SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[X] Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 or
[ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (No Fee Required)
EVERGREENBANCORP, INC.
| WASHINGTON (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
91-2097262 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
301 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, Washington 98109
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (206) 628-4250
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, no par value per share
Indicate by check mark 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 twelve months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such requirements for the past 90 days.
YES [X] NO [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants 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 check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act. YES [ ] NO [X]
The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates, based on the closing price as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board at June 28, 2002 (the last business day of the most recent second fiscal quarter), was $15,902,089.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrants no par value common stock as of February 28, 2003 was 1,076,625 shares.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Designated portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Part III, Items 10 13).
EVERGREENBANCORP, INC.
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page No | |||
| PART I | 2 | ||
| Item 1. | Business | 3 | |
| Item 2. | Properties | 8 | |
| Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | 9 | |
| Item 4. |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
9 | |
| PART II | 9 | ||
| Item 5. | Market for Registrants Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters | 9 | |
| Item 6. | Selected Consolidated Financial Data | 10 | |
| Item 7. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 11 | |
| Item 7A | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 24 | |
| Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 24 | |
| Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 45 | |
| PART III | 46 | ||
| Item 10. | Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant | 46 | |
| Item 11. | Executive Compensation | 46 | |
| Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management | 46 | |
| Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions | 46 | |
| Item 14. | Controls and Procedures | 46 | |
| Item 15. | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K | 47 | |
| SIGNATURES | 51 | ||
| CERTIFICATIONS | 51 |
PART I
Forward-Looking Information Statement
This report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. EvergreenBancorp, Inc. (the Company) intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this statement for purposes of these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of the Company, are generally identifiable by use of the words believe, expect, intend, anticipate, estimate, project, or similar expressions. The Companys ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Important factors which could cause actual events to differ from the Companys expectation include, but are not limited to, fluctuation in interest rates and loan and deposit pricing, which could reduce the Companys net interest margins, asset valuations and expense expectations; a deterioration in the economy or business conditions, either nationally or in the Companys market areas, that could increase credit-related losses and expenses; a national or local disaster, including acts of terrorism; increases in defaults by borrowers and other loan delinquencies resulting in increases in the Companys provision for loan losses and related expenses; higher than anticipated costs related to the Companys new banking centers, or slower than expected earning assets growth which could extend anticipated breakeven periods at these locations; significant increases in competition; legislative or regulatory changes applicable to bank holding companies or the Companys banking or other subsidiaries; and possible changes in tax rates, tax laws, or tax law interpretation.
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ITEM 1. Business
EvergreenBancorp, Inc.
EvergreenBancorp, Inc. (Bancorp) is a bank holding company organized under the laws of the State of Washington. Bancorp was formed in 2001 pursuant to the reorganization of EvergreenBank (the Bank), whereby the Bank became a wholly owned subsidiary of Bancorp. This tax-free reorganization resulted in a share-for-share exchange of stock whereby stockholders of the Bank became stockholders of Bancorp. The bank holding company structure provides flexibility for financing and growth, as well as for acquiring or establishing other banking operations or businesses related to banking. In May 2002 Bancorp formed EvergreenBancorp Capital Trust I (the Trust) to raise capital through a trust preferred securities offering. Bancorp, Bank and Trust are collectively referred to herein as the Company. The terms we, us, and our refer to Bancorp, Bank or Trust where applicable.
Bancorp remains committed to community banking and intends the Bank to remain community-focused. In 2002, the Bank continued to conduct its banking business in substantially the same manner as prior to the reorganization, with the same name, board of directors, management structure and personnel.
The Companys net income for 2002 was $1.34 million, or $1.25 per basic share ($1.24 per diluted share), and its consolidated equity at December 31, 2002 was $15.96 million, with 1,075,461 common shares outstanding and a book value of $14.84 per share. At December 31, 2002, the Company had total consolidated assets of approximately $170 million, loans of approximately $122 million, and deposits of approximately $132 million. For more information regarding the Companys financial results, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this 10-K report.
EvergreenBank
EvergreenBank is a Washington commercial bank organized in 1971 under the name Teachers State Bank with its main office in Seattle. In February of 1993, the Bank opened a branch in Lynnwood, approximately 32 miles north of the Seattle office and, in July 2001, opened a second branch in Bellevue, approximately 20 miles to the east of Seattle.
Over the years, the Bank changed its business focus. In the late seventies, regulatory changes that allowed credit unions to issue drafts against their members share accounts created an opportunity for the Bank. In 1977, the Bank began marketing a share draft system that could process credit unions share drafts for the Federal Reserve System. To reflect the Banks growing interest in consumer and commercial markets, and to clarify for potential customers that the Banks products and services were not limited to teachers, in 1980, its name was changed to EvergreenBank.
In early 2000, because of narrowing profit margins and increased competition in the check clearing business, the Bank withdrew from that business and management began to restructure the Banks balance sheet and focus primarily on its business in consumer and commercial lending and deposits. The Bank now focuses on a general commercial banking business, offering commercial banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, and retail customers in its market area.
Market
The Banks primary market area consists of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Western Washington. The Bank began its operations from its main office location in Seattle and in 1993 expanded its market north by opening its first branch in Lynnwood, and most recently opened a second branch in 2001 in Bellevue.
Deposit accounts include certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts and other time deposits, checking and other demand deposit accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts. Loans include commercial, real estate construction and development, installment and consumer loans, and residential real estate. Other products and services include merchant credit card processing, financial planning, and investment services, cash sweep accounts, electronic funds transfers, electronic tax payment, and safe deposit boxes. The Bank also offers 24-hour telephone banking, as well as on-line banking and bill paying services.
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Competition
Commercial banking in the state of Washington is highly competitive with respect to providing banking services, including making loans and attracting deposits. The Bank competes with other banks, as well as with savings and loan associations, savings banks, credit unions, mortgage companies, investment banks, insurance companies, securities brokerages, and other financial institutions. Banking in Washington is dominated by several large banking institutions, including U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Bank of America, and Washington Mutual Bank, which together account for a majority of the total commercial and savings bank deposits in Washington. These competitors have significantly greater financial resources and offer a greater number of branch locations (with statewide branch networks), higher lending limits, and a variety of services not offered by the Bank. In addition, the Bank has experienced competition for both deposits and loans from non-bank financial service providers, such as captive automobile financing and equipment leasing companies.
The adoption of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (the Financial Services Modernization Act) in November 1999 has led to further intensification of competition in the banking industry. The Financial Services Modernization Act has eliminated many of the barriers to affiliation among providers of various types of financial services and has permitted business combinations among financial providers such as banks, insurance companies, securities or brokerage firms, and other financial service providers. This has led to increased competition in both the market for providing financial services and in the market for acquisitions in which Bancorp also participates.
In general, the financial services industry has experienced widespread consolidation in recent years. The Company anticipates that consolidation among financial institutions in its market area will continue. Other financial institutions, many with substantially greater resources, compete in the acquisition market against the Company. Some of these institutions, among other items, have greater access to capital markets, larger cash reserves and a more liquid currency than the Company. Additionally, the rapid adoption of financial services through the internet has reduced the barrier to entry by financial services providers physically located outside our market area. Although the Company has been able to compete effectively in the financial services business in its markets to date, there can be no assurance that it will be able to continue to do so in the future.
Employees
On December 31, 2002, the Bank employed 52 full-time employees and 4 part-time employees. Employees are not represented by any collective bargaining agreement. Management considers its relations with employees to be good.
EvergreenBancorp Capital Trust I
On May 23, 2002, Bancorp completed an issuance of $5 million in trust preferred securities through a newly formed special purpose business trust, EvergreenBancorp Capital Trust I. The securities were sold in a private placement pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Under the terms of the transaction, the trust preferred securities have a maturity of 30 years and the holders are entitled to receive cumulative cash distributions on a quarterly basis at a variable annual rate, reset quarterly, equal to the three month LIBOR plus 3.50 percent. In general, the securities will not be redeemable for five years except in the event of certain special redemption events. Most of the proceeds from the sale of the securities were contributed to the Bank as Tier 1 capital to support lending and other operations.
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
General
We are extensively regulated under federal and state law. These laws and regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors, not shareholders. The discussion below describes and summarizes certain statutes and regulations. These descriptions and summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the particular statute or regulation. Changes in applicable laws or regulations may have a material effect on our business and prospects. Our operations may also be affected by changes in the policies of banking and other government regulators.
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We cannot accurately predict the nature or extent of the possible future effects on our business and earnings of changes in fiscal or monetary policies, or new federal or state laws and regulations.
Significant Changes in Laws and Regulations
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. On July 30, 2002, the President signed into law the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Act) to address corporate and accounting fraud. The Act establishes a new accounting oversight board that will enforce auditing standards and restricts the scope of services that accounting firms may provide to their public company audit clients. Among other things, the Act also (i) requires chief executive officers and chief financial officers to certify to the accuracy of periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC); (ii) imposes new disclosure requirements regarding internal controls, off-balance-sheet transactions, and pro forma (non-GAAP) disclosures; and (iii) accelerates the time frame for reporting of insider transactions.
