================================================================================ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ----------------------- FORM 10-K/A [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For year ended December 31, 1997 ----------------- OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ________________________________ COMMISSION FILE #0-27685. 1ST BERGEN BANCORP ------------------------------------------------------ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) NEW JERSEY 22-3409845 - ------------------------------- --------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) incorporation or organization) 250 VALLEY BOULEVARD, WOOD-RIDGE, NEW JERSEY 07075 ------------------------------------------------------------ (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code) (201) 939-3400 ---------------------------------------------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE PER SHARE ------------------------------------ (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 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 the Form 10-K. [X] As of March 20, 1998, there were issued and outstanding 2,741,935 shares of the registrant's Common Stock. The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the $20.75 closing price of such stock as of March 20, 1998, was $47,737,554. (The exclusion from such amount of the market value of the shares owned by any person shall not be deemed an admission by the registrant that such person is an affiliate of the registrant). ================================================================================ 1ST BERGEN BANCORP ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS 1st Bergen Bancorp (the "Company") is a New Jersey business corporation and unitary savings and loan holding company under the Home Owner's Loan Act of 1933, as amended (the "HOLA"). The Company was incorporated on November 28, 1995, for the purpose of acquiring South Bergen Savings Bank (the "Bank") in connection with the Bank's conversion from the mutual form of ownership to the stock form of ownership. Management of the Bank believed that establishing a holding company structure in connection with the mutual to stock conversion would facilitate certain operations of the Bank, including acquisition of other financial institutions, and provide additional financial flexibility for the growth of the Bank. On March 29, 1996, the Bank converted from the mutual to stock form and the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of the Bank. The principal activities of the Company are owning and supervising the Bank. The Bank is a federally chartered savings bank, one of whose predecessor institutions was founded in 1890. The Bank converted from a New Jersey state chartered savings and loan association to a federally chartered savings bank in November 1995. The Bank's principal business is attracting retail deposits from the general public and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations and principal payments, primarily in one- to four-family residential mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities and, to a lesser extent, consumer and other loans and investment securities. The Bank's revenues are derived principally from interest on its mortgage loan and mortgage-backed securities portfolio and interest and dividends on its investment securities. The Bank's primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and mortgage-backed securities and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, South Bergen Financial Services, Inc., the Bank also engages in the sale of annuity investment products. The Bank has historically operated through its main office located in Wood-Ridge and its branch in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Since consummation of the Bank's mutual to stock conversion, the Company, seeking to expand its franchise through the establishment of new offices, has opened a supermarket branch in Wanaque, Passaic County, in September of 1996, and a stand alone branch in Montville, Morris County, in March 1997. The Company seeks to use expansion of its branch network as a means of expanding its existing trade area and entering into new trade areas. Management believes that these three areas are growing economically and are not adequately served by branches of the Bank's larger competitors. In addition, Management of the Company is familiar with these areas. Therefore, Management believes that expansion of the Company's trade area into these locations will provide the Company with additional opportunities to grow. The Company intends to continue to establish additional branches in locations which Management believes are underserved by larger institutions and which have a need for the Company's products and services. New branches may either be supermarket branches or traditional stand-alone branches. These additional branches may constitute an additional presence in trade areas currently served by the Company or expansion into new trade areas. MARKET AREA AND COMPETITION The Company conducts business as a community-oriented savings bank, offering a variety of financial services to meet the needs of the communities it serves. The Company's primary market area for deposit gathering includes the neighborhoods surrounding its four offices. The Bank operates two offices in Bergen County and one each in Morris and Passaic Counties, New Jersey. The Company's primary market area for loan originations is northern and central New Jersey, although the Company originates loans throughout the State of New Jersey. - 2 - The Company faces significant competition both in making loans and in attracting deposits. Northern New Jersey has a high density of financial institutions, many of which are branches of significantly larger money center and regional banks which have resulted from the recent consolidation of the banking industry in New Jersey and surrounding states and which have greater financial resources than the Company, and all of which are competitors of the Company to varying degrees. The Company's competition for loans comes principally from commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, mortgage banking companies and insurance companies. Its most direct competition for deposits has historically come from commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations and credit unions. The Company faces additional competition for deposits from short-term money market funds, mutual funds and other corporate and government securities funds and from other financial institutions such as brokerage firms and insurance companies. PERSONNEL At December 31, 1997, the Company had a total of 52 full-time employees and 12 part-time employees. The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit, and the Company considers its relationship with its employees to be good. REGULATION AND SUPERVISION GENERAL The Bank is a federally chartered savings bank and its deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") under the Savings Association Insurance Fund (the "SAIF"). The Bank is subject to extensive regulation and supervision by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the "OTS"), as its primary federal regulator and by the FDIC, as the deposit insurer. The Bank must file reports with the OTS and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition, in addition to obtaining regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions such as mergers with, or acquisitions of, other depository institutions. There are periodic examinations by the OTS and the FDIC to assess the Bank's compliance with various regulatory requirements. This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which a savings and loan association can engage and is intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors. The regulatory structure also 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. As a unitary savings and loan holding company, the Company is subject to supervision and regulation by the OTS and is subject to public reporting and other obligations under the Federal securities laws. INDUSTRY RECAPITALIZATION OF SAIF On September 30, 1996, the Deposit Insurance Fund Act of 1996 (the "Deposit Act") became law. The primary purpose of the Deposit Act was to recapitalize the SAIF by charging all SAIF member institutions a one-time special assessment of 65.7 basis points of the institution's SAIF assessable deposits as of March 31, 1995. In addition, the Deposit Act separated the FDIC assessment into two components: first, deposit insurance premiums; and second, payment of interest and principal due on certain bonds issued by the Federal Finance Corporation ("FICO") in the mid-1980s to fund a portion of the thrift bailout. Based upon the Bank's March 31, 1995, SAIF assessable deposits, the after tax cost to the Bank of the special assessment was $815,000. As a result of the recapitalization of the SAIF, FDIC premium assessments to SAIF members, both in the form of insurance premiums and for repayment of the FICO obligations, was reduced from 23 basis points to 6.4 basis points for the healthiest thrift institutions. The Deposit Act also called for the federal banking agencies to study the various financial institution charters and propose a single standard federal charter, thereby doing away with the separate bank and thrift charters. If a single charter was adopted, the Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF") and SAIF will be merged on January 1, 1999. At that time, all insured institutions will pay the same FDIC assessment. The Deposit Act also contained a provision which prohibits deposit migration for the purposes of evading the premium differential between BIF and SAIF members. At this time, Management is unable to predict when or if a unified federal charter will be adopted and when and if the BIF and the SAIF will be merged, or the effect, if any, of these events upon the Company. - 3 - PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTION Federal law establishes a system of prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions and permits the federal banking agencies, including the OTS, to take certain supervisory actions against undercapitalized institutions, the severity of which depends upon the institution's capital level. Generally, subject to a narrow exception, the appropriate federal banking agency is required to appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is critically undercapitalized within 90 days after it becomes critically undercapitalized. Under the rules implementing the prompt corrective action provisions, an institution that has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater and a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater, and is not subject to any written agreement, order, capital directive or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure is deemed to be "well-capitalized". An institution that has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Tier l risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or greater and a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater (or a leverage ratio of 3.0% or greater if the bank is rated composite "1" under the CAMEL rating system and is not experiencing or anticipating significant growth) and does not meet the definition of a "well-capitalized" bank is considered to be "adequately capitalized." An institution that has a total risk-based capital of less than 8.0% or has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio that is less than 4.0% or has a leverage ratio of less than 4.0% is considered "undercapitalized." An institution that has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, or a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio that is less than 3.0% or a leverage ratio that is less than 3.0% is considered to be "significantly undercapitalized," and a bank that has a ratio of tangible equity to total assets (core capital, such as common equity capital, and cumulative perpetual preferred stock minus all intangible assets, except for limited amounts of purchased mortgage servicing rights and of purchased credit card relationships) to assets equal to or less than 2.0% is deemed to be "critically undercapitalized." Under the rule, the appropriate federal banking agency may reclassify a well-capitalized bank as adequately capitalized, and may require an adequately capitalized bank or an undercapitalized bank to comply with certain mandatory or discretionary supervisory actions as if the bank were in the next lower capital category (except that the appropriate federal banking agency may not reclassify a significantly undercapitalized bank as critically undercapitalized), if the appropriate federal banking agency determines the bank is in an unsafe or unsound condition, or the Bank has received and not corrected a less than satisfactory rating for any of the categories of asset quality, management, earnings or liquidity. At December 31, 1997, the Bank's leverage ratio as calculated under the prompt corrective action rule was 10.6%, and so the Bank is deemed "well-capitalized." INSURANCE OF DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS The amount of insurance premiums paid by insured depository institutions is determined by the FDIC pursuant to a risk based system, whereby the FDIC assigns an institution to one of three capital categories consisting of (1) well-capitalized, (2) adequately capitalized, or (3) undercapitalized, and one of three supervisory categories. An institution's assessment rate depends on the capital category and supervisory category to which it is assigned. Under this system, there are nine assessment risk classifications (i.e., combinations of capital categories and supervisory subgroups within each capital group) to which differing assessment rates are applied. Currently, assessment rates for SAIF insured institutions range from .23% of deposits for an institution in the highest category (i.e., well-capitalized and financially sound, with only a few minor weaknesses) to .31% of deposits for an institution in the lowest category (i.e., undercapitalized and posing a substantial probability of loss to the FDIC unless effective corrective action is taken). However, reflecting the recapitalization of the SAIF, the FDIC has proposed a new schedule of assessment rates of from 0 to 27 basis points. Under the FDI Act, insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that, among other things, the institution has engaged in, or is engaging in, unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC or written agreement entered into with the FDIC. The management of the Bank does not know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance. - 4 - REGULATORY CAPITAL The OTS's capital requirements applicable to the Bank consist of a "tangible capital requirement", a "leverage limit" and a "risk-based capital requirement". Under the tangible capital requirement, a savings association must maintain tangible capital in an amount equal to at least 1.5% of adjusted total assets. Tangible capital is defined as core capital less all intangible assets, plus a specified amount of purchased mortgage servicing rights. The leverage limit requires that savings associations maintain "core capital" in an amount equal to at least 3.0% of adjusted total assets, although to be adequately capitalized for purposes of the prompt corrective action regulations, core capital must generally be 4.0%. Core capital is defined as common stockholders' equity (including retained earnings), non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, and minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, plus purchased mortgage servicing rights valued at the lower of 90.0% of fair market value, 90.0% of original cost or the current amortized book value as determined under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), less non-qualifying intangible assets. In April 1991, The OTS published a proposed amendment to the regulatory capital requirements applicable to all savings associations to conform to Office of the Comptroller of the Currency capital regulations applicable to national banks. Under the OTS proposal, those savings associations receiving a CAMEL rating of "1", the best possible rating on a scale of 1 to 5 will be required to maintain a ratio of core capital to adjusted total assets of 3.0%. All other savings associations will be required to maintain minimum core capital of 4.0% to 5.0% of total adjusted assets. In determining the required minimum core capital ratio, the OTS will assess the quality of risk management and the level of risk in each saving association on a case-by-case basis. The OTS did not indicate in the proposed regulation the standards it will use in establishing the appropriate core capital requirement for savings associations not rated "1" under the CAMEL rating system. At December 31, 1997, the Bank's ratio of core capital to total adjusted assets was 10.6%. The OTS prohibits savings associations from disclosing their CAMEL ratings. In addition, the OTS limits the amount of purchased mortgage servicing rights includable as core capital to 50.0% of such capital. The risk-based capital standard for savings institutions requires the maintenance of total capital (which is defined as core capital and supplementary capital) to risk weighted assets of 8.0%. In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets, are multiplied by a risk weight of 0-100% as assigned by the OTS capital regulation based on the risks the OTS believes are inherent in the type of asset. The components of core capital are equivalent to those discussed above under the leverage capital standard. The components of supplementary capital currently include cumulative preferred stock, long-term perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, subordinated debt and intermediate preferred stock and the allowance for loan and lease losses. Allowances for loan and lease losses includable in supplementary capital is limited to a maximum of 1.25%. Overall, the amount of supplementary capital included as part of total capital cannot exceed 100.0% of core capital. The OTS has amended its risk-based capital requirements to require institutions with an "above normal" level of interest rate risk to maintain additional capital. A savings association is considered to have a "normal" level of interest rate risk if the decline in the market value of its portfolio equity after an immediate 200 basis point increase or decrease in market interest rates (whichever leads to the greater decline) is less than two percent of the current estimated market value of its assets. The market value of portfolio equity is defined as the net present value of expected cash inflows and outflows from an association's assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items. The amount of additional capital that an institution with an above normal interest rate risk is required to maintain (the "interest rate risk component") equals one-half of the dollar amount by which its measured interest rate risk exceeds the normal level of interest rate risk. The interest rate risk component is in addition to the capital otherwise required to satisfy the risk-based capital requirement. Effectiveness of these risk-based capital requirements has been waived by the OTS while the OTS reviews the interest rate risk approaches taken by the other Federal regulators. Although no final determination may be made until the regulations are implemented, management believes that the Bank will be found to have an "above normal" level of interest rate risk, but that the Bank's additional capital requirements will not adversely impact the Bank or its operations. - 5 - The OTS and the FDIC generally are authorized to take enforcement action against a savings association that fails to meet its capital requirements, which action may include restrictions on operations and banking activities, the imposition of a capital directive, a cease-and-desist order, civil money penalties or harsher measures such as the appointment of a receiver or conservator or a forced merger into another institution. In addition, under current regulatory policy, an association that fails to meet its capital requirements is prohibited from paying any dividends. FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK SYSTEM The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") of New York, which is one of the 12 regional FHLBs. As a member of the FHLB, the Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in the FHLB of New York in an amount equal to the greater of 1.0% of its aggregate unpaid residential mortgage loans, home purchase contracts or similar obligations at the beginning of each year, or 1/20 (or such greater fraction as established by the FHLB) of outstanding FHLB advances. At December 31, 1997, the Bank had $1.6 million in FHLB of New York stock, which was in compliance with this requirement. In past years the Bank has received dividends on its FHLB stock. Over the past five years such dividends have averaged 7.74%, and were 6.60% for the year ended December 31, 1997. All 12 FHLBs provide financial assistance for the resolution of troubled savings associations and contribute to affordable housing programs through direct loans or interest subsidies on advances targeted for community investment and low- and moderate-income housing projects. These contributions could cause rates on the FHLB advances to increase and could affect adversely the level of FHLB dividends paid and the value of FHLB stock in the future. Each FHLB serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region. It is funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB System. It makes loans to members (i.e., advances) in accordance with policies and procedures established by the board of directors of the FHLB. These policies and procedures are subject to the regulation and oversight of the Federal Housing Finance Board. QUALIFIED THRIFT LENDER TEST The Qualified Thrift Lender ("QTL") test requires that a savings association maintain at least 65.0% of its total "portfolio assets" in "qualified thrift investments" on an average basis in nine of every twelve months. For purposes of the test, portfolio assets are defined as the total assets of the savings association minus: goodwill and other intangible assets; the value of property used by the savings association to conduct its business; and liquid assets not to exceed a certain percentage of the savings association's total assets. Under the QTL statutory and regulatory provisions, all forms of home mortgages, home improvement loans, home equity loans, and loans on the security of other residential real estate and mobile homes as well as a designated percentage of consumer loans are "qualified thrift investments," as are shares of stock of an FHLB, investments or deposits in other insured institutions, securities issued by the FNMA, FHLMC, or GNMA and other mortgage-related securities. Investments in nonsubsidiary corporations or partnerships whose activities include servicing mortgages or real estate development are also considered qualified thrift investments in proportion to the amount of primary revenue such entities derive from housing-related activities. Also included in qualified thrift investments are mortgage servicing rights, whether such rights are purchased by the insured institution or created when the institution sells loans and retains the right to service such loans. A savings institution that fails to become or maintain its status as a qualified thrift lender must either become a commercial bank or be subject to certain statutory restrictions. A savings institution that converts to a bank must pay the applicable exit and entrance fees involved in converting from one insurance fund to another. A savings institution that fails to meet the QTL test and does not convert to a bank will be: (1) prohibited from making any investment or engaging in activities that would not be permissible for national banks; (2) prohibited from establishing any new branch office where a national bank located in the savings institution's home state would not be able to establish a branch office; (3) ineligible to obtain new advances from any FHLB; and (4) subject to limitations on the payment of dividends comparable to the statutory and regulatory dividend restrictions applicable to national banks. Also, - 6 - beginning three years after the date on which the savings institution ceases to be a qualified thrift lender, the savings institution would be prohibited from retaining any investment or engaging in any activity not permissible for a national bank and would be required to repay any outstanding advances to any Federal Home Loan Bank. A savings institution may requalify as a qualified thrift lender if it thereafter complies with the QTL test. As of December 31, 1997, the Bank was in compliance with the QTL requirement. At December 31, 1997, 74.6% of the Bank's assets were "qualified thrift investments". LIMITATIONS ON CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS OTS regulations impose limitations upon all capital distributions by savings institutions, such as cash dividends, payments to repurchase or otherwise acquire shares, payments to shareholders of another institution in a cash-out merger and other distributions charged against capital. The rule establishes three tiers of institutions, which are based primarily of an institution's capital level. An institution that exceeds all fully phased-in regulatory capital requirements before and after a proposed capital distribution ("Tier 1 Association") and has not been advised by the OTS that it is in need of more than normal supervision, could, after prior notice but without the approval of the OTS, make capital distributions during a calendar year equal to the greater of: (i) 100.0% of its net earnings to date during the calendar year plus the amount that would reduce by one-half its "surplus capital ratio" (the excess capital over its fully phased-in capital requirements) at the beginning of the calendar year; or (ii) 75.0% of its net earnings for the previous four quarters. Any additional capital distributions would require prior OTS approval. In the event the Bank's capital fell below its fully phased-in requirement or the OTS notified it that it was in need of more than normal supervision, the Bank's ability to make capital distributions could be restricted. In addition, the OTS could prohibit a proposed capital distribution by any institution, which would otherwise be permitted by the regulation, if the OTS determines that such distribution would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice. Furthermore, under the OTS prompt corrective action regulations, the Bank would be prohibited from making any capital distribution if, after the distribution, the Bank would have: (i) a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0%; (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0%; or (iii) a leverage ratio of less that 4.0%. HOLDING COMPANY REGULATION The Company is registered with and is subject to OTS examination and supervision and certain reporting requirements as a unitary savings and loan holding company. In addition, the operations of the Company are subject to regulations promulgated by the OTS from time to time. As a SAIF-insured subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company, the Bank will be subject to certain restrictions in dealing with the Company and with other persons affiliated with the Company, and will continue to be subject to examination and supervision by the OTS and FDIC. The HOLA prohibits a savings and loan holding company, directly or indirectly, from: (i) acquiring control (as defined) of another insured institution (or holding company thereof) without prior OTS approval; (ii) acquiring more than 5.0% of the voting shares of another insured institution (or holding company thereof) which is not a subsidiary, subject to certain exceptions; (iii) acquiring through merger, consolidation or purchase of assets, another savings association or holding company thereof, or acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of such institution (or holding company thereof) without prior OTS approval; or (iv) acquiring control of a depository institution not insured by the FDIC (except through a merger with and into the holding company's savings association subsidiary that is approved by the OTS). A savings and loan holding company may acquire up to 15.0% of the voting shares of an undercapitalized savings association. A savings and loan holding company may not acquire as a separate subsidiary an insured institution that has principal offices outside of the state where the principal offices of its subsidiary institution is located, except: (i) in the case of certain emergency acquisitions approved by the FDIC; (ii) if the holding company controlled (as defined) such insured institution as of May 5, 1987; or (iii) if the laws of the state in which the insured institution to be acquired is located specifically authorize a savings association chartered by that state to be acquired by a savings association chartered by the state where the acquiring savings association or savings and loan holding company is located, or by a holding company that controls such a state chartered association. No director or officer of a savings and loan holding company or person owning or controlling more than 25.0% of such holding - 7 - company's voting shares may, except with the prior approval of the OTS, acquire control of any FDIC-insured depository institution that is not a subsidiary of such holding company. If the OTS approves such an acquisition, any holding company controlled by such officer, director or person shall be subject to the activities limitations that apply to multiple savings and loan holding companies, unless certain supervisory exceptions apply. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES Section 11 of HOLA provides that transactions between an insured subsidiary of a holding company and an affiliate thereof will be subject to the restrictions that apply to transactions between banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System and their affiliates pursuant to Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. Generally, Sections 23A and 23B: (i) limit the extent to which a financial institution or its subsidiaries may engage in "covered transactions" with an "affiliate," to an amount equal to 10.0% of the institution's capital and surplus, and limit all "covered transactions" in the aggregate with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20.0% of such capital and surplus; and (ii) require that all transactions with an affiliate, whether or not "covered transactions," be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the institution or subsidiary as those provided to a non-affiliate. The term "covered transaction" includes the making of loans, purchase of assets, issuance of a guarantee and similar types of transactions. Management believes that the Bank is in compliance with the requirements of Sections 23A and 23B. In addition to the restrictions that apply to financial institutions generally under Sections 23A and 23B, Section 11 of the HOLA places three other restrictions on savings associations, including those that are part of a holding company organization. First, savings associations may not make any loan or extension of credit to an affiliate unless that affiliate is engaged only in activities permissible for bank holding companies. Second, savings associations may not purchase or invest in affiliate securities except for those of a subsidiary. Finally, the Director is granted authority to impose more stringent restrictions when justifiable for reasons of safety and soundness. Extensions of credit by the Bank to executive officers, directors, and principal stockholders and related interests of such persons are subject to Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and Subpart A of the Federal Reserve Board's Regulation O. These rules prohibit loans to any such individual where the aggregate amount exceeds an amount equal to 15.0% of an institution's unimpaired capital and surplus plus an additional 10.0% of unimpaired capital and surplus in the case of loans that are fully secured by readily marketable collateral, and/or when the aggregate amount outstanding to all such individuals exceeds the institution's unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. These rules also provide that no institution shall make any loan or extension of credit in any manner to any of its executive officers or directors, or to any person who directly or indirectly, or acting through or in concert with one or more persons, owns, controls, or has the power to vote more than 10.0% of any class of voting securities of such institution ("Principal Stockholder"), or to a related interest (i.e., any company controlled by such executive officer, director, or Principal Stockholder), or to any political or campaign committee the funds or services of which will benefit such executive officer, director, or Principal Stockholder or which is controlled by such executive officer, director, or Principal Stockholder, unless such loan or extension of credit is made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons, does not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features, and the institution follows underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than those applicable to comparable transactions by the institution with persons who are not executive officers, directors, Principal Stockholders, or employees of the institution. A savings association is therefore prohibited from making any new loans or extensions of credit to the savings association's executive officers, directors, and 10.0% stockholders at different rates or terms than those offered to the general public. The rules identify limited circumstances in which an institution is permitted to extend credit to executive officers. Management believes that the Bank is in compliance with Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and Subpart A of the Federal Reserve Board's Regulation O. - 8 - THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM The Federal Reserve Board regulations require savings institutions to maintain noninterest-earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts), nonpersonal certificates of deposit (those which are transferable or held by a person other than a natural person) with an original maturity of less than one and one-half years and certain money market deposit accounts. While noninterest-earning, the balances maintained to meet the reserve requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve Board may be used to satisfy liquidity requirements imposed by the OTS. In addition, Federal Reserve Board regulations limit the periods within which depository institutions must provide availability for and pay interest on deposits to transaction accounts. Depository institutions are required to disclose their check-hold policies and any changes to those policies in writing to customers. Because required reserves must be maintained in the form of either vault cash, a noninterest-bearing account at a Federal Reserve Bank or a pass-through account as defined by the Federal Reserve Board, the effect of this reserve requirement is to reduce the Bank's interest-earning assets. The Bank is in compliance with all such Federal Reserve Board requirements. Savings associations are authorized to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank "discount window," but Federal Reserve Board regulations require savings associations to exhaust other reasonable alternative sources of funds, including FHLB advances, before borrowing from the Federal Reserve Bank. FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS The Company is subject to the periodic reporting obligations, proxy solicitation rules, insider trading restrictions and other requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). (B) INDUSTRY SEGMENTS - The Registrant has only one industry segment, banking. (D) FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS AND EXPORT SALES - Not Applicable ITEM 2. PROPERTIES At December 31, 1997, the Bank conducted its business through its four offices located at 250 Valley Boulevard, Wood-Ridge, New Jersey 07075, 20 Willow Street, East Rutherford, New Jersey, 4 Union Avenue, Haskell, New Jersey, 339 Main Road, Route 202, Montville, New Jersey. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Bank's properties. ORIGINAL DATE OF FURNITURE NET BOOK LEASED DATE LEASED LEASE AND VALUE OF LOCATION OR OWNED OR ACQUIRED EXPIRATION EQUIPMENT PROPERTY -------- -------- ----------- ---------- --------- -------- 250 Valley Boulevard Owned 1957 -- $138,758 $2,406,884 Wood-Ridge, NJ 20 Willow Street Owned 1970 -- $ 24,685 $ 63,891 East Rutherford, NJ 4 Union Avenue Leased 1996 2001 $ 52,724 $ 90,974 Haskell, NJ 339 Main Road Leased 1997 2002 $108,423 $ 125,758 Route 202 Montville, NJ - 9 - ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company is involved from time to time as a party to legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of its business. The Company believes that none of these proceedings would, if adversely determined, have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS Not applicable. PART II ITEM 5. MARKET INFORMATION The Company's common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market. The Nasdaq symbol for the Company's common stock is FBER. The Company commenced trading on April 1, 1996. As of March 20, 1998, there were 640 registered holders of the Company's common stock. The following table represents the high and low closing price for the common stock and the dividends paid for the quarterly periods ending on the dates indicated below: High Low Dividend ---- --- -------- December 31, 1997 19 1/2 17 1/2 $0.05 September 30, 1997 19 1/2 15 1/4 $0.05 June 30, 1997 15 1/4 12 7/8 $0.03 May 31, 1997 15 1/8 11 3/8 $0.03 December 31, 1996 12 1/8 10 3/4 $0.03 September 30, 1996 11 1/8 9 $0.03 June 30, 1996 10 9 -- The Company has declared a cash dividend for each successive calendar quarter beginning with September 1996 and has again done so for the quarter ending March 31, 1998. However, no assurance can be given that dividends will be paid in the future since payments of such dividends will be based on current and prospective earnings, anticipated growth and the capital position of the Company. In addition, earnings and the financial condition of the Bank and applicable governmental policies and regulations would also effect the Company's ability to pay dividends. ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA OF THE BANK AT DECEMBER 31, --------------- 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- SELECTED FINANCIAL CONDITION DATA: Total assets $290,345 $246,553 $225,046 $215,130 $219,107 Loans receivable, net 127,818 123,825 109,051 120,831 129,566 Investment securities held to maturity 46,903 33,136 39,510 38,963 36,914 Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity 52,458 51,769 54,869 41,222 28,315 Mortgage-backed securities available for sale 10,445 2,824 0 0 0 Investment securities available for sale 41,090 19,597 6,778 6,349 0 Deposits 217,426 204,154 209,213 194,838 204,436 Real estate owned, net 118 537 1,926 265 525 Advances from FHLB 31,334 0 0 4,250 0 Stockholders' equity 39,270 41,235 14,667 13,778 13,426 - 10 - FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- SELECTED OPERATING DATA: Interest income $19,502 $17,238 $ 15,276 $15,298 $ 17,161 Interest expense 10,431 9,172 8,579 6,788 7,602 ------ ------- -------- ------- -------- Net interest income 9,071 8,066 6,697 8,510 9,559 Provision for loan losses 475 725 1,005 2,540 3,042 ------ ------- -------- ------- -------- Net interest income after provision for loan losses 8,596 7,341 5,692 5,970 6,517 Non-interest income (loss) 289 201 (199) 142 148 Net loss from real estate owned 11 261 115 97 912 Other non-interest expense 5,698 6,079 4,660 4,524 4,255 Income before income tax expense 3,176 1,202 718 1,491 1,498 Income taxes (benefit) 1,059 446 260 536 (727) ------ ------- -------- ------- -------- Net income $ 2,117 $ 756 $ 458 $ 955 $ 2,225 ======= ======= ======== ======= ======== AT OR FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS: Return on average assets .78% .31% 0.21% .44% 1.02% Return on average equity 5.29% 1.99% 3.19% 6.74% 18.41% Equity to assets 13.53% 16.72% 6.52% 6.40% 6.13% Net interest rate spread 2.93% 2.90% 3.05% 3.85% 4.73% Net interest margin 3.48% 3.43% 3.19% 4.01% 4.71% Non-interest income (loss) to average assets .11% 0.08% (.09%) .06% .07% Non-interest expense to average assets 2.09% 2.57% 2.19% 2.11% 2.37% Efficiency ratio (1) 60.89% 60.97% 73.48% 53.41% 53.23% Average interest earning assets to average interest bearing liabilities 113.60% 112.62% 103.47% 104.87% 99.50% - ---------- (1) Total non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income. Excludes effect of one-time FDIC special SAIF assessment for 1996. ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Overview Total assets increased $43.7 million, or 17.7%, to $290.3 million at December 31, 1997, from $246.6 million at December 31,1996. This increase is primarily attributable to Management's decision to begin a leverage program in April 1997 using low-cost Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") borrowings of $31.3 million to fund the purchase of higher yielding mortgage-backed securities and investment securities. Loans receivable-net increased $4.0 million to $127.8 million at December 31, 1997, from $123.8 million at the end of 1996. These increases were offset by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $4.5 million to $3.2 million at December 31, 1997, from $7.7 million at December 31, 1996. In addition to the $31.3 million of FHLB advances used in the leverage program, total liabilities increased also as a result of total deposits increasing $13.2 million, or 6.46%, to $217.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $204.2 million at the end of 1996. Stockholders equity decreased $1.9 million, or 4.61%, to $39.3 million at December 31, 1997, from $41.2 million at December 31, 1996. This decrease was primarily due to an increase in treasury stock of $2.7 million to $4.6 million at December 31, 1997, from $1.9 million for the same period last year. The Company is continuing in its stock buyback program as it considers it to be a way to enhance shareholder value and a prudent use of capital. Retained earnings increased $1.6 million, or 10.0%, to $17.6 million at December 31, 1997, from $16.0 million at the end of 1996. - 11 - COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996. General. Net income for the year ended December 31, 1997, was $2.1 million, compared with $756,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996, which amount reflected a one-time non-recurring FDIC special assessment to recapitalize the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF) as mandated by Congress. The after tax cost to the Company of this special assessment was $815,000. Net Interest Income. For the year ended December 31, 1997, net interest income increased $1.0 million, or 12.3%, to $9.1 million from $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. The Company's net interest rate spread increased slightly to 2.93% from 2.90% for the year ended December 31, 1997. Interest Income. Total interest income increased $2.3 million, or 13.4%, to $19.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $17.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. This increase was due to an increase in the average balance of earning assets of $25.4 million, or 10.8%, to $260.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $235.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. Interest income on loans increased $238,000, or 2.4%, to $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $9.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. The average balance of the loan portfolio increased $7.7 million, or 6.7%, to $122.1 million at December 31, 1997, from $114.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. This was offset by a decrease in the average yield of the loan portfolio to 8.23% for the year ended December 31, 1997, from 8.58% for the year ended December 31, 1996. Interest income on mortgage-backed securities held to maturity increased $172,000, or 5.1%, to $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. This was due to an increase in the average yield to 6.62% from 6.18% for the year ended December 31, 1996. This increase was offset by a decrease in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities held to maturity of $990,000, or 1.8%, to $53.3 million from $54.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. Interest income on mortgage-backed securities available for sale increased $272,000, or 174.1%, to $428,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $156,000 for the preceding year. This was due to increases in both the average balance and the average yield. The average balance increased $3.5 million, or 129.6%, to $6.2 million for 1997 from $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. This was coupled with an increase in the average yield to 6.89%, for the year ending December 31, 1997 from 5.81% for the year ended December 31, 1996. Interest income on investments held to maturity increased $795,000, or 26.7%, to $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $3.0 million for the same period last year. This increase was due to an increase in the average balance of $5.4 million, or 11.9%, to $50.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $45.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. The investments held to maturity portfolio also experienced an increase in the average yield to 7.24% from 6.37%. Interest income on investments available for sale increased $787,000, or 84.3%, to $1.7 million from $933,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996. This increase was due primarily to an increase in the average balance of $9.6 million, or 56.5%, to $26.6 million for the year ended December 1997 from $17.0 million for the year ended 1996. In addition, the average yield increased 97 basis points to 6.46% from 5.49% for the year ended December 31, 1996. Interest Expense. Interest expense increased by $1.2 million, or 13.0%, to $10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. This increase was primarily attributable to the cost associated with the borrowed funds used by the Bank in its leverage program. For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Bank's average cost of funds on deposits and borrowings increased to 4.55% from 4.43% for the period ended December 31, 1996. The average balance of certificate accounts increased by $1.2 million, or 0.94%, to $129.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $128.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1996, while the average balance of core deposits increased by $3.5 million, or 4.45%, to $82.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $78.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. The average balance of borrowed funds for the year ended December 31, 1997, was $17.6 million with an average cost of 6.04%. The Company anticipates increasing its borrowings in future periods to fund increases in its asset base through the purchase of investments and mortgage-backed securities. Interest expense may increase in future periods due to such borrowings. - 12 - Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 1997, decreased $250,000 or 34.5%, to $475,000 from $725,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996. The decrease provision reflects a continued decline in the amount of newly classified loans and the continuing resolution of existing non-performing assets. Non-performing loans, defined as non-accrual loans and accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more, increased $600,000, or 40.0%, to $2.1 million at December 31, 1997, from $1.5 million at December 31, 1996. At December 31, 1997, and December 31, 1996, the allowance for loan losses was $3.1 million. Future provisions for loan losses will continue to be based on Management's assessment of the loan portfolio and its underlying collateral, trends in non-performing loans, current economic conditions and other factors which warrant recognition in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at levels sufficient to provide for estimated future losses. Although Management uses the best information available, adjustments may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions that may be beyond the Bank's control. Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income increased $88,000, or 43.9%, to $289,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $201,000 for the prior year. The increase was due to several factors including increases in the safe deposit box rental fees, service charges on NOW accounts and late charges on mortgage loans. Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $700,000, or 14.0% to $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $5.0 million for the prior year; exclusive of the one-time FDIC special assessment. This increase was due primarily to an increase in compensation and benefit expense of $800,000. The increase in compensation and employee benefit expense is due to the addition of staff at the Company's two new retail offices in Passaic and Morris Counties, New Jersey, and the amortization of stock based benefit plans beginning in 1997. The addition of the two new retail offices also resulted in small increases in occupancy, equipment and advertising costs. These increases were partially offset by a reduction in FDIC insurance expense. Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense increased $614,000, or 137.7%, to $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $446,000 for the prior year. The increase was due to the Company's increased income before taxes for the year ended December 31, 1997, compared to the same period in 1996. COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995. General. Net income for the year ended December 31, 1996, was $756,000 compared with $458,000 for the same period in 1995. This increase reflects an increase in net interest income offset by the one-time SAIF assessment of $1.3 million. Net Interest Income. For the year ended December 31, 1996, net interest income increased $1.4 million, or 20.5%, to $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1996, from $6.7 million for the prior period. The Company's net interest rate spread decreased slightly by 15 basis points to 2.90% from 3.05% for the year ended December 31, 1995. This was offset by an increase in interest earning assets of $25.4 million, or 12.11%, to $235.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1996, from $209.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1995. Interest Income. Total interest income increased $1.9 million, or 12.4%, to $17.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1996, from $15.3 million for the same period in the prior year. This increase resulted primarily from increases in interest income on mortgage-backed securities and investment securities offset by decrease in interest income on mortgage loans. The average balance of the loan portfolio decreased $1.7 million, or 1.46%, to $114.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1996, from $116.1 million for 1995. This was coupled with a decrease in the average yield on loans from 8.83% for the period ending December 31, 1996, to 8.58% for the year ended 1995. The decrease in the loan portfolio reflected payments exceeding originations and new loan purchases as the Bank continued to experience weak loan demand in its primary market area. The decrease in yield reflected the repayment of higher yielding loans in the Bank's portfolio and reinvestment of such proceeds in lower yielding new loans, both through originations and purchases. - 13 - Interest income on mortgage-backed securities held to maturity increased $900,000, or 36.7%, to $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1996, from $2.5 million for the prior year. The increase in income was due partly from an increase in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities held to maturity of $10.4 million, or 23.7%, to $54.3 million from $43.9 million for the prior year. This was coupled with an increase in the average yield to 6.18% from 5.59% reflecting current market rates of interest. Interest income on investments held to maturity increased $800,000, or 38.1%, to $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1996, from $2.2 million for 1995. The average balance increased $3.6 million, or 8.30%, to $46.8% million for 1996 from $43.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1995. This was coupled with an increase in the average yield from 5.09% to 6.37%. Interest Expense. Interest expense increased by $600,000, or 7.0%, to $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1996, from $8.6 million for the prior year. This increase was primarily attributable to increased rates paid by the Bank on its deposit accounts. For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Bank's average cost of funds on deposits and borrowings increased to 4.43% for the period ending December 31, 1996, from 4.23% for 1995, reflecting current market rates of interest The Bank did not have any FHLBNY borrowings during the year ended December 31, 1996. For the year ended December 31, 1995, the Bank had FHLBNY borrowings with an average cost of 6.14% and average balance of $1.8 million. Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses decreased $280,000, or 27.9%, to $725,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996, from $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1995. The decreased provision reflects a decline in the amount of newly classified loans, the continuing resolution of existing non-performing assets and a decrease in the Bank's overall loan portfolio. Non-performing loans, defined as non-accrual loans and accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more, decreased by $3.7 million, or 71.2% to $1.5 at December 31, 1996, from $5.2 million at December 31, 1995. This represented a ratio of non-performing loans to total assets of 0.62% and 2.31% at December 1996 and 1995, respectively. Future provisions for loan losses will continue to be based on Management's assessment of the loan portfolio and its underlying collateral, trends in non-performing loans, current economic conditions and other factors which warrant recognition in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at levels sufficient to provide for estimated future losses. Although Management uses the best information available, adjustments may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions that may be beyond the Bank's control The Company's ratio of non-performing assets to total assets was 0.83% at December 31, 1996, compared to 3.16% at December 31, 1995. The allowance for loan losses was $3.1 million and $4.7 million at December 1996 and 1995, respectively. Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income increased $400,000, or 201.0%, to $202,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996, from a loss of $199,000 for the prior period. The increase is primarily attributable to a $412,000 loss on the sale of securities held for sale in 1995. The Bank sold $18.2 million of securities available for sale with below market rates of interest and reinvested the proceeds in higher yielding securities held to maturity.. Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $300,000, or 6.3%, to $5.1 million exclusive of the one-time SAIF assessment of $1.3 million compared to $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1995. The increase was due primarily to an increase in net loss from real estate owned of $146,000, or 127.0%, to $261,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996, from $115,000 for 1995. Real estate owned expense increased primarily due to costs incurred by the Bank to protect the priority of its liens on collateral and the costs associated with maintaining and managing properties. Compensation and employee benefit expense increased $190,000, or 8.4%, to $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1996, from $2.3 million for 1995. Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense increased $186,000, or 71.7%, to $446,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996, as compared to $260,000 for the prior year. The increase was due to the Company's increased income before taxes for the year ended December 31, 1996, compared to the same period in 1995. - 14 - MARKET RISK AND INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS Market risk is the potential loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates. The Company's market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending, investment and deposit taking activities. The Company's profitability is affected by fluctuations in interest rates. A sudden and substantial increase in interest rates may adversely impact the Company's earnings to the extent that the interest rates borne by assets and liabilities do not change at the same speed, to the same extent or on the same basis. To that end, management actively monitors and manages its interest rate risk exposure. The principal objective of the Company's asset and liability management function is to evaluate the interest-rate risk included in certain balance sheet accounts, determine the level of risk appropriate given the Company's business focus, operating environment, capital, and liquidity requirements; establish prudent asset concentration guidelines; and manage the risk consistent with Board approved guidelines. The Company seeks to reduce the vulnerability of its operations to changes in interest rates and to manage the ratio of interest-rate sensitive assets to interest-rate sensitive liabilities within specified maturities or repricing dates. The Company's actions in this regard are taken under the guidance of the Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) of management with oversight provided by the Board of Directors. The ALCO generally reviews the Company's liquidity, cash flow needs, maturities of investments, deposits and borrowings and current market conditions and interest rates. The Company utilizes the following strategies to manage its interest rate risk: (1) emphasizing the origination and retention of fixed-rate mortgage loans having terms to maturity of not more than ten years, (2) purchasing fixed rate mortgage-backed securities with fixed maturities of no more than 15 years, (3) the origination and purchase of mortgage loans with maturity dates to 30 years providing the mortgage loan is market qualified. (4) reducing long-term fixed rate mortgage-backed securities through principal repayments and prepayments, and (5) purchasing short term and adjustable rate investment securities, including U.S. Treasury and agency securities with maturities no greater than 15 years. One of the monitoring tools used by the ALCO is an analysis of the extent to which assets and liabilities are interest rate sensitive and measures the Company's interest rate sensitivity "gap". An asset or liability is said to be interest rate sensitive within a specific time period if it will mature or reprice within that time period. A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest rate sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities. A gap is considered negative when the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities exceeds interest rate sensitive assets. Accordingly, during a period of rising rates, a negative gap may result in the yield on the institution's assets increasing at a slower rate than the increase in its cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Conversely, during a period of falling interest rates, an institution with a negative gap would experience a repricing of its assets at a slower rate than its interest-bearing liabilities which, consequently, may result in its net interest income growing. The following table sets forth the amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities outstanding at December 31, 1997, which are anticipated by the Company, based upon certain assumptions, to reprice or mature in each of the future time periods presented. Except as noted, the amount of assets and liabilities which reprice or mature during a particular period were determined in accordance with the earlier of the term to repricing or the contractual terms of the asset or liability. The Company's loan prepayment assumptions are based upon actual historic prepayment rates and market prepayment speeds, which are 10% per annum for loans, and a range of 10% to 38% per annum (based upon the underlying interest rate) for all mortgage-backed securities. Management believes these assumptions are reasonable. Liability balances are spread upon the FDIC proposed distribution rules, effective March 1996. Based upon these assumptions, net interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within one year of December 31, 1997, exceeded net interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within the same time period by $22.0 million, representing a negative cumulative one-year interest rate sensitivity gap of 7.73% of total assets. Accordingly, an increase in market interest rates would be expected to have an adverse impact on net interest income. - 15 - MORE THAN MORE THAN MORE THAN THREE YEARS SIX MONTHS SIX MONTHS ONE YEAR TO TO FIVE MORE THAN OR LESS TO ONE YEAR THREE YEARS YEARS FIVE YEARS TOTAL ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Interest-earning assets: Mortgage loans $ 16,559 $ 13,564 $ 29,603 $ 33,710 $ 27,081 $120,517 Consumer and other loans 4,176 320 1,325 1,420 3,003 10,244 Interest earning deposits and FHLB stock 3,051 -- -- -- -- 3,051 Mortgage-backed securities 21,059 7,978 12,955 5,768 14,995 62,755 Investment securities 39,456 21,000 23,345 -- 4,950 88,751 -------- --------- -------- -------- ------- -------- Total interest-earning assets $ 84,301 $ 42,862 $ 67,228 $ 40,898 $50,029 $285,318 ======== ========= ======== ======== ======= ======== Interest bearing liabilities: Savings accounts -- -- 28,412 9,471 9,471 47,354 Club accounts -- -- 238 79 79 396 NOW accounts 2,372 -- 8,094 3,175 2,222 15,863 Money market accounts 5,217 5,217 10,434 -- -- 20,868 Certificates of deposit 69,073 35,993 26,811 1,065 -- 132,942 Borrowings 16,834 14,500 -- -- -- 31,334 -------- --------- -------- -------- ------- -------- Total interest-bearing liabilities 93,496 55,710 73,989 13,790 11,772 $248,757 -------- --------- -------- -------- ------- ======== Interest sensitivity gap $ (9,195) $(12,848) $ (6,761) $ 27,108 $38,257 ======== ========= ======== ======== ======= Cumulative interest sensitivity gap $ (9,195) $(22,043) $(28,804) $ (1,696) $36,561 ======== ========= ======== ======== ======= Cumulative interest sensitivity gap as a percentage of total assets (3.22%) (7.73%) (10.10%) (0.59%) 12.81% ======== ========= ======== ======== ======= In addition to the use of interest rate "gap" as a measure of interest rate risk, the concept of the change in net portfolio value (NPV) has been utilized by the OTS. The change in NPV measures an institution's vulnerability to changes in interest rates by estimating the change in the market value of an institution's assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet contracts in response to an instantaneous change in the general level of interest rates. The NPV is defined as the current market value of assets, minus the current market value of liabilities, plus or minus the current value of off-balance sheet items. The market values are estimated through two cash flow-based valuation methodologies and an option-based valuation model: (1) static discounted cash flow analysis, (2) an option-based pricing analysis (modified discounted cash flow analysis to value embedded options), and (3) the Black-Scholes model to value off-balance sheet items. - 16 - The OTS uses, as a critical point, a change of plus or minus 200 basis points in order to set its "normal" institutional results and peer comparisons. The greater the change, positive or negative, in NPV, the more interest rate risk is assumed to exist within the institution. A change in NPV of more than 2% of the estimated market value of an institution's assets will require the institution to deduct from its regulatory capital 50% of that excess change. The following table lists the Bank's percentage change in NPV assuming an immediate change of plus or minus up to 400 basis points from the level of interest rates at December 31, 1997. NET PORTFOLIO VALUE ------------------- CHANGE IN INTEREST RATES IN BASIS POINTS $ AMOUNT $ CHANGE % CHANGE --------------- -------- --------- -------- (RATE SHOCK) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) +400 bp 9,784 -25,997 -73 +300 bp 17,094 -18,687 -52 +200 bp 24,693 -11,088 -31 +100 bp 31,982 -3,800 -11 0 bp 35,781 -- -- -100 bp 38,875 3,093 +9 -200 bp 40,982 5,201 +15 -300 bp 43,500 7,719 +22 -400 bp 46,626 10,845 +30 As the table shows, increases in interest rates would result in decreases in the Bank's NPV, while decreases in interest rates will result in increases in the Bank's NPV. At December 31, 1997, if the Bank were subject to these specific OTS regulations, the Bank would not be required to deduct any amount from total capital for purposes of calculating the Bank's risk-based capital requirement. Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methods of analysis presented in the foregoing tables. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates. Certain assets, such as adjustable rate mortgage ("ARM") loans, have features which limit changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the loan. In the event of a change in interest rates, prepayment and early withdrawal levels would likely deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating the table. Finally, the ability of borrowers to service their ARM loans may decrease in the event of an interest rate increases. YEAR 2000 A great deal of information has been disseminated about the global year 2000. Many computer programs that can only distinguish the final two digits of the year entered (a common programming practice in earlier years) are expected to read entries for the Year 2000 as the Year 1900 and compute payment, interest or delinquency. Rapid and accurate data processing is essential to the operation of the Company. Data processing is also essential to most other financial institutions and many other companies. The Company contracts with a service bureau to provide the majority of its data processing and is dependent upon purchased application software. In-house applications are limited to word processing and spreadsheet functions. The Company is in the process of ensuring that external vendors and the servicer are adequately addressing the system and software issues related to the Year 2000 by obtaining written system certifications that the systems are fully Year 2000 compliant or that the service bureau has a plan to become fully compliant in the very near future. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 1998, the Company will coordinate with the primary servicer end-to-end tests which allow the Company to simulate daily processing on sensitive century dates. In the evaluation, the Company will ensure that critical operations will continue if the servicer or vendors are unable to achieve the Year 2000 requirements. Upon the completion of the system inventory and vendor verification, the Company will identify critical applications and develop detailed plans for hardware/system upgrades and system replacements where necessary. Any delays, mistakes or failures could have a significant adverse impact on the financial condition and results of operation of the Company. - 17 - ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST INCOME Net interest income represents the difference between income on interest-earning assets and expense on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income depends upon the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rates earned or paid on them. The following table sets forth certain information relating to the Company's statements of financial condition and the statements of income for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and reflects the average yield on assets and average costs that are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods shown. Average balances are derived from month end balances. Management does not believe that the use of month end balances instead of average daily balances has caused any material differences in the information presented. For the purposes of calculating loan yields, average loan balances include non-accrual loans. YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------ 1997 1996 ---- ---- AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE BALANCE INTEREST YIELD/COST BALANCE INTEREST YIELD/COST ------- -------- ---------- ------- -------- ---------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Assets: Interest-earning assets: Loans $122,127 $ 10,047 8.23% $114,396 $ 9,809 8.58% Mortgage-backed securities - HTM 53,339 3,532 6.62% 54,329 3,360 6.18% Mortgage-backed securities - AFS 6,211 428 6.89% 2,686 156 5.81% Investment securities - HTM 50,726 3,670 7.24% 45,277 2,884 6.37% Investment securities - AFS 26,636 1,720 6.46% 16,991 933 5.49% FHLB stock 1,606 106 6.60% 1,484 96 6.47% -------- -------- ----- -------- ------- ----- Total interest-earning Assets $260,645 $ 19,503 7.48% $235,163 $17,238 7.33% Non-interest-earning assets 11,741 11,643 -------- -------- Total assets $272,386 $246,806 -------- -------- Liabilities and retained earnings: Interest-bearing liabilities: Savings, NOW, Club and Money market accounts $ 82,187 $ 2,265 2.76% $ 78,650 $ 2,238 2.85% Certificates of deposit 129,708 7,105 5.48% 128,471 6,934 5.40% Borrowed funds 17,554 1,061 6.04% -- -- 0.00% -------- -------- ----- -------- ------- ----- Total interest-bearing Liabilities $229,449 $ 10,431 4.55% $207,121 $ 9,172 4.43% -------- -------- ----- -------- ------- ----- Non-interest-bearing liabilities 2,927 1,689 -------- -------- Total liabilities 232,376 208,810 Stockholders' equity 40,010 37,996 -------- -------- Total liabilities and $272,386 $246,806 -------- -------- Net interest income/net interest rate Spread $ 9,072 2.93% $ 8,066 2.90% -------- ----- -------- ----- Net interest margin 3.48% 3.43% ----- ----- Ratio of interest-earning assets to Interest-bearing liabilities 1.14x 1.14x ----- ----- YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------ 1995 ---- AVERAGE AVERAGE BALANCE INTEREST YIELD/COST ------- -------- ---------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Assets: Interest-earning assets: Loans $116,055 $10,245 8.83% Mortgage-backed securities - HTM 43,925 2,457 5.59% Mortgage-backed securities - AFS -- -- 0.00% Investment securities - HTM 41,815 2,091 5.00% Investment securities - AFS 6,589 373 5.66% FHLB stock 1,439 110 7.65% -------- ------- ----- Total interest-earning Assets $209,823 $15,276 7.28% Non-interest-earning assets 8,244 -------- Total assets $218,067 Liabilities and retained earnings: Interest-bearing liabilities: Savings, NOW, Club and Money market accounts $ 79,138 $ 2,220 2.81% Certificates of deposit 121,833 6,249 5.13% Borrowed funds 1,807 111 6.14% -------- ------- ----- Total interest-bearing Liabilities $202,778 $ 8,580 4.23% -------- ------- ----- Non-interest-bearing liabilities 922 -------- Total liabilities 203,700 Stockholders' equity 14,367 -------- Total liabilities and $218,067 -------- Net interest income/net interest rate Spread $ 6,696 3.05% Net interest margin 3.19% ----- Ratio of interest-earning assets to Interest-bearing liabilities 1.03x ----- - 18 - RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS Net interest income can also be analyzed in terms of the impact of changing interest rates and changing volumes. The following table presents the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have affected the Company's interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. Information is provided in each category with respect to (i) changes attributable to changes in volume (changes in average volume multiplied by prior rate), (ii) changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior average volume), and (iii) changes in rate volume (changes in rate multiplied by changes in average volume). For the purpose of calculating loan yields, average loan balances include non-accrual loans. YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 ----------------------------- ---------------------------- INCREASE (DECREASE) INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET INTEREST INCOME DUE TO IN NET INTEREST INCOME DUE TO ----------------------------- ----------------------------- RATE/ RATE/ VOLUME RATE VOLUME NET VOLUME RATE VOLUME NET ------ ---- ------ --- ------ ---- ------ --- (IN THOUSANDS) Interest-earning assets: Loans $ 663 $ (398) $ (27) $ 238 $ (146) $(294) $ 4 $ (436) Mortgage-backed securities - HTM (61) 238 (5) 172 583 259 61 903 Mortgage-backed securities - AFS 205 29 38 272 -- -- 156 156 Investment securities - HTM 347 392 47 786 173 573 47 793 Investment securities - AFS 530 164 93 787 589 (11) (18) 560 FHLB stock 8 2 -- 10 3 (16) (1) (14) ------ ------ ------- ------ ------ ----- ------ ------ Total change in interest Income $1,692 $ 427 $ 146 $2,265 $1,202 $ 511 $ 249 $1,962 ------ ------ ------- ------ ------ ----- ------ ------ Interest-bearing liabilities: Savings, NOW, Club and money Market accounts 101 (71) (3) 27 (14) 32 -- 18 Certificates of deposit 67 103 1 171 340 327 18 685 Borrowed funds 1,061 -- -- 1,061 (111) -- -- (111) ------ ------ ------- ------ ------ ----- ------ ------ Total change in interest Expense $1,229 $ 32 $ (2) $1,259 $ 215 $ 359 $ 18 $ 592 ------ ------ ------- ------ ------ ----- ------ ------ Change in net interest income $ 463 $ 395 $ 148 $1,006 $ 987 $ 152 $ 231 $1,370 ------ ------ ------- ------ ------ ----- ------ ------ - 19 - LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCE Liquidity is a measure of a bank's ability to fund loans and withdrawals of deposits in a cost-effective manner. The Company's principal sources of funds are deposits, scheduled amortization and prepayments of loan principal and mortgage-backed securities, maturities of investment securities and funds provided by operations. Liquidity is also available through borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. While loan repayments and maturing investment securities are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows, prepayments and calls of investment securities and prepayment of mortgage-backed securities are influenced by interest rates, general economic conditions and competition in the marketplace. At December 31, 1997, total liquid assets, consisting of cash, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, investment securities and mortgage-backed securities, all with final maturities of five years or less, were $33.6 million, or 11.6%, of total assets. This amount includes $16.5 million scheduled to mature within one year, which represented 5.7% of total assets and 7.6% of total deposits at December 31, 1997. At December 31, 1997, the Bank had commitments to originate loans totalling $1.1 million, commitments to purchase loans of $3.2 million and outstanding unused lines of credit of $5.3 million. The Company is committed to maintaining a strong liquidity position and anticipates that it will have sufficient funds to meet its current funding commitments. The Bank does not have any balloon or other payments due on any long-term obligations or any off-balance sheet items other than the loan commitments and unused lines of credit noted above. The OTS requires that the Bank meet minimum tangible, core and risk-based capital requirements. As of December 31, 1997, the Bank had total risked-based capital ratio of 26.2%, a core-capital ratio of 10.6% and a tangible capital ratio of 10.6% which exceeded all regulatory capital requirements. The Company is considered well capitalized as of December 31, 1997. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS See Footnote 17 of Consolidated Financial Statements on Page F-32. LENDING PORTFOLIO General. The primary source of income to the Company is interest from lending activities and mortgage-backed and other investment securities. The principal lending activity of the Company is originating first mortgage real estate loans to enable borrowers to purchase or refinance one- to two-family residential properties and, to a lesser extent, originating home equity and other consumer loans. Management considers its purchase of loans and mortgage-backed securities to be part of its lending activities and an alternative to originating loans. Loan Portfolio Composition. At December 31, 1997, the Company had total loans of $131.2 million, of which $108.9 million, or 83.0%, were one-to four-family first mortgage loans. The loan portfolio increased by $3.9 million over the balance of $127.3 million at December 31, 1996. The increase was primarily attributable to the origination and purchase of new loans as the Company began a more aggressive marketing program in conjunction with its planned franchise expansion. Of the one-to four-family first mortgage loans outstanding at December 31, 1997, 46.00% were ARM loans and 57.00% were fixed-rate loans. Non-residential real estate and multi-family mortgage loans outstanding at December 31, 1997, totalled $8.1 million, or 6.2% of total loans, and $3.9 million, or 3.0% of total loans, respectively. The remainder of the Bank's loans at December 31, 1997, consisted of consumer loans of $10.2 million, or 7.8% of total loans, primarily home equity and deposit account loans. At December 31, 1997, 26.2% of the gross loan portfolio had adjustable rates. The types of loans that the Company may originate are subject to federal and state law and regulations. Interest rates charged by the Bank on loans are affected principally by the demand for such loans and the supply of money available for lending purposes and the rates offered by its competitors. These factors are, in turn, affected by general and economic conditions, monetary policies of the federal government, including the Federal Reserve Board, legislative tax policies and governmental budgetary matters. - 20 - The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's loan and mortgage-backed securities portfolio in dollar amounts and in percentages of the total portfolio at the dates indicated: AT DECEMBER 31, --------------- 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- PERCENT PERCENT PERCENT AMOUNT OF TOTAL AMOUNT OF TOTAL AMOUNT OF TOTAL ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) First mortgage loans: One- to four-family $108,891 83.0% $103,722 81.4% $ 88,275 77.3% Multi-family 3,934 3.0% 4,548 3.6% 5,892 5.2% Non-residential 8,112 6.2% 9,628 7.6% 13,279 11.6% -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ Total first mortgage loans $120,937 92.2% $117,898 92.6% $107,446 94.1% Consumer loans: Home equity lines of Credit $ 9,513 7.3% $ 8,800 6.9% $ 6,331 5.6% Auto 151 0.1% 26 0.0% 7 0.0% Student -- 0.0% 24 0.0% 21 0.0% Deposit Account 421 0.3% 496 0.4% 371 0.3% Unsecured 31 0.0% -- 0.0% -- 0.0% Commercial: Small business administration 105 0.1% 73 0.1% -- 0.0% Unsecured 20 0.0% 4 0.0% -- 0.0% -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ Total other loans $ 10,241 7.8% $ 9,423 7.4% $ 6,730 5.9% -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ Total loans $131,178 100.0% $127,321 100.0% $114,176 100.0% Less: Deferred loan fees 299 370 379 Allowance for loan losses 3,061 3,126 4,746 -------- -------- -------- Total loans, net $127,818 $123,825 $109,051 ======== ======== ======== Mortgage-backed Securities - HTM: GNMA $ 17,605 27.7% $ 12,905 23.6% $ 13,896 25.3% FHLMC 28,881 45.5% 31,351 57.4% 36,639 66.8% FNMA 6,523 10.3% 7,513 13.8% 4,334 7.9% -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ Total mortgage- backed securities - HTM $ 53,009 83.5% $ 51,769 94.8% $ 54,869 100.0% ======== ====== ======== ====== ======== ====== Mortgage-backed Securities - AFS: FNMA 10,445 16.5% 2,824 5.2% -- 0.0% -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ Total mortgage- backed securities - AFS 10,445 16.5% 2,824 5.2% -- 0.0% Total mortgage- backed securities $ 63,454 100.0% $ 54,593 100.0% $ 54,869 100.0% ======== ====== ======== ====== ======== ====== AT DECEMBER 31, --------------- 1994 1993 ---- ---- PERCENT PERCENT AMOUNT OF TOTAL AMOUNT OF TOTAL ------ -------- ------ -------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) First mortgage loans: One- to four-family $ 97,419 77.1% $ 99,296 74.6% Multi-family 6,192 4.9% 7,710 5.8% Non-residential 16,055 12.7% 17,985 13.5% -------- ------ -------- ------ Total first mortgage loans $119,666 94.7% $124,991 93.9% Consumer loans: Home equity lines of Credit $ 6,223 4.9% $ 6,902 5.2% Auto -- 0.0% -- 0.0% Student 20 0.0% 502 0.4% Deposit Account 430 0.4% 631 0.5% Unsecured -- 0.0% -- 0.0% Commercial: Small business administration -- 0.0% -- 0.0% Unsecured -- 0.0% -- 0.0% -------- ------ -------- ------ Total other loans $ 6,673 5.3% $ 8,035 6.1% -------- ------ -------- ------ Total loans $126,339 100.0% $133,026 100.0% Less: Deferred loan fees 435 405 Allowance for loan losses 5,073 3,055 -------- -------- Total loans, net $120,831 $129,566 ======== ======== Mortgage-backed Securities - HTM: GNMA $ 1,039 2.5% $ 1,317 4.7% FHLMC 34,854 84.6% 26,189 92.5% FNMA 5,329 12.9% 809 2.9% -------- ------ -------- ------ Total mortgage- backed securities - HTM $ 41,222 100.0% $ 28,315 100.0% ======== ====== ======== ====== Mortgage-backed Securities - AFS: FNMA -- 0.0% -- 0.0% -------- ------ -------- ------ Total mortgage- backed securities - AFS -- 0.0% -- 0.0% Total mortgage- backed securities $ 41,222 100.0% 28,315 100.0% ======== ====== ======== ====== - 21 - Loans and Mortgage-Backed Securities Maturity. The following table shows the contractual maturity of the Company's loans and mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 1997. The table does not include the effect of prepayments or scheduled principal amortization. AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 -------------------- ONE- TO MULTI- MORTGAGE- FOUR- FAMILY NON- OTHER TOTAL BACKED FAMILY RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL LOANS LOANS SECURITIES TOTAL ------ ----------- ----------- ----- ----- ---------- ----- (IN THOUSANDS) Amounts due: Within one year $ 7,442 $2,014 $3,199 $ 61 $ 12,716 $ 4,167 $16,883 After 1 year: 1 to 3 years 8,873 296 1,254 318 10,741 8,985 19,726 3 to 5 years 6,026 1,072 964 1,397 9,459 150 9,609 5 to 10 years 7,685 140 726 4,169 12,720 4,053 16,773 10 to 20 years 12,797 412 1,476 4,296 18,981 4,223 23,204 Over 20 years 66,068 -- 493 -- 66,561 41,876 107,885 -------- ------ ------ ------- -------- ------- -------- Total due after 1 year 101,449 1,920 4,913 10,180 118,462 59,287 177,197 Total loans and mortgage- Backed securities $108,891 $3,934 $8,112 $10,241 $131,178 $63,454 $194,080 ======== ====== ====== ======= ======== ======= ======== Less deferred loan fees 299 -- 299 Less allowance for loan Losses 3,061 -- 3,061 -------- ------- -------- Total loans and mortgage- Backed securities, net $127,818 $63,454 $190,720 ======== ======= ======== The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 1997, the dollar amount of all loans and mortgage-backed securities due after December 31, 1998, and whether such loans have fixed interest rates or adjustable interest rates: DUE AFTER DECEMBER 31, 1998 --------------------------- FIXED ADJUSTABLE TOTAL ----- ---------- ----- (IN THOUSANDS) First mortgage loans $58,481 $49,801 $108,282 Mortgage-backed securities 32,383 26,352 58,735 Consumer loans 6,359 3,821 10,180 ------- ------- -------- Total loans and mortgage- backed securities due after December 31, 1998 $97,223 $79,974 $177,197 ======= ======= ======== - 22 - The following table sets forth originations, loan purchases, sales and principal payments in the Company's loan and mortgage-backed securities portfolios for the periods indicated: YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------ 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- (IN THOUSANDS) Loans receivable, net at beginning of year $ 123,825 $ 109,051 $ 120,831 Loans originated: First Mortgage: One- to four-family 12,672 22,208 2,967 Consumer loans: Home equity 2,853 4,543 2,246 Deposit account 170 658 568 Student -- 42 46 Auto 161 29 7 Unsecured 35 -- -- Commercial 58 80 -- --------- --------- --------- Total loans originated 15,949 27,560 5,834 Loans purchased 6,052 8,112 485 --------- --------- --------- Total loans originated and purchased 22,001 35,672 6,319 Loans Sold: First Mortgage: One- to four-family -- 1,255 -- Non-residential 523 -- -- Consumer Loans: Student -- 38 45 --------- --------- --------- Total loans sold 523 1,293 45 Principal repayments (17,082) (19,419) (15,820) Transfer of mortgage loans to real estate owned, net (539) (1,815) (2,616) Amortization of deferred fees 71 9 55 (Increase) decrease in allowance for loan losses 65 1,620 327 --------- --------- --------- Net loan activity 3,993 14,774 (11,780) Total loans receivable, net at end of year $ 127,818 $ 123,825 $ 109,051 ========= ========= ========= Mortgage-backed securities at beginning of year $ 54,593 $ 54,869 $ 41,222 Mortgage-backed securities purchased 24,862 12,844 20,654 Principal reductions (16,651) (13,001) (6,926) Net change in unrealized gain/loss on AFS 186 (56) -- Amortization of (premium) discount (87) (63) (81) --------- --------- --------- Mortgage-backed securities at end of year $ 62,903 $ 54,593 $ 54,869 ========= ========= ========= Residential Mortgage Lending. Although the Company previously offered loans secured by up to four family residences, since 1993 it only offers first mortgages on one- to two-family owner occupied residences. Loan originations are generally obtained from existing or past customers and referrals from real estate agents, builders and members of the local communities in which the Company has offices, as well as through correspondent relationships with mortgage brokers. Residential loan originations are secured by owner-occupied residences within the State of New Jersey. The Company also purchases loans from other sources such as mortgage bankers and other financial intermediaries. At December 31, 1997, the Company had $22.4 million of purchased loans. Purchased loans are underwritten pursuant to the Company's criteria and are secured by one- to four-family residential properties located within the State of New Jersey. - 23 - At December 31, 1997, 83.0% of the Company gross loans consisted of one- to four-family residential loans. The Company commenced offering ARM loans in 1994, and currently emphasizes ARM loans. Because of consumer preference during a low interest rate environment, the majority of the portfolio, 73.8%, are still fixed rate loans. The Company generally originates one and two family residential mortgage loans in amounts up to 80% of the appraised value of the mortgaged property, but will consider loan-to-value ratios of up to 95% if the loan amount exceeding the 80% loan-to-value ratio is insured by a private mortgage insurance company. The Company retains the ARM loans it originates for its loan portfolio. Non-residential and Multi-Family Real Estate Lending. At December 31, 1997, the Company's non-residential and multi-family real estate loan portfolio totalled $8.1 million and $3.9 million, or 6.2% and 3.0% respectively of the total loan portfolio. Non-residential loans consist mainly of first mortgages on mixed-use properties. Mixed use properties consist of properties containing both residential and mercantile uses. Although the Company ceased making these loans for a time, the Company has recently instituted a new program pursuant to which it will make loans secured by these types of properties on a case by case basis. These loans may entail additional risk beyond that incurred by the Company in its traditional one- to two-family owner-occupied lending, although loans of this type generally have higher yields and shorter terms. Consumer Loans. As of December 31, 1997, consumer loans totalled $10.2 million or 7.8% of the Company's total loan portfolio. The Company offers consumer loans in the form of home equity, auto, guaranteed student and passbook loans. The Company's home equity loans consist of first or second mortgage loans secured by owner occupied one- to two-family residences. Where the Company is a second mortgagee, the total debt secured by the residence may not exceed 75% of the market value of the residence. During 1997 the Company began to offer personal unsecured loans as well as personal and business overdrafts or cash reserve accounts. The Company originates owner occupied home equity loans secured by one and two family residences. Fixed rate loans are offered for up to 7- or 15-year periods. Home equity lines of credit and adjustable rate home equity loans are offered for a period not to exceed 15 years. On these loans, the Company requires that it be in either a first or second lien position. The loans are generally subject to 75% combined loan-to-value limitation, including any other outstanding mortgages or liens. The Company currently retains all home equity loans for its portfolio. These loans currently represent 7.3% of the Bank's portfolio and are classified as consumer loans. MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES The Company invests in mortgage-backed securities and utilizes such investments to complement its investment and mortgage lending activities. At December 31, 1997, mortgage-backed securities, totalled $62.9 million or 21.6% of total assets, an increase of $8.7 million, or 16.1%, over mortgage-backed securities of $54.6 million at December 31, 1996. This increase is attributable to the application of repayments in excess of loan origination requirements. At December 31, 1997, the Bank's entire mortgage-backed securities portfolio was directly insured or guaranteed by the GNMA, the FNMA or the FHLMC. Balloon and ARM backed loans comprise $25.6 million, or 40.8%, of the mortgage backed securities portfolio the balance is represented by 10-, 20- and 30-year fixed rate loans. - 24 - DELINQUENT LOANS AND FORECLOSED ASSETS Maintenance of asset quality is one of management's most important tasks. Management reviews delinquent loans on a continuous basis and the Board of Directors reviews delinquent loans monthly. The Company retains counsel experienced in real estate law and foreclosure procedures. The level of non-performing assets was $2.2 million at December 31, 1997, as compared to $2.1 million at December 31, 1996. At December 31, 1997, the Company held one parcel of REO with a value of $118,000, a decrease of $419,000, or 78.0%, from $537,000 at December 31, 1996. The decrease reflects Management's continued efforts to resolve the Company's non-performing assets. Federal regulations provide for the classification of loans and other assets such as debt and equity securities considered by the OTS to be of lesser quality as "substandard," "doubtful," or "loss" assets. An asset is considered "substandard" if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. "Substandard" assets include those characterized by the distinct possibility that the savings institution will sustain "some loss" if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as "doubtful" have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified "substandard," with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make "collection or liquidation in full," on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, "highly questionable and improbable." Assets classified as "loss" are those considered "uncollectible" and of such little value that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted. Assets that do not expose the savings institution to risk sufficient to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories, but which possess some weaknesses, are required to be designated "special mention" by management. Loans designated as special mention are generally loans that have experienced past delinquencies or have exhibited some potential weaknesses that, if not corrected, could increase the level of risk in the future. At December 31, 1997, the Company had special mention loans of $923,903. These loans consist of 10 loans with an average balance of $95,705. At December 31, 1997, the Company had loans 90 days or more past due of $2.1 million, or 1.6% of total loans. Loans 90 days or more past due consisted of 15 loans with an average balance of $ 137,000, of which 12 are secured by one- to four-family properties, 2 loans secured by mixed use properties and one consumer loan. The largest balance due on any of these loans was $262,347. The tables below set forth information concerning delinquent loans as of the periods indicated. The amounts represent the total remaining balances of the related loans and percentage of total loans outstanding, rather than the actual payment amounts which are overdue: AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 -------------------- 60-89 DAYS 90 DAYS OR MORE ---------- --------------- PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL NUMBER BALANCE NUMBER BALANCE OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS -------- -------- -------- ------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) One- to four-family 3 $306 12 $1,793 Multi-family residential/ Non-residential -- -- 2 261 Consumer Loans 1 5 1 3 Commercial -- -- -- -- --- ---- -- ------ Total delinquent loans 4 $311 15 $2,057 === ==== == ====== Delinquent loans to gross loans 0.24% 1.57% - 25 - AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 -------------------- 60-89 DAYS 90 DAYS OR MORE ---------- --------------- PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL NUMBER BALANCE NUMBER BALANCE OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS -------- -------- -------- ------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) One- to four-family 6 $44 9 $ 865 Multi-family residential/ Non-residential 1 9 2 657 Consumer Loans -- -- -- -- Commercial -- -- -- -- -- --- -- ------ Total delinquent loans 7 $53 11 $1,522 === === == ====== Delinquent loans to gross loans 0.42% 1.20% AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 -------------------- 60-89 DAYS 90 DAYS OR MORE ---------- --------------- PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL NUMBER BALANCE NUMBER BALANCE OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS -------- -------- -------- ------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) One- to four-family 5 $ 34 18 $2,125 Multi-family residential/ Non-residential 3 74 8 3,017 Consumer Loans -- -- 1 52 Commercial -- -- -- -- --- ----- -- ------ Total delinquent loans 8 $ 108 27 $5,194 === ===== == ====== Delinquent loans to gross loans 0.95% 4.55% Interest is not accrued on loans where interest or principal is 90 days or more past due, unless the loans are well secured and in the process of collection. Once the loans reach non-accrual status, accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent that payments are received. Interest on loans that have been restructured is accrued according to the renegotiated terms. The table below sets forth information regarding the Company's non-performing assets: AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Non-accrual delinquent mortgage loans $2,054 $1,522 $5,194 $7,756 $6,796 Other non-accrual loans delinquent 90 days or more 3 -- -- 60 -- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total non-performing loans 2,057 1,522 5,194 7,816 6,796 Total REO 118 537 1,926 265 525 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total non-performing assets $2,175 $2,059 $7,120 $8,081 $7,321 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Non-performing loans to total gross loans 1.57% 1.20% 4.55% 6.19% 5.11% Non-performing assets to total gross loans and REO 1.66% 1.61% 6.13% 6.38% 5.48% Non-performing loans to total assets 0.71% 0.62% 2.31% 3.63% 3.10% Non-performing assets to total assets 0.75% 0.83% 3.16% 3.76% 3.34% Not included as non-accrual loans in the table above are balloon real estate loans which are still performing but which are beyond their original maturity date. Historically, these loans have either been paid off or extended at current market rates of interest by the Bank. These loans amounted to $84,758, $610,259, $808,192, $0, and $973,038 at December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. - 26 - In addition to the loans included in the risk elements table above, and in the preceding paragraph, the Bank's internal loan review identified approximately $923,903 in loans which were performing but were classified as special mention at December 31, 1997. These loans, as well as the loans included in the risk elements table, and in the preceding paragraph, have been considered in the analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. During the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the amounts of interest income that would have been recorded on non-accrual loans, had they been current, approximated $163,000, $277,030 and $951,300, respectively. Also, during the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 the amounts of interest income on non-performing loans that was included in income approximated $57,626, $37,426 and $100,434, respectively. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES The following table sets forth the Company's allowance for loan losses at or for the dates indicated: AT OR FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, -------------------------------------- 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Balance, beginning of year $3,126 $4,746 $5,073 $3,055 $4,305 Provisions charged to operations 475 725 1,005 2,540 3,042 Loans charged off: One- to four-family residential 177 1,327 635 500 2,845 Multi-family residential 0 -- -- 8 335 Non-residential 413 863 737 200 1,144 Land & construction loans -- 155 -- 33 -- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total loans charged off 590 2,345 1,372 741 4,324 Recovery on loans: One- to four-family residential -- -- 40 219 1 Multi-family residential -- -- -- -- -- Non-residential 50 -- -- -- 31 Land & construction loans -- -- -- -- -- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total recovery on loans 50 -- 40 219 32 ------ Net loans charged off 540 2,345 1,332 522 4,292 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Balance, end of year $3,061 $3,126 $4,746 $5,073 $3,055 ====== ======= ======= ======= ====== Ratio of net charge-offs during the year to average loans outstanding during the period 0.44% 2.05% 1.15% 0.43% 3.06% Ratio of allowance for loans losses to non-performing loans 148.81% 205.39% 91.37% 64.91% 44.95% - 27 - The following table sets forth the allocation of the Company's allowance for loan losses by loan type at the dates indicated: DECEMBER 31, 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS TO GROSS TO GROSS TO GROSS TO GROSS TO GROSS AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Allocation of allowance for loan losses One- to four-family $2,541 83.01% $2,547 81.47% $3,669 77.32% $3,912 77.11% $2,280 74.64% Multi-family 92 3.00% 112 3.57% 245 5.16% 249 4.90% 177 5.80% Non-residential 189 6.18% 236 7.56% 552 11.63% 645 12.71% 413 13.52% Consumer loans 236 7.71% 229 7.34% 280 5.89% 267 5.28% 185 6.04% Commercial 3 0.10% 2 0.06% -- 0.00% -- 0.00% -- 0.00% ------ ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Balance, end of year $3,061 $100.00% $3,126 100.00% $4,746 100.00% $5,073 100.00% $3,055 100.00% ====== ======= ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== The allowance for loan losses is established through charges (provisions for loan losses) to earnings. Loan losses (loans charged off, net of recoveries) are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that the recovery of principal is unlikely. If, as a result of loans charged off or increases in the size or risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, management considers the allowance to be below the level necessary to absorb future loan losses on existing loans, an additional provision for loan losses is made to increase the allowance for loan losses to the level considered necessary to absorb possible losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. Management considers such factors as changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, review of specific problem loans and economic conditions that may affect the borrowers' ability to pay and the realization of collateral in determining the adequacy of the allowance. Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions in their market area. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES The Company's assets, other than loans receivable and mortgage-backed securities, are invested primarily in U.S. Government and agency securities and FHLB overnight deposits. In addition, the Company holds an investment in the Prudential Government Securities Trust. The Prudential Government Securities Trust is a mutual fund comprised of investments principally in a diversified portfolio of intermediate term securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Under the Bank's investment policy, the Bank is authorized to purchase agency securities with maturities as determined by an investment committee of the Bank's Board from time to time based upon several factors, including the Bank's interest rate risk profile, liquidity needs and other factors. The Bank's investment policy also prohibits the Bank from engaging in futures transactions, options transactions, investment in high-risk mortgage derivatives such as collateralized mortgage obligations, residual interests, real estate mortgage investment conduit residual interests, stripped mortgage-backed securities, or any other related products that exhibit a high degree of volatility. At December 31, 1997, the Company's investment portfolio totalled $88.0 million, an increase of $35.3 million, or 67.0%. over total securities of $52.7 million at December 31, 1996. - 28 - The following table shows the amortized value, weighted average yield, and maturities of the Company's investment securities portfolio, excluding FHLBNY stock at December 31, 1997: AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 -------------------- LESS THAN 1-5 5-10 1 YEAR YEARS YEARS ------ ----- ----- WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED CARRYING AVERAGE CARRYING AVERAGE CARRYING AVERAGE VALUE YIELD VALUE YIELD VALUE YIELD ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Investments held to maturity: U.S. Government and agency securities -- -- $3,000 6.28% $28,953 7.22% Total investments held to maturity -- -- $3,000 6.28% $28,953 7.22% Investment securities Available for sale: Prudential Securities Trust $7,053 4.83% -- -- -- -- U.S. Government and Agency securities -- -- $5,000 5.97% $29,345 Total securities $7,053 4.83% $5,000 5.97% $29,345 7.27% AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 -------------------- OVER 10 TOTAL INVESTMENT YEARS SECURITIES ----- ---------- WEIGHTED WEIGHTED CARRYING AVERAGE CARRYING MARKET AVERAGE VALUE YIELD VALUE VALUE YIELD ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Investments held to maturity: $14,950 7.51% $46,903 $47,252 7.26% U.S. Government and agency securities Total $14,950 7.51% $46,903 $47,252 7.26% investments held to maturity Investment securities Available for sale: Prudential Securities Trust -- -- $ 7,053 $ 6,751 4.83% U.S. Government and Agency securities -- -- $34,345 $34,340 7.10% Total securities -- -- $41,398 $41,091 6.69% The following table sets forth the composition of the Bank's investment in ("FHLB") overnight deposits, investment securities portfolio and FHLBNY stock at the dates indicated: DECEMBER 31, ------------- 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- CARRYING % OF CARRYING % OF CARRYING % OF VALUE TOTAL VALUE TOTAL VALUE TOTAL ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) FHLB overnight deposits -- 0.0% $ 2,500 6.7% $ 2,000 4.7% FHLBNY stock $ 1,627 3.4% 1,487 4.0% 1,447 3.3% Investments held to maturity: U.S. Government & agency securities $46,903 96.6% 33,136 89.3% 39,510 92.0% ------- ------ ------- ----- ------- ------ Total FHLB overnight deposits, FHLBNY stock and investment securities held to maturity $48,530 100.0% $37,123 100.0% $42,957 100.0% ======= ====== ======= ====== ======= ====== Investment securities available for sale: Marketable Securities - $ 6,751 16.4% $ 6,688 34.1% 6,778 100.0% Prudential Securities Trust U.S. Government & Agency Securities 34,340 83.6% 12,909 65.9% -- 0.0% ------- ------ ------- ----- ------- ------ Total securities available for sale $41,091 100.0% $19,597 100.0% $ 6,778 100.0% ======= ====== ======= ====== ======= ====== SOURCES OF FUNDS General. Deposit accounts have traditionally been the principal source of the Company's funds for use in lending and for other general business purposes. In addition to deposits, the Company's applicable sources of funds are loan and mortgage-backed security repayments, cash flow generated from operations including interest payments on loans and investment securities and fees, and FHLBNY advances. Deposits. The Company offers a variety of deposit accounts having a range of interest rates and terms. The Bank presently offers passbook accounts, checking accounts, NOW accounts, money market accounts, fixed interest rate certificates of deposit with varying maturities and individual retirement accounts ("IRAs"). The Company emphasizes retention of its core deposits, and depending on its funding needs, interest rate risk management and other considerations, the Bank from time to time emphasizes the originations of certificates of deposit. - 29 - The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in prevailing interest rates, pricing of deposits and competition. The Company's deposits are primarily obtained from areas surrounding its offices, and the Bank relies primarily on paying competitive rates, service and long-standing relationships with customers to attract and retain these deposits. The Bank does not use brokers to obtain deposits. When management determines the levels of the Company's deposit rates, consideration is given to local competition, U.S. Treasury securities offerings and the rates charged on other sources of funds. At December 31, 1997, the Company had total deposits of $217.4 million, an increase of $13.2 million, or 6.5%, from total deposits of $204.2 million at December 31, 1996. This decrease resulted from rate competition on certificates of deposit, as the Company's competitors raised their rates to attract additional deposits, while the Company maintained its rates. The table below sets forth the average dollar amount of deposits in the various types of savings programs, along with the weighted average effective interest rate paid for the periods indicated: FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1997 1996 1995 ----------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------------- WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED PERCENT AVERAGE PERCENT AVERAGE PERCENT AVERAGE AVERAGE OF TOTAL EFFECTIVE AVERAGE OF TOTAL EFFECTIVE AVERAGE OF TOTAL EFFECTIVE BALANCE DEPOSITS RATE BALANCE DEPOSITS RATE BALANCE DEPOSITS RATE ------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) NOW accounts $ 14,107 6.66% $ 10,569 5.10% $ 9,701 4.83% Money market accounts 19,773 9.33% 21,456 10.36% 23,011 11.45% Savings accounts 47,076 22.22% 45,208 21.83% 44,991 22.39% Club accounts 731 0.34% 819 0.39% 863 0.43% -------- ------ -------- ------ --------- ------ Total core deposits 81,687 38.55% $ 78,052 37.68% 78,566 39.10% Certificates of deposit 129,708 61.21% 128,471 62.03% 121,833 60.62% Accrued dividends payable 500 0.24% 598 0.29% 572 0.28% -------- ------ -------- ------ --------- ------ Total deposits $211,895 100.00% 4.42% $207,121 100.00% 4.43% $ 200,971 100.00% 4.21% -------- ------ ---- -------- ------ ---- --------- ------ ---- The following table shows rate information for the Bank's certificates of deposit and maturity information at December 31, 1997: PERIOD TO MATURITY FROM DECEMBER 31, 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------- WITHIN ONE TO TWO TO OVER ONE YEAR TWO YEARS THREE YEARS THREE YEARS TOTAL -------- --------- ----------- ----------- ----- (IN THOUSANDS) Certificates of Deposit 3.99% or less $ 92 $ 25 $ -- $ -- $ 117 4.00% to 4.99% 1,904 -- -- -- 1,904 5.00% to 5.99% 97,798 21,803 3,004 1,064 123,669 6.00% to 6.99% 4,829 252 1,727 -- 6,808 7.00% to 7.99% 96 -- -- -- 96 8.00% to 8.99% -- -- -- -- -- -------- ------- ------ ------ -------- Total $104,719 $22,080 $4,731 $1,064 $132,594 ======== ======= ====== ====== ======== - 30 - The following table sets forth the maturity dates of the Bank's certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more at December 31, 1997: AMOUNT MATURITY PERIOD (IN THOUSANDS) --------------- -------------- Three to six months $1,728 Three through six months 1,675 Six through twelve months 1,898 Over twelve months 1,187 ------ Total $6,488 ====== Borrowings. The Company's principal source of borrowings in past years has been advances from the FHLBNY. The Company utilizes these advances when available loan and investment yields exceed the cost of borrowings. The following table sets forth the maximum month-end balance and average balance of FHLBNY advances for the periods indicated: FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------ 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Maximum balance $31,334 -- $5,157 Average balance $17,553 -- $1,807 Weighted average interest rate 6.05% -- 6.14% There were no FHLBNY advances outstanding at December 31, 1996. In future periods, the Company anticipates increasing its borrowing in order to use the funds to increase its asset base and enhance its earning through the purchase of investment and mortgage-backed securities. The Company will seek to realize earnings equal to the spread between the cost of the borrowed funds and the yield on the investment and mortgage-backed securities. ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK See item 7 of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Market Risk and Interest Rate sensitivity Analysis. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA Consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and the auditors' report thereon, are included herewith as indicated on "Index to Consolidated Financial Statements" on page F-1. ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE Not applicable. - 31 - PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Board of Directors of the Company: DIRECTOR TERM NAME AGE POSITIONS HELD WITH THE BANK SINCE EXPIRES ---- --- ---------------------------- -------- ------- James W. Mason 72 Chairman of the Board and Director 1985 1999 Bernard Leung 74 Director 1978 1998 William M. Brickman 57 President, CEO and Director 1992 1999 Kathleen Fisher 73 Director 1989 2000 Richard R. Masch 71 Director 1991 1998 Robert C. Miller 66 Director 1990 1999 Robert O'Neill 61 Director 1990 2000 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS: NAME AGE POSITION HELD WITH THE BANK ---- --- --------------------------- Albert E. Gossweiler 50 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert C. Maison 55 Senior Vice President and Senior Lending Officer BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION The principal occupation for the prior five years of each director and each executive officer of the Bank is set forth below: MR. JAMES W. MASON is a senior partner in the firm of Mason Helmstetter Associates, a real estate appraisal and consulting firm. Mr. Mason has been Chairman of the Board of the Bank since 1992. MR. WILLIAM M. BRICKMAN has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank since 1992. Mr. Brickman has over 35 years of experience in the thrift industry. Prior to becoming President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Alexander Hamilton Savings and Loan. MS. KATHLEEN FISHER served as an employee of the Bank for more than 50 years, retiring as a Vice President in 1992. DR. BERNARD LEUNG has been retired from the active practice of medicine since 1993. Previously, he was a practicing physician in Wood-Ridge and Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, and was Senior Attending Physician in the Department of Internal Medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center. MR. RICHARD R. MASCH has been a vice president of D.K. Dickson, Inc., an aerospace firm, since 1991. Previously, Mr. Masch was employed by Allied Signal Corporation. MR. ROBERT C. MILLER has been retired for more than 5 years. Previously, Mr. Miller was employed in the financial services industry, working as the Director of Shareholder Services for the Lexington Management Corporation and as Vice President of the Anchor Group of Mutual Funds. MR. ROBERT O'NEILL has been employed by the Bank since 1957, and has been a Vice President since 1992. MR. ALBERT E. GOSSWEILER has been employed by the Bank for 16 years and became the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank in 1989. MR. ROBERT C. MAISON has been the Senior Vice President and Chief Loan Officer of the Bank since 1992. Previously, Mr. Maison was a Vice President and Chief Lending Officer for Marine View Savings & Loan Association. - 32 - SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for those persons, the Company believes that, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were met. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The report of the Compensation/Benefits Committee of the Board of Directors and the following stock performance graph shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Annual Report on Form 10-K into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION GENERAL. The Company's executive compensation program is administered by the Compensation/Benefits Committee of the Board of Directors. The Compensation/Benefits Committee is comprised of Messrs. Mason and Miller. The Compensation/Benefits Committee is responsible for establishing the compensation levels and benefits for executive officers of the Company and the Bank. COMPENSATION POLICIES. The Compensation/Benefits Committee has the following goals for compensation programs impacting the executive officers of the Company and the Bank: o to align the interests of executive officers with the long-term interests of shareholders through awards that can result in ownership of Common Stock; o to retain the executive officers who have led the Company to high performance levels and allow the Company to attract high quality executive officers in the future by providing total compensation opportunities which are consistent with competitive norms of the industry and the Company's level of performance; and o to maintain reasonable "fixed" compensation costs by targeting base salaries at a competitive average. In addition, in order to align the interests and performance of its executive officers with the long term interests of its stockholders, the Company has adopted plans which reward the executives for delivering long term value to the Company and the Bank - 33 - The executive compensation package available to executive officers will be composed of the following components: 1. base salary; 2. short-term incentive compensation; and 3. long-term incentive compensation, including stock options and stock awards. Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison each have an Employment Agreement with the Company and the Bank which specifies a minimum base salary and requires periodic review of such salary. In addition, executive officers participate in other benefit plans available to all employees, including the ESOP and the 401(k) Plan. BASE SALARY. The Compensation/Benefits Committee meets during the last quarter of each year to determine the level of any salary increase to take effect at the beginning of the year immediately following. While it uses no specific formula within its decision making process, the Compensation/Benefits Committee determines the level of salary increases after reviewing the qualifications and experience of the executive officers of the Company, the compensation paid to persons having similar duties and responsibilities at other institutions, and the size of the Company and the complexity of its operations. Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison were all hired by the Company upon its formation, and each was employed by the Bank prior to the Company's initial public offering. Base compensation levels were established based upon market ranges for executives in comparable positions within the market area of the Company. SHORT TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. Each year the Compensation/Benefits Committee establishes the size of the pool of available bonus money based upon the expected performance of the Company for that year. The parameters for the award of bonuses are related to the Company attaining specific levels of performance, and the individual achieving targeted objectives designed to support and implement the Company's objectives and strategies. The committee determined the level of compensation for executive officers of the company after reviewing various surveys of compensation paid to executives performing similar duties for depository institutions and their holding companies with a particular focus on the level of compensation paid by comparable institutions in and around the Company's market area. The committee considered the achievements of the Company during the prior year, expansion of its branch network and overall performance of the Company in making compensation recommendations. With respect to each particular executive officer, his particular contributions to the Company over the past year were also considered. A summary of the compensation awarded to Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table, and reflects the facts and considerations as outlined above. The Compensation/Benefits Committee: James W. Mason and Robert C. Miller. - 34 - PERFORMANCE GRAPH PERFORMANCE GRAPH. The following graph shows a monthly comparison of cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's Common Stock, based upon the market price of the Common Stock, with the Nasdaq Bank Stock Index and the SNL Index for thrift institutions with assets between $250 million and $500 million for the period beginning on March 29, 1996, the date the Company completed its initial public offering, through December 31, 1997. The information assumes that $100 was invested on March 29, 1996. THE GRAPH WAS DERIVED FROM A VERY LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME AND REFLECTS THE MARKET'S REACTION TO THE COMPANY'S INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING, AND AS A RESULT, MAY NOT BE INDICATIVE OF POSSIBLE FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK. 1ST BERGEN BANCORP QUARTERLY INDEX GRAPH PERIOD ENDING --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3/29/96 6/28/96 9/30/96 12/31/96 3/30/97 6/30/97 9/30/97 12/31/97 ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------- SNL Index-$250 to $500 mm .......... $100 $ 99 $105 $115 $125 $138 $168 $191 1st Bergen Bancorp ................. 100 91 111 115 140 153 184 191 NASDAQ Bank Index .................. 100 102 109 121 131 153 180 197 - 35 - ANNUAL COMPENSATION AND ALL OTHER COMPENSATION SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE. The following table shows, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the cash compensation paid or accrued for those years, to the chief executive officer and to each of the Company's four highest paid executive officers earning over $100,000: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS ------------------------------- --------------------------------- (a) (b) (c) (d) (f) (g) (i) RESTRICTED STOCK SECURITIES ALL AWARD (S) UNDERLYING OTHER NAME YEAR SALARY BONUS ($)(1) OPTIONS (#)(2) COMPENSATION(3) ---- ---- -------- ------- ---------------- -------------- --------------- William M. Brickman 1997 $160,000 $23,000 $436,425 63,480 9,636 President & CEO 1996 150,000 20,000 -- -- 11,424 1995 144,583 7,229 -- -- 7,804 Albert E. Gossweiler 1997 $122,000 $17,000 $283,676 47,610 3,650 Executive VP & CFO 1996 115,000 15,000 -- -- 4,477 1995 110,000 5,500 -- -- 4,285 Robert C. Maison 1997 $ 96,000 $12,000 $152,749 47,610 3,581 Senior VP & CLO 1996 91,000 10,000 -- -- 4,014 1995 86,625 4,331 -- -- 3,815 - ---------- (1) Represents the value on the date of grant of 31,740-20,631 and 11,109 shares of Common Stock granted to Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison respectively pursuant to the Company's Management Recognition and Retention Plan ("RRP"), subject to 20% vesting in each of the five years following grant. There were no grants of restricted stock of December 31, 1996. Dividends declared on all shares granted pursuant to the RRP are paid to the recipient thereof, whether or not such shares have yet vested. (2) Options vest at the rate of 20% in each of the five years following grant. (3) Includes the imputed value of personal use of Company automobiles, life insurance premiums and Company matching contributions to its 401(K) Plan. - 36 - OPTION GRANTS DURING 1997 POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION FOR INDIVIDUAL GRANTS OPTION TERM - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) NUMBER OF % OF TOTAL SECURITIES OPTIONS UNDERLYING GRANTED TO OPTIONS EMPLOYEES EXERCISE OR GRANTED IN FISCAL BASE PRICE EXPIRATION NAME (#) YEAR ($/SH) DATE 5 ($) 10 ($) ---- ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------- --------- William M. Brickman 63,480 23.4% 13.98 4/2/07 561,163 1,418,778 Albert E. Gossweiler 47,610 18.3% 13.98 4/2/07 420,872 1,064,084 Robert C. Maison 47,610 18.3% 13.98 4/2/07 420,872 1,064,084 Employment Agreements. The Bank and the Company have entered into employment agreements (the "Employment Agreements") with Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison (the "Executives") each dated as of April 1, 1996. The Employment Agreements are intended to ensure that the Bank and the Company will be able to maintain a stable and competent management base. The continued success of the Bank and the Company depends, to a significant degree, on the skills and competence of Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison. The Employment Agreements provide for a three-year term, and further provide for automatic renewal on each anniversary date unless, ninety days prior to the anniversary date, either party provides written notice of its intention not to renew. The Employment Agreements provide that Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison's base salaries will be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors. In addition, the Employment Agreements provide that Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison shall be entitled to receive a bonus in an amount determined by the Board of Directors. The Employment Agreements permit the Bank or the Company to terminate the employment of Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison for cause at any time. The Employment Agreements define cause to mean personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) final cease and desist order, or material breach of any provision of the Employment Agreement. The Employment Agreements with Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison each further provide that upon the occurrence of a change in control, as defined in the Employment Agreement, in the event Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison are terminated for reasons other than cause or in the event Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison, within eighteen months of the change in control, resign their employment for "good cause," as that term is defined in the Employment Agreements, they shall be entitled to receive their then current base salary for the remaining term of the Employment Agreement. The Employment Agreements also prohibit Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison from competing with the Bank for a period of one year following the termination of their employment. - 37 - 401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN. The Bank maintains a 401(K) Profit Sharing Plan (the "Plan") covering all employees through which employees can contribute up to the maximum allowable amount under Internal Revenue Service Regulations (that amount is currently $10,000). From the inception of the Plan until June 30, 1997. The Bank matched 100% of each employee's contribution, up to 3% of their annual earnings. With the introduction of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") in 1997 the Bank discontinued the matching contribution. During the calendar year ended December 31, 1997, the Bank made a matching contribution of $20,943 of which $2,400, $1,830, and $1,439 were attributable to Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison. In 1996, the Bank amended the Plan to allow participants to purchase the Common Stock of the Company. In 1997, the Bank amended the Plan to allow participants to purchase Mutual Funds. DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN. The Bank has a defined benefit pension plan ("Pension Plan") covering substantially all of its employees. The benefits are based on years of service and employee compensation. The Bank's funding policy is to fund pension costs accrued. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date but also for those expected to be earned in the future. All full-time employees of the Bank are eligible to participate after one year of service and attainment of age 21. A qualifying employee becomes fully vested in the Pension Plan upon completion of five years service or when the normal retirement age of 65 is attained. The Pension Plan is intended to comply with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"). The Pension Plan provides for monthly payments to each participating employee at normal retirement age. The monthly benefit is determined as a percentage of a final average salary using the straight line annuity basis. The actual percentage is obtained by multiplying the number of years of participation by an annual percentage factor of 1.75%. Benefits payable prior to age 65 will be reduced actuarially to a level which reflects the present value of the unreduced age 65 benefit. A participant first vests in his benefit after two years of employment service and is fully vested after six years of employment service. The Pension Plan also provides a pre-retirement death benefit which is equal to the present value of a participant's accrued benefit at date of death. At December 31, 1997, Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler and Maison had 5, 16 and 5 years of credited service, respectively. PENSION PLAN TABLE ------------Years of Service--------- Remuneration 10 20 30 ------------ -- -- -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 75,000 $13,125 $26,250 $39,375 100,000 17,500 35,000 52,500 125,000 21,875 43,750 65,625 150,000 26,250 52,500 78,750 175,000 28,000 56,000 84,000 200,000 28,000 56,000 84,000 RRP The Company maintains the 1st Bergen Bancorp Recognition and Retention Plan for Executive Officers and Employees (the "RRP") as a method of providing executives of the Company and the Bank an incentive designed to encourage such persons to promote the growth and profitability of the Company and the Bank and to remain employed with the Company and the Bank. The RRP is a non-qualified plan under ERISA, which permits the granting of restricted stock awards to eligible officers of the Company and its affiliates. The RRP authorizes the granting of plan share awards ("Plan Share Awards") for up to 88,872 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment in the event of certain capital changes. The RRP is administered by the Compensation/Benefits Committee of the Board of Directors, which determines the officers to whom Plan Share Awards will be granted, the amount of such awards and such rules and regulations as it deems necessary for the proper administration of the Plan. - 38 - Plan Share Awards are nontransferable and nonassignable. Recipients of Plan Share Awards earn (i.e., become vested in) the shares of Common Stock covered by the Plan Share Awards in five (5) equal annual installments commencing one year from the date of grant. Plan Share Awards are immediately deemed earned upon termination of employment due to death or disability. During the vesting period, recipients of Plan Share Awards are entitled to vote the shares subject to such awards, whether or net vested, and receive any dividends paid on such shares. OPTION PLANS The Company maintains the 1st Bergen Bancorp 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "Incentive Option Plan"), which authorizes the granting of stock options for the purchase of up to 222,180 shares of Common Stock and is administered by the Compensation/Benefits Committee of the Board. All key employees of the Company and its affiliates are eligible to participate in the Incentive Option Plan. The Committee, in its absolute discretion, may select employees from those eligible to receive options. The Incentive Option Plan authorizes the grant of (i) options to purchase the Company's Common Stock intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), referred to as "incentive stock options" and (ii) options that do no so qualify, referred to as "nonstatutory" options. All of such options will be subject to a five-year vesting schedule with 20% of the options vesting and becoming exercisable on the first anniversary of their grant and 20% vesting each anniversary date thereafter. The exercise price of all incentive Stock Options must be 100% of the fair market value of the underlying Common Stock at the time of grant. The exercise price may be paid in cash or in previously acquired Common Stock. Options awarded under the Incentive Option Plan are not transferable by the optionee, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and may only be exercised during the optionee's lifetime by the optionee, or by a guardian or legal representative. The Incentive Option Plan provides that if an optionee's service to the Company or its affiliates terminates by reason disability, the optionee's right to exercise any outstanding option will terminate upon the earlier to occur of the expiration of the term of the option or within twelve months of the optionee's termination of employment. In the event of optionee's death, the option may be exercised by the optionee's executor or administrator at any time within the twelve months following the optionee's death, unless the option would terminate by its terms prior to the expiration of such twelve-month period. If the optionee ceases to be an employee of the Company or the Bank for any reason (other than death or disability), the option granted to such optionee shall terminate within three months of the date of the termination of his employment, unless the termination is for cause, in which case the option will terminate immediately. The Company maintains the 1st Bergen Bancorp 1996 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors (the "Directors' Option Plan"), which authorizes the granting of nonstatutory options for a total of 95,220 shares of Common Stock to certain members of the Board of Directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. Directors who are not also serving as employees of the Company or any of its affiliates and who are serving in such capacity on the effective date of the Directors' Option Plan are eligible to participate I the Directors' Option Plan. The exercise price per share of each option is the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock on the date the option is granted. Options become exercisable in five (5) equal annual installments commencing one year from the date of grant. All options granted under the Directors' Option Plan expire upon the earlier of 10 years following the date of grant or one year following the date the optionee ceases to be a director for any reason other than removal for cause, in which case all outstanding options are immediately terminated. - 39 - EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AND TRUST In connection with the conversion from a mutual to a capital stock form, the Company established the ESOP for the benefit of the employees of the Company. The ESOP purchased 253,920 shares, or 8% of the total stock sold in the subscription, for $2,539,200 financed by a loan from the Company. The ESOP was effective upon completion of the conversion. Full-time employees of the Company of the Bank who have been credited with at least 1,000 hours of service during a 12-month period and who have attained the age of 21 are eligible to participate in ESOP. At December 31, 1997, 15,781 ESOP shares have been allocated. There were no ESOP shares allocated in 1996. The loan to the ESOP will be repaid principally from the Company's contributions to the ESOP over a period of ten years beginning on December 31, 1997. The loan will be collateralized by the uncommitted common stock purchased by the ESOP. As the debt is repaid, shares are released from collateral and allocated to qualified employees based on the proportion of debt service paid in the year. - 40 - ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The following tables set forth information as to ownership of the Company's Common Stock by (i) members of the Company's Board of Directors, (ii) those officers listed under the "Summary Compensation" section of this Form 10-K, (iii) all executive officers and Directors as a group, and (iv) those persons believed by the Company to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock as of [March 20, 1998] as disclosed in certain reports regarding such ownership filed by such persons with the Company and with the SEC, in accordance with sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Exchange Act. Other than those persons listed below, the Company is not aware of any person, as such term is defined in the Exchange Act, that owns more than 5% of the Company's Common Stock as of March 20, 1998. Ownership by Directors and Executive Officers: ======================================================================================================================== Number of Shares (1) As a Percent of Outstanding Shares -------------------- ------------------ James W. Mason 27,348(2) .95 Bernard Leung, M.D. 10,948 .38 Robert C. Miller 12,216 .43 Richard Masch 16,348 .57 Kathleen Fisher 8,348 .29 William M. Brickman 50,240(3) 1.75 Robert O'Neill 5,600 .20 Albert E. Gossweiler 28,131(4) .98 Robert C. Maison 13,059(5) .46 All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group 172,238 6.01 ======================================================================================================================= (1) Includes all shares granted pursuant to RRP, of which 20% vest in April, 1998 (2) Includes 9,000 shares held by Mr. Mason's wife, 1,500 shares held by Mr. Mason as custodian for his grandchildren and 1,500 shares held by Mrs. Mason as custodian for Mr. Mason's grandchildren. (3) Includes 2,500 shares held by Mr. Brickman's wife and 2,500 shares held by the South Bergen Savings Bank 401K Profit Sharing Plan for the Benefit of Mr. Brickman. (4) Includes 1,640 shares held by the South Bergen Savings Bank 401K Profit Sharing Plan for the benefit of Mr. Gossweiler. (5) Includes 1,950 shares held by the South Bergen Savings Bank 401K Profit Sharing Plan for the benefit of Mr. Maison. - 41 - Ownership by persons owning more than 5% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock: ===================================================================================================== AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT TITLE OF CLASS NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP OF CLASS - -------------- ------------------------------------ ----------- --------- Common Stock South Bergen Savings Bank, 253,920(1) 9.26% Employee Stock Ownership Trust ("ESOP") 250 Valley Boulevard Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075 Common Stock Bay Pond Partners, L.P. (together with its 243,200 8.87% general partner, Wellington Hedge Management Limited Partnership and its general partner Wellington Hedge Management, Inc.) 75 State Street Boston, MA 02109 Common Stock Fidelity Management & Research Co. 235,000 8.57% 82 Devonshire Street Boston, MA 02109-3614 Common Stock First Manhattan Co. 232,200 8.47% 437 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022 Common Stock Janus Capital Corporation 192,125 7.01% 100 Fillmore Street Denver, CO 80206 Common Stock Wellington Management Company, LLP 184,435 6.73% 75 State Street Boston, MA 02109 ===================================================================================================== The Board of Directors has appointed Messrs. Brickman, Gossweiler, Mason and Miller to serve as the ESOP Administrative Committee. Associated Actuaries has been appointed as the corporate trustee for the ESOP ("ESOP Trustee"). The ESOP Trustee must vote all allocated shares held in the ESOP in accordance with the instructions of the participants. Under the ESOP, unallocated shares will be voted by the ESOP Trustee. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS The Bank has had, and is likely in the future to have, banking transactions in the ordinary course of its business with the Company's and the Bank's directors, executive officers and their affiliates (each a "related party" and collectively, the "related parties"). Past transactions were, and future transactions will be, on the same terms and conditions as are prevailing at the time such transactions occur for comparable transactions with unrelated borrowers. At December 31, 1997, and 1996, loans to Directors and Officers amount to $27,360 and $0, respectively. - 42 - ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (1) Consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and the auditors' reports thereon, are included on page F-1. (2) None (3) Exhibits: Exhibit No. Description - ----------- ----------- 3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant* 3.2 Bylaws of the Registrant* 10.1 Employment Agreement by and among 1st Bergen Bancorp, South Bergen Savings Bank and William M. Brickman* 10.2 Employment Agreement by and among Albert E. Gossweiler, 1st Bergen Bancorp and South Bergen Savings Bank* 10.3 Employment Agreement by and among Robert C. Maison, 1st Bergen Bancorp and South Bergen Savings Bank* 10.4 South Bergen Savings Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan* 21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant** 23 Independent Auditors' Consent 27 Financial Data Schedule - ---------- * Incorporated by reference from Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-80399). ** Filed herewith. (b) Reports on Form 8-K. The Registrant has filed the following reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended December 31, 1997. Date Item Reported - ------------------ The Registrant filed a current report on November 19, 1997, announcing the Registrant's earnings for the period ending September 30, 1997. - 43 - SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Borough of Wood-Ridge, State of New Jersey on March 30, 1998. 1ST BERGEN BANCORP By: /s/ WILLIAM M. BRICKMAN ----------------------------- William M. Brickman, President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Name Title Date ---- ----- ---- /s/ WILLIAM M. BRICKMAN President and Chief March 30, 1998 - ----------------------- Executive Officer William M. Brickman /s/ ALBERT E. GOSSWEILER Executive Vice President and Chief March 30, 1998 - ------------------------ Financial Officer Albert E. Gossweiler /s/ JAMES W. MASON Chairman and Director March 30, 1998 - ------------------------ James W. Mason /s/ BERNARD LEUNG Director March 30, 1998 - ------------------------ Bernard Leung, M.D. /s/ ROBERT C. MILLER Director March 30, 1998 - ------------------------ Robert C. Miller /s/ ROBERT O'NEILL Director March 30, 1998 - ------------------------ Robert O'Neill /s/ RICHARD MASCH Director March 30, 1998 - ------------------------ Richard Masch /s/ KATHLEEN FISHER Director March 30, 1998 - ------------------------ Kathleen Fisher - 44 - 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 1997 and 1996 Independent Auditors' Report The Board of Directors 1st Bergen Bancorp and Subsidiaries: We have audited the consolidated statements of financial condition of 1st Bergen Bancorp and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 1st Bergen Bancorp and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP Short Hills, New Jersey February 2, 1998 F-1 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition December 31, 1997 and 1996 1997 1996 ------------ ------------ Assets Cash and due from banks .................................................. $ 3,199,133 5,230,770 Interest-bearing deposits in other banks ................................. -- 2,500,000 ------------ ------------ Total cash and cash equivalents ............................................... 3,199,133 7,730,770 Investment securities held to maturity, estimated market value of $47,252,311 in 1997 and $33,180,975 in 1996 (note 2) ....................................... 46,903,262 33,135,851 Investment securities available for sale at market value (note 2) .................................................. 41,090,336 19,596,895 Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity, net, estimate market value of $53,008,777 in 1997 and $51,946,90 in 1996 (note 3) ........................................ 52,457,620 51,768,925 Mortgage-backed securities available for sale (note 3) ................... 10,444,559 2,824,044 Loans receivable, net (note 4) ........................................... 127,817,620 123,824,912 Premises and equipment, net (note 6) ..................................... 3,018,603 2,699,113 Real estate owned, net ................................................... 117,500 536,700 Stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, at cost ................................................................ 1,627,100 1,487,200 Accrued interest and dividends receivable (note 5) ....................... 2,094,060 1,466,434 Deferred income taxes (note 9) ........................................... 1,186,983 1,297,323 Other assets ............................................................. 388,481 184,704 ------------ ------------ Total Assets .................................................................. $290,345,257 246,552,871 ============ ============ Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Deposits (note 7) ........................................................ 217,426,098 204,154,213 Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ............................................................ 31,334,000 -- Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance (note 8) ........................................... 986,166 932,117 Accrued income taxes and other liabilities ............................... 1,329,301 231,958 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities ............................................................. 251,075,565 205,318,288 ------------ ------------ Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock - authorized 2,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding - none .......................................... -- -- Common stock - no par value; authorized 6,000,000 shares issued 3,174,000 shares and outstanding 2,864,535 and 3,015,300 shares in 1997 and 1996 ...................................... -- -- Additional paid-in capital ............................................... 30,764,831 30,620,838 Retained earnings - substantially restricted (notes 9 and 13) ............ 17,614,271 15,956,900 Net unrealized loss on securities available for sale, net of tax (notes 2, 3 and 9) .................................... (579,813) (909,474) Less: Unallocated common stock held by the ESOP ................................ (2,381,381) (2,539,200) Unamortized common stock held by the RRP (112,864 shares) ................ (1,551,884) -- Treasury stock at cost (309,465 shares in 1997 and 158,700 shares in 1996 ................................................. (4,596,332) (1,894,481) ------------ ------------ Total stockholders' equity .................................................... 39,269,692 41,234,583 Commitments and contingencies (note 11) ------------ ------------ Total liabilities and stockholders' equity .................................... $290,345,257 246,552,871 ============ ============ See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. F-2 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Income Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 1997 1996 1995 ----------- ----------- ----------- Interest income: Loans ......................................................... $10,046,561 9,808,831 10,245,315 Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity ................... 3,531,853 3,359,618 2,456,766 Mortgage-backed securities available for sale ................. 427,662 156,013 -- Investment securities held to maturity ........................ 3,775,791 2,980,394 2,200,689 Investments securities available for sale ..................... 1,720,302 933,451 372,872 ----------- ---------- ---------- Total interest income ......................................... 19,502,169 17,238,307 15,275,642 ----------- ---------- ---------- Interest expense: Deposits (note 7) ............................................. 9,370,020 9,172,420 8,468,717 Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank of New York .................................................... 1,061,421 -- 110,679 ----------- ---------- ---------- Total interest expense ........................................ 10,431,441 9,172,420 8,579,396 ----------- ---------- ---------- Net interest income before provision for loan losses ............... 9,070,728 8,065,887 6,696,246 Provision for loan losses (note 4) ................................. 475,000 725,000 1,005,000 ----------- ---------- ---------- Net interest income after provision for loan losses ................ 8,595,728 7,340,887 5,691,246 ----------- ---------- ---------- Non-interest income (loss): Loan fees and service charges ................................. 135,643 158,220 139,655 Loss on sale of loans or securities ........................... -- -- (411,875) Other ......................................................... 153,550 42,817 73,548 ----------- ---------- ---------- Total non-interest income (loss) .............................. 289,193 201,037 (198,672) ----------- ---------- ---------- Non-interest expense: Compensation and employee benefits (note 10) .................. 3,241,224 2,449,952 2,259,618 Occupancy ..................................................... 303,454 281,485 249,810 Equipment ..................................................... 465,184 398,246 383,479 Advertising ................................................... 214,674 190,848 193,334 Federal insurance premiums (note 12) .......................... 139,272 1,652,772 451,449 Net loss from real estate owned ............................... 11,411 261,414 115,017 Insurance and bond premium .................................... 123,337 103,086 93,265 Other expenses ................................................ 1,209,917 1,002,324 1,028,570 ----------- ---------- ---------- Total non-interest expense .................................... 5,708,473 6,340,127 4,774,542 ----------- ---------- ---------- Income before federal and state income tax expense ............ 3,176,448 1,201,797 718,032 Federal and state income tax expense (note 9) ................. 1,059,338 445,701 259,610 ----------- ---------- ---------- Net income .................................................... $ 2,117,110 756,096 458,422 =========== ========== ========== Basic earnings per share ...................................... $ .80 .19 -- Basic weighted average shares ................................. 2,616,495 3,058,793 -- =========== ========== ========== Diluted earnings per share .................................... $ .80 .19 -- Diluted weighted average shares ............................... 2,639,914 3,058,793 -- =========== ========== ========== See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. F-3 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 Net unrealized loss on Un- securities Unallocated amortized Additional available common common Total stock- paid-in Retained for sale, stock held stock held Treasury holders' capital earnings net of tax by ESOP by RRP stock equity ------------ ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------ ------------ Balance at December 31, 1994 ... $ -- 14,933,264 (1,154,797) -- -- -- 13,778,467 Net income ..................... -- 458,422 -- -- -- -- 458,422 Net change in unrealized loss on securities available for sale, net of tax -- -- 429,705 -- -- -- 429,705 ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Balance at December 31, 1995 ... -- 15,391,686 (725,092) -- -- -- 14,666,594 Net proceeds from common stock offering ........ 30,620,838 -- -- -- -- -- 30,620,838 Common stock acquired by ESOP ...................... -- -- -- (2,539,200) -- -- (2,539,200) Net income ..................... -- 756,096 -- -- -- -- 756,096 Cash dividend .................. -- (190,882) -- -- -- -- (190,882) Net change in unrealized loss on securities available for sale, net of tax ......... -- -- (184,382) -- -- -- (184,382) Purchase of treasury stock (158,700 shares) ............. -- -- -- -- -- (1,894,481) (1,894,481) ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Balance at December 31, 1996 ... 30,620,838 15,956,900 (909,474) (2,539,200) -- (1,894,481) 41,234,583 Net income ..................... -- 2,117,110 -- -- -- -- 2,117,110 Cash dividend .................. -- (459,739) -- -- -- -- (459,739) Net change in unrealized loss on securities available for sale, net of tax -- -- 329,661 -- -- -- 329,661 Purchase of shares for RRP ..... -- -- -- -- (1,745,700) -- (1,745,700) RRP shares amortized ........... 25,760 -- -- -- 193,816 -- 219,576 ESOP shares allocated .......... 118,233 -- -- 157,819 -- -- 276,052 Purchase of treasury stock (150,765 shares) ............. -- -- -- -- -- (2,701,851) (2,701,851) ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Balance at December 31,1997 .... $30,764,831 17,614,271 (579,813) (2,381,381) (1,551,884) (4,596,332) 39,269,692 =========== ========== ======== ========== ========== ========== ========== See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. F-4 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income ............................................... $ 2,117,110 756,096 458,422 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Provision for loan losses ................................ 475,000 725,000 1,005,000 Net gains on sales of real estate owned .................. (36,207) (90,195) (50,225) Net loss on sales of securities available for sale ....... -- -- 411,875 Depreciation ............................................. 221,019 168,181 164,213 Amortization of RRP shares ............................... 193,816 -- -- Allocation of ESOP shares ................................ 276,052 -- -- Net amortization of premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed securities ............................. 87,217 62,956 80,999 Net amortization of premiums and discounts on investment securities .................................. (13,018) (6,924) (36,947) Amortization of deferred loan fees ....................... (70,634) (9,208) (54,874) (Increase) decrease in accrued interest and dividends receivable ................................... (627,625) (425,427) 36,539 Decrease (increase) in deferred income taxes ............. 561,389 288,604 (215,840) (Increase) decrease in other assets ...................... (203,777) 390,118 (410,557) Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes payable ................................................ 5,269 241,517 (701,841) Increase in other liabilities ............................ 662,272 26,500 18,177 ------------ ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by operating activities ..................... $ 3,647,883 2,127,218 704,941 ------------ ----------- ----------- Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of mortgage-backed securities held to maturity ............................................... (15,240,171) (9,715,498) (20,653,956) Purchases of mortgage-backed securities available for sale ............................................... (9,621,002) (3,128,447) -- Principal repayments on mortgage-backed securities held to maturity ....................................... 14,465,609 12,754,900 6,925,241 Principal repayments on mortgage-backed securities available for sale ..................................... 2,184,871 246,350 -- Purchases of investment securities held to maturity ...... (29,985,938) (29,948,500) (22,509,901) Purchases of investment securities available for sale .... (45,895,000) (13,000,000) -- Principal repayments on investment securities held to maturity ............................................ 1,231,545 659,746 -- Calls/maturities of investment securities held to maturity ............................................... 15,000,000 35,670,000 3,000,000 Calls/maturities of investment securities available for sale ............................................... 24,550,000 -- -- Purchases of loans ....................................... (6,051,825) (8,112,177) (484,800) Proceeds from sale of loans .............................. 523,166 1,293,321 45,000 Proceeds from sale of investment securities available for sale ............................................... -- -- 18,588,125 Net decrease (increase) in loans receivable .............. 591,445 (10,486,170) 8,654,100 Additions to premises and equipment ...................... (540,509) (197,418) (77,948) Proceeds from sales of real estate owned ................. 994,645 3,294,253 1,005,365 Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock ...................................... (139,000) (40,700) (96,800) ------------ ----------- ----------- Net cash used in investing activities ......................... $(47,932,164) (20,710,340) (5,605,574) ------------ ----------- ----------- See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. F-5 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Continued 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- Cash flows from financing activities: Net proceeds from stock offering ......................... $ -- 30,620,838 -- Federal Home Loan Bank of New York advances .............. 31,334,000 -- (4,250,000) Net increase (decrease) in deposits ...................... 13,271,885 (5,059,042) 14,375,076 Increase (decrease) in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance ...................... 54,049 249,734 (413,877) Dividends paid ........................................... (459,739) (190,882) -- Purchase of shares by ESOP ............................... -- (2,539,200) -- Purchase of treasury stock ............................... (2,701,851) (1,894,481) -- Purchase of shares by RRP ................................ (1,745,700) -- -- ------------ ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by financing activities ..................... 39,752,644 21,186,967 9,711,199 ------------ ----------- ----------- Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents .......... (4,531,637) 2,603,845 4,810,566 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year ................ 7,730,770 5,126,925 316,359 ------------ ----------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year ...................... $ 3,199,133 7,730,770 5,126,925 ============ =========== =========== Cash paid during the year for: Federal and state income taxes ........................... $ 460,000 -- 463,000 ============ =========== =========== Interest on deposits and advances ........................ $ 9,816,967 9,217,182 8,482,190 ============ =========== =========== Noncash investing and financing activities - transfers to real estate owned ..................................... $ 539,238 1,814,984 2,616,312 ============ =========== =========== See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. F-6 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 1997 and 1996 (1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of 1st Bergen Bancorp (the Company) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, South Bergen Savings Bank (the Bank) and South Bergen Financial Services, Inc. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Change in Reporting Year End During 1997, the Company changed its reporting year end to December 31 from September 30. In addition, the Company reconfigured its previously issued consolidated financial statements for September 30, 1996 and 1995 to December 31, 1996 and 1995. Charter Conversion On November 14, 1995, the Bank converted from a state mutual savings bank (South Bergen Savings and Loan Association) to a federally chartered mutual savings bank called South Bergen Savings Bank. Organization of the Holding Company and Conversion to Stock Form of Ownership On November 28, 1995, the Company was organized for the purpose of acquiring all of the capital stock of the Bank to be issued in the Bank's conversion from the mutual to stock form of ownership. On March 29, 1996, the Company completed an initial public offering. The offering resulted in the sale of 3,174,000 shares of common stock including the sale of 253,920 shares to the Bank's tax qualified Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the ESOP). Liquidation Rights Depositors The conversion plan adopted by the Bank provides for the establishment of a special "liquidation account" for the benefit of account holders in an amount equal to the retained earnings of the Bank as of September 30, 1995. Each account holder, if he or she were to continue to maintain his or her deposit account at the Bank, would be entitled, upon complete liquidation of the Bank after the conversion, to an interest in the liquidation account prior to any payment to the stockholder of the Bank, but following all liquidation payments to creditors. Each account holder would have an initial interest in such liquidation account for each deposit account (including regular accounts, transaction accounts such as NOW accounts, money market deposit accounts, and certificates of deposit) with a balance of $50 or more held in the Bank on September 30, 1995. Each account holder will have a pro rata interest in the total liquidation account for each of his or her deposit accounts based on the proportion that the balance of each deposit account on September 30, 1995 bore to the balance of all deposit accounts in the Bank on such date. If, however, on any September 30 annual closing date of the Bank, commencing after September 30, 1995, the amount in any deposit account is less than the amount in such deposit account on September 30, 1995, or any other annual closing date, then the interest in the liquidation account relating to such deposit account would be reduced from time to time by the proportion of any such reduction, and such interest will cease to exist if such deposit account is closed. In addition, no interest in the liquidation account will ever be increased despite any subsequent increase in the related deposit account. Any assets remaining after the above liquidation rights of account holders are satisfied would be distributed to the Company as the sole stockholder of the Bank. F-7 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (1), Continued Business The Bank provides a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers through its four offices. Two are located in Bergen County, one in Morris County and one in Passaic County. The Bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions and to the regulations of certain regulatory agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities. South Bergen Financial Services, Inc. was incorporated to engage in the sale of annuity investment products. The following is a description of the significant accounting and reporting policies followed by the Company in preparing and presenting these consolidated financial statements. Basis of Financial Statement Presentation The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated statement of financial condition and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in settlement of loans. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and valuation of real estate owned, management generally obtains independent appraisals for significant properties. Cash Equivalents For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in other banks. Investment Securities and Mortgage-backed Securities Investment and mortgage-backed securities that are not categorized as either held to maturity or trading account are classified as securities available for sale. Securities available for sale include debt securities that are held for an indefinite period of time and are not intended to be held to maturity, as well as marketable equity securities. Securities available for sale include securities that management intends to use as part of its overall asset/liability management strategy and that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates and resultant prepayment risk and other factors related thereto. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, and unrealized gains and losses (net of related tax effects) on such securities are excluded from earnings but are included in stockholders' equity. Upon realization, such gains and losses will be included in earnings using the specific identification method. Gains and losses on sales of mutual fund shares are based upon the weighted average cost method. Management determines the appropriate classification of investment and mortgage-backed securities as either available for sale, held to maturity, or held for trading at the purchase date. Investment securities and mortgage-backed securities, other than those designated as available for sale or trading, are comprised of debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. Securities held to maturity are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using the level-yield method over the estimated lives of the securities. Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity are carried at the outstanding principal balance, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using the level-yield method over the estimated lives of the securities. F-8 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (1), Continued Trading account securities are adjusted to market value through earnings. There are no trading account securities outstanding at December 31, 1997 and 1996. The Company is required to maintain shares of stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLB-NY) based on the Company's level of residential mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities or outstanding advances from the FHLB-NY, whichever is larger. Such shares are carried at cost. Allowance for Loan Losses The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to income. Losses on loans are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectibility of principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The allowance for loan losses is based upon factors such as individual loan characteristics, changes in composition and volume of the loan portfolio, economic conditions, and other factors that may warrant recognition in maintaining the allowance at a level sufficient to provide for estimated loan losses. Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, particularly in New Jersey. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. Loans Loans are stated at principal amounts outstanding, net of unearned discounts and net deferred loan origination fees and costs. Interest income on loans is accrued and credited to interest income as earned. Loan origination and commitment fees are netted against certain direct costs associated with the loan origination process with the net resulting amount accreted over the estimated life of the loan using the level-yield method as an adjustment to the loan's yield. Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when a loan becomes more than 90 days past due or it appears that interest is uncollectible. Previously accrued and unpaid interest is reversed when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is recognized only in the period in which it is ultimately collected. After principal and interest payments have been brought current and future collectibility is reasonably assured, loans are returned to accrual status. The Company has defined the population of impaired loans to be all nonaccrual and restructured commercial real estate loans, multifamily loans, land loans, and performing loans considered to be impaired as to principal and interest. Impaired loans are individually assessed to determine that the loan's carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the collateral or the present value of the loan's expected future cash flows. Smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment, such as residential mortgage loans and installment loans, are specifically excluded from the impaired loan portfolio. Real Estate Owned Real estate owned, acquired through foreclosure, is carried at the lower of estimated fair value or cost at the date of acquisition and at the lower of estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell, or cost thereafter. Estimated fair value of the property is generally based on an appraisal. If appropriate, the Company maintains an allowance for other real estate losses for subsequent declines in estimated fair value. Gains and losses from sales of such properties are recognized as incurred. Certain costs incurred in preparing properties for sale are generally expensed as incurred. F-9 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (1), Continued Premises and Equipment Premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns.Under this method, deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change is tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Recognition and Retention Plans (RRP) RRP awards are granted in the form of shares of common stock held by the RRP and are payable over a five year vesting period at a rate of 20% per year, commencing on the date of the award grant. Compensation expense is recorded at the fair value of the shares at the grant date ratably over the vesting period. Pension Plan Pension plan costs based on actuarial computation of current and future benefits for employees are charged to expense and are funded based on the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. ESOP The Company accounts for its ESOP in accordance with Statement of Position 93-6. Accordingly, the shares pledged as collateral are reported as unallocated ESOP shares in the consolidated statements of financial position. As shares are released from collateral, the Company reports compensation expense equal to the current market price of the shares, and the shares become outstanding for earnings per share computations. Earnings per Share The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" (SFAS 128), effective December 15, 1997. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the average number of common shares outstanding for the year. Allocated ESOP and vested RRP shares are included as outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is calculated similar to basic earnings per share except that the number of shares outstanding is increased to include the number of common shares that would be outstanding if all potential dilutive shares were issued. Dilutive shares are determined using the treasury stock method and totaled 23,419 in 1997. The Company completed its initial public offering on March 29, 1996 and, accordingly, per share data is not presented for any prior periods. F-10 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (2) Investment Securities At December 31, 1997 and 1996, investment securities held to maturity and available for sale are summarized as follows: 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross Gross Estimated Amortized unrealized unrealized market cost gains losses value ----------- ------- ------- ---------- Investment securities held to maturity - debt securities - U.S. Agency obligations ............................. $46,903,262 441,368 92,319 47,252,311 =========== ======= ======= ========== Investment securities available for sale - marketable equity/debt securities: Prudential securities trust .................... 7,503,337 -- 752,816 6,750,521 U.S. Agency obligations ........................ 34,345,000 -- 5,185 34,339,815 ----------- ------- ------- ---------- Total investment securities available for sale ....................... $41,848,337 -- 758,001 41,090,336 =========== ======= ======= ========== 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross Gross Estimated Amortized unrealized unrealized market cost gains losses value ----------- ------- ------- ---------- Investment securities held to maturity - debt securities - U.S. Agency obligations ............................. $33,135,851 317,141 272,017 33,180,975 =========== ======= ======= ========== Investment securities available for sale - marketable equity/debt securities: Prudential securities trust .................... 7,503,337 -- 815,192 6,688,145 U.S. Agency obligations ........................ 13,000,000 12,500 103,750 12,908,750 ----------- ------- ------- ---------- Total investment securities available for sale ....................... $20,503,337 12,500 918,942 19,596,895 =========== ======= ======= ========== The cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at December 31, 1997, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations at par value without prepayment penalties. F-11 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (2), Continued Estimated Amortized Market cost value ----------- ---------- Investment securities held to maturity due in: One to five years $ 3,000,000 3,004,680 Five to ten years 28,952,638 29,301,800 Over ten years 14,950,624 14,945,831 ----------- ---------- $46,903,262 47,252,311 =========== ========== Investment securities available for sale due in: One to five years 5,000,000 4,976,500 Five to ten years 29,345,000 29,363,315 ----------- ---------- $34,345,000 34,339,815 =========== ========== There were no sales of investments securities available for sale during the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996. Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale and the realized gross losses from those sales were $18,588,125 and $411,875, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 1995. (3) Mortgage-backed Securities A summary of the carrying value and estimated market value of mortgage-backed securities held to maturity and available for sale at December 31, 1997 and 1996 is as follows: 1997 ---------------------------------------------------- Gross Gross Estimated Amortized unrealized unrealized market cost gains losses value ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity: FHLMC ................................. $28,695,578 327,827 142,269 28,881,136 FNMA .................................. 6,426,964 110,582 14,439 6,523,107 GNMA .................................. 17,335,078 269,845 389 17,604,534 ----------- ------- ------- ---------- Total mortgage-backed securities held to maturity ...................... $52,457,620 708,254 157,097 53,008,777 =========== ======= ======= ========== Mortgage-backed securities available for sale - FNMA ............. $10,314,890 152,284 22,615 10,444,559 =========== ======= ====== ========== F-12 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (3), Continued 1996 -------------------------------------------------- Gross Gross Estimated Amortized unrealized unrealized market cost gains losses value ----------- ------- ------- ---------- Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity: FHLMC .................................. $31,351,088 275,802 250,717 31,376,173 FNMA ................................... 7,512,445 103,270 47,203 7,568,512 GNMA ................................... 12,905,392 119,812 22,988 13,002,216 ----------- ------- ------- ---------- Total mortgage-backed securities held to maturity ....................... $51,768,925 498,884 320,908 51,946,901 =========== ======= ======= ========== Mortgage-backed securities available for sale - FNMA .............. $ 2,880,109 -- 56,065 2,824,044 =========== ======= ======= ========== There were no sales of mortgage-backed securities during the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. The amortized cost and estimated market value of mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 1997 are shown below. The expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties. Estimated Amortized Market cost value ---------- ---------- Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity: Less than one year........................... $4,166,969 4,145,300 One to five years............................ 9,134,655 9,064,180 Five to ten years............................ 4,053,426 4,136,950 Over ten years............................... 35,102,570 35,662,347 ----------- ---------- $52,457,620 53,008,777 =========== ========== Mortgage-backed securities available for sale due in over ten years................... $10,314,890 10,444,559 =========== ========== F-13 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (4) Loans Receivable, Net A summary of loans receivable at December 31, 1997 and 1996 is as follows: 1997 1996 ------------ ----------- First mortgage loans: One- to four-family $108,890,609 103,721,738 Multifamily 3,934,387 4,548,515 Nonresidential 8,111,563 9,628,183 ============ =========== Total first mortgage loans 120,936,559 117,898,436 ------------ ----------- Other loans: Other loans 307,481 127,450 Deposit account loans 420,804 495,675 Home equity loans 9,512,889 8,799,609 ------------ ----------- Total other loans 10,241,174 9,422,734 ------------ ----------- Total loans 131,177,733 127,321,170 ------------ ----------- Allowance for loan losses 3,060,969 3,126,480 Deferred loan fees, net 299,144 369,778 ------------ ----------- 3,360,113 3,496,258 ------------ ----------- $127,817,620 123,824,912 ============ =========== At December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, loans in the amount of $2,057,000, $1,522,000 and $5,193,750, respectively, were on nonaccrual status. If nonaccrual loans had continued to realize interest in accordance with their contractual terms, approximately $163,000, $277,030 and $951,300 of interest income would have been realized for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Interest income on nonaccrual loans included in net income amounted to $57,626, $37,426 and $100,434 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The Company was not committed to lend additional funds on any nonaccrual loans at December 31, 1997. F-14 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (4), Continued At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company has impaired loans totaling $261,000 and $657,000, respectively, requiring a valuation allowance of $126,000 and $234,000, respectively. Average impaired loans totaled $598,000 and $1,178,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, loans to directors and officers amount to $27,360 and $0, respectively. An analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 is as follows: 1997 1996 1995 ---------- ---------- --------- Balance at beginning of year .......... $3,126,480 4,746,438 5,072,998 Provision charged to operations ....... 475,000 725,000 1,005,000 Recoveries ............................ 50,000 -- 40,000 Loans charged off, net ................ (590,511) (2,344,958) (1,371,560) ---------- ---------- ---------- Balance at end of year ................ $3,060,969 3,126,480 4,746,438 ========== ========= ========= (5) Accrued Interest and Dividends Receivable A summary of accrued interest and dividends receivable at December 31, 1997 and 1996 is as follows: 1997 1996 ---------- --------- Loans, net of allowance for uncollected interest of $168,878 in 1997 and $282,012 in 1996 .............. $ 472,052 450,092 Mortgage-backed securities .............................. 360,736 280,510 Investment securities and other interest earning assets . 1,261,272 735,833 ---------- --------- $2,094,060 1,466,435 ========== ========= F-15 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement, Continued (6) Premises and Equipment, Net A summary of premises and equipment at December 31, 1997 and 1996 is as follows: 1997 1996 ---------- --------- Land $ 259,774 71,876 Buildings and improvements 3,538,023 3,396,498 Furnishings and equipment 1,250,795 1,039,709 ---------- --------- 5,048,592 4,508,083 Less accumulated depreciation 2,029,989 1,808,970 ---------- --------- $3,018,603 2,699,113 ========== ========= (7) Deposits A summary of deposit balances as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 is as follows: 1997 1996 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Stated Stated rate Amount % rate Amount % ---- ------ - ---- ------ - NOW accounts 2.75% $ 15,854,837 7.29 2.75% $ 11,527,716 5.65 Money market deposit accounts 3.00 19,271,440 8.87 3.00 20,881,101 10.23 Savings accounts 3.00 48,948,453 22.51 3.00 45,067,070 22.07 Club accounts 3.00 395,447 .18 3.00 359,391 .18 ------------ ------------ 84,470,177 38.85 77,835,278 38.13 ------------ ------------ Certificates of deposit 3.00-3.99 116,196 .05 3.00-3.99 120,100 .06 4.00-4.99 1,904,443 .88 4.00-4.99 13,644,461 6.68 5.00-5.99 123,669,404 56.88 5.00-5.99 100,601,573 49.28 6.00-6.99 6,808,323 3.13 6.00-6.99 11,458,700 5.61 7.00-7.99 95,966 .04 7.00-7.99 108,939 .05 8.00 and over -- -- 8.00 and over 76,504 .04 ------------ ------------ 132,594,332 60.98 126,010,277 61.72 ------------ ------------ Accrued interest payable 361,589 .17 308,658 .15 ------------ ------------ $217,426,098 100.00 $204,154,213 100.00 ============ ============ F-16 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (7), Continued The aggregate amount of certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or more total $6,487,596 and $5,466,708 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The deposits of the Company are insured up to $100,000 by the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF), which is administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, certificates of deposit have scheduled maturities as follows: 1997 1996 ------------ ----------- One year or less................................. $104,718,835 100,044,318 One year to three years.......................... 26,810,653 22,730,597 Three years or more.............................. 1,064,844 3,235,362 ------------ ----------- $132,594,332 126,010,277 ============ =========== Interest expense on deposits for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 consists of the following: 1997 1996 1995 ---------- --------- --------- Certificates of deposit ................ $7,104,813 6,934,578 6,248,910 Savings and club amounts ............... 1,433,467 1,407,325 1,358,688 NOW and money market amounts ........... 831,740 830,517 861,119 ---------- --------- --------- $9,370,020 9,172,420 8,468,717 ========== ========= ========= (8) Borrowings The following is a summary of borrowings at December 31, 1997: Contractual maturity - 1998 $31,344,000 =========== Weighted average interest rate at the end of the period 6.01% ==== Weighted average interest rate during the period 6.05% ==== Average amount outstanding during the period $17,552,873 =========== Maximum amount outstanding at any month end during the period $31,334,000 =========== F-17 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (8), Continued Securities collateralizing the borrowings include agencies and mortgage-backed securities, which have an amortized cost of $30,867,143 and a fair value of $31,497,260 at December 31, 1997. The securities underlying the borrowings are under the Bank's control. (9) Income Taxes Under tax law that existed prior to 1996, if certain conditions were met, thrift institutions, in determining taxable income, were allowed a special bad debt deduction based on a percentage of taxable income before such deduction. The Company used the experience method in preparing the federal income tax return for 1995. Legislation was enacted in August 1996 which repealed the percentage of taxable income method. As a result, the Company may no longer use the percentage of taxable income reserve method. A small thrift (one with $500 million or less in assets) is allowed to use either the specific charge-off method or the "bank" experience method of Section 585 of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) to compute its bad debt deduction. Upon repeal of previous regulation, the Company is generally required to recapture into income the portion of its bad debt reserve (other than supplemental reserves) that exceeds its base year (December 31, 1987) reserves. The recapture amount generally will be taken into income ratably (on a straight-line basis) over a six-year period. If the Company meets the residential loan requirement for a tax year beginning in 1996 or 1997, the recapture of the reserves will be suspended for such tax year. Thus, the recapture can potentially be deferred for up to two years. The residential loan requirement is met if the principal amount of housing loans made by the Company during the year at issue (1996 or 1997) is at least as much as the average principal amount of loans made during the six most recent years prior to 1996. Refinancing and home equity loans are excluded. The Company is not required to recapture any amounts into income. Retained earnings at December 31, 1997 includes approximately $5.4 million for which no provision for income tax has been made. This amount represents the base year reserves. Events that would result in taxation of these reserves include failure to qualify as a bank for tax purposes, distributions in complete or partial liquidation, stock redemptions and excess distributions to shareholders. At December 31, 1997, the Bank has an unrecognized tax liability of $1,950,000 million with respect to this reserve. The Bank does not anticipate any such recognition in the foreseeable future. Income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 consists of the following: 1997 1996 1995 ---------- ------- ------- Current tax expense (benefit): Federal ............................... $ 848,903 16,013 (186,517) State ................................. 104,609 (7,844) (17,068) ---------- ------- ------- 953,512 8,169 (203,585) ---------- ------- ------- F-18 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued 1997 1996 1995 ---------- ------- ------- Deferred tax expense: Federal ............................... $ 105,442 392,526 424,574 State ................................. 384 45,006 38,621 ---------- ------- ------- 105,826 437,532 463,195 ---------- ------- ------- $1,059,338 445,701 259,610 ========== ======= ======= A reconciliation between the effective income tax expense and the expected expense computed using the applicable statutory federal income tax rate of 34% is as follows: 1997 1996 1995 ---------- ------- ------- Computed "expected" federal income tax expense ....................... $1,079,992 408,611 244,131 Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from: New Jersey savings institution tax, net of federal income tax effect ......... 69,296 24,527 14,225 Other items, net ....................... (89,950) 12,563 1,254 ---------- ------- ------- Effective income tax expense ........... $1,059,338 445,701 259,610 ========== ======= ======= The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 1997 and 1996 are as follows: 1997 1996 ---------- --------- Deferred tax assets: Federal net operating loss carryover ........ $ -- 101,361 Management recognition plan ................. 69,735 -- Dividend income ............................. 2,105 1,813 Allowance for losses on loans and real estate owned ......................... 1,103,865 1,168,495 Accrued pension ............................. 8,485 9,033 Charitable contribution ..................... -- 4,069 Deferred loan fees .......................... 46,968 79,526 Accrued interest receivable ................. 24,934 5,045 Unrealized loss on securities available for sale ........................ 226,074 346,310 ---------- --------- Total gross deferred tax assets ......... 1,482,166 1,715,652 Less valuation allowance .................... (177,555) (293,277) ---------- --------- Net deferred tax assets ................. 1,304,611 1,422,375 ---------- --------- Deferred tax liabilities: Prepaid FDIC premium ........................ 25,071 25,115 Discount accretion on securities ............ 3,297 1,645 Premises and equipment -- differences in depreciation .............................. 89,260 98,292 ---------- --------- Total gross deferred tax liabilities .... 117,628 125,052 ---------- --------- Net deferred tax asset .................. $1,186,983 1,297,323 ========== ========= F-19 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (9), Continued A deferred tax expense $4,514 at December 31, 1997 and a deferred tax benefit of $53,033 at December 31, 1996 has been recorded directly through equity. Such deferred tax benefits relate to the unrealized depreciation on debt and mortgage-backed securities available for sale. The deferred tax benefit related to the unrealized depreciation on marketable equity securities available for sale has been offset by the deferred tax valuation allowance due to uncertainties of generating capital gains to absorb such loss deductions. Management believes, based upon current facts, that it is more likely than not that there will be sufficient taxable income in future years to realize the net deferred tax asset. However, there can be no assurance about the levels of future earnings. (10) Benefit Plans Pension Plan The Company has a qualified, noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (the Plan) covering all eligible employees. Retirement benefits are based upon a formula utilizing years of service and average monthly compensation. It is the Company's policy to fund the Plan for the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes, subject to the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The following table sets forth the Plan's funded status and amounts recognized in the Company's consolidated financial statements as determined by the plan actuaries as of September 30, 1997 and 1996: 1997 1996 ---------- ---------- Actuarial present value of benefit obligation including vested benefits of $921,280 and $768,873 at September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively ....................................... $ 921,280 844,985 ========== ========== Projected benefit obligation ......................... (1,343,209) (1,212,683) Plan assets at fair value (primarily insurance contracts and time deposits with banks) ............ 971,137 879,452 ---------- ---------- Projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets ......................... (372,072) (333,231) Unrecognized net loss ................................ 130,437 107,469 Unrecognized net transition obligation ............... 139,246 149,958 Unrecognized prior service cost ...................... (17,314) (18,468) ---------- ---------- Accrued pension cost ............................. $(119,703) (94,272) ========== ========== F-20 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (10), Continued Net periodic pension cost includes the following components for the years ended September 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995: 1997 1996 1995 -------- ------- ------- Service cost ............................... $131,103 125,202 117,080 Interest cost .............................. 90,363 75,874 68,307 Return on plan assets ...................... (43,937) (43,104) (37,995) Net amortization and deferral .............. (15,153) (3,224) (2,092) -------- ------- ------- Net periodic pension cost .................. $162,376 154,748 145,300 ======== ======= ======= The discount rate and rate of increase in future compensation levels used in computing the net periodic pension cost were 7.5%, 4.5% and 4.5%, respectively, for 1997, 1996 and 1995. The expected long-term rate of return on assets was 7.5% in 1997, 1996 and 1995. ESOP In connection with the conversion from a mutual to a capital stock form, the Company established the ESOP for the benefit of the employees of the Company. The ESOP purchased 253,920 shares, or 8% of the total stock sold in the subscription, for $2,539,200 financed by a loan from the Company. The ESOP was effective upon completion of the conversion. Full-time employees of the Company or the Bank who have been credited with at least 1,000 hours of service during a 12-month period and who have attained the age of 21 are eligible to participate in the ESOP. At December 31, 1997, 15,781 ESOP shares have been allocated. There were no ESOP shares allocated in 1996. The loan to the ESOP will be repaid principally from the Company's contributions to the ESOP over a period of ten years beginning on December 31, 1997. The loan will be collateralized by the uncommitted common stock purchased by the ESOP. As the debt is repaid, shares are released from collateral and allocated to qualified employees based on the proportion of debt service paid in the year. Stock Option Plans The Company maintains stock option plans for the benefit of directors, officers and other key employees. The Incentive Stock Option Plan provides for 222,180 common shares which may be granted to key employees of the Company. The options are subject to a five-year vesting schedule with 20% of the options vesting each year. The Incentive Stock Option Plan authorizes the grant of options that may be either options that qualify as incentive stock options as defined in Section 422 of the Code, as amended, or options that do not qualify. In 1997, the Company granted 181,200 options to key employees at an exercise price of $13.975. F-21 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (10), Continued The Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors provides for 95,220 common shares which may be granted to members of the Board of Directors, who are not employees of the Company. The options are intended to become exercisable in five equal annual installments commencing one year from the date of grant. In 1997, the Company granted 79,350 options at an exercise price of $13.975. Changes in the number of shares outstanding under the plans and the weighted average exercise price of those shares are as follows: 1997 ----------------------- Weighted Number average of exercise shares price ------- --------- Outstanding at beginning of year..... -- $ -- Granted.............................. 260,550 13.975 Exercised............................ -- -- Outstanding at end of year........... 260,550 $ 13.975 ======= ========= For options that were granted in 1997, the exercise price of the options equaled the market value of the stock at grant date. The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding at December 31, 1997: Weighted average Weighted Number of remaining average shares contractual exercise outstanding life in years price ----------- ------------- --------- $260,550 10.0 $ 13.975 ======== ==== ======== There are no options exercisable at December 31, 1997. F-22 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (10), Continued The Bank applies APB 25 in accounting for the plans. Consistent with SFAS 123, if compensation cost for the plans were included as compensation expense, the Company's net income and earnings per share for 1997 would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below: Net income: As reported ................. $ 2,117,110 Pro forma ................... 1,880,137 =========== Basic earnings per share: As reported ................. $ .80 Pro forma ................... .71 === Diluted earnings per share: As reported ................. $ .80 Pro forma ................... .71 === The fair value of stock options granted by the Bank was estimated through the use of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that takes into account the following factors as of the grant date: the exercise price and expected life of the option, the market price of the underlying stock at the grant date and its expected volatility, and the risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option. In deriving the fair value of the stock options, the stock price at the grant date is reduced by the value of dividends to be paid during the life of the option. The following assumptions were used for grants in 1997: dividend yield of 1.07%, an expected volatility of 21% and the risk free interest rate of 5.71% for 1997. The effects of applying SFAS 123 on the pro forma net income may not be representative of the effect on pro forma net income for future years. RRP The RRP was adopted in 1997 as a method of providing executive officers an incentive designed to encourage such persons to promote the growth and profitability of the Company and to remain employed with the Company. The RRP is a nonqualified plan under ERISA. The shares awarded vest in five equal annual installments commencing one year from the date of grant. The RRP authorizes the granting of plan share awards of up to 88,872 shares of common stock. The Company granted 73,980 shares to key employees in 1997. The Recognition and Retention Plan for Outside Directors (Directors' RRP) was adopted as a method of providing outside directors an incentive designed to encourage such persons to promote the growth and profitability of the Company. The Directors' RRP is a non-qualified plan under ERISA. The shares are to vest in five equal annual installments commencing one year from the date of grant. The Directors' RRP authorizes the granting of plan share awards of up to 38,088 shares of common stock. The Company granted 31,740 shares to outside directors under the plan. F-23 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (11) Commitments, Contingencies and Concentrations of Credit Risk Commitments The Company is party to financial instruments and commitments with off-balance-sheet credit risk in the normal course of business. These financial instruments and commitments include unused home equity lines of credit, commitments to extend credit, and commitments to purchase securities. These commitments and instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The Company's maximum exposure to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the other party to these financial instruments and commitments is represented by the contractual amount. The Company uses the same credit policies in granting commitments and conditional obligations as it does for financial instruments recorded in the consolidated statements of financial condition. At December 31, 1997, financial instruments and commitments whose contractual amounts represent off-balance-sheet credit risk are comprised of unused home equity lines of credit, primarily floating-rate, totaling $5.3 million. At December 31, 1997, the Company has commitments to purchase loans totaling $3.2 million and commitments to originate loans of $1.0 million. Contingencies In the normal course of business, there are various outstanding legal proceedings, claims, commitments and contingent liabilities such as commitments to extend credit which are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company will not be materially affected by the outcome of such legal proceedings and claims or by such commitments and contingent liabilities. Concentrations of Credit Risk A substantial portion of the Company's loans are one- to four-family residential first mortgage loans secured by real estate located in New Jersey. Accordingly, the collectibility of a substantial portion of the Company's loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in real estate market conditions. (12) Recapitalization of SAIF On September 30, 1996, legislation was enacted which, among other things, imposed a special one-time assessment on SAIF member institutions, including the Bank, to recapitalize the SAIF and spread the obligations for payment of Financing Corporation (FICO) bonds across all SAIF and Bank Insurance Fund (BIF) members. The FDIC special assessment being levied amounts to 65.7 basis points on SAIF assessable deposits held as of March 31, 1995. The special assessment was recognized in the third quarter and was tax deductible. The Bank took a charge of $1.3 million, before tax-effect, as a result of the FDIC special assessment. This legislation eliminated the substantial disparity between the amount that BIF and SAIF member institutions had been paying for deposit insurance premiums. F-24 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (12), Continued Beginning on January 1, 1997, BIF members paid a portion of the FICO payment equal to 1.3 basis points on BIF-insured deposits compared to 6.4 basis points on SAIF-insured deposits, and will pay a pro rata share of the FICO payment on the earlier of January 1, 2000 or the date upon which the last savings association ceases to exist. The legislation also requires BIF and SAIF to be merged by January 1, 1999, provided that subsequent legislation is adopted to eliminate the savings association charter and no savings associations remain as of that time. The FDIC lowered SAIF assessments to a range comparable to that of BIF members, although SAIF members must also make the FICO payments described above. Management cannot predict the level of FDIC insurance assessments on an ongoing basis or whether the BIF and SAIF will eventually be merged. (13) Regulatory Matters Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) regulations require savings institutions to maintain minimum levels of regulatory capital. Under the regulations in effect at December 31, 1997, the Bank was required to maintain a minimum ratio of tangible capital to total adjusted assets of 1.5%; a minimum ratio of Tier 1 (core) capital to total adjusted assets of 3.0%; and a minimum ratio of total (core and supplementary) capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%. Under its prompt corrective action regulations, the OTS is required to take certain supervisory actions (and may take additional discretionary actions) with respect to an undercapitalized institution. Such actions could have a direct material effect on the institution's financial statements. The regulations establish a framework for the classification of savings institutions into five categories: well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized. Generally, an institution is considered well-capitalized if it has a Tier 1 (core) capital ratio of at least 5.0%; a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.0%; and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.0%. The foregoing capital ratios are based in part on specific quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the OTS about capital components, risk weightings, and other factors. F-25 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement, Continued (13), Continued Management believes that, as of December 31, 1997, the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject. Further, the most recent OTS notification categorized the Bank as a well-capitalized institution under the prompt corrective action guidelines. There have been no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank's capital classification. The following is a summary of the Bank's actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, compared to the minimum capital adequacy requirements and the requirements for classification as a well-capitalized institution (dollars in thousands). To be well capitalized For capital under prompt adequacy correction Actual purposes action ----------------- ------------------ ---------------- Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio ------- ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- As of December 31, 1997: Tangible capital ................ $30,860 10.6% 4,371 1.5% 4,371 1.5% Core capital .................... 30,860 10.6 8,742 3.0 14,571 5.0 Tier 1 risk-based capital ....... 30,860 24.9 4,949 4.0 7,423 6.0 Risk-based capital .............. 32,417 26.2 9,897 8.0 12,371 10.0 ======= ==== ===== === ====== ==== As of December 31, 1996: Tangible capital ................ $28,151 9.7% 3,712 1.5% 3,712 1.5% Core capital .................... 28,151 9.7 7,425 3.0 12,374 5.0 Tier 1 risk-based capital ....... 28,151 22.8 4,194 4.0 6,291 6.0 Risk-based capital .............. 29,477 28.1 8,388 8.0 10,485 10.0 ======= ==== ===== === ====== ==== F-26 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (13), Continued OTS regulations impose limitations upon all capital distributions by savings institutions, like the Bank, such as cash dividends and payments to repurchase or otherwise acquire shares. Because of the Bank's regulatory capital requirements approximately $12,200,000 of its retained earnings is unavailable for distribution to the Company. (14) Stock Repurchase Program The Company has completed three stock repurchases aggregating 14% of outstanding shares. As of December 31, 1997, 436,425 shares (including the shares purchased for the RRP) have been repurchased under this program. (15) Fair Value of Financial Instruments Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments" (SFAS 107), requires the Company to disclose in the notes to consolidated financial statements the fair value of financial assets and liabilities for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions are set forth below for the Company's financial instruments. Cash and Cash Equivalents For cash and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits, the carrying amount approximates fair value. Investment and Mortgage-backed Securities The fair value of investment securities and mortgage-backed securities is estimated based on bid quotations received from securities dealers. Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Stock The fair value for FHLB-NY stock is its carrying value, since this is the amount for which it could be redeemed. There is no active market for this stock and the Company is required to maintain a minimum balance based upon the unpaid principal of home mortgage loans. Loans Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as residential mortgage, home equity and consumer. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and into performing and nonperforming categories. Fair value of performing loans was estimated using the quoted market prices for similar loans, adjusted for differences in loan characteristics, if applicable. F-27 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement, Continued (15), Continued Fair value for significant nonperforming loans is based on recent external appraisals of collateral securing such loans. Deposit Liabilities The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as non-interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and NOW and money market accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand. The fair value of certificates of deposit is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. Advances The fair value for advances from the FHLB-NY are calculated by discounting estimated future cash flows using current rates for similar remaining maturities. Commitments to Extend Credit Fair values of commitments to extend credit are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements. Fair market value approximates the contract amount. The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 are presented in the following tables. 1997 1996 -------------------------- ------------------------- Book value Fair value Book value Fair value ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Financial assets: Cash and cash equivalents ..................... $ 3,199,133 3,199,133 7,730,770 7,730,770 Investment securities held to maturity ........ 46,903,262 47,252,311 33,135,851 33,180,975 Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity ... 52,457,620 53,008,777 51,768,925 51,946,901 Investment securities available for sale ...... 41,090,336 41,090,336 19,596,895 19,596,895 Mortgage-backed securities available for sale . 10,444,559 10,444,559 2,824,044 2,824,044 Loans ......................................... 127,817,620 132,755,000 123,824,912 128,364,000 Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock ...... 1,627,100 1,627,100 1,487,200 1,487,200 Financial liabilities: Deposits ...................................... 217,426,098 217,595,686 204,154,213 204,334,381 Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ............................ 31,334,000 31,334,000 -- -- =========== =========== =========== =========== F-28 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (15), Continued Limitations Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company's entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company's financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates. Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance-sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities include deferred tax assets and premises and equipment. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates. F-29 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (16) Parent Company Only At December 31, 1997, the Company, which was formed in November 1995, has two subsidiaries: the Bank and South Bergen Financial Services, Inc. The earnings of the subsidiaries are recognized by the Company using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, subsidiaries' dividends paid reduce the Company's investment in the subsidiaries. The following information should be read in conjunction with other notes to the consolidated financial statements. Condensed financial statements of the Company at December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1997 and for the period March 29, 1996 (conversion date) to December 31, 1996 are presented below: Statements of Financial Condition Assets 1997 1996 ----------- ----------- Cash ............................................. $ 6,664,492 10,954,225 ESOP loan receivable from subsidiary ............. 2,381,381 2,539,200 Investment in subsidiaries ....................... 31,035,213 28,056,681 Other assets ..................................... 16,032 -- ----------- ----------- Total assets ................................ $40,097,118 41,550,106 =========== =========== Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Other liabilities ................................ $ 827,426 315,523 Stockholders' equity ............................. 39,269,692 41,234,583 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity .. $40,097,118 41,550,106 =========== =========== Statements of Income 1997 1996 ----------- ----------- Interest income - ESOP loan receivable from subsidiary ................................ $ 190,510 152,352 Expenses - miscellaneous ......................... (366,920) (47,154) ----------- ----------- (Loss) income before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries .... (176,410) 105,198 Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries ........... 2,293,520 444,802 ----------- ----------- Net income .................................. $ 2,117,110 550,000 =========== =========== F-30 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (16), Continued Statements of Cash Flows 1997 1996 ----------- ----------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income ................................ $ 2,117,110 550,000 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries .... (2,293,520) (444,802) Increase in other assets .................. (16,032) -- Increase in other liabilities ............. 511,903 315,523 ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by operating activities ...... 319,461 420,721 ----------- ----------- Cash flows from investing activities: Decrease (increase) in investment in subsidiary .............................. 140,277 (12,923,571) Decrease (increase) in ESOP loan receivable from subsidiary ............. 157,819 (2,539,200) ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities ................................... 298,096 (15,462,771) ----------- ----------- Cash flows from financing activities: Net proceeds from stock offering .......... -- 28,081,638 Cash dividends paid ....................... (459,739) (190,882) Purchase of shares by RRP ................. (1,745,700) -- Purchase of treasury stock ................ (2,701,851) (1,894,481) ----------- ----------- Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities ................................... (4,907,290) 25,996,275 ----------- ----------- Net (decrease) increase in cash ................ (4,289,733) 10,954,225 Cash at beginning of period .................... 10,954,225 -- ----------- ----------- Cash at end of period .......................... $ 6,664,492 10,954,225 =========== =========== F-31 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (17) Recent Accounting Pronouncements Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" (SFAS 130), establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components (revenue, expenses, gains and losses) in a full set of general purpose financial statements. SFAS 130 requires that all items that are required to be recognized under accounting standards as components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. SFAS 130 does not require a specific format for the financial statement but requires that an enterprise display an amount representing total comprehensive income for the period in that financial statement. SFAS 130 requires that an enterprise (a) classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in a financial statement and (b) display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital the equity section of a statement of financial position. SFAS 130 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. Reclassification of financial statements for earlier periods provided for comparative purposes is required. Management has not yet determined the impact of the adoption on its reporting of operations. In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" (SFAS 131) This statement established standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and requires that those enterprises report selected information about operating segments in interim financial reports issued to shareholders. It also established standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. This statement is effective for financial statements for periods beginning after December 15, 1997. The adoption of SFAS 131 is not expected to change the Company's reporting requirements. F-32 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (18) Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) The following table contains quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 (dollars in thousands). First Second Third Fourth quarter quarter quarter quarter ------- ------- ------- ------- Year ended December 31, 1997: Interest income ...................... $4,422 4,883 5,102 5,095 Interest expense ..................... 2,213 2,549 2,812 2,857 ------ ----- ----- ----- Net interest income before provision for loan losses ... 2,209 2,334 2,290 2,238 Provision for loan losses ................. 175 125 100 75 ------ ----- ----- ----- Net interest income after provision for loan losses .... 2,034 2,209 2,190 2,163 Non-interest income ....................... 67 57 80 85 Non-interest expense ...................... 1,308 1,393 1,489 1,518 ------ ----- ----- ----- Net income before taxes ................... 793 873 781 730 Federal and state income taxes expense .... 289 303 291 177 ------ ----- ----- ----- Net income ................................ $ 504 570 490 553 ===== ===== ===== ===== Basic earnings per share .................. .18 .19 .19 .22 ===== ===== ===== ===== Basic weighted average shares ............. 2,761 2,644 2,550 2,501 ===== ===== ===== ===== Diluted earnings per share ................ .18 .19 .19 .21 ===== ===== ===== ===== Diluted weighted average shares ........... 2,761 2,645 2,606 2,571 ===== ===== ===== ===== F-33 1ST BERGEN BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (18) Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Continued First Second Third Fourth quarter quarter quarter quarter ------- ------- ------- ------- Year ended December 31, 1996: Interest income ...................... $3,999 4,356 4,388 4,495 Interest expense ..................... 2,359 2,346 2,247 2,220 ----- ----- ----- ----- Net interest income before provision for loan losses .................... 1,640 2,010 2,141 2,275 Provision for loan losses ................. 125 150 325 125 ----- ----- ----- ----- Net interest income after provision for loan losses .................... 1,515 1,860 1,816 2,150 Non-interest income ....................... 49 56 39 57 Non-interest expense ...................... 1,241 1,145 2,487 1,467 ----- ----- ----- ----- Net income (loss) before tax expense (benefit) .............. 323 771 (632) 740 Federal and state income tax expense (benefit) ............................... 117 277 (226) 278 ----- ----- ----- ----- Net income (loss) ......................... $ 206 494 (406) 462 ===== ===== ===== ===== Basic earnings per share .................. -- .16 (.13) .16 ===== ===== ===== ===== Basic weighted average shares ............. -- 3,174 3,174 2,825 ===== ===== ===== ===== Diluted earnings per share ................ -- .16 (.13) .16 ===== ===== ===== ===== Diluted weighted average shares ........... -- 3,174 3,174 2,825 ===== ===== ===== ===== F-34 INDEX TO EXHIBITS EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION - ----------- ----------- 21 Subsidiary of 1st Bergen Bancorp 23 Independent Auditors' Consent 27 Financial Data Schedule