| UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | ||||||
| Washington, D.C. 20549 | ||||||
| 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, 2002 | ||||||
| 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 is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). | ||||||
| Yes X No | ||||||
| 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 | ||||||
| State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of registrant at
June 30, 2002 based on the average of the closing bid and the closing asked prices on the NASDAQ Exchange:
$257,388,000 | ||||||
| Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock. | ||||||
| Class | Outstanding as of February 28, 2003 | |||||
| Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share | 7,902,016 | |||||
| DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE | ||||||
| Portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 30, 2003 (Part III) | ||||||
ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FORM 10-K
INDEX
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 Operation
Cautionary Statement under Federal Securities Laws
Critical Accounting Policies
Peer Group Comparisons
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
b. Risk Elements
III. Summary of Loan Loss Experience
IV. Deposits
V. Time Deposits of $100,000 or More
D. Liquidity
E. Capital Resources and Dividends
F. Fourth Quarter Results
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 and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Item 14. Controls and Procedures
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
Signatures
Certifications
Exhibits Index
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 five non-bank subsidiaries,
the operations of which are not significant. The Company owns directly or indirectly all voting stock of all its subsidiaries.
Our Internet address is www.arrowfinancial.com. We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website
our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those
reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file
such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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 393 full-time equivalent employees of the Company and the subsidiary
banks at December 31, 2002.
| Subsidiary Banks
(dollars in thousands) | ||
|
|
Glens Falls National
Bank & Trust Co. |
Saratoga National
Bank & Trust Co. |
| Total Assets at Year-End | $1,119,659 | $158,370 |
| Trust Assets Under Administration and
Investment Management at Year-End (Not Included in Total Assets) |
$611,571 | $ 8,860 |
| Date Organized | 1851 | 1988 |
| Employees | 367 | 26 |
| Offices | 23 | 3 |
| Counties of Operation | Warren, Washington
Saratoga, Essex & Clinton |
Saratoga
|
| Main Office | 250 Glen Street
Glens Falls, NY |
171 So. Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY |
The Company offers a full range of commercial and consumer financial products. The subsidiary banks' deposit base
consists of 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. Through its banks' trust
departments, the Company 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, through its subsidiary banks engages in a wide range of lending activities, including commercial and industrial
lending primarily to small and mid-sized companies; mortgage lending for residential and commercial properties; and
consumer installment 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 the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and state housing agencies,
while retaining the servicing rights. Loan sales into the secondary market have diminished in the past several years,
however, as the Company has sought to increase its own portfolio. During 2001, the Company securitized $30.2 million of
residential real estate loans. This involved the sale of the mortgage loans and the concurrent purchase of Freddie Mac
guaranteed mortgage-backed securities, with the sold loans representing the underlying collateral. In addition to interest
earned on loans, the Company receives 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 (see Part II, Item 7.C.II.b., "Risk Elements"). Income
on such loans is thereafter recognized only upon receipt.
The Company lends primarily to borrowers within its geographic area. The loan portfolio does not include any foreign loans
or any significant risk concentrations except as described in Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item
8 of this report. The Company does not participate in loan syndications, either as originator or as a participant. The portfolio,
in general, is fully collateralized, and many commercial loans are further secured by personal guarantees.
In 2000, the Company formed a subsidiary, North Country Investment Advisers, Inc., which is an investment adviser
registered with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. NCIA advises two SEC-registered mutual funds, the North
Country Intermediate Bond Fund and the North Country Equity Growth Fund. Currently, the investors in these funds consist
primarily of individual, corporate and institutional trust customers of the Company, but both funds intend to seek a broader
distribution of fund shares in forthcoming periods, involving, among other things, retail marketing initiatives.
In 2001, the Company established a subsidiary insurance agency, NC Financial Services, Inc., which is licensed by the State
of New York to sell various insurance products, including life insurance, fixed annuities and long-term health care products.
The agency is headquartered in Warrensburg, New York. It is expected that the agency ultimately will operate throughout
the Company's service area from multiple Company locations.
C. SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
The following generally describes the regulation to which the Company and its affiliates 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 laws and regulations.
Any change in applicable law or regulation may have a material effect on the business and prospects of the Company.
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 two subsidiary banks are both 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") up to $100,000 per depositor. The BHC Act generally prohibits the Company from engaging, directly
or indirectly, in activities other than banking, activities closely related to banking, and certain other financial activities. 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).
Bank holding companies are 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 existing banks in such states. As a result of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, bank holding companies are now permitted to
affiliate with a much broader array of other financial institutions than was previously permitted, including insurance
companies, investment banks and merchant banks. See Item 1.F., "Legislative Developments."
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 regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Under applicable law, federal banking regulators are required to take prompt corrective action with respect to depository
institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. The regulators have 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 currently qualify as "well
capitalized." The year-end 2002 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 or repurchase its outstanding stock, as well as its ability to expand its business
through acquisitions of additional banking organizations or permitted 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 addition to these potential regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends,
the Company and its subsidiary banks' ability to pay dividends is subject to various restrictions under applicable corporate
laws. 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, capital guidelines and applicable law.
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 faces intense competition in all markets it serves. 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 financial organizations, such as consumer finance companies, insurance companies, securities
firms, money market and mutual funds and credit card companies offer substantive equivalents of transaction accounts and
various loan and financial products, even though these non-banking organizations are not subject to the same regulatory
restrictions and capital requirements that apply to the Company and its subsidiary banks. As a result of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (discussed further in Part I.1.F., below), such non-banking financial 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
Set forth below is an index identifying the location in this Report of various items of statistical information required to be
included in this Report by the SEC's industry guide for Bank Holding Companies.
| Required Information | Location in Report |
| 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
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (the "Act"), signed into law on July 30, 2002, adopted a wide range of measures applicable to
publicly-traded companies. Generally, the Act seeks to improve the quality of financial reporting of these companies,
strengthen the independence of their auditors, and compel them to adopt good corporate governance practices. The Act
places substantial additional duties on directors, officers, auditors and attorneys of public companies. Among other specific
measures, the Act requires that chief executive officers and chief financial officers certify periodically to the SEC regarding
the accuracy of the company's financial statements and the integrity of its internal controls. The Act also accelerates insiders'
reporting obligations for transactions in company securities, restricts certain executive officer and director transactions,
imposes new obligations on corporate audit committees, and provides for enhanced review of company filings by the SEC.
As part of the general effort to improve public company auditing, the Act placed limits on consulting services that may be
performed by a company's independent auditors and creates a public company accounting oversight board, which will set
auditing standards, inspect registered public accounting firms, and possess enforcement powers, subject to oversight by the
SEC.
In November 1999, Congress enacted the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ("GLBA"), which permitted bank holding companies to
engage in a wider range of financial activities. Under GLBA for example, bank holding companies may underwrite all types
of insurance and annuity products and all types of securities products and mutual funds, and may engage in merchant
banking activities. Bank holding companies that wish to engage in these or other newly-permitted financial activities
generally must do so through separate "financial" subsidiaries and may themselves be required to register (and qualify to
register) as so-called "financial holding companies." A bank holding company that does not register as a financial holding
company will remain a bank holding company subject to substantially the same regulatory restrictions and permitted activities
as applied to bank holding companies prior to GLBA (See Part I.1.C., "Supervision and Regulations," above). The Company
has not yet elected to become a "financial holding company" but continues to evaluate the opportunities provided by GLBA.
Under GLBA, as well as the Fair Credit Reporting Act amendment of 1996, all financial institutions have become subject to
more stringent customer privacy regulations.
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.
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. For institutions with the lowest risk classification (including the
Company) the BIF rate increased to 2.120 and the SAIF rate decreased from 5.800 to 2.120. The rate is adjusted quarterly,
depending on the need of the fund. At December 31, 2002 the rate had decreased to 1.680 cents per $100 of insured
deposits.
Various federal bills that would significantly affect banks are introduced in Congress from time to time. The Company cannot
estimate the likelihood of any currently pending banking 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 executive officers of the Company and positions held by each 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 | 54 | 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 | 51 | 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. |
| John C. Van Leeuwen | 59 | Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer since 1995. Prior to 1995, Mr. Van Leeuwen served as Vice President and Loan Review Officer. Mr. Van Leeuwen has been with the Company since 1985. |
| Gerard R. Bilodeau | 56 | 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. |
Item 2: Properties
The Company is headquartered at 250 Glen Street, Glens Falls, New York. The building is owned by the Company's
subsidiary, Glens Falls National Bank, and serves as the bank's main office. Glens Falls National Bank owns nineteen
additional offices and leases three others at market rates. The Company's other subsidiary bank, Saratoga National Bank,
owns its three offices. Rental costs of premises did not exceed 5% of operating costs in 2002.
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.
On an ongoing basis, the Company's subsidiary banks are the subjects of or parties to various legal claims which arise in
the normal course of their business. The various pending legal claims against the subsidiary banks will not, in the opinion
of management based upon consultation with counsel, result in any material liability.
Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None in the fourth quarter of 2002.
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, and have been restated
for the November 2002 five percent stock dividend.
| Sales Price |
Cash Dividends Declared | ||
| Low | High | ||
| 2001 | |||
| First Quarter | $16.327 | $21.429 | $.190 |
| Second Quarter | 17.574 | 23.129 | .209 |
| Third Quarter | 20.907 | 27.102 | .209 |
| Fourth Quarter | 25.952 | 28.571 | .219 |
| 2002 | |||
| First Quarter | $26.667 | $28.810 | $.219 |
| Second Quarter | 26.524 | 34.210 | .238 |
| Third Quarter | 26.695 | 34.505 | .238 |
| Fourth Quarter | 24.810 | 34.970 | .250 |
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 legal and regulatory restrictions.
See "Capital Resources and Dividends" in Part II, Item 7.E. of this report.
There were approximately 2,915 holders of record of common stock at December 31, 2002. The Company has no other
class of stock outstanding.
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: | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | |
| Interest and Dividend Income | $75,145 | $78,357 | $75,624 | $67,135 | $63,033 | |
| Interest Expense | 25,106 | 33,172 | 37,368 | 29,266 | 28,142 | |
| Net Interest Income | 50,039 | 45,185 | 38,256 | 37,869 | 34,891 | |
| Provision for Loan Losses | 2,288 | 2,289 | 1,471 | 1,424 | 1,386 | |
| Net Interest Income After Provision
for Loan Losses |
47,751 | 42,896 | 36,785 | 36,445 | 33,505 | |
| Other Income 1 | 11,213 | 10,324 | 10,784 | 9,382 | 8,172 | |
| Net Gains (Losses) on Securities
Transactions |
100 | 195 | (595) | (4) | 408 | |
| Other Expense 2 | 31,397 | 30,544 | 27,582 | 27,298 | 24,506 | |
| Income Before Provision for Income Taxes | 27,667 | 22,871 | 19,392 | 18,525 | 17,579 | |
| Provision for Income Taxes | 8,773 | 7,055 | 5,711 | 5,666 | 5,744 | |
| Net Income | $18,894 | $15,816 | $13,681 | $12,859 | $11,835 | |
| Earnings Per Common Share: 3 | ||||||
| Basic | $ 2.37 | $ 1.97 | $ 1.70 | $ 1.53 | $ 1.36 | |
| Diluted | 2.32 | 1.94 | 1.69 | 1.51 | 1.34 | |
| Per Common Share: 3 | ||||||
| Cash Dividends | $ .95 | $ .83 | $ .73 | $ .66 | $ .59 | |
| Book Value | 12.78 | 11.42 | 10.11 | 8.82 | 8.99 | |
| Tangible Book Value 4 | 11.56 | 10.17 | 8.74 | 7.37 | 7.50 | |
| Consolidated Year-End Balance Sheet Data: | ||||||
| Total Assets | $1,271,421 | $1,151,007 | $1,081,354 | $1,001,107 | $939,029 | |
| Securities Available-for-Sale | 326,661 | 251,694 | 229,026 | 228,364 | 267,731 | |
| Securities Held-to-Maturity | 74,505 | 74,956 | 60,580 | 55,467 | 63,016 | |
| Loans | 811,292 | 755,124 | 735,769 | 655,820 | 546,126 | |
| Nonperforming Assets | 2,756 | 3,798 | 2,630 | 2,745 | 3,592 | |
| Deposits | 958,007 | 885,498 | 858,925 | 795,197 | 775,597 | |
| Federal Home Loan Bank Advances | 145,000 | 115,000 | 85,200 | 85,000 | 45,000 | |
| Other Borrowed Funds | 53,498 | 42,645 | 42,697 | 36,021 | 24,032 | |
| Shareholders' Equity | 101,402 | 91,504 | 80,781 | 72,287 | 77,146 | |
| Selected Key Ratios: | ||||||
| Return on Average Assets | 1.55% | 1.41% | 1.30% | 1.33% | 1.36% | |
| Return on Average Equity | 19.49 | 18.17 | 18.60 | 17.02 | 15.51 | |
| Dividend Payout | 40.95 | 42.65 | 43.01 | 43.98 | 43.78 | |
1 Other Income in 2000 includes the net gain on the sale of the credit card portfolio of $825.
2 Amortization of goodwill was discontinued effective January 1, 2002 upon the third quarter adoption of SFAS No. 147.
3 Per share amounts have been adjusted for subsequent stock splits and dividends, including the most recent November 2002 five percent stock dividend.
4 Tangible book value excludes from total equity intangible assets, primarily goodwill and intangible assets associated with prior branch purchases.
Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
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," "anticipates," "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. Others are based on management's general perceptions of market
conditions and trends in activity, both locally and nationally, as well as current management strategies for future operations
and development.
Examples of forward-looking statements in this Report are referenced in the table below:
| Topic | Section | Page | Location |
| Impact of Legislative Developments | Part I, Item 1.F. | 7 | Last sentence |
| Impact of Changing Interest Rates on Earnings | Part II, Item 7.C.II.a. | 29 | 1st Paragraph, 1st sentence |
| Part II, Item 7.C.IV. | 35 | Last paragraph in item "IV. DEPOSITS" | |
| Adequacy of the Allowance for Loan Losses | Part II, Item 7.B.II. | 18 | 5th paragraph |
| Part II, Item 7.C.III. | 33 | 2nd paragraph under the
"ALLOCATION OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES" | |
| Liquidity | Part II, Item 7.D. | 37 | Last paragraph in "D. LIQUIDITY" |
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; unexpected loss of key personnel;
and similar risks inherent in banking operations or business generally. 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.
Critical Accounting Policies: In order to prepare the Company's consolidated financial statements in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management was required to make estimates and
assumptions that affected the amounts reported in these statements. There are uncertainties inherent in making these
estimates and assumptions which could materially affect the results of operations and financial position. Management
considers the allowance for loan losses and liabilities for retirement plans to be critical accounting policies. The adequacy
of the allowance for loan losses is sensitive to changes in current economic conditions that may make it difficult for borrowers
to meet their contractual obligations. A severe downward trend in the economy, regional or national, may require the
Company to increase the allowance for loan losses resulting in a negative impact on its results of operations and financial
condition. The Company has a variety of pension and retirement plans. Liabilities under these plans rely on estimates of
future salary increases, numbers of employees and employee retention, discount rates and long-term rates of investment
return. Changes in these assumptions due to changes in the financial markets, the economy or the Company's own
operations may result in material changes to the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
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, 2002 and the financial condition of the Company as of December 31, 2002 and
2001. The discussion below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and other financial data
presented elsewhere herein.
A. OVERVIEW
Summary of 2002 Financial Results
The Company reported net income of $18.9 million for 2002 an increase of $3.1 million, or 19.5%, compared to net income
of $15.8 million for 2001. Diluted earnings per share increased $.38, or 19.6%, from 2001 to 2002 and $.25, or 14.8%, from
2000 to 2001. The increase in net income between 2001 and 2002 was primarily attributable to an 11.0% increase in net
interest income between the two years, itself attributable primarily to a comparable increase in average earning assets.
Selected Financial Information:
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Per share amounts have been restated for the 2002 five percent stock dividend.
| 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | |
| Net Interest Income (tax-equivalent basis) | $52,179 | $47,026 | $39,856 |
| Net Securities Gains (Losses) | 100 | 195 | (595) |
| Goodwill and Intangible Asset Amortization 1 | 37 | 944 | 944 |
| Net Income | 18,894 | 15,816 | 13,681 |
| Diluted Average Shares Outstanding | 8,156 | 8,153 | 8,091 |
| Diluted Earnings Per Share | $2.32 | $1.94 | $1.69 |
| Cash Dividends | .95 | .83 | .73 |
| Stock Dividends | 5% | 5% | --- |
| Core Diluted Earnings Per Share 2 | $2.29 | $1.92 | $1.68 |
| Average Assets | $1,216,381 | $1,122,605 | $1,051,525 |
| Average Earning Assets | 1,158,490 | 1,066,240 | 992,957 |
| Average Paying Liabilities | 970,128 | 897,737 | 849,620 |
| Average Equity | 96,952 | 87,035 | 73,552 |
| Return on Average Assets | 1.55% | 1.41% | 1.30% |
| Return on Average Equity | 19.49 | 18.17 | 18.60 |
| Net Interest Margin 3 | 4.50 | 4.41 | 4.01 |
| Efficiency Ratio 4 | 49.47 | 51.61 | 52.60 |
| Tangible Book Value per Share 5 | $11.56 | $10.17 | $8.74 |
| Net Loans Charged-off as a Percentage of Average Loans | .11% | .17% | .08% |
| Provision for Loan Losses as a Percentage of Average Loans | .30 | .31 | .21 |
| Allowance for Loan Losses as a Percentage of Period-end Loans | 1.38 | 1.29 | 1.19 |
| Allowance for Loan Losses as a Percentage of Nonperforming Loans | 436.89 | 282.72 | 424.67 |
| Nonperforming Loans as a Percentage of Period-end Loans | .32 | .46 | .28 |
| Nonperforming Assets as a Percentage of Period-end Total Assets | .22 | .33 | .24 |
1 Amortization of goodwill was discontinued, effective January 1, 2002, upon the adoption of SFAS No. 147.
2 Core Diluted Earnings Per Share excludes gains/losses on securities and OREO transactions and one-time material non-recurring items of income and
expense. The amounts necessary to reconcile reported net income to core net income for 2002, 2001 and 2000 include (net of tax): securities
gains (losses) ($60, $116 and $(352)), OREO transactions ($14, $61 and $17), non-recurring other income of $158 in 2002, gain on the sale of credit card
loans of $488 in 2000 and non-recurring other expense of $51 in 2000.
3 Net Interest Margin is the ratio of tax-equivalent net interest income to average earning assets.
4 The Efficiency Ratio is the ratio of noninterest expense less goodwill and other intangible asset amortization to the sum of tax-
equivalent net interest income and other income less net securities gains or losses.
5 Tangible Book Value is calculated based on total equity less intangible assets, including goodwill associated with prior
branch acquisitions.
Peer Group Comparisons: At certain points in the ensuing discussion and analysis, the Company's performance is
compared with that of its peer group of financial institutions. Peer data has been obtained from the Federal Reserve Board's
"Bank Holding Company Performance Report." Unless otherwise specifically stated, the Company's peer group is comprised
of the group of 166 domestic bank holding companies with $1 to $3 billion in total consolidated assets.
At December 31, 2002, the Company's tangible book value per share (calculated based on shareholders' equity reduced
by intangible assets including goodwill, mortgage servicing rights and intangible pension plan assets) amounted to $11.56,
an increase of $1.39, or 13.7%, from year-end 2001. The increase was primarily attributable to retained earnings and net
unrealized gains, net of tax, on securities available-for-sale during 2002, offset in part by periodic repurchases of the
Company's common stock. As of the last trading day of 2002, the average of the Company's bid and asked stock price was
$30.80, resulting in a trading multiple of 2.66 to tangible book value.
The Board of Directors increased the quarterly cash dividend twice in 2002, to $.25 per share by the fourth quarter. Total
cash dividends (as adjusted) were $.95 for 2002, compared to $.83 for 2001, an increase of $.12 or 14.5%.
Nonperforming loans amounted to $2.6 million at December 31, 2002, a decrease of $876 thousand from the prior year-end.
Loans charged-off (net of recoveries) against the allowance for loan losses were $815 thousand for 2002, as compared to
$1.3 million for the prior year. At year-end 2002, the allowance for loan losses, at $11.2 million, represented a coverage
ratio to total loans of 1.38%, as compared to 1.29% at the prior year-end.
Sale of Credit Card Portfolio and Servicing Business in 2000
Prior to 2000, the Company serviced its own credit card portfolio as well as the credit card portfolios for several smaller
financial institutions. In 2000, the Company determined that it would no longer engage in the consumer credit card servicing
business and that it would sell the business as well as its existing consumer credit card balances to MBNA America Bank,
N.A., an organization widely recognized as an industry leader. The decision to discontinue this activity was driven by the
fact that the consumer credit card business, including both card issuance and account servicing, has increasingly become
a commodity operation that requires great scale. Management also expected that its credit card customers would receive
a broader array of account benefits and services under MBNA's programs after the sale, and such has been the case. The
sale, which resulted in a net gain of $825 ($488 net of tax), was completed in the third quarter of 2000. The Company
continues to manage its merchant credit card and debit card programs.
B. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following analysis of net interest income, the provision for loan losses, noninterest income, noninterest expense and
income taxes, highlights the factors that are primarily responsible for the Company's results of operations for 2002 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 interest rates 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 average 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 | |||||||
| 2002 | 2001 | |||||||
| 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | Amount | % | Amount | % | ||
| Interest and Dividend Income | $77,285 | $80,198 | $77,224 | $(2,913) | (3.6)% | $ 2,974 | 3.9% | |
| Interest Expense | 25,106 | 33,172 | 37,368 | (8,066) | (24.3) | (4,196) | (11.2) | |
| Net Interest Income | $52,179 | $47,026 | $39,856 | $ 5,153 | 11.0 | $ 7,170 | 18.0 | |
On a tax-equivalent basis, net interest income was $52.2 million in 2002, an increase of $5.2 million, or 11.0%, from $47.0
million in 2001. This compared to a $7.2 million, or 18.0%, increase between 2000 and 2001. Factors contributing to the
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)
| 2002 Compared to 2001 | 2001 Compared to 2000 | ||||||
| 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 | $ --- | $ (452) | $ (452) | $ 597 | $ (154) | $ 443 | |
| Securities Available-for-Sale: | |||||||
| Taxable | 2,740 | (2,602) | 138 | 4 | (1,268) | (1,264) | |
| Non-Taxable | 399 | (22) | 377 | 67 | (26) | 41 | |
| Securities Held-to-Maturity: | |||||||
| Taxable | (3) | (6) | (9) | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| Non-Taxable | 535 | (310) | 225 | 512 | 34 | 546 | |
| Loans | 2,129 | (5,321) | (3,192) | 4,081 | (877) | 3,204 | |
| Total Interest and Dividend Income | 5,800 | (8,713) | (2,913) | 5,263 | (2,289) | 2,974 | |
| Interest Expense: | |||||||
| Deposits: | |||||||
| Interest-Bearing NOW Deposits | 1,298 | (1,251) | 47 | 529 | (1,561) | (1,032) | |
| Regular and Money Market Savings | 664 | (2,233) | (1,569) | 276 | (811) | (535) | |
| Time Deposits of $100,000 or More | (1,988) | (1,959) | (3,947) | (777) | (2,015) | (2,792) | |
| Other Time Deposits | 126 | (2,650) | (2,524) | (231) | (628) | (859) | |
| Total Deposits | 100 | (8,093) | (7,993) | (203) | (5,015) | (5,218) | |
| Short-Term Borrowings | 141 | (737) | (596) | 58 | (578) | (520) | |
| Long-Term Debt | 812 | (289) | 523 | 1,941 | (399) | 1,542 | |
| Total Interest Expense | 1,053 | (9,119) | (8,066) | 1,796 | (5,992) | (4,196) | |
| Net Interest Income | $4,747 | $ 406 | $5,153 | $3,467 | $3,703 | $7,170 | |
The following table reflects the components of the Company's net interest income, setting forth, for years ended December
31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 (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,
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 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | ||||||
| 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 | $ 19,418 | $ 308 | 1.59% | $ 19,410 | $ 760 | 3.92% | $ 5,125 | $ 317 | 6.19% |
| Securities Available- | |||||||||
| for-Sale: | |||||||||
| Taxable | 277,657 | 14,236 | 5.13 | 228,588 | 14,098 | 6.17 | 228,530 | 15,362 | 6.72 |
| Non-Taxable | 11,119 | 547 | 4.92 | 3,053 | 170 | 5.57 | 1,904 | 129 | 6.78 |
| Securities Held-to-Maturity: | |||||||||
| Taxable | 544 | 33 | 6.07 | 593 | 42 | 7.08 | 560 | 38 | 6.79 |
| Non-Taxable | 74,456 | 4,753 | 6.38 | 66,278 | 4,528 | 6.83 | 58,779 | 3,982 | 6.77 |
| Loans | 775,296 | 57,408 | 7.40 | 748,318 | 60,600 | 8.10 | 698,059 | 57,396 | 8.22 |
| Total Earning Assets | 1,158,490 | 77,285 | 6.67 | 1,066,240 | 80,198 | 7.52 | 992,957 | 77,224 | 7.78 |
| Allowance For Loan Losses | (10,556) | (9,038) | (8,301) | ||||||
| Cash and Due From Banks | 31,386 | 28,850 | 25,802 | ||||||
| Other Assets | 37,061 | 36,553 | 41,067 | ||||||
| Total Assets | $1,216,381 | $1,122,605 | $1,051,525 | ||||||
| Deposits: | |||||||||
| Interest-Bearing
NOW Deposits |
$ 282,365 | 4,431 | 1.57 | $ 209,719 | 4,384 | 2.09 | $ 189,667 | 5,416 | 2.86 |
| Regular and Money
Market Savings |
230,039 | 3,170 | 1.38 | 198,573 | 4,739 | 2.39 | 188,303 | 5,274 | 2.80 |
| Time Deposits of
$100,000 or More |
81,770 | 2,269 | 2.77 | 135,982 | 6,216 | 4.57 | 149,834 | 9,008 | 6.01 |
| Other Time Deposits | 201,253 | 7,543 | 3.75 | 198,745 | 10,067 | 5.07 | 203,116 | 10,926 | 5.38 |
| Total
Interest-Bearing
Deposits |
795,427 | 17,413 | 2.19 | 743,019 | 25,406 | 3.42 | 730,920 | 30,624 | 4.19 |
| Short-Term Borrowings | 39,468 | 562 | 1.42 | 34,711 | 1,158 | 3.34 | 33,515 | 1,678 | 5.01 |
| Long-Term Debt | 135,233 | 7,131 | 5.27 | 120,007 | 6,608 | 5.51 | 85,185 | 5,066 | 5.95 |
| Total Interest-
Bearing Funds |
970,128 | 25,106 | 2.59 | 897,737 | 33,172 | 3.70 | 849,620 | 37,368 | 4.40 |
| Demand Deposits | 132,208 | 122,618 | 114,062 | ||||||
| Other Liabilities | 17,093 | 15,215 | 14,291 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities | 1,119,429 | 1,035,570 | 977,973 | ||||||
| Shareholders' Equity | 96,952 | 87,035 | 73,552 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities and
Shareholders' Equity |
$1,216,381 | $1,122,605 | $1,051,525 | ||||||
| Net Interest Income
(Fully Taxable Basis) |
52,179 | 47,026 | 39,856 | ||||||
| Reversal of Tax
Equivalent Adjustment |
(2,140) | (1,841) | (1,600) | ||||||
| Net Interest Income | $50,039 | $45,185 | $38,256 | ||||||
| Net Interest Spread | 4.08% | 3.82% | 3.38% | ||||||
| Net Interest Margin | 4.50% | 4.41% | 4.01% | ||||||
CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME DUE TO RATE
| YIELD ANALYSIS | December 31, | |||
| 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | ||
| Yield on Earning Assets | 6.67% | 7.52% | 7.78% | |
| Cost of Interest-Bearing Liabilities | 2.59 | 3.70 | 4.40 | |
| Net Interest Spread | 4.08% | 3.82% | 3.38% | |
| Net Interest Margin | 4.50% | 4.41% | 4.01% | |
Of the $5.2 million increase in net interest income in 2002 over the prior year, $4.7 million was attributable to increased
volume of earning assets and only $406 thousand to rate change (i.e., the fact that the cost of deposits and other funds
decreased at a faster rate than the yield on earning assets). This contrasted with the prior year, when rate changes
generated a $3.7 million increase in net interest income out of a total increase of $7.2 million.
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 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
rate changes in recent years:
Key Interest Rate Changes 1999 - 2002
| Federal | |||
| Date | Discount Rate | Funds Rate | Prime Rate |
| November 6, 2002 | .75% | 1.25% | 4.25% |
| December 11, 2001 | 1.25 | 1.75 | 4.75 |
| November 6, 2001 | 1.50 | 2.00 | 5.00 |
| October 2, 2001 | 2.00 | 2.50 | 5.50 |
| September 17, 2001 | 2.50 | 3.00 | 6.00 |
| August 21, 2001 | 3.00 | 3.50 | 6.50 |
| June 27, 2001 | 3.25 | 3.75 | 6.75 |
| May 15, 2001 | 3.50 | 4.00 | 7.00 |
| April 18, 2001 | 4.00 | 4.50 | 7.50 |
| March 20, 2001 | 4.50 | 5.00 | 8.00 |
| January 31, 2001 | 5.00 | 5.50 | 8.50 |
| January 3, 2001 | 5.50 | 6.00 | 9.00 |
| May 16, 2000 | 6.00 | 6.50 | 9.50 |
| March 21, 2000 | 5.50 | 6.00 | 9.00 |
| February 2, 2000 | 5.25 | 5.75 | 8.75 |
| 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 |
The Company's net interest income, for the past several years, has been very sensitive to changes in interest rates. As
indicated in the table above, prevailing interest rates economy-wide began to increase in the second half of 1999 through
the second half of 2000. This marked a turnaround from a long period of flat or slowly-declining prevailing interest rates.
The 1999 rate hikes had a moderate negative 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 decreases in the Company's net interest spread and net interest margin. However, the full and negative impact
of rising rates was felt in 2000, when the decrease in net interest income due to rates was significant.
In the first quarter of 2001, the Federal Reserve Board reversed direction and began decreasing short-term interest rates
rapidly and significantly in response to perceived weakening in the economy. By December 2001, the total decrease in
prevailing short-term interest rates for the year was 475 basis points. After eleven months with no rate changes, the Federal
Reserve Board decreased rates another 50 basis points in November 2002. As a result, the Company experienced a
decrease in the cost of deposits in all quarters of 2001 and 2002. Although decreases in deposit rates began to be
experienced in the first quarter of 2001, the Company did not experience a decrease in the average yield in its loan portfolio
until the second quarter of 2001. Since that time, yields on the loan portfolio have decreased each successive quarter in
2001 and 2002, as well. See the "Loan Portfolio" section in the discussion of "Financial Condition" later on in this Report,
for a more complete analysis of yield trends in the loan portfolio.
When the Federal Reserve Board decreased short-term interest rates by 50 basis points in November 2002, this decrease
had a limited impact on the Company's deposit rates, because rates on several of the Company's deposit products, such
as savings and NOW accounts, were already priced at such low levels that a 50 basis point decrease in rates was not
practical or sustainable, although the Company did lower rates to a much smaller extent on certain non-maturity deposit
products.
Most important, the decreasing rate environment had a positive impact on net interest income during 2001 and 2002, as net
interest margins increased both years.
The net interest margin for 2002 was 4.50%, an increase of 9 basis points from the 4.41% margin for 2001. The net interest
spread between the two years increased by 26 basis points. These increases in margin and spread were attributable to the
fact that during a period of decreasing market rates the Company's paying liabilities repriced downward at a faster rate than
its earning assets. In turn, a major factor influencing this development was the relocation of a significant dollar amount of
maturing time deposits into other lower cost deposit accounts, a relocation that often accompanies falling interest rates but
also often proves temporary.
In both rising and falling rate environments, the Company faces significant competitive pricing pressures in its marketplace
for both deposits and loans, and thus ultimately both assets and liabilities may be expected to reprice proportionately in
response to changes in market rates.
The net interest margin for 2001 was 4.41%, an increase of 40 basis points from the 4.01% margin for 2000. The net interest
spread between the two years increased by 44 basis points. As in 2002, these significant increases in margin and spread
were attributable to the fact that during a period of decreasing market rates the Company's paying liabilities repriced
downward at a faster rate than its earning assets.
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)
| Years Ended December 31, | Change From Prior Year | |||||||
| 2002 | 2001 | |||||||
| 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | Amount | % | Amount | % | ||
| Earning Assets | $1,158,490 | $1,066,240 | $992,957 | $92,250 | 8.7% | $73,283 | 7.4% | |
| Interest-Bearing Liabilities | 970,128 | 897,737 | 849,620 | 72,391 | 8.1 | 48,117 | 5.7 | |
| Demand Deposits | 132,208 | 122,618 | 114,062 | 9,590 | 7.8 | 8,556 | 7.5 | |
| Total Assets | 1,216,381 | 1,122,605 | 1,051,525 | 93,776 | 8.4 | 71,080 | 6.8 | |
| Earning Assets to Total Assets | 95.24% | 94.98% | 94.43% | .26% | 0.3 | .55% | 0.6 | |
In general, changes in the volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities will result in corresponding changes in net interest income. That is, as assets and liabilities increase, so will 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 $4.7 million in 2002 and an increase of $3.5 million in 2001.
During 2002, average earning assets increased $92.3 million, an increase of 8.7%. Average paying liabilities grew at a
somewhat slower pace, increasing by $72.4 million, or 8.1%. The combined effect of these changes in volume was to
increase net interest income by approximately 10.0%, before giving effect to the 1.0% positive impact on net interest income
resulting from the change in interest rates discussed in the previous section.
During 2002, the Company experienced its growth in average earning assets primarily within the investment portfolio (which
accounted for approximately 71% of the increase) and secondarily within the loan portfolio (approximately 29%). While it
is the intention of the Company ultimately to invest the greatest portion of its earning assets into high quality loans, most of
the increase in the sources of funds from December 31, 2001 to December 31, 2002 was redeployed, at least for the present,
into the investment securities portfolio. As reported on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the cash flow received
from the maturities and calls of securities in the available-for-sale portfolio amounted to $91.3 million for 2002. Most of these
cash flows are from the monthly amortization of mortgage-backed securities. Among other needs, this cash flow is available
to fund loan growth or for redeployment in the available-for-sale portfolio.
The fastest growing segment of the loan portfolio for several years preceding 2001 was indirect consumer loans, which are primarily auto loans financed through local dealerships from whom the Company acquires the dealer paper. While this segment still represents the largest portion of the loan portfolio, the outstanding balances of indirect loans remained little changed at year-end 2002 from year-end 2001 and 2000. For 2002, the average balances of indirect loans were actually $12.4 million below the average balances for 2001, as the portfolio experienced a net decrease prior to recovering in the fourth quarter of 2002. The increase in the average loan balances from 2001 to 2002 was attributable to the residential real estate ($25.3 million) and the commercial loan ($17.9 million) portfolios.
The Company's $72.4 million growth in average paying liabilities in 2002 was experienced primarily in traditional banking
deposit products, which increased by $52.4 million, or 7.1%, from year-end 2001 to year-end 2002, and secondarily in
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings, which increased by $15.2 million, or 13.2%, from year-end 2001 to year-end
2002. The increase in deposit balances during 2002 was generated by the Company's pre-existing branch network, although
the Company's Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company franchise did open its third branch (the second branch in
Saratoga Springs) at the beginning of 2002. No other branches were added or acquired in 2002.
During 2001, average earning assets increased $73.3 million, an increase of 7.4%. Average paying liabilities grew at a
somewhat slower pace, increasing by $48.1 million, or 5.7%. The combined effect was to increase net interest income by
approximately 8.7%, before giving effect to the positive impact on net interest income resulting from the change in interest
rates discussed in the previous section.
In 2001 (unlike in 2002) the Company experienced its growth in average earning assets principally within the loan portfolio.
During 2001, the Company securitized approximately $30 million of residential real estate loan balances and retained
ownership of the resulting mortgage-backed securities for the purpose of providing additional liquidity and collateral for
pledging purposes. Without the securitization, increases in loan balances would have represented over 70% of the increase
in average earning assets between the two years.
The outstanding balances of indirect consumer loans remained little changed at year-end 2001 from year-end 2000. During 2001, adjusted for reductions of loans through securitizations, residential real estate loans increased $32.8 million, or 15.5%. Commercial loans increased by $21.3 million, or 17.4%, representing the other area of significant growth within the loan portfolio.
The Company's growth in average paying liabilities in 2001 was experienced both in traditional banking deposit products,
which increased by $26.6 million, or 3.1%, from year-end 2000 to year-end 2001, and in borrowings, which increased by
$29.8 million, or 35.0%, from year-end 2000 to year-end 2001. The increase in deposit balances during 2001 was generated
by the Company's pre-existing branch network. No branches were added or acquired in 2001. The primary source of new
borrowings by the Company in 2001 was advances from the FHLB (see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
in Part II, Item 8 of this report).
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
Management considers its accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan losses to be a critical accounting policy given
the inherent uncertainty involved in evaluating the level of the allowance required to cover credit losses inherent in the loan
portfolio, and the material effect that such judgments can have on the Company's results of operations. See Note 1 to the
consolidated financial statements, as well as the discussion below, for a description of the Company's policy with respect
to estimating the level of the 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' financial conditions or prospects.
The determination of actual provisions for loan losses on an ongoing basis is largely influenced by the prevailing level of
nonperforming loans, the level of loans actually charged-off against the allowance for loan losses during the prior periods,
contemporary changes in the mix and volume of loan categories within the loan portfolio and overall changes in the size of
the portfolio.
The quality of the Company's loan portfolio remains strong and, to date, has not been negatively affected either by the loan
growth experienced in recent periods or by the recent weakening in the national and regional economy. At period-end, the
ratio of nonperforming loans (loans 90 days or more and accruing interest plus nonaccrual loans) as a percentage of total
loans was .32% for the Company. The September 30, 2002 ratio for the Company's peer group was .77%.
While management believes that the 2002 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.
The provision for loan losses was $2.3 million for 2002, virtually unchanged from 2001. During 2002, loan losses charged
against the allowance, net of recoveries, were $815 thousand, a decrease of $481 thousand, or 37.1%, from the 2001
amount. During the second quarter of 2001, the Company charged-off $512 thousand on one commercial loan.
Disregarding this item, net charge-offs for 2002 increased by $31 thousand, or 4.0%, over 2001. Net charge-offs as a
percentage of average loans outstanding was .11% for 2002. Net charge-offs, on an annualized basis, for the Company's
peer group at September 30, 2002 was .27% of average loans, or 145.5% higher than the Company's ratio. If the current
economic recession continues or worsens, management anticipates that net charge-offs will exceed the levels experienced
in recent years.
At December 31, 2002, nonperforming loans amounted to $2.6 million, a decrease of $876 thousand, or 25.5%, from the
balance at year-end 2001. The decrease was primarily attributable to one $749 thousand commercial loan that was
designated as nonperforming at year-end 2001, which was paid-off in full by the borrower during December 2002. While
nonperforming loans and net loans charged-off improved in 2002, as compared to 2001, the continued growth in the loan
portfolio resulted in the 2002 provision for loan losses remaining consistent with 2001.
At December 31, 2002, the allowance for loan losses was $9.7 million, or 1.38%, of total loans, as compared to $8.7 million, or 1.29% of total loans at December 31, 2001. The allowance for loan losses represented 437% of the amount of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2002, as compared to 283% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2001.
During 2001, loan losses charged against the allowance, net of recoveries, were $1.3 million, an increase of $768 thousand,
or 145%, from the prior year amount. During the second quarter of 2001, the Company charged-off $512 thousand on one
commercial loan. Management believes that the factors that led to this charge-off were unique and isolated and are not
indicative of any emerging pattern of increasing charge-offs above historical levels.
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding was .17% for 2001. The provision for loan losses, as a
percentage of average loans outstanding was .31% for 2001. Net charge-offs, on an annualized basis, for the Company's
peer group at September 30, 2001 was .26% of average loans, or 52.9% higher than the Company's ratio.
At December 31, 2001, nonperforming loans amounted to $3.4 million, an increase of $1.4 million, or 67.3%, from the
balance at year-end 2000. The increase was primarily attributable to two commercial loans, totaling $1.6 million, which were
placed on nonaccrual status during the fourth quarter of 2001.
The provision for loan losses was $1.5 million for 2000, an increase of $47 thousand, or 3.3%, from 1999. At December 31,
2000, nonperforming loans amounted to $2.1 million, essentially unchanged from the balance at December 31, 1999. At
December 31, 2000, the allowance for loan losses was $8.7 million, or 1.19% of total loans. The allowance for loan losses
represented 425% of the amount of nonperforming loans at that date. During 2000, loan losses charged against the
allowance, net of recoveries, were $528 thousand, or .08%, of average loans for the period, an increase of $146 thousand,
or 38%, from the prior year amount. The principal reason for the increase in net loan losses in 2000 as compared with 1999
was a recovery of $315 thousand in the 1999 period related to the final repayment of a large commercial loan. Excluding
the large recovery, net loan losses for 1999 would have exceeded those for 2000, and would have represented .12% of
average loans. The provision for loan losses charged to expense for 2000 was $1.5 million, or .21%, of average loans for
the period.
SUMMARY OF THE ALLOWANCE AND PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
(Dollars In Thousands) (Loans, Net of Unearned Income)
| Years-Ended December 31, | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | |
| Loans at End of Period | $ 811,292 | $ 755,124 | $ 735,769 | $ 655,820 | $546,126 | |
| Average Loans | 775,296 | 748,318 | 698,059 | 600,719 | 514,348 | |
| Total Assets at End of Period | 1,271,421 | 1,151,007 | 1,081,354 | 1,001,107 | 939,029 | |
| Nonperforming Assets: | ||||||
| Nonaccrual Loans: | ||||||
| Construction | $ --- | $ --- | $ --- | $ --- | $ --- | |
| Commercial Real Estate | 69 | 87 | 94 | 50 | 191 | |
| Commercial Loans | 375 | 1,610 | 161 | 147 | 671 | |
| Residential Real Estate Loans | 516 | 469 | 572 | 873 | 1,049 | |
| Consumer Loans | 1,511 | 1,034 | 930 | 720 | 359 | |
| Total Nonaccrual Loans | 2,471 | 3,200 | 1,757 | 1,790 | 2,270 | |
| Loans Past Due 90 or More Days and | ||||||
| Still Accruing Interest | 91 | 238 | 298 | 307 | 657 | |
| Restructured Loans in Compliance with | ||||||
| Modified Terms | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | |
| Total Nonperforming Loans | 2,562 | 3,438 | 2,055 | 2,097 | 2,927 | |
| Repossessed Assets | 143 | 66 | 150 | 62 | 38 | |
| Other Real Estate Owned | 51 | 294 | 425 | 586 | 627 | |
| Total Nonperforming Assets | $ 2,756 | $ 3,798 | $ 2,630 | $ 2,745 | $3,592 | |
| Allowance for Loan Losses: | ||||||
| Balance at Beginning of Period | $ 9,720 | $ 8,727 | $ 7,784 | $ 6,742 | $6,191 | |
| Loans Charged-off: | ||||||
| Commercial, Financial | ||||||
| and Agricultural | (24) | (653) | (42) | (75) | (166) | |
| Real Estate - Commercial | --- | --- | (20) | (33) | (43) | |
| Real Estate - Construction | --- | (2) | (2) | --- | --- | |
| Real Estate - Residential | (37) | (103) | (29) | (64) | (133) | |
| Installment Loans to Individuals | (1,060) | (883) | (764) | (861) | (836) | |
| Total Loans Charged-off | (1,121) | (1,641) | ( 857) | (1,033) | (1,178) | |
| Recoveries of Loans Previously Charged-off: | ||||||
| Commercial, Financial | ||||||
| and Agricultural | 33 | 65 | 34 | 326 | 19 | |
| Real Estate - Commercial | 17 | 16 | 15 | 18 | --- | |
| Real Estate - Construction | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | |
| Real Estate - Residential | 3 | 21 | 11 | 12 | 23 | |
| Installment Loans to Individuals | 253 | 243 | 269 | 295 | 301 | |
| Total Recoveries of Loans
Previously Charged-off |
306 | 345 | 329 | 651 | 343 | |
| Net Loans Charged-off | (815) | (1,296) | (528) | (382) | (835) | |
| Provision for Loan Losses | ||||||
| Charged to Expense | 2,288 | 2,289 | 1,471 | 1,424 | 1,386 | |
| Balance at End of Period | $11,193 | $ 9,720 | $ 8,727 | $ 7,784 | $6,742 | |
| Nonperforming Asse | ||||||