UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2001 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _____________ to ____________ Commission File Number 0-28312 FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC. ______________________________________________________________________________ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Texas 71-0785261 _____________________________________________ _____________________ (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation (I.R.S. Employer or organization) Identification Number) 200 West Stephenson Harrison, Arkansas 72601 _____________________________________________ ____________________ (Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code) (870) 741-7641 ____________________________________________________ (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: As of August 7, 2001, there were issued and outstanding 3,281,667 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share. FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Part I. Financial Information ---- - ------- --------------------- Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition As of June 30, 2001 (unaudited) and December 31, 2000 1 Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2001 (unaudited) and 2000 (unaudited) 2 Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2001 (unaudited) 3 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2001 (unaudited) and 2000 (unaudited) 4 Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements 6 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 10 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 14 Part II. Other Information - -------- ----------------- Item 1. Legal Proceedings 15 Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds 15 Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 15 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 15 Item 5. Other Information 16 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 16 Signatures 17 FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (In Thousands) June 30, December 31, ASSETS 2001 2000 ----------- ------------ (Unaudited) Cash and cash equivalents $ 25,214 $ 11,564 Investment securities - held to maturity 145,899 184,310 Federal Home Loan Bank stock 4,837 5,098 Loans receivable, net of allowance 486,912 498,305 Accrued interest receivable 5,692 6,910 Real estate acquired in settlement of loans, net 255 261 Office properties and equipment, net 7,040 7,170 Prepaid expenses and other assets 10,383 284 _______ _______ TOTAL ASSETS $686,232 $713,902 ======= ======= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES: Deposits $548,370 $540,327 Federal Home Loan Bank advances 59,852 93,359 Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance 740 1,006 Other liabilities 3,475 2,588 _______ _______ Total liabilities 612,437 637,280 ======= ======= STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred stock, no par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued Common stock, $.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 5,153,751 shares issued, 3,305,867 and 3,553,981 shares outstanding at June 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000, respectively 52 52 Additional paid-in capital 51,230 51,045 Employee stock benefit plans (2,175) (2,680) Retained earnings-substantially restricted 58,179 56,713 _______ _______ 107,286 105,130 Treasury stock, at cost, 1,847,884 and 1,599,770 shares at June 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000, respectively (33,491) (28,508) ________ _______ Total stockholders' equity 73,795 76,622 ________ _______ TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $686,232 $713,902 ======= ======= See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. 1 FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In thousands, except earnings per share) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, ______________________ _________________ 2001 2000 2001 2000 _______ ______ _______ _______ INTEREST INCOME: Loans receivable $10,031 $9,434 $20,099 $18,581 Investment securities 2,515 3,458 5,454 6,812 Other 280 17 406 50 ______ ______ ______ ______ Total interest income 12,826 12,909 25,959 25,443 ______ ______ ______ ______ INTEREST EXPENSE: Deposits 7,153 6,727 14,431 13,147 Other borrowings 1,151 1,280 2,560 2,505 _____ _____ ______ ______ Total interest expense 8,304 8,007 16,991 15,652 _____ _____ ______ ______ NET INTEREST INCOME 4,522 4,902 8,968 9,791 PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES 52 -- 61 -- _____ _____ ______ ______ NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES 4,470 4,902 8,907 9,791 _____ _____ _____ _____ NONINTEREST INCOME: Deposit fee income 335 268 643 495 Other 521 183 888 341 ___ ___ _____ ___ Total noninterest income 856 451 1,531 836 ___ ___ _____ ___ NONINTEREST EXPENSES: Salaries and employee benefits 2,430 1,860 4,649 3,857 Net occupancy expense 285 276 559 531 Federal insurance premiums 25 26 51 53 Provision for real estate losses -- 9 7 9 Data processing 275 254 532 460 Postage and supplies 140 101 280 242 Other 580 483 1,053 989 _____ _____ _____ _____ Total noninterest expenses 3,735 3,009 7,131 6,141 _____ _____ _____ _____ INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 1,591 2,344 3,307 4,486 INCOME TAX PROVISION 529 772 1,101 1,484 _____ _____ _____ _____ NET INCOME $1,062 $1,572 $2,206 $3,002 ===== ===== ===== ===== EARNINGS PER SHARE: Basic $ 0.34 $ 0.44 $ 0.69 $ 0.82 ==== ==== ==== ==== Diluted $ 0.34 $ 0.44 $ 0.69 $ 0.82 ==== ==== ==== ==== Cash Dividends Declared $ 0.11 $ 0.10 $ 0.22 $ 0.20 ==== ==== ==== ==== See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. 2 FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001 (In Thousands) (Unaudited) Issued Common Stock Employee Treasury Stock _______________ Additional Stock __________________ Total Paid-In Benefit Retained Stockholders' Shares Amount Capital Plans Earnings Shares Amount Equity ______ ______ __________ ________ ________ _______ ______ _____________ <s> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> Balance, December 31, 2000 5,153,751 $52 $51,045 $(2,680) $56,713 1,599,770 $(28,508) $76,622 Net income 2,206 2,206 Release of ESOP shares 185 208 393 Stock compensation expense 297 297 Purchase of treasury stock, at cost 248,114 (4,983) (4,983) Dividends paid (740) (740) ________ __ ______ _____ ______ _________ ______ ______ Balance, June 30, 2001 5,153,751 $ 52 $51,230 $(2,175) $58,179 1,847,884 $(33,491) $73,795 ========= == ====== ===== ====== ========= ====== ====== See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. 3 FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In Thousands) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, _________________________ 2001 2000 _____ _____ OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $2,206 $3,002 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Provision for loan losses 61 -- Provision for real estate losses 7 9 Deferred tax provision 115 348 Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends (125) (207) Federal Home Loan Bank stock redeemed 386 Loss (gain) on sale of repossessed assets, net 6 (2) Originations of loans held for sale (25,989) (2,298) Proceeds from sales of loans 23,285 2,714 Gain on sale of mortgage loans originated to sell (260) (28) Depreciation 349 328 Depreciation on real estate owned -- 32 Accretion of deferred loan fees, net (280) (250) Release of ESOP shares 409 312 Stock compensation expense 297 413 Changes in operating assets & liabilities: Accrued interest receivable 1,218 (486) Prepaid expenses & other assets (89) 22 Other liabilities 757 (150) _____ _____ Net cash provided by operating activities 2,353 3,759 _____ _____ INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of investment securities-held to Maturity (8,289) (10,633) Proceeds from maturities/calls of investment securities-held to maturity 46,700 2,000 Purchase of bank owned life insurance (10,000) -- Loan originations, net of repayments 14,392 (23,027) Proceeds from sales of repossessed assets 166 2,885 Purchases of office properties and equipment (219) (830) ______ ______ Net cash provided (used) by investing activities 42,750 (29,605) ______ ______ 4 FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In Thousands) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, _________________________ 2001 2000 _____ _____ (Continued) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net increase in deposits 8,043 27,974 Advances from FHLB 2,450 85,375 Repayment of advances from FHLB (35,957) (80,481) Net decrease in advance payments by borrowers for taxes & insurance (266) (551) Purchase of treasury stock (4,983) (5,289) Dividends paid (740) (761) Distributions related to minority interest -- (783) ______ ______ Net cash provided (used) by financing activities (31,453) 25,484 ______ ______ Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 13,650 (362) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: Beginning of period 11,564 9,983 ______ _____ End of period $25,214 $ 9,621 ====== ===== SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid for: Interest $17,404 $ 15,579 ====== ====== Income taxes $ 912 $ 1,245 ====== ====== SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Real estate acquired in settlement of loans $ 144 $ 240 ====== ====== Loans to facilitate sales of real estate owned $ -- $ 948 ====== ====== (Concluded) See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. 5 FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC. NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. (the "Corporation") is a unitary holding company which owns all of the stock of First Federal Bank of Arkansas, FA (the "Bank"). The Bank provides a broad line of financial products to individuals and small to medium-sized businesses. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of the Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary, First Harrison Service Corporation ("FHSC"), whose activities are limited. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation have been prepared in accordance with instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. However, such information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim periods. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and the Bank. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2001 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2001. The unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2000, contained in the Corporation's 2000 Annual Report to Stockholders. Note 2 - Recently Issued Accounting Standards In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 141, Business Combinations. This Statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for business combinations and supersedes APB Opinion No. 16, Business Combinations, and FASB Statement No. 38, Accounting for Preacquisition Contingencies of Purchased Enterprises. All business combinations in the scope of this Statement are to be accounted for using one method, the purchase method. This Statement does not change many of the provisions of Opinion 16 and Statement 38 related to the application of the purchase method. The provisions of this Statement apply to all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. This Statement also applies to all business combinations accounted for using the purchase method for which the date of acquisition is July 1, 2001, or later. In June 2001, the FASB also issued SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. This Statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets and supersedes APB Opinion No. 17, Intangible Assets. It addresses how intangible assets that are acquired individually or with a group of other assets (but not those acquired in a business 6 combination) should be accounted for in financial statements upon their acquisition. This Statement also addresses how goodwill and other intangible assets should be accounted for after they have been initially recognized in the financial statements. The provisions of this Statement are required to be applied starting with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. This Statement is required to be applied at the beginning of an entity's fiscal year and to be applied to all goodwill and other intangible assets recognized in its financial statements at that date. Impairment losses for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets that arise due to the initial application of this Statement (resulting from a transitional impairment test) are to be reported as resulting from a change in accounting principle. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired after June 30, 2001, will be subject immediately to the nonamortization and amortization provisions of this Statement. Based on its current activities, management does not expect these statements to have a material effect on the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Corporation. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, is effective for all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS 133, as amended, establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities. Under SFAS 133, certain contracts that were not formerly considered derivatives may now meet the definition of a derivative. The Corporation adopted SFAS 133 effective January 1, 2001. The effect of such adoption did not impact the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Corporation. 7 Note 3 - Earnings per Share The weighted average number of common shares used to calculate earnings per share for the periods ended June 30, 2001 and 2000 were as follows: Three months ended Six months ended March 31, June 30, __________________ ________________ 2001 2000 2001 2000 _________ _________ _________ _________ Basic weighted-average shares 3,146,277 3,569,403 3,200,124 3,640,909 Effect of dilutive securities 11,383 -- 10,633 -- _________ _________ _________ _________ Diluted weighted-average shares 3,157,660 3,569,403 3,210,757 3,640,909 Note 4 - Declaration of Dividends At their meeting on May 22, 2001, the Board of Directors declared an $.11 (eleven cent) per share cash dividend on the common stock of the Corporation. The cash dividend was paid on June 22, 2001 to the stockholders of record at the close of business on June 7, 2001. Note 5 - Investment Securities Investment securities consisted of the following (in thousands): June 30, 2001 ______________________ Amortized Fair Held to Maturity Cost Value _________ ________ U. S. Government and Agency obligations $145,899 $144,046 ======= ======= 8 Note 6 - Loans Receivable Loans receivable consisted of the following (in thousands): June 30, 2001 December 31, 2000 _______________ ___________________ First mortgage loans: One- to four- family residences $359,698 $377,341 Other properties 43,981 41,751 Construction 24,957 24,937 Less: Unearned discounts (217) (191) Undisbursed loan funds (10,683) (9,126) Deferred loan fees, net (2,520) (2,747) _______ _______ Total first mortgage loans 415,216 431,965 _______ _______ Consumer and other loans: Commercial 21,744 20,239 Automobile 16,712 16,051 Consumer 6,471 5,893 Home equity and second mortgage 22,530 19,797 Savings 1,720 2,042 Other 2,897 2,768 Add deferred loan costs 244 241 ______ ______ Total consumer and other loans 72,318 67,031 ______ ______ Allowance for loan losses (622) (691) ______ ______ Loans receivable, net $486,912 $498,305 ======= ======= Non-accrual loans at June 30, 2001 were $2.4 million. All loans 90 days or more past due are recorded as non-accrual. A summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses is as follows (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2000 $691 Provisions for estimated losses 61 Recoveries 10 Losses charged off (140) ___ Balance at June 30, 2001 $ 622 === 9 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Financial Condition At June 30, 2001, the Corporation's assets amounted to $686.2 million as compared to $713.9 million at December 31, 2000. The $27.7 million or 3.9% decrease was primarily due to a decrease of $38.4 million or 20.8% in investment securities-held to maturity and to a decrease of $11.4 million or 2.3% in net loans receivable. Such decreases were partially offset by a $13.7 million or 118.0% increase in cash and cash equivalents and a $10.1 million increase in prepaid expenses and other assets. The increase in prepaid expenses and other assets was primarily due to the Bank's investment in bank owned life insurance. Loan originations for the six month period ended June 30, 2001 consisted of $53.1 million in one- to four- family residential loans, $1.0 million in multi-family residential loans, $8.9 million in commercial loans, $15.3 million in construction loans and $22.6 million in consumer installment loans, of which $9.6 million consisted of home equity loans and $7.4 million consisted of automobile loans. The decrease in net loans receivable was primarily due to customer refinancings in the lower rate environment and the sale by the Bank of such loans in the secondary mortgage market. At June 30, 2001, the Bank had outstanding loan commitments of $4.9 million, unused lines of credit of $7.6 million, and the undisbursed portion of construction loans of $10.6 million. Liabilities decreased $24.8 million or 3.9% to $612.4 million at June 30, 2001 compared to $637.3 million at December 31, 2000. The decrease in liabilities was primarily due to a decrease of $33.5 million or 35.9% in advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas ("FHLB of Dallas"). Stockholders' equity amounted to $73.8 million or 10.8% of total assets at June 30, 2001 compared to $76.6 million or 10.7% of total assets at December 31, 2000. The decrease in stockholders' equity was primarily due to the purchase of 248,114 shares of treasury stock totaling $5.0 million in connection with the Corporation's stock repurchase plan and to a lesser extent due to the payment of cash dividends aggregating $740,000. Such decrease during the six months ended June 30, 2001 was partially offset by net income of $2.2 million resulting from continued profitable operations. Non-performing assets, consisting of non-accruing loans and repossessed assets, amounted to $2.7 million or .39% of total assets at June 30, 2001, compared to $1.9 million or .27% of total assets at December 31, 2000. Such increase was primarily due to non-accruing loans collateralized by one-to-four family mortgage loans. The allowance for loan losses amounted to $622,000 at June 30, 2001. Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2001 and 2000 General. The Corporation reported net income of $1.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2001 compared to net income of $1.6 million for the same period in 2000. The decrease of $510,000 in net income in the 2001 period compared to the same period in 2000 was primarily due to a decrease in net interest income and an increase in noninterest expenses which was offset by an increase in noninterest income and a decrease in income tax expense. Net interest income declined from $4.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2000 to $4.5 million for the same period in 10 2001. Net interest income is determined by the Corporation's interest rate spread (i.e., the difference between the yields earned on its interest-earning assets and the rates paid on its interest-bearing liabilities) and the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The Corporation's interest rate spread and net interest margin decreased to 2.22% and 2.70%, respectively, for the 2001 three month period compared to 2.46% and 2.92%, respectively, for the 2000 three month period. These and other significant fluctuations in operations are discussed below. Interest Income. Interest income amounted to $12.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001 compared to $12.9 million for the same period in 2000. The decrease of $83,000 or .6% was primarily due to a decrease in the average balance of investment securities and a decrease in the average yield earned on investment securities which was partially offset by an increase in the average balance of net loans receivable, an increase in the average yield earned on loans receivable and an increase in the average balance of other interest earning assets, primarily overnight funds. Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $297,000 or 3.7% to $8.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001 compared to $8.0 million for the same period in 2000. Such increase was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of deposits, an increase in interest rates paid on such deposits, and an increase in the average interest rate paid on advances. Such increase was partially offset by a decline in the average balance of advances. Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased $405,000 or 89.8% to $856,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2001 compared to $451,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2000. The increase in noninterest income for the three month comparable periods ended June 30 was primarily due to an increase of $67,000 or 25.0% from $268,000 to $335,000 in deposit fee income, an increase of $45,000 from $13,000 to $58,000 in loan related insurance commissions, an increase of $174,000 from $16,000 to $190,000 in the gain on the sale of mortgage loans in the secondary mortgage market and an increase of $37,000 from $8,000 to $45,000 in additional loan fees related to loan sales. The increase in noninterest income was also due to a decline in the net loss recognized from the operations of real estate owned in the amount of $64,000. The property primarily incurring such losses was disposed of in June 2000. Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expenses increased $726,000 or 24.1% between the 2001 and 2000 three month periods ended June 30. Such increase was primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits and to a nonrecurring expense of $352,000 for a death benefit payable pursuant to the employment contract of the Bank's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board at his death. Salaries and employee benefits, excluding the nonrecurring death benefit of $352,000, amounted to $2.1 million compared to $1.9 million resulting in an increase of $218,000 or 11.7% for the three month periods ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Such increase in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to an increase in personnel as well as salary and merit increases and an increase in the employee stock ownership plan expense as a result of the increase in the average stock price. 11 Income Taxes. Income taxes amounted to $529,000 and $772,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 33.2% and 32.9%, respectively. Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2001 and 2000 General. The Corporation reported net income of $2.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2001 compared to net income of $3.0 million for the same period in 2000. The decrease of $796,000 in net income in the 2001 period compared to the same period in 2000 was primarily due to a decrease in net interest income and an increase in noninterest expenses which was offset by an increase in noninterest income and a decrease in income tax expense. Net interest income declined from $9.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000 to $9.0 million for the same period in 2001. The Corporation's interest rate spread and net interest margin decreased to 2.17% and 2.66%, respectively, for the 2001 six month period compared to 2.48% and 2.94%, respectively, for the 2000 six month period. Interest Income. Interest income amounted to $26.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2001 compared to $25.5 million for the same period in 2000. The increase of $516,000 was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of net loans receivable, an increase in the average yield earned on loans receivable and an increase in the average balance of other interest earning assets, primarily overnight funds which was partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of investment securities and a decrease in the average yield earned on investment securities. Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $1.3 million or 8.6% to $17.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2001 compared to $15.7 million for the same period in 2000. Such increase was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of deposits, an increase in interest rates paid on such deposits, and an increase in the average interest rate paid on advances. Such increase was partially offset by a decline in the average balance of advances. Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased $695,000 or 83.1% to $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2001 compared to $836,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2000. The increase in noninterest income for the six month comparable periods ended June 30 was primarily due to an increase of $148,000 or 29.9% from $495,000 to $643,000 in deposit fee income, an increase of $71,000 from $26,000 to $97,000 in loan related insurance commissions, an increase of $232,000 from $28,000 to $260,000 in the gain on the sale of mortgage loans in the secondary mortgage market and an increase of $50,000 from $11,000 to $61,000 in additional loan fees related to loan sales. The increase in noninterest income was also due to a decline in the net loss recognized from the operations of real estate owned in the amount of $111,000. The property primarily incurring such losses was disposed of in June 2000. Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expenses increased $990,000 or 16.1% between the 2001 and 2000 six month periods ended June 30. The increase in noninterest expenses during the six month period in 2001 compared to 2000 was primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits and to a nonrecurring expense of $352,000 for a death benefit payable pursuant to the 12 employment contract of the Bank's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board at his death. Salaries and employee benefits, excluding the nonrecurring death benefit of $352,000, amounted to $4.3 million compared to $3.9 million resulting in an increase of $439,000 or 11.4% for the six month periods ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Such increase in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to an increase in personnel as well as salary and merit increases and an increase in the employee stock ownership plan expense as a result of the increase in the average stock price. Income Taxes. Income taxes amounted to $1.1 million and $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 33.3% and 33.1%, respectively. Liquidity and Capital Resources The Bank's liquidity, represented by cash and cash equivalents and eligible investment securities, is a product of its operating, investing and financing activities. The Bank's primary sources of funds are deposits, collections on outstanding loans, maturities and calls of investment securities and other short-term investments and funds provided from operations. While scheduled loan amortization and maturing investment securities and short-term investments are relatively predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition. The Bank manages the pricing of its deposits to maintain a steady deposit balance. In addition, the Bank invests excess funds in overnight deposits and other short-term interest-earning assets which provide liquidity to meet lending requirements. The Bank has generally been able to generate enough cash through the retail deposit market, its traditional funding source, to offset the cash utilized in investing activities. As an additional source of funds, the Bank has borrowed from the FHLB of Dallas. At June 30, 2001, the Bank had outstanding advances from the FHLB of Dallas of $60.0 million. Such advances were used in the Bank's normal operating and investing activities. As of June 30, 2001, the Bank's regulatory capital was in excess of all applicable regulatory requirements. At June 30, 2001, the Bank's tangible, core and risk-based capital ratios amounted to 9.7%, 9.7% and 17.7%, respectively compared to applicable requirements of 1.5%, 4.0% and 8.0%, respectively. Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices The financial statements and related financial data presented herein have been prepared in accordance with instructions to Form 10-Q, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in relative purchasing power over time due to inflation. Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all of the Bank's assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates generally have a more significant impact on a financial institution's performance than does the effect of inflation. 13 Forward-Looking Statements This Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to the Corporation that are based on the beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. In addition, in those and other portions of this document, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "except," "intend," "should" and similar expressions, or the negative thereof, as they relate to the Corporation or the Corporation's management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of the Corporation with respect to future looking events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected or intended. The Corporation does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK For a discussion of the Corporation's asset and liability management policies as well as the potential impact of interest rate changes upon the market value of the Bank's portfolio equity, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Corporation's 2000 Annual Report to Stockholders. There has been no material change in the Corporation's asset and liability position or the market value of the Bank's portfolio equity since December 31, 2000. 14 FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC. Part II Item 1. Legal Proceedings ----------------- Neither the Corporation nor the Bank is involved in any pending legal proceedings other than non-material legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business. Item 2. Changes in Securities --------------------- Not applicable. Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities ------------------------------- Not applicable. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders --------------------------------------------------- On April 26, 2001, the Corporation held an annual meeting of stockholders for the following purposes: (1) To elect one director for a term of three years; and (2) To ratify the appointment by the Board of Directors of Deloitte and Touche LLP as the Corporation's independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2001. The results of the voting are set forth below: Proposal One (Election of Director): AGAINST/ NAME FOR WITHHELD Larry J. Brandt 2,884,913 20,561 Proposal Two (Ratification of Auditors): FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 2,893,209 2,765 9,500 15 Item 5. Other Information ----------------- None. Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K -------------------------------- None. 16 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC. Date: August 14, 2001 By: /s/Larry J. Brandt ------------------ Larry J. Brandt President/CEO Date: August 14, 2001 By: /s/Tommy W. Richardson ---------------------- Tommy W. Richardson Chief Financial Officer 17