| SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | ||||||
| Washington, D.C. | ||||||
| FORM 10-K | ||||||
| Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of | ||||||
| The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | ||||||
| For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1999 | ||||||
| Commission File Number: 0-12507 | ||||||
| ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION | ||||||
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | ||||||
| New York | 22-2448962 | |||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (IRS Employer Identification | |||||
| incorporation or organization) | Number) | |||||
| 250 GLEN STREET, GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK 12801 | ||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) | ||||||
| Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (518) 745-1000 | ||||||
| SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT - NONE | ||||||
| SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT | ||||||
| Common Stock, Par Value $1.00 | ||||||
| (Title of Class) | ||||||
| Indicate by checkmark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. | ||||||
| Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days | ||||||
| Yes X No | ||||||
| Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. | ||||||
| Class | Outstanding as of February 29, 2000 | |||||
| Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share | 7,308,999 | |||||
| State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of registrant. | ||||||
|
Aggregate market value of voting stock |
Based upon the average of the closing bid and closing asked prices on the NASDAQ Exchange | |||||
| $134,303,000 | February 29, 2000 | |||||
| DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE | ||||||
| Portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 14, 2000 (Part III) | ||||||
ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FORM 10-K
INDEX
Cautionary Statement under Federal Securities Laws
PART I
Item 1. Business
A. General
B. Lending Activities
C. Supervision and Regulation
D. Competition
E. Statistical Disclosure (Guide 3)
F. Legislative Developments
G. Executive Officers of the Registrant
Item 2. Properties
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
A. Overview
B. Results of Operations
I. Net Interest Income
II. Provision for Loan Losses and Allowance for Loan Losses
III. Other Income
IV. Other Expense
V. Income Taxes
C. Financial Condition
I. Investment Portfolio
II. Loan Portfolio
a. Distribution of Loans and Leases
b. Risk Elements
III. Summary of Loan Loss Experience
IV. Deposits
V. Time Certificates of $100,000 or More
D. Liquidity
E. Capital Resources and Dividends
F. Fourth Quarter Results
G. Year 2000 Disclosure
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
Signatures
Exhibits Index
Cautionary Statement under Federal Securities Laws: The information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
contains statements that are not historical in nature but rather are based on management's beliefs, assumptions,
expectations, estimates and projections about the future. These statements are "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and involve a degree of uncertainty and
attendant risk. Words such as "expects," "believes," "should," "plans," "will," "estimates," and variations of such words and
similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Some of these statements, such as those
included in the interest rate sensitivity analysis in section 7A, below, entitled "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risk," are merely presentations of what future performance or changes in future performance would look like based
on hypothetical assumptions and on simulation models. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and
involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to quantify or, in some cases, to identify. In the case of all forward-looking statements, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what the statements predict or forecast. Factors
that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, unexpected changes in economic and market
conditions, including unanticipated fluctuations in interest rates, new developments in state and federal regulation, enhanced
competition from unforeseen sources, new emerging technologies, and similar risks inherent in banking operations. Readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The
Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.
PART I
Item 1: Business
A. GENERAL
Arrow Financial Corporation (the "Company"), a New York corporation, was incorporated on March 21, 1983 and is registered
as a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. The Company owns two
nationally chartered banks in New York, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company, Glens Falls, New York ("GFNB"),
and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company, Saratoga Springs, New York ("SNB"), as well as two non-bank subsidiaries,
the operations of which were not significant. The Company owns directly or indirectly all voting stock of all its subsidiaries.
The business of the Company consists primarily of the ownership, supervision and control of its bank subsidiaries. The
Company provides its subsidiaries with various advisory and administrative services and coordinates the general policies
and operation of the subsidiary banks. There were 381 full-time equivalent employees of the Company and the subsidiary
banks at December 31, 1999.
| Subsidiary Banks
(dollars in thousands) | ||
|
|
Glens Falls National
Bank & Trust Co. |
Saratoga National
Bank & Trust Co. |
| Total Assets at Year-End | $906,843 | $109,110 |
| Trust Assets Under Administration at
Year-End (Not Included in Total Assets) |
$691,042 | $6,998 |
| Date Organized | 1851 | 1988 |
| Employees | 360 | 21 |
| Offices | 22 | 2 |
| Counties of Operation | Warren, Washington
Saratoga, Essex & Clinton |
Saratoga
|
| Main Office | 250 Glen Street
Glens Falls, NY |
137 So. Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY |
The Company through its subsidiary banks offers a full range of commercial and consumer financial products. The banks'
deposit base consists of core deposits derived principally from the communities which the banks serve. The banks target
their lending activities to consumers and small and mid-sized companies in the banks' immediate geographic areas. In
addition to traditional banking services, the Company offers credit card processing services for other financial institutions and,
through its banks' trust departments, provides retirement planning, trust and estate administration services for individuals
and pension, profit-sharing and employee benefit plan administration for corporations.
B. LENDING ACTIVITIES
The Company's subsidiary banks engage in a wide range of lending activities, including commercial and industrial lending
primarily to small and mid-sized companies; mortgage lending for the purchase of residential and commercial properties; and
consumer installment, credit card and home equity financing. The Company also maintains an active indirect lending
program through its sponsorship of dealer programs, under which it purchases dealer paper from automobile and other
dealers meeting pre-established specifications. Historically, the Company has sold a portion of its residential real estate loan
originations into the secondary market, primarily to Freddie Mac and state housing agencies, while retaining the servicing
rights. Loan sales into the secondary market have diminished in the past three years, however, as the banks have sought
to increase their own portfolios. In addition to interest earned on loans, the banks receive facility fees for various types of
commercial and industrial credits, and commitment fees for extension of letters of credit and certain types of loans.
Generally, the Company continues to implement conservative lending strategies and policies that are intended to protect the
quality of the loan portfolio. These include stringent underwriting and collateral control procedures and credit review systems
through which intensive reviews are conducted. It is the Company's policy to discontinue the accrual of interest on loans
when the payment of interest and/or principal is due and unpaid for a designated period (generally 90 days) or when the
likelihood of repayment is, in the opinion of management, uncertain. Income on such loans is thereafter recognized only upon
receipt (see Part II, Item 7.C.II.b., "Risk Elements").
The banks lend primarily to borrowers within the geographic areas served by the banks. The banks' combined loan portfolios
do not include any foreign loans or any significant industry concentrations except as described in Note 25 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this report. The banks generally do not participate in loan syndications, either as
originators or as a participant. Except for credit card loans, the portfolios generally are fully collateralized, and many
commercial loans are further secured by personal guarantees.
C. SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
The following generally describes the regulation to which the Company and its banks are subject. Bank holding companies
and banks are extensively regulated under both federal and state law. To the extent that the following information
summarizes statutory or regulatory provisions, it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular law or regulation.
Any change in applicable law or regulation may have a material effect on the business and prospects of the Company and
the banks.
The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries. Most of the Company's revenues, on a parent
company only basis, result from dividends and undistributed earnings by the subsidiary banks as well as management fees
paid by them. The right of the Company, and consequently the right of creditors and shareholders of the Company, to
participate in any distribution of the assets or earnings of the banks through the payment of such dividends or otherwise is
necessarily subject to the prior claims of creditors of the banks, except to the extent that claims of the Company in its capacity
as a creditor of the banks also may be recognized. Moreover, there are various legal and regulatory limitations applicable
to the payment of dividends to the Company by its subsidiaries as well as the payment of dividends by the Company to its
shareholders. (See "Capital Resources and Dividends" in Part II, Item 7.E of this report). The ability of the Company and
the banks to pay dividends in the future is, and is expected to continue to be, influenced by regulatory policies and capital
guidelines.
The Company is a registered bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (BHC
Act) and is subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board).
Additionally, as a "bank holding company" under New York State Law, the Company is subject to regulation by the New York
State Banking Department. The subsidiary banks are nationally chartered banks and are subject to supervision and
examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC"). The banks are members of the Federal Reserve
System and the deposits of each subsidiary bank are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation ("FDIC"). The BHC Act prohibits the Company, with certain exceptions, from engaging, directly or indirectly, in
non-bank activities and restricts loans by the banks to the Company or other non-bank affiliates. Under the BHC Act, a bank
holding company must obtain Federal Reserve Board approval before acquiring, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the
voting shares of another bank or bank holding company (unless it already owns a majority of such shares). Under the 1994
Riegle-Neal Act, bank holding companies are now able to acquire banks or other bank holding companies located in all 50
states, and 48 of the 50 states permit banks headquartered in other states to branch into their states although in some cases
only by acquisition of or merger with existing banks in such states. As a result of the recently enacted federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, bank holding companies are now permitted to affiliate with a much broader array of other financial insititutions than
was previously permitted, including insurance companies, investment banks and merchant banks. See Item 1.F., "Legislative
Developments."
During 1997 and 1998, banking regulators developed guidelines that financial institutions follow to ensure that their computer
applications will operate properly for all dates after December 31, 1999. Additionally, the SEC prescribed disclosures for all
publicly traded corporations, such as the Company, related to year 2000 preparedness. The Company experienced no
material computer problems related to year 2000 preparedness.
An important area of banking regulation is the establishment by federal regulators of minimum capitalization standards. The
Federal Reserve Board has adopted various "capital adequacy guidelines" for its use in the examination and supervision of
bank holding companies. The risk-based capital guidelines assign risk weightings to all assets and certain off-balance sheet
items and establish an 8% minimum ratio of qualified total capital to the aggregate dollar amount of risk-weighted assets
(which is almost always less than the dollar amount of such assets without risk weighting). At least half of total capital must
consist of "Tier 1" capital, which comprises common equity, retained earnings and a limited amount of permanent preferred
stock, less goodwill. Up to half of total capital may consist of so-called "Tier 2" capital, comprising a limited amount of
subordinated debt, other preferred stock, certain other instruments and a limited amount of the allowance for loan losses.
The Federal Reserve Board's other important guideline for measuring a bank holding company's capital is the leverage ratio
standard, which establishes minimum limits on the ratio of a bank holding company's "Tier 1" capital to total tangible assets
(not risk-weighted). For top-rated holding companies, the minimum leverage ratio is 3%, but lower-rated companies may
be required to meet substantially greater minimum ratios. The subsidiary banks are subject to similar capital requirements
adopted by their primary federal regulators. The year-end 1999 capital ratios of the Company and its subsidiary banks are
set forth in Part II, Item 7.E. "Capital Resources and Dividends." A holding company's ability to pay dividends, repurchase
its outstanding stock or expand its business through acquisitions of additional banking organizations or non-bank companies
may be restricted if capital falls below these minimum capitalization standards or other informal capital guidelines that the
regulators may apply from time to time to specific banking organizations.
In cases where banking regulators have significant concerns regarding the financial condition, assets or operations of a bank
or bank holding company, the regulators may take enforcement action or impose enforcement orders, formal or informal,
against the organization. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is now, or has been within the past year, subject
to any formal or informal regulatory enforcement action or order.
D. COMPETITION
The Company and its subsidiaries face intense competition in all markets that they serve. Traditional competitors are other local commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan institutions and credit unions, as well as local offices of major regional and money center banks. Also, non-banking organizations, such as consumer finance companies, insurance companies, securities firms, money market and mutual funds and credit card companies, which are not subject to the same regulatory restrictions and capital requirements that apply to the Company and its subsidiary banks, offer substantive equivalents of transaction accounts, credit cards and various other loan and financial products. As a result of the newly adopted Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, such organizations now may be in a position not only to offer comparable products to those offered by the Company, but actually to establish, acquire or affiliate with commercial banks themselves.
.
E. STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE
The following table is an index to the statistical disclosure required by Securities Act Guide 3 for Bank Holding Companies
to be set forth herein and is found in Part II, Item 7 of this report, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," and in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
| Required Information | Location |
| Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity;
Interest Rates and Interest Differential |
Part II, Item 7.B.I. |
| Investment Portfolio | Part II, Item 7.C.I. |
| Loan Portfolio | Part II, Item 7.C.II. |
| Summary of Loan Loss Experience | Part II, Item 7.C.III. |
| Deposits | Part II, Item 7.C.IV. |
| Return on Equity and Assets | Part II, Item 6. |
| Short-Term Borrowings | Part II, Item 8. Note 9. |
F. LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
On November 12, 1999, Congress enacted the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ("GLBA"), under which a bank holding company that
elects to become a financial holding company may engage in a wider range of financial activities than was permitted to bank
holding companies prior to the GLBA. Effective March 11, 2000, the GLBA will permit a financial holding company, acting
through non-bank subsidiaries, to engage in certain pre-approved financial activities, which include the underwriting of all
types of insurance and annuity products, the underwriting of all types of securities products and mutual funds, merchant
banking activities, full-service insurance agency activities and operating a travel agency. If a financial holding company
wishes to engage in other activities that are not on the pre-approved list, it must file an application with the Federal Reserve
Board. A bank holding company that does not elect to become a financial holding company will remain a bank holding
company subject to substantially the same regulatory requirements as applied prior to the GLBA, with certain exceptions such
as new customer privacy regulations and broker-dealer restrictions. The Company is currently evaluating the opportunities
available under the GLBA.
In 1995, the federal bank regulatory authorities promulgated a set of revised regulations addressing the responsibilities of
banking organizations under the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA"). The revised regulations place additional emphasis
on the actual experience of a bank in making loans in low- and moderate-income areas within its service area as a key
determinant in evaluation of the bank's compliance with the statute. As in the prior regulations, bank regulators are
authorized to bring enforcement actions against banks under the CRA only in the context of bank expansion or acquisition
transactions.
In 1994, Congress enacted the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act. Under the Act, as of September
29, 1995, bank holding companies were authorized as a matter of federal law to acquire banks located in any of the 50 states,
notwithstanding any state laws to the contrary, provided all required regulatory and other approvals are obtained. Also, under
the Act, effective June 1, 1997, banks headquartered in any state were permitted to branch into any other state, except for
those states which enacted legislation prior to June 1, 1997 "opting out" of interstate branching. Only Colorado and Montana
elected to "opt out" of interstate branching; thus, the Company's banks may branch into all other states, including all states
adjacent to New York, upon receipt of all required approvals and subject to certain conditions of state law.
In 1991, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA") was enacted. Among other things,
FDICIA requires the federal banking regulators to take prompt corrective action with respect to depository institutions that
do not meet minimum capital requirements. FDICIA established five capital classifications for banking institutions, the
highest being "well capitalized." Under regulations adopted by the federal bank regulators, a banking institution is considered
"well capitalized" if it has a total risk-adjusted capital ratio of 10% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-adjusted capital ratio of 6% or
greater and a leverage ratio of 5% or greater and is not subject to any regulatory order or written directive regarding capital
maintenance. The Company and each of its subsidiary banks meet all these conditions and thus are classified as "well
capitalized."
FDICIA also imposed expanded accounting and audit reporting requirements for depository institutions whose total assets
exceed $500 million. These requirements became effective for Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company beginning
in 1996.
The FDIC levies assessments on various deposit obligations of the Company's banking subsidiaries. Since 1996, the
premium paid by the best-rated banks (including the Company's subsidiary banks) has been a flat charge of $2 thousand per
year. Also in that year, Congress enacted the Deposit Insurance Funds Act, under which deposits insured by the Bank
Insurance Fund ("BIF"), such as the deposits of the Company's banks, are subject to assessment for payment on bond
obligations financing the FDIC's Savings Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF") at a rate 1/5 the rate paid on deposits by SAIF-insured thrift institutions. Accordingly, the deposits of the Company's banks were assessed an additional 1.160 cents per
$100 of insured deposits in 1999, 1.220 cents per $100 of insured deposits in 1998 and an additional 1.256 cents in 1997.
Beginning in 2000, the BIF and SAIF rates were equalized, with the BIF rate increasing to 2.120 and the SAIF rate decreasing
from 5.800 to 2.120.
Various other federal bills that would significantly affect banks have been introduced in Congress from time to time. The
Company cannot estimate the likelihood of any such bills being enacted into law, or the ultimate effect that any such potential
legislation, if enacted, would have upon its financial condition or operations.
G. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The names and ages of the principal executive officers of the Company and positions held are presented in the following
table. The officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors.
| Name | Age | Positions Held and Years from Which Held |
| Thomas L. Hoy | 51 | President and CEO since January 1, 1997 and President and CEO of Glens Falls National Bank since 1995. Mr. Hoy was Executive Vice President of Glens Falls National Bank prior to 1995. Mr. Hoy has been with the Company since 1974. |
| John J. Murphy | 48 | Executive Vice President, Treasurer and CFO since 1993. Mr. Murphy has served as Senior Vice President, Treasurer and CFO of the Company since 1983. Mr. Murphy has been with the Company since 1973. |
| Gerard R. Bilodeau | 52 | Senior Vice President and Secretary since 1994. Mr. Bilodeau was Vice President and Secretary from 1993 to 1994 and was Director of Personnel prior to 1993. Mr. Bilodeau has been with the Company since 1969. |
| John C. Van Leeuwen | 56 | Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer since 1995. Prior to 1995, Mr. Van
Leeuwen served as Vice President and Loan Review Officer. Mr. VanLeeuwen has
been with the Company since 1985.
|
Item 2: Properties
The Company is headquartered at 250 Glen Street, Glens Falls, New York. The building is owned by Glens Falls National
Bank and serves as its main office. Glens Falls National Bank owns eighteen additional offices and leases three, at market
rates. Saratoga National Bank owns both of its offices. The Company continues to own a building in Rutland, Vermont, that
served as headquarters for the Company's Vermont bank prior to the divestiture of those operations in 1996. The Company
has been actively seeking to sell the building since that date. Rental costs of premises did not exceed 5% of operating costs
in 1999.
In the opinion of management of the Company, the physical properties of the Company and the subsidiary banks are suitable
and adequate.
Item 3: Legal Proceedings
The Company is not the subject of any material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation occurring
in the normal course of its business.
The Company's subsidiary banks are the subjects of or parties to various legal claims which arise in the normal course of
their business. For example, from time to time, the banks have encountered claims against them grounded in lender liability,
of the sort often asserted against financial institutions. These lender liability claims normally take the form of counterclaims
to lawsuits filed by the banks for collection of past due loans. The various pending legal claims against the subsidiary banks,
including lender liability claims, will not, in the opinion of management and counsel, result in any material liability.
Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None in the fourth quarter of 1999.
PART II
Item 5: Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
The common stock of Arrow Financial Corporation is traded on The Nasdaq Stock MarketSM under the symbol AROW.
The high and low prices listed below represent actual sales transactions, as reported by Nasdaq, rounded to the nearest 1/8
point.
Per share amounts, market prices and cash dividends have been adjusted for the October 1999 five-for-four stock split and
the August 1998 ten percent stock dividend.
| Sales Price |
Cash Dividends Declared | ||
| High | Low | ||
| 1998 | |||
| First Quarter | $25.000 | $21.500 | $.153 |
| Second Quarter | 26.250 | 22.250 | .153 |
| Third Quarter | 26.250 | 19.250 | .168 |
| Fourth Quarter | 23.375 | 19.625 | .176 |
| 1999 | |||
| First Quarter | 22.500 | 20.625 | .176 |
| Second Quarter | 21.875 | 21.125 | .176 |
| Third Quarter | 21.125 | 20.625 | .184 |
| Fourth Quarter | 20.750 | 16.875 | .190 |
The payment of dividends by the Company is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and is dependent upon, among other
things, the Company's earnings, financial condition and other factors, including applicable governmental regulations and
restrictions. See "Capital Resources and Dividends" in Part II, Item 7.E. of this report.
There were approximately 3,162 holders of record of common stock at December 31, 1999.
Item 6: Selected Financial Data
FIVE YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED DATA
Arrow Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
| Consolidated Statements of Income Data: | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | |
| Interest and Dividend Income | $67,135 | $63,033 | $54,861 | $54,875 | $60,718 | |
| Less: Interest Expense | 29,266 | 28,142 | 23,887 | 21,826 | 24,865 | |
| Net Interest Income | 37,869 | 34,891 | 30,974 | 33,049 | 35,853 | |
| Less: Provision for Loan Losses | 1,424 | 1,386 | 1,303 | 896 | 1,170 | |
| Net Interest Income After Provision
for Loan Losses |
36,445 | 33,505 | 29,671 | 32,153 | 34,683 | |
| Other Income 3 | 9,382 | 8,172 | 8,109 | 23,804 | 14,473 | |
| Net Gains (Losses) on Securities
Transactions |
(4) | 408 | 74 | (101) | 23 | |
| Less: Other Expense | 27,298 | 24,506 | 21,702 | 24,774 | 29,769 | |
| Income Before Income Taxes | 18,525 | 17,579 | 16,152 | 31,082 | 19,410 | |
| Provision for Income Taxes | 5,666 | 5,744 | 5,155 | 10,822 | 6,986 | |
| Net Income | $12,859 | $11,835 | $10,997 | $20,260 | $12,424 | |
| Earnings Per Common Share1: | ||||||
| Basic | $ 1.68 | $ 1.50 | $ 1.37 | $ 2.38 | $ 1.38 | |
| Diluted | 1.66 | 1.48 | 1.35 | 2.36 | 1.37 | |
| Per Common Share1: | ||||||
| Cash Dividends | $ .73 | $ .65 | $ .57 | $ .46 | $ .36 | |
| Book Value | 9.73 | 9.91 | 9.32 | 8.94 | 7.56 | |
| Tangible Book Value2 | 8.13 | 8.26 | 7.57 | 8.71 | 7.32 | |
| Consolidated Year-End Balance Sheet Data: | ||||||
| Total Assets | $1,001,107 | $939,029 | $831,559 | $652,603 | $789,790 | |
| Securities Available-for-Sale | 228,364 | 267,731 | 221,837 | 171,743 | 178,645 | |
| Securities Held-to-Maturity | 55,467 | 63,016 | 44,082 | 30,876 | 13,921 | |
| Loans and Leases, Net of Unearned Income | 655,820 | 546,126 | 485,810 | 393,511 | 517,787 | |
| Nonperforming Assets | 2,745 | 3,592 | 4,077 | 2,799 | 6,790 | |
| Deposits | 795,197 | 775,597 | 720,915 | 541,747 | 694,453 | |
| Other Borrowed Funds | 36,021 | 24,032 | 24,755 | 22,706 | 15,297 | |
| Federal Home Loan Bank Advances | 85,000 | 45,000 | --- | --- | --- | |
| Shareholders' Equity | 72,287 | 77,146 | 73,871 | 74,296 | 67,504 | |
| Selected Key Ratios: | ||||||
| Return on Average Assets | 1.33% | 1.36% | 1.49% | 2.86% | 1.60% | |
| Return on Average Equity | 17.02 | 15.51 | 15.19 | 28.78 | 19.45 | |
| Dividend Payout | 43.98 | 43.78 | 41.49 | 19.47 | 25.89 | |
| Average Equity to Average Assets | 7.81 | 8.74 | 9.80 | 9.95 | 8.22 | |
1 Per share amounts have been adjusted for the 1999 5-for-4 stock split, the 1998 ten percent, the 1997 five percent and the 1996 ten percent stock dividends.
2 Tangible book value excludes from total equity intangible assets, primarily goodwill associated with branch purchases.
3 Other Income in 1996 includes a net gain of $15,330 from divestiture of the Company's Vermont operations; other income in 1995 includes a $5,000 insurance recovery.
Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis focuses on and reviews the Company's results of operations for each of the years in
the three-year period ended December 31, 1999 and the financial condition of the Company as of December 31, 1999 and
1998. Per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 1999 five-for-four stock split, the 1998 ten percent stock dividend
and the 1997 five percent stock dividend. The discussion below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and other financial data presented elsewhere herein.
A. OVERVIEW
The Company reported net income of $12.9 million for 1999 compared to net income of $11.8 million for 1998 and $11.0
million for 1997. As indicated in the following table "Summary of Core Earnings," net income from each year was impacted
by nonrecurring items, which had a significant positive impact in 1997, a small positive impact in 1998, and an even smaller
negative impact in 1999. Net income, on a recurring basis, increased $1.4 million, or 11.9%, from 1998 to 1999 and
increased $1.5 million, or 15.2%, from 1997 to 1998. Diluted earnings per share (stated on a recurring basis) increased $.22,
or 15.2%, from 1998 to 1999 and $.22, or 17.9%, from 1997 to 1998.
The following analysis adjusts net income for nonrecurring items to arrive at a comparative presentation of the Company's
"core" earnings. Also presented are cash diluted earnings per share, which adds-back to recurring net income the
amortization of goodwill, net of tax, associated with branch purchases.
SUMMARY OF CORE EARNINGS
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
| 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | ||
| Net Income, as Reported | $12,859 | $11,835 | $10,997 | |
| Nonrecurring Items, Net of Tax: | ||||
| State Tax Settlement | --- | --- | (464) | |
| OREO Transactions | 47 | (10) | (70) | |
| Net Securities Transactions | 2 | (241) | (44) | |
| Other | 51 | --- | (361) | |
| Core Net Income | $12,959 | $11,584 | $10,058 | |
| Diluted Earnings Per Share, Based on Reported Net Income | $ 1.66 | $ 1.48 | $ 1.35 | |
| Diluted Earnings Per Share, Based on Core Net Income | 1.67 | 1.45 | 1.23 | |
| Cash Diluted Earnings Per Share, Based on Core Net Income 1 | 1.75 | 1.52 | 1.27 | |
| Return on Average Assets | 1.33% | 1.36% | 1.49% | |
| Return on Average Assets, Based on Core Net Income | 1.34 | 1.33 | 1.36 | |
| Return on Average Equity | 17.02% | 15.51% | 15.19% | |
| Return on Average Equity, Based on Core Net Income | 17.15 | 15.20 | 14.02 | |
| 1 Cash Earnings Per Share adds back to core net income the amortization of goodwill, net of tax, associated with branch
purchases. | ||||
At the end of the second quarter of 1997, the Company completed the acquisition of six branches from Fleet Bank, extending
the Company's market area northward to Plattsburgh, New York. Effects of the acquisition are discussed in various sections
of this "Management's Discussion and Analysis" and in Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
At December 31, 1999, the Company's tangible book value per share (shareholders' equity reduced by intangible assets
including goodwill, mortgage servicing rights and intangible pension plan assets) amounted to $8.13, a decrease of $.13, or
1.6%, from year-end 1998. The decrease was primarily attributable to the Company's repurchase of common stock
throughout the year, which more than offset retained earnings. In 1998, tangible book value increased $.69, or 9.1%, from
the prior year-end. The increase was primarily attributable to retained current year earnings. At year-end 1999, the average
of the Company's bid and asked stock price was $19.313, resulting in a trading multiple of 2.38 to tangible book value.
The Company's cash dividend for the first two quarters of 1999, as restated for the October 1999 5-for-4 stock split, was
$.176 per share. The Company increased its quarterly cash dividend to $.184, as restated, for the third quarter and again
to $.19 for the fourth quarter of 1999. On an annual basis, cash dividends of $.73 per share for 1999 represented an increase
of $.08, or 12.3%, from cash dividends of $.65 in 1998.
Nonperforming assets amounted to $2.7 million at December 31, 1999, a decrease of $847 thousand from the prior year-end.
At year-end, the allowance for loan losses, at $7.8 million, represented 371% of nonperforming loans.
B. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following analysis of net interest income, the provision for loan losses, noninterest income, noninterest expense and
income taxes, presents the factors that are primarily responsible for the Company's results of operations for 1999 and the
prior two years.
I. NET INTEREST INCOME (Tax-equivalent Basis)
Net interest income represents the difference between interest and dividends earned on loans, securities and other earning
assets and interest paid on deposits and other sources of funds. Changes in net interest income result from changes in the
level and mix of earning assets and sources of funds (volume) and changes in the yields earned and costs paid (rate). Net
interest margin is the ratio of net interest income to average earning assets. Net interest income may also be described as
the product of earning assets and the net interest margin.
COMPARISON OF NET INTEREST INCOME
(Dollars In Thousands) (Tax-equivalent Basis)
| Years Ended December 31, | Change From Prior Year | |||||||
| 1999 | 1998 | |||||||
| 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | Amount | Pct. | Amount | Pct. | ||
| Interest and Dividend Income | $68,485 | $64,131 | $55,705 | $ 4,354 | 6.8% | $ 8,426 | 15.1% | |
| Interest Expense | 29,266 | 28,142 | 23,887 | 1,124 | 4.0 | 4,255 | 17.8 | |
| Net Interest Income | $39,219 | $35,989 | $31,818 | $ 3,230 | 9.0 | $ 4,171 | 13.1 | |
On a tax-equivalent basis, net interest income was $39.2 million in 1999, an increase of $3.2 million, or 9.0%, from $36.0
million in 1998. Factors contributing to the $3.2 million increase in net interest income are discussed in the following section.
ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME
The following table presents net interest income components on a tax-equivalent basis and reflects changes between periods
attributable to movement in either the average daily balances or average rates for both earning assets and interest-bearing
liabilities. Changes attributable to both volume and rate have been allocated proportionately between the categories.
CHANGE IN NET INTEREST INCOME
(In Thousands) (Fully Taxable Basis)
| 1999 Compared to 1998 | 1998 Compared to 1997 | ||||||
| Change in Net Interest Income | Change in Net Interest Income | ||||||
| Due to: | Due to: | ||||||
| Interest and Dividend Income: | Volume | Rate | Total | Volume | Rate | Total | |
| Federal Funds Sold | $ (30) | $ (57) | $ (87) | $ (404) | $ (23) | $ (427) | |
| Securities Available-for-Sale: | |||||||
| Taxable | 962 | 254 | 1,216 | 2,788 | (464) | 2,324 | |
| Non-Taxable | (519) | (9) | (528) | 529 | 3 | 532 | |
| Securities Held-to-Maturity: | |||||||
| Taxable | (1,626) | 365 | (1,261) | 167 | (71) | 96 | |
| Non-Taxable | 1,268 | (428) | 840 | 772 | (161) | 611 | |
| Loans and Leases | 7,109 | (2,935) | 4,174 | 6,524 | (1,234) | 5,290 | |
| Total Interest and Dividend Income | 7,164 | (2,810) | 4,354 | 10,376 | (1,950) | 8,426 | |
| Interest Expense: | |||||||
| Deposits: | |||||||
| Interest-Bearing Demand Deposits | 522 | (396) | 126 | 794 | (328) | 466 | |
| Regular and Money Market Savings | 88 | (681) | (593) | 418 | (350) | 68 | |
| Time Deposits of $100,000 or More | 845 | (507) | 338 | 1,313 | 28 | 1,341 | |
| Other Time Deposits | 3 | (885) | (882) | 1,287 | 43 | 1,330 | |
| Total Deposits | 1,458 | (2,469) | (1,011) | 3,812 | (607) | 3,205 | |
| Short-Term Borrowings | 475 | (48) | 427 | 262 | (61) | 201 | |
| Long-Term Debt | 1,731 | (23) | 1,708 | 849 | --- | 849 | |
| Total Interest Expense | 3,664 | (2,540) | 1,124 | 4,923 | (668) | 4,255 | |
| Net Interest Income | $ 3,500 | $ (270) | $3,230 | $ 5,453 | $(1,282) | $4,171 | |
The following table reflects the components of the Company's net interest income, setting forth, for years ended December
31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 (I) average balances of assets, liabilities and shareholders' equity, (II) interest and dividend income
earned on earning assets and interest expense incurred on interest-bearing liabilities, (III) average yields earned on earning
assets and average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, (IV) the net interest spread (average yield less average cost) and
(V) the net interest margin (yield) on earning assets. Rates are computed on a tax-equivalent basis. The yield on securities
available-for-sale is based on the amortized cost of the securities. Nonaccrual loans are included in average loans and
leases, while unearned income has been eliminated.
