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 20, 2009


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 first nine months results through September 30, 2009.  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 20, 2009, announcing the third quarter and first nine months results through September 30, 2009.



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

Executive Vice President

& CFO


Date: October 20, 2009




Exhibit 99.1


AMERISERV FINANCIAL REPORTS EARNINGS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER AND FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2009     


JOHNSTOWN, PA –AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASRV) reported a third quarter 2009 net loss of $2.8 million or $0.15 per diluted share.  This represents a decrease of $4 million from the third quarter 2008 net income of $1.1 million or $0.05 per diluted share.  For the nine month period ended September 30, 2009, the Company reported a net loss of $3.2 million or $0.19 per diluted share.  This also represents a decrease of $7.1 million when compared to net income of $3.9 million or $0.18 per diluted share for the first nine months of 2008.  The following table highlights the Company’s financial performance for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:


     

 

Third Quarter 2009

Third Quarter 2008

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2009

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

($2,810,000)

$1,149,000

 

($3,216,000)

$3,894,000

Diluted earnings per share

          

($ 0.15)

          

 $ 0.05

 

               

    ($ 0.19)


$0.18


Allan R. Dennison, retiring President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the third quarter 2009 financial results, “AmeriServ Financial reported a loss for the third quarter of 2009 due to an increased provision for loan losses.  The continued recessionary economy is now clearly impacting our commercial borrowers based in Western Pennsylvania.  We appropriately increased our allowance for loan losses to respond to this deterioration in asset quality evidenced by higher levels of non-performing assets and classified loans.  This higher provision unfortunately more than offset some strong fundamentals, such as, increased net interest income that resulted from solid loan and deposit growth experienced within our bank during 2009.  Overall at September 30, 2009, our allowance for loan losses represented 2.66% of total loans outstanding and provided 94% coverage of non-performing loans.  AmeriServ Financial is well capitalized to work through this challenging economic period with a tangible common equity ratio of 8.16% and an asset leverage ratio of 11.41% at the end of the third quarter 2009.”     

  

The Company’s net interest income in the third quarter of 2009 increased by $694,000 from the prior year’s third quarter, and for the first nine months of 2009 increased by $3.3 million or 15.8% when compared to the first nine months of 2008.  The Company’s net interest margin of 3.65% for the first nine months of 2009 is also 16 basis points better than the 3.49% net interest margin achieved during the first nine months of 2008.  The increased net interest income and margin resulted from a combination of good loan growth and the pricing benefits achieved from a steeper positively sloped yield curve.  Specifically, total loans averaged $726 million in the first nine months of 2009, an increase of $94 million or 14.8% over the same period in 2008.  This growth caused overall loan interest revenue to increase for both 2009 periods despite the lower interest rate environment in 2009.  The loan growth was driven by increased commercial real-estate loan production as the majority of increased residential mortgage loan production has been sold into the secondary market.  The Company’s strong liquidity position has been supported by total deposits that averaged $756 million in the first nine months of 2009, an increase of $58 million or 8.3% over the same 2008 period.  The Company believes that uncertainties in the financial markets and the economy have contributed to growth in both money market and demand deposits as consumers have looked for safety in well capitalized community banks like AmeriServ Financial.  Additionally, the Company also benefited from a favorable decline in interest expense caused by the more rapid downward repricing of both deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings due to the market decline in short-term interest rates.      


The Company appropriately strengthened its allowance for loan losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 in response to deterioration in asset quality.  Specifically, non-performing assets increased by $9.0 million from $14.7 million or 1.98% of total loans at June 30, 2009 to $23.7 million or 3.28% of total loans at September 30, 2009.  The following two credits were responsible for the increased level of non-performing assets: 1) In response to the Shared National Credit Examination, the Company transferred a $10 million commercial loan relationship to a borrower in the restaurant industry to non-accrual status.  The Company restructured this loan at its maturity by entering into a forbearance agreement with the borrower to make reduced payments over a six-month period in an effort to give the borrower greater flexibility to restructure its operations to improve its cash flows during this difficult economic period.  The Company has never had any payment delinquency with this borrower who is performing in accordance with the terms of the forbearance agreement.  A $3.5 million specific reserve has been established against this credit.  2) A $3.1 million loan to a borrower in the heavy construction equipment rental business was transferred to non-accrual status.  This borrower was experiencing cash flow difficulties that caused payment delinquency.  A $622,000 reserve has been established against this credit.   


Overall, the Company recorded a $6.3 million provision for loan losses in the third quarter of 2009 compared to a $775,000 provision in the third quarter of 2008, or an increase of $5.5 million.  For the nine month period ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded an $11.4 million provision for loan losses compared to a $2.3 million provision for the first nine months of 2008, or an increase of $9.1 million.  When determining the provision for loan losses, the Company considers a number of factors some of which include periodic credit reviews, non-performing, delinquency and charge-off trends, concentrations of credit, loan volume trends and broader local and national economic trends.  In addition to the higher level of non-performing loans, the increased loan loss provision in 2009 was also caused by the Company’s decision to strengthen its allowance for loan losses due to the downgrade of the rating classification of several performing commercial loans and uncertainties in the local and national economies.  Actual credit losses realized through charge-off, however, are running fairly comparable with the prior year.  For the nine month period ended September 30, 2009, net charge-offs have amounted to $1.1 million or 0.19% of total loans compared to net charge-offs of $875,000 or 0.18% of total loans for the same nine month period in 2008.  In summary, the balance in the allowance for loan losses has increased from $8.9 million at December 31, 2008 to $19.3 million at September 30, 2009. The allowance provided 94% coverage of non-performing loans and was 2.66% of total loans at September 30, 2009, compared to 264% of non-performing loans and 1.26% of total loans at December 31, 2008.  


The Company’s non-interest income in the third quarter of 2009 decreased by $313,000 from the prior year’s third quarter and for the first nine months of 2009 decreased by $2.4 million when compared to the first nine months of 2008.  The largest item responsible for the quarterly decline was a $323,000 decrease in trust and investment advisory fees as a result of reductions in the market value of assets managed due to lower equity and real estate values in 2009.  The largest item causing the nine month decline was related to bank owned life insurance.  Bank owned life insurance revenue returned to a more typical level in 2009 as the 2008 revenue was impacted by the payment of $1.6 million in death claims.  Trust and investment advisory fees also declined by $1.0 million for the nine month period while deposit service charges dropped by $217,000 due to fewer overdraft fees.  These negative items were partially offset by increased gains on asset sales.  Specifically, gains realized on residential mortgage sales into the secondary market in 2009 increased by $146,000 for the nine month period due to increased mortgage purchase and refinance activity in the Company’s primary market.  The Company also took advantage of market opportunities and generated $164,000 of gains on the sale of investment securities in 2009 compared to a $117,000 loss on a portfolio repositioning strategy executed in 2008.     


Total non-interest expense in the third quarter of 2009 increased by $782,000 from the prior year’s third quarter and for the first nine months of 2009 increased by $1.8 million or 6.7% when compared to the first nine months of 2008.  Higher FDIC deposit insurance expense is a key factor responsible for both the quarterly and year-to-date increase in non-interest expense in 2009.  Specifically, the third quarter FDIC expense is up by $281,000 due to a higher basic assessment rate while the nine month expense is up by $962,000 due to the higher basic rate and the industry mandated special five basis point or $435,000 assessment realized in the second quarter of 2009.  Total salaries and benefits expense in 2009 increased by $356,000 in the third quarter and $789,000 for the nine month period due to greater salary costs as a result of normal merit increases and higher sales related incentive compensation along with greater pension expense.  Professional fees increased by $128,000 for the third quarter and $242,000 for the nine-month period due to increased legal fees and recruitment costs in 2009.  Other expenses in both periods have also been negatively impacted by increased other real estate owned expense.   These negative items were partially offset by a reduction in core deposit amortization expense of $217,000 for the third quarter and $541,000 for the nine month period as a branch core deposit intangible was fully amortized in the first quarter of 2009.      


ASRV had total assets of $959 million and shareholders’ equity of $111 million or a book value of $4.25 per common share at September 30, 2009.  The Company remained well capitalized with an asset leverage ratio of 11.41% and a tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 8.16% at September 30, 2009.    


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: ASRV

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DATA

October 20, 2009

(In thousands, except per share and ratio data)

(All quarterly and 2009 data unaudited)

2009

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

YEAR

 

 

 

 

 

TO DATE

 

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$533

$(939)

$(2,810)

$(3,216)

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

274

(1,202)

(3,073)

(4,001)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

 

 

 

 

 

Return on average assets

0.22%

(0.39)%

(1.15)%

(0.44)%

 

Return on average equity

1.90

(3.29)

(9.83)

(3.77)

 

Net interest margin

3.72

3.66

3.57

3.65

 

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.03

0.19

0.35

0.19

 

Loan loss provision as a percentage of average loans

1.02

2.79

3.42

2.10

 

Efficiency ratio

78.22

82.56

84.00

81.57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$0.01

$(0.06)

