SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION





SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549


Form 8-K


Current Report

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


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 15, 2014


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.

(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania        0-11204        25-1424278

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

jurisdiction        File Number)   Identification No.)

of Incorporation)


Main and Franklin Streets, Johnstown, Pa.  15901

(address or principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)


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


N/A

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


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

simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under

any of the following provisions:


( ) Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities

Act (17 CFR 230.425)


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

Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


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

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


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

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

















Form 8-K


Item 2.02 Results of operation and financial condition.


AMERISERV FINANCIAL Inc. (the "Registrant") announced second quarter and first six months 2014 results through June 30, 2014.  For a more detailed description of the announcement see the press release attached as Exhibit #99.1.  


Exhibits

--------


Exhibit 99.1

Press release dated July 15, 2014, announcing the second quarter and first six months 2014 results through June 30, 2014.



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



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.


By /s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

Jeffrey A. Stopko

Executive Vice President

& CFO


Date: July 15, 2014







Exhibit 99.1



AMERISERV FINANCIAL REPORTS EARNINGS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER AND FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2014   


JOHNSTOWN, PA – AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASRV) reported second quarter 2014 net income available to common shareholders of $927,000, or $0.05 per diluted common share.  This compares to net income available to common shareholders of $1,018,000, or $0.05 per diluted common share, reported for the second quarter of 2013.  For the six month period ended June 30, 2014, the Company reported net income available to common shareholders of $1,804,000, or $0.10 per diluted share.  When compared to the first six months of 2013, net income available to common shareholders was down by $218,000 or 10.8% while diluted earnings per share declined by a lesser amount of $0.01, or 9.1%, as total shares outstanding were lower in 2014 due to the success of the Company’s common stock repurchase program which was completed in the second quarter of 2013.  The following table highlights the Company’s financial performance for both the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:

          

 

Second Quarter 2014

Second Quarter 2013

 

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2014

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$979,000

$1,070,000

 

$1,909,000

$2,126,000

Net income available to common

shareholders


$927,000


$1,018,000

 


$1,804,000


$2,022,000

Diluted earnings per share

          $ 0.05

          $ 0.05

 

                   $ 0.10

$0.11


Glenn L. Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the second quarter 2014 financial results: “Our strategic focus on growing our loan portfolio while maintaining strong asset quality continues to show favorable results.  Over the past twelve months, we have increased total loans by $53 million, or 7.10%, to a record level of $805 million.  This has been an important factor contributing to the growth in net interest income that AmeriServ Financial has achieved so far in 2014.  Additionally, our asset quality metrics continue to be outstanding as non-performing assets are only 0.56% of total loans and our allowance for loan losses provided 256% coverage of non-performing loans at June 30, 2014.”  


The Company’s net interest income in the second quarter of 2014 increased by $363,000, or 4.5%, from the prior year’s second quarter and for the first six months of 2014 increased by $846,000, or 5.3%, when compared to the first six months of 2013.  The Company’s net interest margin of 3.52% for the first six months of 2014 was two basis points lower than the net interest margin of 3.54% for the first half of 2013.  There was a similar net interest margin decline of three basis points when the second quarter of 2014 is compared to the prior year second quarter.  We believe that this performance demonstrates that the recent pace of net interest margin contraction has slowed from the pace of margin decline experienced over the previous two years.  The Company has been able to mitigate this net interest margin pressure and to increase net interest income by both growing its earning assets and reducing its cost of funds. Specifically, the earning asset growth has occurred in the loan portfolio as total loans averaged $791 million in the first half of 2014 which is $63 million, or 8.7%, higher than the $728 million average for the first half of 2013.  This loan growth reflects the successful results of the Company’s more intensive sales calling efforts, with an emphasis on generating commercial loans and owner occupied commercial real estate loans, which qualify as Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF) loans, particularly through its loan production offices.  As a result of this growth in SBLF qualified loans, the Company has locked in the lowest preferred dividend rate available under the program of 1% until the first quarter of 2016.  Interest income in 2014 has also benefitted from reduced premium amortization on mortgage backed securities due to slower mortgage prepayment speeds.  Total interest expense for the first six months of 2014 declined by $97,000 from the first six months of 2013 due to the Company’s proactive efforts to reduce deposit costs.  Even with this reduction in deposit costs, the Company still experienced growth in deposits which reflects the loyalty of our core deposit base and ongoing efforts to cross sell new loan customers into deposit products.  Specifically, total deposits averaged a record level of $866 million for the first half of 2014 which is $28 million, or 3.3%, higher than the $839 million average in the first half of 2013.    