The Act also requires the SEC, based on certain enumerated factors, to regularly and systematically review corporate filings. To deter wrongdoing, the Act: (i) subjects bonuses issued to top executives to disgorgement if a restatement of a companys financial statements was due to corporate misconduct; (ii) prohibits an officer or director from misleading or coercing an auditor; (iii) prohibits insider trades during pension fund blackout periods; (iv) imposes new criminal penalties for fraud and other wrongful acts; and (v) extends the period during which certain securities fraud lawsuits can be brought against a company or its officers.
As a publicly reporting company, we are subject to the requirements of the Act and are in the process of complying with, and establishing procedures for, compliance with the Act and related rules and regulations issued by the SEC. At the present time, and subject to the final rules and regulations the SEC may adopt, we anticipate that we will incur additional expense as a result of the Act, but we do not expect that such compliance will have a material impact on our business.
Federal Bank Holding Company Regulation
General. The Company is a bank holding company as defined in the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and is therefore subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the Federal Reserve. In general, the Bank Holding Company Act limits the business of bank holding companies to owning or controlling banks and engaging in other activities closely related to banking. The Company must also file reports and provide additional information with the Federal Reserve. Under the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, a bank holding company may apply to the Federal Reserve to become a financial holding company, and thereby engage (directly or through a subsidiary) in certain expanded activities deemed financial in nature, such as securities brokerage and insurance underwriting.
Holding Company Bank Ownership. The Bank Holding Company Act requires every bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before (1) acquiring, directly or indirectly, ownership or control of any voting shares of another bank or bank holding company if, after such acquisition, it would own or control more than 5 percent of such shares, (2) acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of another bank or bank holding company, or (3) merging or consolidating with another bank holding company.
Holding Company Control of Nonbanks. With some exceptions, the Bank Holding Company Act also prohibits a bank holding company from acquiring or retaining direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5 percent of the voting shares of any company which is not a bank or bank holding company, or from engaging directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking, managing or controlling banks or providing services for its subsidiaries. The principal exceptions to these prohibitions involve certain non-bank activities which, by statute or by Federal Reserve regulation or order, have been identified as activities closely related to the business of banking or of managing or controlling banks.
Transactions with Affiliates. Subsidiary banks of a bank holding company are subject to restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on extensions of credit to the holding company or its subsidiaries, on investments in their securities, and on the use of their securities as collateral for loans to any borrower. These regulations and restrictions may limit the Companys ability to obtain funds from the Bank for its cash needs, including funds for payment of dividends, interest and operational expenses.
Tying Arrangements. The Bank is prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in connection with any extension of credit, sale or lease of property or furnishing of services. For example, with certain exceptions, neither the Company nor its subsidiaries may
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condition an extension of credit to a customer on either (1) a requirement that the customer obtain additional services provided by us or (2) an agreement by the customer to refrain from obtaining other services from a competitor.
Support of Subsidiary Banks. Under Federal Reserve policy, the Company is expected to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to the Bank. This means that the Company is required to commit, as necessary, resources to support the Bank. Any capital loans a bank holding company makes to its subsidiary banks are subordinate to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of those subsidiary banks.
State Law Restrictions. As a Washington corporation, the Company is subject to certain limitations and restrictions under applicable Washington corporate law. For example, state law restrictions in Washington include limitations and restrictions relating to indemnification of directors, distributions to shareholders, transactions involving directors, officers or interested shareholders, maintenance of books, records, and minutes, and observance of certain corporate formalities.
Federal and State Regulation of EvergreenBank
General. The Bank is a Washington chartered commercial bank with deposits insured by the FDIC. As a result, the Bank is subject to supervision and regulation by the Washington Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks and the FDIC. These agencies have the authority to prohibit banks from engaging in what they believe constitute unsafe or unsound banking practices.
Lending Limits. Washington state banking law generally limits the amount of funds that a bank may lend to a single borrower to 20 percent of the banks capital and surplus.
Community Reinvestment. The Community Reinvestment Act requires that, in connection with examinations of financial institutions within their jurisdiction, the Federal Reserve or the FDIC evaluate the record of the financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local communities, including low and moderate income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of the institution. These factors are also considered in evaluating mergers, acquisitions and applications to open a branch or facility.
Insider Credit Transactions. Banks are also subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, principal shareholders or any related interests of such persons. Extensions of credit (1) must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not covered above and who are not employees, and (2) must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. Banks are also subject to certain lending limits and restrictions on overdrafts to insiders. A violation of these restrictions may result in the assessment of substantial civil monetary penalties, the imposition of a cease and desist order, and other regulatory sanctions.
Regulation of Management. Federal law sets forth circumstances under which officers or directors of a bank may be removed by the institutions federal supervisory agency. Federal law also prohibits management personnel of a bank from serving as a director or in a management position of another financial institution whose assets exceed a specified amount or which has an office within a specified geographic area.
Safety and Soundness Standards. Federal law imposes upon banks certain non-capital safety and soundness standards. These standards cover, among other things, internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation and benefits. Additional standards apply to asset quality, earnings and stock valuation. An institution that fails to meet these standards must develop a plan acceptable to its regulators, specifying the steps that the institution will take to meet the standards. Failure to submit or implement such a plan may subject the institution to regulatory sanctions.
Interstate Banking and Branching
The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (Interstate Act) permits nationwide interstate banking and branching under certain circumstances. This legislation generally authorizes interstate branching and relaxes federal law restrictions on interstate banking. Currently, bank holding companies may purchase banks in any state, and states may not prohibit these purchases. Additionally, banks are permitted to merge with banks in other states, as long as the home state of neither merging bank has opted out
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under the legislation. The Interstate Act requires regulators to consult with community organizations before permitting an interstate institution to close a branch in a low-income area.
FDIC regulations prohibit banks from using their interstate branches primarily for deposit production. The FDIC has implemented a loan-to-deposit ratio screen to ensure compliance with this prohibition.
Washington enacted opting in legislation in accordance with the Interstate Act, allowing banks to engage in interstate merger transactions, subject to certain aging requirements. Washington restricts an out-of-state bank from opening de novo branches. However, once an out-of-state bank has acquired a bank within the state, either through merger or acquisition of all or substantially all of the banks assets, the out-of-state bank may open additional branches within the state.
Deposit Insurance
The Banks deposits are currently insured to a maximum of $100,000 per depositor through the Bank Insurance Fund administered by the FDIC. The Bank is required to pay deposit insurance premiums, which are assessed semiannually and paid quarterly. The premium amount is based upon a risk classification system established by the FDIC. Banks with higher levels of capital and a low degree of supervisory concern are assessed lower premiums than banks with lower levels of capital or a higher degree of supervisory concern.
The FDIC is also empowered to make special assessments on insured depository institutions in amounts determined by the FDIC to be necessary to give it adequate assessment income to repay amounts borrowed from the U.S. Treasury and other sources or for any other purpose the FDIC deems necessary.
Dividends
The principal source of Bancorps cash reserves is dividends received from the Bank. The payment of dividends is subject to government regulation, in that regulatory authorities may prohibit banks and bank holding companies from paying dividends in a manner that would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice. In addition, a bank may not pay cash dividends if doing so would reduce the amount of its capital below that necessary to meet minimum applicable regulatory capital requirements. State laws also limit a banks ability to pay dividends.
Capital Adequacy
Regulatory Capital Guidelines. Federal bank regulatory agencies use capital adequacy guidelines in the examination and regulation of bank holding companies and banks. The guidelines are risk-based, meaning that they are designed to make capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banks and bank holding companies.
Tier 1 and Tier 2 Capital. Under the guidelines, an institutions capital is divided into two broad categories, Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital. Tier 1 capital generally consists of common stockholders equity, surplus and undivided profits. Tier 2 capital generally consists of the allowance for loan losses, hybrid capital instruments, and subordinated debt. The sum of Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital represents an institutions total capital. The guidelines require that at least 50 percent of an institutions total capital consist of Tier 1 capital.
Risk-based Capital Ratios. The adequacy of an institutions capital is gauged primarily with reference to the institutions risk-weighted assets. The guidelines assign risk weightings to an institutions assets in an effort to quantify the relative risk of each asset and to determine the minimum capital required to support that risk. An institutions risk-weighted assets are then compared with its Tier 1 capital and total capital to arrive at a Tier 1 risk-based ratio and a total risk-based ratio, respectively. The guidelines provide that an institution must have a minimum Tier 1 risk-based ratio of 4 percent and a minimum total risk-based ratio of 8 percent.
Leverage Ratio. The guidelines also employ a leverage ratio, which is Tier 1 capital as a percentage of total assets, less intangibles. The principal objective of the leverage ratio is to constrain the maximum degree to which a bank holding company may leverage its equity capital base. The minimum leverage ratio is 3 percent; however, for all but the most highly rated bank holding companies and for bank holding companies seeking to expand, regulators expect an additional cushion of at least 1 percent to 2 percent.
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Prompt Corrective Action. Under the guidelines, an institution is assigned to one of five capital categories depending on its total risk-based capital ratio, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, and leverage ratio, together with certain subjective factors. The categories range from well capitalized to critically undercapitalized. Institutions that are undercapitalized or lower are subject to certain mandatory supervisory corrective actions.
Financial Services Modernization
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. The Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, also known as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, brought about significant changes to the laws affecting banks and bank holding companies. Generally, the Act (i) repealed the historical restrictions on preventing banks from affiliating with securities firms, (ii) provided a uniform framework for the activities of banks, savings institutions and their holding companies, (iii) broadened the activities that may be conducted by national banks and banking subsidiaries of bank holding companies, (iv) provided an enhanced framework for protecting the privacy of consumer information and (v) addressed a variety of other legal and regulatory issues affecting both day-to-day operations and long-term activities of financial institutions.
Bank holding companies that qualify and elect to become financial holding companies can engage in a wider variety of financial activities than permitted under previous law, particularly with respect to insurance and securities underwriting activities. In addition, in a change from previous law, bank holding companies will be in a position to be owned, controlled or acquired by any company engaged in financially related activities, so long as the company meets certain regulatory requirements. The act also permits national banks (and, in states with wildcard statutes, certain state banks), either directly or through operating subsidiaries, to engage in certain non-banking financial activities.
We do not believe that the act will negatively affect our operations in the short term. However, to the extent the legislation permits banks, securities firms and insurance companies to affiliate, the financial services industry may experience further consolidation. This consolidation could result in a growing number of larger financial institutions that offer a wider variety of financial services than we currently offer, and these companies may be able to aggressively compete in the markets we currently serve.
Anti-terrorism Legislation
USA PATRIOT Act of 2001. On October 26, 2001, President Bush signed the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT Act) of 2001. Among other things, the USA PATRIOT Act (1) prohibits banks from providing correspondent accounts directly to foreign shell banks; (2) imposes due diligence requirements on banks opening or holding accounts for foreign financial institutions or wealthy foreign individuals (3) requires financial institutions to establish an anti-money-laundering compliance program, and (4) eliminates civil liability for persons who file suspicious activity reports. The Act also increases governmental powers to investigate terrorism, including expanded government access to account records. The Department of the Treasury is empowered to administer and make rules to implement the Act. While we believe the USA PATRIOT Act may, to some degree, affect our recordkeeping and reporting expenses, we do not believe that the Act will have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
Effects of Government Monetary Policy
Our earnings and growth are affected not only by general economic conditions, but also by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government, particularly the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve implements national monetary policy for such purposes as curbing inflation and combating recession. Its open market operations in U.S. government securities, control of the discount rate applicable to borrowings from the Federal Reserve, and establishment of reserve requirements against certain deposits, influence the growth of bank loans, investments and deposits, and also affect interest rates charged on loans or paid on deposits. The nature and impact of future changes in monetary policies and their impact on us cannot be predicted with certainty.
ITEM 2. Properties
The Bank conducts business from three leased office locations: the main office at 301 Eastlake Avenue East, northeast of downtown Seattle; the Lynnwood office located at 2502 196th Street Southwest, Lynnwood, approximately 32 miles north of the Banks Seattle office; and the Bellevue office located at 110 110th Avenue Northeast, Bellevue, approximately 20 miles to the east of Seattle. The leased premises in
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Seattle includes portions of the first two floors of a five-story building, completed in 1973, that in 1983 underwent significant remodeling and expansion.
The Company leases premises and parking facilities for the Seattle and Lynnwood offices from PEMCO Mutual Insurance Company, under leases expiring from March 31, 2003 to May 31, 2011. The Company leases the Bellevue office premises from another party and that lease expires May 31, 2011. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements at page 41. Rent for all offices for the fiscal year 2002 was $542,000.
Items of furniture, fixtures, and equipment are purchased as needed by the Bank, or are leased under a master lease with rentals and terms agreed upon at the time of leasing. The Bank is responsible for maintenance, repairs, operating expenses, and insurance. Under the master lease, the Bank may cancel individual equipment leases on thirty days notice after the initial, six-month period. Upon termination, the Bank realizes any gain and is obligated for any loss on disposition of the rental property over depreciated value under an agreed upon formula.
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings
Bancorp and the Bank from time to time may be parties to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Management believes that there is no proceeding threatened or pending against Bancorp or the Bank which, if determined adversely, would have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders in the fourth quarter of 2002.
PART II
ITEM 5. Market for the Registrants Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Bancorps Common Stock
Bancorps common stock is not traded on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market. It is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol EVGG. The Nasdaq Stock Market has submitted proposals to the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the formation of a new market called BBX (Bulletin Board Exchange) that will replace the OTC Bulletin Board. It is anticipated that the BBX will launch in the fourth quarter of 2003. Companies wishing to transfer to the BBX will be required to file a listing application and meet the required listing standards of the exchange. Bancorp may apply to the BBX at such time as the BBX begins accepting applications.
The stock was held by approximately 893 shareholders of record as of December 31, 2002. The following table sets out the high and low bid quotations as reported by Bloomberg Financial Services, Inc., for each quarterly period during 2001-2002, and the cash dividends paid. (The numbers set forth below have been adjusted to reflect the three-for-two stock split declared in July 2001 and the 15 percent stock dividend in July 2002.)
| 2002 | 2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash | Cash | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend | High | Low | Dividend | High | Low | |||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter |
0.157 | 14.78 | 14.54 | 0.145 | 13.26 | 12.61 | ||||||||||||||||||
Second Quarter |
14.87 | 14.70 | 13.39 | 12.61 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Third Quarter |
15.80 | 14.87 | 16.52 | 13.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter |
16.50 | 15.35 | 14.78 | 14.35 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors from time to time and paid out of funds legally available. Because the Companys consolidated net income consists largely of the net income of the Bank, Bancorps ability to pay dividends depends upon its receipt of dividends from the Bank. The Banks ability to pay dividends is regulated by banking statutes.
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See Supervision and Regulation Dividends. The declaration of dividends by Bancorp is discretionary and depends on Bancorps earnings and financial condition, regulatory limitations, tax considerations and other factors. While the Board of Directors expects to continue to declare dividends annually, there can be no assurance that dividends will be paid in the future.
ITEM 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
| (in thousands, except per share data): | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | |||||||||||||||
INCOME
STATEMENT DATA |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest income |
$ | 8,337 | $ | 7,714 | $ | 7,169 | $ | 6,329 | $ | 5,676 | ||||||||||
Provision for loan losses |
330 | 479 | 455 | 300 | 205 | |||||||||||||||
Noninterest income |
2,387 | 2,938 | 2,212 | 2,024 | 1,818 | |||||||||||||||
Noninterest expense |
8,371 | 8,344 | 7,192 | 6,515 | 5,906 | |||||||||||||||
Net income |
1,343 | 1,240 | 1,210 | 1,075 | 966 | |||||||||||||||
PER
SHARE DATA(1) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings per common share |
$ | 1.25 | $ | 1.12 | $ | 1.05 | $ | .89 | $ | .80 | ||||||||||
Diluted earnings per common share |
1.24 | 1.12 | 1.05 | .89 | .80 | |||||||||||||||
Dividends declared per common share |
0.157 | 0.145 | 0.133 | 0.128 | 0.122 | |||||||||||||||
BALANCE
SHEET DATA |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total loans |
$ | 121,509 | $ | 122,219 | $ | 113,058 | $ | 90,637 | $ | 77,210 | ||||||||||
Allowance for loan losses |
1,690 | 1,498 | 1,323 | 1,055 | 907 | |||||||||||||||
Total assets |
169,926 | 156,365 | 151,752 | 162,092 | 169,685 | |||||||||||||||
Total deposits |
132,174 | 130,344 | 125,425 | 108,866 | 106,584 | |||||||||||||||
Total long-term debt |
16,783 | 4,005 | 2,000 | | | |||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity |
15,960 | 14,738 | 14,577 | 14,152 | 13,533 | |||||||||||||||
SELECTED
FINANCIAL RATIOS |
||||||||||||||||||||
Return on average assets |
0.82 | % | 0.83 | % | 0.81 | % | 0.70 | % | 0.64 | % | ||||||||||
Return on average equity |
8.84 | 8.50 | 8.67 | 7.83 | 7.47 | |||||||||||||||
Dividend payout ratio |
12.51 | 13.39 | 13.31 | 14.33 | 15.11 | |||||||||||||||
Average equity to average assets |
9.31 | 9.70 | 9.29 | 8.86 | 8.54 | |||||||||||||||
Net interest margin (tax equivalent) |
5.48 | 5.52 | 5.36 | 4.58 | 4.25 | |||||||||||||||
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
at the end of year |
1.39 | 1.23 | 1.17 | 1.16 | 1.17 | |||||||||||||||
Nonperforming loans to total loans
at the end of year(2) |
.66 | 0.95 | 0.49 | 1.28 | 1.05 | |||||||||||||||
Net loans charged off to average total loans |
.11 | 0.26 | 0.18 | 0.19 | 0.13 | |||||||||||||||
| (1) | All per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the three-for-two stock split in July 2001 and the July 2002 15 percent stock dividend. | |
| (2) | Nonperforming loans include nonaccrual, impaired and other loans 90 days or more past due. |
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ITEM 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
GENERAL
EvergreenBancorp, Inc. (Bancorp) is a Washington chartered bank holding company formed in 2001 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Bancorps wholly owned banking subsidiary is EvergreenBank (the Bank), a state chartered bank in business since 1971. In May 2002, Bancorp formed EvergreenBancorp Capital Trust I (the Trust) to raise capital through a trust preferred securities offering. Throughout this report, Bancorp, Bank and Trust are collectively referred to as the Company.
The following discussion should be read along with the accompanying financial statements and notes. All share and per-share information in this annual report has been restated to give retroactive effect to the three-for-two stock split in July 2001 and the 15 percent stock dividend in July 2002. In the following discussion, unless otherwise noted, references to increases or decreases in balances for a particular period or date refer to the comparison with corresponding amounts for the period or date one year earlier.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In addition to historical information, the following managements discussion and analysis contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Companys actual results could differ significantly from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors discussed elsewhere in this report, including changes in interest rates, economic conditions, competition, requirements of regulators, and the demand for financial products and services in the Companys market area. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.
Further information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect its financial results, is included in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
OVERVIEW
The Companys principal business is personal and business banking. Services offered include commercial, real estate and consumer lending; savings, checking and certificate of deposit accounts; financial planning and investment services, and merchant credit card processing services. The Companys subsidiary is EvergreenBank, a Washington state chartered bank. The Bank conducts business from three locations: the main office northeast of downtown Seattle, the Lynnwood office north of Seattle, and the Bellevue office east of Seattle.
The profitability of the Companys operations depends primarily on the net interest income from its banking operations and investment activities, the provision for losses on loans, noninterest income, and noninterest expense. Net interest income is the difference between the income the Company receives on its loan and investment portfolios and its cost of funds, which consists of interest paid on deposits and borrowings. The provision for loan losses reflects the cost of credit risk in the Companys loan portfolio. Noninterest income includes service charges on deposit accounts and merchant credit card processing, and noninterest expense includes operating costs such as salaries and employee benefits, merchant credit card processing, occupancy and equipment, and other noninterest expense.
Net interest income is dependent on the amounts and yields on interest-earning assets as compared to the amounts and rates on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is sensitive to changes in market rates of interest and the Companys asset/liability management procedures in dealing with such changes.
The provision for loan losses is dependent on managements assessment of the collectibility of the loan portfolio under current economic conditions. Other expenses are influenced by the growth of operations, with additional employees necessary to staff and operate new banking offices and marketing expenses necessary to promote them. Growth in the number of account relationships directly affects expenses such as technology costs, supplies, postage and miscellaneous expenses.
During 2002 the general level of interest rates continued to decline and the national and regional economy failed to emerge from a period of reduced economic activity and lower levels of employment. Falling long term interest rates triggered a faster pace of loan refinancing activity. While the Company recorded a record dollar volume in loan originations, the continued weakness in the economy and the record level of refinancing kept the loan portfolio total at virtually the same level as 2001. Despite these challenges, the Company maintained steady growth in profitability with improvement in net interest income and a healthy net interest margin. Overall financial results for 2002 were helped by the Companys focus on controlling operating expenses and emphasizing asset quality, as operating expenses increased by only .3 percent and the provision for loan losses declined. The quality of 2002 earnings from ongoing operations improved as the Company recorded fewer nonrecurring gains on sales of investments and other assets than in 2001.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 2002 COMPARED TO 2001
The Companys 2002 net income was $1,343,000, representing an 8.3 percent increase over $1,240,000 in 2001. Net income per basic share was $1.25 compared to $1.12 in 2001. Return on average assets was 0.82 percent for 2002 and 0.83 percent for 2001. Return on average common equity was 8.84 percent and 8.50 percent, respectively. The net interest margin was 5.48 percent compared to 5.52 percent in 2001. Loans decreased .6 percent with loan refinancing and payoffs offsetting loan originations. Deposits increased 1.4 percent from prior year-end totals.
