ITEM 1. BUSINESS
U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1982, is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, which provides financial services through its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company and its subsidiaries derive substantially all of their revenue and income from providing banking and related financial services, primarily to customers in Rockland and Westchester Counties, New York City and Long Island, New York, and Southern Connecticut, as well as Orange, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties, New York, and the surrounding area (the “Metropolitan area”). The Company is a separate and distinct legal entity from its subsidiaries.
Union State Bank (the “Bank”), the Company’s commercial banking subsidiary, is a New York chartered commercial bank established in 1969. The Bank offers a wide range of banking services to individuals, municipalities, corporations, and small and medium-size businesses through its 28 retail branches in Rockland, Westchester and Orange Counties (as of January 8, 2007, the Bank’s second Orange County branch opened) and one branch each in Stamford, Connecticut, and New York City, New York. The Bank also has loan production offices located in Rockland County, Westchester County and Orange County, New York, and Stamford, Connecticut. The Bank’s corporate offices are located in Rockland County. The Bank’s products and services include checking accounts, NOW accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts (passbook and statement), certificates of deposit, retirement accounts, commercial, personal, residential, construction, home equity (second mortgage) and condominium mortgage loans, consumer loans, credit cards, safe deposit facilities, and other consumer oriented financial services. The Bank also makes available to its customers automated teller machines (ATMs), debit cards, lock-box services, and Internet banking. The deposits of the Bank are insured to the extent permitted by law pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act of 1950, as amended.
In 1997, the Bank established two nonbank wholly-owned subsidiaries. Dutch Hill Realty Corp. owns and manages problem assets and real estate acquired in foreclosure from the Bank. U.S.B. Financial Services, Inc. offers sales of various financial products, such as mutual funds, stocks and bonds, annuities, and life insurance in conjunction with an arrangement with a third party brokerage and insurance firm specializing in bank financial product sales.
USB Delaware Inc. is a Delaware passive investment company established by the Bank. USB Delaware Inc. was established for the purpose of managing the Bank’s investment in TPNZ Preferred Funding Corporation (“TPNZ”).
TPNZ is a majority-owned subsidiary of USB Delaware Inc. TPNZ was formed in 1998 to manage certain mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans, substantially all of which were previously owned by the Bank and TPNZ’s former parent company, Tarrytowns Bank, FSB (“Tarrytowns”). TPNZ qualifies as a Real Estate Investment Trust for income tax purposes.
In February 1997, the Company established Union State Capital Trust I, which is a Delaware business trust, in July 2001 and June 2002, established Union State Statutory Trust II and USB Statutory Trust III, respectively, which are Connecticut business trusts, and in March 2004, established Union State Statutory Trust IV, a Delaware business trust, (collectively the “Trusts”). The Trusts were established solely for the purpose of issuing Capital Securities and purchasing subordinated debt from the Company with the proceeds. Refer to Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail.
The Company also has a nonbank subsidiary, Ad Con, Inc., which is currently inactive.
The Company fully utilizes its website, www.unionstate.com, to advertise the Bank’s products, list information about its locations, and make available, free of charge, its Securities Exchange Act filings, including Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Such filings are also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Employees
As of December 31, 2006, the Company employed a total of 367 full-time and 37 part-time employees. The Company and its subsidiaries provide a variety of benefit plans, including incentive bonus, group life, health, and stock ownership plans. Management considers its employee relations to be satisfactory.
Competition
The Bank’s headquarters and fourteen of its branch offices are currently located in Rockland County, New York. Twelve of the Bank’s branch offices are located in Westchester County, New York. Two of the Bank’s branch offices are located in Orange County, New York (as of January 8, 2007, the Bank’s second Orange County branch opened). The Bank also has a branch location in Stamford, Connecticut, and New York City, New York, as well as offices that close loans and disburse funds in Tarrytown, New York, Goshen (Orange County), New York, and Stamford, Connecticut. The Company’s current deposits constitute a market share that is approximately 15.5 percent and 2.3 percent of Rockland and Westchester Counties’ deposits, respectively.
The Bank is the largest bank headquartered in the Hudson Valley and has been successful in its penetration of New York markets in Rockland and Westchester Counties and more recently, the Stamford, Connecticut, and Orange County, New York, markets. The Bank believes it is able to attract and retain customers because of its knowledge of local markets, competitive products, and the ability of professional staff to provide a high degree of service to customers. Within its market area, the Bank encounters competition from many other financial institutions offering comparable products. These competitors include other commercial banks (both locally based independent banks and major New York City commercial banks) and savings banks, as well as mortgage bankers, savings and loan associations, and credit unions. In addition, the Bank experiences competition in marketing some of its services from the local operations of insurance companies, brokerage firms, and other financial institutions.
The Company expects to continue to expand by opening new retail branches, enhancing Internet and telephonic delivery channels, and expanding loan originations in its market area. Acquisitions of other smaller financial institutions and branches will be considered to supplement growth in the Company’s present and contiguous markets. Acquisitions of other nonbank financial institutions will also be considered to expand the Company’s product offerings.
Supervision and Regulation
The references under this heading to various aspects of supervision and regulation are brief summaries which do not purport to be complete and which are qualified in their entirety by reference to applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
The Company, as a “bank holding company” under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “BHC Act”), is regulated and examined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) and is required to file with the FRB an annual report and other information. The BHC Act restricts the business activities and acquisitions that may be engaged in by the Company. The FRB may examine the Company and has the authority (which it has not exercised) to regulate provisions of certain bank holding company debt. The BHC Act requires every bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the FRB before acquiring substantially all the assets of, or direct or indirect ownership or control of more than five percent of the voting shares of, any bank that is not already majority-owned. Subject to certain limitations and restrictions, a bank holding company, with the prior approval of the FRB, may acquire an out-of-state bank. A national or state bank may also establish a de novo branch out of state if such branching is expressly permitted by the other state.
The BHC Act also prohibits a bank holding company, with certain exceptions, from engaging in or acquiring direct or indirect control of more than five percent of the voting shares of any company engaged in non-banking activities. One of the principal exceptions to these prohibitions is engaging in, or acquiring shares of a company engaged in, activities found by the FRB, by order or regulations, to be so closely related to banking or the management of banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Activities determined by the FRB to be so closely related to banking within the meaning of the BHC Act include operating a mortgage company, finance company, credit card company, factoring company, trust company or savings association; performing certain data processing operations; providing limited securities brokerage services; acting as an investment or financial advisor; acting as an insurance agent for certain types of credit-related insurance; leasing personal property on a full-payout, non-operating basis; providing tax planning and preparation services; operating a collection agency; and providing certain courier services. The FRB also has determined that under the BHC Act certain other activities, including real estate brokerage and syndication, land development, property management, and underwriting of life insurance unrelated to credit transactions, are not closely related to banking and therefore are not a proper incident thereto.
Historically, the BHC Act has restricted the business activities and acquisitions that may be engaged in or made by the Company. The enactment of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (the “GLB Act”), which became effective on March 11, 2000, permits bank holding companies to elect to be treated as “financial holding companies.” If the Company should elect to become a financial holding company, the business activities and acquisitions or investments that may be engaged in will be significantly expanded. A financial holding company is authorized to engage in any activity that is financial in nature or incidental to an activity that is financial in nature or is a complementary activity. These activities include insurance, securities transactions, and traditional banking related activities.
The GLB Act also authorizes a state bank to have a financial subsidiary that engages, as a principal, in the same activities that are permitted for a financial subsidiary of a national bank if the state bank meets eligible criteria and special conditions for maintaining the financial subsidiary. The GLB Act designates the FRB as the umbrella supervisor of financial holding companies and adopts a system of functional regulation where the primary regulator is determined by the nature of the activity rather than the type of institution. If the Company should elect to become a financial holding company, the Company may be subject to supervision from different governmental agencies. As of the date hereof, the Company has made no determination to elect to be treated as a financial holding company and, accordingly, will still be subject to regulations as a bank holding company under the BHC Act.
The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries. The ability of holders of debt and equity securities of the Company to benefit from the distribution of assets from any subsidiary upon the liquidation or reorganization of such subsidiary is subordinate to prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary (including depositors in the case of banking subsidiaries), except to the extent that a claim of the Company as a creditor may be recognized.
There are various statutory and regulatory limitations regarding the extent to which present and future banking subsidiaries of the Company can finance or otherwise transfer funds to the Company or its nonbanking subsidiaries, whether in the form of loans, extensions of credit, investments or asset purchases, including regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends directly or indirectly to the Company from the Bank. Federal and state bank regulatory agencies also have the authority to limit further the Bank’s payment of dividends based on such factors as the maintenance of adequate capital for such subsidiary Bank, which could reduce the amount of dividends otherwise payable. Under applicable banking statutes, at December 31, 2006, the Bank could declare additional dividends of $62.5 million to the Company without prior regulatory approval.
Under the policy of the FRB, the Company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to the Bank and to commit resources to support the Bank in circumstances where the Company might not do so absent such policy. In addition, any subordinated loans by the Company to the Bank would also be subordinate in right of payment to depositors and obligations to general creditors of such subsidiary bank.
The Bank is organized under the Banking Law of the State of New York. Its operations are subject to Federal and state laws applicable to commercial banks and to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the Superintendent of Banks and the Banking Board of the State of New York, as well as by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), as its primary Federal regulator and insurer of deposits. The New York Superintendent of Banks and the FDIC periodically examine the affairs of the Bank for the purpose of determining its financial condition and compliance with laws and regulations.
The New York Superintendent of Banks and the FDIC have significant discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. Any change in such policies whether by the FDIC, Congress, the New York Superintendent of Banks or the New York Legislature could have a material adverse impact on the Bank and the Company.
The Company is subject to risk-based capital and leverage guidelines issued by the FRB. The Bank, whose deposits are insured by the FDIC, is subject to similar guidelines. These guidelines are utilized to evaluate capital adequacy. The regulatory agencies are required by law to take specific prompt corrective actions with respect to banks that do not meet minimum capital standards. As of December 31, 2006, the Bank was classified as “well capitalized” for regulatory purposes. See “Capital Resources” under Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Federal laws and regulations also limit, with certain exceptions, the ability of banks to engage in activities or make equity investments that are not permissible for national banks. The Company does not expect such provisions to have a material adverse effect on the Bank or the Company.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
On July 29, 2002, Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”), which provides for extensive new regulations regarding corporate governance, auditor independence and oversight, and other related matters. Among other things, the Act required: the establishment of a Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to monitor the audit profession with respect to audits of public companies; establishment of audit independence standards; establishment of corporate responsibility standards that include rules and regulations with respect to audit committees and corporate responsibility for financial reports; disclosures and assessment of internal controls; and increases in corporate and criminal fraud accountability that sets forth white collar crime penalty enhancements. The Act also requires the Company to name and disclose the Company’s Audit Committee financial expert or explain why no such Audit Committee financial expert has been named.
In conjunction with the Act’s requirements, the SEC and New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) have issued numerous rules and regulations, which have various implementation dates. The Company has complied with all such rules and regulations to date and will continue to comply with all rules and regulations as they become effective.
Government Monetary Policies and Economic Controls
The earnings and growth of the banking industry, the Company, and the Bank are affected by general economic conditions, as well as by the policies of monetary authorities, including the FRB. An important function of the FRB is to regulate the national supply of bank credit in order to maintain economic growth and curb inflationary pressures. Its policies are used in varying combinations to influence overall growth of bank loans, investments and deposits and may also affect interest rates charged on loans or paid for deposits.
In view of changing conditions in the national economy and the financial markets, as well as the effect of actions by monetary and fiscal authorities, including the FRB, no prediction can be made by the Company as to possible future changes in interest rates, deposit levels, loan demand, investments, or their effect on the business and earnings of the Company and the Bank.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Strong competition within the Company’s market areas may limit its growth and profitability.
Competition in the banking and financial services industry is intense. In the Company’s market area, the Company competes with commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage firms, credit unions, and insurance companies operating locally and elsewhere. Many of these competitors (including money center, national and regional institutions) have substantially greater resources and higher lending limits than the Company and may offer certain services that the Company does not or cannot provide. The Company’s profitability depends upon its continued ability to successfully compete in its market area.
Changes in interest rates may reduce the Company’s net income.
The Company’s net income depends largely on the relationship between the yield on interest earning assets, primarily commercial loans and securities, and the cost of deposits and borrowings. This relationship, known as the net interest rate spread, is subject to fluctuations and is affected by economic and competitive factors that influence market interest rates, the volume and mix of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, and the level of non-performing assets. Fluctuations in market interest rates affect customer demand for the Company’s products and services. The Company is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that interest bearing liabilities reprice or mature more slowly or more rapidly or on a different basis than interest earning assets.
In addition, the actual amount of time before loans and securities are repaid can be significantly impacted by changes in prepayment rates and market interest rates. Prepayment rates will vary due to a number of factors, including the regional economy in the areas where the underlying loans were originated, seasonal factors, demographic variables and the assumability of the underlying mortgages. However, the major factors affecting prepayment rates are prevailing interest rates, related refinancing opportunities and competition. Securities are also subject to calls that are due to changes in market interest rates. If this were to occur and should the Company decide to reinvest the proceeds at a potentially lower rate, this may negatively impact the Company’s net interest income.
Also, many of the Company’s borrowings contain features that would allow them to be called prior to contractual maturity in periods of rising interest rates. If this were to occur, the Company would either renew the borrowings at a potentially higher rate of interest, which may negatively impact the Company’s net interest income, or repay such borrowings. If the Company sells securities to fund the repayment of such borrowings, the securities sold could result in a loss. Changes in interest rates may also affect the value of the underlying collateral to the borrowing. This may result in additional collateral needed for the borrowings. The effects of interest rate changes on the Company’s net interest income are further described on page 63 of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The geographic concentration of the Company’s loan portfolio and lending activities may increase its credit risk.
The Company’s business depends significantly on general economic conditions in the New York Metropolitan area. Unlike larger banks that are more geographically diversified, the Company provides banking and financial services to customers primarily in the New York Metropolitan area. The local economic conditions in the New York Metropolitan area have a significant impact on its loans, the ability of the borrowers to repay these loans, and the value of the collateral securing these loans. A significant decline in general economic conditions caused by inflation, recession, unemployment, or other factors beyond the Company’s control would impact these local economic conditions and could negatively affect the financial results of its banking operations. Additionally, because the Company has a significant amount of commercial real estate loans, decreases in tenant occupancy may also have a negative effect on the ability of many of the Company’s borrowers to make timely repayments of their loans, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s net income.
The Company’s continued emphasis on real estate lending could adversely affect the Company’s net income.
Originating loans secured by real estate is the Company’s primary business. The Company’s financial results may be adversely affected by changes in prevailing economic conditions, primarily in the Metropolitan area. These economic conditions include decreases in real estate values, adverse employment conditions, the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal, state, and local governments, and other significant external events. As of December 31, 2006, approximately 88.6 percent of the Company’s loan portfolio was secured by real estate related properties located primarily in the New York Metropolitan market area. Decreases in real estate values could adversely affect the value of the properties pledged as collateral for the Company’s loans. Adverse changes in the economy may also have a negative effect on the ability of the Company’s borrowers to make timely repayments of their loans, which may have an adverse impact on net income.
If the Company’s allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan loss, net income may be adversely affected.
If the Company’s borrowers are not able to repay their loans according to the terms of their loans, and the collateral securing the payment of these loans is not sufficient to pay any remaining indebtedness, the Company may experience significant loan losses, which may have a material adverse effect on its net income. The Company makes various assumptions and judgments about the collectibility of its loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of its borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of its loans. In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, the Company relies on its loan quality reviews, experience, and evaluation of economic conditions, among other factors. If the Company’s assumptions and judgments prove to be incorrect, the allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses to the loan portfolio, resulting in additional provisions for credit losses. Additional provisions for credit losses would decrease the Company’s net income.
In addition, bank regulators periodically review the Company’s loan portfolio, loan underwriting procedures, and the allowance for loan losses, which may require the Company to increase its provision for credit losses or otherwise recognize further loan charge-offs. Any increase in its allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs, as required by these regulatory authorities, may have an adverse effect on the Company’s net income.
The Company operates in a highly regulated industry, which limits the manner and scope of the Company’s business activities.
The Bank is subject to extensive supervision, regulation, and examination by the New York State Banking Department, its chartering authority, and by the FDIC, as the primary Federal regulator and insurer of deposits. As a result, the Bank is limited in the manner in which it conducts its business, undertakes new investments and activities, and obtains financing. This regulatory structure is designed primarily for the protection of the deposit insurance funds and the Bank’s depositors and not to benefit the Company’s stockholders. This regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to capital levels, the timing and amount of dividend payments, the classification of assets, and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves. The Company is also subject to supervision, regulation and examination by the FRB. In addition, the Company must comply with significant anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism laws. Government agencies have substantial discretion to impose significant monetary penalties on institutions that fail to comply with these laws.
Changes in laws, government regulation, and monetary policy may have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations.
Financial institution regulation has been the subject of significant legislation and may be the subject of further significant legislation in the future, none of which is in the Company’s control. Significant new laws or changes in, or repeals of, existing laws, including with respect to Federal and state taxation, may cause the Company’s results of operations to differ materially. The cost of compliance may adversely affect the Company’s ability to operate profitability. Also, Federal monetary policy significantly affects credit conditions for the Company. These policies are implemented through the Federal Reserve System, primarily through open market operations in U.S. government securities, the discount rate for bank borrowings, and reserve requirements. A material change in any of these conditions may have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The main office of the Company and the Bank, including the Executive Offices, Finance, Commercial Loan, Residential Mortgage, Credit Administration, Legal, Compliance, Human Resources, Facilities/Security, Internal Audit, Operations Center, Customer Service Center, Transit and Data Processing, Marketing, Consumer Loan, and Credit Card Departments, is located at its Corporate Headquarters building, which is owned by the Bank at 100 Dutch Hill Road, Orangeburg, New York. The Bank’s main branch and Pension Department are located at 46 College Avenue, Nanuet, New York in premises that are leased by the Bank. The Bank also has loan production offices that may originate loans and disburse funds located at White Plains Road in Tarrytown, New York, and 999 Bedford Street, Stamford, Connecticut, which premises are leased, and 50 North Church Street, Goshen, New York, which premises are owned.
In addition to the main branch in Nanuet, the Bank operates 13 retail banking branches in Rockland County, New York: 270 South Little Tor Road, New City; Route 59, Monsey; 115 South Main Street, New City; 45 Kennedy Drive, Spring Valley; 35 South Liberty Drive, Stony Point; One Broadway, Haverstraw; Route 9W and Railroad Avenue, West Haverstraw; 338 Route 59, Central Nyack; 230 North Middletown Road, Pearl River; 747 Chestnut Ridge Road, Chestnut Ridge; 65 Dutch Hill Road, Orangeburg; 59 Route 59, Suffern, and 4 North Main Street, Spring Valley. The premises of the Little Tor Road, 45 Kennedy Drive, Spring Valley, Central Nyack, Chestnut Ridge and Orangeburg branch offices are leased, while the other Rockland County branch offices are owned by the Bank.
The Bank also operates 12 retail banking branches in Westchester County, New York: Central Avenue, Tarrytown; 75 North Broadway, Tarrytown; 299 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills; 3000 East Main Street, Cortlandt Manor; 28 Le Count Place, New Rochelle; 313 Main Street, Eastchester; 270 Martine Avenue, White Plains; Croton Avenue, Ossining, which are owned, and leased locations at 76 Virginia Road, North White Plains; 1779 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers; 2500 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers; and 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook. The Bank also operates retail banking branches at 11 East 22nd Street, New York City, New York, 26 Brotherhood Plaza Drive, Washingtonville, New York (which opened on January 8, 2007), and 999 Bedford Street, Stamford, Connecticut, all of which are leased, and 50 North Church Street, Goshen, New York, which is owned.
In the opinion of management, the premises, fixtures, and equipment used by the Company and the Bank are adequate and suitable for the conduct of their businesses. All the facilities are well maintained and provide adequate parking.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Various actions and proceedings are presently pending to which the Company is a party in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. Management, based on the advice of legal counsel, is of the opinion that the aggregate liabilities, if any, arising from such actions would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position of the Company.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The following table sets forth information with respect to purchases made by the Company of its common stock during the year ended December 31, 2006.
The Company announced a common stock repurchase plan of up to 300,000 shares on December 13, 2005, which expired on December 31, 2006.
Market Information and Holders
The Company’s common stock was held of record as of February 28, 2007 by 1,261 registered stockholders and is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “UBH.”
