SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION






SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549


Form 8-K


Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 18, 2005


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.

(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania        0-11204        25-1424278

(State or other     (commission    (I.R.S. Employer

jurisdiction        File Number)   Identification No.)

of Incorporation)


Main and Franklin Streets, Johnstown, Pa.  15901

(address or principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 814-533-5300


N/A

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


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to

simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under

any of the following provisions:


( ) Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities

Act (17 CFR 230.425)


( ) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange

Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the

Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the

Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4c))
















Form 8-K


Item 2.02 Results of operation and financial condition.


AMERISERV FINANCIAL Inc. (the "Registrant") announced third quarter and nine month year to date results as of September 30, 2005.  For a more detailed description of the announcement see the press release attached as Exhibit #99.1.  


Exhibits

--------


Exhibit 99.1

Press release dated October 18, 2005, announcing the third quarter and nine months year to date results as of September 30, 2005.



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 hereunto duly authorized.



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.


By /s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

Jeffrey A. Stopko

Senior Vice President

& CFO


Date: October 18, 2005










Exhibit 99.1


 

Jeffrey A. Stopko

 

    October 18, 2005

Senior Vice President &


Chief Financial Officer


(814)-533-5310


 AMERISERV FINANCIAL REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THIRD QUARTER AND FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2005     


JOHNSTOWN, PA – AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASRV), as expected, reported a loss of $10.6 million or ($0.53) per diluted share for the third quarter of 2005 compared to net income of $742,000 or $0.05 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2004.  For the first nine months of 2005, the Company reported a net loss of $9.4 million or ($0.47) per diluted share compared to net income of $1.2 million or $0.09 per diluted share for the first nine months of 2004.  The following table highlights the Company’s financial performance for both the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004:  

   

 

Third Quarter 2005

Third Quarter 2004

 

 Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2005

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2004

Net income (loss)

($10,564,000)

$742,000

 

($9,361,000)

$1,222,000

Diluted earnings per share

(0.53)

0.05

 

(0.47)

0.09


The previously announced successful completion of a $10.3 million private placement common stock offering provided the Company with the capital to facilitate a series of transactions in the third quarter of 2005 which were designed to significantly improve the Company’s interest rate risk position and position the Company for future increased earnings performance.  These transactions and their related impact on third quarter earnings were as follows:  1) The Company retired all remaining $100 million of Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) convertible advances that had a cost of approximately 6.0% and a 2010 maturity.  The Company incurred a $6.5 million pre-tax prepayment penalty to accomplish this transaction.  2) The Company terminated all interest rate hedges associated with the FHLB debt.  The Company incurred a pre-tax termination fee of $5.8 million to eliminate these hedges on which the Company was a net payer.  3) The Company sold $112 million of investment securities to provide the cash needed at the bank for this FHLB debt and swap prepayment.  The Company incurred a $2.6 million pre-tax loss on these investment security sales.  The execution of these transactions combined with the capital provided from the successful private placement common stock offering strengthened the Company’s balance sheet and reduced its risk profile.  At September 30, 2005, the Company’s asset leverage ratio improved to 9.90% compared to 7.85% at September 30, 2004.    


Allan R. Dennison, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the third quarter 2005 results, “While there was considerable cost associated with executing these balance sheet restructuring strategies, it was necessary for the Company to take these corrective actions to complete this phase of our turnaround.  AmeriServ now has a traditional community bank balance sheet with debt levels below our peers.  We now will be able to fully focus on community banking and our dynamically growing trust company in order to drive meaningful future earnings improvement.”   


The Company’s provision for loan losses totaled $100,000 or 0.08% of total loans in the third quarter of 2005 compared to no provision recognized in the prior year third quarter.  The third quarter 2005 provision was slightly lower than the net charge-offs for the quarter which totaled $145,000 or 0.11% of total loans.  For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded a negative loan loss provision of $175,000 compared to a provision of $643,000 for the same period in 2004 or a net favorable change of $818,000.  The overall reduced provision in 2005 resulted from improved asset quality.  Non-performing assets have declined for six consecutive quarters and now total $3.3 million or 0.61% of total loans.  Net charge-offs year-to-date in 2005 have totaled $283,000 or only 0.07% of total loans compared to net charge-offs of $2.3 million or 0.63% in 2004.  As a result of these asset quality improvements, the allowance for loan losses provided 284% coverage of non-performing assets at September 30, 2005 compared to 254% coverage at December 31, 2004, and 195% coverage at September 30, 2004.  The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans amounted to 1.73% at September 30, 2005.   

  

The Company’s net interest income in the third quarter of 2005 decreased by $194,000 from the prior year third quarter and for the first nine months of 2005 declined by $33,000 when compared to the first nine months of 2004.  This decrease reflects the impact of a reduced level of earning assets that offset the benefit of an increased net interest margin.  Specifically, for the first nine months of 2005 the net interest margin increased by 34 basis points to 2.60% while the level of average earning assets declined by $143 million.  Both of these items reflect the deleverage of high cost debt from the Company’s balance sheet which has resulted in lower levels of both borrowed funds and investment securities.  The Company’s net interest margin also benefited from increased loans in the earning asset mix as total loans outstanding averaged $520 million in the first nine months of 2005 a $27 million or 5.4% increase from the same 2004 period. This loan growth was most evident in the commercial loan portfolio.  Deposits continued their recovery from the low point reached in the fourth quarter of 2004.  Total deposits averaged $697 million for the first nine months of 2005, a $30 million or 4.6% increase from the same 2004 period due to increased deposits from the trust company’s operations.  On a linked quarter basis in 2005, the Company has experienced net interest income and net interest margin pressure due to the negative impact that the flatter yield curve has had on the Company’s remaining leverage program.  The balance sheet restructuring that the Company executed late in the third quarter of 2005 was designed to address this issue and position the Company for net interest income and margin expansion beginning in the fourth quarter.            


The Company’s non-interest income in the third quarter of 2005 decreased by $3.4 million from the prior year’s third quarter and for the first nine months of 2005 declined by $4.4 million when compared to the first nine months of 2004.  The largest factor responsible for these declines was the previously mentioned $2.6 million  investment security loss realized on the third quarter balance sheet restructuring.  The Company had realized investment security gains of $228,000 in the third quarter of 2004 and $1.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004.  Other income declined by $742,000 in the third quarter of 2005 and by $903,000 for the nine-month period as the Company benefited from a $666,000 gain on the sale of an OREO property in the third quarter of 2004.  There was no such gain in 2005.  Lower mortgage production related revenues also contributed to the decrease in other income in 2005.  Deposit service charges increased by $31,000 in the third quarter of 2005 but are down by $127,000 for the nine-month period due primarily to fewer overdraft fees and checking service charges.  These items overshadowed a $209,000 quarterly improvement and a $573,000 or 14.4% increase in trust fees for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 due to continued successful new business development efforts and the benefit of new customer fee schedules that were implemented in the fourth quarter of 2004.

         

The Company’s non-interest expense for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 increased by approximately $13.2 million from the same 2004 periods.  The previously discussed special charges related to the FHLB prepayment penalty and interest rate hedge termination costs were the predominant factors causing the increased non-interest expense.  Professional fees were also up by $392,000 for the quarter and $530,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 due to costs associated with implementing Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 and higher legal fees.  Total employee costs are up by $98,000 for the third quarter and by $214,000 or 1.5% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 due primarily to higher medical insurance costs and pension costs which has offset the benefit of a smaller employee base.  The Company did benefit from reduced amortization of core deposit intangibles that decreased by $286,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005.  Also, the loss from discontinued operations declined by $268,000 in the third quarter of 2005 and by $339,000 for the nine-month period as a result of the closure of the unprofitable mortgage servicing operation as of June 30, 2005.


The Company’s third quarter and nine-month 2005 performance was favorably impacted by an increased income tax benefit resulting from the pre-tax loss incurred in 2005.   However, in both 2005 and 2004, the Company lowered its income tax expense by approximately $450,000 due to a reduction in reserves for prior year tax contingencies as a result of the successful conclusion of an IRS examination on several open tax years.  


At September 30, 2005, ASRV had total assets of $901 million and shareholders’ equity of $85 million or $3.85 per share.  AmeriServ Financial, Inc., is the parent of AmeriServ Financial Bank and AmeriServ Trust & Financial Services in Johnstown, AmeriServ Associates of State College, and AmeriServ Life Insurance Company.


This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report and Form 10-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Actual results may differ materially.


 

Nasdaq NMS: ASRV

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DATA

October 18, 2005

(In thousands, except per share and ratio data)

(All quarterly and 2005 data unaudited)

2005

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

YEAR

 
    

TO DATE

 

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

     

Net income (loss)  

$833

$370

($10,564)

($9,361)

 
      

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

     

Return on average equity

3.95%

1.75%

(49.42)%

(14.71)%

 

Net interest margin

2.75

2.63

2.43

2.60

 

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.05

0.06

0.11

0.07

 

Loan loss provision as a percentage of average loans

-

(0.21)

0.08

(0.04)

 

Efficiency ratio

94.42

96.81

362.60

161.70

 
      

PER COMMON SHARE:

     

Net income (loss):

     

Basic

$0.04

$0.02

($0.53)

($0.47)

 

Average number of common shares outstanding

19,720,827

19,726,345

19,785,455

19,744,446

 

Diluted

0.04

0.02

(0.53)

(0.47)

 

Average number of common shares outstanding

19,760,049

19,764,647

19,812,487

19,777,709

 
      




2004

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

YEAR

 
    

TO DATE

 

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

     

Net income

$226

$254

$742

$1,222

 
      

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

     

Return on average equity

1.21%

1.41%

4.21%

2.25%

 

Net interest margin

2.39

2.25

2.15

2.26

 

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.48

0.48

0.92

0.63

 

Loan loss provision as a percentage of average loans

0.31

0.21

-

0.17

 

Efficiency ratio

93.83

94.80

96.89

95.16

 
      

PER COMMON SHARE:

     

Net income:

     

Basic

$0.02

$0.02

$0.05

$0.09

 

Average number of common shares outstanding

13,962,010

13,969,211

13,975,838

13,969,045

 

Diluted

0.02

0.02

0.05

0.09

 

Average number of common shares outstanding

14,025,836

14,023,577

14,009,952

14,019,351

 
      





AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

(In thousands, except per share, statistical, and ratio data)

(All quarterly and 2005 data unaudited)


2005

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

  

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

     

Assets

$996,450

$996,786

$901,194

  

Investment securities

381,124

385,398

253,082

  

Loans

527,344

522,437

544,900

  

Allowance for loan losses

9,856

9,480

9,435

  

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles

12,896

12,680

12,464

  

Mortgage servicing rights

-

-

-

  

Deposits

725,369

691,740

698,297

  

Stockholders’ equity

83,720

86,267

85,022

  

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

1,465,028

1,487,496

1,600,968

  

Non-performing assets

3,819

3,334

3,323

  

Asset leverage ratio

9.77%

9.92%

9.90%

  

PER COMMON SHARE:

     

Book value (A)

$4.24

$4.37

$3.85

  

Market value

5.61

5.35

4.35

  

Market price to book value

132.35%

122.36%

113.07%

  
      

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

     

Full-time equivalent employees

394

383

384

  

Branch locations

22

22

22

  

Common shares outstanding

19,722,884

19,729,678

22,105,786

  


2004

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

    

Assets

$1,099,564

$1,178,406

$1,088,849

$1,009,976

Investment securities

504,980

581,553

488,617

401,019

Loans

503,404

500,522

506,551

521,416

Allowance for loan losses

11,379

10,932

9,827

9,893

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles

13,905

13,547

13,329

13,112

Mortgage servicing rights

1,493

1,642

1,395

-

Deposits

656,348

670,941

659,176

644,391

Stockholders’ equity

77,721

67,213

73,471

85,219

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

1,256,064

1,246,458

1,228,126

1,309,362

Non-performing assets

13,482

10,155

5,047

3,894

Asset leverage ratio

7.75%

7.71%

7.85%

9.20%

PER COMMON SHARE:

    

Book value

$5.57

$4.81

$5.26

$4.32

Market value

6.10

5.55

5.00

5.17

Market price to book value

109.52%

115.50%

95.13%

119.62%

     

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

    

Full-time equivalent employees

415

412

409

406

Branch locations

23

23

23

23

Common shares outstanding

13,965,737

13,972,424

13,978,726

19,717,841


    NOTES:

        (A) Other comprehensive income had a negative impact of $0.15 on book value per share at September 30, 2005.

        (B)  Not recognized on the balance sheet.

    

AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(In thousands)

(All quarterly and 2005 data unaudited)

2005

    

YEAR

 

INTEREST INCOME

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

TO DATE

 

Interest and fees on loans

$7,954

$8,105

$8,200

$24,259

 

Total investment portfolio

3,737

3,607

3,273

10,617

 

Total Interest Income

11,691

11,712

11,473

34,876

 
      

INTEREST EXPENSE

     

Deposits

2,845

3,188

3,290

9,323

 

All other funding sources

2,551

2,533

2,725

7,809

 

Total Interest Expense

5,396

5,721

6,015

17,132

 
      

NET INTEREST INCOME

6,295

5,991

5,458

17,744

 

Provision for loan losses

-

(275)

100

(175)

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES


6,295


6,266


5,358


17,919

 
      

NON-INTEREST INCOME

     

Trust fees

1,472

1,506

1,586

4,564

 

Net realized gains (losses)on investment securities

    available for sale


78


-


(2,577)


(2,499)

 

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

72

83

27

182

 

Service charges on deposit accounts

584

704

723

2,011

 

Bank owned life insurance

250

254

256

760

 

Other income

692

633

643

1,968

 

Total Non-interest Income

3,148

3,180

658

6,986

 
      

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

     

Salaries and employee benefits

4,751

4,680

4,804

14,235

 

Net occupancy expense

668

592

649

1,909

 

Equipment expense

639

622

620

1,881

 

Professional fees

823

938

1,483

3,244

 

FDIC deposit insurance expense

71

69

76

216

 

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

216

216

216

648

 

Prepayment penalties

-

-

12,287

12,287

 

Other expenses

1,775

1,789

2,143

5,707

 

Total Non-interest Expense

8,943

8,906

22,278

40,127

 
      

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

500

540

(16,262)

(15,222)

 

Provision  (benefit) for income taxes

(398)

96

(5,689)

(5,991)

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS


$898


$444


($10,573)


($9,231)

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS


(65)


(74)


9


(130)

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$833

$370

($10,564)

($9,361)

 
      




2004

    

YEAR

 

INTEREST INCOME

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

TO DATE

 

Interest and fees on loans

$7,691

$7,679

$7,346

$22,716

 

Total investment portfolio

5,228

4,943

5,352

15,523

 

Total Interest Income

12,919

12,622

12,698

38,239

 
      

INTEREST EXPENSE

     

Deposits

2,543

2,529

2,628

7,700

 

All other funding sources

4,164

4,180

4,418

12,762

 

Total Interest Expense

6,707

6,709

7,046

20,462

 
      

NET INTEREST INCOME

6,212

5,913

5,652

17,777

 

Provision for loan losses

384

259

-

643

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES


5,828


5,654


5,652


17,134

 
      

NON-INTEREST INCOME

     

Trust fees

1,267

1,347

1,377

3,991

 

Net realized gains on investment securities

     available for sale


937


111


228


1,276

 

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

40

115

108

263

 

Service charges on deposit accounts

730

716

692

2,138

 

Bank owned life insurance

275

276

279

830

 

Other income

690

796

1,385

2,871

 

Total Non-interest Income

3,939

3,361

4,069

11,369

 
      

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

     

Salaries and employee benefits

4,710

4,605

4,706

14,021

 

Net occupancy expense

712

653

620

1,985

 

Equipment expense

648

630

611

1,889

 

Professional fees

796

827

1,091

2,714

 

FDIC deposit insurance expense

72

71

72

215

 

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

358

358

218

934

 

Other expenses

1,888

1,693

1,726

5,307

 

Total Non-interest Expense

9,184

8,837

9,044

27,065

 
      

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

583

178

677

1,438

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

126

(55)

(324)

(253)

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING

OPERATIONS


$457


$233


$1,001


$1,691

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED

OPERATIONS


(231)


21


(259)


(469)

 

NET INCOME

$226

$254

$742

$1,222

 
      










AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

Nasdaq NMS: ASRV

Average Balance Sheet Data (In thousands)

(All quarterly and 2005 data unaudited)


    Note:  2004 data appears before 2005.


2004

2005

  

NINE

 

NINE

 

3QTR

MONTHS

3QTR

MONTHS

Interest earning assets:

    

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income

$490,468

$493,905

$523,159

$520,427

Deposits with banks

3,806

4,499

862

801

Federal funds sold

-

91

-

-

Total investment securities

562,415

552,867

374,316

387,195

     

Total interest earning assets

1,056,689

1,051,362

898,337

908,423

     

Non-interest earning assets:

    

Cash and due from banks

22,021

21,785

22,128

21,520

Premises and equipment

10,359

10,640

9,306

9,504

Assets of discontinued operations

2,700

2,947

1,462

1,647

Other assets

59,460

63,226

61,585

62,113

Allowance for loan losses

(10,538)

(11,084)

(9,433)

(9,714)

     

Total assets

$1,140,691

$1,138,876

$983,385

$993,493

     

Interest bearing liabilities:

    

Interest bearing deposits:

    

Interest bearing demand

$54,133

$53,079

$55,693

$54,513

Savings

104,840

105,565

96,935

98,652

Money market

121,990

120,374

153,278

153,854

Other time

288,747

280,706

286,108

283,895

Total interest bearing deposits

569,710

559,724

592,014

590,914

Borrowings:

    

Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and other short-term borrowings



125,286



129,557



79,958



85,764

Advanced from Federal Home Loan Bank

226,041

226,301

92,669

98,234

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures


35,567


35,567


20,285


20,285

Total interest bearing liabilities

956,604

951,149

784,926

795,197

     

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

    

Demand deposits

105,819

106,486

106,119

105,732

Liabilities of discontinued operations

554

404

356

496

Other liabilities

7,694

8,229

7,180

6,984

Stockholders’ equity

70,020

72,608

84,804

85,084

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$1,140,691

$1,138,876

$983,385

$993,493