Alliance Bancorp of New England 10-Q 2003 Q1 Quarterly report

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 March 31, 2003

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

Commission File Number   001-13405

ALLIANCE BANCORP OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	06-1495617
(State of incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
348 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, Connecticut	06066
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) (860) 875-2500

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     NO

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

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of May 8, 2003 was 2,678,504 shares.

Available on the web at www.alliancebancorp.com

FORM 10-Q TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I     Financial Information
		Page
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets	3
	Consolidated Income Statements	4
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity	5
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	6
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	12
	Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	12
	Introduction	12
	Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies	12
	Summary	13
	Results of Operations	15
	Financial Conditions	17
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	18
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	18
PART II     Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceeding	19
Item 2.	Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds	19
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	19
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	19
Item 5.	Other Information	19
Item 6.	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K	19
SIGNATURES		20
CERTIFICATIONS		21

2

Alliance Bancorp of New England, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

		March 31, 2003			December 31, 2002
(in thousands, except share data)
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	14,546		$	13,941
Short-term investments		16,359			4,520
Total cash and cash equivalents		30,905			18,461
Securities available for sale (at fair value)		89,556			87,812
Securities held to maturity (fair value of $5,984 in 2002)		—			5,372
Loans held for sale		6,939			11,942
Residential mortgage loans		81,534			78,717
Commercial mortgage loans		95,577			94,692
Other commercial loans		39,927			39,550
Consumer loans		38,289			39,547
Government guaranteed loans		24,037			25,756
Total loans		279,364			278,262
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(4,075	)		(4,050	)
Net loans		275,289			274,212
Premises and equipment, net		5,651			5,104
Accrued interest income receivable		2,407			2,417
Cash surrender value of life insurance		6,283			6,207
Other assets		3,791			2,987
Total assets	$	420,821		$	414,514
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Demand deposits	$	35,984		$	35,600
NOW deposits		39,072			39,091
Money market deposits		43,616			43,964
Savings deposits		79,386			77,605
Time deposits		132,625			134,572
Total deposits		330,683			330,832
Borrowings		60,705			54,510
Other liabilities		2,163			3,622
Total liabilities		393,551			388,964
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000 shares authorized, none issued		—			—
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 4,000,000 shares; issued 2,879,103 in 2003 and 2,868,105 in 2002; outstanding 2,678,504 in 2003 and 2,667,506 in 2002		29			29
Additional paid-in capital		12,840			12,791
Retained earnings		19,905			19,183
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(2,395	)		(3,344	)
Treasury stock (200,599 shares)		(3,109	)		(3,109	)
Total shareholders’ equity		27,270			25,550
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	420,821		$	414,514
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

Alliance Bancorp of New England, Inc.
Consolidated Income Statements (Unaudited)

Debt securities

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2003			2002
(in thousands, except share data)
Interest and Dividend Income
Loans	$	4,558		$	4,520
Debt securities		903			1,337
Dividends on equity securities		203			185
Short-term investments		21			25
Total interest and dividend income		5,685			6,067
Interest Expense
Deposits		1,651			2,110
Borrowings		827			763
Total interest expense		2,478			2,873
Net Interest Income		3,207			3,194
Provision For Loan Losses		46			172
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		3,161			3,022
Non-Interest Income
Service charges and other income		912			493
Net (losses) gains on securities and other assets		(77	)		172
Total non-interest income		835			665
Non-Interest Expense
Compensation and benefits		1,589			1,310
Occupancy		208			173
Data processing services and equipment		307			308
Office and insurance		166			163
Purchased services		251			314
Other		148			199
Total non-interest expense		2,669			2,467
Income before income taxes		1,327			1,220
Income tax expense		404			370
Net Income	$	923		$	850
Share Data
Basic earnings per share	$	0.34		$	0.33
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.33		$	0.32
Average basic shares outstanding		2,694,041			2,573,334
Average additional dilutive shares		132,467			110,033
Average diluted shares		2,826,508			2,683,367
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

Alliance Bancorp of New England, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

		Common stock		Additional paid-In capital		Retained earnings			Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			Treasury stock			Total
(in thousands, except share data)
2002
Balance, December 31, 2001	$	25	$	11,577	$	16,473		$	(2,877	)	$	(3,109	)	$	22,089
Comprehensive income
Net income						850									850
Unrealized losses on securities,      net of reclassification adjustment									(658	)					(658	)
Comprehensive income															192
Dividends declared ($0.068 per share)						(175	)								(175	)
Exercise of stock options				9											9
Balance, March 31, 2002	$	25	$	11,586	$	17,148		$	(3,535	)	$	(3,109	)	$	22,115
2003
Balance, December 31, 2002	$	29	$	12,791	$	19,183		$	(3,344	)	$	(3,109	)	$	25,550
Comprehensive income
Net income						923									923
Unrealized gains on securities,      net of reclassification adjustment									949						949
Comprehensive income															1,872
Dividends declared ($0.075 per share)						(201	)								(201	)
Directors’deferred stock compensation				11											11
Exercise of stock options				38											38
Balance, March 31, 2003	$	29	$	12,840	$	19,905		$	(2,395	)	$	(3,109	)	$	27,270

Disclosure of reclassification amount

		2003		2002
Three months ended March 31 (in thousands)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period, net of income tax effect of ($463) and $281, respectively (Note 3)	$	898	$	(545	)
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net income, net of income tax effect of ($26) and $59, respectively		51		(113	)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities	$	949	$	(658	)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

Alliance Bancorp of New England, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

		Three months ended March 31,
		2003			2002
(in thousands)
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	923		$	850
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses		46			172
Depreciation and amortization		42			87
Net losses (gains) on securities and other assets		77			(172	)
Loans originated for sale		(23,674	)		(6,660	)
Proceeds from loans sold		28,677			8,125
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities		(1,459	)		41
Decrease in accrued interest income receivable		10			199
(Increase) decrease in other assets		(1,162	)		125
Net cash provided by operating activities		3,480			2,767
Investing Activities:
Securities available for sale:
Proceeds from repayments and maturities		4,158			1,570
Proceeds from sales		4,529			8,778
Proceeds from calls		5,430			1,000
Purchases of securities		(9,544	)		(3,042	)
Securities held to maturity:
Proceeds from amortization and maturities		286			1,153
Proceeds from calls		—			1,000
Net increase in total loans		(1,122	)		(5,154	)
Purchases of premises and equipment		(656	)		(24	)
Net cash provided by investing activities		3,081			5,281
Financing Activities:
Net (decrease) increase in interest-bearing deposits		(533	)		18,822
Net increase in demand deposits		384			2,032
Proceeds from FHLBB advances		85,542			11,568
Principal repayments of FHLBB advances		(79,347	)		(18,037	)
Net decrease in other borrowings		—			(2,100	)
Exercise of stock options		38			9
Cash dividends paid		(201	)		(175	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		5,883			12,119
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents		12,444			20,167
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		18,461			15,314
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$	30,905		$	35,481
Supplemental Information on Cash Payments
Interest	$	2,294		$	2,889
Income taxes		—			300
Supplemental Information on Non-cash Transactions
Securities transferred to available for sale		5,087			1,057
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

Note 1.   Basis of Presentation and Principles of Business and Consolidation

Principles of Business and Consolidation. Alliance Bancorp of New England, Inc. (“Alliance” or the “Company”) is a one bank holding company, chartered in Delaware. Alliance owns 100% of the stock of Tolland Bank (the “Bank”), a Connecticut chartered savings bank. Alliance also wholly owns Alliance Capital Trust I (Trust I) and Alliance Capital Trust II (Trust II). These Trusts have issued trust preferred securities which are included in borrowings in the consolidated balance sheets.

Tolland Bank provides consumer and commercial banking services from its nine offices located in and around Tolland County, Connecticut. The Bank also provides non-deposit financial products in association with third parties. The Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Bank wholly owns a passive investment company, Tolland Investment Corporation (“TIC”), chartered in Connecticut to own and service real estate secured loans, which succeeded a previous passive investment company which was merged into the Bank in 2001. The Bank also wholly owns a Connecticut chartered corporation named Asset Recovery Systems, Inc. (“ARS”) which is a foreclosed asset liquidation subsidiary.

The consolidated financial statements include Alliance, the Bank, Trust I, Trust II, TIC, and ARS. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company and its subsidiaries have no significant transactions with entities in which they hold an investment interest, except for Bankers Bank Northeast (a mutually owned correspondent bank) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. Transactions with these entities are generally limited to correspondent banking, and borrowing transactions; income includes dividends received from these entities.

Basis of Preparation and Presentation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared and presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Unless otherwise noted, all dollar amounts presented in the financial statements and note tables are rounded to the nearest thousand dollars, except share data. All share and per share data for prior periods has been adjusted to reflect the eleven-for-ten stock split effected in the form of a 10% stock dividend distributed in May 2002. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with current financial statement presentation. The Company uses the accrual method of accounting for all material items of income and expense.

Significant Estimates. Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions in preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The most significant estimates are those related to assessing the allowance for loan losses, including the identification and valuation of impaired loans; determining and measuring other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of securities; estimating securities fair values in determining accumulated other comprehensive income (loss); and establishing the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Factors affecting these estimates include national and local economic conditions, the level and trend of interest rates, real estate trends and values, securities market trends and values, and financial ratings methodologies.

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Note 2.   Stock Options

The Company measures the compensation cost for its stock option plans using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations including FASB Interpretation No. 44. No compensation cost is recognized because, at the grant date, the exercise price of the options is equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. When options are exercised, new shares are issued with proceeds credited to common stock and to additional paid-in capital, including, for non-qualifying options, the related income tax benefit.

The table below summarizes pro forma net income and earnings per share data as if the fair value method of accounting in SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, had been applied to all awards granted. Under this method, compensation cost of stock options is measured at the grant date based on the fair market value of the award and is recognized over the service period.

		Three months ended March 31,
		2003		2002
(in thousands, except share data)
Net income, as reported	$	923	$	850
Deduct total stock-based compensation expense determined under the fair-value-based method, net of related tax effects		—		(6	)
Pro forma net income	$	923	$	844
Basic earnings per share
As reported	$	0.34	$	0.33
Pro forma		0.34		0.33
Diluted earnings per share
As reported		0.33		0.32
Pro forma		0.33		0.31

There were 2,200 stock options granted in the first three months of 2002. None were granted in 2003. The fair value of options granted was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model in accordance with the weighted-average assumptions indicated below. The resulting weighted-average fair value was $2.73 in 2002.

Assumptions used for grants made in the quarter ended March 31
	2003	2002
Expected dividend yield	—	2.00	%
Expected volatility	—	31.12	%
Risk free interest rate	—	5.41	%
Expected life (years)	—	8.0

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options as of March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 is presented in the following table.      

	March 31, 2003				December 31, 2002
	Shares			Weighted-Avg  Exercise  Price.	Shares			Weighted-Avg  Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of year	427,256		$	13.04	290,959		$	7.56
Granted	—			—	232,040			17.45
Exercised	(10,998	)		3.47	(94,643	)		7.00
Forfeited	—			—	(1,100	)		12.04
Outstanding at period end	416,258		$	13.29	427,256		$	13.04
Options exercisable at period end	327,558		$	12.16	338,556		$	11.88
Shares reserved for future grants	31,198				31,198

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Note 3.   Securities

Information concerning the securities portfolio is summarized below as of March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002.

		Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
March 31, 2003 (in thousands)
Securities available for sale
U.S. Government and agency debt	$	22,113	$	287	$	—		$	22,400
U.S. Agency mortgage-backed debt		19,516		158		(28	)		19,646
Other mortgage-backed		188		7		—			195
Trust preferred		17,542		426		(427	)		17,541
Other corporate debt		14,798		203		(859	)		14,142
Marketable equity		15,052		67		(2,308	)		12,811
Non-marketable equity		2,821		—		—			2,821
Total available for sale	$	92,030	$	1,148	$	(3,622	)	$	89,556

		Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
December 31, 2002 (in thousands)
Securities available for sale
U.S. Government and agency debt	$	26,167	$	159	$	—		$	26,326
U.S. Agency mortgage-backed debt		13,615		160		—			13,775
Trust preferred		17,551		229		(782	)		16,998
Other corporate debt		15,841		207		(1,771	)		14,277
Marketable equity		15,758		188		(2,295	)		13,651
Non-marketable equity		2,785		—		—			2,785
Total available for sale	$	91,717	$	943	$	(4,848	)	$	87,812
Securities held to maturity
U.S. Government and agency debt	$	1,047	$	65	$	—		$	1,112
U.S. Agency mortgage-backed debt		850		20		—			870
Other mortgage-backed debt		259		8		—			267
Other corporate debt		3,216		530		(11	)		3,735
Total held to maturity	$	5,372	$	623	$	(11	)	$	5,984

During the most recent quarter, the held to maturity category was eliminated and the entire portfolio was transferred to available for sale. It is the Company’s intent that purchases of investment securities will be accounted for as available for sale for the foreseeable future. Ten securities with an amortized cost totaling $5.1 million were transferred to available for sale from held to maturity. The transfer resulted in an additional unrealized gain of $415 thousand (net of income taxes of $214 thousand) which was recorded as a decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Note 4.   Nonperforming Loans

Following is information about the Company’s nonaccruing loans and impaired loans.

		March 31, 2003		December 31, 2002
(in thousands)
Total nonaccruing loans	$	1,385	$	2,433
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more		27		185
Impaired loans:
Valuation allowance required	$	229	$	774
No valuation allowance required		765		989
Total impaired loans	$	994	$	1,763
Total valuation allowance on impaired loans	$	99	$	127
Commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers with impaired loans		—		—

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Note 5.   Allowance for Loan Losses

Changes in the allowance for loan losses were as follows:

		Three months ended March 31,
		2003			2002
(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,050		$	3,700
Charge-offs		(28	)		(37	)
Recoveries		7			15
Provision for loan losses		46			172
Balance at end of period	$	4,075		$	3,850

Note 6.   Standby Letters of Credit

The Company had outstanding standby letters of credit of $2,114,000 and $1,987,000 at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively. Most of the Company’s outstanding standby letters of credit are performance standby letters of credit within the scope of FASB Interpretation No. 45 (“FIN 45”). These are irrevocable undertakings by the Company, as guarantor, to make payments in the event a specified third party fails to perform under a nonfinancial contractual obligation. Most of the Company’s performance standby letters of credit arise in connection with lending relationships and have terms of one year or less. The maximum potential future payments the Company could be required to make equals the face amount of the letters of credit referred to above. FIN 45 also requires the recognition, at fair value, of a liability by a guarantor at the inception of certain guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The Company’s rec ognized liability for performance standby letters of credit was insignificant at March 31, 2003.

Note 7.   Recent Accounting Developments

In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. This statement requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized and depreciated as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. SFAS No. 143 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. Earlier adoption is permitted. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, this statement amends the disclosure requirements of Statement 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. SFAS No. 148 was effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002 for transition guidance and annual disclosure provisions. The Company has provided the disclosures required by SFAS No. 148 in Note No. 2.

FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, addresses disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its financial statements about its obligations under guarantees. The disclosure requirements applicable to the Company are included in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements. The interpretation also requires the recognition, at fair value, of a liability of a guarantor at the inception of certain guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. This recognition requirement did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

10

FASB Interpretation No. 46 (“FIN 46”), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, provides guidance on the identification of entities controlled through means other than voting rights. The interpretation specifies how a business enterprise should evaluate its interests in a variable interest entity to determine whether to consolidate that entity. A variable interest entity must be consolidated by its primary beneficiary if the entity does not effectively disperse risks among the parties involved. FIN 46 was effective for variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. For variable interest entities in which an entity holds a variable interest that it acquired before February 1, 2003, FIN 46 applies in the first fiscal period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this interpretation is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 8.   Other Accounting Policies

Securities. It is the Company’s intent that purchases of investment securities will be accounted for as available for sale for the foreseeable future. Trading securities, if any, are securities bought principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are included in earnings. Securities not classified as trading securities are classified as available for sale securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized net gains or loses excluded from earning and reported in a separate component of shareholders’ equity (accumulated other comprehensive income or loss), net of applicable taxes.

Earnings Per Share. Earnings per share are computed in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by weighted average shares outstanding, plus shares issuable under the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan. Average additional dilutive shares are an incremental number of shares reflecting the potential dilution that could occur if outstanding stock options were converted into common stock using the treasury stock method. Dilutive shares also include all shares in the Stock Option Income Deferral Plan.

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

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This report contains certain “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements, which are included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis, describe future plans or strategies and include the Company’s expectations of future financial results. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The Company’s ability to predict results or the effect of future plans or strategies or qualitative or quantitative changes based on market risk exposure is inherently uncertain. Factors which could affect actual results include but are not limited to changes in general market interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, fluctuations of interest rates, changes in the quality or composition of the Company’s loan and investment portfolios, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Company’s markets, and changes in accounting principles. These factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

INTRODUCTION: Alliance Bancorp of New England, Inc. (“Alliance” or the “Company”) is the holding company for Tolland Bank (the “Bank”). The consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with this discussion. This discussion and analysis updates, and should be read in conjunction with, Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in the 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Alliance on March 31, 2003. In the following discussion, income statement comparisons are against the same period of the previous year and balance sheet comparisons are against the previous fiscal year-end, unless otherwise noted. All share and per share data for the first quarter of 2002 has been adjusted to reflect the eleven-for-ten stock split effected in the form of a 10% stock dividend distributed on May 21, 2002.

DISCUSSION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES: The most material estimates made by Management in preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements are summarized in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in the most recent annual report, which should be read in conjunction with this discussion and analysis. Further discussion of the two most critical accounting estimates and their impact on the consolidated financial statements is as follows:

Loan Loss Allowance: The allowance for loan losses is based on Management’s assessment of both short and long term risk factors. Loan loss experience has been cyclical since 1990, with earlier periods of relatively high credit losses followed by much lower levels of losses in recent years. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is sensitive to the assessment of impaired loans and their related reserves which, in turn, is linked to the level, trend, and collateral protection of commercial substandard loans. Commercial real estate collateral values and collateral liquidity can decline quickly, particularly if accompanied by rising interest rates from current very low levels. Banking industry loan performance in general has been very strong for several years, and consensus economic forecasts do not predict destabilizing factors. However, such factors could nonetheless emerge under more adverse conditions, with a negative effect on the adequa cy of the Company’s loan loss allowance.

Securities Impairment: Alliance has a portfolio of corporate debt and equity securities, all of which were purchased under investment grade guidelines. Corporate credit ratings and interest spreads have deteriorated at a nearly record rate due to factors including corporate governance issues, the impact of terrorist attacks in 2001, and the end of the decade of unprecedented economic growth in the nineties. The Company’s portfolio includes several insurance company securities, and many large and traditionally strong insurers have repeatedly announced unexpected reserve increases and other reductions to surplus. The portfolio also includes utility company common stocks. The market index for these stocks declined by about 26% in 2002 (primarily in the second half of the year), after performing satisfactorily for several years. The unrealized losses on the Company’s securities in these sectors are viewed as temporary, but continued unfavorabl e developments could change Management’s view and result in future writedowns.

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SUMMARY

Alliance reported record quarterly net income of $923 thousand in the first quarter of 2003, representing a 9% increase over earnings of $850 thousand in the first quarter of 2002. Earnings per share advanced to $0.33 from $0.32 for these periods. Alliance earned a 14% return on shareholders’ equity in the most recent quarter, and book value per share increased by 6% to $10.18. Alliance announced a quarterly dividend of 7.5 cents per share, payable on May 27, 2003 to shareholders of record at the close of May 13, 2003. This dividend represents a 10% increase over the same quarter in the previous year, due to the eleven-for-ten stock split effected in the form of a 10% stock dividend distributed in May 2002.

Alliance produced growth despite challenging economic conditions, increases in loan balances, net interest income, and non-interest income. First quarter results benefited especially from the strong residential loan markets, as interest rates remained at attractive levels. Investments in staff, training, and systems aided the Company’s branch sales managers, who processed nearly triple the amount of mortgage and consumer loan applications in the first quarter of this year, compared to last year. During the first quarter, Alliance purchased the property for its new Enfield branch office at 73 Hazard Avenue. The opening of Tolland Bank’s tenth office in this attractive market is expected in the fall.

Total earning assets increased at a 4% annualized rate during the first quarter, including growth in both residential and commercial mortgage loans. The fully taxable equivalent net interest margin measured 3.39% during the first quarter, which was the second consecutive quarterly increase after the margin hit a low of 3.31% in the third quarter of 2002 due to the impact of falling interest rates last year.

First quarter net interest income increased by $13 thousand to $3.207 million. The first quarter provision for loan losses totaled $46 thousand, compared to $172 thousand in the first quarter of last year. Net loan charge-offs were $21 thousand in the most recent quarter. The loan loss allowance measured 1.60% of total regular loans (excluding 100% government guaranteed loans) at March 31, 2003, unchanged from year-end 2002. Nonperforming assets declined to $1.4 million (0.33%) of assets at quarter-end, down from $2.4 million (0.59% of assets) at the previous year-end. There were no foreclosed assets during the quarter.

First quarter service charges and other income grew by $419 thousand (85%). This growth was primarily due to higher secondary marketing income related to the higher volume of residential mortgage originations and secondary market sales. Service charge income also benefited from higher non deposit investment product commissions, reflecting the new program initiated with the Infinex Financial Group in the previous quarter.

Alliance recorded a net loss of $77 thousand on securities in the most recent quarter, compared to a net gain of $172 thousand in the first quarter of 2002. Gross securities gains in 2003 totaled $809 thousand and gross securities losses totaled $886 thousand. During the first quarter, Alliance eliminated the held to maturity classification of investment securities, which had decreased to a balance of $5 million at year-end 2002. These securities were transferred to the available for sale category, where security purchases will be recorded for the foreseeable future. Securities gains were recorded on the sale and redemption of $4 million in corporate securities which were viewed as fully valued. The securities loss was recorded on one debt security issued by a mutual insurance company which was written down for a decline in value that was deemed other-than-temporary.

Non-interest expense increased by $202 thousand (8%) compared to the year-ago quarter. This increase was in staff related expense, which increased by $279 thousand. All other major expense categories were flat or down except for occupancy costs related to the cold winter. Compensation cost increases included about $150 thousand in commission and temporary help costs related to higher fee based product sales, an $88 thousand increase in benefits costs which was mostly pension related, and the remainder included merit and staff increases. Total full time equivalent staff measured 113 at quarter-end, growing from 109 at year-end 2002 due primarily to customer service staff hires.

Total assets were $421 million at quarter-end, growing at a 6% annualized rate from year-end 2002. Regular loans totaled $255 million, increasing at a 4% annualized rate during the quarter. Total deposits of $331 million remained essentially unchanged from year-end amounts. Shareholders’ equity totaled $27 million at quarter-end and measured 6.5% of total assets, up from 6.2% at year-end 2002. The Company’s capital remained in excess of all regulatory requirements and continued to exceed the requirement for the highest regulatory capital category of Well Capitalized.

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Consolidated Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)

		As of and for the three months ended March 31,
		2003			2002
For the Quarter (in thousands)
Net interest income	$	3,207		$	3,194
Provision for loan losses		46			172
Service charges and other income		912			493
Net (losses) gains on securities and other assets		(77	)		172
Non-interest expense		2,669			2,467
Net income		923			850
Per Share
Net income – basic	$	0.34		$	0.33
Net income – diluted		0.33			0.32
Dividends declared		0.075			0.068
Book value		10.18			8.59
Common stock price:
High		20.05			13.19
Low		18.51			10.68
Close		19.75			12.95
At Quarter End (in millions)
Total assets	$	420.8		$	396.9
Total loans		279.4			259.7
Other earning assets		112.9			107.3
Deposits		330.7			324.2
Borrowings		60.7			48.5
Shareholders’ equity		27.3			22.1
Operating Ratios
Return on average equity		14.23	%		15.30	%
Return on average assets		0.90			0.90
Net interest margin		3.39			3.67
Efficiency ratio		63.30			65.42
Equity/total assets		6.48			5.57
Dividend payout ratio		21.76			20.63
Loan Related Ratios
Net charge-offs/average regular loans		0.03	%		0.04	%
Loan loss allowance/regular loans		1.60			1.65
Nonperforming assets/total assets		0.33			0.45
Growth
Net income		9	%		3	%
Regular loans		4			8
Deposits		—			28
(1)   All share and per share data for the 2002 period has been adjusted to reflect the eleven-for-ten stock split effected in the form of a 10% stock dividend distributed in May 2002. (2)   The efficiency ratio is non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income (fully taxable equivalent) and service charges and other income. Return, margin and charge-off ratios are annualized based on average balances for the period. Net interest margin is fully taxable equivalent. (3)   Regular loans are total loans excluding government guaranteed loans. (4)   Growth of net income is compared to the same period in the prior year. Growth of regular loans and deposits is compared to the prior year-end, annualized.

14

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Average Balance Sheets and Interest Rates – Fully Taxable Equivalent (FTE)

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the average balances and their associated average interest rates. Average balances are based on average daily balances. The balance and yield on all securities is based on amortized cost and not on fair value.

		Average Balance			Rate (FTE Basis)
Quarters ended March 31
		2003		2002	2003		2002
(dollars in thousands)
Residential mortgage loans	$	80,961	$	60,108	6.40	%	7.15	%
Commercial mortgage loans		94,838		87,721	7.14		7.95
Other commercial loans		39,541		38,827	6.11		6.96
Consumer loans		39,080		39,894	4.46		5.48
Government guaranteed loans		25,251		29,427	6.44		6.55
Total loans		279,671		255,977	6.34		7.11
Securities		95,057		94,080	5.16		6.90
Loans held for sale		9,983		1,712	5.74		4.67
Other earning assets		5,569		6,077	1.55		1.94
Total earning assets		390,280		357,846	5.97		6.92
Other assets		27,726		25,459
Total assets	$	418,006	$	383,305
NOW deposits	$	37,461	$	35,020	0.43	%	0.96	%
Money market deposits		45,032		42,139	1.45		2.26
Savings deposits		77,726		64,830	1.09		1.99
Time deposits		133,573		132,269	3.77		4.52
Total interest bearing deposits		293,792		274,258	2.28		3.12
Borrowings		59,253		50,839	5.66		6.08
Interest bearing liabilities		353,045		325,097	2.85		3.58
Demand deposits		35,190		31,263
Other liabilities		3,462		4,411
Shareholders’ equity		26,309		22,534
Total liabilities and equity	$	418,006	$	383,305
Net Interest Spread					3.12	%	3.34	%
Net Interest Margin					3.39	%	3.67	%

FTE basis net interest income presents earnings on tax-advantaged securities on a basis equivalent to yields on fully-taxable securities. A tax rate of 40% was used to compute the tax-equivalent adjustment for both quarters presented. A reconciliation of net interest income follows:

Quarters ended March 31
		2003		2002
Net interest income (in thousands)
As reported in the consolidated income statements	$	3,207	$	3,194
Tax-equivalent adjustment		98		84
FTE basis	$	3,305	$	3,278

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Net Interest Income: The $13 thousand quarterly increase in net interest income reflected the benefit of asset growth in 2002 offset by margin compression during the same period.

Total earning assets averaged $390 million in the most recent quarter, compared to $392 million in the fourth quarter of 2002, and to $358 million in the first quarter of 2002. The yield on earning assets measured 5.97%, compared to 6.11% in the previous quarter and down from 6.92% in the first quarter of 2002. The cost of interest bearing liabilities was 2.85% in the most recent quarter, compared to 3.07% in the previous quarter and down from 3.58% in the first quarter of 2002.

During the most recent quarter, the decline in asset yields and liability costs included decreases in most categories due to the continuing effects of lower interest rates. The net interest spread improved by 0.08% compared to the prior quarter, while the net interest margin improved by 0.02% due to lower average demand deposit balances and higher correspondent bank balances. Both the margin and spread declined from the first quarter 2002 due mainly to falling interest rates in 2002.

The Company is asset sensitive as further discussed in the Interest Rate Risk section of this report. During the most recent quarter, short term treasury rates declined by 10-20 basis points while ten year rates declined by about 25 basis points, but ended the quarter up by 10 basis points. Spreads tightened in many markets, but the prime rate did not change.

Provision for Loan Losses: The provision is made to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level deemed adequate by management. The provision in most recent quarter was $46 thousand, compared to $172 thousand in the same quarter of 2002. During the most recent quarter, the allowance was increased from $4.05 million to $4.08 million due mostly to loan growth. The provision in 2002 included a component relating to an impairment reserve on one loan. Please see the later discussion on the Allowance for Loan Losses.

Non-Interest Income: First quarter service charges and other income grew by $419 thousand (85%), including a $296 thousand increase in secondary marketing income. Excluding secondary marketing income, all other income increased by $123 thousand (28%), including higher investment product commissions and increases in most other fee income related sources due to higher volume. During the prior quarter, Tolland Bank introduced a new non deposit investment product program offered in conjunction with Infinex Financial Group which has begun producing favorable results. As previously noted, Alliance recorded a net loss of $77 thousand on securities in the most recent quarter, compared to a net gain of $172 thousand in the first quarter of 2002. Gross securities gains in 2003 totaled $809 thousand and gross securities losses totaled $886 thousand. The net gain in 2002 resulted primarily from the sale of two utility common equity securities due to favorable market con ditions for those securities.

Non-Interest Expense and Income Tax Expense: Non-interest expense increased by $202 thousand (8%) compared to the year-ago quarter due to the previously noted compensation expense increases. Despite the decline in the net interest margin, the efficiency ratio improved to 63.3% from 65.4% in the prior year due to the benefit of higher non-interest income in 2003. The effective income tax rate was 30% in both periods due to the benefit related to the dividends received deduction on equity securities, the accrued increases in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance, and the state income tax benefit of the Company’s passive investment corporation.

Comprehensive Income: Comprehensive income includes changes (after tax) in the market valuation of investment securities available for sale. Comprehensive income was $1.872 million in the most recent quarter, compared to $192 thousand in the same quarter of last year. The net unrealized loss on securities improved in the most recent quarter due to improved market spreads on corporate debt securities and the recognition of a loss deemed to be other-than-temporary. Please see the following discussion on investment securities.

16

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Total cash and equivalents increased by $12 million to $31 million during the quarter due to securities sales, a decline in loans held for sale from unusually high levels at year-end 2002, and an increase in borrowings in anticipation of future loan closings.

Investment Securities: As previously noted, during the most recent quarter, Alliance eliminated the category of securities held to maturity and transferred the outstanding balance of these securities to the available for sale category. This represented a change in intent regarding the entire balance of securities held to maturity, which consisted of ten securities with an amortized cost of $5.1 million. It is the Company’s intent that all future purchases of investment securities will be categorized as available for sale for the foreseeable future.

During the quarter, total investment securities decreased by $4 million due to a combination of sales, repayments, and calls. The repayments and calls reflected the ongoing impact of lower interest rates. Securities purchases totaling $10 million were concentrated in three year hybrid adjustable rate passthrough agency mortgage backed securities, which have fixed interest rates for three years and then adjust annually. At March 31, 2003, the net unrealized loss on securities totaled $2.5 million, measuring 2.7% of amortized cost, compared to $3.3 million, or 3.4% of amortized cost, at year-end 2002. As previously noted, securities prices reflected the benefit of improved spreads in the debt securities markets.

The securities portfolio includes six corporate debt securities which were rated non-investment grade throughout the quarter. One of these securities was downgraded from BB to C during the quarter. Management determined that this security was impaired on an other-than-temporary basis, and an $886 thousand charge was recorded to write down the carrying value from the amortized cost of $1.547 million. At quarter-end, the Company had four securities rated in the BB- to BB+ range with a total unrealized loss of $959 thousand, or 21% of unamortized cost. The Company had two securities rated in the C-D range which had been written down to a carrying value of $861 thousand. The equity security portfolio had a net unrealized loss of $2.3 million, which was comparable to the amount at year-end 2002, concentrated in three utility common equity securities with an unrealized loss of $1.8 million, at March 31, 2003.

The average balance of investment securities decreased by $1 million to $95 million in the most recent quarter, compared to the prior quarter. The fully taxable equivalent yield on investment securities was 5.16% in the most recent quarter, down from 6.49% in the third quarter of 2002 due to the sales of securities in the most recent two quarters.

Total Loans: Total loans increased by $1 million to $279 million during the quarter, with regular loans increasing by $3 million to $255 million. Growth was recorded in all categories of regular loans except for consumer loans due to prepayments of consumer second mortgages. Most new loans originated during the quarter were residential mortgages, with $27 million in loans closed and $29 million in loans sold during the quarter.

The average balance of total loans increased by $5 million to $280 million in the most recent quarter, compared to the prior quarter. Total average regular loans increased at a strong 10% annualized rate. The yield on total loans decreased to 6.34% from 6.60% for these periods due to the continuing effects of prime rate decreases last year and to ongoing refinances.

Nonperforming Assets: There were no foreclosed assets at March 31, 2003. Nonaccruing loans totaled $1.4 million, compared to $2.4 million at year-end 2002. Nonperforming assets were 0.33% of total assets at March 31, 2003, which was also improved from 0.59% at the beginning of the year.

Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance totaled $4.08 million (1.60% of regular loans) at March 31, 2003, compared to $4.05 million (1.60% of regular loans) at year-end 2002. During the quarter, gross charge-offs were $28 thousand and gross recoveries were $7 thousand. The allowance measured 294% of nonaccruing loans at quarter-end.

17

Deposits and Borrowings: Total deposits remained essentially unchanged at March 31, 2003, compared to year-end 2002, with a $2 million shift out of time accounts and into savings accounts as customers continue to prefer liquid balances during this period of low interest rates. Total deposits averaged $329 million during the most recent quarter, compared to $334 million in the prior quarter. Average borrowings increased by an offsetting $5 million to $59 million. The average cost of interest bearing deposits declined to 2.28% in the most recent quarter from 2.55% in the prior quarter, while average borrowing costs decreased to 5.66% from 5.99%.

Interest Rate Sensitivity: The Company estimates that there have been no significant changes in interest rate sensitivity since year-end 2002. The one year interest rate gap is estimated to have increased to $39 million at March 31, 2003 from $37 million at year-end 2002. As a percentage of earning assets, the gap is estimated to be 10%, which is at the Bank’s policy guideline. The Company’s income and equity value is expected to increase in a rising rate environment and to decrease in a decreasing rate environment, primarily due to its portfolio of prime based commercial and consumer loans. With interest rates at comparatively low levels, the Company generally is cautious toward the acquisition of new long term fixed rate assets in order to control equity at risk in a rising rate environment.

Liquidity and Cash Flows: The Bank’s primary use of funds in the most recent quarter was the purchase of 3/1 hybrid adjustable rate mortgage passthrough securities. Sources of funds included a reduction in loans held for sale, the sale of longer term corporate securities, security payments and calls, and borrowings. The excess of funds sources over uses was held in short term investments at the quarter-end in anticipation of loan growth during the year. Borrowings and time deposits are the primary sources of liquidity for additional balance sheet growth. Short term investments, securities available for sale, and government guaranteed loan certificates provide additional sources of liquidity. The Company’s primary source of funds is dividends received from the Bank, and its primary use of funds is dividends paid to shareholders and to trust preferred security holders.

Capital Resources: Shareholders’ equity increased by $2 million to $27 million during the quarter, benefiting from the comparatively high comprehensive income during the quarter. Total equity measured 6.5% of assets at quarter-end, which was up from 6.2% at year-end 2002. At quarter-end, both Alliance and Tolland Bank continued to be capitalized in accordance with the “well capitalized” regulatory classification.

ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

See the discussion and analysis of quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk provided in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 filed on March 31, 2003. See also the discussion of Interest Rate Sensitivity in Item 2 of this Form 10-Q.

ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Based on their evaluation as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this Form 10-Q, the Company’s Chief Executive Office, Joseph H. Rossi and Chief Financial Officer, David H. Gonci, have concluded the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

18

PART II		OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.		LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
		The Company is not involved in any material legal proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business.
Item 2.		CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
		None.
Item 3		DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
		None.
Item 4.		SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
		None.
Item 5.		OTHER INFORMATION
		None.
Item 6.		EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
	(a)	Exhibit Index
		The exhibits listed below are included with this Report.
		99.1	Certification by Joseph H. Rossi, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
		99.2	Certification by David H. Gonci, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
	(b)	Reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter ended March 31, 2003
		On January 31, 2003, the Company filed a Form 8-K reporting, under Item 9, a letter to the shareholders and a news release reporting 2002 earnings.

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
		ALLIANCE BANCORP OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.
Date:	May 12, 2003		/s/ Joseph H. Rossi      Joseph H. Rossi      President/CEO
Date:	May 12, 2003		/s/ David H. Gonci      David H. Gonci      Senior Vice President/CFO

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Form 10-Q Certification

I, Joseph H. Rossi, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Alliance Bancorp of New England, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

c. presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weakness in internal controls; and

b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

6. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

May 12, 2003	/s/ Joseph H. Rossi
	Joseph H. Rossi
	President/CEO

21

Form 10-Q Certification

I, David H. Gonci, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Alliance Bancorp of New England, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

c. presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

d. all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weakness in internal controls; and

e. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

6. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

May 12, 2003	/s/ David H. Gonci
	David H. Gonci
	Senior Vice President/CFO

22