The high and low sales prices for the Company’s common stock, as reported by the NYSE, as adjusted for the 5 percent stock dividend distributed in September 2005, for each quarter of 2006 and 2005 and through February 28, 2007 are as follows:
A summary of the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2006 is included in Item 12.
Dividends
The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a policy of paying quarterly cash dividends to holders of its common stock. In 2006, quarterly cash dividends per share were paid as follows: $0.14 to stockholders of record on March 31, June 30, and September 30 and $0.15 to stockholders of record on December 31. In 2005, quarterly cash dividends were paid as follows: $0.13 to stockholders of record on March 31 and June 30, and $0.14 to stockholders of record on September 30 and December 31.
The Company expects that regular quarterly dividends will continue in the future, depending upon the Company’s earnings, financial condition, and other factors. Any funds that the Company may require in the future to pay cash dividends, as well as various Company expenses, are expected to be obtained by the Company chiefly in the form of cash dividends from the Bank and secondarily from the issuance of stock under Director and Employee Stock Option Plans. The ability of the Company to declare and pay dividends in the future will depend not only upon its future earnings and financial condition, but also upon the future earnings and financial condition of the Bank and its nonbank subsidiaries and upon the ability of the Bank to transfer funds to the Company primarily in the form of cash dividends.
Under New York Banking Law, a New York bank may declare and pay dividends not more often than quarterly, and no dividends may be declared, credited, or paid so long as there is any impairment of capital stock. In addition, except with the approval of the New York State Superintendent of Banks, the total of all dividends declared in any year may not exceed the sum of a bank’s net profits for that year and its undistributed net profits for the preceding two years, less any required transfers to surplus. A bank may be required to transfer to surplus up to 10 percent of its net profits in any accounting period if its combined capital stock, surplus, and undivided profit accounts do not equal 10 percent of its net deposit liabilities. At December 31, 2006, the Bank could pay dividends of $62.5 million to the Company without having to obtain prior regulatory approval.
The Company may not pay dividends on its common stock or preferred stock if it is in default with respect to the subordinated debt or related Capital Securities issued in March 2004, June 2002, July 2001, and February 1997, or if the Company elects to defer payment for up to five years as permitted under the terms of each subordinated debenture and Capital Securities. See note 10 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The payment of dividends by the Company may also be limited by the FRB’s capital adequacy and dividend payment guidelines applicable to bank holding companies (see Item 1 - Business - Supervision and Regulation). Under these guidelines, the Company may not pay any dividends on shares of the Company’s common stock until such time as its debt to equity ratio (as defined, including long-term debt qualifying as capital) is below 30 percent.
NYSE CERTIFICATION
On June 13, 2006, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer submitted his annual certification to the NYSE indicating that he was not aware of any violation by the Company of NYSE corporate governance listing standards.
Performance Graph
The following graph provides a comparison of the annual percentage changes in the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company’s common stock with that of a Peer Group and the Russell 2000 Market Value Index (“Russell 2000 Index”) for the five-year period ended December 31, 2006. The comparison assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2001 in the Company’s common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes the reinvestment of all dividends.
*
U.S.B. Holding Peer Group consists of nine banks that trade on major exchanges and are headquartered in New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania and have between $2.0 billion and $5.0 billion in total assets. The banks include Community Bank System, Inc., Community Banks, Inc., Harleysville National Corporation, Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., S&T Bancorp, Inc., Signature Bank, Sun Bancorp, Inc., Tompkins Trustco, Inc. and Yardville National Bancorp.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the table entitled “Selected Financial Data” in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders, page 56.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders, beginning on page 56.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders, beginning on page 75.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders, beginning on page 17.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company has evaluated the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures to determine whether they are effective in ensuring that the disclosure of required information is timely made in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) and the rules and forms of the SEC. This evaluation was made under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer as of December 31, 2006. The principal executive officer and principal financial officer have each concluded, based on their review, that, as of December 31, 2006, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined by Exchange Act Rules 13a- 15(e) and 15d-15(e), are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time period specified in SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter of 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
The Company’s Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and the related report of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm appear on pages 52 and 54, respectively, of the Company’s 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders and are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Company has named the Chairman of the Audit Committee, Mr. Edward T. Lutz, as the Audit Committee financial expert. The Board of Directors of the Company carefully evaluated the experience of Mr. Lutz in relation to specific criteria established by the SEC for determination of Audit Committee financial experts. Mr. Lutz, as well as the two other Audit Committee members, Mr. Howard V. Ruderman and Mr. Kenneth J. Torsoe, meet the qualifications for independent Audit Committee members as defined by the SEC.
Included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K are the Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics applicable to Financial Officers and the Chief Executive Officer. Copies of the Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics applicable to Financial Officers and the Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Governance Practices and Principles and charters of Board committees can be obtained upon request, free of charge, from the Company’s Corporate Headquarters and are also available on the Company’s website at www.unionstate.com.
Additional information required by Item 10 is incorporated by reference to the information in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2007 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting that will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after December 31, 2006 (“2007 Proxy Statement”), under the headings “Item 1: Election of Directors,” “Audit Committee Independence,” and “Audit Committee Financial Expert.”
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information in the Company’s 2007 Proxy Statement under the headings “Executive Compensation,” “Compensation Committee Report,” and “Item 1: Election of Directors.”
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information with respect to equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2006 is as follows:
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Additional information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the information in the Company’s 2007 Proxy Statement under the headings “Ownership of Shares by Management” and “Principal Stockholders of the Company.”
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information in the Company’s 2007 Proxy Statement under the headings “Certain Relationships and Transactions with Management” and “Item 1: Election of Directors.”
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information in the Company’s 2007 Proxy Statement under the heading “Principal Accounting Firm: Fees and Policies.”
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Documents Filed as a Part of this Report:
1. and 2. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES
The following financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries are incorporated in Item 8 by reference to the Company’s 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders:
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION, DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005, AND 2004
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005, AND
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005, AND 2004
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Financial Statement Schedules are omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they are required or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto.
3. EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
Exhibit
(3) (a)
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 (“2002 Second Quarter 10-Q”), Exhibit (3)(a)).
(3) (b)
Bylaws of Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-14 (File No. 2-79734), Exhibit (3)(b)).
(4) (a)
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated February 5, 1997, between Registrant and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 001-12811) (“1996 10-K”), Exhibit (4)(a)).
(4) (b)
Guarantee Agreement, dated February 5, 1997, by and between Registrant and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee for the holders of 9.58% Capital Securities of Union State Capital Trust I (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s 1996 10-K, Exhibit (4)(b)).
(4) (c)
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Union State Capital Trust I (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s 1996 10-K, Exhibit (4)(c)).
(4) (d)
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated July 31, 2001, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001 (“2001 Third Quarter 10-Q”), Exhibit (4)(d)).
(4) (e)
Guarantee Agreement, dated July 31, 2001, by and between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as trustee for the holders of Capital Securities of Union State Statutory Trust II (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s 2001 Third Quarter 10-Q, Exhibit (4)(e)).
(4) (f)
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Union State Statutory Trust II (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s 2001 Third Quarter 10-Q, Exhibit (4)(f)).
(4) (g)
Indenture, dated June 26, 2002, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as trustee, (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s 2002 Second Quarter 10-Q, Exhibit (4)(g)).
(4) (h)
Guarantee Agreement dated June 26, 2002, by and between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as trustee for the holders of Capital Securities of USB Statutory Trust III, (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s 2002 Second Quarter 10-Q, Exhibit (4)(h)).
(4) (i)
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of USB Statutory Trust III, (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s 2002 Second Quarter 10-Q, Exhibit (4)(i)).
(4) (j)
Registrant’s Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Form S-3 Registration Statement filed December 14, 1993 (File No. 33-72788)).
(4) (k)
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Union State Statutory Trust IV dated March 25, 2004 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (“2004 First Quarter 10-Q”), Exhibit (10)(ad)).
(4) (l)
Indenture dated March 25, 2004 between Registrant and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s 2004 First Quarter 10-Q, Exhibit (10)(ae)).
(4) (m)
Guarantee Agreement dated March 24, 2004 by and between registrant and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee for the holders of Capital Securities of Union State Bank Statutory Trust IV (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s 2004 First Quarter 10-Q, Exhibit (10)(af)).
(10) (a)
Agreement of Employment dated as of November 16, 2003 between the Company and the Bank and Thomas E. Hales (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, Exhibit (10)(a)).
(10) (b)
Agreement of Employment dated as of July 28, 2004 between the Company and the Bank and Raymond J. Crotty (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 (“2004 Second Quarter 10-Q”), Exhibit (10)(b)).
(10) (c)
Registrant’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (With 401(k) Provisions) (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (“2001 10-K”), Exhibit (10)(g)).
(10) (d)
Registrant’s Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s 1996 10-K, Exhibit (10)(f)).
(10) (e)
Registrant’s 1998 Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Form S-8 Registration Statement, filed June 5, 1998 (File No. 333-56169), Exhibit (99.1)).
(10) (f)
Registrant’s Key Employees’ Supplemental Investment Plan, as amended July 1, 1997 and September 1, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, (File No. 001-12811), Exhibit (10)(j)).
(10) (g)
Registrant’s Key Employees’ Supplemental Diversified Investment Plan dated September 1, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 001-12811), Exhibit (10)(k)).
(10) (h)
Registrant’s 1997 Employee Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit A to Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed April 16, 1997 (File No. 001-12811)).
(10) (i)
Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Tarrytowns Bank, FSB (incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-94128) filed on June 30, 1995, as amended, Exhibit 10.7).
(10) (j)
Registrant’s 2005 Employee Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed April 28, 2005).
(10) (k)
Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement by and between the Registrant and recipients of stock options granted pursuant to the Employee Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 16, 2005).
(10) (l)
Registrant’s 2005 Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix B to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed April 28, 2005).
(10) (m)
Form of Director Stock Option Agreement by and between the Registrant and recipients of stock options granted pursuant to the Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 16, 2005).
(10) (n)
Registrant’s Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors of U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc. and Certain Affiliates dated Effective as of May 19, 1999, and as amended March 20, 2002 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s 2001 10-K, Exhibit (10)(w)).
(10) (o)
Asset Purchase and Account Assumption Agreement by and between Union State Bank and La Jolla Bank dated May 25, 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, Exhibit (10)(oo)).
(10) (p)
U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc. Severance Plan dated January 30, 2002 (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s 2001 10-K, Exhibit (10)(y)).
(10) (q)
Asset Purchase and Liability Assumption Agreement dated as of June 14, 2002, by and between Union State Bank and Fourth Federal Savings Bank (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s 2002 Second Quarter 10-Q, Exhibit (10)(z)).
(10) (r)
U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc. Executive Incentive Bonus Plan as amended February 24, 1999 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit A to Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed April 27, 1999 (File No. 002-79734)).
(10) (s)
Amendment No. 2 to the Key Employees’ Supplemental Investment Plan dated September 1, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 (“2003 Third Quarter 10-Q”), Exhibit (10)(ab)).
(10) (t)
Amendment No. 1 to the Key Employees’ Diversified Investment Plan dated September 1, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s 2003 Third Quarter 10-Q, Exhibit (10)(ac)).
(10) (u)
Amended and restated Key Employees’ Supplemental Investment Plan and Key Employees’ Supplemental Diversified Investment Plan dated November 30, 2005, effective January 1, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (“2005 10-K”), Exhibit (10)(cc)).
(10) (v)
Amended and restated Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors of U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc. and Certain Affiliates dated December 13, 2005, effective January 1, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s 2005 10-K, Exhibit (10)(dd)).
(13)
Registrant’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2006* (portions incorporated herein by reference).
(14) (a)
Business Code of Conduct.*
(14) (b)
Code of Ethics applicable to Financial Officers and the Chief Executive Officer.*
(21)
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.*
(23)
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.*
(31.1)
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).*
(31.2)
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).*
(32)
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*
*Filed Herewith
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on March 13, 2007.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2007.
/s/ THOMAS E. HALES
/s/ THOMAS M. BUONAIUTO
Thomas E. Hales, Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer, and Director
Thomas M. Buonaiuto, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Assistant Secretary
/s/ RAYMOND J. CROTTY
/s/ MICHAEL H. FURY
Raymond J. Crotty, President, Chief Operating Officer,
Secretary, and Director
Michael H. Fury, Esq., Director
/s/ EDWARD T. LUTZ
/s/ KEVIN J. PLUNKETT
Edward T. Lutz, Director
Kevin J. Plunkett, Esq., Director
/s/ HOWARD V. RUDERMAN
/s/ KENNETH J. TORSOE
Howard V. Ruderman, Director
Kenneth J. Torsoe, Director
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
December 31, 2006 and 2005
U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc.
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004
U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc.
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004
U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc.
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004
U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc.
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc.
Balance sheet information as of December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, and income statement information for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 are not covered by the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included on page 51. The weighted average common shares outstanding and per common share amounts have been adjusted to reflect all stock dividends and splits.
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS
U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation incorporated on July 6, 1982, is a bank holding company that provides financial services through its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company and its subsidiaries derive substantially all of their revenue and income from providing banking and related services primarily to customers in Rockland and Westchester Counties, New York City and Long Island, New York, and Southern Connecticut, as well as Orange, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, New York, and the surrounding area (the “Metropolitan area”).
Union State Bank (the “Bank”), the Company’s wholly-owned banking subsidiary, is a New York State chartered full-service commercial bank that was established in 1969. The Bank offers a complete range of community banking services to individuals, municipalities, corporations, and small and medium-size businesses through its 28 retail branches in Rockland, Westchester and Orange Counties (as of January 8, 2007, the Bank’s second Orange County branch opened), and one branch each in Stamford, Connecticut, and New York City, New York. The Bank also has loan production offices located in Rockland County, Westchester County, and Orange County, New York, and Stamford, Connecticut. The Bank’s corporate offices are located in Rockland County. The Bank’s products and services include checking accounts, NOW accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts (passbook and statement), certificates of deposit, retirement accounts, commercial loans, personal loans, residential, construction, home equity (second mortgage) and condominium mortgage loans, consumer loans, credit cards, safe deposit facilities, and other consumer oriented financial services. The Bank also makes available to its customers automated teller machines (ATMs), debit cards, lock-box services, and internet banking.
USB Delaware Inc. is a Delaware passive investment company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank. USB Delaware Inc. was established by the Bank for the purpose of managing TPNZ Preferred Funding Corporation (“TPNZ”).
TPNZ is a majority-owned subsidiary of USB Delaware Inc. TPNZ manages certain mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans, substantially all of which were previously owned by the Bank and TPNZ’s former parent company, Tarrytowns Bank, FSB (“Tarrytowns”). TPNZ qualifies as a Real Estate Investment Trust for income tax purposes.
Dutch Hill Realty Corp. and U.S.B. Financial Services, Inc. are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Bank. Dutch Hill Realty Corp. manages problem assets and real estate acquired in foreclosure by the Bank. U.S.B. Financial Services, Inc. sells mutual funds, annuities and life insurance products in conjunction with an agreement with a third party brokerage and insurance firm specializing in bank financial products.
Union State Capital Trust I (“Trust I”), a Delaware business trust, Union State Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”) and USB Statutory Trust III (“Trust III”), both Connecticut business trusts, and Union State Statutory Trust IV (“Trust IV”), a Delaware business trust, were established by the Company in 1997, 2001, 2002, and 2004, respectively. Trust I, Trust II, Trust III, and Trust IV (collectively, the “Trusts”) were established for the purpose of issuing corporation-obligated mandatory redeemable capital securities (“Capital Securities”) and acquiring junior subordinated debt from the Company (see Note 10).
Ad Con, Inc., currently inactive, is a wholly-owned non-bank subsidiary of the Company.
2. ACQUISITIONS
As of the close of business on March 19, 2004, the Bank assumed deposits and acquired certain assets in connection with the acquisition of Reliance Bank. Reliance Bank was closed by the New York Superintendent of Banks, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) as Receiver. Reliance Bank, which operated as a one branch bank at 1200 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, New York, became a Bank branch effective immediately after its closing. During February 2005, the Bank closed the Mamaroneck Avenue branch, and the deposits were transferred to the Bank’s Martine Avenue, White Plains branch.
The assumption of deposits and acquisition of certain assets of Reliance Bank has been accounted for as a business combination in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141, “Accounting for Business Combinations.” Assets, time deposits, and other liabilities acquired have been recorded at their estimated fair values as of March 19, 2004, and a core deposit intangible of $0.7 million ($0.3 million as of December 31, 2006) was recorded based on a core deposit valuation study. Goodwill of $1.4 million was also recorded. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” the core deposit intangible is being amortized over its estimated life of fifteen years, and the goodwill component is tested for impairment annually at year-end. As of December 31, 2006, there was no impairment of goodwill.
3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Bank (including the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries: Dutch Hill Realty Corp.; U.S.B. Financial Services, Inc.; USB Delaware Inc.; and TPNZ, which is a majority-owned subsidiary of USB Delaware Inc.), and Ad Con, Inc. The Consolidated Financial Statements do not include the Trusts as a result of the deconsolidation of the Trusts under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 46 and 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Basis of Financial Statement Presentation: The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“generally accepted accounting principles”) and predominant practices used within the banking industry. In preparing such financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of actual and contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and the revenues and expenses for the periods reported. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and provision for credit losses. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and provision for credit losses, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties for loans that are collateralized by real estate.
Securities: In accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” the Company’s investment policies include a determination of the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. Securities that may be sold as part of the Company’s asset/liability or liquidity management, or in response to or in anticipation of changes in interest rates and resulting prepayment risk, or for similar factors, are classified as available for sale. Securities that the Company has the ability and positive intent to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost. Realized gains and losses on the sales of all securities, determined by using the specific identification method, are reported in earnings. Securities available for sale are shown in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at estimated fair value and the resulting net unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
The decision to sell securities available for sale is based on management’s assessment of changes in economic or financial market conditions, interest rate risk, and the Company’s financial position and liquidity. Estimated fair values for securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, estimated fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments. Securities in an unrealized loss position are periodically evaluated for other than temporary impairment. Management considers the effect of interest rates, credit ratings, and other factors on the valuation of such securities, as well as the Company’s intent and ability to hold such securities until a forecasted recovery or maturity occurs. The Company does not acquire any significant amount of securities for the purpose of engaging in trading activities.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: In accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended by SFAS No. 137, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective date of FASB Statement No. 133” and SFAS No. 138, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of SFAS 133,” and as further amended by SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (collectively, “SFAS No. 133”), the Company established accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS No. 133 requires that all derivatives be recognized in the statement of financial condition, either as assets or as liabilities, and be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 133 requires that changes in a derivative’s fair value be recognized in current earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Hedge accounting for qualifying hedges permits changes in the fair value of derivatives to be either offset against the changes in the fair value of the hedged item through earnings or recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.
The Company has not entered into any derivative instruments or hedging activities during the periods reported in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities: The Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” (“SFAS No. 140”), which establishes a consistent application of a financial components approach that requires recognition of the financial and servicing assets the Company controls and the liabilities it has incurred, derecognition of financial assets when control has been surrendered and derecognition of liabilities when extinguished. SFAS No. 140 provides consistent guidelines for distinguishing transfers of financial assets that are sales from transfers that are secured borrowings.
Loans: Loans are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income and the allowance for loan losses. Interest income on loans is recorded on an accrual basis unless an interest or principal payment is more than 90 days past due (with the exception of credit card loans for which the criteria is 180 days past due) or sooner if, in the opinion of management, there is a question as to the ability of the debtor to continue to make payments. At the time a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, interest accrued but not collected is reversed. Interest payments received while a loan is on nonaccrual status are either applied to reduce principal or, based on management’s estimate of collectibility, recognized as income. Loans are returned to accrual status when factors indicating doubtful collectibility no longer exist.
Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred, and the net amount is accreted as an adjustment of the loan yield over the life of the related loan.
Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses is increased by charges to income through the provision for credit losses and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of loans previously charged-off. Management also provides a reserve, which is included in other liabilities, related to contractually committed loans that have not yet been funded and standby letters of credit.
A comprehensive evaluation of the quality of the loan portfolio is performed by management on a quarterly basis as an integral part of the credit administration function. Several aspects of the evaluation include: the identification and evaluation of past due loans, non-performing loans, impaired loans, and potential problem loans; assessment of the current economic environment, applicable industries represented in the loan portfolio, and geographic and customer concentrations of the loan portfolio; and review of historical credit loss experience.
Management believes that the allowance for loan losses (the “allowance”) and reserve related to unfunded loans and standby letters of credit (the “reserve”) appropriately reflect the risk elements inherent in the credit portfolio as of the balance sheet date. In management’s judgment, the allowance and reserve are considered appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the credit portfolio. While management uses available information to recognize probable credit losses, future adjustments to the allowance and reserve may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, particularly in the Company’s primary service areas.
A loan is recognized as impaired when it is probable that either principal and/or interest are not collectible in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement. Measurement of the impairment is based on the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the estimated fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If the estimated fair value of the impaired loan is less than the related recorded amount, a specific valuation allowance is established or a write-down is charged against the allowance for loan losses if the impairment is considered to be permanent. Homogenous loans such as residential mortgage, home equity, and installment loans are collectively evaluated for impairment.
Premises and Equipment: Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives (20 to 31 years for buildings and 3 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment) of the related assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, if shorter, the term of the applicable lease.
Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”): OREO includes properties acquired in full or partial satisfaction of loans. OREO properties are recorded at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Losses arising at the time of acquisition of such properties are charged against the allowance for loan losses. Net costs of maintaining and operating foreclosed properties and any subsequent provisions for changes in valuation are charged or credited to results of operations when incurred. Gains and losses realized from the sale of OREO are included as part of other income or other non-interest expenses. Sales of OREO financed by the Bank are required to meet the Bank’s underwriting standards.
Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting. Deferred income taxes are based on prevailing statutory regulations. Valuation allowances for deferred tax assets are established when, in management’s judgment, it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company and its subsidiaries, with the exception of TPNZ, file a consolidated Federal income tax return. The Company and its subsidiaries, with the exception of TPNZ and USB Delaware Inc., file a combined New York State income tax return. The Bank files separate Connecticut State and New York City income tax returns. TPNZ files separate Federal and New York State income tax returns. USB Delaware Inc. is not subject to State of Delaware income tax under current Delaware law.
Earnings per Common Share (“EPS”): The Company computes EPS based upon the provisions of SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (“SFAS No. 128”). SFAS No. 128 establishes standards for computing and presenting “basic” and “diluted” EPS. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders (net income after preferred stock dividend requirements) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.
Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if options were exercised and resulted in the issuance of common stock that would then share in the earnings of the Company, reduced by common stock that could be repurchased by the Company with the assumed proceeds of such exercise and related tax benefit. Diluted EPS is based on net income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and common equivalent shares (“adjusted weighted average common shares”). Stock options granted but not yet exercised under the Company’s stock option plans are considered common stock equivalents for diluted EPS calculations.
Accounting for Share-Based Payment: SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS No. 123”) was revised in December 2004 by SFAS No. 123R “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”) to require accounting for share-based compensation using a fair value based method in the financial statements for the first interim or reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005. Under the SFAS No. 123R transition method, compensation cost is recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, for the portion of outstanding awards for which the requisite service has not yet been rendered, based on the grant-date fair value of those awards calculated under SFAS No. 123 for either recognition or pro forma disclosures. Prior to SFAS No. 123R, forfeitures were recorded as they occurred. The Company applied SFAS No. 123R beginning January 1, 2006 under the modified prospective method. Accordingly, prior period amounts have not been restated.
The Company provides stock option plans to the Company’s Board of Directors, Tappan Zee Financial, Inc.’s (“Tappan Zee”) (parent company of Tarrytowns) former Board of Directors, and certain employees (see Note 17) for the purchase of Company common stock at prices at least equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. All stock option plans have been approved by the stockholders of the Company.
For the year ended December 31, 2006, the adoption of SFAS No. 123R resulted in stock-based compensation expense of $1.2 million, a decrease in net income of $0.8 million, a decrease in basic earnings per common share of $0.04, and a decrease in diluted earnings per common share of $0.04. The income tax benefit related to the stock-based compensation cost for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $0.4 million. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, $2.1 million and $4.7 million, respectively, was received from the exercise of stock options and $3.0 million and $1.6 million was realized as income tax deductions from the exercise of stock options, respectively.
As of December 31, 2006, there was $4.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation awards granted under the stock option plans. The cost is expected to be recognized over thirty-six months. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and is recognized over the options’ vesting period.
The following weighted average assumptions were used for the director and employee stock option plans for the year ended December 31, 2006 for stock-based compensation expense:
The following table compares the Company’s net income and basic and diluted earnings per common share, as reported, to the pro forma results as if the fair value method of accounting for options prescribed by SFAS No. 123 had been applied for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and is recognized as pro forma compensation expense over the options’ vesting period.
The following weighted average assumptions for pro forma stock-based compensation expense were used for the director and employee stock option plans for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004:
N/A: Prior to adopting SFAS No. 123R, forfeitures were recorded as they occurred.
Reporting Comprehensive Income: Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity (net assets) of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. It includes all changes in equity during a period, except those resulting from investments by and distributions to owners.
The Company’s comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 are presented as part of the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS No. 142”), requires, among other things, amortization of intangibles over the estimated useful lives and the identification of reporting units for purposes of assessing potential future impairments of goodwill. SFAS No. 142 also requires an annual impairment test of goodwill.
At December 31, 2006, core deposit intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, acquired in connection with bank and branch acquisitions were $2.2 million and $0.3 million, and are being amortized over eight year and fifteen year periods, respectively, the estimated life of the deposits assumed. In addition, there is $0.1 million of intangible assets related to a favorable lease acquired. The annual amortization expense for the remaining life of all intangibles will vary throughout the amortization periods. The maximum amount of amortization will be $1.1 million during such periods. Gross intangible assets related to bank and branch acquisitions and a favorable lease were $9.0 million at both December 31, 2006 and 2005, and accumulated amortization on such intangible assets was $6.5 million and $5.3 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. At December 31, 2006, goodwill recorded totaled $1.4 million.
Accounting for Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets: In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Accounting for Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets” (“SFAS No. 153”). SFAS No. 153 amends APB Opinion No. 29, “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions.” SFAS No. 153 eliminates the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. SFAS No. 153 is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 153 on January 1, 2006 did not have any impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment: In November 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) Nos. FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments.” This FSP addresses the determination as to when an investment is considered impaired, whether that impairment is other than temporary, and the measurement of an impairment loss. This FSP also includes accounting considerations subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment and requires certain disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other-than-temporary impairments.
This FSP nullifies certain requirements of Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments,” and supersedes EITF Topic No. D-44, “Recognition of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment upon the Planned Sale of a Security Whose Cost Exceeds Fair Value.” The guidance in this FSP amends SFAS No. 115. The FSP is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company’s adoption of FSP Nos. 115-1 and FAS 124-1 on January 1, 2006 did not have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Tax Positions: In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN No. 48”). FIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute, as well as clear criteria for subsequently recognizing, derecognizing and measuring income tax positions, for financial statement purposes. FIN No. 48 establishes a “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold that must be met before an income tax benefit can be recognized in the consolidated financial statements. To meet this threshold, a company must determine that, upon examination by the taxing authority, the income tax position is more likely than not to be sustained based on the technical merits of the position. Once the recognition threshold has been met, a company is required to recognize the largest amount of income tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority. FIN No. 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted FIN No. 48 on January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN No. 48 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans: In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - An Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (“SFAS No. 158”). SFAS No. 158 requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan, which is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation, as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position; recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income; and measure the defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position.
SFAS No. 158 also requires additional disclosures related to net actuarial gains or losses, prior service costs or credits and transition assets or obligations and their impact on comprehensive income and net periodic benefit cost. SFAS No. does not change how an employer measures plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of its statement of financial condition or how it determines the amount of net periodic benefit cost. An employer with publicly traded equity securities is required to initially recognize the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan and to provide the required disclosures as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006. The requirement to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of an employers’ year-end statement of financial condition is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS No. 158 as of December 31, 2006. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. For more information, see Note 17 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Pending Accounting Pronouncement - Fair Value Measurements: In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. A fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. SFAS No. 157 applies only to fair value measurements already required or permitted by other accounting standards and does not impose requirements for additional fair value measurements. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Management is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Pending Accounting Pronouncement - Accounting for Servicing Assets: In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No 156 “Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets” (“SFAS No 156”). SFAS No. 156 requires that an entity separately recognize a servicing asset or a servicing liability when it undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset under a servicing contract. The servicing assets or servicing liabilities must be initially measured at fair value, if practicable.
SFAS No 156 also allows an entity to choose the amortization method or the fair value measurement when subsequently measuring its servicing assets and servicing liabilities. The amortization method allows a company to amortize its servicing assets or servicing liabilities in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income or net servicing loss and requires the assessment of those servicing assets or servicing liabilities for impairment or increased obligation on the basis of fair value at each reporting date. The fair value measurement method allows companies to measure servicing assets or servicing liabilities at fair value on each reporting date and report changes in fair value in earnings in the period the change occurs. SFAS No. 156 is effective in fiscal periods beginning after September 15, 2006. The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 156 on January 1, 2007 did not have any impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
Pending Accounting Pronouncement - The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities: In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an Amendment to FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS No. 159”), which permits companies to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Management is in the process of evaluating the effects of choosing to measure eligible items at fair value under SFAS No. 159.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: For purposes of presenting the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks, as well as federal funds sold.
4. SECURITIES
A summary of the amortized cost, related gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of securities at December 31, 2006 and 2005 is as follows:
During the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2004, gross realized gains from sales of available for sale securities were $431,000 and $1,199,000, respectively. There were no gross realized losses during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2004. In addition, there were no gross realized gains or losses during the year ended December 31, 2005.
The following tables present the amortized costs of securities at December 31, 2006, distributed based on contractual maturity or earlier call date for securities expected to be called and weighted average yields computed on a tax equivalent basis. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties, and due to monthly principal payments and prepayments for mortgage-backed securities, which are distributed to a maturity category based on estimated average lives.
Maturities of Securities Available for Sale
Maturities of Securities Held to Maturity
Available for sale and held to maturity qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions, in the above tables, are not subject to Federal income tax.
Securities having a total carrying amount of approximately $936.7 million at December 31, 2006 were pledged to secure public deposits, as required or permitted by law, letters of credit, and securities sold under agreements to repurchase transactions.
As of July 16, 2004, the Company transferred at fair value available for sale U.S. government agency securities with an amortized cost basis and fair value of approximately $307.6 million and $298.2 million, respectively, to held to maturity. The unrealized loss of $9.4 million, $6.2 million net of tax, was included as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and is being accreted over the remaining life of the securities transferred.
Management does not intend to sell these securities. The net unrealized loss on the transferred securities at December 31, 2006 was $5.1 million, net of taxes.
As of December 31, 2006, the security portfolio had gross unrealized losses of $12.4 million, of which $6.0 million and $6.4 million were related to available for sale securities and held to maturity securities, respectively.
A summary of gross unrealized losses on securities that are not other-than-temporarily impaired, which have been in a continuous unrealizable loss position for less than 12 months and for 12 months or longer, as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, is as follows:
Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position that are not Other-Than-Temporarily Impaired
The Company’s U.S. government agency and mortgage-backed securities that are in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are credit rated AAA or Aaa by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. Substantially all obligations of states and political subdivisions are credit rated AAA or Aaa due to insurance, which guarantees the obligations against default, by private insurance companies. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, approximately $14.4 million and $5.3 million, respectively, of issuances are not rated, substantially all of which are bond or tax anticipation notes from local municipalities.
At December 31, 2006, the number of securities in an unrealized loss position included 17 U.S. government agencies, 29 mortgage-backed securities, and 107 obligations of states and political subdivisions. At December 31, 2005, the number of securities in an unrealized loss position included 23 U.S. government agencies, 23 mortgage-backed securities, and 102 obligations of states and political subdivisions.
The temporary impairment on securities of less than 12 months and 12 months or more at December 31, 2006 and 2005 is due to the higher interest rate environment as compared to the periods in which the securities were initially purchased. The higher interest rates at December 31, 2006 and 2005 resulted in a decline in the market value of the securities. The temporary impairment will fluctuate as the interest rate environment changes. In a rising interest rate environment, the temporary impairment will increase, while a decrease in the temporary impairment will occur in a declining interest rate environment. Management does not consider the temporary impairment of the securities to be severe due to the high credit quality or insurance provided by private insurance companies, and the intent and ability of the Company to hold such securities until a forecasted recovery or maturity occurs.
5. LOANS
Major classifications of loans at December 31 are as follows:
Balance sheet information as of December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, and income statement information for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 are not covered by the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included on page 51.
At December 31, 2006 and 2005, there were no loans or commitments to close loans that were held for sale. The Bank sold $7.2 million of residential mortgages to Freddie Mac during 2005. The transaction resulted in gains on sales of loans of $0.3 million. No loans were sold during 2006 and 2004.
A substantial amount of the Company’s commercial and residential lending activities are with customers located in the Company’s primary service areas of Rockland and Westchester Counties, New York, as well as the remainder of the Metropolitan area. A substantial portion of the Company’s customers’ net worth is dependent on real estate values in the primary service areas.
Credit policies, applicable to each type of lending activity, have been established to evaluate the creditworthiness of each customer and, in most cases, require collateral to be pledged and personal guarantees. Generally, credit extension does not exceed 80 percent of the estimated fair value of the collateral at the date of extension (with occasional exceptions at the discretion of management), depending on the evaluation of the borrower’s creditworthiness. The fair value of collateral, primarily real estate, is monitored on an ongoing basis. While collateral provides a secondary source of repayment, the primary source of repayment is ordinarily based on the borrower’s ability to generate continuing cash flow, which is a principal underwriting criteria for approving a loan.
An analysis of the allowance for loan losses and reserve for unfunded loan commitments and standby letters of credit for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
A summary of the Company’s nonaccrual and restructured loans, OREO, and related interest income not recorded on nonaccrual loans as of and for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
Substantially all of the nonaccruing loans are collateralized by real estate. At December 31, 2006, loans that were not on nonaccrual status that management believes were potential problem loans that may result in their being placed on nonaccrual status in the near future totaled $1.4 million. Accruing loans that are contractually past due 90 days or more at December 31, 2006 are immaterial. Total interest income on nonaccrual loans that would have been recorded if borrowers had complied with contractual loan terms for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $815,000 and $336,000, compared to actual interest income reported with respect to such loans of $432,000 and $5,000, respectively.
At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the recorded investment in loans that are considered to be impaired approximated $9.2 million and $16.0 million, of which $9.2 million and $8.7 million were in nonaccrual status, respectively. The average recorded investment in impaired loans for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 was approximately $14.1 million, $11.4 million, and $4.3 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 interest income recognized by the Company on impaired loans was not material.
As applicable, each impaired loan has a related allowance for loan losses. As of December 31, 2006, impaired and nonaccrual loans primarily consisted of two customer relationships. As of December 31, 2006, the loans related to one customer relationship aggregating $1.8 million have been placed on nonaccrual status as a result of a real estate construction project experiencing unexpected delays in completing the construction. A specific allowance for loan loss allocated to these impaired loans was $0.7 million at December 31, 2006. The loans related to another customer relationship aggregating $7.3 million of commercial loans as of December 31, 2006 involve problems with sources of repayment from operating cash flows. No specific allowance for loan loss was allocated to these impaired loans due to the market value of the real estate collateral. The loans in both customers’ relationships are also supported by personal guarantees.
In November 2000, the Company reclassified a real estate construction loan held by the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary, Dutch Hill Realty Corp. (the “Dutch Hill Loan”) in the amount of $19.7 million as a non-performing asset and placed the loan on nonaccrual status. As of February 2005, all 83 condominium units in the project have been sold and the remaining loan balance, net of charge-offs, had been paid in full.
In November 2004, Dutch Hill Realty Corp. received an unfavorable ruling from the Superior Court of New Jersey in connection with the foreclosure action of two collateral security mortgages on New Jersey properties that partially collateralized the Dutch Hill Loan. The court had also voided the personal guarantees of one of the principals. Dutch Hill Realty Corp. appealed the unfavorable ruling by the Superior Court of New Jersey.
In December 2006, Dutch Hill Realty Corp. received a favorable ruling by the Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division on the appeal. Dutch Hill Realty Corp. is vigorously pursuing collection of the charged-off real estate construction loans. Any recovery as a result of the appeal will be recorded when and if realized.
A summary of impaired loans by loan type and loan amount measured by both present value of expected cash flows and fair value of collateral at December 31 is as follows:
6. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of premises and equipment at December 31 is as follows:
The Bank leases certain premises and equipment under noncancellable operating leases. Certain of these lease agreements provide for periodic increases in annual rental payments based on current price indices, renewal options for varying periods and purchase options at amounts that are expected to approximate the fair values of the related assets at the dates the options are exercisable.
Rent expense for premises and equipment was $1,366,000 in 2006, $1,141,000 in 2005, and $1,181,000 in 2004. Amortization of leasehold improvements and depreciation expense for buildings, furniture, fixtures, and equipment was $2,039,000 in 2006, $2,287,000 in 2005, and $2,345,000 in 2004.
The Bank leases a portion of its owned properties to tenants under operating leases and recorded rental income of $288,000 in 2006, $259,000 in 2005, and $263,000 in 2004.
As of December 31, 2006 future minimum lease payments are as follows:
As of December 31, 2006 future minimum lease receipts are as follows:
7. DEPOSITS
A summary of deposits at December 31 is as follows:
Time deposits, including IRAs and Keoghs, time deposits of states and political subdivisions, and brokered time deposits, classified by time remaining to maturity for each of the five years following December 31, 2006 are as follows:
At December 31, 2006 and 2005, time deposits of $100,000 or more totaled $407,076,000 and $307,283,000, respectively. At December 31, 2006, such deposits of $100,000 or more classified by time remaining to maturity were as follows:
8. INCOME TAXES
The components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
The income tax provision includes income taxes related to both gains on securities transactions and sales of loans of approximately $150,000, $110,000, and $420,000 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.
The income tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the significant portions of the cumulative deferred tax asset, net at December 31, 2006 and are as follows:
The deferred tax asset, net is recorded as a component of other assets in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
The Company has a net operating loss carry forward (“NOL”) for New York State tax purposes of $4.9 million, of which a portion begins to expire in 2025. The income tax effect of such NOL is included in Depreciation and other, net. The income tax effect on the fair value adjustment of available for sale securities and the income tax effect on securities transferred at fair value from available for sale to held to maturity are components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
As a result of a reduction in taxable income for New York State tax purposes, the Company has established a valuation allowance to reduce the State deferred tax asset to the amount that management believes will more likely than not be realized. As of December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the New York State deferred tax asset, net of New York State deferred tax liabilities, is fully reserved by the valuation allowance.
The following is a reconciliation of the statutory Federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate as a percentage of income before taxes for the years ended
December 31:
The Company is under continuous examination by various tax authorities in jurisdictions in which the Company has significant business operations. During the 2005 first quarter, the Company completed a tax examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the tax year ended December 31, 2002. The examination resulted in a $0.6 million adjustment to taxable income that was subsequently taken as a deduction of taxable income on the 2004 Federal income tax return. The Company is currently under examination by the New York State Tax Department for the tax years 2003, 2004, and 2005.
The Company regularly evaluates the likelihood of additional assessments by the tax authorities resulting from examinations. Income tax reserves of $0.5 million have been established, which the Company believes to be adequate in relation to the potential for additional assessments. Income tax reserves are adjusted as information becomes available or when an event requiring a change to the reserve occurs. The resolution of tax matters could have an impact on the Company’s effective income tax rate.
The Company adopted FIN No. 48 on January 1, 2007. Based on management’s evaluation of uncertain income tax positions under FIN No. 48, an estimated reserve between $0.4 million and $0.6 million will be needed for uncertain income tax positions.
9. BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT
Balance sheet information as of December 31, 2004 is not covered by the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included on page 51.
The Company utilizes short-term and long-term borrowings primarily to meet funding requirements for its asset growth, balance sheet leverage, and to manage its interest rate risk.
Short-term borrowings include securities sold under agreements to repurchase, federal funds purchased, and short-term Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”) advances. Short-term securities sold under agreements to repurchase have original maturities of between one and days. The Bank has borrowing availability under master security sale and repurchase agreements through four primary investment firms, the FHLB, and, to a lesser extent, its customers.
At December 31, 2006, the Bank had short-term repurchase agreements with customers of $0.7 million at a weighted average interest rate of 3.83 percent, which were collateralized by securities with an aggregate carrying value and estimated fair value of $0.7 million. At December 31, 2006, the Bank had no short-term repurchase agreements with the FHLB. At December 31, 2005, the Bank had short-term repurchase agreements with the FHLB of $61.0 million at a weighted average interest rate of 4.17 percent. These short-term borrowings were collateralized by securities with an aggregate carrying value and estimated fair value of $71.7 million and $70.9 million, respectively. At December 31, 2005, the Bank also had short-term repurchase agreements with customers of $1.3 million at a weighted average interest rate of 3.31 percent, which were collateralized by securities with an aggregate carrying value and estimated fair value of $1.4 million. The Bank did not have any short-term repurchase agreements outstanding with primary investment firms at December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005.
Federal funds purchased represent overnight funds. The Bank has federal funds purchase lines available with six financial institutions for a total of $90.0 million. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Bank had no federal funds purchased balances outstanding.
Short-term FHLB advances are borrowings with original maturities between one and 365 days. There were no short-term advances outstanding with the FHLB at December 31, and December 31, 2005.
Additional information with respect to short-term borrowings for the three years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 is presented in the following table.
The Bank has long-term borrowings, which have original maturities of over one year, of $605.5 million and $488.0 million of securities sold under agreements to repurchase as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. At both December 31, 2006 and 2005, these borrowings have an original term of ten years at interest rates between 2.53 percent to 6.08 percent that are callable on certain dates after an initial noncall period at the option of the counterparty to the repurchase agreements. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, these borrowings were collateralized by securities with an aggregate carrying value of $653.8 million and $497.8 million, and an estimated fair value of $650.8 million and $495.1 million, respectively.
At December 31, 2006, long-term FHLB advances totaled $101.8 million at interest rates between 4.05 percent to 5.99 percent, compared with $71.8 million at December 31, 2005, at interest rates between 4.55 percent to 5.99 percent. Advances at December 31, 2006 include $1.8 million of amortizing advances having scheduled periodic payments and $100.0 million that are callable on certain dates after an initial noncall period at the option of the issuer. Advances at December 31, 2005 include $1.8 million of amortizing advances having scheduled periodic payments, and $70.0 million that are callable on certain dates after an initial noncall period at the option of the issuer. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, these borrowings were collateralized by a pledge to the FHLB of a security interest in certain residential mortgage loans having an aggregate book value of $125.6 million and $88.3 million, respectively.
The borrowings/advances may not be repaid by the Bank prior to the scheduled/repurchase payment dates without penalty. The maximum amount of total borrowings outstanding at any month end period during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 were $736.4 million, $697.8 million, and $926.2 million, respectively. At December 31, 2006, the Bank had sufficient collateral available to borrow approximately $430.3 million under additional collateralized transactions through securities sold under agreements to repurchase and FHLB advances.
At both December 31, 2006 and 2005, a $20.0 million FHLB letter of credit was used as collateral for a New York State governmental deposit. The FHLB letter of credit was collateralized by a pledge to the FHLB of residential mortgage loans at December 31, 2006 and 2005 having an aggregate book value of $24.7 million and $25.1 million, respectively.
At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Bank held 345,227 shares and 307,764 shares of capital stock of the FHLB with a carrying value of $34.5 million and $30.8 million, respectively, which is required in order to borrow under the short- and long-term advances and securities sold under agreements to repurchase programs from the FHLB. The FHLB generally limits the Bank’s borrowings to an aggregate of 50 percent of total assets upon the prerequisite purchase of additional shares of FHLB stock. Any advances made from the FHLB are required to be collateralized by the FHLB stock and certain other assets of the Bank.
A summary of long-term, fixed-rate borrowings distributed based upon remaining contractual payment date and expected option call date at December 31, 2006, with comparative totals for December 31, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:
10. SUBORDINATED DEBT ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH CORPORATION-OBLIGATED MANDATORY REDEEMABLE CAPITAL SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY TRUSTS
The Company has issued $61.9 million of junior subordinated debt in connection with the issuance of $61.9 million of Capital Securities. In accordance with FIN No. 46R, the Company has deconsolidated its investment in the Trusts, which have issued the Capital Securities. The Consolidated Financial Statements reflect junior subordinated debt issued in connection with the Capital Securities (“subordinated debt”), along with the Company’s investment in common equity of the Trusts. A description of the terms of each issuance of Capital Securities and related subordinated debt (which terms are substantially identical to the related Capital Securities) is discussed below.
On February 5, 1997, the Company completed its first issuance of subordinated debt in connection with the issuance of Capital Securities totaling $20.6 million that raised $20.0 million of regulatory capital ($18.8 million net proceeds after issuance costs). The 9.58 percent Capital Securities, due February 1, 2027, were issued by Trust I, a Delaware business trust that was formed by the Company solely to issue the Capital Securities and related common stock. Trust I advanced the proceeds to the Company by purchasing 9.58 percent subordinated debt of the Company. The Capital Securities and related subordinated debt can be redeemed as of February 1, 2007, and thereafter at a premium which reduces over a ten year period. Dividends and interest are paid semi-annually in February and August.
On July 31, 2001, the Company completed its second issuance of subordinated debt in connection with the issuance of Capital Securities totaling $20.6 million that raised an additional $20.0 million of regulatory capital ($19.4 million net proceeds after issuance costs). These Capital Securities and related subordinated debt pay dividends and interest on a floating rate basis at a rate equal to three month LIBOR plus 358 basis points (current rate as of December 31, 2006 of 8.96 percent), which resets in October, January, April, and July of each calendar year. These Capital Securities, due July 31, 2031, were issued by Trust II, a Connecticut business trust that was formed by the Company solely to issue the Capital Securities and related common stock. Trust II advanced the proceeds to the Company by purchasing subordinated debt of the Company. These Capital Securities and related subordinated debt may be redeemed as of July 31, 2006, and thereafter at a premium which reduces over a five year period. Dividends and interest are paid quarterly in October, January, April, and July.
On June 26, 2002, the Company completed its third issuance of subordinated debt in connection with the issuance of Capital Securities totaling $10.3 million that raised $10.0 million of regulatory capital (approximately $9.7 million net proceeds after issuance costs). These Capital Securities and related subordinated debt pay dividends and interest on a floating rate basis, based on three month LIBOR plus 345 basis points (current rate as of December 31, 2006 of 8.82 percent), which resets in September, December, March, and June of each calendar year. These Capital Securities, which are due June 26, 2032, were issued by Trust III, a Connecticut business trust that was formed by the Company solely to issue these Capital Securities and related common stock. Trust III advanced the proceeds to the Company by purchasing subordinated debt of the Company. These Capital Securities and related subordinated debt may not be redeemed, except under limited circumstances, until June 26, 2007 at par. Dividends and interest are paid quarterly in September, December, March, and June.
On March 25, 2004, the Company completed its fourth issuance of subordinated debt in connection with the issuance of Capital Securities totaling $10.3 million that raised $10.0 million of regulatory capital ($9,975,000 net proceeds after issuance costs). These Capital Securities and related subordinated debt pay dividends and interest on a floating rate basis at a rate equal to three month LIBOR plus 280 basis points (current rate as of December 31, 2006 of 8.17 percent), which resets in April, July, October, and January of each calendar year. These Capital Securities, due April 6, 2034, were issued by Trust IV, a Delaware business trust that was formed by the Company solely to issue the Capital Securities and related common stock. Trust IV advanced the proceeds to the Company by purchasing subordinated debt of the Company. These Capital Securities and related subordinated debt may not be redeemed, except under limited circumstances, until March 25, 2009, at par. Dividends and interest are paid quarterly in April, July, October, and January of each calendar year.
The Company owns 100 percent of the voting securities of each of the Trusts. The Company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Capital Securities along with all obligations of the Trusts under the trust agreements relating to the Capital Securities. The Company’s ability to make interest payments on the subordinated debt is primarily dependent upon the receipt of dividends from the Bank. See Note 11 for a discussion of the limits on the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Company.
Capital Securities qualify as Tier I or core capital for the Company under the risk-based capital guidelines of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”) to the extent such Capital Securities equal 25 percent or less of Tier I Capital. Amounts in excess of the foregoing amount will qualify as Tier II or Total Capital. The aggregate amount of Capital Securities total $60.0 million at December 31, 2006, all of which is included in Tier I regulatory capital.
Payments on the subordinated debt, which are in turn passed through the Trusts to the Capital Securities holders, will be serviced through existing liquidity and cash flow sources of the Company. The Company may also reduce outstanding Capital Securities through open market purchases. The Company is permitted to deduct dividend/interest payments on the Capital Securities under current Federal and New York State tax law.
As long as no default has occurred and is continuing, the Company has the right under the subordinated debt indentures to defer the payment of interest at any time or from time to time for a period not exceeding five years for any one extension (each such period an “Extension Period”); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the stated maturity of the subordinated debt securities. During any Extension Period, the Company may not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock (which includes common and preferred stock), (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on, or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu with or junior in interest to the subordinated debt securities, or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Company if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to the subordinated debt securities, in each case subject to certain exceptions.
Pursuant to the terms of the documents governing the Company’s subordinated debt and the Capital Securities, if the Company is in default under such securities, the Company is prohibited from repurchasing or making distributions, including dividends, on or with respect to its common or preferred stock, and from making payments on any debt or guarantees which rank pari passu with or junior in interest to such securities.
In addition, under the terms of the indentures governing its subordinated debt, the Company may not merge or consolidate with, or sell substantially all of its assets to, any other corporation, person or entity unless: (a) the surviving corporation is a domestic corporation which expressly assumes the Company’s obligations with respect to the subordinated debt and the Capital Securities and related documents; (b) there is no, and the merger or other transaction would not cause a, default under any of the subordinated debt; and (c) certain other conditions are met.
11. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The Company distributed 5 percent common stock dividends on September 23, 2005 and September 24, 2004 to stockholders of record on September 9, 2005 and September 10, 2004.
The ability of the Company and the Bank to pay cash dividends in the future is restricted by various regulatory requirements. The Company’s ability to pay cash dividends to its stockholders is primarily dependent upon the receipt of dividends from the Bank. The Bank’s dividends to the Company in any year may not exceed the sum of the Bank’s undistributed net income for that year and its undistributed net income for the preceding two years, less any required transfers to additional paid-in capital. In addition, the Bank may not declare and pay dividends more often than quarterly, and no dividends may be declared or paid if there is any impairment of the Bank’s capital stock. At December 31, 2006, the Bank could pay dividends of $62.5 million to the Company without having to obtain prior regulatory approval.
The Company may not pay dividends on its common stock or preferred stock if it is in default with respect to the Capital Securities or related subordinated debt, or if the Company elects to defer payment for up to five years as permitted under the terms of the Capital Securities and related subordinated debt (see Note 10).
As of December 31, 2006, 200,000 shares of common stock are authorized for issuance in connection with a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (currently suspended), of which 98,020 shares have been issued.
During 2006, 2005, and 2004, TPNZ declared and paid dividends totaling approximately $10,000 in each of those years to its non-affiliate minority-interest junior preferred stockholders. Upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of TPNZ, TPNZ junior preferred stockholders are entitled to receive $1,000 per share, plus a sum equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid to date, out of TPNZ’s assets available under applicable law, before any payment or distribution of assets shall be made on TPNZ’s common stock.
The Company issued 651,418, 740,258, and 188,676 shares of treasury stock in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively, in connection with the exercise of stock options. The Company also issued 13,342 shares related to the exercise of stock options in 2006. In addition, the Company acquired 476,542, 422,534, and 329,771 common shares at fair value for the treasury in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Certain treasury stock purchases were made in connection with previously announced stock repurchase programs discussed below. The remaining treasury stock purchases were made in connection with common stock tendered for exercise of stock options. Treasury shares also increased 97,966 and 88,324 in 2005 and 2004, respectively, as a result of common stock dividends.
On December 13, 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 300,000 (adjusted for common stock dividends) common shares, or approximately 1.4 percent (as determined at the time of the authorizations), respectively, of the Company’s outstanding common stock, which authorization expired on December 31, 2006. Repurchases of common stock had been authorized to be made from time to time in open-market and private transactions as, in the opinion of management, market conditions warranted. The repurchased common shares are held as treasury stock and are available for general corporate purposes. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, the Company purchased 188,900, 184,772, and 253,200 shares of common stock under authorized repurchase plans at an aggregate cost of approximately $4.1 million, $3.9 million, and $5.5 million, respectively. The Company’s Board of Directors has not authorized a new repurchase plan.
In connection with the Bank’s Key Employee Supplemental Investment Plan (“KESIP”), amounts deferred by participating employees and contributed by the Bank are invested in Company stock. This investment in Company stock of $3,390,000 at December 31, 2006 and $2,927,000 at December 31, 2005 is included in common stock held for benefit plans, at cost, which is shown as a reduction of stockholders’ equity. The related deferred compensation obligation is also shown as a component of stockholders’ equity (see Note 17).
12. REGULATORY MATTERS
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory - and possibly additional discretionary - actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet or exceed specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items, as calculated under regulatory accounting practices and as presented in the following table. The Company’s and the Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.
N/A - Not Applicable
Capital ratios are computed excluding net unrealized gains or losses on available for sale securities, net of tax and the unamortized prior service cost of the Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors, net of tax, which are included in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component of stockholders’ equity.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and Bank to maintain or exceed minimum capital amounts and ratios as defined in the regulations and set forth in the above tables. Management believes, as of December 31, 2006, that the Company and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject and are considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. Total Capital and Tier I Capital for the Company includes $60.0 million of Capital Securities.
As of December 31, 2006, the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the Bank as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed that assessment.
13. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
Note describes the Company’s director and employee stock option plans.
14. ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” as amended by SFAS No. 119, “Disclosure about Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” requires disclosure of the estimated fair values for certain financial instruments. The estimated fair values disclosed below are as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and have been determined by using available market information and various valuation estimation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required to interpret the effects on fair value of such items due to changes in expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors. The estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company would realize in a current market exchange. Also, the use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the determination of the estimated fair values.
The fair value estimates presented in the following table are based on pertinent information available to the Company as of December 31, 2006 and 2005. Although the Company is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued since December 31, 2006 and 2005, and therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts that follow.
Fair value methods and assumptions are as follows:
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Interest Bearing Deposits in Other Banks - The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Securities, FHLB Stock, and Accrued Interest Receivable - The fair value of securities is estimated based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes, if available. If a quote is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities. The fair value of FHLB stock is stated at redemption value, which equals its carrying value. Accrued interest receivable is stated at its carrying amount, which approximates fair value.
Loans and Accrued Interest Receivable - For certain homogeneous fixed rate categories of loans, such as residential mortgages, fair value is estimated by using quoted market prices for securities backed by similar loans. The fair value of other fixed rate loans is estimated by discounting projected cash flows using current rates for similar loans with equivalent credit risk. For loans for which there has been no impairment in credit risk and which reprice frequently to market rates, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value. The fair value of impaired and nonaccrual loans is estimated by reducing such amounts by specific and general loan loss allowances. Accrued interest receivable is stated at its carrying amount, which approximates fair value.
Deposits Without Stated Maturities and Accrued Interest Payable - The estimated fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as non-interest bearing demand deposits, NOW accounts, money market accounts, and savings accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand. Accrued interest payable is stated at its carrying amount, which approximates fair value.
Time Deposits and Accrued Interest Payable - The fair value of time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered at the reporting date for deposits of similar remaining maturities. Accrued interest payable is stated at its carrying amount, which approximates fair value.
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase, FHLB Advances, Subordinated Debt Issued in Connection with Corporation-Obligated Mandatory Redeemable Capital Securities of Subsidiary Trusts and Accrued Interest Payable - The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value for borrowings which are either short-term or for which applicable interest rates reprice based upon changes in market rates. For medium and long-term fixed rate borrowings, fair value is based on discounted cash flow through contractual maturity, or earlier call date if expected to be called, at rates currently offered at the balance sheet date for similar terms. Accrued interest payable is stated at its carrying amount, which approximates fair value.
Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk - As described in Note 16, the Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at December 31, 2006 and 2005. Such financial instruments include commitments to extend permanent financing and standby letters of credit. If the commitments are exercised by the prospective borrowers, these financial instruments will become interest earning assets of the Company. If the commitments expire, the Company retains any fees paid by the counterparty to obtain the commitment or guarantee.
The fair value of commitments is estimated based upon fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed rate commitments, the fair value estimation takes into consideration an interest rate risk factor. The fair value of standby letters of credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements. The fair value of these off-balance sheet items at December 31, 2006 and 2005 approximates the recorded amounts of the related fees, which are not material to the consolidated financial position of the Company.
15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A summary of the transactions for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, with respect to loans (in excess of $120,000 and $60,000 with respect to each party in 2006 and 2005, respectively) to directors, executive officers, stockholders whose ownership equals or exceeds 10 percent, and companies in which such related party has a 10 percent or more beneficial interest (“insiders”) is as follows:
As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, deposits from insiders were $10.6 million and $8.3 million, respectively.
The Company has made payments to organizations in which certain directors have a beneficial interest for services rendered by such organizations. Except as discussed below, such payments are not considered to be material in the aggregate. Fees of approximately $87,000, $57,000, and $420,000 in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively, were incurred with respect to a law firm in which a director is a partner. This law firm also represented the Bank for loan closings for which additional fees of approximately $426,000, $527,000, and $301,000 in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively, were paid by customers of the Bank. An additional law firm in which another director is the senior partner represented the Bank for loan closings, which resulted in fees paid by customers of the Bank of approximately $12,000, $19,000, and $17,000 in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.
16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
At December 31, 2006, the Company and Bank are committed under employment agreements with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and President and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) requiring an annual salary of $855,000 and $325,000, respectively; annual bonus payments equal to 6.0 percent and 1.25 percent of net income (as defined) of the Company under the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan, respectively (see Note 17); and annual stock option grants of 142,370 shares and 53,389 shares, respectively, issued at fair value at the date of grant (110 percent of fair value for incentive stock options if the key officer’s ownership of the Company equals or exceeds 10 percent at the date of grant); and other benefits for the term of the agreements.
The CEO’s employment agreement, dated as of November 16, 2003, is for a five-year term, expiring November 16, 2008, while the President’s agreement, dated as of July 28, 2004, is for a three-year term, expiring July 28, 2007. The CEO’s contract also requires minimum annual salary increases of $30,000. Both of the agreements include change in control provisions, requiring certain payments, including an amount equal to three times annual salary and bonus payments (as defined), in the event of a voluntary or involuntary termination of employment with the Company or the Bank following a change in control.
In the normal course of business, various commitments to extend credit are made which are not reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, formal credit lines and loan commitments, which are primarily credit card lines and loans collateralized by real estate, approximated $568.5 million and $535.6 million, and outstanding standby letters of credit totaled $39.1 million and $41.9 million, respectively. Such amounts represent the maximum risk of loss on these commitments.
Standby letters of credit are issued to guarantee financial performance or obligations of the Bank’s customers. Generally, standby letters of credit are either partially or fully collateralized by cash, real estate, or other assets, and, in some cases, are not collateralized. In most cases, personal guarantees are obtained. Standby letters of credit are considered in the Bank’s evaluation of its reserve for unfunded loan commitments and standby letters of credit.
The Bank is an approved Freddie Mac seller/servicer. At December 31, 2006, the principal balance of the loans sold or exchanged with Freddie Mac that remain uncollected totaled $9.3 million. The Bank is committed to service these loans.
The Bank is required to report deposits directly to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRBNY”) and to maintain reserves on a portion of these deposits. At December 31, 2006, the reserve requirement for the Bank totaled $7.0 million.
The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Because litigation is inherently unpredictable, particularly in cases where claimants seek substantial or indeterminate damages or where investigations and proceedings are in the early stages, the Company cannot predict with certainty the loss or range of loss related to such matters, how such matters will be resolved, when they will ultimately be resolved, or what the eventual settlement, fine, penalty, or other relief might be, if any. Consequently, the Company cannot estimate losses or ranges of losses for matters where there is only a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be ascertained at this time, it is the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, that the resolution of the foregoing matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company, taken as a whole; such resolution may, however, have a material effect on the operating results in any future period, depending on the level of income for such period.
The Company provides reserves for such matters in accordance with SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” as required. The ultimate resolution may differ from the amounts reserved, if any.
17. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Executive Incentive Bonus Plan
The Company provides an Executive Incentive Bonus Plan whereby certain key officers of the Company and/or the Bank (two of whom are directors of the Company and the Bank) are entitled to compensation in addition to their salaries at varying percentages of the Company’s or Bank’s net income (as defined). The total amount of such additional compensation cannot exceed 15 percent of the Company’s net income (as defined) in any year. Incentive compensation under the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan aggregated $3.6 million during 2006, $3.9 million during 2005, and $3.3 million during 2004.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (With 401(k) Provisions)
The Company maintains for the benefit of its employees an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (With 401(k) Provisions) (“KSOP”).
The 401(k) feature of the KSOP allows eligible employees of the Company and its affiliates to elect investment of their voluntary contributions in a fund that purchases common stock of the Company or in thirteen other investment funds. Employees may elect to defer, through voluntary contributions, up to fifteen percent of compensation ($15,000 maximum in 2006), except for participants that are 50 years of age or older who may contribute an additional amount ($5,000 in 2006). The Company may elect to match fifty percent of the employee’s voluntary contributions up to an amount equal to four percent of the employee’s eligible compensation. Employer matching contributions for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 aggregated approximately $626,000, $654,000, and $618,000, respectively.
Under the Employee Stock Ownership feature, covering substantially all of the Company’s full-time employees, the optional cash contribution determined by the Board of Directors, intended to be invested in the Company’s common stock, was $350,000 and $250,000 for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005. The Company did not make an optional cash contribution for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company and Bank paid expenses attributable to the KSOP of approximately $100,000, $76,000 and $70,000 in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Shares purchased with the Company’s contribution are allocated to participants on the basis of their relative compensation (as defined). The cumulative amount of shares allocated vest over the first seven years of a participant’s service. After completion of seven years of credited service, all shares allocated (and to be allocated) are fully vested. Any forfeited shares are allocated to other participants based on compensation (as defined).
Tappan Zee also had an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”) for the benefit of eligible Tarrytowns employees, which was assumed by the Company upon its acquisition of and merger with Tappan Zee in 1998, and merged with the KSOP on September 30, 1999. In 1995, the ESOP borrowed approximately $1.3 million from Tappan Zee (assumed by the Company) and used the funds to purchase 213,484 shares (as adjusted for common stock splits and dividends) of Company common stock. The Bank made monthly contributions to the KSOP sufficient to fund the debt service requirements over the ten-year term of the loan, which matured in September 2005. The unallocated shares were held in a suspense account by the KSOP trustee, and a portion of such shares were allocated to all KSOP participants at each year end. Shares released from the suspense account were allocated to participants on the basis of their eligible relative compensation (as defined). Participants become vested in the shares allocated to their respective accounts in the same manner as described in the preceding paragraph for optional contributions. Any forfeited shares are allocated to other participants based on compensation (as defined).
Shares allocated to participants and committed for release to participants totaled 4,170 and 16,638 (as adjusted for common stock splits and dividends) for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Expense recognized with respect to such shares allocated and released amounted to approximately $99,000, and $380,000 for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, based on the average fair value of Company common stock for each period. As of December 31, 2005, all shares have been allocated to KSOP participants and the Bank’s loan has been reduced to zero.
Key Employees’ Supplemental Investment Plans
The Bank maintains the KESIP, established solely for the purpose of providing, to certain key management personnel who participate in the KSOP, benefits attributable to contribution allocations that would otherwise be made under the KSOP except for Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) limitations. Under the KESIP, salary reduction contributions may be made in excess of the limitations on annual contributions imposed by Internal Revenue Code Section 415, and the Bank matches up to fifty percent of the employee’s voluntary KESIP contribution (to the extent such election is made under the KSOP), not to exceed four percent of the employee’s compensation (less the amount of the employer matching contribution under the KSOP). The Bank must also contribute an amount equivalent to the KSOP optional contribution that would otherwise have been made to participating employees in the KSOP had it not been for IRS limitations. The Bank’s matching and optional contributions under the KESIP for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 were $81,000, $75,000, and $86,000, respectively.
All compensation deferred into the KESIP is immediately invested in shares of Company stock. In addition, distributions from the KESIP will be made in Company stock. The deferred compensation obligation and the shares held in trust for deferred compensation are recorded at historical cost and are included as separate components of stockholders’ equity, which is included in common stock held for benefit plans.
The Bank also maintains a Key Employees Supplemental Diversified Investment Plan (“KESDIP”). The KESDIP is similar in terms to the KESIP, except that investments made by the KESDIP trust may be in diversified assets, excluding common stock of the Company. All investments in the KESDIP are reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements in other assets at fair market value. The Bank’s matching and optional contributions (which are reduced to the extent of contributions made to the KSOP and KESIP) under the KESDIP for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 were $85,000, $91,000, and $98,000, respectively.
Director Stock Option Plans
In 2005, 1998, and 1989, the stockholders of the Company approved Director Stock Option Plans (the “Director Plans”) for an aggregate of 525,000, 588,306, and 928,052 shares (after adjustment for stock splits and dividends), respectively, of the Company’s common stock to be issued to all non-employee members of the Company’s Board of Directors. Final awards under the 1989 Director Plan were made on the date of the approval of the 1998 Director Plan by the Company’s stockholders. Final awards under the 1998 Director Plan were made on the date of the approval of the 2005 Director Plan by the Company’s stockholders.
The Director Plan has a term of ten years. Options may not be exercised prior to the first anniversary of the date of grant and expire ten years after the date of grant. There were options to purchase 332,703 shares (as adjusted for common stock splits and dividends) remaining to be granted at December 31, 2006 under the 2005 Director Plan.
Under the terms of the 2005 Director Plan, as approved by the stockholders of the Company on May 25, 2005, each eligible director will receive, effective as of the close of each annual meeting of stockholders of the Company, a non-qualified option (after adjustment for stock splits and stock dividends) to purchase a fixed number of shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of such shares on the date of the grant. The number of shares subject to the option is based on the number of years of service completed by the eligible director. After two years of service, the eligible director is entitled to an option covering 1,338 shares (as adjusted for common stock splits and dividends). Each additional year of service entitles the eligible director to an option covering an additional 1,338 shares, until the director has completed years of the eligible service, after which the director is entitled to an option covering 24,915 shares (as adjusted for common stock splits and dividends).
Under the Tappan Zee Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Tappan Zee Directors’ Plan”), which was assumed by the Company, options to purchase 80,057 shares (after adjustment for stock splits and stock dividends) were authorized for grant to non-employee directors. Option terms and conditions are similar to those under the Tappan Zee Stock Option Plan (see Employee Stock Option Plans below), except that all director options are non-qualified options. There have been options to purchase 66,710 shares (after adjustment for stock splits and dividends) granted under this plan. Upon the change in control that resulted when Tappan Zee was acquired by the Company, all options under this plan became vested. This plan expired at the end of August 2006 and no further options may be granted under this plan.
A summary of the Director Plans and the Tappan Zee Directors’ Plan activity and related information for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 is as follows:
The following table summarizes the range of exercise prices on stock options outstanding and exercisable under the Director Plans and the Tappan Zee Directors’ Plan at December 31, 2006:
Employee Stock Option Plans
Under the 1993 and 1984 Incentive Stock Option Plans, and the 2005, 2001, and 1997 Employee Stock Option Plans for key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, and the Tappan Zee Stock Option Plan, which was assumed by the Company (collectively, the “Employee Stock Option Plans”), the issuance of both incentive and non-qualified stock options up to an aggregate of 8,475,515 shares (after adjustment for stocks splits and stock dividends) were authorized for grant at prices at least equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the time the options are granted (for incentive stock options, 110 percent of fair value for grants to an employee who, at the time of the grant, owns stock aggregating 10 percent or more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company).
For the 1993 and 1984 Incentive Stock Option Plans, and the 2005, 2001 and 1997 Employee Stock Option Plans, option holders may exercise up to one-half of their options after three months subsequent to the grant date and may exercise the remaining one-half six months after the grant date. For option grants after January 1, 2006, excluding reload options granted under employment agreements prior to December 1, 2006 that will continue to vest in accordance with option grants prior to January 1, 2006, options will vest over a three year period from the date of the grant and be eligible to be exercised in one-third annual increments from the grant date. The options granted have a maximum exercisable term of ten years from the date of grant (five years in the case of incentive stock options granted to an employee who, at the time of grant, owns stock aggregating 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company). The option shares and related prices are adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends.
There were options to purchase 1,170,017 shares (as adjusted for common stock splits and dividends) remaining to be granted at December 31, 2006 under the 2005 Employee Stock Option Plan. The 2005 Employee Stock Option Plan has a term of ten years. No additional shares will be granted under the 1993 and 1984 Incentive Stock Option Plans or the 2001 and 1997 Employee Stock Option Plans.
Options under the Tappan Zee Stock Option Plan have a ten-year term and vest ratably over five years from the date of grant. Each option, however, became fully exercisable upon the change in control of Tappan Zee. There have been options to purchase 133,430 shares (as adjusted for common stock splits and dividends) granted under this plan. This plan expired at the end of August 2006, and no further options may be granted under this plan.
A summary of the Employee Stock Option Plans’ activity and related information for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 follows:
The following table summarizes the range of exercise prices on stock options outstanding and exercisable under the Employee Stock Option Plans at December 31, 2006:
Director Retirement Plans
Effective May 19, 1999, the Company adopted the Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors of U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc. and Certain Affiliates (the “Director Retirement Plan”). A non-employee director who has served for a period of fifteen years is eligible to receive benefits. Vesting of benefits under the Director Retirement Plan accelerates in the event of change in control. Upon retirement, a non-employee director will be paid $2,000 per month for a period not to exceed ten years. In the event of death of a non-employee director, after commencement of retirement payments but prior to the conclusion of the ten year payment period, the payments will be paid to his or her spouse at a rate of 50 percent of the retirement payment over the remaining term of the retirement payment period, or through the date of the spouse’s death if it occurs prior to completion of the payment period. Alternatively, the retiree may choose a lump sum payment equivalent to the present value of $200,000 paid in equal monthly installments over the ten year period, discounted based on an interest rate equal to the average ten-year advance rate from the FHLB, for the thirty days prior to the election. The Director Retirement Plan is unfunded.
At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company has recorded a liability of $580,000 and $549,000, respectively, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities to provide for the actuarial present value of payments expected to be made under the Director Retirement Plan. The discount rate used to compute the present value obligation is 5.25 percent for both 2006 and 2005.
At December 31, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 158 and recorded the unamortized prior service cost, which is being amortized over the average remaining service period of the current non-employee directors, of $30,000, net of tax of $16,000, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). At December 31, 2005, prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 158, a net intangible asset of $140,000 was recorded, reflecting the unamortized prior service cost. Benefit cost for the Director Retirement Plan for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 was approximately $126,000, $143,000, and $134,000, of which $17,000, $15,000, and $11,000 represents current service cost, $97,000, $100,000, and $95,000 represents amortization of prior service cost, and $12,000, $28,000, and $28,000 represents interest, respectively. No payments were made under the Director Retirement Plan to retired non-employee directors during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004.
Deferred Compensation Plan
The Bank has a nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan for former Tarrytowns directors. Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, eligible directors deferred all or part of their compensation (including compensation paid to officer-directors for service as an officer). Deferred amounts were applied to either the purchase of (i) a life insurance policy, in which case the amount of deferred benefits payable is based on the value of expected death benefit proceeds, or (ii) Company common stock and other investments, in which case the amount of deferred benefits payable is based on the investment performance of the investments made. Deferred benefits are paid in installments over a ten year period beginning upon termination of service.
Due to a change of control, which occurred upon the acquisition of Tappan Zee by the Company, the Deferred Compensation Plan required full funding of any previously purchased life insurance contracts. However, the Board of Directors of Tarrytowns waived this requirement. The Bank has established a trust fund with an independent fiduciary for the purpose of accumulating funds to be used to satisfy its obligations under this plan, in addition to the proceeds from life insurance contracts.
The accumulated projected benefit obligation of the Deferred Compensation Plan included in accrued expenses and other liabilities aggregated $0.4 million at December 31, 2006 and $0.5 million at December 31, 2005. The present value of the accumulated projected benefit obligation is based on a discount rate of 4.66 percent and 4.40 percent as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Expenses for this plan for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 were $23,000, $57,000, and $12,000, respectively.
For financial reporting purposes, the cash surrender values of the life insurance contracts are not considered plan assets but instead are included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the cash surrender values of purchased life insurance policies included in other assets were approximately $740,000 and $690,000, respectively. The total death benefits payable under the insurance policies amounted to $1.1 million at December 31, 2006.
Postretirement Health Care Benefits
Substantially all Tarrytown’s employees were eligible for postretirement health care (medical and dental) benefits if they met certain age and length of service requirements. This plan was terminated on September 1, 1998, and only employees vested on that date will continue to receive benefits under this plan. A liability of $0.1 million has been recorded in accrued expenses and other liabilities to reflect an amount approximately equal to the Medicare Supplemental premiums for the three remaining participants.
The Bank also has established a Postretirement Health Care Plan. Under this plan, eligible retirees are entitled to participate in the Bank’s group health care plan but are responsible for premium payments.
Severance Plan
On January 30, 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc. Severance Plan (“Severance Plan”), which provides for severance benefits in the event of an involuntary termination in connection with a change in control of the Company (as defined). The Severance Plan covers all employees not otherwise covered by an employment contract. The purpose of the Severance Plan is to attract and retain capable personnel, address concerns of the Company’s employees regarding job security and help ensure that employees secure benefits, which they legitimately expect in the normal course of their employment. Benefits, which range from two weeks to forty weeks of compensation (as defined), are based on years of service.
18. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company has one reportable segment, “Community Banking.” All of the Company’s activities are interrelated, and each activity is dependent and assessed based upon how each of the activities of the Company supports the others. For example, commercial lending is dependent upon the ability of the Bank to fund itself with deposits and other borrowings, and to manage interest rate and credit risk. This situation is also similar for consumer and residential mortgage lending. Accordingly, all significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of the Company as one operating segment or unit.
The Company operates only in the U.S. domestic market, specifically the lower Hudson Valley, which includes the counties of Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Putnam and Dutchess, New York, as well as New York City and Long Island, New York, Southern Connecticut, and the surrounding area. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, there is no customer that accounted for more than 10 percent of the Company’s revenue.
19. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF U.S.B. HOLDING CO., INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
Condensed statements of financial condition are as follows:
Condensed statements of income are as follows:
Condensed statements of cash flows are as follows:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc.
Orangeburg, New York
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 13, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
March 13, 2007
Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
March 13,
To the Stockholders
U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc.
The management of U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of its published financial statements and all other information presented in this annual report. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, as such, include amounts based on informed judgments and estimates made by management.
The financial statements have been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, which was given unrestricted access to all financial records and related data, including minutes of all meetings of stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board. Management believes that all representations made to the independent registered public accounting firm during their audit were valid and appropriate. The independent registered public accounting firm’s report is presented on page 51.
Internal Control
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, including safeguarding of assets, for financial presentations in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f), and for the Company’s bank subsidiary, Union State Bank, in conformity with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council instructions for Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (“Call Report Instructions”). The Company’s internal control system is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the Directors of the Company, and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. The internal control contains monitoring mechanisms and actions that are taken to correct deficiencies identified.
There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal control can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.
Management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, assessed the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, including safeguarding of assets, for financial presentations in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, for Union State Bank, in conformity with the Call Report Instructions as of December 31, 2006. This assessment was based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting, including safeguarding of assets, established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2006, the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting, including safeguarding of assets, for financial presentations in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for Union State Bank, in conformity with the Call Report Instructions.
Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is presented on page 54.
Compliance with Laws and Regulations
Management is also responsible for ensuring compliance with the federal and state laws and regulations concerning loans to insiders, and the federal and state laws and regulations concerning dividend restrictions, both of which are designated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) as safety and soundness laws and regulations.
Management assessed its compliance with those designated safety and soundness laws and regulations and has maintained records of its determinations and assessments as required by the FDIC. Based on this assessment, management believes that Union State Bank has complied, in all material respects, with the designated safety and soundness laws and regulations referred to above for the year ended December 31, 2006.
/s/ Thomas E. Hales
/s/ Thomas M. Buonaiuto
Thomas E. Hales
Thomas M. Buonaiuto
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc.
Orangeburg, New York
We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc. (the “Company”) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Because management’s assessment and our audit were conducted to meet the reporting requirements of Section 112 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA), management’s assessment and our audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting included controls over the preparation by Union State Bank (the Company’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary) of the schedules equivalent to the basic financial statements in accordance with the instructions for the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Instructions for Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have not examined and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on management's statement referring to compliance with laws and regulations.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 of the Company and our report dated March 13, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
March 13, 2007
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This section presents discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of U.S.B. Holding Co., Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, including Union State Bank (the “Bank”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Dutch Hill Realty Corp., U.S.B. Financial Services, Inc., USB Delaware Inc. (from the date of its incorporation, September 12, 2003), and TPNZ Preferred Funding Corp. (“TPNZ”), a majority-owned subsidiary of USB Delaware Inc., and Ad Con, Inc. Union State Capital Trust I, Union State Statutory Trust II, and USB Statutory Trust III were consolidated through the year ended December 31, 2003 (with Union State Statutory Trust IV established in March 2004 (the “Trusts”)). As required by FIN 46R, on December 31, 2003, the Company deconsolidated all of the Trusts in existence as of that date and recorded subordinated debt issued to the Trusts and the Company’s investments in the common equity of the Trusts as of December 31, 2003. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and supplemental financial data contained elsewhere in this report.
The data contained herein has been adjusted to a tax equivalent basis, based on the Federal statutory tax rate of 35 percent. The effect of the tax equivalent adjustment to interest income on total interest earning assets was $2.5 million, $2.4 million, and $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Non accruing loans are included in average balances of loans, net. The net amortization of loan commitment fees, net of certain direct loan origination costs for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 of $2.2 million, $2.3 million, and $3.1 million respectively, are included in interest income on loans, net.
Forward-Looking Statements: Statements contained herein, which are not historical facts, are “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. In addition, senior management may make forward-looking statements orally to analysts, investors, the media and others. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “may,” “planned,” “estimated,” “potential,” “outlook,” “predict,” “project” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.
Forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of management's experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors the Company believes are appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors (many of which are beyond the Company’s control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, the following: the timing and occurrence or non-occurrence of events that may be subject to circumstances beyond the Company’s control; there may be increases in competitive pressure among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; changes in the interest rate environment may reduce interest margins; changes in deposit flows, loan demand or real estate values may adversely affect the Company’s business; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines may cause the Company’s financial condition to be perceived differently; general economic conditions, either nationally or locally in some or all of the areas in which the Company does business, or conditions in the securities markets or the banking industry may be less favorable than the Company currently anticipates; legislative or regulatory changes may adversely affect the Company’s business; applicable technological changes may be more difficult or expensive than the Company anticipates; success or consummation of new business initiatives may be more difficult or expensive than the Company anticipates; or litigation or matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future, may delay the occurrence or non-occurrence of events longer than the Company anticipates.
The Company's forward-looking statements are only as of the date on which such statements are made. By making any forward-looking statements, the Company assumes no duty to update them to reflect new, changing or unanticipated events or circumstances. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Company’s significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Certain accounting policies require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and assumptions, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the period in which they are determined to be necessary.
The accounting policies described below are those that most frequently require management to make estimates and judgments and, therefore, are critical to understanding the Company’s results of operations. The more critical policies given the Company’s current business strategy and asset/liability structure are accounting for non-performing loans, the allowance for loan losses, reserve for unfunded loan commitments and standby letters of credit and provision for credit losses, the classification of securities as either held to maturity or available for sale and evaluation of other than temporary impairment of securities, and the evaluation of valuation reserves for deferred tax assets. In addition to the discussion below and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company’s practice on each of these accounting policies is further described in the applicable sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Loans: The Company’s decision to classify loans as non-performing is judgmental in nature, but generally loans are placed on non-performing status when they are past due 90 days or more (180 days for credit cards) or earlier if management determines that the loan will become non-performing in the near future. At the time a loan is placed on non-performing status, interest accrued but not collected is reversed. Interest payments received while a loan is on non-performing status are either applied to reduce principal or, based on management’s estimate of collectibility, recognized as income. As reported in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as of December 31, 2006, non-accrual assets were $9.8 million and potential problem loans that may result in being placed on nonaccrual status in the near future were $1.4 million.
Allowance for Loan Losses: The determination of the allowance for loan losses (the “allowance”), reserve for unfunded loan commitments and standby letters of credit (the “reserve”) and provision for credit losses (the “provision”) is judgmental in nature. The process of evaluating the loan portfolio, classifying loans and determining the allowance, reserve, and provision is described beginning on page 70. As a substantial amount of the Company’s loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans and discounted cash flow valuation are critical in determining the amount of the allowance or reserve required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisals and discounted cash flow valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals and discounted cash flow valuations are carefully reviewed by management to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the related loans.
Additional changes in economic conditions, geographic and customer concentrations and other conditions could significantly impact the allowance, reserve, and provision. These evaluations are inherently subjective as they require estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. As a result, future adjustments to the allowance and reserve may be necessary.
Securities: The classification of securities is determined by management at the time of purchase, and the reasoning and analysis of the classification is described beginning on page 67. Securities classified as held to maturity are carried at amortized cost, while those identified as available for sale are carried at estimated fair value with the resulting unrealized gain or loss, net of income tax, included in other comprehensive income (loss), which is a component of stockholders’ equity. Accordingly, a misclassification would have a direct effect on stockholders’ equity. Securities in an unrealized loss position are periodically evaluated for other than temporary impairment. Management considers the effect of interest rates, credit ratings and other factors on the valuation of such securities, as well as the Company’s ability and intent to hold such securities until a forecasted recovery or maturity occurs. A substantial amount of the investment portfolio consists of triple-A rated credits, and, therefore, substantially all unrealized losses are due to interest rate factors. Sales or reclassification as available for sale (except for certain permitted reasons) of held to maturity securities may result in the reclassification of all held to maturity securities to available for sale. The Company has not sold or reclassified held to maturity securities to available for sale other than in specifically permitted circumstances.
Valuation Reserve for Deferred Tax Assets: A valuation reserve for deferred tax assets is established when, in management’s judgment, it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will not be realized. The determination of the valuation reserve for deferred tax assets (“tax valuation reserve”) is based on an evaluation of projected taxable income in which the net deductible timing differences are expected to reverse, and the ability to carry forward or back losses to years in which taxable income will be or was generated. For Federal tax purposes, losses may be carried back two years and forward 20 years. As the Company has recorded substantial taxable income in the past two years, significantly in excess of net Federal deferred tax assets, it is more likely than not that any net Federal deferred tax asset will be realized. New York State allows losses to be carried forward for 20 years but does not allow losses to be carried back for banking institutions. Therefore, the determination of any tax valuation reserve for New York State deferred tax assets is based on projected taxable income. If the projected amount of future taxable income decreases or increases (based on an analysis of the current year’s taxable income), the tax valuation reserve will increase or decrease, respectively.
Overview
The Company’s primary business is obtaining deposits through its retail branch system, and commercial and municipal relationships, and lending to both a retail and commercial customer base. A substantial amount of loans are secured by real estate, including construction projects. The Company also generally acquires triple-A credit rated securities to invest deposits in excess of loan production, and borrows on a wholesale basis to leverage capital and manage interest rate risk. The Company operates through its 30 full service branches (as of January 8, 2007) and its four loan centers in Rockland, Westchester and Orange Counties, New York, and Stamford, Connecticut.
The Company’s primary source of revenue is net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on interest earning assets and interest expense on interest bearing liabilities. The Company also derives income from non-interest income sources such as service charges on deposit accounts, gains on sales of securities, and other forms of income. Net interest income and non-interest income support the Company’s operating expenses and provision for credit losses.
As the Company’s primary source of income is net interest income, the interest rate environment has a significant effect on revenue, which is discussed in greater detail under “Net Interest Income” and “Market Risk” beginning on page 63 and 75, respectively. The market for and credit quality of loans is also impacted by interest rates, as well as the local economy. Deposits are also sensitive to interest rates, local economic conditions, and the attractiveness of alternative investments, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and annuities.
As discussed in “Net Interest Income” and “Market Risk,” a declining interest rate environment and flattening U.S. Treasury yield curve will have the effect of reducing the net interest margin. The Company’s balance sheet was in a liability sensitive position during 2006, primarily as a result of the Company’s deposit base moving to shorter term maturities. A reduction in medium- to long-term interest rates, or a continued inverted U.S. Treasury yield curve, may further reduce the net interest margin as deposits reprice at higher rates while interest earning assets will not reprice at higher yields.
However, a steepening of the U.S. Treasury yield curve will most likely increase the net interest margin due to an increase in yields on interest earning assets and management’s ability to reprice the deposit base at a slower rate. Higher interest rates may also impact credit quality and loan production, as borrowers must pay more for debt service. Credit quality, however, has been well managed by the Company in varying economic cycles due to strong underwriting standards and loan monitoring processes.
Also significant to the Company’s net income and earnings per common share is the ability to generate quality interest earning assets in the form of loans and securities at reasonable interest rate spreads to maintain and increase net interest income. Due to the inverted U.S. Treasury yield curve, intense competition for loans, and difficulty in obtaining acceptable yields and structures on security investments, increasing the Company’s interest earning assets, while managing interest rate risk, is proving to be challenging. In addition, significant loan prepayments are also impacting the Company’s ability to increase interest earning assets.
Comparison of Results of Operations
The Company’s net income was $31.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, a 4.9 percent decrease compared to 2005. Net income was $33.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, an 18.3 percent increase from 2004 net income of $28.1 million.
The decreased net income for 2006, compared to 2005, reflects a decrease in net interest income, and an increase in the provision for credit losses. The decrease in net income was partially offset by an increase in non-interest income and a decrease in non-interest expenses, as well as gains on securities transactions in 2006. There were no gains on securities transactions in 2005. The increase in net income for 2005, compared to 2004, primarily reflects an increase in net interest income, a significant decrease in the provision for credit losses, gains on sales of loans, and a decrease in the effective rate for the provision for income taxes. The increase in net income was partially offset by a decrease in non-interest income and an increase in non-interest expenses, as well as gains on securities transactions in 2004.
Diluted earnings per common share decreased 6.1 percent to $1.39 in 2006 compared to the $1.48 recorded in 2005, reflecting lower net income in 2006, while diluted earnings per common share increased 18.4 percent in 2005 compared to the $1.25 recorded in 2004, reflecting higher net income in 2005. Return on average common stockholders’ equity was 14.86 percent in 2006, compared to 17.15 percent in 2005, and 16.13 percent in 2004. Return on average total assets in 2006 was 1.11 percent, compared to 1.19 percent in 2005, and 0.96 percent in 2004.
Net interest income for 2006 declined to $92.1 million, a 2.6 percent decrease from the $94.6 million recorded in 2005, while 2005 net interest income increased 7.3 percent compared to the $88.1 million recorded in 2004. The decrease in net interest income in 2006 primarily resulted from a decrease in net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis to 3.43 percent compared to 3.62 percent in 2005, partially offset by continuing growth of average interest earning assets, primarily loans and securities. The increase in net interest income in 2005 resulted primarily from an increase in the net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis to 3.62 percent compared to 3.21 percent in 2004, partially offset by a decrease in average interest earning assets, primarily securities. Net interest income during 2006, 2005, and 2004 was also negatively impacted by interest foregone on non-performing assets of $0.4 million in 2006, $0.3 million in 2005, and $0.2 million in 2004.
Non-interest income for 2006 increased $0.7 million and for 2005 decreased $1.1 million, compared to 2005 and 2004, respectively. The 2006 increase was primarily due to gains on securities transactions and other income, partially offset by lower fees from service charges on deposit accounts. The 2005 decrease was primarily due to the absence of gains on securities transactions in 2005 compared to and lower fees from service charges on deposit accounts, partially offset by higher other income and gains on sales of loans in 2005.
The provision for credit losses increased $1.0 million in 2006 and decreased $3.1 million in 2005 as compared to the prior year periods. The increase in the provision for credit loses for 2006 was primarily due to a higher level of net loan production, partially offset by a higher level of net charge-offs compared to 2005. The 2005 decrease was attributable to a lower level of net loan production as a result of a significant amount of loan prepayments and a lower level of net charge-offs compared to 2004. The significant charge-offs in 2004 were related to one non-performing real estate construction loan recorded by the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary, Dutch Hill Realty Corp. (the “Dutch Hill Loan”). The Dutch Hill Loan balance was reduced to zero in February 2005.
Non-interest expenses for 2006 decreased 1.1 percent and for 2005 increased 2.3 percent compared to the prior year periods. The decrease in 2006 primarily reflects lower salaries and employee benefits and professional fees, partially offset by higher occupancy and equipment expense. The increase in 2005 reflects higher salaries and employee benefits and advertising and business development expense, which were partially offset by lower professional fees and communications expense.
Under SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”), the Company accounted for stock-based compensation using a fair value based method as disclosed in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The effect of complying with SFAS No. 123R resulted in $1.2 million of additional expense related to salaries and employee benefits in 2006. The Company was still able to reduce non-interest expense by controlling costs even with the additional expense from SFAS No. 123R.
The Company’s effective income tax rate for the determination of the provision for income taxes was 32.8 percent, 32.5 percent, and 33.1 percent for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. The increase in 2006 was primarily due to an increase in the valuation allowance for New York State deferred tax assets. The decrease in 2005 compared to 2004 was primarily due to lower state income taxes and a decrease in income tax reserves as a result of the satisfactory completion of state tax examinations for prior income tax years.
Each of the components of net income is discussed in further detail throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
The Company’s total capital ratio under the risk-based capital guidelines exceeds regulatory guidelines of eight percent, as the total capital ratio equaled 16.34 percent and 16.98 percent at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company’s leverage capital ratio was 9.75 percent at December 31, 2006 and 9.47 percent at December 31, 2005, which also exceeds regulatory guidelines of four percent.
The Company is not aware of any factors, not otherwise disclosed, that would significantly affect its business operations. The Company has the liquidity to meet its obligations from stable sources of deposits and borrowings from reliable lending institutions, the assets to generate income from stable loan production with strong credit quality, and investments in triple-A credit rated securities, and sufficient capital to support its business and future growth prospects.
Interest Differential
The following table sets forth the dollar amount of changes in interest income, interest expense and net interest income between the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, on a tax equivalent basis.
The variance, not solely due to rate or volume, is allocated between the average rate and average volume variances based upon their absolute relative weights to the total change. Nonaccruing loans are included in average balances for purposes of computing changes in average volume and average rate. The net amortization of loan commitment fees, net of certain direct loan origination costs for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 of $2.2 million, $2.3 million, and $3.1 million, respectively, are included in interest income on loans, net.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income, the difference between interest income and interest expense, is the most significant component of the Company’s consolidated earnings. Net interest income is positively impacted by a combination of increases in interest earning assets over interest bearing liabilities, and an increase in the net interest spread between interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. Net interest income is adversely impacted by a combination of a decrease in interest earning assets over interest bearing liabilities, and a decrease in the net interest spread between interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities.
Net interest income of $94.6 million on a tax equivalent basis for 2006 reflects a 2.4 percent decrease as compared to the $96.9 million in 2005. Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis for 2005 rose 7.4 percent as compared to the $90.2 million for 2004. The decrease in net interest income on a tax equivalent basis in 2006 was primarily due to a decrease in the net interest margin to 3.43 percent in 2006 from 3.62 percent in 2005, as compared to an increase in 2005 from 3.21 percent in 2004. Net interest income benefited from the excess of average interest earning assets over average interest bearing liabilities of $445.3 million in 2006, $456.1 million in 2005, and $403.5 million in 2004.
Interest income is determined by the volume of and related interest rates earned on interest earning assets. Interest income on a tax equivalent basis for 2006 increased to $180.1 million or by 11.9 percent as compared to 2005, which increased to $160.9 million or by 8.9 percent as compared to 2004. An increase in the average rate in all categories, except obligations of states and political subdivisions, contributed to a higher level of interest income in and 2005 compared to 2005 and 2004, respectively. An overall increase in average volume in 2006, except interest bearing deposits, federal funds sold, mortgage-baked securities, and corporate securities, FHLB stock and other securities, contributed to a higher level of interest income compared to 2005. An overall decrease in average volume in 2005, except federal funds sold, obligations of states and political subdivisions, and loans, net, partially offset the increase in interest income compared to 2004.
The decrease in net interest income due to changes in average rate in 2006 compared to 2005 was primarily due to higher rates paid on deposits in 2006 as a result of competitive market pressures to obtain these deposits with higher promotional rates. The increase in net interest income due to changes in average rate in 2005 compared to 2004 primarily resulted from higher yields on floating rate securities and loans as a result of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”) raising short-term interest rates a total of 200 basis points during 2005.
Average interest earning assets increased in 2006 to $2,754.7 million compared to $2,678.5 million in 2005 and decreased from $2,807.6 million in 2004, reflecting a 2.8 percent increase and 4.6 percent decrease in 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company’s ability to make changes in the asset mix enables management to capitalize on more desirable yields, as available, related to various interest earning assets.
Interest income on federal funds sold increased in 2006 due to higher average rate, partially offset by lower average volume, while such income increased in 2005 due to higher average volume and average rate, as compared to the prior year. The level of federal funds sold is dependent upon the amount of loan and deposit growth, cash flow requirements, and yields on alternative security investments. To a lesser extent, investments in interest bearing deposits are also an alternative to federal funds sold.
The average balances of total securities increased in 2006 and decreased in 2005. The increase in 2006 was due primarily to efforts to effectively leverage capital, as well as management’s efforts to balance the risk and liquidity of the entire portfolio. The decrease in 2005 was due to calls, maturities, and principal payments from amortizing securities, as well as management’s decision to not implement a significant amount of leveraging strategies during the year.
Interest income on total securities increased in both 2006 and 2005 compared to the prior years. The increase in 2006 and 2005 was primarily due to higher average interest rates on all categories except obligations of states and political subdivisions, and in 2006 higher average volume primarily from U.S. government agencies. The increase in 2005 was partially offset by lower average volume in U.S. government agencies, mortgage-backed securities, corporate securities, FHLB stock and other securities.
Loans are the largest component of interest earning assets and, due to their significance, are carefully reviewed with respect to the Company’s overall interest rate sensitivity position. Interest income on loans in 2006 and 2005 increased due to higher average volume and average rates. In 2006, average net loan balances increased $15.1 million to $1,498.2 million compared to 2005, while average net loans increased $7.6 million in 2005 to $1,483.1 million compared to 2004. Net loans outstanding increased $117.6 million to $1,577.4 million at December 31, 2006 from $1,459.8 million at December 31, 2005, or an 8.1 percent increase, compared to a decrease of $33.1 million, or 2.2 percent, in 2005 compared to 2004. Loan interest income was negatively impacted by interest income foregone on nonaccrual loans of $383,000 in 2006, $331,000 in 2005, and $157,000 in 2004.
Interest expense is a function of both the volume and rates paid for interest bearing liabilities. Interest expense in 2006 increased $21.5 million, or 33.6 percent, to $85.5 million, and in 2005 increased $6.4 million to $64.0 million, or 11.1 percent, compared to $57.6 million in 2004. Average balances in all categories increased in both 2006 and 2005, except for savings deposits in 2006 and money market deposits in 2006 and 2005. Average balances increased in 2006 and 2005 primarily due to continuing growth of deposits in existing branches from ongoing business development efforts. The increase in interest expense on interest bearing deposits in 2006 and 2005 was due to increases in average rate in all categories.
Non-interest earning deposits are an integral aspect of liability management and have a positive impact on the determination of net interest income. The level of non-interest bearing average demand deposits decreased 9.2 percent in 2006 to $313.1 million from $344.8 million in 2005, which was a 6.8 percent increase compared to $322.8 million in 2004.
The Company utilizes federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and FHLB advances (“borrowings”) to fund loan growth in excess of deposit growth and to leverage the Company’s capital by funding security investments. Interest expense on borrowings increased in 2006 due to an increase in average volume and average rate. Interest expense decreased on borrowings in 2005 due to a decrease in average volume, partially offset by an increase in average rate.
Subordinated debt issued in connection with corporation-obligated mandatory redeemable securities of subsidiary trusts is issued to provide Tier I regulatory capital with interest that is deductible for federal and state income tax purposes. Such securities are issued on both a fixed and floating rate basis. Interest expense increased on these securities in 2006 and 2005 due to an increase in the average rate and, in 2005, as a result of an increase in securities issued.
The net interest spread on a tax equivalent basis for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 is as follows:
Net Interest Spread Analysis
In 2006, the net interest spread decreased due to rates on interest bearing liabilities increasing at a faster rate than yields on interest earning assets primarily from competitive market pressures to obtain deposits with higher promotional rates. In 2005, the net interest spread increased due to yields on assets increasing at a faster rate than rates on interest bearing liabilities from basis points of short-term rate increases by the FRB and an asset sensitive balance sheet during a significant part of 2005.
Management has used its strong capital position to prudently leverage the balance sheet resulting in increased levels of net interest income without adding significant interest rate risk or operating expenses. Management believes leveraging the balance sheet with the addition of floating rate securities will protect interest income in a rising interest rate environment, while the inclusion of fixed rate securities with reasonable periods of call protection will mitigate the adverse effects on interest income if interest rates remain low. Although the effects of balance sheet leveraging tend to decrease the net interest spread, it adds net interest income without adding significant operating costs.
The Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2006 is liability sensitive during the short-term period (one year and less). If the U.S. Treasury yield curve maintains an inverted position whereby short-term interest rates are at levels higher than medium- to long-term interest rates or a relatively flat position, compression of the net interest margins may continue to occur and the Company’s net interest income would be negatively affected.
Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income consists of gains on securities transactions, gains on sales of loans, service charges and fees on deposit accounts, and other income. The Company generates increases in non-interest income primarily from new and larger existing retail and commercial deposits and loan relationships, increased bank services offered to retail and commercial customers, and prudently managing the security portfolio in order to recognize gains on securities when appropriate.
Non-interest income for 2006 was $8.6 million compared to $7.9 million for 2005, and $9.0 million in 2004. The increase in 2006, as compared to 2005, is primarily due to gains on securities transactions of $431,000, and higher other income of $875,000, partially offset by lower service charges and fees and gains on sales of loans of $314,000 in 2005. The decrease in non-interest income in 2005 is primarily due to gains on securities transactions during 2004 of $1,199,000 and lower service charges and fees of $658,000, partially offset by increases in other income of $453,000 and gains on sales of loans of $314,000 compared to 2004.
Gains on securities transactions in 2006 and 2004 were the result of gains realized on sales of available for sale securities. There were no gains on securities transactions realized in 2005. During 2005, the Company sold $7.2 million of residential mortgages to Freddie Mac and realized a gain of $314,000. There were no gains on sales of loans in 2006 and 2004.
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts decreased 8.0 percent and 15.5 percent in 2006 and 2005, respectively, compared to the prior years. The decreases primarily reflect lower non-sufficient funds fees on checking accounts.
The increase in other income in 2006 reflects increases in loan prepayment fees, debit card fee income and other non-interest income. The 2006 increase was partially offset by decreases in letter of credit fees, fee income on investment product sales, and mortgage servicing income. The 2005 increase in other income primarily reflects higher letter of credit and credit card fees, income from merchant credit card transactions, and other non-interest income. The 2005 increase was partially offset by lower fee income from investment product sales and lower loan prepayment fees compared to the prior year.
Loan prepayment fees increased in 2006 and 2005, as compared to the prior periods, due to a higher amount of loan refinancing and payoffs in the Bank’s competitive market. Letter of credit fees fluctuate depending on the needs of the Bank’s customer base, particularly those involved in real estate development. Increases in other fee categories reflect increased marketing and business development efforts.
Non-Interest Expenses
Non-interest expenses are primarily incurred to support the existing operations and growth of the Company, to increase its market share and customer base, to support the Company’s investment in people and technology, and to handle administrative functions. Non-interest expenses declined to $52.1 million for 2006, or 1.1 percent from $52.7 million for 2005, compared to a 2.3 percent increase in from $51.5 million for 2004. The decrease in 2006 represents the Company’s ability to control and reduce areas of operating expenses even with the addition in 2006 of $1.2 million of expense related to stock-based compensation from the implementation of SFAS No. 123R. The increase in 2005 reflects increased business volume and investments in people and technology.
The Company’s efficiency ratio (a lower ratio indicates greater efficiency), which compares non-interest expense to total adjusted revenue (taxable equivalent net interest income, plus non-interest income, excluding gains on securities transactions and gains on sales of loans), was 50.7 percent in 2006 compared to 50.4 percent in 2005, and 52.5 percent in 2004. The increase in the efficiency ratio in 2006, as compared to 2005, is primarily due to a lower net interest margin, partially offset by a decrease in non-interest expenses. The decrease in efficiency ratio in 2005 as compared to 2004 is partially due to an increase in the net interest margin combined with a relatively smaller increase in non-interest expenses.
Salaries and employee benefits, the largest component of non-interest expenses, declined 0.6 percent in 2006 to $33.0 million from $33.2 million in 2005, compared to a 7.7 percent increase in 2005 from $30.9 million in 2004. The decrease in 2006 primarily reflects lower levels of incentive compensation, medical costs, and a higher level of deferred loan origination costs, partially offset by stock-based compensation expense. The increase in 2005 primarily reflects higher salaries, medical costs and incentive compensation.
The percentages of salaries and employee benefits as a percentage of total non-interest expenses for 2006, 2005, and 2004 are set forth in the following table:
Occupancy and equipment expenses increased in 2006 to $7,986,000, a 2.9 percent increase compared to the 2005 amount of $7,759,000, which represents a decrease of 1.1 percent over 2004. The increase in 2006 is due to higher leasing and renovation costs on several Bank branch locations and maintenance contracts on new imaging equipment. The 2006 increase was partially offset by lower depreciation expense as assets became fully depreciated. The decrease in 2005 is a result of decreases in rent expense and building maintenance due to the closing of the Mamaroneck branch in the 2005 first quarter, a decrease in maintenance expense related to the network infrastructure, and less depreciation expense as assets became fully depreciated. The 2005 decrease was partially offset by increases in real estate taxes from adjustments of real estate taxes on owned properties in the prior year and higher utility costs due to rising energy prices.
Advertising and business development expense decreased to $2,662,000, a 1.6 percent decrease, compared to the $2,704,000 recorded in 2005, which reflects an increase of 3.1 percent compared to 2004. The decrease in 2006 is primarily due to lower costs incurred for promotional and special events. The increase in is principally due to a new cable television and print advertising campaign to further promote the Company’s brand, “Do business with us, do better with us.”®
Professional fees decreased 25.2 percent to $1,441,000 in 2006 from $1,926,000 in 2005, which was a 31.1 percent decrease from the $2,796,000 recorded in 2004. The 2006 and 2005 decreases reflect lower professional fees in connection with litigation related to the Dutch Hill Loan and a decrease in outside service fees for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Communications expense increased 5.6 percent in 2006 to $1,286,000 from $1,218,000 in 2005, which was a 19.1 percent decrease from $1,506,000 in 2004. The increase in reflects an increase in costs to support the network infrastructure and increased mailings in the Bank’s market area, while the decrease in 2005 reflects decreased costs related to data and telephone lines.
Stationery and printing expense increased 0.9 percent to $577,000 in 2006 from $572,000 in 2005 and decreased 11.5 percent from $646,000 in 2004. The increase in expense in 2006 reflects a higher level of miscellaneous supplies, partially offset by a decrease in printing costs from the use of in-house printing and technology. The decreases in expense in 2005 reflect a reduction in miscellaneous supplies for the branch network.
Amortization of intangibles decreased to $1,114,000 in 2006, compared to $1,146,000 in 2005 and $1,126,000 in 2004. The decrease in 2006 reflects a reduction of core deposit intangible amortization. The increase in 2005 reflects additional amortization related to the core deposit intangible allocated in the Reliance Bank acquisition in March 2004.
Other non-interest expenses, as reflected in the following table, decreased in 2006 and increased in 2005. The decrease in 2006 primarily reflects a reduction of courier fees for branch locations and credit card expenses related to rewards programs. The increase in other non-interest expenses in 2005 primarily reflects higher credit card related costs associated with bonus awards, partially offset by a decrease in outside services resulting from a decrease in consulting fees.
To monitor and control the level of non-interest expenses and non-interest income, the Company continually monitors the system of internal budgeting, including analysis and follow-up of budget and prior period variances.
Income Taxes
Income tax provisions of $15,376,000, $15,964,000, and $13,860,000 were recorded in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. The Company is currently subject to a statutory Federal tax rate of 35.0 percent, the higher of a New York State tax of 7.5 percent of New York State income, a tax on alternative income, or a tax on assets, and a Metropolitan Transportation tax of 17.0 percent of the New York State tax (as defined), a Connecticut State tax rate of 7.5 percent of Connecticut State income, a New York City tax rate of 9.0 percent of New York City income, and a Delaware State Franchise tax based on the number of authorized shares. The Company paid a New York State tax on assets in 2006 and 2005. The Company’s overall effective income tax rate was 32.8 percent in 2006, 32.5 percent in 2005, and 33.1 percent in 2004.
The lower effective income tax rate in all years as compared to statutory rates primarily reflects lower state income taxes and investments in tax exempt municipal bonds, as well as an adjustment to the income tax reserves from the completion of New York State and Federal income tax examinations in prior years. As a result of a reduction in taxable income for state tax purposes, the Company has established a valuation allowance net of Federal tax benefit at December 31, 2006 and 2005 in the amount of $2.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively, to fully reserve the amount of the state deferred tax assets that are more likely than not, in management’s judgment, not realizable. Other pertinent income tax information is set forth in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Comparison of Financial Condition
Securities Portfolio
Securities are selected to provide safety of principal and liquidity, produce income on excess funds during structural changes in the composition of deposits during cyclical and seasonal changes in loan demand, and to leverage capital. The amount of securities purchased and maintained in the securities portfolio is dependent on the level of deposit growth in excess of loan growth, the ability to leverage capital, while maintaining adequate capital ratios and managing interest rate risk, and the ability of the Bank to borrow wholesale funds. In order to manage liquidity and control interest rate risk, the Company’s investment strategy focuses on a combination of securities that have short maturities, adjustable-rate securities or those whose cash flow patterns result in a lower degree of interest rate risk, and investments in fixed rate securities with longer-term maturities and call options by the issuer to maximize yield.
The Bank’s investment policy includes a determination of the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. If management has the intent and ability to hold securities until a forecasted recovery or maturity occurs, they are classified as held to maturity and are carried at amortized historical cost. Securities held for indefinite periods of time and not intended to be held to maturity include securities that management intends to use as part of its asset/liability strategy and that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, prepayment risk, and other factors. Such securities are classified as available for sale and carried at estimated fair value.
During July 2004, the Company transferred at fair value available for sale U.S. government agency securities with an amortized cost basis and fair value of approximately $307.6 million and $298.2 million, respectively, to held to maturity. The unrealized loss of $9.4 million, $6.2 million net of tax, was included as a component of other comprehensive income and is being accreted over the remaining life of the securities transferred. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the unrealized loss of $7.8 million and $8.5 million, $5.1 million and $5.5 million net of tax, respectively, was included as a component of other comprehensive income. Management does not intend to sell these securities.
The Company has continued to exercise its conservative approach to investing by purchasing high credit quality investments and controlling interest rate risk by investing in securities with periodic cash flow or with interest rates that reprice periodically, and longer-term maturities to complement the asset/liability structure of the balance sheet. Generally, most securities may be used to collateralize borrowings and public deposits. As a result, the securities portfolio is an integral part of the Company’s funding strategy. The securities portfolio, including the Bank’s investment in FHLB stock, of $1,217.8 million and $1,153.6 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, consists of securities held to maturity totaling $751.9 million and $746.9 million, securities available for sale totaling $431.3 million and $376.0 million, and FHLB stock of $34.5 million and $30.8 million, respectively.
Securities, including FHLB stock, represent 44.0 percent, 42.2 percent, and 46.5 percent of average interest earning assets in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Emphasis on the securities portfolio will continue to be an important part of the Company’s asset/liability strategy. The size of the securities portfolio will depend on deposit and loan growth, the ability of the Company to take advantage of leverage opportunities, and the availability of high quality and rated securities with acceptable yields and structures. The carrying value, estimated fair value, weighted average yields, and maturity distributions of securities and information on securities in a gross unrealized loss position are included in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Obligations of U.S. government agencies principally include Federal Home Loan Bank, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac debentures and notes. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the outstanding balances held in such U.S. government agency securities totaled $711.7 million and $710.4 million, respectively. For 2006, U.S. government agency securities increased $1.3 million due primarily to an increase of $0.6 million of amortization of the unrealized loss on transfer of available for sale securities to held to maturity, an increase of $0.6 million in the estimated fair value of available for sale securities, and an increase of $0.1 million in discount accretion. For 2005, U.S. government agency securities increased $127.3 million due to purchases of $345.0 million in U.S. government agency bonds, net discount accretion of $0.2 million, and $0.7 million of amortization of the loss on transfer of available for sale securities to held to maturity, which were partially offset by redemptions of $217.3 million and a decrease in the fair value of available for sale securities of $1.3 million. There were no purchases of these securities in 2006. In 2005, the net new purchases of callable U.S. government agency securities consisted of fixed-rate securities with longer-term maturities and call options by the issuer to increase yield.
The Company invests in mortgage-backed securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), which are primarily issued by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. Ginnie Mae securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, assuring investors of receiving all of the principal and interest due from the mortgages backing the securities. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee the payment of interest at the applicable certificate rate and the full collection of the mortgages backing the securities. However, these securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.
Mortgage-backed securities, including CMOs, increased $54.7 million to $359.0 million at December 31, 2006, and decreased $119.4 million to $304.3 million at December 31, 2005. The increase in 2006 was due primarily to purchases of $155.4 million and an increase of $0.1 million in discount accretion, partially offset by sales of $47.0 million, principal paydowns of $52.8 million, and a decrease in the estimated fair value of available for sale securities of $1.0 million. The decrease in 2005 was due primarily to principal paydowns of $158.0 million and a decrease in the estimated fair value of available for sale securities of $2.4 million, partially offset by purchases of $40.9 million and net discount accretion of $0.1 million.
The following table sets forth additional information concerning mortgage-backed securities, including CMOs, as of the periods indicated:
Purchases and sales of mortgage-backed securities, including CMOs, are transacted when management considers such activities appropriate in order to react to market conditions to restructure the portfolio and manage interest rate risk. Fixed rate mortgage-backed securities provide a higher yield and cash flow for reinvestment in different interest rate environments. Interest rates on floating-rate CMO securities periodically adjust at certain spreads to market indices and typically contain maximum lifetime caps. Mortgage-backed securities cash flow is sensitive to changes in interest rates as principal prepayments generally accelerate during periods of declining interest rates and decrease during periods of rising interest rates.
The outstanding balances in obligations of states and political subdivisions at December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $112.3 million and $108.0 million, with purchases of $30.7 million and $34.4 million, and net discount accretion of $0.1 million in both years, partially offset by maturities and other decreases of $26.5 million and $11.3 million during 2006 and 2005, respectively. Municipal securities are considered core investments having favorable tax equivalent yields and diversified maturities. The obligations are principally New York State political subdivisions with diversified final maturities and substantially all are classified as held to maturity. Purchases of municipal securities are dependent upon their availability in the marketplace and the comparative tax equivalent yields of such securities compared to other securities of similar credit risk and maturity.
The Company invests in medium-term corporate debt securities, bank and other equity securities, and other securities that are rated investment grade by nationally recognized credit rating organizations at the time of purchase. The Company had outstanding balances in corporate securities of $0.2 million and $0.1 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, consisting of bank and other equity securities.
The total investment in FHLB stock was $34.5 million, $30.8 million, and $31.1 million at December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. The increase in 2006 reflects purchases of $20.2 million, partially offset by redemptions of $16.5 million. The decrease in 2005 reflects redemptions of $40.8 million, partially offset by purchases of $40.5 million. The Bank is a member of the FHLB. As a prerequisite to obtaining increased funding from the FHLB, the Bank may be required to purchase additional shares of FHLB stock. Conversely, the FHLB may require the Bank to redeem shares of FHLB stock if the Bank’s borrowings from the FHLB decline.
Except for securities of the U. S. government agencies (principally callable and mortgage-backed securities), Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, and Federal Home Loan Bank, there were no obligations of any single issuer that exceeded ten percent of stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2006 and 2005.
Loan Portfolio
Loans represent the largest and highest yielding earning asset of the Company. Loan volume is dependent on the Bank’s ability to originate loans in the competitive markets in which it operates. Critical factors include the credit worthiness of borrowers, the economy of the Bank’s markets, and the level of interest rates. Also, impacting net loan growth is the level of loan prepayments, which occur more frequently in the current low interest rate environment. The Company continues to originate a significant portion of loans collateralized by real estate within the markets it primarily conducts business. The favorable economic conditions for both commercial and residential real estate and the credit worthiness of new and existing customers allowed the Bank to increase net loans outstanding in 2006, while significant loan prepayments in 2005 resulted in a decrease in net loans outstanding in 2005.
Increasing the loan portfolio and maintaining the loan portfolio’s performance is an integral part of the Company’s business strategy and revenue growth. During 2006, the average balance of net loans of the Company increased $15.1 million to $1,498.2 million, and increased $7.6 million in 2005 to $1,483.1 million, as compared to the 2004 average balance of $1,475.5 million. Loans outstanding at December 31, 2006 increased $118.4 million to $1,593.4 million, or 8.0 percent as compared to loans outstanding at December 31, 2005. At December 31, 2005, loans outstanding decreased $33.1 million to $1,475.0 million, or a 2.2 percent decrease compared to loans outstanding at December 31, 2004.
The loan growth resulted from: an increase in construction and land development loans of $99.0 million; an increase in residential mortgage loans of $16.2 million; an increase in installment loans of $21.4 million; an increase in credit card loans of $0.7 million; and an increase in other loans categories, net of deferred loan commitment fees of $3.3 million. The increases were partially offset by decreases in commercial mortgages of $13.5 million, time and demand loans of $7.3 million, and home equity loans of $1.3 million.
The loan decrease resulted from a decrease in construction and land development loans of $35.3 million; a decrease in demand loans of $18.2 million; a decrease in commercial mortgages of $8.1 million; a decrease in installment loans of $0.6 million; and a decrease in other loans categories, net of deferred loan commitment fees of $3.5 million. The decrease was partially offset by increases in residential mortgage and home equity loans of $28.6 and $3.6 million, and credit card loans of $0.4 million, respectively.
Real estate collateralized loans consisting of construction mortgages, interim and permanent commercial mortgages, home equity, and residential mortgages represent 88.6 percent and 88.9 percent of total gross loans at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Commercial mortgages, residential mortgages, and construction and land development loans will continue to be emphasized, as these loans represent quality real estate secured loans. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company had approximately $244.6 million and $242.7 million of committed but unfunded commercial mortgage loans, construction and land development loans, and $89.8 million and $81.0 million of committed and unfunded residential mortgage loans (both first and junior liens), respectively.
Time and demand loans are loans to businesses and individuals that are secured by collateral other than real estate (i.e., accounts receivable and inventory) or are unsecured. These loans decreased to $140.4 million in 2006 from $147.7 million in 2005. The Company will continue its efforts to diversify its loan portfolio and offer a number of commercial customers (including commercial real estate customers) lines of credit. Installment loans to individuals and businesses increased in 2006 to $28.6 million from $7.2 million in 2005, which was a decrease from $7.8 million in 2004. The increase in 2006 was primarily due to a $20.0 million loan to one customer.
The Bank currently provides Union State Bank Visa and MasterCard credit cards. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Bank had unused credit card lines of $46.0 million and $41.3 million, and outstanding balances of $7.4 million and $6.8 million, respectively. The credit card business allows the Company to increase its consumer lending.
At December 31, 2006 and 2005, time and demand, installment, credit card, and other loans represented 11.4 percent and 11.1 percent of gross loans, respectively.
Nonaccrual loans, which are primarily collateralized by real estate, increased at December 31, 2006 to $9.8 million compared to $9.0 million at December 31, 2005, and $1.6 million as of December 31, 2004. Net income is adversely impacted by the level of non-performing assets caused by the deterioration of the borrowers’ ability to meet scheduled interest and principal payments. In addition to forgone revenue, the Company must increase the level of provisions for credit losses and incur collection costs and other costs associated with the management and disposition of foreclosed properties.
The most significant non-performing loans have typically been construction and real estate related commercial loans, and commercial lease finance loans. Although the Bank has an aggressive foreclosure policy, the process is often slow and can be hampered by legal and market factors. Loans considered to be impaired were $9.2 million and $16.0 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Net loan charge-offs against the allowance for loan losses were $0.8 million in 2006, compared to $0.1 million in 2005 and $3.2 million in 2004. The charge-offs in 2004 reflect $3.2 million related to the Dutch Hill Loan.
The non-performing loans in 2006 are primarily the result of loans related to two customer relationships. As of December 31, 2006, the loans related to one customer relationship aggregating $1.8 million have been placed on nonaccrual status as a result of a real estate construction project experiencing unexpected delays in completing the construction. A specific allowance for loan loss of $0.7 million was allocated to these impaired loans at December 31, 2006. The loans related to another customer relationship aggregating $7.3 million of commercial loans as of December 31, 2006 involve problems with sources of repayment from operating cash flows. No specific allowance for loan loss was allocated to these impaired loans due to the market value of the real estate collateral. The loans in both customers’ relationships are also supported by personal guarantees. For further information on non-performing loans, see Note to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The loan portfolio is evaluated on an ongoing basis. A comprehensive evaluation of the quality of the loan portfolio is performed by management on a quarterly basis as an integral part of the credit administration function, which includes the identification and evaluation of past due loans, non-performing loans, impaired loans and potential problem loans, assessments of the expected effects of the current economic environment, applicable industries, geographic and customer concentrations within the loan portfolio, and a review of historical loss experience.
The allowance for loan losses of $16.0 million and $15.2 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, is available to absorb charge-offs from any loan category, while additions are made through charges to income and recoveries of loans previously charged-off. In addition to the allowance for loan losses (the “allowance”), a reserve for credit losses related to unfunded loan commitments and standby letters of credit (the “reserve”) at both December 31, 2006 and 2005 of $1.1 million is included in other liabilities.
Management makes an assessment of the degree of risk associated with the various elements of the loan portfolio. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, it is estimated that percent of the allowance and the reserve is applicable to time and demand loans, 88 percent and 87 percent, respectively, is related to loans collateralized by real estate, including commercial and construction loans, 3 percent and 2 percent, respectively, is applicable to installment, credit card and other loans, and 1 percent and 3 percent, respectively, are unallocated.
As with any financial institution, poor economic conditions, high inflation, high interest rates or high unemployment may lead to increased losses in the loan portfolio. Conversely, improvements in economic conditions tend to reduce the amounts charged against the allowance. Management has established various controls, in addition to Board approved underwriting standards, in order to limit future losses, such as (1) a “watch list” of possible problem loans, (2) various loan policies concerning loan administration (loan file documentation, disclosures, approvals, etc.), and (3) a loan review staff employed by the Company, as well as outside loan review consultants, to determine compliance with established controls, and to review the quality and identify anticipated collectibility issues of the portfolio. Management determines which loans are uncollectible and makes additional provisions, as necessary, to state the allowance and the reserve at the appropriate levels.
Management takes a prudent and cautious position in evaluating various business and economic uncertainties in relation to the Company’s loan portfolio. In management’s judgment, the allowance and reserve are considered adequate to absorb losses inherent in the credit portfolio. A substantial portion (88.6 percent at December 31, 2006) of total gross loans of the Company is collateralized by real estate, primarily located in the New York Metropolitan area. The collectibility of the loan portfolio of the Company is subject to changes in the real estate market in which the Company operates. The provisions for credit losses established in 2006, 2005, and 2004, and the related allowance and reserve reflect net charge-offs and losses incurred with respect to real estate, time and demand, installment, credit card, and other loans, and the effect of the real estate market and general economic conditions of the New York Metropolitan area on the loan portfolio.
Management believes the allowance and the reserve at December 31, 2006 appropriately reflect the risk elements inherent in the total loan portfolio at that time. There is no assurance that the Company will not be required to make future adjustments to the allowance or the reserve in response to changing economic conditions or regulatory examinations. During 2006, the New York State Banking Department completed an examination of the Bank. During 2005, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRBNY”) and the FDIC completed examinations of the Company and the Bank, respectively. As a result of these examinations, no adjustments to the allowance or the reserve were required.
Loan Maturities and Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates
The following table presents the maturities of loans outstanding at December 31, 2006 (excluding installment loans to individuals and real estate loans other than construction loans), and the amount of such loans by maturity date that have predetermined interest rates and the amounts that have floating or adjustable rates.
Contractual Obligations
In the normal course of business, the Company incurs contractual obligations. A summary of all significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2006 are summarized below:
Further information is included in Note 6, Note 7, Note 9, and Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as applicable.
Off-Balance Sheet Commitments
Off-balance sheet commitments incurred in the normal course of business as of December 31, 2006 are summarized below. Lines of credit in the following table are available upon demand. It is not expected that standby letters of credit will be funded. Other loan commitments represent committed but not yet funded commercial and residential real estate loans.
