Unassociated Document
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

x
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009
OR
¨
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from _______________ to ______________________

Commission File Number: 000-31957

FIRST FEDERAL OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                    Maryland               
32-0135202
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification Number)

100 S. Second Avenue, Alpena, Michigan
49707
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Zip Code

(989) 356-9041
(Registrant's telephone number)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
 
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(Title of Class)
 
(Name of Exchange of Which Registered)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past twelve 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.
YES x.   NO o.

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 o.   NO o.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or nay amendments to this Form 10-K.  x.

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

 Large accelerated filer  o
Accelerated filer o
Non-Accelerated filer  o
Smaller reporting company x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-know seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    YES o.   NO x.

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the last sale price on June 30, 2009 ($2.20 per share) was $5.5 million.

As of March 31, 2010, there were issued and outstanding 2,884,249 shares of the registrant's common stock.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 
1.
Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Parts I and  III).
 
2.
Annual Report to Shareholders for the Year Ended December 31, 2009 (Part II).

 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
   
     
ITEM 1
BUSINESS
  3
ITEM 1A
RISK FACTORS
  33
ITEM 1B
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
  37
ITEM 2
PROPERTIES
  37
ITEM 3
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
  37
ITEM 4
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 38
     
PART II
   
     
ITEM 5
MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHODLER MATTERS AND REGISTRANT’S PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
  38
ITEM 6
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
  38
ITEM 7
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
  38
ITEM 7A
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
  38
ITEM 8
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
  38
ITEM 9
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
  38
ITEM 9A(T)
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
  39
ITEM 9B
OTHER INFORMATION
  40
     
PART III
   
     
ITEM 10
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
  40
ITEM 11
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
  40
ITEM 12
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BEENFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
  40
ITEM 13
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
  40
ITEM 14
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
  40
     
PART IV
   
     
ITEM 15
EXHIBITS
  41
 
SIGNATURES
 

 
2

 
 
PART I

ITEM 1.            BUSINESS

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Safe Harbor Statement

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “seek,” ”expect,” “will,” “may,” and words of similar meaning.   These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

 
·
statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;

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

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

 
·
estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.

These forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. We are under no duty to and do not take any obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this Form 10-K.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements:

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

 
·
competition among depository and other financial institutions;

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

 
·
changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements;

 
·
our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities;

 
·
our ability to successfully integrate acquired entities;

 
·
changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

 
·
changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commissions and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;

 
·
changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans;

 
·
changes in our financial condition or results of operations that reduce capital available to pay dividends;

 
·
regulatory changes or actions; and

 
·
changes in the financial condition or future prospects of issuers of securities that we own.

 
3

 

Because of these and a wide variety of other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements.
 
First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc.

First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. is a Maryland corporation that owns all of the outstanding shares of common stock of First Federal of Northern Michigan.  At December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. had consolidated assets of $233.5 million, deposits of $158.1 million and stockholders’ equity  of $23.1 million.  As of December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. had 2,884,249 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.  First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc.’s executive offices are located at 100 South Second Avenue, Alpena, Michigan 49707. Its phone number at that address is (989) 356-9041.

The Company also maintains a website at www.first-federal.com that includes important information on our Company, including a list of our products and services, branch location and current financial information. In addition, we make available, without charge, through our website, a link to our filings with the SEC, including copies of annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports in Form 10-Q, current reports in Form 8-K, and amendments to these filings, if any. Information on our website should not be considered a part of this Annual Report.

First Federal of Northern Michigan

First Federal of Northern Michigan is a full-service, community-oriented savings bank that provides financial services to individuals, families and businesses from eight full-service facilities located in Alpena, Cheboygan, Emmett, Iosco, Otsego, Montmorency and Oscoda Counties, Michigan.  First Federal of Northern Michigan was chartered in 1957, and reorganized into the mutual holding company structure in 1994. In 2000, First Federal of Northern Michigan became the wholly owned subsidiary of Alpena Bancshares, Inc., our predecessor company, and in April 2005 we completed our “second step” mutual-to-stock conversion and formed our current ownership structure.

First Federal of Northern Michigan’s business consists primarily of accepting deposits from the general public and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, in one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans, consumer loans and in investment securities and mortgage-backed securities.

First Federal of Northern Michigan’s executive offices are located at 100 South Second Avenue, Alpena, Michigan 49707. Its phone number at that address is (989) 356-9041.

Market Area and Competition

First Federal of Northern Michigan conducts operations through its main office in Alpena, Michigan, which is located in the northeastern lower peninsula of Michigan, and through its seven other branch offices in Michigan.  The population of Alpena County, from which the majority of our deposits are drawn, has decreased approximately 5.7% since 2000, and currently is approximately 30,000. The population of our primary market area, which includes Alpena County and seven surrounding counties, was approximately 182,000 in 2008, and has remained relatively stable from 2000 to 2008, but decreased by approximately 1,400, or less than 1%, from 2007 to 2008.  The latest available per capita income for our market area was $28,551, which was 22.2% less than the national level, and 15.5% less than the state of Michigan as a whole, reflecting the largely rural nature of our market area and the absence of more densely populated urban and suburban areas.  Per capita income levels are not expected to increase in our market area in the near future.  The unemployment rate in our primary market area was 15.2% at December 31, 2009, compared to 10.0 nationally and 14.5% for the state of Michigan.

Alpena is the largest city located in the northeastern lower peninsula of Michigan.  This area has long been associated with agricultural, wood and concrete industries.  Tourism has also been a major industry in our primary market area.  All of these industries tend to be seasonal and are strongly affected by state and national economic conditions.

Major employers in our primary market area include various public schools and governmental agencies, Alpena Regional Medical Center, Besser Company (a manufacturer of concrete products equipment), Lafarge Corporation (a limestone mining and cement producer), Panel Processing (a peg board manufacturer), Treetops Sylvan Resort (an operator of resort properties), Garland Resort (an operator of resort properties and golf courses), Otsego Memorial Hospital, Cheboygan Memorial Hospital, Decorative Panels International (a hardboard manufacturer), OMNI   Metalcraft Corp. (a diversified manufacturer), and various other small companies.

 
4

 

As of December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan was the only thrift institution headquartered in our market area.  We encounter strong competition both in attracting deposits and in originating real estate and other loans.  Our most direct competition for deposits has historically come from commercial banks, other savings institutions, and credit unions in our market area.  Competition for loans comes from such financial institutions. We expect continued strong competition in the foreseeable future, including the “super-regional” banks currently in our markets, from internet banks, and from credit unions in many of our markets.  We compete for savings deposits by offering depositors a high level of personal service and a wide range of competitively priced financial products.  In recent years, additional strong competition for deposits has come from securities brokers.  We compete for real estate loans primarily on the basis of the interest rates and fees we charge and through advertising.  Strong competition for deposits and loans may limit our ability to grow and may adversely affect our profitability in the future.

Lending Activities

General.  The largest part of our loan portfolio is mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family residential real estate.  In recent years, we have sold into the secondary mortgage market most of the fixed-rate conventional one- to four-family mortgage loans that we originate that have terms of 15 years or more.  We retain the servicing on a majority of the mortgage loans that we sell.  To a lesser extent, we also originate commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and consumer loans.  At December 31, 2009, we had total loans of $175.2 million, of which $81.2 million, or 46.3% were one- to four-family residential real estate mortgage loans, $430,000, or 0.2% of total loans, were residential construction loans, $55.8 million, or 31.9% were commercial real estate loans, and $9.9 million, or 5.6%, were commercial loans.  Other loans consisted primarily of home equity loans, which totaled  $18.7 million, or 10.7% of total loans, commercial construction loans which totaled $6.6 million or 3.8% of total loans, and other consumer loans which totaled $2.6 million, or 1.5% of total loans.

One- to Four-Family Residential Real Estate Lending.  Our primary lending activity consists of originating one- to four-family owner-occupied residential mortgage loans, virtually all of which are collateralized by properties located in our market area. We also originate one- to four-family loans that pay interest only during the initial construction period (which generally does not exceed twelve months) and then pay interest and principal for the remainder of the loan term. We generally sell into the secondary mortgage market most of our one- to four-family fixed-rate mortgage loans with terms of 15 years or more and retain the loan servicing on a majority of these mortgage loans.  One- to four-family residential mortgage loans are underwritten and originated according to policies and guidelines established by the secondary mortgage market agencies and approved by our Board of Directors.  We utilize existing liquidity, deposits, loan repayments, and Federal Home Loan Bank advances to fund new loan originations.

We currently offer fixed rate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans with terms ranging from 15 to 30 years.  One- to four-family residential mortgage loans often remain outstanding for significantly shorter periods than their contractual terms because borrowers may refinance or prepay loans at their option.  The average length of time that our one- to four-family residential mortgage loans remain outstanding varies significantly depending upon trends in market interest rates and other factors.  In recent years, the average maturity of our mortgage loans has decreased significantly because of the declining trend in market interest rates and the unprecedented volume of refinancing activity resulting from such interest rate decreases.  Accordingly, estimates of the average length of one- to four-family loans that remain outstanding cannot be made with any degree of certainty.

Originations of fixed rate mortgage loans are regularly monitored and are affected significantly by the level of market interest rates, our interest rate gap position, and loan products offered by our competitors. Our fixed rate mortgage loans amortize on a monthly basis with principal and interest due each month.  To make our loan portfolio less interest rate sensitive, fixed-rate loans originated with terms of 15 years or greater are generally underwritten to secondary mortgage market standards and sold.  Adjustable rate mortgage loans are generally underwritten to secondary mortgage market standards, but are retained in our loan portfolio.

We have in the past originated some fixed-rate loans that are generally amortized over 15 years but that have “balloon payments” that are due upon the maturity of the loan in five years.  As a general rule, we no longer originate this type of mortgage loans. Upon maturity, existing balloon mortgage loans are either underwritten as fixed-rate loans and sold in the secondary mortgage market or rewritten as adjustable rate mortgages at current market rates.  While the majority of our balloon mortgage loans amortize over 15 years, some amortize over 10 or 30 years, and a limited number amortize over five years.

 
5

 

Our one- to four-family residential mortgage loans customarily include due-on-sale clauses, which are provisions giving us the right to declare a loan immediately due and payable in the event, among other things, that the borrower sells or otherwise disposes of the underlying real property serving as security for the loan.  Due-on-sale clauses are an important means of adjusting the rates on our fixed-rate mortgage loan portfolio, and we have generally exercised our rights under these clauses.

Regulations limit the amount that a savings institution may lend relative to the appraised value of the real estate securing the loan, as determined by an appraisal at the time of loan origination.  Such regulations permit a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 100% for residential property and 90% for all other real estate loans. Our lending policies limit the maximum loan-to-value ratio on fixed-rate loans without private mortgage insurance to 90% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price of the property serving as collateral for the loan.

We make one- to four-family real estate loans with typical loan-to-value ratios of up to 90%.  However, for one- to four-family real estate loans with loan-to-value ratios of between 80% and 90%, we may require the total loan amount to be covered by private mortgage insurance. In 2005 we began making 80/20 loans and interest-only loans subject to Board-approved dollar limits to limit risk exposure. In late 2007 these products were eliminated; however, at December 31, 2009 approximately $1.1 million of these products remain in our portfolio. We require fire and casualty insurance, flood insurance when applicable, as well as title insurance, on all properties securing real estate loans made by us.

Commercial Real Estate Lending.  We also originate commercial real estate loans. At December 31, 2009, we had a total of 209 loans secured primarily by commercial real estate properties, unimproved vacant land and, to a limited extent, multifamily properties.  Our commercial real estate loans are secured by income-producing properties such as office buildings, retail buildings, restaurants and motels. A majority of our commercial real estate loans are secured by properties located in our primary market area, although at December 31, 2009 we did have $8.4 million in commercial real estate loans located in states other than Michigan. We have originated commercial construction loans that are originated as permanent loans but are interest-only during the initial construction period, which generally does not exceed nine months.  At December 31, 2009, our commercial real estate loans, excluding commercial construction, totaled $55.7 million, or 31.9% of our total loans, and had an average principal balance of approximately $309,000.  The terms of each loan are negotiated on a case-by-case basis, although such loans typically amortize over 15 years and have a three- or five-year balloon feature.  An origination fee of 0.5% to 1.0% is generally charged on commercial real estate loans.  We generally make commercial real estate loans up to 75% of the appraised value of the property securing the loan.

At December 31, 2009, our largest commercial real estate relationship consisted of two loans having a total principal balance of $2.6 million, which were performing according to their terms as of December 31, 2009. This loan relationship is secured by three pieces of commercial real-estate. Our largest single commercial real estate loan was a commercial construction loan of $2.1 million, of which $1.0 million has been charged off.  This loan is secured by a residential real-estate condominium complex which was still under construction at December 31, 2009.  At December 31, 2009, this loan was in non-accrual status due to insufficient cash flows to meet future payment obligations.

Commercial real estate loans generally carry higher interest rates and have shorter terms than those on one- to four-family residential mortgage loans.  However, loans secured by commercial real estate generally involve a greater degree of credit risk than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans and carry larger loan balances.  This increased credit risk is a result of several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers, the effects of general economic conditions on income producing properties, and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans. Furthermore, the repayment of loans secured by commercial real estate is typically dependent upon the successful operation of the business or the related real estate property.  If the cash flow from the business operation is reduced, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. This may be particularly true in the early years of the business operation when the risk of failure is greatest. Many of our commercial real estate loans have been made to borrowers whose business operations are untested, which increases our risk.

Consumer and Other Loans.  We originate a variety of consumer and other loans, including loans secured by savings accounts, new and used automobiles, mobile homes, boats, recreational vehicles, and other personal property.  As of December 31, 2009, consumer and other loans totaled $21.3 million, or 12.2% of our total loan portfolio.  At such date, $498,000, or 0.3% of our consumer loans, were unsecured.  As of December 31, 2009, home equity loans totaled $18.7 million, or 10.7% of our total loan portfolio, and automobile loans totaled $1.5 million, or 0.9% of our total loan portfolio.  We originate automobile loans directly to our customers and have no outstanding agreements with automobile dealerships to generate indirect loans.

 
6

 

Our procedures for underwriting consumer loans include an assessment of an applicant’s credit history and the ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan.  Although an applicant’s creditworthiness is a primary consideration, the underwriting process also includes a comparison of the value of the collateral security, if any, to the proposed loan amount.

Consumer loans generally entail greater risk than residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured or secured by assets that tend to depreciate rapidly, such as automobiles, mobile homes, boats and recreational vehicles.  In addition, the repayment of consumer loans depends on the borrower’s continued financial stability, as repayment is more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy than a single family mortgage loan.

Commercial Loans. At December 31, 2009, we had $9.9 million in commercial loans which amounted to 5.6% of total loans.  We make commercial business loans primarily in our market area to a variety of professionals, sole proprietorships and small businesses.  Commercial lending products include term loans and revolving lines of credit.  The maximum amount of a commercial business loan is our loans-to-one-borrower limit, which was $4.5 million at December 31, 2009.  Such loans are generally used for longer-term working capital purposes such as purchasing equipment or furniture.  Commercial loans are made with either adjustable or fixed rates of interest.  Variable rates are generally based on the prime rate, as published in The Wall Street Journal, plus a margin.  Fixed rate commercial loans are set at a margin above the Federal Home Loan Bank comparable advance rate.

When making commercial loans, we consider the financial statements of the borrower, our lending history with the borrower, the debt service capabilities of the borrower, the projected cash flows of the business and the value of the collateral.  Commercial loans are generally secured by a variety of collateral, primarily accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, and are supported by personal guarantees.  Depending on the collateral used to secure the loans, commercial loans are typically made in amounts of up to 75% of the value of the collateral securing the loan.

Commercial loans generally have greater credit risk than residential mortgage loans.  Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment or other income, and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial loans generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan from the cash flow of the borrower’s business.  As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial loans may depend substantially on the success of the business itself.  If the cash flow from the business operation is reduced, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. This may be particularly true in the early years of the business operation when the risk of failure is greatest. Moreover, any collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value.  We seek to minimize these risks through our underwriting standards.  At December 31, 2009, our largest commercial loan was a $2.4 million commercial participation loan collateralized by manufacturing equipment and a related plant facility.  At December 31, 2009, the outstanding balance was $2.4 million and the  loan was performing according to its repayment terms.

Construction Loans.  We originate construction loans to local home builders in our market area, generally with whom we have an established relationship, and to individuals engaged in the construction of their residences.  We also originate loans for the construction of commercial buildings and, to an extent, participate in construction loan projects originated by other lenders. Our construction loans totaled $7.0 million, or 4.0% of our total loan portfolio, at December 31, 2009.

Our construction loans to home builders are repaid on an interest-only basis for the term of the loan (which is generally six to 12 months), with interest calculated on the amount disbursed to the builders based upon a percentage of completion of construction.  These loans typically have a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 80%, based on the appraised value.  Interest rates are fixed during the construction phase of the loan.  Loans to builders are made on either a pre-sold or speculative (unsold) basis.  Most of our construction loans to individuals who intend to occupy the completed dwelling are originated via a “one-step closing” process, whereby the construction phase and end-financing are handled with one loan closing.  Prior to funding a construction loan, we require an appraisal of the property from a qualified appraiser approved by us, and all appraisals are reviewed by us.

Construction lending exposes us to greater credit risk than permanent mortgage financing because of the inherent difficulty in estimating both a property’s value at completion of the project and the estimated cost of the project. If the estimate of construction costs is inaccurate, we may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed to permit completion of the project. If the estimate of value upon completion is inaccurate, the value of the property may be insufficient to assure full repayment. Projects also may be jeopardized by disagreements between borrowers and builders and by the failure of builders to pay subcontractors. Loans to builders to construct homes for which no purchaser has been identified carry more risk because the repayment of the loan depends on the builder’s ability to sell the property prior to the time that the construction loan is due.  We have attempted to minimize these risks by, among other things, limiting our residential construction lending primarily to residential properties in our market area and generally requiring personal guarantees from the principals of corporate borrowers.

 
7

 
 
Loan Portfolio Composition.  The following table sets forth the composition of our loan portfolio by type of loan at the dates indicated.
 
   
At December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
               
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                                                             
Real estate loans:
                                                           
Residential Mortgages:
                                                           
1-4 Family Mortgages
  $ 77,851       44.4 %   $ 87,179       44.0 %   $ 91,433       44.5 %   $ 93,520       44.1 %   $ 91,979       45.3 %
Purchased Mortgage In-State
    3,342       1.9 %     3,802       1.9 %     4,531       2.2 %     4,635       2.2 %     6,702       3.3 %
Purchased Mortgage Out-of-State
    -       0.0 %     358       0.2 %     1,302       0.6 %     1,335       0.6 %     1,361       0.7 %
1-4 Familly Construction
    427       0.2 %     1,025       0.5 %     2,108       1.0 %     3,120       1.5 %     5,989       3.0 %
Home Equity/Junior Liens
    18,732       10.7 %     22,303       11.3 %     24,095       11.7 %     24,868       11.7 %     21,238       10.5 %
Nonresidential Mortgages:
                                                                               
Nonresidential
    43,446       24.9 %     42,526       21.5 %     44,634       21.7 %     44,212       20.9 %     40,270       19.7 %
Purchased Nonresidential In-State
    3,894       2.2 %     257       0.1 %     -       0.0 %     942       0.4 %     1,000       0.5 %
Purchased Nonresidential Out-of-State
    8,428       4.8 %     3,141       1.6 %     1,295       0.6 %     120       0.1 %     -       0.0 %
Nonresidential Construction
    2,816       1.6 %     6,635       3.3 %     6,184       3.0 %     6,286       3.0 %     4,041       2.0 %
Purchased Construction In-State
    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %
Purchased Construction Out-of-State
    3,792       2.2 %     9,781       4.9 %     4,920       2.4 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %
Non real estate loans:
                                                                               
Commercial Loans
    7,035       4.0 %     15,816       8.0 %     19,181       9.3 %     24,606       11.6 %     23,926       11.8 %
Purchased Commerical Loans In-State
    2,838       1.6 %     1,804       0.9 %     1,387       0.7 %     3,603       1.7 %     1,732       0.9 %
Purchased Commerical Loans Out-of-State
    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %
Consumer and other loans
    2,553       1.5 %     3,564       1.8 %     4,555       2.3 %     4,688       2.2 %     4,669       2.3 %
                                                                                 
Total Loans
  $ 175,154       100.00 %   $ 198,191       100.00 %   $ 205,625       100.00 %   $ 211,935       100.00 %   $ 202,907       100.00 %
                                                                                 
Other items:
                                                                               
Unadvanced construction loans
    -               -               -               -               -          
Deferred loan origination costs
    12               13               13               20               28          
Deferred loan origination fees
    (287 )             (287 )             (292 )             (358 )             (336 )        
Allowance for loan losses
    (3,660 )             (5,647 )             (4,013 )             (2,079 )             (1,416 )        
                                                                                 
Total loans, net
  $ 171,219             $ 192,270             $ 201,333             $ 209,518             $ 201,183          
 
Loan Portfolio Maturities and Yield.  The following table summarizes the scheduled repayments of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2009. Demand loans, loans having no stated repayment or maturity, and overdraft loans are reported as being due in one year or less.

 
8

 

   
1-4 Family Mortgage
   
Purchased Mortgage In-State
   
Purchased Mortgage Out-of State
   
1-4 Family Construction
 
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
         
Average
         
Average
         
Average
         
Average
 
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
 
                                                 
Due During the Years
                                               
Ending December 31,
                                               
2010
  $ 1,274       6.01 %   $ -       0.00 %   $ -       0.00 %   $ 427       6.04 %
2011
    389       7.78 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %
2012
    444       7.38 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %
2013 to 2014
    2,446       6.34 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %
2015 to 2019
    9,411       5.92 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %
2020 to 2024
    9,933       6.61 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %
2024 and beyond
    53,954       6.50 %     3,342       4.02 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %
                                                                 
Total
  $ 77,851       6.18 %   $ 3,342       4.02 %   $ -       0.00 %   $ 427       6.04 %
 
   
Home Equity/Junior Liens
   
Nonresidential
   
Purchased Nonresidential In-State
   
Purchased Nonresidential Out-of-State
 
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
         
Average
         
Average
         
Average
         
Average
 
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
 
Due During the Years
                                               
Ending December 31,
                                               
2010
  $ 145       6.97 %   $ 15,835       5.38 %   $ -       0.00 %   $ 4,140       5.33 %
2011
    1,716       5.21 %     10,127       6.83 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %
2012
    1,026       5.70 %     8,523       6.93 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %
2013 to 2014
    1,425       6.67 %     6,798       6.61 %     3,792       5.50 %     2,382       7.25 %
2015 to 2019
    5,464       6.16 %     1,289       6.61 %     102       7.58 %     -       0.00 %
2020 to 2024
    7,485       5.75 %     -       5.75 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %
2024 and beyond
    1,471       3.82 %     874       7.94 %     -       0.00 %     1,906       5.23 %
                                                                 
Total
  $ 18,732       5.81 %   $ 43,446       6.10 %   $ 3,894       6.35 %   $ 8,428       5.85 %
 
   
Nonresidential Construction
   
Purchased Construction In-State
   
Purchased Construction Out-of-State
   
Commercial Loans
 
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
   
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
         
Average
         
Average
   
Average
         
Average
 
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
 
Due During the Years
                                               
Ending December 31,
                                               
2010
  $ 1,433       4.97 %   $ -       0.00 %   $ -       0.00 %   $ 1,712       7.94 %
2011
    1,383       3.90 %     -       0.00 %     1,823       8.35 %     1,207       5.42 %
2012
    -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     765       6.71 %
2013 to 2014
    -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     1,969       8.18 %     506       8.03 %
2015 to 2019
    -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     2,845       5.42 %
2020 to 2024
    -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %
2024 and beyond
    -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %
                                                                 
Total
  $ 2,816       4.44 %   $ -       0.00 %   $ 3,792       8.26 %   $ 7,035       6.25 %
 
   
Purchased Commercial Loans In-State
   
Purchased Commercial Loans Out-of State
   
Consumer & Other Loans
   
Total
 
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
         
Average
         
Average
         
Average
         
Average
 
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
 
Due During the Years
                                               
Ending December 31,
                                               
2010
  $ 2,371       3.73 %   $ -       0.00 %   $ 432       7.88 %   $ 27,769       5.89 %
2011
    -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     250       8.45 %     16,895       6.34 %
2012
    -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     287       8.75 %     11,045       6.87 %
2013 to 2014
    467       6.34 %     -       0.00 %     323       7.24 %     20,108       6.61 %
2015 to 2019
    -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     1,019       9.12 %     20,130       6.28 %
2020 to 2024
    -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     242       8.32 %     17,660       6.05 %
2024 and beyond
    -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     61,547       6.04 %
                                                                 
Total
  $ 2,838       4.16 %   $ -       5.98 %   $ 2,553       8.64 %   $ 175,154       6.37 %

 
9

 

Fixed- and Adjustable-Rate Loans.  The following table sets forth the scheduled repayments of   fixed- and adjustable-rate loans at December 31, 2009 that are contractually due after December 31, 2010.

   
Due After December 31, 2010
 
   
Fixed
   
Adjustable
   
Total
 
         
(In thousands)
 
                   
Residential Mortgages:
                 
1-4 Family Mortgages
  $ 38,286     $ 38,291     $ 76,577  
Purchased Mortgage In-State
    -       3,342       3,342  
Purchased Mortgage Out-of-State
    -       -       -  
1-4 Family Construction
    -       -       -  
Home Equity/Junior Liens
    9,833       8,754       18,587  
Nonresidential Mortgages:
                       
Nonresidential
    22,205       5,406       27,611  
Purchased Nonresidential In-State
    3,894       -       3,894  
Purchased Nonresidential Out-of-State
    3,332       956       4,288  
Nonresidential Construction
    -       1,383       1,383  
Purchased Construction In-State
    -       -       -  
Purchased Construction Out--State
    2,552       1,240       3,792  
Non real estate loans:
                       
Commercial Loans
    3,390       1,933       5,323  
Purchased Commerical Loans In-State
    467       -       467  
Purchased Commerical Loans Out-of-State
    -       -       -  
Consumer and other loans
    1,702       419       2,121  
                         
Total Loans
  $ 85,661     $ 61,724     $ 147,385  

Loan Originations, Purchases, Sales and Servicing.  While we originate both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans, our ability to generate each type of loan depends upon borrower demand, market interest rates, borrower preference for fixed- versus adjustable-rate loans, and the interest rates offered on each type of loan by other lenders in our market area. These lenders include competing banks, savings banks, credit unions, internet lenders, mortgage banking companies and life insurance companies that may also actively compete for local commercial real estate loans. Loan originations are derived from a number of sources, including real estate agent referrals, existing customers, borrowers, builders, attorneys, our directors, walk-in customers and our own commercial sales force.  Upon receiving a loan application, we obtain a credit report and employment verification to verify specific information relating to the applicant’s employment, income, and credit standing.  In the case of a real estate loan, we obtain a determination of value of the real estate intended to collateralize the proposed loan.  Our residential mortgage lending limits vary by residential mortgage officer but range from $150,000 to $250,000. While certain Senior Bank Officers have residential lending limits up to $400,000, the Officer Loan Committee generally approves residential loans from $250,000 to $400,000 while requests from $400,000 to $500,000 will receive approval from Senior Loan Committee. Residential loan requests over $500,000 must be approved by the Board of Directors. Secured consumer lending limits by officer range from $25,000 to $150,000. For secured commercial loans, the limits range from $250,000 to $400,000.

A commercial commitment letter specifies the terms and conditions of the proposed loan including the amount of the loan, interest rate, amortization term, a brief description of the required collateral, and required insurance coverage.  Commitments are typically issued for 15-day periods.  The borrower must provide proof of fire and casualty insurance on the property serving as collateral, which must be maintained during the full term of the loan.  A title insurance policy is required on all real estate loans.  At December 31, 2009, we had outstanding loan commitments of $26.0 million, including unfunded commitments under lines of credit and commercial and standby letters of credit.

 
10

 

Our loan origination and sales activity may be adversely affected by a rising interest rate environment that typically results in decreased loan demand, while declining interest rates may stimulate increased loan demand. Accordingly, the volume of loan originations, the mix of fixed- and adjustable-rate loans, and the profitability of this activity can vary from period to period.  One- to four-family residential mortgage loans are generally underwritten to investor guidelines, and closed on standard investor documents.  We currently sell loans to Freddie Mac. If such loans are sold, the sales are conducted using standard investor purchase contracts and master commitments as applicable. The majority of one- to four-family mortgage loans that we have sold to investors have been sold on a non-recourse basis, whereby foreclosure losses are generally the responsibility of the purchaser and not First Federal of Northern Michigan.