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS
Arrow Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Fully Taxable Basis using a marginal tax rate of 35%)
(Dollars In Thousands)
| Years Ended December 31, | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | |||||||
| Interest | Rate | Interest | Rate | Interest | Rate | |||||
| Average | Income/ | Earned/ | Average | Income/ | Earned/ | Average | Income/ | Earned/ | ||
| Balance | Expense | Paid | Balance | Expense | Paid | Balance | Expense | Paid | ||
| Federal Funds Sold | $ 10,696 | $ 522 | 4.88% | $ 11,280 | $ 609 | 5.40% | $ 18,752 | $ 1,035 | 5.52% | |
| Securities Available- | ||||||||||
| for-Sale: | ||||||||||
| Taxable | 241,237 | 15,758 | 6.53 | 226,447 | 14,542 | 6.42 | 183,261 | 12,219 | 6.67 | |
| Non-Taxable | 1,171 | 69 | 5.89 | 10,005 | 597 | 5.97 | 1,142 | 65 | 5.73 | |
| Securities Held-to-Maturity: | ||||||||||
| Taxable | 3,363 | 299 | 8.89 | 22,825 | 1,560 | 6.84 | 20,413 | 1,464 | 7.17 | |
| Non-Taxable | 52,496 | 3,285 | 6.26 | 32,988 | 2,445 | 7.41 | 22,713 | 1,834 | 8.08 | |
| Loans & Leases | 600,719 | 48,552 | 8.08 | 514,348 | 44,378 | 8.63 | 439,103 | 39,088 | 8.90 | |
| Total Earning Assets | 909,682 | 68,485 | 7.53 | 817,893 | 64,131 | 7.84 | 685,384 | 55,705 | 8.13 | |
| Allowance For Loan | ||||||||||
| Losses | (7,316) | (6,514) | (6,021) | |||||||
| Cash and Due From Banks | 25,245 | 22,891 | 26,341 | |||||||
| Other Assets | 40,219 | 39,101 | 32,732 | |||||||
| Total Assets | $967,830 | $873,371 | $738,436 | |||||||
| Deposits: | ||||||||||
| Interest-Bearing | ||||||||||
| Demand Deposits | $190,185 | 5,059 | 2.66 | $171,209 | 4,933 | 2.88 | $144,204 | 4,467 | 3.10 | |
| Regular and Money | ||||||||||
| Market Savings | 165,299 | 3,658 | 2.21 | 161,874 | 4,251 | 2.63 | 146,529 | 4,183 | 2.85 | |
| Time Deposits of | ||||||||||
| $100,000 or More | 128,688 | 6,413 | 4.98 | 112,226 | 6,075 | 5.41 | 87,956 | 4,734 | 5.38 | |
| Other Time Deposits | 195,335 | 9,833 | 5.03 | 195,283 | 10,715 | 5.49 | 171,820 | 9,385 | 5.46 | |
| Total Interest-Bearing | ||||||||||
| Deposits | 679,507 | 24,963 | 3.67 | 640,592 | 25,974 | 4.05 | 550,509 | 22,769 | 4.14 | |
| Short-Term Borrowings | 38,426 | 1,729 | 4.50 | 28,001 | 1,319 | 4.71 | 22,491 | 1,118 | 4.97 | |
| Long-Term Debt | 51,200 | 2,574 | 5.03 | 16,548 | 849 | 5.13 | --- | --- | --- | |
| Total Interest- | ||||||||||
| Bearing Funds | 769,133 | 29,266 | 3.81 | 685,141 | 28,142 | 4.11 | 573,000 | 23,887 | 4.17 | |
| Demand Deposits | 106,259 | 96,149 | 78,704 | |||||||
| Other Liabilities | 16,896 | 15,752 | 14,339 | |||||||
| Total Liabilities | 892,288 | 797,042 | 666,043 | |||||||
| Shareholders' Equity | 75,542 | 76,329 | 72,393 | |||||||
| Total Liabilities and | ||||||||||
| Shareholders' Equity | $967,830 | $873,371 | $738,436 | |||||||
| Net Interest Income | ||||||||||
| (Fully Taxable Basis) | 39,219 | 35,989 | 31,818 | |||||||
| Reversal of Tax Equivalent | ||||||||||
| Adjustment | (1,350) | (1,098) | (844) | |||||||
| Net Interest Income | $37,869 | $34,891 | $30,974 | |||||||
| Net Interest Spread | 3.72% | 3.73% | 3.96% | |||||||
| Net Interest Margin | 4.31% | 4.40% | 4.64% | |||||||
CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME DUE TO RATE
| YIELD ANALYSIS | December 31, | |||
| 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | ||
| Yield on Earning Assets | 7.53% | 7.84% | 8.13% | |
| Cost of Interest-Bearing Liabilities | 3.81 | 4.11 | 4.17 | |
| Net Interest Spread | 3.72% | 3.73% | 3.96% | |
| Net Interest Margin | 4.31% | 4.40% | 4.64% | |
The following items have a major impact on changes in net interest income due to rate: general interest rate changes, the
ratio of the Company's rate sensitive assets to rate sensitive liabilities (interest rate sensitivity gap) during periods of interest
rate changes and the level of nonperforming loans. The change in net interest income due to changes in rate was a decrease
of $270 thousand in 1999 and a decrease of $1.3 million in 1998.
As the following analysis demonstrates, prevailing interest rates economy-wide began to increase in the second half of 1999.
The consensus expectation, and management's expectation, is that continuing modest rate increases likely will be
experienced in the first half of 2000 and perhaps in succeeding periods. This marks a turnaround from a long period of flat
or slowly-declining prevailing interest rates. The recent rate hikes did not have a significant impact on the Company's
financial results for 1999, which continued to show decreases from prior periods in the average rate earned on earning assets
and the average rate paid on earning liabilities, as well as relative stability in the Company's net interest spread and net
interest margin. These results are reviewed in more detail below.
The ability of the Company to maintain net interest spreads and net interest margins if interest rates rise in forthcoming
periods will depend directly on its ability to reprice assets as rapidly as market forces may compel repricing of liabilities.
Although conventional wisdom in the industry is that paying liabilities reprice more quickly than earning assets, management
notes that much of the Company's recent loan growth has occurred in the consumer loan sector, including indirect loans, and
that this sector tends to reprice relatively quickly. On the other hand, certain asset sectors also emphasized in the Company's
portfolio, such as residential mortgage loans and investment securities, are more resistant to upward repricing. Management
is not able to predict with any certainty how the relative repricing of its asset and liability portfolios will proceed in forthcoming
periods, or whether prevailing interest rates or the rates paid or earned by the Company will continue to rise. Management
does, however, expect generally increased pressure on margins, not merely for reasons of anticipated rate increases, but
also due to greater competition in the Company's markets and other factors.
The Federal Reserve Board attempts to influence prevailing federal funds and prime interest rates and sets changes to the
Federal Reserve Bank discount rate. The following chart presents recent changes:
Key Interest Rate Changes 1996 - 1999
| Federal | |||
| Discount | Funds | Prime | |
| Date | Rate | Rate | Rate |
| November 16, 1999 | 5.00 | 5.50 | 8.50 |
| August 25, 1999 | 4.75 | 5.25 | 8.25 |
| June 30, 1999 | 4.50 | 5.00 | 8.00 |
| November 17, 1998 | 4.50 | 4.75 | 7.75 |
| October 8, 1998 | 4.75 | 5.00 | 8.00 |
| September 29, 1998 | 4.75 | 5.25 | 8.25 |
| March 26, 1997 | 4.75 | 5.50 | 8.50 |
| January 31, 1996 | 5.00 | 5.25 | 8.00 |
In the fall of 1998, after 18 months of relative interest rate stability, the Federal Reserve Board took steps in its open market
operations leading to three 25 basis point decreases in the federal funds target rate, which led to parallel changes in the prime
rate. During the second half of 1999, the Federal Reserve Board essentially reversed the 1998 actions by increasing the
federal funds target rate by 25 basis points on three occasions in June, August and November. The prime rate rose in
parallel.
Although the Company's spread between the yield on earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities remained
essentially the same for 1999 as for 1998, net interest margin for 1999, at 4.31%, represented a 9 basis point decrease from
the net interest margin of 4.40% in 1998. The one basis point decrease in the spread reflected a 31 basis point decrease
in the yield on earning assets and a 30 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities from 1998 to 1999.
The 9 basis point decrease in net interest margin was attributable to the difference in the change in average earning assets
and paying liabilities. From 1998 to 1999, average earning assets increased 11.2% while the increase in average paying
liabilities was 12.3%. During the fourth quarter of 1999, the Company began to increase its cash and due from bank balances
as a precautionary measure for any possible run on deposits as a result of perceived year 2000 problems. This measure was
one of the reasons for the fact that for 1999 average earning assets increased at a slower rate than average interest-bearing
liabilities. In January 2000, cash and due from banks returned to normal levels. Another reason is that average shareholders'
equity decreased by 1.03% from 1998 to 1999, in response to the decision by the Board and management during 1999 to
continue with a stock repurchase program. This decrease, although a contributing factor in average paying liabilities
expanding more rapidly than average earning assets, also had the positive effect of further leveraging shareholders' equity,
thereby increasing per share returns.
The decline in net interest margin experienced in 1999 was less than the decline experienced in 1998. Net interest margin
for 1998, at 4.40%, represented a 24 basis point decrease from the net interest margin of 4.64% in 1997. This reflects a 29
basis point decrease in the yield on earning assets partially offset by a 6 basis point decrease in the cost of paying liabilities
from 1997 to 1998.
The decrease in net interest margin was primarily attributable to three factors: (i) The lack of any significant slope to the yield
curve (the normal slope of the yield curve is caused by higher yields for instruments with longer maturities) was the most
significant factor leading to the decrease in net interest margin from 1997 to 1998, since the Company was unable to obtain
the same spread as in prior periods between longer-term interest bearing liabilities and earning assets as those items
repriced. (ii) The yield on earning assets decreased more than the cost of paying liabilities from 1997 to 1998, reflecting the
competitive environment for loan products in the Company's market area. (iii) The Company took advantage of its borrowing
arrangement with the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") to borrow up to $45 million by year-end 1998. The funds were
placed in a variety of investments pending long-term absorption into the loan portfolio. In the short run, however, the spread
between the rate earned on the investments and the rate paid on FHLB borrowings was narrower than the Company's net
interest spread generally, and thus reduced the spread as well as the net interest margin. Nevertheless, total net interest
income was enhanced by the strategy, as was intended.
A discussion of the impact on net interest income resulting from changes in interest rates vis a vis the repricing patterns of
the Company's earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is included later in this report under Item 7A "Quantitative and
Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk."
CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME DUE TO VOLUME
AVERAGE BALANCES
(Dollars in Thousands)
| Change | % Change | |||||||
| 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1999 | 1998 | 1999 | 1998 | ||
| Earning Assets | $909,682 | $817,893 | $685,384 | $91,789 | $132,509 | 11.2% | 19.3% | |
| Interest-Bearing Liabilities | 769,133 | 685,141 | 573,000 | 83,992 | 112,141 | 12.3 | 19.6 | |
| Demand Deposits | 106,259 | 96,149 | 78,704 | 10,110 | 17,445 | 10.5 | 22.2 | |
| Total Assets | 967,830 | 873,371 | 738,436 | 94,458 | 134,935 | 10.8 | 18.3 | |
| Earning Assets to Total Assets | 93.99% | 93.65% | 92.82% | .34% | .83% | 0.4 | 0.9 | |
In general, changes in the volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities will result in corresponding changes in net
interest income. However, changes due to volume can be enhanced or restricted by shifts within the relative mix of earning
assets or interest-bearing liabilities between instruments of different rates. The change in net interest income due to changes
in volume was an increase of $3.5 million in 1999 and an increase of $5.5 million in 1998.
Average earning assets increased by $91.8 million, or 11.2%, between 1998 and 1999. As discussed earlier, average
interest-bearing liabilities increased to a somewhat greater extent, by 12.3%, between the two years. On the earning asset
side, the Company experienced growth in its major loan categories: commercial and commercial real estate, residential real
estate and particularly indirect consumer loans. Indirect consumer loans, which are primarily auto loans financed through
local dealerships where the Company acquires the dealer paper. Indirect consumer loans accounted for the greatest portion
of growth within the loan portfolio over the past five quarters. From 1998 to 1999, the average balance of indirect loans
increased $57.5 million, or 36.5%. The Company also experienced steady demand for residential real estate loans in recent
periods with average balances increasing $30.3 million, or 18.1%, from 1998 to 1999.
The increase in average earning assets was funded by a $49.0 million increase in average deposit balances, a $10.4 million
increase in average short-term borrowings and by a $34.7 million increase in average FHLB borrowings. The growth in
average deposit balances occurred primarily in demand deposits, NOW accounts and time deposits of $100,000 or more.
The growth in demand deposits and NOW accounts took place through the Company's existing network of branches. The
growth in time deposits of $100,000 or more was primarily attributable to an increase in the balances and number of municipal
depositors.
Average earning assets increased by $132.5 million, or 19.3%, between 1997 and 1998. Average interest-bearing liabilities
increased similarly, by 19.6%, between the two years. This increase in volume on both sides of the balance sheet led to a
$5.5 million increase in net interest income from 1997 to 1998. While the Fleet branch acquisition had a significant impact
on the increase in average earning assets between 1997 and 1998, due to the fact that the balances acquired from Fleet in
mid-1997 only had a six month impact on average earning assets in that year, the chief factor was the internal asset growth
in 1998 itself. From year-end 1997 to year-end 1998 earning assets increased $108.6 million. Of that increase, $60.3 million
occurred within the loan portfolio, with nearly all of the increases attributable to indirect automobile loans and residential real
estate loans. During 1998 the Company took advantage of its borrowing agreement with the FHLB accepting advances of
$45 million by year-end. The remaining increase in earning assets was essentially funded primarily by deposit growth.
Increases in the volume of loans and deposits, as well as yields and costs by type, are discussed later in this report under
Item 7.C. "Financial Condition."
II. PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
Through the provision for loan losses, an allowance (reserve) is maintained for estimated loan losses. Actual loan losses
are charged against this allowance when loans are deemed uncollectible. In evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for
loan losses, management considers various risk factors influencing asset quality. The analysis is performed on a loan by
loan basis for impaired and large balance loans, and by portfolio type for smaller balance homogeneous loans. This analysis
is based on judgments and estimates and may change in response to economic developments or other conditions that may
influence borrowers' economic outlook.
The provision for loan losses was largely influenced by the level of nonperforming loans, the level of loans actually charged-off against the allowance for loan losses during the year and the change in the mix and volume of loan categories within the
loan portfolio. The provision for loan losses was $1.4 million for 1999, an increase of $38 thousand, or 2.7%, from 1998.
While the Company has experienced a decrease in nonperforming loans and gross charge-offs over the past two years, the
Company has also experienced a shift in the mix of loan categories within the loan portfolio. (See C. Financial Condition
II. Loan Portfolio in this Report) Indirect installment loans now represent the largest loan category and management
perceives a higher level of risk in the current portfolio mix than in the prior periods.
At December 31, 1999, nonperforming loans amounted to $2.1 million, a decrease of 28.4% from the balance at December
31, 1998. The decrease was primarily attributable to one large commercial loan, originally placed on nonaccrual status during
1997, which was fully repaid in 1999.
At December 31, 1999, the allowance for loan losses was $7.8 million. The allowance for loan losses represented 371% of
the amount of nonperforming loans at that date.
During 1999, loan losses charged against the allowance, net of recoveries, were $382 thousand, or .06%, of average loans
for the period. The principal reason for the year-to-year decrease in net loan losses was a recovery of $315 thousand related
to the final repayment of the large commercial loan cited above. Excluding the large recovery, net loan losses for 1999 was
.12% of average loans. The provision for loan losses charged to expense for 1999 was $1.4 million, or .24%, of average
loans for the period.
At December 31, 1998, nonperforming loans amounted to $2.9 million, a decrease of 20.5% from the balance at December
31, 1997. The decrease was primarily attributable to one large commercial loan, placed on nonaccrual status during 1997,
which fully paid-off in 1998. At December 31, 1998 the allowance for loan losses was $6.7 million. The allowance for loan
losses was 230% of the amount of nonperforming loans at that date. During 1998, loan losses charged against the allowance,
net of recoveries, were $835 thousand, or .16%, of average loans for the period. The provision for loan losses charged to
expense for 1998 was $1.4 million, or .27%, of average loans for the period.
At December 31, 1997, nonperforming loans amounted to $3.7 million, an increase of 40.7% from the balance at December
31, 1996. The increase was primarily attributable to a large commercial loan placed on nonaccrual status during 1997, the
same loan discussed above that was fully paid off in 1998. At December 31, 1997 the allowance for loan losses was $6.2
million. The allowance for loan losses was 168% of the amount of nonperforming loans at that date. During 1997, loan
losses charged against the allowance, net of recoveries, were $1.4 million, or .32%, of average loans for the period. The
provision for loan losses charged to expense for 1997 was $1.3 million, or .30%, of average loans for the period. In addition,
in mid-1997, the Company made a purchase acquisition adjustment to the allowance of $700 thousand for loans acquired
in the Fleet branch transaction. This adjustment represented the allowance for inherent risk of loss in the loans acquired.
During 1996, loan losses charged against the allowance, net of recoveries, were $580 thousand, or .13%, of average loans
for the period. However, the allowance for loan losses was significantly reduced during the year by $6.8 million. This was
the amount of the reserve attributable to loans transferred in the divestiture of the Vermont banking operations. These
reductions in the allowance for loan losses were offset in part by a provision for loan losses of $896 thousand, or .19%, of
average loans for the year. At December 31, 1996 the allowance for loan losses was $5.6 million. The allowance for loan
losses was 213% of the amount of nonperforming loans at that date.
During 1995, nonperforming assets continued the steady decline begun in 1991. The primary portion of the decrease in
nonperforming assets in 1995 came from the sale of OREO out of the Vermont banking operations. Nonaccrual loans
increased $626 thousand or 17.3%, from the year-end 1994 balance. The increase in nonaccrual loans was due primarily
to the aggregate borrowing of one large commercial borrower, which was placed on nonaccrual status in 1995. That loan
was accounted for under SFAS No. 114 and was being carried at its estimated fair value. Loans reported as troubled debt
restructures at December 31, 1994, were classified as performing in 1995. Net loan losses for 1995 were $1.4 million. These
losses compare to net loan losses of $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1994. As a ratio to average loans, the
net loan losses were .27% and .56%, for the same respective periods.
The Company's 5-year experience with loan charge-offs, provisioning for loan losses and maintenance of its loss allowance
reveals a steady strengthening of loan quality and continuing application of high credit standards. The coverage ratio was
at its highest level at year-end 1999, compared to the past five years, but the allowance as a percentage of total period-end
loans was only 1.19%, marking a 5-year low. While management believes that the 1999 year-end allowance was adequate
under the circumstances, there can be no assurances that future economic or financial developments, including general
interest rate increases or a slowdown in the economy, might not lead to increased provisions to the allowance or a higher
incidence of loan charge-offs.
SUMMARY OF THE ALLOWANCE AND PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
(Dollars In Thousands) (Loans and Leases, Net of Unearned Income)
| Years-Ended December 31, | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | |
| Loans and Leases at End of Period | $ 655,820 | $546,126 | $485,810 | $393,511 | $517,787 | |
| Average Loans and Leases | 600,719 | 514,348 | 439,103 | 459,946 | 513,266 | |
| Total Assets at End of Period | 1,001,107 | 939,029 | 831,599 | 652,603 | 789,790 | |
| Nonperforming Assets: | ||||||
| Nonaccrual Loans: | ||||||
| Construction and Land Development | $ --- | $ --- | $ --- | $ --- | $ 104 | |
| Commercial Real Estate | 50 | 191 | 119 | 83 | 1,299 | |
| Commercial Loans | 147 | 671 | 1,951 | 1,487 | 1,979 | |
| Residential Real Estate Loans | 873 | 1,049 | 1,017 | 457 | 628 | |
| Other Loans | 720 | 359 | 234 | 270 | 234 | |
| Total Nonaccrual Loans | 1,790 | 2,270 | 3,321 | 2,297 | 4,244 | |
| Loans Past Due 90 or More Days and | ||||||
| Still Accruing Interest | 307 | 657 | 363 | 321 | 111 | |
| Restructured Loans in Compliance with | ||||||
| Modified Terms | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | |
| Total Nonperforming Loans | 2,097 | 2,927 | 3,684 | |||