Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x Quarterly Report Pursuant To Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2010

OR

 

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File No. 001-33384

 

 

ESSA Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Pennsylvania   20-8023072

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

200 Palmer Street, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania   18360
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(570) 421-0531

(Registrant’s telephone number)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

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

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

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

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  ¨    NO  x

As of February 7, 2011 there were 13,181,590 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

ESSA Bancorp, Inc.

FORM 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

         Page  
  Part I. Financial Information   

Item 1.

  Financial Statements (unaudited)      1   

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      17   

Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      23   

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures      24   
  Part II. Other Information   

Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings      24   

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors      24   

Item 2.

  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      24   

Item 3.

  Defaults Upon Senior Securities      24   

Item 4.

  [Removed and Reserved]      24   

Item 5.

  Other Information      24   

Item 6.

  Exhibits      25   

Signature Page

     26   


Table of Contents

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(UNAUDITED)

 

     December 31,
2010
    September 30,
2010
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

ASSETS

    

Cash and due from banks

   $ 5,365      $ 7,454   

Interest-bearing deposits with other institutions

     1,981        3,436   
                

Total cash and cash equivalents

     7,346        10,890   

Investment securities available for sale

     249,457        252,341   

Investment securities held to maturity (estimated fair value of $11,653 and $13,254)

     11,429        12,795   

Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $7,738 and $7,448)

     747,822        730,842   

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     19,690        20,727   

Premises and equipment

     12,059        12,189   

Bank-owned life insurance

     15,755        15,618   

Foreclosed real estate

     2,393        2,034   

Other assets

     15,090        14,561   
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 1,081,041      $ 1,071,997   
                

LIABILITIES

    

Deposits

   $ 581,270      $ 540,410   

Short-term borrowings

     11,856        14,719   

Other borrowings

     310,657        335,357   

Advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance

     3,291        1,465   

Other liabilities

     7,807        8,423   
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     914,881        900,374   
                

Commitment and contingencies

     —          —     

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Preferred Stock ($.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued)

     —          —     

Common stock ($.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized, 16,980,900 issued; 13,181,590 and 13,482,612 outstanding at December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2010)

     170        170   

Additional paid in capital

     165,087        164,494   

Unallocated common stock held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

     (11,777     (11,891

Retained earnings

     64,685        64,272   

Treasury stock, at cost; 3,799,310 and 3,498,288 shares at December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2010, respectively

     (48,714     (44,870

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (3,291     (552
                

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     166,160        171,623   
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 1,081,041      $ 1,071,997   
                

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

     For the Three  Months
Ended December 31,
 
     (dollars in thousands, except
per share data)
 
     2010      2009  

INTEREST INCOME

     

Loans receivable

   $ 9,844       $ 10,341   

Investment securities:

     

Taxable

     1,922         2,237   

Exempt from federal income tax

     78         83   

Other investment income

     —           1   
                 

Total interest income

     11,844         12,662   
                 

INTEREST EXPENSE

     

Deposits

     1,696         1,406   

Short-term borrowings

     22         49   

Other borrowings

     2,996         3,924   
                 

Total interest expense

     4,714         5,379   
                 

NET INTEREST INCOME

     7,130         7,283   

Provision for loan losses

     480         500   
                 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     6,650         6,783   
                 

NONINTEREST INCOME

     

Service fees on deposit accounts

     762         827   

Services charges and fees on loans

     210         101   

Trust and investment fees

     211         220   

Gain on sale of loans, net

     3         155   

Earnings on Bank-owned life insurance

     137         140   

Other

     12         13   
                 

Total noninterest income

     1,335         1,456   
                 

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

     

Compensation and employee benefits

     3,880         3,736   

Occupancy and equipment

     777         559   

Professional fees

     429         377   

Data processing

     449         450   

Advertising

     186         98   

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) premiums

     184         358   

Loss on foreclosed real estate

     106         1,200   

Other

     627         453   
                 

Total noninterest expense

     6,638         7,231   
                 

Income before income taxes

     1,347         1,008   

Income taxes

     335         214   
                 

NET INCOME

   $ 1,012       $ 794   
                 

Earnings per share

     

Basic

   $ 0.09       $ 0.06   

Diluted

   $ 0.09       $ 0.06   

Dividends per share

   $ 0.05       $ 0.05   

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Common Stock                                  
     Number of
Shares
    Amount      Additional
Paid In
Capital
     Unallocated
Common
Stock Held by
the ESOP
    Retained
Earnings
    Treasury
Stock
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (loss)
    Total
Stockholders’

Equity
 

Balance, September 30, 2010

     13,482,612      $ 170       $ 164,494       $ (11,891   $ 64,272      $ (44,870   $ (552   $ 171,623   

Net income

               1,012            1,012   

Other comprehensive (loss):

                  

Unrealized loss on securities available for sale, net of income tax benefit of $1,446

                   (2,807     (2,807

Change in unrecognized pension cost, net of income taxes of $35

                   68        68   

Cash dividends declared ($.05 per share)

               (599         (599

Stock based compensation

          560                 560   

Allocation of ESOP stock

          33         114              147   

Treasury shares purchased

     (301,022               (3,844       (3,844
                                                                  

Balance, December 31, 2010

     13,181,590      $ 170       $ 165,087       $ (11,777   $ 64,685      $ (48,714   $ (3,291   $ 166,160   
                                                                  

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
 
     2010     2009  
     (dollars in thousands)  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

   $ 1,012      $ 794   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Provision for loan losses

     480        500   

Provision for depreciation and amortization.

     292        288   

Accretion of discounts and premiums, net

     379        113   

Gain on sale of loans, net

     (3     (155

Origination of mortgage loans sold

     (97     (5,706

Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans originated for sale

     100        5,861   

Compensation expense on ESOP

     147        141   

Stock based compensation

     560        538   

Decrease in accrued interest receivable

     328        175   

Increase in accrued interest payable

     135        2   

Earnings on bank-owned life insurance

     (137     (140

Deferred federal income taxes

     (126     61   

Prepaid FDIC premiums

     166        (1,712

Loss on foreclosed real estate

     73        1,200   

Other, net

     21        (634
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     3,330        1,326   
                

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Proceeds from repayments of certificates of deposit

     —          1,685   

Investment securities available for sale:

    

Proceeds from principal repayments and maturities

     34,940        13,769   

Purchases

     (36,687     (12,129

Investment securities held to maturity:

    

Proceeds from principal repayments and maturities

     1,353        1,027   

(Increase) decrease in loans receivable, net

     (17,860     2,920   

Redemption of FHLB stock

     1,037        —     

Capital improvements to foreclosed real estate

     (20     (22

Purchase of premises, equipment, and software

     (142     (900
                

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

     (17,379     6,350   
                

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Increase (decrease) in deposits, net

     40,860        (8,687

Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings

     (2,863     12,922   

Proceeds from other borrowings

     8,300        13,200   

Repayment of other borrowings

     (33,000     (23,000

Increase in advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance

     1,826        1,627   

Purchase of treasury stock.

