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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
9 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]  
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
NOTE 3 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In April 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-03, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements. The objective of this ASU is to improve the accounting for repurchase agreements and other agreements that both entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity. This ASU prescribes when an entity may or may not recognize a sale upon the transfer of financial assets subject to repurchase agreements. The guidance in this ASU is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2012 and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS.  The guidance clarifies and expands the disclosures pertaining to unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements, including the disclosure of quantitative information related to (1) the valuation processes used, (2) the sensitivity of the fair value measurement to changes in unobservable inputs and the interrelationships between those unobservable inputs, and (3) use of a nonfinancial asset in a way that differs from the asset’s highest and best use.  The guidance also requires disclosure of the level within the fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities not measured at fair value in the statement of financial position but for which the fair value is disclosed.  The amendments in this Update are to be applied prospectively, effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2012 and did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as the amendments relate only to changes in financial statement presentation.
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive Income.  This ASU amends the disclosure requirements for the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income (OCI) as part of the statement of changes in stockholder’s equity. Under the amended guidance, all changes in OCI are to be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. The changes are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12 to defer changes that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments but the other requirements of ASU 2011-05 remain in effect. This amendment will be effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning July 1,2012 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial results as the amendments relate only to changes in financial statement presentation.
 
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Testing Goodwill for Impairment.  This ASU is intended to reduce the complexity and cost of performing an evaluation of impairment of goodwill.  Under the new guidance,  an entity will have the option of first assessing qualitative factors (events and circumstances) to determine whether it is more likely than not (meaning a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  If, after considering all relevant events and circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test will be unnecessary.  The amendments will be effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. This amendment will be effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning July 1, 2012 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Critical accounting policies are those that involve significant judgments and assumptions by management that have, or could have, a material impact on our income or the carrying value of our assets.  Our critical accounting policies are those related to our loans, allowance for loan losses, income taxes, goodwill and the impairment of securities.
 
Loans.  The Company’s loan portfolio includes residential real estate, commercial real estate, construction, commercial and consumer/other segments. Residential real estate loans include classes for one-to four-family owner occupied, second mortgages and equity lines of credit.  Consumer/other loans include personal loans.  Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance.  Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method.
 
The accrual of interest on all loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due unless the credit is well-secured and in process of collection. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.  All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income.  The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual.  Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
 
           Allowance for Loan Losses.  The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings.  Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed.
 
The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a quarterly basis by management.  This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. The allowance consists of general, specific and unallocated components, as further described below.
 
General component
 
The general component of the allowance for loan losses is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors stratified by the following loan segments: residential real estate, commercial real estate, construction, commercial and consumer/other.  Management uses a rolling average of historical losses based on a time frame appropriate to capture relevant loss data for each loan segment.  This historical loss factor is adjusted for the following qualitative factors: levels/trends in delinquencies; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of changes in risk selection and underwriting standards and other changes in lending policies, procedures and practices; experience/ability/depth of lending management and staff; loan rating migration and national and local economic trends and conditions.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company changed the allowance for loan loss calculation to add certain qualitative factors and amend loan segment characterization, resulting in a change in accounting estimate.  Qualitative factors were added for changes in lending practices and procedures, changes in the value of underlying collateral, changes in lending management and staff and changes in the quality of the loan review system.  In addition, loan segments within the allowance were amended to correspond to call report requirements.  These changes did not quantitatively impact the dollar amount of the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2012, as changes relate only to qualitative assessments and methodology in how the allowance is calculated.
 
The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment. Risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:
 
Residential real estate - The Company generally does not originate loans with a loan-to-value ratio greater than 80% and does not originate subprime loans.  All loans in this segment are collateralized by owner-occupied residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower.  The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment.
 
Commercial real estate - Loans in this segment are primarily income-producing properties throughout New England.  The underlying cash flows generated by the properties are adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy as evidenced by increased vacancy rates, which in turn, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment.  Management obtains rent rolls annually and continually monitors the cash flows of these loans.
 
Construction loans – Loans in this segment primarily include speculative real estate development loans for which payment is derived from sale of the property.  Credit risk is affected by cost overruns, time to sell at an adequate price, and market conditions.
 
Commercial loans – Loans in this segment are made to businesses and are generally secured by assets of the business.  Repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business.  A weakened economy, and resultant decreased consumer spending, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment.
 
Consumer/other loans - Loans in this segment are generally unsecured and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower.
 
Specific component
 
The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired.  Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent or foreclosure is probable.  An allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.  Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment.  Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer and residential real estate loans for impairment disclosures, unless such loans are subject to a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) agreement.
 
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.
 
The Company periodically may agree to modify the contractual terms of loans.  When a loan is modified and a concession is made to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty, the modification is considered a troubled debt restructuring.  All TDRs are initially classified as impaired.
 
Unallocated component
 
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 reserves in the portfolio.
 
           Goodwill.  The Company’s goodwill was recorded as a result of business acquisitions and combinations.  The Company’s goodwill (the amount paid in excess of fair value of acquired net assets) is reviewed at least annually to ensure that there have been no events or circumstances resulting in an impairment of the recorded amount of excess purchase price.  Adverse changes in the economic environment, operations of acquired business units, or other factors could result in a decline in projected fair values.  If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount, a loss would be recognized to reduce the carrying amount to implied fair value.
 
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Securities.  Management periodically reviews all investment securities with significant declines in fair value for potential other-than-temporary impairment pursuant to the guidance provided by ASC 320-10 “Investments-Debt and Equity Securities”.  The guidance addresses the determination as to when an investment is considered impaired, whether the impairment is other-than-temporary, and the measurement of an impairment loss.  It also includes accounting considerations subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment and requires certain disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other-than-temporary impairments.  Management evaluates the Company’s investment portfolio on an ongoing basis and recorded $493,000 and $84,000 of other-than-temporary impairment charges through income during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively and $1.5 million and $611,000 of other-than-temporary impairment charges through income during the nine months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
Income Taxes.  The Company recognizes income taxes under the asset and liability method.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for the temporary differences between the accounting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at enacted rates expected to be in effect when the amounts related to such temporary differences are realized or settled.
 
Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee.