6.5%   24.3%
Default rates   8.9    3.0    16.9 
Loss severity   54.3    48.6    60.1 

 

NOTE 9 – Fair Value Measurement Disclosures

 

The following table presents the fair value disclosures of assets and liabilities in accordance with ASC 820-10 which became effective for the Company’s consolidated financial statements on April 1, 2008. The fair value hierarchy established by this guidance is based on observable and unobservable inputs participants use to price an asset or liability. ASC 820-10 has prioritized these inputs into the following fair value hierarchy:

 

Level 1 Inputs – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are available at the measurement date.

 

Level 2 Inputs – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 3 Inputs – Unobservable inputs for determining the fair value of the asset or liability and are based on the entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use to price the asset or liability.

 

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The following summarizes assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the period ending December 31, 2011:

 

   Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using: 
       Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets   Significant Other Observable Inputs   Significant Unobservable Inputs 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
   (In thousands) 
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies  $7,776       $7,776   $ 
Debt securities issued by states of the United States and political subdivisions of the states   20,920    2,805    18,115     
Mortgage-backed securities   30,785    697    30,088     
Total securities available for sale  $59,481   $3,502   $55,979   $ 

 

Under certain circumstances we make adjustments to fair value for our assets and liabilities although they are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis. The following table presents the financial instruments carried on the consolidated balance sheet by caption and by level in the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2011, for which a nonrecurring change in fair value has been recorded.

 

   Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using: 
       Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets   Significant Other Observable Inputs   Significant Unobservable Inputs 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
   (In thousands) 
Impaired Loans  $4,288   $   $   $4,288 
Other real estate owned   1,559            1,559 
Total  $5,847   $   $   $5,847 

 

The following are the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities:

 

   December 31, 2011   March 31, 2011 
   Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
 
   (In thousands) 
Financial Assets:                    
Cash and cash equivalents  $65,862   $65,862   $43,612   $43,612 
Available for sale securities   59,481    59,481    59,268    59,268 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   4,396    4,396    4,396    4,396 
Loans held for sale   308    320         
Loans, net   548,132    563,439    526,595    529,609 
Accrued interest receivable   2,357    2,357    2,451    2,451 
                     
Financial liabilities:                    
Deposits   575,461    580,394    540,769    545,607 
Advanced payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance   2,539    2,539    1,400    1,400 
FHLB advances   37,577    39,348    39,113    40,554 
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase   27,494    27,496    21,666    21,668 
Subordinated debentures   3,925    1,453    3,918    1,371 
Due to broker   165    165    500    500 

 

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

 

The following analysis discusses changes in the financial condition and results of operations at and for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto, appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this document.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is including this statement for purposes of these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions. By identifying these forward-looking statements for you in this manner, we are alerting you to the possibility that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 and Part II, Item 1A of this Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the following factors: interest rates, general economic conditions, legislation and regulations, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Company’s market area, accounting principles and guidelines, and our ability to recognize enhancements related to our acquisition within expected time frames. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

 

Except as required by applicable law and regulation, the Company does not undertake – and specifically disclaims any obligation – to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

 

Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011

 

Assets

 

Total assets were $724.6 million at December 31, 2011, an increase of $42.6 million compared to $682.0 million at March 31, 2011. The increase in total assets was primarily due to a $22.3 million increase in cash and cash equivalents and a $21.5 million increase in net loans, partially offset by a $1.6 million decrease in other assets.

 

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Liabilities

 

Total liabilities were $651.3 million at December 31, 2011, an increase of $39.9 million compared to $611.4 million at March 31, 2011. The increase in total liabilities was caused primarily by a $34.7 million increase in total deposits and a $5.8 million increase in repurchase agreements offset by a $1.5 million decrease in FHLB advances. At December 31, 2011, deposits are comprised of savings accounts totaling $78.3 million, money market deposit accounts totaling $123.6 million, demand and NOW accounts totaling $84.1 million, and certificates of deposits totaling $289.5 million. The Company’s core deposits, which the Company considers to be all deposits except for certificates of deposits, increased to 49.7% of total deposits at December 31, 2011 from 47.1% at March 31, 2011.

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

Total stockholders’ equity increased $2.6 million to $73.3 million at December 31, 2011 from $70.7 million at March 31, 2011. The increase was primarily caused by net income of $3.4 million and an increase in other comprehensive income of $530,000 partially offset by dividends paid of $534,000 and shares repurchased under the Company’s stock repurchase plan of $1.3 million.

 

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

General

 

The Company’s results of operations depend primarily on net interest and dividend income, which is the difference between the interest and dividend income earned on its interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and the interest expense on its interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. The Company also generates noninterest income, primarily from fees and service charges. Gains on sales of securities and increases in cash surrender value of life insurance policies are additional sources of noninterest income. The Company’s noninterest expense primarily consists of employee compensation and benefits, occupancy and equipment expense, FDIC insurance assessments, advertising and promotion, data processing, professional fees and other operating expense.

 

Net Income

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2011, the Company reported net income of $1,681,000, compared to $910,000 for the year ago period. Basic and diluted income per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 were $0.29 and $0.28, respectively, compared to $0.15 each for the quarter ended December 31, 2010.

 

Net Interest and Dividend Income

 

Net interest and dividend income for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 totaled $5.7 million and $5.4 million, respectively. The Company’s net interest margin was 3.42% for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 3.47% for the three months ended December 31, 2010. The decrease in the net interest margin for the quarter was primarily due to a 32 basis point decrease in the rate earned on interest-earning assets partially offset by a decrease of 26 basis points in the yield paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The changes to the yield on average interest-earning assets and the rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities caused the Company’s interest rate spread to decrease from 3.25% for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 to 3.19% for the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

 

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Interest and dividend income amounted to $8.3 million and $8.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Average interest-earning assets were $674.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 compared to $630.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2010. The increase in average interest-earning assets was caused primarily by a $12.7 million increase in average interest bearing demand deposits with other banks and a $29.9 million increase in net loans. The yield earned on average interest-earning assets decreased 32 basis points to 4.87% for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from 5.19% for the three months ended December 30, 2010 due to the current low interest rate environment.

 

Interest expense for the quarters ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $2.5 million and $2.7 million, respectively. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $23.7 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 from $556.3 million to $580.0 million primarily due to a $29.3 million increase in average interest-bearing deposits partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease in average FHLB advances and a $2.4 million decrease in average repurchase agreements. The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 1.68% for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 from 1.94% for the year ago period, due primarily to the decrease in rates paid on certificates of deposit, money market deposit accounts and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and a decrease in FHLB advances which generally have higher rates than deposits and repurchase agreements. The average rate paid on certificates of deposit decreased from 2.53% for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 to 2.28% for the current year quarter as market rates have decreased for this type of deposit.

 

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Average Balance Sheet

 

The following table presents information regarding average balances of assets and liabilities, as well as the total dollar amounts of interest income and dividends from average interest-earning assets and interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities and the resulting average yields and costs. The yields and costs for the periods indicated are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balances of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented.

 

   For the Quarters Ended December 31, 
   2011   2010 
   Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/
Rate
   Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/
Rate
 
(Dollars in thousands)        
Assets:                              
Federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits and marketable equity securities  $66,049   $44    0.26%  $53,335   $39    0.29%
Investments in available-for-sale securities, other than mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities (1)   27,331    311    4.51    25,101    335    5.29 
Mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities   31,465    241    3.04    32,262    308    3.79 
Federal Home Loan Bank and Bankers’ Bank stock   4,711    4    0.34    4,711    1    0.08 
Loans, net   544,446    7,666    5.59    514,588    7,553    5.82 
Total interest-earning assets   674,002    8,266    4.87    629,997    8,236    5.19 
Noninterest-earning assets   39,012              47,617           
Cash surrender value of life insurance   10,239              9,884           
Total assets  $723,253             $687,498           
                               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:                              
Deposits:                              
Savings accounts  $77,694   $152    0.78%  $72,494   $136    0.74%
NOW accounts   17,317    13    0.30    16,833    13    0.31 
Money market accounts   123,660    224    0.72    103,724    235    0.90 
Certificate accounts   290,492    1,668    2.28    286,893    1,827    2.53 
Total deposits   509,163    2,057    1.60    479,944    2,211    1.83 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and subordinated debentures   41,681    337    3.21    45,255    438    3.84 
Advanced payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance   1,926    4    0.82    1,560    4    1.02 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   27,236    60    0.87    29,575    68    0.91 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   580,006    2,458    1.68    556,334    2,721    1.94 
Demand deposits   63,190              53,064           
Other liabilities   3,355              8,387           
Total liabilities   646,551              617,785           
Stockholders’ Equity   76,702              69,713           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $723,253             $687,498           
Net interest and dividend income/net  interest rate spread       $5,808    3.19%       $5,515    3.25%
Net interest margin             3.42%             3.47%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities   116.21%             113.24%          

 

(1) Reported on a tax equivalent basis, using a 34% tax rate.

 

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Rate/Volume Analysis

 

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

 

   Quarter Ended
December 31, 2011
Compared to
Quarter Ended
December 31, 2010
 
   Increase (Decrease)
Due to
     
   Rate   Volume   Net 
   (In thousands) 
Interest-earning assets:               
Federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits and marketable equity securities  $(3)  $8   $5 
Investments in available-for-sale securities, other than mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities   (57)   33    (24)
Mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities   (59)   (8)   (67)
Federal Home Loan Bank and Bankers’ Bank stock   3        3 
Loans, net   (265)   378    113 
Total interest-earning assets   (381)   411    30 
                
Interest-bearing liabilities:               
Savings accounts   6    10    16 
NOW accounts   (1)   1     
Money market accounts   (274)   264    (10)
Certificate accounts   (181)   23    (158)
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and subordinated debentures   (67)   (34)   (101)
Advanced payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance            
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   (4)   (5)   (9)
Total interest-bearing liabilities   (521)   259    (262)
Increase in net interest and dividend income  $140   $152   $292 

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

The provision for loan losses for the quarters ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $362,000 and $359,000, respectively. The additions to and resulting increase in the allowance for loan losses at December 30, 2011 reflected continued growth in the commercial loan portfolio and the challenging economic climate.

 

Noninterest Income

 

For the quarter ended December 31, 2011, noninterest income was $1,897,000 compared to $546,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2010. Affecting noninterest income for the three months ended December 30, 2011 was a gain on a legal settlement related to the Bank’s investment portfolio as well as increases of $14,000 in gains on securities and $77,000 in other income partially offset by a decrease of $45,000 in gains on sale of loans.

 

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Noninterest Expense

 

Noninterest expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 was $4.6 million compared to $4.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2010. The increase was due largely to a $301,000 increase in professional services, primarily those related to the legal settlement related to our investment portfolio discussed under Noninterest Income above, a $65,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits and a $64,000 increase in advertising partially offset by a $71,000 decrease in FDIC insurance assessments caused by a change in the way these assessments are calculated by the FDIC. The FDIC is now using a capital-based calculation for their deposit insurance assessments instead of the deposit-based calculation that they had been using. The Company’s efficiency ratio improved from 70.4% for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 to 60.2% for the current year quarter. Taking out the effects of the previously mentioned legal settlement, the ratio would have improved from 70.4% for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 to 66.8% for the current quarter.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

The Company recorded income tax expense of $982,000 and $496,000 for the quarters ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, with effective tax rates of 36.9% and 35.3%, respectively.

 

Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

Net Income

 

For the nine months ended December 31, 2011, the Company reported net income of $3.4 million, compared to $2.4 million for the year ago period. Basic and diluted income per share for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 were $0.57 each compared to $0.41 each for the nine months ended December 31, 2010.

 

Net Interest and Dividend Income

 

Net interest and dividend income for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 totaled $16.9 million and $16.5 million, respectively. The Company’s net interest margin decreased to 3.47% for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 from 3.52% for the nine months ended December 31, 2010. The decrease for the period was primarily due to an increase of $12.8 million in average federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits partially offset by increases in average net loans of $16.7 million and average deposits of $26.4 million. A 34 basis point decrease in the yield on average interest-earning assets and a 28 basis point decrease in the rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities caused the Company’s interest rate spread to decrease from 3.29% for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 to 3.23% for the nine months ended December 31, 2011.

 

Interest and dividend income amounted to $24.4 million and $25.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Average interest-earning assets were $657.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011; an increase of $27.2 million, or 4.3%, compared to $630.4 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2010. The increase in average interest-earning assets was caused primarily by a $16.7 million increase in average net loans and a $12.8 million increase in federal funds sold partially offset by a $2.3 million decrease in investment securities. The yield earned on average interest-earning assets decreased to 4.97% for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 from 5.31% for the nine months ended December 31, 2010.

 

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Interest expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $7.4 million and $8.5 million, respectively. Average interest-bearing liabilities grew $8.1 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2011 from $560.1 million to $568.2 million primarily due to a $26.4 million increase in average interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by an $11.3 million decrease in FHLB advances and a $7.3 million decrease in repurchase agreements. The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 1.74% for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 from 2.02% for the year ago period, due primarily to the decrease in rates paid on certificates of deposit, money market deposit accounts and securities sold under agreements to repurchase in the current low interest rate environment. The average rate paid on certificates of deposit decreased from 2.52% for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 to 2.33% for the current year period as market rates have decreased for this type of deposit.

 

Average Balance Sheet

 

The following table presents information regarding average balances of assets and liabilities, as well as the total dollar amounts of interest income and dividends from average interest-earning assets and interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities and the resulting average yields and costs. The yields and costs for the periods indicated are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balances of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented.

 

   For the Nine Months Ended December 31, 
   2011   2010 
   Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/
Rate
   Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/
Rate
 
(Dollars in thousands)        
Assets:                              
Federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits and marketable equity securities  $58,803   $111    0.25%  $46,047   $96    0.28%
Investments in available-for-sale securities, other than mortgage-backed
and mortgage-related securities (1)
   26,098    970    4.93    26,020    1,094    5.58 
Mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities   32,022    786    3.26    34,403    1,052    4.06 
Federal Home Loan Bank and Bankers’ Bank stock   4,711    14    0.39    4,711    4    0.11 
Loans, net   536,014    22,744    5.63    519,267    22,993    5.88 
Total interest-earning assets   657,648    24,625    4.97    630,448    25,239    5.31 
Noninterest-earning assets   39,491              48,408           
Cash surrender value of life insurance   10,151              9,750           
Total assets  $707,290             $688,606           
                               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:                              
Deposits:                              
Savings accounts  $77,513   $445    0.76%  $72,612   $468    0.86%
NOW accounts   16,868    38    0.30    17,063    42    0.33 
Money market accounts   116,702    680    0.77    98,896    713    0.96 
Certificate accounts   290,126    5,095    2.33    286,250    5,427    2.52 
Total deposits   501,209    6,258    1.66    474,821    6,650    1.86 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and subordinated debentures   42,202    1,022    3.21    53,544    1,658    4.11 
Advanced payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance   1,693    12    0.94    1,416    11    1.03 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   23,057    156    0.90    30,336    205    0.90 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   568,161    7,448    1.74    560,117    8,524    2.02 
Demand deposits   59,622              51,037           
Other liabilities   6,243              8,350           
Total liabilities   634,026              619,504           
Stockholders’ Equity   73,264              69,102           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $707,290             $688,606           
Net interest and dividend income/net interest rate spread       $17,177    3.23%       $16,715    3.29%
Net interest margin             3.47%             3.52%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities   115.75%             112.56%          

 

(1) Reported on a tax equivalent basis, using a 34% tax rate.

 

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Rate/Volume Analysis

 

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

 

   Nine Months Ended
December 31, 2011
Compared to
Nine Months Ended
December 31, 2010
 
   Increase (Decrease)
Due to
     
   Rate   Volume   Net 
   (In thousands) 
Interest-earning assets:               
Federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits and marketable equity securities  $(8)  $23   $15 
Investments in available-for-sale securities, other than mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities   (130)   6    (124)
Mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities   (197)   (69)   (266)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   10        10 
Loans, net (1)   (1,064)   879    (185)
Total interest-earning assets   (1,389)   839    (550)
                
Interest-bearing liabilities:               
Savings accounts   (60)   37    (23)
NOW accounts   (3)   (1)   (4)
Money market accounts   (540)   507    (33)
Certificate accounts   (407)   75    (332)
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and subordinated debentures   (322)   (314)   (636)
Advanced payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance   (1)   2    1 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase       (49)   (49)
Total interest-bearing liabilities   (1,333)   257    (1,076)
Increase in net interest and dividend income  $(56)  $582   $526 

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $1.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The additions to and resulting increase in the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2011 reflected continued growth in the commercial loan portfolio and the challenging economic climate.

 

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Noninterest Income

 

For the nine months ended December 31, 2011, noninterest income was $3.2 million compared to $2.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2010. The increase was primarily due to the previously mentioned gain on a legal settlement related to the Bank’s investment portfolio. Also affecting noninterest income for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 were decreases of $48,000 and $133,000 on gain on sale of securities and sale of loans, respectively.

 

Noninterest Expense

 

Noninterest expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $13.6 million and $13.1 million, respectively. Besides the previously mentioned professional fees from the legal settlement, during the nine months ended December 31, 2011 the Company recorded increases of $386,000 in salaries and employee benefits and $171,000 in advertising and promotion, partially offset by decreases of $154,000 in write downs of other real estate owned and other real estate owned expenses and $135,000 in FDIC insurance.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

The Company recorded income tax expense of $1.9 million and $1.4 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, with effective tax rates of 36.4% and 36.0%, respectively.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The term liquidity refers to the ability of the Company to meet current and future short-term financial obligations. The Company further defines liquidity as the ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to fund loan originations, deposit withdrawals and operating expenses. Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of business management. The Bank’s primary sources of liquidity are deposits, scheduled amortization and prepayments of loan principal and mortgage-related securities, funds provided by operations and borrowings. The Bank can borrow funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank based on eligible collateral of loans and securities. The Bank had Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings as of December 31, 2011 of $37.6 million, with unused borrowing capacity of $32.5 million.

 

The Company’s primary investing activities are the origination of loans and the purchase of mortgage and investment securities. During the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 the Company originated loans, net of principal pay downs, of approximately $32.4 million and $5.7 million, respectively. Purchases of investment securities totaled $32.2 million and $32.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

Loan repayment and maturing investment securities are a relatively predictable source of funds. However, deposit flows, calls of investment securities and prepayments of loans and mortgage-backed securities are strongly influenced by interest rates, general and local economic conditions and competition in the marketplace. These factors reduce the predictability of the timing of these sources of funds. Total deposits were $575.5 million at December 31, 2011, a $34.7 million increase from the $540.8 million balance at March 31, 2011.

 

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At December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding commitments to originate $12.2 million of loans, and available home equity and unadvanced lines of credit and construction loans of approximately $56.8 million. In addition, the Company had $2.9 million of commercial letters of credit. Management of the Bank anticipates that the Bank will have sufficient funds to meet its current loan commitments. Retail certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in one year or less totaled $152.4 million, or 26.5% of total deposits at December 31, 2011. The Company relies on competitive rates, customer service and long-standing relationships with customers to retain deposits. Based on the Company’s experience with deposit retention and current retention strategies, management believes that, although it is not possible to predict future terms and conditions upon renewal, a significant portion of such deposits will remain with the Company.

 

As of December 31, 2011, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject. The Company’s capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2011 are presented in the following table.

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

             New England Bancshares, Inc. 
    Required    Amount    Ratio 
Tier 1 Capital   4%  $58,760    8.33%
Total Risk-Based Capital   8%  $64,338    12.42%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital   4%  $58,760    11.34%

 

The Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2011 are presented in the following table.

 

   Actual   For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
   To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
 
   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio 
   (Dollar amounts in thousands) 
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)  $58,383    11.27%  $41,437     ³8.0 %   $ 51,796       ³10.0 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)   52,805    10.19    20,719      ³4.0    31,078      ³6.0
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)   52,805    7.49    28,217     ³4.0   35,271    ³5.0 

 

 

Management is not aware of any known trends, events or uncertainties that will have or are reasonably likely to have a material effect on the Company’s or the Bank’s liquidity, capital or operations, nor is management aware of any current recommendations by regulatory authorities which, if implemented, would have a material effect on the Company’s or the Bank’s liquidity, capital or operations.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

In the normal course of operations, the Bank engages in a variety of financial transactions that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, are not recorded in its financial statements. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk. Such transactions are used primarily to manage customers’ requests for funding and take the form of loan commitments, lines of credit and letters of credit.

 

For the nine months ended December 31, 2011, the Bank did not engage in off-balance sheet transactions reasonably likely to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. 

 

Interest Rate Risk Management

 

The Bank manages the interest rate sensitivity of its interest-bearing liabilities and interest-earning assets in an effort to minimize the adverse effects of changes in the interest rate environment. Deposit accounts typically react more quickly to changes in market interest rates than mortgage loans because of the shorter maturities of deposits. As a result, sharp increases in interest rates may adversely affect the Bank’s earnings while decreases in interest rates may beneficially affect its earnings. To reduce the potential volatility of its earnings, the Bank has sought to improve the match between asset and liability maturities and rates, while maintaining an acceptable interest rate spread. Also, the Bank attempts to manage its interest rate risk through: its investment portfolio; an increased focus on commercial and multi-family and commercial real estate lending, which emphasizes the origination of shorter-term adjustable-rate loans; and efforts to originate adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans. In addition, the Bank sells a portion of its originated long-term, fixed-rate one- to four-family residential loans in the secondary market. The Bank currently does not participate in hedging programs, interest rate swaps or other activities involving the use of off-balance sheet derivative financial instruments.

 

The Bank has an Asset/Liability Committee, which includes members of both the board of directors and management, to communicate, coordinate and control all aspects involving asset/liability management. The committees establishes and monitors the volume, maturities, pricing and mix of assets and funding sources with the objective of managing assets and funding sources to provide results that are consistent with liquidity, growth, risk limits and profitability goals.

 

Net Interest Income Simulation Analysis

 

The Bank analyzes its interest rate sensitivity position to manage the risk associated with interest rate movements through the use of interest income simulation. The matching of assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the extent to which such assets and liabilities are “interest sensitive.” An asset or liability is said to be interest rate sensitive within a specific time period if it will mature or reprice within that time period.

 

The Bank’s goal is to manage asset and liability positions to moderate the effects of interest rate fluctuations on net interest income. Interest income simulations are completed quarterly and presented to the Asset/Liability Committee. The simulations provide an estimate of the impact of changes in interest rates on net interest income under a range of assumptions. The numerous assumptions used in the simulation processes are reviewed by the Asset/Liability Committee on a quarterly basis. Changes to these assumptions can significantly affect the results of the simulation. The simulations incorporate assumptions regarding the potential timing in the repricing of certain assets and liabilities when market rates change and the changes in spreads between different market rates. The simulation analyses incorporate managements’ current assessment of the risk that pricing margins will change adversely over time due to competition or other factors.

 

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The simulation analyses are only an estimate of the Bank’s interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time. The Bank continually reviews the potential effect changes in interest rates could have on the repayment of rate sensitive assets and funding requirements of rate sensitive liabilities.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures. 

 

The Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective for the purpose of ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

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

 

Item1A. Risk Factors

 

The following risk factor represents a material update and addition to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2011 (“Form 10-K”). The risk factor below should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and other information disclosed in our Form 10-K. The risks described below and in our Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks not presently known to the Company, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

The Standard & Poor’s downgrade in the U.S. government’s sovereign credit rating, and in the credit ratings of instruments issued, insured or guaranteed by certain related institutions, agencies and instrumentalities, could result in risks to the Company and general economic conditions that we are not able to predict.

 

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On August 5, 2011, Standard & Poor’s downgraded the United States long-term debt rating from its AAA rating to AA+. On August 8, 2011, Standard & Poor’s downgraded the credit ratings of certain long-term debt instruments issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and other U.S. government agencies linked to long-term U.S. debt. Instruments of this nature are key assets on the balance sheets of financial institutions, including the Bank. These downgrades could adversely affect the market value of such instruments, and could adversely impact our ability to obtain funding that is collateralized by affected instruments, as well as affecting the pricing of that funding when it is available. We cannot predict if, when or how these changes to the credit ratings will affect economic conditions. These ratings downgrades could result in a significant adverse impact to the Company, and could exacerbate the other risks to which the Company is subject, including those described under Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2011.

 

Item2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

The Company repurchased 119,705 shares of its common stock in the quarter ended December 31, 2011 as follows:

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2011  Total shares repurchased  Average price paid per share  Total
Number of Shares
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
  Maximum Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans or
Programs
October   15,401   $9.38    15,401    336,280 
November   40,700    10.05    40,700    295,580 
December   63,604    10.26    63,604    231,976 
Total   119,705   $10.07    119,705    231,976 

 

The Company’s stock repurchase program was authorized August 29, 2011 to repurchase 332,257 shares of the Company’s outstanding shares. Stock repurchases will be made from time to time and may be effected through open market purchases, block trades and in privately negotiated transactions.

 

Item3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
   
  None.
   
Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)
   
Item 5. Other Information.
   
  None.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

  3.1 Articles of Incorporation of New England Bancshares, Inc. (1)
  3.2 Bylaws of New England Bancshares, Inc. (2)
  4.1 Specimen stock certificate of New England Bancshares, Inc.(1)
  31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer (3)
  31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer (3)
  32.1 Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer (3)
  32.2 Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer (3)
  101 Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, and (iv) the notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. (3)

 


(1) Incorporated by reference into this document from the Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (No. 333-128277) as filed on September 13, 2005.
(2) Incorporated by reference into this document from Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15, 2011.
(3) This information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  NEW ENGLAND BANCSHARES, INC.
     
Dated: February 14, 2012 By: /s/ Jeffrey J. Levitsky
    Jeffrey J. Levitsky
    Interim Chief Financial Officer
    (principal financial officer)
     
Dated: February 14, 2012 By: /s/ David J. O’Connor
    David J. O’Connor
    President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

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