$(0.15)

$(0.19)

 

Average number of common shares outstanding

21,137

21,151

21,178

21,156

 

Diluted

0.01

(0.06)

(0.15)

(0.19)

 

Average number of common shares outstanding

21,137

21,152

21,182

21,159

 

 

 

 

 

 


2008

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

YEAR

 

 

 

 

TO DATE

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

 

 

 

 

Net income

$1,229

$1,516

$1,149

$3,894

Net income available to common shareholders

1,229

1,516

1,149

3,894

 

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

 

 

 

 

Return on average assets

0.55%

0.71%

0.52%

0.59%

Return on average equity

5.43

6.64

4.93

5.66

Net interest margin

3.32

3.58

3.59

3.49

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.06

0.46

0.04

0.18

Loan loss provision as a percentage of average loans

0.10

0.89

0.48

0.49

Efficiency ratio

82.87

73.20

79.72

78.33

 

 

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

 

Basic

$0.06

$0.07

$0.05

$0.18

Average number of common shares outstanding

22,060

21,847

21,855

21,921

Diluted

0.06

0.07

0.05

0.18

Average number of common shares outstanding

22,062

21,848

21,856

21,922

 

 

 

 

 



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

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

(All quarterly and 2009 data unaudited)


2009

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

 

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

 

 

 

 

Assets

$975,062

$978,899

$959,344

 

Short-term investment in money market funds

10,817

7,516

6,565

 

Investment securities

138,853

136,119

138,715

 

Loans

726,961

739,649

722,540

 

Allowance for loan losses

10,661

13,606

19,255

 

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles

13,498

13,498

12,950

 

Deposits

746,813

783,807

779,185

 

FHLB borrowings

90,346

57,702

44,451

 

Shareholders’ equity

114,254

112,880

110,706

 

Non-performing assets

5,099

14,670

23,689

 

Asset leverage ratio

11.82%

11.61%

11.41%

 

Tangible common equity ratio

8.35

8.17

8.16

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

Book value (A)

$4.44

$4.37

$4.25

 

Market value

1.67

1.85

1.80

 

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

$1,432,375

$1,376,272

$1,340,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

 

 

 

 

Full-time equivalent employees

355

352

350

 

Branch locations

18

18

18

 

Common shares outstanding

21,144,700

21,156,801

21,215,115

 


2008

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

 

 

 

 

Assets

$902,349

$877,230

$911,306

$966,929

Short-term investment in money market funds

5,682

6,952

7,147

15,578

Investment securities

146,285

141,867

141,630

142,675

Loans

632,934

623,798

663,996

707,108

Allowance for loan losses

7,309

7,963

8,677

8,910

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles

14,254

14,038

13,821

13,605

Deposits

682,459

722,913

688,998

694,956

FHLB borrowings

106,579

40,214

106,897

133,778

Shareholders’ equity

91,558

92,248

93,671

113,252

Non-performing assets

3,050

3,717

4,390

4,572

Asset leverage ratio

9.78%

10.47%

10.37%

12.15%

Tangible common equity ratio

8.70

9.06

8.90

8.31

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

Book value (A)

$4.19

$4.22

$4.29

$4.39

Market value

2.79

2.98

2.51

1.99

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

$1,838,029

$1,813,231

$1,678,398

$1,554,351

 

 

 

 

 

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

 

 

 

 

Full-time equivalent employees

350

353

352

353

Branch locations

19

18

18

18

Common shares outstanding

21,842,691

21,850,773

21,859,409

21,128,831


NOTES:

(A) Preferred stock received through the Capital Purchase Program is excluded from the book value per

common share calculation.

(B) Not recognized on the balance sheet.



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(In thousands)

(All quarterly and 2009 data unaudited)

2009

 

 

 

 

YEAR

INTEREST INCOME

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

TO DATE

Interest and fees on loans

$10,349

$10,544

$10,247

$31,140

Total investment portfolio

1,586

1,511

1,451

4,548

Total Interest Income

11,935

12,055

11,698

35,688

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

Deposits

3,255

3,405

3,316

9,976

All borrowings

539

479

457

1,475

Total Interest Expense

3,794

3,884

3,773

11,451

 

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

8,141

8,171

7,925

24,237

Provision for loan losses

1,800

3,300

6,300

11,400

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION

    FOR LOAN LOSSES


6,341


4,871


1,625


12,837

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

Trust fees

1,559

1,438

1,377

4,374

Net realized gains on investment securities

101

63

-

164

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

118

163

213

494

Service charges on deposit accounts

673

710

712

2,095

Investment advisory fees

137

152

176

465

Bank owned life insurance

250

254

258

762

Other income

723

711

718

2,152

Total Non-interest Income

3,561

3,491

3,454

10,506

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

5,092

4,983

5,114

15,189

Net occupancy expense

722

641

602

1,965

Equipment expense

415

442

398

1,255

Professional fees

920

873

1,050

2,843

FDIC deposit insurance expense

32

691

311

1,034

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

108

-

-

108

Other expenses

1,873

2,006

2,091

5,970

Total Non-interest Expense

9,162

9,636

9,566

28,364

 

 

 

 

 

PRETAX INCOME (LOSS)

740

(1,274)

(4,487)

(5,021)

Income tax expense (benefit)

207

(335)

(1,677)

(1,805)

NET INCOME (LOSS)

533

(939)

(2,810)

(3,216)

Preferred stock dividends

259

263

263

785

NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO

    COMMON SHAREHOLDERS


$274


$(1,202)


$(3,073)


$(4,001)


2008

 

 

 

 

YEAR

INTEREST INCOME

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

TO DATE

Interest and fees on loans

$10,462

$9,862

$10,015

$30,339

Total investment portfolio

1,820

1,588

1,717

5,125

Total Interest Income

12,282

11,450

11,732

35,464

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

Deposits

4,499

3,861

3,774

12,134

All borrowings

1,048

623

727

2,398

Total Interest Expense

5,547

4,484

4,501

14,532

 

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

6,735

6,966

7,231

20,932

Provision for loan losses

150

1,375

775

2,300

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION

    FOR LOAN LOSSES


6,585


5,591


6,456


18,632

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

Trust fees

1,790

1,737

1,691

5,218

Net realized gains (losses) on investment securities

-

(137)

20

(117)

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

89

121

138

348

Service charges on deposit accounts

734

807

771

2,312

Investment advisory fees

226

218

185

629

Bank owned life insurance

249

1,923

260

2,432

Other income

750

674

702

2,126

Total Non-interest Income

3,838

5,343

3,767

12,948

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

4,830

4,812

4,758

14,400

Net occupancy expense

661

653

586

1,900

Equipment expense

431

414

402

1,247

Professional fees

769

910

922

2,601

FHLB prepayment penalty

-

91

-

91

FDIC deposit insurance expense

22

20

30

72

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

216

216

217

649

Other expenses

1,850

1,909

1,869

5,628

Total Non-interest Expense

8,779

9,025

8,784

26,588

 

 

 

 

 

PRETAX INCOME

1,644

1,909

1,439

4,992

Income tax expense

415

393

290

1,098

NET INCOME

$1,229

$1,516

$1,149

$3,894

Preferred stock dividends

-

-

-

-

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON

    SHAREHOLDERS


$1,229


$1,516


$1,149


$3,894



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

Nasdaq: ASRV

Average Balance Sheet Data (In thousands)

(All quarterly and 2009 data unaudited)


2009

2008

 

 

NINE

 

NINE

 

3QTR

MONTHS

3QTR

MONTHS

Interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income

$730,152

$725,657

$637,841

$631,948

Deposits with banks

1,746

1,762

399

403

Short-term investment in money market funds

7,388

9,804

7,983

6,922

Federal funds

413

156

32

152

Total investment securities

145,109

146,146

152,476

154,342

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest earning assets

884,808

883,525

798,731

793,767

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

14,135

14,543

16,574

17,188

Premises and equipment

9,052

9,207

9,593

9,193

Other assets

73,296

72,124

68,613

69,382

Allowance for loan losses

(13,658)

(11,301)

(8,088)

(7,582)

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$967,633

$968,098

$885,423

$881,948

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing demand

$62,479

$62,050

$65,704

$65,169

Savings

72,864

72,537

71,520

70,388

Money market

182,735

165,065

108,181

92,907

Other time

352,584

342,076

341,455

359,255

Total interest bearing deposits

670,662

641,728

586,860

587,719

Borrowings:

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased, securities sold under

    agreements to repurchase, and other short-term

    borrowings



29,851



59,037



60,635



57,818

Advanced from Federal Home Loan Bank

13,828

13,840

10,258

11,266

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest

    debentures


13,085


13,085


13,085


13,085

Total interest bearing liabilities

727,426

727,690

670,838

669,888

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Demand deposits

114,548

114,365

111,136

110,366

Other liabilities

12,234

12,137

10,763

9,836

Shareholders’ equity

113,425

113,906

92,686

91,858

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$967,633

$968,098

$885,423

$881,948