We are a qualified loan servicer for Freddie Mac.  Our policy has historically been to retain the servicing rights for all conforming loans sold, and to continue to collect payments on the loans, maintain tax escrows and applicable fire and flood insurance coverage, and supervise foreclosure proceedings if necessary.  We retain a portion of the interest paid by the borrower on the loans as consideration for our servicing activities.

We require appraisals of real property securing loans.  Appraisals are performed by independent appraisers, who are approved by our Board of Directors annually.  We require fire and extended coverage insurance in amounts adequate to protect our principal balance.  Where appropriate, flood insurance is also required.  Private mortgage insurance is required for most residential mortgage loans with loan-to-value ratios greater than 80%.
 
Loan Origination Fees and Costs.  In addition to interest earned on loans, we generally receive fees in connection with loan originations.  Such loan origination fees, net of costs to originate, are deferred and amortized using an interest method over the contractual life of the loan.  Fees deferred are recognized into income immediately upon prepayment or subsequent sale of the related loan.  At December 31, 2009, we had $275,000 of net deferred loan origination fees.  Such fees vary with the volume and type of loans and commitments made and purchased, principal repayments, and competitive conditions in the mortgage markets, which in turn respond to the demand and availability of money.  In addition to loan origination fees, we also generate other income through the sales and servicing of mortgage loans, late charges on loans, and fees and charges related to deposit accounts.  We recognized fees and service charges of $869,000, $942,000 and $911,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

To the extent that originated loans are sold with servicing retained, we capitalize a mortgage servicing asset at the time of the sale in accordance with applicable accounting standards (FASB ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing ”).  The capitalized amount is amortized thereafter (over the period of estimated net servicing income) as a reduction of servicing fee income.  The unamortized amount is fully charged to income when loans are prepaid.  Originated mortgage servicing rights with an amortized cost of $730,000 were included in other assets at December 31, 2009.
 
 
11

 

Origination, Purchase and Sale of Loans.  The table below shows our loan originations, purchases, sales, and repayments of loans for the periods indicated.  In 2009, we purchased $4.9 million in commercial real estate loan participations, all of which were located in the State of Michigan.

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                   
Loans receivable at beginning of period
  $ 198,191     $ 205,625     $ 211,935  
                         
Originations:
                       
Real estate:
                       
Residential 1-4 family
    58,909       30,187       31,496  
Commercial and Multi-family
    17,254       24,191       21,644  
Consumer
    3,894       6,543       9,035  
Total originations
    80,057       60,921       62,175  
                         
Loan purchases:
                       
Residential 1-4 family
    -       -       -  
Commercial
    4,914       5,177       11,125  
Total loan purchases
    4,914       5,177       11,125  
                         
Loan sales
    (49,545 )     (11,641 )     (16,287 )
Transfer of  loans to foreclosed assets
    (6,382 )     (2,916 )     (1,807 )
Repayments
    (52,081 )     (58,975 )     (61,516 )
                         
Total loans receivable at end of period
  $ 175,154     $ 198,191     $ 205,625  

Delinquent Loans, Other Real Estate Owned and Classified Assets

Collection Procedures.  Our general collection procedures provide that when a commercial loan becomes 10 days past due and when a mortgage or consumer loan become 15 days past due, a computer-generated late charge notice is sent to the borrower requesting payment. If delinquency continues, a second delinquent notice is mailed when the loan continues past due for 30 days.  If a loan becomes 60 days past due, the loan becomes subject to possible legal action.  We will generally send a “due and payable” letter upon a loan becoming 60 days delinquent.  This letter grants the mortgagor 30 days to bring the account paid to date prior to the start of any legal action.  If not paid, foreclosure proceedings are initiated after this 30-day period.  To the extent required by regulations of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), generally within 30 days of delinquency, a Section 160 HUD notice is given to the borrower which provides access to consumer counseling services.  General collection procedures may vary with particular circumstances on a loan by loan basis.  Also, collection procedures for Freddie Mac serviced loans follow the Freddie Mac guidelines which are different from our general procedures.

Loans Past Due and Non-Performing Assets.  Loans are reviewed on a regular basis and are placed on non-accrual status when, in the opinion of management, the collection of additional interest is doubtful or when extraordinary efforts are required to collect the debt.  Interest accrued and unpaid at the time a loan is placed on non-accrual status is charged against interest income.

Real estate acquired by us as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is deemed real estate owned (“REO”) until such time as it is sold.  In general, we consider collateral for a loan to be “in-substance” foreclosed if: (i) the borrower has little or no equity in the collateral; (ii) proceeds for repayment of the loan can be expected to come only from the operation or sale of the collateral; and (iii) the borrower has either formally or effectively abandoned control of the collateral, or retained control of the collateral but is unlikely to be able to rebuild equity in the collateral or otherwise repay the loan in the foreseeable future.  Cash flow attributable to in-substance foreclosures is used to reduce the carrying value of the collateral.

 
12

 
 
When collateral, other than real estate, securing commercial and consumer loans is acquired as a result of delinquency or other reasons, it is classified as Other Repossessed Assets (“ORA”) and recorded at the lower of cost or fair market value until it is disposed of.

When collateral is acquired or otherwise deemed REO/ORA, it is recorded at the lower of the unpaid principal balance of the related loan or its estimated net realizable value.  This write down is recorded against the allowance for loan losses.  Periodic future valuations are performed by management, and any subsequent decline in fair value is charged to operations.  At December 31, 2009, we held $3.6 million in properties that were classified REO and $11,000 in assets classified as ORA.

Delinquent Loans.  The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our loan portfolio delinquencies at the dates indicated.

   
Loan Delinquent For
             
   
60-89 Days
   
90 Days and Over
   
Total
 
   
Number
   
Amount
   
Number
   
Amount
   
Number
   
Amount
 
   
( Dollars In Thousands)
 
At December 31, 2009
                                   
Residential Mortgages
    19     $ 1,456       1     $ 89       20     $ 1,545  
Commercial Mortgages
    7       1,125       3       2,696       10       3,821  
Construction
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial
    3       402       -       -       3       402  
Consumer
    13       192       9       54       22       246  
Total
    42     $ 3,175       13     $ 2,839       55       6,014  
                                                 
At December 31, 2008
                                               
Residential Mortgages
    26     $ 2,513       2     $ 128       28     $ 2,641  
Commercial Mortgages
    5       736       -       -       5       736  
Commercial
    -       -       1       72       1       72  
Consumer
    26       155       8       17       34       172  
Total
    57     $ 3,404       11     $ 217       68       3,621  
                                                 
At December 31, 2007
                                               
Residential Mortgages
    24     $ 1,315       6     $ 532       30     $ 1,847  
Commercial Mortgages
    1       797       -       -       1       797  
Construction
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial
    -       -       1       100       1       100  
Consumer
    19       181       10       45       29       226  
Total
    44     $ 2,293       17     $ 677       61       2,969  
                                                 
At December 31, 2006
                                               
Residential Mortgages
    22     $ 1,218       9     $ 645       31     $ 1,863  
Commercial Mortgages
    1       636       2       221       3       857  
Construction
    1       74       -       -       1       74  
Commercial
    6       317       10       540       16       857  
Consumer
    17       105       9       84       26       189  
Total
    47     $ 2,350       30     $ 1,490       77       3,839  
                                                 
At December 31, 2005
                                               
Residential Mortgages
    24     $ 1,375       19     $ 1,684       43     $ 3,059  
Commercial Mortgages
    -       -       4       670       4       670  
Construction
    1       341       -       -       1       341  
Commercial
    8       506       2       115       10       621  
Consumer
    23       197       13       185       36       382  
Total
    56     $ 2,419       38     $ 2,654       94       5,073  

 
13

 

Nonperforming Assets. The following table sets forth the amounts and categories of our non-performing assets at the dates indicated.

   
At December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                               
Non-Accrual Loans:
                             
Residential Mortgage
  $ 2,944     $ 1,876     $ 697     $ 670     $ 308  
Commercial Mortgage
    2,204       4,002       3,825       1,395       1,006  
Construction
    1,433       3,469       3,475       -       -  
Purchased Out-of-State
    2,113       1,980       -       -       -  
Commercial
    96       535       433       364       -  
Consumer and other
    157       90       29       61       39  
                                         
Total non-accrual loans  
  $ 8,947     $ 11,952     $ 8,459     $ 2,490     $ 1,353  
                                         
                                         
Accrual loans delinquent 90 days or more:
                                       
Residential Mortgage
    89       128       532       645       1,684  
Commercial Mortgage
    2,696       72       -       221       670  
Construction
    -       -       -       -       -  
Purchased Out-of-State
    -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial
    -       -       100       540       115  
Consumer and other
    54       17       45       84       185  
Total accrual loans delinquent 90 days or more
  $ 2,839     $ 217     $ 677     $ 1,490     $ 2,654  
                                         
Total nonperforming loans (1)
  $ 11,786     $ 12,169     $ 9,136     $ 3,980     $ 4,007  
                                         
Real Estate Owned and Other Repossessed Assets:
                                       
Residential Mortgage
    584       686       872       437       427  
Commercial Mortgage
    2,985       882       406       -       -  
Construction
    -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial
    -       -       -       -       -  
Consumer and other
    11       70       2       38       8  
                                         
Total real estate owned and other repossesed assets (2)
  $ 3,580     $ 1,638     $ 1,280     $ 475     $ 435  
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 15,366     $ 13,807     $ 10,416     $ 4,455     $ 4,442  
                                         
Total nonperforming loans to total loans receivable
    6.73
%
    6.14
%
    4.54
%
    1.90
%
    1.97
%
Total nonperforming assets to total assets
    6.58
%
    5.57
%
    4.15
%
    1.59
%
    1.57
%

 
(1)
All of our loans delinquent 90 days or more are classified as nonperforming.
 
(2)
Represents the net book value of property acquired by us through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure.
Upon acquisition, this property is recorded at the lower of its fair market value or the principal balance of the related loan.
 
Interest income that would have been recorded for the year ended December 31, 2009, had non-accruing loans been current according to their original terms amounted to $527,000.  Interest of $270,000 was recognized on these loans and is included in net income for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Classification of Assets.  Our policies, consistent with regulatory guidelines, provide for the classification of loans and other assets such as debt and equity securities and real estate held for sale considered by the Office of Thrift Supervision to be of lesser quality as “substandard,” “doubtful,” or “loss” assets.  An asset is considered “substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the “distinct possibility” that the savings institution will sustain “some loss” if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Assets classified as “doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified “substandard,” with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make “collection or liquidation in full,” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, “highly questionable and improbable.”  Assets classified as “loss” are those considered “uncollectible” and of such little value that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted.  Assets that do not expose the savings institution to risk sufficient to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories, but which possess some weaknesses, are required to be designated “special mention” by management.  Loans designated as special mention are generally loans that, while current in required payments, have exhibited some potential weaknesses that, if not corrected, could increase the level of risk in the future.

 
14

 

When we classify assets as either substandard or doubtful, we allocate a portion of the related general loss allowances to such assets as deemed prudent by management.  The allowance for loan losses represents amounts that have been established to recognize losses inherent in the loan portfolio that are both probable and reasonably estimable at the date of the financial statements.  When we classify problem assets as loss, we charge-off such amount.  Our determination as to the classification of our assets and the amount of our loss allowances are subject to review by our regulatory agencies, which can order the establishment of additional loss allowances. Management regularly reviews our asset portfolio to determine whether any assets require classification in accordance with applicable regulations.  On the basis of management’s review of our assets at December 31, 2009, classified assets consisted of substandard assets of $18.1 million. There were no assets classified as doubtful or loss at December 31, 2009.

We classify our assets pursuant to criteria similar to the classification structure provided in the OTS regulations.  The following table sets forth the aggregate amount of our internally classified assets at the dates indicated.

   
At December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                   
Substandard assets
  $ 18,141     $ 19,409     $ 14,362  
Doubtful assets
    -       -       -  
Loss assets
    -       -       -  
Total classified assets
  $ 18,141     $ 19,409     $ 14,362  

Our investment in land and real estate at December 31, 2009 was classified as substandard by the Office of Thrift Supervision due to slower than expected sales of building lots and condominium units.  This project (Wyndham Garden Estates) is an upscale condominium community comprised of 25 single-family building lots and 18 planned condominium units located in Alpena, Michigan.  At December 31, 2009, all but five of the residential lots had been developed and sold and all condominium units were sold.  Although sales of the remaining lots have been slow, management believes this is  still a viable project in a desirable location.  At December 31, 2009, our investment in these properties was approximately $73,000, which is net of an allowance of $128,000 to record the investment at the lower of cost or fair value, less cost to sell. For reporting purposes, this investment is considered “impaired” under the definition of FASB ASC 360-10, Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.

Allowance for Loan Losses. We provide for loan losses based on the allowance method.  Accordingly, all loan losses are charged to the related allowance and all recoveries are credited to it.  Additions to the allowance for loan losses are provided by charges to income based on various factors which, in management’s judgment, deserve current recognition in estimating probable losses.  Management regularly reviews the loan portfolio and makes provisions for loan losses in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The allowance for loan losses consists of amounts specifically allocated to non-performing loans and other criticized or classified loans (if any) as well as general allowances determined for each major loan category.  Commercial loans and loans secured by commercial real estate are evaluated individually for impairment. Other smaller-balance, homogeneous loan types, including loans secured by one- to four-family residential real estate and consumer installment loans, are evaluated for impairment on a collective basis.  After we establish a provision for loans that are known to be non-performing, criticized or classified, we calculate percentage loss factors to apply to the remaining categories within the loan portfolio to estimate probable losses inherent in these categories of the portfolio.  When the loan portfolio increases, therefore, the percentage calculation results in a higher dollar amount of estimated probable losses than would be the case without the increase, and when the loan portfolio decreases, the percentage calculation results in a lower dollar amount of estimated probable losses than would be the case without the decrease.  These percentage loss factors are determined by management based on our historical loss experience and credit concentrations for the applicable loan category, which may be adjusted to reflect our evaluation of levels of, and trends in, delinquent and non-accrual loans, trends in volume and terms of loans, and local economic trends and conditions.

 
15

 

We consider commercial and commercial real estate loans and construction loans to be riskier than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans.  Commercial and commercial real estate loans have greater credit risks compared to one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, as they typically involve large loan balances concentrated with single borrowers or groups of related borrowers.  In addition, the payment experience on loans secured by income-producing properties typically depends on the successful operation of the related real estate project and thus may be subject to a greater extent to adverse conditions in the real estate market and in the general economy.  Construction loans have greater credit risk than permanent mortgage financing because of the inherent difficulty in estimating both a property’s value at completion of the project and the estimated cost of the project.  If the estimate of construction costs is inaccurate, we may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed to permit completion of the project. If the estimate of value upon completion is inaccurate, the value of the property may be insufficient to assure full repayment. Projects also may be jeopardized by disagreements between borrowers and builders and by the failure of builders to pay subcontractors. Loans to builders to construct homes for which no purchaser has been identified carry more risk because the repayment of the loan depends on the builder’s ability to sell the property prior to the time that the construction loan is due.  The increased risk characteristics associated with commercial real estate and land loans and construction loans are considered by management in the evaluation of the allowance for loan losses and generally result in a larger loss factor applied to these segments of the loan portfolio in developing an estimate of the required allowance for loan losses. We intend to increase our originations of commercial and commercial real estate loans, and we intend to retain these loans in our portfolio.  Because these loans entail significant additional credit risks compared to one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, an increase in our origination (and retention in our portfolio) of these types of loans would, in the absence of other offsetting factors, require us to make additional provisions for loan losses.

The carrying value of loans is periodically evaluated and the allowance is adjusted accordingly.  While management uses the best information available to make evaluations, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if conditions differ substantially from the information used in making the evaluations.  In addition, as an integral part of their examination process, our regulatory agencies periodically review the allowance for loan losses.  Such agencies may require us to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination.

Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses.  The following table sets forth the activity on our allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated.

   
For the Years Ended December 31,
             
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
             
                               
Allowance at beginning of period
  $ 5,647     $ 4,013     $ 2,079     $ 1,416     $ 1,214  
                                         
Charge-offs:
                                       
Real Estate:
                                       
Residential Mortgages
    362       342       225       44       21  
Nonresidential Real Estate:
                                       
Commercial Mortgages
    4,903       2,023       59       -       -  
Purchased Out-of-State
    2,482       -       -       -       -  
Non Real Estate Loans:
                                       
Commercial
    246       331       4       1       57  
Consumer and other
    254       141       190       163       171  
Total charge offs
    8,247       2,837       478       208       249  
                                         
Recoveries:
                                       
Real Estate:
                                       
Residential Mortgages
    -       -       1       -       -  
Non Real Estate Loans:
                                       
Consumer and other
    64       50       34       20       83  
Total recoveries  
    64       50       35       20       83  
                                         
Net (charge offs) recoveries
    8,183       2,787       443       188       166  
Provision for loan losses
    6,196       4,421       2,377       851       368  
                                         
Balance at end of year
  $ 3,660     $ 5,647     $ 4,013     $ 2,079     $ 1,416  
                                         
Ratios:
                                       
Net Charge-offs to average loans outstanding (annualized)
    4.58 %     1.40 %     0.21 %     0.08 %     0.08 %
                                         
Allowance for loan loss to non-performing loans at end of period
    31.05 %     46.41 %     43.93 %     52.24 %     35.34 %
                                         
Allowance for loan losses to total loans at end of period
    2.09 %     2.85 %     1.95 %     0.98 %     0.70 %

 
16

 

Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses.  The following table sets forth the allowance for loan losses allocated by loan category, the total loan balances by category, and the percent of loans in each category to total loans at the dates indicated.  The allowance for loan losses allocated to each category is not necessarily indicative of future losses in any particular category and does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in other categories.
 
         
At December 31
       
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
   
Percent of 
Loans in 
Each
Category to 
Total Loans
   
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
   
Percent of 
Loans in 
Each
Category to 
Total Loans
   
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
   
Percent of 
Loans in 
Each
Category to 
Total Loans
 
                                     
Residential Mortgages:
                                   
1 - 4 family residental
  $ 634       44.4 %   $ 967       44.0 %   $ 787       44.5 %
Purchased Mortgages In-State
    12       1.9 %     11       1.9 %     5       2.2 %
Purchased Mortgages Out-of-State
    -       0.0 %     1       0.2 %     1       0.6 %
1 - 4 family construction
    3       0.2 %     5       0.5 %     14       1.0 %
Home Equity & Junior Liens
    214       10.7 %     231       11.3 %     171       11.7 %
Nonresidential Mortgages:
                                               
Nonresidential
    1,055       24.9 %     1,768       21.5 %     1,374       21.7 %
Purchased Nonresidential In-State
    140       2.2 %     3       0.1 %     -       0.0 %
Purchased Nonresidential Out-of-State
    175       4.8 %     14       1.6 %     5       0.6 %
Construction
    647       1.6 %     7       3.3 %     18       3.0 %
Purchased Construction In-State
    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %
Purchased Construction Out-of-State
    350       2.2 %     740       4.9 %     22       2.4 %
Non Real Estate Loans:
                                               
Commercial  
    316       4.0 %     1,795       8.0 %     1,529       9.3 %
Purchased Commercial In-State
    73       1.6 %     18       0.9 %     9       0.7 %
Purchased Commercial Out-of-State
    -       0.0 %     32       0.0 %     14       0.0 %
Consumer
    41       1.5 %     55       1.8 %     64       2.3 %
Total
  $ 3,660       100.0 %   $ 5,647       100.0 %   $ 4,013       100.0 %

         
At December 31
 
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
   
Percent of 
Loans in 
Each
Category to 
Total Loans
   
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
   
Percent of 
Loans in 
Each
Category to 
Total Loans
 
Residential Mortgages:
                       
One to four family residental
  $ 182       44.1 %   $ 169       45.3 %
Purchased Mortgages In-State
    3       2.2 %     4       3.3 %
Purchased Mortgages Out-of-State
    1       0.6 %     1       0.7 %
1 - 4 family construction
    6       1.5 %     11       3.0 %
Home Equity & Junior Liens
    433       11.7 %     386       10.5 %
Nonresidential Mortgages:
                               
Nonresidential
    761       20.9 %     431       19.7 %
Purchased Nonresidential In-State
    16       0.4 %     11       0.5 %
Purchased Nonresidential Out-of-State
    2       0.1 %     -       0.0 %
Construction
    108       3.0 %     43       2.0 %
Purchased Construction In-State
    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %
Purchased Construction Out-of-State
    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %
Non Real Estate Loans:
                               
Commercial  
    423       11.6 %     256       11.8 %
Purchased Commercial In-State
    62       1.7 %     18       0.9 %
Purchased Commercial Out-of-State
    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %
Consumer
    82       2.2 %     86       2.3 %
Total
  $ 2,079       100.0 %   $ 1,416       100.0 %

 
17

 

Mortgage Banking Activities

Our mortgage banking activities involve the origination and subsequent sale into the secondary mortgage market of one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. When loans are sold into the secondary market, we generally retain the rights to service those loans thereby maintaining our customer relationships. We intend to use these customer relationships to cross-sell additional products and services. Loans that we sell are originated using the same personnel and the same underwriting policies as loans that we maintain in our portfolio. The decision whether to sell a loan is dependent upon the type of loan product and the term of the loan. In recent years, we have sold most of our fixed-rate one- to four-family residential loans with maturities of 15 years or greater, and have retained servicing on most of these loans. For a brief period we sold some mortgage loans servicing-released to be able to offer additional products to our customers, however, we currently do not sell loans servicing-released.

Mortgage servicing involves the administration and collection of home loan payments. When we acquire mortgage servicing rights through the origination of mortgage loans and the subsequent sale of those loans with servicing rights retained, we allocate a portion of the total cost of the mortgage loans to the mortgage servicing rights based on their relative fair value. As of December 31, 2009, we were servicing loans sold to third parties totaling $140.6 million, and the mortgage servicing rights associated with such loans had a book value, at such date, of $730,000.  Generally, the value of mortgage servicing rights increases as interest rates rise and decreases as interest rates fall, because the estimated life and estimated income from the underlying loans increase with rising interest rates and decrease with falling interest rates.

Insurance Brokerage Activities

In March 2003, we acquired InsuranCenter of Alpena (“ICA”), a licensed insurance agency, to increase and diversify our sources of non-interest income. In April 2008, ICA sold to a non-related third party the rights to service certain health insurance contracts and collect commissions on the contracts written through the local Chambers of Commerce. This sale resulted in a nominal gain to us, but reduced health insurance revenues. The sale also reduced non-interest expenses and amortization of intangibles.

On February 27, 2009, we sold the majority of the assets of  ICA. We retained the residual income stream associated with the April 2008 sale of its wholesale Blue Cross/Blue Shield override business to the third party. The financial position and results of operations of ICA are presented separately in our consolidated financial statements as “discontinued operations.” We continue to collect the residual revenue stream associated with this sale through FFNM Agency, the successor company to ICA.

See “-Subsidiary Activity” for a further discussion of ICA and FFNM Agency.

Real Estate Development Activities

On a limited basis, we have purchased real estate for development through our subsidiary Financial Services & Mortgage Corporation.  See "—Subsidiary Activity" for a discussion of our real estate development subsidiary, Financial Services & Mortgage Corporation. The last such purchase was a 37 acre lot which we purchased in 1994 for $130,000. As of December 31, 2009, we had sold 37 of the 43 lots comprising this property and two of the smaller lots had been combined into one lot, so that at December 31, 2009 five lots remained unsold.  Our investment in land and real estate is “held for sale” and separately stated in the statement of financial condition, net of any allowance for impairment. Management is actively marketing the property by using local real estate agents to facilitate the sale of these properties.  For reporting purposes, this investment is considered “impaired” under the definition in FASB ASC 360-10, Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.  Accordingly, the investment is recorded at the lower of its cost or fair value less cost to sell, which may include realtor commissions, legal and title transfer fees, and closing costs that must be incurred before legal title can be transferred.

Annually, management uses recent sales of comparable property to determine estimated future cash flows.  The estimated future cash flows are used as the “fair value.”  The fair value, less cost to sell, is compared to the net carrying amount.  If the fair value, less cost to sell, exceeds the recorded amount, a loss is recognized.  Losses recognized for the initial and subsequent write-down to fair value, less cost to sell, are recognized in the “gain (loss) on the sale of real estate” line in the statement of income. A gain is recognized for any subsequent increase in fair value, less cost to sell, but not in excess of the cumulative loss previously recognized.  A gain or loss not previously recognized that results from the sale of the property are recognized at the date of sale.

At December 31, 2009, our investment in these properties was approximately $73,000, which was net of an allowance of $128,000.

 
18

 

Investment Activities

Our investment securities portfolio comprises U.S. Government, state agency and municipal obligations, mortgage-backed securities, Federal Home Loan Bank stock, and other investments.  At December 31, 2009, we had no investments in unrated securities.  At December 31, 2009, $22.0 million, or 59.6% of our investment portfolio was scheduled to mature in less than five years, and $15.0 million, or 40.4%, was scheduled to mature in over five years.  At December 31, 2009, $4.2 million, or 11.4% of our investment portfolio was scheduled to mature in less than one year.

At December 31, 2009, we held U.S. Government and state agency obligations and municipal obligations classified as available-for-sale, with a fair market value of $16.3 million.  While these securities generally provide lower yields than other investments such as mortgage-backed securities, our current investment strategy is to maintain investments in such instruments to the extent appropriate for liquidity purposes, as collateral for borrowings, and for prepayment protection.

We invest in mortgage-backed securities in order to: generate positive interest rate spreads with minimal administrative expense; lower credit risk as a result of the guarantees provided by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mae; supplement local loan originations; reduce interest rate risk exposure; and increase liquidity.  Our mortgage-backed securities portfolio consists of pass-through certificates.  At December 31, 2009, mortgage-backed securities totaled $16.4 million, or 43.6% of total investments.  At December 31, 2009, 24.0% of our mortgage-backed securities were secured by balloon loans.  All of our pass-through certificates are insured or guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae.  Our policy is to hold mortgage-backed securities as available for sale.

We have interests in pools of single-family mortgages in which the principal and interest payments are passed from the mortgage originators, through intermediaries (generally government-sponsored agencies) that pool and repackage loans and sell the participation interest in the form of securities, to investors.  These government-sponsored agencies include Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, or Fannie Mae.  The underlying pool of mortgages can be comprised of either fixed-rate mortgage loans or adjustable-rate mortgage loans.  The interest rate risk characteristics of the underlying pool of mortgages, i.e., fixed-rate or adjustable rate, are shared by the investors in that pool.

Our investment policy also permits investment in corporate debt obligations. Although corporate bonds may offer higher yields than U.S. Treasury or agency securities of comparable duration, corporate bonds also have a higher risk of default due to possible adverse changes in the creditworthiness of the issuer.

We are required under federal regulations to maintain a minimum amount of liquid assets that may be invested in specified short term securities and certain other investments.  We generally have maintained a portfolio of liquid assets that exceeds regulatory requirements.  Liquidity levels may be increased or decreased depending upon the yields on investment alternatives and upon management’s judgment as to the attractiveness of the yields then available in relation to other opportunities and its expectation of the level of yield that will be available in the future, as well as management’s projections as to the short term demand for funds to be used in our loan origination and other activities.

FASB ASC 320-10 requires that, at the time of purchase, we designate a security as held to maturity, available for sale, or trading, depending on our ability and intent.  Securities available for sale are reported at fair value.  As of December 31, 2009, all of our investment securities were designated as available for sale except for $3.9 million in municipal bond investments designated as held to maturity.

 
19

 

Investment Securities Portfolio.  The following table sets forth the composition of our investment securities portfolio at the dates indicated.

   
At December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                                     
Debt Securities:
                                   
U.S. Government and agency obligations
  $ 8,220     $ 8,257     $ 5,680     $ 5,768     $ 18,477     $ 18,514  
State agency and municipal obligations
    11,798       12,137       7,942       7,924       3,600       3,623  
                                                 
Corporate bonds and other obligations
    1,000       1,002       1,500       1,504       -       -  
                                                 
Mortgage-backed securities:
                                               
Pass-through securities:
                                               
Fannie Mae
    8,579       8,887       9,468       9,733       -       -  
Freddie Mac
    4,823       4,922       4,419       4,516       1,076       1,054  
Ginnie Mae
    2,577       2,588       164       167       197       197  
                                                 
Total debt securities
    36,997       37,793       29,173       29,612       23,350       23,388  
                                                 
Marketable equity securities
                                               
Common stock
    3       4       3       2       3       87  
                                                 
Total equity securities
    3       4       3       2       3       87  
                                                 
Total investment securities
  $ 37,000     $ 37,797     $ 29,176     $ 29,614     $ 23,353     $ 23,476  
 
Portfolio Maturities and Yields.  The composition and maturities of the investment securities portfolio at December 31, 2009 are summarized in the following table. Maturities are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not reflect the impact of prepayments or early redemptions that may occur. State and municipal securities yields have not been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis.

   
At December 31, 2009
 
               
More than One Year
   
More than Five Years
                               
   
One Year or Less
   
Through Five years
   
Through Ten Years
   
More than Ten Years
   
Total Securities
 
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
               
Weighted
 
   
Amortized
   
Average
   
Amortized
   
Average
   
Amortized
   
Average
   
Amortized
   
Average
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Average
 
   
Cost
   
Yield
   
Cost
   
Yield
   
Cost
   
Yield
   
Cost
   
Yield
   
Cost
   
Value
   
Yield
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Debt Securities:
                                                                 
U.S. Government and agency securities
  $ -       0.00 %   $ 8,220       2.61 %   $ -       0.00 %   $ -       0.00 %   $ 8,220     $ 8,257       2.61 %
State agency and municipal obligations
    1,587       2.88 %     6,885       4.12 %     1,536       3.94 %     1,789       4.73 %     11,797       12,137       4.02 %
                                                                                         
Corporate bonds and other obligations
    -       0.00 %     1,000       5.72 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     1,000       1,002       5.72 %
                                                                                         
Mortgage-backed securities
                                                                                       
Fannie Mae
    2,157       4.00 %     -       0.00 %     2,684       4.20 %     3,738       5.29 %     8,579       8,887       4.63 %
Freddie Mac
    468       3.50 %     1,726       4.36 %     13       2.63 %     2,616       4.63 %     4,823       4,922       4.42 %
Ginnie Mae
    -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     138       4.40 %     2,440       3.58 %     2,578       2,588       3.62 %
                                                                                         
Total debt securities
    4,212               17,831               4,371               10,583               36,997       37,793          
                                                                                         
Marketable equity securities:
                                                                                       
Common Stock
    -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     3       0.00 %     3       4       0.00 %
                                                              0.00 %                     0.00 %
Total investment securities
  $ 4,212             $ 17,831             $ 4,371             $ 10,586             $ 37,000     $ 37,797          

 
20

 

Sources of Funds

General.  Deposits are the major source of our funds for lending and other investment purposes.  We generate deposits from our eight full-service offices in Alpena, Mio, Cheboygan, Oscoda, Lewiston, Alanson and Gaylord.  In addition to deposits, we derive funds from borrowings, proceeds from the settlement of loan sales, the amortization and prepayment of loans and mortgage-backed securities, the maturity of investment securities, and operations.  Scheduled loan principal repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows and loan prepayments are influenced significantly by general interest rates and market conditions.  Borrowings are used on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in the availability of funds from other sources or on a longer term basis for general business purposes.  We currently are managing liquidity levels and loan funding primarily through secondary mortgage market sales and Federal Home Loan Bank advances.

Deposits.   We generate deposits primarily from our market area by offering a broad selection of deposit instruments including NOW accounts, regular savings, money market deposits, term certificate accounts and individual retirement accounts.  Deposit account terms vary according to the minimum balance required, the period of time during which the funds must remain on deposit, and the interest rate, among other factors.  The rate of interest which we must pay is not established by regulatory authority.  The asset/liability committee regularly evaluates our internal cost of funds, surveys rates offered by competing institutions, reviews the cash flow requirements for lending and liquidity, and executes rate changes when deemed appropriate.  We have sought to decrease the risk associated with changes in interest rates by offering competitive rates on some deposit accounts and by pricing certificates of deposit to provide customers with incentives to choose certificates of deposit with longer maturities. We also attract non-interest bearing commercial deposit accounts from our commercial borrowers and offer a competitive sweep product that is not insured by the FDIC. In recent periods, we generally have not obtained funds through brokers or through a solicitation of funds outside our market area.  At December 31, 2009 we had no brokered deposits.  We offer a limited amount of certificates of deposit in excess of $100,000 which may have negotiated rates.  Future liquidity needs are expected to be satisfied through the use of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings as necessary. Management does not generally plan on paying above-market rates on deposit products, although from time-to-time we may do so as liquidity needs dictate.

The following table sets forth the distribution of total deposit accounts, by account type, at the dates indicated.
 
   
At December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
               
Weighted
               
Weighted
               
Weighted
 
         
Percent
   
Average
         
Percent
   
Average
         
Percent
   
Average
 
   
Amount
   
of Total
   
Interest Rate
   
Amount
   
of Total
   
Interest Rate
   
Amount
   
of Total
   
Interest Rate
 
                                                       
                                                       
Non-interest-bearing
  $ 11,074       7.00 %  
NA
    $ 10,410       6.28 %  
NA
    $ 10,186       6.45 %  
NA
 
NOW accounts
    16,298       10.31 %     0.39 %     14,652       8.84 %     0.33 %     15,135       9.59 %     0.32 %
Passbook
    15,722       9.95 %     0.05 %     14,857       8.96 %     0.15 %     15,964       10.11 %     0.30 %
Money market accounts
    20,794       13.15 %     1.21 %     19,394       11.70 %     2.66 %     11,116       7.04 %     2.61 %
                                                                         
Time deposits that mature:
                                                                       
Less than 12 months
    60,552       38.30 %     2.47 %     68,753       41.47 %     3.72 %     77,275       48.96 %     4.37 %
Within 12-36 months
    29,739       18.81 %     2.79 %     34,429       20.77 %     3.95 %     24,944       15.80 %     4.68 %
Beyond 36 months
    3,921       2.48 %     3.30 %     3,283       1.98 %     3.78 %     3,213       2.04 %     4.22 %
Jumbo
    -       0.00 %     0.00 %     -       0.00 %     0.00 %     -       0.00 %     0.00 %
                                                                         
Total deposits
  $ 158,100       100.00 %     1.89 %   $ 165,778       100.00 %     2.79 %   $ 157,833       100.00 %     3.19 %

 
21

 

Time Deposit Rates.  The following table sets forth time deposits classified by rates as of the dates indicated (see Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements contained within Exhibit 13) for a more detailed breakdown by rate range):

   
At December 31,
 
Rate
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
0.50 percent to 0.99 percent
  $ 5,926     $ -     $ -  
1.00 percent to 1.99 percent
    32,658       8,577       -  
2.00 percent to 2.99 percent
    24,116       11,776       11,346  
3.00 percent to 3.99 percent
    15,629       42,403       11,977  
4.00 percent to 4.99 percent
    11,912       38,278       70,900  
5.00 percent to 8.99 percent
    3,971       5,431       11,209  
    $ 94,212     $ 106,465     $ 105,432  

Time Deposit Maturities.  The following table sets forth the amount and maturities of time deposits at December 31, 2009.

         
1 - Less
   
2 - Less
   
3 - Less
   
5 years
       
   
Less Than
   
than 2
   
than 3
   
than 5
   
and
       
Rate
 
One Year
   
Years
   
Years
   
Years
   
Greater
   
Total
 
                                     
0.50 percent to 0.99 percent
  $ 5,926     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 5,926  
1.00 percent to 1.99 percent
    28,203       4,455       -       -       -       32,658  
2.00 percent to 2.99 percent
    7,171       10,448       1,793       3,809       895       24,116  
3.00 percent to 3.99 percent
    7,568       4,529       440       2,522       570       15,629  
4.00 percent to 4.99 percent
    8,382       2,235       900       264       131       11,912  
5.00 percent to 8.99 percent
    3,303       492       -       -       176       3,971  
    $ 60,553     $ 22,159     $ 3,133     $ 6,595     $ 1,772     $ 94,212  

As of December 31, 2009, the aggregate amount of outstanding certificates of deposit in amounts greater than or equal to $100,000 was $31.6 million. The following table sets forth the maturity of those certificates as of December 31, 2009.

   
Certificates of Deposit
 
Maturity Period
 
in excess of $100,000
 
   
(In thousands)
 
       
Three months or less
  $ 6,666  
Three through six months
    8,243  
Six through twelve months
    7,239  
Over twelve months
    9,494  
         
Total
  $ 31,642  

 
22

 

Borrowings.  Our borrowings consist primarily of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis.  At December 31, 2009, we had access to additional Federal Home Loan Bank advances of up to $10.6 million, based upon pledged collateral.  The following table sets forth information concerning balances and interest rates on our Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings at the dates and for the periods indicated.

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
                   
Balance at end of period
  $ 45,031     $ 40,969     $ 52,684  
Average balance during period
    41,782       47,075       54,425  
Maximum outstanding at any month end
    46,750       48,900       66,850  
Weighted average interest rate at end of period
    3.13 %     4.22 %     4.68 %
Average interest rate during period
    3.69 %     4.27 %     4.78 %

Subsidiary Activity

First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc.’s only direct subsidiary is First Federal of Northern Michigan.

First Federal of Northern Michigan has two wholly owned subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009. First Federal of Northern Michigan and these subsidiaries have been consolidated in the financial statements and all inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

One subsidiary, Financial Services & Mortgage Corporation, leases, sells, develops and maintains real estate properties. For reporting purposes, Financial Services & Mortgage Corporation is included in our banking segment. As of December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan’s investment in Financial Services & Mortgage Corporation was $293,000. The primary asset of the subsidiary is an investment in land and real estate.  See "Real Estate Development Activities.”  At December 31, 2009, Financial Services & Mortgage Corporation owned five developed building sites which were being offered for sale.  Financial Services & Mortgage Corporation is not currently a party to any agreement that is material to First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. on a consolidated basis.

First Federal of Northern Michigan’s second subsidiary, FFNM Agency, Inc., collects the residual income stream associated with the April 2008 sale of the Company’s  wholesale health insurance override business to a third party. FFNM Agency is the successor company to the InsuranCenter of Alpena (“ICA”). On February 27, 2009, we sold the majority of the assets of ICA. The financial position and results of operations of ICA are presented separately in our consolidated financial statements as “discontinued operations.”

Personnel

As of December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan had 76 full-time and 22 part-time employees.  None of the Bank's employees is represented by a collective bargaining group.  The Bank believes its relationship with its employees to be good.  First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc., FFNM Agency, Inc. and FSMC have no separate employees.
 
 
23

 
 
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

General

As a federally chartered savings bank, First Federal of Northern Michigan is regulated and supervised by the Office of Thrift Supervision and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which we may engage, and is intended primarily for the protection of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s deposit insurance funds and depositors.  Under this system of federal regulation, financial institutions are periodically examined to ensure that they satisfy applicable standards with respect to their capital adequacy, assets, management, earnings, liquidity and sensitivity to market interest rates.  After completing an examination, the federal agency critiques the financial institution’s operations and assigns its rating (known as an institution’s CAMELS ratings).  Under federal law, an institution may not disclose its CAMELS rating to the public.  First Federal of Northern Michigan also is a member of, and owns stock in, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, which is one of the twelve regional banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System.  First Federal of Northern Michigan also is regulated, to a lesser extent, by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, governing reserves to be maintained against deposits and other matters.  The Office of Thrift Supervision examines First Federal of Northern Michigan and prepares reports for consideration by our board of directors on any operating deficiencies.  First Federal of Northern Michigan’s relationship with our depositors and borrowers also is regulated to a great extent by both federal and state laws, especially in matters concerning the ownership of deposit accounts and the form and content of our loan documents.

There can be no assurance that changes to existing laws, rules and regulations, or any other new laws, rules or regulations, will not be adopted in the future, which could make compliance more difficult or expensive or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition or prospects.  Any change in these laws or regulations, or in regulatory policy, whether by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of Thrift Supervision or Congress, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or operations.

Certain of the regulatory requirements that are applicable to First Federal of Northern Michigan and First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. are described below. This description of statutes and regulations is not intended to be a complete explanation of such statutes and regulations and their effects on First Federal of Northern Michigan and First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp. Inc. and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual statutes and regulations.

Proposed Federal Legislation

Legislation has been introduced in the United States Senate and House of Representatives that would implement sweeping changes to the current banking regulatory structure described in this section. A bill passed by the House would eliminate First Federal of Northern Michigan’s current primary federal regulator, the OTS, by merging the OTS into the Comptroller of the Currency (the primary federal regulator for national banks). The House legislation would authorize the Comptroller of the Currency to charter state banks, which would be under the supervision of the Division of Thrift Supervision of the Comptroller of the Currency. The House bill would also establish a Financial Stability Oversight Council and grant the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System exclusive authority to regulate all bank and thrift holding companies.  If the House bill is enacted, First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. would become a holding company subject to supervision by the Federal Reserve Board as opposed to the OTS, and would become subject to the Federal Reserve’s regulations.

The Senate proposal would remove bank and bank holding company regulatory powers from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System with respect to banks with assets of less than $50 billion, and merge the OTS into the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Under this proposal, federal savings banks and savings and loan holding companies that were regulated by the OTS would become subject to supervision and regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, while state-chartered banks, thrifts and their holding companies with assets below $50 billion would be regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Both the House bill and Senate proposal would establish new government bureaucracies empowered to write consumer protection rules, and in certain cases, to conduct examinations and implement enforcement actions with respect thereto. We believe the creation of such consumer protection bureaucracies will result in an increase in our compliance costs.

Federal Banking Regulation

Business Activities.  A federal savings bank derives its lending and investment powers from the Home Owners’ Loan Act, and the regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision.  Under these laws and regulations, First Federal of Northern Michigan may invest in mortgage loans secured by residential and commercial real estate, commercial business and consumer loans, certain types of debt securities and certain other loans and assets.  First Federal of Northern Michigan also may establish subsidiaries that may engage in activities not otherwise permissible for First Federal of Northern Michigan directly, including real estate investment, securities brokerage and insurance agency services.

 
24

 
 
 
Capital Requirements.  Office of Thrift Supervision regulations require savings banks to meet three minimum capital standards:  a 1.5% tangible capital ratio, a 4% leverage ratio (3% for institutions receiving the highest CAMELS rating) and an 8% risk-based capital ratio.  The prompt corrective action standards discussed below, in effect, establish a minimum 2% tangible capital standard.

The risk-based capital standard for savings banks requires the maintenance of Tier 1 (core) and total capital (which is defined as core capital and supplementary capital) to risk-weighted assets of at least 4% and 8%, respectively. In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets, are multiplied by a risk-weight factor of 0% to 100%, assigned by the Office of Thrift Supervision capital regulation based on the risks inherent in the type of asset. Core capital is defined as common stockholders’ equity (including retained earnings), certain noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less intangibles other than certain mortgage servicing rights and credit card relationships. The components of supplementary capital currently include cumulative preferred stock, long-term perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, subordinated debt and intermediate preferred stock, allowance for loan and lease losses up to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, and up to 45% of net unrealized gains on available-for-sale equity securities with readily determinable fair market values. Overall, the amount of supplementary capital included as part of total capital cannot exceed 100% of core capital.

Additionally, a savings association that retains credit risk in connection with an asset sale may be required to maintain regulatory capital because of the recourse back to the savings association. In assessing an institution’s capital adequacy, the OTS takes into consideration not only thee numeric factors but also qualitative factors as well, and has the authority to establish higher capital requirements for individual associations where necessary.

At December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan’s capital exceeded all applicable requirements. The following table sets forth the Bank’s capital position at December 31, 2009 and 2008, as compared to the minimum capital requirements.

   
At December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
                         
         
Percent
         
Percent
 
   
Amount
   
of Assets
   
Amount
   
of Assets
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Equity capital
  $ 22,119       9.5 %   $ 28,320       11.4 %
                                 
Tangible Capital Requirement:
                               
Tangible capital level
    20,239       8.8 %     24,886       10.2 %
Requirement
    3,470       1.5 %     3,655       1.5 %
Excess
    16,769       7.3 %     21,260       8.7 %
                                 
Core Capital Requirement:
                               
Core capital level
    20,239       8.8 %     24,886       10.2 %
Requirement
    9,255       4.0 %     9,476       4.0 %
Excess
    10,984       4.8 %     15,213       6.2 %
                                 
Risk-based Capital Requirement:
                               
Risk-based capital level
    22,304       13.6 %     27,079       15.8 %
Requirement
    13,153       8.0 %     13,757       8.0 %
Excess
    9,151       5.6 %     13,239       7.8 %

Loans to One Borrower.  A federal savings bank generally may not make a loan or extend credit to a single or related group of borrowers in excess of 15% of unimpaired capital and surplus on an unsecured basis.  An additional amount may be loaned, equal to 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus, if the loan is secured by readily marketable collateral, which generally does not include real estate.  As of December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan was in compliance with the loans-to-one-borrower limitations.

Qualified Thrift Lender Test. As a federal savings bank, First Federal of Northern Michigan is subject to a qualified thrift lender, or “QTL,” test.  Under the QTL test, First Federal of Northern Michigan must maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” in “qualified thrift investments” in at least nine months of the most recent 12-month period.  “Portfolio assets” generally means total assets of a savings institution, less the sum of specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, and the value of property used in the conduct of the institution’s business.

 
25

 

“Qualified thrift investments” include various types of loans made for residential and housing purposes, investments related to such purposes, including certain mortgage-backed and related securities, and loans for personal, family, household and certain other purposes up to a limit of 20% of portfolio assets.  “Qualified thrift investments” also include 100% of an institution’s credit card loans, education loans and small business loans.  First Federal of Northern Michigan also may satisfy the QTL test by qualifying as a “domestic building and loan association” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

A savings bank that fails the QTL test must either convert to a bank charter or operate under specified restrictions.  At December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan maintained approximately 87.3% of its portfolio assets in qualified thrift investments, and therefore satisfied the QTL test.

Capital Distributions. Office of Thrift Supervision regulations govern capital distributions by a federal savings bank, which include cash dividends, stock repurchases and other transactions charged to the institution’s capital account.  A savings bank must file an application for approval of a capital distribution if:

 
·
the total capital distributions for the applicable calendar year exceed the sum of the savings bank’s net income for that year to date plus the savings bank’s retained net income for the preceding two years;
 
 
·
the savings bank would not be at least adequately capitalized following the distribution;
 
 
·
the distribution would violate any applicable statute, regulation, agreement or Office of Thrift Supervision-imposed condition; or
 
 
·
the savings bank is not eligible for expedited treatment of its filings.
 
Even if an application is not otherwise required, every savings bank that is a subsidiary of a holding company must still file a notice with the Office of Thrift Supervision at least 30 days before the board of directors declares a dividend or approves a capital distribution.

The Office of Thrift Supervision may disapprove a notice or application if:

 
·
the savings bank would be undercapitalized following the distribution;
 
 
·
the proposed capital distribution raises safety and soundness concerns; or
 
 
·
the capital distribution would violate a prohibition contained in any statute, regulation or agreement.
 
In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act provides that an insured depository institution shall not make any capital distribution if after making such distribution the institution would be undercapitalized.
 
Liquidity.  A federal savings bank is required to maintain a sufficient amount of liquid assets to ensure its safe and sound operation

Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Laws.  All savings banks have a responsibility under the Community Reinvestment Act and related regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.  In connection with its examination of a federal savings bank, the Office of Thrift Supervision is required to assess the savings bank’s record of compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act.  In addition, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act prohibit lenders from discriminating in their lending practices on the basis of characteristics specified in those statutes.  A savings bank’s failure to comply with the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act could, at a minimum, result in regulatory restrictions on its activities.  The failure to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act could result in enforcement actions by the Office of Thrift Supervision, as well as other federal regulatory agencies and the Department of Justice.  First Federal of Northern Michigan received an “Outstanding” Community Reinvestment Act rating in its most recent federal examination.

 
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Transactions with Related Parties.  A federal savings bank’s authority to engage in transactions with its “affiliates” is limited by Office of Thrift Supervision regulations and Regulation W of the Federal Reserve Board, which implements Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act.  The term “affiliates” for these purposes generally means any company that controls or is under common control with an institution.  First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. and its non-savings institution subsidiaries will be affiliates of First Federal of Northern Michigan.  In general, transactions with affiliates must be on terms that are as favorable to the savings bank as comparable transactions with non-affiliates.  In addition, certain types of these transactions are restricted to an aggregate percentage of the savings bank’s capital.  Collateral in specified amounts must usually be provided by affiliates in order to receive loans from the savings bank.  In addition, Office of Thrift Supervision regulations prohibit a savings bank from lending to any of its affiliates that are engaged in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies and from purchasing the securities of any affiliate, other than a subsidiary.

First Federal of Northern Michigan’s authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and 10% stockholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons, is currently governed by the requirements of Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board. Among other things, these provisions require that extensions of credit to insiders (i) be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and that do not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features, and (ii) not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of First Federal of Northern Michigan’s capital.  In addition, extensions of credit in excess of certain limits must be approved by First Federal of Northern Michigan’s board of directors.

Enforcement.  The Office of Thrift Supervision has primary enforcement responsibility over federal savings banks and has the authority to bring enforcement action against all “institution-affiliated parties,” including stockholders, attorneys, appraisers and accountants who knowingly or recklessly participate in wrongful action likely to have an adverse effect on an institution.  Formal enforcement action may range from the issuance of a capital directive or cease and desist order to removal of officers and/or directors of the savings bank, receivership, conservatorship or the termination of deposit insurance.  Civil penalties cover a wide range of violations and actions, and range up to $25,000 per day, unless a finding of reckless disregard is made, in which case penalties may be as high as $1 million per day.  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation also has the authority to recommend to the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision that enforcement action be taken with respect to a particular savings bank.  If action is not taken by the Director, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has authority to take action under specified circumstances.

Standards for Safety and Soundness.  Federal law requires each federal banking agency to prescribe certain standards for all insured depository institutions.  These standards relate to, among other things, internal controls, information systems and audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, compensation, and other operational and managerial standards as the agency deems appropriate.  The federal banking agencies adopted Interagency Guidelines Prescribing Standards for Safety and Soundness to implement the safety and soundness standards required under federal law.  The guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired.  The guidelines address internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, credit underwriting, loan documentation, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits.  If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the guidelines, the agency may require the institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard.  If an institution fails to meet these standards, the appropriate federal banking agency may require the institution to submit a compliance plan.

Prompt Corrective Action Regulations.  Under the prompt corrective action regulations, the Office of Thrift Supervision is required and authorized to take supervisory actions against undercapitalized savings banks. For this purpose, a savings bank is placed in one of the following five categories based on the savings bank’s capital:
 
·
well-capitalized (at least 5% leverage capital, 6% tier 1 risk-based capital and 10% total risk-based capital);
 
 
·
adequately capitalized (at least 4% leverage capital, 4% tier 1 risk-based capital and 8% total risk-based capital);
 
 
·
undercapitalized (less than 3% leverage capital, 4% tier 1 risk-based capital or 8% total risk-based capital);

 
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·
significantly undercapitalized (less than 3% leverage capital, 3% tier 1 risk-based capital or 6% total risk-based capital); or
 
 
·
critically undercapitalized (less than 2% tangible capital).
 
Generally, the Office of Thrift Supervision is required to appoint a receiver or conservator for a savings bank that is “critically undercapitalized.”  The regulation also provides that a capital restoration plan must be filed with the Office of Thrift Supervision within 45 days of the date a savings bank receives notice that it is “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.”  In addition, numerous mandatory supervisory actions become immediately applicable to the savings bank, including, but not limited to, restrictions on growth, investment activities, capital distributions and affiliate transactions.  The Office of Thrift Supervision may also take any one of a number of discretionary supervisory actions against undercapitalized savings banks, including the issuance of a capital directive and the replacement of senior executive officers and directors.

At December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan met the criteria for being considered “well-capitalized.”

Insurance of Deposit Accounts. First Federal of Northern Michigan is a member of the Deposit Insurance Fund, which is administered by the FDIC. Deposit accounts at First Federal of Northern Michigan are insured by the FDIC, generally up to a maximum of $100,000 for each separately insured depositor and up to a maximum of $250,000 for self-directed retirement accounts. However, the FDIC increased the deposit insurance available on all deposit accounts to $250,000, effective until December 31, 2013.  In addition, certain noninterest-bearing transaction accounts maintained with financial institutions participating in the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program are fully insured regardless of the dollar amount until June 30, 2010. First Federal of Northern Michigan has opted to participate in the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.  See “—Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.”
 
The FDIC imposes an assessment against all depository institutions for deposit insurance. This assessment is based on the risk category of the institution and, prior to 2009, ranged from five to 43 basis points of the institution’s deposits.  On February 27, 2009, the FDIC published a final rule raising the current deposit insurance assessment rates to a range from 12 to 45 basis points beginning April 1, 2009.
 
 On May 22, 2009, the FDIC issued a final rule that imposed a special 5 basis points assessment on assets less Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, and was paid to the FDIC on September 30, 2009.  The cost of this special assessment to First Federal of Northern Michigan, was $108,000.
 
On November 12, 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule amending the assessment regulations to require insured depository institutions to prepay their quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011, and 2012, on December 30, 2009. This final rule resulted in the Company prepaying FDIC assessments in the amount of $1.4 million.
 
Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. We do not currently know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of our deposit insurance.
 
In addition to the FDIC assessments, the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) is authorized to impose and collect, with the approval of the FDIC, assessments for anticipated payments, issuance costs and custodial fees on bonds issued by the FICO in the 1980s to recapitalize the former Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. The bonds issued by the FICO are due to mature in 2017 through 2019. For the quarter ended December 31, 2009, the annualized FICO assessment was equal to 1.10 basis points for each $100 in domestic deposits maintained at an institution.

Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.  On October 14, 2008, the FDIC announced a new program – the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.  This program has two components. One guarantees newly issued senior unsecured debt of a participating organization, up to certain limits established for each institution, issued between October 14, 2008 and June 30, 2009. The FDIC will pay the unpaid principal and interest on an FDIC -guaranteed debt instrument upon the uncured failure of the participating entity to make a timely payment of principal or interest in accordance with the terms of the instrument.  The guarantee will remain in effect until June 30, 2012. In return for the FDIC’s guarantee, participating institutions will pay the FDIC a fee based on the amount and maturity of the debt.  First Federal of Northern Michigan opted to participate in this component of the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, but had no such unsecured debt during this time period.

 
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The other component of the program provides full federal deposit insurance coverage for non-interest bearing transaction deposit accounts, regardless of dollar amount, until June 30, 2010. An annualized 20 basis point assessment on balances in noninterest-bearing transaction accounts that exceed the existing deposit insurance limit of $250,000 will be assessed on a quarterly basis to insured depository institutions that have not opted out of this component of the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.  First Federal of Northern Michigan opted to participate in this component of the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.

U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was enacted in October 2008 and provides the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury with broad authority to implement certain actions to help restore stability and liquidity to U.S. markets. One of the provisions resulting from the legislation is the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.  CPP provides direct equity investment in perpetual preferred stock by the U.S. Treasury in qualified financial institutions. The program is voluntary and requires an institution to comply with a number of restrictions and provisions, including limits on executive compensation, stock redemptions and dividends.  The CPP provides for a minimum investment of one percent of total risk-weighted assets and a maximum investment equal to the lesser of three percent of total risk-weighted assets or $25 billion. Participation in the program is not automatic and is subject to approval by the U.S. Treasury.  First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. opted not to participate in the CPP.
 
Prohibitions Against Tying Arrangements.  Federal savings banks are prohibited, subject to some exceptions, from extending credit to or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional service from the savings bank or its affiliates or not obtain services of a competitor of the savings bank.

Federal Home Loan Bank System.  First Federal of Northern Michigan is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which consists of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks.  The Federal Home Loan Bank System provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions.  As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, First Federal of Northern Michigan is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank in an amount equal to at least 1% of the aggregate principal amount of its unpaid residential mortgage loans and similar obligations at the beginning of each year, or 1/20 of its borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank, whichever is greater.  As of December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan was in compliance with this requirement.

Other Regulations
 
Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by First Federal of Northern Michigan are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates.  First Federal of Northern Michigan’s operations are also subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as the:
 
 
·
Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;
 
 
·
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves;
 
 
·
Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited factors in extending credit;
 
 
·
Fair Credit Reporting Act, governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies;
 
 
·
Fair Debt Collection Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies;
 
 
·
Truth in Savings Act; and
 
 
·
rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing such federal laws.

 
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The operations of First Federal of Northern Michigan also are subject to the:
 
 
·
Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records;
 
 
·
Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E promulgated thereunder, which govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers’ rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services;
 
 
·
Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (also known as “Check 21”), which gives “substitute checks,” such as digital check images and copies made from that image, the same legal standing as the original paper check;
 
 
·
Title III of The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (referred to as the “USA PATRIOT Act”), which significantly expanded the responsibilities of financial institutions, including savings and loan associations, in preventing the use of the American financial system to fund terrorist activities.  Among other provisions, the USA PATRIOT Act and the related regulations of the OTS require savings associations operating in the United States to develop new anti-money laundering compliance programs, due diligence policies and controls to ensure the detection and reporting of money laundering. Such required compliance programs are intended to supplement existing compliance requirements, also applicable to financial institutions, under the Bank Secrecy Act and the Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations; and
 
 
·
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which places limitations on the sharing of consumer financial information by financial institutions with unaffiliated third parties. Specifically, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires all financial institutions offering financial products or services to retail customers to provide such customers with the financial institution’s privacy policy and provide such customers the opportunity to “opt out” of the sharing of certain personal financial information with unaffiliated third parties.

Federal Reserve System

Federal Reserve Board regulations require savings banks to maintain non-interest-earning reserves against their transaction accounts, such as negotiable order of withdrawal and regular checking accounts.  At December 31, 2009,  First Federal of Northern Michigan was in compliance with these reserve requirements.  The balances maintained to meet the reserve requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve Board may be used to satisfy liquidity requirements imposed by the Office of Thrift Supervision.

The USA PATRIOT Act

The USA PATRIOT Act gives the federal government new powers to address terrorist threats through enhanced domestic security measures, expanded surveillance powers, increased information sharing and broadened anti-money laundering requirements.  Certain provisions of the Act impose affirmative obligations on a broad range of financial institutions, including federal savings banks, like First Federal of Northern Michigan.  These obligations include enhanced anti-money laundering programs, customer identification programs and regulations relating to private banking accounts or correspondence accounts in the United States for non-United States persons or their representatives (including foreign individuals visiting the United States).

First Federal of Northern Michigan has established policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act’s provisions, and the impact of the USA PATRIOT Act on our operations has not been material.

 
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Holding Company Regulation

First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. is a unitary savings and loan holding company, subject to regulation and supervision by the Office of Thrift Supervision.  The Office of Thrift Supervision has enforcement authority over First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. and its non-savings institution subsidiaries.  Among other things, this authority permits the Office of Thrift Supervision to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a risk to First Federal of Northern Michigan.

Under prior law, a unitary savings and loan holding company generally had no regulatory restrictions on the types of business activities in which it could engage, provided that its subsidiary savings association was a qualified thrift lender.  The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, however, restricts unitary savings and loan holding companies not existing on, or applied for before, May 4, 1999, to those activities permissible for financial holding companies or for multiple savings and loan holding companies.  First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. is not a grandfathered unitary savings and loan holding company and, therefore, is limited to the activities permissible for financial holding companies or for multiple savings and loan holding companies.  A financial holding company may engage in activities that are financial in nature, including underwriting equity securities and insurance, incidental to financial activities or complementary to a financial activity.  A multiple savings and loan holding company is generally limited to activities permissible for bank holding companies under Section 4(c)(8) of the Bank Holding Company Act, subject to the prior approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision, and certain additional activities authorized by Office of Thrift Supervision regulations.

Federal law prohibits a savings and loan holding company, directly or indirectly, or through one or more subsidiaries, from acquiring control of another savings institution or holding company thereof, without prior written approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision.  It also prohibits the acquisition or retention of, with specified exceptions, more than 5% of the equity securities of a company engaged in activities that are not closely related to banking or financial in nature or acquiring or retaining control of an institution that is not federally insured.  In evaluating applications by holding companies to acquire savings institutions, the Office of Thrift Supervision must consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the savings institution involved, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the insurance fund, the convenience and needs of the community and competitive factors.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was enacted in response to public concerns regarding corporate accountability. The stated goals of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are to increase corporate responsibility, to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies, and to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to the securities laws. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act generally applies to all companies that file or are required to file periodic reports with the SEC, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act includes very specific additional disclosure requirements and new corporate governance rules requiring the SEC and securities exchanges to adopt extensive additional disclosure, corporate governance and other related rules, and mandates further studies of certain issues by the SEC.  The Sarbanes-Oxley Act represents significant federal involvement in matters traditionally left to state regulatory systems, such as the regulation of the accounting profession, and to state corporate law, such as the relationship between a board of directors and management and between a board of directors and its committees.

Federal Securities Laws

First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc.’s common stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. is subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trader restrictions and other requirements under the Securities Exchange of 1934.

First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. common stock held by persons who are affiliates (generally officers, directors and principal stockholders) of First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. may not be resold without registration or unless sold in accordance with certain resale restrictions.  If First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. meets specified current public information requirements, each affiliate of First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. is able to sell in the public market, without registration, a limited number of shares in any three-month period.

 
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TAXATION

Federal Taxation

General.  First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. and First Federal of Northern Michigan are subject to federal income taxation in the same general manner as other corporations, with some exceptions discussed below.  The following discussion of federal taxation is intended only to summarize material federal income tax matters and is not a comprehensive description of the tax rules applicable to First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. and First Federal of Northern Michigan.

Method of Accounting.  For federal income tax purposes, First Federal of Northern Michigan currently reports its income and expenses on the accrual method of accounting and uses a tax year ending December 31 for filing its consolidated federal income tax returns.  The Small Business Protection Act of 1996 eliminated the use of the reserve method of accounting for bad debt reserves by savings institutions, effective for taxable years beginning after 1995.

Bad Debt Reserves.  Prior to the Small Business Protection Act of 1996, First Federal of Northern Michigan was permitted to establish a reserve for bad debts for tax purposes and to make annual additions to the reserve.  These additions could, within specified formula limits, be deducted in arriving at First Federal of Northern Michigan’s taxable income.  As a result of the Small Business Protection Act, First Federal of Northern Michigan must use the specific charge off method in computing its bad debt deduction for tax purposes.

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation. The Company records a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets if it believes, based on available evidence, that it is “more likely than not” that the future tax assets recognized will not be realized before their expiration. Realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets is primarily dependent upon the generation of a sufficient level of future taxable income. At December 31, 2009 the Company had a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets of  $3.4 million.

Taxable Distributions and Recapture.  Prior to the Small Business Protection Act of 1996, bad debt reserves created prior to 1988 were subject to recapture into taxable income if First Federal of Northern Michigan failed to meet certain thrift asset and definitional tests.  The Small Business Protection Act of 1996 eliminated these thrift-related recapture rules.  However, under current law, pre-1988 reserves remain subject to tax recapture should First Federal of Northern Michigan make certain distributions from its tax bad debt reserve or cease to maintain a bank charter.  At December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan’s total federal pre-1988 reserve was approximately $60,000.  This reserve reflects the cumulative effects of federal tax deductions by First Federal of Northern Michigan for which    no federal income tax provision has been made.

Minimum Tax.  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, imposes an alternative minimum tax at a rate of 20% on a base of regular taxable income plus certain tax preferences (“alternative minimum taxable income” or “AMTI”).  The alternative minimum tax is payable to the extent such AMTI is in excess of an exemption amount.  Net operating losses can, in general, offset no more than 90% of AMTI.  Certain payments of alternative minimum tax may be used as credits against regular tax liabilities in future years. First Federal of Northern Michigan has not been subject to the alternative minimum tax and has no such amounts available as credits for carryover.

Net Operating Loss Carryovers.  A financial institution may carry back net operating losses to the preceding five taxable years and forward to the succeeding 20 taxable years.  At December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan had a net operating loss of approximately 8.2 million which it may carry back and/or forward for federal income tax purposes.

Corporate Dividends.  We may exclude from our income 100% of dividends received from First Federal of Northern Michigan as a member of the same affiliated group of corporations.

The federal income tax returns of First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. and its predecessor, Alpena Bancshares, Inc. have not been audited by the Internal Revenue Service in the last five fiscal years.

State and Local Taxation

During 1999, the State of Michigan enacted legislation that resulted in elimination of the Michigan single business tax by gradually phasing it out over the next 23 years.  On August 9, 2006, the Michigan Legislature approved the repeal of the Michigan SBT for tax years beginning after December 31, 2007. The Michigan SBT has been replaced with the Michigan Business Tax (MBT). Financial Institutions are subject to a component of the MBT, the Financial Institutions Tax, which is based on capital rather than taxable earnings.

 
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Other applicable state taxes include generally applicable sales, use and real property taxes.

As a Maryland business corporation, First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. is required to file annual returns with and pay annual fees to  the State of Maryland.
ITEM 1A.             RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below and all other information contained in this annual report on Form 10-K before you decide to buy our common stock. It is possible that risks and uncertainties not listed below may arise or become material in the future and affect our business.

The United States Economy Is In Recession. The Economic Recession Has Already Affected Our Business and Results of Operations.  A Prolonged Economic Downturn, Especially One Affecting Our Geographic Market Area, Could Continue to Materially Affect our Business and Financial Results.

The United States economy entered a recession in the fourth quarter of 2007.  The economy in our principal market area, Northern Michigan, is similarly in a recession. Throughout the course of 2008 and 2009, economic conditions continued to worsen, due in large part to the fallout from the collapse of the sub-prime mortgage market. While we did not originate or invest in sub-prime mortgages, our lending business is tied, in large part, to the housing market.  Declines in home prices, increases in foreclosures and higher unemployment have adversely affected the credit performance of real estate-related loans, resulting in the write-down of asset values. The continuing housing slump also has resulted in reduced demand for the construction of new housing, further declines in home prices, and increased delinquencies on our construction, residential and commercial mortgage loans. Further, the ongoing concern about the stability of the financial markets in general has caused many lenders to reduce or cease providing funding to borrowers. These conditions may also cause a further reduction in loan demand, and increases in our non-performing assets, net charge-offs and provisions for loan losses.

The Company's success depends primarily on the general economic conditions of the State of Michigan and the specific local markets in which the Company operates. The local economic conditions in these local markets have a significant impact on the demand for the Company’s products and services as well as the ability of the Company’s customers to repay loans, the value of the collateral securing loans and the stability of the Company's deposit funding sources. Economic conditions experienced in the State of Michigan have been more adverse than in the United States generally, and these conditions are not expected to significantly improve in the near future. Unemployment has increased significantly. A further economic downturn or continued weak business environment within Michigan could further negatively impact household and corporate incomes.  A majority of the Company's loans are to individuals and businesses in Michigan. Consequently, any further or prolonged decline in Michigan’s economy could have a materially adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. A significant further decline or a prolonged period of the lack of improvement in general economic conditions, whether caused by recession, inflation, unemployment, changes in securities markets, acts of terrorism, other international or domestic occurrences or other factors could impact these local economic conditions and, in turn, have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

Future Changes in Interest Rates Could Reduce Our Profits

Our ability to make a profit largely depends on our net interest income, which could be negatively affected by changes in interest rates.  Net interest income is the difference between:
 
 
·
the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities; and

 
·
the interest expense we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings.

The rates we earn on our assets and the rates we pay on our liabilities are generally fixed for a contractual period of time. Like many savings institutions, our liabilities generally have shorter contractual maturities than our assets.  This imbalance can create significant earnings volatility, because market interest rates change over time.  In a period of rising interest rates, the interest income earned on our assets may not increase as rapidly as the interest paid on our liabilities.  In a period of declining interest rates, the interest income earned on our assets may decrease more rapidly than the interest paid on our liabilities, as borrowers prepay mortgage loans, and mortgage-backed securities and callable investment securities are called or prepaid thereby requiring us to reinvest those cash flows at lower interest rates.  See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Management of Interest Rate Risk.”

 
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In addition, changes in interest rates can affect the average life of loans and mortgage-backed and related securities. A reduction in interest rates results in increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-backed and related securities, as borrowers refinance their debt in order to reduce their borrowing costs. This creates reinvestment risk, which is the risk that we may not be able to reinvest prepayments at rates that are comparable to the rates we earned on the prepaid loans or securities. Additionally, increases in interest rates may decrease loan demand and/or make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable-rate loans.
 
Changes in interest rates also affect the current fair value of our interest-earning securities portfolio. Generally, the value of securities moves inversely with changes in interest rates.  At December 31, 2009, the fair value of our available-for-sale securities portfolio, consisting of agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt obligations and municipal obligations, totaled $37.8 million. Unrealized net gains on these available-for-sale securities totaled $641,000 at December 31, 2009 and are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Decreases in the fair value of securities available for sale in future periods would have an adverse effect on stockholders’ equity.
 
We evaluate interest rate sensitivity using income simulation models that estimate the change in our net interest income over a range of interest rate scenarios. Net income at risk measures the risk of a decline in earnings due to potential short-term and long term changes in interest rates. At December 31, 2009, the latest date for which such information is available, in the event of an immediate 200 basis point increase in interest rates, the model projects that we would experience an 8.0% decrease in net interest income over the following 12 months.
 
As a Result of Our Previous Emphasis on Originating Commercial Real Estate and Commercial Business Loans, Our Credit Risk Has and Will Continue to Increase.  Continued Weakness or a Deeper Downturn in the Real Estate Market and Local Economy Could Adversely Affect Our Earnings.

At December 31, 2009, our portfolio of commercial real estate loans totaled $55.8 million, or 31.9% of our total loans, our portfolio of commercial business loans totaled $9.9 million, or 5.6% of our total loans, and our portfolio of commercial construction loans totaled $6.6 million or 3.8% of our total loans. These loans have increased as a percentage of our total loan portfolio in recent years and generally have more risk than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Because the repayment of commercial real estate and commercial business loans depends on the successful management and operation of the borrower’s properties or related businesses, repayment of such loans can be affected by adverse conditions in the real estate market or the local economy.  Many of our borrowers also have more than one commercial real estate or commercial business loan outstanding with us. Consequently, an adverse development with respect to one loan or one credit relationship can expose us to significantly greater risk of loss compared to an adverse development with respect to a one- to four-family residential mortgage loan.  Finally, if we foreclose on a commercial real estate or commercial business loan, our holding period for the collateral, if any, typically is longer than for one- to four-family residential mortgage loans because there are fewer potential purchasers of the collateral. Because we plan to continue to increase our originations of these loans, it may be necessary to increase the level of our allowance for loan losses because of the increased risk characteristics associated with these types of loans. Any such increase to our allowance for loan losses would adversely affect our earnings.
 
We Have Participated in Commercial Real Estate, Residential Real Estate and Construction Loans Secured by Real Estate Located Outside of Michigan, Which Expose Us to Increased Lending Risks
 
Beginning in 2007, because of weak market conditions and weak demand for loans in our primary market area, and in an effort to diversify our loan portfolio, we began participating in commercial real estate, residential real estate and construction loans originated by other financial institutions and secured by real estate located outside of Michigan. As of December 31, 2009, $12.2 million of our loans were participations in commercial real estate and construction loans secured by real estate located outside of Michigan. As of December 31, 2009, $2.1 million of these loans were considered non-performing. Of our $8.2 million in loan charge-offs in 2009, $2.5 million were loans secured by real estate located outside of Michigan. Such loans expose us to increased lending risks because, unlike loans that we originate in our market area, we may be unfamiliar with the collateral securing such loans and the market conditions affecting the borrower, and we generally do not have face-to-face contact with the borrowers on such loans.
 
If Our Allowance for Loan Losses is Not Sufficient to Cover Actual Loan Losses, Our Earnings Could Decrease.

We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, we review our loans and our loss and delinquency experience, and we evaluate economic conditions.  If our assumptions are incorrect, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio, resulting in additions to our allowance. Our allowance for loan losses was 2.09% of total loans and 31.05% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2009, compared to 2.85% of total loans and 46.41% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2008.  Material additions to our allowance could materially decrease our net income.
 
In addition, bank regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs as required by these regulatory authorities may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 
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Future Legislative or Regulatory Actions Responding to Financial and Market Weakness Could Affect Us Adversely. There Can Be No Assurance that Actions of the U.S. Government, Federal Reserve and Other Governmental and Regulatory Bodies For the Purpose of Stabilizing the Financial Markets Will Achieve the Intended Effect.

In response to the financial crises affecting the banking system and financial markets, the U.S. Congress has passed legislation and the U.S. Treasury has promulgated programs designed to purchase assets from, provide equity capital to, and guarantee the liquidity of the financial services industry.  Specifically, Congress adopted the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, under which the U.S. Treasury has the authority to expend up to $700 billion to assist in stabilizing and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial system. On October 14, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced the Capital Purchase Program, under which it will purchase up to $250 billion of non-voting senior preferred shares of certain qualified financial institutions in an attempt to encourage financial institutions to build capital to increase the flow of financing to businesses and consumers and to support the economy. In addition, Congress temporarily increased FDIC deposit insurance from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor through December 31, 2013. The FDIC has also announced the creation of the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program which is intended to strengthen confidence and encourage liquidity in financial institutions by temporarily guaranteeing newly issued senior unsecured debt of participating organizations and providing full insurance coverage for noninterest-bearing transaction deposit accounts (such as business checking accounts, interest-bearing transaction accounts paying 50 basis points or less and lawyers’ trust accounts), regardless of dollar amount until December 31, 2009.  Finally, in February 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was enacted, which is intended to expand and establish government spending programs and provide certain tax cuts to stimulate the economy. The U.S. government continues to evaluate and develop various programs and initiatives designed to stabilize the financial and housing markets and stimulate the economy, including the U.S. Treasury’s recently announced Financial Stability Plan and the recently announced foreclosure prevention program.

The potential exists for additional federal or state laws and regulations regarding lending and funding practices and liquidity standards, and bank regulatory agencies are expected to be active in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations, and the issuance of many formal enforcement orders is expected.  Actions taken to date, as well as potential actions, may not have the beneficial effects that are intended, particularly with respect to the extreme levels of volatility and limited credit availability currently being experienced.  In addition, new laws, regulations, and other regulatory changes will increase our costs of regulatory compliance and of doing business, and otherwise affect our operations. Our FDIC insurance premiums have increased, and are expected to continue to increase, because market developments have significantly depleted the insurance fund of the FDIC and reduced the ratio of reserves to insured deposits. New laws, regulations, and other regulatory changes, along with negative developments in the financial services industry and the credit markets, may significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the markets for and value of our loans and investments, and our ongoing operations, costs and profitability.

Lack of Consumer Confidence in Financial Institutions May Decrease Our Level of Deposits.

Our level of deposits may be affected by lack of consumer confidence in financial institutions, which has resulted in large numbers of depositors unwilling to maintain deposits that are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In some cases, depositors have withdrawn deposits and invested uninsured funds in investments perceived as being more secure, such as securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. These consumer preferences may force us to pay higher interest rates to retain deposits and may constrain liquidity as we seek to meet funding needs caused by reduced deposit levels.

Strong Competition Within Our Market Area May Limit Our Growth and Profitability.
 
We face substantial competition in all phases of our operations from a variety of different competitors. Our future growth and success will depend on our ability to compete effectively in this highly competitive environment. We compete for deposits, loans and other financial services with numerous Michigan-based banks, thrifts, credit unions and other financial institutions as well as other entities which provide financial services. Some of these competitors are not subject to the same regulatory restrictions, have advantages of scale due to their size, or have cost advantages due to their tax status.  Our profitability depends upon our continued ability to successfully compete in our market area.  The greater resources and deposit and loan products offered by some of our competitors may limit our ability to increase our interest-earning assets.

 
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Recent Negative Developments in the Financial Services Industry And the Credit Markets May Subject Us to Additional Regulation.

As a result of the recent financial crisis, the potential exists for the promulgation of new federal or state laws and regulations regarding lending and funding practices and liquidity standards, and bank regulatory agencies are expected to be active in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations, which are expected to result in the issuance of many formal enforcement orders. Negative developments in the financial services industry and the credit markets, and the impact of new legislation in response to these developments, may negatively affect our operations by restricting our business operations, including our ability to originate or sell loans and pursue business opportunities. Compliance with such regulation also will likely increase our costs.

Our Future Growth May Require Us to Raise Additional Capital in the Future, But That Capital May Not Be Available When It Is Needed.

We are required by regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. We believe that our current capital levels will satisfy our regulatory requirements for the foreseeable future. We may at some point, however, need to raise additional capital to support our continued growth. Our ability to raise additional capital will depend, in part, on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, we may be unable to raise additional capital, if and when needed, on terms acceptable to us, or at all. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, our ability to further expand our operations through internal growth and acquisitions could be materially impaired. In addition, if we decide to raise additional equity capital, your interest in our common stock could be diluted.

Our Expenses Will Increase as a Result of Increases in FDIC Insurance Premiums.

The FDIC imposes an assessment against institutions for deposit insurance. Federal law requires that the designated reserve ratio for the deposit insurance fund be established by the FDIC at 1.15% to 1.50% of estimated insured deposits. If this reserve ratio drops below 1.15% or the FDIC expects it to do so within six months, the FDIC must, within 90 days, establish and implement a plan to restore the designated reserve ratio to 1.15% of estimated insured deposits within five years (absent extraordinary circumstances).

Recent bank failures coupled with deteriorating economic conditions have significantly reduced the deposit insurance fund’s reserve ratio. As of June 30, 2009, the designated reserve ratio was 0.40% of estimated insured deposits at March 31, 2009. On February 27, 2009, the FDIC issued a final rule that alters the way the FDIC calculates federal deposit insurance assessment rates. Under the rule, the FDIC first establishes an institutions initial base assessment rate. This initial base assessment rate ranges from 12 to 45 basis points, depending on the risk category of the institution. The FDIC then adjusts the initial base assessment (higher or lower) to obtain the total base assessment rate. The adjustments to the initial base assessment rate are based upon on institution’s levels of unsecured debt, secured liabilities, and brokered deposits. The total base assessment rate ranges from 7 to 77.5 basis points of the institution’s deposits. Additionally, on May 22, 2009 the FDIC issued a final rule that imposed a special 5 basis point assessment on each FDIC-insured depository institution’s assets, minus Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, which was paid on September 30, 2009. The special assessment was capped at 10 basis points of an institution’s domestic deposits. This special assessment resulted in additional non-interest expense of  $108,000 during 2009.

The FDIC has adopted a final rule pursuant  to which all insured depository institutions prepaid their estimated assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012. Under the rule, this prepayment was due on December 30, 2009. The assessment rate for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for 2010 was based on the institution’s total base assessment rate for the third quarter of 2009, modified to assume that the assessment rate in effect on September 30, 2009 had been in effect for the entire third quarter, and the assessment rate for 2011 and 2012 will be equal to the modified third quarter assessment rate plus an additional 3 basis points. In addition, each institution’s base assessment rate for each period was calculated using its third quarter assessment base, adjusted quarterly for an estimated 5% annual growth rate in the assessment base through the end of 2012. Our initial prepayment amount was approximately $1.4 million, of which $1.3 million existed at December 31, 2009.

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 temporarily increased the limit on FDIC insurance coverage for deposits to $250,000, which was further extended through December 31, 2013. The FDIC also took action to provide federal insurance coverage for newly-issued senior unsecured debt and non interest-bearing transaction and certain NOW accounts in excess of the $250,000 limit, for which institutions will be assessed additional premiums.

 
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These actions will significantly increase our non-interest expense in 2010 and in future years as long as the premiums are in place.
 
We Have Suspended our Common Stock Cash Dividend.
 
We suspended our quarterly dividend effective for the quarter ended December 31, 2008. We are dependent primarily upon the Bank for our earnings and funds to pay dividends on our common stock. The payment of dividends also is subject to legal and regulatory restrictions. Any reinstatement of dividends in the future will depend, in large part, on the Bank's earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered by our Board of Directors.

ITEM 1B.             UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

ITEM 2.                PROPERTIES

As of December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan owned its main office and all of its branch offices.  At December 31, 2009, the aggregate net book value of our premises and equipment was $6.6 million, net of $5.0 million of depreciation.  The following is a list of our locations:
 
Main Office
 
Main Office – Annex Building
     
100 South Second Avenue
 
123 S Second Ave
Alpena, Michigan 49707
 
Alpena, MI 49707
     
Branch Offices
   
     
300 South Ripley Boulevard
 
2885 South County Road #489
Alpena, Michigan  49707
 
Lewiston, Michigan  49756
     
6232 River Street
 
308 North Morenci
Alanson, Michigan 49706
 
Mio, Michigan  48647
     
101 South Main Street
 
201 North State Street
Cheboygan, Michigan  49721
 
Oscoda, Michigan  48750
     
1000 South Wisconsin
 
11874 U.S. 23 South (1)
Gaylord, Michigan  49735
 
Ossineke, Michigan  49766
 

 
(1)
This branch was closed on February, 16, 2007. The property has been listed for sale.

ITEM 3.                LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company and the Bank are periodically involved in claims and lawsuits that are incident to their business.  At December 31, 2009, neither the Company nor the Bank was involved in any claims or lawsuits material to their respective businesses.

 
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ITEM 4.                SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2009 to a vote of security holders.

PART II

ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND SMALL BUSINESS ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 
(a)
First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc.’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FFNM.”

As of December 31, 2009 there were 2,884,249 shares of First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. common stock outstanding. At December 31, 2009, First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. had approximately 600 stockholders of record. The remaining information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13, the Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders.

No equity securities were sold during the year ended December 31, 2009 that were not registered under the Securities Act.

 
(b)
Not Applicable

 
(c)
First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. did not repurchase any of its equity securities  during the quarter ended December 31, 2009.

ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
Not required for smaller reporting companies.

ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF PERATIONS

Information contained in the section captioned "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"   is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13, the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders.

ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Information contained in the section captioned “Financial Statements” is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13, the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders.

ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None

 
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ITEM 9A(T).
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 
(a)
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d–15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms and in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (or its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in its periodic SEC filings.

 
(b)
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Management of First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s system of internal control is designed under the supervision of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
 
Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are made only in accordance with the authorization of management and the Board of Directors; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections on any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with policies and procedures may deteriorate.
 
As of December 31, 2009, management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based upon the framework established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based upon its assessment, management believes that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 is effective using these criteria. This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

 
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(c)
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over the financial reporting during the Company’s fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,  AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information concerning directors and executive officers is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement, specifically the section captioned "Proposal I—Election of Directors."

ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information concerning executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement, specifically the section captioned "Proposal I—Election of Directors.”

ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information concerning security ownership of certain owners and management is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement, specifically the Section captioned “Proposal I – Election of Directors.”

ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Information concerning relationships and transactions is incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Proxy Statement, specifically the section captioned “Transactions with Certain Related Persons”.

ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Information concerning principal accountant fees and services is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement, specifically the section captioned “Proposal II – Ratification of Appointment of Auditors.”
 
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PART IV

ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS

The exhibits filed as a part of this form 10-K are as follows:

3.1
Articles of Incorporation of First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc.*
3.2
Bylaws of First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc.*
4
Form of Common Stock Certificate of First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc.*
10.1
Change in Control Agreements*
10.2
1996 Stock Option Plan*
10.3
1996 Recognition and Retention Plan*
10.4
2006 Stock-Based Incentive Plan**
13
Annual Report to Shareholders
14
Code of Ethics ***
21
Subsidiaries of Registrant
23
Consent of Plante & Moran PLLC
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 

*
Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form SB-2 of First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. (Registration No. 333-121178), originally filed with the Commission on December 10, 2004.
**
Incorporate by reference to the Definitive Proxy materials filed on April 10, 2006 (No. 000-31957).
***
Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Alpena Bancshares, Inc. filed with the Commission on March 30, 2004 (Registration No. 000-31957).
 
 
41

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

FIRST FEDERAL OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN BANCORP, INC.
     
 
By:
/s/Michael W. Mahler
   
Michael W. Mahler
   
Chief Executive Officer
     
   
Date:  March 31, 2010
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By:
/s/Michael W. Mahler
 
By:
/s/Amy E. Essex
 
Michael W. Mahler, Director and
   
Amy E. Essex, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and
 
Chief Executive Officer
   
Corporate Secretary
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Date:  March 31, 2010
   
 Date:  March 31, 2010
         
By:
/s/Martin A. Thomson
 
By:
/s/Keith Wallace
 
Martin A. Thomson, Chairman
   
Keith Wallace, Director
         
Date:  March 31, 2010
   
Date:  March 31, 2010
         
By:
/s/GaryVanMassenhove
 
By:
/s/Thomas R. Townsend
 
Gary VanMassenhove, Director
   
Thomas R. Townsend, Director
         
Date:  March 31, 2010
   
Date:  March 31, 2010
         
By:
/s/James C. Rapin
     
 
    James C. Rapin, Director
     
         
Date:  March 31, 2010
     

 
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