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2002s results of operations reflect continued growth in profitability resulting primarily from improvement in net interest income and a lower provision for loan losses. Operating expenses increased only .3 percent and the Company recorded fewer nonrecurring gains on sales of investments and other assets than in 2001. Net merchant processing revenue and the corresponding expense declined due to reduced processing volumes.
The table of selected consolidated financial data, which appears on page 10, summarizes the Companys financial performance for each of the past five years.
2001 COMPARED TO 2000
The Companys 2001 net income was $1,240,000, representing a 2.5 percent increase over $1,210,000 in 2000. Net income per basic share was $1.12 compared to $1.05 in 2000. Return on average assets was 0.83 percent for 2001 and 0.81 percent for 2000. Return on average common equity was 8.50 percent and 8.67 percent, respectively.
2001s results of operations reflected improvement in the mix of earning assets with average loan balances as a percentage of average assets increasing to 78.1 percent from 67.9 percent in 2000. The net interest margin increased to 5.52 percent compared to 5.36 percent in 2000. Loans and deposits increased 8.1 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively, from the prior year, with loan growth slowing appreciably in the second half of the year. Contributing to improved earnings was a 32.8 percent increase in noninterest income, as a result of increased revenue from merchant credit card processing, higher service charges on deposits and net gains on sales of investments and other assets. Additional operating cost associated with the new Bellevue office location and increased merchant credit card processing expense also affected 2001 financial results.
NET INTEREST INCOME
The Companys principal source of earnings is net interest income, which is the difference between interest income, including loan-related fee income, and interest expense. The individual components of net interest income and net interest margin are presented on pages 13 and 14.
2002 COMPARED TO 2001
Net interest income for 2002 was $8,337,000 compared to $7,714,000 in 2001. The 8.1 percent improvement was principally due to growth in interest-earning assets and a change in the mix of deposits. The net interest margin (which is net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis divided by average earning assets) declined slightly to 5.48 percent in 2002, compared to 5.52 percent in 2001 as yields on earning assets decreased slightly more than the rates paid on funding liabilities. The net interest margin was also affected by the issuance of the trust preferred securities which had an average rate of 5.43 percent during 2002. Proceeds from the trust preferred offering were invested primarily in loans and the Company further leveraged this new capital source by purchasing mortgage-related securities with funding provided primarily by Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings.
Total interest income was $11,049,000 in 2002, compared to $11,749,000 in 2001. The decrease of 6.0 percent resulted from lower average rates on loans, partially offset by higher average loan and investment balances.
Total interest expense was $2,712,000 in 2002, compared to $4,035,000 in 2001, a decrease of 32.8 percent due primarily to lower interest rates and a change in the mix of deposits from higher cost certificates of deposit to lower cost money market and savings accounts.
2001 COMPARED TO 2000
Net interest income for 2001 was $7,714,000, compared to $7,169,000 in 2000. The 7.6 percent improvement was principally due to 15.2 percent growth in the average loan portfolio. Improvements in the mix of earning assets also contributed to the increase in interest income. For these reasons, the net interest margin also improved to 5.52 percent in 2001, compared to 5.36 percent in 2000.
Total interest income was $11,749,000 in 2001, compared to $11,872,000 in 2000. The decrease of 1.0 percent resulted from lower investment balances and lower average rates on loans, offset by higher average loan balances.
Total interest expense was $4,035,000 in 2001, compared to $4,703,000 in 2000, a decrease of 14.2 percent. The primary factors affecting interest expense were lower average rates on all categories of interest-bearing deposits, a 37.0 percent increase in average balances of time deposits, and a decrease in the average balances of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase.
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ANALYSIS OF AVERAGE BALANCES, NET INTEREST INCOME, AND NET INTEREST MARGIN
| YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 (in thousands): | 2002 | 2001 | 2002 OVER 2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AVERAGE | YIELD | AVERAGE | YIELD | CHANGE IN | INCOME DUE TO | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | VOLUME | RATE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ASSETS |
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Loans: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial and financial |
$ | 57,833 | $ | 4,489 | 7.76 | % | $ | 54,132 | $ | 4,980 | 9.20 | % | $ | 382 | ($873 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Real estate |
47,350 | 3,958 | 8.36 | 41,758 | 3,643 | 8.73 | $ | 461 | ($146 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Consumer and other |
16,549 | 1,627 | 9.83 | 21,524 | 2,092 | 9.72 | (489 | ) | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total loans |
121,732 | 10,074 | 8.28 | 117,414 | 10,715 | 9.13 | 354 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||