[LOGO] SUSQUEHANNA BANCSHARES, INC. P.O BOX 1000 26 North Cedar Street Lititz, PA 17543-1000 NEWS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Alison van Harskamp, Vice President and Director of Communications Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. (717) 625-6260, communications@susqbanc.com Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. Announces Second Quarter Earnings, Grows Commercial Loans 23%, Demand Deposits 27% Year over Year FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: LITITZ, PA, July 22, 2003: Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc., (Susquehanna) (Nasdaq: SUSQ - news) today announced second quarter 2003 diluted earnings per share rose to $0.41, a 5% increase over diluted earnings per share of $0.39 in the second quarter of 2002. Earnings were in line with the company's forecast and one cent ahead of Thompson First Call consensus. Net income for the second quarter of 2003 was $16.3 million up from $15.6 million for the second quarter of 2002. Net income for the six-month period ending June 30, 2003, was up 6% over the comparable period in 2002. Second Quarter Highlights .. Deposits increased to $4 billion at June 30, 2003, or 10% over June 30, 2002. Non-interest bearing demand deposits were up 27% year over year and 15% from December 31, 2002. .. Commercial, financial and agricultural loans were up 23% year over year, and 16% from December 31, 2002. Bank originated loans increased 7% year over year. Loans and leases increased to $3.9 billion, or 4% over June 30, 2002. "Our results demonstrate that we continue to gain momentum as we persistently execute our strategic initiatives for core growth in a very challenging economic and interest rate environment," said Susquehanna Chairman, President and CEO William J. Reuter. "Our officers are aggressively pursuing new business with focused sales calls, and our retail employees are increasing product sales to existing customers. In addition, by raising our quarterly cash dividend a full three months earlier than our traditional fourth quarter increase, we are providing our shareholders with the opportunity to realize more after-tax benefits this year as a result of the recently enacted tax rate reductions on dividends." .. Non-interest income in the second quarter of 2003 was $25 million, increasing 11% over the second quarter of last year. Deposit, trust, asset management, insurance, and mortgage banking contributed 48% of non-interest income in the second quarter, while vehicle leasing contributed 34%. Non-interest income represented 35% of total revenue for the second quarter of 2003, compared to 32% for the second quarter of 2002. -1- .. Total assets at June 30, 2003, were $5.8 billion, an increase of 10% over $5.3 billion at June 30, 2002. .. Asset quality at June 30, 2003, remained stable with total non-performing assets as a percentage of loans, leases and other real estate owned at 0.72% and second quarter net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans and leases at 0.22%, both within Susquehanna's historical five-year range. .. On July 16, 2003, Susquehanna's board of directors raised the cash dividend three months earlier than the company's traditional fourth quarter increase, declaring a third quarter dividend of $0.22 per share on its common stock, payable August 20, 2003, to shareholders of record July 30, 2003. This represents a 10% increase over the dividend paid in the third quarter of 2002 and a 5% increase over the dividend paid in the second quarter of 2003. During the second quarter of 2003, return on assets and return on equity finished at 1.15% and 12.14%, respectively, compared with 1.20% and 12.37% in the second quarter of 2002. Equity capital was $546 million at June 30, 2003, or $13.73 per share, compared to $517 million at June 30, 2002, or $13.11 per share. The net interest margin for the second quarter of 2003 was 3.69%, down 19 basis points from the first quarter. The decline in margin resulted from average yields on earning assets decreasing further than the average cost of deposits as interest rates remain at the lowest level in decades. Susquehanna reaffirmed its 2003 diluted EPS guidance of $1.62 - $1.68. The company expects third quarter diluted EPS to be in the range of $0.40 - $0.42. Additional Highlights During the second quarter, Susquehanna's subsidiary Farmers & Merchants Bank and Trust (Hagerstown, Md.) received preferred lender status from the U.S. Small Business Administration. F&M Bank is the third Susquehanna affiliate to receive the highest lending designation awarded by the SBA, joining Susquehanna Bank (Towson, Md.) and Farmers First Bank (Lititz, Pa.). In 2002, F&M Bank settled 11 SBA guaranteed loans totaling $2,115,000. Its 2002 results rank F&M Bank in the top ten of all SBA lenders in Maryland. In June, Susquehanna announced it had been named a 2003 Dividend Achiever. The list of Dividend Achievers, compiled annually by Mergent Inc., a New York City-based provider of business and financial information, highlights public companies that have increased their regular cash dividends for at least 10 consecutive calendar years. Just 2.5 percent of all U.S. companies that pay dividends made the list, which will be published in the annual Mergent's Dividend Achiever, a popular reference tool for investors -2- and investment professionals. This is Susquehanna's fourth consecutive year receiving this recognition. Susquehanna will broadcast its second quarter results conference call over the Internet on July 23, 2003, at 11:00 AM Eastern time. The conference call will include management's discussion of second quarter results with analysts, and may also include forward-looking information. Investors will have the opportunity to listen to the conference call through a live broadcast on Susquehanna's Web site. The event may be accessed by selecting "Investor Relations" at the top of the home page and clicking the "Live Web cast" link. To listen to the live call, please go to the Web site at least fifteen minutes early to download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call. Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. is a financial holding company with assets of $5.8 billion, operating in multiple states. It provides financial services through its subsidiaries at over 160 locations in the mid-Atlantic region. In addition to eight commercial banks, Susquehanna operates a trust and investment company, an asset management company, a property and casualty insurance brokerage company and a vehicle leasing company. Investor information may be requested on Susquehanna's Web site at www.susqbanc.com. # # # This press release contains "forward-looking" statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are based on Susquehanna's current expectations, estimates and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of its business. These statements are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance, events or results. Such statements involve potential risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially. Susquehanna undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. -3- Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. P.O. Box 1000 Lititz, PA 17543 SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Dollars in thousands, except per share) Six Months ---------- 2Q03 2Q02 2003 2002 ---- ---- ---- ---- Balance Sheet (EOP) Investments $1,248,011 $1,040,211 $1,248,011 $1,040,211 Loans and leases 3,898,938 3,737,178 3,898,938 3,737,178 Allowance for loan & lease losses (ALLL) 40,329 39,148 40,329 39,148 Total assets 5,789,330 5,277,257 5,789,330 5,277,257 Deposits 3,978,476 3,630,965 3,978,476 3,630,965 Short-term borrowings 341,906 219,003 341,906 219,003 FHLB borrowings 598,160 565,121 598,160 565,121 Vehicle financing 4,958 106,403 4,958 106,403 Long-term debt 145,000 105,000 145,000 105,000 Shareholders' equity 545,869 517,131 545,869 517,131 Stated Book Value per Share 13.73 13.11 13.73 13.11 Tangible Book Value per Share 12.23 11.60 12.23 11.60 Average Balance Sheet Investments 1,245,332 1,012,606 1,194,891 1,011,812 Loans and leases 3,849,384 3,693,108 3,826,944 3,616,633 Total earning assets 5,166,863 4,758,557 5,087,997 4,702,104 Total assets 5,679,792 5,210,101 5,600,424 5,158,966 Deposits 3,905,651 3,566,536 3,873,066 3,532,294 Short-term borrowings 328,404 195,226 294,680 185,283 FHLB borrowings 591,902 600,568 570,396 588,971 Vehicle financing 8,017 126,500 13,867 142,156 Long-term debt 145,000 105,000 151,381 105,000 Shareholders' equity 538,952 506,355 536,994 501,435 Income Statement Net interest income 47,019 47,756 94,298 92,184 Loan & lease loss provision 2,175 2,434 4,880 4,707 Non-interest income 24,922 22,414 50,415 46,825 Non-interest expense 46,460 45,100 93,236 90,187 Income before taxes 23,306 22,636 46,597 44,115 Income taxes 6,992 7,017 14,212 13,676 Net income 16,314 15,619 32,385 30,439 Basic earnings per share 0.41 0.40 0.82 0.77 Diluted earnings per share 0.41 0.39 0.81 0.77 Cash dividends paid per share 0.21 0.20 0.42 0.40 Asset Quality Net charge-offs (NCO) $ 2,127 $ 1,818 $ 4,222 $ 3,257 Nonaccrual loans & leases 20,078 16,828 20,078 16,828 Restructured loans 6,260 0 6,260 0 OREO 1,925 3,174 1,925 3,174 Total nonperforming assets (NPA) 28,263 20,002 28,263 20,002 Loans & leases 90 days past due 7,036 9,995 7,036 9,995 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. P.O. Box 1000 Lititz, PA 17543 Six Months ---------- 2Q03 2Q02 2003 2002 ---- ---- ---- ---- RATIO ANALYSIS Credit Quality NCO / Ave. loans & leases 0.22% 0.20% 0.22% 0.18% NPA / loans & leases & OREO 0.72% 0.53% 0.72% 0.53% ALLL / Nonperforming loans & leases 153.12% 232.64% 153.12% 232.64% ALLL / total loans & leases 1.03% 1.05% 1.03% 1.05% Capital Adequacy Equity / assets 9.43% 9.80% 9.43% 9.80% Long-term debt / equity 26.56% 20.30% 26.56% 20.30% Profitability Return on average assets 1.15% 1.20% 1.17% 1.19% Return on average equity 12.14% 12.37% 12.16% 12.24% Net interest margin 3.69% 4.08% 3.78% 4.01% Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. P.O. Box 1000 Lititz, PA 17543 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 30, December 31, June 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2003 2002 2002 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS Cash and due from banks $ 194,550 $ 156,320 $ 113,414 Short-term investments: Restricted 51,926 30,611 31,149 Unrestricted 30,359 22,025 19,720 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total short-term investments 82,285 52,636 50,869 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment securities available for sale, at fair value 1,244,577 1,122,230 1,038,522 Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (Fair values of $3,434, $4,177 and $1,689) 3,434 4,177 1,689 Loans and leases, net of unearned income 3,898,938 3,830,953 3,737,178 Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses 40,329 39,671 39,148 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net loans and leases 3,858,609 3,791,282 3,698,030 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Premises and equipment (net) 60,067 60,108 59,361 Accrued income receivable 18,510 20,579 21,521 Bank-owned life insurance 127,815 125,127 123,269 Goodwill 54,897 54,897 54,396 Intangible assets with finite lives 4,685 4,998 5,294 Other assets 139,901 152,293 110,892 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total assets $5,789,330 $5,544,647 $5,277,257 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIABILITIES Deposits: Demand $ 691,200 $ 601,272 $ 545,375 Interest-bearing demand 1,187,906 1,137,875 976,486 Savings 500,273 470,317 468,774 Time 1,262,671 1,300,445 1,317,126 Time of $100 or more 336,426 321,406 323,204 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total deposits 3,978,476 3,831,315 3,630,965 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-term borrowings 341,906 266,724 219,003 FHLB borrowings 598,160 543,166 565,121 Vehicle financing 4,958 31,304 106,403 Long-term debt 145,000 180,000 105,000 Accrued interest, taxes, and expenses payable 32,217 40,314 51,474 Deferred taxes 99,012 95,478 50,662 Other liabilities 43,732 22,491 31,498 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total liabilities 5,243,461 5,010,792 4,760,126 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock Authorized: 100,000,000 ($2.00 par value) Issued: 39,757,469 at June 30, 2003; 39,638,447 at December 31, 2002; and 39,433,663 at June 30, 2002 79,515 79,277 78,867 Surplus 64,578 62,858 58,434 Retained earnings 390,972 375,244 360,204 Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes of $5,860, $8,662, and $10,568, respectively 10,804 16,476 19,626 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total shareholders' equity 545,869 533,855 517,131 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $5,789,330 $5,544,647 $5,277,257 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. P.O. Box 1000 Lititz, PA 17543 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- (Dollars in thousands, except per share) 2003 2002 2003 2002 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- INTEREST INCOME Interest and fees on loans and leases $60,942 $65,736 $122,835 $130,024 Interest on investment securities: taxable 10,833 13,833 22,502 27,116 tax-exempt 372 618 835 1,322 Interest on short-term investments 198 263 362 700 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Total interest income 72,345 80,450 146,534 159,162 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- INTEREST EXPENSE Interest on deposits: Interest-bearing demand 2,466 3,002 5,143 5,908 Savings 599 1,103 1,209 2,180 Time 13,133 16,386 27,098 34,152 Interest on short-term borrowings 872 797 1,569 1,472 Interest on FHLB borrowings 5,598 7,418 11,636 14,679 Interest on vehicle financing 58 1,988 199 4,594 Interest on long-term debt 2,600 2,000 5,382 3,993 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Total interest expense 25,326 32,694 52,236 66,978 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Net interest income 47,019 47,756 94,298 92,184 Provision for loan and lease losses 2,175 2,434 4,880 4,707 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses 44,844 45,322 89,418 87,477 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- NON-INTEREST INCOME Service charges on deposit accounts 4,825 4,207 9,290 8,050 Vehicle origination and servicing fees 7,567 6,864 14,570 13,896 Merchant credit card fees 0 2,740 0 6,467 Asset management fees 2,514 2,521 4,800 4,973 Income from fiduciary-related activities 1,427 1,247 2,949 2,498 Gain on sale of loans and leases 2,402 727 4,939 2,139 Income from bank-owned life insurance 1,433 1,630 3,075 3,348 Commissions on insurance sales 1,852 0 4,232 0 Other operating income 2,808 2,474 6,376 5,309 Investment security gains/(losses) 94 4 184 145 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Total non-interest income 24,922 22,414 50,415 46,825 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- NON-INTEREST EXPENSE Salaries and employee benefits 22,349 19,772 44,703 39,411 Net occupancy expense 3,379 3,077 6,900 6,175 Furniture and equipment expense 2,269 2,144 4,469 4,219 Amortization of intangible assets 157 158 313 326 Vehicle residual value expense 1,657 1,605 3,075 3,270 Vehicle delivery and preparation expense 2,691 2,046 5,585 3,608 Merchant credit card servicing expense 0 2,603 0 6,250 Other operating expenses 13,958 13,695 28,191 26,928 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Total non-interest expense 46,460 45,100 93,236 90,187 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Income before income taxes 23,306 22,636 46,597 44,115 Provision for income taxes 6,992 7,017 14,212 13,676 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- NET INCOME $16,314 $15,619 $ 32,385 $ 30,439 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Per share information: Basic earnings $ 0.41 $ 0.40 $ 0.82 $ 0.77 Diluted earnings $ 0.41 $ 0.39 $ 0.81 $ 0.77 Cash dividends $ 0.21 $ 0.20 $ 0.42 $ 0.40 Average shares outstanding: Basic 39,689 39,398 39,673 39,373 Diluted 39,952 39,721 39,927 39,688 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. P.O. Box 1000 Lititz, PA 17543 DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Interest rates and interest differential - taxable equivalent basis - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the Three Month Period Ended For the Three Month Period Ended June 30, 2003 June 30, 2002 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Average Average (Dollars in thousands) Balance Interest Rate (%) Balance Interest Rate (%) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets Short - term investments $ 72,147 $ 198 1.10 $ 52,843 $263 2.00 Investment securities: Taxable 1,213,515 10,833 3.58 958,583 13,833 5.79 Tax - advantaged 31,817 572 7.21 54,023 952 7.07 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total investment securities 1,245,332 11,405 3.67 1,012,606 14,785 5.86 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loans and leases, (net): Taxable 3,794,545 60,311 6.38 3,645,093 65,110 7.16 Tax - advantaged 54,839 971 7.10 48,015 965 8.06 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total loans and leases 3,849,384 61,282 6.39 3,693,108 66,075 7.18 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total interest - earning assets 5,166,863 $72,885 5.66 4,758,557 $81,122 6.84 --------- ------- -------- ------- Allowance for loan and lease losses (40,533) (39,155) Other non - earning assets 553,462 490,699 - ----------------------------------------------------- ----------- Total assets $5,679,792 $5,210,101 - ----------------------------------------------------- ----------- Liabilities Deposits: Interest - bearing demand $1,168,672 $ 2,466 0.85 $ 938,783 $ 3,003 1.28 Savings 497,769 599 0.48 467,067 1,103 0.95 Time 1,608,768 13,133 3.27 1,619,017 16,386 4.06 Short - term borrowings 328,404 872 1.07 195,226 796 1.64 FHLB borrowings 591,902 5,598 3.79 600,568 7,419 4.95 Vehicle financing 8,017 58 2.90 126,500 1,987 6.30 Long - term debt 145,000 2,600 7.19 105,000 2,000 7.64 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total interest - bearing liabilities 4,348,532 $25,326 2.34 4,052,161 $32,694 3.24 --------- ------- -------- ------- Demand deposits 630,442 541,669 Other liabilities 161,866 109,916 - ----------------------------------------------------- ----------- Total liabilities 5,140,840 4,703,746 - ----------------------------------------------------- ----------- Equity 538,952 506,355 - ----------------------------------------------------- ----------- Total liabilities & shareholders' equity $5,679,792 $5,210,101 - ----------------------------------------------------- ----------- Net interest income / yield on average earning assets $47,559 3.69 $48,428 4.08 --------- ------- -------- ------- 1. Average loan balances include non accrual loans. 2. Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using a marginal tax rate of 35%. 3. For presentation in this table, average balances and the corresponding average rates for investment securities are based upon historical cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. P.O. Box 1000 Lititz, PA 17543 Interest rates and interest differential - taxable equivalent basis - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the Six Month Period Ended For the Six Month Period Ended June 30, 2003 June 30, 2003 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Average Average (Dollars in thousands) Balance Interest Rate (%) Balance Interest Rate (%) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets Short - term investments $ 66,162 $ 362 1.10 $ 73,659 $ 700 1.92 Investment securities: Taxable 1,158,743 22,502 3.92 954,078 27,116 5.73 Tax - advantaged 36,148 1,284 7.16 57,734 2,034 7.10 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total investment securities 1,194,891 23,786 4.01 1,011,812 29,150 5.81 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loans and leases, (net): Taxable 3,772,063 121,448 6.49 3,570,648 128,819 7.28 Tax - advantaged 54,881 2,134 7.84 45,985 1,854 8.13 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total loans and leases 3,826,944 123,582 6.51 3,616,633 130,673 7.29 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total interest - earning assets 5,087,997 $ 147,730 5.86 4,702,104 $ 160,523 6.88 ---------- -------- ---------- --------- Allowance for loan and lease losses (40,286) (38,701) Other non - earning assets 552,713 495,563 - -------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Total assets $5,600,424 $5,158,966 - -------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Liabilities Deposits: Interest - bearing demand $1,162,802 $ 5,143 0.89 $ 928,939 $ 5,909 1.28 Savings 489,107 1,208 0.50 456,198 2,180 0.96 Time 1,610,680 27,098 3.39 1,618,022 34,152 4.26 Short - term borrowings 294,680 1,569 1.07 185,283 1,471 1.60 FHLB borrowings 570,396 11,636 4.11 588,971 14,680 5.03 Vehicle financing 13,867 199 2.89 142,156 4,593 6.52 Long - term debt 151,381 5,382 7.17 105,000 3,993 7.67 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total interest - bearing liabilities 4,292,913 $ 52,235 2.45 4,024,569 $ 66,978 3.36 ---------- -------- ---------- -------- Demand deposits 610,477 529,135 Other liabilities 160,040 103,827 - -------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Total liabilities 5,063,430 4,657,531 - -------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Equity 536,994 501,435 - -------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Total liabilities & shareholders' equity $5,600,424 $5,158,966 - -------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Net interest income / yield on average earning assets $ 95,495 3.78 $ 93,545 4.01 ---------- -------- ---------- -------- 1. Average loan balances include non accrual loans. 2. Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using a marginal tax rate of 35%. 3. For presentation in this table, average balances and the corresponding average rates for investment securities are based upon historical cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. P.O. Box 1000 Lititz, PA 17543 LOANS AND LEASES - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loans and leases, net of unearned income were as follows: - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 30, December 31, June 30, 2003 2002 2002 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commercial, financial, and agricultural $ 554,965 $ 478,181 $ 451,385 Real estate - construction 472,685 456,663 408,191 Real estate secured - residential 1,231,315 1,246,939 1,178,213 Real estate secured - commercial 987,194 988,633 941,168 Consumer 335,925 343,537 339,317 Leases 316,854 317,000 418,904 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total loans and leases $3,898,938 $3,830,953 $3,737,178 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------