     (4,019     (3,592

Dividends on common stock

     (599     (667
                

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

     10,505        (8,197
                

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (3,544     (521

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     10,890        18,593   
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 7,346      $ 18,072   
                

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

    

Cash Paid:

    

Interest

   $ 4,579      $ 5,377   

Income taxes

     375        23   

Noncash items:

    

Transfers from loans to foreclosed real estate

     412        344   

Treasury stock payable

     (175     —     

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

The unaudited, consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), and its wholly owned subsidiary, ESSA Bank & Trust (the “Bank”), and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries, ESSACOR Inc. and Pocono Investment Company. The primary purpose of the Company is to act as a holding company for the Bank. The Company is subject to regulation and supervision by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”). The Bank is a Pennsylvania chartered savings association located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The Bank’s primary business consists of the taking of deposits and granting of loans to customers generally in Monroe, Northampton and Lehigh counties, Pennsylvania. The Bank is subject to regulation and supervision by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and the OTS. The investment in subsidiary on the parent company’s financial statements is carried at the parent company’s equity in the underlying net assets.

ESSACOR, Inc. is a Pennsylvania corporation that is currently inactive. Pocono Investment Company is a Delaware corporation formed as an investment company subsidiary to hold and manage certain investments, including certain intellectual property. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which in the opinion of management are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods and are of a normal and recurring nature. Operating results for the three month period ended December 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2011.

 

2. Earnings per Share

The following table sets forth the composition of the weighted-average common shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

     Three months ended  
     December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

     16,980,900        16,980,900   

Average treasury stock shares

     (3,658,950     (2,274,573

Average unearned ESOP shares

     (1,171,255     (1,216,531

Average unearned non-vested shares

     (293,358     (412,902
                

Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents used to calculate basic earnings per share

     11,857,337        13,076,894   
                

Additional common stock equivalents (non-vested stock) used to calculate diluted earnings per share

     —          —     

Additional common stock equivalents (stock options) used to calculate diluted earnings per share

     2,873        —     
                

Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents used to calculate diluted earnings per share

     11,860,210        13,076,894   
                

At December 31, 2010 and 2009 there were options to purchase 317,910 and 1,458,379 shares, respectively, of common stock outstanding at a price of $12.35 per share that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because to do so would have been anti-dilutive. At December 31, 2010 and 2009 there were 283,264 and 402,758 shares, respectively, of nonvested stock outstanding at a price of $12.35 per share that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because to do so would have been anti-dilutive.

 

3. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The accounting principles followed by the Company and its subsidiaries and the methods of applying these principles conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and to general practice within the banking industry. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and related revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

 

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Table of Contents
4. Comprehensive Income

The components of other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2010     2009  

Net income

   $ 1,012      $ 794   
                

Unrealized loss on securities available for sale

     (4,253     (819

Change in unrecognized pension cost

     103        77   
                

Other comprehensive loss before tax benefit

     (4,150     (742

Income tax benefit related to comprehensive loss

     (1,411     (253
                

Other comprehensive loss

     (2,739     (489
                

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (1,727   $ 305   
                

 

5. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-05, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Escrowed Share Arrangements and the Presumption of Compensation. ASU 2010-05 updates existing guidance to address the SEC staff’s views on overcoming the presumption that for certain shareholders escrowed share arrangements represent compensation. ASU 2010-05 is effective January 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operation.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. ASU 2010-06 amends Subtopic 820-10 to clarify existing disclosures, require new disclosures, and includes conforming amendments to guidance on employers’ disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets. ASU 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In July 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-20, Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses. ASU 2010-20 is intended to provide additional information to assist financial statement users in assessing an entity’s credit risk exposures and evaluating the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses. The disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The amendments in ASU 2010-20 encourage, but do not require, comparative disclosures for earlier reporting periods that ended before initial adoption. However, an entity should provide comparative disclosures for those reporting periods ending after initial adoption. The Company has presented the necessary disclosures in Note 8, herein.

In September, 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-25, Plan Accounting – Defined Contribution Pension Plans. The amendments in this ASU require that participant loans be classified as notes receivable from participants, which are segregated from plan investments and measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2010 and are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In October, 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-26, Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts. This ASU addresses the diversity in practice regarding the interpretation of which costs relating to the acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts qualify for deferral, The amendments are effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

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In December, 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-28, When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts. This ASU modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating an impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with the existing guidance, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. For public entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal year, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is not permitted. For nonpublic entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Nonpublic entities may early adopt the amendments using the effective date for public entities. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the standard will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29, Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations. The amendments in this update specify that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The amendments also expand the supplemental pro forma disclosures under Topic 805 to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The amendments in this Update are effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. This ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

6. Investment Securities

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities available for sale and held to maturity are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2010  
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross Unrealized
Gains
     Gross Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value  

Available for Sale

          

Fannie Mae

   $ 108,674       $ 1,274       $ (1,587   $ 108,361   

Freddie Mac

     53,116         1,499         (306     54,309   

Governmental National Mortgage Association securities

     32,641         782         (65     33,358   
                                  

Total mortgage-backed securities

     194,431         3,555         (1,958     196,028   

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     16,559         99         (119     16,539   

U.S. government agency securities

     34,750         163         (224     34,689   

Corporate obligations

     2,142         16         —          2,158   
                            

Total debt securities

     247,882         3,833         (2,301     249,414   

Equity securities

     12         31         —          43   
                            

Total

   $ 247,894       $ 3,864       $ (2,301   $ 249,457   
                                  

Held to Maturity

          

Fannie Mae

   $ 2,180       $ 116       $ —        $ 2,296   

Freddie Mac

     9,249         108         —          9,357   
                                  

Total

   $ 11,429       $ 224       $ —        $ 11,653   
                                  

 

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     September 30, 2010  
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross Unrealized
Gains
     Gross Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value  

Available for Sale

          

Fannie Mae

   $ 99,142       $ 2,412       $ (9   $ 101,545   

Freddie Mac

     47,693         1,895         —          49,588   

Governmental National Mortgage Association securities

     35,211         1,040         (96     36,155   
                                  

Total mortgage-backed securities

     182,046         5,347         (105     187,288   

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     10,637         279         (12     10,904   

U.S. government agency securities

     52,177         279         (22     52,434   

Corporate obligations

     1,654         23         —          1,677   
                                  

Total debt securities

     246,514         5,928         (139     252,303   

Equity securities

     12         26         —          38   
                                  

Total

   $ 246,526       $ 5,954       $ (139   $ 252,341   
                                  

Held to Maturity

          

Fannie Mae

   $ 2,600       $ 140       $ —        $ 2,740   

Freddie Mac

     10,195         319         —          10,514   
                                  

Total

   $ 12,795       $ 459       $ —        $ 13,254   
                                  

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at December 31, 2010, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties (in thousands):

 

     Available For Sale      Held To Maturity  
     Amortized
Cost
     Fair Value      Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
 

Due in one year or less

   $ 3       $ 3       $ 6       $ 6   

Due after one year through five years

     30,429         30,469         945         1,002   

Due after five years through ten years

     45,738         46,251         1,140         1,207   

Due after ten years

     171,712         172,691         9,338         9,438   
                                   

Total

   $ 247,882       $ 249,414       $ 11,429       $ 11,653   
                                   

The Bank had no sales of investment securities for the three months ended December 31, 2010 or 2009.

 

7. Unrealized Losses on Securities

The following table shows the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2010  
            Less than Twelve Months     Twelve Months or Greater      Total  
     Number of
Securities
     Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 

Fannie Mae

     20       $ 50,675       $ (1,587   $ —         $ —         $ 50,675       $ (1,587

Freddie Mac

     4         9,765         (306     —           —           9,765         (306

Governmental National Mortgage Association securities

     5         10,842         (65     —           —           10,842         (65

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     4         3,965         (119     —           —           3,965         (119

U.S. government agency securities

     11         21,297         (224     —           —           21,297         (224
                                                             

Total

     44       $ 96,544       $ (2,301   $ —         $ —         $ 96,544       $ (2,301
                                                             

 

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Table of Contents
     September 30, 2010  
            Less than Twelve Months     Twelve Months or Greater      Total  
     Number of
Securities
     Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 

Fannie Mae

     1       $ 2,060       $ (9   $ —         $ —         $ 2,060       $ (9

Governmental National Mortgage Association securities

     2         5,605         (96     —           —           5,605         (96

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     1         610         (12     —           —           610         (12

U.S. government agency securities

     4         6,484         (22     —           —           6,484         (22
                                                             

Total

     8       $ 14,759       $ (139   $ —         $ —         $ 14,759       $ (139
                                                             

The Company’s investment securities portfolio contains unrealized losses on securities, including mortgage-related instruments issued or backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government, or generally viewed as having the implied guarantee of the U.S. government, and debt obligations of a U.S. State or political subdivision.

The Company reviews its position quarterly and has asserted that at December 31, 2010, the declines outlined in the above table represent temporary declines and the Company would not be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery in market value.

The Company has concluded that any impairment of its investment securities portfolio is not other than temporary but is the result of interest rate changes that are not expected to result in the noncollection of principal and interest during the period.

 

8. Loans Receivable, Net and Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans receivable consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2010
     September 30,
2010
 

Real Estate Loans:

     

Residential

   $ 598,852       $ 596,170   

Construction

     1,755         1,302   

Commercial

     94,387         78,056   

Commercial

     15,496         16,569   

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     42,610         43,538   

Other

     2,231         2,486   
                 
     755,331         738,121   

Plus deferred loan costs

     229         169   
                 
     755,560         738,290   

Less allowance for loan losses

     7,738         7,448   
                 

Net loans

   $ 747,822       $ 730,842   
                 

 

     Real Estate Loans      Commercial
Loans
     Home
Equity and
Lines of
Credit
     Other
Loans
     Total  
     Residential      Construction      Commercial              
            (dollars in thousands)  

December 31, 2010

                    

Total Loans

   $ 598,852       $ 1,755       $ 94,387       $ 15,496       $ 42,610       $ 2,231       $ 755,331   
                                                              

Individually evaluated for impairment

     5,261         —           3,464         25         116         —           8,866   

Collectively evaluated for impairment

     593,591         1,755         90,923         15,471         42,494         2,231         746,465   

 

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We maintain a loan review system, which allows for a periodic review of our loan portfolio and the early identification of potential impaired loans. Such system takes into consideration, among other things, delinquency status, size of loans, type and market value of collateral and financial condition of the borrowers. Specific loan loss allowances are established for identified losses based on a review of such information. A loan evaluated for impairment is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. All loans identified as impaired are evaluated independently. We do not aggregate such loans for evaluation purposes. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial and construction loans by the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent.

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer and residential mortgage loans for impairment disclosures, unless such loans are part of a larger relationship that is impaired, or are classified as a troubled debt restructuring.

A loan is considered to be a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) loan when the Company grants a concession to the borrower because of the borrower’s financial condition that it would not otherwise consider. Such concessions include the reduction of interest rates, forgiveness of principal or interest, or other modifications of interest rates that are less than the current market rate for new obligations with similar risk. TDR loans that are in compliance with their modified terms and that yield a market rate may be removed from the TDR status after a period of performance.

The following table includes the recorded investment and unpaid principal balances for impaired loans with the associated allowance amount, if applicable. Also presented are the average recorded investments in the impaired loans and the related amount of interest recognized during the time within the period that the impaired loans were impaired.

 

     Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Principal  Balance
     Associated
Allowance
     Average
Recorded
Investment
     Interest
Income
Recognized
 

December 31, 2010

              

With no specific allowance recorded:

              

Real Estate Loans

              

Residential

   $ 3,328       $ 3,321       $ —         $ 3,081       $ 60   

Construction

     —           —           —           —           —     

Commercial

     2,254         2,254         —           2,398         23   

Commercial

     22         22         —           42         —     

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     14         14         —           14         —     

Other

     —           —           —           —           —     
                                            

Total

     5,618         5,611         —           5,535         83   
                                            

With an allowance recorded:

              

Real Estate Loans

              

Residential

     1,940         1,940         239         1,996         —     

Construction

     —           —           —           —           —     

Commercial

     1,211         1,210         200         657         —     

Commercial

     3         3         3         3         —     

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     102         102         58         74         —     

Other

     —           —           —           —           —     
                                            

Total

     3,256         3,255         500         2,730         —     
                                            

Total:

              

Real Estate Loans

              

Residential

     5,268         5,261         239         5,077         60   

Construction

     —           —           —           —           —     

Commercial

     3,465         3,464         200         3,055         23   

Commercial

     25         25         3         45         —     

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     116         116         58         88         —     

Other

     —           —           —           —           —     
                                            

Total Impaired Loans

   $ 8,874       $ 8,866       $ 500       $ 8,265       $ 83   
                                            

 

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Management uses an eight point internal risk rating system to monitor the credit quality of the overall loan portfolio. The first four categories are considered not criticized, and are aggregated as “Pass” rated. The criticized rating categories utilized by management generally follow bank regulatory definitions. The Special Mention category includes assets that are currently protected but are potentially weak, resulting in an undue and unwarranted credit risk, but not to the point of justifying a Substandard classification. Loans in the Substandard category have well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt, and have a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if the weaknesses are not corrected. All loans greater than 90 days past due are considered Substandard. The portion of any loan that represents a specific allocation of the allowance for loan losses is placed in the Doubtful category. Any portion of a loan that has been charged off is placed in the Loss category.

To help ensure that risk ratings are accurate and reflect the present and future capacity of borrowers to repay a loan as agreed, the Bank has a structured loan rating process with several layers of internal and external oversight. Generally, consumer and residential mortgage loans are included in the Pass categories unless a specific action, such as bankruptcy, repossession, or death occurs to raise awareness of a possible credit event. The Bank’s Commercial Loan Officers are responsible for the timely and accurate risk rating of the loans in their portfolios at origination and on an ongoing basis. The Bank’s Commercial Loan Officers perform an annual review of all commercial relationships $250,000 or greater. Confirmation of the appropriate risk grade is included in the review on an ongoing basis. The Bank engages an external consultant to conduct loan reviews on at least a semi-annual basis. Generally, the external consultant reviews commercial relationships greater than $500,000 and/or all criticized relationships. Detailed reviews, including plans for resolution, are performed on loans classified as Substandard on a quarterly basis. Loans in the Special Mention and Substandard categories that are collectively evaluated for impairment are given separate consideration in the determination of the allowance.

The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aggregate Pass and the criticized categories of Special Mention, Substandard and Doubtful within the internal risk rating system as of December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

 

     Pass      Special
Mention
     Substandard      Doubtful      Total  

December 31, 2010

              

Real estate loans

              

Residential

   $ 573,322       $ 8,158       $ 17,372       $ —         $ 598,852   

Construction

     1,755         —           —           —           1,755   

Commercial

     77,670         2,618         14,099         —           94,387   

Commercial

     15,107         271         118         —           15,496   

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     41,081         625         904         —           42,610   

Other

     2,136         5         90         —           2,231   
                                            

Total

   $ 711,071       $ 11,677       $ 32,583       $ —         $ 755,331   
                                            

Management further monitors the performance and credit quality of the loan portfolio by analyzing the age of the portfolio as determined by the length of time a recorded payment is past due. The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aging categories of performing loans and nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

 

     Current      31-60 Days  Past
Due
     61-90 Days  Past
Due
     Greater than 90
Days  Past Due
and still accruing
     Non-Accrual      Total Past Due
and  Non-
Accrual
     Total Loans  

December 31, 2010

                    

Real estate loans

                    

Residential

   $ 584,270       $ 4,453       $ 749       $ —         $ 9,380       $ 14,582       $ 598,852   

Construction

     1,755         —           —           —           —           —           1,755   

Commercial

     92,276         —           —           —           2,111         2,111         94,387   

Commercial

     15,429         5         —           —           62         67         15,496   

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     42,149         204         77         —           180         461         42,610   

Other

     2,023         7         5         —           196         208         2,231   
                                                              

Total

   $ 737,902       $ 4,669       $ 831       $ —         $ 11,929       $ 17,429       $ 755,331   
                                                              

 

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Nonperforming assets were $14.7 million at December 31, 2010. Nonperforming assets were $12.9 million at September 30, 2010. The increase was due to increases of $1.0 million in nonperforming residential loans, $564,000 in commercial loans and $359,000 in other real estate loans offset, in part, by a decrease of $170,000 in consumer loans. Commercial nonperforming loans increased primarily as a result of the addition of two commercial real estate relationships. Non-performing residential loans increased due to increases in outstanding balances of new non-performing residential loans. The number of non-performing residential loans remained unchanged from September 30, 2010 at 50 loans. Foreclosed real estate was $2.4 million at December 31, 2010 and $2.0 million at September 30, 2010.

Our allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level necessary to absorb loan losses that are both probable and reasonably estimable. Management, in determining the allowance for loan losses, considers the losses inherent in its loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of loan activities, along with the general economic and real estate market conditions. Our allowance for loan losses consists of two elements: (1) an allocated allowance, which comprises allowances established on specific loans and class allowances based on historical loss experience and current trends, and (2) an allocated allowance based on general economic conditions and other risk factors in our markets and portfolios. We maintain a loan review system, which allows for a periodic review of our loan portfolio and the early identification of potential impaired loans. Such system takes into consideration, among other things, delinquency status, size of loans, type and market value of collateral and financial condition of the borrowers. General loan loss allowances are based upon a combination of factors including, but not limited to, actual loan loss experience, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, management’s judgment and losses which are probable and reasonably estimable. The allowance is increased through provisions charged against current earnings and recoveries of previously charged-off loans. Loans that are determined to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance. While management uses available information to recognize probable and reasonably estimable loan losses, future loss provisions may be necessary based on changing economic conditions. Payments received on impaired loans generally are either applied against principal or reported as interest income, according to management’s judgment as to the collectability of principal. The allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2010 is maintained at a level that represents management’s best estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio, and such losses were both probable and reasonably estimable.

In addition, the Office of Thrift Supervision and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking, as an integral part of its examination process, periodically review our allowance for loan losses. The banking regulators may require that we recognize additions to the allowance based on its analysis and review of information available to it at the time of its examination.

Management reviews the loan portfolio on a quarterly basis using a defined, consistently applied process in order to make appropriate and timely adjustments to the ALL. When information confirms all or part of specific loans to be uncollectible, these amounts are promptly charged off against the ALL.

The following table summarizes the primary segments of the ALL, segregated into the amount required for loans individually evaluated for impairment and the amount required for loans collectively evaluated for impairment as of December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

 

     Real Estate Loans         
     Residential      Construction      Commercial      Commercial
Loans
     Home
Equity
Loans and
Lines of
Credit
     Other
Loans
     Unallocated      Total  

ALL balance at December 31, 2010

     4,840         15         2,081         148         603         23         28         7,738   
                                                                       

Individually evaluated for impairment

     239         —           200         3         58         —           —           500   

Collectively evaluated for impairment

     4,601         15         1,881         145         545         23         28         7,238   

The allowance for loan losses is based on estimates, and actual losses will vary from current estimates. Management believes that the granularity of the homogeneous pools and the related historical loss ratios and other qualitative factors, as well as the consistency in the application of assumptions, result in an ALL that is representative of the risk found in the components of the portfolio at any given date.

 

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The activity in the allowance for loan losses is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months  Ended
December 31,
 
     2010     2009  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 7,448      $ 5,815   

Add

    

Provision charged to operations

     480        500   

Loan recoveries

     48        25   
                
     7,976        6,340   

Less loans charged off

     (238     (136
                

Balance, end of period

   $ 7,738      $ 6,204   
                

 

9. Deposits

Deposits consist of the following major classifications (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2010
     September 30,
2010
 

Non-interest bearing demand accounts

   $ 28,886       $ 30,448   

NOW accounts

     58,834         61,878   

Money market accounts

     119,132         119,238   

Savings and club accounts

     68,376         67,763   

Certificates of deposit

     306,042         261,083   
                 

Total

   $ 581,270       $ 540,410   
                 

 

10. Net Periodic Benefit Cost-Defined Benefit Plan

For a detailed disclosure on the Bank’s pension and employee benefits plans, please refer to Note 14 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended September 30, 2010 included in the Company’s Form 10-K.

The following table comprises the components of net periodic benefit cost for the periods ended (in thousands):

 

     Three Months  Ended
December 31,
 
     2010     2009  

Service Cost

   $ 133      $ 105   

Interest Cost

     174        143   

Expected return on plan assets

     (192     (145

Amortization of prior service cost

     2        2   

Amortization of unrecognized loss

     101        76   
                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 218      $ 181   
                

The Bank expects to contribute $500,000 to its pension plan in 2011.

 

11. Equity Incentive Plan

The Company maintains the ESSA Bancorp, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides for a total of 2,377,326 shares of common stock for issuance upon the grant or exercise of awards. Of the shares available under the Plan, 1,698,090 may be issued in connection with the exercise of stock options and 679,236 may be issued as restricted stock. The Plan allows for the granting of non-qualified stock options (“NSOs”), incentive stock options (“ISOs”), and restricted stock. Options are granted at no less than the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant.

Certain officers, employees and outside directors were granted in aggregate 1,140,469 NSOs; 317,910 ISOs; and 590,320 shares of restricted stock. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for Share-

 

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Based Payments, the Company expenses the fair value of all share-based compensation grants over the requisite service periods.

The Company classifies share-based compensation for employees and outside directors within “Compensation and employee benefits” in the consolidated statement of income to correspond with the same line item as compensation paid. Additionally, generally accepted accounting principles require the Company to report: (1) the expense associated with the grants as an adjustment to operating cash flows and (2) any benefits of realized tax deductions in excess of previously recognized tax benefits on compensation expense as a financing cash flow.

Stock options vest over a five-year service period and expire ten years after grant date. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the fair values of these awards, which vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards.

Restricted shares vest over a five-year service period. The product of the number of shares granted and the grant date market price of the Company’s common stock determines the fair value of restricted shares under the Company’s restricted stock plan. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the fair value of restricted shares on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

For the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded $560,000 of share-based compensation expense, comprised of stock option expense of $190,000 and restricted stock expense of $370,000. Expected future expense relating to the 863,027 non-vested options outstanding as of December 31, 2010, is $1.7 million over the remaining vesting period of 2.42 years. Expected future compensation expense relating to the 351,638 restricted shares at December 31, 2010, is $3.5 million over the remaining vesting period of 2.42 years.

The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for its option grants for the three month period ended December 31, 2010.

 

     Number of Stock
Options
     Weighted-
average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted-
average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)
 

Outstanding, September 30, 2010

     1,458,379       $ 12.35         7.67       $ —     

Granted

     —           —           —           —     

Exercised

     —           —           —           —     

Forfeited

     —           —           —           —     

Outstanding, December 31, 2011

     1,458,379       $ 12.35         7.42       $ 1,269   
                 

Exercisable at December 31, 2011

     595,352       $ 12.35         7.42       $ 518   
                 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of the Company’s non-vested options as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, was $2.38.

The following is a summary of the status of the Company’s restricted stock as of December 31, 2010, and changes therein during the three month period then ended:

 

     Number of
Restricted Stock
     Weighted-
average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Nonvested at September 30, 2010

     352,448       $ 12.35   

Granted

     —           —     

Vested

     810         12.35   

Forfeited

     —           —     
           

Nonvested at December 31, 2010

     351,638       $ 12.35   
           

 

12. Fair Value Measurement

In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the following disclosures show the hierarchal disclosure framework associated within the level of pricing observations utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. The definition of fair value maintains the exchange price notion in earlier definitions of fair value but focuses on the exit price of the asset or liability. The exit price is the price that would be received to sell

 

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Table of Contents

the asset or paid to transfer the liability adjusted for certain inherent risks and restrictions. Expanded disclosures are also required about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities.

The following table presents information about the Company’s securities, other real estate owned and impaired loans measured at fair value as of December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2010 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Bank to determine such fair value:

 

Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2010

 

Fair Value Measurements Utilized for the Company’s
Financial Assets (in thousands):

  Quoted Prices in  Active
Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
    Significant Other
Observable  Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
    Balances as of
December 31,  2010
 

Securities available-for-sale measured on a recurring basis

       

Mortgage backed securities

  $ —        $ 196,028      $ —        $ 196,028   

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    —          16,539        —          16,539   

U.S. government agencies

    —          34,689        —          34,689   

Corporate obligations

    —          2,158        —          2,158   

Equity securities

    43        —          —          43   
                               

Total debt and equity securities

  $ 43      $ 249,414      $ —        $ 249,457   

Foreclosed real estate owned measured on a non-recurring basis

  $ —        $ 2,393      $ —        $ 2,393   

Impaired loans measured on a non-recurring basis

  $ —        $ 8,366      $ —        $ 8,366   

Mortgage servicing rights measured on a non-recurring basis

  $ —        $ —        $ 290      $ 290   

Fair Value Measurement at September 30, 2010

 

Fair Value Measurements Utilized for the Company’s
Financial Assets (in thousands):

  Quoted Prices in  Active
Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
    Significant Other
Observable  Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
    Balances as of
December 31,  2010
 

Securities available-for-sale measured on a recurring basis

       

Mortgage backed securities

  $ —        $ 187,288      $ —        $ 187,288   

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    —          10,904        —          10,904   

U.S. government agencies

    —          52,434        —          52,434   

Corporate obligations

    —          1,677        —          1,677   

Equity securities

    38        —          —          38   
                               

Total debt and equity securities

  $ 38      $ 252,303      $ —        $ 252,341   

Foreclosed real estate owned measured on a non-recurring basis

  $ —        $ 2,034      $ —        $ 2,034   

Impaired loans measured on a non-recurring basis

  $ —        $ 7,646      $ —        $ 7,646   

Mortgage servicing rights measured on a non-recurring basis

  $ —        $ —        $ 318      $ 318   

As required by generally accepted accounting principles, each financial asset and liability must be identified as having been valued according to specified level of input, 1, 2 or 3. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Bank has the ability to access at the measurement date. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy, within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls, has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset.

The measurement of fair value should be consistent with one of the following valuation techniques: market approach, income approach, and/or cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information

 

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generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities (including a business). For example, valuation techniques consistent with the market approach often use market multiples derived from a set of comparables. Multiples might lie in ranges with a different multiple for each comparable. The selection of where within the range the appropriate multiple falls requires judgment, considering factors specific to the measurement (qualitative and quantitative). Valuation techniques consistent with the market approach include matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique used principally to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on a security’s relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. Most of the securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quoted market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things. Securities reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs are limited to actively traded equity securities whose market price is readily available from the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ exchange. Other real estate owned (OREO) is measured at fair value, less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell. Income and expenses from operations and changes in valuation allowance are included in the net expenses from OREO. Impaired loans are reported at fair value utilizing level two inputs. For these loans, a review of the collateral is conducted and an appropriate allowance for loan losses is allocated to the loan. At December 31, 2010, 56 impaired loans with a carrying value of $8.9 million were reduced by specific valuation allowance totaling $500,000 resulting in a net fair value of $8.4 million based on Level 2 inputs.

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values presented represent the Company’s best estimate of fair value using the methodologies discussed below.

 

     December 31, 2010      September 31, 2010  
     Carrying Value      Fair Value      Carrying Value      Fair Value  

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,346       $ 7,346       $ 10,890       $ 10,890   

Investment and mortgage-backed securities:

           

Available for sale

     249,457         249,457         252,341         252,341   

Held to maturity

     11,429         11,653         12,795         13,254   

Loans receivable, net

     747,822         768,829         730,842         755,871   

Accrued interest receivable

     4,064         4,064         4,392         4,392   

FHLB stock

     19,690         19,690         20,727         20,727   

Mortgage servicing rights

     290         290         318         318   

Bank owned life insurance

     15,755         15,755         15,618         15,618   

Financial liabilities:

           

Deposits

   $ 581,270       $ 580,254       $ 540,410       $ 548,352   

Short-term borrowings

     11,856         11,856         14,719         14,719   

Other borrowings

     310,657         325,016         335,357         353,358   

Advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance

     3,291         3,291         1,465         1,465   

Accrued interest payable

     1,781         1,781         1,646         1,646   

Financial instruments are defined as cash, evidence of an ownership interest in an entity, or a contract which creates an obligation or right to receive or deliver cash or another financial instrument from/to a second entity on potentially favorable or unfavorable terms.

Fair value is defined as the amount at which a financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties other than in a forced or liquidation sale. If a quoted market price is available for a financial instrument, the fair value would be calculated based upon the market price per trading unit of the instrument.

If no readily available market exists, the fair value for financial instruments should be based upon management’s judgment regarding current economic conditions, interest rate risk, expected cash flows, future estimated losses, and other factors as determined through various option pricing formulas or simulation modeling.

 

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As many of these assumptions result from judgments made by management based upon estimates which are inherently uncertain, the resulting values may not be indicative of the amount realizable in the sale of a particular financial instrument. In addition, changes in the assumptions on which the values are based may have a significant impact on the resulting estimated values.

As certain assets and liabilities, such as deferred tax assets, premises and equipment, and many other operational elements of the Bank, are not considered financial instruments but have value, this fair value of financial instruments would not represent the full market value of the Company.

The Company employed simulation modeling in determining the fair value of financial instruments for which quoted market prices were not available based upon the following assumptions:

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accrued Interest Receivable, Short-Term Borrowings, Advances by Borrowers for Taxes and Insurance, and Accrued Interest Payable

The fair value approximates the current book value.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The fair value is equal to the cash surrender value of the Bank-owned life insurance.

Investment and Mortgage-Backed Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity and FHLB Stock

The fair value of investment and mortgage-backed securities available for sale is equal to the available quoted market price. If no quoted market price is available, fair value is estimated using the quoted market price for similar securities. Since the FHLB stock is not actively traded on a secondary market and held exclusively by member financial institutions, the fair market value approximates the carrying amount.

Loans Receivable, Deposits, Other Borrowings, and Mortgage Servicing Rights

The fair values for loans and mortgage servicing rights are estimated by discounting contractual cash flows and adjusting for prepayment estimates. Discount rates are based upon market rates generally charged for such loans with similar characteristics. Demand, savings, and money market deposit accounts are valued at the amount payable on demand as of year-end. Fair values for time deposits and other borrowings are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies contractual costs currently being offered in the existing portfolio to current market rates being offered for deposits and borrowings of similar remaining maturities.

Commitments to Extend Credit

These financial instruments are generally not subject to sale, and fair values are not readily available. The carrying value, represented by the net deferred fee arising from the unrecognized commitment, and the fair value, determined by discounting the remaining contractual fee over the term of the commitment using fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements with similar credit risk, are not considered material for disclosure.

 

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

Forward Looking Statements

This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of such words as estimate, project, believe, intend, anticipate, plan, seek, expect and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include:

 

   

statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;

 

   

statements regarding our business plans and prospects and growth and operating strategies;

 

   

statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and

 

   

estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.

By identifying these forward-looking statements for you in this manner, we are alerting you to the possibility that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among

 

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others, those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A of this Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the following factors:

 

   

significantly increased competition among depository and other financial institutions;

 

   

inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments;

 

   

general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected;

 

   

adverse changes in the securities markets;

 

   

legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business;

 

   

our ability to enter new markets successfully and take advantage of growth opportunities, and the possible short-term dilutive effect of potential acquisitions or de novo branches, if any;

 

   

changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

 

   

changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies and the Financial Accounting Standards Board; and

 

   

changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans.

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

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

Total Assets. Total assets increased by $9.0 million, or 0.8%, to $1,081.0 million at December 31, 2010 from $1,072.0 million at September 30, 2010. This increase was primarily due to an increase in net loans receivable.

Investment Securities Available for Sale. Investment securities available for sale decreased $2.9 million, or 1.1%, to $249.5 million at December 31, 2010 from $252.3 million at September 30, 2010. The decrease was due primarily to a decrease of $17.7 million in the Company’s portfolio of United States government sponsored agency securities and was offset in part by a $8.7 million increase in the Company’s portfolio of mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government sponsored agencies and a $5.6 million increase in obligations of state and political subdivisions.

Investment securities held to maturity. Investment securities held to maturity decreased $1.4 million, or 10.7%, to $11.4 million at December 31, 2010 from $12.8 million at September 30, 2010. The decrease was due to normal repayments received on the mortgage-backed portfolio.

Net Loans. Net loans increased $17.0 million, or 2.3%, to $747.8 million at December 31, 2010 from $730.8 million at September 30, 2010. The increase in net loans receivable was primarily attributed to an increase in commercial real estate loans. During this period, commercial real estate loans outstanding increased by $16.3 million to $94.4 million. Residential real estate loans and construction loans also increased from September 30, 2010 to December 31, 2010 by $2.7 million and $453,000, respectively. These increases were partially offset by decreases in commercial loans outstanding of $1.1 million to $15.5 million, home equity loans and lines of credit outstanding of $928,000 to $42.6 million and other loans outstanding of $255,000 to $2.2 million.

Deposits. Deposits increased $40.9 million, or 7.6%, to $581.3 million at December 31, 2010 from $540.4 million at September 30, 2010. At December 31, 2010 compared to September 30, 2010, certificate of deposit accounts increased $45.0 million to $306.0 million, and savings and club accounts increased $613,000 to $68.4 million. These increases were offset in part during the same period by decreases in non-interest bearing demand accounts of $1.6 million to $28.9 million, NOW accounts of $3.0 million to $58.8 million and savings and money market accounts of $106,000 to $119.1 million. Included in the certificates of deposit at December 31, 2010 was an increase of $31.2 million in brokered certificates of deposit to $101.9 million. The increase in brokered certificates was the result of the Company’s decision to replace maturing FHLBank Pittsburgh borrowings with lower priced brokered certificates of deposit.

Borrowed Funds. Borrowed funds decreased by $27.6 million, or 7.9%, to $322.5 million at December 31, 2010, from $350.1 million at September 30, 2010. The decrease in borrowed funds was primarily due to maturities of FHLBank Pittsburgh borrowings.

 

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Stockholders’ Equity. Stockholders’ equity decreased by $5.5 million, or 3.2%, to $166.2 million at December 31, 2010 from $171.6 million at September 30, 2010. This decrease was primarily the result of a stock repurchase program the company began in June 2008 and an increase in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive loss. The accumulated other comprehensive loss increased by $2.7 million at December 31, 2010 compared to September 30, 2010 primarily due to a decrease in the unrealized gain, net of taxes, on the Company’s investment securities available for sale. The unrealized gain decreased due to changes in interest rates. In June, 2009, the Company announced that is had completed its first stock repurchase program having purchased 2,547,135 shares at a weighted average cost of $13.14. It was also announced that the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a second stock repurchase program to purchase up to an additional 10% of its outstanding shares. On October 6, 2010, the Company announced that it had completed its second stock repurchase program having purchased 1,499,100 shares at a weighted average cost of $12.36 including 23,700 shares repurchased during the quarter ended December 31, 2010. It was also announced that the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a third repurchase program to purchase up to an additional 5% of its outstanding shares. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had purchased an additional 277,100 shares at a weighted average cost of $12.83 per share under the third stock repurchase program. In total, the Company purchased 300,800 shares at a weighted average cost of $12.77 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2010.

Average Balance Sheets for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. All average balances are daily average balances, the yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees and discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income.

 

     For the Three Months Ended December 31  
     2010     2009  
     Average
Balance
    Interest
Income/
Expense
    Yield/ Cost     Average
Balance
    Interest
Income/
Expense
    Yield/
Cost
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Interest-earning assets:

            

Loans (1)

   $ 739,735      $ 9,844        5.28   $ 737,346      $ 10,341        5.56

Investment securities

            

Taxable (2)

     50,509        208        1.63     30,304        185        2.44

Exempt from federal income tax (2) (3)

     6,840        78        6.85     7,423        83        6.64
                                                

Total investment securities

     57,349        286        2.26     37,727        268        3.26

Mortgage-backed securities

     202,637        1,714        3.36     189,705        2,052        4.29

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     20,002        —          0.00     20,727        —          0.00

Other

     1,609        —          0.00     3,965        1        0.10
                                                

Total interest-earning assets

     1,021,332        11,844        4.62     989,470        12,662        5.09

Allowance for loan losses

     (7,628         (5,920    

Noninterest-earning assets

     54,552            47,517       
                        

Total assets

   $ 1,068,256          $ 1,031,067       
                        

Interest-bearing liabilities:

            

