Converted by EDGARwiz


                                              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                March 31, 2010                           


X

Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934


For the transaction period from                                      to                           _        

                                                                 

Commission File Number                      0-11204                                            

                                                 AmeriServ Financial, Inc.                                           

                                          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                    Pennsylvania                                                                               25-1424278                

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation                            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 or organization)                                                                  



Main & Franklin Streets, P.O. Box 430, Johnstown, PA                                15907-0430

(Address of principal executive offices)                                                               (Zip Code)

                           

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


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 filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                    

                    X     Yes    

       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 “accelerated filer, large accelerated filer and smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):


Large accelerated filer X    Accelerated filer X    Non-accelerated filer X    Smaller reporting company X


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

                    X Yes                                                X No  


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.


               Class                           

           

                                        Outstanding at May 3, 2010    

Common Stock, par value $0.01

             21,223,942

per share                         



AmeriServ Financial, Inc.


INDEX


PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

 Page No.

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) -

March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009

 

        3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) -

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009


        4

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) -

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009


        5

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

        6

 

 

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial

   Condition and Results of Operations


      20

 

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

      35

 

 

Item 4T.  Controls and Procedures

      35

 

 

PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

      

 

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

      35

 

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

      36

 

 

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

      36

 

 

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

      36

 

 

Item 4.  (Removed and Reserved)

      36

 

 

Item 5.  Other Information

      36

 

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

      37





2





      Item 1. Financial Statements      

                                                                                        AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

                                                                 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                                      

(In thousands)

  (Unaudited)

 

 

March 31, 2010

December 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

Cash and due from depository institutions

$      16,584

$     20,835

 

Interest bearing deposits

1,711

        1,707

 

Federal funds sold

850

-

 

Short-term investments in money market funds

         2,105

      3,766

 

   Total cash and cash equivalents

21,250

26,308

 

Investment securities:

 

 

 

Available for sale

141,866

   131,272

 

Held to maturity (market value $8,623 on

March 31, 2010 and $11,996 on December 31, 2009)

 

8,207

    

11,611

 

Loans held for sale

1,319

        3,790

 

Loans

712,226

  719,785

 

Less:     Unearned income

616

671

 

Allowance for loan losses

        21,516

        19,685

 

Net loans

690,094

  699,429

 

Premises and equipment, net

 9,655

 9,229

 

Accrued income receivable

3,666

      3,589

 

Goodwill

12,950

12,950

 

Bank owned life insurance

33,943

33,690

 

Net deferred tax asset

  16,099

15,925

 

Regulatory stock

9,739

9,739

 

Prepaid federal deposit insurance

4,230

4,538

 

Other assets

         7,799

         7,956

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$   960,817

$   970,026

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing deposits

$   124,559

$   118,232

 

Interest bearing deposits

    677,642

    667,779

 

Total deposits

    802,201

    786,011

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings

 7,505

25,775

 

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

17,791

     25,804

 

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest

debentures


     13,085


     13,085

 

Total borrowed funds

     38,381

     64,664

 

Other liabilities

     13,842

     12,097

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   854,424

   862,772

 

 

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

Preferred stock, no par value; $1,000 per share liquidation

preference; 2,000,000 shares authorized; there

were 21,000 shares issued and outstanding for

 the periods presented




20,678




20,558

 

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 30,000,000   

               shares authorized; 26,412,561 shares issued

               and 21,223,942 outstanding on March 31,

               2009; 26,410,528 shares issued and

               21,221,909 outstanding on December 31,

               2009






264






264

 

Treasury stock at cost, 5,188,619 shares on

               March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009


(68,659)


(68,659)

 

Capital surplus

144,773

   144,873

 

Retained earnings

13,410

 14,591

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

      (4,073)

     (4,373)

 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    106,393

   107,254

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


$  960,817


$ 970,026

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.




3





                                                      

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

                                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

   (In thousands)                           

    (Unaudited)


                                                                                 

 

       Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

March 31,

 

 

                                                                                 

2010

2009

 

 

INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

Interest and fees on loans

$    10,020

$  10,349

 

 

Interest bearing deposits

    1

1

 

 

Short-term investments in money market funds

3

14

 

 

Federal funds sold

1

-

 

 

Investment securities:

 

 

 

 

Available for sale

   1,322

1,398

 

 

Held to maturity

       118

       173

 

 

Total Interest Income

         11,465

  11,935

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

Deposits                                                                

  2,927

3,255

 

 

Short-term borrowings

9

129

 

 

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

     128

130

 

 

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest

debentures

 

       280

 

      280

 

 

Total Interest Expense

    3,344

   3,794

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

   8,121

8,141

 

 

Provision for loan losses

  _3,050

    1,800

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR

LOAN LOSSES

  

    5,071


   6,341

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

Trust fees

1,454

1,559

 

 

Net realized gains on investment securities

 65

101

 

 

Net gains on loans held for sale

     131

118

 

 

Service charges on deposit accounts

   572

673

 

 

Investment advisory fees

  187

137

 

 

Bank owned life insurance

 254

250

 

 

Other income

      637

     723

 

 

Total Non-Interest Income

   3,300

  3,561

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

  5,199

5,092

 

 

Net occupancy expense

   736

722

 

 

Equipment expense

418

415

 

 

Professional fees

    1,102

920

 

 

Supplies, postage and freight

 284

294

 

 

Miscellaneous taxes and insurance

    354

344

 

 

Federal deposit insurance expense

   331

32

 

 

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

-

108

 

 

Other expense

    1,340

    1,235

 

 

Total Non-Interest Expense

    9,764

    9,162

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRETAX INCOME (LOSS)

       (1,393)

        740

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (475)

       207

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)  

        (918)

     533

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock dividends

        263

       259

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON

SHAREHOLDERS


$ (1,181)  


$     274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE DATA:

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$     (0.06)

$      0.01

 

 

Average number of shares outstanding

21,224

21,137

 

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$     (0.06)

$      0.01

 

 

Average number of shares outstanding

21,224

21,137

 

 

Cash dividends declared

 $       0.00

 $      0.00

 

 


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.




4





AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended

Three months ended

 

March 31, 2010

March 31, 2009

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

Net income (loss)

$   (918)

$         533    

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash

 

 

   provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

Provision for loan losses

3,050

1,800

Depreciation expense

    366

  403

Amortization expense of core deposit intangibles

      -

108

Net amortization of investment securities

        169

 20

Net realized gains on investment securities available for sale

(65)

   (101)

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

(131)

(118)

Amortization of deferred loan fees

(98)

(122)

Origination of mortgage loans held for sale

(9,339)

(14,051)

Sales of mortgage loans held for sale

11,941

13,098

Increase in accrued interest income receivable

  (77)

  (154)

Decrease in accrued interest expense payable

(1,024)

(923)

Earnings on bank owned life insurance

(254)

(250)

Deferred income taxes

(174)

665

Net decrease (increase) in other assets

     148

(1,335)

Net decrease in other liabilities

     (402)

     (467)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    3,192

     (894)

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

Purchases of investment securities - available for sale

(20,165)

(6,777)

Proceeds from sales of investment securities – available for sale

1,189

3,433

Proceeds from maturities of investment securities – available for sale

     11,673

6,741

Proceeds from maturities of investment securities – held to maturity

 3,398

1,594

Long-term loans originated

 (13,006)

(35,366)

Principal collected on long-term loans

 19,873

28,916

Loans purchased or participated

(345)

(15,500)

Loans sold or participated

  -

3,950

Net increase in other short-term loans

    (8)

(591)

Purchases of premises and equipment

     (792)

        (161)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    1,817

   (13,761)

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

Net increase in deposit accounts

  16,459

53,025

Net decrease in other short-term borrowings

(18,270)

(43,420)

Principal borrowings on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

  32,000

   -

Principal repayments on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

(40,013)

(12)

Preferred stock dividends

(263)

(163)

Proceeds from stock purchase plan

            20

           29

Net cash (used in) provided by  financing activities

   (10,067)

      9,459

 

 

 

NET DECREASE  IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

(5,058)

(5,196)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT JANUARY 1

   26,308

  35,124

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT MARCH 31

$ 21,250

$29,928


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.




5





NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.

Principles of Consolidation


The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (the Company) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, AmeriServ Financial Bank (Bank), AmeriServ Trust and Financial Services Company (Trust Company), and AmeriServ Life Insurance Company (AmeriServ Life).  The Bank is a state-chartered full service bank with 18 locations in Pennsylvania.  The Trust Company offers a complete range of trust and financial services and administers assets valued at $1.4 billion that are not recognized on the Company’s balance sheet at March 31, 2010.  AmeriServ Life is a captive insurance company that engages in underwriting as a reinsurer of credit life and disability insurance.  


In addition, the Parent Company is an administrative group that provides support in such areas as audit, finance, investments, loan review, general services, and marketing. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.  


2.

Basis of Preparation


The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting only of normal recurring entries considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  They are not, however, necessarily indicative of the results of consolidated operations for a full-year.


For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.


3.

Accounting Policies


In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-04, Accounting for Various Topics – Technical Corrections to SEC Paragraphs. ASU 2010-04 makes technical corrections to existing SEC guidance including the following topics: accounting for subsequent investments, termination of an interest rate swap, issuance of financial statements - subsequent events, use of residential method to value acquired assets other than goodwill, adjustments in assets and liabilities for holding gains and losses, and selections of discount rate used for measuring defined benefit obligation.  ASU 2010-04 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 or the Company has presented the necessary disclosures in the Note 16 herein. 





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 Company’s financial statements or the Company has presented the necessary disclosures in the Note 17 herein.


4.

Earnings Per Common Share


Basic earnings per share include only the weighted average common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share include the weighted average common shares outstanding and any potentially dilutive common stock equivalent shares in the calculation.  Treasury shares are treated as retired for earnings per share purposes. Options and warrants to purchase 1,675,110 common shares, at exercise prices ranging from $1.68 to $6.10, and 1,544,509 common shares, at exercise prices ranging from $2.31 to $6.10, were outstanding as of March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because to do so would be antidilutive.  Dividends on preferred shares are deducted from net income in the calculation of earnings per common share.


 

 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2010

2009

 

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$    (918)

$     533

 

 

Preferred stock dividends

       263

        259

 

 

Net Income (loss) available to common

  shareholders


$ (1,181)


$     274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares

 

 

 

 

  outstanding (basic)

21,224

21,137

 

 

Effect of stock options/warrants

           -

           -

 

 

Weighted average common shares

 

 

 

 

  outstanding (diluted)

  21,224

 21,137

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

    Basic

$(0.06)

$0.01

 

 

    Diluted

(0.06)

0.01

 

 










5.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)


For the Company, comprehensive income includes net income and unrealized holding gains and losses from available for sale investment securities and the pension obligation change for the defined benefit plan.  The changes in other comprehensive income are reported net of income taxes, as follows (in thousands):

                                                

                                             

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2010

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$   (918)

$     533

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, before tax:

 

 

 

 

     Pension obligation change for defined benefit plan

 142

     117

 

 

        Income tax effect

       (48)

           (40)

 

 

Reclassification adjustment for gains on

    available for sale securities included in net

    income (loss)



   (65)



(101)

 

 

        Income tax effect

22

34

 

 

     Unrealized holding gains on available for sale

         securities arising during period


 379


1,043

 

 

        Income tax effect

     (130)

     (354)

 

 

Other comprehensive income

       300

       699    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

$   (618)

$   1,232

 

 


6.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows


On a consolidated basis, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from depository institutions, interest-bearing deposits, federal funds sold and short-term investments in money market funds.  The Company made $4,000 in income tax payments in the first three months of 2010 as compared to $43,000 for the first three months of 2009.  The Company made total interest payments of $4,368,000 in the first three months of 2010 compared to $4,717,000 in the same 2009 period.


7.

Investment Securities


The cost basis and fair values of investment securities are summarized as follows (in thousands):


Investment securities available for sale (AFS):                                

    

 

          March 31, 2010

 

Gross      

Gross      

 

 

Cost  

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair   

 

      Basis

      Gains   

    Losses   

      Value   

  U.S. Agency

$   18,942

$      120

$      (41)

$   19,021

  U.S. Agency mortgage- backed  securities

 119,769

     3,263

     (187)

  122,845

       Total

$138,711

$   3,383

$    (228)

$ 141,866

   

Investment securities held to maturity (HTM):                          

          March 31, 2010

 

Gross      

Gross      

 

 

Cost  

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair   

 

      Basis    

      Gains   

    Losses   

      Value   

  U.S. Agency mortgage- backed securities

$  7,207

$      416

$          -

$  7,623

  Other securities

    1,000

            -

            -

    1,000

       Total

$  8,207

$      416

$          -

$  8,623

    


Investment securities available for sale (AFS):                                      

 

          December 31, 2009

 

Gross      

Gross      

 

 

Cost  

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair   

 

      Basis    

      Gains   

    Losses   

      Value   

  U.S. Agency

$  12,342

$       26

$      (76)

$  12,292

  U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

  116,088

    3,128

      (236)

  118,980

       Total

$128,430

$ 3,154

$    (312)

$131,272


Investment securities held to maturity (HTM):                          

          December 31, 2009

 

Gross      

Gross      

 

 

Cost  

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair   

 

      Basis    

      Gains   

    Losses   

      Value   

  U.S. Treasury

$    3,009

$        13

$         -

$     3,022

  U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

7,602

373

-

7,975

  Other securities

      1,000

             -

       (1)

         999

       Total

$  11,611

$      386

$     (1)

$  11,996


Maintaining investment quality is a primary objective of the Company's investment policy which, subject to certain limited exceptions, prohibits the purchase of any investment security below a Moody's Investor's Service or Standard & Poor's rating of "A." At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, 99.3% and 97.7% of the portfolio was rated "AAA", respectively.  None of the portfolio was rated below “A” or unrated at March 31, 2010.  At March 31, 2010, the Company’s consolidated investment securities portfolio had a modified duration of approximately 2.5 years. Total proceeds form the sale of AFS securities were $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2010.  The gross gains on investment security sales in the first three months of 2010 were $65,000.  


The following tables present information concerning investments with unrealized losses as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (in thousands):


Investment securities available for sale:  

          March 31, 2010

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or longer

 

Total

 

 

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

 

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

 

  

   

 

  

 

  

  U.S. Agency

 $    7,459

 $        (41)

 $         -

 $         -

$    7,459

$        (41)

  U.S. Agency mortgage-

 

 

 

 

 

 

     backed securities

    20,409

        (187)

          -

          -

   20,409

        (187)

       Total

$  27,868

$      (228)

$         -

$         -

$ 27,868

$      (228)

   

Investment securities available for sale:  

          December 31, 2009

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or longer

 

Total

 

 

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

 

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

  U.S. Agency

 $  7,424

      $     (76)

 $         -

 $         -

$   7,424

      $     (76)

  U.S. Agency mortgage-

 

 

 

 

 

 

     backed securities

  17,525

    (236)

          -

          -

   17,525

    (236)

       Total

$ 24,949

$   (312)

$         -

$         -

$ 24,949

$   (312)


Investment securities held to maturity:                          

          December 31, 2009

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or longer

 

Total

 

 

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

 

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

  Other securities

$           -

$           -

$     999

$     (1)

$     999

$     (1)

       Total

$           -

$           -

$     999

$     (1)

$     999

$     (1)


The unrealized losses are primarily a result of increases in market yields from the time of purchase.  In general, as market yields rise, the fair value of securities will decrease; as market yields fall, the fair value of securities will increase.  There are 20 positions that are considered temporarily impaired at March 31, 2010.  Management generally views changes in fair value caused by changes in interest rates as temporary; therefore, these securities have not been classified as other-than-temporarily impaired.  Management has also concluded that based on current information they expect to continue to receive scheduled interest payments as well as the entire principal balance.  Furthermore, management does not intend to sell these securities and does not believe it will be required to sell these securities before they recover in value.


Contractual maturities of securities at March 31, 2010, are shown below (in thousands). Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.  


Maturity

 

Available for Sale

Held to Maturity

 

 

Cost  

Fair   

Cost  

Fair   

 

      Basis    

      Value   

      Basis    

      Value   

0-1 year

   $    4,035

      $    4,080

$           -

$           -

1-5 years

10,942

10,969

1,000

1,000

5-10 years

29,344

30,382

             -

             -

Over 10 years

   94,390

  96,435

    7,207

    7,623

       Total

$138,711

$141,866

$   8,207

$   8,623


8.

Loans


The loan portfolio of the Company consists of the following (in thousands):


 

March 31,

         2010

December 31,

         2009

 

     Commercial

$  94,294

$    96,158

 

     Commercial loans secured by real estate

396,603

396,787

 

     Real estate – mortgage

202,122

207,221

 

     Consumer

     19,207

     19,619

 

       Total loans

712,226

  719,785

 

     Less:  Unearned income

         616

         671

 

     Loans, net of unearned income

$  711,610

$  719,114

 


Real estate-construction loans comprised 6.2%, and 6.8% of total loans, net of unearned income, at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  The Company has no exposure to sub prime mortgage loans in either the loan or investment portfolios.  

















9.

Allowance for Loan Losses


An analysis of the changes in the allowance for loan losses follows (in thousands, except ratios):


 

 

           Three months ended

 

 

 

                    March 31,

 

 

 

 

2010

2009

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 19,685

$   8,910

 

 

Charge-offs:

 

 

 

 

     Commercial

(39)

(3)

 

 

     Commercial loans secured by real estate

      (1,193)

(37)

 

 

     Real estate-mortgage

  (80)

(26)

 

 

     Consumer   

            (84)

        (51)

 

 

     Total charge-offs

            (1,396)

      (117)

 

 

Recoveries:

 

 

 

 

     Commercial

104

2

 

 

     Commercial loans secured by real estate

   37

5

 

 

     Real estate-mortgage

   2

18

 

 

     Consumer     

           34

          43

 

 

     Total recoveries

         177

          68

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net charge-offs

   (1,219)

(49)

 

 

Provision for loan losses

     3,050

      1,800

 

 

Balance at end of period

  $ 21,516

$ 10,661

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a percent of average loans and loans held

 

 

 

 

     for sale, net of unearned income:

 

 

 

 

     Annualized net charge-offs

  0.69%

0.03%

 

 

     Annualized provision for loan losses

1.72

1.02

 

 

Allowance as a percent of loans and loans

 

 

 

 

     held for sale, net of unearned income

 

 

 

 

     at period end               

 3.02

1.47

 

 


10.

Non-performing Assets


The following table presents information concerning non-performing assets (in thousands, except ratios):



   

 

March 31,

2010

 

December 31,         2009

Non-accrual loans

 

 

 

 

    Commercial

 

$   3,332

 

$     3,375

    Commercial loans secured by real estate

 

14,422

 

11,716

    Real estate-mortgage

 

1,393

 

1,639

    Consumer

 

        391

 

          386

Total

 

   19,538

 

     17,116

 

 

 

 

 

Other real estate owned

 

 

 

 

    Commercial loans secured by real estate

 

       412

 

 871

Real estate-mortgage

 

        369

 

         350

Consumer

 

            3

 

              -

Total

 

        784

 

    1,221

 

 

 

 

 

    Total non-performing assets

 

$20,322

 

$  18,337

    Total non-performing assets as a percent of loans and

       loans held for sale, net of unearned income,

       and other real estate owned

 

2.85%

 

2.53%


The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, (i) the gross interest income that would have been recorded if non-accrual loans had been current in accordance with their original terms and had been outstanding throughout the period or since origination if held for part of the period, (ii) the amount of interest income actually recorded on such loans, and (iii) the net reduction in interest income attributable to such loans (in thousands).


 

        Three months ended

 

 

 

                                                        

March 31,

 

 

 

                                                     

2010

2009

 

 

Interest income due in accordance

 

 

 

 

   with original terms

$    244

$    49

 

 

Interest income recorded

    (121)

         -

 

 

Net reduction in interest income

$    123

$     49

 

 


11.

Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings


Total Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings and advances consist of the following at March 31, 2010, (in thousands, except percentages):


 

 

 

Weighted

Type

Maturing

Amount

Average Rate

Open Repo Plus

Overnight

$       505

    0.67%

 

 

 

 

Advances

2010

       15,000

1.92     

 

2012

      4,000

1.82

 

2013

5,000

2.04

 

2016 and after

        791

6.44

 

 

   24,791

2.07

        

 

 

 

Total FHLB borrowings

 

  $ 25,296

2.04%


Total Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings and advances consisted of the following at December 31, 2009, (in thousands, except percentages):


 

 

 

Weighted

Type

Maturing

Amount

Average Rate

Open Repo Plus

Overnight

$ 25,775

    0.62%

 

 

 

 

Advances

2010

       22,000

1.67     

 

2012

      3,000

1.97

 

2016 and after

        804

6.44

 

 

   25,804

1.85

        

 

 

 

Total FHLB borrowings

 

  $ 51,579

1.24%


The rate on Open Repo Plus advances can change daily, while the rate on the advances is fixed until the maturity of the advance.  


12.

Preferred Stock


On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (initially introduced as the Troubled Asset Relief Program or “TARP”) was enacted.  On October 14, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced its intention to inject capital into financial institutions under the TARP Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”).  The CPP is a voluntary program designed to provide capital to healthy, well managed financial institutions in order to increase the availability of credit to businesses and individuals and help stabilize the U.S. financial system.  

On December 19, 2008, the Company sold to the U.S. Treasury for an aggregate purchase price of $21 million in cash 21,000 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series D.  In conjunction with the purchase of these senior preferred shares, the U.S. Treasury also received a warrant to purchase up to 1,312,500 shares of the Company’s common stock. The warrant has a term of 10 years and is exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, at an exercise price of $2.40 per share. The $21 million in proceeds was allocated to the Series D Preferred Stock and the warrant based on their relative fair values at issuance (approximately $20.4 million was allocated to the Series D Preferred Stock and approximately $600,000 to the warrant).  The difference between the initial value allocated to the Series D Preferred Stock of approximately $20.4 million and the liquidation value of $21 million will be charged to surplus over the first three years of the contract.  Cumulative dividends on Series D Preferred Stock are payable quarterly at 5% through December 19, 2013 and at a rate of 9% thereafter.  As a result of the decision by the Company to accept a preferred stock investment under the U.S. Treasury’s CPP for a period of three years the Company is no longer permitted to repurchase common stock or declare and pay dividends on common stock without the consent of the U.S. Treasury.


13.

Regulatory Capital


The Company is subject to various capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company's assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  The Company's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and of Tier 1 capital to average assets.  As of March 31, 2010, the Federal Reserve categorized the Company as Well Capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  The Company believes that no conditions or events have occurred that would change this conclusion.  To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table.  Additionally, while not a regulatory capital ratio, the Company’s tangible common equity ratio was 7.70% at March 31, 2010.












 



Actual

 


For Capital Adequacy

Purposes

 

To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions

March 31, 2010

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

 

 

 

(In thousands, except ratios)

 

 

 

Total Capital (to Risk

  Weighted Assets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

$112,597

15.52%

$  58,040

   8.00%

$ 72,550

10.00%

Bank

 88,574

12.36  

57,337

       8.00

71,671

10.00   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk

  Weighted Assets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 103,365

14.25  

   29,020

 4.00  

  43,530

 6.00   

Bank

79,450

11.09  

28,668

 4.00  

43,003

 6.00   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 1 Capital (to

  Average Assets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

103,365

11.01

        37,556

4.00

46,945

5.00

Bank

79,450

8.72

        36,451

4.00

45,563

5.00


14.

Segment Results


The financial performance of the Company is also monitored by an internal funds transfer pricing profitability measurement system which produces line of business results and key performance measures.  The Company's major business units include retail banking, commercial lending, trust, and investment/parent. The reported results reflect the underlying economics of the business segments.  Expenses for centrally provided services are allocated based upon the cost and estimated usage of those services.  The businesses are match-funded and interest rate risk is centrally managed and accounted for within the investment/parent business segment.  The key performance measure the Company focuses on for each business segment is net income contribution.


Retail banking includes the deposit-gathering branch franchise, lending to both individuals and small businesses, and financial services.  Lending activities include residential mortgage loans, direct consumer loans, and small business commercial loans.  Financial services include the sale of mutual funds, annuities, and insurance products.  Commercial lending to businesses includes commercial loans, and commercial real-estate loans.  The trust segment contains our wealth management businesses, which include the Trust Company and West Chester Capital Advisors, our registered investment advisory firm.  Wealth management includes personal trust products and services such as personal portfolio investment management, estate planning and administration, custodial services and pre-need trusts.  Also, institutional trust products and services such as 401(k) plans, defined benefit and defined contribution employee benefit plans, and individual retirement accounts are included in this segment.  The Wealth management businesses also includes the union collective investment funds, namely the ERECT and BUILD funds which are designed to use union pension dollars in construction projects that utilize union labor.  The investment/parent includes the net results of investment securities and borrowing activities, general corporate expenses not allocated to the business segments, interest expense on the guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures, and centralized interest rate risk management.  Inter-segment revenues were not material.




The contribution of the major business segments to the consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2010

 2010

 

 

 

Total revenue

Net income (loss)

Total assets

Retail banking

 

 

$    5,991

$      153

$    309,129

Commercial lending

 

 

3,316

(1,072)

498,072

Trust

 

 

1,658

22

3,543

Investment/Parent

 

 

        456

       (21)

     150,073

Total

 

 

$  11,421

$   (918)

$   960,817


 

 

 

 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 2009

 

 

 

Total revenue

Net income (loss)

Total assets

Retail banking

 

 

$    6,013

$        377

$   338,758

Commercial lending

 

 

2,997

(301)

493,910

Trust

 

 

1,712

144

3,541

Investment/Parent

 

 

         980

          313

     138,853

Total

 

 

$  11,702

$        533

$   975,062

  

15.

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities


The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to these commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by their contractual amounts.  The Bank uses the same credit and collateral policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as for all other lending.  The Company had various outstanding commitments to extend credit approximating $94.7 million and standby letters of credit of $11.7 million as of March 31, 2010.  


Additionally, the Company is also subject to a number of asserted and unasserted potential claims encountered in the normal course of business.  In the opinion of the Company, neither the resolution of these claims nor the funding of these credit commitments will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operation or cash flows.


16.

Pension Benefits


The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering all employees who work at least 1,000 hours per year.  The benefits of the plan are based upon the employee’s years of service and average annual earnings for the highest five consecutive calendar years during the final ten year period of employment. Plan assets are primarily debt securities (including U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, corporate notes and bonds), listed common stocks (including shares of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. common stock which is limited to 10% of the plan’s assets), mutual funds, and short-term cash equivalent instruments.








 

Three months ended

 

 

 

                                                        

March 31,      

 

 

 

                                                     

2010

2009

 

 

Components of net periodic benefit cost

 

 

 

 

   Service cost

$    279

$   232

 

 

   Interest cost

278

234

 

 

   Expected return on plan assets

(357)

(308)

 

 

   Amortization of prior year service cost

4

3

 

 

   Amortization of transition asset

(4)

(4)

 

 

   Recognized net actuarial loss

      143

    119

 

 

Net periodic pension cost

$    343

$  276

 

 

 

17.

Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements


US GAAP establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework associated with the level of pricing observability utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. The three broad levels defined by US GAAP hierarchy are as follows:


Level I:     Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.


Level II:    Pricing inputs are other than the quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date.  The nature of these assets and liabilities includes items for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently and items that are fair-valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed.


Level III:    Assets and liabilities that have little to no pricing observability as of the reported date.  These items do not have two-way markets and are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.


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.  This applies to all available for sale securities except U.S. Treasury and equity securities which are considered to be Level 1.


Residential real estate loans held for sale are carried at fair value on a recurring basis. Residential real estate loans are valued based on quoted market prices from purchase commitments from market participants and are classified as Level 1.


The fair value of the swap asset is based on an external derivative valuation model using data inputs as of the valuation date and classified Level 2.


The following tables present the assets reported on the balance sheet at their fair value as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, by level within the fair value hierarchy.  As required by US GAAP, financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.


Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis


Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands):


 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2010 Using

 

 




Total

Quoted Prices in

Active Markets for

Identical Assets

(Level 1)

Significant Other

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

Significant

Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

      U.S. Agency securities

      $  19,021

$            -

        $   19,021

$       -

      U.S. Agency mortgage-backed

          securities


        122,845   


        -


 122,845


  -

     Loans held for sale

            1,319

1,319

-

-

     Fair value of swap asset

               252

-

252

-


 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2009 Using

 

 




Total

Quoted Prices in

Active Markets for

Identical Assets

(Level 1)

Significant Other

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

Significant

Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

      U.S. Agency securities

       $   12,292   

$         -

$ 12,292

$       -

      U.S. Agency mortgage-backed

          securities


          118,980


-


118,980


-

      Loans held for sale

               3,790

3,790

-

-

      Fair value of swap asset

                  154

-

154

-


Loans considered impaired are loans for which, based on current information and events, it is probable that the creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Impaired loans are reported at fair value of the underlying collateral if the repayment is expected solely from the collateral.  Collateral values are estimated using Level 2 inputs based on observable market data which at times are discounted.  At March 31, 2010, impaired loans with a carrying value of $17.8 million were reduced by a specific valuation allowance totaling $6.1 million, resulting in a net fair value of $11.6 million.


Other real estate owned (OREO) is measured at fair value, based on appraisals 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.


Assets Measured on a Non-recurring Basis


Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands):






 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2010 Using

 

 




Total

Quoted Prices in

Active Markets for

Identical Assets

(Level 1)

Significant Other

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

Significant

Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

     Impaired loans

      $   11,646

$        -

$ 11,646

$        -

     Other real estate owned

                784

 -

784

 -


 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2009 Using

 

 




Total

Quoted Prices in

Active Markets for

Identical Assets

(Level 1)

Significant Other

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

Significant

Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

     Impaired loans

       $10,091

$        -

       $10,091

$        -

     Other real estate owned

            1,221

     -

            1,221

 -


DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS


For the Company, as for most financial institutions, approximately 90% of its assets and liabilities are considered financial instruments. Many of the Company’s financial instruments, however, lack an available trading market characterized by a willing buyer and willing seller engaging in an exchange transaction. Therefore, significant estimates and present value calculations were used by the Company for the purpose of this disclosure.


Estimated fair values have been determined by the Company using independent third party valuations that use the best available data (Level 2) and an estimation methodology (Level 3) the Company believes is suitable for each category of financial instruments. Management believes that cash, cash equivalents, and loans and deposits with floating interest rates have estimated fair values which approximate the recorded book balances. The estimation methodologies used, the estimated fair values based off of US GAAP measurements, and recorded book balances at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, were as follows:


 

March 31, 2010

December 31, 2009

 

 

Estimated Fair Value

Recorded Book Balance

Estimated Fair Value

Recorded Book Balance

 

(IN THOUSANDS)

FINANCIAL ASSETS:





Cash and cash equivalents

 $    21,250

$ 21,250

 $    26,308

 $    26,308

Investment securities

  150,489

150,073

  143,268

  142,883

Regulatory stock

          9,739

               9,739

        9,739

             9,739

Net loans (including loans held for sale), net of allowance for loan loss

 687,856

691,413

699,770

703,219

Accrued income receivable

           3,666

              3,666

           3,589

           3,589

Bank owned life insurance

         33,943

            33,943

         33,690

         33,690

Fair value swap asset

            252

                 252

         154

         154

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

Deposits with no stated maturities

 $ 449,322

$449,322

 $ 433,220

 $ 433,220

Deposits with stated maturities

 356,293

352,879

 357,275

 352,791

Short-term borrowings

 7,505

 7,505

25,775

25,775

All other borrowings

 32,912

30,876

41,272

38,889

Accrued interest payable

        3,112

           3,112

       4,136

       4,136

Fair value swap liability

              252

                  252

             154

             154

 

 

 

 

 

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is equal to the current carrying value.


The fair value of investment securities is equal to the available quoted market price.

The fair value of regulatory stock is equal to the current carrying value.


The net loan portfolio has been valued using a present value discounted cash flow. The discount rate used in these calculations is based upon the treasury yield curve adjusted for non-interest operating costs, credit loss, current market prices and assumed prepayment risk.


The fair value of accrued income receivable is equal to the current carrying value.


The fair value of bank owned life insurance is based upon the cash surrender value of the underlying policies and matches the book value.


Deposits with stated maturities have been valued using a present value discounted cash flow with a discount rate approximating current market for similar assets and liabilities. Deposits with no stated maturities have an estimated fair value equal to both the amount payable on demand and the recorded book balance.


The fair value of short-term borrowings is equal to the current carrying value.


The fair value of other borrowed funds are based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows.  The discount rates are estimated using rates currently offered for similar instruments with similar remaining maturities.  


The fair value of accrued interest payable is equal to the current carrying value.


The fair values of the fair value swaps used for interest rate risk management represents the amount the Company would have expected to receive or pay to terminate such agreements.


Changes in assumptions or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on these estimated fair values. The Company’s remaining assets and liabilities which are not considered financial instruments have not been valued differently than has been customary under historical cost accounting.




6





Item 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ("M.D.& A.")


…..2010 FIRST QUARTER SUMMARY OVERVIEW….. These are very confusing economic times.  Our elected officials and their appointees tell us almost daily that the Great Recession is ending and that the period of economic recovery is here.  They cite the recovery in the equity markets and the large profits recently reported by the Wall Street trading firms.  Yet here – far from Wall Street the Great Recession continues to take a toll. The unemployment rate has continued to hover around 10% for months.  Around the nation over forty community banks have failed this year adding to the 150 that failed in 2009.   The pressures of these forces can be seen in AmeriServ’s 2010 first quarter results.


AmeriServ reported a net loss of $918,000 or $0.06 per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2010.  This compares unfavorably to net income of $533,000 or $0.01 per diluted common share reported in the first quarter 2009, but represents an improvement from the net loss of $1.7 million or $0.09 per diluted common share earned in the fourth quarter of 2009.  While AmeriServ has now reported a loss in each of the last four quarters, the loss in this quarter is the lowest yet, and represents the second consecutive reduction in the level of loss.  We believe this is the result of our extreme vigilance during this period of economic distress.  


In the third quarter of 2009, AmeriServ activated an Asset Quality Task Force.  This is a compact group of our most experienced credit experts.  The Task Force meets weekly to monitor commercial loans over $500,000. Experience has taught us that the way to survive in times such as these is to work closely with our borrowers to help them find an appropriate course of action, but to also build reserves sufficiently in the event that no solution can be found. If the Task Force detects signs of recession created weakness in any of these loans they will recommend an increase in the allowance for loan losses so as to protect the AmeriServ franchise.  During the first quarter 2010, their recommendations resulted in a provision for loan losses of $3.1 million.  Even though the level of non-performing loans increased by $2.4 million, the level of coverage of these non-performing loans by the allowance for loan losses continued to be above 100%.  It is our aim to pursue this strategy of using our strong capital base to strengthen the allowance for loan losses and in this way to protect the franchise and its fundamental value.


On a day to day basis AmeriServ posted a series of strong basic banking trends.  Deposits continued their 2009 growth surge, closing the quarter above $800 million for the first time.  This continuing growth permitted AmeriServ to report a loan to deposit ratio below 90% and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings of just 2.6% of total assets.  Additionally, the net interest margin in the first quarter of 2010 improved to 3.78%, the highest level since the fourth quarter of 2008.  Similarly, non-interest expenses declined by over $1 million from the fourth quarter of 2009.  These are encouraging signs that the core community banking business has continued to function well and even grow during the recession.


AmeriServ has been fortunate to enter this recession with strong capital reinforced by the December 2008 $21 million infusion of preferred stock from the US Treasury through the Capital Purchase Program.  We believe this enables AmeriServ to protect its shareholders investment while still providing a continuing reserve of loan funding to the region.  It is our goal to continue to manage asset quality with great care because it appears that this recession will last through 2010 with a real possibility that it will still be with us in 2011.  Therefore, we will continue to strive to achieve these three goals throughout 2010:


·

Maintain an allowance for loan losses of no less than 100% of non- performing loans.  We ended the first quarter with a coverage ratio of 110%.


·

Surpass all required regulatory capital ratios as well as our own higher guidelines.  AmeriServ met this goal in the first quarter of 2010.


·

Ensure strong liquidity.  While the industry has no accepted liquidity measurements, AmeriServ management reviews all sources of liquidity with the Board ALCO Committee each quarter.


We believe that in spite of the recession AmeriServ remains a strong presence in our primary markets.  But we do look forward to the recession’s end so that we can reconstitute our growth with earnings strategy that we executed during the period 2006 through 2008.  We are continuing to build a strong team of professional managers who know how to survive in difficult times and also who will know how to build on a strong foundation in better times.


THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 VS. THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009


.....PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW.....The following table summarizes some of the Company's key performance indicators (in thousands, except per share and ratios).

 

 

 Three months ended

  Three months ended

 

March 31, 2010

March 31, 2009

   Net income (loss)

$       (918)

$      533

   Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 (0.06)

0.01

   Return on average assets (annualized)

 (0.39)%

0.22%

   Return on average equity (annualized)

 (3.47)%

1.90%


The Company reported a first quarter 2010 net loss of $918,000 or ($0.06) per diluted common share.  This represents a decrease of $1.5 million from the first quarter 2009 net income of $533,000 or $0.01 per diluted common share.   An increased provision for loan losses and higher non-interest expense were the primary factors causing the decline in earnings between periods.  We appropriately increased our allowance for loan losses to respond to deterioration in asset quality evidenced by higher levels of nonperforming loans and classified loans as the recessionary economic environment continues to impact our commercial borrowers.  Diluted earnings per share also declined by the preferred dividend requirement on the CPP preferred stock which amounted to $263,000 and increased the amount of the net loss available to common shareholders.         








.....NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN.....The Company's net interest income represents the amount by which interest income on average earning assets exceeds interest paid on average interest bearing liabilities.  Net interest income is a primary source of the Company's earnings, and it is affected by interest rate fluctuations as well as changes in the amount and mix of average earning assets and average interest bearing liabilities.  The following table compares the Company's net interest income performance for the first quarter of 2010 to the first quarter of 2009 (in thousands, except percentages):



Three months ended

March 31, 2010

Three months ended

March 31, 2009


 Change


% Change

Interest income

$ 11,465

$ 11,935

$    (470)

(3.9)%

Interest expense

     3,344

     3,794

      (450)

      (11.9)

Net interest income

 $   8,121

$   8,141

$      (20)

        (0.2)

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest margin

3.78%

3.72%

0.06

N/M

N/M - not meaningful


The Company’s net interest income in the first quarter of 2010 was comparable with the prior year first quarter as it declined by only $20,000.  The Company’s first quarter 2010 net interest margin of 3.78% was six basis points better than the 2009 first quarter margin of 3.72% and three basis points better than the more recent fourth quarter 2009 net interest margin of 3.75%.  This relative stability in net interest income and margin performance is reflective of the Company’s strong liquidity position and its ability to reduce its funding costs during a period of deposit growth.  Specifically, total deposits averaged $787 million in the first quarter of 2010, an increase of $72 million or 10.1% over the first quarter 2009.  The Company believes that uncertainties in the economy have contributed to growth in money market accounts, certificates of deposit and demand deposits as consumers have looked for safety in well capitalized community banks like AmeriServ Financial.  Overall, the decline in interest expense has been comparable with the drop in interest revenue, which has been impacted by a $10 million or 1.4% decrease in total loans outstanding since December 31, 2009.

  

.....COMPONENT CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME..…Regarding the separate components of net interest income, the Company's total interest income for the first quarter of 2010 decreased by $470,000 or 3.9% when compared to the same 2009 quarter. This decrease was due to a 12 basis point decline in the earning asset yield to 5.36% as the drop in average earning assets was only $1.7 million between periods.  Within the earning asset base, the yield on the total loan portfolio decreased by 45 basis points to 5.36% while the yield on total investment securities dropped by 35 basis points to 3.88%.  Both of these yield declines reflect the impact of the lower interest rate environment that has now been in place for well over 12 months.  New investment securities and loans that are being booked typically have yields that are below the rate on the maturing instruments that they are replacing.

       

The Company's total interest expense for the first quarter of 2010 decreased by $450,000 or 11.9% when compared to the same 2009 quarter.  This decrease in interest expense was due to a lower cost of funds as the cost of interest bearing deposits declined by 42 basis points to 1.77%.  Management’s decision to reduce interest rates paid on all deposit categories has not had any negative impact on deposit growth as consumers have sought the safety provided by well-capitalized community banks like AmeriServ Financial.  This decrease in funding costs was aided by a drop in interest expense associated with a $2.4 million decrease in the volume of interest bearing liabilities.  Specifically, the average balance of all FHLB borrowings declined by $70.8 million, but was partially offset by a $68.4 million increase in interest bearing deposits.  Additionally, the Company’s funding mix also benefited from a $3.7 million increase in non-interest bearing demand deposits. Overall, in the first quarter of 2010 the Company had the discipline to further reduce its use of borrowings as a funding source as wholesale borrowings averaged only 4.0% of total assets.       

        

The table that follows provides an analysis of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis for the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009 setting forth (i) average assets, liabilities, and stockholders' equity, (ii) interest income earned on interest earning assets and interest expense paid on interest bearing liabilities, (iii) average yields earned on interest earning assets and average rates paid on interest bearing liabilities, (iv) AmeriServ Financial's interest rate spread (the difference between the average yield earned on interest earning assets and the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities), and (v) AmeriServ Financial's net interest margin (net interest income as a percentage of average total interest earning assets). For purposes of these tables, loan balances do include non-accrual loans, and interest income on loans includes loan fees or amortization of such fees which have been deferred, as well as interest recorded on certain non-accrual loans as cash is received.  Additionally, a tax rate of 34% is used to compute tax-equivalent yields.  




7






Three months ended March 31 (In thousands, except percentages)


 

 

2010

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

 

 

Interest

 

 

 

Average

Income/

Yield/

 

Average

Income/

Yield/

 

 

Balance

Expense

Rate

 

Balance

Expense

Rate

 

Interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and loans held for sale,

  net of unearned income


$717,247


$  10,029


5.36


%


$714,253


$ 10,360


5.81


%

Interest bearing deposits

    1,711

  1

0.21

 

3,158

1

0.12

 

Short-term investment in money

  market funds


4,545


3


0.25

 


10,112


14


0.55

 

Federal funds sold

2,394

1

0.10

 

55

-

-

 

Investment securities – AFS

137,845

   1,322

3.84

 

132,483

1,398

4.22

 

Investment securities – HTM

  10,554

    118

4.47

 

  15,982

   173

4.33

 

Total investment securities

148,399

 1,440

3.88

 

148,465

1,571

4.23

 

Total interest earning

   assets/interest income


874,296


11,474


5.36

 


876,043


11,946


5.48

 

Non-interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

15,433

 

 

 

15,488

 

 

 

Premises and equipment

 9,449

 

 

 

9,446

 

 

 

Other assets

79,643

 

 

 

71,004

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

  (20,793)

 

 

 

    (9,144)

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$958,028

 

 

 

$962,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Interest bearing demand

$   57,365

$     45

0.32

%

$   62,355

$     75

0.49

%

   Savings

 75,287

119

0.64

 

71,759

134

0.76

 

   Money markets

151,162

  446

1.20

 

141,442

581

1.67

 

   Other time

  386,343

  2,317

2.43

 

 326,221

 2,465

3.06

 

Total interest bearing deposits

670,157

 2,927

1.77

 

601,777

3,255

2.19

 

Short-term borrowings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased,   

   securities sold under        

   agreements to repurchase and    other short-term borrowings




 5,490




     9




0.67

 




94,901




129




0.55

 

Advances from Federal  

   Home Loan Bank


32,494


 128


1.58

 


13,853


130


3.79

 

Guaranteed junior subordinated     deferrable interest debentures


   13,085


   280


8.57

 


  13,085


   280


8.57

 

Total interest bearing

   liabilities/interest expense


  721,226


 3,344


1.88

 


723,616


3,794


2.12

 

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand deposits

116,954

 

 

 

113,298

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 12,620

 

 

 

12,265

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity

   107,228

 

 

 

  113,658

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND

   SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


$958,028

 

 

 


$962,837

 

 

 

Interest rate spread

 

 

3.48

 

 

 

3.36

 

Net interest income/

   Net interest margin

 


 8,130


3.78


%

 


8,152


3.72


%

Tax-equivalent adjustment

 

        (9)

 

 

 

      (11)

 

 

Net Interest Income

 

$  8,121

 

 

 

$  8,141

 

 





…..PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES..... The Company appropriately strengthened its allowance for loan losses in the first quarter of 2010 in response to ongoing careful monitoring of the commercial loan and commercial real estate portfolios.  A weak economic environment caused higher levels of nonperforming loans and classified loans.  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.  


Overall, the Company recorded a $3.1 million provision for loan losses in the first quarter of 2010 compared to a $1.8 million provision in the first quarter of 2009, or an increase of $1.3 million.  Actual credit losses realized through charge-offs, however, are running well below the provision level, but are higher than the prior year.  For the first quarter 2010, net charge-offs amounted to $1.2 million or 0.69% of total loans compared to net charge-offs of $49,000 or 0.03% of total loans for the first quarter 2009.    During the first quarter, non-performing assets increased by $2 million to $20.3 million or 2.85% of total loans at March 31, 2010.  This increase was caused by the transfer of one commercial real estate loan that is secured by newly constructed student housing into non-accrual status as the project has not yet stabilized to support the required principal payments on the loan.  In summary, the allowance for loan losses provided 110% coverage of non-performing loans and was 3.02% of total loans at March 31, 2010, compared to 115% of non-performing loans and 2.72% of total loans at December 31, 2009.

 

.....NON-INTEREST INCOME.....Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2010 totaled $3.3 million; a decrease of $261,000 or 7.3% from the first quarter 2009 performance.  Factors contributing to this reduced level of non-interest income in 2010 included:


*  a $105,000 decrease in trust fees as a result of reductions in the market value of assets managed due to lower values in its union specialty real estate funds in 2010.  


*  a $101,000 decline in deposit service charges due to a reduced volume of overdraft fees in the first quarter of 2010.  Volumes were impacted by both winter weather related issues and a greater negative media focus on this product.

 

*  a $50,000 increase in investment advisory fees from West Chester Capital Advisors due to improved equity values in the first quarter of 2010.  

   

.....NON-INTEREST EXPENSE.....Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2010 totaled $9.8 million and increased by $602,000 or 6.6% from the prior year’s first quarter. Factors contributing to the higher non-interest expense in 2010 included:


*  a $299,000 increase in FDIC deposit insurance expense due to higher recurring insurance premiums as a result of the need to nationally strengthen the deposit insurance fund.


*  a $182,000 increase in professional fees due primarily to increased legal fees, consulting expenses and recruitment costs in the Trust Company during the first quarter of 2010.



*   a $107,000 or 2.1% increase in salaries and employee benefits expense due to increased medical insurance costs.


.....INCOME TAX EXPENSE.....The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $475,000 in the first quarter of 2010 which reflects an estimated effective tax rate of approximately 34.1%. The income tax expense recorded in the first quarter of 2009 was $207,000 and reflected an effective tax rate of approximately 28.0%.  The Company’s deferred tax asset was $16.1 million at March 31, 2010 and relates primarily to net operating loss carryforwards and the allowance for loan losses.


…..SEGMENT RESULTS.….Retail banking’s net income contribution was $153,000 in the first quarter compared to $377,000 for the same comparable period of 2009.  The lower 2010 net income performance is reflective of the increased FDIC insurance premiums and reduced revenue from overdraft fees and deposit service charges.  These negative items more than offset improved revenue from residential mortgage loan sales into the secondary market and stable net interest income performance.


The commercial lending segment reported for the first quarter of 2010 a net loss of $1.1 million compared to $301,000 net loss reported in the first quarter of 2009.  The greater loss in 2010 was caused by an increased provision for loan losses due to the previously discussed strengthening of the allowance for loan losses as a result of higher levels of non-performing and classified loans in 2010.  


The trust segment’s net income contribution amounted to $22,000 for the first quarter of 2010 compared to $144,000 for the same 2009 period.  The major reason for the decrease between years was due to less trust revenue as a result of declines experienced in the real estate markets during the past year.  Specifically, the most significant decline has been in the value of real-estate assets in the BUILD and ERECT Funds (funds that invest union pension dollars in construction projects that utilize union labor) where the market value of assets has declined from $269 million at March 31, 2009 to $192 million at March 31, 2010.  This segment has also experienced an increase in non-interest expenses due to increased legal, consulting fees and recruitment costs.


The investment/parent segment reported a net loss of $21,000 in the first quarter of 2010 compared to net income of $313,000 in the first quarter of 2009.  The weaker performance in 2010 reflects lower non-interest revenue and higher non-interest expense. For example, the Company only realized $65,000 of investment security gains in the first quarter of 2010 compared to gains of $101,000 realized in the first quarter of 2009.


.....BALANCE SHEET.....The Company's total consolidated assets were $961 million at March 31, 2010, which was down modestly by $9.2 million or 0.9% from the $970 million level at December 31, 2009. The Company’s loans totaled $713 million at March 31, 2010, a decrease of $10.0 million or 1.4% as a result of net portfolio run-off since year-end.  The Company plans to reduce its commercial real-estate loan concentration through the funding of fewer new commercial real-estate loans in 2010. Therefore, we expect that it will be difficult to grow the overall loan portfolio this year.  Investment securities and short-term money market investments increased by $5.5 million so far in 2010 due to some net principal repayments in the loan portfolio being reinvested in the investment securities portfolio.      

The Company’s deposits totaled $802 million at March 31, 2010, which was $16.2 million or 2.1% higher than December 31, 2009, due to an increase in money market deposits and certificates of deposit.  We believe that uncertainties in the economy have contributed to growth in our deposits as consumers have looked for safety in well capitalized community banks like AmeriServ Financial.  As a result of this deposit growth, we were able to reduce total FHLB borrowings by $26.3 million during the first quarter of 2010.  Total FHLB borrowings now represent only 2.6% of total assets compared to 5.3% at December 31, 2009.  The Company’s total shareholders’ equity has decreased by $861,000 since year-end 2009 mainly due to the net loss reported for the first quarter of 2010.  The Company continues to be considered well capitalized for regulatory purposes with an asset leverage ratio at March 31, 2010 of 11.01%. The Company’s tangible book value per common share at March 31, 2010 was $3.43, and its tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 7.70%.


.....LOAN QUALITY.....The following table sets forth information concerning the Company’s loan delinquency, non-performing assets, and classified assets (in thousands, except percentages):

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

 

2010

2009

2009

  Total loan delinquency (past

 

 

 

         due 30 to 89 days)

$  6,210

$  11,408

$  3,772

  Total non-accrual loans

 19,538

17,116

3,829

  Total non-performing assets*

20,322

  18,337

5,099

 

 

 

 

Loan delinquency, as a percentage

      of total loans and loans held for

      sale, net of unearned income



0.87%



1.58%



0.52%

   Non-accrual loans, as a percentage

        of total loans and loans held for

        sale, net of unearned income



2.74



2.37



0.53

  Non-performing assets, as a

        percentage of total loans and loans

        held for sale, net of unearned income,

        and other real estate owned




2.85




2.53




0.70

   Non-performing assets as a percentage

        of total assets


2.12


1.89


0.52

Total classified loans (loans rated substandard or doubtful)


54,618

  

48,689


24,145

        *Non-performing assets are comprised of (i) loans that are on a non-accrual basis, (ii) loans that are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest and principal payments, and (iii) other real estate owned.     

As a result of the recessionary economy, non-performing assets have trended upward over the past year and now total $20.3 million or 2.85% of total loans.  Three credits were primarily responsible for the increased level of non-performing assets: 1) In response to the Shared National Credit Examination, the Company transferred in the third quarter of 2009 a $9.1 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.  Recently, the borrower has resumed making normal principal and interest payments in accordance with the terms of the forbearance agreement.  A $3.5 million specific reserve has been established against this credit.  2) A $3.0 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 $1.1 million specific reserve has been established against this credit. 3) In the first quarter of 2010, the Company transferred a $5 million commercial real estate loan that is secured by newly constructed student housing into non-accrual status as the project has not yet stabilized to support the required principal payments on the loan.  The Company has established a $1.4 million specific reserve against this loan.  We are a participant in this loan with two larger banks, and our share represents 12.5% of the total loan balance.  We are currently working with the participant banks to develop a workout strategy for this credit.         


The remainder of the increase in classified loans was caused by the downgrade of the rating classification of several commercial loans that are experiencing operating weakness in the recessionary economy but are still performing.  These downgrades reflected the receipt of the most current financial data we could obtain from our commercial borrowers to determine what impact the recessionary economy had on their financial performance. We continue to closely monitor the portfolio given the weakness in the economy and the number of relatively large-sized commercial and commercial real estate loans within the portfolio.  As of March 31, 2010, the 25 largest credits represented 32.4% of total loans outstanding. Additionally, the Company had no performing loans that were considered restructured for the periods presented.


.....ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES.....The following table sets forth the allowance for loan losses and certain ratios for the periods ended (in thousands, except percentages):


 

March 31,  

December  31,

March 31,  

 

2010

2009

2009

Allowance for loan losses

$21,516

$19,685

$10,661

Allowance for loan losses as  

 

 

 

   a percentage of each of

 

 

 

   the following:

 

 

 

       total loans and loans held for sale,

 

 

 

         net of unearned income

         3.02%

      2.72%

1.47%

       total delinquent loans

 

 

 

         (past due 30 to 89 days)

   346.47

172.55

282.64

       total non-accrual loans

   110.12

115.01

278.43

       total non-performing assets

   105.88

107.35

209.08

  

The allowance for loan losses provided 110% coverage of non-accrual loans at March 31, 2010 compared to 115% coverage at December 31, 2009, and 278% coverage at March 31, 2009. The decline in coverage between periods reflects the previously discussed increase in non-accrual loans experienced during the first quarter of 2010.  The allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio increased to 3.02% since year-end 2009 as the loan loss provision exceeded net charge-offs in the first three months of 2010.  The Company decided to build its allowance for loan losses over the past year due to the increase in non-performing loans, the downgrade of the rating classification of numerous performing commercial loans, and the weakness in the local and national economies.


.....LIQUIDITY.....The Bank’s liquidity position has been strong during the last several years.  Our core retail deposit base remained stable throughout the early part of this period and has recently shown nice growth, which has been adequate to fund the Bank’s operations.  Cash flow from maturities, prepayments and amortization of securities was also used to either fund loan growth or paydown borrowings.  We plan to operate our loan to deposit ratio in a range of 85% to 95%.  At March 31, 2010, the bank’s loan to deposit ratio was 88.9%.


Liquidity can also be analyzed by utilizing the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $5.1 million from December 31, 2009, to March 31, 2010, due to $10.1 million of cash used in financing activities.  This was partially offset by $3.2 million of cash provided by operating activities and $1.8 million of cash provided by investing activities.  Within investing activities, cash used for new investment security purchases exceeded maturity and sales by $3.9 million.  Cash advanced for new loan fundings and purchases totaled $22.7 million and was $9.1 million lower than the $31.8 million of cash received from loan principal payments and sales.  Within financing activities, deposits increased by $16.5 million, which was used to help pay down short-term borrowings by $25.3 million.   


The Parent Company had a total of $18.4 million of cash, short-term investments, and securities at March 31, 2010, which was down $1.6 million from the year-end 2009 total.  We have elected to retain $14 million of the total $21 million in funds received from the CPP preferred stock at the Parent Company to provide us with greater liquidity and financial flexibility.  ($7 million of the CPP funds were downstreamed to our subsidiary bank since receipt of the money to help the bank maintain compliance with our own internal capital guidelines.)  Additionally, dividend payments from our subsidiaries can also provide ongoing cash to the Parent.  At March 31, 2010, however, the subsidiary bank was not permitted to upstream dividends to the Parent under the applicable regulatory formulas because of the loss it incurred in 2009.


.....CAPITAL RESOURCES.....The Company continues to be considered well capitalized as the asset leverage ratio was 11.01% and the risk based capital ratio was 15.52% at March 31, 2010. Note that the impact of other comprehensive loss is excluded from the regulatory capital ratios.  At March 31, 2010, accumulated other comprehensive loss amounted to $4.1 million.  The Company’s tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 7.70% at March 31, 2010.  We anticipate that our strong capital ratios should be relatively stable in 2010 due to the retention of all earnings and no expected balance sheet growth, which will be offset by preferred dividend requirements.  


Our decision to accept the $21 million CPP preferred stock investment in December 2008 did strengthen our capital ratios.  However as a result of this decision, for a period of three years we are no longer permitted to repurchase stock or declare and pay common dividends without the consent of the U.S. Treasury. The Company presently does not expect to repay any portion of the CPP preferred stock investment prior to 2012 given the uncertainties in the economy and the need for the subsidiary Bank to return to sustained profitability.  


.....INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY.....The following table presents an analysis of the sensitivity inherent in the Company’s net interest income and market value of portfolio equity.  The interest rate scenarios in the table compare the Company’s base forecast, which was prepared using a flat interest rate scenario, to scenarios that reflect immediate interest rate changes of 100 and 200 basis points.  Note that we suspended the 200 basis point downward rate shock since it has little value due to the absolute current low level of interest rates.  Each rate scenario contains unique prepayment and repricing assumptions that are applied to the Company’s existing balance sheet that was developed under the flat interest rate scenario.


Interest Rate

Scenario

Variability of Net Interest Income

Change In Market Value of Portfolio Equity

 

 

 

200bp increase

5.5%

4.6%

100bp increase

4.5

4.7

100bp decrease

                  (8.4)

(13.1)


The variability of net interest income is negative in the 100 basis point downward rate scenario as the Company has more exposure to assets repricing downward to a greater extent than liabilities due to the absolute low level of interest rates with the fed funds rate currently at 0.25%.  The variability of net interest income is positive in the upward rate shocks as the Company has better diversified its loan portfolio over the past year with the interest rate on more loans now tied to LIBOR.  Also, the Company expects that it will not have to reprice its core deposit accounts up as quickly when interest rates rise.  The market value of portfolio equity increases in the upward rate shocks due to the improved value of the Company’s core deposit base. Negative variability of market value of portfolio equity occurs in the downward rate shock due to a reduced value for core deposits.   

     

.....OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS…..The Bank incurs off-balance sheet risks in the normal course of business in order to meet the financing needs of its customers. These risks derive from commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such commitments and standby letters of credit involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to these commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by their contractual amounts. The Bank uses the same credit and collateral policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as for all other lending. The Company had various outstanding commitments to extend credit approximating $94.7 million and standby letters of credit of $11.7 million as of March 31, 2010.


.....CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES.....The accounting and reporting policies of the Company are in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and conform to general practices within the banking industry.  Accounting and reporting policies for the allowance for loan losses, goodwill, income taxes, and investment securities are deemed critical because they involve the use of estimates and require significant management judgments.  Application of assumptions that differ from actual performance could result in material changes in the Company’s financial position or results of operation.


Account Allowance for Loan Losses


Balance Sheet Reference Allowance for Loan Losses


Income Statement Reference – Provision for Loan Losses



Description


The allowance for loan losses is calculated with the objective of maintaining reserve levels believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated probable credit losses. Management’s determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on periodic evaluations of the credit portfolio and other relevant factors.  However, this evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates, including, among others, likelihood of customer default, loss given default, exposure at default, the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, value of collateral, estimated losses on consumer loans and residential mortgages, and general amounts for historical loss experience.  This process also considers economic conditions, uncertainties in estimating losses and inherent risks in the various credit portfolios.  All of these factors may be susceptible to significant change.  Also, the allocation of the allowance for credit losses to specific loan pools is based on historical loss trends and management’s judgment concerning those trends.


Commercial loans and commercial mortgages are the largest category of credits and the most sensitive to changes in assumptions and judgments underlying the determination of the allowance for loan loss.  Approximately $19.3 million, or 90%, of the total allowance for credit losses at March 31, 2010 has been allocated to these two loan categories.  This allocation also considers other relevant factors such as actual versus estimated losses, economic trends, delinquencies, concentrations of credit, trends in loan volume, experience and depth of management, examination and audit results, effects of any changes in lending policies and trends in policy, financial information and documentation exceptions. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provision for credit losses may be required that would adversely impact earnings in future periods.


Account — Goodwill and core deposit intangibles


Balance Sheet Reference — Goodwill and core deposit intangibles


Income Statement Reference Goodwill impairment and amortization of core deposit intangibles


Description


The Company considers our accounting policies related to goodwill and core deposit intangibles to be critical because the assumptions or judgment used in determining the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in past acquisitions are subjective and complex.  As a result, changes in these assumptions or judgment could have a significant impact on our financial condition or results of operations.


The fair value of acquired assets and liabilities, including the resulting goodwill, was based either on quoted market prices or provided by other third party sources, when available.  When third party information was not available, estimates were made in good faith by management primarily through the use of internal cash flow modeling techniques.  The assumptions that were used in the cash flow modeling were subjective and are susceptible to significant changes.  The Company routinely utilizes the services of an independent third party that is regarded within the banking industry as an expert in valuing core deposits to monitor the ongoing value and changes in the Company’s core deposit base.  These core deposit valuation updates are based upon specific data provided from statistical analysis of the bank’s own deposit behavior to estimate the duration of these non-maturity deposits combined with market interest rates and other economic factors.


Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible elements in the business acquired.  The Company’s goodwill relates to value inherent in the banking business and the value is dependent upon the Company’s ability to provide quality, cost-effective services in the face of free competition from other market participants on a regional basis.  This ability relies upon continuing investments in processing systems, the development of value-added service features and the ease of use of the Company’s services.  As such, goodwill value is supported ultimately by revenue that is driven by the volume of business transacted and the loyalty of the Company’s depositors over a longer time frame.  The quality and value of a Company’s assets is also an important factor to consider when performing goodwill impairment testing.  A decline in earnings as a result of a lack of growth or the inability to deliver cost-effective value added services over sustained periods can lead to impairment of goodwill.


Goodwill which has an indefinite useful life is tested for impairment at least annually and written down and charged to results of operations only in periods in which the recorded value is more than the estimated fair value.  The Company’s testing in 2009 indicated that its goodwill was not impaired.  However, deteriorating economic conditions could result in impairment, which would adversely affect earnings in future periods.  During the third quarter of 2009, the Company did reduce the goodwill allocated to West Chester Capital Advisors (WCCA) by $547,000.  This reduction resulted from a purchase price adjustment as the principals of WCCA did not fully earn a deferred contingent payment that had been accrued for at the time of acquisition.     


Account — Income Taxes


Balance Sheet Reference — Deferred Tax Asset and Current Taxes Payable

Income Statement Reference — Provision for Income Taxes


Description


The provision for income taxes is the sum of income taxes both currently payable and deferred. The changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the changes in differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the basis of assets and liabilities as measured by the enacted tax rates that management estimates will be in effect when the differences reverse.  


In relation to recording the provision for income taxes, management must estimate the future tax rates applicable to the reversal of tax differences, make certain assumptions regarding whether tax differences are permanent or temporary and the related time of expected reversal.  Also, estimates are made as to whether taxable operating income in future periods will be sufficient to fully recognize any gross deferred tax assets.  If recovery is not likely, we must increase our provision for taxes by recording a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that we estimate will not ultimately be recoverable.   Alternatively, we may make estimates about the potential usage of deferred tax assets that decrease our valuation allowances.  As of March 31, 2010, we believe that all of the deferred tax assets recorded on our balance sheet will ultimately be recovered and no valuation allowances were needed.


In addition, the calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations.  We recognize liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due.  If we ultimately determine that payment of these amounts is unnecessary, we reverse the liability and recognize a tax benefit during the period in which we determine that the liability is no longer necessary.  We record an additional charge in our provision for taxes in the period in which we determine that the recorded tax liability is less than we expect the ultimate assessment to be.  


ACCOUNT Investment Securities


BALANCE SHEET REFERENCE — Investment Securities


INCOME STATEMENT REFERENCE — Net realized gains (losses) on investment securities  


DESCRIPTION


Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities are reviewed quarterly for possible other-than-temporary impairment.  The review includes an analysis of the facts and circumstances of each individual investment such as the severity of loss, the length of time the fair value has been below cost, the expectation for that security’s performance, the creditworthiness of the issuer and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security to recovery.  A decline in value that is considered to be other-than-temporary is recorded as a loss within non-interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  At March 31, 2010, all of the unrealized losses in the available-for-sale security portfolio were comprised of securities issued by government agencies, the U.S. Treasury or government sponsored agencies.  The Company believes the unrealized losses are primarily a result of increases in market yields from the time of purchase.  In general, as market yields rise, the fair value of securities will decrease; as market yields fall, the fair value of securities will increase.   Management generally views changes in fair value caused by changes in interest rates as temporary; therefore, these securities have not been classified as other-than-temporarily impaired.  Management has also concluded that based on current information we expect to continue to receive scheduled interest payments as well as the entire principal balance.  Furthermore, management does not intend to sell these securities and does not believe it will be required to sell these securities before they recover in value.









.....FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT.....


THE STRATEGIC FOCUS:


The challenge for the future is to improve earnings performance to peer levels through a disciplined focus on community banking and improving the profitability of our Trust Company.  In accordance with our strategic plan, AmeriServ will maintain its focus as a community bank delivering banking and trust services to the best of our ability. This Company will not succumb to the lure of quick fixes and fancy financial gimmicks.  It is our plan to continue to build AmeriServ into a potent banking force in this region and in this industry.  Our focus encompasses the following:


• Customer Service - it is the existing and prospective customer that AmeriServ must satisfy. This means good products and fair prices. But it also means quick response time and professional competence.  It means speedy problem resolution and a minimizing of bureaucratic frustrations.  AmeriServ is training and motivating its staff to meet these standards.


• Revenue Growth - It is necessary for AmeriServ to focus on growing revenues. This means loan growth, deposit growth and fee growth. It also means close coordination between all customer service areas so as many revenue producing products as possible can be presented to existing and prospective customers. The Company’s Strategic Plan contains action plans in each of these areas. This challenge will be met by seeking to exceed customer expectations in every area. An examination of the peer bank database provides ample proof that a well executed community banking business model can generate a reliable and rewarding revenue stream.


• Expense Rationalization – despite the set back in 2009 due to higher FDIC insurance and OREO expense, AmeriServ Financial remains focused on trying to rationalize expenses.  This has not been a program of broad based cuts, but has been targeted so AmeriServ stays strong but spends less. However, this initiative takes on new importance because it is critical to be certain that future expenditures are directed to areas that are playing a positive role in the drive to improve revenues.


This Form 10-Q contains various forward-looking statements and includes assumptions concerning the Company’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates, intentions, operations, future results, and prospects, including statements that include the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and are subject to risk and uncertainties. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company provides the following cautionary statement identifying important factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) which could cause the actual results or events to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by the forward-looking statements and related assumptions.


Such factors include the following: (i) the effect of changing regional and national economic conditions; (ii) the effects of trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (iii) significant changes in interest rates and prepayment speeds; (iv) inflation, stock and bond market, and monetary fluctuations; (v) credit risks of commercial, real estate, consumer, and other lending activities; (vi) changes in federal and state banking and financial services laws and regulations; (vii) the presence in the Company’s market area of competitors with greater financial resources than the Company; (viii) the timely development of competitive new products and services by the Company and the acceptance of those products and services by customers and regulators (when required); (ix) the willingness of customers to substitute competitors’ products and services for those of the Company and vice versa; (x) changes in consumer spending and savings habits; (xi) unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings; and (xii) other external developments which could materially impact the Company’s operational and financial performance.


The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive, and neither such list nor any forward-looking statement takes into account the impact that any future acquisition may have on the Company and on any such forward-looking statement.


Item 3.....QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK.....The Company manages market risk, which for the Company is primarily interest rate risk, through its asset liability management process and committee.  For a further discussion, see the Interest Rate Sensitivity section of this M.D. & A.  


Item 4T.....CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.....(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  The Company’s management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and the operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2010, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer along with the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2010, are effective.


(b) Changes in Internal Controls.  There have been no changes in AmeriServ Financial Inc.’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


Part II     Other Information


Item 1.   Legal Proceedings


There are no material proceedings to which the Company or any of our subsidiaries is a party or by which, to the Company’s’ knowledge, we, or any of our subsidiaries, is threatened.  All legal proceedings presently pending or threatened against the Company or our subsidiaries involve routine litigation incidental to our business or that of the subsidiary involved and are not material in respect to the amount in controversy.





Item 1A.   Risk Factors


There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.


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


As a result of the decision by the Company to accept a preferred stock investment under the U.S. Treasury’s CPP, for a period of three years the Company is no longer permitted to repurchase stock or declare and pay dividends on common stock without the consent of the U.S. Treasury.


Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities


   None


Item 4.   (Removed and Reserved)


Item 5.   Other Information


   None





























Item 6.   Exhibits

 

 3.1

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation as amended through December 23,2009, (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 23, 2009).

 

 

 3.2

Bylaws, as amended and restated on December 17, 2009, (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 23, 2009).

 

 

 3.3

Certificate of Designation of Rights of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series D (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.)

 

 

15.1

Report of S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. regarding unaudited interim financial statement

information.

 

 

31.1

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

31.2

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32.1

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32.2

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   

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


 

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.  

 

Registrant

 

 

Date: May 6, 2010

/s/Glenn L. Wilson

 

Glenn L. Wilson

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Date: May 6, 2010

/s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

 

Jeffrey A. Stopko

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer





8





Exhibit 99.1



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



Audit Committee

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.


We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2010; the related consolidated statements of operations and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.


We conducted our review in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.


Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying financial statements for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.


We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated February 26, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.



/s/S.R. Snodgrass, A.C.



Wexford, PA

May 7, 2010









9





Exhibit 15.1



May 7, 2010




AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

216 Franklin Street

PO Box 520

Johnstown, PA 15907-0520


We have reviewed, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the unaudited interim financial information of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. for the period ended March 31, 2010, as indicated in our report dated May 7, 2010.  Because we did not perform an audit, we expressed no opinion on that information.


We are aware that our report referred to above, which is included in your Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, is incorporated by reference in the following Registration Statements:


Registration Statement No. 33-56604 on Form S-3

Registration Statement No. 33-53935 on Form S-8

Registration Statement No. 33-55207 on Form S-8

Registration Statement No. 33-55211 on Form S-8

Registration Statement No. 333-67600 on Form S-8

Registration Statement No. 333-50225 on Form S-3

Registration Statement No. 333-121215 on Form S-3

Registration Statement No. 333-129009 on Form S-3


We are also aware that the aforementioned report, pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, is not considered a part of the Registration Statement prepared or certified by an accountant or a report prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.


Sincerely,


/s/S.R. Snodgrass, A.C.












10





Exhibit 31.1       

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14 AND 15d-14 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF

1934 AND SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


I, Glenn L. Wilson, certify that:


1.  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (ASF);


2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;


3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of ASF as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;


4.  ASF’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for ASF and have:


(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to ASF, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of ASF's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in ASF's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during ASF's most recent fiscal quarter (ASF's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, ASF's internal control over financial reporting; and


5.  ASF's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to ASF's auditors and the audit committee of ASF's board of directors:


(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect ASF's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in ASF's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: May 7, 2010

/s/Glenn L. Wilson

 

Glenn L. Wilson

 

President & CEO





11





Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14 AND 15d-14 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF

1934 AND SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


I, Jeffrey A. Stopko, certify that:


1.  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (ASF);


2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;


3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of ASF as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;


4.  ASF’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for ASF and have:


(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to ASF, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of ASF's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in ASF's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during ASF's most recent fiscal quarter (ASF's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, ASF's internal control over financial reporting; and


5.  ASF's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to ASF's auditors and the audit committee of ASF's board of directors:


(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect ASF's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in ASF's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: May 7, 2010

/s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

 

Jeffrey A. Stopko

 

Executive Vice President & CFO





12





Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Quarterly Report of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Glenn L. Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:


1).

The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and


2).

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.



/s/Glenn L. Wilson

Glenn L. Wilson

President and

Chief Executive Officer

May 7, 2010

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Quarterly Report of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jeffrey A. Stopko, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:


1).

The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and


2).

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.



/s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

Jeffrey A. Stopko

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

May 7, 2010





13