UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

xAnnual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended: September 30, 2015

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: 000-54835

 

MALVERN BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Pennsylvania   45-5307782
(State or Other Jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)   Identification Number)
     
42 E. Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, Pennsylvania   19301
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

  

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (610) 644-9400

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share   The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

YES ¨ NO x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

YES ¨ NO x

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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  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 the Registrant’s knowledge in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES ¨ NO x

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was approximately $78.0 million, based on the last sale price on NASDAQ Stock Market for the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

 

The number of shares of the Issuer’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of December 23, 2015 was 6,558,473.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10-14 of this Form 10-K.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MALVERN BANCORP, INC.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
PART I
Item 1. Business 1
Item 1A. Risk Factors 14
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 18
Item 2. Properties 18
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 18
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 18
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholders’ Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 18
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 19
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 21
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 50
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 51
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 103
Item 9A Controls and Procedures 103
Item 9B. Other Information 106
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 106
Item 11. Executive Compensation 106
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholders’ Matters 107
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 107
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 107
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 107
SIGNATURES 110

  

Information included in or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company’s press releases or other public statements, contain or may contain forward looking statements. Please refer to a discussion of the Corporation’s forward looking statements and associated risks in ‘‘Item 1 — Business — Historical Development of Business’’ and ‘‘Item 1A — Risk factors’’ in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

i 

 

 

PART I.

 

This report, in Item 1, Item 7 and elsewhere, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Sections 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. This report contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including statements preceded by, followed by or that include words or phrases such as ‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘expects,’’ ‘‘anticipates,’’ ‘‘plans,’’ ‘‘trend,’’ ‘‘objective,’’ ‘‘continue,’’ ‘‘remain,’’ ‘‘pattern’’ or similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘would,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘might,’’ ‘‘can,’’ ‘‘may’’ or similar expressions. There are a number of important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from historical performance and these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (1) competitive pressures among depository institutions may increase significantly; (2) changes in the interest rate environment may reduce interest margins; (3) prepayment speeds, loan origination and sale volumes, charge-offs and loan loss provisions may vary substantially from period to period; (4) general economic conditions may be less favorable than expected; (5) political developments, wars or other hostilities may disrupt or increase volatility in securities markets or other economic conditions; (6) legislative or regulatory changes or actions may adversely affect the businesses in which Malvern Bancorp, Inc. is engaged; (7) changes and trends in the securities markets may adversely impact Malvern Bancorp, Inc.; (8) a delayed or incomplete resolution of regulatory issues could adversely impact our planning; (9) difficulties in integrating any businesses that we may acquire, which may increase our expenses and delay the achievement of any benefits that we may expect from such acquisitions; (10) the impact of reputation risk created by the developments discussed above on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity could be significant; and (11) the outcome of regulatory and legal investigations and proceedings may not be anticipated. Further information on other factors that could affect the financial results of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. are included in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Malvern Bancorp’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents are available free of charge at the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov and/or from Malvern Bancorp, Inc. Malvern Bancorp, Inc. assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements at any time.

 

Item 1. Business

 

Historical Development of Business

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Company” or “Malvern Bancorp”), is the holding company for Malvern Federal Savings Bank ("Malvern Federal Savings" or the "Bank") and owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of the common stock of the Bank. In connection with the “second-step” conversion and reorganization which we completed in October 2012, 3,636,875 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Malvern Bancorp were sold in a subscription offering to certain depositors of the Bank and other investors for $10 per share, or $36.4 million in the aggregate, and 2,921,598 shares of common stock were issued in exchange for the outstanding shares of common stock of the former federally chartered mid-tier holding company, Malvern Federal Bancorp, Inc. (the “Mid-Tier Holding Company”), held by the “public” shareholders of the Mid-Tier Holding Company (all shareholders except Malvern Federal Mutual Holding Company).

 

The Bank has one subsidiary, Strategic Asset Management Group, Inc. (“SAMG”), a Pennsylvania corporation and insurance brokerage engaged in sales of property and casualty insurance, commercial insurance and life and health insurance. During September 2014, the Bank and Malvern Bancorp dissolved two former investment subsidiaries, Malvern Federal Holdings, Inc. and Malvern Federal Investments, Inc., which were Delaware corporations which previously held and managed certain investment securities.

 

Malvern Federal Savings Bank is a federally chartered savings bank which was originally organized in 1887. The Bank conducts business from its main office located in Paoli, Pennsylvania and its seven full service financial center offices located in Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania. The Bank’s principal business consists of attracting deposits from businesses and the general public primarily in Chester County, Pennsylvania and investing those deposits, together with borrowings and funds generated from operations, in one- to four-family residential real estate loans, construction and development loans, commercial and multi-family real estate loans, commercial business loans, home equity loans and lines of credit and other consumer loans, as well as investing in investment securities. In addition to Chester County, our lending efforts are focused in neighboring Montgomery County and Delaware County, both of which are also in southeastern Pennsylvania. We are also serving client needs in the greater Philadelphia market area. On August 19, 2015, we expanded our base of operations with the opening of a loan production office in New Jersey. The Bank’s revenues are derived principally from interest on loans and investment securities, loan commitment and customer service fees and our mortgage banking operation. Our primary sources of funds are deposits, borrowings and principal and interest payments on loans and securities, as well as the sale of residential loans in the secondary market. The Bank’s primary expenses are interest expense on deposits and borrowings, provisions for loan losses and general operating expenses. 

 

 1 
 

 

In October 2010, the Bank, the Mid-Tier Holding Company and the Mutual Holding Company entered into Supervisory Agreements (the “Supervisory Agreement(s)”) with the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”). As a result of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), effective as of July 21, 2011, the OTS was abolished, the regulatory oversight functions and authority of the OTS related to the Bank were transferred to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) and the regulatory oversight functions and authority of the OTS related to the Company and previously, the Mid-Tier Holding Company were transferred to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board” or “FRB”).

 

In October 2013, we completed the sale of a substantial portion of our problem loans in a bulk transaction to a single investor. The loans had an aggregate book balance of $20.4 million and were sold at a loss of approximately $10.1 million. This transaction dramatically reduced our non-performing asset balances and significantly improved our credit quality metrics. As a result of the sale, the Company significantly reduced its exposure to sectors that experienced economic weakness and significant declines in collateral valuations and has substantially reduced the amount of non-accruing loans completing the transformation of the Bank.

 

SEC Reports and Corporate Governance

 

The Company makes its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments thereto available on its website at www.malvernfederal.com without charge as soon as reasonably practicable after filing or furnishing them to the SEC. Also available on the website are the Company’s corporate code of ethics that applies to all of the Company’s employees, including principal officers and directors, and charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee.

 

Additionally, the Company will provide without charge, a copy of its Annual Report on Form 10-K to any shareholder by mail. Requests should be sent to Malvern Bancorp, Inc., Attention: Shareholder Relations, 42 East Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, Pennsylvania, 19301 and our telephone number is (610) 644-9400.

 

Market Area and Competition

 

The banking business is highly competitive. We face substantial immediate competition and potential future competition both in attracting deposits and in originating loans. We compete with numerous commercial banks, savings banks and savings and loan associations, many of which have assets, capital and lending limits larger than those that we have. Other competitors include money market mutual funds, mortgage bankers, insurance companies, stock brokerage firms, regulated small loan companies, credit unions and issuers of commercial paper and other securities.

 

Our larger competitors have greater financial resources to finance wide-ranging advertising campaigns.

 

Additionally, we endeavor to compete for business by providing high quality, personal service to customers, customer access to our decision-makers and competitive interest rates and fees. We seek to hire and retain quality employees who desire greater responsibility than may be available working for a larger employer. Additionally, the local real estate and other business activities of our Directors help us develop business relationships by increasing our profile in our communities.

 

Product and Services

 

We derive substantially all of our income from our net interest income (i.e., the difference between the interest we receive on our loans and securities and the interest we pay on deposits and other borrowings). We offer a broad range of deposit and loan products. In addition, to attract the business of consumer and business customers, we also provide a broad array of other banking services. Products and services provided include personal and business checking accounts, retirement accounts, money market accounts, time and savings accounts, credit cards, wire transfers, access to automated teller services, internet banking, ACH origination, telephone banking, and mobile banking by phone. In addition, we offer safe deposit boxes. The Bank also offers remote deposit capture banking for business customers, providing the ability to electronically scan and transmit checks for deposit, reducing time and cost. In addition the Bank offers mobile remote deposit capture banking for both retail and business customers, providing the convenience to deposit on the go.

 

 2 
 

 

Checking account products consist of both retail and business demand deposit products. Retail products include free checking and, for businesses, both interest-bearing accounts, which require a minimum balance, and non-interest bearing accounts. NOW accounts consist of both retail and business interest-bearing transaction accounts that have minimum balance requirements. Money market accounts consist of products that provide a market rate of interest to depositors but have limited check writing capabilities. Our savings accounts consist of statement type accounts. Time deposits consist of certificates of deposit, including those held in IRA accounts. CDARS/ICS Reciprocal deposits are offered based with the Bank’s participation in Promontory Interfinancial Network, LLC. Customers who are FDIC insurance sensitive are able to place large dollar deposits with the Company and the Company uses CDARS to place those funds into certificates of deposit issued by other banks in the Network. This occurs in increments of less than the FDIC insurance limits so that both the principal and interest are eligible for complete FDIC insurance coverage. The FDIC currently considers these funds as brokered deposits.

 

The Bank, with it’s partnership with Bell Rock Capital, offers through its private banking and wealth management division personalized wealth management and advisory service to high net worth individuals and families. Services provided include liquidity management, investment services, custody, wealth planning, trust and fiduciary services, insurance and 401k services.

 

Deposits serve as the primary source of funding for our interest-earning assets, but also generate non-interest revenue through insufficient funds fees, stop payment fees, safe deposit rental fees, card income, including ATM fees and credit and debit card interchange, gift card fees, and other miscellaneous fees. In addition, the Bank generates additional non-interest revenue associated with residential loan origination and sale, loan servicing, late fees and merchant services.

 

We offer personal and commercial business loans on a secured and unsecured basis, revolving lines of credit, commercial mortgage loans, and residential mortgages on both primary and secondary residences, home equity loans, bridge loans and other personal purpose loans. However, we are not and have not historically been a participant in the sub-prime lending market.

 

Commercial loans are loans made for business purposes and are primarily secured by collateral such as cash balances with the Bank, marketable securities held by or under the control of the Bank, business assets including accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, and liens on commercial and residential real estate.

 

Commercial construction loans are loans to finance the construction of commercial or residential properties secured by first liens on such properties. Commercial real estate loans include loans secured by first liens on completed commercial properties, including multi- family properties, to purchase or refinance such properties. Residential mortgages include loans secured by first liens on residential real estate, and are generally made to existing customers of the Bank to purchase or refinance primary and secondary residences. Home equity loans and lines of credit include loans secured by first or second liens on residential real estate for primary or secondary residences.

 

Consumer loans are made to individuals who qualify for auto loans, cash reserve, credit cards and installment loans.

 

The Bank’s lending policies generally provide for lending inside of our primary trade area. However, the Bank will make loans to persons outside of our primary trade area when we deem it prudent to do so. In an effort to promote a high degree of asset quality, the Bank focuses primarily upon offering secured loans. However, the Bank does make short-term unsecured loans to borrowers with high net worth and income profiles. The Bank generally requires loan customers to maintain deposit accounts with the Bank. In addition, the Bank generally provides for a minimum required rate of interest in its variable rate loans. We believe that having senior management on-site allows for an enhanced local presence and rapid decision-making that attracts borrowers. The Bank’s legal lending limit to any one borrower is 15% of the Banks’s capital base (defined as tangible equity plus the allowance for loan losses) for most loans ($10.4 million) and 25% of the capital base for loans secured by readily marketable collateral ($17.3 million). At September 30, 2015, the Bank’s largest committed relationship totaled $10.0 million.

 

 3 
 

 

Our business model includes using industry best practices for community banks, including personalized service, state-of-the-art technology and extended hours. We believe that this will generate deposit accounts with somewhat larger average balances than we might attract otherwise. We also use pricing techniques in our efforts to attract banking relationships having larger than average balances.

 

Supervision and Regulation

 

The banking industry is highly regulated. Earnings of the Company are affected by state and federal laws and regulations and by policies of various regulatory authorities. Changes in applicable law or in the policies of various regulatory authorities could affect materially the business and prospects of the Company and the Bank. The following discussion of supervision and regulation is qualified in its entirety by reference to the statutory and regulatory provisions discussed.

 

On October 7, 2014, the Bank entered into a formal written agreement (the “Formal Agreement”) with the OCC. The Formal Agreement provides, among other things, that within specified time frames, the Bank will:

 

·establish a Compliance Committee of its Board of directors to monitor and coordinate the Bank’s adherence to the Formal Agreement and to prepare periodic reports describing the Bank’s progress in complying with the Formal Agreement;

 

·ensure that it has competent management in place, undertake periodic reviews of the Bank’s management, implement a program to enhance and improve the skills the Bank’s management team, where necessary, act to fill any vacancies among the Bank’s senior executive officers within prescribed timeframes and in accordance with regulations of the OCC;

 

·revise its written strategic plan and submit such revised plan to the OCC for review, with such strategic plan establishing objectives for the Bank’s overall risk profile, earnings performance, growth, balance sheet mix, off-balance sheet activities, liability structure, capital and liquidity adequacy, and tolerance for interest rate risk, together with strategies to achieve the Bank’s objectives;

 

·revise its capital plan consistent with its revised strategic plan, and submit such revised capital plan to the OCC, with such revised capital plan providing specific plans for the Bank’s maintenance of adequate capital, determining the Bank’s capital needs in relation to material risks and the Bank’s strategic direction, identifying and establishing a strategy to maintain capital adequacy and strengthen capital if necessary, and providing for specific plans detailing how the Bank will comply with the restrictions and requirements included in the Formal Agreement which impact the Bank’s capital;

 

·declare or pay a dividend or make a capital distribution only if the Bank is, and will continue to be in compliance with its capital plan and its minimum capital ratios, and only after receipt of written non-objection by the OCC; and

 

·take all necessary steps to correct each violation of law, rule or regulation cited in the most recent report of examination by the OCC.

 

Management of the Bank has implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Formal Agreement. Management believes that, as of September 30, 2015, the Bank was in compliance with all requirements of the Formal Agreement.

 

The Formal Agreement supersedes and replaces the Supervisory Agreement (the “Supervisory Agreement”) that the Bank previously entered into with the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”) in October 2010. The Supervisory Agreement placed numerous operating restrictions and reporting requirements on the Bank. Among other things, the Supervisory Agreement prohibited us from making any new commercial real estate loans and/or commercial and industrial loans and limited our growth in any quarter to the amount of net interest credited on our deposits, in each case without the prior written non-objection of the OTS or OCC. In April 2013, we were advised that we were no longer subject to such restrictions on commercial real estate lending, commercial and industrial lending and asset growth, provided that the level of loan growth remained consistent with our business plan filed with the OCC.

 

 4 
 

 

As a result of the Formal Agreement with the OCC, the Bank is subject to certain additional restrictions pursuant to Federal banking regulations, including the following:

 

·Malvern Federal Savings Bank is required to provide the OCC with prior notice of any new director or senior executive officer; and

 

·Malvern Federal Savings Bank is restricted from making any “golden parachute payments,” as defined.

 

In December 2013, the Company’s board of directors adopted a resolution (the “Supervisory Resolution”), as recommended by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia (the “Reserve Bank”) which, among other things, requires the Company to serve as a source of strength to the Bank, prohibits the Company from declaring or paying dividends unless it receives the prior written approval of the Reserve Bank, prohibits the Company from receiving any dividends from the Bank without the prior written approval of the Reserve Bank, and requires the Company to provide various reports and a plan to strengthen oversight.

 

Dodd-Frank Act

 

On July 21, 2010, Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act has significantly changed the bank regulatory structure and significantly impacted the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new implementing rules and regulations, and to prepare numerous studies and reports for Congress. The federal agencies have been given significant discretion in drafting the implementing rules and regulations, and consequently, many of the details and future impact of the Dodd-Frank Act may not be known for many months or years. The discussion below generally discusses the material provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act applicable to the Company and the Bank and is not complete or meant to be an exhaustive discussion.

 

The following aspects of the financial reform and consumer protection act are related to the operations of the Bank:

 

·The Office of Thrift Supervision has been merged into the OCC and the authority of the other remaining bank regulatory agencies restructured. The federal thrift charter has been preserved under the jurisdiction of the OCC.

 

·A new independent consumer financial protection bureau was established within the Federal Reserve Board, empowered to exercise broad regulatory, supervisory and enforcement authority with respect to both new and existing consumer financial protection laws. Smaller financial institutions, like the Bank, are subject to the supervision and enforcement of their primary federal banking regulator with respect to the federal consumer financial protection laws.

 

·Tier 1 capital treatment for “hybrid” capital items like trust preferred securities was eliminated subject to various grandfathering and transition rules.

 

·The prohibition on payment of interest on demand deposits was repealed.

 

·State consumer financial law is preempted only if it would have a discriminatory effect on a federal savings association, prevents or significantly interferes with the exercise by a federal savings association of its powers or is preempted by any other federal law. The OCC must make a preemption determination on a case-by-case basis with respect to a particular state law or other state law with substantively equivalent terms.

 

·Deposit insurance has been permanently increased to $250,000.

 

 5 
 

 

·Deposit insurance assessment base calculation equals the depository institution’s total assets minus the sum of its average tangible equity during the assessment period.

 

·The minimum reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund increased to 1.35 percent of estimated annual insured deposits or assessment base; however, the FDIC was directed to “offset the effect” of the increased reserve ratio for insured depository institutions with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion.

 

The following aspects of the financial reform and consumer protection act are related to the operations of the Company:

 

·Authority over savings and loan holding companies transferred to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board” or the “FRB”).

 

·The Home Owners’ Loan Act was amended to provide that leverage capital requirements and risk based capital requirements applicable to depository institutions and bank holding companies was extended to thrift holding companies.

 

·The Federal Deposit Insurance Act was amended to direct federal regulators to require depository institution holding companies to serve as a source of strength for their depository institution subsidiaries.

 

·Public companies are required to provide their shareholders with a non-binding vote: (i) at least once every three years on the compensation paid to executive officers, and (ii) at least once every six years on whether they should have a “say on pay” vote every one, two or three years.

 

·A separate, non-binding shareholder vote is required regarding golden parachutes for named executive officers when a shareholder vote takes place on mergers, acquisitions, dispositions or other transactions that would trigger the parachute payments.

 

·Securities exchanges are required to prohibit brokers from using their own discretion to vote shares not beneficially owned by them for certain “significant” matters, which include votes on the election of directors, executive compensation matters, and any other matter determined to be significant.

 

·Stock exchanges, which includes the Nasdaq, will be prohibited from listing the securities of any issuer that does not have a policy providing for (i) disclosure of its policy on incentive compensation payable on the basis of financial information reportable under the securities laws, and (ii) the recovery from current or former executive officers, following an accounting restatement triggered by material noncompliance with securities law reporting requirements, of any incentive compensation paid erroneously during the three-year period preceding the date on which the restatement was required that exceeds the amount that would have been paid on the basis of the restated financial information.

 

·Disclosure in annual proxy materials will be required concerning the relationship between the executive compensation paid and the financial performance of the issuer.

 

·Item 402 of Regulation S-K will be amended to require companies to disclose the ratio of the Chief Executive Officer’s annual total compensation to the median annual total compensation of all other employees.

 

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Regulation of Malvern Bancorp, Inc.

 

Holding Company Acquisitions. Malvern Bancorp is a savings and loan holding company under the Home Owners' Loan Act, as amended, and is subject to examination and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board. Federal law generally prohibits a savings and loan holding company, without prior FRB approval, from acquiring the ownership or control of any other savings institution or savings and loan holding company, or all, or substantially all, of the assets or more than 5% of the voting shares of the savings institution or savings and loan holding company. These provisions also prohibit, among other things, any director or officer of a savings and loan holding company, or any individual who owns or controls more than 25% of the voting shares of such holding company, from acquiring control of any savings institution not a subsidiary of such savings and loan holding company, unless the acquisition is approved by the FRB.

 

The FRB may not approve any acquisition that would result in a multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings institutions in more than one state, subject to two exceptions: (1) the approval of interstate supervisory acquisitions by savings and loan holding companies; and (2) the acquisition of a savings institution in another state if the laws of the state of the target savings institution specifically permit such acquisitions. The states vary in the extent to which they permit interstate savings and loan holding company acquisitions.

 

Holding Company Activities. Malvern Bancorp operates as a unitary savings and loan holding company and is permitted to engage only in the activities permitted for financial institution holding companies or for multiple savings and loan holding companies. Multiple savings and loan holding companies are permitted to engage in the following activities: (i) activities permitted for a bank holding company under section 4(c) of the Bank Holding Company Act (unless the Federal Reserve Board prohibits or limits such 4(c) activities); (ii) furnishing or performing management services for a subsidiary savings association; (iii) conducting any insurance agency or escrow business; (iv) holding, managing, or liquidating assets owned by or acquired from a subsidiary savings association; (v) holding or managing properties used or occupied by a subsidiary savings association; (vi) acting as trustee under deeds of trust; or (vii) activities authorized by regulation as of March 5, 1987, to be engaged in by multiple savings and loan holding companies.

 

Under the recently enacted legislation, savings and loan holding companies became subject to statutory capital requirements. However, in May 2015, amendments to the Federal Reserve Board’s small bank holding company policy statement (the “SBHC Policy”) became effective. The amendments made the SBHC Policy applicable to savings and loan holding companies such as Malvern Bancorp and increased the asset threshold to qualify to be subject to the provisions of the SBHC Policy from $500 million to $1 billion. Savings and loan holding companies that have total assets of $1 billion or less are subject to the SBHC Policy and are not required to comply with the regulatory capital requirements set forth in the table below. Such treatment continues until Malvern Bancorp’s total assets exceed $1 billion or the Federal Reserve Board deems it to no longer be a small savings and loan holding company. However, if Malvern Bancorp had been subject to the requirements, it would have been in compliance with them as of September 30, 2015.

 

Certain of the savings and loan holding company capital requirements promulgated by the FRB in 2013 became effective as of January 1, 2015. Those requirements establish the following four minimum capital ratios that savings and loan holding companies not subject to the SBHC Policy must comply with as of that date:

 

Capital Ratio  Regulatory Minimum 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital   4.5%
Tier 1 Leverage Capital   4.0%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital   6.0%
Total Risk-Based Capital   8.0%

 

The leverage capital requirement is calculated as a percentage of total assets and the other three capital requirements are calculated as a percentage of risk-weighted assets. For a more detailed discussion of the 2015 capital rules, see “Recent Regulatory Capital Rules” under “Regulations of Malvern Federal Savings Bank” below.

 

While there are no specific restrictions on the payment of dividends or other capital distributions for savings and loan holding companies, federal regulations do prescribe such restrictions on subsidiary savings institutions, as described below. Malvern Federal Savings Bank is required to notify the Federal Reserve Board 30 days before declaring any dividend. In addition, the financial impact of a holding company on its subsidiary institution is a matter that is evaluated by the Federal Reserve Board and the agency has authority to order cessation of activities or divestiture of subsidiaries deemed to pose a threat to the safety and soundness of the institution.

 

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All savings associations subsidiaries of savings and loan holding companies are required to meet a qualified thrift lender, or QTL, test to avoid certain restrictions on their operations. If the subsidiary savings institution fails to meet the QTL, as discussed below, then the savings and loan holding company must register with the Federal Reserve Board as a bank holding company, unless the savings institution requalifies as a QTL within one year thereafter.

 

Federal Securities Laws. As the successor to Malvern Federal Bancorp, Inc., Malvern Bancorp has registered its common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Malvern Bancorp is subject to the proxy and tender offer rules, insider trading reporting requirements and restrictions, and certain other requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Pursuant to the FRB regulations and our Plan of Conversion and Reorganization, we have agreed to maintain such registration for a minimum of three years following completion of the second-step conversion.

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  As a public company, Malvern Bancorp is subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 which addresses, among other issues, corporate governance, auditing and accounting, executive compensation, and enhanced and timely disclosure of corporate information. As directed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer are required to certify that our quarterly and annual reports do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact. The rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act have several requirements, including having these officers certify that: they are responsible for establishing, maintaining and regularly evaluating the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; they have made certain disclosures to our auditors and the audit committee of the Board of Directors about our internal control over financial reporting; and they have included information in our quarterly and annual reports about their evaluation and whether there have been changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could materially affect internal control over financial reporting.

 

Volcker Rule Regulations

 

Regulations adopted by the federal banking agencies to implement the provisions of the Dodd Frank Act commonly referred to as the Volcker Rule became effective on April 1, 2014 with full compliance being phased in over a period ending on July 21, 2015. The regulations contain prohibitions and restrictions on the ability of financial institutions holding companies and their affiliates to engage in proprietary trading and to hold certain interests in, or to have certain relationships with, various types of investment funds, including hedge funds and private equity funds. The Company is in compliance with the various provisions of the Volcker Rule regulations.

 

Regulation of Malvern Federal Savings Bank

 

General.  Malvern Federal Savings Bank is subject to the regulation of the OCC, as its primary federal regulator and the FDIC, as the insurer of its deposit accounts, and, to a limited extent, the Federal Reserve Board. As the primary federal regulator of Malvern Federal Savings Bank, the OCC has extensive authority over the operations of federally chartered savings institutions. As part of this authority, Malvern Federal Savings Bank is required to file periodic reports with the OCC and is subject to periodic examinations by the OCC and the FDIC. The investment and lending authorities of savings institutions are prescribed by federal laws and regulations, and such institutions are prohibited from engaging in any activities not permitted by such laws and regulations. Such regulation and supervision is primarily intended for the protection of depositors and the Deposit Insurance Fund, administered by the FDIC.

 

The OCC’s enforcement authority over all savings institutions includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease and desist or removal orders and to initiate injunctive actions. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated for violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. Other actions or inactions may provide the basis for enforcement action, including misleading or untimely reports filed with the OCC.

 

Insurance of Accounts. The deposits of Malvern Federal Savings Bank are insured to the maximum extent permitted by the Deposit Insurance Fund and are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. As insurer, the FDIC is authorized to conduct examinations of, and to require reporting by, insured institutions. It also may prohibit any insured institution from engaging in any activity determined by regulation or order to pose a serious threat to the FDIC. The FDIC also has the authority to initiate enforcement actions against savings institutions, after giving the OCC an opportunity to take such action.

 

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The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's risk-based premium system provides for quarterly assessments. Each insured institution is placed in one of four risk categories depending on supervisory and capital considerations. Within its risk category, an institution is assigned to an initial base assessment rate which is then adjusted to determine its final assessment rate based on its brokered deposits, secured liabilities and unsecured debt. To implement the Dodd Frank Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation amended its deposit insurance regulations (1) to change the assessment base for insurance from domestic deposits to average assets minus average tangible equity and (2) to lower overall assessment rates. The revised assessments rates are between 2.5 to 9 basis points for banks in the lowest risk category and between 30 to 45 basis points for banks in the highest risk category.

 

In addition, all institutions with deposits insured by the FDIC are required to pay assessments to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation, a mixed-ownership government corporation established to recapitalize the predecessor to the Deposit Insurance Fund. These assessments will continue until the Financing Corporation bonds mature in 2019.

 

The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured depository institution, including the Bank, if it determines after a hearing that the institution has engaged 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, order or any condition imposed by an agreement with the FDIC. It also may suspend deposit insurance temporarily during the hearing process for the permanent termination of insurance, if the institution has no tangible capital. If insurance of accounts is terminated, the accounts at the institution at the time of the termination, less subsequent withdrawals, shall continue to be insured for a period of six months to two years, as determined by the FDIC. Management is not aware of any existing circumstances which could result in termination of the Bank's deposit insurance.

 

As noted above, the Dodd Frank Act raises the minimum reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund from 1.15% to 1.35% and requires the FDIC to offset the effect of this increase on insured institutions with assets of less than $10 billion (small institutions). The FDIC has proposed a rule to accomplish this by imposing a surcharge on larger institutions commencing when the reserve ratio reaches 1.15% and ending when it reaches 1.35%. This surcharge period is expected to begin in 2016 and end by December 31, 2018. Small institutions will receive credits for the portion of their regular assessments that contributed to growth in the reserve ratio between 1.15% and 1.35%. The credits will apply to reduce regular assessments by 2.0 basis points for quarters when the reserve ratio is at least 1.40%.

 

Regulatory Capital Requirements. Federally insured savings institutions are required to maintain minimum levels of regulatory capital. The OCC has established capital standards consisting of a “tangible capital requirement,” a “leverage capital requirement” and “a risk-based capital requirement.” The OCC also is authorized to impose capital requirements in excess of these standards on individual institutions on a case-by-case basis. As described below, the OCC has imposed such individual minimum capital ratios (“IMCR”) on the Bank.

 

Current OCC capital standards require savings institutions to satisfy the following capital requirements:

 

·tangible capital requirement – “tangible” capital equal to at least 1.5% of adjusted total assets;

 

·Common equity Tier 1 capital requirement – generally consists of retained earnings and common stock instruments equal to at least 4.5% of “risk weighted” assets;

 

·leverage capital requirement – “core” capital equal to at least 3.0% of adjusted total assets for the most highly rated institutions;

 

·an additional “cushion” of at least 100 basis points of core capital for all but the most highly rated savings associations effectively increasing their minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio to 4.0% or more; and

 

·risk-based capital requirement – “total” capital (a combination of core and “supplementary” capital) equal to at least 8.0% of “risk-weighted” assets.

 

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Core capital generally consists of common stockholders' equity (including retained earnings). Tangible capital generally equals core capital minus intangible assets, with only a limited exception for purchased mortgage servicing rights. Malvern Federal Savings Bank had no intangible assets at September 30, 2015. Both core and tangible capital are further reduced by an amount equal to a savings institution's debt and equity investments in subsidiaries engaged in activities not permissible to national banks (other than subsidiaries engaged in activities undertaken as agent for customers or in mortgage banking activities and subsidiary depository institutions or their holding companies). These adjustments do not affect Malvern Federal Savings Bank's regulatory capital.

 

In determining compliance with the risk-based capital requirement, a savings institution is allowed to include both core capital and supplementary capital in its total capital, provided that the amount of supplementary capital included does not exceed the savings institution's core capital. Supplementary capital generally consists of general allowances for loan losses up to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, together with certain other items. In determining the required amount of risk-based capital, total assets, including certain off-balance sheet items, are multiplied by a risk weight based on the risks inherent in the type of assets. The risk weights range from 0% for cash and securities issued by the U.S. Government or unconditionally backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government to 100% for loans (other than qualifying residential loans weighted at 80%) and repossessed assets.

 

Savings institutions must value securities available for sale at amortized cost for regulatory capital purposes. This means that in computing regulatory capital, savings institutions should add back any unrealized losses and deduct any unrealized gains, net of income taxes, on debt securities reported as a separate component of GAAP capital.

 

The OCC has imposed IMCRs on the Bank which require it to maintain regulatory capital of not less than the following:

 

·tier 1 capital of 8.5% or adjusted total assets;

 

·tier 1 risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets of 10.5%; and

 

·total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets of 12.5%.

 

At September 30, 2015, Malvern Federal Savings Bank exceeded all of its regulatory capital requirements. At such date, the Bank’s tier 1 capital, tier 1 risked-based capital and total risk-based capital ratios were 10.80%, 15.90% and 16.99%, respectively.

 

Any savings institution that fails any of the capital requirements is subject to possible enforcement actions by the OCC or the FDIC. Such actions could include a capital directive, a cease and desist order, civil money penalties, the establishment of restrictions on the institution's operations, termination of federal deposit insurance and the appointment of a conservator or receiver. The OCC's capital regulation provides that such actions, through enforcement proceedings or otherwise, could require one or more of a variety of corrective actions.

 

Recent Regulatory Capital Regulations. In July of 2013 the respective U.S. federal banking agencies issued final rules implementing Basel III and the Dodd-Frank Act capital requirements to be fully phased in on a global basis on January 1, 2019. The new regulations establish a new tangible common equity capital requirement, increase the minimum requirement for the current Tier 1 risk-weighted asset (“RWA”) ratio, phase out certain kinds of intangibles treated as capital and certain types of instruments and change the risk weightings of certain assets used to determine required capital ratios. The new common equity Tier 1 capital component requires capital of the highest quality – predominantly composed of retained earnings and common stock instruments. For community banks such as Malvern Federal Savings Bank, a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio 4.5% became effective on January 1, 2015. The new capital rules also increased the current minimum Tier 1 capital ratio from 4.0% to 6.0% beginning on January 1, 2015. In addition, in order to make capital distributions and pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers without restriction, an institution must also maintain greater than 2.5% in common equity attributable to a capital conservation buffer to be phased in from January 1, 2016 until January 1, 2019. The new rules also increased the risk weights for several categories of assets, including an increase from 100% to 150% for certain acquisition, development and construction loans and more than 90-day past due exposures. The new capital rules maintain the general structure of the prompt corrective action rules, but incorporate the new common equity Tier 1 capital requirement and the increased Tier 1 RWA requirement into the prompt corrective action framework.

 

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Prompt Corrective Action. The following table shows the amount of capital associated with the different capital categories set forth in the prompt corrective action regulations.

 

Capital Category   Total
Risk-Based 
Capital
  Tier 1
Risk-Based 
Capital
  Common Equity
Tier 1 
Capital
  Tier 1
Leverage
Capital
Well capitalized   10% or more   8% or more   6.5% or more   5% or more
Adequately capitalized     8% or more   6% or more   4.5% or more   4% or more
Undercapitalized   Less than 8%   Less than 6%   Less than 4.5%   Less than 4%
Significantly undercapitalized   Less than 6%   Less than 4%   Less than 3%   Less than 3%

  

In addition, an institution is “critically undercapitalized” if it has a ratio of tangible equity to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%. Under specified circumstances, a federal banking agency may reclassify a well capitalized institution as adequately capitalized and may require an adequately capitalized institution or an undercapitalized institution to comply with supervisory actions as if it were in the next lower category (except that the FDIC may not reclassify a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically undercapitalized).

 

An institution generally must file a written capital restoration plan which meets specified requirements within 45 days of the date that the institution receives notice or is deemed to have notice that it is undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized. A federal banking agency must provide the institution with written notice of approval or disapproval within 60 days after receiving a capital restoration plan, subject to extensions by the agency. An institution which is required to submit a capital restoration plan must concurrently submit a performance guaranty by each company that controls the institution. In addition, undercapitalized institutions are subject to various regulatory restrictions, and the appropriate federal banking agency also may take any number of discretionary supervisory actions.

 

At September 30, 2015, Malvern Federal Savings Bank was not subject to the above mentioned restrictions.

 

The table below sets forth Malvern Federal Savings Bank's capital position relative to the OCC’s regulatory capital requirements at September 30, 2015. Malvern Bancorp is not subject to the regulatory capital ratios imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act on savings and loan holding companies because it was deemed to be a small savings and loan holding company as of September 30, 2015.

 

   Actual   Required for
Capital 
Adequacy 
Purposes
   To Be Well
Capitalized 
Under Prompt
Corrective Action
Provisions
   Excess Over 
Well-Capitalized
Provision
 
   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Tier 1 leverage capital (to adjusted tangible assets)  $69,030    10.80%  $25,573    4.00%  $31,966    5.00%  $37,064    5.80%
Common equity Tier 1 (to risk-weighted assets)  $69,030    15.90   $19,538    4.50   $28,222    6.50   $40,408    9.40 
Tier 1 risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)  $69,030    15.90   $26,051    6.00   $34,734    8.00   $34,296    7.90 
Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)  $73,759    16.99   $34,734    8.00   $43,418    10.00   $30,341    6.99 

 

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Capital Distributions. OCC regulations govern capital distributions by savings institutions, which include cash dividends, stock repurchases and other transactions charged to the capital account of a savings institution to make capital distributions. A savings institution must file an application for OCC approval of the capital distribution if either (1) the total capital distributions for the applicable calendar year exceed the sum of the institution's net income for that year to date plus the institution's retained net income for the preceding two years, (2) the institution would not be at least adequately capitalized following the distribution, (3) the distribution would violate any applicable statute, regulation, agreement or OCC-imposed condition, or (4) the institution is not eligible for expedited treatment of its filings. If an application is not required to be filed, savings institutions which are a subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company (as well as certain other institutions) must still file a notice with the OCC at least 30 days before the board of directors declares a dividend or approves a capital distribution if either (1) the institution would not be well capitalized following the distribution; (2) the proposed distribution would reduce the amount or retire any part of our common or preferred stock or (3) the savings institution is a subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company and the proposed dividend is not a cash dividend. If a savings institution, such as Malvern Federal Savings Bank, that is the subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company, has filed a notice with the Federal Reserve Board for a cash dividend and is not required to file an application or notice with the OCC for any of the reasons described above, then the savings institution is only required to provide an informational copy to the OCC of the notice filed with the Federal Reserve Board.

 

The Company adopted a resolution in December 2013 that provides, among other things, that the Company will not declare or pay any dividends to shareholders and that it will not receive any dividends from the Bank without the prior written approval of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

 

An institution that either before or after a proposed capital distribution fails to meet its then applicable minimum capital requirement or that has been notified that it needs more than normal supervision may not make any capital distributions without the prior written approval of the OCC. In addition, the OCC may prohibit a proposed capital distribution, which would otherwise be permitted by OCC regulations, if the OCC determines that such distribution would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.

 

Under federal rules, an insured depository institution may not pay any dividend if payment would cause it to become undercapitalized or if it is already undercapitalized. In addition, federal regulators have the authority to restrict or prohibit the payment of dividends for safety and soundness reasons. The FDIC also prohibits an insured depository institution from paying dividends on its capital stock or interest on its capital notes or debentures (if such interest is required to be paid only out of net profits) or distributing any of its capital assets while it remains in default in the payment of any assessment due the FDIC. Malvern Federal Savings Bank is currently not in default in any assessment payment to the FDIC.

 

Qualified Thrift Lender Test. All savings institutions are required to meet a qualified thrift lender, or QTL, test to avoid certain restrictions on their operations. A savings institution can comply with the QTL test by either qualifying as a domestic building and loan association as defined in the Internal Revenue Code or meeting the QTL test of the OCC.

 

Currently, the OCC’s QTL test requires that 65% of an institution's “portfolio assets” (as defined) consist of certain housing and consumer-related assets on a monthly average basis in nine out of every 12 months. To be a qualified thrift lender under the IRS test, the savings institution must meet a “business operations test” and a “60 percent assets test,” each defined in the Internal Revenue Code.

 

If the savings institution fails to maintain its QTL status, the holding company's activities are restricted. In addition, it must discontinue any non-permissible business within three years. Nonetheless, any company that controls a savings institution that is not a qualified thrift lender must register as a bank holding company within one year of the savings institution's failure to meet the QTL test.

 

Statutory penalty provisions prohibit an institution that fails to remain a QTL from the following:

 

·Making any new investments or engaging in any new activity not allowed for both a national bank and a savings association;

 

·Establishing any new branch office unless allowable for a national bank; and

 

·Paying dividends unless allowable for a national bank.

 

Three years from the date a savings association should have become or ceases to be a QTL, by failing to meet either QTL test, the institution must comply with the following restriction:

 

·Dispose of any investment or not engage in any activity unless the investment or activity is allowed for both a national bank and a savings association.

 

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Under the Dodd-Frank Act, a savings institution not in compliance with the QTL test is also subject to an enforcement action for violation of the Home Owners’ Loan Act, as amended.

 

At September 30, 2015, Malvern Federal Savings Bank met the requirements to be deemed a QTL.

 

Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates. Transactions between savings associations and any affiliate are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act as made applicable to savings associations by Section 11 of the Home Owners' Loan Act. An affiliate of a savings association includes any company or entity which controls the savings institution or that is controlled by a company that controls the savings association. In a holding company context, the holding company of a savings association (such as Malvern Bancorp) and any companies which are controlled by such holding company are affiliates of the savings association. Generally, Section 23A limits the extent to which the savings association or its subsidiaries may engage in "covered transactions" with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of such association's capital stock and surplus, and contains an aggregate limit on all such transactions with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20% of such capital stock and surplus. Section 23B applies to "covered transactions" as well as certain other transactions and requires that all transactions be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable, to the savings association as those provided to a non-affiliate. The term "covered transaction" includes the making of loans to, purchase of assets from and issuance of a guarantee to an affiliate and similar transactions. Section 23B transactions also include the provision of services and the sale of assets by a savings association to an affiliate. In addition to the restrictions imposed by Sections 23A and 23B, Section 11 of the Home Owners' Loan Act prohibits a savings association from (i) making a loan or other extension of credit to an affiliate, except for any affiliate which engages only in certain activities which are permissible for bank holding companies, or (ii) purchasing or investing in any stocks, bonds, debentures, notes or similar obligations of any affiliate, except for affiliates which are subsidiaries of the savings association.

 

In addition, Sections 22(g) and (h) of the Federal Reserve Act as made applicable to savings associations by Section 11 of the Home Owners' Loan Act, place restrictions on loans to executive officers, directors and principal shareholders of the savings association and its affiliates. Under Section 22(h), loans to a director, an executive officer and to a greater than 10% shareholder of a savings association, and certain affiliated interests of either, may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such person and affiliated interests, the savings association's loans to one borrower limit (generally equal to 15% of the association's unimpaired capital and surplus). Section 22(h) also requires that loans to directors, executive officers and principal shareholders be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons unless the loans are made pursuant to a benefit or compensation program that (i) is widely available to employees of the association and (ii) does not give preference to any director, executive officer or principal shareholder, or certain affiliated interests of either, over other employees of the savings association. Section 22(h) also requires prior board approval for certain loans. In addition, the aggregate amount of extensions of credit by a savings association to all insiders cannot exceed the association's unimpaired capital and surplus. Furthermore, Section 22(g) places additional restrictions on loans to executive officers. Malvern Federal Savings Bank currently is subject to Sections 22(g) and (h) of the Federal Reserve Act and at September 30, 2015, was in compliance with the above restrictions.

 

Community Reinvestment Act.  All federal savings associations have a responsibility under the Community Reinvestment Act and related regulations to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. An institution’s failure to comply with the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act could result in restrictions on its activities. Malvern Federal Savings Bank received a “satisfactory” Community Reinvestment Act rating in its most recently completed examination.

 

Anti-Money Laundering. All financial institutions, including savings and loan associations are subject to federal laws that are designed to prevent the use of the U.S. financial system to fund terrorist activities. Financial institutions operating in the United States are required to develop new anti-money laundering compliance programs, due diligence policies and controls to ensure the detection and reporting of money laundering. Such compliance programs are intended to supplement existing compliance requirements, also applicable to financial institutions, under the Bank Secrecy Act and the Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulations. Malvern Federal Savings Bank has established policies and procedures to ensure compliance with these provisions, and their impact on our operations has not been material.

 

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Federal Home Loan Bank System. Malvern Federal Savings Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, which is one of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks that administers the home financing credit function of savings institutions. 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. At September 30, 2015, Malvern Federal Savings Bank had $103.0 million of FHLB advances and $108.5 million outstanding on its line of credit with the FHLB.

 

As a member, Malvern Federal Savings Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in the FHLB of Pittsburgh in an amount equal to at least 1.0% of its aggregate unpaid residential mortgage loans or similar obligations at the beginning of each year. At September 30, 2015, Malvern Federal Savings Bank had $4.8 million in FHLB stock, which was in compliance with this requirement.

 

The Federal Home Loan Banks are required to provide funds for the resolution of troubled savings institutions and to contribute to affordable housing programs through direct loans or interest subsidies on advances targeted for community investment and low- and moderate-income housing projects. The FHLB has communicated that it believes the calculation of risk-based capital under the current rules of the FHFA significantly overstates the market risk of the FHLB’s private-label mortgage-backed securities in the current market environment and that it has enough capital to cover the risks reflected in the FHLB’s balance sheet. As a result, an “other than temporary impairment” has not been recorded for the Bank’s investment in FHLB stock. However, continued deterioration in the FHLB’s financial position may result in impairment in the value of those securities. Management will continue to monitor the financial condition of the FHLB as it relates to, among other things, the recoverability of the Bank’s investment.

 

Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Board requires all depository institutions to maintain reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW and Super NOW checking accounts) and non-personal time deposits. Because required reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash or a noninterest-bearing account at a Federal Reserve Bank, the effect of this reserve requirement is to reduce an institution's earning assets. At September 30, 2015, Malvern Federal Savings Bank had met its reserve requirement.

 

Employees

 

As of September 30, 2015, we had a total of 71 full-time equivalent employees. No employees are represented by a collective bargaining group, and we believe that our relationship with our employees is excellent.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

In analyzing whether to make or to continue an investment in our securities, investors should consider, among other factors, the following risk factors.

 

We are subject to credit risk in connection with our lending activities, and our financial condition and results of operations may be negatively impacted by economic conditions and other factors that adversely affect our borrowers.

 

Our financial condition and results of operations are affected by the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, and in a timely manner. Lending money is a significant part of the banking business. Borrowers, however, do not always repay their loans. The risk of non-payment is assessed through our underwriting and loan review procedures based on several factors including credit risks of a particular borrower, changes in economic conditions, the duration of the loan and in the case of a collateralized loan, uncertainties as to the future value of the collateral and other factors. Despite our efforts, we do and will experience loan losses, and our financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected. Our non-performing assets were approximately $2.6 million at September 30, 2015. Our allowance for loan losses was approximately $4.7 million at September 30, 2015. Our loans between thirty and eighty-nine days delinquent totaled $2.6 million at September 30, 2015.

 

The changing economic environment may continue to adversely impact our operations and results.

 

Negative developments in the financial services industry from 2008 into 2015 have resulted in uncertainty in the financial markets in general and a related general economic downturn globally. As a consequence of the recent United States recession, business activities across a wide range of industries face serious difficulties due to the decline in the housing market and lack of consumer spending. Unemployment continues to be higher than historical averages.

 

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As a result of these financial economic crises, many lending institutions, including us, have experienced declines in the performance of their loans, including residential, construction, commercial and consumer loans. In addition, the values of real estate collateral supporting many commercial loans and home mortgages have declined and may continue to decline. Moreover, competition among depository institutions for deposits and quality loans has increased significantly while the significant decline in economic growth has led to a slowdown in banking related activities. A worsening of these conditions would likely exacerbate the adverse effects of these difficult market conditions on us and others in the financial services industry. In particular, we may face the following risks in connection with these events:

 

we potentially face increased regulation of our industry and compliance with such regulation may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities;

 

customer demand for loans secured by real estate could be reduced due to weaker economic conditions, an increase in unemployment, a decrease in real estate values or an increase in interest rates;

 

the process we use to estimate losses inherent in our credit exposure requires difficult, subjective and complex judgments, including forecasts of economic conditions and how these economic conditions might impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans; and

  

the value of the portfolio of investment securities that we hold may be adversely affected.

 

Changes in interest rates could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation.

 

We are unable to predict fluctuations of market interest rates, which are affected by many factors, including inflation, recession, unemployment, monetary policy, domestic and international disorder and instability in domestic and foreign financial markets, and investor and consumer demand.

 

Our primary source of income is net interest income, which is the difference between the interest earned on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the interest paid on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. The level of net interest income is primarily a function of the average balance of our interest-earning assets, the average balance of our interest-bearing liabilities, and the spread between the yield on such assets and the cost of such liabilities. These factors are influenced by both the pricing and mix of our interest-earning assets and our interest-bearing liabilities which, in turn, are impacted by such external factors as the local economy, competition for loans and deposits, the monetary policy of the Federal Open Market Committee of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and market interest rates.

 

A sustained increase in market interest rates would adversely affect our earnings. A significant portion of our loans have fixed interest rates and longer terms than our deposits and borrowings and our net interest income could be adversely affected if the rates we pay on deposits and borrowings increase more rapidly than the rates we earn on loans. In addition, the market value of our fixed-rate assets would decline if interest rates increase. Net portfolio value is the difference between incoming and outgoing discounted cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations –Asset and Liability Management.”

 

Our loan portfolio exhibits a high degree of risk.

 

We have a significant amount of commercial real estate loans, as well as construction and development loans and second mortgages (home equity loans) that have a higher risk of default and loss than single-family residential mortgage loans. Although permanent single-family, owner-occupied loans represent the largest single component of assets and currently impaired loans, commercial real estate loans, as well as construction and development loans and second mortgages (home equity loans) amounted to $156.1 million, or 39.6% of our loan portfolio at September 30, 2015. Commercial real estate and construction and development loans generally are considered to involve a higher degree of risk due to a variety of factors, including generally larger loan balances and loan terms which often do not require full amortization of the loan over its term and, instead, provide for a balloon payment at the stated maturity date. Repayment of commercial real estate loans generally is dependent on income being generated by the rental property or underlying business in amounts sufficient to cover operating expenses and debt service. Repayment of construction and development loans generally is dependent on the successful completion of the project and the ability of the borrower to repay the loan from the sale of the property or obtaining permanent financing. Our second mortgage loans generally are considered to involve a higher degree of risk than single-family residential mortgage loans due to the generally higher loan-to-value ratios and their secondary position in the collateral to the existing first mortgage. Our monitoring of higher risk loans and the internal asset review function may be inadequate in view of current real estate market weaknesses.

 

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Our provisions to our allowance for loan losses and our net charge-offs to our allowance for loan losses have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our results of operations.

 

Our customers may not repay their loans according to the original terms, and the collateral securing the payment of those loans may be insufficient to pay any remaining loan balance. While we maintain an allowance for loan losses to provide for loan defaults and non-performance, losses may exceed the value of the collateral securing the loans and the allowance may not fully cover any excess loss.

 

We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of loans. Our allowance for loan losses is based on these judgments, as well as historical loss experience and an evaluation of the other risks associated with our loan portfolio, including but not limited to, the size and composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and geographic concentrations within the portfolio. Federal regulatory agencies, as part of their examination process, review our loans and allowance for loan losses. If our assumptions or judgments used to determine the allowance prove to be incorrect, if the value of the collateral securing the loans decreases substantially or if our regulators disagree with our judgments, we may need to increase the allowance in amounts that exceed our expectations. Additions to the allowance adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. We recorded a $90,000 provision for loan losses during the year ended September 30, 2015, compared to provisions of $263,000 and $11.2 million for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Failure to comply with the Formal Agreement could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

 

In October 2014, the Bank, entered into the Formal Agreement. The Formal Agreement imposes a number of operating restrictions and requirements that the Bank revise and/or implement and monitor various identified policies, procedures and reports. Failure to comply with the Formal Agreement could result in additional supervisory and enforcement actions against the Bank and/or its directors and senior executive officers, including the issuance of a cease and desist order or the imposition of civil money penalties. In addition, compliance efforts related to the Formal Agreement have an adverse impact on our non-interest expense.

 

Our deferred tax asset valuation allowance adversely impacted our results of operations.

 

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. At September 30, 2015, the net deferred tax asset was approximately $2.9 million, compared to a balance of approximately $2.4 million at September 30, 2014. The increase in net deferred tax asset from prior fiscal year is primarily due to the change in tax planning strategies.

 

We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability to determine whether it is more likely that not (i.e. likelihood of more that 50%) that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized within its life cycle, based on the weight of available evidence. If management makes a determination based on the available evidence that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods, a valuation allowance is calculated and recorded. The determinations are inherently subjective and dependent upon estimates and judgments concerning management’s evaluation of both positive and negative evidence.

 

Strong competition within our market area could hurt our profits and slow growth.

 

The banking and financial services industry in our market area is highly competitive. We may not be able to compete effectively in our markets, which could adversely affect our results of operations. The increasingly competitive environment is a result of changes in regulation, changes in technology and product delivery systems, and consolidation among financial service providers. Larger institutions have greater access to capital markets, with higher lending limits and a broader array of services. Competition may require increases in deposit rates and decreases in loan rates, and adversely impact our net interest margin.

 

 16 
 

 

The effects of the current economic conditions have been particularly severe in our primary market areas.

 

Substantially all of our loans are to individuals, businesses and real estate developers in Chester County, Pennsylvania and neighboring areas in southern Pennsylvania and our business depends significantly on general economic conditions in these market areas. Severe declines in housing prices and property values have been particularly acute in our primary market areas. A further deterioration in economic conditions or a prolonged delay in economic recovery in our primary market areas could result in the following consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business:

  

Loan delinquencies may increase further;

 

Problem assets and foreclosures may increase further;

 

Demand for our products and services may decline;

  

The carrying value of our other real estate owned may decline further; and

 

Collateral for loans made by us, especially real estate, may continue to decline in value, in turn reducing a customer’s borrowing power, and reducing the value of assets and collateral associated with our loans.

 

We operate in a highly regulated environment and we may be adversely affected by changes in laws and regulations.

 

We are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the FRB, our primary federal regulator, the OCC, the Bank’s primary federal regulator, and by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as insurer of the Bank’s deposits. Such regulation and supervision governs the activities in which an institution and its holding company may engage and are intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and the depositors and borrowers of the Bank rather than for holders of our common stock. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on our operations, the classification of our assets and determination of the level of our allowance for loan losses. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, legislation or supervisory action, may have a material impact on our operations.

 

The fair value of our investment securities can fluctuate due to market conditions outside of our control.

 

As of September 30, 2015, the fair value of our investment securities portfolio was approximately $185.2 million. We have historically taken a conservative investment strategy, with concentrations of securities that are backed by government sponsored enterprises. Factors beyond our control can significantly influence the fair value of securities in our portfolio and can cause potential adverse changes to the fair value of these securities. These factors include, but are not limited to, rating agency actions in respect of the securities, defaults by the issuer or with respect to the underlying securities, and changes in market interest rates and continued instability in the capital markets. Any of these factors, among others, could cause other-than-temporary impairments and realized and/or unrealized losses in future periods and declines in other comprehensive income, which could have a material adverse effect on us. The process for determining whether impairment of a security is other-than-temporary usually requires complex, subjective judgments about the future financial performance and liquidity of the issuer and any collateral underlying the security in order to assess the probability of receiving all contractual principal and interest payments on the security.

 

We are dependent on our information technology and telecommunications systems and third-party servicers, and systems failures, interruptions or breaches of security could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

Our business is highly dependent on the successful and uninterrupted functioning of our information technology and telecommunications systems and third-party servicers. The failure of these systems, or the termination of a third-party software license or service agreement on which any of these systems is based, could interrupt our operations. Because our information technology and telecommunications systems interface with and depend on third-party systems, we could experience service denials if demand for such services exceeds capacity or such third-party systems fail or experience interruptions. If significant, sustained or repeated, a system failure or service denial could compromise our ability to operate effectively, damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, and/or subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

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In addition, we provide our customers with the ability to bank remotely, including over the Internet and over the telephone. The secure transmission of confidential information over the Internet and other remote channels is a critical element of remote banking. Our network could be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes and other security breaches. We may be required to spend significant capital and other resources to protect against the threat of security breaches and computer viruses, or to alleviate problems caused by security breaches or viruses. To the extent that our activities or the activities of our customers involve the storage and transmission of confidential information, security breaches and viruses could expose us to claims, regulatory scrutiny, litigation and other possible liabilities. Any inability to prevent security breaches or computer viruses could also cause existing customers to lose confidence in our systems and could materially and adversely affect us.

 

Additionally, financial products and services have become increasingly technology-driven. Our ability to meet the needs of our customers competitively, and in a cost-efficient manner, is dependent on the ability to keep pace with technological advances and to invest in new technology as it becomes available. Many of our competitors have greater resources to invest in technology than we do and may be better equipped to market new technology-driven products and services. The ability to keep pace with technological change is important, and the failure to do so could have a material adverse impact on our business and therefore on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting at September 30, 2015 and cannot assure you that additional material weaknesses will not be identified in the future. If we fail to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, it could result in material misstatements in our financial statements in the future which could require us to restate financial statements, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and have a negative effect on our stock price.

 

Our management identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting at September 30, 2015. See Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures.” While the material weakness had no impact upon our reported financial condition or results of operation at and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 or any prior periods, we cannot assure you that additional significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future. Any failure to maintain or implement required new or improved controls, or any difficulties we encounter in their implementation, could result in additional material weaknesses, cause us to fail to meet our periodic reporting obligations or result in material misstatements in our financial statements in future periods. Any such failure could also adversely affect the results of periodic management evaluations and annual auditor attestation reports regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated by the SEC under Section 404. The existence of a material weakness could result in errors in our financial statements in future periods that could result in a restatement of financial statements, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and cause investors or customers to lose confidence in our reported financial information, leading to a decline in our stock price or a loss of business.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 2. Properties.

 

The Bank owns and maintains the premises in which the headquarters and six full-service financial centers are located, and leases an office in Concordville. The location of each of the offices is as follows:

 

Paoli Headquarters   42 East Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, PA 19301
Paoli Financial Center   34 East Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, PA 19301
Malvern Financial Center   100 West King Street, Malvern, PA 19355
Exton Financial Center   109 North Pottstown Pike, Exton, PA 19341
Coventry Financial Center   100 Ridge Road, Pottstown, PA 19465
Berwyn Financial Center   650 Lancaster Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312
Lionville Financial Center   537 West Uwchlan Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335
Concordville Financial Center   940 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these legal actions is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not Applicable.

 

PART II.

 

Item 5.   Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

The common stock of the Company is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “MLVF”. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had 483 stockholders of record, not including the number of persons or entities whose stock is held in nominee or “street” name through various brokerage firms and banks. On September 30, 2015, the closing sale price was $15.65.

 

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The following table sets forth the high and low closing sales price on a share of the Company’s common stock for the years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014 
   High   Low   High   Low 
First Quarter  $12.17   $11.10   $12.94   $10.75 
Second Quarter  $14.00   $11.80   $11.30   $10.23 
Third Quarter  $15.25   $13.24   $11.01   $10.13 
Fourth Quarter  $15.96   $14.51   $11.39   $10.50 

 

For the years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, no cash dividends per share of common stock were declared by the Company. In December 2013, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Supervisory Resolution, as recommended by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, that it will not declare or pay any dividends without the prior written approval of the Reserve Bank.

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

 

The following tables set forth selected consolidated financial data as of the dates and for the periods presented. The selected consolidated statement of financial condition data as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 and the selected consolidated summary of operating data for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes that we have included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The selected consolidated statement of financial condition data as of September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and the selected consolidated summary of operating data for the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 have been derived from audited consolidated financial statements that are not presented in this Annual Report.

 

The selected historical consolidated financial data as of any date and for any period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved as of any future date or for any future period. You should read the following selected statistical and financial data in conjunction with the more detailed information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes that we have presented elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

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   At September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013   2012   2011 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Summary of Operating Data:                         
Total interest and dividend income  $20,462   $20,167   $22,301   $25,775   $29,726 
Total interest expense   5,248    5,071    6,944    8,412    10,198 
Net interest income   15,214    15,096    15,357    17,363    19,528 
Provision for loan losses   90    263    11,235    810    12,392 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   15,124    14,833    4,122    16,553    7,136 
Total other income   2,535    2,155    2,860    2,427    1,702 
Total other expenses   13,961    16,644    19,775    16,393    18,529 
Income tax expense (benefit)   -    21    6,010    628    (3,579)
Net income (loss)  $3,698   $323   $(18,803)  $1,959   $(6,112)
Earnings (loss) per share(5)   $0.58   $0.05   $(2.96)  $0.31   $(0.96)
Dividends per share  $0.00   $0.00   $0.00   $0.00   $0.03 
                          
Statement of Financial Condition Data                         
Securities available for sale  $128,354   $100,943   $124,667   $80,508   $74,389 
Securities held to maturity   57,221    -    -    -    3,797 
Loans held for sale   -    -    10,367    -    - 
Loans receivable, net   391,307    386,074    401,857    457,001    506,019 
Total assets   655,690    542,264    601,554    711,812    666,568 
Deposits   465,522    412,953    484,596    540,988    554,455 
FHLB borrowings   103,000    48,000    38,000    48,085    49,098 
Shareholders’ equity   81,391    76,772    75,406    62,636    60,284 
Allowance for loan losses   4,667    4,589    5,090    7,581    10,101 
Non-accrual loans in portfolio   1,399    2,391    1,901    9,749    12,915 
Non-performing assets in portfolio   2,567    4,355    5,863    14,343    21,236 
Performing troubled debt restructurings in portfolio   1,091    1,009    1,346    8,187    10,340 
Non-performing assets and performing troubled debt restructurings in portfolio   3,658    5,364    7,209    22,530    31,576 
                          
Performance Ratios:                         
Return on average assets   0.60%   0.06%   (2.79)%   0.30%   (0.90)%
Return on average equity   4.65    0.43    (20.24)   3.15    (9.64)
Interest rate spread(1)   2.48    2.59    2.25    2.66    2.86 
Net interest margin(2)   2.62    2.74    2.43    2.79    3.05 
Non-interest expenses to average total assets   2.25    2.84    2.93    2.50    2.72 
Efficiency ratio(3)   77.62    96.74    110.95    85.95    87.21 
                          
Asset Quality Ratios:                         
Non-accrual loans as a percent of gross loans   0.35    0.62    0.47    2.11    2.52 
Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets   0.39    0.80    0.97    2.01    3.19 
Non-performing assets and performing troubled debt restructurings as a percent of total assets   0.56    0.99    1.20    3.17    4.74 
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of gross loans   1.18    1.18    1.26    1.64    1.97 
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-accrual loans   333.60    191.93    267.75    77.76    78.21 
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding   0.00    0.19    3.07    0.69    1.96 
                          
Capital Ratios(4):                         
Total risk-based capital to risk weighted assets   16.99    20.75    18.97    14.22    12.01 
Tier 1 risk-based capital to risk weighted assets   15.90    19.50    17.72    12.96    10.76 
Tangible capital to tangible assets   N/A    12.09    10.91    7.70    7.54 
Tier 1 leverage (core) capital to adjustable tangible assets   10.80    12.09    10.91    7.70    7.54 
Shareholders’ equity to total assets   12.41    14.16    12.54    8.80    9.04 

________________________________

(1)Represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest bearing liabilities.
(2)Net interest income divided by average interest earning assets.
(3)Efficiency ratio, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is computed by dividing other expense by net interest income on a tax equivalent basis plus other income, excluding net securities gains (losses). See Item 7, MD&A, “ – Other Income,” page 42.
(4)Other than shareholders’ equity to total assets, all capital ratios are for the Bank only.
(5)The calculation for the years ended September 2012 and 2011have been adjusted for the exchange and additional share issuance in the reorganization and offering completed on October 11, 2012.

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

The purpose of this analysis is to provide the reader with information relevant to understanding and assessing the Company’s results of operations for each of the past three years and financial condition for each of the past two years. In order to fully appreciate this analysis, the reader is encouraged to review the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto appearing under Item 8 of this report, and statistical data presented in this document.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

See Page 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding forward-looking statements.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements contains a summary of our significant accounting policies. Management believes our policy with respect to the methodology for the determination of the allowance for loan losses involves a higher degree of complexity and requires management to make difficult and subjective judgments which often require assumptions or estimates about highly uncertain matters. Changes in these judgments, assumptions or estimates could materially impact results of operations. This critical policy and its application are periodically reviewed with the Audit Committee and our Board of Directors.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset type on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

The evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses includes, among other factors, an analysis of historical loss rates by loan category applied to current loan totals. However, actual loan losses may be higher or lower than historical trends, which vary. Actual losses on specified problem loans, which also are provided for in the evaluation, may vary from estimated loss percentages, which are established based upon a limited number of potential loss classifications. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Management believes that the current allowance for loan losses will be adequate to absorb loan losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible based on the evaluation of known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. The evaluation takes into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and size of the portfolio, overall portfolio quality, and specific problem loans and current economic conditions which may affect our borrowers’ ability to pay.

 

The evaluation also details historical losses by loan category and the resulting loan loss rates which are projected for current loan total amounts. Loss estimates for specified problem loans are also detailed. In addition, OCC, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review our allowance for loan losses. The OCC may require us to make additional provisions for loan losses based upon information available to them at the time of their examination. All of the factors considered in the analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses may be subject to change. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provisions for loan losses may be required that could materially adversely impact earnings in future periods.

 

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Other Real Estate Owned

 

Assets acquired through foreclosure consist of other real estate owned and financial assets acquired from debtors. Other real estate owned is carried at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated selling costs. The fair value of other real estate owned is determined using current market appraisals obtained from approved independent appraisers, agreements of sale, and comparable market analysis from real estate brokers, where applicable. Changes in the fair value of assets acquired through foreclosure at future reporting dates or at the time of disposition will result in an adjustment in assets acquired through foreclosure expense or net gain (loss) on sale of assets acquired through foreclosure, respectively.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets to determine fair value disclosures. Investment and mortgage-backed securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as impaired loans, real estate owned and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

 

Under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, the Company groups its assets at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

 

·   Level 1 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

 

·   Level 2 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

 

·   Level 3 – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset.

 

Under FASB ASC Topic 820, the Company bases its fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy in FASB ASC Topic 820.

 

Fair value measurements for assets where there exists limited or no observable market data and, therefore, are based primarily upon the Company’s or other third-party’s estimates, are often calculated based on the characteristics of the asset, the economic and competitive environment and other such factors. Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset. Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, that could significantly affect the results of current or future valuations. At September 30, 2015, the Company had $48,000 of assets that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis using Level 3 measurements.

 

Income Taxes

 

We make estimates and judgments to calculate some of our tax liabilities and determine the recoverability of some of our deferred tax assets (“DTAs”), which arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenues and expenses. We also estimate a reserve for deferred tax assets if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. These estimates and judgments are inherently subjective. Historically, our estimates and judgments to calculate our deferred tax accounts have not required significant revision to our initial estimates.

 

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In evaluating our ability to recover deferred tax assets, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including our past operating results and our forecast of future taxable income. In determining future taxable income, we make assumptions for the amount of taxable income, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require us to make judgments about our future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates we use to manage our business. Any reduction in estimated future taxable income may require us to record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. An increase in the valuation allowance would result in additional income tax expense in the period and could have a significant impact on our future earnings.

 

Realization of a deferred tax asset requires us to exercise significant judgment and is inherently uncertain because it requires the prediction of future occurrences. Our net deferred tax asset amounted to $2.9 million at September 30, 2015 compared to $2.4 million at September 30, 2014. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we estimated our viable tax planning strategies that we could employ so that the asset would not go unused. We feel that the DTA balance of $2.9 million as of September 30, 2015 is appropriate since it is the amount of such estimated tax planning strategies. Our total deferred tax assets decreased to $11.4 million at September 30, 2015 compared to $12.6 million at September 30, 2014. Our DTA valuation allowance amounted to $8.0 million at September 30, 2015 compared to $10.1 million at September 30, 2014. In the future, the DTA allowance may be reversed, depending on the Company’s financial position and results of operations in the future, among other factors, and, in such event, may be available to increase future net income. There can be no assurance, however, as to when we could be in a position to recapture our DTA allowance.

 

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Securities

 

Securities are evaluated on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether declines in their value are other-than-temporary. To determine whether a loss in value is other-than-temporary, management utilizes criteria such as the reasons underlying the decline, the magnitude and duration of the decline and whether or not management intends to sell or expects that it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to an anticipated recovery of the fair value. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value for a debt security is determined to be other-than-temporary, the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into (a) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to a decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security (the credit loss) and (b) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.

 

Derivaties

 

The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the payment of future uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. The Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy.

 

Interest rate swaps are valued by a third party, using models that primarily use market observable inputs, such as yield curves, and are validated by comparison with valuations provided by the respective counterparties. The credit risk associated with derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements is measured on a net basis by counterparty portfolio. The significant assumptions used in the models, which include assumptions for interest rates, are independently verified against observable market data where possible. Where observable market data is not available, the estimate of fair value becomes more subjective and involves a high degree of judgment. In this circumstance, fair value is estimated based on management's judgment regarding the value that market participants would assign to the asset or liability. This valuation process takes into consideration factors such as market illiquidity. Imprecision in estimating these factors can impact the amount recorded on the balance sheet for a particular asset or liability with related impacts to earnings or other comprehensive income.

 

Overview and Strategy

 

Our business strategy is to operate as a well-capitalized and profitable financial institution dedicated to providing exceptional personal service to our individual and business customers. Highlights of our business strategy are discussed below:

 

Improving Core Earnings. With interest rates falling to historically low levels, it has become increasingly difficult for financial institutions to maintain acceptable levels of net interest income. Until recently, with the Bank unable to grow its asset base and loan portfolio, increasing interest income has been a challenge. This lack of growth in the loan portfolio through fiscal year-end 2014, combined with higher deposit and borrowing costs, have all contributed to a decline in the Banks’ net interest margin. In an effort to achieve consistent sustainable earnings, i.e. improve the net interest margin, we are implementing specific product and pricing strategies designed to increase the yield on loans and reduce the cost of funding. In fiscal 2014, we resumed originating commercial real estate loans and commercial business loans, which have higher yields than single-family residential mortgage loans, on a relatively modest basis in accordance with our business plan and our strengthened loan underwriting and loan administration policies and procedures. We also have established a funding composition plan, which is designed to increase checking accounts, primarily non-interest bearing accounts, as well as savings and money market accounts. We are attempting to increase our core deposits, which we define as all deposit accounts other than certificates of deposit. At September 30, 2015, our core deposits amounted to 56.7% of total deposits ($263.8 million), compared to 50.7% of total deposits ($209.4 million) at September 30, 2014. We have continued our promotional efforts to increase core deposits. We review our deposit products on an ongoing basis and we are considering additional deposit products and are currently offering more flexible delivery options, such as mobile banking, as part of our efforts to increase core deposits. We expect to increase our commercial checking accounts and we plan to enhance our cross-marketing as part of our efforts to gain additional deposit relationships with our loan customers.

 

 23 
 

 

Seek Supervisory Relief. We entered into the Formal Agreement with the OCC in October 2014. Among other things, the Formal Agreement requires that we provide the OCC with relatively extensive reports and data on our business and operations on a quarterly basis. In light of the numerous reporting requirements and operating restrictions imposed by the Formal Agreement, we plan to seek relief from the Formal Agreement that the Bank entered into in 2014 as well as the IMCRs that the OCC has imposed as promptly as practicable.

 

Maintain Low Levels of Problem Assets. We are continuing in our efforts to maintain low levels of problem assets. At September 30, 2015, our total non-performing assets in portfolio were $2.6 million or 0.39% of total assets, reflecting a reduction of $18.7 million, or 87.9%, compared to $21.2 million of total non-performing assets at September 30, 2011 (when total non-performing assets amounted to 3.19% of total assets). The October 2013 bulk sale of problem loans resulted in a dramatic reduction of the Company’s non-performing assets. The bulk sale was undertaken as an efficient mechanism for disposing of non-performing and underperforming assets and improving the Bank’s credit quality in the process. As a result of the sale, the Company significantly reduced its exposure to sectors that experienced economic weakness and significant declines in collateral valuations and has substantially reduced the amount of non-accruing loans.

 

Growing Our Loan Portfolio and Resuming Commercial Real Estate and Construction and Development Lending. We have resumed, on a relatively modest basis, the origination of commercial real estate loans and construction and development loans in our market area. Such loans are being underwritten in accordance with our strengthened loan underwriting standards and our enhanced credit review and administration procedures. We continue to believe that we can be a successful niche lender to small and mid-sized commercial borrowers and homebuilders in our market area. In light of the improvements in economic conditions and real estate values, we believe that the resumption of commercial real estate and construction and development lending in a planned, deliberative fashion with the loan underwriting and administrative enhancements that we have implemented in recent periods, together with modest loan growth, will increase our interest income and our returns in future periods.

 

Increasing Market Share Penetration. We operate in a competitive market area for banking products and services. In recent years, we have been working to increase our deposit share in Chester and Delaware counties and we increased our marketing and promotional efforts. In our effort to increase market share as well as non-interest income, we plan to evaluate increasing our business in non-traditional products, such as wealth management.

 

Continuing to Provide Exceptional Customer Service. As a community-oriented savings bank, we take pride in providing exceptional customer service as a means to attract and retain customers. We deliver personalized service to our customers that distinguish us from the large regional banks operating in our market area. Our management team has strong ties to and deep roots in, the local community. We believe that we know our customers’ banking needs and can respond quickly to address them.

 

Introduction

 

The following introduction to Management’s Discussion and Analysis highlights the principal factors that contributed to the Company’s earnings performance for the year ended September 30, 2015.

 

2015 has been challenging not only for the banking industry in general but also for the Company in particular. The current domestic economic issues, ongoing global financial uncertainty and continued headwinds from new regulatory requirements created challenges to financial institutions both domestically and abroad.

 

The Company was proactive with its balance sheet strategies throughout fiscal 2015 in order to reduce exposure to interest rates through a reduction in higher cost funding and non-core balances in the deposit mix coupled with an improvement in the earning asset mix. The Company’s progress in growing and improving its balance sheet earning asset mix has helped to expand its spread and margin.

 

The Company’s net income in fiscal 2015 was $3.7 million, $0.58 per common share, compared to net income of $323,000 in fiscal 2014 or $0.05 per common share. The growth in earnings performance in fiscal 2015 was primarily attributable to earnings from core operations. Earnings for fiscal 2015 and associated operating performance was characterized by solid revenue growth, loan generation and a continuation of our stable and favorable asset quality profile. Earnings were positively impacted by growth in net interest income, primarily from an increase in the average balance of earning assets of $33.2 million, which was partially offset by a decline of 13 basis points in the average yield. The decline in the average yield on earning assets was somewhat offset by a decline of two basis points in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, primarily from a lower cost of funds in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014.

 

 24 
 

 

For the year ended September 30, 2015, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis amounted to $15.4 million, compared to $15.2 million for fiscal 2014. For fiscal 2015, interest income increased by $425,000 while interest expense increased by $177,000 from last year. As noted above, in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, the average balance of our average interest earning assets increased $33.2 million while net interest spread and margin decreased on a tax-equivalent basis by 11 basis points and 12 basis points, respectively. For fiscal 2015, the Company’s net interest margin decreased to 2.62 percent as compared to 2.74 percent for fiscal 2014.

 

Total non-interest income improved as a percentage of total revenue, which is the sum of interest income and non-interest income, in fiscal 2015 largely due to an increase in net securities gains, which amounted to $515,000 in fiscal 2015 as compared to $83,000 in fiscal 2014. For the year ended September 30, 2015, total other income increased $380,000 as compared with the year ended September 30, 2014, from $2.2 million to $2.5 million. Excluding net securities gains and losses, the Company recorded total other income of $2.0 million and $2.1 million for the years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

For the year ended September 30, 2015, total other expense decreased $2.7 million, or 16.1 percent, compared to the year ended September 30, 2014. Decreases primarily included salaries and employee benefits of $1.8 million, $376,000 in occupancy expense, $322,000 in advertising costs, $634,000 in professional fees, and $9,000 in data processing expense. These decreases were partially offset by a $253,000 reduction in other real estate owned income and by an increase in other operating expenses of $128,000 and a $49,000 increase in federal deposit insurance premium.

 

The Company continues to move forward with momentum in expanding our presence in key markets. We continue to execute on our business plans and are positioning the Company to take advantage of the growth activity we are achieving in our markets, which includes our new loan production location in New Jersey. Our business plans call for us to achieve the transition to a commercial bank balance sheet. With entry into New Jersey lending market, we are working to solidify and expand the service relationship with our new customers. We remain excited by the potential to create incremental shareholder value from our strategic growth. We believe that this type of earnings performance demonstrates the Company’s commitment to achieving meaningful growth in earnings performance, an essential component of providing consistent and favorable long-term returns to our shareholders. However, while we continue to see an improvement in balance sheet strength and core earnings performance, we still remain cautious about the credit stability of the broader markets.

 

Total assets at September 30, 2015 were $655.7 million, an increase of 20.9 percent from assets of $542.3 million at September 30, 2014. The increase in assets reflects the growth of $84.6 million in our investment securities portfolio, as well as an increase of $21.1 million in cash an cash equivalent and a $5.2 million in our net loan portfolio as the Company continued to expand its client base and loan production, deploying cash from increased deposit production into a more efficient earning asset mix. The growth in the earning asset portfolio was funded in part through deposit growth of $52.6 million.

 

Our loan portfolio increased in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. Overall, the total portfolio increased year over year by approximately $5.6 million or 1.5 percent from fiscal 2014. Demand for both commercial loans and real estate loans prevailed throughout the year in the Company’s market in Pennsylvania, despite the economic climate at both the state and national levels. The $5.6 million increase in the total loan portfolio at September 30, 2015 compared to September 30, 2014, primarily reflected an increase of $30.4 million in commercial loans and a $822,000 increase in construction and development loans. These increases were partially offset by a $16.4 million decrease in residential mortgage loans and a $9.2 million reduction in consumer loans at September 30, 2015 as compared to September 30, 2014. The Company is encouraged by loan demand and positive momentum is expected to continue in growing our loan portfolio in fiscal 2016. At September 30, 2015, the Company had $67.7 million in overall undisbursed loan commitments, which includes largely unused commercial lines of credit, home equity lines of credit and available usage from active construction facilities. Included in the overall undisbursed commitments are the Company’s ‘‘Approved, Accepted but Unfunded’’ pipeline, which includes approximately $15.0 million in commercial real estate loans, $9.0 million in construction loans and $2.8 million in residential mortgages expected to fund over the next 90 days.

 

 25 
 

 

Asset quality remains high and a primary focus of the Company. Even so, the stability of the economy and credit markets remains uncertain and as such, has had an impact on certain credits within our portfolio. At September 30, 2015, non-performing assets totaled $2.6 million or 0.39 percent of total assets, a decline from $4.4 million or 0.80 percent at September 30, 2014. The reduction in non-performing assets from September 30, 2014 was achieved notwithstanding the addition of one new residential loan (totaling approximately $40,000), one construction and development loan (totaling approximately $12,000), two commercial loans (totaling approximately $97,000), and two second mortgage loans (totaling approximately $41,000) into non-performing status. This was more than offset by decreases from pay-downs and pay offs of $527,000 of non-performing loans and the return to performing status of $368,000, while $288,000 was moved within the non-performing asset category from non-accrual loans to OREO. We also sold OREO properties with an aggregate carrying value of $1.1 million during fiscal 2015.

 

At September 30, 2015, the total allowance for loan losses amounted to approximately $4.7 million, or 1.18 percent of total loans. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total non-performing loans amounted to 333.6 percent at September 30, 2015 and 191.9 percent at September 30, 2014. This increase in the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans from September 30, 2014 to September 30, 2015 was due to the reduction in the level of non-performing loans.

 

Deposits grew strongly during fiscal 2015, with total deposits of $465.5 million at September 30, 2015, increasing $52.6 million, or 12.7 percent, since September 30, 2014. Interest-bearing demand, savings, money market, and certificates of deposit less than $100,000 increased $39.1 million or 13.7 percent during fiscal 2015 from fiscal 2014. Time certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more at September 30, 2015, increased by $9.5 million or 24.5 percent from September 30, 2014.

 

Total shareholders’ equity increased 6.0 percent in fiscal 2015 to $81.4 million, and represented 12.41 percent of total assets at September 30, 2015. Book value per common share (total common shareholders’ equity divided by the number of shares outstanding) increased to $12.41 at September 30, 2015, as compared with $11.71 at September 30, 2014, primarily as a result of earnings of $3.7 million in fiscal 2015.

 

At September 30, 2015, the Bank’s common equity tier 1 ratio was 15.90 percent, tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.80 percent, tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 15.90 percent and the total risk-based capital ratio was 16.99 percent. At September 30, 2014, the Bank’s tier 1 leverage ratio was 12.09 percent, tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 19.50 percent and the total risk-based capital ratio was 20.75 percent. At September 30, 2015, the Bank was in compliance with all applicable regulatory capital requirements.

 

The following sections discuss the Company’s Results of Operations, Asset and Liability Management, Liquidity and Capital Resources.

 

Results of Operations

 

Net income for the year ended September 30, 2015 was $3.7 million as compared to $323,000 earned in fiscal 2014 and a net loss of $18.8 million in fiscal 2013. Out net income for fiscal 2015 increased by 1044.9 percent compared to fiscal 2014. For fiscal 2015, the basic earnings per common share was $0.58 as compared with $0.05 per share in fiscal 2014 and a net loss of $2.96 per share in fiscal 2013.

 

For the year ended September 30, 2015, the Company’s return on average shareholders’ equity (‘‘ROE’’) was 4.65 percent and its return on average assets (‘‘ROA’’) was 0.60 percent. The comparable ratios for the year ended September 30, 2014, were ROE of 0.43 percent and ROA of 0.06 percent.

 

Earnings for fiscal 2015 benefitted from increases in net interest income and increases in non interest income, primarily service charges and other fees, net gain on sale of investments and earnings on bank owned life insurance, which were partially offset by a decrease in net gain on sale of loans. The decrease in non-interest expenses was due to decreases in salaries and benefits, occupancy expenses, advertising expenses and professional fees. These decreases were partially offset by increases in FDIC insurance, OREO expenses, and other operating expenses.

 

 26 
 

 

Net Interest Income

 

Net interest income is the difference between the interest earned on the portfolio of earning assets (principally loans and investments) and the interest paid for deposits and borrowings, which support these assets. Net interest income is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis by adjusting tax-exempt income (primarily interest earned on obligations of state and political subdivisions) by the amount of income tax which would have been paid had the assets been invested in taxable issues. We believe this to be the preferred measurement of net interest income as it provides a relevant comparison between taxable and non-taxable amounts.

 

The following table presents the components of net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis, a non-GAAP measure, for the periods indicated, together with a reconciliation of net interest income as reported under GAAP.

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
(Dollars in thousands)  Amount   Increase
(Decrease)
from Prior
Year
   Percent
Change
   Amount   Increase
(Decrease)
from Prior
Year
   Percent
Change
   Amount   Increase
(Decrease)
from Prior
Year
   Percent
Change
 
                                     
Interest income:                                             
Loans, including fees  $16,492   $(1,251)   (7.05)  $17,743   $(2,436)   (12.07)  $20,179   $(3,867)   (16.08)
Investment securities   3,773    1,470    63.83    2,303    252    12.29    2,051    352    20.72 
Dividends, restricted stock   311    188    152.85    123    104    547.37    19    15    375.00 
Interest-bearing cash accounts   72    18    33.33    54    (83)   (60.58)   137    86    168.63 
Total interest income   20,648    425    2.10    20,223    (2,163)   (9.66)   22,386    (3,414)   (13.23)
Interest expense:                                             
Deposits   3,431    (538)   (13.56)   3,969    (1,310)   (24.82)   5,279    (1,413)   (21.11)
Borrowings   1,817    715    64.88    1,102    (563)   (33.81)   1,665    (55)   (3.20)
Total interest expense   5,248    177    3.49    5,071    (1,873)   (26.97)   6,944    (1,468)   (17.45)
Net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis   15,400    248    1.64    15,152    (290)   (1.88)   15,442    (1,946)   (11.19)
Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)   (186)   (130)   232.14    (56)   29    (34.12)   (85)   (60)   240.00 
Net interest income, as reported under GAAP  $15,214   $118    0.78   $15,096   $(261)   (1.70)  $15,357   $(2,006)   (11.55)

__________________

(1) Computed using a federal income tax rate of 34 percent for Years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

  

Net interest income is directly affected by changes in the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, which support those assets, as well as changes in the rates earned and paid. Net interest income is presented in this financial review on a tax equivalent basis by adjusting tax-exempt income (primarily interest earned on various obligations of state and political subdivisions) by the amount of income tax which would have been paid had the assets been invested in taxable issues, and then in accordance with the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the net interest income data presented in this financial review differ from the Company’s net interest income components of the Consolidated Financial Statements presented elsewhere in this report.

 

Net interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, for the year ended September 30, 2015 increased $248,000, or 1.6 percent, to $15.4 million, from $15.2 million for fiscal 2014. The Company’s net interest margin contracted 12 basis points to 2.62 percent in fiscal 2015 from 2.74 percent for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014. From fiscal 2013 to fiscal 2014, net interest income on a tax equivalent basis decreased by $290,000 and the net interest margin increased by 31 basis points. During fiscal 2015, our net interest margin was impacted by increases in yield on investment and FHLB stock and decreases in yield on deposits and borrowings, which were offset by decreases in yields on loans.

 

 27 
 

 

The change in net interest income during fiscal 2015 was attributable in part to the reduction in short-term interest rates that have remained at historic low levels throughout 2015 coupled with a sustained steepening of the interest rate yield curve. The Company experienced growth of $4.0 million in non-interest bearing deposits during fiscal 2015 and $39.1 million in interest-bearing demand, savings, money market and time deposits under $100,000 during fiscal 2015 as customers’ desire for safety and liquidity remained paramount in light of their overall investment concerns. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2015, the Company’s net interest spread declined by 11 basis points as a 13 basis point decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets was not quite offset by a two basis point decrease in the average interest rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities.

 

For the year ended September 30, 2015, average interest-earning assets increased by $33.2 million to $586.8 million, as compared with the year ended September 30, 2014. The fiscal 2015 change in average interest-earning asset volume was primarily due to increased investment volume. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $27.6 million in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, due primarily to an increase in average borrowings of $46.6 million partially offset by decreases in average interest bearing deposits of $19.0 million.

 

For the year ended September 30, 2014, average interest-earning assets decreased by $83.1 million to $553.6 million, as compared with the year ended September 30, 2013. The 2014 change in average interest-earning asset volume was primarily due to decreased loan volume and decreased deposits in other banks. Decreased average loan volume in fiscal 2014 was reflected in net decreases in single-family residential loans, construction loans and consumer loans in the loan portfolio. Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased by $69.8 million, due primarily to a decrease in interest bearing deposits of $67.2 million partially and a $2.6 million decrease in borrowings.

 

The factors underlying the year-to-year changes in net interest income are reflected in the tables presented on pages 27 and 28, each of which have been presented on a tax-equivalent basis (assuming a 34 percent tax rate for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013). The table on page 30 (Average Statements of Condition with Interest and Average Rates) shows the Company’s consolidated average balance of assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity, the amount of income produced from interest-earning assets and the amount of expense incurred from interest-bearing liabilities, and net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

 

Net Interest Margin

 

The following table quantifies the impact on net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) resulting from changes in average balances and average rates over the past three years. Any change in interest income or expense attributable to both changes in volume and changes in rate has been allocated in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amount of change in each category.

 

Analysis of Variance in Net Interest Income Due to Volume and Rates

 

  

Fiscal 2015/2014

Increase (Decrease) 

Due to Change in:

  

Fiscal 2014/2013

Increase (Decrease) 

Due to Change in:

 
(In thousands) 

Average

Volume

  

Average

Rate

  

Net 

Change

  

Average

Volume

  

Average

Rate

  

Net 

Change

 
Interest-earning assets:                              
Loans, including fees  $(1,005)  $(246)  $(1,251)  $(1,805)  $(631)  $(2,436)
Investment securities   802    668    1,470    201    51    252 
Interest-bearing cash accounts   30    (12)   18    (90)   7    (83)
Dividends, restricted stock   38    150    188    (2)   106    104 
Total interest-earning assets   (135)   560    425    (1,696)   (467)   (2,163)
Interest-bearing liabilities:                              
Money market deposits   20    87    107    (14)   (50)   (64)
Savings deposits       2    2    1    2    3 
Certificates of deposit   (423)   (222)   (645)   (1,009)   (206)   (1,215)
Other interest-bearing deposits       (2)   (2)   (4)   (30)   (34)
Total interest-bearing deposits   (403)   (135)   (538)   (1,026)   (284)   (1,310)
Borrowings   1,141    (426)   715    (91)   (472)   (563)
Total interest-bearing liabilities   738    (561)   177    (1,117)   (756)   (1,873)
Change in net interest income  $(873)  $1,121   $248   $(579)  $289   $(290)

 

 28 
 

 

Interest income on a tax-equivalent basis for the year ended September 30, 2015 increased by approximately $425,000 or 2.1 percent as compared with the year ended September 30, 2014. This increase was due primarily to increases in the balances of the Company’s investment securities portfolios offset in part by a decrease in loans and decline in rates due to the actions taken by the Federal Reserve to maintain historically low market interest rates.

 

The average balance of the Company’s loan portfolio decreased $23.0 million in fiscal 2015 to $384.1 million from $407.2 million in fiscal 2014, primarily driven by reduction in residential and consumer loans.

 

The loan portfolio represented approximately 65.5 percent of the Company’s interest-earning assets (on average) during fiscal 2015 and 73.6 percent for fiscal 2014. Average investment securities increased during fiscal 2015 by $40.9 million compared to fiscal 2014 as the Company has continued to increase its concentration in tax-exempt securities and corporate bonds. The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased from 3.65 percent in fiscal 2014 to 3.52 percent in fiscal 2015.

 

Interest income (tax-equivalent) decreased by $290,000 from fiscal 2013 to fiscal 2014 primarily due to decreases in the balances of the Company’s loan portfolios offset in part by a decline in rates due to the actions taken by the Federal Reserve to maintain historically low market interest rates.

 

Interest expense for the year ended September 30, 2015 was principally impacted by both volume and rate mix related factors. The rate related changes resulted in increased expense of $177,000 due primarily to increase in borrowings partially offset by a decline in certificates of deposit in fiscal 2015. For the year ended September 30, 2014, interest expense decreased $1.9 million or 27.0 percent as compared with fiscal 2013, principally reflecting a reduction in the volume of interest-bearing deposits. Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased $69.8 million; the decline was represented in all deposit categories, except savings accounts.

 

The Company’s net interest spread on a tax-equivalent basis (i.e., the average yield on average interest-earning assets, calculated on a tax equivalent basis, minus the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities) decreased 11 basis points to 2.48 percent in fiscal 2015 from 2.59 percent for the year ended September 30, 2014. The decrease in fiscal 2015 reflected a decline of spreads between yields earned on loans and investments and rates paid for supporting funds.

 

The net interest spread increased 34 basis points in fiscal 2014 as compared with fiscal 2013, primarily as a result of a increase of spreads between yields earned on loans and investments and a decline in rates paid for supporting funds.

 

The cost of total average interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 1.04 percent, a decrease of two basis points, for the year ended September 30, 2015, from 1.06 percent for the year ended September 30, 2014, which followed a decrease of 21 basis points from 1.27 percent for the year ended September 30, 2013.

 

The following table, ‘‘Average Statements of Condition with Interest and Average Rates’’, on a tax-equivalent basis presents for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity. The Company’s net interest income, net interest spreads and net interest income as a percentage of interest-earning assets (net interest margin) are also reflected.

 

 29 
 

 

Average Statements of Condition with Interest and Average Rates

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
   Average
Outstanding
Balance
   Interest
Earned/
Paid
  

Average
Yield/

Rate

   Average
Outstanding
Balance
   Interest
Earned/
Paid
  

Average
Yield/

Rate

   Average
Outstanding
Balance
   Interest
Earned/
Paid
  

Average
Yield/

Rate

 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
ASSETS                                             
Interest earning assets:                                             
Loans receivable(1)  $384,125   $16,492    4.29%  $407,169   $17,743    4.36%  $447,196   $20,179    4.51%
Investment securities   158,282    3,773    2.38    117,366    2,303    1.96    106,903    2,051    1.92 
Deposits in other banks   39,975    72    0.18    25,714    54    0.21    78,902    137    0.17 
FHLB stock   4,369    311    7.12    3,342    123    3.68    3,696    19    0.51 
Total interest earning assets(1)   586,751    20,648    3.52    553,591    20,223    3.65    636,696    22,386    3.52 
Non-interest earning assets                                             
Cash and due from banks   7,003              1,356              2,943           
Bank owned life insurance   18,492              21,092              19,083           
Other assets   13,592              14,164              22,287           
Allowance for loan losses   (4,610)             (4,893)             (6,839)          
Total non-interest earning assets   34,477              31,719              37,474           
Total assets  $621,228             $585,310             $674,170           
                                              
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’EQUITY                                             
Interest bearing liabilities:                                             
Money Market accounts  $72,467   $271    0.37%  $64,499   $164    0.25%  $68,782   $228    0.33%
Savings accounts   44,975    29    0.06    44,379    27    0.06    43,382    24    0.06 
Certificate accounts   209,994    3,048    1.45    237,090    3,693    1.56    298,229    4,908    1.65 
Other interest- bearing deposits   86,814    83    0.10    87,283    85    0.10    90,085    119    0.13 
Total deposits   414,250    3,431    0.83    433,251    3,969    0.92    500,478    5,279    1.05 
Borrowed funds   91,588    1,817    1.98    45,007    1,102    2.45    47,593    1,665    3.50 
Total interest- bearing liabilities   505,838    5,248    1.04    478,258    5,071    1.06    548,071    6,944    1.27 
Non-interest bearing liabilities                                             
Demand deposits   28,650              25,499              26,899           
Other liabilities   7,163              5,733              6,306           
Total non-interest- bearing liabilities   35,813              31,232              33,205           
Shareholders’ equity   79,577              75,820              92,894           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $621,228             $585,310             $674,170           
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis)       $15,400             $15,152             $15,442      
Net interest spread             2.48%             2.59%             2.25%
Net interest margin             2.62%             2.74%             2.43%
Tax-equivalent adjustment(2)        (186)             (56)             (85)     
Net Interest income       $15,214             $15,096             $15,357      

________________

(1) Includes non-accrual loans during the respective periods. Calculated net of deferred loan fees and loan discounts.

(2) The tax-equivalent adjustment was computed based on a statutory Federal income tax rate of 34 percent for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013.

 

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Investment Portfolio

 

For the year ended September 30, 2015, the average volume of investment securities increased by $40.9 million to approximately $158.3 million or 27.0 percent of average earning assets, from $117.4 million on average, or 21.2 percent of average earning assets, in fiscal 2014. At September 30, 2015, the total investment portfolio amounted to $185.6 million, an increase of $84.6 million from September 30, 2014. The increase in average volume of investment securities reflects the fact that with the strong borrowing growth experienced during fiscal 2015 and large buildup of liquidity, the Company continued to prudently expand the size of its investment portfolio in an effort to deploy excess cash into earning assets. At September 30, 2015, the principal components of the investment portfolio were U.S. Treasury and government agency obligations, Federal agency obligations including mortgage-backed securities, obligations of U.S. states and political subdivision, corporate bonds and notes, and equity securities.

 

During the year ended September 30, 2015, volume related factors increased investment revenue by $802,000, while rate related factors increased investment revenue by $668,000. The tax-equivalent yield on investments increased by 42 basis points to 2.38 percent from a yield of 1.96 percent during the year ended September 30, 2014. The increase in the investment portfolio resulted from the large buildup of liquidity, which caused the Company to prudently expand the size of its investment portfolio in an effort to deploy excess cash into earning assets. The yield on the portfolio increased in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 due primarily to higher rates earned on taxable securities.

 

During fiscal 2015, the Company reclassified at fair value approximately $57.5 million in available-for-sale investment securities to the held-to-maturity category. The net unrealized loss at date of transfer amounted to $115,000. This will be amortized over the remaining life of the securities as an adjustment of yield, offsetting the related amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount on the transferred securities. No gains or losses were recognized at the time of reclassification. Management considers the held-to-maturity classification of these investment securities to be appropriate as the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity.

 

As of September 30, 2015, the estimated fair value of the available-for-sale securities disclosed below was primarily dependent upon the movement in market interest rates, particularly given the negligible inherent credit risk associated with these securities. These investment securities are comprised of securities that are rated investment grade by at least one bond credit rating service. Although the fair value will fluctuate as the market interest rates move, management believes that these fair values will recover as the underlying portfolios mature and are reinvested in market rate yielding investments. As of September 30, 2015, the Company held six U.S. government agency securities, 20 municipal bonds, 29 corporate securities, 37 mortgage-backed securities and one single issuer trust preferred security which were in an unrealized loss position. The Company does not intend to sell and expects that it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell these securities until such time as the value recovers or the securities mature. Management does not believe any individual unrealized loss as of September 30, 2015 represents other-than-temporary impairment.

 

Securities available-for-sale are a part of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy and may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment risk, liquidity management and other factors. The Company continues to reposition the investment portfolio as part of an overall corporate-wide strategy to produce reasonable and consistent margins where feasible, while attempting to limit risks inherent in the Company’s balance sheet.

 

For fiscal 2015, proceeds of available-for-sale investment securities sold amounted to approximately $70.4 million. Gross realized gains on investment securities sold amounted to approximately $610,000, while gross realized losses amounted to approximately $95,000, for the period. For fiscal 2014, proceeds of investment securities sold amounted to approximately $16.8 million. Gross realized gains on investment securities sold amounted to approximately $118,000, while gross realized losses amounted to approximately $35,000, for the period. For fiscal 2013, proceeds of investment securities sold amounted to approximately $18.2 million. Gross realized gains on investment securities sold amounted to approximately $549,000, while gross realized losses amounted to approximately $70,000, for the period.

 

 31 
 

 

The varying amount of sales from the available-for-sale portfolio over the past few years, and the significant volume of such sales in fiscal 2015, reflect the significant volatility present in the market. Given the historic low interest rates prevalent in the market, it is necessary for the Company to protect itself from interest rate exposure. Securities that once appeared to be sound investments can, after changes in the market, become securities that the Company has the flexibility to sell to avoid losses and mismatches of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at a later time.

 

The table below illustrates the maturity distribution and weighted average yield on a tax-equivalent basis for investment securities at September 30, 2015 on a contractual maturity basis.

