Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2002 was $40.8 million compared to $43.7 million at December 31, 2001, a decrease of $2.9 million. The decrease primarily reflects the repurchase of treasury stock totaling $5.6 million, offset by net income of $1.5 million and unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax, of $1.2 million. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2001 Net income increased $30,000 to $497,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 compared to the same period in 2001. The increase in net income was primarily a result of an increase in net interest income, offset by a decrease in noninterest income and increases in noninterest expense and the income tax provision. Net interest income was $1.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 compared to $1.6 million for the same prior year period. The increase in net interest income was primarily a result of an increase in the net interest spread and the net interest margin to 2.42% and 2.89%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 from 1.71% and 2.61% for the same period in 2001. The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased to 5.40% for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 from 6.46% for the same quarter in 2001, while the average yield on interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 2.98% for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 from 4.74% for the same period in 2001. These decreases reflect the overall decrease in market rates from the prior year. The increase in the spread and the margin was due largely to the decrease in the cost of funds exceeding the decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets as interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities repriced downward in reaction to the continued decreasing interest rate environment. The provision for loan losses was zero for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 and $48,000 for the same period in 2001. The decrease in the provision for loan losses can be attributed to the overall decrease in the loan portfolio due to repayments and refinancings. On a quarterly basis, management of the Company meets to review the allowance for loan losses. Management classifies loans in compliance with regulatory classifications. Classified loans are individually reviewed to arrive at specific reserves for those loans. Once the specific portion of the allowance is calculated, management calculates a historical portion for each loan category based on loan loss history, peer data, current economic conditions and trends in the portfolio, including delinquencies and impairments, as well as changes in the composition of the loan portfolio. Although management believes that the allowance for loan losses reflected probable incurred losses on existing loans at September 30, 2002, there can be no assurance that such losses will not exceed estimated amounts. Future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions that may be beyond the Company’s control. The allowance for loan losses as of September 30, 2002 was maintained at a level that represents management’s best estimate of losses in the loan portfolio and such losses were both probable and reasonably estimatable. Noninterest income was $97,000 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2002 compared to $139,000 for the same period in 2001. The decrease in noninterest income was primarily a result of a $36,000 decrease in other income and a $13,000 decrease in net gains on the sale of securities partially offset by a $7,000 increase in other fee income. Other income was increased during the three-month period ended September 30, 2001 due to a refund from Nasdaq. The refund inflated the prior year period, which explains the decrease during this three-month period ended September 30, 2002. Noninterest expense was $1.0 million and $914,000 for the quarters ended September 30, 2002 and 2001. The increase in noninterest expense primarily reflects an increase in compensation and benefits expense of $120,000 associated with an increase in salaries of $20,000, an increase of $22,000 in employee benefits including health insurance and retirement funds, and expense of $68,000 associated with the restricted stock awards granted in October of 2001. Occupancy and equipment expense increased $23,000, along with small increases in data processing, advertising and professional fees, offset by a decrease in other
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