TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
Our third quarter 2004 net income was 120% above the same quarter a year ago, and 2004 third quarter net income of $747,000 ($.28 per share) compares to $339,000 ($.13 per share) for the third quarter of 2003.
For the first nine months of 2004, our net income of $1,875,000 ($.71 per share) exceeds 2003’s results of $1,508,000 ($.57 per share) for the same period. This represents a year-to-date increase of 24%.
These financial results, while very impressive, warrant further explanation and analysis.
First, in September of this year we recognized a gain of $559,000 on the sale of $11 million of out-of-state tax-free bonds. We had several reasons for pursuing this sale. First, our business plan calls for increasing local public agency deposits and non-Ohio based tax-free investments are not eligible to secure these deposits, a legal requirement. Second, the value of these bonds will decline as interest rates rise. With the expectation that interest rates will continue to rise, selling these bonds today allows us to recognize these profits that would otherwise diminish had we done nothing. We have also reclassified the remaining Ohio based tax-free portfolio as available for sale and have marked their values to market. This event had the impact of increasing our equity by $736,000.
Next, we added $250,000 to our loan loss reserve, which decreases our net income but maintains the allowance for loan loss balance at a stable $2,575,000.
Finally, in the third quarter of 2003, we incurred $337,000 ($222,000 after tax) of nonrecurring salary and benefit expenses associated with severance payments to the prior CEO which reduced the 2003 third quarter income.
We believe it is significant to note that, absent the previously described events, we would still have a 3.1% increase in pre-tax income over the prior year. Additionally, our noninterest expense for the nine months would be below the prior year. We continue to concentrate on improving our controllable expenses and note that the efficiency ratio, a measure of performance, fell below 70%. This was a benchmark we had set for ourselves.
We cannot predict the future. Interest rates, however, have moved up and we believe they will continue to modestly increase. Properly managed, this should benefit our net interest income.
Our balance sheet remains strong, with loan delinquencies and credit quality at or better than our peers. We deliberately pursued a reduction in our commercial loan balances via the sale of several nonlocal loan participations. Loan participations are loans that banks may sell to one another. Local loan demand remains good with continued pressure on pricing. On the deposit side, our new Money Market Savings account has proved to be very popular as customers use this product while weighing the direction and size of rate movements.
During the quarter, Lee Miller requested we consider his desire to expand his professional background. We accommodated Lee by moving him into a role as Vice President, managing our expanding corporate cash management services plus serving as Project Manager for pending SEC/Sarbanes Oxley 404 requirements. To replace Lee, we were fortunate to hire Paula Meiler as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Paula joins us with over 25 years of financial experience, the bulk of that time with a large regional bank holding company. The transition to their new roles has gone extremely well.
In summary, we had another solid quarter. Your stock value has reflected this by increasing in value to $20.25 as of September 30, 2004. We are grateful for the continued confidence shown in us by this 15% increase in price over the same date a year ago.
On a personal note, my wife Janice and I have completed and moved into our new home in Berlin Township, Holmes County.
As always, we welcome your inquiries and comments about your company and our progress.
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Sincerely, | | |
JOHN J. LIMBERT | | ROBERT K. BAKER |
President and C.E.O. | | Chairman |