 

  

One year or less

  

More than One Year
through Five Years

  

More than Five Years
through Ten Years

  

More than Ten Years

  

Total

 
  

Amortized
Cost

  

Weighted
Average
Yield

  

Amortized
Cost

  

Weighted
Average
Yield

  

Amortized
Cost

  

Weighted
Average
Yield

  

Amortized
Cost

  

Weighted
Average
Yield

  

Amortized
Cost

  

Fair
Value

  

Weighted
Average
Yield

 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Available for Sale Securities:                                                       
U.S. government agencies and obligations  $-    -%   $-    -%   $-    -%   $816    2.28%  $816   $815    2.28%
State and municipal obligations   -    -    2,666    2.31    17,415    2.23    21,926    2.33    42,007    42,083    2.29 
Mortgage-backed securities   -    -    -    -    -    -    14,783    2.09    14,783    14,624    2.09 
Single issuer trust preferred security   -    -    -    -    -    -    1,000    0.93    1,000    850    0.93 
Corporate debt securities   -    -    10,372    2.54    60,502    3.09    -    -    70,874    69,982    3.00 
Total  $-    -%   $13,038    2.46%  $77,917    2.90%  $38,525    2.20%  $129,480   $128,354    2.65%
                                                        
Held to Maturity Securities:                                                       
U.S. government agencies and obligations  $-    -%    14,301    1.49%  $-    -%   $-    -%    14,301    14,296    1.49%
State and municipal obligations   -    -    -    -    -    -    10,075    1.63    10,075    10,023    1.63 
Corporate debt securities   -    -    -    -    -    -    4,011    1.63    4,011    3,956    3.82 
Mortgage-backed securities   -    -    -    -    -    -    28,834    1.77    28,834    28,550    1.77 
Total  $-    -%   $14,301    1.49%  $-    -%    42,920    1.93%   57,221    56,825    1.82%
Total Investment Securities  $-    -%   $27,339    1.95%  $77,917    2.90%  $81,445    2.06%  $186,701   $185,179    2.39%

 

For information regarding the carrying value of the investment portfolio, see Note 5 and Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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The following table sets forth the carrying value of the Company’s investment securities, as of September 30, for each of the last three years.

 

(In thousands)  2015   2014   2013 
             
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:               
U.S. government agencies  $815   $19,256   $19,432 
State and municipal obligations   42,083    2,500    11,938 
Single issuer trust preferred security   850    880    810 
Corporate debt securities   69,982    1,525    1,782 
Mortgage-backed securities:               
Federal National Mortgage Association   8,692    17,226    20,105 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Company   5,932    15,591    17,871 
Collateralized mortgage obligations       43,965    52,729 
Total available-for-sale  $128,354   $100,943   $124,667 
                
Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity:               
U.S. government agencies  $14,301   $   $ 
State and municipal obligations   10,075         
Corporate debt securities   4,011         
Mortgage-backed securities:               
Collateralized mortgage obligations, fixed-rate   28,834         
Total held-to-maturity  $57,221   $   $ 
                
Total investment securities  $185,575   $100,943   $124,667 

 

For information regarding the Company’s investment portfolio, see Note 5 and Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Loan Portfolio

 

Lending is one of the Company’s primary business activities. The Company’s loan portfolio consists of residential, construction and development, commercial and consumer loans, serving the diverse customer base in its market area. The composition of the Company’s portfolio continues to change due to the local economy. Factors such as the economic climate, interest rates, real estate values and employment all contribute to these changes. Growth is generated through business development efforts, repeat customer requests for new financings, penetration into existing markets and entry into new markets.

 

The Company seeks to create growth in commercial lending by offering customer-focused products and competitive pricing and by capitalizing on the positive trends in its market area. Products offered are designed to meet the financial requirements of the Company’s customers. It is the objective of the Company’s credit policies to diversify the commercial loan portfolio to limit concentrations in any single industry.

 

At September 30, 2015, total gross loans amounted to $394.2 million, an increase of $5.6 million or 1.5 percent as compared to September 30, 2014. For the year ended September 30, 2015, growth of $30.4 million in commercial loans and $822,000 in construction and development loans were partially offset by decreases of $16.4 million in residential mortgage loans and $9.2 million in total consumer loans. Even though the Company continues to be challenged by the competition for lending relationships that exists within its market, growth in volume has been achieved through successful lending sales efforts to build on continued customer relationships.

 

 The average balance of our total loans decreased $23.0 million or 5.7 percent for the year ended September 30, 2015 as compared to September 30, 2014, while the average yield on loans decreased by seven basis points in fiscal 2015 compared with fiscal 2014. The decrease in the average yield on loans was primarily the result of lower market interest rates on the repricing of existing loans and the origination of new loans. The decrease in average total loan volume was due primarily to loan prepayments and repayments which exceeded the volume of new loan originations. During fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, the volume-related factors during the period contributed to a decrease of interest income on loans of $1.0 million, while the rate-related changes decreased interest income by $246,000.

 

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The following table presents information regarding the components of the Company’s loan portfolio on the dates indicated.

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013   2012   2011 
   (In thousands) 
Residential mortgage  $214,958   $231,324   $239,900   $231,803   $229,330 
Construction and Development:                         
Residential and commercial   5,677    5,964    6,672    20,500    26,005 
Land   2,142    1,033    2,439    632    2,722 
Total construction and development   7,819    6,997    9,111    21,132    28,727 
Commercial:                         
Commercial real estate   87,686    71,579    70,571    112,199    131,225 
Multi-family   7,444    1,032    1,971    2,087    5,507 
Other   13,380    5,480    5,573    7,517    10,992 
Total commercial   108,510    78,091    78,115    121,803    147,724 
Consumer:                         
Home equity lines of credit   22,919    22,292    20,431    20,959    20,735 
Second mortgages   37,633    47,034    54,532    65,703    85,881 
Other   2,359    2,839    2,648    762    788 
Total consumer   62,911    72,165    77,611    87,424    107,404 
Total loans   394,198    388,577    404,737    462,162    513,185 
Deferred loan fees and costs, net   1,776    2,086    2,210    2,420    2,935 
Allowance for loan losses   (4,667)   (4,589)   (5,090)   (7,581)   (10,101)
Loans receivable, net  $391,307   $386,074   $401,857   $457,001   $506,019 

 

At September 30, 2015, our net loan portfolio totaled $391.3 million or 59.7% of total assets. Our principal lending activity has been the origination of loans collateralized by one- to four-family, also known as “single-family,” residential real estate loans located in our market area. In light of the increased levels of our non-performing and problem assets in recent fiscal years, we have taken certain actions to strengthen and enhance our loan underwriting policies and procedures and our loan administration and oversight policies and procedures. We have revised both our consumer loan policy and our commercial loan policy to address certain minimum loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios, maximum gross debt ratios and minimum debt coverage ratio policy requirements. We have invested in and implemented software which facilitates our ability to internally review and grade loans in our portfolio and to monitor loan performance. Our Credit Review Department’s primary focus has been to review and maintain the loan portfolio, along with the review of underwriting of all new credits.

 

At times, the Company purchases single-family residential mortgage loans and consumer loans from a network of mortgage brokers. These loans are underwritten at the Bank and closed in the Bank’s name.

 

The types of loans that we originate are subject to federal and state law and regulations. Interest rates charged by us 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 our competitors. These factors are, in turn, affected by general and economic conditions, the monetary policy of the federal government, including the Federal Reserve Board, legislative tax policies and governmental budgetary matters.

 

The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into residential mortgage loans, construction and development loans, commercial loans and consumer loans. The residential mortgage loan segment has one class, one- to four-family first lien residential mortgage loans. The construction and development loan segment consists of the following classes: residential and commercial construction loans and land loans. Residential construction loans are made for the acquisition of and/or construction on a lot or lots on which a residential dwelling is to be built and occupied by the home-owner. Commercial construction loans are made for the purpose of acquiring, developing and constructing a commercial use structure and for acquisition, development and construction of residential properties by residential developers. The commercial loan segment consists of the following classes: commercial real estate loans, multi-family real estate loans, and other commercial loans, which are also generally known as commercial and industrial loans or commercial business loans. The consumer loan segment consists of the following classes: home equity lines of credit, second mortgage loans and other consumer loans, primarily unsecured consumer lines of credit.

 

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Residential Lending. Residential mortgage originations are secured primarily by properties located in the Company’s primary market area and surrounding areas. At September 30, 2015, $215.0 million, or 54.5%, of our total loans in portfolio consisted of single-family residential mortgage loans.

 

Our single-family residential mortgage loans generally are underwritten on terms and documentation conforming to guidelines issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Applications for one- to four-family residential mortgage loans are taken by our loan origination officers and are accepted at any of our banking offices and are then referred to the lending department at our main office in order to process the loan, which consists primarily of obtaining all documents required by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae underwriting standards, and completing the underwriting, which includes making a determination whether the loan meets our underwriting standards such that the Bank can extend a loan commitment to the customer. We generally have retained for portfolio a substantial portion of the single-family residential mortgage loans that we originate. We currently originate fixed-rate, fully amortizing mortgage loans with maturities of 10 to 30 years. We also offer adjustable rate mortgage (“ARM”) loans where the interest rate either adjusts on an annual basis or is fixed for the initial one, three or five years and then adjusts annually. However, due to the low interest rate environment and demand for fixed rate products, we have not originated a significant amount of ARM loans in recent years. At September 30, 2015, $19.8 million, or 9.2%, of our one- to four-family residential mortgage loans consisted of ARM loans.

 

We underwrite one- to four-family residential mortgage loans with loan-to-value ratios of up to 95%, provided that the borrower obtains private mortgage insurance on loans that exceed 80% of the appraised value or sales price, whichever is less, of the secured property. We also require that title insurance, hazard insurance and, if appropriate, flood insurance be maintained on all properties securing real estate loans. We require that a licensed appraiser from our list of approved appraisers perform and submit to us an appraisal on all properties secured by a first mortgage on one- to four-family first mortgage loans. Our mortgage loans generally include due-on-sale clauses which provide us with the contractual right to deem the loan immediately due and payable in the event the borrower transfers ownership of the property. Due-on-sale clauses are an important means of adjusting the yields of fixed-rate mortgage loans in portfolio and we generally exercise our rights under these clauses.

 

Construction and Development Loans. The amount of our outstanding construction and development loans in portfolio increased to $7.8 million or 2.0% of total loans at September 30, 2015 from $7.0 million or 1.8% of total loans as of September 30, 2014. From October 2009 through September 30, 2013, we ceased originating any new construction and development loans, with certain limited exceptions. During fiscal 2014, we resumed originating construction loans to builders and developers in our market area, on a relatively modest basis consistent with our business plan filed with the OCC. We generally limit construction loans to builders and developers with whom we have an established relationship, or who are otherwise known to officers of the Bank. Our construction loans also include single-family residential construction loans which, by their terms convert to permanent, long-term mortgage loans upon completion of construction (“construction/perm” loans). During the initial or construction phase, these construction/perm loans require payment of interest only, which generally is tied to prime rate, as the home is being constructed. On residential construction to perm loans the interest rate is the same as permanent loan rate during the construction period. Upon the earlier of the completion of construction or one year, these loans automatically convert to long-term (generally 30 years), amortizing, fixed-rate single-family mortgage loans.

 

Our current portfolio of construction loans generally have a maximum term to maturity of one year (for individual, owner-occupied dwellings), and loan-to-value ratios less than 80%. Residential construction loans to developers are made on either a pre-sold or speculative (unsold) basis. Limits are placed on the number of units that can be built on a speculative basis based upon the reputation and financial position of the builder, his/her present obligations, the location of the property and prior sales in the development and the surrounding area. Generally, a limit of two unsold homes (one model home and one speculative home) is placed per project.

 

Prior to committing to a construction loan, we require that an independent appraiser prepare an appraisal of the property. Each project also is reviewed and inspected at its inception and prior to every disbursement of loan proceeds. Disbursements are made after inspections based upon a percentage of project completion and monthly payment of interest is required on all construction loans.

 

 35 
 

 

Our construction loans also include loans for the acquisition and development of land for sale (i.e. roads, sewer and water lines). We typically make these loans only in conjunction with a commitment for a construction loan for the units to be built on the site. These loans are secured by a lien on the property and are limited to a loan-to-value ratio not exceeding 75% of the appraised value at the time of origination. The loans have a variable rate of interest and require monthly payments of interest. The principal of the loan is repaid as units are sold and released. We limit loans of this type to our market area and to developers with whom we have established relationships. In most cases, we also obtain personal guarantees from the borrowers.

 

Our loan portfolio included one loan secured by unimproved real estate and lots (“land loan”), with an outstanding balance of $2.1 million, constituting 0.6% of total loans, at September 30, 2015.

 

Construction and development loans generally are considered to involve a higher level of risk than one-to four-family residential lending, due to the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers and the effect of economic conditions on developers, builders and projects. The average size of our construction loans was approximately $601,000 at September 30, 2015 compared to $356,000 at September 30, 2014. Additional risk is also associated with construction lending because of the inherent difficulty in estimating both a property’s value at completion and the estimated cost (including interest) to complete a project. The nature of these loans is such that they are more difficult to evaluate and monitor. In addition, speculative construction loans to a builder are not pre-sold and thus pose a greater potential risk than construction loans to individuals on their personal residences.

 

In order to mitigate some of the risks inherent to construction lending, we inspect properties under construction, review construction progress prior to advancing funds, work with builders with whom we have established relationships, require annual updating of tax returns and other financial data of developers and obtain personal guarantees from the principals. At September 30, 2015, $65,000, or 1.4 percent, of our allowance for loan losses was attributed to construction and development loans. We had $12,000 in non-performing construction and development loans in portfolio at September 30, 2015 compared to $78,000 at September 30, 2014. In addition to our non-performing construction and development loans, we had $109,000 for both September 30, 2015 and 2014, in construction and development loans that were performing troubled debt restructurings.

 

Commercial Lending. At September 30, 2015, our loans in portfolio secured by commercial real estate amounted to $87.7 million and constituted 22.2 percent of our total loans at such date. During the year ended September 30, 2015, the commercial real estate loan portfolio increased by $16.1 million, or 22.5 percent. During fiscal 2015, we had $48,000 in charge-offs of commercial real estate loans.

 

Our commercial real estate loan portfolio consists primarily of loans secured by office buildings, retail and industrial use buildings, strip shopping centers, mixed-use and other properties used for commercial purposes located in its market area. At September 30, 2015, the average amount outstanding on our commercial real estate loans in portfolio was $375,000. At September 30, 2015, approximately 63.8% of our commercial real estate loans in portfolio had adjustable interest rates compared to 9.2% of our single-family residential mortgage loans with adjustable rates at such date.

 

Although terms for commercial real estate and multi-family loans vary, our underwriting standards generally allow for terms up to 10 years with the interest rate being reset in the fifth year and with monthly amortization not greater than 25 years and loan-to-value ratios of not more than 80%. Interest rates are either fixed or adjustable, based upon the prime rate plus a margin, and fees ranging from 0.5% to 1.50% are charged to the borrower at the origination of the loan. Prepayment fees are charged on most loans in the event of early repayment. Generally, we obtain personal guarantees of the principals as additional collateral for commercial real estate and multi-family real estate loans.

 

Commercial and multi-family real estate loans generally present a higher level of risk than loans secured by one- to four-family residences. This greater risk is due to several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers, the effect of general economic conditions on income producing properties and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans. Furthermore, the repayment of loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate is typically dependent upon the successful operation of the related real estate project. If the cash flow from the project is reduced (for example, if leases are not obtained or renewed, a bankruptcy court modifies a lease term, or a major tenant is unable to fulfill its lease obligations), the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. As of September 30, 2015, $589,000 of our commercial real estate mortgage loans were on non-accrual status and an aggregate of $4.7 million of our commercial real estate loans at such date were classified for regulatory reporting purposes as substandard. As of September 30, 2015, $1.2 million, or 26.5% of our allowance for loan losses was allocated to commercial real estate mortgage loans. In addition, at September 30, 2015 and 2014, we held $720,000 and $833,000, respectively, of real estate owned which was acquired from foreclosures on, or our acceptance of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, on commercial real estate loans. As of September 30, 2015, our commercial real estate loans held in portfolio were deemed performing troubled debt restructurings were $982,000 compared to none at September 30, 2014.

 

 36 
 

 

At September 30, 2014, our loan portfolio included 18 loans with an aggregate book value of $7.4 million secured by multi-family (more than four units) properties, constituting 1.9% of our total loans at such date. As of September 30, 2014, we had no non-accruing multi-family loans.

 

At September 30, 2015, we had $13.4 million in commercial business loans (3.4% of gross loans outstanding) in portfolio. Our commercial business loans generally have been made to small to mid-sized businesses located in our market area. The commercial business loans in our portfolio assist us in our asset/liability management since they generally provide shorter maturities and/or adjustable rates of interest in addition to generally having higher rates of return which are designed to compensate for the additional credit risk associated with these loans. The commercial business loans which we have originated may be either a revolving line of credit or for a fixed term of generally 10 years or less. Interest rates are adjustable, indexed to a published prime rate of interest, or fixed. Generally, equipment, machinery, real property or other corporate assets secure such loans. Personal guarantees from the business principals are generally obtained as additional collateral. At September 30, 2015, the average balance of our commercial business loans was $432,000.

 

Generally, commercial business loans are characterized as having higher risks associated with them than single-family residential mortgage loans. As of September 30, 2015, we had no non-accruing commercial business loans in portfolio. At such date, $108,000 or 2.3% of the allowance for loan losses was allocated to commercial business loans. At September 30, 2015, we held no commercial business loans in portfolio that were deemed performing troubled debt restructurings compared to $900,000 at September 30, 2014.

 

In our underwriting procedures, consideration is given to the stability of the property’s cash flow history, future operating projections, current and projected occupancy levels, location and physical condition. Generally, our practice in recent periods is to impose a debt service ratio (the ratio of net cash flows from operations before the payment of debt service to debt service) of not less than 120%. We also evaluate the credit and financial condition of the borrower, and if applicable, the guarantor. Appraisal reports prepared by independent appraisers are obtained on each loan to substantiate the property’s market value, and are reviewed by us prior to the closing of the loan.

 

Consumer Lending. In our efforts to provide a full range of financial services to our customers, we offer various types of consumer loans. Our consumer loans amounted to $62.9 million or 16.0% of our total loan portfolio at September 30, 2015. The largest components of our consumer loans are loans secured by second mortgages, consisting primarily of home equity loans, which amounted to $37.6 million at September 30, 2015, and home equity lines of credit, which amounted to $22.9 million at such date. Our consumer loans also include automobile loans, unsecured personal loans and loans secured by deposits. Consumer loans are originated primarily through existing and walk-in customers and direct advertising.

 

Our home equity lines of credit are variable rate loans tied to the prime rate. Our second mortgages may have fixed or variable rates, although they generally have had fixed rates in recent periods. Our second mortgages have a maximum term to maturity of 15 years. Both our second mortgages and our home equity lines of credit generally are secured by the borrower’s primary residence. However, our security generally consists of a second lien on the property. Our lending policy provides that our home equity loans have loan-to-value ratios of 80% or less when combined with any Malvern Federal Savings Bank’s first mortgage. Our lending policy also provides that our home equity loans have loan-to-value ratios of 75% or less when combined with any first mortgage with any other financial institution. The maximum loan-to-value ratio on our home equity lines of credit is 80%, when Malvern Federal Savings has the first mortgage. However, the maximum loan-to-value ratio on our home equity lines of credit is reduced to 75%, when the Bank does not have the first mortgage. At September 30, 2015, the unused portion of our home equity lines of credit was $27.1 million.

 

 37 
 

 

Consumer loans generally have higher interest rates and shorter terms than residential loans; however, they have additional credit risk due to the type of collateral securing the loan or in some cases the absence of collateral. In the year ended September 30, 2015, we charged-off $172,000 of consumer loans mostly consisting of second mortgage loans. We are continuing to evaluate and monitor the credit conditions of our consumer loan borrowers and the real estate values of the properties securing our second mortgage loans as part of our on-going efforts to assess the overall credit quality of the portfolio in connection with our review of the allowance for loan losses. As of September 30, 2015, we had an aggregate of $199,000 of non-accruing second mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit, representing an improvement of $378,000 over the amount of non-accruing second mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit at September 30, 2014. At September 30, 2015, $784,000 of our consumer loans were classified as substandard and we had no doubtful consumer loans. At September 30, 2015, an aggregate of $900,000 of our allowance for loan losses was allocated to second mortgages and home equity lines of credit.

 

The following table presents the contractual maturity of our loans held in portfolio at September 30, 2015. The table does not include the effect of prepayments or scheduled principal amortization. Loans having no stated repayment schedule or maturity and overdraft loans are reported as being due in one year or less.

 

   At September 30, 2015, Maturing 
   In One
Year or
Less
   After One
Years
Through
Five Years
   After
Five
Years
   Total 
   (In thousands) 
Residential mortgage  $169   $7,254   $207,535   $214,958 
Construction and Development:                    
Resident and commercial   121    2,068    3,488    5,677 
Land       2,142        2,142 
Total construction and development   121    4,210    3,488    7,819 
Commercial:                    
Commercial real estate   4,699    35,135    47,852    87,686 
Multi-family   314    3,514    3,616    7,444 
Other   721    8,109    4,550    13,380 
Total commercial   5,734    46,758    56,018    108,510 
Consumer:                    
Home equity lines of credit   15        22,904    22,919 
Second mortgages   60    2,454    35,119    37,633 
Other   13    1,964    382    2,359 
Total consumer   88    4,418    58,405    62,911 
Total  $6,112   $62,640   $325,446   $394,198 
                     
Loans with:                    
Fixed rates  $2,452   $17,704   $249,710   $269,866 
Variable rates   3,660    44,936    75,736    124,332 
Total  $6,112   $62,640   $325,446   $394,198 

 

For additional information regarding loans, see Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses and Related Provision

 

The purpose of the allowance for loan losses (‘‘allowance’’) is to absorb the impact of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Additions to the allowance are made through provisions charged against current operations and through recoveries made on loans previously charged-off. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at an amount considered adequate by management to provide for potential credit losses based upon a periodic evaluation of the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio. In establishing an appropriate allowance, an assessment of the individual borrowers, a determination of the value of the underlying collateral, a review of historical loss experience and an analysis of the levels and trends of loan categories, delinquencies and problem loans are considered. Such factors as the level and trend of interest rates, current economic conditions and peer group statistics are also reviewed. At fiscal 2015 year-end, the level of the allowance was $4.7 million as compared to a level of $4.6 million at September 30, 2014. The Company made loan loss provisions of $90,000 in fiscal 2015 compared with $263,000 in fiscal 2014 and $11.2 million in fiscal 2013. The level of the allowance during the respective annual fiscal periods of 2015, 2014 and 2013 reflects the change in average volume, credit quality within the loan portfolio, the level of charge-offs, loan volume recorded during the periods and the Company’s focus on the changing composition of the commercial and residential real estate loan portfolios.

 

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At September 30, 2015, the allowance for loan losses amounted to 1.18 percent of total loans. In management’s view, the level of the allowance at September 30, 2015 is adequate to cover losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Management’s judgment regarding the adequacy of the allowance constitutes a ‘‘Forward Looking Statement’’ under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from management’s analysis, based principally upon the factors considered by management in establishing the allowance.

 

Although management uses the best information available, the level of the allowance for loan losses remains an estimate, which is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. 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 increase the allowance based on their analysis of information available to them at the time of their examination. Furthermore, the majority of the Company’s loans are secured by real estate in the State of Pennsylvania. Future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic factors impacting Pennsylvania real estate and further deterioration of the economic climate, as well as, operating, regulatory and other conditions beyond the Company’s control. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans amounted to 1.18 percent, 1.18 percent and 1.26 percent at September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Net charge-offs were $12,000 in fiscal 2015, compared to net charge-offs of $764,000 in fiscal 2014 and net charge-offs of $13.7 million in fiscal 2013. During fiscal 2015, the Company experienced a decrease in charge-offs and an increase in recoveries compared to fiscal 2014. Charge-offs were lower in most of the portfolio segments in fiscal 2015 than in fiscal 2014 and recoveries were primarily higher in construction and development loan portfolio segment in fiscal 2015 than in fiscal 2014. Construction and development recoveries were $97,000 higher in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014.

 

Five-Year Statistical Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The following table reflects the relationship of loan volume, the provision and allowance for loan losses and net charge-offs for the past five years.

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013   2012   2011 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Average loans outstanding  $384,125   $407,169   $447,196   $481,424   $533,507 
Total loans at end of period  $394,198   $388,577   $404,737   $462,162   $513,185 
Analysis of the Allowance of Loan   Losses                         
Balance at beginning of year  $4,589   $5,090   $7,581   $10,101   $8,157 
                          
Charge-offs:                         
Residential mortgage       83    994    1,367    2,478 
Construction and Development:                         
Residential and commercial   1    37    5,768    826    1,307 
Land           99         
Commercial:                         
Commercial real estate   48    183    6,315    951    2,460 
Multi-family               113    164 
Other           94    88    278 
Consumer:                         
Home equity lines of credit       14        72    166 
Second mortgages   138    618    1,042    1,184    3,691 
Other   34    6    9    22    6 
Total charge-offs   221    941    14,321    4,623    10,550 
Recoveries:                         
Residential mortgage   17    23    199        1 
Construction and Development:                         
Residential and commercial   98    1        1,139     
Commercial:                         
Commercial real estate   9    9    117    5    1 
Multi-family                   1 
Other   3    3    23    2    5 
Consumer:                         
Home equity lines of credit   2    1    17    2    3 
Second mortgages   69    136    235    141    82 
Other   11    4    4    4    9 
Total recoveries   209    177    595    1,293    102 
Net charge-offs   12    764    13,726    3,330    10,448 
Provision for loan losses   90    263    11,235    810    12,392 
Balance at end of year  $4,667   $4,589   $5,090   $7,581   $10,101 
Ratio of net charge-offs during the year to average loans outstanding during the year   0.00%   0.19%   3.07%   0.60%   1.96%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans at end of year   1.18%   1.18%   1.26%   1.64%   1.97 

 

 39 
 

 

For additional information regarding loans, see Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Implicit in the lending function is the fact that loan losses will be experienced and that the risk of loss will vary with the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower and prevailing economic conditions. The allowance for loan losses has been allocated in the table below according to the estimated amount deemed to be reasonably necessary to provide for the possibility of losses being incurred within the following categories of loans at September 30, for each of the past five years.

 

The table below shows, for three types of loans, the amounts of the allowance allocable to such loans and the percentage of such loans to total loans.

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014   213   2012   2011 
       Loans       Loans       Loans       Loans       Loans 
       to Total       to Total       to Total       to Total       to Total 
   Amount   Loans   Amount   Loans   Amount   Loans   Amount   Loans   Amount   Loans 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Residential mortgage  $1,486    54.5%  $1,672    59.5%  $1,414    59.3%  $1,487    50.2%  $1,458    44.7%
Construction and Development:                                                  
Residential and commercial   30    1.5    291    1.5    164    1.6    724    4.4    1,627    4.9 
Land loans   35    0.5    13    0.3    56    0.6    11    0.1    49    0.6 
Commercial:                                                  
Commercial real estate   1,235    22.2    1,248    18.4    1,726    17.4    3,493    24.3    4,176    25.7 
Multi-family   104    1.9    29    0.3    40    0.5    10    0.5    49    1.1 
Other   108    3.4    50    1.4    59    1.4    226    1.6    317    2.1 
Consumer:                                                  
Home equity lines of credit   139    5.8    168    5.8    137    5.0    160    4.5    220    4.0 
Second mortgages   761    9.6    1,033    12.1    1,393    13.5    1,389    14.2    2,154    16.7 
Other   24    0.6    23    0.7    22    0.7    16    0.2    16    0.2 
Total allocated   3,922    100.0    4,527    100.0    5,011    100.0    7,516    100.0    10,066    100.0 
Unallocated   745    -    62    -    79    -    65    -    35    - 
Balance at end of period  $4,667    100.0%  $4,589    100.0%  $5,090    100.0%  $7,581    100.0%  $10,101    100.0%

 

Asset Quality

 

The Company manages asset quality and credit risk by maintaining diversification in its loan portfolio and through review processes that include analysis of credit requests and ongoing examination of outstanding loans and delinquencies, with particular attention to portfolio dynamics and mix. The Company strives to identify loans experiencing difficulty early enough to correct the problems, to record charge-offs promptly based on realistic assessments of current collateral values, and to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses at all times.

 

 40 
 

 

It is generally the Company’s policy to discontinue interest accruals once a loan is past due as to interest or principal payments for a period of ninety days. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, interest accruals cease and uncollected accrued interest is reversed and charged against current income. Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied against principal. A loan may only be restored to an accruing basis when it again becomes well secured and in the process of collection or all past due amounts have been collected and a satisfactory period of ongoing repayment exists. Accruing loans past due 90 days or more are generally well secured and in the process of collection. For additional information regarding loans, see Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Non-Performing and Past Due Loans and OREO

 

Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans and accruing loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more. Non-accrual loans represent loans on which interest accruals have been suspended. It is the Company’s general policy to consider the charge-off of loans at the point they become past due in excess of 90 days, with the exception of loans that are both well-secured and in the process of collection. Troubled debt restructurings represent loans on which a concession was granted to a borrower, such as a reduction in interest rate to a rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risks, and which are currently performing in accordance with the modified terms. The Company previously reported performing troubled debt restructured loans as a component of non-performing assets. For additional information regarding loans, see Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The following table sets forth, as of the dates indicated, the amount of the Company’s non-accrual loans, accruing loans past due 90 days or more, other real estate owned (‘‘OREO’’) and troubled debt restructurings.

 

   At September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013   2012   2011 
   (In thousands) 
Non-accrual loans  $1,399   $2,391   $1,901   $9,749   $12,915 
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more                    
Total non-performing loans   1,399    2,391    1,901    9,749    12,915 
Other real estate owned   1,168    1,964    3,962    4,594    8,321 
Total non-performing assets  $2,567   $4,355   $5,863   $14,343   $21,236 
                          
Troubled debt restructured loans — performing  $1,091   $1,009   $1,346   $8,187   $10,340 

 

At September 30, 2015, non-performing assets totaled $2.6 million, or 0.39% of total assets, as compared with $4.4 million, or 0.80%, September 30, 2014. The reduction in non-performing assets from September 30, 2014 was achieved notwithstanding the addition of one new residential loan (totaling approximately $40,000), one construction and development loan (totaling approximately $12,000), two commercial loans (totaling approximately $97,000), and two second mortgage loans (totaling approximately $41,000) into non-performing status. This was more than offset by decreases from pay-downs and pay offs of $527,000 of non-performing loans and the return to performing status of $368,000, while $288,000 was moved within the non-performing asset category from non-accrual to OREO. We also sold OREO properties with and aggregate carrying value of $1.1 million with a gain of approximately $124,000 during fiscal 2015.

 

Total non-performing assets decreased $1.5 million from September 30, 2013 to September 30, 2014. The reduction in non-performing assets from September 30, 2013 was achieved notwithstanding the addition of three new residential loans (totaling approximately $476,000), one construction and development loan (totaling approximately $78,000), two commercial loans (totaling approximately $504,000), and six consumer loans (totaling approximately $357,000) into non-performing status. This was more than offset by decreases from pay-downs and pay offs of $46,000 of non-performing loans, total charge-offs of $290,000 of existing loans and $136,000 in loans returned to performing status, while $453,000 was moved within the non-performing asset category from non-accrual to OREO and $2.6 million in sale of OREO properties during fiscal 2014.

 

 41 
 

 

Other Income

 

The following table presents the principal categories of non-interest income for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2015.

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014  

Increase

(Decrease)

   % Change   2014   2013  

Increase

(Decrease

   % Change 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Service charges and other fees  $989   $947   $42    4.44%  $947   $1,049   $(102)   (9.72)%
Rental income-other   249    255    (6)   (2.35)   255    251    4    1.59 
Gain on sale of investments, net   515    83    432    520.48    83    479    (396)   (82.67)
Loss on disposal of fixed assets       (41)   41    100.00    (41)   (1)   (40)   (4000.00)
Gain on sale of loans, net   102    352    (250)   (71.02)   352    (94)   446    474.47 
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance   680    559    121    21.65    559    1,176    (617)   (52.47)
Total other income  $2,535   $2,155   $380    17.64%  $2,155   $2,860   $(705)   (24.65)%

 

For the year ended September 30, 2015, total other income increased $380,000 compared to fiscal 2014. This was primarily as a result of $432,000 related to higher net gains on sale of securities, as well as an increase in service charges on deposit accounts of $42,000, an increase in bank owned life insurance income of $121,000 and a decrease of $41,000 in loss of disposal of fixed assets, offset in part by decreased income on rental income and net gain on sale of loans. Excluding net securities gains and losses, a non-GAAP measure, the Company recorded other income of $2.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2015 compared to other income, excluding net securities gains and losses of $2.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2014, representing an increase of $52,000 or 2.5 percent.