Deposits
The Company’s fundamental source of funds supporting interest earning assets continues to be deposits, consisting of demand deposits (non-interest bearing), NOW, money market, savings, and various forms of time deposits. Retail deposits are obtained primarily by mass marketing efforts and are fee and interest rate sensitive. Commercial deposits are generally obtained through direct marketing and business relationship development efforts, as well as a result of lending relationships. The maintenance of a strong deposit base is key to the development of lending opportunities and creates long-term customer relationships, which enhance the ability to cross sell services. Depositors include individuals, small and large businesses, and governmental units. To meet the requirements of a diverse customer base, a full range of deposit instruments are offered, which has allowed the Company to maintain and expand the deposit base despite intense competition from other banking institutions and non-bank financial service providers.
Total deposits at December 31, 2006 increased 2.7 percent to $1,896.4 million from $1,847.2 million at December 31, 2005, and decreased 0.6 percent from $1,858.2 million as of December 31, 2004. Excluding municipal time deposits, which are acquired on a bid basis, and brokered time deposits, total deposits increased to $1,680.7 million, or by 0.1 percent, as of December 31, 2006 and decreased to $1,678.5 million, or by 1.0 percent, as of December 31, 2005.
Average deposits outstanding decreased to $1,869.2 million, or by 1.6 percent, in 2006, and increased to $1,898.9 million, or by 1.1 percent, in 2005 from $1,878.8 million as of December 31, 2004. Average deposits, excluding municipal time deposits and brokered time deposits, decreased to $1,717.1 million, or by 1.1 percent, in 2006 and to $1,735.8 million, or by 0.1 percent, in 2005 from $1,735.3 in 2004.
Average non-interest bearing deposits decreased 9.2 percent to $313.1 million in 2006 compared to 2005, and increased 6.8 percent to $344.8 million in 2005 compared to the prior year, due to business development efforts. The decrease in 2006 was primarily due to competition for non-interest bearing deposits as customers favored interest bearing accounts with promotional rates.
Average interest bearing deposits in 2006 increased $1.9 million and in 2005 decreased $1.9 million. The increase in 2006 reflects increases in NOW and time deposits, partially offset by decreases in money market and savings deposits. The 2005 decrease reflects a decrease in money market deposits, partially offset by increases in all other deposit categories.
Average balances in NOW deposits increased $1.7 million in 2006 and $19.8 million in 2005, due primarily to an increase in average municipal deposits. The decreases of $16.9 million in 2006 and $49.1 million in 2005 in average money market deposits, and the decrease of $27.8 million in 2006 in average savings deposits resulted primarily from customers seeking higher rates on competitive products. Savings deposits average balances increased $10.9 million in 2005 due to a promotional high yielding savings product offered throughout the year.
In and 2005, average time deposits outstanding increased $45.0 million and $16.5 million, respectively. Average time deposits increased in 2006 and 2005 primarily by obtaining retail time deposits with short- to medium-term maturities by offering attractive rates. The increase in 2006 was partially offset by a decrease in average brokered deposits.
Municipal and brokered time deposits are used to fund loan growth in excess of retail and commercial deposit growth and security purchases, and to leverage the balance sheet. Average municipal deposits increased $37.1 million in 2006 and $19.5 million in 2005 to provide funding of average interest earning assets growth. In 2006 and 2005, average time deposits over $100,000 (including municipal deposits) increased $52.4 million and $28.7 million, respectively, compared to the prior years. Deposits of over $100,000 are generally for maturities of 30 to 180 days and are acquired to fund loans and securities.
Deposit costs generally increased in 2006 and 2005, which was a period of rising interest rates. The FRB increased short-term interest rates 100 basis points and 200 basis points during 2006 and 2005, respectively. The short-term rate increases caused average deposit rates to increase resulting in an increase in overall average deposit rates during 2006 and 2005. It is expected that depositors will continue to favor short-term deposit products to react quickly to the rising short-term interest rate environment, which will result in higher volatility of net interest margins due to the quick repricing of deposits during periods of both rising and declining interest rates.
The following table summarizes the average amounts and rates of various classifications of deposits for the periods indicated:
Capital Resources
Strong capitalization is fundamental to the successful operation of a banking organization. Management believes that the corporation-obligated mandatory redeemable capital securities of subsidiary trusts (“Capital Securities”) and related junior subordinated debt, future retained earnings and stock purchases under the employee benefit plans will provide the necessary capital for current operations and the planned growth in total assets. In addition, capital growth can be acquired through the reinstatement of the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Stock Purchase Plan, which has been suspended, as well as by issuance of securities in the capital markets.
Stockholders’ equity increased to $223.4 million in 2006, or 9.4 percent, compared to $204.2 million in 2005, and increased 12.1 percent in 2005 compared to $182.0 million in 2004. The increase in 2006 was attributable to net income of $31.6 million, common stock options exercised and related tax benefit of $13.0 million, compensation cost related to stock options of $1.2 million, and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $0.1 million, partially offset by cash dividends of $12.4 million and purchases of treasury stock of $14.2 million. The increase in 2005 was attributable to net income of $33.2 million, common stock options exercised and related tax benefit of $12.3 million and other increases of $0.1 million, partially offset by cash dividends of $11.6 million, purchases of treasury stock of $9.8 million, and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $2.0 million.
The Company manages capital through its earnings, stock option plans, dividend policy, and stock repurchase programs. During 2006 and 2005, the Company acquired 476,542 and 422,534 common shares, respectively, through stock repurchase plans and common shares tendered in connection with stock option exercises.
Cash dividends on the Company’s common stock have been paid since 1986, the first dividend paid in the Company’s history. In the first quarter of 1988, the Board of Directors authorized a quarterly cash dividend policy. Junior preferred stock dividends issued by TPNZ were approximately $10,000 in 2006, 2005, and 2004.
The various components and changes in common stockholders’ equity are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004.
All banks and bank holding companies are subject to risk-based capital guidelines. These guidelines define capital as Tier I and Total capital. Tier I capital consists of common stockholders’ equity, qualifying preferred stock and Capital Securities, less intangibles and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Total capital consists of Tier I capital plus the allowance for loan losses and reserve related to unfunded loan commitments and standby letters of credit up to certain limits, qualifying preferred stock and certain subordinated and long term-debt securities. The guidelines require a minimum total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0 percent, and a minimum Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 4.0 percent.
The risk-based capital ratios were as follows at December 31:
The Bank and Company must also maintain a minimum leverage capital ratio of at least percent, which consists of Tier I capital based on risk-based capital guidelines, divided by average quarterly tangible assets (excluding intangible assets that were deducted to arrive at Tier I capital).
The leverage capital ratios were as follows at December 31:
To be considered “well capitalized” under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), an institution must generally have a leverage capital ratio of at least 5 percent, Tier I capital ratio of 6 percent, and Total capital ratio of 10 percent. The Bank exceeds all current regulatory capital requirements and was in the “well capitalized” category at December 31, 2006. Management fully expects that the Company and the Bank will maintain a strong capital position in the future.
For additional information on the Company’s and Bank’s Regulatory Capital requirements see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Liquidity
As a banking institution, liquidity is of the utmost importance. The Company acquires funding through its retail and commercial deposits operations and through wholesale funding through borrowings, generally on a secured basis. Liquidity is also provided through cash flow from loan and investment security scheduled principal and interest payments, as well as prepayment of such assets. The Company’s contractual obligations are discussed under “Commitments and Contractual Obligations,” and, including investments in fixed assets, are not considered significant to the Company’s overall liquidity requirements. Risks regarding contractual agreements related to borrowings and the value of the underlying collateral to the borrowing can be impacted by changes in interest rates. These risks are addressed under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Form 10-K. Discussion of the various sources and uses of liquidity are discussed in detail below.
The Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) establishes specific policies and operating procedures governing the Company’s liquidity levels and develops plans to address future liquidity needs. The primary functions of asset/liability management are to provide safety of depositor and investor funds, assure adequate liquidity, and maintain an appropriate balance between interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. Liquidity management involves the ability to meet the cash flow requirements of customers who may be either depositors wanting to withdraw funds or borrowers needing assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs. ALCO has also established an ALCO Investment Subcommittee (“Investment Committee”), which discusses investment and borrowing strategies on a more technical level. The Investment Committee is critical in developing appropriate strategies to effectively manage the Bank’s investment portfolio, wholesale borrowings, and leverage strategies.
Aside from cash on hand and due from banks, liquid assets are federal funds sold, which are available daily, and interest bearing deposits with banks. Excess liquid funds are invested by selling federal funds, which mature daily, to other financial institutions in need of funds. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Bank sold overnight federal funds in the amounts of $23.6 million and $22.3 million, respectively. Average balances of overnight federal funds sold for the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $44.6 million and $65.8 million, respectively.
Other sources of asset liquidity include maturities of and principal and interest payments on securities and loans. The security and loan portfolios are of high credit quality and of mixed maturity, providing a constant stream of maturing and reinvestable assets, which can be converted into cash should the need arise. The ability to redeploy these funds is an important source of medium to long-term liquidity. The amortized cost of securities available for sale and held to maturity having the earlier of contractual maturities, expected call dates or weighted average lives of one year or less amounted to $68.1 million at December 31, 2006. This represented 5.7 percent of the amortized cost of the securities portfolio, compared to 2.1 percent at December 31, 2005. The foregoing amount reflects mortgage-backed securities maturities based on a weighted average life, which does not consider monthly principal payments and prepayments received on these securities. Including the estimated cash flow from principal payments of mortgage-backed securities, the total cash flow of the security portfolio in the one year time frame is approximately $124.3 million at December 31, 2006, or 10.5 percent of the amortized cost of the securities portfolio. Excluding installment loans to individuals and real estate loans other than construction loans, $201.2 million, or 44 percent of such loans at December 31, 2006 mature in one year or less.
As a preferred seller of mortgages to both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, the Bank may also increase liquidity by selling residential mortgages, or exchanging them for mortgage-backed securities that may be sold, in the secondary market. Residential mortgages may also be used as collateral for borrowings from the FHLB.
Demand deposits from individuals, businesses and institutions, as well as other transactional accounts and retail time deposits (“core deposits”) are a relatively stable source of funds. The deposits of the Bank generally have shown a steady growth trend. The trend of the deposit mix has generally been with a larger percentage of funds in demand accounts, savings deposits, and shorter-term certificates of deposit.
The Bank pledges certain of its assets as collateral for deposits of municipalities, FHLB borrowings, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, letters of credit and Federal Reserve Bank Treasury Tax and Loan deposits. The Bank had advances aggregating $101.8 million from the FHLB and borrowed $606.2 million under securities sold under agreements to repurchase at December 31, 2006. By utilizing collateralized funding sources, the Bank is able to access a variety of cost effective sources of funds. However, the pledging of assets for borrowings reduces the Bank’s ability to convert such assets to cash as the need arises. The assets pledged consisting of residential real estate loans, U.S. government agency securities, obligations of states and political subdivisions, and mortgage-backed securities totaled $1,086.9 million and $959.5 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Additional liquidity is provided by the ability to borrow from the FRBNY discount window, which borrowings must be collateralized with U.S. Treasury or government agency securities. The Bank has never used its ability to borrow from the discount window.
Management monitors its liquidity requirements by assessing assets pledged, the level of assets available for sale, additional borrowing capacity, and other factors. Based upon certain assets that are available for pledge as collateral, the Bank has the potential to borrow up to an additional $430.3 million as of December 31, 2006. The Bank may also borrow up to $90.0 million overnight under federal funds purchase agreements with six correspondent banks. Another source of funding for the Company is capital market funds, which includes preferred stock, convertible debentures, Capital Securities, common stock, and long-term debt qualifying as regulatory capital.
Each of the Company’s sources of liquidity is vulnerable to various uncertainties beyond the control of the Company. Scheduled loan and security payments are a relatively stable source of funds, while loan and security prepayments and calls, deposit flows, and the maturities and calls of borrowings along with the underlying collateral to the borrowing vary widely in reaction to market conditions, primarily prevailing interest rates. Asset sales are influenced by pledging activities, general market interest rates, and other unforeseen market conditions. The Company’s financial condition is affected by its ability to borrow at attractive rates, retain deposits at market rates, and other market conditions.
Management considers the Company’s sources of liquidity to be adequate to meet expected funding needs and also to be responsive to changing interest rate markets.
Market Risk
Market risk is the potential for economic losses to be incurred on market risk sensitive instruments arising from adverse changes in market indices such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and commodity prices. Since all Company transactions are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars with no direct foreign exchange or changes in commodity price exposures, the Company’s primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk.
Interest rate risk is the exposure of net interest income to changes in interest rates. Interest rate sensitivity is the relationship between market interest rates and net interest income due to the repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities. If more liabilities reprice than assets in a given period (a liability-sensitive position), market interest rate changes will be reflected more quickly in liability rates. If interest rates decline, such positions will generally benefit net interest income, while an increase in rates will have an adverse effect on net interest income. Alternatively, where assets reprice more quickly than liabilities in a given period (an asset-sensitive position), a decline in market rates would have an adverse effect on net interest income, while an increase in rates would have a positive impact.
Changes in the shape of the U.S. Treasury yield curve will also impact net interest income for institutions such as the Bank, which price assets at varying terms, while liabilities are generally shorter-term. Generally, a steep U.S. Treasury yield curve (i.e., lower short-term rates and higher medium to long-term rates) will have a positive effect on net interest income, while a flatter or inverted U.S. Treasury yield curve will have a negative effect. Excessive levels of interest rate risk can result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s future financial condition and profitability. Accordingly, effective risk management techniques that maintain interest rate risk at prudent levels are essential to the Company’s safety and soundness.
Substantially all market risk sensitive instruments are held to maturity or available for sale. The Company does not acquire any significant amount of financial instruments for trading purposes. Federal funds, both purchased and sold, which rates have the potential to change daily, and loans and deposits tied to certain indices, such as the prime rate and LIBOR, are the most market rate sensitive and have the most stable fair values. The least market rate sensitive instruments, which have the least stable fair values, include long-term fixed rate loans, capped floating and fixed rate securities with call options, and fixed rate time deposits. For market rate sensitive instrument types falling between these extremes, the management of maturity and repricing distributions is as important as the balances maintained.
The management techniques for maturity and repricing distributions involve the matching or mismatching to increase net interest spreads of interest rate maturities, as well as principal maturities, and is a key determinant of net interest income. In periods of rapidly changing interest rates, an imbalance between the rate sensitive assets and liabilities can cause fluctuations in net interest income and earnings. Establishing patterns of sensitivity that will enhance future growth regardless of frequent shifts in market conditions is one of the objectives of the Company’s asset/liability management strategy.
Evaluating the Company’s exposure to changes in interest rates is the responsibility of ALCO and includes assessing both the adequacy of the management process used to control interest rate risk and the quantitative level of exposure. When assessing the interest rate risk management process, the Company seeks to ensure that appropriate policies, procedures, management information systems, and internal controls are in place to maintain interest rate risk at appropriate levels. Evaluating the quantitative level of interest rate risk exposure requires the Company to assess the existing and potential future effects of changes in interest rates on its consolidated financial condition, including capital adequacy, earnings, deposit base, borrowings, liquidity, and asset quality.
The Company uses two methods to evaluate its market risk to changes in interest rates, a “Static Gap” evaluation and a simulation analysis of the impact of a gradual parallel shift in interest rates on the Company’s net interest income.
As further discussed below, the “Static Gap” analysis shows the Company as liability sensitive in the one-year time frame and the simulation analysis indicates an asset sensitive position. The simulation analysis more closely reflects the expected behavior of certain deposit accounts that do not reprice to the full extent of changes in interest rates (i.e., NOW, money market and savings accounts). The Company believes the simulation analysis is a more accurate analysis of its interest rate risk.
The “Static Gap” is presented in the table on page 78. Balance sheet items are categorized by contractual maturity, expected principal paydowns for mortgage-backed securities, or repricing dates, with floating rate loans constituting the bulk of the floating rate category. The determination of the interest rate sensitivity of non-contractual items is arrived at in a subjective manner. Passbook and statement savings accounts, NOW, and money market accounts are viewed as a relatively stable source of funds and less price sensitive and are therefore classified partially as short-term and partially as intermediate-term funds.
At December 31, 2006, the “Static Gap” shows a negative cumulative gap of $391.8 million or 13.9 percent of interest earning assets in the over three months to one year repricing period, due principally to higher levels of deposits and long-term borrowings that reprice within one year or less over the levels of floating rate and short-term repriceable assets. A significant portion of the loans in the over one year to five years category represents three and five year adjustable rate commercial mortgages. Origination of such loans has allowed the Company to generate an asset structure repriceable within three to five years to reduce long-term interest rate risk. Longer-term loans and securities are originated or purchased to maximize yield and provide protection if rates decrease.
The simulation analysis estimates the effect of an increase or decrease in interest rates based on the slope of the U.S. Treasury yield curve and the resulting impact on net interest income. This analysis incorporates management’s assumptions about maturities and repricing of existing assets and liabilities without consideration of future growth or other actions that may be taken to react to changes in interest rates and changing relationships between interest rates (i.e., basis risk). These assumptions have been developed through a combination of historical analysis and future expected pricing behavior.
For a given level of market interest rate changes, the simulation analysis can consider the impact of the varying behavior of cash flows from principal prepayments on the loan portfolio and mortgage-backed securities, call activities on investment securities, and can consider embedded option risk by taking into account the effects of interest rate caps and floors. The Company assesses the results of the simulation analysis on a quarterly basis and, if necessary, implements suitable strategies to adjust the structure of its assets and liabilities to reduce potential unacceptable risks to net interest income.
Net interest income is forecasted using rising and declining interest rate scenarios. A base case scenario, in which current interest rates remain stable, is used for comparison to other scenario simulations.
The Company’s policy limit on interest rate risk, as measured by the simulation analysis, is that if interest rates were to gradually increase 200 basis points or decrease 200 basis points in 2006 and 2005 from current rates (“parallel shift”), then the percentage change in estimated net interest income for the subsequent 12-month measurement period should not decline by more than 5.0 percent.
The table illustrates the estimated exposures under the rising rate scenario and declining rate scenario calculated as a percentage change in estimated net interest income from the base case scenario, assuming a gradual parallel shift for 2006 and in interest rates for the 12-month measurement period beginning December 31, 2006 and 2005.
As with any method of measuring interest rate risk, there are certain limitations inherent in the method of analysis presented. Actual results may differ significantly from simulated results should market conditions and management strategies, among other factors, vary from the assumptions used in the analysis. The model assumes that certain assets and liabilities of similar maturity or period to repricing will react the same to changes in interest rates, but, in reality, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates.
Specific types of financial instruments may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while other types of financial instruments may lag behind changes in market interest rates. Additionally, other assets, such as adjustable-rate loans, have features that restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset, which are assumed in the simulation. Furthermore, in the event of a change in interest rates, expected rates of prepayments on loans and securities and early withdrawals from time deposits or disintermediation of core deposit accounts from lower cost accounts into higher cost accounts could deviate significantly from those assumed in the simulation. In addition, a steepening of the U.S. Treasury yield curve may have a positive effect on net interest income, while a flattening or inverted U.S. Treasury yield curve will generally have a negative effect on net interest income.
One way to minimize interest rate risk is to maintain a balanced or matched interest rate sensitivity position. However, earnings are not always maximized by matched funding. To increase net interest income, the Company selectively mismatches asset and liability repricing to take advantage of short-term interest rate movements and the shape of the U.S. Treasury yield curve. The magnitude of the mismatch depends on a careful assessment of the risks presented by forecasted interest rate movements. The risk inherent in such a mismatch, or gap, is that interest rates may not move as anticipated.
Interest rate risk exposure is reviewed in weekly meetings in which guidelines are established for the following week and the longer-term. The interest rate gap and simulation are reviewed quarterly by ALCO and the Bank’s Board of Directors.
Risk can be mitigated by matching maturities or repricing more closely, and by reducing interest rate risk by the use of interest rate contracts. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments extensively, and no such contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005. However, as circumstances warrant, the Company may purchase derivatives such as interest rate contracts to manage its interest rate exposure. Any derivative financial instruments would be carefully evaluated to determine the impact on the Company’s interest rate risk in rising and declining interest rate environments, as well as the fair value of the derivative instruments. Use of derivative financial instruments is included in the Bank’s Statement on Interest Rate Risk Management as Related to Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Policy, which has been approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors.
INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS BY REPRICING DATE
The following table sets forth the Static Gap interest rate sensitivity by repricing date as of December 31, 2006:
Financial Ratios
Significant ratios of the Company for the periods indicated are as follows: