1 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 ------------ FORM 10-Q (Mark One) /X/ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004 ------------------ OR / / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ______________ to _____________ Commission file number: 0-25251 CENTRAL BANCORP, INC. ---------------------------------------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) MASSACHUSETTS 04-3447594 - -------------------------------- ------------------------------------ (State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) Incorporation or Organization) 399 HIGHLAND AVENUE SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS 02144 - -------------------------------------------- ---------------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) (617) 628-4000 ---------------------------------------------------- (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) N/A -------------------------------------------------------------- (Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or 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 whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No X -------- --------- Common Stock, $1.00 par value 1,588,598 ----------------------------- ---------------------------------- Class Outstanding at November 10, 2004 2 CENTRAL BANCORP, INC. TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE NO. -------- Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at September 30, 2004 and 1 March 31, 2004 Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended 2 September 30, 2004 and 2003 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the six 3 months ended September 30, 2004 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended 4 September 30, 2004 and 2003 Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements 5 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results 8 of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources 14 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 14 Item 4. Controls and Procedures 15 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings 15 Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 15 Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities 15 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 15 Item 5. Other Information 15 Item 6. Exhibits 16 SIGNATURES 3 PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements CENTRAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited) September 30, March 31, (Dollars in Thousands) 2004 2004 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS Cash and due from banks $ 5,737 $ 7,113 Short-term investments 17,561 27,224 --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents 23,298 34,337 --------- --------- Certificate of deposit 1,223 1,211 Investment securities available for sale (amortized cost of $105,331 at September 30, 2004 and $80,201 at March 31, 2004) 107,604 83,771 Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, at cost 8,300 8,300 The Co-operative Central Bank Reserve Fund 1,576 1,576 --------- --------- Total investments 117,480 93,647 --------- --------- Loans held for sale 1,182 799 Loans (Note 2) 357,124 356,625 Less allowance for loan losses 3,606 3,537 --------- --------- Net loans 353,518 353,088 --------- -------- Accrued interest receivable 2,333 2,203 Banking premises and equipment, net 2,300 2,113 Deferred tax asset, net 341 243 Goodwill, net 2,232 2,232 Other assets 1,092 1,024 --------- --------- Total assets $ 504,999 $ 490,897 ========= ========= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities: Deposits (Note 3) $ 316,310 $ 295,920 Short-term borrowings 651 845 Federal Home Loan Bank advances 138,100 141,100 Subordinated debenture (Note 4) 5,258 -- ESOP Loan 3,116 3,311 Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance 1,317 1,182 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 1,913 5,085 --------- --------- Total liabilities 466,665 447,443 --------- --------- Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6) Stockholders' equity (Note 7): Preferred stock $1.00 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued or outstanding -- -- Common stock $1.00 par value; authorized 15,000,000 shares; 2,031,026 shares issued at September 30, 2004 and 2,030,251 shares issued at March 31, 2004 2,031 2,030 Additional paid-in capital 12,989 12,920 Retained income 37,442 36,855 Treasury stock (442,428 shares at September 30, 2004 and 365,294 issued at March 31, 2004), at cost (9,904) (7,311) Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 5) 1,474 2,293 Unearned compensation - ESOP (5,698) (3,333) --------- --------- Total stockholders' equity 38,334 43,454 --------- --------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 504,999 $ 490,897 ========= ========= See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. 1 4 CENTRAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY Consolidated Statements of Income (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended September 30, September 30, -------------------------- --------------------- 2004 2003 2004 2003 --------- -------- --------- -------- Interest and dividend income: Mortgage loans $ 5,457 $ 5,793 $ 10,839 $ 11,814 Other loans 92 104 171 248 Short-term investments 56 75 120 93 Investments 1,321 844 2,410 1,684 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Total interest and dividend income 6,926 6,816 13,540 13,839 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Interest expense: Deposits 1,216 1,100 2,366 2,257 Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston 1,713 1,775 3,431 3,531 Other borrowings 51 -- 90 1 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Total interest expense 2,980 2,875 5,887 5,789 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Net interest and dividend income 3,946 3,941 7,653 8,050 Provision for loan losses -- 50 50 100 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses 3,946 3,891 7,603 7,950 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Non-interest income: Deposit service charges 146 157 291 318 Net gains (losses) from sales of investment securities 214 (130) 348 (135) Gain on sales of loans 56 68 119 209 Other income 83 68 189 185 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Total non-interest income 499 163 947 577 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Non-interest expenses: Salaries and employee benefits 1,960 1,723 3,863 3,523 Occupancy and equipment 303 270 625 540 Data processing service fees 277 265 557 546 Professional fees 341 (117) 608 13 Advertising and marketing 265 126 403 247 Other expenses 465 489 949 890 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Total non-interest expenses 3,611 2,756 7,005 5,759 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Income before income taxes 834 1,298 1,545 2,768 Provision for income taxes (Note 6) 328 468 585 650 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Net income $ 506 $ 830 $ 960 $ 2,118 ========== ======== ========= ======== Earnings per common share - basic (Note 8) $ .33 $ 0.54 $ .62 $ 1.37 ========== ======== ========= ======== Earnings per common share - diluted (Note 8) $ .33 $ 0.53 $ .61 $ 1.36 ========== ======== ========= ======== Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 1,538 1,549 1,549 1,547 Weighted average common and equivalent shares outstanding - diluted 1,550 1,563 1,562 1,561 See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. 2 5 CENTRAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) Accumulated Additional Other Unearned Total Common Paid-In Retained Treasury Comprehensive Compensation Stockholders' (In Thousands) Stock Capital Income Stock Income ESOP Equity - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Six Months Ended September 30, 2004 - ----------------------------------- Balance at March 31, 2004 $ 2,030 $ 12,920 $ 36,855 $ (7,311) $ 2,293 $ (3,333) $ 43,454 Net income -- -- 960 -- -- -- 960 Other comprehensive income net of tax: Unrealized loss on securities, net of reclassification adjustment -- -- -- -- (819) -- (819) ---------- Comprehensive income 141 ---------- Purchase of shares by ESOP (77,134 shares) -- -- -- -- -- (2,565) (2,565) Proceeds from exercise of stock options (775 shares) 1 15 -- -- -- -- 16 Tax benefit of stock option -- 3 -- -- -- -- 3 Director deferred compensation transactions -- 33 -- (28) -- -- 5 Dividends paid ($0.24 per share) -- -- (373) -- -- -- (373) Amortization of unearned compensation - ESOP -- 18 -- -- -- 200 218 Purchase of treasury stock (77,134 shares) -- -- -- (2,565) -- -- (2,565) ------- --------- -------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- Balance at September 30, 2004 $ 2,031 $ 12,989 $ 37,442 $ (9,904) $ 1,474 $ (5,698) $ 38,334 ======= ========= ======== ========= ========== ========== ========= See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidate financial statements. 3 6 CENTRAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Six Months Ended September 30, -------------------------------------- (In thousands) 2004 2003 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 960 $ 2,118 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Depreciation and amortization 189 154 Amortization of premiums 95 97 Provision for loan losses 50 100 Stock-based compensation 218 127 Net (gains) losses from sales of investment securities (348) 135 Gain on sales of loans held for sale (119) (209) Originations of loans held for sale (9,678) (25,147) Proceeds from sale of loans originated for sale 9,414 21,851 (Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable (130) 337 Decrease (increase) in other assets, net 300 (94) Increase (decrease) in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance 135 74 Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities, net (143) (1,313) --------- --------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 943 (1,770) --------- --------- Cash flows from investing activities: (Increase) decrease in loans (480) 39,843 Principal payments on mortgage-backed securities 3,642 2,684 Proceeds from sales of investment securities 5,485 482 Purchases of investment securities (36,499) (3,000) Maturities and calls of investment securities 2,495 4,000 Increase (decrease)in due to brokers (3,029) 3,000 Purchase of banking premises and equipment (376) (296) --------- --------- Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (28,762) 46,713 --------- --------- Cash flows from financing activities: Increase (decrease) in deposits 20,390 (3,444) Repayment of advances from FHLB of Boston (3,000) -- Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings (194) (149) Issuance of subordinated debenture 5,258 -- Repayment of ESOP loan (195) -- Purchase of shares by ESOP (2,565) -- Proceeds from exercise of stock options 19 13 Dividends paid, net (373) (311) Net directors deferred compensation 5 4 Purchase of treasury stock (2,565) -- --------- --------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 16,780 (3,887) --------- --------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (11,039) 41,056 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 34,337 11,222 --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 23,298 $ 52,278 ========= ========= Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ 5,878 $ 5,762 Income taxes $ 264 $ 1,146 See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. 4 7 CENTRAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 (1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Central Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Central Co-operative Bank (collectively referred to as "the Company") presented herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended March 31, 2004, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the entire year. The Company owns 100% of the common stock of Central Bancorp Capital Trust I (the "Trust") which has issued trust preferred securities to the public. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation ("FIN") No. 46 "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51", as revised by FIN No. 46R ("FIN 46R") issued in December 2002, the Trust is not included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company's significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in its Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004. For interim reporting purposes, the Company follows the same significant accounting policies. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications have no effect on previously reported net income. (2) LOANS Loans, excluding loans held for sale, as of September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004 are summarized below (in thousands): September 30, March 31, 2004 2004 ----------------- -------------- Real estate loans: Residential real estate $ 163,593 $ 171,682 Commercial real estate 165,039 146,107 Construction 13,503 25,112 Home equity lines of credit 8,835 9,397 ---------- ---------- Total real estate loans 350,970 352,298 ---------- ---------- Commercial loans 5,148 3,198 Consumer loans 1,006 1,129 ---------- ---------- Total loans 357,124 356,625 Less: allowance for loan losses (3,606) (3,537) ---------- ---------- Total loans, net $ 353,518 $ 353,088 ========== ========== There were no non-accrual loans at September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004. 5 8 CENTRAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 (3) DEPOSITS Deposits at September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004 are summarized as follows (in thousands): September 30, March 31, 2004 2004 ------------------ -------------- Demand deposit accounts $ 32,569 $ 27,881 NOW accounts 34,122 37,106 Passbook and other savings accounts 74,694 73,737 Money market deposit accounts 63,514 56,084 --------- --------- Total non certificate accounts 204,899 194,808 --------- --------- Term deposit certificates Certificates of $100,000 and above 35,140 27,607 Certificates less than $100,000 76,271 73,505 --------- --------- Total term deposit certificates 111,411 101,112 --------- --------- Total deposits $ 316,310 $ 295,920 ========= ========= (4) SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE On September 16, 2004, Central Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") completed a trust preferred securities financing in the amount of $5.1 million. In the transaction, the Company formed a Delaware statutory trust, known as Central Bancorp Capital Trust I (the "Trust"). The Trust issued and sold $5.1 million of trust preferred securities in a private placement and issued $158,000 of trust common securities to the Company. The Trust used the proceeds of these issuances to purchase $5,258,000 of the Company's floating rate junior subordinated debentures due September 16, 2034 (the "Debentures"). The interest rate on the Debentures and the trust preferred securities is variable and adjustable quarterly at 2.44% over three-month LIBOR. At September 30, 2004 the interest rate was 4.34%. The Debentures are the sole assets of the Trust and are subordinate to all of the Company's existing and future obligations for borrowed money. The trust preferred securities generally rank equal to the trust common securities in priority of payment, but will rank prior to the trust common securities if and so long as the Company fails to make principal or interest payments on the Debentures. Concurrently with the issuance of the Debentures and the trust preferred securities, the Company issued a guarantee related to the trust securities for the benefit of the holders. On September 17, 2004, the Company completed the repurchase of 77,134 shares of its outstanding common stock, reducing the Company's outstanding common stock to 1,588,598 shares. In addition, the Central Co-operative Bank Employee Stock Ownership Trust (the "ESOP") completed the purchase of 77,134 share of the Company's common stock. The Company and the ESOP purchased the shares pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated September 13, 2004, by and among the Company and the ESOP and PL Capital, LLC, Financial Edge Fund, L.P., Financial Edge-Strategic Fund, L.P., Goodbody/PL Capital, L.P., Goodbody/PL Capital, LLC, Richard Lashley, John W. Palmer and Richard J. Fates. (5) OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) The Company has established standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income, which is defined as all changes to equity except investments by, and distributions to, shareholders. Net income is a component of comprehensive income, with all other components referred to, in the aggregate, as other comprehensive income. 6 9 The Company's other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effect for the six months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows (in thousands): For the Six Months Ended September 30, 2004 --------------------------------- Before- Tax Tax After-Tax Amount Effect Amount ------- -------- --------- Unrealized gains on securities: Unrealized net holding losses during period $ (949) $ (352) $ (597) Add: reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income (348) (126) (222) -------- -------- ------- Other comprehensive loss $(1,297) $ (478) $ (819) ======== ======== ======= For the Six Months Ended September 30, 2003 --------------------------------- Before- Tax Tax After-Tax Amount Effect Amount ------- -------- --------- Unrealized gains on securities: Unrealized net holding gains during period $ 1,427 $ 458 $ 969 Add: reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income 135 46 89 -------- -------- ------- Other comprehensive income $ 1,562 $ 504 $1,058 ======== ======== ======= (6) CONTINGENCIES LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company from time to time is involved as plaintiff or defendant in various legal actions incident to its business. None of these actions are believed to be material, either individually or collectively, to the results of operations and financial condition of the Company. TAX SETTLEMENT During 2003, the Massachusetts Department of Revenue ("DOR") issued notices of intent to assess additional state excise taxes to numerous financial institutions in Massachusetts that had received dividends from a real estate investment trust (REIT) subsidiary. The DOR contended that dividends received by the banks from such subsidiaries were fully taxable in Massachusetts. In June 2003, a settlement of this matter was reached between the DOR and the majority of affected financial institutions. The settlement provided that 50% of all dividends received from REIT subsidiaries from 1999 through 2002 were subject to state taxation. Interest on such additional taxes was also assessed. Payment of such taxes and interest totaling $431,000 was made in June 2003. As a result of this settlement, the Company recognized a recovery of $374,000 in income taxes, which increased net income by the same amount in the quarter ended June 30, 2003. (7) SUBSEQUENT EVENT On October 21, 2004, the Board of Directors voted the payment of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share. The dividend is payable on November 19, 2004 to stockholders of record on November 5, 2004. (8) EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) Unallocated ESOP shares are not treated as being outstanding in the computation of either basic or diluted EPS. At September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004, there were approximately 178,000 and 107,000 unallocated ESOP shares, respectively. 7 10 (9) RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In December 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46R "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities ? An Interpretation of ARB No. 51, "to expand upon and strengthen existing accounting guidance that addresses when a company should include in its financial statements the assets, liabilities and activities of another entity. Until now, a company generally has included another entity in its combined financial statements only if it controlled the entity through voting interests. FIN 46R changes that guidance by requiring a variable interest entity, as defined, to be combined by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity's activities or is entitled to receive a majority of the entity's residual returns or both. FIN 46R also requires disclosure about variable interest entities that the company is not required to consolidate but in which it has a significant variable interest. Application of FIN 46R is required in financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position. In March 2004, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 105. SAB No. 105 summarizes the views of the SEC regarding the application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") to loan commitments for mortgage loans that will be held for sale accounted for as derivatives. The guidance requires the measurement at fair value of such loan commitments include only the differences between the guaranteed interest rate in the loan commitment and a market interest rate; future cash flows related to servicing the loan or the customer relationship should not be recorded as a part of the loan commitment derivative. SAB No. 105 is effective for said loan commitments accounted for as derivatives entered into beginning April 1, 2004. The Bank adopted this SAB on April 1, 2004. The adoption of SAB No. 105 did not have an impact on the Company as the Company was valuing loan commitments to be accounted for as derivatives consistent with this guidance. In June 2004, the FASB's Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") issued EITF Issue 03-01, "The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments." EITF 03-1 contains new guidance on other-than-temporary impairments of investment securities. The guidance dictates when impairment is deemed to exist, provides guidance on determining if impairment is other than temporary, and directs how to calculate impairment loss. Issue 03-1 also details expanded annual disclosure rules. In September 2004, the FASB issued FASB staff position FSP EITF 03-1-1 which delayed the effective date of the new guidance on recognizing other-than-temporary impairments indefinitely. The Company will evaluate the impact of EITF 03-1 on the Company's financial position and results of operations upon the issuance of FSB EITF 03-1-a. ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS When used in this discussion and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the words or phrases "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and to advise readers that various factors, including changes in regional and national economic conditions, unfavorable judicial decisions, substantial changes in levels of market interest rates, credit and other risks of lending and investment activities and competitive and regulatory factors, could affect the Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. The Company does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting policies involving significant judgments and assumptions by management, which have, or could have, a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and impact income, are considered critical accounting policies. The Company considers the allowance for loan losses to be its critical accounting policy. 8 11 There have been no significant changes in the methods or assumptions used in the accounting policies that require material estimates and assumptions. Arriving at an appropriate level of allowance for loan losses necessarily involves a high degree of judgment. The ongoing evaluation process includes a formal analysis of the allowance each quarter, which considers, among other factors, the character and size of the loan portfolio, business and economic conditions, loan growth, delinquency trends, nonperforming loans trends, charge-off experience and other asset quality factors. The Company evaluates specific loan status reports on certain commercial and commercial real estate loans rated "substandard" or worse in excess of a specified dollar amount. Estimated reserves for each of these credits is determined by reviewing current collateral value, financial information, cash flow, payment history and trends and other relevant facts surrounding the particular credit. Provisions for losses on the remaining commercial and commercial real estate loans are based on pools of similar loans using a combination of historical loss experience and qualitative adjustments. For the residential real estate and consumer loan portfolios, the range of reserves is calculated by applying historical charge-off and recovery experience to the current outstanding balance in each loan category. Although management uses available information to establish the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on estimates that are susceptible to change as a result of changes in economic conditions and other factors. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 AND MARCH 31, 2004 Total assets increased by $14.1 million from $490.9 million at March 31, 2004 to $505.0 million at September 30, 2004. During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, loans (excluding loans held for sale) increased by $0.5 million due primarily to an $18.9 million increase in commercial real estate loans and a $2.0 million increase in commercial loans, partially offset by a $8.1 million decrease in residential mortgage loans and a $11.6 million decrease in construction loans. During the current quarter, prepayments of residential mortgage loans were significant amounting to $20.8 million. Management regularly assesses the desirability of holding newly originated long-term fixed-rate residential mortgage loans in portfolio or selling such loans in the secondary market. A number of factors are evaluated to determine whether or not to hold such loans in portfolio including, current and projected liquidity, current and projected interest rates, projected growth in other interest-earning assets and the current and projected interest rate risk profile. Based on its consideration of these factors, management determined that most fixed-rate residential mortgage loans originated during the current quarter should be sold in the secondary market. The Company experienced growth of $10.1 million in core deposits and $10.3 million in term deposits resulting in an increase in total deposits of $20.4 million. The growth in core deposits was principally related to the increase of $7.4 million in money market deposit accounts. Because of the continuation of the low interest rates for deposits in recent years and the tiered pricing used with this type of account, money market accounts have attracted large average balances. The growth in core deposits was also aided by growth in most other types of accounts. The Company began a major marketing initiative in March 2004 to promote a new free checking account product which contributed to this growth. The decrease in Stockholders' equity of $5.1 million to $38.3 million at September 30, 2004 was primarily attributable to the previously announced purchase of 77,134 shares of common stock by the Company and an equal number of shares purchased by the Central Cooperative Bank Employee Stock Ownership Trust (the "ESOP") for a total of $5.1 million. The Company and the ESOP purchased the shares pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated September 13, 2004, by and among the Registrant and the ESOP and PL Capital, LLC, Financial Edge Fund, L.P., Financial Edge-Strategic Fund, L.P., Goodbody/PL Capital, L.P., Goodbody/PL Capital, LLC, Richard Lashley, John W. Palmer and Richard J. Fates. At the same tine, the Company received the proceeds from the issuance of $5.1 million of trust preferred securities which are included in capital for regulatory purposes and shown separately in the liability section of the balance sheet. 9 12 COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 AND 2003 Net income decreased by $324 thousand to $506 thousand for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to the same quarter in the prior year. The current quarter's results included costs of $178,700, net of taxes, consisting primarily of legal and other professional fees incurred in connection with the previously announced buyback of 154,268 shares of Company stock from PL Capital LLC and affiliates by the Company and its ESOP Trust. Included in net income in the prior year quarter, was an insurance recovery of $214,000, net of the related legal fees and taxes, attributable to the dispute with certain shareholders, which was settled during the quarter. Exclusive of the foregoing significant items, pro forma earnings increased $69 thousand compared to the corresponding quarter in the prior year. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in net interest income and gains on sales of investments, partly offset by increases in salaries and benefits, data processing and advertising and marketing expenses. The Company's net interest margin decreased 19 basis points from 3.39% in the prior year quarter to 3.20% in the current quarter. The unfavorable trend in the net interest margin is primarily reflective of the limitations the Company has in reducing its overall cost of funds. This limitation is due to two factors. First, the Company's utilization of long-term FHLB advances, which represented 33% of average interest-bearing liabilities in the current quarter, has provided for limited repricing opportunities during the period of declining rates. These advances cannot be prepaid without a substantial penalty, which management has elected not to pay. Second, the ability to reduce deposit rates continues to be limited after the past several years of rate reductions as well as competitive market factors. The reduction in the net interest margin is also partially attributable to the shift in the mix of interest-earning assets from loans to short-term investments and investment securities. During the current quarter, loans represented 80% of the average balance of total interest-earning assets compared to 87% in the prior year quarter. This shift to shorter-term, lower yielding assets results from the Company's decision to sell most long-term fixed-rate residential mortgages loans originated during the past two years due to the historically low rates which existed during much of this period. INTEREST INCOME. Interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 was $6.9 million compared to $6.8 million in the prior year quarter. Although the yield on interest-earning assets decreased from 5.89% in the quarter ended September 30, 2003 to 5.61% in the current quarter, average interest earning assets increased by $31.1 million. INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 increased by $105 thousand to $3.0 million compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2003. A decrease of 8 basis points in the cost of funds from 2.87% in the quarter ended September 30, 2003 to 2.79% in the quarter ended September 30, 2004 was offset by an increase in average interest-bearing liabilities of $27.4 million in the current year period. 10 13 The following table presents average balances and average rates earned/paid by the Company for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2003: THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2004 2003 -------------------------------- ------------------------------- AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE BALANCE INTEREST RATE BALANCE INTEREST RATE ------- -------- -------- ------- -------- -------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Interest-earning assets: Mortgage loans $ 354,393 $ 5,457 6.16% $ 364,104 $ 5,793 6.36% Other loans 5,812 92 6.33 5,864 104 7.09 Investment securities 114,955 1,321 4.60 64,307 844 5.25 Short-term investments 18,694 56 1.20 28,519 75 1.05 --------- ------- --------- ------- Total interest-earning assets 493,854 6,926 5.61 462,794 6,816 5.89 --------- ------- --------- ------- Allowance for loan losses (3,618) (3,370) Noninterest-earning assets 16,063 20,214 --------- --------- Total assets $ 506,299 $ 479,638 ========= ========= Interest-bearing liabilities: Deposits $ 285,017 1,216 1.71 $ 255,550 1,100 1.72 Advances from FHLB of Boston 138,780 1,713 4.94 144,484 1,775 4.91 Other borrowings 3,636 51 5.61 0 0 0.00 --------- ------- --------- ------- Total interest-bearing liabilities 427,433 2,980 2.79 400,034 2,875 2.87 --------- ------- --------- ------- Noninterest-bearing liabilities 38,398 37,455 --------- --------- Total liabilities 465,831 437,489 Stockholders' equity 40,468 42,149 --------- --------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 506,299 $ 479,638 ========= ========= Net interest and dividend income $ 3,946 $ 3,941 ======= ======= Net interest spread 2.82% 3.02% Net interest margin 3.20% 3.39% PROVISIONS FOR LOAN LOSSES. The Company provides for loan losses in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level that management estimates is adequate to absorb probable losses based on an evaluation of known and inherent risks in the portfolio. In determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses, management considers past and anticipated loss experience, evaluations of underlying collateral, prevailing economic conditions, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio and the levels of non-performing and other classified loans. The amount of the allowance is based on estimates and ultimate losses may vary from such estimates. Management assesses the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis and provides for loan losses monthly in order to maintain the adequacy of the allowance. During the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company provided $0 and $50 thousand for loan losses. The Company's asset quality, as measured principally by delinquency rates, charge-offs and loan classifications, continues to be outstanding. NON-INTEREST INCOME. Total non-interest income was $499 thousand for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 compared to $163 thousand in the same period of 2003. The primary reason for the $336 thousand increase in the current year was the gain on sales of securities which amounted to $214 thousand. This additional non-interest income was partially offset by a decline in loan sale gains of $12 thousand in the current quarter. Overall, residential loan origination activity has declined in the current quarter compared to the same quarter last year, especially fixed rate loan originations, resulting in fewer loans being sold. 11 14 NON-INTEREST EXPENSES. Non-interest expenses increased $855 thousand, or 31%, during the quarter ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the same quarter in 2003 due principally to increases in professional fees ($458 thousand), salaries and employee benefits ($237 thousand) and other non-interest expenses ($160 thousand). The increase in salaries and employee benefits of $237 thousand, or 14%, during the quarter ended September 30, 2004, was due to overall salary increases, increases in staffing, as well as increases in pension and health care costs. Professional fees increased $458 thousand during the current quarter due to the costs associated with the previously discussed buyback of 154,268 shares by the Company and the ESOP and the recognition of a partial reimbursement of legal defense costs from the Company's insurance carrier in the prior year quarter. The legal defense costs were incurred in connection with shareholder litigation, which was settled in August 2003. Advertising and marketing expenses increased $139 thousand as a result of the kick-off of a fall deposit promotion during the current quarter. INCOME TAXES. The effective tax rates for the quarters ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were 40% and 36%, respectively. COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 AND 2003 For the six months ended September 30, 2004, net income decreased 55% to $960 thousand, or $.61 per diluted share, compared to $2,118 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, in the year earlier period. Exclusive of the favorable impact of $374,000, after-taxes, resulting from the settlement of the Company's REIT-related tax liability with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and the favorable impact of a net insurance recovery associated with certain shareholder litigation, which increased net income by $276,000 in the first half of the previous year, and the costs associated with the stock buyback noted above, net income declined $329,000 compared to the year earlier period. This change was largely the result of a $397,000 decrease in net interest income between periods attributable to the factors previously disclosed herein. INTEREST INCOME. Interest income for the six months ended September 30, 2004 was $13.5 million, or $299 thousand less than the amount earned in the same period in the prior year due to a decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets from 5.99% in the first six months of the prior year to 5.59% in the same period of the current year. Average interest-earning assets increased by $22.5 million, or 5%, to $484.8 million during the six months ended September 30, 2004, from $462.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2003. INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense for the six months ended September 30, 2004 was $5.9 million compared to $5.8 million for the six months ended September 30, 2003, an increase of $98,000 or 1.7%. This decrease resulted from a 10 basis points decrease in the cost of funds from 2.89% in the six months ended September 30, 2003 to 2.79% in the six months ended September 30, 2004. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $22 million to $421.7 million from $400.1 million primarily from the promotion of a 15-month CD product. The decrease in the cost of funds during the first half of the current year was entirely due to a reduction in the cost of deposits from 1.77% during the prior year period to 1.70% during the six months ended September 30, 2004. The cost of FHLB advances, the Company's other primary interest-bearing liability, increased during the first half of the current year to 4.89% from 4.88% in the comparable prior year period. As FHLB advances can not be prepaid without a substantial penalty, these longer term, fixed-rate borrowings have been a significant factor in the compression of the Company's net interest margin during the most recent period of declining rates. 