 

For fiscal 2014, other income decreased by $705,000 compared to fiscal 2013, primarily as a result of a $396,000 reduction in net securities gains, a decrease of $102,000 in service charges on deposit accounts and a decrease of $617,000 relating to income on bank owned life insurance, offset in part by an increase of $446,000 in net gain on sale of loans. Excluding net securities gains and losses, a non-GAAP measure, the Company had recorded other income of $2.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2014 compared to other income, excluding net securities gains and losses, of $2.4 million for fiscal 2013, representing a decrease of $309,000 or 13.0 percent.

 

The Company’s other income is presented in the table below excluding net investment security gains.

 

   For the Year Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
   (In thousands) 
Other income (GAAP basis)  $2,535   $2,155   $2,860 
Less: Net investment securities gains   515    83    479 

Other income, excluding net investment securities gain (Non-GAAP)

  $2,020   $2,072   $2,381 

 

Other Expense

 

The following table presents the principal categories of other expense for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2015.

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   Increase
(Decrease)
   %
Change
   2014   2013   Increase
(Decrease
   %
Change
 
   ( Dollars in thousands) 
Salaries and employee benefits  $5,998   $7,770   $(1,772)   (22.81)%  $7,770   $7,806   $(36)   (0.46)%
Occupancy expense   1,715    2,091    (376)   (17.98)   2,091    2,027    64    3.16 
Federal deposit insurance premium   784    735    49    6.67    735    856    (121)   (14.14)
Advertising   239    561    (322)   (57.40)   561    737    (176)   (23.88)
Data processing   1,236    1,245    (9)   (0.70)   1,245    1,269    (24)   (1.89)
Professional fees   1,571    2,205    (634)   (28.75)   2,205    1,756    449    25.57 
Other real estate owned expense, net   (46)   (299)   253    (84.62)   (299)   1,638    (1,937)   (118.25)
FHLB prepayment penalty                            1,543    (1,543)   (100.00)
Other operating expense   2,464    2,336    128    5.48    2,336    2,143    193    9.01 
Total other expense  $13,961   $16,644   $(2,683)   (16.12)%  $16,644   $19,775   $(3,131)   (15.83)%

 

 42 
 

 

Total other expense decreased $2.7 million, or 16.1 percent, in fiscal 2015 from fiscal 2014 as compared with a decrease of $3.1 million, or 15.83 percent, from fiscal 2013 to fiscal 2014. Decreases in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 primarily included $1.8 million in salaries and employee benefits primarily due to workforce reductions, $376,000 in occupancy expense, $322,000 in advertising costs, $634,000 in professional fees, and $9,000 in data processing expense. These decreases were partially offset by a $253,000 reduction in other real estate owned income and by an increase in other operating expenses of $128,000 and a $49,000 increase in federal deposit insurance premium.

 

Prudent management of operating expenses has been and will continue to be a key objective of management in an effort to improve earnings performance. The Company’s ratio of other expenses to average assets decreased to 2.25 percent in fiscal 2015 compared to 2.84 percent in fiscal 2014 and 2.93 percent in fiscal 2013.

 

Salaries and employee benefits decreased $1.8 million or 22.8 percent in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 and decreased $36,000 or 0.46 percent from fiscal 2013 to fiscal 2014. The decrease in fiscal 2014 was primarily attributable to workforce reductions. For fiscal 2014, salaries and employee benefits were $36,000 lower compared to fiscal 2013, even after payment of an aggregate of $145,000 in severance payments in fiscal 2014

 

Salaries and employee benefits accounted for 43.0 percent of total non-interest expense in fiscal 2015, as compared to 46.7 percent and 39.5 percent in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively.

 

Occupancy and equipment expense for the year ended September 30, 2015 decreased by $376,000 or 18.0 percent, over fiscal 2014. Occupancy and equipment expense for fiscal 2014 increased by $64,000 or 3.2 percent, compared to fiscal 2013. For the year ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded decreases of $21,000 in utility expense, $153,000 in insurance, $68,000 in building and equipment maintenance expense, $109,000 in rent expense and $37,000 in real estate taxes. These decreases were partially offset by increases of $12,000 in depreciation expense. The decreases in occupancy expense due to elimination of expenses related to a branch closure in fiscal 2014 as well as a reduction in expenses associated with janitorial, snow removal and related activities. For the year ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded increases $62,000 in real estate taxes, $27,000 in rent, $16,000 in building and equipment maintenance expense and $2,000 in utilities. These increases were more than set off by reductions of $43,000 in depreciation expense.

 

FDIC insurance expense in fiscal 2015 was approximately $49,000 more than the fiscal 2014 expense. For the year ended September 30, 2014, FDIC insurance expense decreased $121,000 compared to fiscal 2013.

 

Advertising expenses for the year ended September 30, 2015 decreased $322,000, or 57.4 percent, from the comparable twelve-month period in 2014. These expenses decreased $176,000 or 23.9 percent in fiscal 2014 compared with fiscal 2013.

 

Professional fees for fiscal 2015 decreased $634,000 due primarily to reduced compliance and legal loan workout issues due to improvements in our level of non-performing assets. Professional fees increased in fiscal 2014 from fiscal 2013 primarily due to the fees paid to a third party consultant the Company utilized prior to the selection of the current President and Chief Executive Officer.

 

OREO expense for fiscal 2015 decreased by $253,000 from fiscal 2014 due primarily to a decreased level of OREO properties. The change in other real estate owned expense was primarily due to a $500,000 insurance reimbursement of a fire claim for a property located in Melrose Park, Pennsylvania received during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

 

 43 
 

 

Other operating expense increased in fiscal 2015 by approximately $128,000, or 5.5 percent, compared to fiscal 2014.  The increase in other operating expense during the year ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to an increase of $121,000 increase in insurance and bond expense, a $274,000 increase in other operating expense and a $104,000 increase in amortization of mortgage servicing rights, offset by decreases in various expenses. The decreases in other operating expense were due to a $139,000 decrease associated with annual credit review such as appraisals and searches, a $61,000 decrease due to expenses related to education, subscriptions and dues, and a $127,000 decrease for third party fees associated with the dissolution of two former Delaware subsidiaries of the Company during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

The Company recorded no income tax expense in 2015 compared to $21,000 in 2014 and $6.0 million in 2013. The change in fiscal 2015 resulted from an increase in pretax earnings and use of existing federal and state net operating loss carryover that offset any tax expense. The decrease in fiscal 2014 resulted from an increase in pretax earnings offset in part by higher tax exempt income from investment securities. The effective tax rates for the Company for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were zero percent, 3.3 percent and (47.0) percent, respectively. For a more detailed description of income taxes see Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Please refer to the note on Recent Accounting Pronouncements in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for a detailed discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

 

Asset and Liability Management

 

Asset and Liability management encompasses an analysis of market risk, the control of interest rate risk (interest sensitivity management) and the ongoing maintenance and planning of liquidity and capital. The composition of the Company’s statement of condition is planned and monitored by the Asset and Liability Committee (“ALCO”). In general, management’s objective is to optimize net interest income and minimize market risk and interest rate risk by monitoring the components of the statement of condition and the interaction of interest rates.

 

Short-term interest rate exposure analysis is supplemented with an interest sensitivity gap model. The Company utilizes interest sensitivity analysis to measure the responsiveness of net interest income to changes in interest rate levels. Interest rate risk arises when an earning asset matures or when its interest rate changes in a time period different than that of a supporting interest-bearing liability, or when an interest-bearing liability matures or when its interest rate changes in a time period different than that of an earning asset that it supports. While the Company matches only a small portion of specific assets and liabilities, total earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities are grouped to determine the overall interest rate risk within a number of specific time frames. The difference between interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities is referred to as the interest sensitivity gap. At any given point in time, the Company may be in an asset-sensitive position, whereby its interest-sensitive assets exceed its interest-sensitive liabilities, or in a liability-sensitive position, whereby its interest-sensitive liabilities exceed its interest-sensitive assets, depending in part on management’s judgment as to projected interest rate trends.

 

The Company’s interest rate sensitivity position in each time frame may be expressed as assets less liabilities, as liabilities less assets, or as the ratio between rate sensitive assets (“RSA”) and rate sensitive liabilities (“RSL”). For example, a short-funded position (liabilities repricing before assets) would be expressed as a net negative position, when period gaps are computed by subtracting repricing liabilities from repricing assets. When using the ratio method, a RSA/RSL ratio of 1 indicates a balanced position, a ratio greater than 1 indicates an asset-sensitive position and a ratio less than 1 indicates a liability-sensitive position.

 

 A negative gap and/or a rate sensitivity ratio less than 1 tends to expand net interest margins in a falling rate environment and reduce net interest margins in a rising rate environment. Conversely, when a positive gap occurs, generally margins expand in a rising rate environment and contract in a falling rate environment. From time to time, the Company may elect to deliberately mismatch liabilities and assets in a strategic gap position.

 

At September 30, 2015, the Company reflected a negative interest sensitivity gap with an interest sensitivity ratio of 0.28:1.00 at the cumulative one-year position. Based on management’s perception of interest rates remaining low through 2015, emphasis has been, and is expected to continue to be, placed on controlling liability costs while extending the maturities of liabilities in our efforts to insulate the net interest spread from rising interest rates in the future. However, no assurance can be given that this objective will be met.

 

 44 
 

 

The following table sets forth the amounts of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities outstanding at September 30, 2015, which we expect, based upon certain assumptions, to reprice or mature in each of the future time periods shown (the “GAP Table”). Except as stated below, the amount of assets and liabilities shown which reprice or mature during a particular period were determined in accordance with the earlier of term to repricing or the contractual maturity of the asset or liability. The table sets forth approximation of the projected repricing of assets and liabilities at September 30, 2015, on the basis of contractual maturities, anticipated prepayments, and scheduled rate adjustments within a three-month period and subsequent selected time intervals. The loan amounts in the table reflect principal balances expected to be redeployed and/or repriced as a result of contractual amortization and anticipated prepayments of adjustable-rate loans and fixed-rate loans, and as a result of contractual rate adjustments on adjustable-rate loans.

 

  

6 Months

or Less

  

More than

6 Months

to 1 Year

  

More than

1 Year

to 3 Years

  

More than

3 Year

to 5 Years

  

More than

5 Years

   Total
Amount
 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Interest-earning assets(1):                              
Loans receivable(2)  $86,985   $37,943   $110,079   $75,814   $81,998   $392,819 
Investment securities and restricted securities   14,094    10,248    17,656    27,993    121,475    191,466 
Other interest-earning assets   24,237    -    -    -    -    24,237 
Total interest-earning assets   125,316    48,191    127,735    103,807    203,473    608,522 
Interest-bearing liabilities:                              
Demand and NOW accounts   82,895    -    -    -    -    82,895 
Money market accounts   108,706    -    -    -    -    108,706 
Savings accounts   45,189    -    -    -    -    45,189 
Certificate accounts   53,224    47,106    82,283    15,249    3,857    201,719 
FHLB advances   15,000    5,000    23,000    60,000    -    103,000 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   305,014    52,106    105,283    75,249    3,857    541,509 
Interest-earning assets less interest-bearing liabilities  $(179,698)  $(3,915)  $22,452   $28,558   $199,616   $67,013 
                               
Cumulative interest-rate sensitivity gap(3)  $(179,698)  $(183,613)  $(161,161)  $(132,603)  $67,013      
                               
Cumulative interest-rate gap as a percentage of total assets at September 30, 2015   (27.41)%   (28.00)%   (24.58)%   (20.22)%   10.22%     
                               
Cumulative interest-earning assets as a percentage of cumulative interest-bearing liabilities at September 30, 2015   41.09%   48.59%   65.15%   75.34%   112.38%     

___________________

(1)Interest-earning assets are included in the period in which the balances are expected to be redeployed and /or repriced as a result of anticipated prepayments, scheduled rate adjustments and contractual maturities.
(2)For purposes of the gap analysis, loans receivable includes non-performing loans gross of the allowance for loan losses, undisbursed loan funds, unamortized discounts and deferred loans fees.
(3)Interest-rate sensitivity gap represents the net cumulative difference between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

 

Net Portfolio Value and Net Interest Income Analysis. Our interest rate sensitivity also is monitored by management through the use of models which generate estimates of the change in its net portfolio value (“NPV”) and net interest income (“NII”) over a range of interest rate scenarios. NPV is the present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet contracts. The NPV ratio, under any interest rate scenario, is defined as the NPV in that scenario divided by the market value of assets in the same scenario.

 

 45 
 

 

The table below sets forth as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, the estimated changes in our net portfolio value that would result from designated instantaneous changes in the United States Treasury yield curve. Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rates changes are based on numerous assumptions including relative levels of market interest rates, loan prepayments and deposit decay, and should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results.

 

   As of September 30, 2015   As of September 30, 2014 
Changes in
Interest
Rates (basis
points)(1)
  Amount   Dollar
Change
from Base
   Percentage
Change from
Base
   Amount   Dollar
Change
from Base
   Percentage
Change from
Base
 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
+300  $62,346   $(31,016)   (33)%  $47,569   $(36,962)   (44)%
+200   73,513    (19,849)   (21)   62,081    (22,450)   (27)
+100   84,140    (9,222)   (10)   74,013    (10,518)   (12)
      0   93,362    -    -    84,531    -    - 
-100   94,944    1,582    2    86,879    2,348    3 

____________________

(1)Assumes an instantaneous uniform change in interest rates. A basis point equals 0.01%.

 

In addition to modeling changes in NPV, we also analyze potential changes to NII for a twelve-month period under rising and falling interest rate scenarios. The following table shows our NII model as of September 30, 2015.

 

Changes in Interest Rates in Basis Points (Rate
Shock)
  Net Interest
Income
   $ Change   % Change 
   (Dollars in thousands)     
200  $15,929   $(1,148)   (6.72)%
100   16,554    (523)   (3.06)
Static   17,077    -    - 
(100)   16,589    (488)   (2.86)

 

As is the case with the GAP Table, certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodology used in the above interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes in NPV and NII require the making of certain assumptions which may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. In this regard, the models presented assume that the composition of our interest sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and also assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration to maturity or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the NPV measurements and net interest income models provide an indication of interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to and do not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on net interest income and will differ from actual results.

 

Estimates of Fair Value

 

The estimation of fair value is significant to a number of the Company’s assets, including investment securities available-for-sale. These are all recorded at either fair value or the lower of cost or fair value. Fair values are volatile and may be influenced by a number of factors. Circumstances that could cause estimates of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities to change include a change in prepayment speeds, discount rates, or market interest rates. Fair values for most available-for-sale investment securities are based on quoted market prices. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic condition risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

 

The financial statements and notes thereto presented elsewhere herein have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the change in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of operations; unlike most industrial companies, nearly all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are monetary. As a result, interest rates have a greater impact on performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same extent as the prices of goods and services.

 

 46 
 

 

Liquidity

 

The liquidity position of the Company is dependent primarily on successful management of the Bank’s assets and liabilities so as to meet the needs of both deposit and credit customers. Liquidity needs arise principally to accommodate possible deposit outflows and to meet customers’ requests for loans. Scheduled principal loan repayments, maturing investments, short-term liquid assets and deposit inflows, can satisfy such needs. The objective of liquidity management is to enable the Company to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations in a timely and cost-effective manner.

 

Management monitors current and projected cash flows, and adjusts positions as necessary to maintain adequate levels of liquidity. Under its liquidity risk management program, the Company regularly monitors correspondent bank funding exposure and credit exposure in accordance with guidelines issued by the banking regulatory authorities. Management uses a variety of potential funding sources and staggering maturities to reduce the risk of potential funding pressure. Management also maintains a detailed contingency funding plan designed to respond adequately to situations which could lead to stresses on liquidity. Management believes that the Company has the funding capacity to meet the liquidity needs arising from potential events. The Company maintains borrowing capacity through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh secured with loans and marketable securities.

 

The Company’s primary sources of short-term liquidity consist of cash and cash equivalents and investment securities available-for-sale.

 

At September 30, 2015, the Company had $40.3 million in cash and cash equivalents compared to $19.2 million at September 30, 2014. In addition, our investment securities available-for-sale amounted to $128.4 million at September 30, 2015 and $100.9 million at September 30, 2014.

 

Deposits

 

Total deposits increased to $465.5 million at September 30, 2015 from $413.0 million at September 30, 2014. Total interest-bearing deposits increased from $389.9 million at September 30, 2014 to $438.5 million at September 30, 2015, an increase of $48.6 million or 12.5 percent. Interest-bearing demand, savings, money market and time deposits under $100,000 increased $39.1 million to a total of $324.7 million at September 30, 2015 as compared to $285.6 million at September 30, 2014. Time deposits $100,000 and over increased $9.5 million at September 30, 2015 as compared to September 30, 2014 primarily due to an increase in certificates of deposit. Time deposits $100,000 and over represented 24.5 percent of total deposits at September 30, 2015 compared to 25.3 percent at September 30, 2014.

 

The Company derives a significant proportion of its liquidity from its core deposit base. Total demand deposits, savings and money market accounts of $263.8 million at September 30, 2015 increased by $54.4 million, or 26.0 percent, from September 30, 2014. Total demand deposits, savings and money market accounts were 56.7 percent of total deposits at September 30, 2015 and 50.7 percent at September 30, 2014. Alternatively, the Company uses a more stringent calculation for the management of its liquidity positions internally, which calculation consists of total demand, savings accounts and money market accounts (excluding money market accounts and certificates of deposit greater than $100,000) as a percentage of total deposits. This number decreased by $7.2 million, or 2.7 percent, from $265.3 million at September 30, 2014 to $258.1 million at September 30, 2015 and represented 55.5 percent of total deposits at September 30, 2015 as compared with 64.2 percent at September 30, 2014.

 

The Company continues to place the main focus of its deposit gathering efforts in the maintenance, development, and expansion of its core deposit base. Management believes that the emphasis on serving the needs of our communities will provide a long term relationship base that will allow the Company to efficiently compete for business in its market. The success of this strategy is reflected in the growth of the demand, savings and money market balances during fiscal 2015.

 

 47 
 

 

The following table depicts the Company’s core deposit mix at September 30, 2015 and 2014 based on the Company’s alternative calculation:

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014   Net Change 
   Amount   Percentage   Amount   Percentage   2015 vs. 2014 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Non interest-bearing demand  $27,010    10.5%  $23,059    8.7%  $3,951 
Interest-bearing demand   82,897    32.1    81,921    30.9    976 
Savings   45,189    17.5    44,917    16.9    272 
Money market deposits under   $100,000   15,154    5.9    16,178    6.1    (1,024)
Certificates of deposit under $100,000   87,880    34.0    99,214    37.4    (11,334)
Total core deposits  $258,130    100.0%  $265,289    100.0%  $(7,159)
                          
Total deposits  $465,522        $412,953        $52,569 
Core deposits to total deposits        55.5%        64.2%     

 

At September 30, 2015, our certificates of deposit and other time deposits with a balance of $100,000 or more amounted to $113.8 million, of which $62.9 million are scheduled to mature within twelve months. At September 30, 2015, the weighted average remaining maturity of our certificate of deposit accounts was 16.9 months. The following table presents the maturity of our certificates of deposit and other time deposits with balances of $100,000 or more.

 

   Amount 
   (In thousands) 
Maturity Period:     
Three months or less  $24,641 
Over three months through six months   12,370 
Over six months through twelve months   25,894 
Over twelve months   50,935 
Total  $113,840 

 

Borrowings

 

Short-Term Borrowings

 

Short-term borrowings, which consist primarily of securities sold under agreements to repurchase, Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances and federal funds purchased, generally have maturities of less than one year. At September 30, 2015 and 2014, we had no short-term borrowings.

 

Long-Term Borrowings

 

Long-term borrowings, which consist primarily of FHLB advances and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, totaled $103.0 million and $48.0 million at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and mature within one to eight years. The FHLB advances are secured by pledges of certain collateral, including but not limited to U.S. government and agency mortgage-backed securities and a blanket assignment of qualifying first lien mortgage loans, consisting of both residential mortgages and commercial real estate loans.

 

In April 2015, the Bank prepaid $28.0 million in FHLB convertible select advances. The Company determined to prepay the FHLB advances, which had an average cost of 3.27% and maturity dates in mid- to late – 2018, in order to reduce its average cost of funds and improve its net interest spread and net interest margin in future periods, lengthening liabilities and improve interest rate risk position. During fiscal 2015, we acquired $93.0 million in new FHLB fixed rate advances. Additionally, $10.0 million in FHLB advances matured in June 2015 and September 2015 at 0.51 percent and 0.80 percent, respectively, both advances were $5.0 million each. The prepayment was accounted for as a debt modification according to ASU 470-50.

 

 48 
 

 

Cash Flows

 

The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows present the changes in cash and cash equivalents resulting from the Company’s operating, investing and financing activities. During the year ended September 30, 2015, cash and cash equivalents increased by $21.1 million over the balance at September 30, 2014. Net cash of $3.2 million was provided by operating activities in fiscal 2015, primarily, net income as adjusted to net cash. Net income of $3.7 million in fiscal 2015 was adjusted principally by net gains on sales of investment securities of $515,000, amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on investment securities net of $849,000, an increase in other assets of $714,000 and an increase in other liabilities of $971,000. Net cash used by investing activities amounted to approximately $89.8 million in fiscal 2015, primarily reflecting a net increase in investment securities of $84.6 million. Net cash of $107.6 million was provided by financing activities in fiscal 2015, primarily from the increase in deposits of $52.6 million and an increase of $55.0 million in FHLB advances.

 

Payments Due Under Contractual Obligations

 

The following table presents information relating to the Company’s payments due under contractual obligations as of September 30, 2015.

 

   Payments Due by Period 
   Less than
One Year
   One to
Three Years
   Three to
Five Years
   More than
Five Years
   Total 
   (In thousands) 
Long-term debt obligations(1)
  $15,005   $5,061   $89,520   $   $109,586 
Certificates of deposit(1)   101,410    83,829    15,502    3,901    204,642 
Operating lease obligations   252    429    429    3,905    5,015 
Total contractual obligations  $116,667   $89,319   $105,451   $7,806   $319,243 

 

 

(1) Includes interest payments.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

In the normal course of operations, the Company engages in a variety of financial transactions that, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, are not recorded in its financial statements. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate, and liquidity risk. Such transactions are used primarily to manage customers’ requests for funding and take the form of loan commitments, lines of credit and letters of credit.

 

The contractual amounts of commitments to extend credit represent the amounts of potential accounting loss should the contract be fully drawn upon, the customer defaults and the value of any existing collateral becomes worthless. We use the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as we do for on-balance sheet instruments. Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk at September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014 
   (In thousands) 
Commitments to extend credit:(1)          
Future loan commitments  $26,849   $10,952 
Undisbursed construction loans   14,187    2,873 
Undisbursed home equity lines of credit   27,074    14,867 
Undisbursed Commercial lines of credit   25,600    948 
Overdraft protection lines   840    133 
Standby letters of credit   566    3,302 
Total commitments  $95,116   $33,075 

____________________________

(1)Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments may require payment of a fee and generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses.

 

We anticipate that we will continue to have sufficient funds and alternative funding sources to meet our current commitments.

 

 49 
 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

Shareholders’ equity amounted to $81.4 million at September 30, 2015, an increase of $4.6 million or 6.0 percent, compared to fiscal year-end 2014. Book value per share at fiscal year-end 2015 was $12.41 compared to $11.71 at fiscal year-end 2014.

 

Capital

 

At September 30, 2015, the Bank’s common equity tier 1 ratio was 15.90 percent, tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.80 percent, tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 15.90 percent and the total risk-based capital ratio was 16.99 percent. At September 30, 2014, the Bank’s tier 1 leverage ratio was 12.09 percent, tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 19.50 percent and the total risk-based capital ratio was 20.75 percent. At September 30, 2015, the Bank was in compliance with all applicable regulatory capital requirements.

 

Looking Forward

 

One of the Company’s primary objectives is to achieve balanced asset and revenue growth, and at the same time expand market presence and diversify its financial products. However, it is recognized that objectives, no matter how focused, are subject to factors beyond the control of the Company, which can impede its ability to achieve these goals. The following factors should be considered when evaluating the Company’s ability to achieve its objectives:

 

The financial market place is rapidly changing. Banks are no longer the only place to obtain loans, nor the only place to keep financial assets. The banking industry has lost market share to other financial service providers. The future is predicated on the Company’s ability to adapt its products, provide superior customer service and compete in an ever-changing marketplace. Net interest income, the primary source of earnings, is impacted favorably or unfavorably by changes in interest rates. Although the impact of interest rate fluctuations is mitigated by ALCO strategies, significant changes in interest rates can have a material adverse impact on profitability.

 

The ability of customers to repay their obligations is often impacted by changes in the regional and local economy. Although the Company sets aside loan loss provisions toward the allowance for loan losses when management determines such action to be appropriate, significant unfavorable changes in the economy could impact the assumptions used in the determination of the adequacy of the allowance.

 

Technological changes will have a material impact on how financial service companies compete for and deliver services. It is recognized that these changes will have a direct impact on how the marketplace is approached and ultimately on profitability. The Company has taken steps to improve its traditional delivery channels. However, continued success will likely be measured by the Company’s ability to anticipate and react to future technological changes.

 

This ‘‘Looking Forward’’ discussion constitutes a forward-looking statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the Company’s forward-looking statements due to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the factors referred to above, on page 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

 

The information contained in the section captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – How We Manage Market Risk” in Item 7 hereof is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 50 
 

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”) as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended September 30, 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits 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, 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 Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries at September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Malvern Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015, based on the criteria establishing in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated December 23, 2015, expressed an adverse opinion thereon.

 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 23, 2015

 

 51 
 

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014 
   (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 
Assets          
Cash and due from depository institutions  $16,026   $1,203 
Interest bearing deposits in depository institutions   24,237    17,984 
Cash and Cash Equivalents   40,263    19,187 
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value   128,354    100,943 
Investment securities held to maturity, at cost (fair value of $56,825 and $0, respectively)   57,221    - 
Restricted stock, at cost   4,765    3,503 
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $4,667 and $4,589, respectively   391,307    386,074 
Other real estate owned   1,168    1,964 
Accrued interest receivable   2,484    1,322 
Property and equipment, net   6,535    6,823 
Deferred income taxes, net   2,874    2,376 
Bank-owned life insurance   17,905    18,264 
Other assets   2,814    1,808 
Total Assets  $655,690   $542,264 
           
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity          
           
Liabilities          
Deposits:          
Deposits-noninterest-bearing  $27,010   $23,059 
Deposits-interest-bearing   438,512    389,894 
Total Deposits   465,522    412,953 
FHLB advances   103,000    48,000 
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance   1,806    1,786 
Accrued interest payable   396    149 
Other liabilities   3,575    2,604 
Total Liabilities   574,299    465,492 
           
Commitments and Contingencies   -    - 
           
Shareholders’ Equity          
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued   -    - 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, issued and
outstanding: 6,558,473
   66    66 
Additional paid-in-capital   60,365    60,317 
Retained earnings   23,814    20,116 
Unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) shares   (1,775)   (1,922)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (1,079)   (1,805)
Total Shareholders’ Equity   81,391    76,772 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity  $655,690   $542,264 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 52 
 

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
   (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 
Interest and Dividend Income               
Loans, including fees  $16,484   $17,736   $20,172 
Investment securities, taxable   3,073    2,109    1,745 
Investment securities, tax-exempt   522    145    228 
Dividends, restricted stock   311    123    19 
Interest-bearing cash accounts   72    54    137 
Total Interest and Dividend Income   20,462    20,167    22,301 
Interest Expense               
Deposits   3,431    3,969    5,279 
Long-term borrowings   1,817    1,102    1,665 
Total Interest Expense   5,248    5,071    6,944 
Net Interest Income   15,214    15,096    15,357 
Provision for Loan Losses   90    263    11,235 
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses   15,124    14,833    4,122 
                
Other Income               
Service charges and other fees   989    947    1,049 
Rental income-other   249    255    251 
Gain on sale of investments, net   515    83    479 
Loss on disposal of fixed assets   -    (41)   (1)
Gain (loss) on sale of loans, net   102    352    (94)
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance   680    559    1,176 
Total Other Income   2,535    2,155    2,860 
Other Expense               
Salaries and employee benefits   5,998    7,770    7,806 
Occupancy expense   1,715    2,091    2,027 
Federal deposit insurance premium   784    735    856 
Advertising   239    561    737 
Data processing   1,236    1,245    1,269 
Professional fees   1,571    2,205    1,756 
Other real estate owned expense (recovery), net   (46)   (299)   1,638 
FHLB prepayment penalty   -    -    1,543 
Other operating expenses   2,464    2,336    2,143 
Total Other Expenses   13,961    16,644    19,775 
Income (Loss) before income tax expense   3,698    344    (12,793)
Income tax expense   -    21    6,010 
Net Income (Loss)  $3,698   $323   $(18,803)
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share  $0.58   $0.05   $(2.96)
Dividends Declared Per Share  $0.00   $0.00   $0.00 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 53 
 

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
(In thousands)  2015   2014   2013 
             
Net Income (Loss)  $3,698   $323   $(18,803)
Other Comprehensive Income(Loss), Net of Tax:               
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities   2,120    1,419    (4,565)
Tax effect   (721)   (482)   1,552 
Net of tax amount   1,399    937    (3,013)
Reclassification adjustment for net gains arising during the period(1)   (515)   (83)   (479)
Tax effect   175    29    163 
Net of tax amount   (340)   (54)   (316)
Amortization of unrealized holding losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity(2)   5         
Tax effect   (2)        
Net of tax amount   3         
Fair value adjustment on derivatives   (348)        
Tax effect   12         
Net of tax amount   (336)        
Total other comprehensive income (loss)   726    883    (3,329)
Total comprehensive income (loss)  $4,424   $1,206   $(22,132)

 

__________________________

(1) Amounts are included in net gain on sales of securities on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in total other income.

(2) Amounts are included in interest and dividends on investment securities on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 54 
 

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Years Ended September 30, 2015, 2014, and 2013

 

   Common
Stock
  

Additional
Paid-In

Capital

   Retained
Earnings
   Treasury
Stock
   Unearned
ESOP Shares
  

Accumulated Other
Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

   Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
   (In thousands, except share data) 
Balance, October 1, 2012  $62   $25,846   $38,596   $(477)  $(2,032)  $641   $62,636 
Net Loss           (18,803)               (18,803)
Other comprehensive loss                       (3,329)   (3,329)
Cancellation of common stock   (62)   62                     
Cancellation of treasury stock       (477)       477             
Additional ESOP shares converted at exchange rate of 1.0748 (18,040 shares at $10/share)       180            (180)        
Dissolution of mutual holding company       100                    100 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering expense of $1.6 million   66    34,567                    34,633 
Committed to be released ESOP shares (14,371 shares)       24            145        169 
Balance, September 30, 2013  $66   $60,302   $19,793   $   $(2,067)  $(2,688)  $75,406 
Net Income           323                323 
Other comprehensive income                       883    883 
Committed to be released ESOP shares (14,400 shares)       15            145        160 
Balance, September 30, 2014  $66   $60,317   $20,116   $   $(1,922)  $(1,805)  $76,772 
Net Income           3,698                3,698 
Other comprehensive income                       726    726 
Committed to be released ESOP shares (14,400 shares)       48            147        195 
Balance, September 30, 2015  $66   $60,365   $23,814   $   $(1,775)  $(1,079)  $81,391 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 55 
 

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
   (In  thousands) 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities               
Net income (loss)  $3,698   $323   $(18,803)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:               
Depreciation expense   646    638    695 
Provision for loan losses   90    263    11,235 
Deferred income taxes (benefit) expense   (1,035)   (367)   6,025 
ESOP expense   195    160    169 
Amortization (accretion) of premiums and discounts on investment securities, net   849    (488)   (735)
Amortization (accretion) of loan origination fees and costs   296    (193)   (267)
Amortization (accretion) of mortgage service rights   82    (22)   (6)
Net gain on sale of investment securities available for sale   (515)   (83)   (479)
Net loss on disposal of fixed assets       41    1 
Net (gain) loss on sale of loans       (281)   460 
Net gain on sale of secondary market loans   (102)   (71)   (366)
Proceeds on sale of secondary market loans   4,090    7,738    17,660 
Originations of secondary market loans   (3,988)   (7,667)   (17,294)
Gain on sale of other real estate owned   (124)   (93)   (330)
Write down of other real estate owned   54    341    1,648 
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance   (680)   (559)   (1,176)
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable   (1,162)   82    117 
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable   247    10    (127)
Increase in other liabilities   1,319    309    141 
Increase  in other assets   (714)   (114)   (809)
Decrease in prepaid FDIC assessment           391 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) by Operating Activities   3,246    (33)   (1,850)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities               
Investment securities available-for-sale:               
Purchases   (160,103)   (5,258)   (93,693)
Sales   70,413    16,751    18,171 
Maturities, calls and principal repayments   6,032    14,138    27,534 
Investment securities held-to-maturity:               
Purchases   (4,152)        
Maturities, calls and principal repayments   4,454         
Proceeds from sale of loans       25,836    1,707 
Loan buyback for sale of  loans       (1,117)   - 
Loan purchases       (18,952)   (31,060)
(Loan originations) and principal collections, net   (5,927)   19,649    58,365 
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned   1,174    2,694    3,917 
Additions to mortgage servicing rights   (30)   (160)   (158)
Purchases of bank-owned life insurance           (6,000)
Proceeds from cash surrender on bank-owned life insurance       3,636     
Proceeds from death benefit of bank-owned life insurance           1,121 
Net (increase) decrease in restricted stock   (1,262)   (465)   1,109 
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment           2 
Purchases of property and equipment   (358)   (244)   (282)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities   (89,759)   56,508    (19,267)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities               
Net increase (decrease) in deposits   52,569    (71,643)   (56,392)
Proceeds for long-term borrowings   93,000    14,500    10,000 
Repayment of long-term borrowings   (38,000)   (4,500)   (20,085)
Increase in advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance   20    668    112 
Return of excess stock subscription funds           (20,841)
Cash from mutual holding company reorganization           100 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities   107,589    (60,975)   (87,106)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents   21,076    (4,500)   (108,223)
Cash and Cash Equivalent - Beginning   19,187    23,687    131,910 
Cash and Cash Equivalent - Ending  $40,263   $19,187   $23,687 
                
Supplementary Cash Flows Information               
Interest paid  $5,001   $5,061   $7,071 
Income taxes paid  $   $17   $12 
Non-cash transfer of loans to other real estate owned  $308   $944   $4,603 
Non-cash transfer of loans to investment securities available for sale  $   $   $10,102 
Stock subscription funds transferred to shareholders’ equity  $   $   $34,633 
Non-cash transfer of loans to loans held for sale  $   $   $10,367 
Transfer from investment securities available-for-sale to investment securities held-to-maturity  $57,523   $   $ 
Non-cash proceeds from death benefit on BOLI  $1,039   $   $ 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 56 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 – Organizational Structure and Nature of Operations

 

On May 19, 2008, Malvern Federal Savings Bank ("Malvern Federal Savings" or the "Bank") completed its reorganization to the mutual holding company form of organization and formed Malvern Federal Bancorp, Inc. (the "Mid-Tier Holding Company") to serve as the “mid-tier” stock holding company for the Bank. An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) was established which borrowed approximately $2.6 million from Malvern Federal Bancorp, Inc. to purchase 241,178 shares of common stock. Principal and interest payments of the loan are being made quarterly over a term of 18 years at a fixed interest rate of 5.0%.

 

On October 11, 2012, Malvern Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Malvern Bancorp”) completed the “second-step” conversion from the mutual holding company structure to the stock holding company structure pursuant to a Plan of Conversion and Reorganization. Upon completion of the conversion and reorganization, Malvern Federal Mutual Holding Company (the “Mutual Holding Company”) and the Mid-Tier Holding Company ceased to exist. Malvern Bancorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania company, became the holding company for the Bank and owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of the common stock of Malvern Federal Savings Bank. In connection with the conversion and reorganization, 3,636,875 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Malvern Bancorp, Inc., were sold in a subscription offering to certain depositors of the Bank and other investors for $10 per share, or $36.4 million in the aggregate, and 2,921,598 shares of common stock were issued in exchange for the outstanding shares of common stock of the former federally chartered Mid-Tier Holding Company held by the “public” shareholders of the Mid-Tier Holding Company (all shareholders except Malvern Federal Mutual Holding Company). Each share of common stock of the Mid-Tier Holding Company was converted into the right to receive 1.0748 shares of common stock of the new Malvern Bancorp, Inc. in the conversion and reorganization. The total shares outstanding upon completion of the stock offering and the exchange were approximately 6,558,473.

 

The Company is a Pennsylvania chartered corporation which, since October 11, 2012, has owned all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Bank’s common stock, the only shares of equity securities which the Bank has issued. The Company does not own or lease any property, but instead uses the premises, equipment and furniture of the Bank. At the present time, the Company employs only persons who are officers of Malvern Federal Savings to serve as officers of the Company. The Company also uses the Bank’s support staff from time to time.  These persons are not separately compensated by Company.

 

 Malvern Federal Savings Bank is a federally chartered stock savings bank which was originally organized in 1887 and is operating out of its headquarters in Paoli, Pennsylvania and seven full service financial center offices in Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania. The Bank is primarily engaged in attracting deposits from the general public and using those funds to invest in loans and investment securities. The Bank’s principal sources of funds are deposits, repayments of loans and investment securities, maturities of investments and interest-bearing deposits, other funds provided from operations and wholesale funds borrowed from outside sources such as the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (the “FHLB”). These funds are primarily used for the origination of various loan types including single-family residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate mortgage loans, construction and development loans, home equity loans and lines of credit and other consumer loans. The Bank derives its income principally from interest earned on loans, investment securities and, to a lesser extent, from fees received in connection with the origination of loans and for other services. Malvern Federal Savings’ primary expenses are interest expense on deposits and borrowings and general operating expenses. Funds for activities are provided primarily by deposits, amortization of loans, loan prepayments and the maturity of loans, securities and other investments and other funds from operations.

 

The banking industry is highly regulated. The Bank is supervised by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) and the Company is supervised by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board” or the “FRB”).

 

 57 
 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 – Organizational Structure and Nature of Operations (Continued)

 

The Company and the Bank and the Bank’s subsidiary, Strategic Asset Management Group, Inc. (“SAMG”), provide various banking services, primarily accepting deposits and originating residential and commercial mortgage loans, consumer loans and other loans through the Bank’s headquarter and seven full-service branches in Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania. SAMG owns 50% of Malvern Insurance Associates, LLC. Malvern Insurance Associates, LLC offers a full line of business and personal lines of insurance products. As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, SAMG’s total assets were approximately $68,000 and $66,000, respectively. The net income of SAMG for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $2,000, $5,000 and $10,000, respectively. The Company is subject to competition from various other financial institutions and financial services companies. The Company is also subject to the regulations of certain federal agencies and, therefore, undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory agencies.

 

In accordance with the subsequent events topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification” or the “ASC”), the Company evaluates events and transactions that occur after the statement of financial condition date for potential recognition and disclosure in the consolidated financial statements. The effect of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence of conditions that existed at the statement of financial condition date are recognized in the audited consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2015.

 

Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements at and for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 include the accounts of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, other real estate owned, the valuation of deferred tax assets, the evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, derivatives and fair value measurements.

 

Fair value is generally defined as the amount at which an asset or liability could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing, unrelated parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Fair value is based on quoted market prices in an active market, or if market prices are not available, is estimated using models employing techniques such as matrix pricing or discounting expected cash flows.

 

Interest rate swaps are valued by a third party, using models that primarily use market observable inputs, such as yield curves, and are validated by comparison with valuations provided by the respective counterparties. The credit risk associated with derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements is measured on a net basis by counterparty portfolio.

 

Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

Most of the Company’s activities are with customers located within Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania. Note 5 discusses the types of investment securities that the Company invests in. Note 6 discusses the types of lending that the Company engages in. The Company does not have any significant concentrations to any one industry or customer. Although the Company has a diversified portfolio, its debtors ability to honor their contracts is influenced by, among other factors, the region’s economy.

 

 58 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from depository institutions and interest bearing deposits.

 

The Company maintains cash deposits in other depository institutions that occasionally exceed the amount of deposit insurance available. Management periodically assesses the financial condition of these institutions and believes that the risk of any possible credit loss is minimal.

 

The Company is required to maintain average reserve balances in vault cash with the Federal Reserve Bank based upon outstanding balances of deposit transaction accounts. Based upon the Company’s outstanding transaction deposit balances, the Bank maintained a deposit account with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia in the amount of $3.7 million and $3.2 million at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Investment Securities

 

Held-to-maturity (“HTM”) are securities that include debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and the ability to hold to maturity; these securities are reported at amortized cost and adjusted for unamortized premiums and discounts. Securities held for trading are securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term; these securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in current earnings. At September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the Company had no investment securities classified as trading. Debt securities that will be held for indefinite periods of time and equity securities, including securities that may be sold in response to changes in market interest or prepayment rates, needs for liquidity and changes in the availability of and the yield of alternative investments, are classified as available for sale. Realized gains and losses are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method. Securities held as available for sale are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). Management determines the appropriate classification of investment securities at the time of purchase.

 

Securities are evaluated on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether declines in their value are other-than-temporary. To determine whether a loss in value is other-than-temporary, management utilizes criteria such as the reasons underlying the decline, the magnitude and duration of the decline and whether or not management intends to sell or expects that it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to an anticipated recovery of the fair value. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value for a debt security is determined to be other-than-temporary, the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into (a) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to a decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security (the credit loss) and (b) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.

 

Loans Receivable

 

The Company, through the Bank, grants mortgage, construction, commercial and consumer loans to customers. A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is represented by residential and commercial mortgage loans secured by properties located throughout Chester County, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. The ability of the Company’s debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon, among other factors, the real estate and general economic conditions in this area.

 

Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to hold until maturity or payoff are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of an allowance for loan losses and any deferred fees and costs. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees and costs are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the yield (interest income) of the related loans using the interest method. The Company is amortizing these amounts over the contractual lives of the loans.

 

 59 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

  

The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into residential loans, construction and development loans, commercial loans and consumer loans. The residential loan segment has one class, one- to four-family first lien residential mortgage loans. The construction and development loan segment consists of the following classes: residential and commercial and land loans. Residential construction loans are made for the acquisition of and/or construction on a lot or lots on which a residential dwelling is to be built. Commercial construction loans are made for the purpose of acquiring, developing and constructing a commercial structure. The commercial loan segment consists of the following classes: commercial real estate loans, multi-family real estate loans, and other commercial loans, which are also generally known as commercial and industrial loans or commercial business loans. The consumer loan segment consists of the following classes: home equity lines of credit, second mortgage loans and other consumer loans, primarily unsecured consumer lines of credit.

 

For all classes of loans receivable, the accrual of interest is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collection of principal or interest, even though the loan is currently performing. A loan may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and is either guaranteed or well secured. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income in the current year is reversed and unpaid interest accrued in prior years is charged against the allowance for loan losses. Interest received on nonaccrual loans, including impaired loans, generally is either applied against principal or reported as interest income, according to management’s judgment as to the collectability of principal. Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time (generally six months) and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. The past due status of all classes of loans receivable is determined based on contractual due dates for loan payments.

 

In addition to originating loans, the Company purchases consumer and mortgage loans from brokers in our market area. Such purchases are reviewed for compliance with our underwriting criteria before they are purchased, and are generally purchased without recourse to the seller. Premiums and discounts on purchased loans are amortized as adjustments to interest income using the effective yield method.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The allowance for credit losses consists of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments. The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the consolidated statement of financial condition date and is recorded as a reduction to loans. Reserves for unfunded lending commitments represent management’s estimate of losses inherent in its unfunded loan commitments and is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated statement of financial condition. The allowance for loan losses (“ALLL”) is increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. Loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for loan losses, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. All, or part, of the principal balance of loans receivable are charged off to the allowance as soon as it is determined that the repayment or collateral recovery of all, or part, of the principal balance is highly unlikely. Non-residential consumer loans are generally charged off no later than when they become 120 days past due on a contractual basis or earlier in the event of the borrower’s bankruptcy or if there is an amount deemed uncollectible. Because all identified losses are immediately charged off, no portion of the allowance for loan losses is restricted to any individual loan or groups of loans, and the entire allowance is available to absorb any and all loan losses.

 

The allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably estimated. Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance. The allowance is based on the Company’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, the composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

 

 60 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

  

The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For loans that are classified as impaired, a charge-off is recognized when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers pools of loans by loan class that are not considered impaired.

 

These pools of loans are evaluated for loss exposure based upon historical loss rates for each of these classes of loans, as adjusted for qualitative factors. These qualitative risk factors include:

 

1. Lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off, and recovery practices.
2. National, regional, and local economic and business conditions as well as the condition of various market segments, including the value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans.
3. The nature and volume of the loan portfolio and terms of loans.
4. The experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff.
5. The volume and severity of past due, classified and nonaccrual loans as well as any other loan modifications.
6. The quality of the Company’s loan review system, and the degree of oversight by the Company’s Board of Directors.
7. The existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations.
8. Value of underlying collateral.

 

The qualitative factors are applied to the historical loss rates for each class of loan. In addition, while not reported as a separate factor, changes in the value of underlying collateral (for regional property values) for collateral dependent loans is considered and addressed within the economic trends factor. A quarterly calculation is made adjusting the reserve allocation for each factor within a risk weighted range as it relates to each particular loan type, collateral type and risk rating within each segment. Data is gathered and evaluated through internal, regulatory, and government sources quarterly for each factor.

 

An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

 

In addition, the allowance calculation methodology includes further segregation of loan classes into risk rating categories. The borrower’s overall financial condition, repayment sources, guarantors and value of collateral, if appropriate, are evaluated annually for commercial loans or when credit deficiencies arise, such as delinquent loan payments, for commercial and consumer loans. Credit quality risk ratings include categories of “pass,” “special mention,” “substandard” and “doubtful.” Assets classified as “Pass” are those protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the value of the underlying collateral. Assets which do not currently expose the insured institution to sufficient risk to warrant classification as substandard or doubtful but possess certain identified weaknesses are required to be designated “special mention.” If uncorrected, the potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects. 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 insured 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.”

 

Residential Lending.  Residential mortgage originations are secured primarily by properties located in the Company’s primary market area and surrounding areas. We currently originate fixed-rate, fully amortizing mortgage loans with maturities of 10 to 30 years. We also offer adjustable rate mortgage (“ARM”) loans where the interest rate either adjusts on an annual basis or is fixed for the initial one, three or seven years and then adjusts annually.

 

 61 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

We underwrite one- to four-family residential mortgage loans with loan-to-value ratios of up to 95%, provided that the borrower obtains private mortgage insurance on loans that exceed 80% of the appraised value or sales price, whichever is less, of the secured property. We also require that title insurance, hazard insurance and, if appropriate, flood insurance be maintained on all properties securing real estate loans. We require that a licensed appraiser from our list of approved appraisers perform and submit to us an appraisal on all properties secured by a first mortgage on one- to four-family first mortgage loans.

 

In underwriting one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, the Company evaluates both the borrower’s ability to make monthly payments and the value of the property securing the loan. Most properties securing real estate loans made by the Company are appraised by independent fee appraisers approved by the Board of Directors. The Company generally requires borrowers to obtain an attorney’s title opinion or title insurance, and fire and property insurance (including flood insurance, if necessary) in an amount not less than the amount of the loan. Real estate loans originated by the Company generally contain a “due on sale” clause allowing the Company to declare the unpaid principal balance due and payable upon the sale of the security property. The Company has not engaged in sub-prime residential mortgage loan originations. Our single-family residential mortgage loans generally are underwritten on terms and documentation conforming to guidelines issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

 

Construction and Development Lending. We originate construction loans for residential and, to a lesser extent, commercial uses within our market area. We generally limit construction loans to builders and developers with whom we have an established relationship, or who are otherwise known to officers of the Bank. Our construction and development loans currently in the portfolio typically have variable rates of interest tied to the prime rate which improves the interest rate sensitivity of our loan portfolio.

 

Construction and development loans generally are considered to involve a higher level of risk than one-to four-family residential lending, due to the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers and the effect of economic conditions on developers, builders and projects. Additional risk is also associated with construction lending because of the inherent difficulty in estimating both a property’s value at completion and the estimated cost (including interest) to complete a project. The nature of these loans is such that they are more difficult to evaluate and monitor. In addition, speculative construction loans to a builder are not pre-sold and thus pose a greater potential risk than construction loans to individuals on their personal residences. In order to mitigate some of the risks inherent in construction lending, we inspect properties under construction, review construction progress prior to advancing funds, work with builders with whom we have established relationships, require annual updating of tax returns and other financial data of developers and obtain personal guarantees from the principals.

 

Commercial Lending.  Commercial and multi-family real estate loans generally present a higher level of risk than loans secured by one- to four-family residences. This greater risk is due to several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers, the effect of general economic conditions on income producing properties and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans. Furthermore, the repayment of loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate is typically dependent upon the successful operation of the related real estate project. If the cash flow from the project is reduced (for example, if leases are not obtained or renewed, or a bankruptcy court modifies a lease term, or a major tenant is unable to fulfill its lease obligations), the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired.

 

Most of the Company’s commercial business loans have been extended to finance local and regional businesses and include short-term loans to finance machinery and equipment purchases, inventory and accounts receivable. The commercial business loans which we originate may be either a revolving line of credit or for a fixed term of generally 10 years or less. Interest rates are adjustable, indexed to a published prime rate of interest, or fixed. Generally, equipment, machinery, real property or other corporate assets secure such loans. Personal guarantees from the business principals are generally obtained as additional collateral.

 

 62 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Consumer Lending. The Company currently originates most of its consumer loans in its primary market area and surrounding areas. The Company originates consumer loans on both a direct and indirect basis. Consumer loans generally have higher interest rates and shorter terms than residential mortgage loans; however, they have additional credit risk due to the type of collateral securing the loan or in some case the absence of collateral. As a result of the declines in the market value of real estate and the deterioration in the overall economy, we are continuing to evaluate and monitor the credit conditions of our consumer loan borrowers and the real estate values of the properties securing our second mortgage loans as part of our on-going efforts to assess the overall credit quality of the portfolio in connection with our review of the allowance for loan losses.

 

Consumer loans may entail greater credit risk than do residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans which are unsecured or are secured by rapidly depreciable assets, such as automobiles or recreational equipment. In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation. In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus are more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances.  Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans.

 

Once all factor adjustments are applied, general reserve allocations for each segment are calculated, summarized and reported on the ALLL summary. ALLL final schedules, calculations and the resulting evaluation process are reviewed quarterly.

 

In addition, Federal bank regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses and 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. Based on management’s comprehensive analysis of the loan portfolio, management believes the current level of the allowance for loan losses is adequate.

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

 

An allowance for loan losses is established for an impaired loan if its carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. The estimated fair values of substantially all of the Company’s impaired loans are measured based on the estimated fair value of the loan’s collateral.

 

For commercial loans secured by real estate, estimated fair values are determined primarily through third-party appraisals. When a real estate secured loan becomes impaired, a decision is made regarding whether an updated appraisal of the real estate is necessary. This decision is based on various considerations, including the age of the most recent appraisal, the loan-to-value ratio based on the original appraisal and the condition of the property. Appraised values are discounted to arrive at the estimated selling price of the collateral, which is considered to be the estimated fair value. The discounts also include estimated costs to sell the property.

 

For commercial and industrial loans secured by non-real estate collateral, such as accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, estimated fair values are determined based on the borrower’s financial statements, inventory reports, accounts receivable aging or equipment appraisals or invoices. Indications of value from these sources are generally discounted based on the age of the financial information or the quality of the assets.

 

 63 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Troubled Debt Restructurings

 

Loans whose terms are modified are classified as troubled debt restructurings if the Company grants such borrowers concessions and it is deemed that those borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. Concessions granted under a troubled debt restructuring may be modified by means of extending the maturity date of the loan, reducing the interest rate on the loan to a rate which is below market, a combination of rate adjustments and maturity extensions, or by other means including covenant modifications, forbearances or other concessions. However, the Company generally only restructures loans by modifying the payment structure to interest only or by reducing the actual interest rate.

 

We do not accrue interest on loans that were non-accrual prior to the troubled debt restructuring until they have performed in accordance with their restructured terms for a period of at least six months. We continue to accrue interest on troubled debt restructurings which were performing in accordance with their terms prior to the restructure and continue to perform in accordance with their restructured terms. Management evaluates the ALLL with respect to TDRs under the same policy and guidelines as all other performing loans are evaluated with respect to the ALLL.

 

Loan Servicing

 

Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of financial assets. For sales of mortgage loans, a portion of the cost of originating the loan is allocated to the servicing right based on relative fair value. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, the custodial earnings rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds and default rates and losses. Capitalized servicing rights are reported in other assets and are amortized into other expense in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.

 

Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into tranches based on predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual tranche, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the tranche. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular tranche, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income.

 

Other Real Estate Owned

 

Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of the previously established carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in other expenses from other real estate owned.

 

Restricted Stock

 

Restricted stock represents required investments in the common stock of a correspondent bank and is carried at cost. As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, restricted stock consists solely of the common stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (“FHLB”).

 

Management’s evaluation and determination of whether these investments are impaired is based on their assessment of the ultimate recoverability of their cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of an investment’s cost is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of the decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount for the FHLB and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the FHLB, and (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, on the customer base of the FHLB.

 

 64 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

During the years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, there were net repurchases of restricted stock of $1.3 million and $465,000, respectively. Also as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 the number of FHLB shares was 47,651 and 35,026, respectively. There were approximately $311,000, $123,000 and $19,000 of dividends on FHLB stock received or recognized in income for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment is carried at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line and accelerated methods over estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 39 years beginning when assets are placed in service. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in income for the period. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to income as incurred.

 

Transfers of Financial Assets

 

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

 

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

 

The Company invests in bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) as a source of funding for employee benefit expenses. BOLI involves the purchasing of life insurance by the Bank on a chosen group of employees. The Bank is the owner and beneficiary of the policies. This life insurance investment is carried at the cash surrender value of the underlying policies. Earnings from the increase in cash surrender value of the policies are included in other income on the statement of operations.

 

Employee Benefit Plans

 

The Bank’s 401(k) plan allows eligible participants to set aside a certain percentage of their salaries before taxes. The Company may elect to match employee contributions up to a specified percentage of their respective salaries in an amount determined annually by the Board of Directors. The Company’s matching contribution related to the plan resulted in expenses of $64,000, $118,000, and $110,000, for fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. There were no bonus matching contributions for fiscal years 2015, 2014 or 2013.

 

The Company also maintains an unfunded Supplemental Executive and a Director Retirement Plan (the “Plans”). The accrued amount for the Plans included in other liabilities was $1.2 million and $1.3 million at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Distributions made to directors for the fiscal year 2015 and 2014 were approximately $13,000 and $13,000, respectively. The (benefit)/expense associated with the Plans for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014, and 2013 was ($24,000), $78,000, and $168,000, respectively. At fiscal 2015, the benefit associated with the plan was due to the Plan being Frozen at September 30, 2014 and the Company to credit fiscal 2015 accruals for the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

 

Derivatives and Hedging

 

The Company records cash flow hedges at the inception of the derivative contract based on the Company’s intentions and belief as to likely effectiveness as a hedge. The Company documents the strategy for entering into the transactions and the method of assessing ongoing effectiveness. Cash flow hedges represent a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability. For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not highly effective in hedging the changes in fair value or expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in current earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported currently in earnings, as noninterest income.

 

 65 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged. Net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in noninterest income. Cash flows on hedges are classified in the cash flow statement the same as the cash flows of the items being hedged. To determine fair value, the Company uses third party pricing models that incorporate assumptions about market conditions and risks that are current at the reporting date. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

 

The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative instruments that are used are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged items. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminates, a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, a hedged firm commitment is no longer firm, or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended.

 

When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as noninterest income. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.

 

Advertising Costs

 

The Company follows the policy of charging the costs of advertising to expense as incurred.

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. These calculations are based on many complex factors including estimates of the timing of reversals of temporary differences, the interpretation of federal income tax laws and a determination of the differences between the tax and the financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ significantly from the estimates and interpretations used in determining the current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities.

 

A valuation allowance is required to be recognized if it is “more likely than not” that a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company’s policy is to evaluate the deferred tax asset on a quarterly basis and record a valuation allowance for our deferred tax asset if we do not have sufficient positive evidence indicating that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will be realized. The Company’s policy is to account for interest and penalties as components of income tax expense.

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the statement of financial condition when they are funded.

 

Segment Information

 

The Company has one reportable segment, “Community Banking.” All of the Company’s activities are interrelated, and each activity is dependent and assessed based on how each of the activities of the Company supports the others. For example, lending is dependent upon the ability of the Company to fund itself with deposits and other borrowings and manage interest rate and credit risk. Accordingly, all significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of the Company as one segment or unit.

 

 66 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Comprehensive Income

 

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale investment securities, are reported as a separate component of the shareholders’ equity section of the statement of financial condition, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.

 

For securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity, the Company records the amortization and/or accretion of unrealized holding losses on such investment securities, in accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

The Company also records changes in the fair value of interest rate derivatives used in its cash flow hedging activities, net of deferred income tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to the previous years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the Company’s results of operations.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In August 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-15, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements: Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting”, which amends ASC 835-30. ASU 2015-03, issued in April 2015, requires entities to present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. The guidance in ASU 2015-03 does not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. Given the absence of authoritative guidance within ASU 2015-03 for debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, ASU 2015-15 states the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing that deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. This update became effective upon announcement on June 18, 2015. The Company does not expect the new guidance to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

 

In June 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-10, “Technical Correction and Improvements.” The amendments in this Update represent changes to clarify the Codification, correct unintended application of guidance, or make minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. Additionally, some of the amendments will make the Codification easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies, providing needed clarifications, and improving the presentation of guidance in the Codification. Transition guidance varies based on the amendments in this Update. The amendments in this Update that require transition guidance are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. All other amendments will be effective upon the issuance of this Update. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-04, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer’s Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets.” The FASB is issuing the amendments in this Update as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards (the Simplification Initiative). The objective of the Simplification Initiative is to identify, evaluate, and improve areas of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for which cost and complexity can be reduced while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. ASU No. 2015-04 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company has evaluated the provisions of ASU No. 2015-05 and has determined that the new standard will have no material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 67 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” This ASU requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. The amendments in ASU 2015-03 are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. This amendment should be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. Upon transition, an entity is required to comply with the applicable disclosures for a change in an accounting principle. These disclosures include the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle, the transition method, a description of the prior-period information that has been retrospectively adjusted, and the effect of the change on the financial statement line items (i.e., debt issuance cost asset and the debt liability). The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU No. 2015-03 to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Effective April 2015, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-11, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860) - Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures (ASU 2014-11)”. The amendments in ASU 2014-11 change the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase financing arrangements. Additionally, ASU 2014-11 requires certain disclosures for repurchase agreements that are accounted for as secured borrowings.   Management has evaluated and determined the adoption of ASU 2014-11 had no impact on the Company’s financial statements or disclosures.

 

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, “Income Statement — Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20)”. This Update eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. Subtopic 225-20, Income Statement—Extraordinary and Unusual Items, required that an entity separately classify, present, and disclose extraordinary events and transactions. Presently, an event or transaction is presumed to be an ordinary and usual activity of the reporting entity unless evidence clearly supports its classification as an extraordinary item. Paragraph 225-20-45-2 contains the following criteria that must both be met for extraordinary classification, (1) unusual nature - the underlying event or transaction should possess a high degree of abnormality and be of a type clearly unrelated to, or only incidentally related to, the ordinary and typical activities of the entity, taking into account the environment in which the entity operates; and (2) infrequency of occurrence - the underlying event or transaction should be of a type that would not reasonably be expected to recur in the foreseeable future, taking into account the environment in which the entity operates. The amendments in ASU 2015-01 are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

 68 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 3 – Earnings (Loss) Per Share

 

Basic earnings per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding reduced by unearned ESOP shares. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding and common stock equivalents (“CSEs”) that would arise from the exercise of dilutive securities reduced by unearned ESOP shares. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company had not issued and did not have any outstanding CSEs and, at the present time, the Company’s capital structure has no potential dilutive securities.

 

The following table sets forth the composition of the weighted average shares (denominator) used in the earnings per share computations.

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
(In thousands, except for share data)  2015   2014   2013 
             
Net Income  (Loss)  $3,698   $323   $(18,803)
                
Weighted average shares outstanding   6,558,473    6,558,473    6,558,473 
Average unearned ESOP shares   (165,143)   (179,543)   (193,483)
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic   6,393,330    6,378,930    6,351,248 
                
Earnings (Loss) per share – basic  $0.58   $0.05   $(2.96)

 

Note 4 – Employee Stock Ownership Plan

 

The Company established an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) for substantially all of its full-time employees. As of September 30, 2015, the current ESOP trustee is Pentegra. Shares of the Company’s common stock purchased by the ESOP are held until released for allocation to participants. Shares released are allocated to each eligible participant based on the ratio of each such participant’s base compensation to the total base compensation of all eligible plan participants. As the unearned shares are committed to be released and allocated among participants, the Company recognizes compensation expense equal to the fair value of the ESOP shares during the periods in which they become committed to be released. To the extent that the fair value of the ESOP shares released differs from the cost of such shares, the difference is charged or credited to additional paid-in capital. During the period from May 20, 2008 to September 30, 2008, the ESOP purchased 241,178 shares of the common stock for approximately $2.6 million, an average price of $10.86 per share, which was funded by a loan from Malvern Federal Bancorp, Inc. (the Company’s predecessor). The ESOP loan is being repaid principally from the Bank’s contributions to the ESOP. The loan, which bears an interest rate of 5%, is being repaid in quarterly installments through 2026. Shares are released to participants proportionately as the loan is repaid. During years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, there were 14,400, 14,400 and 14,371 shares, respectively, committed to be released. At September 30, 2015, there were 157,965 unallocated shares and 101,253 allocated shares held by the ESOP. The unallocated shares had an aggregate fair value of approximately $2.5 million at September 30, 2015.

 

Note 5 - Investment Securities

 

The Company’s investment securities are classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity at September 30, 2015 and available-for-sale at September 30, 2014. Investment securities available-for-sale are reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses included in equity, net of tax. Accordingly, the carrying value of such securities reflects their fair value at the balance sheet date. Fair value is based upon either quoted market prices, or in certain cases where there is limited activity in the market for a particular instrument, assumptions are made to determine their fair value.

 

Transfers of debt securities from the available-for-sale category to the held-to-maturity category are made at fair value at the date of transfer. The unrealized holding gain or loss at the date of transfer remains in accumulated other comprehensive income and in the carrying value of the held-to-maturity investment security. Premiums or discounts on investment securities are amortized or accreted using the effective interest method over the life of the security as an adjustment of yield. Unrealized holding gains or losses that remain in accumulated other comprehensive income are amortized or accreted over the remaining life of the security as an adjustment of yield, offsetting the related amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount.

 

 69 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 5 - Investment Securities (Continued)

  

The following tables present information related to the Company’s investment securities at September 30, 2015 and 2014. At September 30, 2014 there were no held-to-maturity investment securities.

 

   September 30, 2015 
   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
 
   (In thousands) 
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:                    
U.S. government agencies  $816   $   $(1)  $815 
State and municipal obligations   42,007    192    (116)   42,083 
Single issuer trust preferred security   1,000        (150)   850 
Corporate debt securities   70,874    34    (926)   69,982 
    114,697    226    (1,193)   113,730 
Mortgage-backed securities:                    
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), fixed-rate   8,797        (105)   8,692 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Company (FHLMC), fixed-rate   5,986        (54)   5,932 
    14,783        (159)   14,624 
Total  $129,480   $226   $(1,352)  $128,354 
Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity:                    
U.S. government agencies  $14,301   $8   $(13)  $14,296 
State and municipal obligations   10,075    23    (75)   10,023 
Corporate debt securities   4,011        (55)   3,956 
Mortgage-backed securities:                    
Collateralized mortgage obligations, fixed-rate   28,834    55    (339)   28,550 
Total  $57,221   $86   $(482)  $56,825 
                     
Total investment securities  $186,701   $312   $(1,834)  $185,179 

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
 
   (In thousands) 
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:                    
U.S. government agencies  $19,719   $1   $(464)  $19,256 
State and municipal obligations   2,543        (43)   2,500 
Single issuer trust preferred security   1,000        (120)   880 
Corporate debt securities   1,504    21        1,525 
    24,766    22    (627)   24,161 
Mortgage-backed securities:                    
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA):                    
Adjustable-rate   403    15        418 
Fixed-rate   17,390    9    (591)   16,808 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Company (FHLMC):                    
Adjustable-rate   3,562    33        3,595 
Fixed-rate   12,336        (340)   11,996 
Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO), fixed-rate   45,222    46    (1,303)   43,965 
    78,913    103    (2,234)   76,782 
Total  $103,679   $125   $(2,861)  $100,943 

 

 70 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 5 - Investment Securities (Continued)

 

During the year ended September 30, 2015, the Company transferred at fair value approximately $57.5 million in available-for-sale investment securities to the held-to-maturity category. The net unrealized loss at date of transfer amounted to $115,000. This will be amortized over the remaining life of the securities as an adjustment of yield, offsetting the related amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount on the transferred securities. No gains or losses were recognized at the time of transfer. Management considers the held-to-maturity classification of these investment securities to be appropriate as the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity.

 

For fiscal 2015, proceeds of available-for-sale investment securities sold amounted to approximately $70.4 million. Gross realized gains on investment securities sold amounted to approximately $610,000, while gross realized losses amounted to approximately $95,000 for the period. For fiscal 2014, proceeds of investment securities sold amounted to approximately $16.8 million. Gross realized gains on investment securities sold amounted to approximately $118,000, while gross realized losses amounted to approximately $35,000 for the period. For fiscal 2013, proceeds of investment securities sold amounted to approximately $18.2 million. Gross realized gains on investment securities sold amounted to approximately $549,000, while gross realized losses amounted to approximately $70,000 for the period.

 

The varying amount of sales from the available-for-sale portfolio over the past few years, reflect the significant volatility present in the market. Given the historic low interest rates prevalent in the market, it is necessary for the Company to protect itself from interest rate exposure. Securities that once appeared to be sound investments can, after changes in the market, become securities that the Company has the flexibility to sell to avoid losses and mismatches of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at a later time.

 

The following tables indicate gross unrealized losses not recognized in income and fair value, aggregated by investment category and the length of time individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

   September 30, 2015 
   Less than 12 Months   More than 12
Months
   Total 
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
value
   Unrealized
Losses
 
   (In thousands) 
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:                              
U.S. government agencies  $   $   $815   $(1)  $815   $(1)
State and municipal obligations   18,223    (116)           18,223    (116)
Single issuer trust preferred security           850    (150)   850    (150)
Corporate debt securities   58,064    (926)           58,064    (926)
Mortgage-backed securities:                              
FNMA, fixed-rate   5,459    (53)   3,233    (52)   8,692    (105)
FHLMC, fixed-rate   3,280    (25)   2,652    (29)   5,932    (54)
Total  $85,026   $(1,120)  $7,550   $(232)  $92,576   $(1,352)
Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity:                              
U.S. government agencies   4,792    (13)           4,792    (13)
State and municipal obligations   6,917    (75)           6,917    (75)
Corporate debt securities   3,957    (55)           3,957    (55)
Mortgage-backed securities:                              
CMO, fixed-rate   22,734    (339)           22,734    (339)
Total   38,400    (482)           38,400    (482)
Total investment securities  $123,426   $(1,602)  $7,550   $(232)  $130,976   $(1,834)

 

 71 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 5 - Investment Securities (Continued)

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Less than 12 Months     More than 12
Months
   Total 
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
value
   Unrealized
Losses
 
   (In thousands) 
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:                              
U.S. government agencies  $   $   $18,267   $(464)  $18,267   $(464)
State and municipal obligations           2,501    (43)   2,501    (43)
Single issuer trust preferred security           880    (120)   880    (120)
Mortgage-backed securities:                              
FNMA, fixed-rate           16,715    (591)   16,715    (591)
FHLMC, fixed-rate           11,996    (340)   11,996    (340)
 CMO, fixed-rate   3,945    (54)   36,185    (1,249)   40,130    (1,303)
Total investment securities  $3,945   $(54)  $86,544   $(2,807)  $90,489   $(2,861)

 

As of September 30, 2015, the estimated fair value of the securities disclosed above was primarily dependent upon the movement in market interest rates, particularly given the negligible inherent credit risk associated with these securities. These investment securities are comprised of securities that are rated investment grade by at least one bond credit rating service. Although the fair value will fluctuate as the market interest rates move, management believes that these fair values will recover as the underlying portfolios mature and are reinvested in market rate yielding investments. As of September 30, 2015, the Company held six U.S. government agency securities, 20 municipal bonds, 29 corporate securities, 37 mortgage-backed securities and one single issuer trust preferred security which were in an unrealized loss position. As of September 30, 2014, the Company held 21 U.S. government agency securities, six tax-free municipal bonds, 66 mortgage-backed securities and one single issuer trust preferred security which were in an unrealized loss position. The Company does not intend to sell and expects that it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell these securities until such time as the value recovers or the securities mature. Management does not believe any individual unrealized loss as of September 30, 2015 represents other-than-temporary impairment.

 

At September 30, 2015 and 2014 the Company had no securities pledged to secure public deposits.

 

The following table presents information for investment securities at September 30, 2015, based on scheduled maturities. Actual maturities can be expected to differ from scheduled maturities due to prepayment or early call options of the issuer.

 

   September 30, 2015 
   Amortized Cost   Fair Value 
   (In thousands) 
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:          
Due in one year or less  $   $ 
Due after one year through five years   13,038    13,019 
Due after five years through ten years   77,917    77,096 
Due after ten years   38,525    38,239 
Total  $129,480   $128,354 
Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity:          
Due after one year through five years  $14,301   $14,296 
Due after five years through ten years        
Due after ten years   42,920    42,529 
Total  $57,221   $56,825 
           
Total investment securities  $186,701   $185,179 

 

 72 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses

 

Loans receivable in the Company’s portfolio consisted of the following at the dates indicated:

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014 
   (In thousands) 
Residential mortgage  $214,958   $231,324 
Construction and Development:          
Residential and commercial   5,677    5,964 
Land   2,142    1,033 
Total Construction and Development   7,819    6,997 
Commercial:          
Commercial real estate   87,686    71,579 
Multi-family   7,444    1,032 
Other   13,380    5,480 
Total Commercial   108,510    78,091 
Consumer:          
Home equity lines of credit   22,919    22,292 
Second  mortgages   37,633    47,034 
Other   2,359    2,839 
Total Consumer   62,911    72,165 
Total loans   394,198    388,577 
Deferred loan fees and cost, net   1,776    2,086 
Allowance for loan losses   (4,667)   (4,589)
Total loans receivable, net  $391,307   $386,074 

 

 73 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the primary classes of the allowance for loan losses, segregated into the amount required for loans individually evaluated for impairment and the amount required for loans collectively evaluated for impairment as of and for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

 

   Year Ended September 30, 2015 
       Construction and
Development
   Commercial   Consumer         
   Residential
Mortgage
   Residential
and
Commercial
   Land   Commercial
Real 
Estate
   Multi-
family
   Other   Home
Equity
Lines of
Credit
   Second 
Mortgages
   Other   Unallocated   Total 
   (In thousands) 
Allowance for loan losses:                                                       
Beginning balance  $1,672   $291   $13   $1,248   $29   $50   $168   $1,033   $23   $62   $4,589 
Charge-offs   -    (1)   -    (48)   -    -    -    (138)   (34)   -    (221)
Recoveries   17    98    -    9    -    3    2    69    11    -    209 
Provision   (203)   (358)   22    26    75    55    (31)   (203)   24    683    90 
Ending Balance  $1,486   $30   $35   $1,235   $104   $108   $139   $761   $24   $745   $4,667 
Ending balance:
individually evaluated for impairment
  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $- 
Ending balance:
collectively evaluated for impairment
  $1,486   $30   $35   $1,235   $104   $108   $139   $761   $24   $745   $4,667 
                                                        
Loans receivable:                                                       
Ending balance  $214,958   $5,677   $2,142   $87,686   $7,444   $13,380   $22,919   $37,633   $2,359        $394,198 
Ending balance:
individually evaluated for impairment
  $599   $121   $-   $1,571   $-   $-   $20   $179   $-        $2,490 
Ending balance:
collectively evaluated for impairment
  $214,359   $5,556   $2,142   $86,115   $7,444   $13,380   $22,899   $37,454   $2,359        $391,708 

 

 74 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

   Year Ended September 30, 2014 
       Construction and
Development
   Commercial   Consumer         
   Residential
Mortgage
   Residential
and
Commercial
   Land   Commercial
Real 
Estate
   Multi-
family
   Other   Home
Equity
Lines of
Credit
   Second 
Mortgages
   Other   Unallocated   Total 
   (In thousands) 
Allowance for loan losses:                                                       
Beginning balance  $1,414   $164   $56   $1,726   $40   $59   $137   $1,393   $22   $79   $5,090 
Charge-offs   (83)   (37)   -    (183)   -    -    (14)   (618)   (6)   -    (941)
Recoveries   23    1    -    9    -    3    1    136    4    -    177 
Provision   318    163    (43)   (304)   (11)   (12)   44    122    3    (17)   263 
Ending Balance  $1,672   $291   $13   $1,248   $29   $50   $168   $1,033   $23   $62   $4,589 
Ending balance:
individually evaluated for impairment
  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $- 
Ending balance:
collectively evaluated for impairment
  $1,672   $291   $13   $1,248   $29   $50   $168   $1,033   $23   $62   $4,589 
                                                        
Loans receivable:                                                       
Ending balance  $231,324   $5,964   $1,033   $71,579   $1,032   $5,480   $22,292   $47,034   $2,839       $388,577 
Ending balance:
individually evaluated for impairment
  $999   $187   $-   $504   $-   $900   $115   $695   $-        $3,400 
Ending balance:
collectively evaluated for impairment
  $230,325   $5,777   $1,033   $71,075   $1,032   $4,580   $22,177   $46,339   $2,839        $385,177 

 

 75 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

   Year Ended September 30, 2013 
       Construction and
Development
   Commercial   Consumer         
   Residential
Mortgage
   Residential
and
Commercial
   Land   Commercial
Real 
Estate
   Multi-
family
   Other   Home
Equity
Lines of
Credit
   Second 
Mortgages
   Other   Unallocated   Total 
   (In thousands) 
Allowance for loan losses:                                                       
Beginning balance  $1,487   $724   $11   $3,493   $10   $226   $160   $1,389   $16   $65   $7,581 
Charge-offs   (994)   (5,768)   (99)   (6,315)   -    (94)   -    (1,042)   (9)   -    (14,321)
Recoveries   199    -    -    117    -    23    17    235    4    -    595 
Provision   722    5,208    144    4,431    30    (96)   (40)   811    11    14    11,235 
Ending Balance  $1,414   $164   $56   $1,726   $40   $59   $137   $1,393   $22   $79   $5,090 
Ending balance:
individually evaluated for impairment
  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $- 
Ending balance:
collectively evaluated for impairment
  $1,414   $164   $56   $1,726   $40   $59   $137   $1,393   $22   $79   $5,090 
                                                        
Loans receivable:                                                       
Ending balance  $239,900   $6,672   $2,439   $70,571   $1,971   $5,573   $20,431   $54,532   $2,648        $404,737 
Ending balance:
individually evaluated for impairment
  $1,295   $209   $237   $-   $-   $900   $34   $572   $-        $3,247 
Ending balance:
collectively evaluated for impairment
  $238,605   $6,463   $2,202   $70,571   $1,971   $4,673   $20,397   $53,960   $2,648        $401,490 

 

 76 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

The following table presents impaired loans in portfolio by class, segregated by those for which a specific allowance was required and those for which a specific allowance was not necessary as of September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

   Impaired Loans With
Specific Allowance
   Impaired
Loans
With No
Specific
Allowance
   Total Impaired Loans 
   Recorded
Investment
   Related
Allowance
   Recorded
Investment
   Recorded
Investment
   Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
   (In thousands) 
September 30, 2015:                         
Residential mortgage  $   $   $599   $599   $696 
Construction and Development:                         
Residential and commercial           121    121    253 
Commercial:                         
Commercial real estate           1,571    1,571    1,807 
Consumer:                         
Home equity lines of credit           20    20    36 
Second  mortgages           179    179    342 
Total impaired loans  $   $   $2,490   $2,490   $3,134 
September 30, 2014:                         
Residential mortgage  $   $   $999   $999   $1,149 
Construction and Development:                         
Residential and commercial           187    187    842 
Commercial:                       
Commercial real estate           504    504    688 
Other           900    900    900 
Consumer:                         
Home equity lines of credit           115    115    135 
Second  mortgages           695    695    894 
Total impaired loans  $   $   $3,400   $3,400   $4,608 

 

 77 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

The following table presents the average recorded investment in impaired loans in portfolio and related interest income recognized year ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

 

   Average
Impaired 
Loans
   Interest Income
Recognized on
Impaired Loans
 
   (In thousands) 
Year Ended September 30, 2015:          
Residential mortgages  $729   $ 
Construction and Development:          
Residential and commercial   144    5 
Commercial:          
Commercial real estate   690    4 
Other   340    12 
Consumer:          
Home equity lines of credit   23     
Second mortgages   537     
Total  $2,463   $21 
           
Year Ended September 30, 2014:          
Residential mortgages  $1,731   $ 
Construction and Development:          
Residential and commercial   609    17 
Land   240    14 
Commercial:          
Commercial real estate   21     
Other   900    32 
Consumer:          
Home equity lines of credit   104     
Second mortgages   622     
Total  $4,227   $63 
           
Year Ended September 30, 2013:          
Residential mortgages  $3,375   $45 
Construction and Development:          
Residential and commercial   5,940    65 
Land   10    2 
Commercial:          
Commercial real estate   4,763    255 
Other   246    14 
Consumer:          
Home equity lines of credit   22    1 
Second  mortgages   574    4 
Total  $14,930   $386 

 

No additional funds are committed to be advanced in connection with impaired loans.

 

 78 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by loans considered to be rated as pass and the categories of special mention, substandard and doubtful within the Company’s internal risk rating system as of September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

   September 30, 2015 
   Pass   Special
Mention
   Substandard   Doubtful   Total 
   (In thousands) 
Residential mortgage  $214,146   $130   $682   $   $214,958 
Construction and Development:                         
Residential and commercial   5,450    106    121        5,677 
Land   2,142                2,142 
Commercial:                         
Commercial real estate   78,207    4,791    4,688        87,686 
Multi-family   7,166    278            7,444 
Other   12,387    272    721        13,380 
Consumer:                         
Home equity lines of credit   22,801        118        22,919 
Second  mortgages   36,834    133    666        37,633 
Other   2,345    14            2,359 
Total  $381,478   $5,724   $6,996   $   $394,198 

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Pass   Special
Mention
   Substandard   Doubtful   Total 
   (In thousands) 
Residential mortgage  $230,065   $137   $1,122   $   $231,324 
Construction and Development:                         
Residential and commercial   5,777        187        5,964 
Land   1,033                1,033 
Commercial:                         
Commercial real estate   63,125    5,797    2,657        71,579 
Multi-family   1,032                1,032 
Other   3,555    1,025    900        5,480 
Consumer:                         
Home equity lines of credit   22,177        115        22,292 
Second  mortgages   46,292    21    721        47,034 
Other   2,823    16            2,839 
Total  $375,879   $6,996   $5,702   $   $388,577 

 

 79 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

The following table presents loans on which we are no longer accruing interest by portfolio class at the dates indicated.

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014 
   (In thousands) 
Residential mortgage  $599   $1,232 
Construction and Development:          
Residential and commercial   12    78 
Commercial:          
Commercial real estate   589    504 
Consumer:          
Home equity lines of credit   20    115 
Second  mortgages   179    462 
Total non-accrual loans  $1,399   $2,391 

 

Under the Bank’s loan policy, once a loan has been placed on non-accrual status, we do not resume interest accruals until the loan has been brought current and has maintained a current payment status for not less than six consecutive months. Interest income that would have been recognized on nonaccrual loans had they been current in accordance with their original terms was $84,000, $121,000 and $131,000 for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There were no loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest at September 30, 2015 or 2014.

 

 80 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

Management further monitors the performance and credit quality of the loan portfolio by analyzing the age of the portfolio as determined by whether a loan payment is “current,” that is, it is received from a borrower by the scheduled due date, or the length of time a scheduled payment is past due. The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aging categories as of September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

   Current   30 – 59
Days Past
Due
   60 – 89
Days Past
Due
   90 Days or
More Past
Due
   Total
Past Due
   Total Loans
Receivable
 
   (In thousands) 
September 30, 2015:                              
Residential mortgage  $213,253   $913   $193   $599   $1,705   $214,958 
Construction and Development:                              
Residential and commercial   5,665            12    12    5,677 
Land   2,142                    2,142 
Commercial:                              
Commercial real estate   86,119    485    493    589    1,567    87,686 
Multi-family   7,444                    7,444 
Other   13,380                    13,380 
Consumer:                              
Home equity lines of credit   22,899            20    20    22,919 
Second  mortgages   37,010    345    99    179    623    37,633 
Other   2,329    30            30    2,359 
Total  $390,241   $1,773   $785   $1,399   $3,957   $394,198 
                               
September 30, 2014:                              
Residential mortgage  $229,257   $835   $   $1,232   $2,067   $231,324 
Construction and Development:                              
Residential and Commercial   5,886            78    78    5,964 
Land   1,033                    1,033 
Commercial:                              
Commercial real estate   71,075            504    504    71,579 
Multi-family   1,032                    1,032 
Other   5,480                    5,480 
Consumer:                              
Home equity lines of credit   22,177            115    115    22,292 
Second  mortgages   45,847    200    525    462    1,187    47,034 
Other   2,822    17            17    2,839 
Total  $384,609   $1,052   $525   $2,391   $3,968   $388,577 

 

 81 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

Restructured loans deemed to be TDRs are typically the result of extension of the loan maturity date or a reduction of the interest rate of the loan to a rate that is below market, a combination of rate and maturity extension, or by other means including covenant modifications, forbearance and other concessions. However, the Company generally only restructures loans by modifying the payment structure to require payments of interest only for a specified period or by reducing the actual interest rate. Once a loan becomes a TDR, it will continue to be reported as a TDR during the term of the restructure.

 

The Company had five loans classified as TDRs with an aggregate outstanding balance of $1.6 million and $1.1 million at September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. At September 30, 2015, these loans were also classified as impaired. Of the TDR loans, one construction and development loan and two commercial real estate loans continue to perform under the restructured terms through September 30, 2015 and we continued to accrue interest on such loan through such date. Two commercial loans to one borrower, with an aggregate balance of $492,000 were restructured during the year ended September 30, 2015 and deemed non-performing. The borrower is currently making payments as agreed under the terms of the restructuring of principal and interest payments. At September 30, 2014, three loans deemed TDRs with an aggregate balance of $1.1 million were classified as impaired; however, they were performing prior to the restructure and continued to perform under their restructured terms as of September 30, 2014, and, accordingly, were deemed to be performing loans at September 30, 2014 and we continued to accrue interest on such loans through such date. At September 30, 2014, one construction and development TDR loan with a balance of $78,000 was deemed a non-accruing TDR and was also deemed impaired at September 30, 2014. All of such loans have been classified as TDRs since we modified the payment terms and in some cases interest rate from the original agreements and allowed the borrowers, who were experiencing financial difficulty, to make interest only payments for a period of time in order to relieve some of their overall cash flow burden. Some loan modifications classified as TDRs may not ultimately result in the full collection of principal and interest, as modified, and result in potential incremental losses. These potential incremental losses have been factored into our overall estimate of the allowance for loan losses. The level of any defaults will likely be affected by future economic conditions. A default on a troubled debt restructured loan for purposes of this disclosure occurs when the borrower is 90 days past due or a foreclosure or repossession of the applicable collateral has occurred.

 

TDRs may arise in which, due to financial difficulties experienced by the borrower, the Company obtains through physical possession one or more collateral assets in satisfaction of all or part of an existing credit. Once possession is obtained, the Company reclassifies the appropriate portion of the remaining balance of the credit from loans to OREO, which is included within other assets in the Consolidated Statements of Condition. For any residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, the Company is considered to possess the related collateral only if legal title is obtained upon completion of foreclosure, or the borrower conveys all interest in the residential real estate property to the Company through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. Excluding OREO, at September 30, 2015, the Company had $1.2 million of residential real estate properties in the process of foreclosure.

 

   Total Troubled Debt
Restructurings
   Troubled Debt Restructured
Loans That Have Defaulted on
Modified Terms Within The Past
12 Months
 
   Number of
Loans
   Recorded
Investment
   Number of
Loans
   Recorded
Investment
 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
At September 30, 2015:                    
Construction and Development:                    
Residential and commercial   1   $109       $ 
Commercial:                    
Commercial real estate   4    1,474    2    982 
Total   5   $1,583    2   $982 
At September 30, 2014:                    
Construction and Development:                    
Residential and commercial   2   $187    1   $78 
Commercial:                    
Other   1    900         
Total    3   $1,087    1   $78 

 

 82 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

The following table reports the performing status of all TDR loans. The performing status is determined by the loans compliance with the modified terms.

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014 
   Performing   Non-
Performing
   Performing   Non-
Performing
 
   (In thousands) 
Construction and Development:                    
Residential and commercial  $109   $   $109   $78 
Commercial:                    
Commercial real estate   982    492         
Other           900     
Total  $1,091   $492   $1,009   $78 

 

The following table shows the new TDR’s for the twelve months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014 
   Restructured During Period 
   Number
of
Loans
   Pre-
Modifications
Outstanding
Recorded
Investments
   Post-
Modifications
Outstanding
Recorded
Investments
   Number
of
Loans
   Pre-
Modifications
Outstanding
Recorded
Investments
   Post-
Modifications
Outstanding
Recorded
Investments
 
   (In thousands) 
Troubled Debt Restructurings:                              
Construction and Development:                              
Residential and commercial      $   $    1   $437   $437 
Commercial:                              
Commercial real estate   4    1,485    1,485             
Total   4   $1,485   $1,485    1   $437   $437 

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate dollar amount of loans to principal officers, directors and their affiliates in the normal course of business of the Company.

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
(In thousands)  2015   2014 
         
Balance at beginning of year  $252   $523 
New loans   8,474     
Repayments   (3,091)   (271)
Balance at end of year  $5,635   $252 

 

 83 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

At September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company was servicing loans for the benefit of others in the amounts of $54.1 million, $59.9 million and $44.4 million, respectively. A summary of mortgage servicing rights included in other assets and the activity therein follows for the periods indicated:

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
   (In thousands) 
Balance at beginning of year  $453   $271   $107 
Amortization   (82)   22    6 
Addition   30    160    158 
Balance at end of year  $401   $453   $271 

 

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of servicing rights was determined using a base discount rate between 11% and 12%. The fair market value is evaluated by a third party vendor on a quarterly basis for impairment purposes only. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, we sold $4.1 million of long-term, fixed-rate residential mortgage loans with the servicing retained. This transaction resulted in a gain of $102,000. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, we sold $7.7 million of long-term, fixed-rate residential mortgage loans with the servicing retained. This transaction resulted in a gain of $71,000. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, we sold $17.7 million of long-term, fixed-rate residential mortgage loans with the servicing retained. This transaction resulted in a gain of $366,000.

 

No valuation allowance on servicing rights has been recorded at September 30, 2015, 2014, or 2013.

 

Note 7 - Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following at September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

      September 30, 
   Estimated Useful Life (years)  2015   2014 
      (In thousands) 
Land  -  $711   $711 
Building and improvements  10-39   11,124    11,013 
Construction in process  -   154    - 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment  3-7   4,317    4,223 
       16,306    15,947 
Accumulated depreciation      (9,771)   (9,124)
      $6,535   $6,823 

 

Depreciation expense was approximately $646,000, $638,000 and $695,000 for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We also had a $41,000 loss on disposal of fixed assets related to the closure of our Westtown branch in June 2014.

 

 84 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 8 - Deposits

 

Deposits classified by interest rates with percentages to total deposits at September 30, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following:

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014 
   Amount   Percent of
Total
Deposits
   Amount   Percent of
Total
Deposits
 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Balances by types of deposit:                    
Tiered savings  $2,249    0.48%  $2,198    0.53%
Regular savings   42,940    9.23    42,719    10.34 
Money market accounts   108,706    23.35    59,529    14.42 
Checking and NOW accounts   82,897    17.81    81,921    19.84 
Non-Interest bearing demand   27,010    5.80    23,059    5.58 
    263,802    56.67    209,426    50.71 
Certificates of deposit   201,720    43.33    203,527    49.29 
Total  $465,522    100.00%  $412,953    100.00%

 

The total amount of certificates of deposit greater than $100,000 at September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $112.1million and $101.7 million, respectively. Currently, amounts above $250,000 are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).

 

Interest expense on deposits consisted of the following for the years:

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
   (In thousands) 
Savings accounts  $29   $27   $24 
Checking and NOW accounts   83    85    119 
Money market accounts   271    164    228 
Certificates of deposit   3,048    3,693    4,908 
Total deposits  $3,431   $3,969   $5,279 

 

The following is a schedule of certificates of deposit maturities.

 

   September 30, 2015 
   (In thousands) 
Maturing in the Fiscal Year Ending September 30,     
2016  $100,331 
2017   52,168 
2018   30,115 
2019   12,198 
2020   3,051 
2021 and thereafter   3,857 
   $201,720 

 

Deposits from related parties held by the Company at September 30, 2015 and 2014 amounted to $5.5 million and $663,000, respectively.

 

 85 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 9 - Borrowings

 

Under terms of its collateral agreement with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (“FHLB”), the Company maintains otherwise unencumbered qualifying assets in an amount at least equal to its borrowings.

 

Under an agreement with the FHLB, the Company has a line of credit available in the amount of $108.5 million and $103.8 million, respectively, of which none was outstanding at September 30, 2015 or 2014. The interest rate on the line of credit at September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 0.34% and 0.28%, respectively.

 

The summary of long-term borrowings as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014 
       Weighted
Average
       Weighted
Average
 
   Amount   Rate   Amount   Rate 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Due by September 30:                    
2015  $-    -%   $10,000    0.83%
2016   20,000    0.61    5,000    1.34 
2017   -    -    -    - 
2018   30,000    3.38    28,000    3.31 
2019   25,000    2.12    5,000    1.77 
2020   28,000    2.51    -   - 
Total FHLB Advances  $103,000    2.48%  $48,000    2.59%

 

At September 30, 2015, the Company had $103.0 million in outstanding long-term fixed rate FHLB advances and $127.4 million in potential FHLB advances available to us, which is based on the amount of FHLB stock held or levels of other assets, including U.S. government securities, and certain mortgage loans which are available for collateral.

 

Note 10 - Derivatives

 

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the payment of future uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates.

 

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. 

 

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During 2015, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with FHLB advances. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. The Company’s derivatives did not have any hedge ineffectiveness recognized in earnings during fiscal 2015.

 

 86 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 10 - Derivatives (Continued)

 

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. During the next twelve months, the Company does not estimate any amounts to be reclassified to earnings. The Company is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions over a maximum period of twenty months (excluding forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments).

 

The effects of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Financial Statements for September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

   September 30, 2015
   Notional
Amount
   Fair
Value
   Balance Sheet
Location
  Expiration Date
   (Dollars in thousand)
Derivatives designated as hedging  instruments                
Interest rate swaps by effective date:                
August 3, 2015  $15,000   $348   Other liabilities  August 3, 2020

 

Interest expense recorded on these swaps transactions totaled approximately $36,000 during 2015 and is reported as a component of interest expense on FHLB Advances. There are no related expenses for the years ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.

 

Cash Flow Hedge

 

The following table presents the net gains (losses) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and the Consolidate Statements of Income relating to the cash flow derivative instruments for the year ended September 30:

 

   2015 
   Amount of Gain
(Loss)
Recognized in
OCI (Effective
Portion)
   Amount of Gain
(Loss)
Reclassified from
OCI to Interest
Expense
   Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in
Other Non-Interest
Income (Ineffective
Portion)
 
   (In thousands) 
Interest Rate Contracts  $348   $36   $ 

 

As of September 30, 2015, the fair value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $195,000. As of September 30, 2015, the Company has minimum collateral posting thresholds with certain of its derivative counterparties and has posted collateral of $600,000 against its obligations under these agreements. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at September 30, 2015, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value and would have been required to pay any additional amounts due in excess of amounts previously posted as collateral with the respective counterparty.

 

Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurement,” to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and to determine fair value disclosures for the Company’s financial instruments. Investment and mortgage-backed securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as impaired loans, real estate owned and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

 

 87 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

The Company groups its assets at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

 

Level 1—Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

 

Level 2—Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

 

Level 3—Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset.

 

The Company bases its fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy.

 

Fair value measurements for assets where there exists limited or no observable market data and, therefore, are based primarily upon the Company’s or other third-party’s estimates, are often calculated based on the characteristics of the asset, the economic and competitive environment and other factors. Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset. Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future valuations.

 

FASB ASC Topic 825 “Financial Instruments” provides an option to elect fair value as an alternative measurement for selected financial assets and financial liabilities not previously recorded at fair value. The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation.

 

The Company monitors and evaluates available data to perform fair value measurements on an ongoing basis and recognizes transfers among the levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the date event or a change in circumstances that affects the valuation method chosen. There were no changes in valuation technique or transfers between levels as of and for the years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

 88 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

The tables below present the balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

   September 30, 2015 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
   (In thousands) 
Assets:                    
Investment securities available-for-sale:                    
Debt securities:                    
U.S. government agencies  $815   $   $815   $ 
State and municipal obligations   42,083        42,083     
Single issuer trust preferred security   850        850     
Corporate debt securities   69,982        69,982     
Total investment securities available-for-sale   113,730        113,730     
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale:                    
    FNMA, fixed-rate   8,692        8,692     
    FHLMC, fixed-rate   5,932        5,932     
Total mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale   14,624        14,624     
Total investments securities available for sale  $128,354   $   $128,354   $ 
                     
Liabilities:                    
Derivative instruments  $348   $   $348   $ 

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
   (In thousands) 
Assets:                    
Investment securities available-for-sale:                    
Debt securities:                    
U.S. government agencies  $19,256   $   $19,256   $ 
State and municipal obligations   2,500        2,500     
Single issuer trust preferred security   880        880     
Corporate debt securities   1,525        1,525     
Total investment securities available-for-sale   24,161        24,161     
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale:                    
FNMA:                    
Adjustable-rate   418        418     
Fixed-rate   16,808        16,808     
FHLMC:                    
Adjustable-rate   3,595        3,595     
Fixed-rate   11,996        11,996     
CMO, fixed-rate-fate   43,965        43,965     
Total mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale   76,782        76,782     
Total investments securities available for sale  $100,943   $   $100,943   $ 

 

 89 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 that were still held at the end of the period, the following table provides the level of valuation assumptions used to determine each adjustment and the carrying value of the related individual assets or portfolios at September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

   September 30, 2015 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
   (In thousands) 
Impaired loans(1) (2)  $48   $   $   $48 
Mortgage servicing rights   30        30     
Total  $78   $   $30   $48 

 

   September 30, 2015 
   Fair Value at
September
30, 2015
   Valuation Technique  Unobservable Input  Range/(Weighted
Average)
 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Impaired loans(1) (2)  $48   Appraisal of collateral(3)   Collateral discounts(4)    65 − 80%/(74%) 
Total  $48            

 

 

(1)At September 30, 2015, consisted of two loans with an aggregate balance of $48,000 and there were no specific loan loss allowance.
(2)Includes assets directly charged-down to fair value during the year-to-date period.
(3)Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral primarily using comparable sales.
(4)Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as time, changes in economic conditions and estimated liquidation expense.

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
   (In thousands) 
Other real estate owned  $1,030   $   $   $1,030 
Impaired loans(1) (2)   887            887 
Mortgage servicing rights   160        160     
Total  $2,077   $   $160   $1,917 

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Fair Value at
September 30,
2014
   Valuation Technique  Unobservable Input  Range/(Weighted
Average)
 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Other real estate owned  $1,030   Appraisal of collateral(3)   Collateral discounts(4)    16 − 72%/(38%) 
Impaired loans(1) (2)   887   Appraisal of collateral(3)   Collateral discounts(4)    7 − 52%/(20%) 
Total  $1,917            

 

 

(1)At September 30, 2014, consisted of six loans with an aggregate balance of $887,000 and no specific loan loss allowance.
(2)Includes assets directly charged-down to fair value during the year-to-date period.
(3)Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral primarily using comparable sales.
(4)Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as time, changes in economic conditions and estimated liquidation expenses.

 

 90 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

The following table shows active information regarding significant techniques and inputs used at September 30, 2015 and 2014 for measures in a non-recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 2):

 

   Fair Value at
September 30,
2015
   Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
  Method or Value as of
September 30, 2015
   (In thousands)             
Mortgage servicing rights  $30   Discounted rate  Discount rate  11.00 – 12.00%  Rate used through
modeling period
           Loan prepayment speeds  14.73%  Weighted-average
conditional prepayment rate
           Servicing fees  0.25%  Of loan balance
           Servicing costs  $6.25  Monthly servicing
cost per account
              $300 – 500  Additional monthly
servicing cost per loan
on loans more than 30
days delinquent

 

   Fair Value at
September 30,
2014
   Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
  Method or Value as of
September 30, 2014
   (In thousands)             
Mortgage servicing rights  $160   Discounted rate  Discount rate  11.00 – 12.00%  Rate used through
modeling period
           Loan prepayment speeds  14.15%  Weighted-average
conditional prepayment rate
           Servicing fees  0.25%  Of loan balance
           Servicing costs  $6.25  Monthly servicing
cost per account
              $300 – 500  Additional monthly
servicing cost per loan
on loans more than 30
days delinquent

 

 91 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC 825. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methods. However, considerable judgment is necessarily required to interpret market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company would realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. FASB ASC 825 excludes certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

 

The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of September 30, 2015 and 2014. Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since September 30, 2015 and 2014 and, therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

 

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments:

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents—These assets are carried at historical cost. The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the relatively short time between the origination of the instrument and its expected realization.

 

Investment Securities—Investment and mortgage-backed securities available for sale (carried at fair value) and held to maturity (carried at amortized cost) are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurements for these securities are typically obtained from independent pricing services that we have engaged for this purpose. When available, we, or our independent pricing service, use quoted market prices to measure fair value. If market prices are not available, fair value measurement is based upon models that incorporate available trade, bid and other market information and for structured securities, cash flow and, when available, loan performance data. Because many fixed income securities do not trade on a daily basis, our independent pricing service’s applications apply available information through processes such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing to prepare evaluations. For each asset class, pricing applications and models are based on information from market sources and integrate relevant credit information. All of our securities available for sale are valued using either of the foregoing methodologies to determine fair value adjustments recorded to our financial statements. The Company had no Level 1 or Level 3 securities as of September 30, 2015 or 2014.

 

Loans Receivable—We do not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. As such, valuation techniques discussed herein for loans are primarily for estimating fair value for FASB ASC 825 disclosure purposes. However, from time to time, we record nonrecurring fair value adjustments to loans to reflect partial write-downs for impairment or the full charge-off of the loan carrying value. The valuation of impaired loans is discussed below. The fair value estimate for FASB ASC 825 purposes differentiates loans based on their financial characteristics, such as product classification, loan category, pricing features and remaining maturity. Prepayment and credit loss estimates are evaluated by loan type and rate. The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting contractual cash flows using discount rates based on current industry pricing, adjusted for prepayment and credit loss estimates.

 

Impaired Loans—Impaired loans are valued utilizing independent appraisals that rely upon quoted market prices for similar assets in active markets. These appraisals include adjustments to comparable assets based on the appraisers’ market knowledge and experience. The appraisals are adjusted downward by management, as necessary, for changes in relevant valuation factors subsequent to the appraisal date and are considered level 3 inputs.

 

Accrued Interest Receivable—This asset is carried at historical cost. The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the relatively short time between the origination of the instrument and its expected realization.

 

 92 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

Restricted Stock—Although restricted stock is an equity interest in the FHLB, it is carried at cost because it does not have a readily determinable fair value as its ownership is restricted and it lacks a market. The estimated fair value approximates the carrying amount.

 

Other Real Estate Owned—Assets acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure are recorded at estimated fair value less estimated selling costs when acquired, thus establishing a new cost basis. Fair value is generally based on independent appraisals. These appraisals include adjustments to comparable assets based on the appraisers’ market knowledge and experience, and are considered level 3 inputs. When an asset is acquired, the excess of the loan balance over fair value, less estimated selling costs, is charged to the allowance for loan losses. If the estimated fair value of the asset declines, a write-down is recorded through expense. The valuation of foreclosed assets is subjective in nature and may be adjusted in the future because of, among other factors, changes in the economic conditions.

 

Deposits—Deposit liabilities are carried at cost. As such, valuation techniques discussed herein for deposits are primarily for estimating fair value for FASB ASC 825 disclosure purposes. The fair value of deposits is discounted based on rates available for borrowings of similar maturities. A decay rate is estimated for non-time deposits. The discount rate for non-time deposits is adjusted for servicing costs based on industry estimates.

 

Long-Term Borrowings—Advances from the FHLB are carried at amortized cost. However, we are required to estimate the fair value of long-term debt under FASB ASC 825. The fair value is based on the contractual cash flows discounted using rates currently offered for new notes with similar remaining maturities.

 

Derivatives— The fair value of derivatives are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date (level 2). Our derivatives are traded in an over-the-counter market where quoted market prices are not always available. Therefore, the fair values of derivatives are determined using quantitative models that utilize multiple market inputs. The inputs will vary based on the type of derivative, but could include interest rates, prices and indices to generate continuous yield or pricing curves, prepayment rate, and volatility factors to value the position. The majority of market inputs are actively quoted and can be validated through external sources, including brokers, market transactions and third-party pricing services.

 

Accrued Interest Payable—This liability is carried at historical cost. The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the relatively short time between the origination of the instrument and its expected realization.

 

Commitments to Extend Credit and Letters of Credit—The majority of the Company’s commitments to extend credit and letters of credit carry current market interest rates if converted to loans. Because commitments to extend credit and letters of credit are generally unassignable by either the Bank or the borrower, they only have value to the Company and the borrower. The estimated fair value approximates the recorded deferred fee amounts, which are not significant.

 

Mortgage Servicing Rights—The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is based on observable market prices when available or the present value of expected future cash flows when not available. Assumptions, such as loan default rates, costs to service, and prepayment speeds significantly affect the estimate of future cash flows. Mortgage servicing rights are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.

 

 93 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

   Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
   (In thousands) 
September 30, 2015:                         
Financial assets:                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $40,263   $40,263   $40,263   $   $ 
Investment securities available-for-sale   128,354    128,354        128,354     
Investment securities held-to-maturity   57,221    56,825        56,825     
Loans receivable, net   391,307    400,305            400,305 
Accrued interest receivable   2,484    2,484        2,484     
Restricted stock   4,765    4,765        4,765     
Mortgage servicing rights   401    416        416     
Financial liabilities:                         
Savings accounts   45,189    45,189        45,189     
Checking and NOW accounts   109,907    109,907        109,907     
Money market accounts   108,706    108,706        108,706     
Certificates of deposit   201,720    203,257        203,257     
FHLB advances   103,000    104,889        104,889     
Derivatives   348    348        348     
Accrued interest payable   396    396        396     
                          
September 30, 2014:                         
Financial assets:                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $19,187   $19,187   $19,187   $   $ 
Investment securities available-for-sale   100,943    100,943        100,943     
Loans receivable, net   386,074    388,202            388,202 
Accrued interest receivable   1,322    1,322        1,322     
Restricted stock   3,503    3,503        3,503     
Mortgage servicing rights   453    512        512     
Financial liabilities:                         
Savings accounts   44,917    44,917        44,917     
Checking and NOW accounts   104,980    104,980        104,980     
Money market accounts   59,529    59,529        59,529     
Certificates of deposit   203,527    207,080        207,080     
FHLB advances   48,000    49,627        49,627     
Accrued interest payable   149    149        149     

 

 94 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 12 - Income Taxes

 

As of September 30, 2015, the Company’s net deferred tax asset before the consideration of a valuation allowance was $11.4 million compared to $12.6 million as of September 30, 2014. The $11.4 million deferred tax asset, prior to valuation allowance, is comprised of the $6.4 million in net operating loss (“NOL”) carryovers and $5.1 million attributable to other items. The largest component of temporary difference deferred tax asset (“DTA”) relates to the allowance for loan losses which totaled $3.0 million as of September 30, 2015.

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, the Company evaluates on a quarterly basis, all evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance for DTAs is needed. In conducting this evaluation, management explores all possible sources of taxable income available under existing tax laws to realize the net deferred tax asset beginning with the most objectively verifiable evidence first, including available carry back claims and viable tax planning strategies. If needed, management will look to future taxable income as a potential source. Management reviews the Company’s current financial position and its results of operations for the current and preceding years. That historical information is supplemented by all currently available information about future years. The Company understands that projections about future performance are subjective.

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, the Company considered certain prudent and feasible tax-planning strategies available at September 30, 2015 that, if implemented, could prevent an operating loss or tax credit carry-forward from expiring unused and could result in realization of the existing DTA. The Company has no present intention to implement such strategies; however, in the event that the Company determined future earnings would not be sufficient to realize the deferred tax asset, the Company has the ability to realize a portion of DTA through proven tax strategies such as: selling available-for-sale securities in a gain position from the investment portfolio, surrendering BOLI policies, and selling loans in a gain position from the loan portfolio, as well as sales or sale/leaseback of branch offices/office buildings to recognize built-in gains.

 

Based on the Company’s analysis of positive and negative evidence, the Company determined a DTA valuation allowance of $8.0 million was needed as of September 30, 2015. When determining an estimate for a valuation allowance, the Company assessed the possible sources of taxable income available under tax law to realize a tax benefit for deductible temporary differences and carryforwards as defined in ASC Topic 740. As a result of cumulative losses in recent periods and the uncertain nature of the current economic environment as of September 30, 2015, the Company did not use projections of future taxable income as a factor. The Company will exclude future taxable income as a factor until it can show consistent and sustained profitability. The Company will continue to reevaluate the realizability of the DTA and the valuation allowance may be adjusted in future periods accordingly.

 

 95 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 12 – Income Taxes (Continued)

 

Deferred income taxes at September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014 
   (In thousands) 
Deferred Tax Assets:          
Unrealized loss on investments available for sale  $383   $932 
Allowance for loan losses   2,985    3,051 
Non-accrual interest   98    122 
Write-down of real estate owned   106    270 
Alternative minimum  tax (AMT) credit carryover   128    64 
Low-income housing tax credit carryover   337    337 
Supplement Employer Retirement Plan   455    455 
Charitable contributions   36    36 
Depreciation   205    127 
Federal net operating loss   6,375    7,159 
Other   338    54 
Total Deferred Tax Assets   11,446    12,607 
Valuation allowance for DTA   (8,043)   (10,074)
Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance  $3,403   $2,533 
Deferred Tax Liabilities:          
State net operating income   (187)   (3)
Mortgage servicing rights   (136)   (154)
Other   (206)   - 
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities   (529)   (157)
           
Deferred Tax Assets, Net  $2,874   $2,376 

 

Of these DTA, the carryforward periods for certain tax attributes are as follows:

 

·Gross federal net operating loss carryforwards of $18.7 million (net DTA of $6.4 million) to expire in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2031;

 

·Low income housing credit carryforwards of $337,000 to expire in the fiscal years ending September 30, 2030 and 2031;

 

·AMT credit carryforward has no expiration date; and

 

·Gross charitable contributions carryforwards of $105,000 (net DTA of $36,000) to expire in the fiscal years ending September 30, 2016 through September 30, 2018.

 

Income tax expense for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was comprised of the following:

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
   (In thousands) 
Federal:               
Current  $1,035   $388   $(15)
Deferred   (1,035)   (367)   6,025 
    -    21    6,010 
State, current   -    -    - 
   $-   $21   $6,010 

 

 96 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 12 – Income Taxes (Continued)

 

The following reconciliation between federal income tax at the statutory rate of 34% and the actual income tax expense (benefit) recorded on income (loss) before income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
At federal statutory rate at 34%  $1,257   $-   $(4,350)
Adjustments resulting from:               
Tax-exempt interest   (186)   -    (77)
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance   (231)   -    (400)
Federal tax on cash surrender of BOLI   -    21    - 
DTA valuation allowance   (873)   -    10,724 
Other   33    -    113 
   $-   $21   $6,010 
Effective tax rate   0.0%   3.3%   (47.0)%

 

It is the Company’s policy to provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more like than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, there were no material uncertain tax positions related to federal and state income tax matters. The Company is currently open to audit under the statute of limitation by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities for the years ended September 30, 2012 to September 30, 2015.

 

The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 provides for the repeal of the tax bad debt deduction computed under the percentage-of-taxable-income method. Upon repeal, the Company was required to recapture into income, over a six-year period, the portion of its tax bad debt reserves that exceeds its base year reserves (i.e., tax reserves for tax years beginning before 1988). The base year tax reserves, which may be subject to recapture if the Company ceases to qualify as a bank for federal income tax purposes, are restricted with respect to certain distributions and have been treated as a permanent tax difference.

 

Note 13 - Leases

 

Pursuant to the terms of non-cancelable operating lease agreements expiring in September 2030, pertaining to Company property, future minimum rent commitments are (In thousands):

 

Years ending September 30:     
2016  $252 
2017   214 
2018   215 
2019   214 
2020   215 
Thereafter   3,905 
   $5,015 

 

 97 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 13 - Leases (Continued)

 

The Company receives rents from the lease of office and residential space owned by the Company. Future minimum rental commitments under these leases are (In thousands):

 

Years ending September 30:     
2016  $156 
2017   106 
2018   23 
2019   - 
2020   - 
   $285 

 

Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, unused lines of credit and standby letters of credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the statements of financial condition.

 

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

 

Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company guaranteeing payments of drafts in accordance with the terms of the letter of credit agreements. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Collateral may be required to support letters of credit based upon management’s evaluation of the creditworthiness of each customer. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is substantially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. Most letters of credit expire within one year. At September 30, 2015 and 2014, the uncollateralized portion of the letters of credit extended by the Company was approximately $566,000 and $3.3 million, respectively. The current amount of the liability for guarantees under letters of credit was not material as of September 30, 2015 or 2014.

 

At September 30, 2015 and 2014, the following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014 
   (In thousands) 
Commitments to extend credit:          
Future loan commitments  $26,849   $10,952 
Undisbursed construction loans   14,187    2,873 
Undisbursed home equity lines of credit   27,074    14,867 
Undisbursed commercial lines of credit   20,325    948 
Undisbursed commercial unsecured lines of credit   5,275    - 
Overdraft protection lines   840    133 
Standby letters of credit   566    3,302 
Total Commitments  $95,116   $33,075 

 

 98 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The Company evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation. Collateral held varies but generally includes personal or commercial real estate.

 

Unfunded commitments under commercial lines of credit are collateralized except for the overdraft protection lines of credit and commercial unsecured lines of credit. The amount of collateral obtained is based on management’s credit evaluation, and generally includes personal or commercial real estate.

 

Various legal claims arise from time to time in the normal course of business which, in the opinion of management, will have no material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Note 15 - Regulatory Matters

 

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk-weightings and other factors.

 

In July of 2013 the respective U.S. federal banking agencies issued final rules implementing Basel III and the Dodd-Frank Act capital requirements to be fully phased in on a global basis on January 1, 2019. The new regulations establish a new tangible common equity capital requirement, increase the minimum requirement for the current Tier 1 risk-weighted asset (“RWA”) ratio, phase out certain kinds of intangibles treated as capital and certain types of instruments and change the risk weightings of certain assets used to determine required capital ratios. The new common equity Tier 1 capital component requires capital of the highest quality – predominantly composed of retained earnings and common stock instruments. For community banks such as Malvern Federal Savings Bank, a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio 4.5% became effective on January 1, 2015. The new capital rules also increased the current minimum Tier 1 capital ratio from 4.0% to 6.0% beginning on January 1, 2015. In addition, in order to make capital distributions and pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers without restriction, an institution must also maintain greater than 2.5% in common equity attributable to a capital conservation buffer to be phased in from January 1, 2016 until January 1, 2019. The new rules also increase the risk weights for several categories of assets, including an increase from 100% to 150% for certain acquisition, development and construction loans and more than 90-day past due exposures. The new capital rules maintain the general structure of the prompt corrective action rules, but incorporate the new common equity Tier 1 capital requirement and the increased Tier 1 RWA requirement into the prompt corrective action framework.

 

The Bank will remain well capitalized under the implementation of Basel III, which is effective January 1, 2015.

 

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of tangible and core capital (as defined in the regulations) to total adjusted tangible assets (as defined) and of risk-based capital (as defined) to risk-weighted assets (as defined). In addition to the standard regulatory capital requirements, the Bank also is required to satisfy individual minimum capital ratios (“IMCRs”) imposed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of 8.5% Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets, 10.5% Tier 1 risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets and 12.5% total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets.

 

 99 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 15 - Regulatory Matters (Continued)

 

Management believes, as of September 30, 2015, that the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject.

 

The Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios are also presented in the table:

 

   Actual   For Capital Adequacy
Purposes
   To be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt
Corrective Action
Provisions
 
   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
As of September 30, 2015:                        
Core Capital (to adjusted tangible assets)  $69,030    10.80    ≥25,573    4.00    ≥31,966    5.00%
Common equity Tier 1(to risk-weighted assets)   69,030    15.90    ≥19,538    4.50    ≥28,222    6.50 
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)   69,030    15.90    ≥26,051    6.00    ≥34,734    8.00 
Total risk-based Capital (to risk-weighted assets)   73,759    16.99    ≥34,734    8.00    ≥43,418    10.00 
                               
As of September 30, 2014:                              
Tangible Capital (to tangible assets)  $64,414    12.09%  $≥7,990    1.50%  $-    N/A 
Core Capital (to adjusted tangible assets)   64,414    12.09    ≥21,305    4.00    ≥26,632    5.00%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)   64,414    19.50    ≥13,212    4.00    ≥19,818    6.00 
Total risk-based Capital (to risk-weighted assets)   68,549    20.75    ≥26,424    8.00    ≥33,030    10.00 

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the Bank’s equity determined using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and its regulatory capital amounts as of September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014 
   (In thousands) 
Bank GAAP equity  $67,951   $63,454 
Disallowed portion of deferred tax asset   -    (670)
Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of income taxes   743    1,630 
Net unrealized gain on derivatives, net of income taxes   336    - 
Tangible Capital , Core Capital and Tier 1 Capital   69,030    64,414 
Allowance for loan losses   4,729    4,135 
Total Risk-Based Capital  $73,759   $68,549 

 

 100 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 16 – Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

The components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) included in shareholders’ equity are as follows:

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
   (In thousands) 
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities  $(1,011)  $(2,736)  $(4,072)
Tax effect   344    931    1,384 
Net of tax amount   (667)   (1,805)   (2,688)
Net unrealized holding losses on securities available-for-sale transferred to held-to-maturity   (115)        
Tax effect   39         
Net of tax amount   (76)        
Fair value adjustment on derivatives   (348)        
Tax effect   12         
Net of tax amount   (336)        
                
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss  $(1,079)  $(1,805)  $(2,688)

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects are presented in the following table:

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
   (In thousands) 
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities  $2,120   $1,419   $(4,565)
                
Net realized gain on securities available-for-sale   (515)   (83)   (479)
                
Amortization of unrealized holding losses on securities available-for-sale transferred to held-to-maturity(2)   5         
                
Fair value adjustment on derivatives   (348)        
                
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes   1,262    1,336    (5,044)
Tax effect   (536)   (453)   1,715 
Total comprehensive income (loss)  $726   $883   $(3,329 

 

Note 17 – Condensed Financial Information - Parent Company Only

 

Condensed Statements of Financial Condition

 

   September 30, 
   2015   2014 
   (In thousands) 
Assets          
Cash and Cash Equivalents  $5,325   $2,438 
Investment in subsidiaries   67,952    63,454 
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value   -    8,329 
Investment securities held to maturity, (fair value at $5,666)   5,762    - 
Loans receivable, net   1,842    1,969 
Deferred income taxes, net   -    91 
Other assets   531    539 
Total Assets  $81,412   $76,820 
           
Liabilities          
Accounts payable  $21   $48 
           
Shareholders’ Equity   81,391    76,772 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity  $81,412   $76,820 

 

 101 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 17 – Condensed Financial Information - Parent Company Only (Continued)

 

Condensed Statements of Operations

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
   (In thousands) 
Income               
Interest income  $196   $254   $184 
Total Interest Income   196    254    184 
                
Gain on sale of investment securities   -    -    - 
                
Expense               
Other operating expenses   251    331    17 
Total Other Expenses   251    331    17 
                
Gain (Loss) before Equity in Undistributed Net (Loss) Income of Subsidiaries and Income Tax Expense   (55)   (77)   167 
                
Equity in Undistributed Net Income (Loss) of Subsidiaries   3,753    400    (18,839)
                
Income tax expense   -    -    131 
Net Income (Loss)  $3,698   $323   $(18,803)

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
   (In thousands) 
Net Income (Loss)  $3,698   $323   $(18,803)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):               
Changes in net unrealized net gains and losses on securities available for sale   267    46    (312)
Gains realized on sale of securities in net income (loss)   -    -    - 
    267    46    (312)
Deferred income tax effect   (91)   (16)   106 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)   176    30    (206)
Total comprehensive income (loss)  $3,874   $353   $(19,009)

 

 102 
 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 17 – Condensed Financial Information - Parent Company Only (Continued)

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

   Year Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014   2013 
   (In thousands) 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities               
Net income (loss)  $3,698   $323   $(18,803)
Undistributed net (income) loss of subsidiaries   (3,752)   (400)   18,839 
Deferred income taxes, net   84    197    106 
ESOP shares committed to be released   195    160    169 
Amortization of discounts on investment securities   -    -    40 
Decrease in accounts payable   (27)   (14)   - 
Decrease (increase) in other assets            239.             227.    (197)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities   437    493    154 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities               
Proceeds from maturities and principal collection on investments available for sale, net   -    422    1,474 
Proceeds from maturities and principal collection on investments held to maturity   511    -    - 
Purchases of investment securities   -    (992)   (10,299)
Calls, sales of investment securities   1,812    -    200 
Loan originations and principal collections, net   127    121    115 
Net Cash Provided by(Used in) Investing Activities   2,450    (449)   (8,510)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities               
Proceeds from stock issuance net of offering costs   -    -    34,732 
Capitalization   -    -    (25,000)
Capitalization of Mutual Holding Company   -    -    100 
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities   -    -    9,832 
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents   2,887    44    1,476 
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning   2,438    2,394    918 
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Ending  $5,325   $2,438   $2,394 

 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

 

Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of September 30, 2015. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as a result of the material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting discussed below, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2015.

 

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13(a)-15(f). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. An adequate system of internal control encompasses the processes and procedures that have been established by management to, among other things:

 

·Maintain records that accurately reflect the Company’s transactions;

 

·Prepare financial statements and footnote disclosures in accordance with GAAP that can be relied upon by external users;

 

·Prevent and detect unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect of the financial statements.

 

An internal control material weakness is a significant deficiency, or combination of significant deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, the application of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods is subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

As of March 31, 2015, the aggregate market value of the Company’s common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $75.0 million and, as a result, the Company became an accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12-b2 of the Exchange Act as of the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm conducted an audit of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting for the first time in connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. Management including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted a review, evaluation and testing of the effectiveness of the Company’s controls over financial reporting based on the 2013 framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Management identified a number of deficiencies in internal controls relating to its overall evaluation of the adequacy of its allowance for loan loss, discussed below:

 

·Documentation and Identification of Troubled debt Restructuring (“TDRs”) – While management maintains a thorough review process for evaluating TDRs, management did not maintain proper documentation of whether each loan modification was or was not aTDR. In addition, we did not maintain effective controls to ensure the completeness of all loans modified during the year for classification were properly evaluated. We evaluated this deficiency and determined it to be a significant deficiency.

 

·Analysis of Impaired Loans – We did not maintain effective internal controls to ensure the precision of the quarterly impairment analysis review process. More specifically in one instance of the sample tested, a final quarterly analysis did not reflect the fact that a borrower had paid delinquent taxes of $32,000 on the property securing the impaired loan. We evaluated this deficiency and determined it to be a significant deficiency.

 

·Use of an Appraiser Not on the Company’s Approved List of Appraisers – We did not maintain effective controls to ensure our monitoring activities would identify the use of appraisers which were not Board approved as required within our policy. We evaluated this deficiency and determined that it did not rise to a level to be considered a significant deficiency.

 

Our evaluation of these deficiencies included consideration of the potential magnitude of any adjustment that could result, as well as the impact of other mitigating controls that could prevent or detect an error from being recorded. As a result of these deficiencies affecting the same financial statement line item and related disclosures, management has evaluated these deficiencies in the aggregate and determined that, although these deficiencies individually are considered less severe, in the aggregate they increase the likelihood of a misstatement not being prevented or detected on a timely basis; therefore, management determined that these outcomes in the aggregate reflect a material weakness in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting relating to the items noted above. Based on our assessment under COSO, management determined that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of September 30, 2015. The deficiencies noted had no impact on our reported financial condition or results of operations as of and for the period ended September 30, 2015. We have taken the remedial efforts described below to improve our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm, BDO USA, LLP, audited our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015. Their report dated December 23, 2015, which is included below, expressed an adverse opinion on our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Remediation Activities

 

Management has been actively engaged in developing remediation plans to address the above control deficiencies. The remediation actions we are taking and expect to take include the following:

 

·Documentation and Identification of TDRs – The Company will enhance its loan modification procedures to require additional documentation and analysis addressing whether or not any new loan modifications are deemed to be a TDR. In addition, we will implement a system identifier to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the population to provide assurance that all required loans are properly evaluated for TDR classification.

 

·Analysis of Impaired Loans – The Company will enhance its current review process to ensure a review is being performed at an appropriate level of precision. In addition, we will provide training to employees in order to ensure a more thorough review of real estate tax payments on properties securing impaired loans.

 

·Use of an Appraiser Not on the Company’s Approved List of Appraisers – The Company will re-evaluate its policy to ensure it is updated with the Company’s practice of using a third party vendor and we will enhance our current monitoring activities to ensure that a timely review of appraisers is performed to ensure the appraisal was performed by a qualified appraiser using acceptable valuation techniques when a Board approved appraiser is not available.

 

Management has developed a detailed plan and timetable for the implementation of the foregoing remediation efforts and will monitor the implementation. In addition, under the direction of the Audit Committee, management will continue to review and make necessary changes to the overall design of the Company’s internal control environment, as well as to policies and procedures to improve the overall effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Management believes the foregoing efforts will effectively remediate the material weakness. As the Company continues to evaluate and work to improve its internal control over financial reporting, management may determine to take additional measures to address control deficiencies or determine to modify the remediation plan described above. If not remediated, these control deficiencies could result in a material misstatements to the Company’s financial statements

 

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

 

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, intends that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives. However, our management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Malvern Bancorp, Inc.

Paoli, PA

 

We have audited Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Malvern Bancorp Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A, “Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

 105 
 

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weakness has been identified and included in management’s assessment. Management identified and included in its assessment, a material weakness associated with the aggregation of certain control deficiencies in its internal controls relating to the allowance for loan losses. This material weakness was considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2015 consolidated financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated December 23, 2015 on those consolidated financial statements.

 

In our opinion, Malvern Bancorp, Inc. did not maintain, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015, based on the COSO criteria.

 

We do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on management’s statements referring to any corrective actions taken by the company after the date of management’s assessment.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the statement of financial condition of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2015 and our report dated December 23, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

 

Philadelphia, PA

December 23, 2015

 

Item 9B. Other Information.

 

Not applicable.

 

PART III.

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

The information required herein is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the sections captioned “Information with Respect to Nominees for Director, Continuing Directors and Executive Officers” and “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock by Certain Beneficial Owners and Management – Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in February 2016 (the “Proxy Statement”).

 

The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as well as other officers and employees of the Company and the Bank. A copy of the Code of Ethics is available on the Company's website at www.malvernfederal.com.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

 

The information required herein is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the sections captioned “Management Compensation” in the Proxy Statement.

 

 106 
 

 

Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information. The following table provides information as of September 30, 2015 with respect to shares of common stock that may be issued under our only existing equity compensation plan, the Malvern Bancorp 2014 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, which was approved by our shareholders.

 

Plan Category  Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights 
(a)
   Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights 
(b)
   Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a)) 
(c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders   -(1)  $-(1)   400,000 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders   -    -    - 
Total   -   $-    400,000 

__________________

(1) As of September 30, 2015, no awards have been granted.

 

The remaining information required herein is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock by Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Proxy Statement.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

The information required herein is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the sections captioned “Management Compensation – Related Party Transactions” and “Information with Respect to Nominees for Director, Continuing Directors and Executive Officers” in the Proxy Statement.

 

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

 

The information required herein is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Proposal Three) – Audit Fees” in the Proxy Statement.

 

PART IV.

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

(a)(1)The following financial statements are incorporated by reference from Item 8 hereof:

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(2)All schedules are omitted because they are not required or applicable, or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

 

 107 
 

 

(3)Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Form 10-K and this list includes the Exhibit Index.

 

No.   Description   Location
3.1   Articles of Incorporation of Malvern Bancorp, Inc.   (1)
3.2   Bylaws of Malvern Bancorp, Inc.   (1)
4.0   Form of Stock Certificate of Malvern Bancorp, Inc.   (1)
10.1   Amended and Restated Director Retirement Agreement between Malvern Federal Savings Bank and F. Claire Hughes, Jr.*   (2)
10.2   Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement between Malvern Federal Savings Bank and Dennis Boyle*   (2)
10.3   Agreement by and between Malvern Federal Savings Bank and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, dated October 7, 2014   (3)
10.4   Termination Agreement, dated November 25, 2014, by and among, Malvern Bancorp, Inc., Malvern Federal Savings Bank, Stilwell Value Partners VI, L.P., Stilwell Activist Fund, L.P., Stilwell Activist Investments, L.P., Stilwell Associates, L.P., Stilwell Partners, L.P., Stilwell Value LLC and Joseph Stilwell, John P. O’Grady, and Gregg H. Kanter   (4)
10.5   Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement between Malvern Federal Savings Bank and Dennis Boyle*   (5)
10.6   Malvern Bancorp 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan*   (6)
10.7   Employment Agreement with Anthony C. Weagley*   (7)
23.0   Consent of BDO USA, LLP   Filed herewith
31.1   Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer   Filed herewith
31.2   Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer   Filed herewith
32.0   Section 1350 Certification   Filed herewith
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document. **   Filed herewith
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.**   Filed herewith
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.**   Filed herewith
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.**   Filed herewith
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.**   Filed herewith
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Linkbase Document.**   Filed herewith

_____________________

* Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

**Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition at September 30, 2015 and 2014, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (v) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as detailed footnote tagging.

 

(1)Incorporated by reference from the like-numbered exhibit included in Malvern Bancorp's registration statement on Form S-1, filed May 31, 2013 (SEC File No. 333-181798).

 

(2)Incorporated by reference from the exhibit included in the Current Report on Form 8-K of Malvern Federal Bancorp, Inc., dated as of December 16, 2008 and filed December 16, 2008 (SEC File No. 001-34051).

 

(3)Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 included in the Current Report on Form 8-K of Malvern Bancorp, Inc., dated as of October 7, 2015 and filed October 10, 2015 (SEC File No. 001-34051).

 

(4)Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 included in the Current Report on Form 8-K of the registrant, dated as of November 25, 2015 and filed on December 1, 2015 (SEC File No. 000-54835).

 

(5)Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 included in the Current Report on Form 8-K of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. dated as of December 5, 2015 and filed on December 8, 2015 (SEC File No. 000-54835).

 

(6)Incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the definitive proxy statement filed by Malvern Bancorp, Inc. with the SEC on January 2, 2015 (SEC File No. 000-54835).

 

 108 
 

 

(7)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 included in the Current Report on Form 8-K of Malvern Bancorp, Inc., dated as of May 15, 2015, and filed on May 20, 2015 (SEC File No. 000-54835).

 

(b)Exhibits

 

The exhibits listed under (a)(3) of this Item 15 are filed herewith.

 

(c)Reference is made to (a)(2) of this Item 15.

 

 109 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    MALVERN BANCORP, INC.
     
December 22, 2015 By:   /s/ Anthony C. Weagley
    Anthony C. Weagley
    President and Chief Executive Officer

  

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities described below on December 22, 2015, have signed this report below.

 

/s/ Anthony C. Weagley   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Anthony C. Weagley   (principal executive officer)
     
/s/ George E. Steinmetz   Chairman of the Board
George E. Steinmetz    
     
/s/ Therese Woodman   Vice Chairman of the Board
Therese Woodman    
     
/s/ F. Claire Hughes, Jr.   Director
F. Claire Hughes, Jr.    
     
/s/ Stephen P. Scartozzi   Director
Stephen P. Scartozzi    
     
/s/ John P. O’Grady   Director
John P. O’Grady    
     
/s/ Ralph K. Packard   Director
Ralph K. Packard    
     
/s/ Howard Kent   Director
Howard Kent    
     
/s/ Michael D. Moss   Director
Michael D. Moss    
     
/s/ Robert C.F. Willson   Director
Robert C.F. Willson    
     
/s/ Joseph D. Gangemi   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Joseph D. Gangemi   (principal financial and accounting officer)

 

 110