The Company did not record a provision for loan losses in the second quarter of 2014 as compared to a $150,000 provision recorded in the second quarter of 2013.  For the six month period in 2014, the Company also did not record a provision for loan losses compared to a $100,000 negative provision in the first six months of 2013.  The Company continued to maintain outstanding asset quality in the first half of 2014.  At June 30, 2014, non-performing assets totaled $4.5 million, or 0.56%, of total loans which is comparable with the level they have averaged for the past six quarters.  The Company experienced net loan recoveries in both the second quarter of 2014 and 2013.  For the six month periods, there were modest net loan recoveries of $46,000, or 0.01%, of total loans in 2014 compared to net loan charge-offs of $1.3 million, or 0.37% of total loans in 2013.  When determining the provision for loan losses, the Company considers a number of factors, some of which include periodic credit reviews, non-performing assets, loan delinquency and charge-off trends, concentrations of credit, loan volume trends and broader local and national economic trends.  In summary, the allowance for loan losses provided a strong 256% coverage of non-performing loans, and was 1.26% of total loans at June 30, 2014, compared to 327% of non-performing loans, and 1.29% of total loans, at December 31, 2013.


Total non-interest income in the second quarter of 2014 decreased by $437,000, or 10.7%, from the prior year’s second quarter and for the first six months of 2014 decreased by $721,000, or 9.1%, when compared to the first six months of 2013.  The 2014 declines reflect reduced revenue from residential mortgage banking activities due to lower refinance activity as a result of higher mortgage rates and reduced purchase activity particularly in the first quarter of 2014.  This caused gains realized on residential mortgage loan sales into the secondary market and other mortgage related fees to decrease by a total of $138,000 for the second quarter and $507,000 for the first six months of 2014.  Other factors contributing to the non-interest income decline in the second quarter of 2014 included a $203,000 decrease in bank owned life insurance revenue due to the receipt of a death claim in the prior year and a $78,000 loss realized on the sale of an other real estate owned property which contributed to the decline in other income in the second quarter of 2014.  For the six month period, these negative items were partially offset by increased fees from our trust and wealth management businesses and increased gains realized on the sale of investment securities.  Specifically, trust and investment advisory fees increased by $100,000, or 2.6%, for first half of 2014 due to increased assets under management which reflects both successful new business development activities and market appreciation of existing assets.  Gains realized on the sale of investment securities increased by $106,000 for the first six months of 2014 as the Company took advantage of market opportunities to sell certain rapidly prepaying mortgage backed securities.  At June 30, 2014, the Company’s available for sale investment securities portfolio still had a market value that exceeded its book value by approximately $3.0 million.


Total non-interest expense in the second quarter of 2014 increased by $178,000, or 1.7%, from the prior year’s second quarter and for the first six months of 2014 increased by $294,000, or 1.4%, when compared to the first six months of 2013.  Salaries and employee benefits were down modestly between periods as the benefits of lower pension expense and incentive compensation expense were partially offset by increased health insurance premiums.  Professional fees increased by $314,000 in the second quarter of 2014 and $587,000 for the six month period due to higher legal costs and new recurring costs related to outsourcing our computer operations and statement processing to a third party vendor.  The overall cost savings benefit from outsourcing these services is captured in lower personnel costs in these departments and reduced software expense which is a key factor contributing to the decline in other expenses of $75,000 for the second quarter and $322,000 for the six month period in 2014.  Finally, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $812,000, or an effective tax rate of 29.8%, in the first half of 2014 compared to income tax expense of $864,000, or an effective tax rate of 28.9%, for the first half of 2013.  The effective tax rate was modestly lower in 2013 due to an increased level of tax free earnings from bank owned life insurance.


The Company had total assets of $1.06 billion, shareholders’ equity of $116 million, a book value of $5.05 per common share and a tangible book value of $4.38 per common share at June 30, 2014.  The Company has increased its tangible book value per share by 8.7% over the past twelve months.  The Company continued to maintain strong capital ratios that exceed the regulatory defined well capitalized status with a risk based capital ratio of 15.23%, an asset leverage ratio of 11.56% and a tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 7.83% at June 30, 2014.

 

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


Nasdaq: ASRV

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DATA

June 30, 2014

(In thousands, except per share and ratio data)

(Unaudited)


2014

 

1QTR

2QTR

YEAR

 

 

 

TO DATE

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

 

 

 

Net income

$930

$979

$1,909

Net income available to common shareholders

877

927

1,804

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

 

 

 

Return on average assets

0.36%

0.37%

0.37%

Return on average equity

3.30

3.41

3.35

Net interest margin

3.56

3.47

3.52

Net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percentage

    of average loans


-


(0.02)


(0.01)

Loan loss provision (credit) as a percentage of

    average loans


-


-


-

Efficiency ratio

89.02

88.29

88.66

 

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

Basic

$0.05

$0.05

$0.10

Average number of common shares outstanding

18,786

18,795

18,790

Diluted

0.05

0.05

0.10

Average number of common shares outstanding

18,904

18,936

18,920

Cash dividends declared

$0.01

$0.01

$0.02


2013

 

1QTR

2QTR

YEAR

 

 

 

TO DATE

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

 

 

 

Net income

$1,056

$1,070

$2,126

Net income available to common shareholders

1,004

1,018

2,022

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

 

 

 

Return on average assets

0.43%

0.43%

0.43%

Return on average equity

3.86

3.86

3.86

Net interest margin

3.59

3.50

3.54

Net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percentage

    of average loans


0.76


(0.02)


0.37

Loan loss provision (credit) as a percentage of

    average loans


(0.14)


0.08


(0.03)

Efficiency ratio

89.52

86.28

87.89

 

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

Basic

$0.05

$0.05

$0.11

Average number of common shares outstanding

19,168

19,039

19,103

Diluted

0.05

0.05

0.11

Average number of common shares outstanding

19,257

19,128

19,192

Cash dividends declared

$0.00

$0.01

$0.01


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

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

(Unaudited)


2014

 

1QTR

2QTR

 

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION  DATA AT PERIOD END

 

 

 

 

Assets

$1,051,108

$1,063,717

 

 

Short-term investments/overnight funds

9,019

8,013

 

 

Investment securities

154,754

153,603

 

 

Loans and loans held for sale

789,620

804,675

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

10,109

10,150

 

 

Goodwill

12,613

12,613

 

 

Deposits

875,333

873,908

 

 

FHLB borrowings

40,483

52,677

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

114,590

115,946

 

 

Non-performing assets

3,274

4,469

 

 

Asset leverage ratio

11.50%

11.56%

 

 

Tangible common equity ratio

7.80

7.83

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

Book value (A)

$4.97

$5.05

 

 

Tangible book value (A)

4.31

4.38

 

 

Market value

3.85

3.48

 

 

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

$1,692,663

$1,873,996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

 

 

 

 

Full-time equivalent employees

347

345

 

 

Branch locations

18

17

 

 

Common shares outstanding

18,793,388

18,794,888

 

 


2013

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

FINANCIAL CONDITION  DATA AT PERIOD END

 

 

 

 

Assets

$999,718

$1,025,084

$1,038,144

$1,056,036

Short-term investments/overnight funds

23,995

9,291

8,646

9,778

Investment securities

162,866

168,284

167,110

160,165

Loans and loans held for sale

717,852

751,522

763,681

786,748

Allowance for loan losses

10,960

11,145

11,183

10,104

Goodwill

12,613

12,613

12,613

12,613

Deposits

847,189

840,272

852,211

854,522

FHLB borrowings

16,000

50,292

52,096

66,555

Shareholders’ equity

111,445

109,282

110,370

113,307

Non-performing assets

4,387

5,027

5,037

4,109

Asset leverage ratio

11.58%

11.52%

11.44%

11.45%

Tangible common equity ratio

7.88

7.47

7.48

7.64

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

Book value (A)

$4.72

$4.70

$4.76

$4.91

Tangible book value (A)

4.06

4.03

4.09

4.24

Market value

3.13

2.74

3.15

3.03

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

$1,566,236

$1,562,366

$1,599,402

$1,668,654

 

 

 

 

 

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

 

 

 

 

Full-time equivalent employees

357

360

358

352

Branch locations

18

18

18

18

Common shares outstanding

19,168,188

18,784,188

18,784,188

18,784,188

NOTES:

(A)

Preferred stock of $21 million received through the Small Business Lending Fund is excluded from the book value per

common share and tangible book value per common share calculations.

        (B) Not recognized on the consolidated balance sheets.


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


2014

 

1QTR

2QTR

YEAR

INTEREST INCOME

 

 

TO DATE

Interest and fees on loans

$9,032

$8,939

$17,971

Interest on investments

1,063

1,044

2,107

Total Interest Income

10,095

9,983

20,078

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

Deposits

1,211

1,240

2,451

All borrowings

359

359

718

Total Interest Expense

1,570

1,599

3,169

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

8,525

8,384

16,909

Provision (credit) for loan losses

-

-

-

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER

   PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR LOAN

   LOSSES



8,525



8,384



16,909

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

Trust and investment advisory fees

2,032

1,948

3,980

Service charges on deposit accounts

478

501

979

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

101

171

272

Mortgage related fees

117

160

277

Net realized gains on investment securities

57

120

177

Bank owned life insurance

187

185

372

Other income

560

553

1,113

Total Non-Interest Income

3,532

3,638

7,170

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

6,314

6,107

12,421

Net occupancy expense

839

717

1,556

Equipment expense

470

494

964

Professional fees

1,308

1,464

2,772

FDIC deposit insurance expense

160

154

314

Other expenses

1,647

1,684

3,331

Total Non-Interest Expense

10,738

10,620

21,358

 

 

 

 

PRETAX INCOME

1,319

1,402

2,721

Income tax expense

389

423

812

NET INCOME

930

979

1,909

Preferred stock dividends

53

52

105

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS


$877


$927


$1,804


2013

 

1QTR

2QTR

YEAR

INTEREST INCOME

 

 

TO DATE

Interest and fees on loans

$8,628

$8,590

$17,218

Interest on investments

1,074

1,037

2,111

Total Interest Income

9,702

9,627

19,329

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

Deposits

1,350

1,288

2,638

All borrowings

310

318

628

Total Interest Expense

1,660

1,606

3,266

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

8,042

8,021

16,063

Provision (credit) for loan losses

(250)

150

(100)

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER

   PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR LOAN

   LOSSES



8,292



7,871



16,163

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

Trust and investment advisory fees

1,881

1,999

3,880

Service charges on deposit accounts

511

538

1,049

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

386

241

627

Mortgage related fees

201

228

429

Net realized gains on investment securities

71

-

71

Bank owned life insurance

201

388

589

Other income

565

681

1,246

Total Non-Interest Income

3,816

4,075

7,891

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

6,331

6,176

12,507

Net occupancy expense

773

751

1,524

Equipment expense

455

455

910

Professional fees

1,035

1,150

2,185

FDIC deposit insurance expense

134

151

285

Other expenses

1,894

1,759

3,653

Total Non-Interest Expense

10,622

10,442

21,064

 

 

 

 

PRETAX INCOME

1,486

1,504

2,990

Income tax expense

430

434

864

NET INCOME

1,056

1,070

2,126

Preferred stock dividends

52

52

104

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS


$1,004


$1,018


$2,022


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

Nasdaq: ASRV

Average Balance Sheet Data (In thousands)

(Unaudited)


2014

2013

 

 

SIX

 

SIX

 

2QTR

MONTHS

2QTR

MONTHS

Interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income

$795,233

$791,270

$728,189

$727,846

Deposits with banks

7,512

6,749

9,511

8,324

Short-term investment in money market funds

2,296

3,231

5,702

5,057

Total investment securities

157,348

160,069

169,482

166,559

Total interest earning assets

962,389

961,319

912,884

907,786

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

15,267

15,618

16,470

16,845

Premises and equipment

13,194

13,171

12,799

12,475

Other assets

69,538

69,689

75,924

78,961

Allowance for loan losses

(10,122)

(10,132)

(10,989)

(11,768)

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$1,050,266

$1,049,665

$1,007,088

$1,004,299

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing demand

$100,249

$91,433

$74,721

$68,850

Savings

89,871

89,202

88,919

88,058

Money market

229,626

229,170

208,050

210,626

Other time

304,022

303,583

309,318

311,667

Total interest bearing deposits

723,768

713,388

681,008

679,201

Borrowings:

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings

7,249

18,441

12,067

9,966

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

30,378

28,544

16,000

15,774

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

13,085

13,085

13,085

13,085

Total interest bearing liabilities

774,480

773,458

722,160

718,026

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

  Demand deposits

152,976

152,894

160,773

159,512

  Other liabilities

7,582

8,519

12,860

15,634

Shareholders’ equity

115,228

114,794

111,295

111,127

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$1,050,266

$1,049,665

$1,007,088

$1,004,299