12 15 The following table presents average balances and average rates earned/paid by the Company for the six months ended September 30, 2004 compared to the six months ended September 30, 2003: SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2004 2003 -------------------------------- ------------------------------- AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE BALANCE INTEREST RATE BALANCE INTEREST RATE ------- -------- -------- ------- -------- -------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Interest-earning assets: Mortgage loans $ 353,660 $ 10,839 6.13% $ 372,936 $ 11,814 6.34% Other loans 5,417 171 6.31 6,311 248 7.86 Investment securities 102,900 2,410 4.68 66,495 1,684 5.07 Short-term investments 22,526 120 1.07 16,607 93 1.12 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Total interest-earning assets 484,803 13,540 5.59 462,349 13,839 5.99 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Allowance for loan losses (3,618) (3,370) Noninterest-earning assets 18,508 18,405 ---------- --------- Total assets $ 499,693 $ 477,444 ========== ========= Interest-bearing liabilities: Deposits $ 277,950 2,366 1.70 $ 255,389 2,257 1.77 Advances from FHLB of Boston 140,294 3,431 4.89 144,685 3,531 4.88 Other borrowings 3,469 90 5.19 -- 1 -- ---------- -------- --------- -------- Total interest-bearing liabilities 421,713 5,887 2.79 400,074 5,789 2.89 ---------- -------- --------- -------- Noninterest-bearing liabilities 36,517 36,123 ---------- --------- Total liabilities 458,230 436,197 Stockholders' equity 41,463 41,247 ---------- --------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 499,693 $ 477,444 ========== ========= Net interest and dividend income $ 7,653 $ 8,050 ======== ======== Net interest spread 2.80% 3.10% Net interest margin 3.16% 3.48% PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES. During the first half of the current year, the Company provided $50,000 for loan losses. While the Company's asset quality, as measured principally by delinquency rates, charge-offs and loan classifications, continues to be outstanding, the shifting of the mix of the loan portfolio to a greater portion of commercial real estate loans indicated the need for an increase in the reserve for loan losses in the first quarter. $100,000 was recorded in the corresponding period of the prior year. NON-INTEREST INCOME. Non-interest income increased to $947,000 during the six months ended September 30, 2004 from $577,000 in the prior year period. An increase in gains on sales of investment securities of $483,000 was partially offset by a decline in gains on the sale of loans of $90,000 caused by the slow down in refinance activity this year. Net gains from sales and write-downs of investment securities were $348,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2004 compared to net losses of $135,000 in the comparable prior year period. During the six months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company recorded write-downs of $-0- and $130,000, respectively, in certain equity securities which had experienced a decline in fair value judged to be other than temporary. NON-INTEREST EXPENSES. Non-interest expenses increased $1,246,000 during the six months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Exclusive of the impact of litigation and legal fees, net of the related insurance recovery in fiscal 2003 and costs associated with the repurchase of common stock during the current fiscal year, non-interest expenses increased $624,000, due principally to increases in salaries and employee benefits of $340,000 and increased advertising costs of $156,000. 13 16 The increase in salaries and employee benefits of $340,000, or 10%, during the six months ended September 30, 2004, was due to overall salary increases, increases in staffing to support a larger asset base, as well as increases in health insurance and pension expense. INCOME TAXES. The effective tax rates for the six months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were 38% and 23.5%, respectively. As previously noted, the Company recovered $374,000 in taxes during the first half of the current year as a result of the settlement of the REIT tax dispute with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Exclusive of this item, the effective tax rate for the six months ended September 30, 2003 was 37.0%. This increase from the prior year is entirely due to the change in state tax law eliminating the use of the dividends received deduction on dividends received by a bank from its REIT subsidiary. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company's principal sources of liquidity are customer deposits, short-term investments, loan repayments, advances from the FHLB of Boston and funds from operations. The Bank is a voluntary member of the FHLB of Boston and, as such, is entitled to borrow up to the value of its qualified collateral that has not been pledged to others. Qualified collateral generally consists of residential first mortgage loans, U. S. Government and agencies securities, mortgage-backed securities and funds on deposit at the FHLB of Boston. At September 30, 2004, the Company had approximately $30 million in unused borrowing capacity at the FHLB of Boston. At September 30, 2004, the Company had commitments to originate loans, unused outstanding lines of credit and undisbursed proceeds of loans totaling $67.2 million. Since many of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company anticipates that it will have sufficient funds available to meet its current loan commitments. The Company's and the Bank's capital ratios at September 30, 2004 were as follows: Company Bank ------- ---- Tier 1 Capital (to average assets) ........................ 7.88% 7.15% Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets) .................. 11.54 10.48 Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets) ................... 12.58 11.54 These ratios placed the Company in excess of regulatory standards and the Bank in the "well capitalized" category as set forth by the FDIC. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK The Company's earnings are largely dependent on its net interest income, which is the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. The Company seeks to reduce its exposure to changes in interest rate, or market risk, through active monitoring and management of its interest-rate risk exposure. The policies and procedures for managing both on- and off-balance sheet activities are established by the Bank's asset/liability management committee ("ALCO"). The Board of Directors reviews and approves the ALCO policy annually and monitors related activities on an ongoing basis. Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates. The Company's market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending, borrowing and deposit taking activities. The main objective in managing interest rate risk is to minimize the adverse impact of changes in interest rates on net interest income and preserve capital, while adjusting the asset/liability structure to control interest-rate risk. However, a sudden and substantial increase or decrease in interest rates may adversely impact earnings to the extent that the interest rates borne by assets and liabilities do not change at the same speed, to the same extent, or on the same basis. 14 17 The Company quantifies its interest-rate risk exposure using a sophisticated simulation model. Simulation analysis is used to measure the exposure of net interest income to changes in interest rates over a specific time horizon. Simulation analysis involves projecting future interest income and expense under various rate scenarios. The simulation is based on both actual and forecasted cash flows and assumptions of management about the future changes in interest rates and levels of activity (loan originations, loan prepayments, deposit flows, etc). The assumptions are inherently uncertain and, therefore, actual results will differ from simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and strategies. The net interest income projection resulting from use of actual and forecasted cash flows and management's assumptions is compared to net interest income projections based on an immediate shift of 300 basis points upward and 75 basis points downward. Internal guidelines on interest rate risk state that for every 100 basis points immediate shift in interest rates, estimated net interest income over the next twelve months should decline by no more than 5%. The following table indicates the estimated exposure, as a percentage of estimated net interest income, for the twelve-month period following the date indicated assuming an immediate shift in interest rates as set forth below (dollars in thousands): September 30, March 31, 2004 2004 ------------------------- -------------------- Amount % Change Amount % Change ------ -------- ------ -------- 300 basis point increase in rates ......... $(1,631) (10.2)% $ (1,236) (8.1)% 75 basis point decrease in rates........... -- -- (315) (2.1) 100 basis point decrease in rates.......... 133 0.8% -- -- ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES As of the end of the period covered by this report, management of the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. In addition, there have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (to the extent that elements of internal control over financial reporting are subsumed within disclosure controls and procedures) identified in connection with the evaluation described in the above paragraph that occurred during the Company's last fiscal quarter, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings Not Applicable 15 18 Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's repurchases of its Common Stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2004. TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES PURCHASED MAXIMUM AS PART OF NUMBER OF SHARES TOTAL PUBLICLY THAT MAY YET BE NUMBER OF AVERAGE ANNOUNCED PURCHASED UNDER SHARES PRICE PAID PLANS OR THE PLANS OR PERIOD PURCHASED PER SHARE PROGRAMS PROGRAMS ------ --------- --------- -------- -------- July 2004 Beginning date: July 1 -- $ -- -- -- Ending date: July 31 August 2004 Beginning date: August 1 -- -- -- -- Ending date: August 31 September 2004 Beginning date: September 1 77,134(1) 33.25 -- -- Ending date: September 30 -------------------- (1) All shares were purchased at a price of $33.25 per share in a negotiated transaction pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement with PL Capital LLC, Financial Edge Fund, L.P., Financial Edge-Strategic Fund, L.P., Goodbody/PL Capital, L.P., Goodbody/PL Capital, LLC, Richard Lashley, John W. Palmer and Richard J. Fates. Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities Not Applicable Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders On September 20, 2004, the Registrant convened its Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The only item submitted to a vote of stockholders was the election of three directors. Gregory W. Boulos, John D. Doherty and Albert J. Mercuri, Jr. were elected directors and the terms of office of the following directors continued after the meeting: Joseph R. Doherty, Paul E. Bulman, Edward F. Sweeney, Jr., John J. Morrissey and James F. Linnehan. The following is a record of the voting in the election of directors: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS FOR WITHHELD Gregory W. Boulos 1,257,947 339,454 John D. Doherty 1,257,283 340,118 Albert J. Mercuri, Jr. 1,257,947 339,454 There were no abstentions or broker non-votes. Item 5. Other Information None 16 19 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Exhibits 4.1 Indenture, dated September 16, 2004, between Central Bancorp, Inc. and JP Morgan Chase Bank 4.2 Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Security Due 2034 (filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 filed herewith) 10.1 Guarantee Agreement, dated September 16, 2004, by Central Bancorp, Inc. for the benefit of JP Morgan Chase Bank, as trustee 31.1 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer 31.2 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer 32 Section 1350 Certification 17 20 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. CENTRAL BANCORP, INC. --------------------- Registrant November 15, 2004 /s/ John D. Doherty Date ----------------------------------------------- John D. Doherty Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer November 15, 2004 /s/ Paul S. Feeley Date ----------------------------------------------- Paul S. Feeley Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer