10-K 1 d10k.htm FORM 10-K FORM 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

(Mark One)

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009

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: 000-52477

 

 

MAYFLOWER BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Massachusetts   20-8448499

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

30 South Main Street, Middleboro, Massachusetts   02346
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Issuer’s telephone number: (508) 947-4343

 

 

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

 

Title of Each Class

  

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share    The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange 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 if the issuer is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark 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  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

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 definition 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   ¨
Non-accelerated Filer   ¨    Smaller Reporting Company   x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)     

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

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by nonaffiliates as of October 31, 2008, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $9.8 million.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of July 14, 2009 was 2,085,192.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

  1. Portions of the 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders (Part II).

 

  2. Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Part III)

 

 

 


Table of Contents

INDEX

 

          Page
PART I      

Item 1.

   Business    1

Item 1A

   Risk Factors    30

Item 1B.

   Unresolved Staff Comments    36

Item 2.

   Properties    36

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings    36

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    37
PART II      

Item 5.

   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities    37

Item 6.

   Selected Financial Data    37

Item 7.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    37

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk    37

Item 8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    38

Item 9.

   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    38

Item 9A(T).

   Controls and Procedures    38

Item 9B.

   Other Information    39
PART III      

Item 10.

   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance    39

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation    39

Item 12.

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters    40

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence    40

Item 14.

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services    40
PART IV      

Item 15.

   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules    41

 


Table of Contents

PART I

Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This document, as well as other written communications made from time to time by Mayflower Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) and subsidiaries and oral communications made from time to time by authorized officers of the Company, may contain statements relating to the future results of the Company (including certain projections, such as earnings projections, necessary tax provisions, and business trends) that are considered “forward looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”). Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as “intend,” “believe,” “expect,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated,” and “potential.” For these statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the PSLRA. The Company’s ability to predict future results is inherently uncertain and the Company cautions you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated in any forward-looking statement. These factors include but are not limited to: recent and future regulatory and legislative initiatives by the government; a further slowdown in the national and Massachusetts economies; a further deterioration in asset values locally and nationwide; fluctuations in interest rates; changes in the regulatory environment; increasing competitive pressure in the banking industry; operational risks including data processing system failures or fraud; asset/liability matching risks and liquidity risks; continued access to liquidity sources; changes in our borrowers’ performance on loans; changes in critical accounting policies and judgments; changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other regulatory agencies; changes in the equity and debt securities markets; the effect of additional provision for loan losses; fluctuations of our stock price; the impact of reputation risk created by these developments on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity; the impact of regulatory restrictions on our ability to receive dividends from our subsidiaries; and political developments, wars or other hostilities may disrupt or increase volatility in securities or otherwise affect economic conditions.

The Company does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

 

Item 1. Business

General

The Company. Mayflower Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), a Massachusetts corporation, was organized by Mayflower Co-operative Bank (the “Bank”) on October 5, 2006, to acquire all of the capital stock of the Bank as part of the Bank’s reorganization into the holding company form of ownership, which was completed on February 15, 2007. Upon completion of the holding company reorganization, the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common Stock”), became registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Company is a registered bank holding company subject to regulation and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”). The Company has no significant assets other than the common stock of the Bank and various other liquid assets in which it invests in the ordinary course of business. For that reason, substantially all of the discussion in this Annual Report on Form 10-K relates to the operations of the Bank and its subsidiaries.

The Bank. Mayflower Co-operative Bank (the “Bank”) was organized as a Massachusetts chartered co-operative bank in 1889. The primary business of the Bank is to acquire funds in the form of deposits and make permanent and construction mortgage loans on one- to four-family homes and commercial real estate located in its primary market area. Additionally, the Bank makes commercial business loans, consumer loans and offers home equity loans and lines of credit. The Bank also invests a portion of its funds in money market instruments, federal government and agency obligations, various types of corporate debt and equity securities, and other authorized investments.

The Bank considers its primary market area to be southeastern Massachusetts including Plymouth County, Bristol County and Barnstable County. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund

 

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administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), with additional insurance to the total amount of the deposit provided by the Share Insurance Fund of The Co-operative Central Bank, a deposit-insuring entity chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Bank converted from a mutual co-operative bank to a stock form co-operative bank in December 1987. The Bank is subject to regulation by the Massachusetts Division of Banks (the “Division”) and the FDIC. The Bank’s savings and lending activities are conducted through its main office in Middleboro and full-service offices in Plymouth, Wareham, Rochester, Bridgewater, Lakeville, and West Wareham, Massachusetts.

The Bank’s principal sources of income are interest on loans and loan origination fees, interest and dividends on investment securities and short-term investments, loan servicing and other fees, and gains on the sale of investment securities and mortgages. The Bank’s principal expenses are interest paid on deposits and borrowings and general and administrative expenses.

Lending Activities

General. While the housing market remained weak throughout the fiscal year, a sharp decline in mortgage rates brought about by the financial markets crisis created a strong refinance market in the second half of the Bank’s fiscal year. These conditions are reflected in changes in the Bank’s mortgage portfolio where residential first mortgage balances increased by $2.8 million while construction loans were down by $1.4 million. Also, the combination of declining property values and the strong first mortgage refinance market resulted in home equity loans and credit line balances outstanding decreasing by $1.7 million.

The Bank’s loan portfolio totaled $131.1 million as of April 30, 2009, which represented 52.5% of total assets. The Bank offers conventional residential mortgage loans, second mortgages and equity lines of credit on residential properties, commercial real estate mortgages, loans for the construction of residential and commercial properties and commercial business loans. The Bank offers jumbo fixed-rate mortgages intended for its own portfolio and for resale in the secondary market and also makes consumer loans, including secured and unsecured personal loans, automobile and boat loans.

The Bank continues to emphasize the origination of fixed interest rate home mortgages intended for resale and offers adjustable-rate mortgage products including one which features a fixed-rate of interest for the first three or five years, and is then adjustable on an annual basis. The Bank also originates adjustable-rate mortgages which include an annual interest rate adjustment. During the year ended April 30, 2009, the Bank originated residential and commercial mortgage loans totaling $50.1 million, compared to $27.9 million in such loans originated during the year ended April 30, 2008. The Bank retains in its portfolio virtually all of its adjustable-rate mortgage originations, and also retains selected fixed-rate mortgage loans in its portfolio, as dictated by market conditions, or in consideration of asset and liability management factors. Fixed-rate mortgages retained in the Bank’s portfolio are typically underwritten in accordance with secondary market guidelines to facilitate later sale, if necessary or deemed appropriate or advantageous. As of April 30, 2009, the Bank had retained in its portfolio fixed-rate residential first mortgage loans totaling $26.2 million and adjustable-rate residential first mortgage loans totaling $28.5 million.

 

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Analysis of Loan Portfolio

The following table shows the composition of the Bank’s loan portfolio by type of loan and the percentage each type represents of the total loan portfolio at the dates indicated. Except as set forth below, at April 30, 2009, the Bank did not have any concentration of loans exceeding 10% of total loans.

 

    At April 30,  
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
    Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent     Amount   Percent     Amount   Percent  
    (Dollars in thousands)  

Mortgage loans:

 

Residential conventional

  $ 54,706      40.9   $ 51,897      40.5   $ 52,772      36.7   $ 54,893   36.5   $ 53,391   37.8

Commercial real estate

    43,404      32.5        37,319      29.1        37,704      26.2        34,032   22.6        30,976   21.9   

Construction

    6,589      4.9        8,239      6.4        20,601      14.3        29,824   19.8        29,078   20.6   

Home equity loans

    5,521      4.1        5,634      4.4        5,875      4.1        3,396   2.3        2,785   2.0   

Home equity lines of credit

    17,447      13.1        19,033      14.8        19,298      13.4        20,237   13.5        18,041   12.8   
                                                                 

Total mortgage loans

    127,667      95.5        122,122      95.2        136,250      94.7        142,382   94.7        134,271   95.1   
                                                                 

Commercial business loans

    4,301      3.2        4,036      3.1        5,104      3.6        5,580   3.7        4,597   3.3   
                                             

Consumer loans:

                   

Personal

    1,052      0.8        1,272      1.0        1,408      1.0        1,608   1.1        1,575   1.1   

Passbook

    703      0.5        855      0.7        1,045      0.7        707   0.5        732   0.5   
                                                                 

Total consumer loans

    1,755      1.3        2,127      1.7        2,453      1.7        2,315   1.6        2,307   1.6   
                                                                 

Total loans

    133,723      100.0     128,285      100.0     143,807      100.0     150,277   100.0     141,175   100.0
                                                                 

Less:

                   

Due borrowers on construction and other loans

    1,392          1,639          5,141          9,314       8,865  

Net deferred loan origination fees (costs)

    (85       (65       (10       29       40  

Allowances for possible loan losses

    1,305          1,375          1,673          1,704       1,606  
                                             

Total

    2,612          2,949          6,804          11,047       10,511  
                                             

Net loans

  $ 131,111        $ 125,336        $ 137,003        $ 139,230     $ 130,664  
                                             

 

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Loan Maturity Analysis. The following table sets forth certain information at April 30, 2009, regarding the dollar amount of loans maturing (based on contractual terms) in the Bank’s portfolio. Demand loans, loans having no schedule of repayments and no stated maturity and overdrafts are reported as due in one year or less. Residential, commercial and construction mortgage loans are reported net of amounts due to borrowers.

 

     Due within
one year after
April 30, 2009
   Due after
1 through
5 years after
April 30, 2009
   Due after
5 years after
April 30, 2009
   Total
     (In thousands)

Real estate mortgage loans:

           

Residential conventional

   $ 117    $ 346    $ 54,243    $ 54,706

Commercial

     10,224      8,413      24,767      43,404

Construction

     3,195      —        2,002      5,197

Home equity loans

     106      672      4,743      5,521

Home equity lines of credit

     —        —        17,447      17,447
                           

Total mortgage loans

   $ 13,642    $ 9,431    $ 103,202    $ 126,275
                           

Other:

           

Consumer

     896      859      —        1,755

Commercial business

     3,026      1,125      150      4,301
                           

Total

   $ 3,922    $ 1,984    $ 150    $ 6,056
                           

The next table shows at April 30, 2009, the dollar amount of all the Bank’s loans due one year or more after April 30, 2009, which have fixed interest rates and have floating or adjustable interest rates.

 

     Fixed-Rate    Floating or
Adjustable Rates
     (In thousands)

Real estate loans:

     

Residential conventional

   $ 26,106    $ 28,483

Commercial

     5,071      28,109

Construction

     1,733      269

Home equity loans

     5,415      —  

Home equity lines of credit

     —        17,447
             

Total mortgage loans

   $ 38,325    $ 74,308
             

Other:

     

Consumer

     859      —  

Commercial business

     570      705
             

Total other loans

   $ 1,429    $ 705
             

Scheduled contractual principal repayments of loans do not necessarily reflect the actual life of such assets. The average life of long-term loans is substantially less than their contractual terms, due to prepayments. In addition, the Bank’s mortgage loans generally give the Bank the right to declare a loan due and payable in the event that, among other things, a borrower sells the real property subject to the mortgage and the loan is not repaid.

Residential Lending. The Bank originates for its portfolio adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family, owner-occupied residences and investment properties and owner-occupied second homes. The Bank also originates fixed-rate loans for sale in the secondary mortgage market, and from time to time has originated fixed-rate loans which it has retained in its portfolio, as dictated by market conditions, or as a function of asset and liability management considerations. Fixed-rate residential loans accounted for $26.2 million, or 20.5%, of the Bank’s total mortgage loan portfolio as of April 30, 2009. As of that date, the Bank’s one, three and five-year adjustable-rate residential mortgages totaled $28.5 million, or 22.3%, of the total mortgage loan portfolio.

 

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Residential mortgages are generally made in amounts of up to 80% of the appraised value of the property securing the loan. Loans up to 97% of appraised value are available if private mortgage insurance can be obtained in order to reduce the Bank’s exposure. Residential mortgage loans are typically made for terms of up to 30 years. A significant portion of mortgage loans held in the Bank’s portfolio provide for an initial interest rate that is fixed for no longer than 60 months, and the majority of such loans are adjusted thereafter at intervals of twelve months. The Bank utilizes an index that is tied to the rate paid on one-year U.S. Treasury Bills for interest rate adjustments.

In response to customer demand for fixed-rate borrowing, the Bank continues to originate fixed-rate loans. Fixed-rate loans originated may be retained in the Bank’s portfolio, or they may be sold to Fannie Mae with servicing rights retained for which the Bank receives a minimum fee of one quarter of one percent of the outstanding loan balance or to other institutions on a servicing-released basis. During the year ended April 30, 2009, the Bank originated adjustable-rate mortgage loans amounting to $2.2 million, and fixed-rate mortgage loans amounting to $31.9 million. During the year ended April 30, 2009, the Bank sold $26.0 million of fixed-rate loans in the secondary mortgage market. At April 30, 2009, the Bank held $26.2 million in fixed-rate mortgages of which $2.6 million are identified as available for sale.

Interest rates for loans are set internally as a function of the Bank’s cost of funds, competitive pressures, the requirements of the secondary mortgage market and other strategic considerations. These rates are reviewed and revised as necessary. Rate commitments are made to applicants upon the payment of a rate lock fee which guarantees the locked rate to the applicant for a period of 45 days. The underwriting of residential first mortgage loans is conducted by the Bank’s mortgage department which conducts and documents an extensive review of the applicant’s employment, income, and previous credit history.

Construction Lending. The Bank has traditionally been involved in construction lending. As of April 30, 2009, the Bank had 28 construction loans outstanding, with $6.6 million committed in construction loan financing, representing 4.9% of the total loan portfolio. On that date, $1.4 million of total committed construction loan financing had not been advanced. The Bank’s construction lending activity is primarily focused on single-family homes and residential development. Construction loans are made to individuals for the construction of their primary residences, for which the Bank provides permanent financing. The Bank also extends construction loan financing to builders and developers for the construction of single-family residences and the development of residential subdivisions and condominiums. Additionally, the Bank offers loans for the construction of commercial real estate such as office buildings, retail business development and other commercial properties. At April 30, 2009, the Bank’s average construction loan balance was $235,000 and the single largest construction loan with a commitment outstanding as of April 30, 2009, was for $620,000 ($372,000 advanced as of April 30, 2009) on an owner-occupied single family home in Lakeville, Massachusetts. Collateral for this construction loan consists of a first mortgage on the real estate which has an appraised value of $800,000.

Construction loan financing is conducted by the Bank’s mortgage and commercial loan departments which are responsible for underwriting each project according to Bank policy. Typical homeowner’s construction loans are made for a maximum of 80% of completed value. Construction loans representing up to 85% of completed value are available if private mortgage insurance can be obtained in order to reduce the Bank’s exposure. The Bank takes particular care to screen each residential construction loan request to determine that sufficient funds are being committed at closing to ensure the completion of the project and the issuance of an occupancy permit, thereby avoiding the need to supply additional funding for which the borrower may not be qualified. With respect to pre-sold construction loan requests received from builders and developers, the Bank extends financing for a maximum of 80% of completed value. Construction loans without a pre-sale commitment are offered only to experienced builders, usually with loan-to-value ratios of no more than 75%. In some instances, the Bank further reduces this loan-to-value ratio to adequately protect its interests.

Builders’ home construction loans are written for a maximum term of twelve months, during which time the borrower is billed on an interest only basis. Pricing of these loans is individually determined on the basis of competitive and market conditions, the borrower’s experience and relationship with the Bank and the perceived level of risk. Maximum and aggregate loan limits for individual builders and borrowers depend upon market conditions and the applicant’s financial condition. Construction loan proceeds are disbursed in accordance with a Bank-established schedule as work progresses and based upon inspection by the Bank’s Security Committee or duly authorized officer or approved inspector. No funds are released in anticipation of progress or for the acquisition of

 

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materials. In the event a construction loan extended to a builder or developer is not paid off within the original term of the note (typically twelve months), the note would generally be extended for an additional six-month period at an adjusted market rate of interest, if the borrower were current on interest payments to maturity. Contractors and builders doing business with the Bank are encouraged to refer their buyers to the Bank for permanent financing, and in some instances, special financing packages are offered by the Bank to facilitate a permanent relationship.

Commercial Real Estate Lending. The Bank also originates commercial real estate loans for its portfolio, secured by multi-family residences (over four units) and residential apartment complexes, retail buildings, office buildings and other types of commercial real estate. The Bank generally limits its commercial real estate lending activity to its primary market area. As of April 30, 2009, the Bank had $43.4 million in commercial real estate loans outstanding, representing 32.5% of the Bank’s total loans. At that date, the average commercial real estate loan balance was $315,000. The largest commercial real estate exposure at April 30, 2009, was $3.35 million and was secured by residential building lots in Nantucket, Massachusetts, and the personal guarantees of the principals. Appraised value of this parcel was approximately $9.5 million. The second largest commercial real estate loan as of April 30, 2009, was for $1.85 million, and was secured by the Bank’s 50% interest in a first mortgage participation in an office building complex in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and personal guarantees of the principals. Appraised value of the real estate is approximately $7.0 million. These loans were current at April 30, 2009.

Commercial real estate loans are currently made in an amount up to 75% of the appraised value of the property securing the loan. The personal guarantees of borrowers are required and in some instances additional collateral is taken. The majority of commercial real estate loans in the Bank’s portfolio are written for a term of up to ten years with amortization schedules typically based on a hypothetical term of 15 to 25 years. Interest rates may be fixed for up to seven years, with rate adjustments following the initial fixed period based on a margin over the prime rate, FHLB advance rate or a treasury index. Prepayment penalties are usually required. The underwriting of commercial real estate loans entails review by Bank personnel of all existing and projected income and operating expenses. A detailed evaluation of the creditworthiness of the borrower and the viability of the project is also conducted.

Commercial Business Loans. Commercial business loans are of potential benefit to the Bank due to their higher yields and shorter terms and, although entailing greater risk than conventional mortgage loans, such loans allow the Bank to further diversify its loan portfolio. The Bank’s commercial business loan portfolio at April 30, 2009 totaled $4.3 million, or 3.2%, of the Bank’s loan portfolio. At that date, 112 commercial business loans were outstanding with an average balance of $38,000, while the largest commercial business loan at that date was a $1.0 million credit line, of which $582,000 was advanced at April 30, 2009.

The Bank offers various types of commercial business loans including demand loans, time loans, term loans, and commercial lines of credit. These loans are generally written on demand or for terms of from three months to seven years and with fixed rates or variable rates of interest which adjust to a certain percentage (usually 2-3%) above the prime lending rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal. The Bank generally requires that commercial borrowers maintain a depository relationship with the Bank and management seeks to expand the depository relationship to include all other banking activity of its commercial business borrowers.

In conformity with the Bank’s lending policy, all commercial business loan applications are thoroughly screened and reviewed and a total credit package is required before approval. Most of these loans are collateralized by business assets, equipment or real estate and personal guarantees are required.

Consumer Loans, Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit. The Bank’s consumer loan portfolio decreased by $372,000 in fiscal year 2009 and totaled $1.8 million on April 30, 2009, representing 1.3% of the total loan portfolio on that date. These loans had a weighted average yield of 8.0% at April 30, 2009. The Bank offers both secured and unsecured personal loans, automobile loans, boat loans, short-term loans and overdraft protection. The consumer loan department fully considers all aspects of the application prior to approval or rejection.

The Bank also offers home equity loans and lines of credit which are secured by one- to four-family owner-occupied residences, and second homes. The Bank generally limits this lending activity to its primary market area. The Bank will lend up to 90% of the value of the property securing the loan, less any outstanding first mortgage.

 

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The maximum loan amount for home equity loans and lines of credit is $200,000 for loan-to-value ratios up to 75% and $100,000 for loan-to-value ratios up to 80%. Fixed-rate home equity loans are offered with 5, 10 or 15-year terms. As of April 30, 2009, the Bank had $5.5 million outstanding in home equity loans, representing 4.1% of the Bank’s total loans.

The Bank’s home equity credit line program provides for monthly rate adjustments tied to the prime lending rate reported in The Wall Street Journal. From time to time, the Bank has offered an initial fixed-rate period of up to five years. At April 30, 2009, the outstanding balance of the Bank’s home equity lines was $17.4 million, with a weighted average yield of 4.5%. The underwriting of home equity loans and lines of credit is conducted by the Bank’s consumer loan department using similar credit guidelines and parameters as are used with first mortgage requests.

The Bank believes its commercial business lending and consumer lending programs create diversity and mitigate interest rate sensitivity within its asset mix and offer attractive yields. The Bank is currently emphasizing its lending programs through the activities of its loan officers, branch managers and customer service personnel.

Certain Underwriting Risks. As noted above, a significant portion of residential mortgage loans currently originated by the Bank for its portfolio provide for periodic interest rate adjustments. Despite the benefits of adjustable-rate mortgages to the Bank’s asset and liability management program, such mortgages pose risks because as interest rates rise the underlying payments required from the borrower rise, increasing the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the underlying property may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. One of the ways the Bank seeks to protect itself on these loans is by generally limiting loans to 80% of the appraised value of the property and requiring substantially all mortgage loans with loan-to-value ratios in excess of 80% to carry private mortgage insurance. In addition, originating fixed-rate loans for sale in the secondary mortgage market may also involve certain risks as, in periods of rising interest rates, loans originated for sale may depreciate in value prior to their sale if a forward commitment for the sale of such loans has not been arranged. In such cases, the Bank may choose to retain such fixed-rate loans in its portfolio.

Commercial business, construction and commercial real estate financing are generally considered to involve a higher degree of credit risk than long-term financing of residential properties. Although commercial business loans are advantageous to the Bank because of their interest rate sensitivity, they also involve more risk due to the higher potential for default and the difficulty of disposing of the collateral, if any. The Bank’s risk of loss on a construction loan is dependent largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction or development and the estimated cost (including interest) of construction. If the estimate of construction cost proves to be inaccurate, the Bank may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed to permit completion of the project. If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, the Bank may be confronted, at or prior to the maturity of the loan, with a project whose value is insufficient to assure full repayment. On commercial real estate loans, the risk to the Bank is primarily attributable to the cash flow from the property being financed. If the cash flow from the property is reduced (e.g., if leases are not obtained or renewed), the borrower’s ability to repay the Bank’s loan may be impaired. In addition, the amount of a commercial real estate loan is typically substantially larger than a residential mortgage loan. As noted, the Bank seeks to protect itself on construction and commercial loans by limiting the loan-to-value ratios to 80% (or up to 85% with private mortgage insurance) and 75% or less, respectively, depending on the amount of the loan and/or the type of property offered for security, and by requiring the personal guarantees of borrowers.

Origination Fees and Other Fees. The Bank presently receives origination fees on many of the real estate loans it originates. Fees to cover the cost of appraisals and credit reports are also collected. Loan origination income varies with the amount and type of loan made and with competitive and economic conditions. The Bank imposes late charges on all real estate loans.

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 91, certain non-refundable fees associated with lending activities, such as origination and commitment fees and discounts, and certain incremental loan origination costs, are deferred and amortized over the life of the loan. As a result of the statement, loan origination fees and costs are deferred from current income recognition and spread as an adjustment to the yield (interest income) on the loans over their lives using the interest method.

 

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Loan Solicitation and Underwriting Procedures. Loan originations are developed by the Bank’s officers, managers, originators, other employees and Board of Directors from a number of sources, including referrals from realtors, builders, community organizations and customers. Consumer loans are solicited from existing depositors and loan customers as well as the community at large.

Applications for all types of loans are taken at all of the Bank’s offices and mortgage loan applications are forwarded to the main office for processing. Mortgage loan officers and originators may take applications at customers’ homes and other locations to facilitate the application process and customers may also apply on-line. The Bank’s loan underwriting procedures include the use of detailed credit applications, property appraisals or evaluations and verifications of an applicant’s credit history, employment situation and banking relationships. Individual officers may approve loans up to the level of authority granted by the Bank’s Security Committee. Loan amounts above the individual officers’ limits require Security Committee approval and in certain cases, by the Bank’s Board of Directors. All loans are ratified by the Bank’s Board of Directors.

Mortgage loan applicants are promptly notified concerning their application by a commitment letter setting forth the terms and conditions of the action thereon. If approved, these commitments include the amount of the loan, interest rate, amortization term, a brief description of the real estate mortgaged to the Bank, the requirement for fire and casualty insurance to be maintained to protect the Bank’s interest and other special conditions as warranted.

Loan Originations and Sale. The Bank makes fixed-rate loans primarily for sale in the secondary mortgage market and adjustable-rate mortgages for its own portfolio. Interest rate commitments up to 45 days are offered to borrowers who agree to pay an up-front, non-refundable rate lock fee.

Delinquent Loans, Loans in Foreclosure and Foreclosed Property. Once a loan payment is 15 days past due, the Bank notifies the borrower of the delinquency. Repeated contacts are made if the loan remains in a delinquent status for 30 days or more. While the Bank generally is able to work out satisfactory repayment with a delinquent borrower, the Bank will usually undertake foreclosure proceedings or other collection efforts if the delinquency is not otherwise resolved when payments are 90 days past due. Property acquired by the Bank as a result of foreclosure, by deed in lieu of foreclosure or when the borrower has effectively abandoned the property and the loan meets the criteria of an in-substance foreclosure is classified as “real estate owned” until such time as it is sold or otherwise disposed of.

The following table sets forth information with respect to the Bank’s nonperforming assets for the periods indicated.

 

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     For the Years Ended April 30,  
     2009     2008       2007         2006         2005    
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:

          

Mortgage loans

   $ 345      $ 617      $ —        $ —        $ —     

Commercial business loans

     —          —          —          —          —     

Consumer loans

     —          —          —          —          —     
                                        

Total nonaccrual loans

   $ 345      $ 617      $ —        $ —        $ —     
                                        

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more:

          

Mortgage loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Commercial business loans

     —          —          —          —          —     

Consumer loans

     —          —          —          —          —     
                                        

Total accruing loans past due 90 days or more

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     
                                        

Impaired loans:

          

Mortgage loans

   $ 595      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Commercial business loans

     —          —          —          —          —     

Consumer loans

     —          —          —          —          —     
                                        

Total

   $ 595      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     
                                        

Total of nonaccruing loans, accruing loans past due 90 days or more and restructured loans due 90 days or more and restructured loans

   $ 940      $ 617      $ —        $ —        $ —     
                                        

Percentage of net loans

     0.72     0.49     —       —       —  
                                        

Other nonperforming assets1

   $ 590      $ 605      $ —        $ —        $ —     
                                        

 

1

Other nonperforming assets represent property acquired by the Bank through foreclosure or repossession. This property is carried at the lower of its fair market value or the principal balance of the related loan.

At April 30, 2009, the Bank had one residential real estate loan and one home equity line of credit that were more than 90 days delinquent and on nonaccrual status.

During the year ended April 30, 2009, gross interest income of $11,000 would have been recorded on mortgage loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis if such loans had been current through the period, $7,000 of interest income was recorded and on such loans during fiscal 2009.

At April 30, 2009, the Bank had 8 loans with a total outstanding principal balance of $3.1 million which were not classified as a nonperforming asset, but where information about credit problems of the borrowers has caused management to have concern as to the ability of the borrower to comply with current repayment terms.

While the Bank believes it is holding sufficient collateral and has established reserves in amounts adequate to cover losses that may be incurred upon disposition of its problem assets, there can be no assurance that additional losses will not be incurred. The recent economic recession and its effect on borrowers’ repayment capacities and on the values of properties held as collateral by the Bank could negatively impact the performance of the Bank’s loan portfolio going forward.

Allowance for Possible Loan Losses. The Bank maintains an allowance for possible losses on loans and real estate acquired by foreclosure. The provision for possible loan losses is determined by management on the basis of several factors including the risk characteristics of the portfolio, the Bank’s charge-off history, current economic conditions and trends in loan delinquencies and charge-offs, and is reviewed and endorsed by the Bank’s Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. Provisions for estimated losses on specific loans are charged to income when, in the opinion of management, such losses are expected to be incurred. Losses are usually indicated when the net realizable value is determined to be less than the investment in such loans.

Management actively monitors the Bank’s problem assets, formally reviewing identified and potential troubled assets at the Board of Directors level on a monthly basis. Additionally, the Bank regularly reviews its lending policies and maintains conservative limits on loan-to-value ratios on land loans, construction loans to

 

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builders and commercial real estate mortgages. However, a prolonged downturn in the real estate market and economy in the Bank’s primary market area could result in the Bank experiencing additional loan delinquencies, thereby having a negative impact on the Bank’s interest income and negatively affecting net income in future periods.

At April 30, 2009, the Bank had one impaired loan totaling $595,000. The average investment in the impaired loan during the fiscal year was $149,000 and the valuation allowance related to the impaired loan was $26,000. During the year ended April 30, 2009, interest income recognized on the impaired loan was $22,000.

During fiscal 2009 and 2008, the Bank made no provision for loan losses. At April 30, 2009, the Bank’s reserve for loan losses totaled $1.3 million. While the Bank believes it has established its reserve for loan losses in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, there can be no assurance (i) that regulators, in reviewing the Bank’s loan portfolio in the future, will not request that the Bank increase its allowance for possible loan losses, or (ii) that deterioration will not occur in the Bank’s loan portfolio, thereby negatively impacting the Bank’s financial condition and earnings.

Management believes that the present loss allowance is adequate to absorb possible losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible based on evaluations of the collectibility of loans and prior loss experience. While management uses the best information available in establishing provisions for losses, future adjustments to the provisions may be necessary if economic or other conditions differ substantially from the evaluations used in making the provisions resulting in a reduction in the value of the collateral securing a problem loan, or in a reduction in the value of real estate owned.

The following table provides an analysis of the allowance for loan losses during the periods indicated.

 

     For the Years Ended April 30,  
     2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 1,375      $ 1,673      $ 1,704      $ 1,606      $ 1,473   
                                        

Charge-offs:

          

Mortgage loans

     (78     (300     —          —          —     

Other loans

     —          (5     (28     —          (2
                                        

Total charge-offs

     (78     (305     (28     —          (2
                                        

Total recoveries

     8        7        7        8        67   

Net loans (charged-off) recoveries

     (70     (298     (21     8        65   
                                        

Provision for possible loan losses

     —          —          120        90        68   
                                        

Reclassification to allowance for loan losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures

     —          —          (130     —          —     
                                        

Balance at end of period

   $ 1,305      $ 1,375      $ 1,673      $ 1,704      $ 1,606   
                                        

Ratio of net (charge-offs) recoveries to average loans outstanding during the period

     (0.05 )%      (0.22 )%      (0.01 )%      —       0.05
                                        

 

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The following table sets forth the breakdown of the allowance for loan losses by loan category for the periods indicated.