NOW accounts

   $ 58,185        6        0.04   $ 53,874        10        0.07

Money market accounts

     117,685        166        0.56     109,511        318        1.15

Savings and club accounts

     66,504        42        0.25     65,240        58        0.35

Certificates of deposit

     284,905        1,482        2.06     145,160        1,020        2.79

Borrowed funds

     330,377        3,018        3.62     435,419        3,973        3.62
                                                

Total interest-bearing liabilities

   $ 857,656      $ 4,714        2.18   $ 809,204      $ 5,379        2.64

Non-interest bearing NOW accounts

     29,230            26,667       

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

     10,162            9,417       
                        

Total liabilities

     897,048            845,288       

Equity

     171,208            185,779       
                        

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 1,068,256          $ 1,031,067       
                                    

Net interest income

     $ 7,130          $ 7,283     
                        

Interest rate spread

         2.44         2.45

Net interest-earning assets

   $ 163,676          $ 180,266       
                        

Net interest margin (4)

         2.77         2.92

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

       119.08         122.28  

 

(footnotes continue on the following page)

 

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(1) Non-accruing loans are included in the outstanding loan balances.
(2) Held to maturity securities are reported at amortized cost. Available for sale securities are reported at fair value.
(3) Yields on tax exempt securities have been calculated on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 34%.
(4) Represents the difference between interest earned and interest paid, divided by average total interest earning assets.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009

Net Income. Net income increased $218,000 million, or 27.5%, to $1.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 compared to net income of $794,000 for the comparable period in 2009. The net income of $794,000 for the three months ending December 31, 2010 included a pre-tax write-down of $1.2 million in the value of the Company’s foreclosed real estate portfolio. The charge related to a single property in the Bank’s foreclosed real estate portfolio and was made to reflect a more current appraisal.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income decreased $153,000 or 2.1%, to $7.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 from $7.3 million for the comparable period in 2009. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in the Company’s average net earning assets of $16.6 million, and a decrease in the Company’s interest rate spread to 2.44% for the three months ended December 31, 2010, from 2.45% for the comparable period in 2009.

Interest Income. Interest income decreased $818,000 or 6.5%, to $11.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 from $12.7 million for the comparable 2009 period. The decrease resulted primarily from a 47 basis point decrease in average yield on interest earning assets partially offset by a $31.9 million increase in average interest-earning assets. The average yield on interest earning assets was 4.62% for the three months ended December 31, 2010, as compared to 5.09% for the comparable 2009 period as the Company’s interest earning assets continued to re-price downward throughout the period. Loans increased on average $2.4 million between the two periods along with increases in the average balance of mortgage backed securities of $12.9 million. In addition, average taxable investment securities increased $20.2 million. These increases were offset in part by decreases in the average balances of tax exempt investment securities of $583,000 and average other interest earning assets of $2.4 million. The primary reason for the increase in mortgage backed and taxable investment securities was the partial reinvestment of borrowing proceeds, deposit proceeds and maturing investment securities into these assets. Average FHLBank Pittsburgh stock declined $725,000 as a result of a repurchase by the FHLB of stock in the quarter ended December 31, 2010. As a member of the FHLB system, the Bank maintains an investment in the capital stock of the FHLB in an amount not less than 45 basis points of the outstanding FHLB member asset value plus 4.6% of its outstanding FHLB borrowings, as calculated throughout the year. On December 23, 2008, the FHLBank Pittsburgh notified its members, including the Company, that it was suspending the payment of dividends on its capital stock and the repurchase of excess capital stock until further notice. The decrease in other interest earning assets was primarily due to a decrease in the average balance of cash held at FHLBank Pittsburgh.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $665,000 or 12.4%, to $4.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 from $5.4 million for the comparable 2009 period. The decrease resulted from a 46 basis point decrease in the overall cost of interest bearing liabilities to 2.18% for the three months ended December 31, 2010 from 2.64% for the comparable 2009 period, partially offset by a $48.5 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities. Average interest bearing deposits increased $153.5 million and average borrowed funds decreased $105.0 million. Average interest bearing deposits increased primarily as a result of a $139.7 million increase in average certificates of deposit.

Provision for Loan Losses. In evaluating the level of the allowance for loan losses, management considers historical loss experience, the types of loans and the amount of loans in the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, peer group information and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are subject to interpretation and revision as more information becomes available or as future events occur. After an evaluation of these factors, management made a provision for loan losses of $480,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 as compared to $500,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2009. The allowance for loan losses was $7.7 million, or 1.02% of loans outstanding, at December 31, 2010, compared to $6.2 million, or 0.84% of loans outstanding at December 31, 2009.

Non-interest Income. Non-interest income decreased $121,000 or 8.3%, to $1.3 million from $1.5 million for the comparable period in 2009. The primary reason for the decrease was the decline in gains on the sale of loans of $152,000 during the 2010 period. The Company sold $5.7 million of long-term fixed-rate residential loans during the three months ended December 31, 2009, as compared to $97,000 for the corresponding 2010 period.

 

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Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense decreased $593,000, or 8.2%, to $6.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 from $7.2 million for the comparable period in 2009. The primary reason for the decrease was a decline in loss on foreclosed real estate of $1.1 million. This decrease was offset, in part, by increases in occupancy and equipment expense of $218,000, compensation and employee benefits of $144,000, and other expense of $174,000. Other expense increased due primarily to increases in other professional fees, appraisal and lien search fees, and REO operations, which increased $33,000, $90,000, and $43,000 respectively. Compensation and employee benefits increased primarily as a result of staff increases required for the opening of four branches in 2010. Occupancy and equipment increased primarily because of a one-time accrual adjustment in real estate taxes of approximately $115,000 which was taken in 2009.

Income Taxes. Income tax expense increased $121,000 to $335,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 from $214,000 for the comparable 2009 period. The increase was primarily a result of the increase in income before taxes of $339,000 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010. The effective tax rate was 24.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2010, compared to 21.2% for the 2009 period.

Non-Performing Assets

The following table provides information with respect to the Bank’s non-performing assets at the dates indicated. (Dollars in thousands)

 

     December 31,
2010
    September 30,
2010
 

Non-performing assets:

    

Non-accruing loans

   $ 11,929      $ 10,516   

Troubled debt restructures

     358        361   
                

Total non-performing loans

     12,287        10,877   

Foreclosed real estate

     2,393        2,034   
                

Total non-performing assets

   $ 14,680      $ 12,911   
                

Ratio of non-performing loans to total loans

     1.63     1.47

Ratio of non-performing loans to total assets

     1.14     1.01

Ratio of non-performing assets to total assets

     1.36     1.20

Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans

     1.02     1.01

Loans are reviewed on a regular basis and are placed on non-accrual status when they become more than 90 days delinquent. When loans are placed on non-accrual status, unpaid accrued interest is fully reserved, and further income is recognized only to the extent received. Nonperforming assets increased $1.8 million to $14.7 million at December 31, 2010 from $12.9 million at September 30, 2010. Nonperforming loans increased $1.4 million to $12.3 million at December 31, 2010 from $10.9 million at September 30, 2010. The $11.9 million of non-accruing loans included 50 residential loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $9.4 million that were past due 90 or more days at December 31, 2010, 15 commercial loans with aggregate outstanding balances of $2.2 million and 11 consumer loans with aggregate balances of $376,000. Foreclosed real estate increased $359,000 to $2.4 million at December 31, 2010 from $2.0 million at September 30, 2010. The $359,000 increase included the addition of 6 residential properties valued at $416,000 to the foreclosed real estate portfolio which was partially offset by write-downs of $72,000.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We maintain liquid assets at levels we consider adequate to meet both our short-term and long-term liquidity needs. We adjust our liquidity levels to fund deposit outflows, repay our borrowings and to fund loan commitments. We also adjust liquidity as appropriate to meet asset and liability management objectives.

Our primary sources of liquidity are deposits, prepayment and repayment of loans and mortgage-backed securities, maturities of investment securities and other short-term investments, and earnings and funds provided from operations, as well as access to FHLBank advances and other borrowing sources. While scheduled principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and rates offered by our competition. We set the interest rates on our deposits to maintain a desired level of total deposits.

A portion of our liquidity consists of cash and cash equivalents and borrowings, which are a product of our operating, investing and financing activities. At December 31, 2010, $7.3 million of our assets were invested in cash

 

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and cash equivalents. Our primary sources of cash are principal repayments on loans, proceeds from the maturities of investment securities, principal repayments of mortgage-backed securities and increases in deposit accounts. Short-term investment securities (maturing in one year or less) totaled $9,000 at December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2010, we had $257.5 million in borrowings outstanding from FHLBank Pittsburgh and $65.0 million in borrowings through repurchase agreements with other financial institutions. We have access to additional FHLBank advances of up to approximately $253.8 million.

At December 31, 2010, we had $52.4 million in loan commitments outstanding, which included, in part, $3.7 million in undisbursed construction loans, $22.4 million in unused home equity lines of credit, $8.3 million in commercial lines of credit and $14.2 million to originate primarily multi-family and nonresidential mortgage loans. Certificates of deposit due within one year of December 31, 2010 totaled $113.0 million, or 36.9% of certificates of deposit. If these maturing deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including other certificates of deposit and borrowings. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit due on or before December 31, 2011. We believe, however, based on past experience, that a significant portion of our certificates of deposit will remain with us. We have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.

As reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, our cash flows are classified for financial reporting purposes as operating, investing or financing cash flows. Net cash provided by operating activities was $3.3 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These amounts differ from our net income because of a variety of cash receipts and disbursements that did not affect net income for the respective periods. Net cash provided (used) in investing activities was $(17.4) million and $6.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, principally reflecting our loan and investment security activities. Deposit and borrowing cash flows have comprised most of our financing activities which resulted in net cash provided (used) of $10.5 million and $(8.2) million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Critical Accounting Policies

We consider accounting policies that require management to exercise significant judgment or discretion or make significant assumptions that have, or could have, a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income, to be critical accounting policies. We consider the following to be our critical accounting policies:

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is the estimated amount considered necessary to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance is established through the provision for loan losses which is charged against income. In determining the allowance for loan losses, management makes significant estimates and has identified this policy as one of our most critical. The methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy by management due to the high degree of judgment involved, the subjectivity of the assumptions utilized and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the recorded allowance for loan losses.

As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans and discounted cash flow valuations of properties are critical in determining the amount of the allowance 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.

Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Consideration is given to a variety of factors in establishing this estimate including, but not limited to, current economic conditions, delinquency statistics, geographic and industry concentrations, the adequacy of the underlying collateral, the financial strength of the borrower, results of internal and external loan reviews and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision based on changes in economic and real estate market conditions.

The analysis of the allowance for loan losses has two components: specific and general allocations. Specific allocations are made for loans that are determined to be impaired. Impairment is measured by determining the present value of expected future cash flows or, for collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of the collateral

 

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adjusted for market conditions and selling expenses. The general allocation is determined by segregating the remaining loans by type of loan, risk weighting (if applicable) and payment history. We also analyze historical loss experience, delinquency trends, general economic conditions and geographic and industry concentrations. This analysis establishes factors that are applied to the loan groups to determine the amount of the general allocations. Actual loan losses may be significantly more than the allowance for loan losses we have established which could have a material negative effect on our financial results.

Other-than-Temporary Investment Security Impairment. Securities are evaluated periodically to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. Management utilizes criteria such as the magnitude and duration of the decline, in addition to the reasons underlying the decline, to determine whether the loss in value is other-than-temporary. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospect for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the value of the security is reduced and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized.

Deferred Income Taxes. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance is established. We consider the determination of this valuation allowance to be a critical accounting policy because of the need to exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets, including projections of future taxable income. These judgments and estimates are reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets may be required if the amount of taxes recoverable through loss carryback declines, or if we project lower levels of future taxable income. Such a valuation allowance would be established through a charge to income tax expense which would adversely affect our operating results. At December 31, 2010 the Company had a $2.8 million valuation allowance established against its deferred tax asset. The tax deduction generated by the contribution to the Foundation as part of the Company’s stock offering exceeded the allowable federal income tax deduction limitations resulting in the establishment of this valuation allowance for the contribution carry forward.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements (as such term is defined in applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contractual Obligations

During the first three months of fiscal 2011, the Company’s contractual obligations did not change materially from those discussed in the Company’s Financial Statements for the year ended September 30, 2010.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Consequently, our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. Our assets, consisting primarily of mortgage loans, have longer maturities than our liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits and borrowings. As a result, a principal part of our business strategy is to manage interest rate risk and reduce the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has approved guidelines for managing the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives. Senior management monitors the level of interest rate risk on a regular basis and the asset/liability committee meets quarterly to review our asset/liability policies and interest rate risk position.

We have sought to manage our interest rate risk in order to minimize the exposure of our earnings and capital to changes in interest rates. The net proceeds from the offering increased our capital and provided management with greater flexibility to manage our interest rate risk. In particular, management used the majority of the capital we received to increase our interest-earning assets. There have been no material changes in our interest rate risk since September 30, 2010.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There were no significant changes made in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or in other factors that could significantly affect the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Part II – Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these legal actions is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the “Risk Factors” disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 on Form 10-K filed on December 14, 2010.

 

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

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s share repurchases during the quarter ended December 31, 2010.

Company Purchases of Common Stock

 

Period

   Total number of
shares  purchased
     Average price
paid per  share
     Total number of
shares  purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans or
programs
     Maximum number
of shares  that may
yet be purchased
under the plans or
programs
 

October 1 – October 31, 2010

     135,222       $ 12.59         135,000         561,600   

November 1 – November 28, 2010

     73,100         12.76         73,100         488,500   

December 1 – December 31, 2010

     92,700         12.92         92,700         395,800   
                       

Total

     301,022       $ 12.73         300,800      
                       

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. [Removed and Reserved]

 

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are either filed as part of this report or are incorporated herein by reference:

 

  3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of ESSA Bancorp, Inc.*

 

  3.2 Bylaws of ESSA Bancorp, Inc.*

 

  4 Form of Common Stock Certificate of ESSA Bancorp, Inc.*

 

10.2 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for Gary S. Olson**

 

10.3 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for Robert S. Howes**

 

10.4 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for Allan A. Muto**

 

10.5 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for Diane K. Reimer**

 

10.6 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for V. Gail Warner**

 

10.7 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan**

 

10.8 Endorsement Split Dollar Life Insurance Agreement for Gary S. Olson**

 

10.9 Endorsement Split Dollar Life Insurance Agreement for Robert S. Howes**

 

21 Subsidiaries of Registrant*

 

31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

* Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (file no. 333-139157), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2006.
** Incorporated by reference to ESSA Bancorp, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 2008.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

  ESSA BANCORP, INC.
Date: February 9, 2011  

/s/ Gary S. Olson

  Gary S. Olson
  President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: February 9, 2011  

/s/ Allan A. Muto

  Allan A. Muto
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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