UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K [x] ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 Or [ ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _____________ to ______________ Commission file Number: 2-88927 FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter) PENNSYLVANIA 23-2249083 (State or other jurisdiction of I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification Number) 111 West Front Street, 18603 Berwick, Pennsylvania (Zip Code) (Address of principal executive offices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (570) 752-3671 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, par value $2.00 per share Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No______ Indicate by check mark if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-K contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X] The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates on the Registrant based on the closing price as of March 11, 2003, was approximately $69,661,499. The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's Common Stock, as of March 11, 2003, was 2,959,233 shares of Common Stock, par value $2.00 per share. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the Registrant's 2003 definitive Proxy Statement are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Report. In addition, portions of the Annual Report to Stockholders of the Registrant for the year ended December 31, 2002, are incorporated by reference in Part II of this Report. FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION FORM 10-K Table of Contents Part I Page ______ ____ Item 1. Business 1 Item 2. Properties 8 Item 3. Legal Proceedings 9 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 9 Part II _______ Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters 10 Item 6. Selected Financial Data 11 Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 11 Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure amount Market Risk 11 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 12 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 12 Part III ________ Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 12 Item 11. Executive Compensation 12 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 13 Item 13. Related Party Transactions 13 Part IV _______ Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K 13 Signatures 15 Exhibit 11 20 Exhibit 13 22 Exhibit 21 23 Exhibit 23 24 Exhibit 99.1 25 Exhibit 99.2 26 i FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION FORM 10-K PART I Forward Looking Statements __________________________ The management of First Keystone Corporation has made forward-looking statements in this annual report on Form 10-K. These forward-looking statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Corporation and its subsidiary, The First National Bank of Berwick (the "Bank"). When words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates" or similar expressions occur in this annual report, management is making forward-looking statements. Shareholders should note that many factors, some of which are discussed elsewhere in this annual report, could affect the future financial results of the Corporation and its subsidiary, both individually and collectively, and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K. These factors include the following: * operating, legal and regulatory risks; * economic, political and competitive forces affecting our banking, securities, asset management and credit services businesses; and * the risk that our analyses of these risks and forces could be incorrect and or that the strategies developed to address them could be unsuccessful. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this report. Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in other documents that are filed periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ITEM 1. BUSINESS First Keystone Corporation is a Pennsylvania business corporation, and a bank holding company, registered with and supervised by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The Corporation was incorporated on July 6, 1983, and commenced operations on July 2, 1984, upon consummation of the acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of The First National Bank of Berwick. Since commencing operations, the Corporation's business has consisted primarily of managing and supervising the Bank, and its principal source of income has been dividends paid by the Bank. The Corporation has one wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank, which has a commercial banking operation and trust department as its major lines of business. Greater than 95% of the company's revenue and profit came from the commercial banking department for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000, and was the only reportable segment. At December 31, 2002, the Corporation had total consolidated assets, deposits and stockholders' equity of approximately $439.5 million, $393.5 million and $294.7 million, respectively. The Bank was organized in 1864. The Bank is a national banking association that is a member of the Federal Reserve System. Its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to the maximum extent of the law. The Bank, has ten branch locations (five branches within 1 Columbia County, four branches within Luzerne County, and one branch in Montour County, Pennsylvania), and is a full service commercial bank providing a wide range of services to individuals and small to medium sized businesses in its Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania market area. The Bank's commercial banking activities include accepting time, demand, and savings deposits and making secured and unsecured commercial, real estate and consumer loans. Additionally, the Bank also provides personal and corporate trust and agency services to individuals, corporations, and others, including trust investment accounts, investment advisory services, mutual funds, estate planning, and management of pension and profit sharing plans. Supervision and Regulation __________________________ The Corporation is subject to the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission and of state securities laws for matters relating to the offering and sale of its securities. The Corporation is currently subject to the SEC's rules and regulations relating to company's whose shares are registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Corporation is also subject to the provisions of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and to supervision by the Federal Reserve Board. The Bank Holding Company Act requires the Corporation to secure the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board before it owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the voting shares of substantially all of the assets of any institution, including another bank. The Bank Holding Company Act also prohibits acquisitions of control of a bank holding company, such as the Corporation, without prior notice to the Federal Reserve Board. Control is defined for this purpose as the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies of a bank holding company or to vote 25% (or 10%, if no other person or persons acting on concert, holds a greater percentage of the Common Stock) or more of the Corporation's Common Stock. The Corporation is required to file an annual report with the Federal Reserve Board and any additional information that the Federal Reserve Board may require pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act. The Federal Reserve Board may also make examinations of the Corporation and any or all of its subsidiaries. The Bank is subject to federal and state statutes applicable to banks chartered under the banking laws of the United States, to members of the Federal Reserve System and to banks whose deposits are insured by the FDIC. Bank operations are also subject to regulations of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC. The primary supervisory authority of the Bank is the OCC, which regulates and examines the Bank. The OCC has the authority under the Financial Institutions Supervisory Act to prevent a national bank from engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting its business. Federal and state banking laws and regulations govern, among other things, the scope of a bank's business, the investments a bank may make, the reserves against deposits a bank must maintain, loans a bank makes and collateral it takes, and the activities of a bank with respect to mergers and consolidations and the establishment of branches. As a subsidiary of a bank holding company, the Bank is subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on any extensions of credit to the bank holding company or its subsidiaries, on investments in the stock or other securities of the bank holding company or its subsidiaries and on taking such stock or securities as collateral for loans. The Federal Reserve Act and Federal Reserve Board regulations also place certain limitations and reporting requirements on extensions of credit by a bank to 2 principal shareholders of its parent holding company, among others, and to related interests of such principal shareholders. In addition, such legislation and regulations may affect the terms upon which any person becoming a principal shareholder of a holding company may obtain credit from banks with which the subsidiary bank maintains a correspondent relationship. Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the OCC possesses the power to prohibit institutions regulated by it (such as the Bank) from engaging in any activity that would be an unsafe or unsound banking practice or would otherwise be in violation of the law. Permitted Non-Banking Activities ________________________________ The Federal Reserve Board permits bank holding companies to engage in non-banking activities so closely related to banking, managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. The Corporation does not at this time engage in any of these non-banking activities, nor does the Corporation have any current plans to engage in any other permissible activities in the foreseeable future. Legislation and Regulatory Changes __________________________________ From time to time, various types of federal and state legislation have been proposed that could result in additional regulations of, and restrictions on, the business of the Bank. It cannot be predicted whether any such legislation will be adopted or how such legislation would affect the business of the Bank. As a consequence of the extensive regulation of commercial banking activities in the United States, the Bank's business is particularly susceptible to being affected by federal legislation and regulations that may increase the costs of doing business. From time to time, legislation is enacted which has the effect of increasing the cost of doing business, limiting or expanding permissible activities or affecting the competitive balance between banks and other financial institutions. No prediction can be made as to the likelihood of any major changes or the impact such changes might have on the Corporation and its subsidiary bank. Certain changes of potential significance to the Corporation which have been enacted recently and others which are currently under consideration by Congress or various regulatory agencies are discussed below. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 _____________________________________________________________ The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act established five different levels of capitalization of financial institutions, with "prompt corrective actions" and significant operational restrictions imposed of institutions that are capital deficient under the categories. The five categories are: * well capitalized * adequately capitalized * undercapitalized * significantly undercapitalized, and * critically undercapitalized. To be considered well capitalized, an institution must have a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6%, a leverage capital ratio of 5%, and must not be subject to any order or directive requiring the institution to improve its capital level. An institution falls within the adequately capitalized category if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 8%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 4%, and a leverage capital ratio of at least 4%. Institutions with lower capital levels are deemed to be undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized, depending on their actual capital levels. In addition, the appropriate federal regulatory 3 agency may downgrade an institution to the next lower capital category upon a determination that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition, or is engaged in an unsafe or unsound practice. Institutions are required under FDICIA to closely monitor their capital levels and to notify their appropriate regulatory agency of any basis for a change in capital category. On December 31, 2002, the Corporation and the Bank exceeded the minimum capital levels of the well capitalized category. Regulatory oversight of an institution becomes more stringent with each lower capital category, with certain "prompt corrective actions" imposed depending on the level of capital deficiency. Other Provisions of FDICIA __________________________ Each depository institution must submit audited financial statements to its primary regulator and the FDIC, which reports are made publicly available. In addition, the audit committee of each depository institution must consist of outside directors and the audit committee at "large institutions" (as defined by FDIC regulation) must include members with banking or financial management expertise. The audit committee at "large institutions" must also have access to independent outside counsel. In addition, an institution must notify the FDIC and the institution's primary regulator of any change in the institutions independent auditor, and annual management letters must be provided to the FDIC and the depository institution's primary regulator. The regulations define a "large institution" as one with over $500 million in assets, which does not include the Bank. Also, under the rule, an institution's independent auditor must examine the institution's internal controls over financial reporting and perform agreed-upon procedures to test compliance with laws and regulations concerning safety and soundness. Under FDICIA, each federal banking agency must prescribe certain safety and soundness standards for depository institutions and their holding companies. Three types of standards must be prescribed: * asset quality and earnings * operational and managerial, and * compensation Such standards would include a ratio of classified assets to capital, minimum earnings, and, to the extent feasible, a minimum ratio of market value to book value for publicly traded securities of such institutions and holding companies. Operational and managerial standards must relate to: * internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems * loan documentation * credit underwriting * interest rate exposure * asset growth, and * compensation, fees and benefits FDICIA also sets forth Truth in Savings disclosure and advertising requirements applicable to all depository institutions. Real Estate Lending Standards. Pursuant to the FDICIA, the OCC and other federal banking agencies adopted real estate lending guidelines which would set loan-to-value ratios for different types of real estate loans. A LTV ratio is generally defined as the total loan amount divided by the appraised value of the property at the time the loan is originated. If the institution does not hold a first lien position, the total loan amount would be combined with the amount of all senior liens when calculating the ratio. In addition to establishing the LTV ratios, the guidelines require all real estate loans to be based upon proper loan documentation and a recent appraisal of the property. 4 Regulatory Capital Requirements _______________________________ The federal banking regulators have adopted certain risk-based capital guidelines to assist in the assessment of the capital adequacy of a banking organization's operations for both transactions reported on the balance sheet as assets and transactions, such as letters of credit, and recourse agreements, which are recorded as off balance sheet items. Under these guidelines, nominal dollar amounts of assets and credit equivalent amounts of off balance sheet items are multiplied by one of several risk adjustment percentages, which range from 0% for assets with low credit risk, such as certain U.S. Treasury securities, to 100% for assets with relatively high credit risk, such as business loans. The following table presents the Corporation's capital ratios at December 31, 2002: (In Thousands) <s> <c> Tier I Capital $ 42,530 Tier II Capital $ 3,504 Total Capital $ 46,034 Adjusted Total Average Assets $435,001 Total Adjusted Risk-Weighted Assets F1> $269,111 Tier I Risk-Based Capital Ratio <F2> 15.80% Required Tier I Risk-Based Capital Ratio 4.00% Excess Tier I Risk-Based Capital Ratio 11.80% Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio <F3> 17.11% Required Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio 8.00% Excess Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio 9.11% Tier I Leverage Ratio <F4> 9.78% Required Tier I Leverage Ratio 4.00% Excess Tier I Leverage Ratio 5.78% _________________ <FN> <F1> Includes off-balance sheet items at credit-equivalent values less intangible assets. <F2> Tier I Risk-Based Capital Ratio is defined as the ratio of Tier I Capital to Total Adjusted Risk-Weighted Assets. <F3> Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio is defined as the ratio of Tier I and Tier II Capital to Total Adjusted Risk-Weighted Assets. <F4> Tier I Leverage Ratio is defined as the ratio of Tier I Capital to Adjusted Total Average Assets. </FN> The Corporation's ability to maintain the required levels of capital is substantially dependent upon the success of Corporation's capital and business plans; the impact of future economic events on the Corporation's loan customers; and the Corporation's ability to manage its interest rate risk and investment portfolio and control its growth and other operating expenses. See also, the information under the caption "Capital Strength" appearing on page 42 of Registrant's 2002 Annual Report, included in Exhibit 13. Effect of Government Monetary Policies ______________________________________ The earnings of the Corporation are and will be affected by domestic economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government and its agencies. 5 The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board have had, and will likely continue to have, an important impact on the operating results of commercial banks through its power to implement national monetary policy in order to, among other things, curb inflation or combat a recession. The Federal Reserve Board has a major effect upon the levels of bank loans, investments and deposits through its open market operations in United States government securities and through its regulations of, among other things, the discount rate on borrowings of member banks and the reserve requirements against member bank deposits. It is not possible to predict the nature and impact of future changes in monetary and fiscal policies. Effects of Inflation ____________________ Inflation has some impact on the Bank's operating costs. Unlike industrial companies, however, substantially all of the Bank's assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on the Bank's performance than the general levels of inflation. Over short periods of time, interest rates may not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as prices of goods and services. Environmental Regulation ________________________ There are several federal and state statutes that regulate the obligations and liabilities of financial institutions pertaining to environmental issues. In addition to the potential for attachment of liability resulting from its own actions, a bank may be held liable, under certain circumstances, for the actions of its borrowers, or third parties, when such actions result in environmental problems on properties that collateralize loans held by the bank. Further, the liability has the potential to far exceed the original amount of the loan issued by the Bank. Currently, neither the Corporation nor the Bank is a party to any pending legal proceeding pursuant to any environmental statute, nor are the Corporation and the Bank aware of any circumstances that may give rise to liability under any such statute. Interest Rate Risk __________________ Federal banking agency regulations specify that the bank's capital adequacy include an assessment of the bank's interest rate risk exposure. The standards for measuring the adequacy and effectiveness of a banking organization's Interest Rate Risk (IRR) management includes a measurement of Board of Directors and senior management oversight, and a determination of whether a banking organization's procedures for comprehensive risk management are appropriate to the circumstances of the specific banking organization. The First National Bank of Berwick has internal IRR models that are used to measure and monitor IRR. Additionally, the regulatory agencies have been assessing IRR on an informal basis for several years. For these reasons, the Corporation does not expect the addition of IRR evaluation to the agencies' capital guidelines to result in significant changes in capital requirements for The First National Bank of Berwick. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 2000 __________________________________ On November 12, 2000, President Clinton signed into law the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 2000, which is also known as the Financial Services Modernization Act. The act repeals some Depression-era banking laws and will permit banks, insurance companies and securities firms to engage in each others' businesses after complying with certain conditions and regulations which are yet to be finalized. The act grants to community banks the power to enter new financial markets as a matter of right that larger institutions have managed to do on an ad hoc basis. At this time, our company has no plans to pursue these additional possibilities. 6 Our company does not believe that the Financial Services Modernization Act will have an immediate positive or negative material effect on our operations. However, the act may have the result of increasing the amount of competition that our company faces from larger financial service companies, many of whom have substantially more financial resources than our company, which may now offer banking services in addition to insurance and brokerage services. History and Business - Bank ___________________________ The Bank's legal headquarters are located at 111 West Front Street, Berwick, Pennsylvania. As of December 31, 2002, the Bank had total assets of $437,532,000, total shareholders' equity of $47,206,000 and total deposits and other liabilities of $390,326,000. The Bank engages in a full-service commercial banking business, including accepting time and demand deposits, and making secured and unsecured commercial and consumer loans. The Bank's business is not seasonal in nature. Its deposits are insured by the FDIC to the extent provided by law. The First National Bank of Berwick has no foreign loans or highly leveraged transaction loans, as defined by the Federal Reserve Board. Substantially all of the loans in The First National Bank of Berwick's portfolio have been originated by The First National Bank of Berwick. Policies adopted by the Board of Directors are the basis by which The First National Bank of Berwick conducts its lending activities. At December 31, 2002, the Bank had 116 full-time employees and 31 part-time employees. In the opinion of management, the Bank enjoys a satisfactory relationship with its employees. The Bank is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement. Competition - Bank __________________ The Bank competes actively with other area commercial banks and savings and loan associations, many of which are larger than the Bank, as well as with major regional banking and financial institutions. The Bank's major competitors in Columbia and Luzerne counties are: * First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. of Bloomsburg * PNC Bank, N.A. * Columbia County Farmers National Bank of Bloomsburg * M & T Bank * FNB Bank of Danville * First Susquehanna Bank In the county of Montour, credit unions are our major competitors along with M & T Bank, FNB Bank of Danville and First Federal Bank. The Bank is generally competitive with all competing financial institutions in its service area with respect to interest rates paid on time and savings deposits, service charges on deposit accounts and interest rates charged on loans. Concentration _____________ The Corporation and the Bank are not dependent for deposits nor exposed by loan concentrations to a single customer or to a small group of customers the loss of any one or more of whom would have a materially adverse effect on the financial condition of the Corporation or the Bank. 7 ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES The Corporation owns no property other than through its subsidiary. These are: Type of Square Location Ownership Footage Use ________ _________ _______ ___ <s> <c> <c> <c> Columbia County, PA 111 W. Front Street, Berwick Owned 12,500 Administrative office, banking and trust services. 105 Market Street Leased 4,000 Computer/ (second floor) Annual accounting Rental department. $33,268 2nd & Market Streets, Owned Land Area No buildings, Berwick 1.45 Acres held for possible expansion. Present use, parking. 701 Freas Avenue, Berwick Owned 3,744 Banking services. Giant Market Leased 500 Banking services. 50 Briar Creek Plaza Annual Rental $30,000 2401 Columbia Boulevard, Bloomsburg Leased 2,000 Banking services. Annual Rental $40,000 U.S. Route 11 & Owned Land Area No buildings, Central Road, 1.11 Acres held for expansion. Bloomsburg Present use, rental. Third & Race Streets, Owned 2,500 Banking services. Mifflinville 8 Type of Square Location Ownership Footage Use ________ _________ _______ ___ <s> <c> <c> <c> Luzerne County, PA Salem Township Owned 3,700 Banking services. 400 Fowler Avenue, Berwick West Third Street, Leased 2,300 Banking services. Nescopeck Annual Rental $12,000 1540 Sans Souci Owned 4,000 Banking services. Highway, Wilkes-Barre 179 South Wyoming Leased 3,000 Banking services. Avenue, Kingston Annual Rental $51,000 Montour County, PA Giant Market Leased 500 Banking services. 328 Church Street Annual Danville Rental $25,000 It is Management's opinion that the facilities currently utilized are suitable and adequate for the Corporation's current and immediate future purposes. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Corporation and/or the Bank are defendants in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of their business. However, in the opinion of management of the Corporation and the Bank, there are no proceedings pending to which the Corporation and the Bank is a party or to which their property is subject, which, if determined adversely to the Corporation and the Bank, would be material in relation to the Corporation's and Bank's individual profits or financial condition, nor are there any proceedings pending other than ordinary routine litigation incident to the business of the Corporation and the Bank. In addition, no material proceedings are pending or are known to be threatened or contemplated against the Corporation and the Bank by government authorities or others. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS Not applicable. 9 Part II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The Corporation's Common Stock is traded in the over-the-counter market on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "FKYS". The following table sets forth: * The quarterly high and low prices for a share of the Corporation's Common Stock during the periods indicated as reported to the management of the Corporation and * Quarterly dividends on a share of the Common Stock with respect to each quarter since January 1, 2001. The following quotations represent prices between buyers and sellers and do not include retail markup, markdown or commission, and may not necessarily reflect actual transactions. Stock Prices Dividends High Low Declared ____ ___ ________ <s> <c> <c> <c> 2002: First quarter $22.86 $18.57 $.20 Second quarter $22.38 $20.10 $.20 Third quarter $24.00 $19.19 $.21 Fourth quarter $26.25 $23.95 $.24 Stock Prices Dividends High Low Declared ____ ___ ________ <s> <c> <c> <c> 2001: First quarter $15.95 $12.86 $.19 Second quarter $18.10 $13.70 $.19 Third quarter $25.24 $17.38 $.19 Fourth quarter $20.18 $18.10 $.20 As of December 31, 2002, the Corporation had approximately 576 shareholders of record. The Corporation has paid dividends since commencement of business in 1984. It is the present intention of the Corporation's Board of Directors to continue the dividend payment policy; however, further dividends must necessarily depend upon earnings, financial condition, appropriate legal restrictions and other factors relevant at the time the Board of Directors of the Corporation considers dividend policy. Cash available for dividend distributions to shareholders of the Corporation must initially come from dividends paid by the Bank to the Corporation. Therefore, the restrictions on the Bank's dividend payments are directly applicable to the Corporation. Dividend Restrictions on the Bank _________________________________ The OCC rules govern the payment of dividends by national banks. Consequently, the Bank, which is subject to these rules, may not pay dividends from capital (unimpaired common and preferred stock outstanding) but only from retained earnings after deducting losses and bad debts therefrom. To the extent that (1) the Bank has capital surplus in an amount in excess of common capital and (2) the Bank can prove that such surplus resulted from prior period earnings, the Bank, upon approval of the OCC, may transfer earned surplus to retained earnings and thereby increase its dividend capacity. 10 The Bank may not pay any dividends on its capital stock during a period in which it may be in default in the payment of its assessment for a deposit insurance premium due to the FDIC, nor may it pay dividends on Common Stock until any cumulative dividends on the Bank's preferred stock (if any) have been paid in full. The Bank has never been in default in the payments of its assessments to the FDIC; and the Bank has no outstanding preferred stock. In addition, under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (912 U.S.C. Section 1818), dividends cannot be declared and paid if the OCC obtains a cease and desist order because, in the opinion of the OCC, such payment would constitute an unsafe and unsound banking practice. As of December 31, 2002, there was $6,778,084 in unrestricted retained earnings and net income available at the Bank that could be paid as a dividend to the Corporation under the current OCC regulations. Dividend Restrictions on the Corporation ________________________________________ Under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended , the Corporation may not pay a dividend if, after giving effect thereto, either: * The Corporation would be unable to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business or; * The Corporation's total assets would be less than its total liabilities. The determination of total assets and liabilities may be based upon: * Financial statements prepared on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles, * Financial statements that are prepared on the basis of other accounting practices and principles that are reasonable under the circumstances, or; * A fair valuation or other method that is reasonable under the circumstances. ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The information under the caption "Summary of Selected Financial Data" appearing on page 2 of the Corporation's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2002, which page is included in Exhibit 11 hereto, is incorporated in its entirety by reference in response to this Item 6. ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The information under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" appearing on pages 30 through 46 of the Corporation's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2002, which pages are included in Exhibit 13 hereto, is incorporated in its entirety by reference in response to this Item 7. ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK The information under the caption "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk" appearing on page 43 through 45 of the Corporation's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2002, which pages are included in Exhibit 13 hereto, is incorporated in its entirety by reference in response to this Item 7A. 11 TEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The Corporation's Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing on pages 5 through 29 of the Corporation's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2002, which pages are included in Exhibit 13 hereto, are incorporated in their entirety by reference in response to this Item 8. ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE Not Applicable. PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT The information under the captions "Information As To Directors and Nominees" and "Principal Officers of the Bank" appearing on pages 7, 8, 9, 10, 21 and 22, respectively, is incorporated here by reference of First Keystone Corporation's proxy statement for its 2003 annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for April 15, 2003. The information under the caption "Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" is as follows: SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the corporation's officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of the registered class of the corporation's equity securities, to file reports of ownership of the corporation's common stock and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the corporation with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its review of copies of Section 16(a) forms received by it, or written representations from reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for those persons, the corporation believes that during the period January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2002, its officers, directors and reporting shareholders were in compliance with all filing requirements applicable to them. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The information under the caption "Executive Compensation" appearing on pages 15 through 19 is incorporated here by reference of First Keystone Corporation's proxy statement for its 2003 annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for April 15, 2003. 12 ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The information under the caption "Principal Beneficial Owners of the Corporation's Stock" appearing on pages 5 and 6 is incorporated here by reference of First Keystone Corporation's proxy statement for its 2003 annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for April 15, 2003. ITEM 13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The information under the caption "Related Party Transactions" appearing on page 21 is incorporated here by reference of First Keystone Corporation's proxy statement for its 2003 annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for April 15, 2003. PART IV ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) 1. The Registrant's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as well as the applicable reports of the independent certified public accountants are filed at Exhibit 13 hereto and are incorporated in their entirety by reference under this Item 14(a)1. 2. All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto. 3. The exhibits required by Item 601 of the Regulation S-K are included under Item 14(c) hereto. (b) The Corporation filed the following report on Form 8-K during the last quarter of the year ended December 31, 2002 Date of Report Item Description ______________ ____ ___________ November 5, 2002 5 Press release of First Keystone Corporation dated October 30, 2002, announcing a 28% earnings increase. (c) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S: 13 Exhibit Number Referred to Item 601 of Regulation S-K Description of Exhibit __________________________ ______________________ 3i Articles of Incorporation, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to the Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001) 3ii By-Laws, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to the Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001) 10.1 Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000) 10.2 Management Incentive Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001) 10.3 Profit Sharing Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001) 10.4 First Keystone Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001) 11 Computation of Earnings Per Share for the fiscal year-ended 2002, 2001, and 2000 12 Statement of Computation of Ratios (See the information appearing on page 2 of Registrant's Summary of Selected Financial Data, which page is included in Exhibit 11 and pages 31 and 42 of Registrant's 2002 Annual Report, which pages are included in Exhibit 13.) 13 Excerpts from Annual Report to Shareholders for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2002. 21 List of Subsidiaries of the Corporation 23 Consent of Independent Auditors. 99.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 99.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 14 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION (Registrant) By: /s/ J. Gerald Bazewicz J. Gerald Bazewicz President and Chief Executive Officer Date: March 25, 2003 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. By: /s/ John L. Coates John L. Coates Secretary and Director Date: March 25, 2003 By: /s/ J. Gerald Bazewicz J. Gerald Bazewicz President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer) Date: March 25, 2003 15 By: /s/ John E. Arndt John E. Arndt Director Date: March 25, 2003 By: /s/ Budd L. Beyer Budd L. Beyer Director Date: March 25, 2003 By: /s/ Don E. Bower Don E. Bower Director Date: March 25, 2003 By: /s/ Robert E. Bull Robert E. Bull Chairman of the Board and Director Date: March 25, 2003 By: /s/ Dudley P. Cooley Dudley P. Cooley Director Date: March 25, 2003 By: /s/ Frederick E. Crispin, Jr. Frederick E. Crispin, Jr. Director Date: March 25, 2003 16 By: Jerome F. Fabian Director Date: March 25, 2003 By: /s/ David R. Saracino David R. Saracino Treasurer and Assistant Secretary (Principal Accounting Officer) Date: March 25, 2003 By: Robert J. Wise Vice Chairman of the Board and Director Date: March 25, 2003 17 CERTIFICATION I, J. Gerald Bazewicz, President and Chief Executive Officer, certify, that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2002, of First Keystone Corporation. 2. Based on my knowledge, the quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report. 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report. 4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date. 5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls. 6. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. /s/ J. Gerald Bazewicz J. Gerald Bazewicz President and Chief Executive Officer Date: March 25, 2003 18 CERTIFICATION I, David R. Saracino, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, certify, that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2002, of First Keystone Corporation. 2. Based on my knowledge, the annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report. 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report. 4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date. 5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls. 6. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. /s/ David R. Saracino David R. Saracino Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Date: March 25, 2003 19