SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 --------------------- FORM 10-K [x] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [Fee Required] [ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [No Fee Required] For the fiscal year ended SEC Commission File December 31, 1996 Number 0-15334 PALFED, Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) South Carolina 57-0821295 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification Number) 107 Chesterfield Street South, Aiken, South Carolina 29801 (Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (803) 642-1400 ---------------------- Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value (Title of Class) 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 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 disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not 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 registrant's outstanding Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on March 24, 1997 was approximately $76,848,000. There were 5,286,554 shares of Common Stock outstanding on March 24, 1997. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 1. Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1996 (Parts I, II and IV) 2. Proxy Statement for the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Part III). Page 1 of____ sequentially numbered pages The Index to Exhibits is on page 40. PALFED, Inc. and Subsidiaries TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NO. ------- PART I Item 1. Business................................. 1 Item 2. Properties............................... 30 Item 3. Legal Proceedings........................ 30 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders........................ 30 PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters... 33 Item 6. Selected Financial Data................... 33 Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations............................... 33 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data..................................... 34 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure... 34 PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant................................ 34 Item 11. Executive Compensation..................... 34 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management..................... 35 Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.............................. 35 PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K................... 35 SIGNATURES (i) PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS. PALFED, Inc. ("PALFED", together with its subsidiaries, the "Company"), is a South Carolina corporation that was incorporated on March 7, 1986 to own all the outstanding stock of Palmetto Federal Savings Bank of South Carolina ("Palmetto Federal" or the "Bank"). PALFED acquired all of the stock of Palmetto Federal on January 27, 1987. As a savings and loan holding company, the primary business of PALFED is to manage the business of Palmetto Federal and its other subsidiaries and affiliates. Palmetto Federal is a federally-chartered stock savings bank which was chartered in 1951 and converted from a federal mutual savings and loan association to a federal stock savings bank in 1985. PALFED Investment Services, Inc. ("PALFED Investment"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PALFED, offers retail securities brokerage services and consumer insurance products. At December 31, 1996 the Company had total assets of approximately $665 million. At December 31, 1996, PALFED and its subsidiaries had approximately 262 full-time employees and 55 part-time employees. All aspects of the Company's businesses, including banking, are highly competitive. The Company and its subsidiaries face substantial competition from banking and nonbanking institutions, including money market mutual funds, national and state banks, mutual savings banks, savings and loan associations, mortgage banking companies, finance companies, insurance companies, brokerage firms, credit unions and other types of financial institutions located throughout the Southeast and the United States. BANKING AND BANK-RELATED SERVICES GENERAL Palmetto Federal primarily engages in attracting deposits from the general public and, using these funds, loan repayments, other borrowings, and proceeds from the sale of securitized mortgage loans, makes loans primarily for the purchase, financing or improvement of real estate. Palmetto Federal also engages in consumer and commercial lending and other fee generating financial services. Palmetto Federal currently operates 22 banking offices, all of which are located in south central and southern South Carolina. The Bank also operates seven mortgage lending offices located in South Carolina and one mortgage banking office located in Georgia. The Bank's deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Savings Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF") which is supervised by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). The operations of the Company and the Bank are subject to regulation by the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS"), the FDIC and the Federal Reserve Board ("FRB"). Palmetto Federal is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System ("FHLBS"). LENDING ACTIVITIES General. A principal lending activity of Palmetto Federal is the origination of single family residential mortgage loans, including construction loans on single family and, to a lesser extent, multi-unit dwellings and conventional mortgage loans on multi-unit dwellings and on commercial and other type properties. Additionally, the Company originates both short term construction and permanent loans secured by medical and professional office buildings, strip shopping centers and motels, and makes small business loans. In addition, Palmetto Federal offers mobile home, automobile, home improvement and unsecured consumer loans. The Bank also offers a home equity line of credit secured by the borrower's residence. Although federal regulations allow the Company to originate loans nationwide, the Company has originated substantially all of its loans in its primary market areas of South Carolina and in the greater Augusta, Georgia area. From 1991 through 1993, the Bank capped the aggregate levels of consumer, commercial, commercial real estate, non-residential and land loans at the March, 1991 levels in response to increased OTS risk-based capital requirements and to lower the overall level of credit risk in its portfolio. In 1994, the Bank discontinued this limit on the aggregate level of its commercial and consumer loans and changed its lending strategy to increase the origination of higher yielding consumer and commercial loans. These loans typically involve more risk than associated with residential lending. Although residential mortgage originations comprise the majority of originations, a significant portion of originations during 1995 and 1996 were commercial real estate loans. The Bank originated $36.2 million in commercial and commercial real estate loans in 1996, compared to $30.9 million in 1995. During 1995, the Bank increased the origination of larger commercial real estate loans, including those loans greater than $1.0 million. The 1995 originations included eight commercial real estate loans of $1.0 million or greater, totaling $13.1 million, compared to only one loan of this scope in 1994. The 1996 originations included 8 such loans, totaling $10.9 million. Commercial mortgages outstanding increased from $128.1 million at December 31, 1995 to $145.7 million at December 31, 1996. The Bank operates under an investment policy which primarily is aimed at underwriting residential mortgage loans in accordance with Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") underwriting guidelines. Single family loan originations consist of both fixed and adjustable rate loans. The Company generally retains all adjustable rate loans, construction loans, fixed rate loans with original terms of 20 years or less and balloon loans in portfolio. FHA, VA and 30 year fixed rate loans are typically originated for sale and either securitized and sold in the secondary market as mortgage backed securities or sold for cash through an established investor network. Details of residential mortgage originations are as follows: 1996 1995 ------------------------------- (IN THOUSANDS) Fixed rate loans originated for sale (principally loans with 30-year terms and FHA/VA loans)*............................. $57,066 $ 38,380 Fixed rate loans originated for portfolio (principally loans with 10, 15 and 20-year terms, construction loans and loans with balloon payments)......................... 92,756 46,298 ----------- --------- Total fixed rate loans originated and converted............................. 149,822 84,678 Total adjustable rate loans originated....... 13,692 27,144 ---------- --------- Total residential mortgage originations and conversions........................... $163,514 $ 111,822 ---------- --------- ---------- --------- * Loans originated for sale include $13.6 million and $5.4 million at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, of adjustable rate and construction loans which converted to 30 year fixed rate mortgage loans held for sale. Compared with balances at December 31, 1995, net loans receivable in 1996 grew by 11%. Loan originations increased significantly in 1996 over 1995 levels. In 1996, the Bank originated loans of $227.1 million, compared to $172.2 million in 1995. In 1996, the Bank continued to expand its lending markets to reduce reliance on the Central Savannah River Area ("CSRA") market area. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" (hereinafter referred to as "Management's Discussion and Analysis") included in the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1996 (the "1996 Annual Report") and incorporated herein by reference. Palmetto Federal reviews and annually revises, as necessary, its underwriting and lending practices and loan policies in response to regulatory changes. Underwriting guidelines, including loan to value ratios, are established for each type of loan. The Bank's underwriting standards and guidelines for each loan type are reviewed annually with any amendments or revisions presented to the Board of Directors for approval. These guidelines are in addition to the requirements of outside agencies and investors. The Bank's lending policies are reviewed for compliance with applicable regulations and rules, including Federal Truth-In-Lending, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting 2 Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and applicable state usury requirements. At December 31, 1996, the Bank held approximately $236.2 million in permanent 1-4 single family first mortgage loans (including those loans held for sale), $26.6 million of which exceeded an 80% loan to value ratio without private mortgage insurance and $6.8 million of which exceeded a 90% loan to value ratio. These higher loan to value ratio loans constitute increased risk to the portfolio, but the Bank's loss experience for this category of loan has not been significant. The following tables are a comparison of Palmetto Federal's loan portfolio at the dates indicated. Loans held for sale are classified as permanent residential mortgage loans. DECEMBER 31, 1996 ----------------------------------------------------------- % OF LOAN VARIABLE FIXED TOTAL PORTFOLIO ---------- ------------------ -------------- ----------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Loans collateralized by real estate: Permanent residential mortgage......................... $ 139,895 $ 96,301 $ 236,196 43.0% Construction........................................... 7,767 47,049 54,816 10.0 Second mortgage........................................ 40,221 15,801 56,022 10.2 Commercial............................................. 69,041 76,644 145,695 26.6 Loans collateralized by other property or unsecured: Consumer............................................... 6,797 28,106 34,903 6.4 Commercial............................................. 9,907 6,302 16,209 2.9 Loans collateralized by savings accounts................. 0 4,725 4,725 0.9 ---------- ----------- ----------- ------- Total gross loans........................................ $ 273,628 $ 274,928 $ 548,566 100.0% ---------- ----------- ----------- ------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------- 49.9% 50.1% 100.0% ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- Mortgage-backed securities............................... $ 0 $ 59,977 $ 59,977 ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- 0% 100.0% 100.0% ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- DECEMBER 31, 1995 ----------------------------------------------------------- % OF LOAN VARIABLE FIXED TOTAL PORTFOLIO ---------- ------------------ -------------- ----------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Loans collateralized by real estate: Permanent residential mortgage......................... $ 149,622 $ 58,049 $ 207,671 42.7% Construction........................................... 15,051 23,063 38,114 7.8 Second mortgage........................................ 29,027 23,286 52,313 10.8 Commercial............................................. 71,817 56,234 128,051 26.3 Loans collateralized by other property or unsecured: Consumer............................................... 6,405 33,180 39,585 8.1 Commercial............................................. 8,082 7,998 16,080 3.3 Loans collateralized by savings accounts................. 0 4,769 4,769 1.0 ---------- ----------- ----------- ------- Total gross loans........................................ $ 280,004 $ 206,579 $ 486,583 100.0% ---------- ----------- ----------- ------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------- 57.5% 42.5% 100.0% ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- Mortgage-backed securities............................... $ 0 $ 77,843 $ 77,843 ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- 0% 100.0% 100.0% ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- 3 DECEMBER 31, 1994 ----------------------------------------------------------- % OF LOAN VARIABLE FIXED TOTAL PORTFOLIO ---------- ------------------ -------------- ----------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Loans collateralized by real estate: Permanent residential mortgage......................... $ 115,450 $ 90,854 $ 206,304 44.2% Construction........................................... 7,747 25,911 33,658 7.2 Second mortgage........................................ 30,194 25,457 55,651 11.9 Commercial............................................. 50,588 58,946 109,534 23.5 Loans collateralized by other property or unsecured: Consumer............................................... 3,978 38,554 42,532 9.1 Commercial............................................. 8,304 6,873 15,177 3.3 Loans collateralized by savings accounts................. 0 3,784 3,784 0.8 ----------- ---------- ---------- ------ Total gross loans........................................ $ 216,261 $ 250,379 $ 466,640 100.0% ----------- ---------- ---------- ------ ----------- ---------- ---------- ------ 46.3% 53.7% 100.0% ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- Mortgage-backed securities............................... $ 0 $ 106,273 $ 106,273 ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- 0% 100.0% 100.0% ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- DECEMBER 31, 1993 ----------------------------------------------------------- % OF LOAN VARIABLE FIXED TOTAL PORTFOLIO ---------- ------------------ -------------- ----------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Loans collateralized by real estate: Permanent residential mortgage........................ $ 132,122 $ 71,644 $ 203,766 43.6% Construction.......................................... 1,314 25,499 26,813 5.8 Second mortgage....................................... 30,368 26,785 57,153 12.3 Commercial............................................ 61,090 49,197 110,287 23.7 Loans collateralized by other property or unsecured: Consumer.............................................. 8,229 39,698 47,927 10.3 Commercial............................................ 9,008 7,516 16,524 3.6 Loans collateralized by savings accounts................ 0 3,447 3,447 0.7 ----------- ---------- ---------- ----- Total gross loans....................................... $ 242,131 $ 223,786 $ 465,917 100.0% ----------- ---------- ---------- ----- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----- 52.0% 48.0 100.0% ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- Mortgage-backed securities.............................. $ 0 $ 106,563 $ 106,563 ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- 0% 100.0% 100.0% ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- 4 DECEMBER 31, 1992 ----------------------------------------------------------- % OF LOAN VARIABLE FIXED TOTAL PORTFOLIO ---------- ------------------ -------------- ----------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Loans collateralized by real estate: Permanent residential mortgage....................... $ 119,198 $ 76,385 $ 195,583 41.3% Construction......................................... 2,197 10,651 12,848 2.7 Second mortgage...................................... 30,195 29,689 59,884 12.6 Commercial........................................... 63,061 67,797 130,858 27.6 Loans collateralized by other property or unsecured: Consumer............................................. 5,243 45,766 51,009 10.8 Commercial........................................... 11,248 8,837 20,085 4.2 Loans collateralized by savings accounts............... 0 3,974 3,974 0.8 ----------- ---------- ---------- ------- Total gross loans...................................... $ 231,142 $ 243,099 $ 474,241 100.0% ----------- ---------- ---------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ------- 48.7% 51.3% 100.0% ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- Mortgage-backed securities............................. $ 36,695 $ 88,434 $ 125,129 ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- 29.3% 70.7% 100.0% ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- LOAN MATURITIES. The following table sets forth certain information at December 31, 1996 regarding the dollar amount of loans maturing in Palmetto Federal's portfolio based on their contractual terms to maturity. Demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of repayment and no stated maturity and overdrafts are reported as due by December 31, 1997. PAYMENTS DUE WITHIN -------------------------------------------------------------------- MORE THAN 1 YEAR 1-2 YEARS 2-3 YEARS 3-5 YEARS 5 YEARS TOTAL ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- (IN THOUSANDS) Real estate mortgage................................ $ 120,134 $ 58,538 $ 58,538 $ 91,400 $ 98,052 $ 426,662 Real estate construction............................ 50,473 2,172 2,172 0 0 54,817 Installment, commercial, and loans collateralized by savings accounts.................................. 27,202 9,196 9,196 9,913 329 55,836 ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total............................................... $ 197,809 $ 69,906 $ 69,906 $ 101,313 $ 98,381 $ 537,315 ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 5 The following table sets forth loans due after one year which have fixed rates or floating or adjustable rates. DECEMBER 31, 1996 ------------------------------------------------ FLOATING OR ADJUSTABLE RATE FIXED RATE ----------------------- ----------------------- % OF % OF TOTAL LOAN TOTAL LOAN AMOUNT PORTFOLIO AMOUNT PORTFOLIO ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Real estate mortgage.................... $ 172,546 32.11% $ 133,982 24.94% Real estate construction................ 2,121 0.39 2,222 0.41 Installment, commercial, and loans collateralized by savings accounts.... 9,358 1.71 19,277 3.51 ---------- ----- ---------- ----- Total................................... $ 184,025 34.25% $ 155,481 28.94% ---------- ----- ---------- ----- ---------- ----- ---------- ----- Construction Loans. Palmetto Federal provides construction financing for single family, multi-family and nonresidential commercial real estate. Construction loans are generally made for periods of six months to one year. This period may be extended subject to negotiation and the payment of an extension fee. Typically, interest rates on construction loans for loan terms over one year are tied to an indexed rate and are adjustable monthly or quarterly during the term of the loan. The Bank's policies allow residential construction loans to builders for both presold and "spec" homes for up to an 85% loan to value ratio. The Bank also makes a combined construction/permanent loan to individuals which combines a construction loan with a permanent mortgage loan for up to a 95% loan to value ratio. As of December 31, 1996, the Bank had approximately $2.2 million of single family construction loans, including loans in process, that exceeded an 80% loan to value ratio. At December 31, 1996, total construction loans comprised approximately 10.0% or approximately $54.8 million of the Bank's loan portfolio. Included in the Bank's total construction loans were approximately $40.9 million in single family residential construction loans, of which approximately $26.9 million were loans to builders for "spec" homes. The Bank's loss experience for this loan category has been minimal. Construction loans also involve additional risks attributable to the fact that loan funds are advanced upon the security of the project under construction. Commercial Real Estate Loans. Commercial real estate loans made by Palmetto Federal are secured by office buildings, shopping centers, multi-family apartment and condominium projects with more than four dwelling units. Permanent commercial real estate loans are generally made for up to 85% of the appraised value of the properties securing the loan with interest rates determined by market conditions. Generally, the majority of the Bank's loan charge-offs have been in this loan category. As of December 31, 1996, the Bank had approximately $145.7 million in commercial real estate loans, which comprised approximately 26.6% of the Bank's loan portfolio. Certain risks are inherent with loan portfolios which contain commercial real estate, multi-family, commercial business and consumer loans. While these types of loans provide benefits to the Company's asset/liability management programs and reduce exposure to interest rate changes, such loans may entail significant additional credit risks compared to residential mortgage lending. Commercial and multi-family mortgage lending generally involves greater risk than single-family lending. Furthermore, the repayment of loans secured by income-producing properties is typically dependent upon the successful operation of the related real estate project. If the cash flow from the property is reduced (for example, if leases are not obtained or renewed), the borrower's ability to repay the Company's loans may be impaired. These risks can be affected significantly by supply and demand in the market for the type of property securing 6 the loan and by general economic conditions, and commercial and multi-family loans may thus be subject, to a greater extent than single-family property loans to adverse conditions in the economy. Commercial real estate and multi-family loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers than single family mortgage loans. Palmetto Federal also makes commercial real estate loans for land acquisition, development and/or construction costs. Typically, such loans with a term over one year are tied to an indexed rate and are adjustable monthly or quarterly during the term of the loan. Generally, Palmetto Federal's loan underwriting policies for acquisition, development and construction project loans are the same as for permanent commercial real estate loans, however, loans made to finance the sale of foreclosed property may be made at higher loan to value ratios and favorable interest rates to expedite the reduction of the Bank's foreclosed property. Certain land acquisition, development and/or construction loans made prior to 1987 were in an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate costs of the financed project, including land acquisition costs, development costs, construction costs and interest costs. Palmetto Federal generally does not require a developer to obtain a completion bond guaranteeing the completion of the financed project in the event that the developer, for any reason, is unable to perform. In any instance in which it has not obtained a completion bond, however, Palmetto Federal generally requires a personal guarantee by the developer. Second Mortgage Loans. Second mortgage residential loans comprised approximately $56.0 million or 10.4% of the Bank's loan portfolio at December 31, 1996. The Bank's second mortgage loans consist of approximately $20.8 million in term loans primarily for home improvements and approximately $35.2 million in home equity line of credit loans. These loans typically have a maximum loan to value ratio of 90%. Consumer and Mobile Home Loans. At December 31, 1996, consumer loans constituted 6.4% or approximately $34.9 million of Palmetto Federal's loan portfolio, compared to 8.1% or approximately $39.6 million of the Banks's loan portfolio at December 31, 1995. The consumer loan portfolio is made up of mobile home, automobile and unsecured loans. The Bank originated approximately $24.7 million in consumer loans in 1996, compared to $31.2 million in 1995. Automobile loans represented 14.9% or approximately $5.2 million of the Bank's consumer loan portfolio at December 31, 1996. Palmetto Federal also offers Personal Cash Line, which is an unsecured consumer loan. At December 31, 1996, this revolving line of credit represented 7.1% of Palmetto Federal's consumer loan portfolio. Consumer loans have historically tended to have a higher rate of default than residential mortgage loans. Mobile home loans represented 52.5% and 56.1%, respectively, of Palmetto Federal's consumer loan portfolio at December 31, 1996 and 1995. During 1996, the Bank originated approximately $724,000 in mobile home loans, compared to $1.7 million in 1995. Mobile home loans historically have a higher rate of default than other types of consumer loans, but generally provide a higher yield than other types of loans. In 1996, mobile home loan chargeoffs increased by $514,000 and the Bank repossessed 51 mobile homes. The Bank tightened loan underwriting standards on this type of loan and its mobile home loan portfolio declined by $3.8 million in 1996 to $18.4 million at year end. The Bank makes loans for new mobile homes for up to 90% of the purchase price of the home, not to exceed 120% of dealer's cost, and for used mobile homes at the lesser of NADA value or 80% of the purchase price. Loan Servicing. Palmetto Federal ordinarily retains the servicing of its loans for which it generally receives a fee payable monthly of one-quarter to one-half of one percent per year of the unpaid principal balance of each loan. The Bank's servicing fees were $846,000, $898,000 and $816,000 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. During 1992 Palmetto Federal sold approximately $150 million in mortgage servicing rights. The only servicing rights sold in 1993 related to an existing commitment from the 1992 sale. The Bank sold no significant servicing rights in 1994, 1995 or 1996. Effective October 1, 1995, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 122, "Accounting for Mortgage Servicing Rights", which requires that the right to service mortgage loans for others be recognized as an asset, whether that servicing right is acquired or originated. Servicing rights of $153,000 were recorded during 1995 as a result of adopting this standard, resulting in a gain of $101,000, net of related income taxes. See Note 7 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report and incorporated herein by reference. Loan Fees. It is the general policy of Palmetto Federal to issue loan commitments for a fee to qualified borrowers for a specified time period. These commitments are generally for a period of 60 days. With management approval commitments may be extended for up to six months. Palmetto Federal had commitments to originate loans in a principal amount of approximately $32.9 million at December 31, 1996. In addition to interest earned on loans and fees for issuing loan commitments, Palmetto Federal receives loan fees for originating loans. Loan origination fees are a percentage of the principal amount of the mortgage loan and are charged to the borrower by Palmetto Federal for creation of the loan. Loan fees, as well as certain narrowly defined origination costs, are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to the yield over the life of the related loan. The net deferred fees are reflected in interest income over the appropriate amortization period. In the case of adjustable rate mortgages, a substantial portion of the net deferred fee on each individual loan is recognized as income over the first adjustment period. Any remaining net deferred fees or costs associated with loans that are sold are recognized as adjustments to the gains or losses on the sales of such loans. Therefore, for loans originated and held by Palmetto Federal, the loan origination fees are not separately identified in results of operations, nor are the fees being recognized as income immediately upon closing of the loans but are included in net interest income as an adjustment of yield. LOAN DELINQUENCIES AND CLASSIFIED ASSETS Loan Delinquencies. Palmetto Federal's collection procedures provide that when a loan becomes 15 days delinquent the borrower is contacted by mail and payment requested. If the delinquency continues, subsequent efforts are made to contact and request payment from the delinquent borrower. In certain instances Palmetto Federal may develop a repayment schedule with the borrower to enable the borrower to restructure his or her financial affairs. The accrual of interest income on loans in excess of 90 days past due is generally suspended and previously recognized interest income reversed. Additionally, the Bank discontinues the accrual of interest on any loan when it determines the collection of interest is less than probable. If a nonaccrual loan is restructured, the Company's policy is that the loan may accrue interest only if the Bank's evaluation of the borrower's financial condition supports full repayment of the restructured loan. If a loan continues in a delinquent status for an additional 60 to 90 days, Palmetto Federal will initiate foreclosure proceedings. All property acquired as the result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is classified as "real estate acquired in settlement of loans" until such time as it is sold or otherwise disposed of by Palmetto Federal. On January 1, 1995, the Company adopted SFAS No. 114, "Accounting By Creditors For Impairment of a Loan," as amended by SFAS No. 118, "Accounting By Creditors For Impairment of a Loan--Income Recognition and Disclosures, an Amendment of SFAS No. 114." Under this new standard, a loan is considered impaired, based on current information and events, if it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan. The minimum nonpayment period before management considers a loan to be impaired is 90 days. The types and characteristics of loans that are measured using SFAS No. 114 include individual loans greater than $500,000 or a group of related loans to a single borrower aggregating more than $500,000. These loans are typically collateral dependent commercial real estate loans. All other loans generally are measured under net realizable value techniques or, as in the case of small homogeneous loans, under a methodology which includes loan classifications and historical charge-offs. Impaired loans typically are not charged off until foreclosure on the collateral property. Occasionally, an impaired loan is partially charged off as part of a loan restructuring. Nonaccrual loans are typically 90 days or more delinquent and may include loans within the scope of SFAS No. 114. Impaired loans may include accruing loans which have a specific valuation allowance or which have been restructured. Also under this standard, in-substance foreclosed loans continue to be measured at the fair value of the collateral, however, these loans are classified as loans receivable rather than as foreclosed real estate, as was the case previously. Therefore, in-substance foreclosures of $3.2 million at December 31, 1994 have been reclassified from investment in real estate to loans receivable. See Notes 1 and 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report and incorporated herein by reference. 8 The amounts and categories of Palmetto Federal's nonperforming assets (nonaccrual loans and foreclosed real estate ("REO")) and restructured loans, changes in the components of nonperforming assets and restructured loans, and additional information concerning the Bank's nonperforming assets and restructured loans is set forth in "Management's Discussion and Analysis - --Nonperforming Assets and Restructured Loans," included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report and incorporated herein by reference. The additional interest income that would have been earned during the year ended December 31, 1996 if the restructured loans noted above had been current in accordance with their original terms and had been outstanding throughout the year ended December 31, 1996 was approximately $160,000. The amount of interest income on the restructured loans included in net earnings for the year ended December 31, 1996 was approximately $208,000. Although restructured loans include loans which are considered to be earning assets, there is more than normal risk associated with these loans due to the fact that some were made to facilitate the sale of foreclosed real estate and some were restructured with terms that either extend the maturity or reduce the stated interest rate. Potential problem loans represent loans that are current as to payment of principal and interest, but where management has doubts about the borrowers' ability to comply with present repayment terms. These loans are not included in nonperforming assets. At December 31, 1996, potential problem loans totaled approximately $14.5 million. Management of Palmetto Federal establishes an allowance for possible loan losses each year based on its estimate of losses in the loan portfolio. The loan loss allowance is charged against Palmetto Federal earnings in the year in which the allowance is established. Loan charge-offs are charged against the loan loss allowance. At December 31, 1996, the loan loss allowance was $7.0 million or approximately 1.4% of total loans. Additional information concerning Palmetto Federal's loan loss allowances for 1996 is set forth in "Management's Discussion and Analysis--Nonperforming Assets and Restructured Loans," appearing in the Company's 1996 Annual Report and incorporated herein by reference. The determination of the adequacy of the Bank's allowance for loan losses is based upon management's assessment of risk elements in the portfolio, factors affecting loan quality and assumptions about the economic environment in which the Bank operates. The Bank utilizes a loan classification system in assessing the overall quality of its loan portfolio to determine an adequate allowance for the level of loan losses, with specific emphasis on the Bank's larger loans. This system involves an ongoing review of the Bank's commercial, real estate and consumer loan portfolios and includes factors such as the cash flow and financial status of the borrower, the existence and the value of the collateral and general economic conditions. This system is dependent upon management's estimates and judgments and there can be no assurance that the Bank will not have to increase its allowance for possible loan losses in the future as a result of adverse markets for real estate and economic conditions generally in the Bank's primary market areas, future increases in nonperforming assets or for other reasons which would adversely affect the Bank's results of operations. In addition, the Bank's principal regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank's allowance for loan losses and the carrying value of its other nonperforming assets, including foreclosed real estate. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance for loan losses based on their judgments at the time of their examination. The following table describes the Bank's allocation of its allowance for estimated loan losses. 9 1996 1995 1994 1993 ---------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ALLOCATION % LOANS % LOANS % LOANS % LOANS OF ALLOWANCE FOR TO TOTAL TO TOTAL TO TOTAL TO TOTAL LOAN LOSSES: AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS - ------------------------------------ --------- ----------- --------- ----------- --------- ----------- --------- ----------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Loans collateralized by real estate: Permanent residential............. $ 596 41.9% $ 2,141 42.7% $ 1,545 44.5% $ 2,509 43.6% Construction...................... -- 10.2 564 7.8 539 7.3 442 5.8 Second mortgage................... 177 10.4 780 10.8 832 12.0 941 12.3 Commercial........................ 3,333 27.1 4,037 26.3 4,148 22.9 4,712 23.7 Loans collateralized by other property or unsecured: Consumer.......................... 2,554 6.5 585 8.1 695 9.2 800 10.3 Commercial........................ 323 3.0 238 3.3 397 3.3 422 3.6 Savings accounts.................. -- 0.9 72 1.0 57 0.8 57 0.7 --------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- Total allowance..................... $ 6,983 100.0% $ 8,417 100.0% $ 8,213 100.0% $ 9,883 100.0% --------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- 1992 ---------------------- ALLOCATION % LOANS OF ALLOWANCE FOR TO TOTAL LOAN LOSSES: AMOUNT LOANS - ------------------------------------ --------- ----------- Loans collateralized by real estate: Permanent residential............. $ 1,961 41.1% Construction...................... 196 2.7 Second mortgage................... 912 12.7 Commercial........................ 3,986 27.7 Loans collateralized by other property or unsecured: Consumer.......................... 812 10.8 Commercial........................ 305 4.2 Savings accounts.................. 60 0.8 --------- ----- Total allowance..................... $ 8,232 100.0% --------- ----- --------- ----- Criticized Assets. OTS regulations require thrifts to monitor and classify their assets to establish a mechanism of early identification of problem loans and to calculate and provide for prudent valuation allowances. Institutions are also required to classify their own assets and to establish prudent general allowances for loan losses. An institution also is required to set aside adequate valuation allowances to the extent an affiliate possesses assets requiring classification and poses a risk to the institution. OTS regulations also require institutions to establish loss allowances for off-balance sheet items when a loss becomes probable and estimable. The determination of the individual asset classification depends on the degree of risk associated with the asset and the likelihood of repayment or orderly liquidation. The portion of a loan or other asset classified as loss is considered uncollectible and a specific valuation allowance is established for the portion of the asset so classified. For the portion of assets classified as loss, the OTS permits institutions either to establish specific allowances for losses of 100% of the amount classified or to charge-off such amount. A doubtful asset has a high possibility of loss, but certain pending factors preclude the estimation of a specific valuation allowance. Palmetto Federal classifies an asset as substandard if the asset exhibits a defined weakness and is inadequately protected either by the paying capacity of the borrower or the value of the underlying collateral. Special mention loans have some credit deficiencies as potential weaknesses that if not corrected could increase the risk of financial loss. The Bank's total criticized assets include its nonperforming assets and restructured loans as well as its potential problem loans. The following table summarizes the Bank's criticized assets at December 31: 1996 1995 1994 --------- --------- --------- (IN THOUSANDS) Special mention.................. $ 13,278 $ 9,867 $ 11,050 Substandard...................... 17,702 25,450 30,138 Doubtful......................... 364 0 0 Loss............................. 1,220 1,462 1,822 --------- --------- --------- $ 32,564 $ 36,779 $ 43,010 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- 10 INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES The Company invests in mortgage-backed and related securities. Included in the Company's securities portfolio are mortgage-backed securities which are insured or guaranteed by FNMA, FHLMC or Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"). Mortgage-backed securities increase the quality of the Company's assets by virtue of the guarantees that back them, require less capital under risk-based capital rules than nonguaranteed mortgage loans, are more liquid than individual mortgage loans and may be used to collateralize borrowings or other obligations of the Company. The returns and other information concerning such securities are outlined below. YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 --------- --------- --------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Average yield for period........... 6.67% 6.61% 5.85% Average rate at end of period...... 6.91% 6.76% 6.72% Interest income earned............. $ 4,337 $ 6,335 $ 6,237 Average balance for the period..... 64,077 95,803 106,602 Fair value at end of period........ 60,514 79,181 101,909 Amortized cost at end of period.... 59,899 77,736 108,621 Net unrealized gain (loss)......... $ 615 $ 1,445 $ (6,712) Through an investment policy approved by its Board of Directors, Palmetto Federal invests funds necessary to comply with liquidity regulations and other funds not needed currently for loans in short-term investments. At December 31, 1996, Palmetto Federal held investments in United States Treasury and agency securities with a fair value of approximately $22.7 million. In 1996 the Bank received proceeds of $74.8 million from the sale of loans, investment and mortgaged-backed securities. For additional information, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis--Investment and Mortgage-backed Securities" and Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report and incorporated herein by reference. 11 The following table sets forth information for Palmetto Federal with respect to yields on loans, yields on investments and cost of funds on deposits and borrowings for the periods indicated. FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Weighted average yields on: Loans receivable............................ 8.90% 8.90% 8.49% 8.48% 9.26% Mortgage-backed securities.................. 6.77 6.61 5.85 6.58 7.15 Investment portfolio........................ 5.96 5.85 5.40 3.99 5.45 All interest-earning assets................. 8.46 8.24 7.73 7.76 8.54 Weighted average rate paid on: Retail savings deposits..................... 2.59 2.66 2.66 2.87 3.74 Brokered time deposits...................... -- -- 9.55 6.98 9.18 Retail time deposits........................ 5.79 5.80 4.94 5.27 6.19 Interest-bearing demand deposits............ 2.44 2.40 2.09 2.64 3.70 FHLB advances and other borrowed money...... 5.92 6.58 5.72 6.20 6.79 All interest-bearing liabilities............ 4.89 5.10 4.36 4.81 5.80 Net interest margin (difference between average rates on all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities).... 3.57 3.14 3.37 2.95 2.74 Net yield (net interest income as a percentage of average interest earning assets)............................. 3.70% 3.26% 3.37% 2.79% 2.54% The following table sets forth information for the Bank with respect to weighted average contractual yields on loans, yields on investments and the cost of funds on deposits and borrowings at December 31: 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Weighted average yields on: Loans receivable............................ 8.73% 8.87% 8.34% 8.25% 8.90% Mortgage-backed securities.................. 6.91 6.76 6.72 6.88 6.46 Investment portfolio........................ 6.24 5.50 5.72 4.73 5.34 All interest-earning assets................. 8.41 8.20 7.80 7.78 8.14 Weighted average rate paid on: Retail savings deposits..................... 2.72 2.65 2.71 2.71 3.04 Brokered time deposits...................... -- -- -- 9.38 8.31 Retail time deposits........................ 5.82 6.07 4.90 4.92 5.69 Interest bearing demand deposits............ 2.67 2.42 2.10 2.39 2.46 FHLB advances & other borrowed money........ 5.94 6.56 6.72 5.98 6.46 All interest-bearing liabilities............ 4.92 5.22 4.73 4.45 5.27 Net interest margin........................... 3.49% 2.98% 3.07% 3.33% 2.87% 12 The tables below set forth the book value of the Company's investments at the dates indicated, the weighted average yields on investments for the years ended on the dates indicated and the periods to maturity from December 31, 1996. AT DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) ---------------------------------------------------------------- MARKET MARKET MARKET COST VALUE COST VALUE COST VALUE --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- U.S. Treasury and agency obligations: held-to-maturity....................................... $ 6,962 $ 6,947 $ 8,940 $ 8,879 $ 39,105 $ 36,011 U.S. Treasury and agency obligations: available-for-sale..................................... 15,964 15,768 31,230 31,060 4,988 4,884 Corporate obligations.................................... 0 0 0 0 1,998 1,825 Other investments........................................ 0 0 0 0 3 62 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total.................................................... $ 22,926 $ 22,715 $ 40,170 $ 39,939 $ 46,094 $ 42,782 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Weighted average yield on investments for the year....... 5.59% 5.53% 5.30% --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- PERIODS TO MATURITY FROM DECEMBER 31, 1996 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- HELD TO MATURITY AVAILABLE FOR SALE --------------------------------------------- --------------------------- WEIGHTED WEIGHTED COST AVERAGE COST AVERAGE (IN THOUSANDS) YIELD (IN THOUSANDS) YIELD -------------------------------- ----------- -------------- ----------- U.S. Treasury and agency obligations: 1 year or less............. $ 0 --% $ 0 0% 1-5 years.................. 3,967 6.04 15,561 5.36 5-10 years................. 2,995 6.73 0 0 after 10 years.............. 0 -- 403 7.44 Corporate obligations: 1 year or less.............. 0 -- 0 -- 1-5 years................... 0 -- 0 -- 5-10 years ................. 0 -- 0 -- after 10 years.............. 0 -- 0 -- Other investments: 1 year or less 0 -- 0 -- 1-5 years 0 -- 0 -- 5-10 years 0 -- 0 -- after 10 years.................. 0 -- 0 -- ------- ---- ------- ----- Total........................... $6,962 6.34% $ 15,964 5.41% ------- ---- ------- ----- ------- ---- ------- ----- 13 ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT Asset and liability management is the process by which Palmetto Federal attempts to maximize net interest income while minimizing the adverse effect of interest rate changes. The Company's Asset/ Liability Committee sets loan and deposit rates, reviews the interest sensitivity gap of the Bank and sets policies and strategies to improve the interest rate risk exposure of the portfolio and to increase the level of net interest income. Additional information concerning the Bank's asset and liability management is included in "Management's Discussion and Analysis--Asset/Liability Management," appearing in the Company's 1996 Annual Report and incorporated herein by reference. The following static gap table sets forth in summary form the repricing attributes of Palmetto Federal's interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Static gap is a simple measure of the difference between interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities repricing for a particular time period. A negative gap position indicates that cumulative interest-sensitive assets are less than cumulative interest-sensitive liabilities and indicates that net income would decrease if market rates increased. The time periods in the table represent the time before an asset or liability matures or can be repriced. MORE 0 TO 3 3 TO 6 6 TO 12 1 TO 3 3 TO 5 THAN 5 MONTHS MONTHS MONTHS YEARS YEARS YEARS TOTAL ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------------- ---------- ----------- ---------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Interest-Sensitive Assets Balloon and adjustable rate loans..................... $ 103,936 $ 54,206 $ 71,129 $ 19,729 $ 0 $ 0 $ 249,000 Fixed rate mortgage and mortgage-backed securities................ 33,618 20,680 28,575 80,763 63,051 67,640 294,327 Consumer and commercial loans..................... 15,914 3,970 5,714 17,308 9,329 310 52,545 Investments................. 8,893 3,844 (310) 2,938 8,973 3,398 27,736 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------------- ---------- ----------- ---------- Total Interest-Sensitive Assets.................... 162,361 82,700 105,108 120,738 81,353 71,348 623,608 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------------- ---------- ----------- ---------- Interest-Sensitive Liabilities Regular savings............. 39,245 0 0 0 0 0 39,245 IFA accounts................ 10,521 0 0 0 0 0 10,521 NOW accounts................ 77,703 876 1,750 7,002 7,002 11,669 106,002 Fixed maturity deposits..... 153,524 38,532 77,064 94,712 16,801 0 380,633 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------------- ---------- ----------- ---------- Total Deposits (excluding accrued interest)......... 280,993 39,408 78,814 101,714 23,803 11,669 536,401 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------------- ---------- ----------- ---------- FHLB advances and other borrowed money............ 50,400 10,000 0 8,000 0 0 68,400 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------------- ---------- ----------- ---------- Total Interest-Sensitive Liabilities............... 331,393 49,408 78,814 109,714 23,803 11,669 604,801 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------------- ---------- ----------- ---------- Interest Sensitivity Gap.... (169,032) 33,292 26,294 11,024 57,550 59,679 $ 18,807 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------------- ---------- ----------- ---------- Cumulative Gap.............. $ (169,032) $ (135,740) $ (109,446) $ (98,422) $ (40,872) $ 18,807 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------------- ---------- ----------- ---------- Ratio of cumulative gap to total interest-sensitive assets.................... (27.11)% (21.77)% (17.55)% (15.78)% (6.55)% (3.02)% 14 SOURCES OF FUNDS GENERAL. Palmetto Federal's principal sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans, investment and mortgage-backed securities, proceeds from sales of investment and mortgage-backed securities, FHLB advances, other borrowings and retained earnings. Loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit flows are significantly influenced by general interest rates and economic conditions. The following table sets forth the average amount of and the average rate paid on the following deposits. YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ ----------------------- WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AMOUNT RATE AMOUNT RATE AMOUNT RATE ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ---------- ----------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Savings $32,381 2.59% $31,074 2.66% deposits....... $ 31,409 2.66% Time deposits.... 374,934 5.79 365,020 5.80 325,360 4.96 Interest-bearing demand deposits (including non-interest- bearing demand deposits)...... 106,611 1.77 98,666 1.71 115,615 1.56 ----------------- ----------------- ---------- Total deposits... $513,926 4.75% $494,760 4.79% $ 472,384 4.36% ----------------- ----------------- ---------- ----------------- ----------------- ---------- Deposit Activities. The primary categories of deposits for Palmetto Federal are time deposits and various types of short-term money market and checking (NOW) accounts and other savings alternatives that are responsive to market conditions. The ability of Palmetto Federal to attract and maintain deposits and Palmetto Federal's cost of funds have been, and will continue to be, significantly affected by money market conditions. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis--Asset/Liability Management," included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report and incorporated herein by reference. Palmetto Federal currently does not use brokered deposits as a source of funds. 15 The following table sets forth deposit account balances, excluding accrued interest payable, by account type, original term and weighted average interest rate at the date indicated. AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 ----------------------------------------------------- WEIGHTED PERCENTAGE TYPE OF AVERAGE OF TOTAL ACCOUNT AMOUNT INTEREST RATE DEPOSITS - --------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- ------------- ----------- (IN THOUSANDS) NOW accounts....................................... $105,252 1.85% 19.61% Money market deposit accounts...................... 11,553 6.02 2.15 Passbook and commercial savings.................... 35,203 2.72 6.56 Time Deposits Jumbo certificates................................. 51,721 6.02 9.64 Other time deposits: 60 day.......................................... 17,982 3.48 3.35 91 day.......................................... 6,019 4.90 1.12 6--10 month..................................... 91,039 5.41 16.96 12 to 15 month.................................. 79,879 5.64 14.88 18 to 25 month.................................. 61,473 6.14 11.46 30 to 48 month.................................. 27,239 6.38 5.08 60 month or more................................ 47,820 6.99 8.91 Other.............................................. 1,507 5.46 0.28 ------------------------- ------ ----------- Total.............................................. $536,687 4.78% 100.00% ------------------------- ------ ----------- ------------------------- ------ ----------- The following table sets forth the time deposits of Palmetto Federal classified by rates as of the dates indicated. AT DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------ RATE 1996 1995 1994 - ---------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- Less than 4.00%................................................. $ 16,985 $ 20,943 $ 67,689 4.01--6.00%................................................... 254,986 165,733 201,388 6.01--8.00%................................................... 101,219 165,057 52,195 Above 8.00%..................................................... 11,488 11,460 20,088 ------------ ---------- ---------- $ 384,678 $ 363,193 $ 341,360 ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ---------- ---------- 16 The following table sets forth the amount and scheduled maturities of time deposits at December 31, 1996. AMOUNT DUE ---------------------------------------------------------- LESS THAN AFTER ONE YEAR 1-2 YEARS 2-3 YEARS 3 YEARS TOTAL ------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Less than 5.25%.................................... $ 64,560 $ 1,432 $ 330 $ 16 $ 66,338 5.25--7.00%....................................... 172,465 67,601 20,695 14,769 275,530 7.01--9.00%....................................... 26,762 3,485 2,289 2,566 35,102 9.01--11.00%...................................... 2,223 5,011 474 0 7,708 ------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- Total scheduled maturities......................... $ 266,010 $ 77,529 $ 23,788 $ 17,351 $ 384,678 ------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- ------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- The following table sets forth the maturities of time certificates in amounts of $100,000 or more. DECEMBER 31, 1996 ----------------------------------------------------------- 3 MONTHS 3 TO 6 6 TO 12 OVER OR LESS MONTHS MONTHS 12 MONTHS TOTAL ----------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) $12,563 $ 10,525 $ 6,351 $ 18,765 $ 48,204 ----------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- BORROWING ACTIVITIES. At December 31, 1996, Palmetto Federal had advances totaling approximately $68.4 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta ("FHLBA") at rates from 5.30% to 6.95% payable at various dates through September 1998. The short-term borrowings by Palmetto Federal at the end of and during the periods indicated and the maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during each period are set forth in the following table. AT DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 --------- --------- --------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Total short-term borrowings at the end of period: FHLBA advances................................................................... $ 57,900 $ 81,500 $ 98,200 Weighted average interest rate at end of period: FHLBA advances................................................................... 6.01% 6.59% 6.38% Average amounts outstanding: FHLBA advances................................................................... $ 57,215 $ 82,135 $ 88,792 Maximum amount outstanding at any month: FHLBA advances................................................................... $ 77,300 $ 90,200 $ 98,200 17 PALFED INVESTMENT SERVICES PALFED Investment Services, Inc., formerly PALFED Financial Services, Inc. ("PALFED Investment"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PALFED, offers retail securities brokerage services and sells tax-deferred annuities and consumer insurance products. Net pre-tax income of PALFED Investment in 1996 was approximately $327,000 on revenues of $817,000, compared to pre-tax income of $300,000 and revenues of $757,000 in 1995. In 1996 PALFED Investment opened an office in Charleston, South Carolina to complement the retail offices in that market. PALFED Investment sells certain tax deferred annuities through Family Financial Life Insurance Company ("Family Financial"), a Louisiana insurance company that is directly or indirectly controlled by service corporations or subsidiaries of savings institutions and their holding companies. PALFED Investment also sells annuities through other insurance companies. Additionally, Palmetto Federal sells credit life and mortgage insurance through Family Financial. PALFED Investment owns, directly or indirectly, approximately 19 percent of the outstanding stock of Family Financial with an investment in Family Financial stock of approximately $653,000. PALFED Investment received approximately $29,000 in dividends and distributions from Family Financial in 1996. W. Barry Adams, Executive Vice President of Palmetto Federal and Senior Vice President of PALFED Investment, serves as a director of Family Financial. EFFECTS OF PURCHASE ACCOUNTING Palmetto Federal acquired First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Beaufort, South Carolina ("First Federal") in August, 1982. This acquisition, accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, increased the assets and liabilities of Palmetto Federal by approximately $107 million each and added seven branches to its system, two of which have since been closed. In December 1993, the Company changed its method of amortizing goodwill by adopting the provisions of SFAS No. 72, "Accounting For Certain Acquisitions of Banking or Thrift Institutions", effective January 1, 1993. SFAS 72 (issued after the First Federal acquisition) requires goodwill to be amortized over the estimated life of the interest-earning assets acquired using the level yield method. The Company believes the change in accounting principle is preferable because it provides a better matching of the amortization of goodwill with the amortization of purchased discount on the acquired interest-earning assets from the First Federal acquisition. The change in accounting principle resulted in a $10.5 million noncash charge to 1993 earnings, reflecting the cumulative effect of this change for the periods prior to January 1, 1993. This change also reduced the amount of goodwill amortization recognized in 1993 by approximately $649,000. Management reviews the amortization periods (estimated lives) of the intangible assets periodically and makes adjustments as needed. The Company was amortizing the core deposit intangible asset of $5.4 million acquired in the First Federal acquisition on a straight-line basis over 25 years. At September 30, 1996, this core deposit intangible totalled $2.4 million and had an estimated remaining life of approximately 11 years. As a result of the SAIF special assessment on September 30, 1996, management reassessed the carrying value of this intangible asset, concluded that the asset was impaired and wrote-off the remaining balance in December 1996. 18 The following table sets forth the actual effect on the Company's operations for 1982 through 1996 of the First Federal acquisition and the sale or repayment of loans acquired in such acquisition. The table also reflects the pro forma effect on future periods' results of operations of the accretion and amortization of the valuation adjustments recorded in connection with Palmetto Federal's acquisition of First Federal on the basis of certain assumptions as to the fair value of the assets and liabilities and an assumption that there will be no sales of or prepayments on the acquired loans. If these assumptions are not realized, the actual effects of the accretions and amortization of these valuation adjustments will vary. INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET INCOME ---------------------------------------------------------- AMORTIZATION AMORTIZATION ACCRETION OF OF OTHER OF LOAN INTANGIBLES PREMIUMS AND NET ACTUAL DISCOUNTS AND GOODWILL DISCOUNTS EFFECT - -------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ 1982--1992......................... $ 25,109,356 $ (9,270,431) $ 214,388 $ 16,053,313 1993............................... 125,545 (10,761,947) 12,396 (10,624,006) 1994............................... 57,915 (260,825) 12,396 (190,514) 1995............................... 77,765 (281,391) 12,396 (191,230) 1996............................... 35,524 (2,650,406) 12,396 (2,602,486) Pro Forma - -------------------------------------- 1997............................... 27,724 0 12,396 40,120 1998............................... 8,530 0 12,396 20,926 1999............................... 19,803 0 12,396 32,199 2000--2007......................... 54,838 0 21,840 76,678 ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ Total................................. $ 25,517,000 $ (23,225,000) $ 323,000 $ 2,615,000 ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ The 1996 amortization of intangibles and goodwill includes the $2.4 million write-off of the remaining core deposit intangible asset. 19 REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT Palmetto Service Corporation ("PSC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Palmetto Federal, has engaged in real estate development activities since 1980, but currently is not engaged in any new real estate development activities. Woodside Development Company of Aiken, Inc. ("WDC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PSC, was the original developer of the Woodside Plantation development. Effective November 1993, PSC transferred to WDC certain real estate properties in projects it previously developed. PSC currently provides real estate appraisal services in the Bank's market areas, engages in real estate brokerage services, and has an investment in a real estate partnership. At December 31, 1996, Palmetto Federal's investment in PSC was approximately $6.3 million and it had extensions of credits (including intercompany receivables and accounts payable) of approximately $225,000 to PSC and WDC. At December 31, 1996, PSC and WDC had a total investment as set forth below in the following real estate developments and partnerships: Woodside Plantation......................... $4,483,000 The Rapids.................................. 915,000 Other developments.......................... 459,000 Real estate partnership..................... 457,000 ---------- $6,314,000 ---------- ---------- Woodside Plantation. Woodside Plantation is a single family planned unit development of over 2,000 acres that includes a country club, two eighteen hole golf courses and over 1,800 single family lots as well as developed outparcels. Since the project's inception in 1986 through December 31, 1993, WDC developed 913 homesites and sold 693 homesites and certain outparcels at Woodside Plantation providing revenues after closing costs of approximately $27.3 million. In December 1990, WDC sold the Woodside Plantation clubhouse, related golf courses, tennis and swimming facilities and amenities to Woodside Plantation Country Club, Inc. ("WPCC"), a subsidiary of Club Corporation of America, for approximately $6.8 million. Concurrent with the sale of the club and related amenities, WDC entered into a membership agreement with WPCC to purchase club memberships. In October 1993, WDC sold the assets of Woodside Cable, an operating division of WDC that provided cable television services, for approximately $1.1 million. In December 1993, WDC sold the remaining developed lots at Woodside Plantation, together with seven outparcels, the development and sales offices at Woodside Plantation, and the stock of Woodside Realty, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of WDC that provided real estate brokerage services for Woodside Plantation. In addition, the purchaser, Woodside Development Limited Partnership (the "Purchaser"), assumed WDC's liabilities related to the obligation to purchase memberships at Woodside Plantation Country Club. The Purchaser also entered into a two year option agreement to acquire from WDC approximately 1,000 acres of undeveloped land at Woodside Plantation. Palmetto Federal provided nonrecourse financing to the Purchaser of the developed lots and other assets of WDC in an aggregate amount of approximately $3.6 million. In addition, Palmetto Federal subsequently provided the Purchaser a $500,000 construction loan to build townhouses at Woodside Plantation and six separate construction loans in an aggregate amount of approximately $976,000 for further construction at Woodside Plantation. Due to slower than anticipated lot sales, the Purchaser was unable to service its acquisition debt and completed a restructuring of the indebtedness to the Bank in September 1995. The restructuring included the following terms: (1) the Company acquired 35 lots and reduced principal on the Purchaser's outstanding loans by $492,000; (2) the Company agreed to pay up to $330,000 toward joint marketing efforts over three years related to the 35 lots it received; (3) the Company granted a two year extension until December 31, 1997 of the Purchaser's option to purchase the remaining undeveloped acreage at Woodside Plantation; and (4) the Company paid $184,500 to WPCC under the membership agreement. The Company paid $110,000 and $98,000 toward joint marketing in 1995 and 1996, respectively. There are no assurances the Purchaser will exercise its option to acquire any of the undeveloped acreage at Woodside Plantation and the Purchaser may exercise the option to acquire only a portion of the optioned acreage. 20 The Company continues to have a significant concentration of risk related to Woodside Plantation, exclusive of loans to individual homeowners at Woodside Plantation, comprised of real estate held for development, acquisition and development loans, foreclosed real estate and a 50 percent interest in a partnership. The carrying values of these components were as follows at December 31: 1996 1995 1994 --------- -------- -------- (IN THOUSANDS) Undeveloped land: 1,000 acres........................................ $ 3,733 $ 3,733 $ 3,733 2 outparcels......................................................... 750 750 750 WPCC loans........................................................... 4,393 4,454 4,584 Loans to Woodside Development Limited Partnership.................... 2,308 3,311 3,100 Lots received in loan restructuring, including subsequent improvements....................................................... 708 492 Development loan to unrelated borrower............................... 150 525 Investment in and loans to partnership adjacent to Woodside Plantation......................................................... 457 613 698 ------- ------- ------- $12,499 $13,878 $12,865 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- The ability of WPCC to repay its loans to the Bank also is based in part on real estate sales at Woodside Plantation, which provides additional memberships for the Woodside Plantation County Club. Effective April 1, 1996, the Bank modified its loans to WPCC from amortizing to interest only for one year. See Note 10 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, including in the Company's 1996 Annual Report and incorporated herein by reference. The Rapids. PSC developed The Rapids project, a planned unit development of single family homesites located in North Augusta, South Carolina. In 1991, PSC sold part of the land and completed development of all of the 115 homesites it planned to develop at this project. Since the project's inception in 1986 through December 31, 1996, PSC has sold 77 homesites and 4 outparcels providing revenues after closing costs of $3.7 million. As of December 31, 1996, WDC has 38 homesites and two outparcels remaining held for sale at this project at a carrying value of $915,000. At December 31, 1996, Palmetto Federal had two outstanding construction loans to PSC for the construction of "spec" homes on two of the homesites at this project. The Company recently sold one of these homes and may build two additional speculative homes to facilitate the sale of these lots. Real Estate Partnerships. During 1996, PSC sold its interest in one real estate partnership. At December 31, 1996, PSC had an investment in one real estate partnership totaling $211,000. In 1996 that partnership had a net loss of approximately $1,400. The Bank had one outstanding loan to that partnership of $246,000 at December 31, 1996. 21 REGULATION General The Company is a savings and loan holding company subject to regulation, examination, supervision and reporting requirements of the OTS. As a savings association, Palmetto Federal is subject to extensive regulation by the OTS. The lending activities and other investments of Palmetto Federal must comply with various federal regulatory requirements, including regulations that require the maintenance of reserves against deposits, limiting the nature of loans and interest that may be charged thereon and restricting investments and other activities. In addition, federal and state regulatory agencies also have the authority to prevent a savings association from paying a dividend or engaging in any other activity that, in the opinion of the regulators, would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice. The OTS and FDIC periodically examine Palmetto Federal for compliance with various regulatory requirements, and Palmetto Federal must file reports with the OTS describing its activities and financial condition. Palmetto Federal is also subject to examination by the FDIC and must meet certain reserve requirements promulgated by the FRB. This supervision and regulation is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the federal deposit insurance fund. The regulatory structure gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. Any change in such policies, whether by the OTS, the FDIC or Congress, could have a material adverse impact on the Company and its operations. The Company also is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which include the filing of annual, quarterly and other reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Federal Savings and Loan Holding Company Regulation As the owner of all of the stock of Palmetto Federal, the Company is a savings and loan holding company subject to regulation by the OTS under the Home Owners' Loan Act (the "HOLA"). As a unitary savings and loan holding company owning only one savings association, the Company generally is allowed to engage and invest in a broad range of business activities not permitted to commercial bank holding companies or multiple savings and loan holding companies; provided that Palmetto Federal continues to qualify as a "Qualified Thrift Lender." See "Regulation of Palmetto Federal--Qualified Thrift Lender ("QTL") Test." In the event of any acquisition by the Company of another insured institution subsidiary, except for a supervisory acquisition, the Company would become a multiple savings and loan holding company and would be subject to extensive limitations on the types of business activities in which it could engage. The Company is prohibited from directly or indirectly acquiring control of any savings institution or savings and loan holding company without prior approval from the OTS or from acquiring more than 5% of any voting stock of any savings institution or savings and loan holding company which is not a subsidiary. No entity can acquire more than 10% of the stock of the Company without prior OTS approval (unless the acquisition is for investment purposes only and for not more than 24.9% of the Company's stock, and the required filings are made with the OTS). The HOLA provides that no company may acquire "control" of a savings association without the prior approval of the OTS. "Control" is generally denoted by a greater than 25% ownership interest in the savings association or its holding company. Any company that acquires such control becomes a "savings and loan holding company" subject to registration, examination and regulation by the OTS. Regulation of Palmetto Federal Supervisory Agreement. In connection with the 1992 OTS Report of Examination, which noted certain deficiencies and concerns regarding Woodside Plantation, the level of criticized assets and capital levels, the OTS exercised its discretion to treat Palmetto Federal as an institution requiring more than normal supervision under the provisions of OTS Regulatory Bulletin ("RB") 3a-1. Effective March 23, 1993, Palmetto Federal entered into a Supervisory Agreement with the OTS to ensure the correction of deficiencies noted by the OTS in the 1992 Examination. The Supervisory Agreement contained provisions related to the management and reduction of Palmetto Federal's loans 22 to and investments in Woodside Plantation; adoption and implementation of procedures and policies regarding the identification and reporting of troubled debt restructuring and accrual of interest on delinquent loans; preparation of detailed plans for disposing of troubled assets; preparation of strategic plans and capital maintenance plans for the Bank; and maintenance of a $7.2 million level of general valuation allowances. The Bank submitted to the OTS within the time periods provided in the Supervisory Agreement the budgets, strategic plans and appraisals mandated by the Supervisory Agreement, and adopted and implemented the policies and procedures required by the Supervisory Agreement. Following the 1994 OTS Examination, the OTS terminated the restrictions of RB 3a-1 in August 1994. In December 1994, the OTS terminated the remaining provisions of the Supervisory Agreement, subject to the Bank's continuing the policies and procedures that encompassed the intent of the Supervisory Agreement and continuing to adhere to the projections contained in the Bank's plans previously submitted to the OTS. Both actions by the OTS significantly reduced the level of regulatory restrictions on the Bank's operations. Additionally, the termination of the RB 3a-1 restrictions lowered the FDIC insurance premium rate paid by the Bank. Regulatory Capital Requirements. OTS regulations (the "Regulatory Capital Regulations") specify capital standards for thrifts consisting of three components, a "core capital" requirement, a "tangible capital" requirement and a "risk-based capital" requirement. The Regulatory Capital Regulations require savings associations to maintain core capital in an amount not less than 3% of adjusted total assets (the "leverage ratio") and to maintain tangible capital in an amount not less than 1.5% of adjusted total assets. Under the Regulatory Capital Regulations, thrifts are required to maintain capital equal to 8% of risk-weighted assets. The OTS requires assets to be weighted on the basis of risk and assigned a weighing factor of between 0% and 100%. Approximately one-half of risk-based capital must consist of core capital and one-half may consist of other preferred stock, a portion of general loan loss reserves and other hybrid capital instruments such as convertible and subordinated debentures. In determining compliance with the Regulatory Capital Regulations, all of a savings association's investments in and extensions of credit to any subsidiary engaged in activities not permissible for a national bank are deducted from the savings association's capital. For additional information concerning the Bank's compliance with the Regulation Capital Regulations, see Note 8 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report and incorporated herein by reference. Included in the calculations of the Bank's capital requirements are judgments and estimates of management. These judgments and estimates are subject to review and scrutiny by the OTS and FDIC. Prompt Corrective Action. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA") required each federal banking regulator to adopt a system of prompt corrective action, which provides for certain mandatory supervisory actions as well as additional discretionary supervisory actions if an institution's capital falls below certain levels. Under these regulations, each depository institution must be classified into one of five capital categories (well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, or critically undercapitalized) based on such institution's capitalization with respect to the capital measures established by the applicable regulatory agency. An institution is deemed to be (i) "well-capitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or more, has a core capital ratio of 6.0% or more, has a tangible capital ratio of 5.0% or more and is not subject to specified requirements to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure. All institutions are prohibited from making any capital distributions or paying a management fee to any controlling person if such action would cause the institution to fall into one of the undercapitalized categories. The OTS at its discretion may reclassify a savings association's capital category to the next lowest level (but not to the "critically undercapitalized" level) if it deems that association to be in an unsafe and unsound condition or if the savings association has received and not corrected a less than satisfactory rating for asset quality, management, earnings or liquidity in its most recent regulatory examination. The regulation also requires the regulators to take certain specified actions for institutions that are determined to fall within any of the three categories below the "adequately capitalized" level. These actions range from prohibiting an institution from making any capital distributions or paying management fees if the action would cause the institution to fall into the "undercapitalized category" to the appointment of a conservator or receiver for an institution that becomes "critically undercapitalized". Management believes Palmetto Federal is presently considered "well capitalized" under the FDIC's prompt corrective action guidelines. FDICIA directed the OTS and other federal banking agencies to revise their risk-based capital standards to ensure that the standards (i) take adequate account of interest rate risk, concentration of credit risk and the risks of 23 nontraditional activities, and (ii) reflect the actual performance and expected risk of loss of multifamily mortgages. Institutions with an "above-normal" degree of interest rate risk are required to maintain an additional amount of capital. In March 1995, the OTS delayed indefinitely the implementation of the interest rate risk component of the risk-based capital standard, which had been scheduled to be effective September 30, 1994. Safety and Soundness Standards. Federal banking regulations prescribe for all insured depository institutions and their holding companies standards relating to internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings, compensation, fees and benefits and such other operational and managerial standards as the agency deems appropriate. In general, the guidelines require, among other things, appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risks and exposures specified in the guidelines. The guidelines prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee, director, or principal stockholders. In addition, the regulations authorize, but do not require, an agency to order an institution that has been given notice by an agency that it is not satisfying any of such safety and soundness standards to submit a compliance plan. If an institution fails to submit an acceptable compliance plan or fails in any material respect to implement an accepted compliance plan, the agency must issue an order directing action to correct the deficiency and may issue an order directing other actions of the types to which an undercapitalized association is subject under the "prompt corrective action" provisions of FDICIA. If an institution fails to comply with such an order, the agency may seek to enforce such order in judicial proceedings and to impose civil money penalties. The federal bank regulatory agencies also proposed guidelines for asset quality and earnings standards. Liquidity Requirements. Palmetto Federal is required to maintain average daily balances of liquid assets (cash, certain time deposits, bankers' acceptances, highly rated corporate debt and commercial paper, securities of certain mutual funds and specified U.S. government, state or federal agency obligations) equal to not less than a specified percentage (currently 5%) of the average daily balance during the preceding calendar month of its net withdrawable accounts plus short-term borrowings. Member institutions are also required to maintain average daily balances of short-term liquid assets at a specified percentage (currently 1%) of the average daily balance during the preceding calendar month of the total of their net withdrawable accounts and borrowings payable in one year or less. Monetary penalties may be imposed for failure to meet liquidity requirements. At December 31, 1996 the long-term liquidity ratio of Palmetto Federal was 7.9% and the Bank was in compliance with its short-term liquidity requirement. Loans to One Borrower. With certain exceptions, the statutory provision limiting the ability of national banks to make loans to a single borrower is now applicable to savings associations in the same manner and to the same extent as it applies to national banks. In general, national banks may make loans to one borrower equal to 15% of the bank's unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus, plus an additional 10% of capital and surplus for loans secured by readily marketable collateral. At December 31, 1996, the current limit of 15% of capital and surplus equated to a limit of approximately $8.4 million. Equity Risk Investments. In addition to the Regulatory Capital Requirements, Palmetto Federal is subject to an "equity risk" regulation which limits the aggregate amount of its equity risk investments, which are defined to include investments in real estate, service corporations, operating subsidiaries and equity securities, as well as land loans and nonresidential construction loans with loan-to-value ratios greater than 80%. The regulation also imposes certain qualitative restrictions on otherwise permissible investments in equity securities. Under the regulation, the equity risk investments of thrift institutions which meet their minimum regulatory capital requirements and have "tangible capital" (i.e., equity capital, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, minus goodwill and other intangible assets, plus qualifying subordinated debt and qualifying nonpermanent preferred stock) equal to or greater than 6% of total assets may make aggregate equity risk investments in an amount up to three times their tangible capital. A thrift institution that meets its regulatory capital requirements and has tangible capital of less than 6% of total assets may make aggregate equity risk investments in an amount equal to the greater of 3% of total assets or two and one-half times tangible capital. Regulatory approval is required if an institution's equity risk investments exceed the foregoing limitations or for any equity risk investments by institutions which fail to meet their minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements. At December 31, 1996, Palmetto Federal's level of equity risk investments complied with the foregoing requirements. 24 Qualified Thrift Lender ("QTL") Test. All savings associations are required to qualify as a qualified thrift lender ("QTL") to avoid certain restrictions on their operations. If Palmetto Federal should in the future fail to maintain its status as a QTL (in three of four calendar quarters in two of every three years), Palmetto Federal would be subject to certain penalties, including conversion to a bank charter or compliance with the restrictions imposed for noncompliance. Under current OTS regulations implementing the QTL Test, Palmetto Federal either must qualify as a domestic building and loan association under the Internal Revenue Code or maintain at least 65% of portfolio assets in certain investments ("Qualified Thrift Investments"). Qualified Thrift Inestments must equal or exceed 65% of portfolio assets on a monthly average basis in nine out of every twelve months, and include (i) domestic residential or manufactured housing loans, (ii) home equity loans, (iii) mortgage-backed securities backed by residential or manufactured housing collateral, (iv) obligations issued by the federal deposit insurance agencies, and (v) shares of stock issued by any federal home loan bank. Part of the regulatory relief provisions of the SAIF recapitalization legislation liberalized the lending authority of thrifts and amended the QTL Test to count education, small business and credit card loans in the same manner as mortgage loans for satisfying the QTL Test and to expand the amount of consumer loans that count as Qualified Thrift Investments. At December 31, 1996, approximately 66.7% of Palmetto Federal's portfolio assets were invested in Qualified Thrift Investments. Community Reinvestment. Under the Community Reinvestment Act (the "CRA"), Palmetto Federal has an affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution's discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA requires the OTS, in connection with its examination of an institution, to assess the institution's record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by such institution. In its most recent CRA examination of Palmetto Federal in 1993, the OTS assigned the Bank an "Outstanding" regulatory evaluation for the Bank's fulfillment of the requirements of the CRA. Dividends. OTS regulations limit the payment of dividends on common stock by Palmetto Federal to PALFED. Interest on deposit accounts must be paid prior to payment of dividends on common stock. Income appropriated to bad debt reserves and deducted for federal income tax purposes cannot be used to pay cash dividends without the payment of federal income taxes by Palmetto Federal on the amount of such income removed from reserves at the then current income tax rate. Under regulations enforced by the OTS, Palmetto Federal is not permitted to pay dividends on its common stock if its regulatory capital would thereby be reduced below the amount required for the liquidation account or the Regulatory Capital Requirements prescribed for institutions insured by the FDIC. Under OTS regulations, the ability of a savings association to make capital distributions, such as dividends, is tied to an institution's capital or "Tier" ranking. Payment of dividends by the Bank to the Company is subject to certain restrictions and would require prior notice to and approval of the OTS. In 1995 and 1996 Palmetto Federal did not pay or declare any dividends to PALFED. Transactions with Affiliates. Transactions between Palmetto Federal and an affiliate are subject to Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended (the "FRA"). FRA Section 23A limits the aggregate amount of certain transactions with any single affiliate to 10% of the capital and surplus of the financial institution and the aggregate amount of such transactions with all affiliates to 20% of the institution's capital and surplus. Certain transactions with affiliates, such as loans to affiliates or guaranties, acceptances and letters of credit issued on behalf of affiliates, are required to be collateralized by collateral in an amount and of a type described in the statute. The purchase of low quality assets from affiliates is generally prohibited. FRA Section 23B requires all transactions with affiliates, including loans and asset purchases, to be on arms-length terms. In addition, thrifts may not (i) make any loan or other extension of credit to an affiliate unless that affiliate is engaged only in activities permissible for bank holding companies; and (ii) purchase or invest in securities issued by an affiliate, other than securities of a subsidiary. The OTS may for reasons of safety and soundness impose more stringent restrictions on savings associations than those set forth in Sections 23A and 23B. Palmetto Federal's authority to extend credit to executive officers, directors and 10% shareholders, as well as entities controlled by such persons, is currently governed by Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the FRA, and Regulation O thereunder. Among other things, these regulations require that such loans be made on terms and conditions substantially the same as those offered to unaffiliated individuals and not involve more than the normal risk of repayment. Regulation 25 O also places individual and aggregate limits on the amount of loans the FRA may make to such persons based, in part, on its capital position. Additional OTS restrictions, in part, require that a savings association retain detailed records of transactions with affiliates and in certain circumstances, to notify the OTS prior to any transactions with affiliates. Deposit Insurance Deposits of Palmetto Federal are insured by the FDIC and are subject to the deposit insurance assessments of the SAIF. Under the FDIC's risk-based premium system, the Palmetto Federal's deposit insurance premium generally depends upon the amount of Palmetto Federal's deposits and the risk that Palmetto Federal poses to the SAIF. Under these risk-related insurance regulations, an institution is classified according to capital and supervisory factors. Institutions are assigned to one of three capital groups: "well capitalized," "adequately capitalized" or "under capitalized." Within each capital group, institutions are assigned to one of three supervisory subgroups. There are nine combinations of groups and subgroups (or assessment risk classifications) to which varying assessment rates are applicable. Deposit insurance premiums for members of both the Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF") and the SAIF were established for each fund to achieve a 1.25% designated ratio of reserves to insured deposits. The BIF reached the 1.25% reserve level in 1995 and in August 1995, the FDIC reduced the premiums for BIF member banks. The Deposit Insurance Funds Act of 1996, signed by the President on September 30, 1996, recapitalized the SAIF through a special assessment to bring it up to the same reserve level as the BIF. The Bank's $3.3 million assessment equaled 65.7 cents per $100 of insured deposits outstanding as of March 31, 1995. Following the SAIF recapitalization, the FDIC reduced deposit insurance premiums for thrifts. For the semi-annual period beginning January 1, 1997, the assessments imposed on all FDIC deposits for deposit insurance have an effective rate ranging from 0 to 27 basis points per $100 of insured deposits, depending on the institution's capital position and other supervisory factors. Palmetto Federal has been notified that its SAIF assessment rate is 3 cents for the period from January 1, 1997 to June 30, 1997. The SAIF recapitalization legislation also provides that the assessment base for the bonds issued in the late 1980's by the Financing Corporation to recapitalize the now defunct Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation would be expanded to include deposits of both BIF-insured and SAIF-insured institutions. Previously, the thrifts paid the entire cost of these bond payments. In addition to the deposit insurance premiums, banks and thrifts will pay 1.29 cents and 6.48 cents, respectively, per $100 of deposits. After January 1, 2000, both banks and thrifts will pay 2.43 cents per $100 of deposits. These rates are only for FICO interest and further premiums could be assessed. In addition to deposit insurance premiums, savings institutions also must bear a portion of the administrative costs of the OTS through an assessment based on the level of total assets of each insured institution. Federal Home Loan Bank System Palmetto Federal continues to be a member of the FHLBS, which consists of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks subject to supervision and regulation by the Federal Housing Finance Board ("FHFB"). The FHLBs provide a central credit facility primarily for member institutions. As a member of the FHLBA, Palmetto Federal is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the FHLBA in an amount at least equal to the greater of 1.0% of its residential mortgage loans or 5% of outstanding FHLBA advances. Palmetto Federal was in compliance with this requirement with an investment in FHLBA stock at December 31, 1996 of approximately $10.9 million valued at cost. On January 3, 1997, the FHLBA redeemed approximately $7.0 million of the Company's FHLBA stock which was in excess of the Bank's required minimum amount. The FHLBA serves as a reserve or central bank for member institutions within its assigned region. It is funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLBS. It makes advances to members in accordance with policies and procedures established by the FHFB and the Board of Directors of the FHLBA. Long-term advances may be made only for the purpose of providing funds for financing residential housing. As of December 31, 1996 Palmetto Federal had approximately $68.4 million in advances from the FHLBA. 26 Federal Reserve System Pursuant to regulations of the FRB, a thrift institution must maintain average daily reserves equal to a percentage of deposits specified by the FRB. Because required reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash or in a non-interest-bearing account at a Federal Reserve Bank, the effect of the reserve requirement is to reduce the amount of the institution's interest-earning assets. As of December 31, 1996 Palmetto Federal met its reserve requirement of $1.4 million. CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITION OF PALFED Regulatory Restrictions Federal laws and regulations contain a number of provisions which affect the direct or indirect acquisition of savings institutions such as Palmetto Federal and, consequently, The OTS regulations generally require prior approval of the OTS for acquisitions of control of savings institutions or savings and loan holding companies. Control is conclusively presumed to exist if, among other things, a person acquires more than 25% of any class of voting stock of the institution or holding company or controls in any manner the election of a majority of the directors of the insured institution or the holding company. Control is rebuttably presumed to exist if, among other things, a person acquires more than ten percent of any class of voting stock (or 25% of any class of stock) and is subject to any of certain specified "control factors". See "Regulation--Federal Savings and Loan Holding Company Regulation." Restrictions in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws Several provisions of PALFED's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws concerning matters of corporate governance and certain rights of shareholders might be deemed to have a potential "antitakeover" effect. These provisions may have the effect of discouraging a future takeover attempt which is not approved by the Board of Directors, but which individual shareholders of PALFED may deem to be in their best interest or in which shareholders may receive a substantial premium for their shares over then current market prices. As a result, shareholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have an opportunity to do so. Such provisions will also render the removal of the current Board of Directors and management more difficult. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of PALFED is divided into three classes, each of which contains approximately one-third of the aggregate number of the members of the Board. Each class serves a staggered term, with approximately one-third of the total number of directors being elected each year. A classified board of directors could make it more difficult for shareholders, including those holding a majority of the outstanding shares, to force an immediate change in the composition of a majority of the board of directors. Since the terms of only one-third of the incumbent directors expire each year, it requires at least two annual elections for the shareholders to change a majority, whereas a majority of a non-classified board may be changed in one year. Cumulative Voting. The Articles of Incorporation of PALFED prohibit cumulative voting for the election of directors. Business Combination Provision. PALFED's Articles of Incorporation provide that PALFED may engage in certain "Business Combination" transactions (as defined) with an "Interested Shareholder" (as defined) only if approved by the holders of not less than 80% of the outstanding PALFED stock, unless (i) the Business Combination is approved by a majority of the "Continuing Directors" or (ii) the consideration to be received by the shareholders of PALFED satisfies certain "fair price" criteria. If either of the above two exemptions to the 80% shareholder vote required is present, the shareholder vote required to approve the Business Combination will be lower. The primary purpose of this supermajority shareholder vote requirement for a Business Combination is to discourage attempts by other corporations or groups to acquire control of PALFED through the acquisition of a substantial number of shares followed by a forced merger. In such a situation shareholders may not receive a fair price for their shares as determined through arms-length negotiations. This provision is designed to prevent a purchaser from utilizing two-tier pricing and similar tactics in an 27 attempt to take over PALFED, and helps to assure that all shareholders of PALFED will be treated equally if a merger or other business combination is effected. Authorized Shares. The Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Shareholders of PALFED do not have preemptive rights to subscribe for or to purchase additional shares of PALFED stock which may be issued. The Board of Directors has sole authority to determine the terms of any one or more series of the preferred stock, including voting rights, conversion rates, and liquidation preferences. As a result of the ability to fix voting rights for a series of preferred stock, the Board has the power to issue a series of preferred stock to persons friendly to management in order to attempt to block a post-tender offer merger or other transaction by which a third party seeks control, and thereby assist management to retain its position. Anti-Takeover Effects of Management Contracts and Stock Plans Certain provisions of the Company's executive salary continuation agreements, stock option plans, restricted stock grant plan, and the Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan, particularly those pertaining to payments, benefits and acceleration of vesting periods in the event of a change in control, may discourage a takeover attempt as a result of the increased cost to be incurred by the Company and the amount of Common Stock which would be controlled directly by the directors, officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and indirectly through the Company's stock plans. South Carolina Control Share Acquisition Act Sections 35-2-101 through 35-2-111 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976 (the "Control Share Acquisition Act" or the "Act") provide that if a person acquires in one or a series of related transactions an amount of stock equal to one-fifth or more of all of the voting power of a corporation subject to the Act in a "control share acquisition" (as defined in the Act), such shares have only such voting rights as are accorded them by resolution adopted by the majority of shareholders of the corporation. As a South Carolina corporation, PALFED is subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act. Under the Control Share Acquisition Act, "control shares" are shares that except for the Act would have voting power that would entitle a person immediately after acquisition of such shares to exercise or direct voting power in the election of directors within any of the following ranges of voting power, (1) one-fifth or more but less than one-third of all voting power, (2) one-third or more but less than a majority of all voting power, or (3) a majority or more of all voting power. Pursuant to the Act, a person who makes a control share acquisition may deliver to a corporation subject to the Act an acquiring person statement which sets forth (i) the identity of the acquiring person, (ii) a statement that the acquiring person statement is given pursuant to the Act, (iii) the number of shares owned by the acquiring person, and each other member of the acquiring person group, and (iv) the range of voting power (more than one-fifth but less than one-third, more than one-third but less than a majority, or a majority or more) under which the control share acquisition falls. Upon receipt of an acquiring person statement, then the voting rights to be accorded the control shares must be presented at the next annual or special meeting of shareholders. 28 TAXATION PALFED and its subsidiaries file consolidated federal income tax returns on a December 31 tax year. Prior to 1996, savings institutions, such as Palmetto Federal, that met certain definitional tests and other conditions prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), were allowed to determine its bad debt deduction for tax purposes based on either the experience method (the "bad debt reserve method") or the percentage of taxable income method (limited to 8.0% of taxable income before such deduction). The Company used the experience method in 1995 and 1994 since this method provided a more favorable bad debt deduction. The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 repealed the bad debt reserve method for thrifts effective January 1, 1996 and suspends recapture of bad debt reserves taken through 1987 (i.e., the base year reserve), but requires thrifts to recapture or repay bad debt deductions taken after 1987 over 6 years beginning in 1996. As of December 31, 1995, PALFED's bad debt reserves subject to recapture, for which deferred taxes previously have been provided, totalled $3.0 million. Thrifts meeting certain home mortgage lending tests may defer repayment for an additional 2 years, and the Company believes it will qualify for this additional 2-year deferral. As a result, all thrifts, including the Bank, will be required to change from the reserve method to either the specific chargeoff method (available to all thrifts) or the experience method (available only to thrifts that qualify as "small banks," i.e., under $500 million in assets measured on a controlled group basis) to compute the tax bad debt deduction. During 1994, the Internal Revenue Service completed an examination of the Company's consolidated federal income tax returns through 1991. The examination resulted in an income tax refund of $1.2 million and interest on the refund of approximately $800,000, net of related fees and expenses. Subsequent to the completion of the IRS examination, Palmetto Federal filed amended South Carolina state income tax returns and received funds and related interest of approximately $285,000 in 1994. PALFED and its subsidiaries are subject to South Carolina and Georgia state income taxes which are imposed at a rate of 6% of taxable income. Both South Carolina and Georgia taxable income are computed in the same manner as federal taxable income with certain modifications. Accounting for Income Taxes. Under SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," the Company is not required to recognize a deferred tax liability with respect to the base year reserve, unless it becomes apparent that this temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future. This temporary difference will become taxable in the event the Company no longer qualifies as a bank for Federal income tax purposes. The cumulative amount of this temporary difference for which the Company is not required to recognize a deferred tax liability is equal to the amount of its tax base year reserve as of December 31, 1987 of approximately $2.9 million. See Notes 1 and 7 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report and incorporated herein by reference. 29 Item 2. Properties. The Company's corporate headquarters is located at 107 Chesterfield Street South, Aiken, South Carolina. Palmetto Federal has an operations center in Aiken and operates 22 full service banking offices. The Bank's mortgage lending division operates eight mortgage lending offices in Aiken, Beaufort, Charleston, Columbia, Hilton Head Island, North Augusta, and Lexington, South Carolina, and in Martinez, Georgia. A list of the Company's properties is set forth on page 46 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference. The Bank owns its headquarters and operations center and 12 of its 21 branch banking offices. The Bank leases its branches that are located in Kroger Supermarkets in North Augusta and Aiken, its branch located in a Wal-Mart Superstore in Columbia, and its branches in Beaufort, Burton, Charleston and Mount Pleasant. The Bank also leases one of its branches in Hilton Head Island. In 1996, the Bank opened 3 new banking offices in Lexington, Charleston and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and one mortgage office in Columbia, South Carolina. The Bank purchased its Lexington office for approximately $300,000 and is leasing the other new offices. The Company's capital expenditures for its four new offices opened in 1996 were $398,000, principally for computers, office equipment and furniture. Data Processing Systems. Palmetto Federal owns and leases data processing equipment consisting of computers, terminals and communications equipment. Palmetto Federal also owns personal computers used for new account setup, accounting spreadsheets, personnel records, and word processing. Palmetto Federal conducts in-house data processing of its deposits and loans on a mainframe computer through the use of applications software licensed by a third party vendor. The system, which operates in both an on-line, real-time environment as well as a proof-of-deposit environment, supports teller terminals and video display terminals located in Palmetto Federal offices and branches. In 1996, the Company upgraded its branch network computer equipment and software for approximately $240,000. At December 31, 1996, the net book value of premises and equipment owned by the Company was approximately $6.0 million. The information set forth in Notes 1 and 10 of the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report, is incorporated herein by reference. Item 3. Legal Proceedings. The Bank is periodically involved as plaintiff or defendant in various legal actions incident to its business, none of which are believed by management to be material to the financial condition of the Company or its subsidiaries. On August 3, 1995, the Company and Palmetto Federal filed suit against the United States in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims seeking damages arising out of the breach of agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank Board for the inclusion of supervisory goodwill in Palmetto Federal's regulatory capital. The suit relates to the 1982 acquisition by Palmetto Federal of First Federal and the supervisory goodwill arising from that acquisition. No prediction can be made as to whether the suit will be successful, or if successful, what damages might be awarded. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. No matter was submitted by the Company to a vote of its shareholders during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1996. 30 Executive Officers of PALFED and its Subsidiaries The executive officers of PALFED and its subsidiaries are as follows: POSITION(S) WITH NAME AGE PALFED OR PALMETTO FEDERAL - ------------------- --- --------------------------------------------- W. Barry Adams 48 Executive Vice President, Community Banking and Marketing, of Palmetto Federal, Senior Vice President of PALFED Investment Patrick D. Cunning 49 Director, Executive Vice President, Asset Management, of Palmetto Federal, President of PSC and WDC Joe W. DeVore 63 Executive Vice President and Senior Lending Officer of Palmetto Federal Howard M. Hickey, Jr. 49 Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Holly Z. Johnson 40 Executive Vice President, Director of Human Affairs and Training, of Palmetto Federal Darrell R. Rains 40 Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Michael B. Smith 40 Senior Vice President and Controller John C. Troutman 57 President and Chief Executive Officer Messrs. Troutman, Rains, Hickey and Smith serve in the same capacity for Palmetto Federal as they do for PALFED. W. Barry Adams was named an Executive Vice President, Community Banking and Marketing, of Palmetto Federal in 1992. From 1984 to 1992 he was a Senior Vice President, Deposit Services, of Palmetto Federal. Mr. Adams joined Palmetto Federal in 1974. Patrick D. Cunning is an Executive Vice President of Palmetto Federal and serves as President of Woodside Development Company of Aiken, Inc. and Palmetto Service Corporation. Prior to being named President of Palmetto Service Corporation, Mr. Cunning was Chief Appraiser and Vice President of Palmetto Service Corporation, which he joined in 1975. Joe W. DeVore was named Executive Vice President and Senior Lending Officer of Palmetto Federal in January 1995. Mr. DeVore previously served as Senior Vice President and Senior Lending Officer of Palmetto Federal since June 1990. Prior to being named Senior Lending Officer, Mr. DeVore was Senior Vice President, Consumer/Commercial Lending of Palmetto Federal. He joined Palmetto Federal in December 1981. 31 Howard M. Hickey, Jr. has served as General Counsel of PALFED since 1986 and as Secretary of PALFED since April 1988. Mr. Hickey joined Palmetto Federal in 1986 as a Vice President and General Counsel, was named Senior Vice President in 1988, and was named an Executive Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Compliance and Security in 1992. Holly Z. Johnson was named Executive Vice President of Human Affairs and Training of Palmetto Federal in January 1997. She previously had served as a Senior Vice President since January 1994. Ms. Johnson joined Palmetto Federal in 1986 as Director of Human Resources, was named Assistant Vice President in 1987 and was named Vice President in 1990. Darrell R. Rains serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of PALFED. Prior to being named an Executive Vice President in 1992, Mr. Rains had served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PALFED since April 1990 and as Treasurer of PALFED since 1989. Mr. Rains joined Palmetto Federal in June 1984. Michael B. Smith has served as Senior Vice President since January 1994. Mr. Smith joined PALFED in April 1989 as Vice President and Controller. From December 1987 to April 1989, he was an agency accountant with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. John C. Troutman became the President and Chief Executive Officer of PALFED and Palmetto Federal on March 1, 1993. Prior to 1993, he held a number of positions with Citizens and Southern National Bank (now NationsBank), most recently as the Southeast Florida Commercial Division Manager for NationsBank. From 1989 to 1992 he was Regional Executive Vice President, East Coast of Florida for Citizens and Southern National Bank of Florida. 32 PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters. PALFED's Common Stock is traded in the over-the-counter market and is quoted in the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "PALM". As of February 12, 1997, there were approximately 579 shareholders of record. The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices of the Company's Common Stock for the periods indicated as reported on the Nasdaq National Market System. PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK --------------------------- HIGH LOW --------- --------- 1996 First Quarter $13.25 $11.25 Second Quarter 13.50 11.88 Third Quarter 14.75 11.63 Fourth Quarter 15.25 13.00 1995 First Quarter $ 9.63 $ 7.00 Second Quarter 11.25 8.63 Third Quarter 12.25 11.00 Fourth Quarter 13.25 11.00 The Company's ability to pay dividends is limited only by certain requirements generally imposed on South Carolina corporations. Under South Carolina law, corporations generally may pay dividends only out of unreserved and unrestricted earned surplus. In 1996, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share and aggregate cash dividends of $418,000. In January, 1997 the Company increased the quarterly cash dividend to $0.03 per share. Payment of dividends by the Bank to the Company is subject to certain restrictions and would require prior notice to and approval of the OTS. Item 6. Selected Financial Data. The selected financial data set forth under "Selected Financial Data" appearing on page 6 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference in response to the information required by this Item. Item 7. Management's Discussion and analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The information set forth under "Management's Discussion and Analysis" appearing on pages 7 through 17 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference in response to the information required by this Item. 33 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. The Consolidated Financial Statements of PALFED, Inc. and Subsidiaries, together with a report thereon of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. dated February 22, 1997, which report includes an explanatory paragraph concerning changes in the Company's methods of accounting for impaired loans and mortgage servicing rights in 1995, appearing on pages 18 to 42 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report are incorporated herein by reference in response to the information required by this Item. Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. PALFED has not, within the twenty-four months preceding its financial statements as of December 31, 1996, filed or been required to file a Form 8-K (i) reporting a change of accountants, or (ii) reporting a disagreement on any matter of accounting principles or practices or financial statement disclosure. PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant. Information concerning the directors of PALFED and the executive officers who are directors of PALFED is set forth in PALFED's Proxy Statement for the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 22, 1997 (the "1997 Proxy Statement") under the caption entitled "Election of Directors-- Information as to Nominees and Other Directors" and is incorporated herein by reference in response to the information required by this Item. Information concerning executive officers of PALFED is contained in a separate section entitled "Executive Officers of PALFED and its Subsidiaries" in Part I of this Report and is incorporated herein by reference in response to the information required by this Item. The information concerning compliance with section 16(a) of the Exchange Act appearing on page 5 of the 1997 Proxy Statement under the heading "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" is incorporated herein by reference in response to the information required by this Item. Item 11. Executive Compensation. The information set forth at pages 12 to 17 in the 1997 Proxy Statement under the heading entitled "Executive Compensation and Other Information" is incorporated herein by reference in response to the information required by this Item. Pursuant to Item 402(a)(9) of Regulation S-K, as promulgated by the SEC, the material appearing in the 1997 Proxy Statement on pages 8 to 11 under the headings "Compensation Committee Report" and "Shareholder Return" shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" to be "filed" with the SEC or to be subject to Regulations 14A or 14C, other than as provided in Item 402, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and no general incorporation of such material by reference, whether made before or after the date hereof, shall be deemed to specifically request that it be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act within the meaning of Item 402(a)(9). 34 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management. Information concerning the security ownership of the Company's Common Stock is set forth in the 1997 Proxy Statement under the heading "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" and is incorporated herein by reference in response to the information required by this Item. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. The information set forth under the caption "Transactions with Officers and Directors" on pages 17 and 18 in the 1997 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference in response to the information required by this Item. PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K. (a) Documents. The consolidated financial statements of PALFED, Inc. and Subsidiaries contained in the Company's 1996 Annual Report incorporated by reference in this report are listed below in response to the information required by this item: PAGE ------ (1) Financial Statements: Report of Independent Accountants................... 18 Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition...... 19 Consolidated Statements of Income................... 20 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity..... 21 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows............... 22 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......... 24 (2) Financial Statement Schedules: All schedules have been omitted as the required information is either inapplicable or shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto. 35 (3) Exhibits: 3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of PALFED, Inc.(1) 3.2 Bylaws of PALFED, Inc., as amended.(2) 10.1* Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option Plan.(3) 10.2* PALFED, Inc. Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan.(4) 10.3* PALFED, Inc. Amended and Restated Director Stock Plan.(5) 10.4* PALFED, Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan.(6) 10.5* PALFED, Inc. 1993 Restricted Stock Incentive Award Plan.(7) 10.6* PALFED, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (8) 10.7 Membership Agreement dated December 27, 1990 between Woodside Development Company of Aiken, Inc. and Woodside Plantation Country Club, Inc. for the purchase of club memberships.(9) 10.8 Option Agreement dated December 30, 1993 by and between Woodside Development Company of Aiken, Inc. and Woodside Development Limited Partnership.(10) 10.9* Form of Executive Salary Continuation Agreement dated as of November 1, 1996 among PALFED, Inc., Palmetto Federal Savings Bank of South Carolina and each of the following officers: John C. Troutman, W. Barry Adams, Patrick D. Cunning, Joe W. DeVore, Howard M. Hickey, Jr., Holly Z. Johnson, John Mullen, III, Darrell R. Rains and Michael B. Smith.(11) 11 Statement Regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings. 13 Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1996 (except for those portions which are expressly incorporated by reference in this filing) is furnished for the information of the SEC and is not to be deemed "filed" as part of this filing. 21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant. 23 Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants. 27 Financial Data Schedule 99.1 Annual Report on Form 11-K for PALFED, Inc. Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan (to be filed by amendment). - ------------------------ * Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. (1) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to PALFED's Registration Statement on Form S-2, File Number 33-65338, filed with the Commission on July 1, 1993. (2) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to PALFED's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 21, 1996, filed with the Commission on October 22, 1996. (3) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to PALFED's Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 33-23667, filed with the Commission on August 10, 1988. (4) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to PALFED's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 33-65482, filed with the Commission on September 16, 1994. 36 - ------------------------ (5) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to PALFED's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 33-93276, filed with the Commission on May 20, 1996. (6) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to PALFED's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 33-65484, filed with the Commission on May 20, 1996. (7) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to PALFED's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 33-65480, filed with the Commission on May 20, 1996. (8) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to PALFED's Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 333-00615, filed with the Commission on February 1, 1996. (9) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to PALFED's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990, as amended by Form 8, filed with the Commission on May 24, 1993. (10) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to PALFED's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, filed with the Commission on March 31, 1994. (11) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to PALFED's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996, filed with the Commission on November 14, 1996. (b) Reports on Form 8-K. The Company filed the following reports on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1996: (i) Form 8-K dated October 21, 1996 reporting the adoption of amendments to the Company's Bylaws; and (ii) Form 8-K dated November 20, 1996 reporting the receipt of a shareholder proposal for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement for the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 37 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. PALFED, INC. By: /s/ John C. Troutman March 25, 1997 -------------------------------- John C. Troutman, President and Chief Executive Officer 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/ Albert H. Peters, Jr. March 25, 1997 -------------------------------- Albert H. Peters, Jr. Chairman of the Board By: /s/ John C. Troutman March 25, 1997 -------------------------------- John C. Troutman, President and Chief Executive Officer By: /s/ Darrell R. Rains March 25, 1997 -------------------------------- Darrell R. Rains, Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer By: /s/ Michael B. Smith March 25, 1997 -------------------------------- Michael B. Smith, Senior Vice President and Controller By: /s/ William F. Cochrane March 25, 1997 -------------------------------- William F. Cochrane, Director By: /s/ Patrick D. Cunning March 25, 1997 -------------------------------- Patrick D. Cunning, Director (Signatures continued on next page) 38 By: /s/ Edward Larry Hutto March 25, 1997 -------------------------------- Edward Larry Hutto, Director By: March 25, 1997 -------------------------------- Harold D. Kingsmore, Director By: /s/ R. Bruce McBratney March 25, 1997 -------------------------------- R. Bruce McBratney, Director By: /s/ Ambrose L. Schwallie March 25, 1997 -------------------------------- Ambrose L. Schwallie, Director By: /s/ Charles E. Simons, III March 25, 1997 -------------------------------- Charles E. Simons, III, Director * * * 39 SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED INDEX TO EXHIBITS PAGE ----------------- ----------- 3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of PALFED, Inc.(1) 3.2 Bylaws of PALFED, Inc., as amended.(2) 10.1* Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option Plan.(3) 10.2* PALFED, Inc. Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan.(4) 10.3* PALFED, Inc. Amended and Restated Director Stock Plan.(5) 10.4* PALFED, Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan.(6) 10.5* PALFED, Inc. 1993 Restricted Stock Incentive Award Plan.(7) 10.6* PALFED, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (8) 10.7 Membership Agreement dated December 27, 1990 between Woodside Development Company of Aiken, Inc. and Woodside Plantation Country Club, Inc. for the purchase of club memberships.(9) 10.8 Option Agreement dated December 30, 1993 by and between Woodside Development Company of Aiken, Inc. and Woodside Development Limited Partnership.(10) 10.9* Form of Executive Salary Continuation Agreement dated as of November 1, 1996 among PALFED, Inc., Palmetto Federal Savings Bank of South Carolina and each of the following officers: John C. Troutman, W. Barry Adams, Patrick D. Cunning, Joe W. DeVore, Howard M. Hickey, Jr., Holly Z. Johnson, John Mullen, III, Darrell R. Rains and Michael B. Smith.(11) 11 Statement Regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings. 13 Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1996 (except for those portions which are expressly incorporated by reference in this filing) is furnished for the information of the SEC and is not to be deemed "filed" as part of this filing. 21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant. 23 Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants. 27 Financial Data Schedule 99.1 Annual Report on Form 11-K for PALFED, Inc. Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan (to be filed by amendment). - ------------------------ * Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. (1) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to PALFED's Registration Statement on Form S-2, File Number 33-65338, filed with the Commission on July 1, 1993. (2) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to PALFED's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 21, 1996, filed with the Commission on October 22, 1996. 40 - ------------------------ (3) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to PALFED's Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 33-23667, filed with the Commission on August 10, 1988. (4) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to PALFED's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 33-65482, filed with the Commission on September 16, 1994. (5) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to PALFED's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 33-93276, filed with the Commission on May 20, 1996. (6) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to PALFED's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 33-65484, filed with the Commission on May 20, 1996. (7) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to PALFED's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 33-65480, filed with the Commission on May 20, 1996. (8) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to PALFED's Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 333-00615, filed with the Commission on February 1, 1996. (9) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to PALFED's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990, as amended by Form 8, filed with the Commission on May 24, 1993. (10) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to PALFED's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, filed with the Commission on March 31, 1994. (11) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to PALFED's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996, filed with the Commission on November 14, 1996. 41