One tool we use to manage market interest rate declines is the imposition of interest rate floors on our prime-based loans. For most of our loans, once the prime rate falls below 6% (which occurred on March 18, 2008), the interest rate remains at 7% per annum regardless of further declines in interest rates. The interest rate floors are one reason for the increase in our spread that we have recently experienced, with spread being 3.13% for the first quarter of 2008, increasing to 3.50% in the second quarter and 3.84% in the third quarter.
We have some flexibility in allocating our investment choices between the three categories of earning assets – loans, investment securities and other investments (principally overnight investments). As interest rates declined, we elected to invest more of our available liquid assets into investment securities instead of overnight investments. This shift in the mix of our investments allowed us to reduce the effect of declining interest rates because investment securities tend to have higher yields that overnight investments. We were also able to reinvest the payments we received on existing investment securities in securities with rates comparable to the rates we were earning on the securities being repaid because many of the securities being repaid were purchased a number of years ago before market interest rates reached their recent peak towards the end of 2006.
The FDIC has recently instituted the Temporary Liquidity Program in which the FDIC will guarantee, with certain limitations, all senior unsecured debt of eligible financial institutions. The FDIC has also recently increased insurance coverage on non-interest bearing demand accounts to an unlimited amount, but with the payment of an additional assessment fee. The United States Department of the Treasury recently announced a Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) in which the Treasury will purchase preferred stock from approved institutions, with certain limitations and restrictions. These three programs are all entirely voluntary. VSB Bancorp, Inc. and Victory State Bank, have strong capital (Tier 1 Capital ratio in excess of 10% and Total Risk Based Capital ratio in excess of 25%). We have reported positive and increased quarterly earnings in 2008 and we did not originate or invest in subprime mortgages nor in FNMA and FHLMC preferred stock. Although all of the details of the Treasury and FDIC programs have not yet been announced, we do not currently anticipate that we will participate in any of these programs.
Our results of operations depend primarily on net interest income, which is the difference between the income we earn on our loan and investment portfolios and our cost of funds, consisting primarily of interest we pay on customer deposits. Our operating expenses principally consist of employee compensation and benefits, occupancy expenses, professional fees, advertising and marketing expenses and other general and administrative expenses. Our results of operations are significantly affected by general economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, government policies and actions of regulatory authorities.
We discuss each of these categories individually and the reasons for the differences between the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 in the following paragraphs. In general, the principal reason for the increase in net income when comparing the third quarter of 2008 with the same quarter in 2007 was an improvement in our interest rate spread and margin and an increase in non-interest income due to the increase in service charges on deposit accounts (primarily insufficient fund fees) in March of 2008. We were able to maintain the yield on our investment security portfolio as we purchase new securities, with the same risk parameters that we have purchased in the past, at yields comparable to the overall portfolio yield.
Interest Income.Interest income was $2,798,701 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared to $3,117,919 for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $319,218, or 10.2%. The principal reason for this decrease was a 224 basis point decrease in the yield on our loan portfolio due to lower market interest rates. The effect of the decline in yields was partially mitigated by a $4,704,165 increase in the average balance of loans, our highest yielding asset category. We also used liquid assets, such as overnight investments, to purchase investment securities as we reduced the average balance of overnight investments by $13,519,866 and reallocated the funds to increase the average balance of higher yielding investment securities.
The 3 basis point increase in the average yield on our investment securities portfolio, from 4.72% to 4.75%, was due to the purchase of new investment securities at higher market rates than the yields on the principal paydowns we received. The yield on investment securities did not decrease as the other interest-earning assets because most of the bonds and notes in our investment portfolio have either fixed interest rates or interest rates that react more slowly to changes in market interest rate conditions. The average balance of our investment portfolio increased by $12,360,237, or 11.13%, between the periods. The increase in volume and the increase in yield resulted in an overall $153,571 increase in interest income from investment securities. The investment securities portfolio represented 92.0% of average non-loan interest earning assets in the 2008 period compared to 82.1% in the 2007 period.
Interest Expense. Interest expense was $517,528 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared to $909,227 for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of 43.1%. The decrease was primarily the result of the repayment of the subordinated debt in August 2008 coupled with a decrease in the rates we paid on deposits, specifically time deposits (166 basis point decrease) and money market accounts (93 basis point decrease). Our average cost of funds, excluding the effect of interest-free demand deposits, decreased to 1.68% from 2.84% between the periods due to the decline in market interest rates.
Net Interest Income Before Provision for Loan Losses. Net interest income before the provision for loan losses was $2,281,173 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, an increase of $72,481, or 3.3% over the $2,208,692 in the comparable 2007 quarter. Our net interest spread increased to 3.84% in the third quarter of 2008 from 3.46% in the third quarter of 2007. We were able to main the spread due to the reallocation of overnight investments into investment securities and our net interest margin increased to 4.48% in the third quarter of 2008 from 4.45% in the third quarter of 2007.
Provision for Loan Losses.We took a provision for loan losses of $40,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to a credit provision for loan losses of $15,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. The increase in the provision was the result of an increase in loan delinquencies. The provision for loan losses in any period depends upon the amount necessary to bring the allowance for loan losses to the level management believes is appropriate, after taking into account charge offs and recoveries. Our allowance for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of the risks inherent in our loan portfolio and the general economy. Management periodically evaluates both broad categories of performing loans and problem loans individually to assess the appropriate level of the allowance.
Although management uses available information to assess the appropriateness of the allowance on a quarterly basis in consultation with outside advisors and the board of directors, changes in national or local economic conditions, the circumstances of individual borrowers, or other factors, may change, increasing the level of problem loans and requiring an increase in the level of the allowance. The allowance for loan losses represented 1.45% of total loans at September 30, 2008, but there can be no assurance that a higher level, or a higher provision for loan losses, will not be necessary in the future.
17
Non-interest Income.Non-interest income was $603,965 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $539,637 during the same period last year. The $64,328, or 11.9%, increase in non-interest income was a direct result of an $87,663 increase in service charges on deposits and an increase in net rental income of $16,364, partially offset by a decrease of $35,819 in other income. Service fees on deposit accounts, principally non-sufficient funds fees, increased from 2007 to 2008 due to an increase in the number of non-sufficient fund transactions coupled with our decision to increase per item charges for both insufficient fund and bounced check fees and other deposit fees in March of 2008. The increase in net rental income was due to the occupancy of one of the Bank’s subleased properties. The decrease in other income was a result of the loss of a check cashing customer and the fee income associated with that business.
Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense was $1,835,730 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared to $1,834,361 for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. The shifts in the individual categories were:
| | |
| · | $24,402 increase in occupancy expenses due to higher utility bills; |
|
| · | $15,555 increase in legal expenses primarily due to increased collection costs |
|
| · | $24,703 increase in other expenses due to an increase in advertising expenses in connection with the Bank’s new advertising campaign |
|
| · | $70,259 decrease in salaries and benefits expense, due in part to the retirement of the former president and reduced incentive and ESOP compensation expense. |
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $466,704 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared to income tax expense of $432,689 for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. The increase in income tax expense was due to the $80,440 increase in income before income taxes in the 2008 quarter. Our effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 was 46.2% and for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 was 46.6%.
Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007
Our results of operations depend primarily on net interest income, which is the difference between the income we earn on our loan and investment portfolios and our cost of funds, consisting primarily of interest we pay on customer deposits. Our operating expenses principally consist of employee compensation and benefits, occupancy expenses, professional fees, advertising and marketing expenses and other general and administrative expenses. Our results of operations are significantly affected by general economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, government policies and actions of regulatory authorities.
General. We had net income of $1,330,924 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to net income of $1,534,071 for the comparable period in 2007. The principal categories which make up the 2008 net income are:
| | |
| · | Interest income of $8,208,613 |
| | |
| · | Reduced by interest expense of $1,866,141 |
| | |
| · | Reduced by a provision for loan losses of $125,000 |
| | |
| · | Increased by non-interest income of $1,794,101 |
| | |
| · | Reduced by non-interest expense of $5,536,057 |
| | |
| · | Reduced by $1,144,592 in income tax expense |
We discuss each of these categories individually and the reasons for the differences between the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 in the following paragraphs. In general, the principal reasons for the decline in net income when comparing the first nine months of 2008 with the same period in 2007 were (i) a reduction in the yield on interest-earning assets, primarily in the loan portfolio and other-interest earning assets, which reduced interest income, and (ii) an increase in the provision for loan loss. These were partially offset by the decrease in interest expense due to the drop in the cost of deposits.
18
Interest Income.Interest income was $8,208,613 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $9,297,600 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $1,088,987, or 11.7%. The principal reasons for this decrease were a 221 basis point decrease in the yield on our loan portfolio and a 265 basis point decrease in the yield of other-interest earning assets (principally overnight investments). The decrease was partially offset by the higher average balance of the investment security portfolio with a higher yield, as we reduced other interest earning assets and reallocated the funds to increase the average balance of investment securities. As a result, the average balance of overnight investments decreased by $8,798,003.
The average yield on our investment securities portfolio increased 4 basis points, from 4.71% to 4.75%, due to the purchase of new investment securities at slightly higher market rates than the yields on the principal paydowns we received. The yield on investment securities did not decrease as did the yields on other interest earning assets because most of the bonds and notes in our investment portfolio have either fixed interest rates or interest rates that react more slowly to changes in market interest rate conditions. The average balance of our investment portfolio increased by $9,574,688, or 8.62%, between the periods. The increase in volume and the increase in yield resulted in an overall $375,072 increase in interest income from investment securities. The investment securities portfolio represented 90.3% of average non-loan interest earning assets in the 2008 period compared to 83.6% in the 2007 period.
Interest Expense. Interest expense was $1,866,141 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $2,622,257 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of 28.8%. The decrease was primarily the result of the repayment of the subordinated debt in August 2008 coupled with a decrease in the rates we paid on deposits, specifically time deposits (a 126 basis point decrease in cost) and money market accounts (a 55 basis point decrease in cost). Our average cost of funds, excluding the effect of interest-free demand deposits, decreased to 2.03% from 2.82% between the periods due to a decline in market interest rates that began in approximately September 2007.
Net Interest Income Before Provision for Loan Losses. Net interest income before the provision for loan losses was $6,342,472 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, a decrease of $332,871, or 5.0% over the $6,675,343 in the comparable 2007 period. The decrease resulted principally from a decrease in the yield on our loan portfolio, which was greater than the decrease in the average cost of our deposits, including demand deposits, partially offset by a decrease in the cost of time deposits and an increase in interest income from our investment security portfolio. Our net interest spread decreased to 3.53% in the first nine months of 2008 from 3.58% in the same period of 2007 and our net interest margin, which includes the effect of interest-free demand deposits and capital as funding sources, decreased to 4.29% in the first nine months of 2008 from 4.59% in the same period of 2007.
Provision for Loan Losses.We took a provision for loan losses of $125,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to a credit to the provision for loan losses of $45,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in the provision was the result of an increase in loan delinquencies and charge-offs. The provision for loan losses in any period depends upon the amount necessary to bring the allowance for loan losses to the level management believes is appropriate, after taking into account charge offs and recoveries. Our allowance for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of the risks inherent in our loan portfolio and the general economy. Management periodically evaluates both broad categories of performing loans and problem loans individually to assess the appropriate level of the allowance.
Although management uses available information to assess the appropriateness of the allowance on a quarterly basis in consultation with outside advisors and the board of directors, changes in national or local economic conditions, the circumstances of individual borrowers, or other factors, may change, increasing the level of problem loans and requiring an increase in the level of the allowance. The allowance for loan losses represented 1.45% of total loans at September 30, 2008, but there can be no assurance that a higher level, or a higher provision for loan losses, will not be necessary in the future.
19
Non-interest Income.Non-interest income was $1,794,101 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $1,616,193 during the same period last year. The $177,908, or 11.0%, increase in non-interest income was a direct result of a $250,781 increase in service charges on deposits (primarily non-sufficient fund fees) and an increase in net rental income of $24,764, partially offset by a decrease of $89,265 in other income. Service charges on deposits increased due to an increase in the number of non-sufficient fund transactions coupled with our decision to increase per item charges for both insufficient fund and bounced check fees and other deposit fees in March of 2008. The increase in net rental income was due to the occupancy of one of the Bank’s subleased properties that was previously vacant. The decrease in other income was a result of the loss of a check cashing customer that had previously generated substantial fee income.
Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense was $5,536,057 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $5,464,468 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The principal causes of the $71,589 increase were:
| | |
| · | $60,867 increase in occupancy expenses due to higher utility costs and the operation of our new main office in Great Kills, which opened in February 2007; |
| | |
| · | $136,975 increase in legal expenses primarily due to new collection matters and because in 2007 we received a reimbursement from our insurance company of legal fees previously expensed. |
| | |
| · | $104,452 increase in other expenses due to a $74,013 increase in advertising expenses in connection with the Bank’s new advertising campaign and a $40,110 recovery in 2007 of part of a reserve expensed in 2005 for a legal claim that we settled for less than the reserve in 2007 |
| | |
| · | $246,906 decrease in salaries and benefits expense, due in part to the retirement of the former president and reduced incentive and ESOP compensation expense. |
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $1,144,592 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to income tax expense of $1,337,997 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The reduction in income tax expense was due to the $396,552 decrease in income before income taxes in the 2008 period. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 46.2% and for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 was 46.6%.
20
VSB Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Average Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2008 | | Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2007 | | Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2008 | | Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2007 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Average Balance | | Interest | | Yield/ Cost | | Average Balance | | Interest | | Yield/ Cost | | Average Balance | | Interest | | Yield/ Cost | | Average Balance | | Interest | | Yield/ Cost | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loans receivable | | $ | 64,032,229 | | $ | 1,276,288 | | | 7.61 | % | $ | 59,328,064 | | $ | 1,500,123 | | | 9.85 | % | $ | 63,070,716 | | $ | 3,693,696 | | | 7.77 | % | $ | 60,982,376 | | $ | 4,573,820 | | | 9.98 | % |
Investment securities, afs | | | 123,434,653 | | | 1,474,099 | | | 4.75 | | | 111,074,416 | | | 1,320,528 | | | 4.72 | | | 120,617,836 | | | 4,289,758 | | | 4.75 | | | 111,043,148 | | | 3,914,686 | | | 4.71 | |
Other interest-earning assets | | | 10,683,945 | | | 48,314 | | | 1.80 | | | 24,203,811 | | | 297,268 | | | 4.87 | | | 13,025,631 | | | 225,159 | | | 2.31 | | | 21,823,634 | | | 809,094 | | | 4.96 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total interest-earning assets | | | 198,150,827 | | | 2,798,701 | | | 5.52 | | | 194,606,291 | | | 3,117,919 | | | 6.30 | | | 196,714,183 | | | 8,208,613 | | | 5.56 | | | 193,849,158 | | | 9,297,600 | | | 6.40 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-interest earning assets | | | 12,807,546 | | | | | | | | | 13,590,653 | | | | | | | | | 12,983,052 | | | | | | | | | 14,920,697 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 210,958,373 | | | | | | | | $ | 208,196,944 | | | | | | | | $ | 209,697,235 | | | | | | | | $ | 208,769,855 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest-bearing liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Savings accounts | | $ | 12,625,903 | | | 19,754 | | | 0.62 | | $ | 11,684,293 | | | 24,531 | | | 0.83 | | $ | 11,813,603 | | | 56,927 | | | 0.64 | | $ | 12,082,515 | | | 74,314 | | | 0.82 | |
Time accounts | | | 71,347,390 | | | 365,462 | | | 2.04 | | | 66,513,594 | | | 619,975 | | | 3.70 | | | 68,528,843 | | | 1,265,289 | | | 2.47 | | | 66,788,460 | | | 1,862,985 | | | 3.73 | |
Money market accounts | | | 19,020,866 | | | 64,094 | | | 1.34 | | | 24,043,528 | | | 137,741 | | | 2.27 | | | 20,600,694 | | | 232,695 | | | 1.51 | | | 20,828,643 | | | 321,150 | | | 2.06 | |
Now accounts | | | 17,695,783 | | | 31,612 | | | 0.71 | | | 19,471,134 | | | 37,940 | | | 0.77 | | | 17,984,043 | | | 96,545 | | | 0.72 | | | 19,672,772 | | | 96,689 | | | 0.66 | |
Subordinated debt | | | 2,129,239 | | | 36,606 | | | 6.91 | | | 5,155,000 | | | 89,040 | | | 6.91 | | | 4,139,051 | | | 214,685 | | | 6.91 | | | 5,155,000 | | | 267,119 | | | 6.91 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total interest-bearing liabilities | | | 122,819,181 | | | 517,528 | | | 1.68 | | | 126,867,549 | | | 909,227 | | | 2.84 | | | 123,066,234 | | | 1,866,141 | | | 2.03 | | | 124,527,390 | | | 2,622,257 | | | 2.82 | |
Checking accounts | | | 65,085,696 | | | | | | | | | 60,571,625 | | | | | | | | | 63,638,445 | | | | | | | | | 63,532,608 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total deposits and subordinated debt | | | 187,904,877 | | | | | | | | | 187,439,174 | | | | | | | | | 186,704,679 | | | | | | | | | 188,059,998 | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities | | | 1,254,024 | | | | | | | | | 1,617,370 | | | | | | | | | 1,192,190 | | | | | | | | | 2,012,645 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 189,158,901 | | | | | | | | | 189,056,544 | | | | | | | | | 187,896,869 | | | | | | | | | 190,072,643 | | | | | | | |
Equity | | | 21,799,472 | | | | | | | | | 19,140,400 | | | | | | | | | 21,800,366 | | | | | | | | | 18,697,212 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and equity | | $ | 210,958,373 | | | | | | | | $ | 208,196,944 | | | | | | | | $ | 209,697,235 | | | | | | | | $ | 208,769,855 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest income/net interest rate spread | | | | | $ | 2,281,173 | | | 3.84 | % | | | | $ | 2,208,692 | | | 3.46 | % | | | | $ | 6,342,472 | | | 3.53 | % | | | | $ | 6,675,343 | | | 3.58 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest earning assets/net interest margin | | $ | 75,331,646 | | | | | | 4.48 | % | $ | 67,738,742 | | | | | | 4.45 | % | $ | 73,647,949 | | | | | | 4.29 | % | $ | 69,321,768 | | | | | | 4.59 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities | | | 1.61 | x | | | | | | | | 1.53 | x | | | | | | | | 1.60 | x | | | | | | | | 1.56 | x | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Return on Average Assets (1) | | | 0.97 | % | | | | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | | | | 0.84 | % | | | | | | | | 0.97 | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Return on Average Equity (1) | | | 9.40 | % | | | | | | | | 9.99 | % | | | | | | | | 8.07 | % | | | | | | | | 10.89 | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Tangible Equity to Total Assets | | | 10.72 | % | | | | | | | | 9.57 | % | | | | | | | | 10.72 | % | | | | | | | | 9.57 | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) Ratios have been annualized.
21
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of funds are increases in deposits, proceeds from the repayment of investment securities, and the repayment of loans. We use these funds to purchase new investment securities and to fund new and renewing loans in our loan portfolio. Remaining funds are invested in short-term liquid assets such as overnight federal funds loans and bank deposits.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we had a net increase in total deposits of $6,938,974 due to increases of $6,172,292 in time deposits, $1,779,352 in savings accounts and $1,030,746 in NOW, partially offset by a decrease of $1,496,449 in non-interest demand deposits and a $546,967 decrease in money market accounts. We also received proceeds from repayment of investment securities of $20,423,422. We used $23,160,013 of available funds to purchase new investment securities, $5,155,000 to repay our subordinated debt and we had a net loan increase of $2,563,409. These changes resulted in an overall decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $2,087,659.
In contrast, during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we had a net decrease in total deposits of $5,611,356 due to a $4,621,334 decrease in time deposits, a $4,824,412 decrease in demand and checking accounts and a $1,416,790 decrease in savings accounts partially offset by a $5,226,118 increase in money market accounts and a $25,062 increase in NOW accounts. We received proceeds from repayment of investment securities of $24,358,579 and we had a net loan reduction of $6,961,389. After funding the deposit decline, we used $19,513,770 of available funds to purchase new investment securities. We also used $2,934,194 of cash for capitalized leasehold improvements and equipment for our new main office in Great Kills. These changes resulted in an overall increase in cash and cash equivalents of $6,888,630.
Victory State Bank satisfied all capital ratio requirements of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation at September 30, 2008, with a Tier I Leverage Capital ratio of 10.31%, a ratio of Tier I Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets ratio of 24.01%, and a Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets ratio of 25.06%.
VSB Bancorp, Inc. satisfied all capital ratio requirements of the Federal Reserve at September 30, 2008, with a Tier I Leverage Capital ratio of 10.66%, a ratio of Tier I Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets ratio of 25.10%, and a Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets ratio of 26.15%.
In August 2008, we unwound our trust preferred securities transaction by calling (and repaying) the $5,155,000 subordinated debenture we had on our balance sheet at June 30, 2008. We used available cash to repay the debenture and we expect that the repayment will have no material adverse effect on our liquidity. We elected to repay the debenture and end the trust preferred transaction because we believe that the future cost to us (3 month LIBOR plus 300 basis points per annum, adjusted every three months) would have exceeded the value of the additional capital that the transaction gave us for regulatory capital purposes. Victory State Bank and VSB Bancorp, Inc. were both well-capitalized for regulatory capital purposes after the debenture was repaid.
22
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and commitments for future lease payments, time deposit maturities and loan commitments.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments at September 30, 2008
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contractual Obligations | | Payment due by Period | |
| | | |
| | Less than One Year | | One to three years | | Four to five years | | After five years | | Total Amounts committed | |
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Minimum annual rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases | | $ | 397,978 | | $ | 814,209 | | $ | 846,750 | | $ | 1,894,566 | | $ | 3,953,503 | |
Remaining contractual maturities of time deposits | | | 67,870,301 | | | 1,022,814 | | | 2,017,741 | | | — | | | 70,910,856 | |
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Total contractual cash obligations | | $ | 68,268,279 | | $ | 1,837,023 | | $ | 2,864,491 | | $ | 1,894,566 | | $ | 74,864,359 | |
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Other commitments | | Amount of commitment Expiration by Period | |
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| | Less than One Year | | One to three years | | Four to five years | | After five years | | Total Amounts committed | |
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Loan commitments | | $ | 23,120,233 | | $ | 5,023,898 | | $ | 7,453 | | $ | — | | $ | 28,151,584 | |
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Our loan commitments shown in the above table represent both commitments to make new loans and obligations to make additional advances on existing loans, such as construction loans in process and lines of credit. Substantially all of these commitments involve loans with fluctuating interest rates, so the outstanding commitments do not expose us to interest rate risk upon fluctuation in market rates.
Non-Performing Loans
Management closely monitors non-performing loans and other assets with potential problems on a regular basis. We had nine non-performing loans, totaling $2,088,050, at September 30, 2008, compared to six non-performing loans, totaling $960,217, at December 31, 2007. The following is information about the six largest non-performing loans, totaling $1,928,726 in outstanding principal balance. Management believes it has taken appropriate steps with a view towards maximizing recovery and minimizing loss on these loans.
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· | $859,968 in three loans to a builder secured and cross-collateralized by first mortgage liens on three lots in Staten Island on which single family houses are being built. The loans are past maturity and we have commenced foreclosure actions. The builder has contracts to sell two of the houses and those houses are near completion. The sale of the two houses at the contract price, if consummated, would be sufficient to pay off all three loans. |
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· | $556,321 in a loan to a business that has ceased operations but which loan is secured by a first mortgage on real property in Suffolk County and personally guaranteed by the principals. The property is listed for sale at a price substantially in excess of the loan amount. The loan is past due and we negotiated and extended an interim work out, pending the completion of a sale of the property. The borrower has made a substantial cash deposit sufficient to bring the loan current, and to pay interest through at least September 2008. The borrowers and the guarantors signed the work out documents in October and we then applied the deposit as agreed. |
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· | $512,437 in two loans to related local businesses. Both loans are in default and confessions of judgment have been filed. We have a security interest in the businesses, personal guaranties of the principals and others, and $100,000 of cash collateral. The borrowers had contracts to sell the businesses upon terms that sufficient to repay our loans, but the closings were contingent upon the receipt of approval of the New York State regulator responsible for regulating the businesses. That approval was received just prior to September 30, 2008, but the closing of the sale had not yet occurred. The businesses were sold in early October and our loans were repaid in their entirety. |
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Critical Accounting Policies and Judgments
We are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The allowance for loan losses, prepayment estimates on the mortgage-backed securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligation portfolios, contingencies and fair values of financial instruments are particularly subject to change and to management’s estimates. Actual results can differ from those estimates and may have an impact on our financial statements.
Item 4 –Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: As of September 30, 2008, we undertook an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision and with the participation of Raffaele M. Branca, President, CEO and CFO. Disclosure controls are the systems and procedures we use that are designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (such as annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly periodic reports on Form 10-Q) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, in a manner which will allow senior management to make timely decisions on the public disclosure of that information. Mr. Branca concluded that our current disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that such information is (i) collected and communicated to senior management in a timely manner, and (ii) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Since our last evaluation of our disclosure controls, we have not made any significant changes in, or corrective actions taken regarding, either our internal controls or other factors that could significantly affect those controls.
We intend to continually review and evaluate the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and to correct any deficiencies that we may discover. Our goal is to ensure that senior management has timely access to all material financial and non-financial information concerning our business so that they can evaluate that information and make determinations as to the nature and timing of disclosure of that information. While we believe the present design of our disclosure controls and procedures is effective to achieve this goal, future events may cause us to modify our disclosure controls and procedures.
Part II
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings
The Bank is a defendant in an action pending in Supreme Court, Richmond County, commenced by IndyMac Bank, F.S.B. against the Bank, LaMattina & Associates, Inc. (“LAI”) and various individuals and entities alleged to be officers, directors or otherwise to have relationships with LAI. See the Company’s quarterly report for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 for information with respect to this proceeding.
IndyMac Bank, F.S.B. (“Old IndyMac”), was closed by the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) was appointed as its conservator in July 2008. The OTS then created a new bank (“New IndyMac”) and many of the assets of Old IndyMac were transferred to New IndyMac. The Bank has been advised by opposing legal counsel that the claim in the litigation is owned by Old IndyMac, which is being liquidated by the FDIC. The Bank has been advised that the holder of the claim against the Bank intends to continue to pursue its claim against the Bank. The Bank intends to diligently defend the litigation.
VSB Bancorp, Inc., is not involved in any pending legal proceedings. The Bank, from time to time, is involved in routine collection proceedings in the ordinary course of business on loans in default and other routine proceedings arising it the ordinary course of business. Management believes that such other routine legal proceedings in the aggregate are immaterial to our financial condition or results of operations.
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Signature Page
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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| | VSB Bancorp, Inc. |
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Date: November 12, 2008 | | /s/ Raffaele M. Branca |
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| | Raffaele M. Branca |
| | President and Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit Number | | Description of Exhibit |
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31.1 | | Rule 13A-14(a)/15D-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer |
31.2 | | Rule 13A-14(a)/15D-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer |
32.1 | | Certification by CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350. |
32.2 | | Certification by CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350. |
Item 6 - Exhibits
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Exhibit Number | | Description of Exhibit |
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31.1 | | Rule 13A-14(a)/15D-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer |
31.2 | | Rule 13A-14(a)/15D-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer |
32.1 | | Certification by CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350. |
32.2 | | Certification by CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350. |
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