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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

þ QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED
March 31, 2005

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-10161

FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
OHIO   34-1339938
(State or other jurisdiction of   (IRS Employer Identification
incorporation or organization)   Number)

III CASCADE PLAZA, 7TH FLOOR, AKRON, OHIO
44308-1103
(Address of principal executive offices)

(330) 996-6300
(Telephone Number)

     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 þ NO o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES þ NO o

     As of April 30, 2005, 83,618,140 shares of the registrant’s common stock, without par value, were outstanding.

 
 


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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit Index
SIGNATURES
EX-31.1 Certification of J. Cochran - Section 302
EX-31.2 Certification of T. Bichsel - Section 302
EX-32.1 Certifications Pursuant to Section 906


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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                         
(Unaudited, except December 31, 2004, which is derived from   March 31     December 31     March 31  
the audited financial statements)   2005     2004     2004  
    (in thousands)  
ASSETS
                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 191,582       169,052       175,752  
Investment securities (at fair value) and federal funds sold
    2,772,500       2,862,015       3,119,123  
Loans held for sale
    63,171       48,393       67,017  
Loans
                       
Commercial loans
    3,392,614       3,285,012       3,358,523  
Mortgage loans
    637,885       639,715       608,162  
Installment loans
    1,601,498       1,598,588       1,635,819  
Home equity loans
    677,724       676,230       639,407  
Credit card loans
    137,044       145,042       140,491  
Leases
    83,781       88,496       125,434  
 
                 
Total loans
    6,530,546       6,433,083       6,507,836  
Less allowance for loan losses
    (97,115 )     (97,296 )     (113,573 )
 
                 
Net loans
    6,433,431       6,335,787       6,394,263  
Premises and equipment, net
    118,059       121,198       120,115  
Goodwill
    139,245       139,245       139,245  
Intangible assets
    4,424       4,647       5,314  
Accrued interest receivable and other assets
    551,742       442,290       436,165  
 
                 
Total assets
  $ 10,274,154       10,122,627       10,456,994  
 
                 
 
                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                       
 
                       
Deposits:
                       
Demand-non-interest bearing
  $ 1,427,307       1,470,543       1,333,867  
Demand-interest bearing
    827,507       841,595       782,877  
Savings and money market accounts
    2,379,464       2,384,510       2,478,793  
Certificates and other time deposits
    2,690,273       2,668,799       2,786,185  
 
                 
Total deposits
    7,324,551       7,365,447       7,381,722  
 
                 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    1,281,745       1,336,471       1,606,534  
Wholesale borrowings
    557,282       300,220       308,812  
Accrued taxes, expenses, and other liabilities
    163,845       139,232       157,654  
 
                 
Total liabilities
    9,327,423       9,141,370       9,454,722  
 
                 
 
                       
Commitments and contingencies
                       
 
                       
Shareholders’ equity:
                       
Preferred stock, without par value:
                       
authorized and unissued 7,000,000 shares
                 
Preferred stock, Series A, without par value:
                       
designated 800,000 shares; none outstanding
                 
Convertible preferred stock, Series B, without par value:
                       
designated 220,000 shares; none outstanding
                 
Common stock, without par value:
                       
authorized 300,000,000 shares; issued 92,026,350 at March 31, 2005, December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2004
    127,937       127,937       127,937  
Capital surplus
    108,903       110,513       110,699  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (38,194 )     (14,208 )     13,353  
Retained earnings
    963,618       956,802       934,098  
Treasury stock, at cost, 8,414,363, 7,835,399 and 7,224,528 shares at March 31, 2005, December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2004, respectively
    (215,533 )     (199,787 )     (183,815 )
 
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    946,731       981,257       1,002,272  
 
                 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 10,274,154       10,122,627       10,456,994  
 
                 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 


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FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

                 
    Three months ended  
    March 31,  
    2005     2004  
(Unaudited)   (In thousands, except per share data)  
Interest income:
               
Interest and fees on loans, including loans held for sale
  $ 100,149       96,627  
Interest and dividends on investment securities and federal funds sold
    27,692       29,211  
 
           
Total interest income
    127,841       125,838  
 
           
Interest expense:
               
Interest on deposits:
               
Demand-interest bearing
    956       366  
Savings and money market accounts
    6,375       4,314  
Certificates and other time deposits
    20,600       21,631  
Interest on securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    8,841       6,138  
Interest on wholesale borrowings
    5,059       4,387  
 
           
Total interest expense
    41,831       36,836  
 
           
Net interest income
    86,010       89,002  
Provision for loan losses
    11,614       40,390  
 
           
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    74,396       48,612  
 
           
Other income
               
Trust department income
    5,505       5,356  
Service charges on deposits
    14,820       15,419  
Credit card fees
    9,411       8,664  
ATM and other service fees
    2,959       2,748  
Bank owned life insurance income
    3,074       3,126  
Investment services and insurance
    2,858       3,832  
Manufactured housing income
    102       145  
Investment securities gains, net
    1,872       70  
Loan sales and servicing income
    1,133       2,078  
Other operating income
    3,205       3,648  
 
           
Total other income
    44,939       45,086  
 
           
Other expenses:
               
Salaries, wages, pension and employee benefits
    39,393       39,061  
Net occupancy expense
    6,536       6,017  
Equipment expense
    3,185       3,535  
Stationery, supplies and postage
    2,461       2,712  
Bankcard, loan processing and other costs
    5,724       5,703  
Professional services
    2,150       3,146  
Amortization of intangibles
    223       223  
Other operating expenses
    16,239       16,467  
 
           
Total other expenses
    75,911       76,864  
 
           
Income before income tax expense
    43,424       16,834  
Federal income taxes
    13,336       4,128  
 
           
Net income
  $ 30,088       12,706  
 
           
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
               
Unrealized securities’ holding gains (losses), net of taxes
    (22,583 )     22,874  
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of taxes
    (183 )      
Less: reclassification adjustment for securities’ gains (losses) realized in net income, net of taxes
    (1,217 )     (46 )
 
           
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
    (23,983 )     22,828  
 
           
Comprehensive income
  $ 6,105       35,534  
 
           
Net income applicable to common shares
  $ 30,088       12,706  
 
           
Net income used in diluted EPS calculation
    30,095       12,713  
 
           
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic
    84,097       84,771  
 
           
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted
    84,497       85,186  
 
           
Basic Earnings per Share
  $ 0.36       0.15  
 
           
Diluted Earnings per Share
  $ 0.36       0.15  
 
           
Dividend per Share
  $ 0.27       0.26  
 
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 


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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 
    Three months ended March 31,  
(Unaudited)   2005     2004  
    (In thousands)  
Operating Activities
               
Net income
  $ 30,088       12,706  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    11,614       40,984  
Provision for depreciation and amortization
    3,402       3,421  
Amortization of investment securities premiums, net
    1,078       1,812  
Accretion of income for lease financing
    (1,183 )     (2,120 )
Gains on sales of investment securities, net
    (1,872 )     (70 )
Deferred federal income taxes
          1,200  
Decrease in interest receivable
    (1,286 )     (89 )
Decrease in interest payable
    5,577       1,119  
Increase in other prepaid assets
    (3,549 )     (3,797 )
Increase in trade date receivable
    (87,521 )      
Increase in taxes payable
    15,730        
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
    347       (5,389 )
Originations of loans held for sale
    (81,539 )     (88,951 )
Proceeds from sales of loans, primarily mortgage loans sold in the secondary mortgage markets
    66,579       85,349  
(Gains) losses on sales of loans, net
    182       (96 )
Amortization of intangible assets
    223       223  
Other changes
    (564 )     (5,379 )
 
           
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    (42,694 )     40,923  
 
           
 
               
Investing Activities
               
Dispositions of investment securities:
               
Available-for-sale — sales
    87,524       41,299  
Available-for-sale — maturities
    142,589       116,311  
Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale
    (175,544 )     (180,034 )
Net (increase) decrease in federal funds sold
    646       (355 )
Net (increase) decrease in loans and leases, except sales
    (108,075 )     27,607  
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (302 )     (4,744 )
Sales of premises and equipment
    39       287  
 
           
 
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    (53,123 )     371  
 
           
 
               
Financing Activities
               
Net increase (decrease) in demand accounts
    (57,324 )     (3,344 )
Net increase (decrease) in savings and money market accounts
    (5,046 )     17,528  
Net increase (decrease) in certificates and other time deposits
    21,474       (135,246 )
Net increase (decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    (54,726 )     80,730  
Net increase (decrease) in wholesale borrowings
    255,508       (3,689 )
Cash dividends — common
    (23,272 )     (22,100 )
Purchase of treasury shares
    (21,811 )      
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, conversion of debentures or conversion of preferred stock
    3,544       1,530  
 
           
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    118,347       (64,591 )
 
           
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    22,530       (23,297 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    169,052       199,049  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 191,582       175,752  
 
           
 
               
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:
               
Cash paid during the year for:
               
Interest, net of amounts capitalized
  $ 19,932       15,923  
 
           
Federal income taxes
  $ 0       25  
 
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 


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FirstMerit Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2005 (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

1. Company Organization and Financial Presentation — FirstMerit Corporation (“Corporation”), is a bank holding company whose principal asset is the common stock of its wholly owned subsidiary, FirstMerit Bank, N. A. The Corporation’s other subsidiaries include Citizens Savings Corporation of Stark County, FirstMerit Capital Trust I, FirstMerit Community Development Corporation, FirstMerit Credit Life Insurance Company, FMT, Inc., SF Development Corp and Realty Facility Holdings XV, L.L.C.

     The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2004 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normally recurring accruals) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The consolidated financial statements of the Corporation as of March 31, 2005 and 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year or for any future period. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

     Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current reporting presentation.

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements — On September 30, 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) of Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued a final FASB Staff Position, FSP EITF Issue 03-1-1, which delayed the effective date for the measurement and recognition guidance included in EITF Issue 03-1 which prescribed the criteria that should be used to determine when an investment is considered impaired, whether that impairment is other than temporary, and the measurement of an impairment loss. The disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other-than-temporary impairments have not been deferred and appear in Footnote 4 (Investment Securities) of the 2004 Form 10-K.

     In December 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position 03-3 (“SOP 03-3”) “Accounting for Certain Loans of Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer.” SOP 03-3 requires acquired loans, including debt securities, to be recorded at the amount of the purchaser’s initial investment and prohibits carrying over valuation allowances from the seller for those individually-evaluated loans that have evidence of deterioration in credit quality since origination, and it is probable all contractual cash flows on the loan will be unable to be collected. SOP 03-3 also requires the excess of all undiscounted cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition over the purchaser’s initial investment to be recognized as interest income on a level-yield basis over the life of the loan. The guidance is effective for loans acquired in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2004 and is not

 


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expected to have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

     In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.” SFAS No. 148 is an amendment of SFAS No. 123 (“Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”) and provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. SFAS No. 148 also requires prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The Corporation currently accounts for stock-based employee compensation under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations. No stock based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Corporation had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock based employee compensation. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was used to estimate the fair market value of the options at the date of grant. This model was originally developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have different characteristics from the Corporation’s employee stock options. The model is also sensitive to changes in subjective assumptions, which can materially affect fair value estimates.

                         
    Three             Three  
    months     Year     months  
    ended     ended     ended  
    March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
    2005     2004     2004  
Net income, as reported
  $ 30,088       103,214       12,706  
Deduct: total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects
    (745 )     (3,573 )     (812 )
 
                 
Pro forma net income
  $ 29,343       99,641       11,894  
 
                 
Pro forma EPS — Basic
  $ 0.35       1.18       0.14  
Pro forma EPS — Diluted
  $ 0.35       1.17       0.14  
Reported EPS — Basic
  $ 0.36       1.22       0.15  
Reported EPS — Diluted
  $ 0.36       1.21       0.15  
 
Assumptions:
                       
 
Dividend yield
    4.00 %     4.07 %     4.08 %
Expected volatility
    28.85 %     29.74 %     30.00 %
Risk free interest rate
    3.81 %     2.94 - 3.91 %     3.15 %
Expected lives
  5 Years   5 Years      5 Years  

 


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     In December 2004, the FASB issued a revision of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS 123R”). This statement superseded APB Opinion No. 25 and its related guidance. SFAS 123R requires companies to expense the fair value of employee stock options and is effective for the first fiscal quarter beginning after June 15, 2005. On April 14, 2005 the SEC adopted a new rule that would extend the compliance date until the first quarter of 2006. Management plans to adopt SFAS 123R effective January 1, 2006 and is presently analyzing the alternative transition methods and option pricing models that are available under the new standard.

     In December 2003, President Bush signed the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (“Modernization Act”), which introduces a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, into law. On May 19, 2004, FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS No. 106-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003” (“FSP FAS No. 106-2”) which provides guidance on accounting for the effects of the new Medicare prescription drug legislation by employers whose prescription drug benefits are actuarially equivalent to the drug benefit under Medicare Part D. The Corporation early adopted this FSP in the first quarter of 2004 and has recognized the effect of the Modernization Act in the calculation of its postretirement benefit liability as of January 1, 2004. This change is more fully described in Note 10 (Benefit Plans) of these consolidated financial statements.

3. Critical Accounting Policies — The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted within the United States of America and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Accounting and reporting policies for the allowance for loan losses, income taxes, mortgage servicing rights, derivative instruments and hedging activities, and pension and postretirement benefits are deemed critical since they involve the use of estimates and require significant management judgments. Application of assumptions different than those used by management could result in material changes in the Corporation’s financial position or results of operations. Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) and Note 4 (Allowance for Loan Losses), as described in the 2004 Form 10-K, provide considerable detail with regard to the Corporation’s methodology and reporting of the allowance for loan losses. Additional information for income tax accounting is contained within Note 1, as well as in Note 11 (Federal Income Taxes) as described in the 2004 Form 10-K. Accounting for mortgage servicing rights was also discussed in the 2004 Form 10-K in Note 1 and Note 6 (Mortgage Servicing Rights and Mortgage Servicing Activity). Derivative instruments and hedging activities are described more fully in Note 9 (Accounting for Derivatives) in these consolidated financial statements, as well as Note 1,

 


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Note 16 (Fair Value Disclosure of Financial Instruments), and Note 17 (Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk) of the 2004 Form 10-K. A description of the plans and the assumptions used to estimate the liabilities for pension and postretirement benefits is described in Note 12 (Benefit Plans) to the 2004 Form 10-K as well as Note 10 (Benefit Plans) in these consolidated financial statements.

4. Investment Securities — All investment securities of the Corporation are classified as available for sale. The available for sale classification provides the Corporation with more flexibility to respond, through the portfolio, to changes in market interest rates, or to increases in loan demand or deposit withdrawals.

     The Components of investment securities are as follows:

                                 
    March 31, 2005  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agency obligations
  $ 935,209       117       21,454       913,872  
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
    101,370       1,981       159       103,192  
Mortgage-backed securities
    1,536,702       3,569       39,462       1,500,809  
Other securities
    254,287       951       1,540       253,698  
 
                       
 
  $ 2,827,568       6,618       62,615       2,771,571  
 
                       
                 
    Book Value     Fair Value  
Due in one year or less
  $ 42,694       42,629  
Due after one year through five years
    2,299,738       2,248,083  
Due after five years through ten years
    352,604       347,637  
Due after ten years
    132,532       133,222  
 
           
 
  $ 2,827,568       2,771,571  
 
           

 


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    March 31, 2004  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agency obligations
  $ 771,141       5,069       1,994       774,216  
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
    103,276       3,878       35       107,119  
Mortgage-backed securities
    1,954,552       25,556       7,505       1,972,603  
Other securities
    266,747       2,848       4,765       264,830  
 
                       
 
  $ 3,095,716       37,351       14,299       3,118,768  
 
                       
                 
    Book Value     Fair Value  
Due in one year or less
  $ 186,143       187,953  
Due after one year through five years
    2,224,289       2,238,894  
Due after five years through ten years
    528,964       536,204  
Due after ten years
    156,320       155,717  
 
           
 
  $ 3,095,716       3,118,768  
 
           

     Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities based on the issuers’ rights to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities with remaining maturities over five years consist of mortgage and asset backed securities.

     The carrying amount of investment securities pledged to secure trust and public deposits and for purposes required or permitted by law amounted to approximately $2.1 billion at March 31, 2005, $1.9 billion at December 31, 2004, and $2.0 billion at March 31, 2004.

     At March 31, 2005 and 2004, Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB) stock amounted to $8.6 million, $104.0 million and $8.6 million, $99.7 million, respectively, and included in other securities in the preceding table. FRB and FHLB stock are classified as a restricted investment, carried at cost, and its value is determined by the ultimate recoverability of par value.

5. Allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) — The Corporation’s Credit Policy Division manages credit risk by establishing common credit policies for its subsidiary bank, participating in approval of their loans, conducting reviews of loan portfolios, providing centralized consumer underwriting, collections and loan operation services, and overseeing loan workouts. The Corporation’s objective is to minimize losses from its commercial lending activities and to maintain consumer losses at acceptable levels that are stable and consistent with growth and profitability objectives.

The activity within the ALL for the current and prior year first quarters, and the full year ended December 31, 2004 is shown in the following table:

 


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    Quarter ended     Year ended     Quarter ended  
    March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
    2005     2004     2004  
Allowance for loan losses-beginning of period
  $ 97,296       91,459       91,459  
Loans charged off:
                       
Commercial
    4,151       25,073       8,850  
Mortgage
    267       1,174       104  
Installment
    7,543       35,958       10,087  
Home equity
    752       3085       785  
Credit cards
    2,420       11254       2,755  
Manufactured housing
          443       286  
Leases
    1,607       2,012       799  
 
                 
Total charge-offs
  $ 16,740       78,999       23,666  
 
                 
Recoveries:
                       
Commercial
    1,028       6,068       898  
Mortgage
    55       42       25  
Installment
    2,725       11,545       2,847  
Home equity
    293       1,430       375  
Credit cards
    576       2,920       683  
Manufactured housing
    208       1,088       422  
Leases
    60       491       140  
 
                 
Total recoveries
  $ 4,945       23,584       5,390  
 
                 
Net charge-offs
  $ 11,795       55,415       18,276  
 
                 
Allowance related to loans sold
          (12,671 )      
Provision for loan losses
    11,614       73,923       40,390  
 
                 
Allowance for loan losses-end of period
  $ 97,115       97,296       113,573  
 
                 
 
                       
Allowance for loan losses:
                       
As a percentage of loans outstanding
    1.49 %     1.51 %     1.75 %
 
                 
 
                       
As a multiple of annualized net charge-offs and allowances related to loans sold
    2.03 X     1.43 X     1.55 X
 
                 

     The $16.46 million overall decrease in the allowance for loan losses for the first quarter of 2005, compared to the first quarter of 2004, was primarily attributable to the additional provision taken in the first quarter of 2004. During the quarter ended March 31, 2004, the Corporation strengthened the allowance for loan losses by providing an additional $22.1 million above the quarter’s net charge-offs. During the first quarter 2004, Management observed that rising input costs such as plastic resins, steel and petroleum might impact certain segments of our commercial and industrial loan portfolio. Management also observed a higher level of nonaccrual loans from within the previously identified criticized loan levels. These observations led us to change some of the assumptions


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utilized in the Corporation’s ALL methodology. Most notably, we shortened the historical period used for estimating loss migration factors, which had the effect of more heavily weighting recent loss history in the portfolio. Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) and Note 4 (Allowance for Loan Losses) in the 2004 Form 10-K more fully describe the components of the model.

6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets – The following table summarizes goodwill and intangible assets:

                                                                         
    At March 31, 2005     At December 31, 2004     At March 31, 2004  
    Gross     Accumulated     Net     Gross     Accumulated     Net     Gross     Accumulated     Net  
    Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amount     Amortization     Amount  
Amortizable intangible assets:
                                                                       
 
                                                                       
Deposit base intangible assets
  $ 10,137       5,713       4,424       10,137       5,490       4,647       10,137       4,823       5,314  
 
                                                     
 
                                                                       
Unamortizable intangible assets:
                                                                       
 
                                                                       
Goodwill
  $ 139,245               139,245       139,245               139,245       139,245               139,245  
 
                                                           

Amortizations expense for intangible assets was $0.22 million for both quarters ending March 31,2005 and 2004. The following table shows the estimated future amortization expense for deposit base intangible assets based on existing asset balances at December 31, 2004 for the yeas ended:

         
December 31, 2005
  $ 889  
December 31, 2006
    889  
December 31, 2007
    889  
December 31, 2008
    573  
December 31, 2009
    347  

     During the first quarter of 2005, the Corporation conducted its annual impairment testing as required by SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” and concluded that goodwill was not impaired.

 


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7. Earnings per share — The reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) is presented as follows:

                 
    Quarter     Quarter  
    ended     ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2005     2004  
BASIC EPS:
               
Net income applicable to common shares
  $ 30,088       12,706  
 
           
 
Average common shares outstanding
    84,097       84,771  
 
           
Net income per share — basic
  $ 0.36       0.15  
 
           
 
               
DILUTED EPS:
               
 
               
Net income available to common shares
  $ 30,088       12,706  
Add: interest expense on convertible bonds
    7       7  
 
           
 
    30,095       12,713  
 
           
Avg common shares outstanding
    84,097       84,771  
Add: Equivalents from stock options
    345       360  
Add: Equivalents-convertible bonds
    54       54  
 
           
Average common shares and equivalents outstanding
    84,496       85,185  
 
           
Net income per common share — diluted
  $ 0.36       0.15  
 
           

For the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, options to purchase 2.2 million and 1.9 million shares, respectively, were outstanding, but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were antidilutive.

8. Segment Information — The Corporation provides a diversified range of banking and certain nonbanking financial services and products through its various subsidiaries. Management reports the Corporation’s results through its major segment classification, Supercommunity Banking. Included in the Parent Company and Other Subsidiaries category are certain nonbanking affiliates and portions of certain assets, capital, and support functions not specifically identifiable with Supercommunity Banking.

     The Corporation’s business is conducted solely in the United States. The following tables present a summary of financial results as of and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 and the full year ended December 31, 2004:

 


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            Parent                
            Company and                
    Supercommunity     Other             FirstMerit  
March 31, 2005   Banking     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated  
OPERATIONS (thousands) :
                               
Net interest income
  $ 84,432       25,795       (24,217 )     86,010  
Provision for loan losses
    11,766       (152 )           11,614  
Other income
    44,786       153             44,939  
Other expenses
    74,719       1,189       3       75,911  
Net income
    29,633       31,298       (30,843 )     30,088  
AVERAGES (millions):
                               
Assets
    10,146       1,259       (1,178 )     10,227  
Loans
    6,488       4             6,492  
Earnings assets
    9,407       1,115       (1,100 )     9,422  
Deposits
    7,404             (49 )     7,355  
Shareholders’ equity
    801       1,161       (984 )     978  
                                 
            Parent                
            Company and                
    Supercommunity     Other             FirstMerit  
December 31, 2004   Banking     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated  
OPERATIONS (thousands) :
                               
Net interest income
  $ 345,767       91,634       (86,596 )     350,805  
Provision for loan losses
    73,732       191             73,923  
Other income
    173,532       753             174,285  
Other expenses
    311,119       804       6       311,929  
Net income
    100,076       110,784       (107,646 )     103,214  
AVERAGES (millions):
                               
Assets
    10,255       1,270       (1,207 )     10,318  
Loans
    6,490       4             6,494  
Earnings assets
    9,502       1,100       (1,086 )     9,516  
Deposits
    7,526             (86 )     7,440  
Shareholders’ equity
    789       1,165       (970 )     984  

 


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                    Parent                        
                    Company and                        
    Supercommunity             Other                     FirstMerit  
March 31, 2004   Banking             Subsidiaries     Eliminations             Consolidated  
OPERATIONS (thousands) :
                                               
Net interest income
  $ 87,877               23,349       (22,224 )             89,002  
Provision for loan losses
    40,379               11                     40,390  
Other income
    44,878               208                     45,086  
Other expenses
    76,478               377       9               76,864  
Net income
    11,954               13,665       (12,913 )             12,706  
AVERAGES (millions) :
                                               
Assets
    10,397               1,315       (1,249 )             10,463  
Loans
    6,521               4                     6,525  
Earnings assets
    9,637               1,113       (1,098 )             9,652  
Deposits
    7,536                     (94 )             7,442  
Shareholders’ equity
    801               1,183       (982 )             1,002  

9. Accounting for Derivatives — The Corporation follows the provisions of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” as amended by SFAS No. 149, in accounting for its derivative activities. At March 31, 2005, the Corporation had various interest rate swaps in place that were accounted for as fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133 since their purpose is to “swap” fixed interest rate liabilities and assets to a variable interest rate basis. All but one of the interest rate swaps are associated with the Corporation’s fixed-rate commercial loan swap program that was initiated during the first quarter of 2003 and the remaining interest rate swap converts the fixed interest rate of mandatorily redeemable trust preferred securities to a variable rate. All of these interest rate swaps, with the exception of the one associated with the mandatorily redeemable trust preferred securities, qualify for the “shortcut method of accounting” as prescribed in SFAS No. 133. The shortcut method of accounting requires that the hedge and the hedged item meet certain qualifying criteria. If the swap qualifies for the shortcut method of accounting then no hedge ineffectiveness can be assumed and the need to test for ongoing effectiveness is eliminated. For hedges that qualify for the shortcut method of accounting, the fair value of the swap and the fair value of the hedged item are recorded on the balance sheets and statements of income and comprehensive income. The remaining hedge does not meet all the criteria necessary to be considered for the shortcut method of accounting. Therefore, the long-haul method of accounting is utilized. The long-haul method of accounting requires periodic testing of hedge effectiveness with the portion of the hedge deemed to be ineffective reported in other operating expense.

     In the third quarter of 2004, the Corporation entered into forward swap agreements which, in effect, fixed the borrowing costs of certain variable rate liabilities in the future. These transactions did not qualify for the short-cut method of accounting under SFAS No. 133 as previously discussed. The Corporation classified these transactions as cash flow hedges, with any hedge ineffectiveness being reported in current earnings. It is anticipated that the hedge will prove to be highly effective. A correlation analysis performed at quarter-end proved that the hedge was effective.

     Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Corporation sells originated mortgage loans into the secondary mortgage loan markets. The Corporation maintains a risk management

 


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program to protect and manage interest-rate risk and pricing associated with its mortgage commitment pipeline. The Corporation’s mortgage commitment pipeline included interest-rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) that have been extended to borrowers who have applied for loan funding and met certain defined credit and underwriting standards. During the term of the IRLCs, the Corporation is exposed to interest-rate risk, in that the value of the IRLCs may change significantly before the loans close. To mitigate this interest-rate risk, the Corporation enters into various derivatives by selling loans forward to investors using forward commitments. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, the Corporation classifies and accounts for IRLCs as nondesignated derivatives that are recorded at fair value with changes in value recorded to current earnings. The forward sale commitments used to manage the risk on the IRLCs are also classified and accounted for as nondesignated derivatives and, therefore, recorded at fair value with changes recorded to current earnings. During 2003, the Corporation implemented a SFAS No. 133 hedging program for its mortgage loan warehouse to gain protection for the changes in fair value of the mortgage loan warehouse and the forward commitments. As such, both the mortgage loan warehouse the forward commitments are recorded at fair value with changes in value recorded to current earnings.

     In 2003, the Corporation began to enter into derivative contracts by purchasing To Be Announced Mortgage Backed Securities (“TBA Securities”) to help mitigate the interest-rate risk associated with its mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”). During the third quarter of 2004, options on treasury securities, options on mortgage-backed securities and swaptions were utilized to enhance the effectiveness of the economic hedge associated with the MSR. In Note 6 to the 2004 Form 10-K, the Corporation’s basis for accounting for mortgage servicing rights is discussed in more detail. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, the Corporation classifies and accounts for all three of these instruments as nondesignated derivatives. Accordingly, these securities are recorded at fair value with changes in value recorded to current earnings in loan sales and servicing income. At March 31, 2005, the Corporation did not have any TBA Securities, options, or swaptions outstanding.

 


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10. Benefit Plans – The Corporation sponsors several qualified and nonqualified pension and other postretirement benefit plans for certain of its employees. The net periodic benefit cost is based on estimated values provided by outside actuaries. The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

                 
    Pension Benefits  
    Quarter ended     Quarter ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost
               
Service Cost
  $ 1,597       1,922  
Interest Cost
    2,206       2,057  
Expected return on assets
    (2,875 )     (2,851 )
Amortization of unrecognized:
               
Transition (asset)
          473  
Prior service costs
    58       87  
Cumulative net (gain) loss
    863       67  
 
           
Net periodic pension cost
  $ 1,849       1,755  
 
           
                 
    Postretirement Benefits  
    Quarter ended     Quarter ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Components of Net Periodic Postretirement Cost
             
Service Cost
  $ 201       192  
Interest Cost
    385       502  
Amorization of unrecognized:
               
Transition (asset)
          39  
Prior service costs
    (135 )     92  
Cumulative net (gain) loss
    24       (102 )
 
           
Net periodic postretirement cost
  $ 475       723  
 
           

     The Corporation does not anticipate making a contribution to the pension plan during 2005.

     On December 8, 2003, President Bush signed the Modernization Act into law as disclosed in Note 2 of these consolidated financial statements. This law provides for a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to the benefit established by the Modernization Act. The federal subsidy in the Modernization Act resulted in a $1.6 million reduction in our accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. Concurrently during 2004, the Corporation amended its postretirement benefits plan to limit and cap benefits prospectively. The total impact of both changes on our actuarial liability was a decrease of $13.6 million and is being accounted for as an actuarial gain that will be amortized as a reduction of our periodic cost and liability.

 


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     11. Contingencies — The nature of the Corporation’s business results in a certain amount of litigation. Accordingly, FirstMerit Corporation and its subsidiaries are subject to various pending and threatened lawsuits in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, is of the opinion that the ultimate liability of such pending matters would not have a material effect on the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations.

 


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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
Fully-tax Equivalent Interest Rates and Interest Differential


                                                                         
  Three months ended     Year ended     Three months ended  
    March 31, 2005     December 31, 2004     March 31, 2004  
    Average             Average     Average             Average     Average             Average  
FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES   Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
ASSETS
                                                                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 190,740                       213,994                       212,358                  
Investment securities:
                                                                       
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agency obligations (taxable)
    2,518,784       23,818       3.83 %     2,602,317       97,037       3.73 %     2,704,073       25,565       3.80 %
Obligations of states and political subdivisions (tax exempt)
    101,571       1,763       7.04 %     103,402       7,311       7.07 %     102,455       1,829       7.18 %
Other securities
    253,797       2,749       4.39 %     259,764       9,735       3.75 %     264,522       2,483       3.78 %
 
                                                           
Total investment securities
    2,874,152       28,330       4.00 %     2,965,483       114,083       3.85 %     3,071,050       29,877       3.91 %
 
                                                                       
Federal funds sold and other interest earning assets
    2,263       14       2.51 %     2,001       30       1.50 %     1,674       4       0.96 %
Loans held for sale
    53,234       627       4.78 %     55,002       2,089       3.80 %     54,007       439       3.27 %
Loans
    6,492,044       99,546       6.22 %     6,493,472       383,905       5.91 %     6,525,147       96,207       5.93 %
 
                                                           
Total earning assets
    9,421,693       128,517       5.53 %     9,515,958       500,107       5.26 %     9,651,878       126,527       5.27 %
Allowance for loan losses
    (96,438 )                     (100,959 )                     (97,033 )                
Other assets
    710,770                       689,312                       689,236                  
 
                                                                 
Total assets
  $ 10,226,765                       10,318,305                       10,456,439                  
 
                                                                 
 
                                                                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                                                       
Deposits:
                                                                       
Demand — non-interest bearing
  $ 1,447,226                   1,398,112                   1,330,056              
Demand — interest bearing
    820,974       956       0.47 %     805,419       2,152       0.27 %     767,287       366       0.19 %
Savings and money market accounts
    2,392,023       6,375       1.08 %     2,473,728       19,145       0.77 %     2,483,451       4,314       0.70 %
Certificates and other time deposits
    2,694,466       20,600       3.10 %     2,762,975       81,540       2.95 %     2,861,327       21,631       3.04 %
 
                                                           
Total deposits
    7,354,689       27,931       1.54 %     7,440,234       102,837       1.38 %     7,442,121       26,311       1.42 %
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    1,326,242       8,841       2.70 %     1,447,629       26,259       1.81 %     1,547,575       6,138       1.60 %
Wholesale borrowings
    412,149       5,059       4.98 %     307,867       17,494       5.68 %     310,767       4,387       5.68 %
 
                                                           
Total Interest bearing liabilities
    7,645,854       41,831       2.22 %     7,797,618       146,590       1.88 %     7,970,407       36,836       1.86 %
 
                                                                       
Other liabilities
    155,797                       139,046                       154,719                  
Shareholders’ equity
    977,888                       983,529                       1,001,257                  
 
                                                                 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 10,226,765                       10,318,305                       10,456,439                  
 
                                                                 
 
Net yield on earning assets
  $ 9,421,693       86,686       3.73 %     9,515,958       353,517       3.71 %     9,651,878       89,691       3.74 %
 
                                                     
 
Interest rate spread
                    3.31 %                     3.38 %                     3.41 %
 
                                                                 

Notes: Interest income on tax-exempt securities and loans have been adjusted to a fully-taxable equivalent basis.

Nonaccrual loans have been included in the average balances.


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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     FirstMerit Corporation recorded first quarter 2005 net income of $30.1 million, or $0.36 per diluted share. This compares with $12.7 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2004. The increase in earnings was primarily attributable to the Company lowering its loan loss provision $28.8 million compared with first quarter of 2004. During the first quarter of 2004, the Company strengthened the allowance for loan losses by providing an additional $22.1 million above that quarter’s net charge-offs.

     Annualized return on average common equity (“ROE”) and average assets (“ROA”) for the quarter were 12.48% and 1.19%, respectively, compared with 5.10% and 0.49% for the first quarter of 2004.

     Total revenue, defined as net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) basis plus non-interest income net of securities transactions, totaled $129.8 million for first quarter of 2005, compared with $134.7 million for the first quarter of 2004. FTE net interest income in the quarter declined 3.35% year-over-year, to $86.7 million from $89.7 million. FTE net interest income after the provision for loan loss in the first quarter of 2005 increased $25.8 million, or 52.27%, from the first quarter of 2004, primarily as a result of lower credit-related charges due to the Company’s improved asset quality and the strengthening of the allowance for loan losses during the first quarter of 2004.

     Average earning assets for the first quarter of 2005 declined 2.38%, compared with the first quarter of 2004, primarily from a planned reduction in the investment portfolio representing the Company’s de-leverage strategy to manage interest rate risk. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2004, average earning assets grew $106.9 million, or 1.15%.

     Non-interest income excluding securities transactions for the first quarter of 2005 totaled $43.1 million, compared with $45.0 million for the first quarter of 2004. For the same period, credit card and ATM service fees increased $0.7 million, and $0.2 million, for respective increases of 8.62% and 7.68%. Offsetting those increases were loan sales and servicing income that declined $0.9 million, or 45.48%, and investment services and insurance fees that decreased $1.0 million, or 25.42%.

     The Company reported $75.9 million in non-interest expenses for the first quarter of 2005, compared with $76.9 million for the first quarter of 2004. Included in the first quarter 2005 expenses is a $2.1 million addition to legal reserves. Non-interest expenses declined $4.4 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2004, representing a 5.44% decrease.

     As of March 31, 2005, non-performing assets were $46.7 million, an increase of $0.8 million, or 1.77%, from December 31, 2004 levels. Non-performing assets declined $41.8 million, or 47.21%, from March 31, 2004. Non-performing assets were 0.71% of period-end loans plus other real estate (“ORE”) at March 31, 2005, equivalent to the December 31, 2004 measure. At March 31, 2004, non-performing assets were 1.36% of period-end loans plus ORE. Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2005 were $11.8 million, compared with $18.3 million for the first quarter of 2004, a decline of $6.5 million, or 35.46%. Compared with the previous

 


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quarter, net charge-offs decreased $0.8 million. Net charge-offs to average loans in the first quarter of 2005 improved to 0.74%, compared with 0.78% for the prior quarter and 1.13% for the first quarter of 2004.

     The Company recorded $11.6 million of loan loss provision in the first quarter of 2005, compared with $40.4 million in the first quarter of 2004. In the fourth quarter of 2004 the loan loss provision was $9.4 million.

     The allowance for credit losses at March 31, 2005 was 1.59% of period-end loans, compared with 1.60% on December 31, 2004 and 1.85% on March 31, 2004. The Company added $0.7 million to the allowance for credit losses in the first quarter of 2005 in support of a growing lending portfolio that increased $97.5 million, or 1.52% over the prior quarter. The decline in the allowance for credit losses as a percentage of period-end loans from December 31, 2004 reflects continued strengthening of the overall quality of the loan portfolio.

     Assets at March 31, 2005 totaled $10.3 billion, compared with $10.5 billion at March 31, 2004, representing a 1.75% decrease. The Company’s total assets did increase from December 31, 2004 by 1.50%. Deposits totaled $7.3 billion at March 31, 2005, declining 0.77% from March 31, 2004. The Company’s decision to allow higher-cost CDs to roll off the balance sheet has contributed to the overall decline in deposit balances over the past twelve months. Over that time period, time deposits declined 3.44%, while lower-cost core deposits increased 0.84%. Core deposits now account for 63.27% of deposits at March 31, 2005, compared to 62.26% at March 31, 2004.

     Shareholder equity was $946.7 million at March 31, 2005. The Company’s capital position remains strong, as tangible equity to assets was 7.93% at quarter-end. The common dividend per share paid during the quarter was $0.27 share. During the first quarter of 2005 the Company repurchased 816,208 common shares. Period-end common shares outstanding totaled 83.6 million.

Net Interest Income

     Net interest income, the Corporation’s principal source of earnings, is the difference between interest income generated by earning assets (primarily loans and investment securities) and interest paid on interest-bearing funds (namely customer deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and wholesale borrowings). Net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 was $86.0 million compared to $89.0 million for the three months ended March 2004. The $3.0 million decline in net interest income occurred because the $5.0 million increase in interest expense, compared to the same quarter last year was less than the $2.0 million increase in interest income during the same period. For the purpose of this remaining discussion, net interest income is presented on a fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) basis, to provide a comparison among all types of interest earning assets. That is, interest on tax-free securities and tax-exempt loans has been restated as if such interest were taxed at the statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%, adjusted for the non-deductible portion of interest expense incurred to acquire the tax-free assets. Net interest income presented on an FTE basis is a non-GAAP financial measure widely used by financial services corporations. The FTE adjustment was $0.7 million for both quarters ending March 31, 2005 and 2004.

 


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     FTE net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 was $86.7 million compared to $89.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The $3.0 million decline in FTE net interest income occurred because the $5.0 million increase in interest expense, compared to the same quarter last year, was more than the $2.0 million increase in interest income during the same period. As illustrated in the following rate/volume analysis table, interest income and interest expense both increased due to the rising interest rate environment.

     As illustrated in the following table, the increased amount of interest income recorded in the 2005 first quarter compared to the same 2004 period, was primarily rate driven as higher yields on loans increased interest income by $4.4 million during those periods. The table also depicts similar three-month increases in interest expense, again caused by the continued rise in interest rates from 2004 through the first quarter of 2005. The higher rates paid on customer deposits and securities sold under agreements to repurchase in the 2005 quarter compared to the same 2004 period increased interest expense by $6.1 million.

                         
    Quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004  
    Increases (Decreases)  
RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS   Volume     Rate     Total  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
INTEREST INCOME - FTE
                       
Investment securities
  $ (1,888 )     341       (1,547 )
Loans held for sale
    (6 )     194       188  
Loans
    (490 )     3,829       3,339  
Federal funds sold
    2       8       10  
 
                 
Total interest income - FTE
  $ (2,382 )     4,372       1,990  
 
                 
INTEREST EXPENSE
                       
Demand deposits-interest bearing
  $ 28       562       590  
Savings and money market accounts
    (164 )     2,225       2,061  
Certificates of deposits and other time deposits
    (1,274 )     243       (1,031 )
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    (981 )     3,684       2,703  
Wholesale borrowings
    1,297       (625 )     672  
 
                 
Total interest expense
  $ (1,094 )     6,089       4,995  
 
                 
Net interest income - FTE
  $ (1,288 )     (1,717 )     (3,005 )
 
                 

Net Interest Margin

     The following table provides 2005 FTE net interest income and net interest margin totals as well as 2004 comparative amounts:

 


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    Quarters ended  
    March 31,  
    2005     2004  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Net interest income
  $ 86,010       89,002  
Tax equivalent adjustment
    676       689  
 
           
Net interest income — FTE
  $ 86,686       89,691  
 
           
 
               
Average earning assets
  $ 9,421,693       9,651,878  
 
           
Net interest margin — FTE
    3.73 %     3.74 %
 
           

     Average loan outstandings for the current year and prior year first quarters totaled $6.49 billion and $6.53 billion, respectively. Increases in average loan balances from first quarter 2004 to first quarter this year occurred in residential mortgage and home equity loans, while commercial, installment, credit card, and leases declined. Efforts to grow loan outstandings continue to be tempered by the less than robust economy that currently exists in the Corporation’s primary lending areas.

     Specific changes in average loan outstandings, compared to first quarter 2004, were as follows: commercial loans down $8.7 million or 0.26%; installment loans, direct and indirect on a combined basis, down $45.4 million or 2.76%; home equity loans as a result of targeted marketing rose $36.4 million or 5.69%; credit card loans down $2.1 million or 1.43%; residential mortgage loans were up $29.6 million or 4.79%; and leases were down $42.8 million, or 33.83%. The majority of fixed-rate mortgage loan originations are sold to investors through the secondary mortgage loan market. Average outstanding loans for the 2005 and 2004 first quarters equaled 68.91% and 67.60% of average earning assets, respectively. The modest increase in this percentage illustrates that liquidity remains high and overall loan demand remains flat.

     Average deposits were $7.35 billion during the 2005 first quarter, down $87.4 million, or 1.17%, from the same period last year. Growth occurred in core deposits, which are defined as checking accounts, savings accounts and money market savings products. For the quarter ended March 31, 2005, average core deposits increased $79.43 million or 1.73% and represented 63.36% of total average deposits compared to 61.55% for the 2004 first quarter. Average certificates of deposit (“CDs”) declined $166.86 million or 5.83% compared to the prior year quarter. Average wholesale borrowings increased $101.38 million and as a percentage of total interest-bearing funds equaled 5.39% for the 2005 first quarter and 3.90% for the same quarter one year ago. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased $221.33 million and as a percentage of total interest bearing funds equaled 17.35% for the 2005 first quarter and 19.42% for the 2004 first quarter. The decrease of higher costing CDs was not completely offset by the influx of more liquid core deposits and was offset by an increase in wholesale borrowings. Average interest-bearing liabilities funded 81.15% of average earning assets in the current year quarter and 82.58% during the three months ended March 31, 2004.

     In summary, loan growth over the past year occurred mainly in higher-yielding residential mortgage and home equity outstandings, resulting in a lower concentration of leases,

 


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installment, credit card and commercial loans. Also, the funding mix for the quarter changed favorably as lower cost core deposits grew while, more expensive CDs and securities sold under agreements to repurchase declined.

Other Income

     Other (non-interest) income for the quarter totaled $44.94 million, a decrease of $0.15 million from the $45.08 million earned during the same period one year ago.

     Other income, net of securities gains, as a percentage of net revenue for the first quarter was 33.19% compared to 33.42% for the same quarter one year ago. Net revenue is defined as net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) basis, plus other income, less gains from securities sales.

     Loan sales and servicing income accounted for $0.95 million of the overall $0.15 million decrease in other income and consisted of: a $0.27 million decrease in origination fees; a $0.96 million decrease in the mortgage servicing rights valuation allowance and a $0.36 million decrease in the gain on sale of mortgages; offset by a $0.64 million decrease in the amortization of mortgage servicing rights.

     The remaining changes in other income, compared to the first quarter last year, were primarily as follows: trust department income, which benefited from the continuing improvement in the capital markets, was $5.51 million, up 2.78%; service charges on deposit accounts totaled $14.82 million, down 3.88% due in part to commercial accounts offsetting fees with increased balances; and investment services and insurance fees decreased $0.97 million. Credit card fees increased $0.7 million or 8.62%; ATM and other service fees increased 7.68%; income from bank owned life insurance decreased $0.05 million; and investment securities gains increased $1.80 million.

     A significant component of loan sales and servicing income category is the income derived from mortgage servicing activities. The following is a summary of changes in capitalized Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSR”), net of accumulated amortization and valuation allowance, included in the consolidated Balance Sheets:

                                         
    Quarter ended     Quarter ended     Quarter ended     Quarter ended     Quarter ended  
    March 31,     December 31,     September 31,     June 30,     March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)   2005     2004     2004     2004     2004  
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 18,261       18,099       18,258       16,424       18,127  
Addition of mortgage servicing rights
    703       931       1,117       1,495       855  
Amortization
    (793 )     (877 )     (931 )     (1,422 )     (1,429 )
Changes in valuation allowance
    225       108       (345 )     1,761       (1,129 )
 
                             
Balance at end of period
  $ 18,396       18,261       18,099       18,258       16,424  
 
                             

     On a quarterly basis, the Corporation assesses its capitalized servicing rights for impairment based on their current fair value. As permitted, the Corporation disaggregates its servicing rights portfolio based on loan type and interest rate which are the predominant risk

 


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characteristics of the underlying loans. If any impairment results after current market assumptions are applied, the value of the servicing rights is reduced through the use of a valuation allowance, the balance of which is $11.4 thousand, $0.2 million, and $1.8 million at March 31, 2005, December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2004, respectively. The MSRs are amortized over the period of and in proportion to the estimated net servicing revenues.

     These balances represent the rights to service approximately $1.94 billion, $2.03 billion and $1.94 billion of mortgage loans at March 31, 2005, December 31, 2004, and March 31, 2004, respectively. The portfolio primarily consists of conventional mortgages.

     The Corporation continues to focus upon non-interest income (fee income) as a means by which to diversify revenue.

Other Expenses

     Other (non-interest) expenses totaled $75.91 million for the first quarter compared to $76.86 million in 2004, a decrease of $0.95 million, or 1.24%.

     For the three months ended March 31, 2005, increases in operating costs compared to first quarter 2004 occurred as follows: salaries, wages, pension and employee benefits, rose $0.33 million, primarily due to additional staff added to revenue-generating positions created to implement strategic revenue initiatives; occupancy expenses rose $0.52 million primarily due to inclement weather during the first quarter ; while professional fees decreased $1.0 million.

     The efficiency ratio of 58.33% for first quarter 2005 was worse than the efficiency ratio of 56.89% recorded for the first quarter, 2004. The efficiency ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2005 indicates 58.33 cents of operating costs were spent in order to generate each dollar of net revenue.

Federal Income Taxes

     Federal income tax expense totaled $13.3 million and $4.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The effective federal income tax rate for first quarter 2005 was 30.7% compared to 24.5% for the same quarter 2004. The increase in effective rate is primarily due to the relative change in pre-tax net income. Additional federal income tax information is contained in Note 11 (Federal Income Taxes) in the 2004 Form 10-K.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Investment Securities

     The March 31, 2005 amortized cost and market value of investment securities, including mortgage-backed securities, by average remaining term, are included in Note 4 (Investment Securities) to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

     These securities are purchased within an overall strategy to maximize future earnings taking into account an acceptable level of interest rate risk. While the maturities of the mortgage and asset-backed securities are beyond five years, these instruments provide periodic principal payments and include securities with adjustable interest rates, reducing the interest rate risk associated with longer-term investments.

Allowance for Credit Losses

 


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     During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Corporation reclassified the reserve of unfunded lending commitments from the allowance for loan losses to other liabilities. Amounts presented prior to December 31, 2004 have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. In addition, the provision for credit losses associated with the unfunded lending commitments was reclassified from the provision for loan losses to other expense to conform to the current year presentation. The allowance for credit losses is the sum of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments.

     During the quarter ended March 31, 2004, the Corporation strengthened the allowance for loan losses by $22.1 million above net charge-offs. During that quarter, Management observed that rising input costs such as plastic resins, steel and petroleum would impact certain segments of the commercial and industrial loan portfolio. We also observed a higher level of nonaccrual loans from within previously identified criticized loan levels while the economy was in an early stage of recovery. These observations led Management to change some of the assumptions used in the Corporation’s allowance for loan losses methodology by shortening the historical period used for estimating loss migration factors which had the effect of more heavily weighting recent loss history in the portfolio. Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) and Note 4 (Allowance for Loan Losses) in the 2004 Form 10-K more fully describe the components of the model.

     During the third quarter of 2004, we analyzed and subsequently made further refinements to our allowance for loan losses model assumptions and methodology to better reflect current loss expectations. Criticized assets are down as well as retail delinquencies and charge-offs. We shortened the retail recovery period from five to three years, matching the retail loss period. We also averaged the Corporation’s commercial loan five year migration loss ratios with the Corporation’s two year loss ratios to better reflect the new underwriting standards that have been in effect for the last two years.

 


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    Quarter ended     Year Ended     Quarter ended  
    March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
    2005     2004     2004  
Allowance for Loan Losses
                       
Allowance for loan losses-beginning of period
  $ 97,296       91,459       91,459  
Provision for loan losses
    11,614       73,923       40,390  
Loans charged off
    (16,740 )     (78,999 )     (23,666 )
Recoveries on loans previously charged off
    4,945       23,584       5,390  
Allowance related to loans sold
          (12,671 )      
 
                 
Allowance for loan losses-end of period
  $ 97,115       97,296       113,573  
 
                 
 
                       
Reserve for Unfunded Lending Commitments
                       
 
                       
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 5,774       6,094       6,094  
Provision for credit losses
    705       (320 )     594  
 
                 
Balance at end of period
  $ 6,479       5,774       6,688  
 
                 
Allowance for Credit Losses
  $ 103,594       103,070       120,261  
 
                 
 
                       
Annualized net charge-offs and allowance related to loans sold as a % of average loans
    0.74 %     1.05 %     1.13 %
 
                 
Allowance for credit losses:
                       
As a percentage of loans outstanding
    1.59 %     1.60 %     1.85 %
 
                 
As a percentage of of nonperforming loans
    251.44 %     254.39 %     148.09 %
 
                 

Loans

     Total loan outstandings at March 31, 2005 were $6.5 billion compared to $6.4 billion at December 31, 2004 and $6.5 billion at March 31, 2004.

     The commercial loan portfolio increased by 3.28% over the linked quarter, but continues to be impacted by lower demand for credit in our region. While the Corporation originated $102.4 million of mortgage loans in the first quarter 2005, compared to $116.4 million in same quarter of 2004, and $590.9 billion for the full year ended December 31, 2004, the majority of these loans were fixed rate mortgages and sold with servicing rights retained. Further discussion of the Corporation’s loan mix strategy as well as changes in average balances for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2004 can be found in the Net Interest Income section of this document.

 


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    As of     As of     As of  
    March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)   2005     2004     2004  
Commercial loans
  $ 3,392,614       3,285,012       3,358,523  
Mortgage loans
    637,885       639,715       608,162  
Installment loans
    1,601,498       1,598,588       1,635,819  
Home equity loans
    677,724       676,230       639,407  
Credit card loans
    137,044       145,042       140,491  
Leases
    83,781       88,496       125,434  
 
                 
Total Loans
  $ 6,530,546       6,433,083       6,507,836  
 
                 

     Expected cash flow and interest rate information for commercial loans is presented in the following table:

         
    As of  
(Dollars in thousands)   March 31, 2005  
Due in one year or less
  $ 1,487,658  
Due after one year but within five years
    1,578,632  
Due after five years
    326,324  
 
     
Totals
  $ 3,392,614  
 
     
 
       
Due after one year with a predetermined fixed interest rate
  $ 984,531  
Due after one year with a floating interest rate
    920,425  
 
     
Totals
  $ 1,904,956  
 
     

 


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The following table summarizes the Corporation’s nonperforming assets:

                         
    March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)   2005     2004     2004  
Nonperforming commercial loans
  $ 34,207       33,831       71,596  
Other nonaccrual loans:
    6,994       6,685       9,611  
 
                 
Total nonperforming loans
    41,201       40,516       81,207  
Other real estate (“ORE”)
    5,502       5,375       7,265  
 
                 
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 46,703       45,891       88,472  
 
                 
 
                       
Loans past due 90 day or more accruing interest
  $ 22,899       20,703       20,995  
 
                 
Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total loans and ORE
    0.71 %     0.71 %     1.36 %
 
                 

     The following is a nonaccrual commercial loan flow analysis:

                                         
(Dollars in thousands)                              
Period End   1Q05     4Q04     3Q04     2Q04     1Q04  
Nonaccrual commercial loans beginning of period
  $ 33,831       33,812       33,080       71,596       63,424  
 
                                       
Credit Actions:
                                       
New
    11,315       13,766       9,094       10,211       26,754  
Loan and lease losses
    (3,904 )     (4,665 )     (1,857 )     (7,253 )     (7,650 )
Charged down
    (1,874 )     (137 )     (1,009 )     (1,859 )     (1,387 )
Return to accruing status
    (2,130 )     (4,449 )     (345 )     (744 )     (3,295 )
Payments
    (3,031 )     (4,496 )     (5,151 )     (3,937 )     (6,250 )
Sales
                      (34,934 )      
 
                             
Nonaccrual commercial loans end of period
  $ 34,207       33,831       33,812       33,080       71,596  
 
                             

     The quarterly flow of new nonaccrual commercial loans has slowed significantly reflecting the impact of an improved regional economy and improved underwriting standards. The allowance for credit losses covers nonperforming loans by 251.44% compared to 148.09% at the end of the prior year quarter. See Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) of the 2004 Form 10-K for a summary of the Corporation’s nonaccrual and charge off policies.

 


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Deposits

     The following schedule illustrates the change in composition of the average balances of deposits and average rates paid for the noted periods:

                                                 
    Quarter Ended     Year Ended     Quarter Ended  
    March 31, 2005     December 31, 2004     March 31, 2004  
    Average     Average     Average     Average     Average     Average  
(Dollars in thousands)   Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate  
Non-interest DDA
  $ 1,447,226             1,398,112             1,330,056        
Interest-bearing DDA
    820,974       0.47 %     805,419       0.27 %     767,287       0.19 %
Savings and money market accounts
    2,392,023       1.08 %     2,473,728       0.77 %     2,483,451       0.70 %
CDs and other time deposits
    2,694,466       3.10 %     2,762,975       2.95 %     2,861,327       3.04 %
 
                                         
Total customer deposits
  $ 7,354,689       1.54 %     7,440,234       1.38 %     7,442,121       1.42 %
 
                                               
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    1,326,242       2.70 %     1,447,629       1.81 %     1,547,575       1.60 %
Wholesale borrowings
    412,149       4.98 %     307,867       5.68 %     310,767       5.68 %
 
                                         
Total funds
  $ 9,093,080               9,195,730               9,300,463          
 
                                         

     Interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing demand deposits, on a combined basis, averaged $2.27 billion during the 2005 first quarter, up $170.86 million or 8.15% from first quarter 2004. Savings deposits, including money market savings accounts averaged $2.39 billion, $91.43 million or 3.68% lower than the year ago quarter. The sum of demand and savings accounts, often referred to as “core deposits,” grew $79.43 million or 1.73%, and represented 63.36% of total average deposits for the first quarter, 2005 compared to 61.55% last year.

     The weighted-average yield paid on interest-bearing core deposits during the quarter at 0.91% was 34 basis points more than last year’s average core deposits rate. Average CDs, still the largest individual component of deposits, totaled $2.69 billion for the first quarter, down 5.83% from the same quarter last year. Average rates paid on CDs rose 6 basis points from 3.04% in the 2004 quarter to 3.10% this year. On a percentage basis, average CDs were 35.24% and 35.9%, respectively, of total interest-bearing funds for the March 31, 2005 and 2004 quarters.

     Securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased to 17.35% of interest-bearing funds during the three months ended March 31, 2005 from 19.42% for the March 31, 2004 quarter. Interest-bearing liabilities funded 81.15% of average earning assets during the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and 82.58% during the quarter ended March 31, 2004. Wholesale funds increased to 5.39% of interest-bearing funds during the first quarter, 2005 from 3.90% in the year ago quarter. In summary, there was a significant increase in average core deposits during the quarter compared to the same period in 2004. The Corporation’s change in funding mix from higher priced CDs toward less expensive core deposits has helped to mitigate the decline in net interest margin.

 


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     The following table summarizes scheduled maturities of CDs of $100 thousand or more (“Jumbo CDs”) that were outstanding as of March 31, 2005:

         
Maturing in:   Amount  
(Dollars in thousands)
       
Under 3 months
  $ 425,732  
3 to 12 months
    266,362  
Over 12 months
    132,909  
 
     
 
  $ 825,003  
 
     

Market Risk

     Market risk refers to potential losses arising from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices and commodity prices, including the correlation among these factors and their volatility. The Corporation is primarily exposed to interest rate risk as a result of offering a wide array of financial products to its customers.

     Changes in market interest rates may result in changes in the fair market value of the Corporation’s financial instruments, cash flows, and net interest income. The Corporation seeks to achieve consistent growth in net interest income and capital while managing volatility arising from shifts in market interest rates. The Asset and Liability Committee (“ALCO”) oversees market risk management, establishing risk measures, limits, and policy guidelines for managing the amount of interest rate risk and its effect on net interest income and capital. According to these policies, responsibility for measuring and the management of interest rate risk resides in the Corporate Treasury function.

     Interest rate risk on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets consists of reprice, option, and basis risks. Reprice risk results from differences in the maturity, or repricing, of asset and liability portfolios. Option risk arises from “embedded options” present in many financial instruments such as loan prepayment options, deposit early withdrawal options and interest rate options. These options allow customers opportunities to benefit when market interest rates change, which typically results in higher net revenue for the Corporation. Basis risk refers to the potential for changes in the underlying relationship between market rates or indices, which subsequently result in a narrowing of profit spread on an earning asset or liability. Basis risk is also present in administered rate liabilities, such as interest-bearing checking accounts, savings accounts and money market accounts where historical pricing relationships to market rates may change due to the level or directional change in market interest rates.

     The interest rate risk position is measured and monitored using risk management tools, including earnings simulation modeling and economic value of equity sensitivity analysis, which capture both near-term and long-term interest rate risk exposures. Combining the results from these separate risk measurement processes allows a reasonably comprehensive view of short-term and long-term interest rate risk in the Corporation.

 


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Earnings simulation involves forecasting net interest earnings under a variety of scenarios including changes in the level of interest rates, the shape of the yield curve, and spreads between market interest rates. The sensitivity of net interest income to changes in interest rates is measured using numerous interest rate scenarios including shocks, gradual ramps, curve flattening, curve steepening as well as forecasts of likely interest rates scenarios. Presented below is the Corporation’s interest rate risk profile as of March 31, 2005:

     Immediate Change in Rates and Resulting Percentage Increase/(Decrease) in Net Interest Income:

                         
    -100 basis points     +100 basis points     +200 basis points  
March 31, 2005
    (1.98 %)     0.02 %     (1.00 %)

     Modeling the sensitivity of net interest earnings to changes in market interest rates is highly dependent on numerous assumptions incorporated into the modeling process. To the extent that actual performance is different than what was assumed, actual net interest earnings sensitivity may be different than projected. The assumptions used in the models are management’s best estimate based on studies conducted by the ALCO department. The ALCO department uses a data-warehouse to study interest rate risk at a transactional level and uses various ad-hoc reports to refine assumptions continuously. Assumptions and methodologies regarding administered rate liabilities (e.g., savings, money market and interest-bearing checking accounts), balance trends, and repricing relationships reflect management’s best estimate of expected behavior and these assumptions are reviewed regularly.

     The Corporation also has longer-term interest rate risk exposure, which may not be appropriately measured by earnings sensitivity analysis. ALCO uses economic value of equity, or EVE, sensitivity analysis to study the impact of long-term cash flows on earnings and capital. Economic value of equity involves discounting present values of all cash flows on the balance sheet and off balance sheet items under different interest rate scenarios. The discounted present value of all cash flows represents the Corporation’s economic value of equity. The analysis requires modifying the expected cash flows in each interest rate scenario, which will impact the discounted present value. The amount of base-case measurement and its sensitivity to shifts in the yield curve allow management to measure longer-term repricing and option risk in the balance sheet. Presented below is the Corporation’s EVE profile as of March 31, 2005:

     Immediate Change in Rates and Resulting Percentage Increase/(Decrease) in EVE:

                         
    -100 basis points     +100 basis points     +200 basis points  
March 31, 2005
    (5.17 %)     (0.57 %)     (2.56 %)

 


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     Capital Resources

          Shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2005 totaled $946.7 million compared to $981.3 million at December 31, 2004 and $1.0 billion at
     March 31, 2004.

The following table reflects the various measures of capital:

                                                 
    March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)   2005     2004     2004  
Consolidated
                                               
Total equity
  $ 946,731       9.21 %     981,257       9.69 %     1,002,272       9.59 %
 
                                               
Common equity
    946,731       9.21 %     981,257       9.69 %     1,002,272       9.59 %
 
                                               
Tangible common equity (a)
    803,062       7.93 %     837,365       8.39 %     857,713       8.32 %
 
                                               
Tier 1 capital (b)
    862,706       10.96 %     871,197       11.09 %     862,231       10.97 %
 
                                               
Total risk-based capital (c)
    1,080,896       13.73 %     1,119,095       14.25 %     1,110,354       14.13 %
 
                                               
Leverage (d)
    862,706       8.54 %     871,197       8.72 %     862,231       8.36 %
 
                                               
Bank Only
                                               
Total equity
  $ 774,218       7.66 %     791,486       7.83 %     795,463       7.63 %
 
                                               
Common equity
    774,218       7.66 %     791,486       7.83 %     795,463       7.63 %
 
                                               
Tangible common equity (a)
    630,549       6.33 %     647,594       6.50 %     650,904       6.33 %
 
                                               
Tier 1 capital (b)
    779,267       9.92 %     771,854       9.85 %     743,506       9.49 %
 
                                               
Total risk-based capital (c)
    994,856       12.67 %     1,017,214       12.98 %     989,274       12.62 %
 
                                               
Leverage (d)
  $ 779,267       7.73 %     771,854       7.75 %     743,506       7.23 %


(a)   Common equity less all intangibles; computed as a ratio to total assets less intangible assets.
 
(b)   Shareholders’ equity minus net unrealized holding gains on equity securities, plus or minus net unrealized holding losses or gains on available for sale debt securities, less goodwill; computed as a ratio to risk-adjusted assets, as defined in the 1992 risk-based capital guidelines.
 
(c)   Tier 1 capital plus qualifying loan loss allowance, computed as a ratio to risk-adjusted assets, as defined in the 1992 risk-based capital guidelines.

 


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(d)   Tier 1 capital; computed as a ratio to the latest quarter’s average assets less goodwill.

     The risk-based capital guidelines issued by the Federal Reserve Bank in 1988 require banks to maintain adequate capital equal to 8% of risk-adjusted assets effective December 31, 1993. At March 31, 2005, the Corporation’s risk-based capital equaled 13.73% of risk-adjusted assets, exceeding minimum guidelines.

     The cash dividend of $0.27 paid in the first quarter has an indicated annual rate of $1.08 per share.

Liquidity Risk Management

     Liquidity risk is the possibility of the Corporation being unable to meet current and future financial obligations in a timely manner. Liquidity is managed to ensure stable, reliable and cost-effective sources of funds to satisfy demand for credit, deposit withdrawals and investment opportunities. The Corporation considers core earnings, strong capital ratios and credit quality essential for maintaining high credit ratings, which allow the Corporation cost-effective access to market-based liquidity. The Corporation relies on a large, stable core deposit base and a diversified base of wholesale funding sources to manage liquidity risk.

     The Treasury Group is responsible for identifying, measuring and monitoring the Corporation’s liquidity profile. The position is evaluated daily, weekly and monthly by analyzing the composition of all funding sources, reviewing projected liquidity commitments by future month and identifying sources and uses of funds. The Treasury Group also prepares a contingency funding plan that details the potential erosion of funds in the event of a systemic financial market crisis or institutional-specific stress. In addition, the overall management of the Corporation’s liquidity position is integrated into retail deposit pricing policies to ensure a stable core deposit base.

     The Corporation’s primary source of liquidity is its core deposit base, raised through its retail branch system, along with unencumbered, or unpledged, investment securities and unused wholesale sources of liquidity. The Corporation also has available unused wholesale sources of liquidity, including advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, issuance through dealers in the capital markets and access to certificates of deposits issued through brokers. Liquidity is also provided by unencumbered, or un-pledged investment securities that totaled $746.69 million at quarter end 2005.

     Funding Trends for the Quarter - During the three months ended March 31, 2005, total deposits decreased $40.90 million from the linked quarter as certificates of deposit were allowed to mature without rollover.

     Parent Company Liquidity - The Corporation manages its liquidity principally through dividends from the bank subsidiary. During the first quarter ended March 31, 2005, FirstMerit Bank paid FirstMerit Corporation $23.0 million in dividends. As of March 31, 2005, FirstMerit Bank had an additional $55.9 million available to pay dividends without regulatory approval.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

     A detailed discussion of the Corporation’s off-balance sheet arrangements, including swaps, hedges, forward swap agreements, IRLCs, TBA securities, options and swaptions is included in Note 9 (Accounting for Derivatives) in these consolidated financial statements and in Note 17 to the 2004 Form 10-K.

 


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Forward-looking Safe-harbor Statement

     The Corporation cautions that any forward-looking statements contained in this report, in a report incorporated by reference to this report or made by management of the Corporation, involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based upon various factors. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied. Reference is made to the section titled “Forward-looking Statements” in the Corporation’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     See Market Risk Section in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     Management, including the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has made an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.

     During the period covered by the report, there was no change in internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

     Based upon the evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded, as of the end of the period covered by this report, that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all material information required to be filed in this report has been made known to them, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 


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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     In the normal course of business, the Corporation is at all times subject to pending and threatened legal actions, some for which the relief or damages sought are substantial. Although the Corporation is not able to predict the outcome of such actions, after reviewing pending and threatened actions with counsel, management believes that the outcome of such actions will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or stockholders’ equity of the Corporation.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not applicable.

     The following table provides information with respect to purchases the Corporation made of its common stock during the first quarter of the 2005 fiscal year:

                                 
                    Total Number of     Maximum  
                    Shares Purchased     Number of Shares  
                    as Part of Publicly     that May Yet be  
    Total Number of     Average Price     Announced Plans     Purchased Under  
    Shares Purchased     Paid per Share     or Programs (1)     Plans or Programs  
Balance as of December 31, 2004:
          $                 2,257,928  
 
                               
January 1, 2005 - January 31, 2005
    124,700       26.49       124,700       2,133,228  
February 1, 2005 - February 28, 2005 (2)
    201,701       26.70       180,500       1,952,728  
March 1, 2005 - March 31, 2005 (2)
    489,807       26.77       471,900       1,480,828  
 
                               
 
                       
Balance as of March 31, 2005:
    816,208     $ 25.96       777,100       1,480,828  
 
                       
 
    (2 )                        


(1)   On July 15, 2004 the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 3 million shares of its currently outstanding common stock. This repurchase plan supersedes all other repurchase programs and does not have an expiration date.
 
(2)   39,109 of these shares of common stock were either delivered by the option holder with respect to the exercise of stock options or the settlement of performance share awards, or in the case of restricted shares of common stock, withheld to pay income tax or other tax liabilities with respect to the vesting of restricted stock.

 


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ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit Index

Exhibit
Number
 
  3.1   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of FirstMerit Corporation, as amended (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-K/A filed by the Registrant on April 29, 1999)
 
  3.2   Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of FirstMerit Corporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(b) to the Form 10-K filed by the registrant on April 9, 1998)
 
  4.1   Shareholders Rights Agreement dated October 21, 1993, between FirstMerit Corporation and FirstMerit Bank, N.A., as amended and restated May 20, 1998 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 to the Form 8-A/A filed by the registrant on June 22, 1998)
 
  4.2   Instrument of Assumption of Indenture between FirstMerit Corporation and NBD Bank, as Trustee. dated October 23, 1998 regarding FirstMerit Corporation’s 6 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures, due May 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(b) to the Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on November 13, 1998)
 
  4.3   Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 12, 1999, between FirstMerit and Firstar Bank Milwaukee, National Association, as Trustee relating to the obligations of the FirstMerit Capital Trust I, fka Signal Capital Trust I (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to the Form 10-K filed by the Registrant on March 22, 1999)
 
  4.4   Indenture dated as of February 13, 1998 between Firstar Bank Milwaukee, National Association, as trustee and Signal Corp (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Form S-4 No. 333-52581-01, filed by FirstMerit Capital Trust I, fka Signal Capital Trust I, on May 13, 1998)
 
  4.5   Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of FirstMerit Capital Trust I, fka Signal Capital Trust I, dated as of February 13, 1998 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.5 to the Form S-4 No. 333-52581-01, filed by FirstMerit Capital Trust I, fka Signal Capital Trust I, on May 13, 1998)

 


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  4.6   Form Capital Security Certificate (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.6 to the Form S-4 No. 333-52581-01, filed by FirstMerit Capital Trust I, fka Signal Capital Trust I, on May 13, 1998)
 
  4.7   Series B Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.7 to the Form S-4 No. 333-52581-01, filed by FirstMerit Capital Trust I, fka Signal Capital Trust I, on May 13, 1998)
 
  4.8   Form of 8.67% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture, Series B (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.7 to the Form S-4 No. 333-52581-01, filed by FirstMerit Capital Trust I, fka Signal Capital Trust I, on May 13, 1998)
 
  10.1*    Executive Cash Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed by the registrant on January 26, 2005)
 
  31.1   Rule 13a-14(a)/Section 302 Certification of John R. Cochran, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FirstMerit Corporation
 
  31.2   Rule 13a-14(a)/Section 302 Certification of Terrence E. Bichsel, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of FirstMerit Corporation
 
  32.1   Rule 13a-14(b)/Section 906 Certifications of John R. Cochran, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FirstMerit Corporation, and Terrence E. Bichsel, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of FirstMerit Corporation


*   Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 


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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ TERRENCE E. BICHSEL    
    Terrence E. Bichsel, Executive Vice President   
    and Chief Financial Officer   
 

DATE: May 5, 2005