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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, 2003
OR
     
[   ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                        For the transaction period from          to          

Commission file number 0-26128

NorthWest Indiana Bancorp

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Indiana   35-1927981
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
9204 Columbia Avenue   46321
Munster, Indiana
(Address of principal executive offices)
  (Zip Code)

(219) 836-4400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, without par value

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 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [    ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and 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. [    ]

Include by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [    ] No [X]

Based on the average bid and ask prices for the registrant’s Common Stock at June 30, 2003, at that date, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant (assuming solely for the purposes of this calculation that all directors and executive officers of the registrant are “affiliates”) was $55,766,151.

There were 2,757,488 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, without par value, outstanding at February 27, 2003.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the following documents have been incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

1.   2003 Annual Report to Shareholders. (Part II)
 
2.   Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. (Part III)


 

PART I

Item 1. Business

General

     NorthWest Indiana Bancorp, an Indiana corporation (the “Bancorp”), was incorporated on January 31, 1994, and is the holding company for Peoples Bank SB, an Indiana savings bank (the “Bank”). The Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bancorp. The Bancorp has no other business activity other than being the holding company for the Bank and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries.

     The Bank is primarily engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and the origination of loans, mostly upon the security of single family residences and commercial real estate, as well as, construction loans and various types of consumer loans and commercial business loans, within its primary market area of Lake County, in northwest Indiana. In addition, the Bancorp’s trust department provides estate administration, estate planning, guardianships, land trusts, retirement planning, self-directed IRA and Keogh accounts, investment agency accounts, and serves as personal representative of estates and acts as trustee for revocable and irrevocable trusts.

     The Bank’s deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the Savings Association Insurance Fund (“SAIF”), which is administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), an agency of the federal government. As the holding company for the Bank, the Bancorp is subject to comprehensive examination, supervision and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”), while the Bank is subject to comprehensive examination, supervision and regulation by both the FDIC and the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions (“DFI”). The Bank is also subject to regulation by the FRB governing reserves required to be maintained against certain deposits and other matters. The Bank is also a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Indianapolis, which is one of the twelve regional banks comprising the system of Federal Home Loan Banks.

     The Bancorp maintains its corporate office at 9204 Columbia Avenue, Munster, Indiana, from which it oversees the operation of its eight branch locations. For further information, see “Properties.”

Forward-Looking Statements

     Statements contained in this filing on Form 10-K that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words or phrases “would be,” “will allow,” “intends to,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions are also intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. The Bancorp cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Bancorp’s future business prospects, interest income and expense, net income, liquidity,

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and capital needs are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, due to, among other things, factors identified in this filing, including the following:

     Regulatory Risk. The banking industry is heavily regulated. These regulations are intended to protect depositors, not shareholders. As discussed above, the Bank and Bancorp are subject to regulation and supervision by the DFI, FDIC, FRB, and the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). The burden imposed by federal and state regulations puts banks at a competitive disadvantage compared to less regulated competitors such as finance companies, mortgage banking companies and leasing companies. The banking industry continues to lose market share to competitors.

     Legislation. Because of concerns relating to the competitiveness and the safety and soundness of the industry, Congress continues to consider a number of wide-ranging proposals for altering the structure, regulation, and competitive relationships of the nation’s financial institutions. Among such bills are proposals to combine banks and thrifts under a unified charter, to combine regulatory agencies, and to further expand the powers of depository institutions, bank holding companies, and competitors of depository institutions. Management cannot predict whether or in what form any of these proposals will be adopted or the extent to which the business of the Bancorp or the Bank may be affected thereby.

     Credit Risk. One of the greatest risks facing lenders is credit risk, that is, the risk of losing principal and interest due to a borrower’s failure to perform according to the terms of a loan agreement. While management attempts to provide an allowance for loan losses at a level adequate to cover probable incurred losses based on loan portfolio growth, past loss experience, general economic conditions, information about specific borrower situations, and other factors, future adjustments to reserves may become necessary, and net income could be significantly affected, if circumstances differ substantially from assumptions used with respect to such factors.

     Exposure to Local Economic Conditions. The Bank’s primary market area for deposits and loans encompasses Lake County, in northwest Indiana, where all of its offices are located. Ninety-five percent of the Bank’s business activities are within this area. This concentration exposes the Bank to risks resulting from changes in the local economy. A dramatic drop in local real estate values would, for example, adversely affect the quality of the Bank’s loan portfolio.

     Interest Rate Risk. The Bancorp’s earnings depend to a great extent upon the level of net interest income, which is the difference between interest income earned on loans and investments and the interest expense paid on deposits and other borrowings. Interest rate risk (IRR) is the risk that the earnings and capital will be adversely affected by changes in interest rates. While the Bancorp attempts to adjust its asset/liability mix in order to limit the magnitude of interest rate risk, IRR management is not an exact science. Rather, it involves estimates as to how changes in the general level of interest rates will impact the yields earned on assets and the rates paid on liabilities. Moreover, rate changes can vary depending upon the level of rates and competitive factors. From time to time, maturities of assets and liabilities are not balanced, and a rapid increase or decrease in interest rates could have an

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adverse effect on net interest margins and results of operations of the Bancorp. To moderate unfavorable operating results in periods of rising or high interest rates, the Bancorp restructures its asset-liability mix on an ongoing basis. Increasing the amount of interest-earning assets that are rate sensitive, extending the maturities of customer deposits, increasing the balances of checking/NOW accounts and utilizing cost effective borrowings are all part of management’s commitment toward reducing the Bancorp’s overall vulnerability to interest rate risk. While these steps may reduce the overall vulnerability to interest rate risk, the Bancorp will still be adversely affected by a rising or high interest rate environment, and is beneficially affected by a falling or low interest rate environment because rate sensitive liabilities exceed rate sensitive assets within a one year time period. Further discussion of interest rate risk can be found under the caption “Asset/Liability Management and Market Risk” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the Bancorp’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders.

     Competition. The activities of the Bancorp and the Bank in the geographic market served involve competition with other banks as well as with other financial institutions and enterprises, many of which have substantially greater resources than those available to the Bancorp. In addition, non-bank competitors are generally not subject to the extensive regulation applicable to the Bancorp and the Bank.

Lending Activities

     General. The Bancorp’s product offerings include residential mortgage loans, construction loans, commercial real estate loans, consumer loans and commercial business loans. The Bancorp’s lending strategy stresses quality growth, product diversification and, competitive and profitable pricing. While lending efforts include both fixed and adjustable rate products, the focus has been on products with adjustable rates and/or shorter terms to maturity. It is management’s goal that all programs are marketed aggressively.

     The Bancorp is primarily a portfolio lender. Mortgage banking activities are limited to the sale of fixed rate mortgage loans with contractual maturities generally exceeding fifteen years. These loans are sold, on a case-by-case basis, in the secondary market as part of the Bancorp’s efforts to manage interest rate risk. All loan sales are made to Freddie Mac. Loans are sold in the secondary market with servicing retained by the Bancorp. All loans held for sale are recorded at the lower of cost or market value.

     Under Indiana Law, an Indiana stock savings bank generally may not make any loan to a borrower or its related entities if the total of all such loans by the savings bank exceeds 15% of its unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus (plus up to an additional 10% of unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus, in the case of loans fully collateralized by readily marketable collateral); provided, however, that certain specified types of loans are exempted from these limitations or subject to different limitations. The maximum amount that the Bank could have loaned to one borrower and the borrower’s related entities at December 31, 2003, under the 15% of capital and surplus limitation was approximately $6,752,000. At December 31, 2003, the Bank had no loans that exceeded the regulatory limitations.

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     At December 31, 2003, there were no concentrations of loans in any type of industry that exceeded 10% of total loans that were not otherwise disclosed as a loan category.

     Loan Portfolio. The following table sets forth selected data relating to the composition of the Bancorp’s loan portfolio by type of loan and type of collateral at the end of each of the last five years. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

                                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
Type of loan:
                                       
Conventional real estate loans:
                                       
Construction and development loans
  $ 23,674     $ 13,449     $ 12,652     $ 16,028     $ 14,847  
Loans on existing properties (1)
    339,461       320,436       281,917       265,532       240,862  
Consumer loans
    5,084       6,283       9,889       10,715       10,449  
Commercial business, other (2)
    41,589       40,260       38,184       33,932       29,655  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Loans receivable (3)
  $ 409,808     $ 380,428     $ 342,642     $ 326,207     $ 295,813  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Type of collateral:
                                       
Real estate:
                                       
1-to-4 family
  $ 232,449     $ 222,220     $ 190,432     $ 190,148     $ 175,963  
Other dwelling units, land and commercial real estate
    130,685       111,655       104,138       91,412       79,746  
Consumer loans
    5,099       6,292       9,889       10,425       10,177  
Commercial business, other (2)
    40,361       38,728       37,220       32,545       27,374  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Loans receivable (4)
  $ 408,594     $ 378,895     $ 341,679     $ 324,530     $ 293,260  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Average loans outstanding during the period (3)
  $ 394,955     $ 365,632     $ 325,911     $ 314,891     $ 286,580  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

(1)   Includes residential and commercial construction loans converted to permanent term loans and commercial real estate loans.
 
(2)   Includes government loans and overdrafts to deposit accounts.
 
(3)   Net of unearned income and deferred loan fees.
 
(4)   Net of unearned income and deferred loan. Does not include unsecured loans.

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     Loan Originations, Purchases and Sales. Set forth below is a table showing loan origination, purchase and sale activity for each of the last three years. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
Loans originated:
                       
Conventional real estate loans:
                       
Construction and development loans
  $ 13,450     $ 6,234     $ 7,821  
Loans on existing property
    71,248       67,391       56,151  
Loans refinanced
    19,850       16,447       20,000  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total conventional real estate loans originated
    104,548       90,072       83,972  
Commercial business loans
    108,853       89,186       83,384  
Consumer loans
    3,576       6,485       4,855  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total loans originated
  $ 216,977     $ 185,743     $ 172,211  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Loan participations purchased
  $ 7,566     $ 14,711     $  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Whole loans and participations sold
  $ 2,827     $ 10,464     $ 7,286  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

     Loan Maturity Schedule. The following table sets forth certain information at December 31, 2003 regarding the dollar amount of loans in the Bancorp’s portfolio based on their contractual terms to maturity. Demand loans, loans having no schedule of repayments and no stated maturity, and overdrafts are reported as due in one year or less. Contractual principal repayments of loans do not necessarily reflect the actual term of the loan portfolio. The average life of mortgage loans is substantially less than their contractual terms because of loan prepayments and because of enforcement of due-on-sale clauses, which give the Bancorp the right to declare a loan immediately due and payable in the event, among other things, that the borrower sells the property subject to the mortgage. The amounts are stated in thousand’s (000’s).

                                 
    Maturing   After one        
    Within   but within   After    
    one year
  five years
  five years
  Total
Real estate loans
  $ 52,330     $ 98,321     $ 212,483     $ 363,134  
Consumer loans
    1,851       3,096       152       5,099  
Commercial business, other loans
    22,555       14,640       4,380       41,575  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total loans receivable
  $ 76,736     $ 116,057     $ 217,015     $ 409,808  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

     The table below sets forth the dollar amount of all loans due after one year from December 31, 2003 which have predetermined interest rates or have floating or adjustable interest rates. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

                         
    Predetermined   Floating or    
    rates
  adjustable rates
  Total
Real estate loans
  $ 130,120     $ 180,684     $ 310,804  
Consumer loans
          3,248       3,248  
Commercial business, other loans
    8,623       10,398       19,020  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 138,743     $ 194,330     $ 333,072  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

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     Lending Area. The primary lending area of the Bancorp encompasses all of Lake County in northwest Indiana, where a majority of loan activity is concentrated. The Bancorp is also an active lender in Porter, and to a lesser extent, LaPorte, Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana. During the past 15 years, the communities of Munster, Highland, Crown Point, Dyer, St. John, Merrillville and Schererville have experienced rapid growth and, therefore, have provided the greatest lending opportunities. At December 31, 2003 the housing vacancy rate in the Bancorp’s primary lending area was below 5%.

     Loan Origination Fees. All loan origination and commitment fees, as well as incremental direct loan origination costs, are deferred and amortized into income as yield adjustments over the contractual lives of the related loans.

     Loan Origination Procedure. The primary sources for loan originations are referrals from commercial customers, real estate brokers and builders, solicitations by the Bancorp’s lending staff, and advertising of loan programs and rates. The Bancorp employs no staff appraisers. All appraisals are performed by fee appraisers that have been approved by the Board of Directors and who meet all federal guidelines and state licensing and certification requirements.

     Designated officers have authorities, established by the Board of Directors, to approve loans. Loans from $600,000 to $2,000,000 are approved by the loan officers loan committee. Loans from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 are approved by the senior officers loan committee. All loans in excess of $3,000,000, up to the legal lending limit of the Bank, must be approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors or its Executive Committee. (All members of the Bank’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee are also members of the Bancorp’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, respectively.) Peoples Bank will not extend credit to any of its executive officers, directors, or principal shareholders or to any related interest of that person, except in compliance with the insider lending restrictions of Regulation O under the Federal Reserve Act and in an amount that, when aggregated with all other extensions of credit to that person, exceeds $500,000 unless: (1) the extension of credit has been approved in advance by a majority of the entire Board of Directors of the Bank, and (2) the interested party has abstained from participating directly or indirectly in the voting.

     All loans secured by personal property must be covered by insurance in an amount sufficient to cover the full amount of the loan. All loans secured by real estate must be covered by insurance in an amount sufficient to cover the full amount of the loan or restore the property to its original state. First mortgage loans must be covered by a lenders title insurance policy in the amount of the loan.

The Current Lending Programs

     Residential Mortgage Loans. The primary lending activity of the Bancorp has been the granting of conventional mortgage loans to enable borrowers to purchase existing homes, refinance existing homes, or construct new homes. Conventional loans are made up to a maximum of 100% of the purchase price or appraised value, whichever is less. For loans made in excess of 80% of value, private mortgage insurance is generally required in an amount sufficient to reduce the Bancorp’s exposure to 80% or less of the appraised value of the property. Loans insured by private

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mortgage insurance companies can be made for up to 100% of value. During 2003 over 90% of mortgage loans closed were conventional loans with borrowers having 20% or more equity in the property. This type of loan does not require private mortgage insurance because of the borrower’s level of equity investment.

     Fixed-rate loans currently originated, generally conform to Freddie Mac guidelines for loans purchased under the one-to-four family program. Loan interest rates are determined based on secondary market yield requirements and local market conditions. Fixed rate mortgage loans with contractual maturities generally exceeding fifteen years may be sold and/or classified as held for sale to control exposure to interest rate risk.

     The 15-year mortgage loan program has gained wide acceptance in the Bancorp’s primary market area. As a result of the shortened maturity of these loans, this product has been priced below the comparable 20 and 30 year loan offering. Mortgage applicants for 15 year loans tend to have a larger than normal down payment; this, coupled with the larger principal and interest payment amount, has caused the 15 year mortgage loan portfolio to consist, to a significant extent, of second time home buyers whose underwriting qualifications tend to be above average.

     The Bancorp’s Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans (“ARMs”) include offerings that reprice annually or are “Mini-Fixed”. The “Mini-Fixed” mortgage reprices annually after a three, five or seven year period. ARM originations totaled $30.5 million for 2003, $25.5 million for 2002, and $25.1 million for 2001. During 2003, ARMs represented 38% of total mortgage loan originations. The ability of the Bancorp to successfully market ARM’s depends upon loan demand, prevailing interest rates, volatility of interest rates, public acceptance of such loans, and terms offered by competitors.

     Construction Loans. Construction loans on residential properties are made primarily to individuals and contractors who are under contract with individual purchasers. These loans are personally guaranteed by the borrower. The maximum loan to value ratio is 80% of either the current appraised value or the cost of construction, whichever is less. Residential construction loans are typically made for periods of six months to one year.

     Loans are also made for the construction of commercial properties. All such loans are made in accordance with well-defined underwriting standards. Generally, these types of loans require proof of intents to lease and a confirmed end-loan takeout. In most cases, these loans are personally guaranteed by the borrower. In general, loans made do not exceed 75% of the appraised value of the property. Commercial construction loans are typically made for periods not to exceed two years or date of occupancy, whichever is less.

     Commercial Real Estate Loans. Commercial real estate loans are typically made to a maximum of 75% of the appraised value. Such loans are generally made on an adjustable rate basis. These loans are typically made for terms of 15 to 20 years. Loans with an amortizing term exceeding 15 years normally have a balloon feature calling for a full repayment within seven to ten years from the date of the loan. The balloon feature affords the Bancorp the opportunity to restructure the loan if economic conditions so warrant. Commercial real estate loans include loans secured

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by commercial rental units, apartments, condominium developments, small shopping centers, commercial/industrial properties, and other retail and commercial developments.

     While commercial real estate lending is generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk than single-family residential lending due to the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and the effects of general economic conditions on real estate developers and managers, the Bancorp has endeavored to reduce this risk in several ways. In originating commercial real estate loans, the Bancorp considers the feasibility of the project, the financial strength of the borrowers and lessees, the managerial ability of the borrowers, the location of the project and the economic environment. Management evaluates the debt coverage ratio and analyzes the reliability of cash flows, as well as the quality of earnings. All such loans are made in accordance with well-defined underwriting standards and are generally supported by personal guarantees which represent a secondary source of repayment.

     Loans for the construction of commercial properties are generally located within an area permitting physical inspection and regular review of business records. Projects financed outside of the Bancorp’s primary lending area generally involve borrowers and guarantors who are or were previous customers of the Bancorp.

     Consumer Loans. The Bancorp offers consumer loans to individuals for most personal, household or family purposes. Consumer loans are either secured by adequate collateral, or unsecured. Unsecured loans are based on the strength of the applicant’s financial condition. All borrowers must meet current underwriting standards. The consumer loan program includes both fixed and variable rate products. The Bancorp purchases indirect dealer paper from various well-established businesses in its immediate banking area.

     Home Equity Line of Credit. The Bancorp offers a revolving line of credit secured by the equity in the borrower’s home. The offering, which is tied to the prime rate of interest, requires borrowers to repay 1.5% of their outstanding balance each month. Equity lines will typically require a second mortgage appraisal and a second mortgage lenders title insurance policy. Loans are generally made up to a maximum of 80% of the appraised value of the property less any outstanding liens.

     Home Improvement Loans and Equity Loans – Fixed Term. Home improvement and equity loans are made up to a maximum of 80% of the appraised value of the improved property, less any outstanding liens. These loans are offered on both a fixed and variable rate basis with a maximum term of 120 months. All home equity loans are made on a direct basis to borrowers.

     Commercial Business Loans. Although the Bancorp’s priority in extending various types of commercial business loans changes from time to time, the basic considerations in determining the makeup of the commercial business loan portfolio are economic factors, regulatory requirements and money market conditions. The Bancorp seeks commercial loan relationships from the local business community and from its present customers. Conservative lending policies based upon sound credit analysis governs the extension of commercial credit. The following loans, although not inclusive, are considered preferable for the Bancorp’s commercial loan portfolio: loans collateralized by liquid assets; loans secured by general

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use machinery and equipment; secured short-term working capital loans to established businesses; short-term loans with established sources of repayment and secured by sufficient equity and real estate; and unsecured loans to customers whose character and capacity to repay are firmly established.

Non-Performing Assets, Asset Classification and Provision for Loan Losses

     Loans are reviewed on a regular basis and are generally placed on a non-accrual status when, in the opinion of management, serious doubt exists as to the collectibility of a loan. Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when either principal or interest is 90 days or more past due. Consumer non-residential loans are generally charged off when the loan becomes over 120 days delinquent. Interest accrued and unpaid at the time a loan is placed on non-accrual status is charged against interest income. Subsequent payments are either applied to the outstanding principal balance, tax and insurance reserve, or recorded as interest income, depending on the assessment of the ultimate collectibility of the loan.

     The Bancorp’s mortgage loan collection procedures provide that, when a mortgage loan is 15 days or more delinquent, the borrower will be contacted by mail and payment requested. If the delinquency continues, subsequent efforts will be made to contact the delinquent borrower. In certain instances, the Bancorp will recast the loan or grant a limited moratorium on loan payments to enable the borrower to reorganize their financial affairs. If the loan continues in a delinquent status for 60 days, the Bancorp will generally initiate foreclosure proceedings. Any property acquired as the result of foreclosure or by voluntary transfer of property made to avoid foreclosure is classified as foreclosed real estate until such time as it is sold or otherwise disposed of by the Bancorp. Foreclosed real estate is recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure. At foreclosure, any write-down of the property is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Costs relating to improvement of property are capitalized, whereas holding costs are expensed. Valuations are periodically performed by management, and a valuation allowance is established by a charge to operations if the carrying value of a property exceeds its estimated fair value less selling costs. Subsequent gains or losses on disposition, including expenses incurred in connection with the disposition, are charged to operations. Collection procedures for consumer loans provide that when a consumer loan becomes ten days delinquent, the borrower will be contacted by mail and payment requested. If the delinquency continues, subsequent efforts will be made to contact the delinquent borrower. In certain instances, the Bancorp may grant a payment deferral. If a loan continues delinquent after 90 days and all collection efforts have been exhausted, the Bancorp will initiate legal proceedings. Collection procedures for commercial business loans provide that when a commercial loan becomes ten days delinquent, the borrower will be contacted by mail and payment requested. If the delinquency continues, subsequent efforts will be made to contact the delinquent borrower pursuant to the commercial loan collection policy. In certain instances, the Bancorp may grant a payment deferral or restructure the loan. Once it has been determined that collection efforts are unsuccessful, the Bancorp will initiate legal proceedings.

     The table that follows sets forth information with respect to the Bancorp’s non-performing assets at December 31, for the periods indicated.

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During the periods shown, the Bancorp had no troubled debt restructurings which involve forgiving a portion of interest or principal on any loans or making loans at a rate materially less than market rates. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

                                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis:
                                       
Real estate:
                                       
Residential
  $ 601     $ 430     $ 944     $ 854     $ 565  
Commercial
    137       1,197             20        
Commercial business
    611       363       1,460       527        
Consumer
          13       86       55        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 1,349     $ 2,003     $ 2,490     $ 1,456     $ 565  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Accruing loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more:
                                       
Real estate:
                                       
Residential
  $ 370     $ 277     $ 412     $ 303     $ 235  
Commercial
          105             41       3  
Commercial business
                      10        
Consumer
                3              
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 370     $ 382     $ 415     $ 354     $ 238  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total of non-accrual and 90 days past due
  $ 1,719     $ 2,385     $ 2,905     $ 1,810     $ 803  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Ratio of non-performing loans to total assets
    0.34 %     0.49 %     0.66 %     0.46 %     0.22 %
Ratio of non-performing loans to total loans
    0.42 %     0.63 %     0.85 %     0.55 %     0.27 %
Foreclosed real estate
  $     $ 127     $ 111     $ 100     $  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Ratio of foreclosed real estate to total assets
    0.00 %     0.03 %     0.03 %     0.03 %     0.01 %

     During 2003, gross interest income of $223,000 would have been recorded on loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis if the loans had been current throughout the period. Interest on such loans included in income during the period amounted to $37,000.

     Federal regulations require savings banks to classify their own loans and to establish appropriate general and specific allowances, subject to regulatory review. These regulations are designed to encourage management to evaluate loans on a case-by-case basis and to discourage automatic classifications. Loans classified as substandard or doubtful must be evaluated by management to determine loan loss reserves. Loans classified as loss must either be written off or reserved for by a specific allowance. Amounts reported in the general loan loss reserve are included in the calculation of the Bancorp’s total risk-based capital requirement (to the extent that the amount does not exceed 1.25% of total risk-based assets), but are not included in Tier 1 leverage ratio calculations and Tier 1 risk-based capital requirements. Amounts reserved for by a specific allowance are not counted toward capital for purposes of any of the regulatory capital requirements. At December 31, 2003, $2.7 million of the Bancorp’s loans were classified as substandard. The total represents 24 loans. Substandard loans include non-performing loans and potential problem loans, where information about possible credit issues or other conditions causes management to question the ability of such borrowers to comply with loan covenants or repayment terms. In addition

10


 

to identifying and monitoring non-performing and other classified loans, the Bancorp maintains a list of watch loans. Watch loans represent loans management is more closely monitoring due to one or more factors that may cause the loan to become classified. Watch loans were $8.3 million and $7.0 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002.

     The balance for non-performing and substandard loans includes three loans to three borrowers totaling $611 thousand that have been classified as impaired. Impaired loans are loans where full payment under the loan terms is not expected. There were no other loans considered to be impaired loans as of December 31, 2003.

     At December 31, 2003, management of the Bancorp is of the opinion that there are no loans, except those discussed above, where known information about possible credit problems of borrowers causes management to have serious doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the present loan repayment terms and which may result in disclosure of such loans as nonaccrual, past due or restructured loans. Also, at December 31, 2003, there are no other interest bearing assets that would be required to be disclosed as nonaccrual, past due, restructured or potential problem if such assets were loans.

     Because some loans may not be repaid in accordance with contractual agreements, an allowance for loan losses (ALL) has been maintained. While management may periodically allocate portions of the allowance for specific problem loans, the entire allowance is available to absorb all credit losses that arise from the loan portfolio and is not segregated for, or allocated to, any particular loan or group of loans. The provision is based on management’s current judgments about the credit quality of the loan portfolio, loan portfolio growth, changes in the portfolio mix and local economic conditions. While the quality of the loan portfolio remains sound, provisions during 2003 were warranted because of the current balance in classified loans, increased average daily loan balances, apparent weaknesses in the local economy, the inherent risk associated with growth in commercial real estate and commercial business loans, and loan charge-offs. The appropriateness of the current year provision and the overall adequacy of the ALL were determined through a disciplined and consistently applied quarterly process that combines a review of the current position with a risk assessment worksheet.

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     The table that follows sets forth the allowance for loan losses and related ratios for the periods indicated. There were no charge-offs or recoveries of real estate construction loans during the periods presented. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

                                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 3,635     $ 3,156     $ 3,322     $ 3,309     $ 3,132  
Loans charged-off:
                                       
Real estate – residential
                            (16 )
Commercial real estate
    (136 )                        
Commercial business
    (120 )     (300 )     (612 )     (168 )      
Consumer
    (21 )     (36 )     (13 )     (2 )     (17 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total charge-offs
    (277 )     (336 )     (625 )     (170 )     (33 )
Recoveries:
                                       
Commercial real estate
    3                          
Commercial business
          91       228       5       10  
Consumer
    6       4       1       3        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total recoveries
    9       95       229       8       10  
Net (charge-offs)/recoveries
    (268 )     (241 )     (396 )     (162 )     (23 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Provision for loan losses
    420       720       230       175       200  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance at end of period
  $ 3,787     $ 3,635     $ 3,156     $ 3,322     $ 3,309  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
ALL to loans outstanding
    0.92 %     0.96 %     0.92 %     1.02 %     1.12 %
ALL to nonperforming loans
    220.3 %     152.4 %     108.6 %     183.5 %     412.1 %
Net charge-offs/recoveries to average loans out- standing during the period
    0.07 %     0.07 %     0.12 %     0.05 %     0.01 %

     The following table shows the allocation of the allowance for loan losses at December 31, for the dates indicated. The dollar amounts are stated in thousands (000’s). The percent columns represent the percentage of loans in each category to total loans.

                                                                                 
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
    $
  %
  $
  %
  $
  %
  $
  %
  $
  %
Real estate loans:
                                                                               
Residential
    500       58.9       450       58.0       300       54.7       472       58.3       577       59.5  
Commercial and other dwelling
    637       26.1       1,750       25.8       350       26.7       1,100       28.0       1,106       27.0  
Consumer loans
    150       4.8       120       5.6       124       7.4       150       3.3       200       3.5  
Commercial business and other
    2,500       10.2       1,315       10.6       2,382       11.1       1,600       10.4       932       10.0  
Unallocated
                                                    494        
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total
    3,787       100.0       3,635       100.0       3,156       100.0       3,322       100.0       3,309       100.0  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 

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Investment Activities

     The primary objective of the investment portfolio is to provide for the liquidity needs of the Bancorp and to contribute to profitability by providing a stable flow of dependable earnings. Securities are classified as either held-to-maturity (HTM) or available-for-sale (AFS) at the time of purchase. No securities are classified as trading. At December 31, 2003, AFS securities totaled $60.8 million or 95.4% of total securities. AFS securities are those the Bancorp may decide to sell if needed for liquidity, asset-liability management or other reasons. During 2003, the Bancorp did not have derivative instruments and was not involved in hedging activities as defined by SFAS No. 133. It has been the policy of the Bancorp to invest its excess cash in U.S. government securities and federal agency obligations. In addition, short-term funds are generally invested as interest-bearing balances in financial institutions and federal funds. At December 31, 2003, the Bancorp’s investment portfolio totaled $63.7 million. In addition, the Bancorp had $182 thousand in federal funds sold, and $2.8 million in FHLB stock.

     The table below shows the carrying values of the components of the investment securities portfolio at December 31, on the dates indicated. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).