declined 13 basis points to 5.92% compared to 6.05% for the prior year period. The year over year growth in loan balance is reflective of management’s commitment to asset growth primarily through adding high quality mortgage loans to its portfolio and exceed loan repayments. The decline in loan yields is reflective of the current rate environment in which longer term rates which guide mortgage loans yields, have not yet caught up with rising shorter-term borrowing rates, so that new loans are entering the portfolio at a lower interest rate than those being paid off.
Interest income on total securities increased by $140,000 to $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 compared to $1.3 million for the prior year period. The increase was primarily the result of an increase of $8.2 million, or 5.6%, in the average balance of investment securities to $153.5 million compared to $145.3 million in the prior year period related to the purchase of additional securities for collateral purposes. Also contributing to the increase in interest income on securities was an 18 basis points rise in the annualized average yield on securities to 3.65% from 3.47% in the prior year period.
Interest income on federal funds sold increased by $110,000, or 305.6%, to $146,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2005 compared to $36,000 for the prior year period. The rise was primarily attributable to an increase of 202 basis points in the annualized yield on federal funds sold combined with an increase in the average balance of federal funds of $4.0 million, or 25.2%, to $20.1 million from $16.0 million in the prior year period. Yields on federal funds increased as the FMOC raised rates twice in the quarter for a total of 50 basis points and seven separate times in the last fiscal year for a total of 175 basis points.
Interest expense on deposits increased $746,000 or 66.3%, to $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, compared to $1.1 million for the prior year period. The increase in interest expense on deposits was due primarily to a $65.4 million increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits to $429.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 from $364.2 million for the prior year period. Additionally, a 51 basis point rise in the rate paid on deposits to 1.74% compared to 1.23% for the prior year period added to the increase. Customer deposits have historically provided Carver with a relatively low cost funding source from which its net interest income and net interest margin have benefited. The Bank has grown core deposits including new deposits from branch expansion, however, these new deposits are increasing in cost as short-term rates rise, thus decreasing the Bank’s net interest margin. See “Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity—Liabilities.”
Interest expense on advances and other borrowed money increased $138,000, or 13.2%, to $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 compared to $1.0 million for the prior year period. The increase was primarily the result of a $12.2 million increase in the average balance of outstanding borrowings to $114.3 million from $102.1 million from the prior year period. Also adding to the increase was a 4 basis point increase in the cost of borrowed money to 4.14% from 4.10% for the prior year period. The cost of debt service related to the issuance of $13 million in floating rate junior subordinated notes raised by the Company through an issuance of trust preferred securities by Carver Statutory Trust I in September 2003 has increased since issuance and is expected to continue to rise as rates increase. The Bank paid down some of its high cost FHLB-NY advances in the first quarter of this fiscal year and as opportunities arise, management intends to replace matured FHLB-NY advances with lower costing deposits. See “Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity—Liabilities.”
for loan losses to be adequate. During the first quarter of fiscal 2006 and 2005, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $16,000 and $20,000, respectively. At June 30, 2005, the Bank’s allowance for loan losses was $4.1 million, substantially unchanged from March 31, 2005. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans was 261.0% at June 30, 2005 compared to 410.7% at March 31, 2005. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans was 0.97% at June 30, 2005 compared to 0.96% at March 31, 2005.
At June 30, 2005, non-performing assets totaled $1.6 million, or 0.37% of total loans receivable compared to $1.0 million, or 0.23% of total loans receivable, at March 31, 2005. Non-performing assets include loans 90 days past due, non-accrual loans and other real estate owned. Other real estate owned consists of property acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. As of the end of June 30, 2005, the Bank held one real estate owned property as a result of a property tax redemption. Future levels of non-performing assets will be influenced by economic conditions, including the impact of those conditions on our customers, interest rates and other internal and external factors existing at the time.
Management’s judgment in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on an evaluation of certain individual loans, the risk characteristics and size of the loan portfolio, an assessment of current economic and real estate market conditions, estimates of the current value of underlying collateral, past loan loss experience, review of regulatory authority examination reports and guidance and other relevant factors. See also “Critical Accounting Policies – Allowance for Loan Losses”.
Non-Interest Income. Total non-interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 increased $260,000, or 22.8%, to $1.4 million, compared to $1.1 million for the prior year period. The increase was largely due to additional loan fees and service charges of $150,000, depository fees and charges of $110,000 and other income of $85,000. Loan fees and service charges increased primarily from increased mortgage prepayment penalties. Depository fees and charges rose from additional ATM and debit card fees as well as from commissions earned through the sale of investment and insurance products. The increase in other income was primarily derived from returns on the Bank’s investment in a bank owned life insurance program. Partially offsetting the increase in non-interest income was a decline in gain on the sale of securities compared to the same period last year, when a $94,000 gain was realized.
Management anticipates continued momentum in depository fees and services charges as the Bank moves toward recognizing the full potential of its franchise expansions and offering more financial products. While it is not expected that mortgage prepayments will continue at these levels, the Company’s strategy is to boost future loan fee income through new product offerings such as subprime and fixed-rate jumbo mortgage products. These new products will be originated and subsequently sold to a pre-established secondary market purchaser, thereby generating additional non-interest income while mitigating the Bank’s exposure to additional credit risk.
Non-Interest Expense. For the quarter ended June 30, 2005, total non-interest expense increased $857,000, or 21.8%, to $4.8 million, compared to $3.8 million for the prior year period. The rise in non-interest expense was largely the result of increased employee compensation and benefits expense of $523,000 related to branch expansion and increased costs of employee benefit plans. Net occupancy expense increased $97,000, or 24.0%, to $501,000 compared to $404,000 for the same period last year. Equipment expense rose $72,000, or 19.5%, to $442,000 compared to $370,000 for the same period last year. The increases in occupancy and equipment were primarily related to opening of new branches and 24/7 ATM Centers. Additionally, other non-interest expense increased $165,000 primarily as a result of franchise expansion, $65,000 of which was for additional advertising.
Management believes that while the Company’s efficiency ratio significantly exceeds its peers, it is reflective of the dramatic steps being taken to grow the franchise as part of a broader objective of accelerating the pace along the path to higher earnings.
Income Tax Expense. For the three-month period ended June 30, 2005, income before taxes decreased $441,000, or 25.3%, to $1.3 million compared to $1.7 million for the prior year period. Consequently, income tax expense decreased $199,000, or 30.0%, to $464,000 compared to $663,000 for the prior year period.
ITEM 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk |
Quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk is presented at March 31, 2005 in Item 7A of the Company’s 2005 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The Company believes that there have been no material changes in the Company’s market risk at June 30, 2005 compared to March 31, 2005.
ITEM 4. | Controls and Procedures |
The Company maintains controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. As of June 30, 2005, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file and submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION |
Disclosure regarding legal proceedings that the Company is a party to is presented in Note 13 to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2005 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference. Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes with regard to such legal proceedings since the filing of the 2005 10-K.
In January 2004, Michael Lee & Company (“Michael Lee”), former accountants for Hale House Center, Inc., filed an action against Carver Federal in New York County Supreme Court, asserting a single claim for contribution against Carver Federal. The complaint alleges that Carver Federal should be liable to Michael Lee in the event that Michael Lee is found liable to non-parties Hale House Center, Inc. and its affiliated corporations (“Hale House plaintiffs”) in a separate action that the Hale House plaintiffs have filed against Michael Lee asserting claims of professional malpractice and breach of contract due to Michael Lee’s alleged provision of deficient accounting services to Hale House. The basis of Michael Lee’s contribution claim against Carver Federal is that Carver Federal allegedly breached a legal duty it owed Hale House by improperly opening and maintaining a checking account on behalf of one of the Hale House affiliates. Michael Lee seeks contribution from Carver Federal in the amount of at least $8.5 million or the amount of any money judgment entered against Michael Lee in favor of the Hale House plaintiffs. On February 4, 2004 Carver Federal filed a motion to dismiss the complaint in its entirety and, on February 11, 2004, Michael Lee served a cross-motion for summary judgment against Carver Federal. In May 2004, the court ruled in favor of Carver Federal and judgment was entered in Carver Federal’s favor on June 14, 2004. Michael Lee has appealed the judgment. Carver Federal opposed the appeal as untimely but it was found to be timely filed. Michael Lee’s appeal is pending. Carver Federal intends to defend itself vigorously. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the lawsuit is without merit and the ultimate outcome of this matter is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business operations or consolidated financial condition.
ITEM 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
During the quarter ended June 30, 2005, the Holding Company made no purchases of additional shares of its common stock under its stock repurchase program.
ITEM 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
| Not applicable. | |
| | | |
ITEM 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The following exhibits are submitted with this report:
Exhibit 11. | Computation of Net Income Per Share. |
Exhibit 31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
Exhibit 31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer. |
Exhibit 32.1(*) | Written Statement of Chief Executive Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
Exhibit 32.2(*) | Written Statement of Chief Financial Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
* Pursuant to SEC rules, this exhibit will not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or be otherwise subject to the liability of that section.
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.
| | | | | | | CARVER BANCORP, INC. |
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Date: August 12, 2005 | | | | By: | |
| | | | | | | Name: | Deborah C. Wright |
| | | | | | | Title: | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Date: August 12, 2005 | | | | By: | |
| | | | | | | Name: | William C. Gray |
| | | | | | | Title: | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |