Results of Operations
Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 Compared to the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008.
General. Berkshire Bancorp Inc., a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, has one indirect wholly-owned banking subsidiary, The Berkshire Bank, a New York State chartered commercial bank. The Bank is headquartered in Manhattan and has twelve branch locations; seven branches in New York City, four branches in Orange and Sullivan counties New York, and one branch in Ridgefield, New Jersey.
Net Income/Loss Allocated to Common Stockholders. Net loss for the three-month period ended June 30, 2009 was $3.64 million, or $.52 per common share, compared to net income of $2.64 million, or $.37 per common share, for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008. Net loss for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009 was $3.77 million, or $.53 per common share, compared to net income of $5.29 million, or $.75 per common share, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008. The net loss reported for the three months ended June 30, 2009 includes other than temporary impairment charges on securities of $4.10 million, or $.58 per common share, and dividends on our Series A Preferred Stock of $1.20 million, or $.17 per common share. The net loss reported for the six months ended June 30, 2009 includes other than temporary impairment charges on securities of $5.13 million, or $.73 per common share, and dividends on our Series A Preferred Stock of $2.40 million, or $.34 per common share.
The Company’s net income is largely dependent on interest rate levels, the demand for the Company’s loan and deposit products and the strategies employed to manage the interest rate and other risks inherent in the banking business.
Net Interest Income. The Company’s primary source of revenue is net interest income, or the difference between interest income earned on earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowings. The amount of interest income is dependent upon many factors including: (i) the amount of interest-earning assets that the Company can maintain based upon its funding sources; (ii) the relative amounts of interest-earning assets versus interest-bearing liabilities; and (iii) the difference between the yields earned on those assets and the rates paid on those liabilities. Non-performing loans adversely affect net interest income because they must still be funded by interest-bearing liabilities, but they do not provide interest income. Furthermore, when we designate an asset as non-performing, all interest which has been accrued but not actually received is deducted from current period income, further reducing net interest income.
For the quarter ended June 30, 2009, net interest income decreased by approximately $600,000 to $7.27 million from $7.87 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. The decrease in net interest income was due to the decrease in the average amounts of interest-earning assets to $805.00 million during the 2009 period from $1,034.96 million during the 2008 period, and the decrease in the average yields earned on such assets to 5.80% during the 2009 period from 6.01% during the 2008 period. The decrease in net interest income was substantially offset by the decrease in the average amounts of interest-bearing liabilities to $748.64 million during the 2009 period from $891.37 million during the 2008 period and the decrease in the average rates paid on such liabilities to 2.35% during the 2009 period from 3.45% during the 2008 period. The Company’s interest-rate spread, the difference between the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities, increased by 89 basis points to 3.45% from 2.56% during the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
For the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, net interest income decreased by approximately $690,000 to $14.34 million from $15.03 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008. The decrease in net interest income was due to the decrease in the average amounts of interest-earning assets to $817.20 million during the 2009 six-month period from $1,028.17 million during the 2008 six-month period, and the decrease in the average yields earned on such assets to 5.90% during the 2009 six-month period from 6.12% during the 2008 six-month period. The decrease in net interest income was substantially offset by the decrease in the average amounts of interest-bearing liabilities to $755.98 million during the 2009 six month period from $888.18 million during the 2008 six-month period and the decrease in the average rates paid on such liabilities to 2.59% during the 2009 six-month period from 3.79% during the 2008 six-month period. The Company’s interest-rate spread increased by 98 basis points to 3.31% from 2.33% during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Net Interest Margin. Net interest margin, or annualized net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets, increased by 57 basis points to 3.61% during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 from 3.04% during the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Net interest margin increased by 59 basis points to 3.51% during the six-months ended June 30, 2009 from 2.92% during the six-months ended June 30, 2008. We seek to secure and retain customer deposits with competitive products and rates, while making strategic use of the prevailing interest rate environment to borrow funds at what we believe to be attractive rates. We invest such deposits and borrowed funds in what we believe to be a prudent mix of fixed and adjustable rate loans, investment securities and short-term interest-earning assets. The increase in net interest margin during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 was primarily due to the increase in the average amounts of higher yielding loans as a percentage of our total mix of interest-earning assets.
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Interest Income. Total interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 decreased by $3.88 million to $11.67 million from $15.55 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Total interest income decreased by $7.73 million to $24.12 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 from $31.85 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease in total interest income was due to the decrease in the average amounts of interest-earning assets and the decrease in the average yields earned on such assets as discussed above.
The following tables present the composition of interest income for the indicated periods:
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| | Three Months Ended June 30, | |
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| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
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| | Interest Income | | % of Total | | Interest Income | | % of Total | |
| | (In thousands, except percentages) | |
Loans | | $ | 7,449 | | | 63.81 | % | $ | 8,096 | | | 52.06 | % |
Investment Securities | | | 4,042 | | | 34.63 | | | 7,254 | | | 46.65 | |
Other | | | 182 | | | 1.56 | | | 200 | | | 1.29 | |
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Total Interest Income | | $ | 11,673 | | | 100.00 | % | $ | 15,550 | | | 100.00 | % |
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| | Six Months Ended June 30, | |
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| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
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| | Interest Income | | % of Total | | Interest Income | | % of Total | |
| | (In thousands, except percentages) | |
Loans | | $ | 15,220 | | | 63.10 | % | $ | 16,301 | | | 51.19 | % |
Investment Securities | | | 8,445 | | | 35.02 | | | 15,121 | | | 47.48 | |
Other | | | 453 | | | 1.88 | | | 424 | | | 1.33 | |
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Total Interest Income | | $ | 24,118 | | | 100.00 | % | $ | 31,846 | | | 100.00 | % |
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Loans, which are inherently risky and therefore command a higher return than our portfolio of investment securities and other interest-earning assets, increased to 56.1% and 55.7% of total average interest-earning assets during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, from 44.1% and 43.9% during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively. Investment securities comprised 36.4% and 36.4% of total average interest-earning assets during the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008, respectively, from 52.4% and 53.0% during the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008, respectively. While we actively seek to originate new loans with qualified borrowers who meet the Bank’s underwriting standards, our strategy has been to maintain those standards, sacrificing some current income to avoid possible large future losses in the loan portfolio.
At June 30, 2009, our portfolio of investment securities included approximately $88.12 million at cost of auction rate securities and $54.61 million at cost of corporate notes, including the $4.90 million cost of a note issued by General Motors for which an other than temporary impairment charge has been recorded in our financial statements in the amount of $4.10 million, pre-tax, as a result of bankruptcy proceedings of the issuer, significant downgrades on the security and the discontinuation of interest payments. The fair value of the remaining securities, presently $57.81 million and $29.9 million, respectively, could be negatively impacted in the future. Were this to occur, we may be required to reflect additional write downs of certain of our securities in future periods as a charge to earnings if any of our securities are deemed to be other than temporarily impaired. Such impairment charge could be material to our results of operations.
In January 2009, The Bank filed an arbitration proceeding with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority against the issuing financial institution of the auction rate securities in our investment portfolio. The outcome of the arbitration process and the amount we may recover, if any, is uncertain at this time.
As required by SFAS No. 115, securities are classified into three categories: trading, held-to-maturity and available-for-sale. Securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading securities and are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in trading account activities in the statement of income. Securities that the Bank has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and reported at amortized cost. All other securities are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included, on an after-tax basis, as a separate component of net worth. The Bank does not have a trading securities portfolio and has no current plans to maintain such a portfolio in the future. The Bank generally classifies all newly purchased debt securities as available for sale in order to maintain the flexibility to sell those securities if the need arises. The Bank has a limited portfolio of securities classified as held to maturity, represented principally by securities purchased a number of years ago.
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Federal Home Loan Bank Stock. The Bank owns stock of the FHLBNY which is necessary for it to be a member of the FHLBNY. Membership requires the purchase of stock equal to 1% of the Bank’s residential mortgage loans or 5% of the outstanding borrowings, whichever is greater. The stock is redeemable at par, therefore, its cost is equivalent to its redemption value. The Bank’s ability to redeem FHLBNY shares is dependent upon the redemption practices of the FHLBNY. At June 30, 2009, the FHLBNY neither placed restrictions on redemption of shares in excess of a member’s required investment in stock, nor stated that it will cease paying dividends. The Bank did not consider this asset impaired at either June 30, 2009 or 2008.
Interest Expense. Total interest expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 decreased by $3.27 million to $4.41 million from $7.68 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. The decrease in interest expense was due to the decrease in the average rates paid on the average amount of interest-bearing liabilities to 2.35% in the 2009 quarter from 3.45% in the 2008 quarter, and the decrease in the average amounts of interest-bearing liabilities to $748.64 million from $891.37 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Total interest expense for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009 decreased by $7.04 million to $9.77 million from $16.81 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008. The decrease in interest expense was due to the decrease in the average rates paid on the average amount of interest-bearing liabilities to 2.59% in the 2009 six-month period from 3.79% in the 2008 six-month period, and the decrease in the average amounts of interest-bearing liabilities to $755.98 million from $888.18 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
The following tables present the components of interest expense as of the dates indicated:
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| | Three Months Ended June 30, | |
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| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
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| | Interest Expense | | % of Total | | Interest Expense | | % of Total | |
| | (In thousands, except percentages) | |
Interest-Bearing Deposits | | $ | 559 | | | 12.69 | % | $ | 1,921 | | | 25.02 | % |
Time Deposits | | | 2,678 | | | 60.78 | | | 4,434 | | | 57.74 | |
Other Borrowings | | | 1,169 | | | 26.53 | | | 1,324 | | | 17.24 | |
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Total Interest Expense | | $ | 4,406 | | | 100.00 | % | $ | 7,679 | | | 100.00 | % |
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| | Six Months Ended June 30, | |
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| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
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| | Interest Expense | | % of Total | | Interest Expense | | % of Total | |
| | (In thousands, except percentages) | |
Interest-Bearing Deposits | | $ | 1,276 | | | 13.06 | % | $ | 4,570 | | | 27.18 | % |
Time Deposits | | | 5,978 | | | 61.16 | | | 9,518 | | | 56.62 | |
Other Borrowings | | | 2,520 | | | 25.78 | | | 2,724 | | | 16.20 | |
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Total Interest Expense | | $ | 9,774 | | | 100.00 | % | $ | 16,812 | | | 100.00 | % |
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Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income consists primarily of realized gains on sales of marketable securities and service fee income. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, non-interest income amounted to $378,000 and $777,000, respectively, compared to non-interest income of $377,000 and $843,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively.
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Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense includes an OTTI charge on securities, salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment expenses, FDIC assessment, legal and professional fees and other operating expenses associated with the day-to-day operations of the Company. Total non-interest expense for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 was $8.61 million and $14.29 million, respectively, compared to $3.98 million and $7.89 million for the three and six month-periods ended June 30, 2008, respectively. The increase in non-interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2009 was primarily due to the $4.10 million OTTI charge on securities and $453,000 increase in our FDIC assessment. The increase in non-interest expense during the six months ended June 30, 2009 was due to the $5.13 million OTTI charge on securities and the $1.03 million increase in our FDIC assessment.
The following tables present the components of non-interest expense as of the dates indicated:
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| | Three Months Ended June 30, | |
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| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
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| | Non-Interest Expense | | % of Total | | Non-Interest Expense | | % of Total | |
| | (In thousands, except percentages) | |
Salaries and Employee Benefits | | $ | 2,311 | | | 26.82 | % | $ | 2,417 | | | 60.77 | % |
Net Occupancy Expense | | | 546 | | | 6.34 | | | 507 | | | 12.75 | |
Equipment Expense | | | 95 | | | 1.10 | | | 97 | | | 2.44 | |
FDIC Assessment | | | 585 | | | 6.79 | | | 132 | | | 3.32 | |
Data Processing Expense | | | 116 | | | 1.35 | | | 110 | | | 2.77 | |
Other than temporary impairment charge on securities | | | 4,100 | | | 47.60 | | | — | | | — | |
Other | | | 861 | | | 10.00 | | | 714 | | | 17.95 | |
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Total Non-Interest Expense | | $ | 8,614 | | | 100.00 | % | $ | 3,977 | | | 100.00 | % |
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| | Six Months Ended June 30, | |
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| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
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| | Non-Interest Expense | | % of Total | | Non-Interest Expense | | % of Total | |
| | (In thousands, except percentages) | |
Salaries and Employee Benefits | | $ | 4,672 | | | 32.69 | % | $ | 4,816 | | | 61.07 | % |
Net Occupancy Expense | | | 1,052 | | | 7.36 | | | 1,045 | | | 13.25 | |
Equipment Expense | | | 194 | | | 1.36 | | | 192 | | | 2.43 | |
FDIC Assessment | | | 1,268 | | | 8.87 | | | 238 | | | 3.02 | |
Data Processing Expense | | | 210 | | | 1.47 | | | 221 | | | 2.80 | |
Other than temporary impairment charge on securities | | | 5,125 | | | 35.85 | | | — | | | — | |
Other | | | 1,773 | | | 12.40 | | | 1,375 | | | 17.43 | |
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Total Non-Interest Expense | | $ | 14,294 | | | 100.00 | % | $ | 7,887 | | | 100.00 | % |
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Provision for Income Tax. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company recorded income tax expense of $1.07 million and $1.64 million, respectively, compared to income tax expense of $975,000 and $1.90 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. The recorded tax provisions do not give benefit to the OTTI charge. The OTTI charge is considered a capital loss for which the Company has no capital gains to offset. Therefore, a valuation allowance was recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009. The tax provisions for federal, state and local taxes recorded for the six months of 2008 represents an effective tax rate of 26.37%.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
On May 15, 2003, The Company’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to an additional 450,000 shares of its Common Stock in the open market, from time to time, depending upon prevailing market conditions, thereby increasing the maximum number of shares which may be purchased by the Company from 1,950,000 shares of Common Stock to 2,400,000 shares of Common Stock. Since 1990 through June 30, 2009, the Company has purchased a total of 1,898,909 shares of its Common Stock. The Company did not purchase shares of its Common Stock during the first and second quarters of 2009. At June 30, 2009, there were 501,091 shares of Common Stock which may yet be purchased under our stock purchase plan.
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ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Interest Rate Risk. Fluctuations in market interest rates can have a material effect on the Bank’s net interest income because the yields earned on loans and investments may not adjust to market rates of interest with the same frequency, or with the same speed, as the rates paid by the Bank on its deposits.
Most of the Bank’s deposits are either interest-bearing demand deposits or short term certificates of deposit and other interest-bearing deposits with interest rates that fluctuate as market rates change. Management of the Bank seeks to reduce the risk of interest rate fluctuations by concentrating on loans and securities investments with either short terms to maturity or with adjustable rates or other features that cause yields to adjust based upon interest rate fluctuations. In addition, to cushion itself against the potential adverse effects of a substantial and sustained increase in market interest rates, the Bank has from time to time purchased off balance sheet interest rate cap contracts which generally provide that the Bank will be entitled to receive payments from the other party to the contract if interest rates exceed specified levels. These contracts, when written, are entered into with major financial institutions.
The Company seeks to maximize its net interest margin within an acceptable level of interest rate risk. Interest rate risk can be defined as the amount of the forecasted net interest income that may be gained or lost due to favorable or unfavorable movements in interest rates. Interest rate risk, or sensitivity, arises when the maturity or repricing characteristics of assets differ significantly from the maturity or repricing characteristics of liabilities.
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In the banking industry, a traditional measure of interest rate sensitivity is known as “gap” analysis, which measures the cumulative differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities maturing or repricing at various time intervals. The following table sets forth the Company’s interest rate repricing gaps for selected maturity periods:
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| | Berkshire Bancorp Inc. Interest Rate Sensitivity Gap at June 30, 2009 (in thousands, except for percentages) | |
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| | | | 3 Months or Less | | 3 Through 12 Months | | 1 Through 3 Years | | Over 3 Years | | Total | |
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Federal funds sold | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
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| | (Rate) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest bearing deposits in banks | | | | | 50,119 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 50,119 | |
| | (Rate) | | | 1.41 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 1.41 | % |
Loans (1)(2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjustable rate loans | | | | | 110,231 | | | 7,851 | | | 51,435 | | | 38,249 | | | 207,766 | |
| | (Rate) | | | 8.07 | % | | 5.87 | % | | 7.03 | % | | 6.69 | % | | 7.47 | % |
Fixed rate loans | | | | | 2,465 | | | 25,855 | | | 23,672 | | | 187,585 | | | 239,577 | |
| | (Rate) | | | 7.38 | % | | 6.42 | % | | 7.85 | % | | 6.38 | % | | 6.54 | % |
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Total loans | | | | | 112,696 | | | 33,706.00 | | | 75,107.00 | | | 225,834 | | | 447,343 | |
Investments (3)(4) | | | | | 141,974 | | | 6,735 | | | 45,468 | | | 163,049 | | | 357,226 | |
| | (Rate) | | | 4.15 | % | | 5.56 | % | | 3.30 | % | | 5.74 | % | | 4.80 | % |
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Total rate-sensitive assets | | | | | 304,789 | | | 40,441.00 | | | 120,575 | | | 388,883 | | | 854,688 | |
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Deposit accounts (5) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Savings and NOW | | | | | 190,589 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 190,589 | |
| | (Rate) | | | 1.23 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 1.23 | % |
Money market | | | | | 9,397 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 9,397 | |
| | (Rate) | | | 0.50 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 0.50 | % |
Time Deposits | | | | | 179,641 | | | 232,005 | | | 792 | | | 2,239 | | | 414,677 | |
| | (Rate) | | | 2.39 | % | | 1.97 | % | | 2.36 | % | | 1.80 | % | | 2.15 | % |
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Total deposit accounts | | | | | 379,627 | | | 232,005 | | | 792.00 | | | 2,239 | | | 614,663 | |
Repurchase Agreements | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 57,000 | | | 57,000 | |
| | (Rate) | | | | | | | | | | | | 4.10 | % | | 4.10 | % |
Other borrowings | | | | | 272 | | | 19,086 | | | 650 | | | 39,146 | | | 59,154 | |
| | (Rate) | | | 3.54 | % | | 5.75 | % | | 5.68 | % | | 3.63 | % | | 4.34 | % |
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Total rate-sensitive liabilities | | | | | 379,899 | | | 251,091 | | | 1,442.00 | | | 98,385 | | | 730,817 | |
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Interest rate caps | | | | | 40,000 | | | — | | | — | | | (40,000 | ) | | — | |
Gap (repricing differences) | | | | | (115,110 | ) | | (210,650 | ) | | 119,133 | | | 330,498 | | | 123,871 | |
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Cumulative Gap | | | | | (115,110 | ) | | (325,760 | ) | | (206,627 | ) | | 123,871 | | | | |
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Cumulative Gap to Total Rate | | | |
Sensitive Assets | | | | | (13.47 | )% | | (38.11 | )% | | (24.18 | )% | | 14.49 | % | | | |
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(1) | Adjustable-rate loans are included in the period in which the interest rates are next scheduled to adjust rather than in the period in which the loans mature. Fixed-rate loans are scheduled according to their maturity dates. |
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(2) | Includes nonaccrual loans. |
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(3) | Investments are scheduled according to their respective repricing (variable rate investments) and maturity (fixed rate securities) dates. |
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(4) | Investments are stated at book value. |
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(5) | NOW accounts and savings accounts are regarded as readily accessible withdrawal accounts. The balances in such accounts have been allocated among maturity/repricing periods based upon The Berkshire Bank’s historical experience. All other time accounts are scheduled according to their respective maturity dates. |
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Provision for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is the estimated amount considered necessary to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance is established through the provision for loan losses that is charged against income. In determining the allowance for loan losses, management makes significant estimates and therefore has identified the allowance as a critical accounting policy. The methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy by management due to the high degree of judgment involved, the subjectivity of the assumptions utilized, and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the recorded allowance for loan losses.
The allowance for loan losses has been determined in accordance with GAAP, principally SFAS No. 5,“Accounting for Contingencies” and SFAS No. 114,“Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, an amendment to FASB Statements No. 5 and 15,” as amended. Under the above accounting principles, we are required to maintain an allowance for probable losses at the balance sheet date. We are responsible for the timely and periodic determination of the amount of the allowance required. Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover specifically identifiable losses, as well as estimated losses inherent in our portfolio for which certain losses are probable but not specifically identifiable.
Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The analysis of the allowance for loan losses has two components: specific and general allocations. Specific allocations are made for loans determined to be impaired. Impairment is measured by determining the present value of expected future cash flows or, as a practical expedient for collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of the collateral adjusted for market conditions and selling expenses. The Bank considers its investment in one-to-four family real estate loans and consumer loans to be smaller balance homogeneous loans and therefore excluded from separate identification for evaluation of impairment. These homogeneous loan groups are evaluated for impairment on a collective basis under SFAS No. 114.
The general allocation is determined by segregating the remaining loans by type of loan, risk weighting (if applicable) and payment history. Management also analyzes historical loss experience, delinquency trends, general economic conditions, geographic concentrations, and industry and peer comparisons. This analysis establishes factors that are applied to the loan segments to determine the amount of the general allocations. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revisions based upon changes in economic and real estate market conditions. Actual loan losses may be significantly more than the allowance for loan losses management has established which could have a material negative effect on the Company’s financial results.
On a quarterly basis, the Bank’s management committee reviews the current status of various loan assets in order to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. In this evaluation process, specific loans are analyzed to determine their potential risk of loss. This process includes all loans, concentrating on non-accrual and classified loans. Each non-accrual or classified loan is evaluated for potential loss exposure. Any shortfall results in a recommendation of a specific allowance if the likelihood of loss is evaluated as probable. To determine the adequacy of collateral on a particular loan, an estimate of the fair market value of the collateral is based on the most current appraised value available. This appraised value is then reduced to reflect estimated liquidation expenses.
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As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisal valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals are carefully reviewed by management to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the related loans. Based on the composition of our loan portfolio, management believes the primary risks are increases in interest rates, a decline in the economy, generally, and a decline in real estate market values in the New York metropolitan area. Any one or combination of these events may adversely affect our loan portfolio resulting in increased delinquencies, loan losses and future levels of loan loss provisions. Management believes the allowance for loan losses reflects the inherent credit risk in our portfolio, the level of our non-performing loans and our charge-off experience.
Although management believes that we have established and maintained the allowance for loan losses at adequate levels, additions may be necessary if future economic and other conditions differ substantially from the current operating environment. Although management uses what it believes is the best information available, the level of the allowance for loan losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, New York State Banking Department, and other regulatory bodies, as an integral part of their examination process, will periodically review our allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require us to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on its judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
The following table sets forth information with respect to activity in the Company’s allowance for loan losses during the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | Six Months Ended June 30, | |
| |
| |
| |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average loans outstanding | | $ | 451,768 | | $ | 456,232 | | $ | 455,275 | | $ | 451,626 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Allowance at beginning of period | | | 9,357 | | | 4,398 | | | 9,204 | | | 4,183 | |
Charge-offs: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Commercial and other loans | | | — | | | — | | | 103 | | | 1 | |
Real estate loans | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Total loans charged-off | | | — | | | — | | | 103 | | | 1 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Recoveries: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Commercial and other loans | | | 1 | | | — | | | 106 | | | 66 | |
Real estate loans | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Total loans recovered | | | 1 | | | — | | | 106 | | | 66 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Net recoveries (charge-offs) | | | 1 | | | — | | | 3 | | | 65 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Provision for loan losses charged to operating expenses | | | 400 | | | 654 | | | 550 | | | 804 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Allowance at end of period | | | 9,757 | | | 5,052 | | | 9,757 | | | 5,052 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Ratio of net recoveries (charge-offs) to average loans outstanding | | | 0.00 | % | | 0.00 | % | | 0.00 | % | | 0.01 | % |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Allowance as a percent of total loans | | | 2.18 | % | | 1.10 | % | | 2.18 | % | | 1.10 | % |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Total loans at end of period | | $ | 447,343 | | $ | 460,371 | | $ | 447,343 | | $ | 460,371 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
35
Loan Portfolio.
Loan Portfolio Composition. The Company’s loans consist primarily of mortgage loans secured by residential and non-residential properties as well as commercial loans which are either unsecured or secured by personal property collateral. Most of the Company’s loans are either made to individuals or personally guaranteed by the principals of the business to which the loan is made. At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had loans, net of unearned income, of $446.33 million and $466.75 million, respectively, and allowances for loan losses of $9.76 million and $9.20 million, respectively. From time to time, the Bank may originate residential mortgage loans and sell them on the secondary market, normally recognizing fee income in connection with the sale.
Interest rates on loans are affected by the demand for loans, the supply of money available for lending, credit risks, the rates offered by competitors and other conditions. These factors are in turn affected by, among other things, economic conditions, monetary policies of the federal government, and legislative tax policies.
In order to manage interest rate risk, the Bank focuses its efforts on loans with interest rates that adjust based upon changes in the prime rate or changes in United States Treasury or similar indices. Generally, credit risks on adjustable-rate loans are somewhat greater than on fixed-rate loans primarily because, as interest rates rise, so do borrowers’ payments, increasing the potential for default. The Bank seeks to impose appropriate loan underwriting standards in order to protect against these and other credit related risks associated with its lending operations.
In addition to analyzing the income and assets of its borrowers when underwriting a loan, the Bank obtains independent appraisals on all material real estate in which the Bank takes a mortgage. The Bank generally obtains title insurance in order to protect against title defects on mortgaged property.
Commercial and Mortgage Loans. The Bank originates commercial mortgage loans secured by office buildings, retail establishments, multi-family residential real estate and other types of commercial property. Substantially all of the properties are located in the New York City metropolitan area.
The Bank generally makes commercial mortgage loans with loan to value ratios not to exceed 75% and with terms to maturity that do not exceed 15 years. Loans secured by commercial properties generally involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Because payments on such loans are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties, repayment may be subject, to a greater extent, to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. The Bank seeks to minimize these risks through its underwriting policies. The Bank evaluates the qualifications and financial condition of the borrower, including credit history, profitability and expertise, as well as the value and condition of the underlying property. The factors considered by the Bank include net operating income; the debt coverage ratio (the ratio of cash net income to debt service); and the loan to value ratio. When evaluating the borrower, the Bank considers the financial resources and income level of the borrower, the borrower’s experience in owning or managing similar property and the Bank’s lending experience with the borrower. The Bank’s policy requires borrowers to present evidence of the ability to repay the loan without having to resort to the sale of the mortgaged property. The Bank also seeks to focus its commercial mortgage loans on loans to companies with operating businesses, rather than passive real estate investors.
36
Commercial Loans. The Bank makes commercial loans to businesses for inventory financing, working capital, machinery and equipment purchases, expansion, and other business purposes. These loans generally have higher yields than mortgages loans, with maturities of one year, after which the borrower’s financial condition and the terms of the loan are re-evaluated. At June 30, 2009 and 2008, approximately $57.46 million and $61.50 million, respectively, or 12.84% and 13.32%, respectively, of the Company’s total loan portfolio consisted of such loans.
Commercial loans tend to present greater risks than mortgage loans because the collateral, if any, tends to be rapidly depreciable, difficult to sell at full value and is often easier to conceal. In order to limit these risks, the Bank evaluates these loans based upon the borrower’s ability to repay the loan from ongoing operations. The Bank considers the business history of the borrower and perceived stability of the business as important factors when considering applications for such loans. Occasionally, the borrower provides commercial or residential real estate collateral for such loans, in which case the value of the collateral may be a significant factor in the loan approval process.
Residential Mortgage Loans (1 to 4 family loans). The Bank makes residential mortgage loans secured by first liens on one-to-four family owner-occupied or rental residential real estate. At June 30, 2009 and 2008, approximately $134.73 million and $140.18 million, respectively, or 30.12% and 30.36%, respectively, of the Company’s total loan portfolio consisted of such loans. The Bank offers both adjustable rate mortgages (“ARMS”) and fixed-rate mortgage loans. The relative proportion of fixed-rate loans versus ARMs originated by the Bank depends principally upon current customer preference, which is generally driven by economic and interest rate conditions and the pricing offered by the Bank’s competitors. At June 30, 2009 and 2008, approximately 13.08% and 12.98%, respectively, of the Bank’s residential one-to-four family owner-occupied first mortgage portfolio were ARMs and approximately 86.92% and 87.02%, respectively, were fixed-rate loans. The percentage represented by fixed-rate loans tends to increase during periods of low interest rates. The ARMs generally carry annual caps and life-of-loan ceilings, which limit interest rate adjustments.
The Bank’s residential loan underwriting criteria are generally comparable to those required by the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and other major secondary market loan purchasers. Generally, ARM credit risks are somewhat greater than fixed-rate loans primarily because, as interest rates rise, the borrowers’ payments rise, increasing the potential for default. The Bank’s teaser rate ARMs (ARMs with low initial interest rates that are not based upon the index plus the margin for determining future rate adjustments) were underwritten based on the payment due at the fully-indexed rate.
In addition to verifying income and assets of borrowers, the Bank obtains independent appraisals on all residential first mortgage loans and title insurance is required at closing. Private mortgage insurance is required on all loans with a loan-to-value ratio in excess of 80% and the Bank requires real estate tax escrows on such loans. Real estate tax escrows are voluntary on residential mortgage loans with loan-to-value ratios of 80% or less.
Fixed-rate residential mortgage loans are generally originated by the Bank for terms of 15 to 30 years. Although 30 year fixed-rate mortgage loans may adversely affect our net interest income in periods of rising interest rates, the Bank originates such loans to satisfy customer demand. Such loans are generally originated at initial interest rates which exceed the fully indexed rate on ARMs offered at the same time. Fixed-rate residential mortgage loans originated by the Bank generally include due-on-sale clauses, which permit the Bank to demand payment in full if the borrower sells the property without the Bank’s consent.
37
Due-on-sale clauses are an important means of adjusting the rates on the Bank’s fixed-rate mortgage loan portfolio, and the Bank will generally exercise its rights under these clauses if necessary to maintain market yields.
ARMs originated in recent years have interest rates that adjust annually based upon the movement of the one year treasury bill constant maturity index, plus a margin of 2.00% to 2.75%. These loans generally have a maximum interest rate adjustment of 2% per year, with a lifetime maximum interest rate adjustment, measured from the initial interest rate, of 5.5% or 6.0%.
The Bank offers a variety of other loan products including residential single family construction loans to persons who intend to occupy the property upon completion of construction, home equity loans secured by junior mortgages on one-to-four family owner-occupied residences, and short-term fixed-rate consumer loans either unsecured or secured by monetary assets such as bank deposits and marketable securities or personal property. At June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company’s loan portfolio was comprised of $255.16 million and $259.98 million, respectively, or 57.04% and 56.31%, respectively, of other loan products.
Capital Adequacy
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets, and of Tier I capital to average assets. Management believes that, as of June 30, 2009, the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.
As of June 30, 2009, the Bank met all regulatory requirements for classification as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the following table. There are no conditions or events since that date that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.
The following tables set forth the actual and required regulatory capital amounts and ratios of the Company and the Bank as of June 30, 2009 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Actual | | For Capital Adequacy Purposes | | To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions | |
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| | Amount | | Ratio | | Amount | | Ratio | | Amount | | Ratio | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
June 30, 2009 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company | | $ | 114,826 | | | 19.3 | % | $ | 47,570 | | | ≥8.0 | % | | — | | | N/A | |
Bank | | | 87,076 | | | 15.0 | % | | 46,492 | | | ≥8.0 | % | | 58,115 | | | ≥10.0 | % |
Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company | | | 105,069 | | | 17.7 | % | | 23,785 | | | ≥4.0 | % | | — | | | N/A | |
Bank | | | 79,781 | | | 13.7 | % | | 23,246 | | | ≥4.0 | % | | 34,869 | | | ≥6.0 | % |
Tier I Capital (to Average Assets) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company | | | 105,069 | | | 11.9 | % | | 35,307 | | | ≥4.0 | % | | — | | | N/A | |
Bank | | | 79,781 | | | 9.6 | % | | 33,346 | | | ≥4.0 | % | | 41,683 | | | ≥5.0 | % |
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Liquidity
The management of the Company’s liquidity focuses on ensuring that sufficient funds are available to meet loan funding commitments, withdrawals from deposit accounts, the repayment of borrowed funds, and ensuring that the Bank and the Company comply with regulatory liquidity requirements. Liquidity needs of the Bank have historically been met by deposits, investments in federal funds sold, principal and interest payments on loans, and maturities of investment securities.
At June 30, 2009, our portfolio of investment securities included approximately $88.12 million, at cost, of auction rate securities for which an other than temporary impairment charge has not been recorded in our financial statements. Auction rate securities are generally long-term debt instruments that provided liquidity through a Dutch auction process that reset the applicable interest rate at pre-determined calendar intervals, generally every 28 days. As a result of the auction failures beginning in February 2008, the fair value of these auction rate securities, presently $57.81 million, may be negatively impacted in the future.
The current uncertainties in the credit markets have negatively impacted our ability to liquidate, if necessary, investments in auction rate securities. We are not certain as to when the liquidity issues relating to these investments will improve; however, we have the ability to hold these available for sale securities to maturity, (predominately 19 years after December 31, 2008) thereby recovering our investment. We may be required to reflect a write-down of certain of our auction rate securities in future periods as a charge to earnings if any of our auction rate securities are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. Such impairment charge would be recorded as other expense and could be material to our results of operations. The auction rate securities in our investment portfolio are currently paying interest with rates ranging from 0.525% to 8.597%.
Approximately $7.0 million principal amount of auction rate securities that became due during the first quarter of 2009 were paid. Approximately $6.0 million principal amount of auction rate securities that became due during the second quarter of 2009 were paid.
At June 30, 2009, our portfolio of investment securities included approximately $54.61 million at cost of corporate notes, including the $4.90 million cost of a note issued by General Motors Corp. for which an OTTI charge of $4.10 million, pre-tax, has been recorded in our financial statements.
Based on our expected operating cash flows, and our other sources of cash, we do not expect the potential lack of liquidity in these auction rate securities and corporate notes to affect our capital, liquidity or our ability to execute our current business plan.
For the parent company, Berkshire Bancorp Inc., liquidity means having cash available to fund its operating expenses and to pay stockholder dividends on its preferred and common stock, when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors. On March 31, 2009, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had temporarily suspended its previously announced policy of paying a regular cash dividend of $.20 per common share (payable in semi-annual installments), and would not declare or pay a semi-annual dividend in April 2009. We are current as to dividend payments on our preferred stock.
The ability of the Company to meet these obligations, including the payment of dividends on its preferred and common stock, is not currently dependent upon the receipt of dividends from the Bank. At June 30, 2009, the Company had cash of approximately $9.83 million and investment securities with a fair market value of $3.60 million.
39
The Bank maintains financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments, approximately $22.59 million at June 30, 2009, include commitments to extend credit, stand-by letters of credit and loan commitments. The Bank also had interest rate caps with a notional amount of $40.0 million.
At June 30, 2009, the Bank had outstanding commitments of approximately $456.04 million; including $36.47 million of long-term debt, $4.89 million of operating leases, and $414.68 million of time deposits. These commitments include $432.42 million that mature or renew within one year, $3.58 million that mature or renew after one year and within three years, $19.72 million that mature or renew after three years and within five years and $319,000 that mature or renew after five years.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
The Company’s financial statements measure financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increasing cost of the Company’s operations. The assets and liabilities of the Company are largely monetary. As a result, interest rates have a greater impact on the Company’s performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation. In addition, interest rates do not necessarily move in the direction, or to the same extent, as the price of goods and services. However, in general, high inflation rates are accompanied by higher interest rates, and vice versa.
ITEM 4 - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its “disclosure controls and procedures” as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Disclosure Controls”). This evaluation (“Controls Evaluation”) was done under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), who is also the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). Based upon the Controls Evaluation, the CEO/CFO has concluded that the Disclosure Controls are effective in reaching a reasonable level of assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that any material information relating to the Company is accumulated and communicated with management, including its principal executive/financial officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
In accordance with SEC requirements, the CEO/CFO notes that during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2009, no changes in the Company’s Internal Control (as defined below) have occurred that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s Internal Control.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls.
The Company’s management, including the CEO/CFO, does not expect that its Disclosure Controls and/or its “internal control over financial reporting”, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Internal Control”), will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.
40
Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
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Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
Our Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on May 12, 2009. At the meeting, each of the six individuals nominated to serve as directors of the Company was elected by the following votes:
| | | | | | |
Director | | | Shares For | | Shares Withheld |
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|
William L. Cohen | | 6,521,200 | | 88,098 | |
Martin A. Fischer | | 6,522,755 | | 86,543 | |
Moses Krausz | | 6,183,710 | | 425,588 | |
Moses Marx | | 6,244,011 | | 365,287 | |
Steven Rosenberg | | 6,244,290 | | 365,008 | |
Randolph B. Stockwell | | 6,326,188 | | 283,110 | |
| | | |
Exhibit Number | | Description | |
| |
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| | |
31 | | Certification of Principal Executive and Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
32 | | Certification of Principal Executive and Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
41
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| | |
| | BERKSHIRE BANCORP INC. |
| | (Registrant) |
| | |
Date: August 11, 2009 | By: | /s/ Steven Rosenberg |
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|
| | Steven Rosenberg Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer |
42
EXHIBIT INDEX
| | | |
Exhibit Number | | Description | |
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| |
| | |
31 | | Certification of Principal Executive and Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
32 | | Certification of Principal Executive and Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
43