k3-31.htm
UNITED STATES
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 March 31, 2008                                               OR

[  ] 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 0-22957
 
 
RIVERVIEW BANCORP, INC.
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
                                      Washington                                             
                             91-1838969                 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)              (I.R.S. Employer I.D. Number) 
   
900 Washington St., Ste. 900, Vancouver, Washington                                       98660                           
(Address of principal executive offices)    
                         (Zip Code) 
   
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   
                      (360) 693-6650                   
   
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:   
   
Title of Each Class      Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered 
Common Stock, Par Value $.01 per share   Nasdaq Stock Market LLC  
   
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: 
                              None                            
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes         No  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes         No   X  

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 preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes    X    No___

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check One):
 
Large accelerated filer  ____   Accelerated filer        Non-accelerated filer ____    Smaller Reporting Company ____ 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act) Yes       No     X  

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based on the closing sales price of the registrant's Common Stock as quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market System under the symbol "RVSB" on September 30, 2007 was $163,300,253 (10,996,650 shares at $14.85 per share).  As of June 6, 2008, there were issued and outstanding 10,913,773 shares of the registrant’s common stock.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Part III).

 
1

 
PART I


Item 1.  Business

General

Riverview Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company"), a Washington corporation, is the savings and loan holding company of Riverview Community Bank (the “Bank”).  At March 31, 2008, the Company had total assets of $886.8 million, total deposit accounts of $667.0 million and shareholders' equity of $92.6 million. The Company’s executive offices are located at 900 Washington Street, Vancouver Washington. All references to the Company herein include the Bank where applicable.

Substantially all of the Company’s business is conducted through the Bank which is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS"), its primary regulator, and by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), the insurer of its deposits.  The Bank's deposits are insured by the FDIC up to applicable legal limits under the Deposit Insurance Fund ("DIF").  The Bank has been a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") of Seattle since 1937.

The Company is a progressive, community-oriented financial services company, which emphasizes local, personal service to residents of its primary market area.  The Company considers Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat and Skamania counties of Washington and Multnomah, Clackamas and Marion counties of Oregon as its primary market area. The Company is engaged primarily in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and using such funds in its primary market area to originate commercial, commercial real estate, multi-family real estate, real estate construction, residential real estate and consumer loans. Commercial and construction loans have grown from 81.21% of the loan portfolio at March 31, 2004 to 89.62% at March 31, 2008.  The Company’s strategic plan includes targeting the commercial banking customer base in its primary market area, specifically small and medium size businesses, professionals and wealth building individuals.  In pursuit of these goals, the Company emphasizes controlled growth and the diversification of its loan portfolio to include a higher portion of commercial and commercial real estate loans.  A related goal is to increase the proportion of personal and business checking account deposits used to fund these new loans.  Significant portions of these new loan products carry adjustable rates, higher yields or shorter terms and higher credit risk than traditional fixed-rate mortgages.  The strategic plan stresses increased emphasis on non-interest income, including increased fees for asset management and deposit service charges.  The strategic plan is designed to enhance earnings, reduce interest rate risk and provide a more complete range of financial services to customers and the local communities the Company serves. The Company is well positioned to attract new customers and to increase its market share with 18 branches including ten in fast growing Clark county, three in the Portland metropolitan area and four lending centers.

In order to support its strategy of growth without compromising its local, personal service to its customers and a commitment to asset quality, the Company has made significant investments in experienced branch, lending, asset management and support personnel and has incurred significant costs in facility expansion. The Company’s efficiency ratios reflect this investment and will likely remain relatively high by industry standards for the foreseeable future because of the emphasis on growth and local, personal service.  Control of non-interest expenses remains a high priority for the Company’s management.

The Company continuously reviews new products and services to provide its customers more financial options. With the Company’s emphasis on the growth of non-interest income and the control of non-interest expense, all new technology and services are generally reviewed for business development and cost saving purposes.  In-house processing of checks and check imaging has supported the Bank’s increased service to customers and at the same time has increased efficiency.  The Bank has implemented remote check capture at selected branches and is in the process of implementing remote capture of checks on site for selected customers of the Bank.  Emphasis on enhancing the Bank’s cash management product line is in process with the hiring of an experienced cash management officer during the third quarter of fiscal year 2008.  The formation of a team consisting of this cash management officer and existing Bank employees is expected to lead to a more robust cash management product line for the Bank’s commercial customers.  The Company continues to experience growth in customer use of its online banking services, which allows customers to conduct a full range of services on a real-time basis, including balance inquiries, transfers and electronic bill paying.  The Company’s online service has also enhanced the delivery of cash management services to commercial customers.
 
 
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Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other portions of this Form 10-K contain certain “forward-looking statements” concerning the future operations of the Company. Management desires to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this statement for the express purpose of availing the Company of the protections of such safe harbor with respect to all “forward-looking statements” contained in the Company’s Annual Report. The Company has used “forward-looking statements’ to describe future plans and strategies, including its expectations of the Company’s future financial results. Management’s ability to predict results or the effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could affect actual results include interest rate trends, the general economic climate in the Company’s market area and the country as a whole, the ability of the Company to control costs and expenses, deposit flows, demand for mortgages and other loans, real estate value and vacancy rates, the ability of the Company to efficiently incorporate acquisitions into its operations, competition, loan delinquency rates, and changes in federal and state regulation. These factors should be considered in evaluating the “forward-looking statements,” and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made on behalf of the Company.

Market Area

The Company conducts operations from its home office in Vancouver and 18 branch offices in Camas, Washougal, Stevenson, White Salmon, Battle Ground, Goldendale, Vancouver (seven branch offices) and Longview, Washington and Portland (two branch offices), Wood Village and Aumsville, Oregon.  The Company operates a trust and financial services company, Riverview Asset Management Corp. (“RAMCorp”), located in downtown Vancouver.  Riverview Mortgage, a mortgage broker division of the Bank, originates mortgage loans for various mortgage companies predominantly in the Vancouver/Portland metropolitan areas, as well as for the Company.  The Business and Professional Banking Division, with two lending offices in Vancouver and two lending offices in Portland, offers commercial and business banking services.

Vancouver is located in Clark County, Washington, which is just north of Portland, Oregon. Many businesses are located in the Vancouver area because of the favorable tax structure and lower energy costs in Washington as compared to Oregon.  Companies located in the Vancouver area include Sharp Microelectronics, Hewlett Packard, Georgia Pacific, Underwriters Laboratory, Wafer Tech, Nautilus and Barrett Business Services, as well as several support industries.  In addition to this industry base, the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area is a source of tourism, which has helped to transform the area from its past dependence on the timber industry.

Lending Activities

General.  At March 31, 2008, the Company's total net loans receivable totaled $756.5 million, or 85.3% of total assets at that date.  The principal lending activity of the Company is the origination of loans collateralized by commercial properties, land for development, and residential construction loans.  A substantial portion of the Company's loan portfolio is secured by real estate, either as primary or secondary collateral, located in its primary market area.

Prior to fiscal year 2007, Riverview reported and disclosed the composition of its loan portfolio based on collateral with a focus upon residential construction and permanent financing activities – a view that was consistent with Riverview’s background as a thrift organization.  However, since 1998 and more pronounced in recent years, Riverview has strategically migrated its lending focus to that of a commercial bank.  This intended strategy is evident not only in the changing mix of the loan portfolio that has occurred organically but also has been accomplished through the Company’s acquisitions of community banks that emphasized commercial lending activities.  To align with the strategic direction of the Company, and to better conform to established industry practices, the Company has modified certain loan disclosures to reflect the increasingly commercial nature of our loan portfolio, and to classify loan types based on loan purpose, rather than collateral.  All tables and loan disclosures in this Form 10-K reflect these new disclosure and the related reclassifications.

Loan Portfolio Analysis.  The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's loan portfolio by type of loan at the dates indicated.

 
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At March 31,
 
    2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
    Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial and construction:
                                                           
Commercial
  $ 109,585       14.28 %   $ 91,174       13.18 %   $ 90,083       14.29 %   $ 78,280       18.02 %   $ 57,578       14.92 %
Other real estate mortgage
    429,422       55.97       360,930       52.19       329,631       52.30       220,813       50.84       206,850       53.59  
Real estate construction
    148,631       19.37       166,073       24.01       137,598       21.83       58,699       13.51       49,042       12.70  
Total commercial and construction
    687,638       89.62       618,177       89.38       557,312       88.42       357,792       82.37       313,470       81.21  
Consumer:
                                                                               
Real estate one-to-four family
    75,922       9.90       69,808       10.10       64,091       10.17       69,455       15.99       67,699       17.53  
Other installment
    3,665       0.48       3,619       0.52       8,899       1.41       7,107       1.64       4,846       1.26  
Total consumer loans
    79,587       10.38       73,427       10.62       72,990       11.58       76,562       17.63       72,545       18.79  
Total loans and loans held for sale
    767,225       100.00 %     691,604       100.00 %     630,302       100.00 %     434,354       100.00 %     386,015       100.00 %
Less:
                                                                               
Allowance for loan losses
    10,687               8,653               7,221               4,395               4,481          
Total loans receivable, net (1)
  $ 756,538             $ 682,951             $ 623,081             $ 429,959             $ 381,534          
   
(1) Includes loans held for sale of none, none, $65,000, $510,000 and $407,000 at March 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
 

 
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Loan Portfolio Composition.  The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's commercial and construction loan portfolio based on loan purpose at the dates indicated.

COMPOSITION OF COMMERCIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LOAN TYPES BASED ON LOAN PURPOSE
 
         
Other
         
Commercial &
 
         
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
   
Construction
 
   
Commercial
   
Mortgage
   
Construction
   
Total
 
March 31, 2008
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial
  $ 109,585     $ -     $ -     $ 109,585  
Commercial construction
    -       -       55,277       55,277  
Office buildings
    -       88,106       -       88,106  
Warehouse/industrial
    -       39,903       -       39,903  
Retail/shopping centers/strip malls
    -       70,510       -       70,510  
Assisted living facilities
    -       28,072       -       28,072  
Single purpose facilities
    -       65,756       -       65,756  
Land
    -       108,030       -       108,030  
Multi-family
    -       29,045       -       29,045  
One-to-four family construction
    -       -       93,354       93,354  
  Total
  $ 109,585     $ 429,422     $ 148,631     $ 687,638  
                                 
March 31, 2007
                               
Commercial
  $ 91,174     $ -     $ -     $ 91,174  
Commercial construction
    -       -       56,226       56,226  
Office buildings
    -       62,310       -       62,310  
Warehouse/industrial
    -       40,238       -       40,238  
Retail/shopping centers/strip malls
    -       70,219       -       70,219  
Assisted living facilities
    -       11,381       -       11,381  
Single purpose facilities
    -       41,501       -       41,501  
Land
    -       103,240       -       103,240  
Multi-family
    -       32,041       -       32,041  
One-to-four family construction
    -       -       109,847       109,847  
  Total
  $ 91,174     $ 360,930     $ 166,073     $ 618,177  

Commercial Lending.  Commercial loans are generally made to customers who are well known to the Company and are typically secured by business assets or other property. The Company’s commercial loans may be structured as term loans or as lines of credit.  Commercial term loans are generally made to finance the purchase of assets and usually have maturities of five years or less.  Commercial lines of credit are typically made for the purpose of providing working capital and usually have a term of one year or less.  Lines of credit are made at variable rates of interest equal to a negotiated margin above an index rate and term loans are at either a variable or fixed rate.  The Company also generally obtains personal guarantees from financially capable parties based on a review of personal financial statements.

Commercial lending involves risks that are different from those associated with residential and commercial real estate lending.  Real estate lending is generally considered to be collateral based lending with loan amounts based on predetermined loan to collateral values and liquidation of the underlying real estate collateral being viewed as the primary source of repayment in the event of borrower default.  Commercial business loans are primarily made based on the cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower.

Other Real Estate Mortgage Lending.  At March 31, 2008, the other real estate lending portfolio balance totaled $429.4 million, or 55.97% of total loans. The Company originates other real estate loans including office buildings, warehouse/industrial, retail, assisted living facilities, land and multi-family primarily located in our market area.
 
 
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The Company actively pursues other real estate loans.  Typically, these loans have higher loan balances, are more difficult to evaluate and monitor, and involve a higher degree of risk than one-to-four family residential loans.  Often payments on loans secured by commercial properties are dependent on the successful operation and management of the property securing the loan or business conducted on the property securing the loan; therefore, repayment of these loans may be affected by adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy.

Land acquisition and development loans are included in the other real estate mortgage portfolio balance, and represent loans made to developers for the purpose of acquiring raw land and/or for the subsequent development and sale of residential lots.  Such loans typically finance land purchase and infrastructure development of properties (i.e. roads, utilities, etc.) with the aim of making improved lots ready for subsequent sale to consumers or builders for ultimate construction of residential units.  The primary source of repayment is generally the cash flow from developer sale of lots or improved parcels of land, secondary sources and personal guarantees may provide an additional measure of security for such loans.  Strong demand for housing has led to loan growth in this category in recent years.  However, the recent nationwide downturn in real estate has slowed lot and home sales within the Company’s markets especially in late 2007 and early 2008.  This has impacted certain developers by lengthening the marketing period of their projects and negatively affecting borrower’s liquidity and collateral values.  At March 31, 2008, land acquisition and development loans totaled $108.0 million, or 14.1% of total loans.  The largest loan had an outstanding balance of $6.5 million and was performing according to its original terms.  With the exception of two loans totaling $3.8 million, all of the land acquisition and development loans were secured by properties located in Washington and Oregon.  At March 31, 2008, the Company had one land acquisition and development loan totaling $3.9 on non-accrual status.

Both fixed and adjustable-rate loans are offered on other real estate loans. Adjustable-rate other real estate loans are originated with rates that generally adjust after an initial period ranging from one to five years.  Adjustable-rate other real estate loans are generally priced utilizing the FHLB of Seattle's fixed advance rate for an equivalent period plus a margin ranging from 2.5% to 3.5%, with principal and interest payments fully amortizing over terms up to 30 years.  These loans generally have a prepayment penalty.

Real Estate Construction.  The real estate construction loan portfolio, not including loan commitments, totaled $148.6 million at March 31, 2008. The Company originates three types of residential construction loans: (i) speculative construction loans, (ii) custom/presold construction loans and (iii) construction/permanent loans.  The Company also originates construction loans for the development of business properties and multi-family dwellings.  All of the Company’s real estate construction loans were made on properties located in Washington and Oregon.

The composition of the Company’s construction loan portfolio including loan commitments at March 31, 2008 and 2007 was as follows:
 
    At March 31,  
    2008     2007  
    Amount(1)     Percent     Amount(1)     Percent  
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Speculative construction
  $ 91,704       44.57 %   $ 119,944       50.59 %
Commercial/multi-family construction
    92,140       44.79       82,248       34.69  
Custom/presold construction
    11,661       5.67       18,818       7.93  
Construction/permanent
    10,235       4.97       16,096       6.79  
Total
  $ 205,740       100.00 %   $ 237,106       100.00 %

(1)     Includes loans in process of $57.1 million and $71.0 million at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Speculative construction loans are made to home builders and are termed “speculative” because the home builder does not have, at the time of loan origination, a signed contract with a home buyer who has a commitment for permanent financing with either the Company or another lender for the finished home.  The home buyer may be identified either during or after the construction period, with the risk that the builder will have to debt service the speculative construction loan and finance real estate taxes and other carrying costs of the completed home for a significant time after the completion of construction until the home buyer is identified.  At March 31, 2008, the Company had 24 borrowers with aggregate outstanding speculative loan balances of more than $1.0 million, which totaled $56.4 million, the largest loan having an outstanding balance of $6.1 million and were secured by properties located in the Company’s market area. At March 31, 2008, three speculative construction loans totaling $2.1 million were on non-accrual status.
 
 
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Unlike speculative construction loans, presold construction loans are made for homes that have buyers. Presold construction loans are made to homebuilders who, at the time of construction, have a signed contract with a home buyer who has a commitment for permanent financing for the finished home from the Company or another lender. Custom construction loans are made to the homeowner. Custom/presold construction loans are generally originated for a term of 12 months.  At March 31, 2008, the largest custom construction loan and presold construction loan had outstanding balances of $1.4 million and $600,000, respectively, and were performing according to its original terms.  At March 31, 2008, the Company had no custom or presold construction loans on non-accrual status.

Construction/permanent loans are originated to the homeowner rather than the homebuilder along with a commitment by the Company to originate a permanent loan to the homeowner to repay the construction loan at the completion of construction.  The construction phase of a construction/permanent loan generally lasts six to nine months.  At the completion of construction, the Company may either originate a fixed rate mortgage loan or an ARM loan or use its mortgage brokerage capabilities to obtain permanent financing for the customer with another lender. At completion of construction, the Company-originated fixed rate permanent loan’s interest rate is set at a market rate and for adjustable rate loans, the interest rates adjust on their first adjustment date.  See “—Mortgage Brokerage,” and “—Mortgage Loan Servicing.”  At March 31, 2008, the largest outstanding construction/permanent loan had an outstanding balance of $390,000 and was performing according to its original terms.  At March 31, 2008, the Company had no construction/permanent loans on non-accrual status.

The Company also provides construction financing for non-residential business properties and multi-family dwellings.  At March 31, 2008, such loans totaled $55.3 million, or 7.2% of total loans.  Borrowers may be the business owner/occupier of the building who intends to operate its business from the property upon construction, or non-owner developers.  The expected source of repayment of these loans is typically the sale or refinancing of the project upon completion of the construction phase.  In certain circumstances, the Company may provide or commit to take-out financing upon construction.  Take-out financing is subject to the project meeting specific underwriting guidelines.  No assurance can be given that such take-out financing will be available upon project completion.  These loans are secured by office buildings, retail rental space, mini storage facilities, assisted living facilities and multi-family dwellings located in the Company’s market area.  At March 31, 2008, the largest outstanding commercial construction loan had a balance of $7.4 million and was performing according to its original terms.  At March 31, 2008, the Company had no commercial construction loans on non-accrual status.

Construction lending affords the Company the opportunity to achieve higher interest rates and fees with shorter terms to maturity than does its single-family permanent mortgage lending.  Construction lending, however, generally involves a higher degree of risk than single-family permanent mortgage lending because of the inherent difficulty in estimating both a property’s value at completion of the project and the estimated cost of the project, as well as the time needed to sell the property at completion.  The nature of these loans is such that they are generally more difficult to evaluate and monitor.  Because of the uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs, as well as the market value of the completed project and the effects of governmental regulation of real property, it is relatively difficult to evaluate accurately the total funds required to complete a project and the related loan-to-value ratio.  This type of lending also typically involves higher loan principal amounts and is often concentrated with a small number of builders.  As a result, construction loans often involve the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment dependent, in part, on the success of the ultimate project and the ability of the borrower to sell or lease the property or refinance the indebtedness, rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest.  If our appraisal of the value of the completed project proves to be overstated, we may have inadequate security for the repayment of the loan upon completion of construction of the project and may incur a loss.

Consumer Lending.  Consumer loans totaled $79.6 million at March 31, 2008, or 10.38% of total loans.  Consumer lending is comprised of one-to-four family mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, land loans for the future construction of one-to-four family homes, totaling $75.9 million, and other secured and unsecured consumer loans, totaling $3.7 million at March 31, 2008.

One-to-four family residences located in the Company’s primary market area secure the majority of the residential loans. Underwriting standards require that one-to-four family portfolio loans generally be owner occupied and that loan amounts not exceed 80% or (95% with private mortgage insurance) of the lesser of current appraised value or cost of the underlying collateral. Terms typically range from 15 to 30 years. The Company also offers balloon mortgage loans with terms of either five or seven years and originates both fixed rate mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages (“ARMs”) with repricing based on one-year constant maturity U.S. Treasury index or other index.  At March 31, 2008, the Company had three one-to-four family loans totaling $320,000 on non-accrual status.

The Company originates a variety of installment loans, including loans for debt consolidation and other purposes, automobile loans, boat loans and savings account loans.  Consumer loans generally entail greater risk than do residential mortgage loans,
 
 
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particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured or secured by assets that depreciate rapidly, such as mobile homes, automobiles, boats and recreational vehicles.  At March 31, 2008, the Company had no installment loans on non-accrual status.

Loan Maturity.  The following table sets forth certain information at March 31, 2008 regarding the dollar amount of loans maturing in the Company’s portfolio based on their contractual terms to maturity, but does not include potential prepayments.  Demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity and overdrafts are reported as due in one year or less.  Loan balances are reported net of deferred fees.
 
   
Within
      1 - 3    
After
 3 - 5
   
After
 5 - 10
   
Beyond
       
   
1 Year
   
Years
   
Years
   
Years
   
10 Years
   
Total
 
    Commercial and construction
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial
                                     
Adjustable rate
  $ 56,754     $ 18,580     $ 1,315     $ 8,481     $ 617     $ 85,747  
Fixed rate
    3,671       9,352       9,409       1,406       -       23,838  
Other real estate mortgage
                                               
Adjustable rate
    94,397       25,599       26,387       174,009       12,048       332,440  
Fixed rate
    14,277       20,864       36,742       21,286       3,813       96,982  
Real estate construction
                                               
Adjustable rate
    106,063       4,441       -       7,125       1,459       119,088  
Fixed rate
    21,054       1,355       3,461       3,673       -       29,543  
   Total commercial &
      construction
    296,216       80,191       77,314       215,980       17,937       687,638  
    Consumer
                                               
Real estate one-to-four family
                                               
Adjustable rate
    176       838       197       254       35,687       37,152  
Fixed rate
    2,742       9,395       7,172       481       18,980       38,770  
Other installment
                                               
Adjustable rate
    72       -       -       596       -       668  
Fixed rate
    396       660       1,481       362       98       2,997  
   Total consumer
    3,386       10,893       8,850       1,693       54,765       79,587  
Total net loans
  $ 299,602     $ 91,084     $ 86,164     $ 217,673     $ 72,702     $ 767,225  
                                                 
Loan Solicitation and Processing. The Company’s lending activities are subject to the written, non-discriminatory, underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by the Board (“Board”) and management.  The customary sources of loan originations are realtors, walk-in customers, referrals and existing customers.  The Company also uses commissioned loan brokers and print advertising to market its products and services.

The Company’s loan approval process is intended to assess the borrower’s ability to repay the loan, the viability of the loan, the adequacy of the value of the property that will secure the loan, if any, and in the case of commercial and multi-family real estate loans, the cash flow of the project and the quality of management involved with the project. The Company’s lending policy requires borrowers to obtain certain types of insurance to protect the Company’s interest in any collateral securing the loan.  Loans are approved at various levels of management, depending upon the amount of the loan.

Loan Commitments. The Company issues commitments to originate commercial loans, commercial real estate mortgage loans, construction loans, residential mortgage loans and other installment loans conditioned upon the occurrence of certain events.  The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.  Commitments to extend credit are conditional, and are honored for up to 45 days subject to the Company’s usual terms and conditions.  Collateral is not required to support commitments.  At March 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding commitments to originate loans of $44.3 million, compared to $14.9 million at March 31, 2007.

Mortgage Brokerage.  In addition to originating mortgage loans for retention in its portfolio, the Company employs twelve commissioned brokers who originate mortgage loans (including construction loans) for various mortgage companies predominantly in the Portland metropolitan area, as well as for the Company.  The loans brokered to mortgage companies are closed in the name of and funded by the purchasing mortgage company and are not originated as an asset of the Company.  In return, the Company receives a fee ranging from 1% to 1.5% of the loan amount that it shares with the commissioned broker. Loans brokered to the Company are closed on the Company's books as if the Company had originated them and the commissioned
 
 
8

 
broker receives a fee of approximately 0.55% of the loan amount.  During the year ended March 31, 2008, brokered loans totaled $206.7 million (including $39.4 million brokered to the Company).  Gross fees of $1.3 million (excluding the portion of fees shared with the commissioned brokers) were recognized for the year ended March 31, 2008.  The interest rate environment has a strong influence on the loan volume and amount of fees generated from the mortgage broker activity.  In general, during periods of rising interest rates the volume of loans and the amount of loan fees generally decrease as a result of slower mortgage loan demand.  Conversely, during periods of falling interest rates, the volume of loans and the amount of loan fees generally increase as a result of the increased mortgage loan demand.

Mortgage Loan Servicing.  The Company is a qualified servicer for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”).  The Company generally sells fixed-rate residential one-to-four mortgage loans that it originates with maturities of 15 years or more and balloon mortgages to the FHLMC as part of its asset liability strategy.  Mortgage loans are sold to FHLMC on a non-recourse basis whereby foreclosure losses are generally the responsibility of FHLMC and not the Company.  The Company's general policy is to close its residential loans on the FHLMC modified loan documents to facilitate future sales to FHLMC.  Upon sale, the Company continues to collect payments on the loans, to supervise foreclosure proceedings, and to otherwise service the loans. At March 31, 2008, total loans serviced for others were $123.8 million, of which $105.7 million were sold to FHLMC.

Nonperforming Assets.  Loans are reviewed regularly and it is the Company’s general policy that when a loan is 90 days delinquent or when collection of interest appears doubtful, it is placed on non-accrual status, at which time the accrual of interest ceases and a reserve for any unrecoverable accrued interest is established and charged against operations.  Typically, payments received on non-accrual loans are applied to reduce the outstanding principal balance on a cash-basis method.

Non-performing assets were $8.2 million or 0.92% of total assets at March 31, 2008 compared with $226,000 or 0.03% of total assets at March 31, 2007.  The $7.6 million balance of non-accrual loans is comprised of one commercial loan for $1.2 million, one land acquisition and development loan for $3.9 million, three real estate construction loans totaling $2.1 million (the largest of which was $1.7 million) and four residential real estate loans totaling $382,000.  These loans are to borrowers located in the Company’s primary market area except for one real estate construction loan totaling $201,000 located on the southern Washington coast.  The amount of non-accrual loans depends on portfolio growth, portfolio seasoning, problem loan recognition and resolution through collections, sales and charge-offs.  The performance of any one loan can be affected by external factors, such as economic or market conditions, or factors particular to a borrower, such as actions of a borrower’s management or conditions affecting a borrower’s business.  The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s non-performing assets.  At the dates indicated, the Company had no restructured loans within the meaning of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 15 (as amended by SFAS No. 114), Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructuring.

 
9

 


   
At March 31,
 
    2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis:
                             
Commercial
  $ 1,164     $ -     $ -     $ 97     $ 872  
Other real estate mortgage
    3,892       226       415       198       340  
Real estate construction
    2,124       -       -       -       -  
Real estate one-to-four family
    382       -       -       -       -  
Consumer
    -       -       -       161       89  
Total
    7,562       226       415       456       1,301  
 
Accruing loans which are contractually
    past due 90 days or more
    115       -       -       -       -  
 
Total of non-accrual and
90 days past due loans
    7,677       226       415       456       1,301  
 
Real estate owned
     494       -       -        270        742  
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 8,171     $ 226     $ 415     $ 726     $ 2,043  
 
Total loans delinquent 90 days
or more to net loans
    1.00 %     0.03 %     0.07 %     0.10 %     0.34 %
 
Total loans delinquent 90 days or
more to total assets
    0.87       0.03       0.05       0.08       0.25  
Total nonperforming assets to total assets
    0.92       0.03       0.05       0.13       0.39  

In addition to the non-performing assets set forth in the table above, at March 31, 2008 and 2007 the Company had other loans of concern totaling $6.8 million and $3.9 million, respectively.  This increase is attributable to one land development loan located in southern California and one multi-family mortgage loan located in the Portland, Oregon market.  These two loans totaled $4.9 million and were to a related borrower.  Neither of these loans was on non-accrual status at March 31, 2008.  This increase is offset primarily by two real estate constructions loans totaling $2.0 million that were included in other loans of concern at March 31, 2007 but were on non-accrual status at March 31, 2008.  Other loans of concern consist of loans where the borrowers have cash flow problems, or the collateral securing the respective loans may be inadequate.  In either or both of these situations the borrowers may be unable to comply with the present loan repayment terms, and the loans may subsequently be included in the non-accrual category.  Management considers the allowance for loan losses to be adequate to cover the probable losses inherent in these and other loans.

Asset Classification.  The OTS has adopted various regulations regarding problem assets of savings institutions.  The regulations require that each insured institution review and classify its assets on a regular basis.  In addition, in connection with examinations of insured institutions, OTS examiners have authority to identify problem assets and, if appropriate, require them to be classified.  There are three classifications for problem assets:  substandard, doubtful and loss.  Substandard assets have one or more defined weaknesses and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the insured institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Doubtful assets have the weaknesses of substandard assets with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values questionable, and there is a high possibility of loss. An asset classified as loss is considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as an asset of the institution is not warranted.  If an asset or portion thereof is classified as loss, the insured institution establishes specific allowances for loan losses for the full amount of the portion of the asset classified as loss.  All or a portion of general loan loss allowances established to cover possible losses related to assets classified substandard or doubtful can be included in determining an institution's regulatory capital, while specific valuation allowances for loan losses generally do not qualify as regulatory capital.  Assets that do not currently expose the insured institution to sufficient risk to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories but possess weaknesses are designated "special mention" and monitored by the Company.
 
 
10


The aggregate amount of the Company's classified assets, general loss allowances, specific loss allowances and charge-offs were as follows at the dates indicated:
   
 
 
   
At or For the Year
Ended March 31,
 
    2008     2007  
   
(In thousands)
 
Substandard assets
  $ 14,344     $ 4,143  
Doubtful assets
    -       -  
Loss assets
    -       -  
                 
General loss allowances
    9,785       8,623  
Specific loss allowances
    902       30  
Charge-offs
    905       186  

The loans classified as substandard assets at March 31, 2008 are made up of nine commercial loans totaling $2.1 million – the largest of these loans totaling $1.2 million.  Six other real estate mortgage totaling $9.7 million were also classified as substandard at March 31, 2008 – which includes two land development loans totaling $7.4 million, two multi-family loans totaling $1.4 million and two commercial real estate properties totaling $926,000.  The Company also had four one-to-four family real estate loans totaling $382,000 and three real estate construction loans totaling $2.1 million that were also classified as substandard at March 31, 2008.

Real Estate Owned.  Real estate properties acquired through foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs of disposal. Management periodically performs valuations and an allowance for loan losses is established by a charge to operations if the carrying value exceeds the estimated net realizable value.  At March 31, 2008, the Company owned three properties with a recorded value of $494,000 compared to none at March 31, 2007. The $494,000 recorded value consists of two lot loans totaling $175,000 and one multi-family real estate loan in the amount of $319,000.

Allowance for Loan Losses.  The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses to provide for losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  The adequacy of the allowance is evaluated monthly to maintain the allowance at levels sufficient to provide for inherent losses.  A key component to the evaluation is the Company’s external loan review and loan classification systems.  The Problem Loan Committee reviews and monitors the risk and quality of the Company’s loan portfolio. The Problem Loan Committee members include the Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Credit Administration, and Vice President of Special Assets. Credit officers are expected to monitor their portfolios and make recommendations to change loan grades whenever changes are warranted.  At least annually, loans that are delinquent 60 days or more and with specified outstanding loan balances are subject to review by the internal audit department.  Credit Administration approves any changes to loan grades and monitors loan grades.  For a discussion of the Company’s methodology for assessing the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses see Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

The change in the balance of the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2008 reflects the proportionate increase in loan balances, the change in mix of loan balances and a change in loss rate when compared to March 31, 2007.  The mix of the loan portfolio showed an increase in the loan balances of commercial and other real estate as well as a slight increase in consumer at March 31, 2008 as compared to balances at March 31, 2007.  Substandard assets were $14.3 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $4.1 million at March 31, 2007.  The increase is primarily attributed to two land development loans totaling $7.4 million, one commercial loan totaling $1.1 million and one multi-family mortgage loan of $1.4 million which were downgraded to substandard in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2008.  One of the land development loans is located in southern California while the other loans are located in the Company’s primary market area.  All of the loans on non-accrual status as of March 31, 2008 were classified as substandard.

At March 31, 2008, the Company had an allowance for loan losses of $10.7 million, or 1.39% of total loans.  The allowance for loan losses, including unfunded commitments of $337,000, was $11.0 million, or 1.44% of total loans at March 31, 2008.  Management considers the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2008 to be adequate to cover probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio based on the assessment of various factors affecting the loan portfolio.
 
 
11


While the Company believes it has established its existing allowance for loan losses in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“generally accepted accounting principles” or "GAAP"), there can be no assurance that regulators, in reviewing the Company's loan portfolio, will not require the Company to significantly increase its allowance for loan losses, thereby negatively affecting the Company's financial condition and results of operations.  The following table sets forth an analysis of the Company's allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated.

   
Year Ended March 31,
 
    2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
   
( Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 8,653     $ 7,221     $ 4,395     $ 4,481     $ 2,739  
Provision for loan losses
    2,900       1,425       1,500       410       210  
Recoveries:
                                       
Commercial and construction
                                       
Commercial
    10       165       87       156       74  
Other real estate mortgage
    12       -       -       -       -  
Real estate construction
    -       -       -       -       -  
Total commercial and construction
    22       165       87       156       74  
Consumer
                                       
Residential real estate
    -       -       48       -       7  
Other installment
    17       28       14       17       10  
Total consumer
    17       28       62       17       17  
Total recoveries
    39       193       149       173       91  
 
Charge-offs:
                                       
Commercial and construction
                                       
Commercial
    794       172       577       490       882  
Other real estate mortgage
    42       -       -       -       -  
Real estate construction
    -       -       -       -       -  
Total commercial and construction
    836       172       577       490       882  
    Consumer                                         
Residential real estate
    48       -       41       149       85  
Other installment
    21       14       93       30       215  
Total consumer
    69       14       134       179       300  
Total charge-offs
    905       186       711       669       1,182  
Net charge-offs (recoveries)
    866       (7 )     562       496       1,091  
                                         
Allowance acquired from Today’s Bank
    -       -       -       -       2,639  
Allowance acquired from American Pacific Bank
    -       -       1,888       -       -  
Net change in allowance for unfunded loan commitments
     -        -       -       -       (16 )
                                         
Balance at end of period
  $ 10,687     $ 8,653     $ 7,221     $ 4,395     $ 4,481  
                                         
Ratio of allowance to total loans
outstanding at end of period
    1.39 %     1.25 %     1.15 %     1.01 %     1.16 %
                                         
Ratio of net charge-offs to average net loans outstanding
    during period
    0.12       -       0.10       0.13       0.31  
                                         
Ratio of allowance to total of non-accrual and 90 days past
    due loans
    139       3,829       1,740       964       344  

 
12

 

The following table sets forth the breakdown of the allowance for loan losses by loan category and is based on applying a specific loan loss factor to the outstanding balances of related loan category as of the date of the allocation for the periods indicated.

    At March 31,  
    2008    
2007
   
2006
    2005     2004  
    Amount    
Loan 
Category
as a Percent
of Total
Loans
    Amount    
Loan
Category
as a Percent
of Total
Loans
    Amount    
Loan
Category
as a Percent
of Total
Loans
    Amount    
Loan
Category
as a Percent
of Total
Loans
    Amount    
Loan
Category
as a
Percent
of Total
Loans
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial and construction:                                                                                 
Commercial
  $ 1,339       14.28 %   $ 1,553       13.18 %   $ 1,549       14.29 %   $ 1,834       18.02 %   $ 1,589       14.92 %
Other real estate mortgage
    5,415       55.97       4,066       52.19       3,553       52.30       1,863       50.84       2,426       53.59  
Real estate construction
    2,092       19.37       2,060       24.01       1,365       21.83       276       13.51       155       12.70  
Consumer:
                                                                               
Real estate one-to-four family
    669       9.90       333       10.10       292       10.17       278       15.99       264       17.53  
Other installment
    64       0.48       63       0.52       168       1.41       144       1.64       37       1.26  
Unallocated      1,108        -        578        -       294        -        -        -        10        -  
Total allowance for loan losses
  $ 10,687       100.00 %   $ 8,653       100.00 %   $ 7,221       100.00 %   $ 4,395       100.00 %   $ 4,481       100.00 %

 
13

 
Investment Activities

The Board sets the investment policy of the Company. The Company's investment objectives are: to provide and maintain liquidity within regulatory guidelines; to maintain a balance of high quality, diversified investments to minimize risk; to provide collateral for pledging requirements; to serve as a balance to earnings; and to optimize returns.  The policy permits investment in various types of liquid assets permissible under OTS regulation, which includes U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of various federal agencies, "bank qualified" municipal bonds, certain certificates of deposit of insured banks, repurchase agreements, federal funds and mortgage-backed securities (“MBS), but does not permit investment in non-investment grade bonds. The policy also dictates the criteria for classifying securities into one of three categories:  held to maturity, available for sale or trading.  At March 31, 2008, no investment securities were held for trading.   See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

The Company’s MBS portfolio represents a participation interest in a pool of single-family or multi-family mortgages. Principal and interest payments on MBS are passed from the mortgage originators, through intermediaries such as FNMA, FHLMC, or private issuers that pool and repackage the participation interests in the form of securities to investors such as the Company.  MBS generally increase the quality of the Company's assets by virtue of the guarantees that back them, are more liquid than individual loans and may be used to collateralize borrowings or other obligations of the Company.

Real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) are created by redirecting the cash flows from the pool of mortgages or MBS underlying these securities to create two or more classes, or tranches, with different maturity or risk characteristics designed to meet a variety of investor needs and preferences.  Management believes these securities may represent attractive alternatives relative to other investments because of the wide variety of maturity, repayment and interest rate options available.  Current investment practices of the Company prohibit the purchase of high risk REMICs.  REMICs may be sponsored by private issuers, such as mortgage bankers or money center banks, or by U.S. Government agencies and government-sponsored entities.  At March 31, 2008, the Company owned no privately issued REMICs.

Investments in MBS, including REMICs, involve a risk that actual prepayments will be greater than estimated prepayments over the life of the security, which may require adjustments to the amortization of any premium or accretion of any discount relating to such instruments thereby reducing the net yield on such securities. There is also reinvestment risk associated with the cash flows from such securities.  In addition, the market value of such securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates.  See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.

The following table sets forth the investment securities portfolio and carrying values at the dates indicated.

    At March 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
   
Carrying
Value
   
Percent of
Portfolio
   
Carrying
Value
   
Percent of
Portfolio
   
Carrying
Value
   
Percent of
Portfolio
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Held to maturity (at amortized cost):
                                   
REMICs
  $ 624       4.55 %   $ 923       3.40 %   $ 1,402       4.13 %
FHLMC mortgage-backed securities
    104       0.76       116       0.43       138       0.41  
FNMA mortgage-backed securities
    157       1.15       193       0.71       265       0.78  
      885       6.46       1,232       4.54       1,805       5.32  
Available for sale (at fair value):
                                               
Agency securities
    -       -       10,740       39.57       15,028       44.25  
REMICs
    858       6.25       1,083       4.00       1,338       3.94  
FHLMC mortgage-backed securities
    4,390       32.02       5,439       20.04       6,635       19.54  
FNMA mortgage-backed securities
    90       0.66       118       0.43       161       0.47  
Municipal securities
    2,875       20.97       3,508       12.93       3,950       11.63  
Trust preferred securities
    4,612       33.64       5,019       18.49       5,044       14.85  
      12,825       93.54       25,907       95.46       32,156       94.68  
 
Total investment securities
  $ 13,710       100.00 %   $ 27,139       100.00 %   $ 33,961       100.00 %

 
14

 
The following table sets forth the maturities and weighted average yields in the securities portfolio at March 31, 2008.

   
Less Than
One Year
   
One to
Five Years
   
More Than Five to
Ten Years
   
More Than
Ten Years
 
    Amount    
Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
    Amount    
Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
    Amount    
Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
    Amount    
Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                                                 
Municipal securities
  $ 491       4.24 %   $ 547       4.30 %   $ 645       4.83 %   $ 1,192       4.38 %
REMICs
    31       4.11       -       -       326       5.02       1,125       4.06  
FHLMC mortgage-
   backed securities
    -       -       -       -       4,390       4.01       104       6.35  
FNMA mortgage-
   backed securities
    -       -       -       -       76       6.34       171       6.51  
Trust preferred
   securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       4,612       6.66  
Total
  $ 522       4.22 %   $ 547       4.30 %   $ 5,437       4.20 %   $ 7,204       5.87 %

(1)    
For available for sale securities carried at fair value, the weighted average yield is computed using amortized
  cost without a tax equivalent adjustment for tax-exempt obligations. 
 
The Company does not believe that it has any exposure to sub-prime lending in its mortgage-backed security portfolio.

Deposit Activities and Other Sources of Funds

General.  Deposits, loan repayments and loan sales are the major sources of the Company's funds for lending and other investment purposes.  Loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows and loan prepayments are significantly influenced by general interest rates and money market conditions.  Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in the availability of funds from other sources.  They may also be used on a longer-term basis for general business purposes.

Deposit Accounts.  The Company attracts deposits from within its primary market area by offering a broad selection of deposit instruments, including demand deposits, negotiable order of withdrawal ("NOW") accounts, money market accounts, regular savings accounts, certificates of deposit and retirement savings plans.  Historically, the Company has focused on retail deposits.  Expansion in commercial lending has led to growth in business deposits including demand deposit accounts.  Deposit account terms vary according to the minimum balance required, the time periods the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate, among other factors.  In determining the terms of its deposit accounts, the Company considers the rates offered by its competition, profitability to the Company, matching deposit and loan products and customer preferences and concerns. The Company generally reviews its deposit mix and pricing weekly.

The following table sets forth the balances of deposit accounts in the various types offered by the Company at the dates indicated.

 
   
Year Ended March 31,
 
    2008     2007     2006  
   
Average
Balance
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Average
Rate
    Average Balance    
Average
Rate
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Non-interest-bearing demand
  $ 82,776       0.00 %   $ 91,888       0.00 %   $ 87,490       0.00 %
Interest checking
    129,552       3.02       139,600       3.17       126,045       1.78  
Regular savings accounts
    27,403       0.55       32,591       0.55       38,818       0.55  
Money market accounts
    219,528       4.05       161,590       4.31       120,188       2.73  
Certificates of deposit
    197,049       4.67       202,506       4.41       194,253       3.42  
Total
  $ 656,308       3.37 %   $ 628,175       3.26 %   $ 566,794       2.18 %



 
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The average money market account balance increased during fiscal year 2008 primarily due to the Company making available an existing money market product to all the Bank’s branches during the latter half of fiscal year 2007.  However, due to falling interest rates during the second half of fiscal year 2008, the Company saw a shift in customer deposit choices into certificates of deposit.  As a result, total certificates of deposit increased $65.8 million to $265.7 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $199.9 million at March 31, 2007.

At March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had deposits from RAMCorp. totaling $41.4 million and $77.2 million, respectively.  These deposits were included in money market accounts and represent assets under management by RAMCorp.  The Company also had $25.2 million and $20.8 million in brokered certificates of deposit at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Deposit growth remains a key strategic focus for the Company and our ability to achieve deposit growth, particularly growth in core deposits, is subject to many risk factors including the effects of competitive pricing pressures, changing customer deposit behavior, and increasing or decreasing interest rate environments.  Adverse developments with respect to any of these risk factors could limit the Company’s ability to attract and retain deposits and could have a material negative impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The following table presents the amount and weighted average rate of certificates of deposit equal to or greater than $100,000 at March 31, 2008.
Maturity Period
 
Amount
   
Weighted #
Average Rate
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three months or less
  $ 33,749       4.48 %
Over three through six months
    26,721       4.62  
Over six through 12 months
    54,910       4.44  
Over 12 Months
    12,452       4.44  
Total
  $ 127,832       4.49 %

Borrowings.  Deposits are the primary source of funds for the Company's lending and investment activities and for its general business purposes.  The Company relies upon advances from the FHLB of Seattle to supplement its supply of lendable funds and to meet deposit withdrawal requirements.  Advances from the FHLB of Seattle are typically secured by the Bank's commercial real estate loans, first mortgage loans and investment securities.

The FHLB functions as a central reserve bank providing credit for savings and loan associations and certain other member financial institutions.  As a member, the Bank is required to own capital stock in the FHLB and is authorized to apply for advances on the security of such stock and certain of its mortgage loans and other assets (principally securities which are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States) provided certain standards related to creditworthiness have been met.  The FHLB determines specific lines of credit for each member institution and the Bank has a 30% of total assets line of credit with the FHLB of Seattle to the extent the Bank provides qualifying collateral and holds sufficient FHLB stock. At March 31, 2008, the Bank had $92.9 million of outstanding advances from the FHLB of Seattle under an available credit facility of $250.0 million, which is limited to available collateral.  The growth in FHLB advances during fiscal year 2008 was primarily used to fund the growth in the Company’s loan portfolio.

The following tables set forth certain information concerning the Company's FHLB borrowings at the dates and for the periods indicated.  All of the FHLB advances are scheduled to mature during fiscal year 2009.
   
 
 
   
At March 31,
 
    2008    
2007
    2006  
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                         
 
FHLB advances outstanding
  $ 92,850     $ 35,050     $ 46,100  
Weighted average rate on FHLB advances
    3.35 %     5.66 %     4.65 %
 

 
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Year Ended March 31,
 
    2008    
2007
    2006  
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Maximum amounts of FHLB
     advances outstanding
 at any month end
  $ 122,200     $ 90,000     $ 66,400  
Average FHLB
     advances outstanding
    47,769       68,300       51,091  
Weighted average rate on FHLB
     advances
    4.32 %     5.26 %     4.44 %

In addition, the Bank has a Fed Funds borrowing facility with Pacific Coast Bankers’ Bank with a guideline limit of $10 million through June 30, 2008.  The facility may be reduced or withdrawn at any time.  As of March 31, 2008, the Bank did not have any outstanding advances on this facility.  See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K,

At March 31, 2008, the Company had established two wholly-owned subsidiary grantor trusts totaling $22.7 million for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities and common securities.  The trust preferred securities accrue and pay distributions periodically at specified annual rates as provided in each indenture.  The trusts used the net proceeds from each of the offerings to purchase a like amount of junior subordinated debentures (the “Debentures”) of the Company.  The Debentures are the sole assets of the trusts.  The Company’s obligations under the Debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the obligations of the trusts.  The trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity of the Debentures, or upon earlier redemption as provided in the indentures.  The Company has the right to redeem the Debentures in whole or in part on or after specific dates, at a redemption price specified in the indentures plus any accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date.  The common securities issued by the grantor trusts were purchased by the Company, and the Company’s investment in the common securities of $681,000 and $217,000 at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, is included in prepaid expenses and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of the Form 10-K.

Taxation

For details regarding the Company’s taxes, see Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Personnel

As of March 31, 2008, the Company had 270 full-time equivalent employees, none of whom are represented by a collective bargaining unit.  The Company believes its relationship with its employees is good.

Corporate Information

The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 900 Washington Street, Vancouver, Washington 98660. Its telephone number is (360) 693-6650. The Company maintains a website with the address www.riverviewbank.com. The information contained on the Company’s website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Other than an investor’s own Internet access charges, the Company makes available free of charge through its website the Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has electronically filed such material with, or furnished such material to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Subsidiary Activities

Under OTS regulations, the Bank is authorized to invest up to 3% of its assets in subsidiary corporations, with amounts in excess of 2% only if primarily for community purposes. At March 31, 2008, the Bank’s investments of $979,000 in Riverview Services, Inc. (“Riverview Services”), its wholly owned subsidiary, and $1.5 million in RAMCorp, an 85% owned subsidiary were within these limitations.
 
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Riverview Services acts as a trustee for deeds of trust on mortgage loans granted by the Bank, and receives a reconveyance fee for each deed of trust. Riverview Services had net income of $39,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 and total assets of $981,000 at that date. Riverview Services’ operations are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.

RAMCorp is an asset management company providing trust, estate planning and investment management services. RAMCorp commenced business in December 1998 and had net income of $479,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 and total assets of $1.9 million at that date. RAMCorp earns fees on the management of assets held in fiduciary or agency capacity. At March 31, 2008, total assets under management totaled $330.5 million. RAMCorp’s operations are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.

Executive Officers.  The following table sets forth certain information regarding the executive officers of the Company.

Name
 
Age (1)
 
Position
Patrick Sheaffer
    68  
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Ronald A. Wysaske
    55  
President and Chief Operating Officer
David A. Dahlstrom
    57  
Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer
Kevin J. Lycklama
    30  
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
John A. Karas
    59  
Executive Vice President
James D. Baldovin
    49  
Executive Vice President Retail Banking
(1)           At March 31, 2008

Patrick Sheaffer is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. Prior to February 2004, Mr. Sheaffer served as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since inception in 1997. He became Chairman of the Board of the Bank in 1993. Mr. Sheaffer joined the Bank in 1963. He is responsible for leadership and management of the Company. Mr. Sheaffer is active in numerous professional and civic organizations.

Ronald A. Wysaske is President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank. Prior to February 2004, Mr. Wysaske served as Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank from 1981 to 2004 and of the Company at inception in 1997. He joined the Bank in 1976. Mr. Wysaske is responsible for daily operations and management of the Bank. He holds an M.B.A. from Washington State University and is active in numerous professional and civic organizations.

David A. Dahlstrom is Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer and is responsible for all Riverview lending divisions related to its commercial, mortgage and consumer loan activities.  Prior to joining Riverview in May 2002, Mr. Dahlstrom spent 14 years with First Interstate and progressed through a number of management positions, including serving as Senior Vice President of the Business Banking Group in Portland.  In 1999, Mr. Dahlstrom joined a regional bank as Executive Vice President/Community Banking, responsible for all branch operations and small business banking.

Kevin J. Lycklama is Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company.  Prior to February 2008, Mr. Lycklama served as Controller of the Bank since 2006.  Prior to joining Riverview, Mr. Lycklama spent 5 years with a local public accounting firm advancing to the level of audit manager.  He is responsible for accounting, SEC reporting as well as treasury functions for the Bank and the Company.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington State University and is a certified public accountant.

John A. Karas is Executive Vice President of the Bank and also serves as Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of its subsidiary, RAMCorp.  Mr. Karas has been employed by the Company since 1999 and has over 20 years of trust experience.  He is familiar with all phases of the trust business and his experience includes trust administration, trust legal council, investments and real estate. Mr. Karas received his B.A. from Willamette University and his Juris Doctor degree from Lewis & Clark Law School’s Northwestern School of Law.  He is a member of the Oregon, Multnomah County and American Bar Associations and is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor.  Mr. Karas is also active in numerous civic organizations.
 
 
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James D. Baldovin is Executive Vice President of Retail Banking and is responsible for the Bank’s branch banking network, customer service, sales and community development.  Mr. Baldovin has been employed by the Bank since January 2003 and has over 20 years of banking expertise in developing and leading sales and service cultures. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Linfield College and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.

REGULATION
 
The following is a brief description of certain laws and regulations which are applicable to the Company and the Bank.  The description of these laws and regulations, as well as descriptions of laws and regulations contained elsewhere herein, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable laws and regulations.

Legislation is introduced from time to time in the United States Congress that may affect the Company’s operations.  In addition, the regulations governing the Bank may be amended from time to time by the OTS.  Any such legislation or regulatory changes in the future could have an adverse affect.  We cannot predict whether any such changes may occur.

General

As a federally chartered savings institution, the Bank is subject to extensive regulation, examination and supervision by the OTS, as its primary federal regulator, and the FDIC, as the insurer of its deposits. The Bank is a member of the FHLB System and its deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund, which is administered by the FDIC. The Bank must file reports with the OTS and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition in addition to obtaining regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions such as mergers with, or acquisitions of, other financial institutions. There are periodic examinations by the OTS to evaluate the Bank’s safety and soundness and compliance with various regulatory requirements. Under certain circumstances the FDIC may also examine the Bank.  This regulatory structure is intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors. The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. Any change in such policies, whether by the OTS, the FDIC or Congress, could have a material adverse impact on the Company and the Bank and their operations. The Company, as a savings and loan holding company, is required to file certain reports with, is subject to examination by, and otherwise must comply with the rules and regulations of the OTS.  The Company is also subject to the rules and regulations of the SEC under the federal securities laws.  See “-- Savings and Loan Holding Company Regulations.”

Federal Regulation of Savings Institutions

Office of Thrift Supervision.  The OTS has extensive authority over the operations of savings institutions.  As part of this authority, the Bank is required to file periodic reports with the OTS and is subject to periodic examinations by the OTS. The OTS also has extensive enforcement authority over all savings institutions and their holding companies, including the Bank and the Company.  This enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, issue cease-and-desist or removal orders and initiate injunctive actions.  In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated for violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices.  Other actions or inactions may provide the basis for enforcement action, including misleading or untimely reports filed with the OTS.  Except under certain circumstances, public disclosure of final enforcement actions by the OTS is required.

In addition, the investment, lending and branching authority of the Bank also are prescribed by federal laws, which prohibit the Bank from engaging in any activities not permitted by these laws.  For example, no savings institution may invest in non-investment grade corporate debt securities.  In addition, the permissible level of investment by federal institutions in loans secured by non-residential real property may not exceed 400% of total capital, except with approval of the OTS.  Federal savings institutions are also generally authorized to branch nationwide.  The Bank is in compliance with the noted restrictions.

All savings institutions are required to pay assessments to the OTS to fund the agency's operations.  The general assessments, paid on a semi-annual basis, are determined based on the savings institution's total assets, including consolidated subsidiaries.  The Bank's OTS assessment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 was $182,000.


 
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The Bank's general permissible lending limit for loans-to-one-borrower is equal to the greater of $500,000 or 15% of unimpaired capital and surplus (except for loans fully secured by certain readily marketable collateral, in which case this limit is increased to 25% of unimpaired capital and surplus).  At March 31, 2008, the Bank's lending limit under this restriction was $13.5 million and, at that date, the Bank’s largest loans to one borrower was $10.4 million, which was performing according to its original terms.

The OTS, as well as the other federal banking agencies, has adopted guidelines establishing safety and soundness standards on such matters as loan underwriting and documentation, asset quality, earnings standards, internal controls and audit systems, interest rate risk exposure and compensation and other employee benefits.  Any institution that fails to comply with these standards must submit a compliance plan.

Federal Home Loan Bank System.  The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Seattle, which is one of 12 regional FHLBs that administer the home financing credit function of savings institutions.  Each FHLB serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region.  It is funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB System.  It makes loans or advances to members in accordance with policies and procedures, established by the Board of Directors of the FHLB, which are subject to the oversight of the Federal Housing Finance Board.  All advances from the FHLB are required to be fully secured by sufficient collateral as determined by the FHLB.  In addition, all long-term advances are required to provide funds for residential home financing.  See Business – Deposit Activities and Other Sources of Funds – Borrowings.

As a member, the Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in the FHLB of Seattle.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank had $7.4 million in FHLB stock, which was in compliance with this requirement.  The Bank received $55,000 and $15,000 in dividends from the FHLB of Seattle for the years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Under federal law, the FHLBs are required to provide funds for the resolution of troubled savings institutions and to contribute to low- and moderately-priced housing programs through direct loans or interest subsidies on advances targeted for community investment and low- and moderate-income housing projects.  These contributions have affected adversely the level of FHLB dividends paid and could continue to do so in the future.  These contributions could also have an adverse effect on the value of FHLB stock in the future.  A reduction in value of the Bank's FHLB stock may result in a corresponding reduction in the Bank's capital.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  The Bank's deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC. The Deposit Insurance Fund is the successor to the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund, which were merged effective March 31, 2006. As insurer, the FDIC imposes deposit insurance premiums and is authorized to conduct examinations of and to require reporting by FDIC-insured institutions. It also may prohibit any FDIC-insured institution from engaging in any activity the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose a serious risk to the fund. The FDIC also has the authority to initiate enforcement actions against savings institutions, after giving the OTS an opportunity to take such action, and may terminate the deposit insurance if it determines that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices or is in an unsafe or unsound condition.

The FDIC amended its risk-based assessment system for 2007 to implement authority granted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005, which was enacted in 2006 ("Reform Act"). Under the revised system, insured institutions are assigned to one of four risk categories based on supervisory evaluations, regulatory capital levels and certain other factors. An institution's assessment rate depends upon the category to which it is assigned. Risk Category I, which contains the least risky depository institutions, is expected to include more than 90% of all institutions. Unlike the other categories, Risk Category I contains further risk differentiation based on the FDIC's analysis of financial ratios, examination component ratings and other information. Assessment rates are determined by the FDIC and currently range from five to seven basis points for the healthiest institutions (Risk Category I) to 43 basis points of assessable deposits for the riskiest (Risk Category IV). The FDIC may adjust rates uniformly from one quarter to the next, except that no single adjustment can exceed three basis points. No institution may pay a dividend if in default of the FDIC assessment.

The Reform Act also provided for a one-time credit for eligible institutions based on their assessment base as of December 31, 1996. Subject to certain limitations with respect to institutions that are exhibiting weaknesses, credits can be used to offset assessments until exhausted. The Bank used all of its one-time credit of $283,000 during the year ended March 31, 2008 to offset FDIC assessments. The Reform Act also provided for the possibility that the FDIC may pay dividends to insured institutions once the Deposit Insurance Fund reserve ratio equals or exceeds 1.35% of estimated insured deposits.
 
 
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In addition to the assessment for deposit insurance, institutions are required to make payments on bonds issued in the late 1980s by the Financing Corporation to recapitalize a predecessor deposit insurance fund. This payment is established quarterly and during the calendar year ending March 31, 2008 averaged 5 basis points of assessable deposits. The Financing Corporation was chartered in 1987, by the FHLB board solely for the purpose of functioning as a vehicle for the recapitalization of the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation.

The Reform Act provided the FDIC with authority to adjust the Deposit Insurance Fund ratio to insured deposits within a range of 1.15% and 1.50%, in contrast to the prior statutorily fixed ratio of 1.25%. The ratio, which is viewed by the FDIC as the level that the fund should achieve, was established by the agency at 1.25% for 2008.

The FDIC has authority to increase insurance assessments. A significant increase in insurance premiums would likely have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of the Bank. There can be no prediction as to what insurance assessment rates will be in the future. Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that the 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 or the OTS. Management of the Bank is not aware of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of the Bank’s deposit insurance.

Prompt Corrective Action.  The OTS is required to take certain supervisory actions against undercapitalized savings institutions, the severity of which depends upon the institution's degree of undercapitalization.  Generally, an institution that has a ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of less than 8%, a ratio of Tier 1 (core) capital to risk-weighted assets of less than 4%, or a ratio of core capital to total assets of less than 4% (3% or less for institutions with the highest examination rating) is considered to be "undercapitalized."  An institution that has a total risk-based capital ratio less than 6%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of less than 3% or a leverage ratio that is less than 3% is considered to be "significantly undercapitalized" and an institution that has a tangible capital to assets ratio equal to or less than 2% is deemed to be "critically undercapitalized."  Subject to a narrow exception, the OTS is required to appoint a receiver or conservator for a savings institution that is "critically undercapitalized."  OTS regulations also require that a capital restoration plan be filed with the OTS within 45 days of the date a savings institution receives notice that it is "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized" or "critically undercapitalized." In addition, numerous mandatory supervisory actions become immediately applicable to an undercapitalized institution, including, but not limited to, increased monitoring by regulators and restrictions on growth, capital distributions and expansion.  “Significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized” institutions are subject to more extensive mandatory regulatory actions.  The OTS also could take any one of a number of discretionary supervisory actions, including the issuance of a capital directive and the replacement of senior executive officers and directors.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank was categorized as "well capitalized" under the prompt corrective action regulations of the OTS.

Qualified Thrift Lender Test.  All savings institutions, including the Bank, are required to meet a qualified thrift lender ("QTL") test to avoid certain restrictions on their operations.  This test requires a savings institution to have at least 65% of its total assets, as defined by regulation, in qualified thrift investments on a monthly average for nine out of every 12 months on a rolling basis.  As an alternative, the savings institution may maintain 60% of its assets in those assets specified in Section 7701(a)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code").  Under either test, such assets primarily consist of residential housing related loans and investments.

A savings institution that fails to meet the QTL is subject to certain operating restrictions and may be required to convert to a national bank charter.  Previous legislation expanded the extent to which education loans, credit card loans and small business loans may be considered “qualified thrift investments.” As of March 31, 2008, the Bank maintained 65.11% of its portfolio assets in qualified thrift investments and, therefore, met the qualified thrift lender test.

Capital Requirements. Federally insured savings institutions, such as the Bank, are required by the OTS to maintain minimum levels of regulatory capital.  These minimum capital standards include: a 1.5% tangible capital to total assets ratio, a 4% leverage ratio (3% for institutions receiving the highest rating on the CAMELS examination rating system) and an 8% risk-based capital ratio. In addition, the prompt corrective action standards, discussed above, also establish, in effect, a minimum 2% tangible capital standard, a 4% leverage ratio (3% for institutions receiving the highest rating on the CAMELS system) and, together with the risk-based capital standard itself, a 4% Tier 1 risk-based capital standard. The OTS regulations also require that, in meeting the tangible, leverage and risk-based capital standards, institutions must generally deduct investments in and loans to subsidiaries engaged in activities as principal that are not permissible for a national bank.

The risk-based capital standard requires federal savings institutions to maintain 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
 
21

 
determining the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets, recourse obligations, residual interests and direct credit substitutes, are multiplied by a risk-weight factor of 0% to 100%, assigned by the OTS capital regulation based on the risks believed inherent in the type of asset. Core (Tier 1) 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, the allowance for loan and lease losses limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets and up to 45% of 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.

The OTS also has authority to establish individual minimum capital requirements in appropriate cases upon a determination that an institution’s capital level is or may become inadequate in light of the particular circumstances. At March 31, 2008, the Bank met each of its capital requirements.  For additional information, see Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Limitations on Capital Distributions.  OTS regulations impose various restrictions on savings institutions with respect to their ability to make distributions of capital, which include dividends, stock redemptions or repurchases, cash-out mergers and other transactions charged to the capital account.  Generally, savings institutions, such as the Bank, that before and after the proposed distribution are well-capitalized, may make capital distributions during any calendar year equal to up to 100% of net income for the year-to-date plus retained net income for the two preceding years.  However, an institution deemed to be in need of more than normal supervision by the OTS may have its dividend authority restricted by the OTS.  The Bank may pay dividends to the Company in accordance with this general authority.

Savings institutions proposing to make any capital distribution need not submit written notice to the OTS prior to such distribution unless they are a subsidiary of a holding company or would not remain well capitalized following the distribution.  Savings institutions that do not, or would not meet their current minimum capital requirements following a proposed capital distribution or propose to exceed these net income limitations, must obtain OTS approval prior to making such distribution.  The OTS may object to the distribution during that 30-day period based on safety and soundness concerns.  See "- Capital Requirements."

Activities of Associations and their Subsidiaries.  When a savings institution establishes or acquires a subsidiary or elects to conduct any new activity through a subsidiary that the association controls, the savings institution must notify the FDIC and the OTS 30 days in advance and provide the information each agency may, by regulation, require.  Savings institutions also must conduct the activities of subsidiaries in accordance with existing regulations and orders.

The OTS may determine that the continuation by a savings institution of its ownership control of, or its relationship to, the subsidiary constitutes a serious risk to the safety, soundness or stability of the association or is inconsistent with sound banking practices or with the purposes of the FDIC.  Based upon that determination, the FDIC or the OTS has the authority to order the savings institution to divest itself of control of the subsidiary.  The FDIC also may determine by regulation or order that any specific activity poses a serious threat to the Deposit Insurance Fund.  If so, it may require that no FDIC insured institution engage in that activity directly.

Transactions with Affiliates. The Bank’s authority to engage in transactions with “affiliates” is limited by OTS regulations and by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act as implemented by the Federal Reserve Board’s Regulation W. The term “affiliates” for these purposes generally means any company that controls or is under common control with an institution. The Company and its non-savings institution subsidiaries would be affiliates of the Bank. In general, transactions with affiliates must be on terms that are as favorable to the institution as comparable transactions with non-affiliates. In addition, certain types of transactions are restricted to an aggregate percentage of the institution’s capital. Collateral in specified amounts must be provided by affiliates in order to receive loans from an institution. In addition, savings institutions are prohibited from lending to any affiliate that is engaged in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies and no savings institution may purchase the securities of any affiliate other than a subsidiary.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("Sarbanes-Oxley Act") generally prohibits a company from making loans to its executive officers and directors. However, that act contains a specific exception for loans by a depository institution to its executive officers and directors in compliance with federal banking laws. Under such laws, the Bank’s authority to extend credit to executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders (“insiders”), as well as entities such persons control is limited. The law
 
 
22

restricts both the individual and aggregate amount of loans the Bank may make to insiders based, in part, on the Bank’s capital position and requires certain Board approval procedures to be followed. Such loans must be made on terms substantially the same as those offered to unaffiliated individuals and not involve more than the normal risk of repayment. There is an exception for loans made pursuant to a benefit or compensation program that is widely available to all employees of the institution and does not give preference to insiders over other employees. There are additional restrictions applicable to loans to executive officers.

Community Reinvestment Act. Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), every FDIC-insured institution has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with safe and sound banking practices to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods.  The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution's discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA.  The CRA requires the OTS, in connection with the examination of the Bank, to assess the institution's record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications, such as a merger or the establishment of a branch, by the Bank.  An unsatisfactory rating may be used as the basis for the denial of an application by the OTS.  Due to the heightened attention being given to the CRA in the past few years, the Bank may be required to devote additional funds for investment and lending in its local community.  The Bank was examined for CRA compliance and received a rating of outstanding in its latest examination.

Enforcement. The OTS has primary enforcement responsibility over savings institutions and has the authority to bring action against all "institution-affiliated parties," including shareholders, and any attorneys, appraisers and accountants who knowingly or recklessly participate in wrongful action likely to have an adverse effect on an insured institution.  Formal enforcement action may range from the issuance of a capital directive or cease and desist order to removal of officers or directors, receivership, conservatorship or termination of deposit insurance.  Civil penalties cover a wide range of violations and can range from $25,000 to $1.1 million per day.  The FDIC has the authority to recommend to the Director of the OTS that enforcement action be taken with respect to a particular savings institution.  If action is not taken by the Director, the FDIC has authority to take such action under certain circumstances.  Federal law also establishes criminal penalties for certain violations.

Standards for Safety and Soundness.  As required by statute, the federal banking agencies have adopted Interagency Guidelines prescribing Standards for Safety and Soundness. 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. If the OTS determines that a savings institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the guidelines, the OTS may require the institution to submit an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard.

Environmental Issues Associated with Real Estate Lending.  The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), a federal statute, generally imposes strict liability on all prior and present "owners and operators" of sites containing hazardous waste.  However, Congress asked to protect secured creditors by providing that the term "owner and operator" excludes a person whose ownership is limited to protecting its security interest in the site.  Since the enactment of the CERCLA, this "secured creditor exemption" has been the subject of judicial interpretations which have left open the possibility that lenders could be liable for cleanup costs on contaminated property that they hold as collateral for a loan.

To the extent that legal uncertainty exists in this area, all creditors, including the Bank, that have made loans secured by properties with potential hazardous waste contamination (such as petroleum contamination) could be subject to liability for cleanup costs, which costs could substantially exceed the value of the collateral property.

Privacy Standards.  The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 ("GLBA"), which was enacted in 1999, modernized the financial services industry by establishing a comprehensive framework to permit affiliations among commercial banks, insurance companies, securities firms and other financial service providers.   The Bank is subject to OTS regulations implementing the privacy protection provisions of the GLBA. These regulations require the Bank to disclose its privacy policy, including identifying with whom it shares "non-public personal information," to customers at the time of establishing the customer relationship and annually thereafter.


 
23

 

Anti-Money Laundering and Customer Identification.  Congress enacted the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the "USA Patriot Act") on October 26, 2001 in response to the terrorist events of September 11, 2001. 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. In March 2007, Congress re-enacted certain expiring provisions of the USA Patriot Act.

Savings and Loan Holding Company Regulations

General. The Company is a unitary savings and loan holding company subject to regulatory oversight of the OTS.  Accordingly, the Company is required to register and file reports with the OTS and is subject to regulation and examination by the OTS.  In addition, the OTS has enforcement authority over the Company and its non-savings institution subsidiaries which also permits the OTS to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to present a serious risk to the subsidiary savings institution.

Activities Restrictions. The GLBA provides that no company may acquire control of a savings association after May 4, 1999 unless it engages only in the financial activities permitted for financial holding companies under the law or for multiple savings and loan holding companies as described below. Further, the GLBA specifies that, subject to a grandfather provision, existing savings and loan holding companies may only engage in such activities. The Company qualifies for the grandfathering and is therefore not restricted in terms of its activities. Upon any non-supervisory acquisition by the Company of another savings association as a separate subsidiary, the Company would become a multiple savings and loan holding company and would be limited to activities permitted multiple holding companies by OTS regulation. OTS has issued an interpretation concluding that multiple savings holding companies may also engage in activities permitted for financial holding companies, including lending, trust services, insurance activities and underwriting, investment banking and real estate investments.

Mergers and Acquisitions. The Company must obtain approval from the OTS before acquiring more than 5% of the voting stock of another savings institution or savings and loan holding company or acquiring such an institution or holding company by merger, consolidation or purchase of its assets.  In evaluating an application for the Company to acquire control of a savings institution, the OTS would consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the Company and the target institution, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the Deposit Insurance Fund, the convenience and the needs of the community and competitive factors.

The OTS may not approve any acquisition that would result in a multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings institutions in more than one state, subject to two exceptions; (i) the approval of interstate supervisory acquisitions by savings and loan holding companies and (ii) the acquisition of a savings institution in another state if the laws of the state of the target savings institution specifically permit such acquisitions. The states vary in the extent to which they permit interstate savings and loan holding company acquisitions.
 
Acquisition of the Company. Under the Federal Change in Bank Control Act (“CIBCA”), a notice must be submitted to the OTS if any person (including a company), or a group acting in concert, seeks to acquire 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting stock, unless the OTS has found that the acquisition will not result in a change in control of the Company. Under the CIBCA, the OTS generally has 60 days from the filing of a complete notice to act, taking into consideration certain factors, including the financial and managerial resources of the acquirer and the anti-trust effect of the acquisition. Any company that so acquires control would then be subject to regulation as a savings and loan holding company.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was signed into law on July 30, 2002 in response to public concerns regarding corporate accountability in connection with recent accounting scandals.  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, both U.S. and non-U.S., that file or are required to file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including the Company.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act includes very specific additional disclosure requirements and new corporate governance rules, requires the SEC and securities exchanges to adopt extensive additional disclosure, corporate governance and related rules.  
 
 
24

 
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.

Item1A.  Risk Factors

An investment in our common stock is subject to risks inherent in our business.  Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all of the other information included in this report.  In addition to the risks and uncertainties described below, other risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The value or market price of our common stock could decline due to any of these identified or other risks, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Fluctuations in interest rates could reduce our profitability and affect the value of our assets.

Like other financial institutions, we are subject to interest rate risk.  Our primary source of income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings.  We expect that we will periodically experience imbalances in the interest rate sensitivities of our assets and liabilities and the relationships of various interest rates to each other.  Over any period of time, our interest-earning assets may be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than our interest-bearing liabilities, or vice versa.  In addition, the individual market interest rates underlying our loan and deposit products may not change to the same degree over a given time period.  In any event, if market interest rates should move contrary to our position, our earnings may be negatively affected.  In addition, loan volume and quality and deposit volume and mix can be affected by market interest rates.  Changes in levels of market interest rates could materially adversely affect our net interest spread, asset quality, origination volume and overall profitability.

Interest rates have recently decreased after increasing for several years.  The U.S. Federal Reserve increased its target for the federal funds rate 17 times, from 1.00% to 5.25% during the period from June 30, 2004 to June 30, 2006.  The U.S. Federal Reserve then decreased its target for the federal funds rate by 300 basis points to 2.00% during the period from September 18, 2007 to March 31, 2008.  A sustained falling interest rate environment has a negative impact on margins as the Bank has more interest-earning assets that adjust downward than interest-bearing liabilities that adjust downward.

We principally manage interest rate risk by managing our volume and mix of our earning assets and funding liabilities.  In a changing interest rate environment, we may not be able to manage this risk effectively.  If we are unable to manage interest rate risk effectively, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed.

Our business is subject to various lending risks that could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

Our emphasis on commercial lending may expose us to increased lending risks. Our current business strategy is focused on the expansion of commercial real estate and commercial business lending.  These types of lending activities, while potentially more profitable than single-family residential lending, are generally more sensitive to regional and local economic conditions, making loss levels more difficult to predict.  Collateral evaluation and financial statement analysis in these types of loans requires a more detailed analysis at the time of loan underwriting and on an ongoing basis.  While as of the date of this report the economy generally remains good in our primary market of southwest Washington and northwest Oregon, the housing market has slowed recently, with weaker demand for housing, higher inventory levels and longer marketing times.  A further downturn in housing, or the real estate market, could increase loan delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures, and significantly impair the value of our collateral and our ability to sell the collateral upon foreclosure.  In addition, these loans generally expose a lender to greater risk of non-payment and loss because repayment of the loans often depends on the successful operation of the property and the income stream of the borrowers.  Further, such loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. Also, many of our commercial borrowers have more than one loan outstanding with us.  Consequently, an adverse development with respect to one loan or one credit relationship can expose us to a significantly greater risk of loss. Accordingly, when there are defaults and losses on these types of loans, they are often larger on a per loan basis than those for permanent single-family or consumer loans.  A secondary market for most types of commercial real estate and construction loans is not readily liquid, so we have less opportunity to mitigate credit risk by selling part or all of our interest in these loans.
 
 
25


Our other real estate mortgage loans involve higher principal amounts than other loans and repayment of these loans may be dependent on factors outside our control or the control of our borrowers.  At March 31, 2008, we had $429.4 million of other real estate mortgage loans, representing 56.0% of our total loan portfolio.  We originate other real estate mortgage loans for individuals and businesses for various purposes which are secured by commercial properties.  The credit risk related to other real estate mortgage loans is considered to be greater than the risk related to one-to-four family residential or other consumer loans because the repayment of these loans typically is dependent on the income stream of the real estate securing the loan as collateral and the successful operation of the borrower’s business, which can be significantly affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the economy.  For example, if the cash flow from the borrower’s project is reduced as a result of leases not being obtained or renewed, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired.  In addition, many of these loans are not fully amortizing and contain large balloon payments upon maturity.  These balloon payments may require the borrower to either sell or refinance the underlying property in order to make the balloon payment.

If we foreclose on these loans, our holding period for the collateral typically is longer than for one-to-four family residential mortgagee loans because there are fewer potential purchasers of the collateral.  Additionally, these loans generally have relatively large balances to single borrowers or related groups of borrowers.  Accordingly, if we make any errors in judgment in the collectibility of our other real estate mortgage loans, any resulting charge-offs may be larger on a per loan basis than those incurred with our residential or other consumer loans.

Our real estate construction and land acquisition and development loans are based upon estimates of costs and value associated with the complete project. These estimates may be inaccurate. We originate construction loans for commercial properties, as well as for single-family home construction.   At March 31, 2008, construction loans totaled $148.6 million, or 19.4% of our total loan portfolio.  Land acquisition and development loans totaled $108.0 million, or 14.1% of our total loan portfolio at March 31, 2008.  In general, construction, land acquisition and development lending involves additional risks because of the inherent difficulty in estimating both a property’s value at completion of the project and the estimated cost of the project.  As a result, construction loans and land acquisition and development loans often involve the disbursement of funds with repayment dependent, in part, on the success of the ultimate project and the ability of the borrower to sell or lease the property or refinance the indebtedness, rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest. The nature of these loans is also such that they are generally more difficult to monitor.  In addition, speculative construction loans to a builder are often associated with homes that are not pre-sold, and thus pose a greater potential risk than construction loans to individuals on their personal residences.  If our appraisal of the completed project proves to be overstated, we may have inadequate security for the repayment of the loan upon completion of the construction project and may incur a loss.  These loans also pose additional risks because of the lack of income being produced by the property and the potential illiquid nature of the collateral.  Market conditions may result in borrowers having difficulty selling lots or homes in their developments for an extended period, which in turn could result in an increase in delinquencies and non-accrual loans.  Additionally, if the current economic environment continues for a prolonged period of time or deteriorates further, collateral values may further decline and are likely to result in increased credit losses in these loans.

A sustained downturn in real estate within the Company’s markets could negatively impact the Company. Many of the Company’s loans are secured by real estate located in southwest Washington and northwest Oregon.  Declining real estate values may result in customer’s inability to repay loans.  These trends may continue and may result in losses that exceed the estimates that are currently included in the allowance for loan losses, which could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

An inadequate allowance for loan losses would reduce our earnings.

We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectibility 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 several factors including our loan loss and delinquency experience, underwriting practices, and economic conditions.  If our assumptions are incorrect, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover future losses in the loan portfolio, resulting in the need for greater additions to our allowance.  Material additions to the allowance could materially decrease our net income.  Our allowance for loan losses was 1.39% of total loans at March 31, 2008.

In addition, bank regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our allowance 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.

 
26

 

Our real estate lending also exposes us to the risk of environmental liabilities.

In the course of our business, we may foreclose and take title to real estate, and could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. We may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third persons for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination, or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances, or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. In addition, as the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. If we ever become subject to significant environmental liabilities, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our profitability depends significantly on economic conditions in the States of Washington and Oregon.

Our success depends primarily on the general economic conditions of the states of Washington and Oregon and the specific local markets in which we operate.  Unlike larger national or other regional banks that are more geographically diversified, we provide banking and financial services to customers located primarily in seven counties of Washington and Oregon.  The local economic conditions in our market areas have a significant impact on the demand for our products and services as well as the ability of our customers to repay loans, the value of the collateral securing loans and the stability of our deposit funding sources.  Adverse economic conditions unique to these Northwest markets could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  Further, a significant decline in general economic conditions, caused by inflation, recession, acts of terrorism, outbreak of hostilities or other international or domestic occurrences, unemployment, changes in securities markets or other factors could impact these state and local markets and, in turn, also have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  Of particular concern are real estate values, which may further decline.  If our market area were to experience significant declines in real estate values this decline may inhibit our ability to recover on defaulted loans by selling the underlying real estate.

Our funding sources may prove insufficient to replace deposits and support our future growth.

We rely on customer deposits and advances from the FHLB and other borrowings to fund our operations.  Although we have historically been able to replace maturing deposits and advances if desired, no assurance can be given that we would be able to replace such funds in the future if our financial condition or the financial condition of the FHLB or market conditions were to change. Our financial flexibility will be severely constrained if we are unable to maintain our access to funding or if adequate financing is not available to accommodate future growth at acceptable interest rates.  Finally, if we are required to rely more heavily on more expensive funding sources to support future growth, our revenues may not increase proportionately to cover our costs.  In this case, our profitability would be adversely affected.

Although we consider such sources of funds adequate for our liquidity needs, we may seek additional debt in the future to achieve our long-term business objectives.  There can be no assurance additional borrowings, if sought, would be available to us or, if available, would be on favorable terms.  If additional financing sources are unavailable or are not available on reasonable terms, our growth and future prospects could be adversely affected.

Competition with other financial institutions could adversely affect our profitability.

The banking and financial services industry is very competitive. Legal and regulatory developments have made it easier for new and sometimes unregulated competitors to compete with us. Consolidation among financial service providers has resulted in fewer very large national and regional banking and financial institutions holding a large accumulation of assets. These institutions generally have significantly greater resources, a wider geographic presence or greater accessibility. Our competitors sometimes are also able to offer more services, more favorable pricing or greater customer convenience than we do. In addition, our competition has grown from new banks and other financial services providers that target our existing or potential customers. As consolidation continues among large banks, we expect additional institutions to try to exploit our market.

Technological developments have allowed competitors including some non-depository institutions, to compete more effectively in local markets and have expanded the range of financial products, services and capital available to our target customers. If we are unable to implement, maintain and use such technologies effectively, we may not be able to offer products or achieve cost-efficiencies necessary to compete in our industry. In addition, some of these competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and lower cost structures.

 
27

 

We rely heavily on the proper functioning of our technology.

We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business.  Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems.  While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption or security breach of our information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed.  The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on third-party service providers for much of our communications, information, operating and financial control systems technology. If any of our third-party service providers experience financial, operational or technological difficulties, or if there is any other disruption in our relationships with them, we may be required to locate alternative sources of such services, and we cannot assure that we could negotiate terms that are as favorable to us, or could obtain services with similar functionality, as found in our existing systems, without the need to expend substantial resources, if at all. Any of these circumstances could have an adverse effect on our business.

We may be unable to successfully integrate any acquisition we may make.

We regularly explore opportunities to acquire financial services businesses or assets and may also consider opportunities to acquire other banks or financial institutions. We cannot predict the number, size or timing of acquisitions. Difficulties in integrating an acquired business or company may cause us not to realize expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product presence, and/or other projected benefits from the acquisition. The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of our business and the loss of deposits, customers and key personnel. The diversion of management’s attention and any delays or difficulties encountered in connection with any merger could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations following the acquisition or otherwise adversely affect our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition.

We are subject to extensive regulation that could restrict our activities and impose financial requirements or limitations on the conduct of our business.

We are subject to extensive federal and state regulation and supervision, primarily through the Bank.  Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors' funds, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system as a whole, not shareholders.  These regulations affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things.  Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes.  Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations or policies, could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways.  Such changes could subject us to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things.  Failure to comply with laws, regulations or policies could result in sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and/or reputation damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent any such violations, there can be no assurance that such violations will not occur.

We rely on dividends from subsidiaries for most of our revenue.

Riverview Bancorp, Inc is a separate and distinct legal entity from its subsidiaries.  We receive substantially all of our revenue from dividends from our subsidiaries.  These dividends are the principal source of funds to pay dividends on our common stock and interest and principal on our debt.  Various federal and/or state laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that the Bank may pay us.  Also, our right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary's creditors.  In the event the Bank is unable to pay dividends to us, we may not be able to service our debt, pay obligations or pay dividends on our common stock.  The inability to receive dividends from the Bank could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations

 
 
 
28

Changes in accounting standards may affect our performance.

Our accounting policies and methods are fundamental to how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations.  From time to time there are changes in the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of our financial statements.  These changes can be difficult to predict and can materially impact how we report and record our financial condition and results of operations.  In some cases, we could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in restating prior period financial statements.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2.  Properties

The executive offices of the Company are located in downtown Vancouver, Washington at 900 Washington Street.   The Company’s operational center, opened in 2006, is also located in Vancouver, Washington (both offices are leased).  At March 31, 2008, the Bank had 10 offices located in Clark County (six of which are leased), one office in Cowlitz County, two offices in Klickitat County, and one office in Skamania County.  The Bank also had three offices in Multnomah County (two of which are leased), one office in Clackamas County, and one office in Marion County.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

Periodically, there have been various claims and lawsuits involving the Company, such as claims to enforce liens, condemnation proceedings on properties in which the Company holds security interests, claims involving the making and servicing of real property loans and other issues incident to the Company’s business.  The Company is not a party to any pending legal proceedings that it believes would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.
 
PART II

Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

At March 31, 2008, there were 10,913,773 shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding, 913 stockholders of record and an estimated 2,500 holders in nominee or “street name.”  Under Washington law, the Company is prohibited from paying a dividend if, as a result of its payment, the Company would be unable to pay its debts as they become due in the normal course of business, or if the Company’s total liabilities would exceed its total assets.  The principal source of funds for the Company is dividend payments from the Bank.  OTS regulations require the Bank to give the OTS 30 days advance notice of any proposed declaration of dividends to the Company, and the OTS has the authority under its supervisory powers to prohibit the payment of dividends to the Company.  The OTS imposes certain limitations on the payment of dividends from the Bank to the Company which utilize a three-tiered approach that permits various levels of distributions based primarily upon a savings association’s capital level.  See “REGULATION – Federal Regulation of Savings Associations – Limitations on Capital Distributions.”  In addition, the Company may not declare or pay a cash dividend on its capital stock if the effect thereof would be to reduce the regulatory capital of the Bank below the amount required for the liquidation account established pursuant to the Bank’s conversion from the mutual stock form of organization.  See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

The common stock of the Company is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “RVSB”.  The following table sets forth the high and low trading prices, as reported by Nasdaq, and cash dividends paid for each quarter during 2008 and 2007 fiscal years.  At March 31, 2008, there were 17 market makers in the Company’s common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market. On August 24, 2006 Riverview Bancorp. Inc. issued a 2-for-1 stock split in the form of a 100% stock dividend. Shareholders received one additional share for every share owned. The Board declared the stock split on July 27, 2006 and the record date was August 10, 2006. All share and per share amounts (including stock options) in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes were restated to reflect the split.
 
 
29


Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2008
 
High
   
Low
   
Cash Dividends
Declared
 
                         
Quarter ended March 31, 2008
  $ 12.84     $ 9.93     $ 0.090  
Quarter ended December 31, 2007
    15.36       11.55       0.110  
Quarter ended September 30, 2007
    15.73       13.30       0.110  
Quarter ended June 30, 2007
    16.28       13.69       0.110  

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2007
 
High
   
Low
   
Cash Dividends
Declared
 
                         
Quarter ended March 31, 2007
  $ 17.58     $ 15.29     $ 0.100  
Quarter ended December 31, 2006
    15.72       13.47       0.100  
Quarter ended September 30, 2006
    13.65       12.58       0.100  
Quarter ended June 30, 2006
    13.53       12.14       0.095  

Stock Repurchase

Shares are being repurchased from time-to-time in open market transactions.  The timing, volume and price of purchases are made at our discretion, and are also contingent upon our overall financial condition, as well as general market conditions.  The following table reflects activity for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

                        Common Stock Repurchased
   
Total Number of 
Shares Purchased
   
Average
Price
Paid per
 Share
   
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plan
 (1)
   
Maximum
Number of
Shares That May
Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Program (1)
 
January 1,  – January 31, 2008
    -       -       -       125,000  
February 1 – February 29, 2008
    -       -       -       125,000  
March 1 – March 31, 2008
    -       -       -       125,000  
Total
    -               -          
 
(1)    
On June 21, 2007, the Company announced a stock repurchase program of up to 750,000 shares of its outstanding common stock, representing approximately 6% of outstanding shares at that date.
 

The Company also has certain stock option plans which provide for the payment of the option exercise price by tendering previously owned shares.  For the year ended March 31, 2008, 14,287 shares were tendered in connection with option exercises

Securities for Equity Compensation Plans

Please refer to Item 12 in this Form 10-K for a listing of securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.
 
 
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COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Riverview Bancorp, Inc., The S&P 500 Index
And The NASDAQ Bank Index

               
   
3/03
3/04
3/05
3/06
3/07
3/08
               
Riverview Bancorp, Inc.
 
100.00
122.42
132.60
171.97
210.58
136.32
S & P 500
 
100.00
135.12
144.16
161.07
180.13
170.98
NASDAQ Bank
 
100.00
136.20
138.35
156.41
155.93
123.50

* $100 invested on 3/31/03 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends fiscal year ending March 31.

Copyright © 2008, Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
www.researchdatagroup.com/S&P.htm

 
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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data

The following condensed consolidated statements of operations and financial condition and selected performance ratios as of March 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 and for the years then ended have been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements. The information below is qualified in its entirety by the detailed information included elsewhere herein and should be read along with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 8. Financial Statement and Supplementary Data.”

   
At March 31,
 
    2008     2007     2006(2)     2005     2004  
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION DATA:
 
                             
Total assets
  $ 886,849     $ 820,348     $ 763,847     $ 572,571     $ 520,487  
Loans receivable, net (1)
    756,538       682,951       623,081       429,959       381,534  
Mortgage-backed securities held
to maturity, at amortized cost
    885       1,232       1,805       2,343       2,517  
Mortgage-backed securities available
for sale, at fair value
    5,338       6,640       8,134       11,619       10,607  
Cash and interest-bearing deposits
    36,439       31,423       31,346       61,719       47,907  
Investment securities available for
sale, at fair value
    7,487       19,267       24,022       22,945       32,883  
Deposit accounts
    667,000       665,405       606,964       456,878       409,115  
FHLB advances
    92,850       35,050       46,100       40,000       40,000  
Shareholders’ equity
    92,585       100,209       91,687       69,522       65,182  

   
 
 
   
Year Ended March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006(2)
   
2005
    2004  
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
OPERATING DATA:
 
                             
Interest income
  $ 60,682     $ 61,300     $ 47,229     $ 29,968     $ 27,584  
Interest expense
    25,730       24,782       14,877       7,395       6,627  
Net interest income
    34,952       36,518       32,352       22,573       20,957  
Provision for loan losses
    2,900       1,425       1,500       410       210  
Net interest income after provision
for loan losses
    32,052       35,093       30,852       22,163       20,747  
Gains (losses) from sale of loans,
securities and real estate owned
    368       434       382       (672 )     1,003  
Gain on sale of land and fixed assets
    6       3       2       830       3  
Other non-interest income
    8,508       8,597       8,453       6,348       5,583  
Non-interest expenses
    27,791       26,353       25,374       19,104       17,572  
Income before income taxes
    13,143       17,774       14,315       9,565       9,764  
Provision for income taxes
    4,499       6,168       4,577       3,036       3,210  
Net income
  $ 8,644     $ 11,606     $ 9,738     $ 6,529     $ 6,554  

(1)  Includes loans held for sale
(2)  On April 22, 2005, the Company acquired American Pacific Bank.

 
32

 


   
At March 31,
 
    2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
OTHER DATA:
                             
 
Number of:
                             
Real estate loans outstanding
    2,926       2,978       3,084       3,037       3,141  
Deposit accounts
    41,354       38,989       39,095       29,341       27,209  
Full service offices
    18       18       17       13       13  

   
At or For the Year Ended March 31,
 
     2008      2007      2006      2005      2004  
KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS:
                             
 
Performance Ratios:
                             
Return on average assets
    1.04 %     1.43 %     1.36 %     1.24 %     1.35 %
Return on average equity
    8.92       11.88       10.95       9.56       10.60  
Dividend payout ratio (1)
    53.16       38.35       39.08       45.59       39.72  
Interest rate spread
    4.09       4.37       4.55       4.38       4.42  
Net interest margin
    4.66       5.01       5.03       4.74       4.76  
Non-interest expense to
average assets
    3.34       3.24       3.54       3.62       3.61  
Efficiency ratio (2)
    63.40       57.85       61.60       65.70       63.79  
Asset Quality Ratios:
                                       
Average interest-earning assets
to interest-bearing liabilities
    116.75       118.96       121.14       123.45       122.53  
Allowance for loan losses to
total net loans at end of period
    1.39       1.25       1.15       1.01       1.16  
Net charge-offs to
average outstanding loans during
the period
    0.12       -       0.10       0.13       0.31  
Ratio of nonperforming assets
to total assets
    0.92       0.03       0.05       0.13       0.39  
 
Capital Ratios:
                                       
Average equity to average assets
    11.65       12.01       12.39       12.92       12.72  
Equity to assets at end of fiscal year
    10.44       12.22       12.00       12.14       12.52  
 
 (1)     
Dividends per share divided by net income per share 
 (2)     
Non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income 
 
 
33

 

Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.  The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes thereto contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K and the other sections contained in this Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company has established various accounting policies that govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in the preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.  The Company has identified three policies, that due to judgments, estimates and assumptions inherent in those policies, are critical to an understanding of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.  These policies relate to the methodology for the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the impairment of investments and the calculation of income taxes.  These policies and the judgments, estimates and assumptions are described in greater detail in subsequent sections of Management’s Discussions and Analysis contained herein and in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.  In particular, Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” describes generally the Company’s accounting policies.  Management believes that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements are appropriate given the factual circumstances at the time.  However, given the sensitivity of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements to these critical accounting policies, the use of other judgments, estimates and assumptions could result in material differences in the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level sufficient to provide for probable loan losses based on evaluating known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. The allowance is provided based upon management’s continuing analysis of the pertinent factors underlying the quality of the loan portfolio. These factors include changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio, actual loan loss experience, current economic conditions, and detailed analysis of individual loans for which full collectibility may not be assured. The detailed analysis includes techniques to estimate the fair value of loan collateral and the existence of potential alternative sources of repayment. The appropriate allowance level is estimated based upon factors and trends identified by management at the time the consolidated financial statements are prepared.  For additional information regarding the allowance for loan losses, see “Allowance for Loan Losses” included in Item 1 and in Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Investment Valuation
The Company classifies its investments as held to maturity, available for sale or trading.  The Company had no securities classified as trading at March 31, 2008.  Securities held to maturity are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, which are recognized in interest income using the interest method.  Securities available for sale are carried at fair value.  Premiums and discounts are amortized using the interest method over the remaining period to contractual maturity.  Unrealized holding gains and losses, or valuation allowances established for net unrealized losses, are excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes.  Realized gains and losses and declines in fair value judged to be other than temporary are included in earnings.

The Company’s underlying principle in determining whether impairment is other-than-temporary is based on positive evidence indicating that an investment’s carrying value is recoverable within a reasonable period of time outweighs negative evidence to the contrary.  Evidence that is objectively determinable and verifiable is given greater weight than evidence that is subjective and or not verifiable. Evidence based on future events will generally be less objective as it is based on future expectations and therefore is generally less verifiable or not verifiable at all.  Factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary include, (a) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, (b) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (c) the Company’s intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time. In situations in which the security’s fair value is below amortized cost but it continues to be probable that all contractual terms of the security will be satisfied, the decline is solely attributable to changes in interest rates (not because of increased credit risk), and the Company asserts that it has positive intent and ability to hold that security to maturity, no other-than-temporary impairment is recognized.
 
34

 
Income taxes
The Company estimates tax expense based on the amount it expects to owe various tax authorities.  Accrued taxes represent the net estimated amount due or to be received from taxing authorities.  In estimating accrued taxes, management assesses the relative merits and risks of the appropriate tax treatment of transactions taking into account statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance in the context of our tax position.  For additional information see Note 1 and Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Operating Strategy

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Company began to implement a growth strategy to broaden its products and services from those of a traditional thrift to those more closely related to commercial banking.  The growth strategy included four elements: geographic and product expansion, loan portfolio diversification, development of relationship banking and maintenance of asset quality.

The April 2005 acquisition of American Pacific Bank added three branches in Oregon:  Portland, Aumsville and Wood Village.  During fiscal year 2006, the Company also opened in Vancouver the Riverview Center (an operations center) and the Tech Center Branch. The Riverview Center is a 50,000 square foot office building where over 80 employees from accounting, audit, data processing, human resources, information technology, loan origination, loan servicing, marketing and operations are located. The Tech Center is a full service branch with the convenience of two drive-up teller windows, drive-up ATM and safe deposit boxes.  During fiscal year 2007, the Company opened a new full service branch and commercial lending center (Gateway branch) in Portland, Oregon. During fiscal year 2008, the Company opened a new lending office in Clackamas Oregon and relocated one of its leased branches in Vancouver into a new Company-owned facility.

The Company’s growing commercial customer base has enjoyed new products and the improvements in existing products.  These new products include business checking, internet banking, remote check capture, expanded cash management services and new loan products.  Retail customers have benefited from expanded choices ranging from additional automated teller machines, consumer lending products, checking accounts, debit cards, 24 hour account information service and internet banking.

Fiscal year 2008 marked the 85th anniversary since the Bank opened its doors in 1923.  The historical emphasis had been on residential real estate lending. However, the Company began diversifying its loan portfolio through the expansion of commercial loans in 1998.  At March 31, 2004, commercial and construction loans as a percentage of the loan portfolio were 81.2%, which has increased to 89.6% of total loans at the end of fiscal year 2008.  Commercial lending including commercial real estate has higher credit risk, wider interest margins and shorter loan terms than residential lending which can increase the loan portfolio’s profitability.

The Company’s relationship banking has been enhanced by the 1998 addition of RAMCorp., a trust company directed by experienced trust officers, through expanded loan products serviced by experienced commercial and consumer lending officers, and an expanded branch network led by experienced branch managers.  Development of relationship banking has been the key to the Company’s growth.  Assets under management by RAMCorp. have increased from $285.6 million at March 31, 2007, to $330.5 million at March 31, 2008.

Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2008 and 2007

At March 31, 2008, the Company had total assets of $886.8 million compared with $820.3 million at March 31, 2007.  The increase in total assets was primarily a result of the increase in the balance of loans outstanding.

Cash, including interest-earning accounts, totaled $36.4 million at March 31, 2008, compared to $31.4 million at March 31, 2007, primarily as a result of the maturity of investment securities, an increase in FHLB advances and the issuance of junior subordinated debentures which were partially offset by an increase in loan production.

Investment securities available-for-sale were $7.5 million at March 31, 2008, compared to $19.3 million at March 31, 2007.  The decrease was attributable to maturities and scheduled cash flows of securities.

Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale were $5.3 million at March 31, 2008, compared to $6.6 million at March 31, 2007.  The $1.3 million decrease was a result of pay downs.   The Company does not believe it has any exposure to sub-prime mortgage-backed securities.
 
 
35


Loans receivable, net, was $756.5 million at March 31, 2008, compared to $683.0 million at March 31, 2007, a 10.8% increase. Net loans receivable increased $40.7 million, or 5.7%, at March 31, 2008 compared to the previous linked quarter as a result of continued strong loan growth.  A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is secured by real estate, either as primary or secondary collateral, located in the Company’s primary market area.  Risks associated with loans secured by real estate include decreasing land and property values, material increases in interest rates, deterioration in local economic conditions, tightening credit or refinancing markets, and a concentration of loans within any one area.  The Company has no sub-prime residential real estate loans in its portfolio.

Deposit accounts totaled $667.0 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $665.4 million at March 31, 2007.  As a result of falling interest rates during fiscal year 2008, the Company has seen a shift in customer deposit choices from money market deposit and interest checking accounts into certificates of deposit.  As a result, the balance of certificates of deposit increased $65.8 million to $265.7 million at March 31, 2008, compared to $199.9 million at March 31, 2007.

Junior subordinated debentures totaled $22.7 million at March 31, 2008 and $7.2 million at March 31, 2007.  The $15.5 million increase was the result of the issuance of additional trust preferred securities in June 2007.

FHLB advances increased to $92.9 million at March 31, 2008 as compared to $35.1 million at March 31, 2007.  The increase was the result of the Company’s continued strong loan growth and modest deposit growth, due to continued competition for customer deposits.

Shareholders' equity decreased $7.6 million to $92.6 million at March 31, 2008 from $100.2 million at March 31, 2007. The decrease in equity resulting from cash dividends declared to shareholders of $4.6 million and stock repurchases of $12.6 million was partially offset by earnings of $8.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2008.  Exercise of stock options, earned ESOP shares, FIN 48 adjustments and the net tax effect of SFAS No. 115 adjustment to securities comprised the remaining $932,000 net increase.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

Net Income.  Net income was $8.6 million, or $0.79 per diluted earning share for the year ended March 31, 2008, compared to $11.6 million, or $1.01 per diluted share for the year ended March 31, 2007.  The decrease was primarily due to a combination of decreased net interest income and an increase in the provision for loan losses.

Net Interest Income.  Net interest income for fiscal year 2008 was $35.0 million, representing a $1.6 million, or a 4.3% decrease, from $36.5 million in fiscal year 2007.  The ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 116.75% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 compared to 118.96% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 which indicates that the interest-earning asset growth is being funded more by interest-bearing liabilities as compared to capital and non-interest-bearing demand deposits.  The net interest margin for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 was 4.66% compared to 5.01% for the same prior year period.  The Company’s balance sheet interest rate sensitivity achieves better net interest rate margins in a stable or increasing interest rate environment due to the balance sheet being slightly asset interest rate sensitive.  In a decreasing interest rate environment the Company requires time to reduce deposit interest rates to recover the decline in the net interest rate margin.  Interest rates on the Company’s interest-earning asset reprice down faster than interest rates on the Company’s interest-bearing liabilities.  As a result of the Federal Reserve’s 300 basis point reduction in the short-term federal funds rate during the year ended March 31, 2008, approximately 40% of the Company’s loans immediately repriced down 300 basis points. The Company expects interest rate floors on certain loans to begin slowing asset yield reductions with future interest rate reductions by the Federal Reserve.  The Company also immediately reduced the interest rate paid on certain interest-bearing deposits.  Further reductions will be reflected in future deposit offering rates.  The amount and timing of these reductions is dependent on competitive pricing pressures, yield curve shape and changes in spreads.

Interest Income.  Interest income was $60.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 compared to $61.3 million, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.  Decreases in interest income due to the Federal Reserve rate cuts described above were partially offset by increases in the average loan balance due to continued strong loan growth.  Average interest-bearing assets increased $19.9 million to $751.0 million for fiscal year 2008 from $731.1 million for fiscal year 2007.  The yield on interest-earning assets was 8.09% for fiscal year 2008 compared to 8.40% for fiscal year 2007.
 
 
36


Interest Expense.  Interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 totaled $25.7 million, a $948,000 or 3.8% increase from $24.8 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.  The increase in interest expense is the result of higher rates of interest paid on deposits and borrowings that occurred during the first half of fiscal year 2008.  The weighted average interest rate of total deposits increased from 3.82% for the year ended March 31, 2007 to 3.86% for the year ended March 31, 2008.  The weighted average interest rate of FHLB borrowings decreased from 5.26% for the year ended March 31, 2007 to 4.32% for the year ended March 31, 2008.  Due to the falling interest rate environment, the mix of deposits has shifted into certificates of deposit.

Provision for Loan Losses.  The provision for loan losses for fiscal year 2008 was $2.9 million, compared to $1.4 million for the same period in the prior year.  The increase in the provision for loan losses is the result of increased loan growth,  changes in the loan loss rates and a negative trend in the risk rating migration of certain loans.  The risk rating migration largely consisted of land acquisition and development loans and residential construction loans being moved to higher risk rating categories.  The ratio of allowance for loan losses and unfunded loan commitments to total net loans was 1.44% at March 31, 2008, compared to 1.31% at March 31, 2007.  Net charge-offs for the year ended March 31, 2008 were $866,000, compared to net recoveries of $7,000 for the same period last year.  The increase in net charge-offs is primarily attributable to the charge-off of three commercial loans totaling $787,000 for the year ended March 31, 2008.  Annualized net charge-offs to average net loans for the year ended March 31, 2008 were 0.12%, compared to annualized net recoveries of 0.00% for the same period in the prior year.  Management’s evaluation of the allowance for loan losses is based on ongoing, quarterly assessments of the known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio.  Loss factors are based on the Company’s historical loss experience with additional consideration and adjustments made for other economic conditions.  Management considers the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2008 to be adequate to cover probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio based on the assessment of various factors affecting the loan portfolio.

Non-Interest Income.  Non-interest income decreased $152,000 to $8.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2008 from $9.0 million for the same period in 2007.  Decreases in mortgage broker loan fees that are reported in fees and service charges were partially offset by an increase in asset management fees.  For the year ended March 31, 2008, broker loan fees decreased by $480,000 compared to the year ended March 31, 2007.  The increase in asset management fees of $271,000 for the year ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same prior year period reflects the increase in assets under management by RAMCorp. from $285.6 million at March 31, 2007 to $330.5 million at March 31, 2008.

Non-Interest Expense.  Non-interest expense increased $1.4 million, or 5.5%, to $27.8 million for fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 compared to $26.4 million for fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. The principal component of the increase in the Company's non-interest expense was salaries and employee benefits.  For the year ended March 31, 2008, salaries and employee benefits, which includes mortgage broker commission compensation, was $16.2 million, an 8.2% increase over the prior year total of $15.0 million. Salaries increased as the number of full-time equivalent employees increased to 270 at March 31, 2008 from 255 at March 31, 2007, which was primarily the result of the expansion of the Company’s lending team and the opening of a new branch and separate lending office.

Provision for Income Taxes.  The provision for income taxes was $4.5 million for the year ended March 31, 2008 compared to $6.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2007 as a result of the decrease in income before taxes.  The effective tax rate for fiscal year 2008 was 34.2% compared to 34.6% for fiscal year 2007. The Company’s overall effective tax rate at March 31, 2008 and 2007 takes into account the estimated Oregon apportionment factors for property, payroll and sales.  Reference is made to Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for further discussion of the Company’s income taxes.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006

Net Income.  Net income was $11.6 million, or $1.01 per diluted share for the year ended March 31, 2007, compared to $9.7 million, or $0.86 per diluted share for the year ended March 31, 2006.  The increase resulted from an increase in interest income and non-interest income partially offset by increases in interest expense and non-interest expense.

Net Interest Income.  Net interest income for fiscal year 2007 was $36.5 million, representing a $4.2 million, or a 12.9% increase, from $32.4 million in fiscal year 2006.  This improvement reflected a 13.3% increase in the average balance of interest earning assets to $731.1 million and an increase in yield to 8.40%.  These increases were partially offset by a 15.4% increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits to $536.3 million and an increase in cost to 4.03%.  The ratio of average interest earning assets to average interest bearing liabilities decreased to 118.96% in fiscal year 2007 from 121.14% in fiscal year 2006.
 
 
37

 
Interest Income.  Interest income was $61.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 compared to $47.2 million, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. Increased interest income was the result of the increase in the average balance and yield on interest-earning assets. Average interest-bearing assets increased $86.0 million to $731.1 million for fiscal 2007 from $645.1 million for fiscal year 2006.  The yield on interest-earning assets was 8.40% for fiscal year 2007 compared to 7.34% for fiscal year 2006.  The increased yield was primarily the result of the increasing interest rate environment.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 totaled $24.8 million, a $9.9 million or 66.6% increase from $14.9 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.  The increase in interest expense was the result of higher rates of interest paid on deposits and borrowings that occurred during fiscal years 2007 and 2006. The weighted average interest rate of total deposits increased from 2.58% for the year ended March 31, 2006 to 3.82% for the year ended March 31, 2007.  The weighted average interest rate of FHLB borrowings increased from 4.44% for the year ended March 31, 2006 to 5.26% for the year ended March 31, 2007. The mix of deposits changed as the interest rates on deposit accounts increased. There was an increased demand for higher yielding money market accounts which was reflected in the growth of total average money market accounts in fiscal year 2007 to $161.6 million compared to $120.2 million in fiscal year 2006. Growth in loans in fiscal year 2007 was supported by the increased average total FHLB-Seattle borrowings of $68.3 million for the fiscal year 2007 compared to $51.1 million for the fiscal year 2006.

Provision for Loan Losses.  The provision for loan losses for fiscal year 2007 was $1.4 million, compared to $1.5 million for the same prior year period. Net recoveries for the year ended March 31, 2007 were $7,000, compared to net charge-offs of $562,000 for the same period of last year.  Annualized net recoveries to average net loans for the year ended March 31, 2007 was 0.00% compared to annualized net charge-offs of 0.10% for the same period in the prior year.  The allowance for loan losses was $8.7 million at March 31, 2007 compared to $7.2 million at March 31, 2006.  The ratio of allowance for credit losses and loan commitments to total loans at March 31, 2007 increased to 1.31% from 1.20% at March 31, 2006.

Non-Interest Income.  Non-interest income increased $197,000, or 2.2%, to $9.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2007 from $8.8 million for the same period in 2006 primarily as a result of a $393,000 increase in asset management fees.  The increase in asset management fees reflects the increase in assets under management by RAMCorp. from $232.8 million at March 31, 2006 to $285.6 million at March 31, 2007.  The $166,000 decrease in fees and service charges reflects the $240,000 decrease in credit card fees resulting from the sale of the credit card portfolio in the second quarter of fiscal 2006. The decrease in credit card fees was partially offset by increases in fees earned on deposit accounts and broker loan fees.

Non-Interest Expense.  Non-interest expense increased $979,000, or 3.9%, to $26.4 million for fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 compared to $25.4 million for fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. For the year ended March 31, 2007, salaries and employee benefits, which includes mortgage broker commission compensation, was $15.0 million, a 3.3% increase over the prior year total of $14.5 million. Salaries increased as the number of full-time equivalent employees increased to 255 at March 31, 2007 from 239 at March 31, 2006, which was primarily the result of the expansion related to increased staffing in branches and operations.

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2007, the ESOP expiration date was extended from December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2017. This extension resulted in the third quarter reduction of ESOP expense of $240,000 reflecting the release of 24,633 ESOP shares to the ESOP participants at December 31, 2006.

Provision for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $6.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2007 compared to $4.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2006.  The increased tax provision was the result of the higher income in fiscal year 2007 compared to the prior year. The effective tax rate for fiscal year 2007 was 34.6% compared to 31.9% for fiscal year 2006. The primary reason for the increase in the effective tax rate was the entry into a new tax jurisdiction including the state of Oregon and Multnomah County in Oregon. Reference is made to Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for further discussion of the Company’s income taxes.

Average Balance Sheet.  The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information regarding average balances of assets and liabilities as well as the total dollar amounts of interest income from average interest-earning assets and interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, resultant yields, interest rate spread, ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities and net interest margin. Average balances for a period have been calculated using monthly average balances during such period. Interest income on tax-exempt securities has been adjusted to a taxable-equivalent basis using the statutory federal income tax rate of 34%. Non-accruing loans were included in the average loan amounts outstanding. Loan fees of $2.8 million, $3.7 million and $3.1 million are included in interest income for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 
38

 

   
Year Ended March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
and
Dividends
   
Yield/
Cost
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
and
Dividends
   
Yield/
Cost
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
and
Dividends
   
Yield/
Cost
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                                                     
Mortgage loans
  $ 600,386     $ 50,229       8.37 %   $ 585,595     $ 50,981       8.71 %   $ 485,554     $ 37,916       7.81 %
Non-mortgage loans
    105,470       8,518       8.08       100,031       8,515       8.51       96,472       7,123       7.38  
Total net loans (1)
    705,856       58,747       8.32       685,626       59,496       8.68       582,026       45,039       7.74  
                                                                         
Mortgage-backed securities (2)
    7,101       323       4.55       9,077       421       4.64       12,144       530       4.36  
Investment securities (2)
    11,480       703       6.12       22,260       1,101       4.95       24,101       1,106       4.59  
Daily interest-bearing assets
    18,656       883       4.73       6,559       337       5.14       19,480       649       3.33  
Other earning assets
     7,930       99       1.25        7,567       29       0.38        7,333       3       0.04  
Total interest-earning assets
    751,023       60,755       8.09       731,089       61,384       8.40       645,084       47,327       7.34  
Non-interest-earning assets:
                                                                       
Office properties and equipment, net
    21,427                       20,387                       12,358                  
Other non-interest-earning assets
    59,589                       61,623                       60,294                  
Total assets
  $ 832,039                     $ 813,099                     $ 717,736                  
                                                                         
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Regular savings accounts
  $ 27,403       151       0.55     $ 32,591       179       0.55     $ 38,818       213       0.55  
Interest checking
    129,552       3,906       3.02       139,600       4,421       3.17       126,045       2,248       1.78  
Money market accounts
    219,528       8,882       4.05       161,590       6,969       4.31       120,188       3,276       2.73  
Certificates of deposit
    197,049       9,204       4.67       202,506       8,938       4.41       194,253       6,646       3.42  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    573,532       22,143       3.86       536,287       20,507       3.82       479,304       12,383       2.58  
                                                                         
Other interest-bearing liabilities
    69,733       3,587       5.14       78,259       4,275       5.46       53,217       2,494       4.69  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    643,265       25,730       4.00       614,546       24,782       4.03       532,521       14,877       2.79  
                                                                         
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Non-interest-bearing deposits
    82,776                       91,888                       87,490                  
Other liabilities
     9,068                        8,995                        8,777                  
Total liabilities
    735,109                       715,429                       628,788                  
Shareholders’ equity
    96,930                       97,670                       88,948                  
Total liabilities and shareholders’
    equity
  $ 832,039                     $ 813,099                     $ 717,736                  
Net interest income
          $ 35,025                     $ 36,602                     $ 32,450          
Interest rate spread
                    4.09 %                     4.37 %                     4.55 %
Net interest margin
                    4.66 %                     5.01 %                     5.03 %
 
Ratio of average interest-earning assets
to average interest-bearing liabilities
                    116.75 %                     118.96 %                     121.14 %
 
Tax Equivalent Adjustment (3)
          $ 73                     $ 84                     $ 98          
(1)    Includes non-accrual loans. Includes amortized loan fees of $2.8 million, $3.7 million and $3.1 million for fiscal year 2008, 2007 and 2006,
         respectively.
 
(2)    For purposes of the computation of average yield on investments available for sale, historical cost balances were utilized,
         therefore, the yield information does not give effect to change in fair value that are reflected as a component of shareholders’ equity.
 
(3)    Tax-equivalent adjustment relates to non-taxable investment interest income and preferred equity securities dividend income. The federal
         statutory tax rate was 34% for all years presented.
 


 
39

 

Rate/Volume Analysis

The following table sets forth the effects of changing rates and volumes on net interest income of the Company. Information is provided with respect to: (i) effects on interest income attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate); (ii) effects on interest income attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume); and (iii) changes in rate/volume (change in rate multiplied by change in volume). Rate/volume variance is allocated based on the percentage relationship of changes in volume and changes in rate to the total net change.

   
 
 
   
Year Ended March 31,
 
   
2008 vs. 2007
   
2007 vs. 2006
 
   
Increase (Deacrease)
Due to
   
Total
   
Increase (Decrease)
Due to
   
 Total
 
   
Volume
   
 Rate
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
 Volume
   
Rate
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Interest Income:
                                   
Mortgage loans
  $ 1,269     $ (2,021 )   $ (752 )   $ 8,392     $ 4,673     $ 13,065  
Non-mortgage loans
    447       (444 )     3       271       1,121       1,392  
Mortgage-backed securities
    (90 )     (8 )     (98 )     (141 )     32       (109 )
Investment securities (1)
    (617 )     219       (398 )     (88 )     83       (5 )
Daily interest-bearing
    575       (29 )     546       (559 )     247       (312 )
Other earning assets
    1       69       70       -       26       26  
Total interest income
    1,585       (2,214 )     (629 )     7,875       6,182       14,057  
                                                 
Interest Expense:
                                               
Regular savings accounts
    (28 )     -       (28 )     (34 )     -       (34 )
Interest checking
    (311 )     (204 )     (515 )     263       1,910       2,173  
Money market accounts
    2,357       (444 )     1,913       1,378       2,315       3,693  
Certificates of deposit
    (247 )     513       266       293       1,999       2,292  
Other interest-bearing liabilities
    (448 )     (240 )     (688 )     1,320       461       1,781  
Total interest expense
    1,323       (375 )     948       3,220       6,685       9,905  
Net interest income (1)
  $ 262     $ (1,839 )   $ (1,577 )   $ 4,655     $ (503 )   $ 4,152  

(1) 
Interest is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis under a tax rate of 34%.

Asset and Liability Management

The Company's principal financial objective is to achieve long-term profitability while reducing its exposure to fluctuating market interest rates.  The Company has sought to reduce the exposure of its earnings to changes in market interest rates by attempting to manage the difference between asset and liability maturities and interest rates.  The principal element in achieving this objective is to increase the interest rate sensitivity of the Company's interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  Interest rate sensitivity increases by retaining portfolio loans with interest rates subject to periodic adjustment to market conditions and selling fixed-rate one-to-four family mortgage loans with terms to maturity of more than 15 years.  The Company relies on retail deposits as its primary source of funds.  Management believes retail deposits reduce the effects of interest rate fluctuations because they generally represent a stable source of funds. As part of its interest rate risk management strategy, the Company promotes transaction accounts and certificates of deposit with terms up to ten years.

The Company has adopted a strategy that is designed to maintain or improve the interest rate sensitivity of assets relative to its liabilities.  The primary elements of this strategy involve: the origination of adjustable rate loans; increasing commercial, consumer loans that are adjustable rate and short-term loans and residential construction loans as a portion of total net loans receivable because of their generally shorter terms and higher yields than other one-to-four family residential mortgage loans; matching asset and liability maturities; investing in short term securities; and the origination of fixed-rate loans for sale in the secondary market and the retention of the related loan servicing rights. The strategy for liabilities has been to shorten the maturities for both deposits and borrowings. This approach has remained consistent throughout the past year, as the Company has experienced a change in the mix of loans, deposits and FHLB advances.
 

 
40


The Company's mortgage servicing activities provide additional protection from interest rate risk.  The Company retains servicing rights on all mortgage loans sold.  As market interest rates rise, the fixed rate loans held in portfolio diminish in value.  However, the value of the servicing portfolio tends to rise as market interest rates increase because borrowers tend not to prepay the underlying mortgages, thus providing an interest rate risk hedge versus the fixed rate loan portfolio.  The mortgage loan servicing portfolio totaled $105.7 million at March 31, 2008.  The average balance of the servicing portfolio was $108.5 million and produced loan servicing income of $126,000 for the year ended March 31, 2008.  See "Item 1.  Business -- Lending Activities -- Mortgage Loan Servicing."

Consumer loans, such as home equity line of credit and installment loans, commercial loans and construction loans typically have shorter terms and higher yields than permanent residential mortgage loans, and accordingly reduce the Company's exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.   Adjustable interest rate loans totaled $575.1 million or 75.0% of total gross loans at March 31, 2008 as compared to $550.3 million or 79.6% at March 31, 2007.  Although the Company has sought to originate adjustable rate loans, the ability to originate and purchase such loans depends to a great extent on market interest rates and borrowers' preferences.  Particularly in lower interest rate environments, borrowers often prefer to obtain fixed rate loans. See "Item 1.  Business -- Lending Activities -- Construction Lending" and " -- Lending Activities -- Consumer Lending."

The Company also invests in short-term to medium-term U.S. Government securities as well as mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies.  At March 31, 2008, the combined portfolio carried at $13.7 million had an average term to repricing or maturity of 3.48 years.  Adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities totaled $1.4 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $1.9 million at March 31, 2007.  See "Item 1.  Business -- Investment Activities."

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s primary source of cash flows is its operations as a lender, which generates interest income on loans.  This is supplemented by fee income, service charges, and interest on investment securities, and reduced by payment of interest expense and non-interest expenses.  After payment of expenses, the Company has significant positive cash flow from operating activities.  The Company’s investing activities typically use cash, primarily for loan originations.  For the year ended March 31, 2008 additional cash flows were provided by the Company’s financing activities as a result of a increased borrowings and the issuance of subordinated debentures. For the year ended March 31, 2007 additional cash flows were provided by the Company’s financing activities as a result of a significant increase in deposit accounts.

The Company's primary source of funds are customer deposits, proceeds from principal and interest payments on loans, the sale of loans, maturing securities and FHLB advances.  While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are a predictable source of funds, deposit flows and prepayment of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition.

The Company must maintain an adequate level of liquidity to ensure the availability of sufficient funds to fund loan originations and deposit withdrawals, satisfy other financial commitments and to take advantage of investment opportunities.  The Company generally maintains sufficient cash and short-term investments to meet short-term liquidity needs.  At March 31, 2008, cash totaled $36.4 million, or 4.1%, of total assets.  Should the Bank require funds beyond its ability to generate them internally, additional funds are available through the use of FHLB and Pacific Coast Banker’s Bank borrowings.  At March 31, 2008 advances from FHLB totaled $92.9 million and the Bank had additional borrowing capacity available of $157.1 million from the FHLB, subject to collateral limitations.  The Bank also has a $10.0 million fed funds line with Pacific Coast Banker’s Bank at March 31, 2008.

Liquidity management is both a short- and long-term responsibility of the Company's management.  The Company adjusts its investments in liquid assets based upon management's assessment of (i) expected loan demand, (ii) projected loan sales, (iii) expected deposit flows, (iv) yields available on interest-bearing deposits and (v) its asset/liability management program objectives.  Excess liquidity is invested generally in interest-bearing overnight deposits and other short-term government and agency obligations.  If the Company requires funds beyond its ability to generate them internally, it has additional borrowing capacity with the FHLB and Pacific Coast Banker’s Bank.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank's ratio of cash and eligible investments to the sum of withdrawable savings and borrowings due within one year was 4.86%.
 
 
41


At March 31, 2008, the Company had commitments to extend credit of $203.4 million.  The Company anticipates that it will have sufficient funds available to meet current loan commitments.  Certificates of deposit that are scheduled to mature in less than one year from March 31, 2008 totaled $234.1 million.  Historically, the Company has been able to retain a significant amount of its deposits as they mature.

Sources of capital and liquidity for the Company on a stand-alone basis include distributions from the Bank and the issuance of debt or equity.  Dividends and other capital distributions from the Bank are subject to regulatory restrictions.
    
OTS regulations require the Bank to maintain specific amounts of regulatory capital.  As of March 31, 2008, the Bank complied with all regulatory capital requirements as of that date with tangible, core and risk-based capital ratios of 9.29%, 9.78% and 10.99%, respectively. For a detailed discussion of regulatory capital requirements, see "REGULATION -- Federal Regulation of Savings Associations -- Capital Requirements."

Effect of Inflation and Changing Prices

The consolidated financial statements and related financial data presented herein have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the change in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation.  The primary impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of the Company's operations.  Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all the assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature.  As a result, interest rates generally have a more significant impact on a financial institution's performance than do general levels of inflation.  Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same extent as the prices of goods and services.

New Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of new accounting pronouncement and their impact on the Company, see Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statement included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Contractual Obligations

The following table shows the contractual obligations by expected period, as of March 31, 2008. Further discussion of these commitments is included in Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.
 
At March 31, 2008, scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit, FHLB advances, future operating minimum lease commitments and subordinated debentures were as follows (in thousands):

   
Within
1 Year
   
1 to 3 Years
   
3 - 5 Years
   
After
5 Years
   
Total
Balance
 
Certificates of deposit
  $ 234,090     $ 22,762     $ 6,597     $ 2,231     $ 265,680  
FHLB advances
    92,850       -       -       -       92,850  
Operating leases
    1,669       2,640       1,637       3,693       9,639  
Junior subordinates debentures
    -       -       -       22,681       22,681  
Total other contractual obligations
  $ 328,609     $ 25,402     $ 8,234     $ 28,605     $ 390,850  
 
The Company is party to litigation arising in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, these actions will not have a material adverse effect, if any, on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

The Bank has entered into employment contracts with certain key employees, which provide for contingent payment subject to future events.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments generally include commitments to originate mortgage, commercial and consumer loans. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in
 
 
42

 
excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The Company’s maximum exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the borrower is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Commitments to extend credit are conditional, and are honored for up to 45 days subject to the Company’s usual terms and conditions. Collateral is not required to support commitments.

At March 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding real estate one-to-four family loan commitments of $1.1 million and unused lines of credit on real estate one-to-four family loans totaled $20.6 million.  Other installment loan commitments totaled $17,000 and unused lines of credit on other installment loans totaled $1.1 million at March 31, 2008.  Other real estate mortgage loan commitments totaled $19.0 million and the undisbursed balance of other real estate mortgage loans closed was $10.4 million at March 31, 2008.  Commercial loan commitments totaled $8.4 million, undisbursed balances of commercial loans totaled $10.6 million and unused commercial lines of credit totaled $56.2 million at March 31, 2008.  Construction loan commitments totaled $15.7 million and unused construction lines of credit totaled $60.2 million at March 31, 2008.  For additional information regarding future financial commitments, this discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report including Footnote 19, “Commitments and Contingencies.”

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Quantitative Aspects of Market Risk.  The Company does not maintain a trading account for any class of financial instrument nor does it engage in hedging activities or purchase high-risk derivative instruments.  Furthermore, the Company is not subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk or commodity price risk.  For information regarding the sensitivity to interest rate risk of the Company's interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, see the tables under “Item 1.  Business -- Lending Activities -- Loan Portfolio Analysis,”  “-- Investment Activities” and “-- Deposit Activities and Other Sources of Funds -- Certificates of Deposit by Rates and Maturities” contained herein.

Qualitative Aspects of Market Risk.  The Company's principal financial objective is to achieve long-term profitability while limiting its exposure to fluctuating market interest rates.  The Company intends to reduce risk where appropriate but accepts a degree of risk when warranted by economic circumstances.  The Company has sought to reduce the exposure of its earnings to changes in market interest rates by attempting to manage the mismatch between asset and liability maturities and interest rates.  The principal element in achieving this objective is to increase the interest rate sensitivity of the Company's interest-earning assets by retaining in its portfolio, short–term loans and loans with interest rates subject to periodic adjustments.  The Company relies on retail deposits as its primary source of funds.  As part of its interest rate risk management strategy, the Company promotes transaction accounts and certificates of deposit with terms up to ten years.

Consumer and commercial loans are originated and held in portfolio as the short term nature of these portfolio loans match durations more closely with the short term nature of retail deposits such as interest checking, money market accounts and savings accounts. The Company relies on retail deposits as its primary source of funds.  Management believes retail deposits reduce the effects of interest rate fluctuations because they generally represent a more stable source of funds.  As part of its interest rate risk management strategy, the Company promotes transaction accounts and certificates of deposit with longer terms to maturity.  Except for immediate short-term cash needs, and depending on the current interest rate environment, FHLB advances will have maturities of long or short term.  For additional information, see "Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained herein.

A number of measures are utilized to monitor and manage interest rate risk, including simulation modeling as well as traditional interest rate gap analysis.  While both methods provide an indication of risk for a given change in interest rates, the simulation model is primarily used to assess the impact on earning changes in interest rates may produce. Key assumptions in the model include cash flows and maturities of financial instruments, changes in market conditions, loan volumes and pricing, deposit sensitivity, consumer preferences and management’s capital leverage plans.  These assumptions are inherently uncertain, therefore, the model cannot precisely estimate net interest income or precisely predict the impact of higher or lower interest rates on net interest income.  Actual results may significantly differ from simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes and changes in market conditions and specific strategies among other factors.


43


The following tables show the approximate percentage change in net interest income over a 24-month period under several rate scenarios.


 
Change in interest rates:
 
Percent Change in Net Interest
Income (12 months)
 
Percent Change in Net Interest
Income (24 months)
         
Up 200 basis points
 
2.7%
 
4.9%
Base Case
 
-
 
1.1%
Down 100 basis points
 
(2.3%)
 
(4.5%)

As illustrated in the above table, at March 31, 2008, our balance sheet continues to be slightly asset sensitive, meaning that interest-earning assets reprice faster than interest-bearing liabilities in a given period.  In the current falling interest rate environment there continues to be a negative impact on the net interest margin.  While a sustained rising interest rate environment may increase net interest income.  We attempt to limit our interest rate risk through managing the repricing characteristics of our assets and liabilities.

As with any method of measuring interest rate risk, certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the foregoing table.  For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods of repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates.  Also, the interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates.  Additionally, certain assets, such as ARM loans, have features which restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset.  Furthermore, in the event of a change in interest rates, expected rates of prepayments on loans and early withdrawals from certificates could deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating the table.

The following table shows the Company's financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates, categorized by expected maturity, and the instruments' fair values at March 31, 2008.  Market risk sensitive instruments are generally defined as on- and off-balance sheet derivatives and other financial instruments.



44




   
Average
Rate
   
Within
1 Year
   
1-3
Years
   
After
3-5
Years
   
After
5-10
Years
   
Beyond
10
Years
   
Total
   
Fair
Value
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-Sensitive Assets:
                                               
                                                 
Loans receivable (1)
    6.84 %   $ 299,602     $ 91,084     $ 86,164     $ 217,673     $ 72,702     $ 767,225     $ 786,141  
Mortgage-backed
                                                               
securities
    4.21       1,438       4,785       -       -       -       6,223       6,230  
Investments and other
                                                               
interest-earning assets
    4.10       19,341       1,192       -       -       1,192       21,725       21,725  
 
FHLB stock
    0.75       1,470       2,940       2,940       -       -       7,350       7,350  
 
Total assets
          $ 321,851     $ 100,001     $ 89,104     $ 217,673     $ 73,894     $ 802,523     $ 821,446  
                                                                 
Interest-Sensitive Liabilities:
                                                               
                                                                 
Interest checking
    1.32     $ 20,498     $ 40,996     $ 40,995     $ -     $ -     $ 102,489     $ 102,489  
Non-interest checking accounts
    -       16,424       32,848       32,849       -       -       82,121       82,121  
Savings accounts
    0.55       5,480       10,960       10,961       -       -       27,401       27,401  
Money market accounts
    2.39       37,862       75,724       75,723       -       -       189,309       189,309  
Certificate accounts
    4.29       234,090       22,762       6,597       2,231       -       265,680       268,747  
FHLB advances
    3.35       92,850       -       -       -       -       92,850       92,745  
Subordinated debentures
    6.12       -       -       -       -       22,681       22,681       15,734  
Obligations under capital   lease
    7.16       37       83       127       458       1,981       2,686       2,686  
Total liabilities
            407,241       183,373       167,252       2,689       24,662       785,217       781,232  
Interest sensitivity gap
            (85,390 )     (83,372 )     (78,148 )     214,984       49,232     $ 17,306     $ 40,214  
Cumulative interest sensitivity gap
          $ (85,390 )   $ (168,762 )   $ (246,910 )   $ (31,926 )   $ 17,306                  
Off-Balance Sheet Items:
                                                               
                                                                 
Commitments to extend credit
    -     $ 44,261       -       -       -       -     $ 44,261       -  
Unused lines of credit
    -     $ 159,152       -       -       -       -     $ 159,152       -  
 
(1) Includes loans held for sale

 
45

 

Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

RIVERVIEW BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
 
Page
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Deloitte & Touche LLP
47
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2008 and 2007
48
   
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
49
   
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
50
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
51
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
52


 
46

 

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Riverview Bancorp, Inc.
Vancouver, Washington
 
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Riverview Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiary (the "Company") as of March 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2008.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
 
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Riverview Bancorp, Inc and subsidiary as of March 31, 2008 and 2007 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated June 12, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Portland, Oregon
June 12, 2008
 

 
47

 


 
RIVERVIEW BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
2008
   
2007  
 
ASSETS
         
Cash (including interest-earning accounts of $14,238
         
   and $7,818)
  $ 36,439     $ 31,423  
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
(amortized cost of $7,825 and $19,258)
    7,487       19,267  
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity, at amortized
cost (fair value of $892 and $1,243)
    885       1,232  
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale, at fair value
(amortized cost of $5,331 and $6,778)
    5,338       6,640  
Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $10,687
and $8,653)
    756,538       682,951  
Real estate and other personal property owned
    494       -  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    2,679       1,905  
Accrued interest receivable
    3,436       3,822  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
    7,350       7,350  
Premises and equipment, net
    21,026       21,402  
Deferred income taxes, net
    4,571       4,108  
Mortgage servicing rights, net
    302       351  
Goodwill
    25,572       25,572  
Core deposit intangible, net
    556       711  
Bank owned life insurance
    14,176       13,614  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 886,849     $ 820,348  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
                 
LIABILITIES:
               
Deposit accounts
  $ 667,000     $ 665,405  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    8,654       9,349  
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
    393       397  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    92,850       35,050  
Junior subordinated debentures
    22,681       7,217  
Capital lease obligation
    2,686       2,721  
Total liabilities
    794,264       720,139  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See Note 19)
    -       -  
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Serial preferred stock, $.01 par value; 250,000 authorized,
issued and outstanding, none
    -       -  
Common stock, $.01 par value; 50,000,000 authorized,
               
issued and outstanding:
               
2008 – 10,913,773 issued and outstanding
    109       117  
2007 – 11,707,980 issued and outstanding
               
Additional paid-in capital
    46,799       58,438  
Retained earnings
    46,871       42,848  
Unearned shares issued to employee stock ownership trust
    (976 )     (1,108 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (218 )     (86 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    92,585       100,209  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 886,849     $ 820,348  
  See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
48

 

RIVERVIEW BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006

   (Dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006  
 
 
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME:
               
Interest and fees on loans receivable
  $ 58,747     $ 59,496     $ 45,039  
Interest on investment securities – taxable
    488       854       809  
Interest on investment securities – non taxable
    142       163       170  
Interest on mortgage-backed securities
    323       421       530  
Other interest and dividends
    982       366       681  
Total interest and dividend income
    60,682       61,300       47,229  
INTEREST EXPENSE:
                       
Interest on deposits
    22,143       20,507       12,383  
Interest on borrowings
    3,587       4,275       2,494  
Total interest expense
    25,730       24,782       14,877  
Net interest income
    34,952       36,518       32,352  
Less provision for loan losses
    2,900       1,425       1,500  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    32,052       35,093       30,852  
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
                       
Fees and service charges
    5,346       5,747       5,913  
Asset management fees
    2,145       1,874       1,481  
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale
    368       434       361  
Loan servicing income
    126       155       91  
Gain of sale of credit card portfolio
    -       133       311  
Bank owned life insurance
    562       522       485  
Other
    335       169       195  
Total non-interest income
    8,882       9,034       8,837  
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:
                       
Salaries and employee benefits
    16,249       15,012       14,536  
Occupancy and depreciation
    5,146       4,687       3,798  
Data processing
    786       988       1,414  
Amortization of core deposit intangible
    155       184       210  
Advertising and marketing expense
    1,054       1,102       853  
FDIC insurance premium
    210       74       70  
State and local taxes
    741       644       580  
Telecommunications
    406       437       395  
Professional fees
    826       809       1,328  
Other
    2,218       2,416       2,190  
Total non-interest expense
    27,791       26,353       25,374  
                         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    13,143       17,774       14,315  
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    4,499       6,168       4,577  
NET INCOME
  $ 8,644     $ 11,606     $ 9,738  
                         
Earnings per common share:
                       
Basic
  $ 0.79     $ 1.03     $ 0.87  
Diluted
    0.79       1.01       0.86  
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
                       
Basic
    10,915,271       11,312,847       11,204,479  
Diluted
    11,006,673       11,516,232       11,350,335  
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
49

 
RIVERVIEW BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
   
 
                               
   
Common Stock 
    Additional  Paid-In       Retained     
Unearned
Shares
Issued to
Employee
Stock
    Ownership
   
 
 
Accumulated
 Other   Comprehensive 
       
 (Dollars in thousands, except share data)  
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
         Trust
   
   Loss
    Total  
Balance April 1, 2005
    10,031,498     $        50     $    41,112     $ 29,874     $ (1,392 )   $ (122 )   69,522  
                                                         
Cash dividends ($0.34 per share)
    -       -       -       (3,836 )     -       -       (3,836 )
Exercise of stock options
    37,144       -       314       -       -       -       314  
Stock repurchased and retired
    (100,000 )     -       (1,227 )     -       -       -       (1,227 )
Stock issued in connection with acquisition
    1,576,730       7       16,706       -       -       -       16,713  
Earned ESOP shares
    -       -       352       -       206       -       558  
Tax benefit, stock options
 
 -
    -     59     -     -     -     59  
      11,545,372       57       57,316       26,038       (1,186 )     (122 )     82,103  
                                                         
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net income
    -       -       -       9,738       -       -       9,738  
Other comprehensive income:
                                                       
Unrealized holding loss on
                                                       
securities of $154  (net of $79 tax effect)
    -       -       -       -       -       (154 )   (154 )
                                                         
Total comprehensive income
 
 -
    -     -     -     -     -     9,584  
Balance March 31, 2006
    11,545,372       57       57,316       35,776         (1,186 )     (276 )     91,687  
                                                         
Stock split
    -       58       -       (58 )     -       -       -  
Cash dividends ($0.395 per share)
    -       -       -       (4,476 )     -       -       (4,476 )
Exercise of stock options
    212,054       2       878       -       -       -       880  
Stock repurchased and retired
    (49,446 )     -       -       -       -       -       -  
Earned ESOP shares
    -       -       196       -       78       -       274  
Tax benefit, stock options
  -     -     48     -     -     -     48  
      11,707,980       117       58,438       31,242       (1,108 )     (276 )     88,413  
                                                         
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net income
    -       -       -       11,606       -       -       11,606  
Other comprehensive income:
                                                       
Unrealized holding gain on
                                                       
securities of $190  (net of $99 tax effect)
    -       -       -       -       -       190     190  
                                                         
Total comprehensive income
  -     -     -     -     -     -     11,796  
Balance March 31, 2007
    11,707,980       117       58,438       42,848       (1,108 )     (86 )     100,209  
                                                         
Cash dividends ($0.42 per share)
    -       -       -       (4,556 )     -       -       (4,556 )
Exercise of stock options
    95,620       1       707       -       -       -       708  
Stock repurchased and retired
    (889,827 )     (9 )     (12,634 )     -       -       -       (12,643 )
FIN 48 transition adjustment
    -       -       -       (65 )     -       -       (65 )
Earned ESOP shares
    -       -       282       -       132       -       414  
Tax benefit, stock options
  -     -     6     -     -     -     6  
      10,913,773       109       46,799       38,227       (976 )     (86 )     84,073  
                                                         
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net income
    -       -       -       8,644       -       -       8,644  
Other comprehensive income:
                                                       
Unrealized holding loss on
                                                       
securities of $132  (net of $69 tax effect)
    -       -       -       -       -       (132 )   (132 )
                                                         
Total comprehensive income
  -     -     -     -     -     -     8,512  
Balance March 31, 2008
  10,913,773     $       109     $     46,799     $     46,871     $            (976 )   $                  (218 )   $   92,585  
                                                         
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

  50
 

 

RIVERVIEW BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
 D(Dollars in thousands)
2008
2007
2006  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     
Net income
$    8,644
$   11,606
$     9,738
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
     
Depreciation and amortization
2,193
2,258
1,907
Mortgage servicing rights valuation adjustment
(28)
(25)
(24)
Provision for loan losses
2,900
1,425
1,500
Benefit for deferred income taxes
(395)
(436)
(704)
Noncash expense related to ESOP
414
274
558
Noncash interest expense on capital lease obligation
-
-
49
Increase (decrease) in deferred loan origination fees, net of amortization
51
(407)
933
Origination of loans held for sale
(14,829)
(16,966)
(17,308)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
14,895
17,116
17,786
Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation
(14)
(67)
-
Writedown of real estate owned
9
-
-
Net gain on loans held for sale, sale of real estate owned,
mortgage-backed securities, investment securities and premises and equipment
(361)
(422)
(363)
Income from bank owned life insurance
(562)
(522)
(485)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
     
Prepaid expenses and other assets
206
397
(455)
Accrued interest receivable
386
(764)
(371)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
       (956)
         437
      2,488
Net cash provided by operating activities
   12,553
    13,904
    15,249
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
     
Loan originations, net
(76,838)
(60,707)
(76,216)
Proceeds from call, maturity, or sale of investment securities available for sale
11,360
4,850
5,250
Principal repayments on investment securities available for sale
75
75
37
Purchase of investment securities available for sale
-
-
(4,996)
Principal repayments on mortgage-backed securities available for sale
1,447
1,658
3,320
Principal repayments on mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
347
572
538
Purchase of premises and equipment and capitalized software
(1,629)
(4,334)
(8,087)
Acquisition, net of cash received
-
-
(14,663)
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned and premises and equipment
            6
            3
          275
Net cash used by investing activities
  (65,232)
  (57,883)
    (94,542)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     
Net change in deposit accounts, net of deposits acquired
1,595
58,441
70,331
Dividends paid
(4,740)
(4,289)
(3,631)
Repurchase of common stock
(12,643)
-
(1,228)
Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debentures
15,000
-
7,000
Proceeds from borrowings
366,500
559,350
150,100
Repayment of borrowings
(308,700)
(570,400)
(174,000)
Principal payments under capital lease obligation
(35)
(32)
(10)
Net increase (decrease) in advance payments by borrowers
(4)
39
44
Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation
14
67
-
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
         708
         880
         314
Net cash provided by financing activities
    57,695
    44,056
    48,920
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
5,016
77
(30,373)
CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR
     31,423
     31,346
     61,719
CASH, END OF YEAR
$   36,439
$   31,423
$   31,346
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
     
Cash paid during the year for:
     
Interest
$   25,511
$   24,347
$   14,663
Income taxes
4,639
7,025
5,206
NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     
Transfer of loans to real estate owned, net
$        503
$             -
$             -
Dividends declared and accrued in other liabilities
960
1,144
955
Fair value adjustment to securities available for sale
(201)
289
(234)
Income tax effect related to fair value adjustment
69
(99)
79
Common stock issued upon business combination
-
-
16,713
Borrowings under capital lease obligation
-
-
2,715
Premises and equipment purchases included in accounts payable
70
64
-
Capitalized software acquired under a service agreement
417
-
-
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
51

 
  RIVERVIEW BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007
                                                                                                                             

1.     
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation – The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Riverview Bancorp, Inc. (“Bancorp” or the “Company”); its wholly-owned subsidiary, Riverview Community Bank (the “Bank”); the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Riverview Services, Inc.; and the Bank’s majority owned subsidiary, Riverview Asset Management Corp. (“RAMCorp”). All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company has also established two subsidiary grantor trusts in connection with the issuance of trust preferred securities (see Note 12). In accordance with the requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46 (revised), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (as amended), the accounts and transactions of the trusts are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Nature of Operations – The Bank is an eighteen branch community-oriented financial institution operating in rural and suburban communities in southwest Washington State and Multnomah, Clackamas and Marion counties of Oregon. The Bank is engaged primarily in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and using such funds, together with other borrowings, to invest in various real estate mortgage loans, real estate construction loans, commercial loans, and consumer loans.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“generally accepted accounting principles”), requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of related revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Flows – Cash includes amounts on hand, due from banks and interest-earning deposits in other banks.

Loans Held for Sale – The Company identifies loans held for sale at the time of origination and such loans are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or net realizable value. Market values are derived from available market quotations for comparable pools of mortgage loans. Adjustments for unrealized losses, if any, are charged to income.

Gains or losses on sales of loans held for sale are recognized at the time of sale and are determined by the difference between the net sales proceeds and the allocated basis of the loans sold. The Company capitalizes mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) acquired through either the purchase of MSRs, the sale of originated mortgage loans or the securitization of mortgage loans with servicing rights retained. Upon sale of mortgage loans held for sale the total cost of the loans designated for sale is allocated to mortgage loans with and without MSRs based on their relative fair values. The MSRs are included as a component of gain on sale of loans. The MSRs are amortized in proportion to and over the estimated period of the net servicing income, such amortization is reflected as a component of loan servicing income.

Securities – In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, investment securities are classified as held to maturity when the Company has the ability and positive intent to hold such securities to maturity. Investment securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost. Unrealized losses due to fluctuations in fair value are recognized when it is determined that an other than temporary decline in value has occurred. Investment securities bought and held principally for the purpose of sale in the near term are classified as trading securities. Securities that the Company intends to hold for an indefinite period, but not necessarily to maturity are classified as available for sale.  Such securities may be sold to implement the Bank’s asset/liability management strategies and in response to changes in interest rates and similar factors.  Securities available for sale are reported at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of the related deferred tax effect, are reported as a net amount in a separate component of shareholders’ equity entitled “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).”  Realized gains and losses on securities available for sale, determined using the specific identification method, are included in earnings.  Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recognized in interest income over the period to maturity or expected call, if sooner.
 
52


The Company analyzes investment securities for other than temporary impairment on a periodic basis. Declines in fair value that are deemed other than temporary, if any, are reported in non-interest income.

Loans – Loans are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by deferred loan origination fees and an allowance for loan losses. Interest on loans is accrued daily based on the principal amount outstanding.

Generally the accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payments as they become due or when they are past due 90 days as to either principal or interest, unless they are well secured and in the process of collection. When interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed against current income. If management determines that the ultimate collectibility of principal is in doubt, cash receipts on non-accrual loans are applied to reduce the principal balance on a cash-basis method, until the loans qualify for return to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and amortized as an adjustment of the yield of the related loan.

Allowance for Loan Losses – The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level sufficient to provide for probable loan losses based on evaluating known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. The allowance is provided based upon management’s continuing analysis of the pertinent factors underlying the quality of the loan portfolio. These factors include changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio, delinquency levels, actual loan loss experience, current economic conditions, and detailed analysis of individual loans for which full collectibility may not be assured.  The detailed analysis includes techniques to estimate the fair value of loan collateral and the existence of potential alternative sources of repayment. The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to loans that are considered impaired. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. Such factors include uncertainties in economic conditions, uncertainties in identifying triggering events that directly correlate to subsequent loss rates, risk factors that have not yet manifested themselves in loss allocation factors and historical loss experience data that may not precisely correspond to the current portfolio or economic conditions.  The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio. The appropriate allowance level is estimated based upon factors and trends identified by management at the time the consolidated financial statements are prepared.

When available information confirms that specific loans or portions thereof are uncollectible, identified amounts are charged against the allowance for loan losses. The existence of some or all of the following criteria will generally confirm that a loss has been incurred: the loan is significantly delinquent and the borrower has not demonstrated the ability or intent to bring the loan current; the Bank has no recourse to the borrower, or if it does, the borrower has insufficient assets to pay the debt; the estimated fair value of the loan collateral is significantly below the current loan balance, and there is little or no near-term prospect for improvement.

In accordance with SFAS No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, and SFAS No. 118, An Amendment of SFAS No. 114, a loan is considered impaired when it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts (principal and interest) due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Large groups of smaller balance homogenous loans such as consumer secured loans, residential mortgage loans and consumer unsecured loans are collectively evaluated for potential loss. When a loan has been identified as being impaired, the amount of the impairment is measured by using discounted cash flows, except when, as a practical expedient, the current fair value of the collateral, reduced by costs to sell, is used. When the measurement of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan (including accrued interest, net deferred loan fees or costs, and unamortized premium or discount), impairment is recognized by creating or adjusting an allocation of the allowance for loan losses.

A provision for loan losses is charged against income and is added to the allowance for loan losses based on regular assessments of the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is allocated to certain loan categories based on the relative risk characteristics, asset classifications and actual loss experience of the loan portfolio. While management has
 
 
53

allocated the allowance for loan losses to various loan portfolio segments, the allowance is general in nature and is available for the loan portfolio in its entirety.

The ultimate recovery of all loans is susceptible to future market factors beyond the Bank’s control. These factors may result in losses or recoveries differing significantly from those provided in the consolidated financial statements. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses, and may require the Bank to make additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations.

Allowance for Unfunded Loan Commitments – The allowance for unfunded loan commitments is maintained at a level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated probable losses related to these unfunded credit facilities. The determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on periodic evaluations of the unfunded credit facilities including an assessment of the probability of commitment usage, credit risk factors for loans outstanding to these same customers, and the terms and expiration dates of the unfunded credit facilities. The allowance for unfunded loan commitments is included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, with changes to the balance charged against non-interest expense.

Real Estate Owned (“REO”) – REO consists of properties acquired through foreclosure. Specific charge-offs are taken based upon detailed analysis of the fair value of collateral on the underlying loans on which the Company is in the process of foreclosing. Such collateral is transferred into REO at the lower of recorded cost or fair value less estimated costs of disposal. Subsequently, the Company performs an evaluation of the properties and writes down the REO directly and charges operations for any declines in value. The amounts the Company will ultimately recover from REO may differ from the amounts used in arriving at the net carrying value of these assets because of future market factors beyond the Company’s control or because of changes in the Company’s strategy for the sale of the property.

Federal Home Bank Loan Bank Stock – The Bank, as a member of Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (“FHLB”), is required to maintain an investment in capital stock of the FHLB in an amount equal to the greater of 1% of its outstanding home loans or 5% of advances from the FHLB.  The recorded amount of FHLB stock equals its fair value because the shares can only be redeemed by the FHLB at the $100 per share value.

Premises and Equipment – Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvements, whichever is less. Gains or losses on dispositions are reflected in earnings. Depreciation is generally computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as follows:

Buildings and improvements
3 to 45 years
Furniture and equipment
3 to 20 years
Leasehold improvements
        15 to 25 years

The assets are reviewed for impairment when events indicate their carrying value may not be recoverable.  If management determines impairment exists the asset is reduced by an offsetting charge to expense.

The capitalized lease, less accumulated amortization is included in premises and equipment. The capitalized lease is amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and the amortization is included in depreciation expense.

Mortgage Servicing Rights – Fees earned for servicing loans for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) are reported as income when the related mortgage loan payments are collected. Loan servicing costs are charged to expense as incurred.

MSRs are the rights to service loans. Loan servicing includes collecting payments, remitting funds to investors, insurance companies and tax authorities, collecting delinquent payments, and foreclosing on properties when necessary.

The Company records its originated mortgage servicing rights at fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities, which requires the Company to allocate the total cost of all mortgage loans sold to the MSRs and the loans (without the MSRs) based on their relative fair values if it is practicable to estimate those fair values. The Company stratifies its MSRs based on the predominant characteristics of the underlying financial assets including coupon interest rate and contractual maturity of
 
 
54

the mortgage. An estimated fair value of MSRs is determined quarterly using a discounted cash flow model.  The model estimates the present value of the future net cash flows of the servicing portfolio based on various factors, such as servicing costs, servicing income, expected prepayment speeds, discount rate, loan maturity and interest rate. The effect of changes in market interest rates on estimated rates of loan prepayments represents the predominant risk characteristic underlying the MSRs portfolio. The Company is amortizing the MSR in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income.

The MSRs are periodically reviewed for impairment based on their fair value. The fair value of the MSRs, for the purposes of impairment, is measured using a discounted cash flow analysis based on market adjusted discount rates, anticipated prepayment speeds, mortgage loan term and coupon rate.  Market sources are used to determine prepayment speeds, ancillary income, servicing cost and pre-tax required yield.  Impairment losses are recognized through a valuation allowance for each impaired stratum, with any associated provision recorded as a component of loan servicing income.

Goodwill – Goodwill is initially recorded when the purchase price paid for an acquisition exceeds the estimated fair value of the net identified tangible and intangible assets acquired.  Goodwill is presumed to have an indefinite useful life and is tested, at least annually, for impairment at the reporting unit level.  The Company performs an annual review in the third quarter of each year, or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist, to determine if the recorded goodwill is impaired.  If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, goodwill at the subsidiary is not considered impaired and no additional analysis is necessary.  As of March 31, 2008, the Company has not recognized any impairment loss on the recorded goodwill.

Core Deposit Intangible – Core deposit intangibles are amortized to non-interest expense using an accelerated method (based on expected attrition and cash flows of core deposit accounts purchased) over ten years.

Advertising and Marketing Expense – Costs incurred for advertising, merchandising, market research, community investment, travel and business development are classified as marketing expense and are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes – Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, a deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the enacted tax rates which will be in effect when the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax basis of existing assets and liabilities are expected to be reported in the Company’s income tax returns. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established to reduce the net carrying amount of deferred tax assets if it is determined to be more likely than not, that all or some portion of the potential deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return. The Bank provides for income taxes separately and remits to the Company amounts currently due.

Trust Assets – Assets held by RAMCorp. in a fiduciary or agency capacity for Trust customers are not included in the consolidated financial statements because such items are not assets of the Company.  Assets totaling $330.5 million and $285.6  million were held in trust as of March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Earnings Per Share – The Company accounts for earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share, which requires all companies whose capital structure includes dilutive potential common shares to make a dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share for all periods presented.  Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, excluding restricted stock and unallocated shares owned by the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”).  Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised and has been computed after giving consideration to the weighted average diluted effect of the Company’s stock options and the shares issued under the Company’s Management Recognition and Development Plan (“MRDP”).

Stock Split – On August 24, 2006, Riverview Bancorp. Inc. common stock was split 2-for-1 in the form of a 100% stock dividend. Shareholders received one additional share for every share owned. The Board of Directors (“Board”) declared the stock split on July 27, 2006 and the record date was August 10, 2006. All share and per share amounts (including stock options) in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes were restated to reflect the split, except as otherwise noted.

 
55 

 

Stock-Based Compensation – Prior to April 1, 2006, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation arrangements under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations.  Under this method, no compensation expense was recognized for the year ended March 31, 2006, as the exercise price of each stock option which the Company granted was equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

Effective April 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (Revised)(SFAS 123R), Share-Based Payment.  SFAS 123R requires the measurement of compensation cost for all stock-based awards to be based on the grant-date fair value and recognition of compensation cost over the service period of stock-based awards, which is generally the same as the vesting period.  The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which is consistent with the Company’s valuation methodology previously utilized for stock options in the footnote disclosures required under SFAS No. 123 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.

The Company has adopted SFAS 123R using a modified version of prospective application (modified prospective application). Under modified prospective application, as it is applicable to the Company, SFAS 123R applies to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased or cancelled after April 1, 2006.  Additionally, compensation cost for the portion of awards for which the requisite service has not been rendered that are outstanding as of April 1, 2006, must be recognized as the remaining requisite service is rendered during the period of and/or the periods after the adoption of SFAS 123R.  The attribution of compensation cost for those earlier awards will be based on the same method and on the same grant-date fair values previously determined for the proforma disclosures required for companies that did not adopt the fair value accounting method for stock-based employee compensation.  Modified prospective application provides for no retroactive application to prior periods and no cumulative adjustment to equity accounts.
 
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions established in SFAS 123R to stock based compensation awards for the year ended March 31, 2006 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

Net income:
   
As reported
$ 9,738
 
Deduct: Total stock based compensation
expense determined under fair value
based method for all options, net of
related tax benefit        
 
 
 
 (1,345)
 
Pro forma
$ 8,393
 
Earnings per common share – basic:
   
As reported
$  0.87
 
Pro forma
0.75
 
Earnings per common share – fully diluted:
   
As reported
$  0.86
 
Pro forma
0.74
 

Employee Stock Ownership Plan – The Company sponsors a leveraged ESOP. The ESOP is accounted for in accordance with the AICPA Statement of Position ("SOP") 93-6, Employer's Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans.  Stock and cash dividends on allocated shares are recorded as a reduction of additional paid in capital and paid directly to plan participants or distributed directly to participants' accounts. As shares are released, compensation expense is recorded equal to the then current market price of the shares and the shares become available for earnings per share calculations. The Company records cash dividends on unallocated shares as a reduction of debt and accrued interest.

Business segments – The Company operates a single business segment.  The financial information that is used by the chief operating decision maker in allocating resources and assessing performance is only provided for one reportable segment for years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

Acquisitions - Acquisitions are accounted for in accordance with SFAS 141, Business Combinations under the purchase method of accounting, which allocates costs to assets purchased and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair market values.  The results of operations subsequent to the date of acquisition are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
 
 
56


New Accounting Pronouncements - In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”).  FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  FIN 48 requires the recognition, in the financial statements, of the impact of the tax position, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position.  FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure.  The Company adopted FIN 48 at the beginning of fiscal year 2008.  The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Company.  At the date of adoption, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits related to its state filing positions of $90,000 that, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate by $65,000.  The Company recorded an adjustment to retained earnings (net of federal benefits) for these uncertain tax positions totaling $65,000, inclusive of interest and penalties.  The Company’s policy is to recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.  At March 31, 2008, the Company had accrued $11,000 of possible interest and penalties.  The tax years 2003 – 2006 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.  As of March 31, 2008, the Company recognized an additional $22,000 for its state filing positions.  This adjustment was recorded in provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of income.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of this standard apply to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Management is currently evaluating the impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption of SFAS No. 157.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits companies to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value. The standard is designed to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Management is currently evaluating the impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption of SFAS No. 159.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised), Business Combinations.  SFAS No. 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and the goodwill acquired.  The standard also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the business combination.  SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  Management is currently evaluating the potential impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows of SFAS No. 141(R).

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment to ARB No. 51.  SFAS No. 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary.  The standard also requires additional disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent’s owners and the interest of the noncontrolling owners of the subsidiary.   SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  Management is currently evaluating the potential impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows of SFAS No. 160.




57



 


2.     
RESTRICTED ASSETS

Federal Reserve Board regulations require that the Bank maintain minimum reserve balances either on hand or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank, based on a percentage of deposits. The amounts of such balances as of March 31, 2008 and 2007 were $476,000 and $258,000, respectively.

3.     
ACQUISITION

On April 22, 2005, the Company completed the acquisition of American Pacific Bank ("APB"), a commercial bank located in Portland, Oregon.  The cost to acquire APB's 2,804,618 shares of common stock was a payment in cash for 1,404,000 shares at a transaction value of $11.94 per share and the issuance of 1,576,730 shares of the Company's common stock at a price of $10.60 per share for the remaining 1,400,618 shares.  All APB stock options were cashed out at a cost of $873,240, the difference between the transaction value of $11.94 per share and the options' respective exercise prices prior to completion of the merger.  The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of APB were recorded at their respective fair values. The resulting core deposit intangible is being amortized using an accelerated method over ten years.  The excess of the purchase price over net fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired was recorded as goodwill in the amount of $17.1 million.  Goodwill is not tax deductible because the transaction is nontaxable for Internal Revenue Service purposes.  The purchased assets and assumed liabilities were recorded as follows (in thousands):


Assets
 
Cash
$     3,433
Investments
1,417
Building and equipment
1,080
Loans
119,536
Core deposit intangible
526
Goodwill
16,359
Other, net
     2,547
Total assets
144,898
Liabilities
 
Deposits
(79,755)
Borrowings
(29,882)
Other liabilities
      (452)
Total liabilities
(110,089)
   
Net assets
$   34,809
Less:
 
Stock issued in acquisition
(16,713)
Cash acquired
   (3,433)
Cash used in acquisition, net of cash acquired
$   14,663

Subsequent to the acquisition, tax amounts were adjusted as part of the allocation of the purchase price. At March 31, 2006, the goodwill asset recorded in connection with the APB acquisition was $16.4 million.





58




 


4.     
INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and approximate fair value of investment securities available for sale consisted of the following (in thousands):


     
Amortized
      Cost
Gross
Unrealized
   Gains
Gross
Unrealized
 Losses
Estimated
Fair
    Value
 
March 31, 2008
         
 
Trust Preferred
 
$    5,000
$         -
$    (388)
$    4,612
 
Municipal bonds
 
     2,825
         50
           -
     2,875
 
Total
 
$    7,825
$        50
$    (388)
$    7,487
             
 
March 31, 2007
         
 
Trust Preferred
 
$    5,000
$        19
$        -
$    5,019
 
Agency securities
 
10,784
-
(44)
10,740
 
Municipal bonds
 
     3,474
         34
         -
     3,508
 
Total
 
$  19,258
$        53
$    (44)
$  19,267
             

The fair value of temporarily impaired securities, the amount of unrealized losses and the length of time these unrealized losses existed as of March 31, 2008 are as follows (in thousands):

   
Less than 12 months 
12 months or longer 
           Total 
 
Description of Securities
Fair
  Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
  Value
Unrealized
Losses
               
 
Trust Preferred
$    4,612
$    (388)
$          -
$          -
$    4,612
$    (388)

The fair value of temporarily impaired securities, the amount of unrealized losses and the length of time these unrealized losses existed as of March 31, 2007 are as follows (in thousands):

   
Less than 12 months 
12 months or longer 
           Total 
 
Description of Securities
Fair
  Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
  Value
Unrealized
Losses
               
 
Agency securities
$        -
$        -
$10,740
$(44)
$10,740
$(44)

The Company has evaluated these securities and has determined that the decline in the value is temporary. The decline in value is not related to any company or industry specific event.  The value of most of the Company’s securities fluctuates as market interest rates change. The Company anticipates full recovery of amortized cost with respect to these securities at maturity or sooner in the event of a more favorable market interest rate environment. The Company has the ability and intent to hold securities with unrealized losses until their values recover.
 
The contractual maturities of investment securities available for sale are as follows (in thousands):
 
     
Amortized
       Cost
Estimated
 Fair Value
 
March 31, 2008
     
 
Due in one year or less
 
$        484
$        491
 
Due after one year through five years
 
   530
   547
 
Due after five years through ten years
 
619
645
 
Due after ten years
 
      6,192
      5,804
 
Total
 
$     7,825
$     7,487


Investment securities with an amortized cost of $5.8 million and a fair value $5.8 million at March 31, 2007, were pledged as collateral for advances at the FHLB. Investment securities with an amortized cost of $1.1 million and a fair value of $1.2 million at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were pledged as collateral for treasury tax and loan funds held by the Bank. Investment securities with an amortized cost of $484,000 and $490,000 and a fair value of
 
59

 
$491,000 and $495,000 at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were pledged as collateral for government public funds held by the Bank. Investment securities with an amortized cost of $5.0 million and a fair value $5.0 million March 31, 2007 were pledged as collateral for borrowings from the discount window at the Federal Reserve Bank.

The Company realized no gains or losses on sales of investment securities available for sale in fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006.

5.     
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2008
 
Amortized
       Cost
      Gross Unrealized
   Gains
Gross
Unrealized
 Losses
Estimated
Fair
    Value
 
Real estate mortgage investment conduits
 
$      624
$          2
$          -
$       626
 
FHLMC mortgage-backed securities
 
104
1
-
105
 
FNMA mortgage-backed securities
 
       157
           4
           -
        161
 
Total
 
$      885
$          7
$          -
$       892
 
March 31, 2007
         
 
Real estate mortgage investment conduits
 
$      923
$          6
$          -
$       929
 
FHLMC mortgage-backed securities
 
116
1
-
117
 
FNMA mortgage-backed securities
 
       193
           4
           -
        197
 
Total
 
$   1,232
$        11
$          -
$    1,243

Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity with an amortized cost of $631,000 and $931,000 and a fair value of $633,000 and $938,000 at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were pledged as collateral for governmental public funds held by the Bank. Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity with an amortized cost of $138,000 and $143,000 and a fair value of $141,000 and $144,000 at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were pledged as collateral for treasury tax and loan funds held by the Bank. The real estate mortgage investment conduits consist of FHLMC and FNMA securities.

The contractual maturities of mortgage-backed securities classified as held to maturity are as follows (in thousands):

 
March 31, 2008
 
Amortized
       Cost
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Due in one year or less
 
$          -
$          -
 
Due after one year through five years
 
-
-
 
Due after five years through ten years
 
12
13
 
Due after ten years
 
        873
        879
 
Total
 
$      885
$      892
         
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2008
 
Amortized
       Cost
Gross Unrealized
    Gains
Gross Unrealized
  Losses
Estimated
Fair
    Value
 
Real estate mortgage investment conduits
 
$        851
$           8
$         (1)
$       858
 
FHLMC mortgage-backed securities
 
4,393
1
(4)
4,390
 
FNMA mortgage-backed securities
 
            87
             3
             -
           90
 
Total
 
$     5,331
$         12
$         (5)
$    5,338
 
March 31, 2007
         
 
Real estate mortgage investment conduits
 
$     1,070
$         15
$         (2)
$    1,083
 
FHLMC mortgage-backed securities
 
5,592
-
(153)
5,439
 
FNMA mortgage-backed securities
 
         116
             2
             -
        118
 
Total
 
$     6,778
$         17
$     (155)
$    6,640


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The fair value of temporarily impaired mortgage-backed securities, the amount of unrealized losses and the length of time these unrealized losses existed as of March 31, 2008 are as follows (in thousands):

   
Less than 12 months 
12 months or longer 
       Total
 
Description of Securities
Fair
  Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
  Value
Unrealized
Losses
               
 
Real estate mortgage investment conduits
$   501
$       (1)
$        -
$        -
$    501
$       (1)
 
FHLMC mortgage-backed
securities
         -
           -
 2,393
       (4)
 2,393
        (4)
 
Total temporarily impaired securities
$   501
$       (1)
$ 2,393
$      (4)
$2,894
$       (5)

The fair value of temporarily impaired mortgage-backed securities, the amount of unrealized losses and the length of time these unrealized losses existed as of March 31, 2007 as follows (in thousands):

     
Less than 12 months 
12 months or longer 
Total 
 
Description of Securities
 
Fair
  Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
  Value
Unrealized
Losses
                 
 
Real estate mortgage investment conduits
 
$        -
$        -
$    407
$       (2)
$    407
$      (2)
 
FHLMC mortgage-backed securities
 
-
-
5,439
(153)
5,439
 (153)
 
FNMA mortgage-backed   securities
 
        2
          -
         -
          -
         2
         -
 
Total temporarily impaired securities
 
$       2
$        -
$ 5,846
$   (155)
$ 5,848
$  (155)

 
The Company has evaluated these securities and has determined that the decline in the value is temporary. The decline in value is not related to any company or industry specific event. The value of most of the Company’s securities fluctuates as market interest rates change. The Company anticipates full recovery of amortized cost with respect to these securities at maturity or sooner in the event of a more favorable market interest rate environment. The Company has the ability and intent to hold securities with unrealized losses until their values recover. The Company realized no gains or losses on sale of mortgage-backed securities available for sale in fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006.  The Company does not believe that it has any exposure to sub-prime lending in its mortgage-backed security portfolio.
 
The contractual maturities of mortgage-backed securities available for sale are as follows (in thousands):
 

 
March 31, 2008
 
Amortized
       Cost
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Due in one year or less
 
$       31
$       31
 
Due after one year through five years
 
-
-
 
Due after five years through ten years
 
4,773
4,780
 
Due after ten years
 
        527
        527
 
Total
 
$   5,331
$   5,338

Expected maturities of mortgage-backed securities held to maturity and available for sale will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.

Mortgage-backed securities available for sale with an amortized cost of $5.2 million and $6.7 million and a fair value of $5.2 million and $6.5 million at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were pledged as collateral for advances at the FHLB.  Mortgage-backed securities available for sale with an amortized cost of $62,000 and a fair value of $64,000 at March 31, 2008 were pledged as collateral for government public funds held by the Bank.
 
 
61




6.     
LOANS RECEIVABLE

A summary of the major categories of loans outstanding is shown in the following table.  Outstanding loan balances at March 31, 2008 and 2007 are net of unearned income, including net deferred loan fees of $3.5 million and $3.7 million, respectively.

Loans receivable excluding loans held for sale consisted of the following (in thousands):


   
March 31 ,
   
      2008
      2007
 
Commercial and construction
   
 
Commercial
$109,585
$  91,174
 
Other real estate mortgage
429,422
360,930
 
Real estate construction
148,631
166,073
 
Total commercial and construction
687,638
618,177
       
 
Consumer
   
 
Real estate one-to-four family
75,922
69,808
 
Other installment
     3,665
     3,619
 
Total consumer
79,587
73,427
       
 
Total loans
767,225
691,604
       
 
Less:
   
 
Allowance for loan losses
   10,687
     8,653
 
Loans receivable, net
$756,538
$682,951

 
The Company considers its loan portfolio to have very little exposure to sub-prime mortgage loans since the Company has not historically engaged in this type of lending.
 
The Company originates commercial, commercial real estate, multi-family real estate, real estate construction, residential real estate and consumer loans.  Substantially all of the mortgage loans in the Company’s portfolio are secured by properties located in Washington and Oregon, and, accordingly, the ultimate collectibility of a substantial portion of the Company’s loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in the local economic conditions in these markets.
 
Aggregate loans to officers and directors, all of which are current, consist of the following (in thousands):

   
Year Ended March 31, 
   
  2008
  2007
  2006
         
 
Beginning balance
$   185
$       7
$   408
 
Originations
360
192
5
 
Principal repayments
   (127)
     (14)
   (406)
 
Ending balance
$   418
$   185
$       7




 
62 

 

7.     
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

A reconciliation of the allowance for loan losses is as follows (in thousands):


   
Year Ended March 31, 
   
     2008
     2007
     2006
         
 
Beginning balance
$  8,653
$  7,221
$  4,395
 
Provision for losses
2,900
1,425
1,500
 
Charge-offs
(905)
(186)
(711)
 
Recoveries
39
193
149
 
Allowance transferred from APB acquisition
           -
           -
   1,888
 
Ending balance
$ 10,687
$  8,653
$  7,221

Changes in the allowance for unfunded loan commitments were as follows (in thousands):


   
Year Ended March 31,
   
     2008
     2007
     2006
         
 
Beginning balance
$  380
$  362
$  253
 
Net change in allowance for unfunded loan commitments
    (43)
     18
   109
 
Ending balance
$  337
$  380
$  362

Loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued were $7.6 million, $226,000 and $415,000 at March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Interest income foregone on non-accrual loans was $199,000, $12,000 and $21,000 during the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively,

At March 31, 2008 and 2007, non-performing assets were $8.2 million and $226,000, respectively.

At March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company’s recorded investment in certain loans that were considered to be impaired was $7.2 million, $426,000, and $415,000 respectively. At March 31, 2008, all of the impaired loans had specific valuation allowances totaling $902,000.  At March 31, 2007, $294,000 of the impaired loans had a specific related valuation allowance of $30,000, while $132,000 did not require a specific valuation allowance.  At March 31, 2006, none of the impaired loans required specific valuation allowances.  The balance of the allowance for loan losses in excess of these specific reserves is available to absorb the inherent losses from all loans in the portfolio.  The average investment in impaired loans was $2.0 million, $959,000 and $889,000 during the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The related amount of interest income recognized on loans that were impaired was $65,000, $85,000 and $100,000 during the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  At March 31, 2008, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest totaled $115,000.  There were no loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest at March 31, 2007 and 2006.

8.     
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Premises and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
March  31,
   
       2008
 
       2007
         
 
Land
$    3,878
 
$    2,847
 
Buildings and improvements
13,067
 
11,736
 
Leasehold improvements
1,996
 
1,961
 
Furniture and equipment
 10,151
 
 10,401
 
Buildings under capitalized leases
2,715
 
2,715
 
Construction in progress
                2
 
      1,798
 
Total
31,809
 
31,458
 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
   (10,783)
 
   (10,056)
 
Premises and equipment, net
$  21,026
 
$  21,402

 
 
63

 
Depreciation expense was $1.8 million, $1.8 million and $1.2 million for years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company is obligated under various noncancellable lease agreements for land and buildings that require future minimum rental payments, exclusive of taxes and other charges.

During fiscal year 2006, the Company entered into a capital lease for the shell of the building constructed for the Company’s new operations center. The lease period is for twelve years with two six-year lease renewal options. For the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 the Company has recorded $113,000, $113,000 and $38,000, respectively, in amortization expense. At March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had accumulated amortization of $263,000 and $150,000, respectively, related to the capital lease.

The following is a schedule of future minimum lease payments under capital leases together with the present value of net minimum lease payments as of March 31, 2008 and the future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or noncancellable lease terms in excess of one year as of March 31, 2008 (in thousands):

Year Ending March 31:
 
    Operating 
Leases    
   
Capital Leases
 
2009
  $              1,669     $       228  
2010
    1,594       228  
2011
    1,046       228  
2012
    817       236  
2013
    820       251  
Thereafter
  3,693     4,185  
Total minimum lease payments
  $              9,639       5,356  
Less amount representing interest
          (2,670 )
Present value of net minimum lease payments
          $    2,686  

Rent expense was $1.9 million, $1.5 million and $1.6 million for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

9.     
MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

The following table is a summary of the activity in MSRs and the related valuation allowance for the periods indicated and other related financial data (in thousands):
 
 
March 31,
 
    2008
    2007
    2006
Balance at beginning of year, net
$   351
$   384
$   470
Additions
139
148
123
Amortization
  (216)
  (206)
  (233)
Change in valuation allowance
      28
      25
      24
Balance end of year, net
$   302
$   351
$   384
       
Valuation allowance at beginning of year
$     35
$     60
$     84
Change in valuation allowance
     (28)
     (25)
     (24)
Valuation allowance balance at end of year
$       7
$     35
$     60

The Company evaluates MSRs for impairment by stratifying MSRs based on the predominant risk characteristics of the underlying financial assets.  At March 31, 2008 and 2007, the MSRs estimated fair value totaled $1.0 million. The 2008 fair value was estimated using discount rate and a range of PSA values (The Bond Market Association’s standard prepayment values) that ranged from 87 to 618.  Total loans serviced for others were $123.8 million, $130.6 million and $139.2 million at March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


64





10.   
DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS

Deposit accounts consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 
Account Type
 
Weighted Average
       Rate
March 31,
         2008
Weighted Average
      Rate
March 31,
         2007
 
Non-interest-bearing
 
0.00%
$     82,121
0.00%
$     86,601
 
Interest checking
 
1.32
102,489
3.19
144,451
 
Money market
 
2.39
189,309
4.62
205,007
 
Savings accounts
 
0.55
27,401
0.55
29,472
 
Certificates of deposit
 
4.29
    265,680
4.69
    199,874
 
Total
 
2.61%
$   667,000
3.54%
$   665,405

The weighted average rate is based on interest rates at the end of the period.

Certificates of deposit in amounts of $100,000 or more totaled $127.8 million and $79.3 million at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Interest expense by deposit type was as follows (in thousands):

   
Year Ended March 31,
   
    2008
 
    2007
 
    2006
 
Interest checking
$  3,906
 
$  4,364
 
$  2,248
 
Money market
8,882
 
6,971
 
3,276
 
Savings accounts
151
 
179
 
213
 
Certificates of deposit
   9,204
 
   8,993
 
   6,646
 
Total
$22,143
 
$20,507
 
$12,383

11.  
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES

At March 31, 2008 and 2007, advances from the FHLB totaled $92.9 million and $35.1 million with a weighted average interest rate of 3.35% and 5.66%, respectively.  The FHLB borrowings at March 31, 2008 consisted of a Cash Management Advance (CMA) with a rate set daily by the Federal Home Loan Bank.  The weighted average interest rate for fixed and adjustable rate advances was 4.32%, 5.26%, and 4.44% for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The Bank has a credit line with the FHLB equal to 30% of total assets, limited by available collateral. At March 31, 2008, based on collateral values, the Bank had additional borrowing capacity available of $65 million from the FHLB.

FHLB advances are collateralized as provided for in the Advance, Pledge and Security Agreements with the FHLB by certain investment and mortgage-backed securities, FHLB stock owned by the Bank, deposits with the FHLB, and certain mortgages on deeds of trust securing such properties as provided in the agreements with the FHLB. At March 31, 2008, loans carried at $319.8 million and investments and mortgage-backed securities carried at $5.2 million were pledged as collateral to the FHLB.

At March 31, 2008, all of the Bank’s FHLB advances were scheduled to mature during the fiscal year 2009.

In addition, the Bank has a Fed Funds borrowing facility with Pacific Coast Bankers’ Bank with a guideline limit of $10 million through June 30, 2008.  The facility may be reduced or withdrawn at any time.  As of March 31, 2008 the Bank did not have any outstanding advances on this facility.




65



12.  
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

At March 31, 2008, the Company had two wholly-owned subsidiary grantor trusts that were established for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities and common securities.  The trust preferred securities accrue and pay distributions periodically at specified annual rates as provided in each indenture.  The trusts used the net proceeds from each of the offerings to purchase a like amount of junior subordinated debentures (the “Debentures”) of the Company.  The Debentures are the sole assets of the trusts.  The Company’s obligations under the Debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the obligations of the trusts.  The trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity of the Debentures, or upon earlier redemption as provided in the indentures.  The Company has the right to redeem the Debentures in whole or in part on or after specific dates, at a redemption price specified in the indentures plus any accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date.

The Debentures issued by the Company to the grantor trusts, totaling $22.7 million, are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the liabilities section at March 31, 2008, under the caption “junior subordinated debentures.”  The common securities issued by the grantor trusts were purchased by the Company, and the Company’s investment in the common securities of $681,000 and $217,000 at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, is included in prepaid expenses and other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.  The Company records interest expense on the Debentures in the consolidated statements of income.
 
 
The following table is a summary of the terms of the current Debentures at March 31, 2008:
 
Issuance Trust
 
Issuance Date
   
Amount Outstanding
 
Rate Type
 
Initial Rate
   
Rate at 3/31/08
   
Maturing Date
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Riverview Bancorp    
Statutory Trust I
    12/2005     $          7,217  
Variable (1)
    5.88 %     4.16 %     3/2036  
Riverview Bancorp
Statutory Trust II
    6/2007     15,464  
Fixed (2)
    7.03 %     7.03 %     9/2037  
            $        22,681                            
(1) The trust preferred securities reprice quarterly based on the three-month LIBOR plus 1.36%
(2) The trust preferred securities bear a fixed quarterly interest rate for 60 months, at which time the rate begins to float on a quarterly
  basis based on the three-month LIBOR plus 1.35% until maturity.
         






66



 

13.  
INCOME TAXES

Income tax provision for the years ended March 31 consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
   2008
 
   2007
 
   2006
             
 
Current
$ 4,894
 
$ 6,604
 
$ 5,281
 
Deferred
    (395)
 
    (436)
 
    (704)
 
Total
$ 4,499
 
$ 6,168
 
$ 4,577

 
A reconciliation between income taxes computed at the statutory rate and the effective tax rate for the years ended March 31 is as follows:

 
2008
2007 
 2006
       
Statutory federal income tax rate
35.0%
35.0%
35.0%
State and local income tax rate
1.2
0.9
1.0
ESOP market value adjustment
0.8
0.5
0.9
Interest income on municipal securities
(0.4)
(0.3)
(0.4)
Bank owned life insurance
(1.5)
(1.1)
(1.2)
Other, net
 (0.9)
 (0.4)
 (3.4)
Effective federal income tax rate
34.2%
34.6%
31.9%

 
There were no taxes related to the gains on sales of securities for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at March 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows (in thousands):


 
     2008
     2007
Deferred tax assets:
   
  Deferred compensation
$      660
$      715
  Loan loss reserve
4,014
3,287
  Core deposit intangible
90
169
  Accrued expenses
215
373
  Accumulated depreciation
446
462
  Net operating loss carry forward
-
91
  Net unrealized loss on securities available for sale
112
44
  Capital loss carry forward
699
725
  REO expense
186
186
  Non-compete
164
169
  Other
       159
         64
Total deferred tax asset
    6,745
    6,285
 
Deferred tax liabilities:
   
FHLB stock dividend
(1,093)
(1,093)
Deferred gain on sale
(170)
(157)
Tax qualified loan loss reserve
(27)
(55)
Purchase accounting
(203)
(259)
Prepaid expense
(97)
(139)
Loan fees/costs
      (584)
      (474)
Total deferred tax liability
   (2,174)
   (2,177)
Deferred tax asset, net
$   4,571
$   4,108

The Bank’s retained earnings at March 31, 2008 and 2007 include base year bad debt reserves which amounted to $2.2 million, for which no federal income tax liability has been recognized.  The amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability at March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $800,000.  This represents the balance of bad debt reserves created for tax purposes as of December 31, 1987.  These amounts are subject to recapture in the unlikely event that the Company’s banking subsidiaries (1) make distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated for
 
 
67

 
federal tax purposes, (2) redeem their stock, or (3) liquidate.  Management does not expect this temporary difference to reverse in the foreseeable future.

The Company has a capital loss carry forward of $2.0 million, which will expire in 2010.  Utilization of this loss is subject to certain limitations of the Internal Revenue Code.  The tax effects of certain tax benefits related to stock options are recorded directly to shareholders’ equity.

No valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was deemed necessary at March 31, 2008 or 2007 based upon the Company’s anticipated future ability to generate taxable income from operations.

14.  
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS

Retirement Plan - The Riverview Bancorp, Inc. Employees’ Savings and Profit Sharing Plan (the “Plan”) is a defined contribution profit-sharing plan incorporating the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Plan covers all employees with at least six months and 500 hours of service who are over the age of 18. The Company matches the employee’s elective contribution up to 4% of the employee’s compensation. Company expenses related to the Plan for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $455,000, $409,000 and $359,000, respectively.

Directors Deferred Compensation Plan - Directors may elect to defer their monthly directors’ fees until retirement with no income tax payable by the director until retirement benefits are received.  Chairman, President, Executive and Senior Vice Presidents of the Company may also defer salary into this plan.  This alternative is made available to them through a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. The Company accrues annual interest on the unfunded liability under the Directors Deferred Compensation Plan based upon a formula relating to gross revenues, which amounted to 7.57%, 7.51% and 6.66% for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The estimated liability under the plan is accrued as earned by the participant. At March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s aggregate liability under the plan was $1.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

Bonus Programs - The Company maintains a bonus program for senior management and certain key individuals. The bonus program represents 8.5% of fiscal year profits, assuming profit goals are attained, and is divided among participants based on specific individual goals. The Company also has an incentive program for retail employees that is paid based on the attainment of certain goals. The Company expensed $926,000, $1.3 million and $1.3 million in bonuses and incentives during the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Stock Option Plans - In July 1998, shareholders of the Company approved the adoption of the 1998 Stock Option Plan (“1998 Plan”).  The 1998 Plan was effective October 1, 1998 and will expire on the tenth anniversary of the effective date, unless terminated sooner by the Board.  Under the 1998 Plan, the Company may grant both incentive and non-qualified stock options of up to 714,150 shares of its common stock to officers, directors and employees.  The exercise price of each option granted under the 1998 Plan equals the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant with a maximum term of ten years and a vesting period of zero to five years.  At March 31, 2008, there were options for 26,562 shares available for grant under the 1998 Plan.

In July 2003, shareholders of the Company approved the adoption of the 2003 Stock Option Plan (“2003 Plan”).  The 2003 Plan was effective July 2003 and will expire on the tenth anniversary of the effective date, unless terminated sooner by the Board.  Under the 2003 Plan, the Company may grant both incentive and non-qualified stock options up to 458,554 shares of its common stock to officers, directors and employees.  The exercise price of each option granted under the 2003 Plan equals the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant with a maximum term of ten years and a vesting period from zero to five years. At March 31, 2008, there were options for 170,154 shares available for grant under the 2003 Plan.

The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes based stock option valuation model.  The Black-Scholes model uses the assumptions listed in the table below.  The expected life of options granted represents the period of time that they are expected to be outstanding.  The expected life is determined based on historical experience with similar options, giving consideration to the contractual terms and vesting schedules.  Expected volatility was estimated at the date of grant based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock.  Expected dividend trends and the market value of the Company's common stock at the time of grant.  The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.  
 
 
 
68

 
The Company granted 20,000 and 354,000 stock options during the years ended March 31, 2008 and 2006, respectively.  No options were granted during the year ended March 31, 2007.

   
Risk Free
Interest Rate
Expected
Life (yrs)
Expected
Volatility
Expected
Dividends
           
Fiscal 2008
 
4.32%
6.25
15.13%
3.06%
Fiscal 2006
 
4.67%
10.00
26.32%
3.07%

The weighted average grant-date fair value of fiscal years 2008 and 2006 awards were $2.07 and $3.80, respectively.  As of March 31, 2008, unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options totaled $36,000.  For the year ended March 31, 2008, the Company recognized pre-tax compensation expense related to stock options of $34,000.

The following table presents the activity related to options under all plans for the periods indicated.

 
2008
2007
2006
 
Number of
      Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise
      Price
Number of
      Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise
      Price
Number of
    Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise
      Price
             
Balance, beginning of period
526,192
$    10.41
755,846
$      9.68
454,990
$      7.18
Grants
20,000
     13.42
-
-
354,000
12.70
Options exercised
   (95,620)
       7.68
   (212,054)
       7.79
     (53,144)
       8.48
Forfeited
     (25,600)
     12.69
     (17,600)
     10.65
                -
             -
Balance, end of period
    424,972
$    11.02
    526,192
$    10.41
    755,846
$      9.68

Additional information regarding options outstanding as of March 31, 2008 is as follows:

   
 Options Outstanding
Options Exercisable
Range of
Exercise Price
Weighted Avg
Remaining
Contractual
Life (years)
Number
Outstanding
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Number
Exercisable
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
           
$    4.03-$6.16
1.89
29,996
$    5.22
29,996
$   5.22
  6.51-  6.88
1.84
53,776
    6.83
53,776
6.83
  7.49-  9.51
5.13
  41,200
     8.73
  41,200
    8.73
10.10- 10.83
7.06
  43,000
     10.28
 27,400
10.27
     12.98-14.52
8.04
257,000
     13.06
245,000
12.99
 
6.44
424,972
$  11.02
397,372
$  10.94

The following table presents information on stock options outstanding for the periods shown, less estimated forfeitures.

 
Year ended
 
Year ended
 
March 31, 2008
 
March 31, 2007
Stock options fully vested and expected to vest:
         
Number
422,572
   
523,052
 
Weighted average exercise price
 
$       11.02
   
$       10.41
Aggregate intrinsic value
 
$  (437,882)
   
$2,892,379
Weighted average contractual term of options
 
6.82 years
   
7.07 years
           
Stock options vested and currently exercisable:
         
Number
397,372
   
493,192
 
Weighted average exercise price
 
$       10.94
   
$       10.43
Aggregate intrinsic value
 
$  (382,675)
   
$2,717,710
Weighted average contractual term of options
 
6.31 years
   
6.65 years

 
 
69

 
The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $613,000, $1.7 million and $159,000 for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.

15.  
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

The Company sponsors an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) that covers all employees with at least one year and 1000 hours of service who are over the age of 21.  Shares are released and allocated to participant accounts on December 31 of each year until 2017. ESOP compensation expense included in salaries and employee benefits was $414,000, $274,000 and $558,000 for years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

ESOP share activity is summarized in the following table:


 
Fair Value
of
Unreleased
      Shares
Unreleased
ESOP
 Shares
 
Allocated
and Released
 Shares
 
    Total
Balance, March 31, 2005
$3,664,000
344,862
 
617,722
 
962,584
Allocation December 31, 2005
 
 (49,266)
 
  49,266
 
            -
Balance, March 31, 2006
$3,955,000
295,596
 
666,988
 
962,584
Allocation December 31, 2006
 
 (24,633)
 
  24,633
 
            -
Balance, March 31, 2007
$4,319,000
270,963
 
691,621
 
962,584
Allocation December 31, 2007
 
 (24,633)
 
  24,633
 
            -
Balance, March 31, 2008
$2,458,000
246,330
 
716,254
 
962,584

16.  
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

The Company’s Board authorized 250,000 shares of serial preferred stock as part of the Conversion and Reorganization completed on September 30, 1997.  No preferred shares were issued or outstanding at March 31, 2008 or 2007.

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

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total and Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets, of core capital to total assets and tangible capital to tangible assets (set forth in the table below). Management believes the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject as of March 31, 2008.

As of March 31, 2008, the most recent notification from the OTS categorized the Bank as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as “well capitalized,” the Bank must maintain minimum total capital and Tier I capital to risk weighted assets, core capital to total assets and tangible capital to tangible assets (set forth in the table below). There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Company’s category.



70







The Bank’s actual and required minimum capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Actual 
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes 
Categorized as "Well
Capitalized" Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provision 
 
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
March 31, 2008
           
Total Capital:
           
(To Risk Weighted Assets)
$  88,806
10.99%
$  64,627
8.0%
$  80,784
10.0%
Tier I Capital:
           
(To Risk Weighted Assets)
79,021
9.78
32,314
4.0
48,470
6.0
Tier I Capital:
           
(To Adjusted Tangible Assets)
79,021
9.29
25,530
3.0
42,550
5.0
Tangible Capital:
           
(To Tangible Assets)
  79,021
9.29
  12,765
1.5
N/A
N/A

 
Actual 
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes 
Categorized as "Well
Capitalized" Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provision
 
Amount
     Ratio
     Amount
          Ratio
Amount
      Ratio
March 31, 2007
           
Total Capital:
           
(To Risk Weighted Assets)
$  84,363
11.38%
$  59,310
8.0%
$  74,137
10.0%
Tier I Capital:
           
(To Risk Weighted Assets)
75,740
10.22
29,655
4.0
44,482
6.0
Tier I Capital:
           
(To Adjusted Tangible Assets)
75,740
9.60
23,662
3.0
39,436
5.0
Tangible Capital:
           
(To Tangible Assets)
  75,740
9.60
  11,831
1.5
N/A
N/A

At periodic intervals, the OTS and the FDIC routinely examine the Company’s consolidated financial statements as part of their legally prescribed oversight of the savings and loan industry. Based on their examinations, these regulators can direct that the Company’s consolidated financial statements be adjusted in accordance with their findings. A future examination by the OTS or the FDIC could include a review of certain transactions or other amounts reported in the Company’s 2008 consolidated financial statements. In view of the uncertain regulatory environment in which the Company operates, the extent, if any, to which a forthcoming regulatory examination may ultimately result in adjustments to the 2008 consolidated financial statements cannot presently be determined.

At March 31, 2008, the Company had 125,000 shares of its outstanding common stock available for repurchase under the June 21, 2007 Board approved stock repurchase plan of 750,000 shares.  The following table summarizes the Company’s common stock repurchased in each of the following periods (dollars in thousands):

 
  Shares
 
Value
2008
875,000
 
$12,643
2007
-
 
        -
2006
100,000
 
$  1,228

17.  
EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earning per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without considering any dilutive items.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares and common stock equivalents for items that are dilutive, net of shares assumed to be repurchased using the treasury stock method at the average share price for the Company’s common stock during the period. Common stock equivalents arise
 
 
 
71

 
from assumed conversion of outstanding stock options. ESOP shares are not considered outstanding for earnings per share purposes until they are committed to be released.   For the year ended March 31, 2008, stock options for 15,000 shares of common stock were excluded in computing diluted EPS because they were antidilutive.  There were no antidilutive stock options for the year ended March 31, 2007.

  Years Ended March 31,
 
            2008
 
            2007
 
            2006
Basic EPS computation:
         
Numerator-Net income
$   8,644,000
 
$ 11,606,000
 
$   9,738,000
Denominator-Weighted average common shares outstanding
10,915,271
 
11,312,847
 
11,204,479
Basic EPS
$            0.79
 
$            1.03
 
$            0.87
Diluted EPS computation:
         
Numerator-Net Income
$   8,644,000
 
$ 11,606,000
 
$   9,738,000
Denominator-Weighted average
         
common shares outstanding
10,915,271
 
11,312,847
 
11,204,479
Effect of dilutive stock options
       91,402
 
      203,385
 
       145,856
Weighted average common shares
         
and common stock equivalents
11,006,673
 
11,516,232
 
11,350,335
Diluted EPS
$            0.79
 
$            1.01
 
$            0.86

18.  
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The Company, using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies, has determined the estimated fair value amounts. However, considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data in the development of the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

The estimated fair value of financial instruments is as follows (in thousands):

 
March 31,
 
2008 
 
2007 
 
Carrying
      Value
 
Fair
      Value
 
Carrying
     Value
 
Fair
      Value
Assets:
             
Cash
$   36,439
 
$   36,439
 
$   31,423
 
$   31,423
Investment securities available for sale
7,487
 
7,487
 
19,267
 
19,267
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
885
 
892
 
1,232
 
1,243
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale
5,338
 
5,338
 
6,640
 
6,640
Loans receivable, net
756,538
 
775,454
 
682,951
 
680,861
Mortgage servicing rights
302
 
973
 
351
 
1,032
FHLB stock
7,350
 
7,350
 
7,350
 
7,350
               
Liabilities:
             
Demand – savings deposits
401,320
 
401,320
 
465,531
 
465,531
Time deposits
265,680
 
268,747
 
199,874
 
199,174
               
FHLB advances
92,850
 
92,745
 
35,050
 
34,982
Junior subordinated debentures
22,681
 
15,734
 
7,217
 
7,235

Fair value estimates were based on existing financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business. The fair value has not been estimated for assets and liabilities that were not considered financial instruments.

Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions are set forth below.
 
 
72

 
Cash - Fair value approximates the carrying amount.

Investments and Mortgage-Backed Securities - Fair values were based on quoted market rates and dealer quotes.

Loans Receivable and Loans Held for Sale - Loans were priced using a discounted cash flow method. The discount rate used was the rate currently offered on similar products, risk adjusted for credit concerns or dissimilar characteristics.  For variable rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit, fair values are based on carrying values.

Mortgage Servicing Rights - The fair value of mortgage servicing rights was determined using the Company’s model, which incorporates the expected life of the loans, estimated cost to service the loans, servicing fees received and other factors. The Company calculates MSRs fair value by stratifying MSRs based on the predominant risk characteristics that include the underlying loan’s interest rate, cash flows of the loan, origination date and term. Key economic assumptions that vary due to changes in market interest rates are used to determine the fair value of the MSRs and include expected prepayment speeds, which impact the average life of the portfolio, annual service cost, annual ancillary income and the discount rate used in valuing the cash flows. At March 31, 2008, the MSRs fair value totaled $1.0 million, which was estimated using a range of prepayment speed assumptions (The Bond Market Association’s standard prepayment) values that ranged from 87 to 618.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock - Fair value approximates the carrying amounts.

Deposits - The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity such as non-interest-bearing demand deposits, interest checking, money market and savings accounts was equal to the amount payable on demand. The fair value of time deposits with stated maturity was based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate was estimated using rates currently available in the local market.

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances - The fair value for FHLB advances was based on the discounted cash flow method. The discount rate was estimated using rates currently available from the FHLB.

Junior Subordinated Debentures - The fair value of junior subordinated debentures was based on the discounted cash flow method. The discount rate was estimated using rates currently available for the junior subordinated debentures.

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments - The estimated fair value of loan commitments approximates fees recorded associated with such commitments as of March 31, 2008 and 2007. Since the majority of the Bank’s off-balance-sheet instruments consist of non-fee producing, variable rate commitments, the Bank has determined they do not have a distinguishable fair value.

Other - The carrying value of other financial instruments was determined to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value.

19.  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments generally include commitments to originate mortgage, commercial and consumer loans.  Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  The Company’s maximum exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the borrower is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.  The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Commitments to extend credit are conditional, and are honored for up to 45 days subject to the Company’s usual terms and conditions.  Collateral is not required to support commitments.

At March 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding real estate one-to-four family loan commitments of $1.1 million and unused lines of credit on real estate one-to-four family loans totaled $20.6 million.  Other installment loan commitments totaled $17,000 and unused lines of credit on other installment loans totaled $1.1 million.  Other real estate mortgage loan commitments totaled $19.0 million and the undisbursed balance of other real estate mortgage loans closed was $10.4 million.  Commercial loan commitments totaled $8.4 million, undisbursed balances of commercial loans totaled $10.6 million and unused commercial lines of credit totaled $56.2 million.  Construction loan commitments totaled $15.7 million and unused construction lines of credit totaled $60.2 million.
 
 
73


The allowance for unfunded loan commitments was $337,000 at March 31, 2008.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily used to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. Collateral held varies as specified above, and is required in instances where the Bank deems necessary. At March 31, 2008 and 2007, standby letters of credit totaled $2.3 million.

At March 31, 2008, the Company had no firm commitments to sell residential loans to FHLMC. Typically, these agreements are short term fixed rate commitments and no material gain or loss is likely.

In connection with certain asset sales, the Bank typically makes representation and warranties about the underlying assets conforming to specified guidelines.  If the underlying assets do not conform to the specifications, the Bank may have an obligation to repurchase the assets or indemnify the purchaser against loss.  As of March 31, 2008 loans under warranty totaled $105.7 million, which substantially represents the unpaid principal balance of the Bank’s loans serviced for others.  The Bank believes that the potential for loss under these arrangements is remote.  Accordingly, no contingent liability is recorded in the consolidated financial statements.

The Company is party to litigation arising in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, these actions will not have a material adverse effect, if any, on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

The Bank has entered into employment contracts with certain key employees which provide for contingent payment subject to future events.

 
74 

 

20.          
RIVERVIEW BANCORP, INC. (PARENT COMPANY)


BALANCE SHEETS
   
MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007
   
D((Dollars in thousands)
2008
2007  
ASSETS
 
   
Cash (including interest earning accounts of $8,269 and $4,530)
$     8,295
$     4,907
Investment in the Bank
105,731
102,310
Other assets
2,318
1,401
Deferred income taxes
              -
           22
TOTAL ASSETS
$ 116,344
$ 108,640
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
   
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
$       106
$          71
Deferred income taxes
12
-
Borrowings
22,681
7,217
Dividend payable
960
1,143
Shareholders' equity
   92,585
  100,209
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$ 116,344
$ 108,640


 
     STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
     YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2008
2007
2006
 
INCOME:
     
Dividend income from Bank
$  6,386
$  7,907
$  15,000
Interest on investment securities and other short-term investments
      468
      172
        73
Interest on loan receivable from the Bank
        94
         126
        149
Total income
   6,948
   8,205
  15,222
 
EXPENSE:
     
Management service fees paid to the Bank
143
143
143
Other expenses
   1,636
       815
       360
Total expense
   1,779
       958
       503
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY
     
IN UNDISTRIBUTED INCOME OF THE BANK
5,169
7,247
14,719
BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES
     (426)
      (231)
      (363)
INCOME OF PARENT COMPANY
5,595
7,478
15,082
EQUITY IN UNDISTRIBUTED INCOME (LOSS) OF THE BANK
   3,049
    4,128
   (5,344)
NET INCOME
$  8,644
$ 11,606
$   9,738


 
75 

 


RIVERVIEW BANCORP, INC. (PARENT COMPANY)

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006

    (Dollars in thousands)
2008
2007
2006
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     
   Net income
$   8,644
$ 11,606
$   9,738
   Adjustments to reconcile net income cash provided by operating activities:
     
   Equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of the Bank
(3,049)
(4,128)
5,344
   Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes
34
13
(4)
   Earned ESOP shares
414
274
558
   Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition
     
   Other assets
(445)
(724)
323
   Accrued expenses and other liabilities
      (535)
      (376)
      (588)
Net cash provided by operating activities
    5,063
    6,665
  15,371
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
     
Additional investment in subsidiary
-
-
(5,000)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired
            -
            -
 (18,096)
Net cash used by investing activities
            -
            -
 (23,096)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     
Dividends paid
(4,740)
(4,289)
(3,631)
Proceeds from subordinated debentures
15,000
-
7,000
Repurchase of common stock
(12,643)
-
(1,228)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
       708
       880
       314
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
   (1,675)
   (3,409)
    2,455
 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
3,388
3,256
(5,270)
 
CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR
    4,907
    1,651
    6,921
 
CASH, END OF YEAR
$   8,295
$   4,907
$   1,651


 
76 

 

RIVERVIEW BANCORP, INC.
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
Three Months Ended
 
March 31
 
December 31
 
September 30
 
 June 30
Fiscal 2008:
             
Interest income
$    14,608
 
$    15,336
 
$      15,314
 
$   15,424
Interest expense
6,036
 
6,478
 
6,620
 
6,596
Net interest income
8,572
 
8,858
 
8,694
 
8,828
Provision for loan losses
1,800
 
650
 
400
 
50
Non-interest income
2,214
 
2,150
 
2,216
 
2,302
Non-interest expense
7,168
 
7,011
 
6,831
 
6,781
Income before income taxes
1,818
 
3,347
 
3,679
 
4,299
Provision for income taxes
         656
 
       1,134
 
       1,249
 
      1,460
 
Net income
$      1,162
 
$      2,213
 
$      2,430
 
$    2,839
 
Basic earnings per share (1)
$        0.11
 
$        0.21
 
$        0.22
 
$      0.25
 
Diluted earnings per share
$        0.11
 
$        0.21
 
$        0.22
 
$      0.25
Fiscal 2007:
             
Interest income
$    15,722
 
$    16,078
 
$    15,302
 
$  14,198
Interest expense
6,662
 
6,760
 
6,175
 
5,185
Net interest income
9,060
 
9,318
 
9,127
 
9,013
Provision for loan losses
100
 
375
 
600
 
350
Non-interest income
2,218
 
2,410
 
2,291
 
2,115
Non-interest expense
6,851
 
6,461
 
6,272
 
6,769
Income before income taxes
4,327
 
4,892
 
4,546
 
4,009
Provision for income taxes
       1,563
 
       1,654
 
       1,573
 
      1,378
 
Net income
$      2,764
 
$      3,238
 
$      2,973
 
$    2,631
 
Basic earnings per share (1)
$        0.24
 
$        0.29
 
$        0.26
 
$      0.23
 
Diluted earnings per share
$        0.24
 
$        0.28
 
$        0.26
 
$      0.23
(1)  
Quarterly earnings per share may vary from annual earnings per share due to rounding.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not Applicable

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:  An evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Section 13(a)- 15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and several other members of the Company’s senior management as of the end of the period covered by this report.  The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as currently in effect are effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management (including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) in a timely manner, and (ii) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms as of the end of the period covered by this report.

The Company does not expect that its disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. A control procedure, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control procedure are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control procedures, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-
 
 
 
77

 
making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any control procedure also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control procedure, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

(b)  Changes in Internal Controls:  There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(c) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting: The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Act).  As required by Rule 13a-15(c) of the Act, management has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appears in Item 9 of this Form 10-K.

 
78 

 


 
RIVERVIEW BANCORP, INC
 
Sarbanes-Oxley 404
Management’s Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
 
The management of Riverview Bancorp, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.  This internal control system has been designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of the company’s published financial statements.
 
 
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
 
The management of Riverview Bancorp, Inc. has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2008.  To make the assessment, we used the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of March 31, 2008, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting met those criteria.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm that audits the Company’s consolidated financial statements has audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2008, as stated in their report appearing below.


 
79 

 

 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Riverview Bancorp, Inc.
Vancouver, Washington
 

 
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Riverview Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiary (the "Company") as of March 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) 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 the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting 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 the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
 
 
80

 

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended March 31, 2008 of the Company and our report dated June 12, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
 
/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Portland, Oregon
June 12, 2008
 

 
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Item 9B. Other Information

There was no information to be disclosed by the Company in a report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 that was not so disclosed.
 
PART III

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information contained under the section captioned "Proposal I - Election of Directors" contained in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and "Part I -- Business -- Personnel -- Executive Officers" of this Form 10-K, is incorporated herein by reference.  Reference is made to the cover page of this Form 10-K for information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.

Code of Ethics

In December 2003, the Board of Directors adopted the Officer and Director Code of Ethics.  The code is applicable to each of the Company’s officers, including the principal executive officer and senior financial officers, and requires individuals to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.  A copy of the Code of Ethics is available on the Company’s website at www.riverviewbank.com.

Audit Committee Matters and Audit Committee Financial Expert

The Company has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee, composed of Directors Edward R. Geiger, Michael D. Allen and Paul L. Runyan.  Each member of the Audit Committee is “independent” as defined in the Nasdaq Stock Market Listing Standards.  The Company’s Board of Directors has Mr. Geiger, Audit Committee Chairman, as its financial expert, as defined in SEC’s regulation S-K.

Nomination Procedures

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Company’s Board of Directors.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

The information set forth under the sections captioned "Executive Compensation" and "Directors' Compensation" under "Proposal I - Election of Directors" in the Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information set forth under the caption  "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" in the Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.

 
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Equity Compensation Plan Information.  The following table summarizes share and exercise price information about the Company’s equity compensation plan as of March 31, 2008.

Plan category
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options
Weighted-
average price of outstanding options
Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation plans
excluding securities reflected in
column (A)
       
Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders:
(A)
(B)
(C)
2003 Stock Option Plan
242,000
$12.98
170,154
1998 Stock Option Plan
182,972
8.43
26,562
       
Equity compensation plans not approved
by security holders:
-
 
-
 
-
 
 
 
 
Total
424,972
 
196,716

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions; and Director Independence

The information set forth under the headings “Related Party Transactions” and “Director Independence” in the Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information set forth under the section captioned “Independent Auditor” in the Proxy statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.

 
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PART IV
Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)       1.          Financial Statements
        See “Part II –Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

2.  
         Financial Statement Schedules
         All schedules are omitted because they are not required or applicable, or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

 
3.   
Exhibits
 
   
3.1
Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (1)
   
3.2
Bylaws of the Registrant (1)
   
4
Form of Certificate of Common Stock of the Registrant (1)
   
10.1
Form of Employment Agreement between the Bank and each Patrick Sheaffer, Ronald A. Wysaske, David A. Dahlstrom and John A. Karas (2)
   
10.2
Form of Change of Control Agreement between the Bank and Ronald L. Dobyns (3)
   
10.5
Employee Severance Compensation Plan (4)
   
10.6
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (5)
   
10.7
Management Recognition and Development Plan (6)
   
10.8
1998 Stock Option Plan (6)
   
10.9
1993 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (6)
   
10.10
2003 Stock Option Plan (7)
   
10.11
Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Pursuant to 2003 Stock Option Plan (8)
   
10.12
Form of Non-qualified Stock Option Award Pursuant to 2003 Stock Option Plan (8)
   
11
Statement of recomputation of per share earnings (See Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.)
            21         Subsidiaries of Registrant (9)
   
23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
   
31.1
    Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
   
31.2
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
   
32
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

(1)
Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-30203), and incorporated herein by reference.
(2)
Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 18, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.
(3)
Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 18, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.
(4)
Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference.
(5)
Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference.
(6)
Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-66049), and incorporated herein by reference.
(7)
Filed as Exhibit 99 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-66049), and incorporated herein by reference.
(8)
Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
(9)
Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.

 
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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.
 
  RIVERVIEW BANCORP, INC. 
     
     
Date:     June 8, 2008   By:   /s/Patrick Sheaffer 
    Patrick Sheaffer 
    Chairman of the Board and 
    Chief Executive Officer 
    (Duly Authorized Representative) 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 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/ Patrick Sheaffer    By:   /s/Ronald A. Wysaske
              Patrick Sheaffer       Ronald A. Wysaske 
              Chairman of the Board and  
President and Chief Operating Officer 
              Chief Executive Officer  
Director 
              (Principal Executive Officer)     
     
 Date:    June 8, 2008 Date:  June 8, 2008
     
 By:       /s/Kevin J. Lycklama   By:  /s/ Paul L. Runyan
      Kevin J. Lycklama    Paul L. Runyan
              Senior Vice President and    Vice Chairman of the Board and
              Chief Financial Officer    Director
      (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    
     
 Date:    June 8, 2008  Date: June 8, 2008 
     
 By:        /s/ Gary R. Douglass  By: /s/ Edward R. Geiger 
               Gary R. Douglass    Edward R. Geiger
               Director    Director
     
 Date:     June 8, 2008  Date: June 8, 2008 
     
 By:         /s/ Michael D. Allen  By: /s/ Jerry C. Olson 
                Michael D. Allen    Jerry C. Olson
                Director    Director
     
 Date:      June 8, 2008  Date: June 8, 2008 
 
 
 
 
 
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EXHIBIT INDEX [REQUIRED BY 601 ((a)(2)) OF REGULATION S-K]

                 
Exhibit 23  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
   
Exhibit 31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 
   
Exhibit 31.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 
   
Exhibit 32
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002



 
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Exhibit 23
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-66049, 333-38887, and 333-109894 on Form S-8 our reports dated June 12, 2008, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Riverview Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary, and the effectiveness of Riverview Bancorp, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Riverview Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary for the year ended March 31, 2008.
 
/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Portland, Oregon
June 12, 2008


 
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Exhibit 31.1
Certification Required
By Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

I, Patrick Sheaffer, certify that:

1.  
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Riverview Bancorp, Inc.;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5.  
The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)  
all significant deficiencies and material weakness in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data information; and

b)  
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  June 8, 2008                                                                             /S/ Patrick Sheaffer
Patrick Sheaffer
                Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 
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Exhibit 31.2
Certification Required
By Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

I, Kevin J. Lycklama, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Riverview Bancorp, Inc.;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5.
The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 
a)  
all significant deficiencies and material weakness in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data information; and

d)  
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  June 8, 2008                                                                               /s/ Kevin J. Lycklama
Kevin J. Lycklama
              Chief Financial Officer

 
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Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


The undersigned herby certifies in his capacity as an officer of Riverview Bancorp, Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002 and in connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K that:

1.  
    the report fully complies with the requirements of sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and

2.  
    the information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the company’s financial condition and results of operations as of the dates and for the periods
    presented in the financial statements
    included in such report.



        /S/ Patrick Sheaffer
        /S/ Kevin J. Lycklama
Patrick Sheaffer                                                                                        Kevin J. Lycklama
Chief Executive Officer                                                                           Chief Financial Officer


Dated: June 8, 2008                                                                                  Dated: June 8, 2008





 
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