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EX-32.0 - CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP INCclifton10qfeb11ex32.htm
EX-31.1 - CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP INCclifton10qfeb11-ex31.htm
EX-31.2 - CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP INCclifton10qfeb11ex31-2.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC  20549

FORM 10-Q
 
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2010
OR
 
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                to               

Commission File No.  0-50358
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

United States
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 
 
34-1983738
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1433 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton, New Jersey
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
07015
(Zip Code)

(973) 473-2200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ¨ No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one)
 
Large Accelerated Filer ¨                                                       Accelerated Filer x
 
Non-Accelerated Filer ¨                                                       Smaller reporting company ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes¨ No x
 
The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of February 1, 2011: 26,137,248 shares outstanding.
 
 

 
 

 

 
 CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
INDEX
 
   
Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Number
     
    Item 1:
Financial Statements
   
       
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)
   
 
at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010
 
1
       
 
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) For the Three
   
 
and Nine months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
2
       
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the
   
 
Three and Nine months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
3
       
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the
   
 
Nine months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
4 - 5
       
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
6 - 21
       
     Item 2:
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
   
 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
22 - 35
       
    Item 3:
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
36 - 38
       
    Item 4:
Controls and Procedures
 
39
 
       
 
     
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
   
       
         Item 1:
Legal Proceedings
 
40
 
         Item 1A:
 
Risk Factors
 
 
 
41 - 46
         Item 2:
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
46
       
         Item 3:
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
46
       
         Item 4:
(Removed and Reserved)
 
46
       
         Item 5:
Other Information
 
 
46
         Item 6:
Exhibits
 
 
47
       
SIGNATURES
 
48
 

 
 

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data, Unaudited)

   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2010
 
ASSETS
           
             
Cash and due from banks
  $ 13,105     $ 21,671  
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks
    9,105       11,790  
Cash and Cash Equivalents
    22,210       33,461  
Securities available for sale, at fair value:
               
Investment
    10,044       15,062  
Mortgage-backed
    42,833       57,081  
Securities held to maturity, at cost:
               
Investment, fair value of $239,625 and $159,511, respectively
    243,424       159,969  
Mortgage-backed, fair value of $321,343 and $285,536, respectively
    310,115       275,801  
                 
Loans receivable
    446,125       479,566  
Allowance for loan losses
    (2,140 )     (2,050 )
Net Loans
    443,985       477,516  
                 
Bank owned life insurance
    26,501       22,835  
Premises and equipment
    8,377       9,612  
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock
    6,533       7,157  
Interest receivable
    4,553       4,377  
Real estate owned
    186       -  
Other assets
    6,086       4,836  
Total Assets
  $ 1,124,847     $ 1,067,707  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Liabilities
               
Deposits:
               
Non-interest bearing
  $ 7,231     $ 6,828  
Interest bearing
    822,818       751,324  
Total Deposits
    830,049       758,152  
                 
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank of New York
    108,090       123,737  
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
    4,870       5,193  
Other liabilities and accrued expenses
    3,338       4,633  
Total Liabilities
    946,347       891,715  
                 
Stockholders' Equity
               
Preferred stock ($.01 par value), 1,000,000 shares
               
authorized; shares issued or outstanding - none
    -       -  
Common stock ($.01 par value), 75,000,000 shares
               
authorized; 30,530,470 shares issued, 26,137,248 shares outstanding at
         
December 31, 2010; 26,398,079 shares outstanding at March 31, 2010
    305       305  
Paid-in capital
    135,660       135,921  
Deferred compensation obligation under Rabbi Trust
    246       233  
Retained earnings
    94,137       89,361  
Treasury stock, at cost; 4,393,222 shares at December 31, 2010;
         
4,132,391 shares at March 31, 2010
    (47,372 )     (45,050 )
Common stock acquired by Employee Stock Ownership
               
Plan ("ESOP")
    (5,862 )     (6,411 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,596       1,820  
Stock held by Rabbi Trust
    (210 )     (187 )
Total Stockholders' Equity
    178,500       175,992  
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $ 1,124,847     $ 1,067,707  
                 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
1

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data, Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months
   
Nine Months
 
   
Ended December 31,
   
Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Interest Income:
                       
   Loans
  $ 5,581     $ 6,201     $ 17,367     $ 18,423  
Mortgage-backed securities
    3,845       4,371       12,022       12,696  
Investments securities
    1,627       663       4,286       2,052  
Other interest-earning assets
    122       120       291       347  
 Total Interest Income
    11,175       11,355       33,966       33,518  
Interest Expense:
                               
Deposits
    3,754       4,182       11,468       13,783  
Advances
    1,041       1,302       3,413       4,055  
 Total Interest Expense
    4,795       5,484       14,881       17,838  
                                 
Net Interest Income
    6,380       5,871       19,085       15,680  
Provision for Loan Losses
    90       -       250       433  
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses
    6,290       5,871       18,835       15,247  
                                 
Non-Interest Income (Loss):
                               
Fees and service charges
    55       56       160       170  
Bank owned life insurance
    222       227       666       682  
Net gain on sale of premises and equipment
    -       -       329       -  
Loss on write-down of land held for sale
    (397 )     -       (397 )     -  
   Other
    -       6       13       19  
 Total Non-Interest Income (Loss)
    (120 )     289       771       871  
                                 
Non-Interest Expenses:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    1,598       1,637       4,974       5,168  
Occupancy expense of premises
    332       325       1,193       863  
Equipment
    267       251       775       693  
Directors' compensation
    195       196       560       643  
Advertising
    73       81       235       220  
   Legal
    44       54       174       159  
Federal deposit insurance premium
    227       166       664       986  
   Other
    441       456       1,291       1,296  
 Total Non-Interest Expenses
    3,177       3,166       9,866       10,028  
                                 
Income before Income Taxes
    2,993       2,994       9,740       6,090  
Income Taxes
    991       1,012       3,385       1,943  
Net Income
  $ 2,002     $ 1,982     $ 6,355     $ 4,147  
                                 
Net Income per Common Share:
                               
   Basic
  $ 0.08     $ 0.08     $ 0.25     $ 0.16  
   Diluted
  $ 0.08     $ 0.08     $ 0.25     $ 0.16  
                                 
Dividends per common share
  $ 0.06     $ 0.05     $ 0.18     $ 0.15  
                                 
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares and Common
                               
  Stock Equivalents Outstanding:
                               
   Basic
    25,542,419       25,939,596       25,586,236       25,993,452  
   Diluted
    25,542,419       25,939,596       25,586,236       25,993,452  
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
2

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In Thousands, Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months
   
Nine Months
 
   
Ended December 31,
   
Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Net income
  $ 2,002     $ 1,982     $ 6,355     $ 4,147  
                                 
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
                               
Gross unrealized holding (loss) on securities available for sale,
                               
  net of income tax (benefit) of ($113) and $(190),
                               
($159) and (23), respectively
    (170 )     (286 )     (239 )     (35 )
Benefit plans, net of income taxes of $3 and $4,
                               
$9 and $13, respectively
    5       7       15       20  
Other comprehensive (loss)
    (165 )     (279 )     (224 )     (15 )
Comprehensive income
  $ 1,837     $ 1,703     $ 6,131     $ 4,132  
                                 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
3

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands, Unaudited)

   
Nine Months
 
   
Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 6,355     $ 4,147  
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
         
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
    389       352  
Net accretion of deferred fees and costs, premiums and discounts
    (167 )     (103 )
Amortization of component of net periodic pension costs
    24       33  
Provision for loan losses
    250       433  
Net (gain) on sale of premises and equipment
    (329 )     -  
Loss on write-down of land held for sale
    397       -  
(Increase) decrease in interest receivable
    (176 )     236  
Deferred income tax benefit
    (2 )     (108 )
(Increase) in other assets
    (339 )     (2,322 )
(Decrease) in accrued interest payable
    (55 )     (44 )
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities
    (1,239 )     203  
(Increase) in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance
    (666 )     (682 )
ESOP shares committed to be released
    496       562  
Restricted stock expense
    36       706  
Stock option expense
    116       66  
Increase in deferred compensation obligation under Rabbi Trust
    13       19  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    5,103       3,498  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Proceeds from calls, maturities and repayments of:
               
Investment securities available for sale
    15,000       -  
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale
    13,926       16,570  
Investment securities held to maturity
    101,275       45,000  
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
    54,438       55,117  
Redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock
    704       796  
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment
    493       -  
Purchases of:
               
Investment securities available for sale
    (10,000 )     (5,000 )
Investment securities held to maturity
    (184,658 )     (104,967 )
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
    (88,632 )     (112,911 )
Loans receivable
    (214 )     (2,801 )
Bank owned life insurance
    (3,000 )     -  
Premises and equipment
    (475 )     (778 )
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock
    (80 )     (656 )
Net decrease (increase) in loans receivable
    33,227       (12,850 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (67,996 )     (122,480 )
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
4

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONT’D.)
(In Thousands, Unaudited)


   
Nine Months
 
   
Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
           
Net increase in deposits
  $ 71,897     $ 108,638  
Principal payments on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank of New York
    (15,647 )     (10,691 )
Net (decrease) increase in payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
    (323 )     217  
Minority dividends paid
    (1,580 )     (1,374 )
Purchase of treasury stock
    (2,707 )     (2,005 )
Income tax (expense) benefit from stock based compensation
    2       (31 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    51,642       94,754  
                 
Net  decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (11,251 )     (24,228 )
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning
    33,461       51,126  
Cash and cash equivalents - ending
  $ 22,210     $ 26,898  
                 
Supplementary cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest on deposits and borrowings
  $ 14,936     $ 17,882  
Income taxes paid
  $ 4,909     $ 1,947  
                 
Non cash activities:
               
Reclass property from premises and equipment to land held for sale
  $ 1,157     $ -  
Transfer from loans receivable to real estate owned
  $ 186     $ -  
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
5

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Clifton Savings Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Clifton Savings Bank (the “Bank”) and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Botany Inc. (“Botany”). The Company’s business consists principally of investing in securities and the operations of the Bank.  Botany’s business consists solely of holding investment and mortgage-backed securities, and Botany is treated under New Jersey tax law as a New Jersey investment company. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.


2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X and do not include information or footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements have been included. The results of operations for the nine months period ended December 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for the entire fiscal year or any other period. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto for the year ended March 31, 2010, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 2010.

The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the statement of financial condition date of December 31, 2010, for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these financial statements. The evaluation was conducted through the date this document was filed.


3. EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

Basic EPS is based on the weighted average number of common shares actually outstanding, and is adjusted for Employee Stock Ownership Plan shares not yet committed to be released and deferred compensation obligations required to be settled in shares of Company stock. Unvested restricted stock awards, which contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends, are considered participating securities and the two-class method of computing basic and diluted EPS is applied. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock, such as outstanding stock options, were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company.  Diluted EPS is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding to include the effect of contracts or securities exercisable (such as stock options) or which could be converted into common stock, if dilutive, using the treasury



 
6

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


3. EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) (CONT’D.)

stock method. The calculation of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 did not include incremental shares related to outstanding stock options due to their anti-dilutive impact. Shares issued and reacquired during any period are weighted for the portion of the period they were outstanding.


4. DIVIDEND WAIVER

During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Clifton MHC (“MHC”), the federally chartered mutual holding company of the Company, waived its right, upon non-objection from the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”), to receive cash dividends of approximately $1.0 million and $3.0 million, and $840,000 and $2.5 million, respectively, on the shares of Company common stock it owns. The cumulative amount of dividends waived by the MHC through December 31, 2010 was approximately $22.2 million. The dividends waived are considered a restriction on the retained earnings of the Company.


5. STOCK REPURCHASE PLAN

On March 3, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company’s ninth repurchase plan for up to 300,000 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock, representing approximately 3% of the outstanding shares owned by entities other than the MHC on that date. During the nine months ended December 31, 2010, 298,000 shares were repurchased under this plan at a total cost of approximately $2.7 million, or $9.08 per share. This stock repurchase program was completed on June 30, 2010. No repurchases of shares were made during the six months ended December 31, 2010.


6. RETIREMENT PLAN-COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC PENSION COST

Periodic pension expense for the director’s retirement plan and former President’s post-retirement health care plan were as follows:

 
   
Three Months
   
Nine Months
 
   
Ended December 31,
   
Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                         
Service cost
  $ 15     $ 21     $ 45     $ 61  
Interest cost
    37       38       111       114  
Amortization of past service cost
    10       13       30       37  
Amortization of unrecognized net (gain)
    (2 )     (2 )     (6 )     (4 )
                                 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 60     $ 70     $ 180     $ 208  
 

 
7

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


7. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

On May 26, 2010, stock options to purchase 164,875 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $8.84 and 35,000 shares of restricted stock were awarded under the Clifton Savings Bancorp, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. At December 31, 2010, there were 786 shares remaining for future option grants and 191 shares remaining available for future restricted stock awards under the plan.

The restricted stock awarded on May 26, 2010 had a grant date fair value of $8.84 per share with 20% vesting annually over a five year period. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010, $15,000 and $36,000, respectively, in expense was recognized in regard to these awards and $6,000 and $14,000, respectively, in income tax benefits resulted from this expense. Expected future compensation expense relating to the 35,000 non-vested restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2010 is $273,000 over a weighted average period of 4.4 years.

The fair value of the options granted on May 26, 2010, as computed using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was determined to be $2.65 per option based upon the following assumptions as of the grant date: the risk free interest rate, expected option life, expected stock price volatility, and dividend yield of 2.68%, 6.5 years, 36.55%, and 2.71%, respectively. The options vest 20% annually over a five year period. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010, $50,000 and $116,000, respectively, in expense was recognized in regard to these options, and $18,000 and $42,000, respectively, in income tax benefits resulted from this expense. Expected future compensation expense relating to the 164,875 non-vested options outstanding at December 31, 2010 is $321,000 over a weighted average period of 4.4 years.




 
8

 

CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


8. INVESTMENT SECURITIES
 
   
December 31, 2010
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Available for sale:
 
(In Thousands)
Federal National Mortgage Association
  $ 5,000     $ 17     $ -     $ 5,017  
Federal Home Loan Banks
    5,000       27       -       5,027  
    $ 10,000     $ 44     $ -     $ 10,044  
                                 
Held to maturity:
                               
Federal Farm Credit Banks
  $ 10,000     $ 156     $ -     $ 10,156  
Federal Home Loan Banks
    63,574       218       1,768       62,024  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
    44,903       159       744       44,318  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    124,947       703       2,523       123,127  
    $ 243,424     $ 1,236     $ 5,035     $ 239,625  
                                 
                                 
 
 
 
March 31, 2010
           
Gross
   
Gross
         
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Available for sale:
 
(In Thousands)
Federal National Mortgage Association
  $ 15,000     $ 62     $ -     $ 15,062  
    $ 15,000     $ 62     $ -     $ 15,062  
                                 
Held to maturity:
                               
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
  $ 40,000     $ 166     $ 178     $ 39,988  
Federal Home Loan Banks
    43,760       65       381       43,444  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    76,209       115       245       76,079  
    $ 159,969     $ 346     $ 804     $ 159,511  
 
Contractual maturity data for investment securities is as follows:
 
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Available for sale:
           
Due after one through five years
  $ 10,000     $ 10,044  
    $ 10,000     $ 10,044  
Held to maturity:
               
Due after one through five years
  $ 89,750     $ 90,834  
Due after five through ten years
    59,962       59,345  
Due after ten years
    93,712       89,446  
    $ 243,424     $ 239,625  

 
9

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


8. INVESTMENT SECURITIES (CONT’D.)

The age of unrealized gross losses and the fair value of related investment securities at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010 were as follows:
 
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
 
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
 
   
(In Thousands)
December 31, 2010:
                                   
Held to maturity:
                                   
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
  $ 34,159     $ 744     $ -     $ -     $ 34,159     $ 744  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    72,424       2,523       -       -       72,424       2,523  
Federal Home Loan Banks
    32,056       1,768                       32,056       1,768  
    $ 138,639     $ 5,035     $ -     $ -     $ 138,639     $ 5,035  
March 31, 2010:
                                               
Held to maturity:
                                               
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
  $ 19,838     $ 178     $ -     $ -     $ 19,838     $ 178  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    44,709       245       -       -       44,709       245  
Federal Home Loan Banks
    34,629       381                       34,629       381  
    $ 99,176     $ 804     $ -     $ -     $ 99,176     $ 804  

Management does not believe that any of the unrealized losses at December 31, 2010 (twelve FNMA, six FHLMC and six FHLB investment securities) represent an other-than-temporary impairment as they are primarily related to market interest rates and not related to the underlying credit quality of the issuers of the securities.  Additionally, the Company and subsidiaries have the ability, and management has the intent, to hold such securities for the time necessary to recover amortized cost and does not have the intent to sell the securities, and it is more likely than not that it will not have to sell the securities before recovery of its amortized cost.
 
There were no sales of investment securities available for sale or held to maturity during the nine months ended December 31, 2010.
 
 
 
10

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

9. MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
 
   
December 31, 2010
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Available for sale:
                       
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
  $ 17,889     $ 1,236     $ -     $ 19,125  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    22,182       1,526       -       23,708  
    $ 40,071     $ 2,762     $ -     $ 42,833  
Held to maturity:
                               
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
  $ 135,809     $ 5,601     $ 644     $ 140,766  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    123,890       4,413       50       128,253  
Government National Mortgage
                               
Association
    50,416       1,908       -       52,324  
    $ 310,115     $ 11,922     $ 694     $ 321,343  
                                 
 
   
March 31, 2010
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Available for sale:
                       
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
  $ 23,561     $ 1,399     $ -     $ 24,960  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    30,378       1,743       -       32,121  
    $ 53,939     $ 3,142     $ -     $ 57,081  
Held to maturity:
                               
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
  $ 112,501     $ 5,622     $ 69     $ 118,054  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    104,023       3,375       169       107,229  
Government National Mortgage
                               
Association
    59,277       980       4       60,253  
    $ 275,801     $ 9,977     $ 242     $ 285,536  
 
Contractual maturity data for mortgage-backed securities is as follows:
 
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Amortized
       
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Available for sale:
           
Due after five through ten years
  $ 10,686     $ 11,374  
Due after ten years
    29,385       31,459  
    $ 40,071     $ 42,833  
Held to maturity:
               
Due within one year
  $ 3     $ 3  
Due after one through five years
    97       105  
Due after five through ten years
    13,957       14,808  
Due after ten years
    296,058       306,427  
    $ 310,115     $ 321,343  

 
11

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


9. MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (CONT’D.)

The amortized cost and carrying values shown above are by contractual final maturity.  Actual maturities will differ from contractual final maturities due to scheduled monthly payments related to mortgage-backed securities and due to the borrowers having the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
 
The age of unrealized gross losses and the fair value of related mortgage-backed securities at December 31 and March 31, 2010 were as follows:
 
 
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
 
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
December 31, 2010:
                                   
Held to maturity:
                                   
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
  $ 33,104     $ 644     $ -     $ -     $ 33,104     $ 644  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    6,451       49       22       1       6,473       50  
    $ 39,555     $ 693     $ 22     $ 1     $ 39,577     $ 694  
March 31, 2010:
                                               
Held to maturity:
                                               
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
  $ 9,950     $ 69     $ -     $ -     $ 9,950     $ 69  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    24,460       168       90       1       24,550       169  
Government National Mortgage Association
    10,556       4       -       -       10,556       4  
    $ 44,966     $ 241     $ 90     $ 1     $ 45,056     $ 242  

Management does not believe that any of the unrealized losses at December 31, 2010 (three FNMA and five FHLMC mortgage-backed securities) represent an other-than-temporary impairment as they are primarily related to market interest rates and not related to the underlying credit quality of the issuers of the securities.  Additionally, the Company and its subsidiaries have the ability, and management has the intent, to hold such securities for the time necessary to recover amortized cost and do not have the intent to sell the securities, and it is more likely than not that the Company and its subsidiaries will not have to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost.
 
There were no sales of mortgage-backed securities available for sale or held to maturity during the nine months ended December 31, 2010.
 
 
 
12

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


10. LOANS RECEIVABLE AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into real estate, and consumer and other loans.  Real estate loans consist of the following classes: one-to-four-family real estate, multi-family real estate, commercial real estate, and construction real estate.  Consumer and other loans consist of the following classes: second mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit and other consumer loans.

The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers pools of loans by loan class not considered impaired, as well as smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as one-to-four family real estate, construction real estate, second mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit and other consumer loans.  These pools of loans are evaluated for loss exposure based upon historical loss rates for each of these categories of loans, adjusted for qualitative factors.  These qualitative risk factors include:

1.
Lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off, and recovery practices.
2.
National, regional, and local economic and business conditions including the value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans.
3. Nature and volume of the portfolio and terms of loans.
4.
Experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff and the quality of the Bank’s loan review system.
5.
Volume and severity of past due, classified and nonaccrual loans.
6.
Existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations.
7.
Effect of external factors, such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements.
 
Each factor is assigned a value to reflect improving, stable or declining conditions based on management’s best judgment using relevant information available at the time of the evaluation. Adjustments to the factors are supported through documentation of changes in conditions in a narrative accompanying the allowance for loan loss calculation.

An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

The allowance calculation methodology includes further segregation of loan classes into risk rating categories. The borrower’s overall financial condition, repayment sources, guarantors and value of collateral, if appropriate, are evaluated when credit deficiencies arise, such as delinquent loan payments. Credit quality risk ratings include regulatory classifications of special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss.  Loans classified special mention have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention.  If uncorrected, the potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects.  Loans classified substandard have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt.  They include loans that are inadequately protected by the current sound net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Loans classified doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified substandard with the added characteristic that collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of current conditions and facts, is highly improbable.   Loans classified as a loss are considered uncollectible and are charged to the allowance for loan losses.  Loans are rated pass-watch if the Bank is waiting for documents required for a complete file or if the loan is to be “watched’ due to previous delinquent status. Loans not classified are rated pass.
 
 
 
13

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


10. LOANS RECEIVABLE AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (CONT’D.)

The following table presents our allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan category at December 31, 2010.

 
   
Amount
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Specific valuation allowance:
     
One-to four-family real estate
  $ 260  
         
General valuation allowance:
       
One-to four-family real estate
    1,564  
Multi-family real estate
    104  
Commercial real estate
    94  
Real estate construction
    10  
Second mortgage and equity lines of credit
    48  
Passbook or certificate and other loans
    2  
Unallocated
    58  
      1,880  
         
   Total allowance for loan losses
  $ 2,140  

 
The aggregate amounts of our classified loan balances are as follows at December 31, 2010:


                           
Second
             
   
One-to-four
                     
Mortgage and
   
Other
       
   
Family
   
Multifamily
   
Commercial
   
Construction
   
Equity Lines
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
   
of Credit
   
Loans
   
Loans
 
   
(In thousands)
                                     
Pass
  $ 398,299     $ 12,817     $ 10,931     $ 1,751     $ 10,572     $ 1,170     $ 435,540  
Pass-watch
    6,008       -       680       574       103       -       7,365  
Special mention assets
    1,035       -       263       -       171       -       1,469  
Substandard assets
    2,141       -       385       -       28       -       2,554  
Doubtful assets
    390       -       -       -       -       -       390  
Loss assets
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
  Total classified assets
  $ 407,873     $ 12,817     $ 12,259     $ 2,325     $ 10,874     $ 1,170     $ 447,318  

 
14

 

CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


10. LOANS RECEIVABLE AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (CONT’D.)

The following table provides information about delinquencies in our loan portfolio at December 31, 2010.
 
    30-59       60-89    
>90
               
Total
 
   
Days
   
Days
   
Days
   
Total
         
Gross
 
   
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
Current
   
Loans
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Real estate loans:
                                     
One-to four-family real estate
  1,600     $ 102     $ 2,531     $ 4,233     $ 403,640     $ 407,873  
Multi-family real estate
  -       -       -       -       12,817       12,817  
Commercial real estate
  -       263       385       -       12,259       12,259  
Construction real estate
  -       -       -       -       2,325       2,325  
Consumer and other loans:
                                             
Second mortgage and equity lines of credit
  64       35       28       127       10,747       10,874  
Other consumer loans
  -       -       -       -       1,170       1,170  
   Total
  1,664     $ 400     $ 2,944     $ 4,360     $ 442,958     $ 447,318  

There are no loans greater than ninety days past due that are still accruing at December 31, 2010.

Impaired loans with and without a related allowance were as follows:

         
Unpaid
         
Average
   
Interest
 
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
   
Recorded
   
Income
 
   
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Investment
   
Recognized
 
December 31, 2010
 
(In Thousands)
 
With no related allowance recorded
                             
Real estate loans:
                             
One-to four-family
  $ 965     $ 965     $ -     $ 1,192     $ 47  
Commercial
    385       385               521       1  
Consumer and other loans:
                                       
Second mortgage
    -       -       -       69       4  
With an allowance recorded
                                       
Real estate loans:
                                       
One-to four-family
    390       390       260       39       -  
Total impaired loans
  $ 1,740     $ 1,740     $ 260     $ 1,821     $ 52  
Impaired loans by type:
                                       
One-to four-family
  $ 1,355     $ 1,355     $ 260     $ 1,231     $ 47  
Commercial
    385       385       -       521       1  
Second mortgage
    -       -       -       69       4  
Total impaired loans
  $ 1,740     $ 1,740     $ 260     $ 1,821     $ 52  

 
 
15

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


10. LOANS RECEIVABLE AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (CONT’D.)

The following table provides information with respect to our nonperforming loans at the date indicated.
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Nonaccrual loans:
     
Real estate loans:
     
One-to four-family
  $ 2,531  
Commercial
    385  
Consumer and other loans:
       
Second mortgage
    28  
Total nonaccrual loans
  $ 2,944  
         
 

11. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Basis of Fair Value Measurement:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical unrestricted assets or liabilities:

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability:

Level 3: Price or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e. supported with little or no market activity).

An asset’s or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
 
 
 
16

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


11. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONT’D.)

For assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010 are as follows:
 
         
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
       
         
Quoted Prices
   
Significant
   
(Level 3)
 
         
in Active
   
Other
   
Significant
 
   
Carrying
   
Markets for
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
Description
 
Value
   
Identical Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
December 31, 2010:
 
(In Thousands)
 
Securities available for sale:
                       
Mortgage-backed securities:
                       
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
  $ 19,125     $ -     $ 19,125     $ -  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    23,708       -       23,708       -  
U.S. Government agencies:
                               
Federal National Mortgage Association
    5,017       -       5,017       -  
Federal Home Loan Banks
    5,027       -       5,027       -  
Total securities available for sale
  $ 52,877     $ -     $ 52,877     $ -  
March 31, 2010:
                               
Securities available for sale:
                               
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
  $ 24,960     $ -     $ 24,960     $ -  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    32,121       -       32,121       -  
U.S. Government agencies:
                               
Federal National Mortgage Association
    15,062       -       15,062       -  
Total securities available for sale
  $ 72,143     $ -     $ 72,143     $ -  
 
 
For assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010 are as follows:
 
         
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
       
         
Quoted Prices
 
Significant
   
(Level 3)
 
         
in Active
   
Other
   
Significant
 
   
Carrying
   
Markets for
 
Observable
 
Unobservable
 
Description
 
Value
   
Identical Assets
 
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
December 31, 2010:
                       
Impaired Loans
  $ 130     $ -     $ -     $ 130  
March 31, 2010:
                               
Impaired Loans
  $ 436     $ -     $ 436     $ -  
 
 
There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010.
 
The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the Company since a fair value calculation is only provided for a limited portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Company’s disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010.
 
 
 
17

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


11. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONT’D.)

 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Interest Receivable and Interest Payable (Carried at Cost)
 
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated statements of financial condition for cash and cash equivalents, interest receivable and interest payable approximate their fair values.
 
Securities
 
The fair value of all securities, whether classified as available for sale (carried at fair value) or held to maturity (carried at cost), is determined by reference to quoted market prices, where available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments. Securities that we measure on a recurring basis are limited to our available-for-sale portfolio. The fair values of these securities are obtained from quotes received from an independent broker. The Company’s broker provides it with prices which are categorized as Level 2 since quoted prices in active markets for identical assets are generally not available.
 
Loans Receivable (Carried at Cost)
 
Fair value is estimated by discounting the future cash flows, using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities, of such loans.
 
Impaired Loans (Carried based on Discounted Cash Flows)
 
Impaired loans are those accounted for under ASC Topic 310 “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan” in which the Company has measured impairment generally based on either the fair value of the loan’s collateral or discounted cash flows. These assets are included as Level 2 or Level 3 fair values since they are based on either observable inputs that are significant to the discounted cash flow measurement or the fair value of the loan’s collateral. The carrying value at December 31, 2010 consists of one two-family real estate loan with a balance of $390,000 less a specific reserve of $260,000. The carrying value at March 31, 2010 consists of one residential real estate loan with a balance of $517,000 less a partial charge-off of $81,000 which represented a loss due to the troubled debt restructuring of this loan.
 
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Stock (Carried at Cost)
 
Fair value approximates cost basis as these instruments are redeemable only with the issuing agency at face value.
 
Deposits (Carried at Cost)
 
The fair value of non-interest-bearing demand, Crystal Checking, NOW, Super NOW, Money Market and Savings and Club accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date.  For fixed-maturity certificates of deposit, fair value is estimated by discounting future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.
 
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (Carried at Cost)
 
The fair value is estimated by discounting future cash flows using rates currently offered for liabilities of similar remaining maturities, or when available, quoted market prices.
 

 
18

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
11. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONT’D.)

 
Commitments to Extend Credit
 
The fair value of commitments is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties.  For fixed-rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates.
 
As of December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010, the fair value of the commitments to extend credit were not considered to be material.
 
The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments are as follows:
 
   
December 31, 2010
   
March 31, 2010
 
   
Carrying
         
Carrying
       
   
Value
   
Fair Value
   
Value
   
Fair Value
 
Financial assets:
 
(In Thousands)
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 22,210     $ 22,210     $ 33,461     $ 33,461  
Securities available for sale:
                               
Investment
    10,044       10,044       15,062       15,062  
Mortgage-backed
    42,833       42,833       57,081       57,081  
Securities held to maturity:
                               
Investment
    243,424       239,625       159,969       159,511  
Mortgage-backed
    310,115       321,343       275,801       285,536  
Net loans receivable
    443,985       456,447       477,516       485,068  
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock
    6,533       6,533       7,157       7,157  
Interest receivable
    4,553       4,553       4,377       4,377  
Financial liabilities:
                               
Deposits
    830,049       835,913       758,152       762,521  
FHLB advances
    108,090       117,898       123,737       132,070  
Interest payable
    415       415       471       471  


12. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820)”. The amendments with ASU 2010-06 require new disclosures as follows: (1)  A reporting entity should disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers.(2) In the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (that is, on a gross basis rather than as one net number).  This update provides amendments to Subtopic 820-10 that clarifies existing disclosures as follows: (1) A reporting entity should provide fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities. A class is often a subset of assets or liabilities within a line item in the statement of financial position. A reporting entity needs to use judgment in determining the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities. (2) Disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques. A reporting entity should provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. Those disclosures are required for fair value measurements that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3. This update also includes conforming amendments to the guidance on employers' disclosures about postretirement
 
 
 
19

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
12. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (CONT”D.)
 
benefit plan assets (Subtopic 715-­20). The conforming amendmens to Subtopic 715-20 change the terminology from major categories of assets to classes of assets and provide a cross reference to the guidance in Subtopic 820-10 on how to determine appropriate classes to present fair value disclosures. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of the applicable portion of this standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company does not expect that the guidance effective in future periods will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-20, “Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Loss”. These amendments will help investors assess the credit risk of a company’s receivables portfolio and the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses held against the portfolios by expanding credit risk disclosures.  This ASU requires more information about the credit quality of financing receivables in the disclosures to financial statements, such as aging information and credit quality indicators.  Both new and existing disclosures must be disaggregated by portfolio segment or class.  The disaggregation of information is based on how a company develops its allowance for credit losses and how it manages its credit exposure. The amendments that require disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for periods ending on or after December 15, 2010.  The amendments that require disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of the applicable portion of this standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company does not expect that the guidance effective in future periods will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 
13.  POSTPONED PLAN OF CONVERSION AND REORGANIZATION

On November 8, 2010, the Company, the Bank and Clifton MHC adopted a Plan of Conversion and Reorganization (the “Plan of Conversion”) pursuant to which the Bank will reorganize from the two-tier mutual holding company structure to the stock holding company structure. Pursuant to the Plan of Conversion: (1) Clifton MHC will merge with and into the Company, with the Company being the surviving entity (the “MHC Merger”); (2) the Company will merge with and into a newly formed corporation named Clifton Savings Bancorp, Inc. (the “Holding Company”); (3) the shares of common stock of the Company held by persons other than Clifton MHC (whose shares will be canceled) will be converted into shares of common stock of the Holding Company pursuant to an exchange ratio designed to preserve the percentage ownership interests of such persons; and (4) the Holding Company will offer and sell shares of its common stock to certain depositors and borrowers of the Bank and others in the manner and subject to the priorities set forth in the Plan of Conversion.

In connection with the Plan of Conversion, shares of the Company’s common stock currently owned by Clifton MHC will be canceled and new shares of common stock, representing the approximate 64.2% ownership interest of Clifton MHC, will be offered for sale by the Holding Company. Concurrent with the completion of the conversion and offering, the Company’s existing public shareholders will receive shares of the Holding Company’s common stock for each share of the Company’s common stock they own at that date, based on an exchange ratio to ensure that they will own approximately the same percentage of the Holding Company’s common stock as they owned of the Company’s common stock immediately before the conversion and offering.
 
 
 
20

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


13.  POSTPONED PLAN OF CONVERSION AND REORGANIZATION (CONT’D.)

At the time of the conversion, a liquidation account will be established in an amount equal to the percentage of the outstanding shares of the Company owned by Clifton MHC before the MHC Merger, multiplied by the Company’s total stockholders’ equity as reflected in the latest statement of financial condition used in the final offering prospectus for the conversion plus the value of the net assets of Clifton MHC as reflected in the latest statement of financial condition of Clifton MHC prior to the effective date of the conversion. The liquidation account will be maintained for the benefit of eligible account holders and supplemental eligible account holders (collectively, “eligible depositors”) who continue to maintain their deposit accounts in the Bank after the conversion. In the event of a complete liquidation of the Bank or the Bank and the Holding Company (and only in such event), eligible depositors who continue to maintain accounts shall be entitled to receive a distribution from the liquidation account before any liquidation may be made with respect to common stock. Neither the Holding Company nor the Bank may declare or pay a cash dividend if the effect thereof would cause its equity to be reduced below either the amount required for the liquidation account or the regulatory capital requirements imposed by the OTS.

The transactions contemplated by the Plan of Conversion are subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company, the members of Clifton MHC and the OTS.
 
On February 7, 2011, the Company announced the postponement of the conversion and offering following the issuance by the OTS of a "Needs to Improve" rating to the Bank as a result of its recent Community Reinvestment Act examination. The Company has incurred conversion and offering costs of $792,000 and $551,000 as of February 7, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, which are considered prepaid expenses and included in other assets. If the conversion and offering are completed, eligible conversion and offering costs will be netted against the offering proceeds. If the conversion and offering are terminated, such costs will be expensed. The Company intends to address the OTS’s concerns regarding the Company’s CRA performance and remains committed to the completion of its conversion and offering, but has not yet determined when it will be completed.
 
 
 
 
21

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 2:
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
      FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q may include, and from time to time the Company may disclose, certain forward-looking statements based on current management expectations.  The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those management expectations.  Factors that could cause future results to vary from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government, changes in tax policies, rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, the cost of funds, demand for loan products, demand for financial services, competition, changes in the quality or composition of loan and investment portfolios, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, and other economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services and prices.  Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2010 and the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 under “Item 1A.Risk Factors”.  These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date of the forward-looking statements or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Accordingly, past results and trends should not be used by investors to anticipate future results or trends.

Overview of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The Company’s results of operations depend primarily on its net interest income, which is a direct result of the interest rate environment.  Net interest income is the difference between the interest income earned on interest-earning assets and the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. It is a function of the average balances of loans and securities versus deposits and borrowed funds outstanding in any one period and the yields earned on those loans and securities and the cost of those deposits and borrowed funds.

Interest-earning assets consist primarily of investment and mortgage-backed securities and loans which comprised 53.9% and 39.5%, respectively, of total assets at December 31, 2010, as compared to 47.6% and 44.7%, respectively, at March 31, 2010. Cash and cash equivalents decreased to 2.0% of total assets at December 31, 2010, as compared to 3.1% at March 31, 2010. The Company’s investment and mortgage-backed securities portfolios consist of only U.S. government-sponsored or guaranteed enterprises.

Interest-bearing liabilities consist of deposits and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”).  Deposits increased $71.9 million, or 9.5%, between March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2010, and borrowed funds decreased by $15.6 million, or 12.6%, during this period. The balance in borrowed funds was $108.1 million at December 31, 2010 as compared to $123.7 million at March 31, 2010. During the nine months ended December 31, 2010, $15.6 million of long-term borrowings were repaid in accordance with their original terms.

Net interest income increased $509,000, or 8.7%, during the three months ended December 31, 2010, when compared with the same 2009 period.  This increase was due to a decrease in total interest expense of $689,000 partially offset by a decrease of $180,000 in total interest income. Average interest-earning assets increased $81.9 million, or 8.4% during the three months ended December 31, 2010, when compared to the same period in 2009, while average interest-bearing liabilities increased $78.5 million, or 9.2%, when compared with the same 2009 period. The $3.4 million increase in average net interest-
 
 
 
22

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Overview of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont’d.)

earning assets was mainly attributable to increases of $132.4 million in the average balance of investment securities and $1.4 million in the average balance of other interest-earning assets, and a decrease of $26.5 million in the average balance of borrowings, partially offset by a decrease of $33.9 million in the average balance of loans, a decrease of $18.0 million in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities, and an increase of $105.0 million in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits. The net interest rate spread increased 10 basis points during the three months ended December 31, 2010, to 2.15% from 2.05% during the same 2009 period. This was due to a 52 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities which was partially offset by a decrease of 42 basis points in the yield earned on interest-earning assets.

Results of operations also depend, to a lesser extent, on non-interest income generated, any provision for loan losses recorded, and non-interest expenses incurred. During the three months ended December 31, 2010, non-interest income decreased $409,000, or 141.5%, to a net loss of $120,000 as compared with income of $289,000 for the same 2009 period, mostly due to a $397,000 net loss on the write-down of land held for sale. The provision for loan losses increased $90,000, to $90,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 from $0 for the three months ended December 31, 2009, and non-interest expenses increased $11,000, or 0.4%, between periods.

Changes in Financial Condition

The Company’s assets at December 31, 2010 totaled $1.12 billion, which represents an increase of $57.1 million, or 5.4%, as compared with $1.07 billion at March 31, 2010.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $11.3 million, or 33.7% to $22.2 million at December 31, 2010 as compared to $33.5 million at March 31, 2010, as funds were redeployed into higher yielding assets.

Securities available for sale at December 31, 2010 decreased $19.3 million, or 26.6%, to $52.9 million from $72.1 million at March 31, 2010. The decrease during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 resulted primarily from maturities, calls, and repayments, totaling $28.9 million, partially offset by purchases of $10.0 million and a decrease of $398,000 in the unrealized gain on the portfolio.

Securities held to maturity at December 31, 2010 increased $117.7 million, or 27.0%, to $553.5 million from $435.8 million at March 31, 2010.  The increase during the nine months ended December 31, 2010, resulted primarily from purchases of securities totaling $273.2 million partially offset by maturities, calls and repayments totaling $155.7 million.

Net loans at December 31, 2010 decreased $33.5 million, or 7.0%, to $444.0 million when compared with $477.5 million at March 31, 2010.  The decrease during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 resulted primarily from repayment levels on loans exceeding origination volume. Declines in home sales resulting from uncertain economic conditions have caused a significant decrease in the need for loan financing. The largest decrease in the loan portfolio was in one-to four-family real estate loans which decreased $33.1 million, or 7.5%.
 
Total liabilities increased $54.6 million, or 6.1%, to $946.3 million at December 31, 2010 from $891.7 million at March 31, 2010.  Deposits at December 31, 2010 increased $71.9 million, or 9.5%, to $830.0 million when compared with $758.2 million at March 31, 2010, as the Bank continued to offer competitive rates on its deposit products and opened a new branch office in May 2010.  Borrowed funds decreased $15.6 million, or 12.6%, to $108.1 million at December 31, 2010, as compared with $123.7
 
 
23

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Changes in Financial Condition (Cont’d.)

million at March 31, 2010.  During the nine months ended December 31, 2010, $15.6 million of long-term borrowings were repaid in accordance with their original terms. At December 31, 2010, the remaining borrowings of $108.1 million had an average interest rate of 3.77%.

Stockholders’ equity totaled $178.5 million and $176.0 million at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010, respectively. The increase of $2.5 million, or 1.4%, for the nine months ended December 31, 2010, resulted primarily from net income of $6.4 million, ESOP shares committed to be released of $496,000, and $154,000 for stock options and restricted stock awards earned under the Company’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan and related tax benefits, partially offset by the repurchase of approximately 298,000 shares of Company common stock for an aggregate of $2.7 million, aggregate cash dividends paid of $1.6 million, and a net decrease in unrealized gains, net of income taxes, of $239,000 on the available for sale securities portfolios.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

Average Balances and Yields. The following table presents information regarding average balances of assets and liabilities, as well as the total dollar amounts of interest income and dividends from average interest-earning assets and interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities and the resulting average yields and costs.  The yields and costs for the periods indicated are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balances of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented.  For purposes of this table, average balances have been calculated using the average of month-end balances, and nonaccrual loans are included in average balances; however, accrued interest income has been excluded from these loans.  Loan fees (costs) are included in interest income on loans and are insignificant.  Yields are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis.  Any adjustments necessary to present yields on a tax equivalent basis are insignificant.
 



 
24

 

CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (Cont’d.)
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
         
Interest
   
Average
         
Interest
   
Average
 
   
Average
   
and
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
and
   
Yield/
 
   
Balance
   
Dividends
   
Cost
   
Balance
   
Dividends
   
Cost
 
Assets:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                                   
   Loans receivable
  $ 452,618     $ 5,581       4.93 %   $ 486,542     $ 6,201       5.10 %
   Mortgage-backed securities
    338,411       3,845       4.54 %     356,413       4,371       4.91 %
   Investment securities
    246,315       1,627       2.64 %     113,870       663       2.33 %
   Other interest-earning assets
    25,406       122       1.92 %     23,990       120       2.00 %
      Total interest-earning assets
    1,062,750       11,175       4.21 %     980,815       11,355       4.63 %
                                                 
Noninterest-earning assets
    63,875                       61,475                  
     Total assets
  $ 1,126,625                     $ 1,042,290                  
                                                 
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
                                               
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
   Demand accounts
    54,058       85       0.63 %     51,488       118       0.92 %
   Savings and Club accounts
    112,758       234       0.83 %     98,551       265       1.08 %
   Certificates of deposit
    651,977       3,435       2.11 %     563,791       3,799       2.70 %
      Total interest-bearing deposits
    818,793       3,754       1.83 %     713,830       4,182       2.34 %
   FHLB advances
    111,542       1,041       3.73 %     137,995       1,302       3.77 %
      Total interest-bearing liabilities
    930,335       4,795       2.06 %     851,825       5,484       2.58 %
 
                                               
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
    Noninterest-bearing deposits
    6,824                       6,123                  
    Other noninterest-bearing liabilities
    11,616                       8,910                  
      Total noninterest-bearing liabilities
    18,440                       15,033                  
 
                                               
      Total liabilities
    948,775                       866,858                  
      Stockholders' equity
    177,850                       175,432                  
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 1,126,625                     $ 1,042,290                  
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 6,380                     $ 5,871          
Interest rate spread
                    2.15 %                     2.05 %
Net interest margin
                    2.40 %                     2.39 %
Average interest-earning assets
                                               
   to average interest-bearing
                                               
   liabilities
    1.14  x                     1.15  x                
 
 
 
25

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (Cont’d.)

Net income increased $20,000, or 1.0%, to $2.00 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 compared with $1.98 million for the same 2009 period.  The increase in net income during the 2010 period resulted primarily from an increase of $509,000, or 8.7%, in net interest income, partially offset by an increase of $90,000, or 100.0%, in provision for loan losses, and a $397,000 loss on the write-down of land held for sale.

Interest income on loans decreased by $620,000, or 10.0%, to $5.58 million during the three months ended December 31, 2010, when compared with $6.20 million for the same 2009 period.  The decrease during the 2010 period mainly resulted from a decrease in the average yield earned on the loan portfolio of 17 basis points to 4.93% from 5.10%, coupled with a decrease of $33.9 million, or 7.0%, in the average balance when compared to the same period in 2009. Interest income on mortgage-backed securities decreased $527,000, or 12.1%, to $3.84 million during the three months ended December 31, 2010, when compared with $4.37 million for the same 2009 period.  The decrease during the 2010 period resulted from a decrease of 37 basis points in the average yield earned on mortgage-backed securities to 4.54% from 4.91%, coupled with a decrease of $18.0 million, or 5.1%, in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities outstanding. Interest earned on investment securities increased by $965,000, or 145.6%, to $1.63 million during the three months ended December 31, 2010, when compared to $663,000 during the same 2009 period, due to an increase in the average balance of $132.4 million, or 116.3%, coupled with an increase of 31 basis points in the average yield to 2.64% from 2.33%. Interest earned on other interest-earning assets increased by $2,000, or 1.7%, to $122,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2010, when compared to $120,000 during the same 2009 period primarily due to an increase of $1.4 million, or 5.9%, in the average balance partially offset by a decrease of 8 basis points in average yield to 1.92% from 2.00%. The average balance of investment securities increased as funds generated from the increase in deposits primarily were invested into these types of assets. Funds were not invested into mortgage-backed securities as the average yield on these types of products were very low, therefore causing a decrease in balance. The decrease in the balance of loans was due to the low demand for loan products coupled with a high repayment level on existing loans.  The decrease in the average yields earned for loans, mortgage-backed securities and other interest-earning assets was due to lower market interest rates for all these types of products. The average yields of the current investment products purchased, mostly federal agency step-up securities, were higher than the existing portfolio, therefore causing and overall increase in the average yield from 2009 to 2010.

Interest expense on deposits decreased $428,000, or 10.2%, to $3.75 million during the three months ended December 31, 2010, when compared to $4.18 million during the same 2009 period.  The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of 51 basis points in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 1.83% from 2.34%, partially offset by an increase of $104.5 million, or 14.7%, in the average balance of interest- bearing deposits.  The decrease in the average cost of deposits reflected lower market interest rates. Interest expense on borrowed money decreased approximately $261,000, or 20.0%, to $1.04 million during the three months ended December 31, 2010 when compared with $1.30 million during the same 2009 period. Such decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $26.5 million, or 19.2%, in the average balance of borrowings, coupled with a decrease of 4 basis points in the cost of borrowings to 3.73% from 3.77%.

Net interest income increased $509,000, or 8.67%, during the three months ended December 31, 2010, to $6.38 million when compared to $5.87 million for the same 2009 period.  Such increase was due to a
 
 
 
26

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (Cont’d.)

decrease in total interest expense of $689,000 partially offset by a decrease of $180,000 in total interest income. Average interest-earning assets increased $81.9 million, or 8.4%, during the three months ended December 31, 2010 while average interest-bearing liabilities increased $78.5 million, or 9.2%. The $81.9 million increase in average interest-earning assets was attributable to increases of $132.4 million in investment securities and $1.4 million in other interest-earning assets, partially offset by decreases of $33.9 million in loans and $18.0 million in mortgage-backed securities. The average balance in investment securities increased primarily due to the redeployment of funds generated by repayments, maturities and calls of mortgage-backed, investment securities and loans and growth in deposits into these assets. The average balance of loans decreased as repayment levels on loans exceeded origination volume. The average balance of mortgage-backed securities decreased as repayments on existing securities exceeded new purchases. The $78.5 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities was primarily due to an increase of $105.0 million in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits partially offset by a decrease of $26.5 million in the average balance of borrowings. The net interest rate spread increased 10 basis points due to a 52 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by a decrease of 42 basis points in the yield earned on interest-earning assets.

The provision for loan losses increased $90,000, to $90,000, during the three months ended December 31, 2010, as no provision was recorded during the same period in 2009. The entire provision recognized in the current period was attributable to a $260,000 specific reserve that was established on one impaired loan that is currently in the process of foreclosure, partially offset by a $170,000 decrease in the general valuation allowance. Management has determined that no other provisions were warranted during the three month period ended December 31, 2010, as non-performing loans have remained relatively stable in 2010 and the loan portfolio balance has decreased. The allowance for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio and gives due consideration to the changes in general market conditions and in the nature and volume of the Bank’s loan activity. The Bank intends to continue to evaluate the need for a provision for loan losses based on its periodic review of the loan portfolio and general market conditions.

At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Bank’s non-performing loans, all of which were delinquent ninety days or more, and all of which were in a nonaccrual status, totaled $2.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively, representing 0.66% and 0.39%, respectively, of total gross loans, and 0.26% and 0.18%, respectively, of total assets at the end of each period. At March 31, 2010, nonaccrual loans totaled $2.5 million, or 0.51% and 0.23% of total gross loans and total assets, respectively. During the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Bank charged off loan amounts totaling $160,000 and $0, respectively. During the period ended December 31, 2010, the $160,000 charge-off represented a loss from the write-down to fair value of one multi-family real estate loan which was repossessed in December 2010 and is now classified as real estate owned.  At December 31, 2010, non-performing loans consisted of thirteen loans secured by one-to four-family residential real estate, and two loans secured by commercial real estate, while at December 31, 2009, non-performing loans consisted of nine loans secured by one-to four-family residential real estate, two loans secured by commercial real estate, and one loan secured by a multi-family dwelling. All non-performing loans included above are secured by properties located in the state of New Jersey. Impaired loans totaled $1.7 million, $2.2 million and $1.7 million at December 31, 2010, March 31, 2010, and December 31, 2009 respectively. There was a $260,000 specific reserve required on one impaired loan as of December 31, 2010. There were no specific reserves required on impaired loans as of December 31, 2009.  The allowance for loan losses amounted to $2.1 million for all the periods ended December 31, 2010, March 31, 2010, and December 31, 2009,
 
 
 
27

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (Cont’d.)

representing 0.48%, 0.43%, respectively, of total gross loans at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010, respectively, and 0.42% of total gross loans at December 31, 2009.

Non-interest income decreased $409,000, or 141.5%, to a loss of $120,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 from income of $289,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2009. The decrease resulted from a loss on the write-down of land held for sale of $397,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2010. The Bank had previously acquired a property for the purpose of building a branch office on the land, but subsequently decided not to proceed with the construction of the branch office. The balance was transferred from premises and equipment to land held for sale, and a write-down on the property to fair value less costs to sell was recorded in December 2010 as a result of obtaining a current appraisal on the property.
 
 
Non-interest expense increased $11,000, or 0.4% to $3.18 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 as compared to $3.17 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009. The increase was primarily the result of an increase of $61,000, or 36.8% in federal deposit insurance premiums due to a larger deposit base on which the Bank’s premium is calculated coupled with an increase in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assessment rate, partially offset by a decrease of $39,000 or 2.4% in salaries and employee benefits.

Income taxes totaled $991,000 and $1.01 million during the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The decrease of $21,000, or 2.1%, during the 2010 period resulted from a decrease in the overall effective income tax rate which was 33.1% in the 2010 period, compared with 33.8% for 2009.





 
28

 

CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

Average Balances and Yields.  The following table presents information regarding average balances of assets and liabilities, as well as the total dollar amounts of interest income and dividends from average interest-earning assets and interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities and the resulting average yields and costs.  The yields and costs for the periods indicated are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balances of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented.  For purposes of this table, average balances have been calculated using the average of month-end balances, and nonaccrual loans are included in average balances; however, accrued interest income has been excluded from these loans.  Loan fees (costs) are included in interest income on loans and are insignificant.  Yields are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis.  Any adjustments necessary to present yields on a tax equivalent basis are insignificant.
 



 
29

 

CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (Cont’d.)


   
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
         
Interest
   
Average
         
Interest
   
Average
 
   
Average
   
and
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
and
   
Yield/
 
   
Balance
   
Dividends
   
Cost
   
Balance
   
Dividends
   
Cost
 
Assets:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                                   
   Loans receivable
  $ 463,597     $ 17,367       4.99 %   $ 477,921     $ 18,423       5.14 %
   Mortgage-backed securities
    341,036       12,022       4.70 %     335,168       12,696       5.05 %
   Investment securities
    215,369       4,286       2.65 %     100,101       2,052       2.73 %
   Other interest-earning assets
    23,954       291       1.62 %     24,808       347       1.86 %
      Total interest-earning assets
    1,043,956       33,966       4.34 %     937,998       33,518       4.76 %
                                                 
Noninterest-earning assets
    65,704                       71,490                  
     Total assets
  $ 1,109,660                     $ 1,009,488                  
                                                 
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
                                               
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
   Demand accounts
    54,014       294       0.73 %     50,336       369       0.98 %
   Savings and Club accounts
    108,818       682       0.84 %     95,497       756       1.06 %
   Certificates of deposit
    634,607       10,492       2.20 %     534,027       12,658       3.16 %
      Total interest-bearing deposits
    797,439       11,468       1.92 %     679,860       13,783       2.70 %
   FHLB advances
    117,927       3,413       3.86 %     140,748       4,055       3.84 %
      Total interest-bearing liabilities
    915,366       14,881       2.17 %     820,608       17,838       2.90 %
 
                                               
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
    Noninterest-bearing deposits
    6,495                       5,568                  
    Other noninterest-bearing liabilities
    11,008                       8,953                  
      Total noninterest-bearing liabilities
    17,503                       14,521                  
 
                                               
      Total liabilities
    932,869                       835,129                  
      Stockholders' equity
    176,791                       174,359                  
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 1,109,660                     $ 1,009,488                  
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 19,085                     $ 15,680          
Interest rate spread
                    2.17 %                     1.86 %
Net interest margin
                    2.44 %                     2.23 %
Average interest-earning assets
                                               
   to average interest-bearing
                                               
   liabilities
    1.14  x                     1.14  x                
 
 
 
30

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (Cont’d.)

Net income increased $2.21 million, or 53.2%, to $6.36 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with $4.15 million for the same 2009 period.  The increase in net income during the 2010 period primarily was the result of an increase of $3.41 million, or 21.7%, in net interest income and a $329,000 net gain on the sale of premises and equipment, coupled with a decrease of $183,000, or 42.3%, in provision for loan losses, partially offset by an increase in income taxes of $1.44 million, or 74.2% to $3.38 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 from $1.94 million for same period ended December 31, 2009.

Interest income on loans decreased by $1.1 million, or 5.7% to $17.37 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2010, when compared with $18.42 million for the same 2009 period.  The decrease during the 2010 period mainly resulted from a decrease in the average balance of loans of $14.3 million, or 3.0%, when compared to the same period in 2009, coupled with a decrease in the average yield earned on the loan portfolio of 15 basis points, to 4.99% from 5.14%. The average balance of loans decreased as repayment levels on loans exceeded origination volume. Interest income on mortgage-backed securities decreased $674,000, or 5.3%, to $12.02 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2010, when compared with $12.70 million for the same 2009 period.  The decrease during the 2010 period resulted from a decrease of 35 basis points in the average yield earned on mortgage-backed securities to 4.70% from 5.05%, partially offset by an increase of $5.9 million, or 1.8% in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities outstanding. Interest earned on investment securities increased by $2.24 million, or 108.9%, to $4.29 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2010, when compared to $2.05 million during the same 2009 period, due to an increase of $115.3 million, or 115.2%, in the average balance, partially offset by an 8 basis point decrease in the average yield to 2.65% from 2.73%. Interest earned on other interest-earning assets decreased by $56,000, or 16.1%, to $291,000 during the nine months ended December 31, 2010, when compared to $347,000 during the same 2009 period primarily due to a decrease of 24 basis points in the average yield to 1.62% from 1.86%, coupled with a decrease of $854,000, or 3.4%, in the average balance. The average balances of mortgage-backed and investment securities increased primarily due to the redeployment of funds resulting from growth in deposits into these categories of interest-earning assets. The decrease in the average yields earned was due to lower market interest rates for all these types of products.

Interest expense on deposits decreased $2.31 million, or 16.8%, to $11.47 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2010, when compared to $13.78 million during the same 2009 period.  The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of 78 basis points in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 1.92% from 2.70%, partially offset by an increase of $117.6 million, or 17.3%, in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits. The decrease in the average cost of deposits reflected lower market interest rates. Interest expense on borrowed money decreased approximately $642,000, or 15.9%, to $3.41 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 when compared with $4.06 million during the same 2009 period. Such decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $22.8 million, or 16.2%, in the average balance of borrowings, partially offset by an increase of 2 basis points in the average cost of borrowings to 3.86% from 3.84%.

Net interest income increased $3.41 million, or 21.7%, during the nine months ended December 31, 2010, to $19.09 million when compared to $15.68 million for the same 2009 period.  Such increase was due to a $448,000 increase in total interest income, coupled with a decrease in total interest expense of $2.96 million. Average interest-earning assets increased $106.0 million, or 11.3%, during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 while average interest-bearing liabilities increased $94.8 million, or 11.5%.
 
 
 
31

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (Cont’d.)

The $106.0 million increase in average interest-earning assets was attributable to increases of $5.9 million in mortgage-backed securities, and $115.3 million in investment securities, partially offset by decreases of $14.3 million in loans, and $854,000 in other interest-earning assets. The average balances of mortgage-backed and investment securities increased primarily due to the deployment of funds resulting from the growth in deposits. The average balance of loans decreased as repayment levels on loans exceeded origination volume. The $94.8 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities was primarily due to an increase of $117.6 million in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits partially offset by a decrease of $22.8 million in the average balance of borrowings. The net interest rate spread increased 31 basis points to 2.17% as a 42 basis point decrease to 4.34% in the average yield earned on interest-earning assets was more than offset by a decrease of 73 basis points to 2.17% in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.

The provision for loan losses decreased $183,000, or 42.3%, to $250,000, during the nine months ended December 31, 2010, as compared to $433,000 during the nine months ended December 31, 2009. The entire provision recognized in the current period was attributable to $420,000 in specific reserves that were established on two impaired loans in foreclosure, one which became real estate owned during the nine month period ended December 31, 2010, partially offset by a decline of $170,000 in general reserves. See “Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009” for a discussion of non-performing loans as of December 31, 2010. During the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Bank charged off $160,000 and $83,000, respectively. During the nine month period ended December 31, 2010, the $160,000 charge-off represented a loss from the write-down to fair value of one multi-family real estate loan which was repossessed in December 2010 and is now classified as real estate owned.  During the nine month period ended December 31, 2009, the $83,000 charge-off represented a partial loss from the restructuring of one residential real estate loan.

Non-interest income decreased $100,000, or 11.5%, to $771,000 for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 from $871,000 for the nine months ended December 31, 2009. The decrease resulted mostly from a write-down of land held for sale of $397,000 during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 as described above, partially offset by a net gain on the sale of premises and equipment of $329,000, as the Bank sold its Botany branch facility in August 2010 and recognized a $339,000 gain on the sale of land, buildings and improvements, net of a $10,000 loss recognized on the disposal of net furnishings and equipment.

Non-interest expense decreased by $162,000, or 1.6% to $9.87 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2010, when compared with $10.03 million during the same 2009 period.  The components of non-interest expense which experienced the most significant change were decreases in federal deposit insurance premiums and salaries and employee benefits, which decreased by $322,000, or 32.7%, and $194,000, or 3.8%, respectively, and an increase in occupancy expense of premises, which increased by $330,000, or 38.2%, respectively. The decrease in federal deposit insurance premiums in the 2010 period was due to increased assessments in the 2009 period that resulted from a special emergency assessment imposed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to increase the Deposit Insurance Fund in order to cover losses incurred from failed financial institutions, as well as anticipated future losses. The increase in occupancy expense of premises was mainly due to costs associated with the Bank’s new Fair Lawn and Lyndhurst branch locations which opened in November 2009 and May 2010, respectively, and expenses associated with the Woodland Park branch opened in October 2010, along with the renovation and repairs of other branch premises.
 
 
 
32

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (Cont’d.)

Income taxes totaled $3.38 million and $1.94 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The increase of $1.44 million, or 74.2%, during the 2010 period resulted from higher pre-tax income, coupled with an increase in the overall effective income tax rate which was 34.8% in the 2010 period, compared with 31.9% for 2009. The Company’s effective tax rate decreases when overall income decreases, as tax exempt income recognized from the increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance accounts for a larger percentage of overall income.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company maintains levels of liquid assets sufficient to ensure the Bank’s safe and sound operation. The Company adjusts its liquidity levels in order to meet funding needs for deposit outflows, payment of real estate taxes from escrow accounts on mortgage loans, repayment of borrowings, when applicable, and loan funding commitments. The Company also adjusts its liquidity level as appropriate to meet its asset/liability objectives. Liquid assets, which include cash and cash equivalents and securities available for sale, totaled $75.1 million, or 6.7% of total assets at December 31, 2010 as compared to $105.6 million, or 9.9% of total assets at March 31, 2010.

The Company’s liquidity, represented by cash and cash equivalents and securities available for sale, is a product of its operating, investing and financing activities.

The Company is a separate legal entity from the Bank and must provide for its own liquidity.  In addition to its operating expenses, the Company on a stand-alone basis is responsible for paying any dividends declared to its shareholders.  The Company also has repurchased shares of its common stock.  The Company’s primary source of income is dividends received from the Bank.  The amount of dividends that the Bank may declare and pay to the Company in any calendar year, without the receipt of prior approval from the OTS but with prior notice to the OTS, cannot exceed net income for that year to date plus retained net income (as defined) for the preceding two calendar years. On a stand-alone basis, at December 31, 2010, the Company had liquid assets of $6.0 million.

Cash was generated by operating and financing activities during the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The primary sources of cash were net income and a net increase in deposits. Excluding dividends waived by the MHC, the Company declared and paid a cash dividend during the three months ended December 31, 2010 totaling $522,000. Dividends declared and paid totaled $1.6 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2010.

The Company’s primary investing activities are the origination of loans and the purchases of securities. Net loans amounted to $444.0 million and $477.5 million at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010, respectively. Securities, including available for sale and held to maturity issues, totaled $606.4 million and $507.9 million at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010, respectively.  In addition to funding new loan production through operating and financing activities, such activities were funded by principal repayments,  maturities, and calls on existing loans and securities.

Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of business management.  Excess liquidity is generally invested in short to intermediate-term investments, such as interest-bearing deposits.  If the Bank requires funds beyond its ability to generate them internally, the Bank can borrow overnight funds
 
 
 
33

 

CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Liquidity and Capital Resources (Cont’d.)

from the FHLB under an overnight advance program up to the Bank’s maximum borrowing capacity based on the Bank’s ability to collateralize such borrowings. At December 31, 2010, advances from the FHLB amounted to $108.1 million at a weighted average rate of 3.77%. Additionally, the Company has the ability to borrow funds of up to an aggregate of $88.0 million at two financial institutions under established unsecured overnight lines of credit at a daily adjustable rate.

The Bank anticipates that it will have sufficient funds available to meet its current commitments. At December 31, 2010, the Bank had outstanding commitments to originate loans totaling approximately $5.1 million, which included $3.3 million for fixed-rate mortgage loans with interest rates ranging from 3.75% to 5.25%, $1.7 million in adjustable rate mortgage loans with initial rates of 3.875% to 4.25%, and a $150,000 home equity line of credit with an initial interest rate of 4.50%.
 
At December 31, 2010, the Bank had an outstanding commitment to purchase a $500,000 participation in a $2.6 million construction loan with an adjustable interest rate of 2.50% over the one month London Interbank Offering Rate or a minimum rate of 6.25%. In addition, the Bank had a commitment to purchase a $429,000 participation in a $1.7 million construction loan with an adjustable interest rate at the Prime Rate with a minimum rate of 5.25%.
 
At December 31, 2010, undisbursed funds from customer approved unused equity lines of credit under a homeowners’ equity lending program amounted to approximately $3.9 million. Unless they are specifically cancelled by notice from the Bank, these funds represent firm commitments available to the respective borrowers on demand.
 
Certificates of deposit due within one year or less at December 31, 2010, totaled $400.3 million, or 61.4% of our certificates of deposit. Management believes that, based upon its experience and the Bank’s deposit flow history, a significant portion of such deposits will remain with the Bank. FHLB advances due within one year or less at December 31, 2010 totaled $17.7 million.

Under OTS regulations, three separate measurements of capital adequacy (the “Capital Rule”) are required.  The Capital Rule requires each savings institution to maintain tangible capital equal of at least 1.5% and core capital equal of at least 4.0% of its adjusted total assets.  The Capital Rule further requires each savings institution to maintain total risk based capital equal of at least 8.0% of its risk-weighted assets.



 
34

 

CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Liquidity and Capital Resources (Cont’d.)


The following table sets forth the Bank’s capital position at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010, as compared to the minimum regulatory capital requirements:
 

               
OTS Requirements
 
               
Minimum Capital
   
For Classification as
 
   
Actual
   
Adequacy
   
Well-Capitalized
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
   
(Dollars In Thousands)
 
As of December 31, 2010:
                                   
Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)
  $ 162,726       42.62 %   $ 30,542       8.00 %   $ 38,177       10.00 %
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    160,846       42.13       15,271       4.00       22,906       6.00  
Core (tier 1) capital (to adjusted total assets)
    160,846       14.38       44,747       4.00       55,934       5.00  
Tier 1 risk-based capital (to adjusted tangible assets)
    160,846       14.38       16,780       1.50       -       -  
As of March 31, 2010:
                                               
Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)
  $ 155,990       41.45 %   $ 30,103       8.00 %   $ 37,629       10.00 %
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    153,940       40.91       15,052       4.00       22,577       6.00  
Core (tier 1) capital (to adjusted total assets)
    153,940       14.52       42,411       4.00       53,014       5.00  
Tier 1 risk-based capital (to adjusted tangible assets)
    153,940       14.52       15,904       1.50       -       -  
 
 
 
 
35

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 3:
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


Management of Interest Rate Risk.  The ability to maximize net interest income is largely dependent upon the achievement of a positive interest rate spread that can be sustained during fluctuations in prevailing interest rates.  Interest rate sensitivity is a measure of the difference between amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities which either reprice or mature within a given period of time.  The difference, or the interest rate repricing “gap”, provides an indication of the extent to which an institution’s interest rate spread will be affected by changes in interest rates.  A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest-rate sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest-rate sensitive liabilities, and is considered negative when the amount of interest-rate sensitive liabilities exceeds the amount of interest-rate sensitive assets.  Generally, during a period of rising interest rates, a negative gap within shorter maturities would adversely affect net interest income, while a positive gap within shorter maturities would result in an increase in net interest income, and during a period of falling interest rates, a negative gap within shorter maturities would result in an increase in net interest income while a positive gap within shorter maturities would result in a decrease in net interest income.

Because the Bank’s interest-bearing liabilities which mature or reprice within short periods exceed its interest-earning assets with similar characteristics, material and prolonged increases in interest rates generally would adversely affect net interest income, while material and prolonged decreases in interest rates generally would have a positive effect on net interest income.

The Bank manages the interest rate sensitivity of its interest-bearing liabilities and interest-earning assets in an effort to minimize the adverse effects of changes in the interest rate environment.  Deposit accounts typically react more quickly to changes in market interest rates than mortgage loans because of the shorter maturities of deposits.  As a result, sharp increases in interest rates may adversely affect the earnings of the Bank while decreases in interest rates may beneficially affect earnings.  To reduce the potential volatility of earnings, management seeks to improve the match between asset and liability maturities and rates, while maintaining an acceptable interest rate spread.  Pursuant to this strategy, adjustable-rate mortgage loans are originated for retention in the loan portfolio.  The ability to originate adjustable-rate loans depends to a great extent on market interest rates and borrowers’ preferences.  As an alternative to adjustable-rate mortgage loans, the Bank offers fixed-rate mortgage loans with maturities of fifteen years or less.  This product enables the Bank to compete in the fixed-rate mortgage market while maintaining a shorter maturity.  Fixed-rate mortgage loans typically have an adverse effect on interest rate sensitivity compared to adjustable-rate loans.  In recent years investment securities with terms of three years or less have been used to help manage interest rate risk. The Bank does not participate in hedging programs such as interest rate swaps or other activities involving the use of derivative financial instruments.

The Bank’s Interest Rate Risk Management Committee communicates, coordinates and controls all aspects involving asset/liability management.  The committee establishes and monitors the volume and mix of assets and funding sources with the objective of managing assets and funding sources.


 
36

 

CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


Net Portfolio Value.  The Bank uses a combination of internal and external analyses to quantitively model, measure and monitors its exposure to interest rate risk. The internal quantitative analysis utilized by management measures interest rate risk from both a capital and earnings perspective. The Bank’s internal interest rate risk analysis calculates sensitivity of its net portfolio value (“NPV”) ratio to movements in interest rates and measures the NPV ratio in a “base case” scenario that assumes no change in interest rates as of the measurement date. NPV represents the market value of portfolio equity and is equal to the market value of assets minus the market value of liabilities, with adjustments made for off-balance sheet items. The model measures the change in the NPV ratio throughout a series of interest rate scenarios representing immediate and permanent, parallel shifts in the yield curve up 100, 200 and 300 basis points and down 100 basis points. The model generally requires that interest rates remain positive for all points along the yield curve for each rate scenario which may preclude the modeling of certain “down rate” scenarios during periods of lower market interest rates. The Bank’s interest rate risk policy, as approved by the board of directors, establishes acceptable change levels in the NPV ratio throughout the scenarios modeled.

The following table presents the results of the Bank’s internal NPV analysis as of September 30, 2010, the most recent date the Bank’s NPV was calculated. Given the current economic environment, the Bank expects that its NPV values as of December 31, 2010 do not materially differ from the results presented below.  This data is for the Bank and its subsidiary only and does not include any assets of the Company.
 
                       
Net Portfolio Value as % of
 
Basis Point
   
Net Portfolio Value
   
Present Value of Assets
 
Change in Rates (1)
   
$ Amount
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
NPV Ratio
   
Change
 
              (Dollars in Thousands)              
                                 
  300 bp   $ 109,205     $ (68,842 )     (39 )%     10.33 %     (503 )bp
  200       136,023       (42,024 )     (24 )     12.43       (293 )
  100       159,932       (18,114 )     (10 )     14.16       (120 )
  0       178,047       -       -       15.36       -  
  (100 )     193,283       15,237       9       16.33       97  
                                             
(1) The -200 bp and -300 bp scenarios are not shown due to the low prevailing interest rate environment.
 
 
The table above illustrates that the Bank’s NPV would be negatively impacted by an increase in interest rates. Because the Bank’s interest-bearing liabilities which mature or reprice within short periods exceed its interest-earning assets with similar characteristics, material and prolonged increases in interest rates generally would adversely affect net interest income, while material and prolonged decreases in interest rates generally would have a positive effect on net interest income.

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodology used in the above interest rate risk measurements.  Modeling changes in NPV require the making of certain assumptions which may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates.  In this regard, the NPV model presented assumes that the composition of the Bank’s interest sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and also assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration to maturity or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the NPV measurements and net interest income models provide an indication of the Bank’s interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to and do not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on the Bank’s net interest income and will differ from actual results.
 
 
 
37

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


Net Portfolio Value (Cont’d.).  The external interest rate sensitivity analysis is prepared by the OTS to review our level of interest rate risk. This analysis measures interest rate risk by computing changes in NPV of our cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items in the event of a range of assumed changes in market interest rates. The OTS uses certain assumptions in assessing the interest rate risk of savings associations. These assumptions relate to interest rates, loan prepayment rates, deposit decay rates, and the market values of certain assets under differing interest rate scenarios, among others. As with any method of measuring interest rate risk, certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Also, the interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates. Additionally, certain assets, such as adjustable-rate mortgage loans, have features that restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset. Further, in the event of a change in interest rates, expected rates of prepayments on loans and early withdrawals from certificates could deviate significantly from those assumed.
 
 
 
38

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 4:
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
_____________________________________________________
 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  The Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s  “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”).  Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s  rules and forms, and (2) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely  decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.




 
39

 

CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 PART II


ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

Periodically, there have been various claims and lawsuits against the Company and Bank, such as claims to enforce liens, condemnation proceedings on properties in which we hold security interests, claims involving the making and servicing of real property loans and other issues incident to our business.  Except as discussed below, we are not a party to any pending legal proceedings that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company, the Bank and our directors have been engaged in litigation with Lawrence Seidman since 2004.  Among several suits brought by Mr. Seidman is a shareholder derivative suit alleging corporate waste by the directors in breach of their fiduciary duties.  Mr. Seidman sought a judgment that the directors committed corporate waste by allegedly paying John A. Celentano, Jr. excessive salary and benefits, allocating benefits under the shareholder approved 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, approving and continuing a Directors Retirement Plan, which had been approved by the Bank’s primary regulator, and paying consulting fees to Mr. Frank Hahofer, a former Bank director, for special consulting services he performed for the Bank.  On October 31, 2007, the Chancery Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey entered judgment in favor of the directors regarding Mr. Celentano’s salary and compensation package, the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, and the Directors’ Retirement Plan.  However, it entered judgment against the directors regarding the consulting fees paid to Mr. Hahofer and ordered that all defendant directors, as well as Mr. Hahofer, reimburse the Bank for all consulting fees paid to Mr. Hahofer.  Mr. Seidman filed a Motion for Reconsideration which was partially granted and entered on January 15, 2008.  As ordered by the Superior Court, the directors repaid $49,252.32 in fees paid to Mr. Hahofer and $16,377.75 in counsel fees.

Mr. Seidman filed a Notice of Appeal on April 22, 2008 arguing that the Superior Court misinterpreted and misapplied the business judgment rule and the doctrine of waste.  Mr. Seidman also argued that the Superior Court improperly reduced the amount to be reimbursed to the Bank under Mr. Hahofer’s consulting arrangement, as well as the award of counsel fees to Mr. Seidman.  On August 19, 2009, the Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division affirmed the trial court’s ruling dismissing Mr. Seidman’s claims based upon the business judgment rule and doctrine of waste and rejected Mr. Seidman’s argument that amounts paid to Mr. Hahofer under his consulting agreements prior to the Bank’s conversion to stock form should be repaid.

Mr. Seidman then sought the Appellate Division’s reconsideration of its opinion and order issued on August 19, 2009.  That motion was denied by the Appellate Division on September 11, 2009.  Mr. Seidman sought review of the Appellate Division’s ruling relating to the application of the business judgment rule to the directors’ grant of stock options and stock awards under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan by filing a petition for certification with the Supreme Court of New Jersey.  The Supreme Court granted the petition, heard oral argument on the appeal, but has not yet rendered its decision.

The existing litigation is solely against the directors and, accordingly, there is not a contingent liability for the Bank or the Company relating to this litigation.


 
40

 

CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II


ITEM 1A:  Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 2010. Except as set forth below, as of December 31, 2010, the risk factors of the Company have not changed materially from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, however, the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

A continuation or worsening of national and local economic conditions may negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.

We currently are operating in a challenging and uncertain economic environment, both nationally and in the local markets that we serve.  Financial institutions continue to be affected by sharp declines in financial and real estate values.  A continued or further decline in commercial and residential real estate values and home sales, and an increase in the financial stress on borrowers stemming from an uncertain economic environment, including unemployment levels that continue to remain elevated or further increase, could have an adverse effect on our borrowers or their customers, which could adversely impact the repayment of the loans we have made.  In the event that unemployment levels continue to remain elevated or increase further, certain of our borrowers may exhaust their existing reserves, which may result in increases in loan delinquencies, troubled debt restructurings, problem assets and foreclosures and a decline in the value of the collateral for our loans.  Furthermore, a prolonged recession or further deterioration in local economic conditions could drive the level of loan losses beyond the level we have provided for in our loan loss allowance, which could necessitate our increasing our provision for loans losses, which would reduce our earnings.  Additionally, the demand for our products and services could be reduced, which would adversely impact our liquidity and the level of revenues we generate.

The geographic concentration of our loan portfolio and lending activities makes us vulnerable to a downturn in the local economy.

Substantially all of our loan portfolio is comprised of loans secured by property located in northern New Jersey.  This makes us vulnerable to a downturn in the local economy and real estate markets.  Adverse conditions in the local economy such as inflation, unemployment, recession or other factors beyond our control could impact the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, which could impact our net interest income.  Decreases in local real estate values could adversely affect the value of the property used as collateral for our loans, which could cause us to realize a loss in the event of a foreclosure.  Currently, there is not a single employer or industry in the area on which a significant number of our customers are dependent.

Changes in interest rates may hurt our profits and asset value.

Our net interest income is the interest we earn on loans and investments less the interest we pay on our deposits and borrowings.  Our interest rate spread is the difference between the yield we earn on our assets and the interest rate we pay for deposits and our borrowings.  Changes in interest rates could adversely affect our interest rate spread and, as a result, our net interest income.  Although the yield we earn on our assets and our funding costs tend to move in the same direction in response to changes in interest rates, one can rise or fall faster than the other, causing our interest rate spread to expand or contract.  Our liabilities are shorter in duration than our
 
 
 
41

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II


ITEM 1A:  Risk Factors (Cont’d.)

assets, so they will adjust faster in response to changes in interest rates.  As a result, when interest rates rise, our funding costs will rise faster than the yield we earn on our assets, causing our interest rate spread to contract until the yield catches up.  Changes in the slope of the “yield curve”—or the spread between short-term and long-term interest rates—will also reduce our interest rate spread.  Normally, the yield curve is upward sloping, meaning short-term rates are lower than long-term rates.  Because our liabilities are shorter in duration than our assets, when the yield curve flattens or even inverts, we will experience pressure on our interest rate spread as our cost of funds increases relative to the yield we can earn on our assets.

Recently enacted regulatory reform legislation may have a material impact on our operations.

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.  The Act contains several provisions that will have a direct effect on new Clifton Savings Bancorp and Clifton Savings Bank. Under the law, the federal thrift charter is preserved, but federal thrifts will become regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency after July 21, 2011 (subject to a possible six month extension).  In addition, the Office of Thrift Supervision will be eliminated and savings and loan holding companies will become regulated by the Federal Reserve Board. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve Board have been commercial bank regulators and not regulators of savings associations.  As a result, it is uncertain at this time what impact this aspect of the regulatory restructuring will have on our business.  In addition, our new regulators may compare us to commercial banks rather than a peer group of similarly situated thrift institutions which may result in our new regulators requiring or suggesting changes in our business practices.  For example, in the event that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency were to object to our loan portfolio’s concentration of one- to four-family residential loans, we may be required to diversify our loan portfolio, which would lead to the implementation of additional procedures and systems and increase our operating  costs.  The law also creates a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that will be dedicated to protecting consumers in the financial products and services market. The creation of this bureau could result in new regulatory requirements and raise the cost of regulatory compliance.

In addition, the Act requires the federal banking agencies to establish consolidated risk-based and leverage capital requirements for insured depository institutions, depository institution holding companies and systemically important nonbank financial companies.  These requirements must be no less than those to which insured depository institutions are currently subject.  As a result, beginning on July 21, 2015, we will become subject to consolidated capital requirements which we have not been subject to previously.  The Act also significantly rolls back the federal preemption of state consumer protection laws that is currently enjoyed by federal savings associations and national banks by (1) requiring that a state consumer financial law prevent or significantly interfere with the exercise of a federal savings association’s or national bank’s powers before it can be preempted, (2) mandating that any preemption decision be made on a case by case basis rather than a blanket rule; and (3) ending the applicability of preemption to subsidiaries and affiliates of national banks and federal savings associations.  As a result, we may now be subject to state consumer protection laws in each state where we do business, and those laws may be interpreted and enforced differently in different states.

Furthermore, the Act could require changes in loan loss provisioning practices, risk retention for securitized loans, debit card transactions and compensation practices. Many of the Act’s provisions require that implementing regulations be issued and, as a result, the full impact of the
 
 
42

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II


 ITEM 1A:  Risk Factors (Cont’d.)

legislation cannot be assessed for an extended period of time.  The foregoing regulatory reforms, however, may have a material impact on our operations.

The recent publicized foreclosure issues affecting the nation’s largest mortgage loan servicers could impact our foreclosure process and timing to completion of foreclosures.

Several of the nation’s largest mortgage loan servicers have experienced higher publicized compliance issues with respect to their foreclosure processes.  As a result, theses servicers have temporarily imposed moratoriums on their foreclosures and have been the subject of state attorney general scrutiny and consumer lawsuits.  These difficulties and the potential legal and regulatory responses may impact the foreclosure process and timing to complete foreclosures of residential mortgage lenders generally.  Increases in the foreclosure timeline may have an adverse effect on collateral values and further delay the overall recovery of the real estate market.  In addition, to the extent we experience an increase in our non-performing loans moving into foreclosure, the increase in the foreclosure time and impact on collateral values may adversely affect our ability to maximize recoveries.

Our ability to originate mortgage loans for portfolio has been adversely affected by the increased competition resulting from the unprecedented involvement of the U.S. government and government-sponsored enterprises in the residential mortgage market.

Over the past few years, we have faced increased competition for residential mortgage loans due to the unprecedented involvement of the government-sponsored enterprises in the mortgage market as a result of the recent economic crisis, which has caused the interest rate for mortgage loans that conform to the government-sponsored enterprises’ guidelines to acquire loans to remain artificially low.  In addition, the U.S. Congress recently extended through September 2011 the expanded government-sponsored enterprises conforming loan limits in many of our operating markets, allowing larger balance loans to be acquired by the government-sponsored enterprises.  As a result of these factors, we expect that our one-to four-family loan repayments will remain at elevated levels and will continue to outpace our loan production, making it difficult for us to grow our mortgage loan portfolio and balance sheet.
 
 

 
 
43

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II


ITEM 1A:  Risk Factors (Cont’d.)

Strong competition within our market area could hurt our profits and slow growth.

Although we consider ourselves competitive in our primary market area of Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Morris, Hudson and Union Counties, New Jersey, we face intense competition both in making loans and attracting deposits.  Price competition for loans and deposits might result in us earning less on our loans and paying more on our deposits, which reduces net interest income.  Some of the institutions with which we compete have substantially greater resources and lending limits than we have and may offer services that we do not provide.  We expect competition to increase in the future as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and the continuing trend of consolidation in the financial services industry.  Our profitability depends upon our continued ability to compete successfully in our market area.

The requirement to account for certain assets at estimated fair value, and a proposal to account for additional financial assets and liabilities at estimated fair value, may adversely affect our stockholders’ equity and our results of operations.

We report certain assets, including securities, at fair value, and a recent proposal would require us to report nearly all of our financial assets and liabilities at fair value.  Generally, for assets that are reported at fair value, we use quoted market prices or valuation models that utilize observable market inputs to estimate fair value.  Because we carry these assets on our books at their estimated fair value, we may incur losses even if the asset in question presents minimal credit risk.  Under current accounting requirements, elevated delinquencies, defaults and estimated losses from the disposition of collateral in our mortgage-backed securities portfolio may require us to recognize additional other-than-temporary impairment in future periods with respect to our securities portfolio.  The amount and timing of any impairment recognized will depend on the severity and duration of the decline in the estimated fair value of the asset and our estimate of the anticipated recovery period.  Under proposed accounting requirements, we may be required to record reductions in the fair value of nearly all of our financial assets and liabilities (including loans) either through a charge to net income or through a reduction to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  Accordingly, we could be required to record charges on assets such as loans where we have no intention to sell the loan and expect to receive repayment in full on the loan.  This could result in a decrease in net income, or a decrease in our stockholders’ equity, or both.

We operate in a highly regulated environment and we may be adversely affected by changes in laws and regulations.

We are subject to extensive government regulation, supervision and examination.  Such regulation, supervision and examination govern the activities in which we may engage, and is intended primarily for the protection of the deposit insurance fund and our depositors.  Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on our operations, the classification of our assets and determination of the level of our allowance for loan losses.  Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, legislation or supervisory action, may have a material impact on our operations.
 
 
44

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II


ITEM 1A:  Risk Factors (Cont’d.)

We may have unanticipated credit risk in our investment and mortgage-backed securities portfolio.

At December 31, 2010, $606.4 million, or 53.9% of our assets, consisted of investment and mortgage-backed securities, many of which were issued by, or have principal and interest payments guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.  On September 7, 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into federal conservatorship.  Although the federal government has committed substantial capital to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, there can be no assurance that these credit facilities and other capital infusions will be adequate for their needs.  If the financial support is inadequate, or if additional support is not provided when needed, these companies could continue to suffer losses and could fail to honor their guarantees and other obligations.  As a result, the future roles of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could be significantly altered.  Failure by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to honor their guarantees or obligations, or a significant restructuring of their roles, could have a significant adverse affect on the market value and cash flows of the investment and mortgage-backed securities we hold, resulting in substantial losses.

Increased and/or special Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assessments will hurt our earnings.

The recent economic recession has caused a high level of bank failures, which has dramatically increased Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation resolution costs and led to a significant reduction in the balance of the Deposit Insurance Fund.  As a result, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has significantly increased the initial base assessment rates paid by financial institutions for deposit insurance.  Increases in the base assessment rate have increased our deposit insurance costs and negatively impacted our earnings.  In addition, in May 2009, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation imposed a special assessment on all insured institutions.  Our special assessment, which was reflected in earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, was approximately $422,000.  In lieu of imposing an additional special assessment, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation required all institutions to prepay their assessments for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012, which for us totaled $2.6 million.  Additional increases in the base assessment rate or additional special assessments would negatively impact our earnings.
 
The Company’s ability to pay dividends is subject to the ability of the Bank to make capital distributions to the Company and the waiver of dividends by the MHC.
 
The long-term ability of the Company to pay dividends to its stockholders is based primarily upon the ability of the Bank to make capital distributions to the Company, and also on the availability of cash at the holding company level in the event earnings are not sufficient to pay dividends according to the cash dividend payout policy. Under OTS safe harbor regulations, the Bank may distribute to the Company capital not exceeding net income for the current calendar year and the prior two calendar years.  Until January 1, 2011, the Bank will not be permitted to make a capital distribution to the Company under the OTS safe harbor regulations and would be required to obtain prior OTS approval of any such capital distribution.  The MHC owns a majority of the Company’s outstanding stock.  The MHC waives its right to dividends on the shares that it owns, which means the amount of dividends paid to public stockholders is significantly higher than it would be if the MHC accepted dividends.  The MHC is not required to waive dividends, but the Company expects this practice to continue.  As such, the MHC is
 
 
 
45

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II


ITEM 1A:  Risk Factors (Cont’d.)
 
required to obtain a waiver from the OTS allowing it to waive its right to dividends. The current waiver is effective for dividends paid for the quarter ended December 31, 2010.  It is expected that the MHC will continue to waive future dividends, except to the extent dividends are needed to fund the MHC’s continuing operations, subject to the following.
 
Under the recently enacted Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), effective after the transfer date, a mutual holding company may waive its right to dividends on shares of its subsidiary if either no insider (or associate of an insider) or stock benefit plan of the company holds any share of stock of the class to which the waiver would apply, or if the company gives written notice of the waiver to the Federal Reserve and the Federal Reserve does not object.  For a company that waived dividends prior to December 1, 2009, the Federal Reserve may not object to such a waiver if the company waived dividends prior to December 1, 2009 if such waiver would not be detrimental to the safety and soundness of the savings association subsidiary and the board of directors of the company expressly determines that such dividend waiver is consistent with the board’s fiduciary duty to the members of the company.  Historically, the Federal Reserve has not allowed mutual holding companies to waive the receipt of dividends from their mid-tier holding company subsidiaries.  While the MHC is grandfathered for purposes of the dividend waiver provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, we cannot assure that the Federal Reserve will grant a dividend waiver request and, if granted, there can be no assurance as to the conditions, if any, the Federal Reserve will place on future dividend waiver requests by grandfathered mutual holding companies such as the MHC.
 

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a)  
Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities. There were no sales of unregistered securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2010.

(b) 
Use of Proceeds. Not applicable.

(c) 
Repurchase of Our Equity Securities. There were no repurchases of our equity securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2010.

 
ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

  None.

ITEM 4. (Removed and Reserved)


ITEM 5. Other Information

  None.
 
 
46

 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II


ITEM 6. Exhibits

The following Exhibits are filed as part of this report.

        3.1  
Charter Clifton Savings Bancorp, Inc. (1)
        3.2  
By-Laws of Clifton Savings Bancorp, Inc. (2)
4.1       Specimen Stock Certificate of Clifton Savings Bancorp, Inc. (1)
 
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
 
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
 
32.0
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
__________________________
 
(1)  
Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2004 (File No. 000-50358).
(2)  
Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2007.




 
47

 

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.
 
 

 
 
CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP, INC.
 
       
Date:  February 8, 2011
By:
/s/ John A. Celentano, Jr.  
    Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer  
    (Principal Executive Officer)  
       

Date:  February 8, 2011
By:
/s/ Christine R. Piano  
    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer  
    (Principal Financial and Chief Accounting Officer)