 

    For the Year Ended April 30,  
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
    Amount   Percent of
Loans in
Category to
Total Loans
    Amount   Percent of
Loans in
Category to
Total Loans
    Amount   Percent of
Loans in
Category to
Net Loans
    Amount   Percent of
Loans in
Category to
Total Loans
    Amount   Percent of
Loans in
Category to
Total Loans
 
    (Dollars in thousands)  

At end of period allocated to:

                   

Residential mortgages

  $ 242   40.9   $ 339   40.5   $ 194   36.7   $ 223   36.5   $ 378   37.8

Commercial mortgages

    706   32.5        591   29.1        721   26.2        692   22.6        459   21.9   

Construction mortgages

    89   4.9        181   6.4        500   14.3        410   19.8        430   20.6   

Home equity loans and lines of credit

    166   17.2        161   19.2        152   17.5        201   15.8        65   14.8   

Consumer

    20   1.3        27   1.7        24   1.7        41   1.6        52   1.6   

Commercial business

    82   3.2        76   3.1        82   3.6        137   3.7        222   3.3   
                                                           

Total allowance for loan losses

  $ 1,305   100.0   $ 1,375   100.0   $ 1,673   100.0   $ 1,704   100.0   $ 1,606   100.0
                                                           

Based upon management’s assessment and year-end real estate market conditions, management believes that the allowance for loan losses as of April 30, 2009, is adequate to absorb potential future losses in the Bank’s loan portfolio. However, deterioration of the real estate market in the Bank’s market area could result in the Bank experiencing increased levels of nonperforming assets and charge-offs, significant provisions for loan losses and a further reduction in net interest income.

Investment Activities

The Bank has authority to invest in a wide range of securities deemed to be prudent by management, subject to regulatory restrictions which have not significantly limited the Bank’s investment activities. The Bank’s management believes it is proper to maintain an investment portfolio that provides not only a source of income, but also a source of liquidity to meet lending demands and fluctuations in deposit flows. The relative mix of investment securities and loans in the Bank’s portfolio is dependent upon the comparative attractiveness of yields available to the Bank and demand for various types of loans that it makes as compared to yields on investment securities. At April 30, 2009, the Bank’s portfolio of short-term investments and investment securities totaled $96.4 million, which represented 38.6% of total assets. Included within this portfolio were equity securities which, at April 30, 2009, had an aggregate book value of $1.0 million and an aggregate market value of $879,000, or 0.4% of total assets at that date. Additionally, the Bank maintained a portfolio of trust preferred securities which had a book value of $750,000 and a market value of $331,000 at April 30, 2009.

During the fiscal second quarter ended October 31, 2008, the Bank recorded a non-cash, other than temporary gross impairment charge of approximately $1.9 million, representing the entire value of the Bank’s investments in preferred stock issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) and the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”). This action was taken following the September 7, 2008, announcement that the Federal Housing Finance Agency had placed FHLMC and FNMA under conservatorship and that dividend payments on the subject securities were being suspended.

During the year ended April 30, 2009, the Bank’s portfolio of investment and short-term investments decreased by $1.4 million. This decrease was comprised of a decrease of $4.7 million in mortgage backed and related securities, a decrease of $344,000 in municipal obligations, a decrease of $872,000 in corporate debt securities, and a decrease of $364,000 in trust preferred securities. Additionally, marketable equity securities decreased in total by $2.8 million (including the aforementioned $1.9 million gross impairment charge recorded on the Bank’s investment in the preferred stock of FNMA and FHLMC). Offsetting these decreases was an increase of $3.2 million in federal funds sold and overnight investments and an increase of $4.4 million in U.S. Government and federal agency obligations.

The Bank’s portfolio of fixed-income investment securities consists of securities offering varying maturities or adjustable interest rates, including federal funds sold through correspondent banks, United States Treasury and government agency obligations, investment grade corporate bonds, municipal obligations and money

 

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market instruments. The average life to maturity of the Bank’s U.S. Government agency, corporate bonds and municipal obligations fixed-income investment portfolio was 4.7 years at April 30, 2009. The Bank’s investment portfolio is managed by the Bank’s President and Treasurer, who make investment decisions (with the assistance of an independent investment advisory firm) for the Bank. For more information on the Bank’s investment portfolio see Note B of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investment Portfolio. The following table sets forth the composition of the Bank’s investment portfolio at the dates indicated. For information regarding the classification of investment securities as available for sale or held to maturity see Notes A and B of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders, filed as Exhibit 13 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

     At April 30,
     2009    2008    2007
     Book
Value
   Market
Value
   Book
Value
    Market
Value
   Book
Value
    Market
Value
     (Dollars in thousands)

Short-term Investments:

               

Federal funds sold and overnight investments

   $ 6,184    $ 6,184    $ 2,975      $ 2,975    $ 3,919      $ 3,919
                                           

Investment Securities:

               

Bonds and obligations:

               

U.S. Government and federal agency obligations

     22,053      22,175      17,606        17,749      21,738        21,595

Mortgage-backed securities

     59,933      62,051      65,369        66,037      49,416        48,937

Asset-backed securities

     283      218      333        333      393        393

Corporate debt securities

     1,000      489      1,500        1,361      1,998        1,925

Municipal obligations

     4,902      5,021      5,269        5,366      2,271        2,262

Trust preferred securities

     750      331      750        695      1,000        1,017

Marketable equity securities

     1,047      879      4,173        3,640      4,421        4,339

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale

     293      —        (157     —        (350     —  
                                           

Total investment securities

     90,261      91,164      94,843        95,181      80,887        80,468
                                           

Total short-term investments and investment securities

   $ 96,445    $ 97,348    $ 97,818      $ 98,156    $ 84,806      $ 84,387
                                           

 

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The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities, carrying values and average yields for the Bank’s investment portfolio at April 30, 2009.

 

    One Year or Less     One to Five Years     Five to Ten Years     More than Ten Years     Total Investment
Portfolio
 
    Book
Value
  Weighted
Average
Yield
    Book
Value
  Weighted
Average
Yield
    Book
Value
  Weighted
Average
Yield
    Book
Value
  Weighted
Average
Yield
    Book
Value
  Weighted
Average
Yield
 
    (Dollars in thousands)  

Securities held to maturity:

                   

U.S. Government and federal agency obligations

  $ —     —     $ 12,047   2.66   $ 3,508   3.70   $ —     —     $ 15,555   2.90

Mortgage-backed securities (1)

    975   4.00        25,509   4.91        —     —          —     —          26,484   4.88   

Asset-backed securities (1)

    —     —          283   7.22        —     —          —     —          283   7.22   

Municipal obligations

    253   3.66        934   3.70        250   4.00        1,480   4.07        2,917   3.91   
                                       

Total

  $ 1,228   3.93   $ 38,773   4.20   $ 3,758   3.72   $ 1,480   4.07   $ 45,239   4.15
                                       

Securities available for sale:

                   

U.S. Government and federal agency obligations

  $ —     —     $ 6,031   3.29   $ 504   5.25   $ —     —     $ 6,535   3.44

Mortgage-backed securities (1)

    986   5.11        33,758   5.09        —     —          —     —          34,744   5.09   

Corporate debt securities

    —     —          489   7.10        —     —          —     —          489   7.10   

Municipal obligations

    —     —          1,271   3.41        —     —          773   3.87        2,044   3.58   

Trust preferred securities

    —     —          —     —          —     —          331   7.08        331   7.08   

Marketable equity securities

    879   4.76        —     —          —     —          —     —          879   4.76   
                                       

Total

  $ 1,865   4.94   $ 41,549   4.80   $ 504   5.25   $ 1,104   4.83   $ 45,022   4.81
                                       

 

(1) For purposes of the maturity table, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, which are not due at a single maturity date, have been allocated to maturity groups based on the weighted average estimated life of the underlying collateral.

 

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Savings Activities and Other Sources of Funds

General. Savings accounts and other types of deposits have traditionally been an important source of funds for use in lending and for other general business purposes. The Bank also derives funds from loan amortization and repayments, sales of securities and loans, and from other operations. The availability of funds is influenced by general interest rates and other market conditions. Scheduled loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds while deposit inflows and outflows can vary widely and are influenced by prevailing interest rates and money market conditions. Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in deposits or deposit inflows at less than projected levels and may be used on a longer term basis to support expanded lending and investment activity.

Deposits. The Bank’s deposit accounts consist of regular savings, NOW and commercial checking accounts, money market deposit and term certificates of deposit. During the year ended April 30, 2009, deposits, including interest credited, increased by $9.8 million to $214.0 million from $204.2 million at April 30, 2008. As of April 30, 2009, 9.7% of the Bank’s total deposits were in money market deposit accounts, 14.5% were in regular savings accounts, 55.0% were in term certificates of deposit and 20.8% were in NOW and demand deposit accounts. At April 30, 2009, retirement account balances totaled $17.4 million, or 8.1% of total deposits.

Substantially all of the Bank’s deposit accounts are derived from customers who reside or work in its market area, and from businesses located in that area. The Bank also encourages borrowers to maintain deposit accounts at the Bank.

The Bank prices its deposit products on the basis of its deposit objectives, cash flow requirements, the cost of available alternatives and rates offered by competitors. The Bank believes that its rates on money market deposit accounts and term certificate accounts are generally competitive with rates offered by other financial institutions in its market area. The Bank’s management reviews the interest rate offered on term certificates weekly and establishes new rates as market and other conditions warrant. The interest rates on money market deposit accounts are reviewed and adjusted monthly based on market conditions. From time to time, the Bank may offer promotional gifts, premium interest rates or different terms in order to attract deposits.

The Bank has further enhanced its delivery systems by providing automatic teller machine (“ATM”) and debit cards which can be used at any NYCE location in New England or any CIRRUS® ATM location nationwide as well as telephone banking and on-line banking. The Bank has no brokered deposit accounts and does not at this time intend to solicit or to accept such deposits. The Bank does not actively solicit certificate of deposit accounts over $100,000, but may negotiate premium interest rates on such deposits, as circumstances dictate.

Deposit Accounts. The following table shows the distribution of the Bank’s deposit accounts and the average rate paid on such deposits at April 30, 2009.

 

     At April 30, 2009  
     Amount    Percent
to Total
    Average
Rate
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Demand deposits and official checks

   $ 14,586    6.8   —  

NOW accounts

     29,869    14.0      0.20   

Regular savings

     31,148    14.5      0.30   

Money market deposit accounts

     20,693    9.7      1.21   
               

Total noncertificate accounts

     96,296    45.0      0.42   

Certificate accounts

     117,661    55.0      3.10   
               

Total deposits

   $ 213,957    100.0   1.89
                   

 

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Certificates of Deposit. The following table sets forth the Bank’s time deposits classified by interest rate at the dates indicated.

 

     At April 30,
     2009    2008    2007
     (In thousands)

Under 2%

   $ 10,707    $ —      $ —  

2 – 3.99%

     103,637      54,749      35,398

4 – 5.99%

     3,317      62,412      81,273

6 – 7.99%

     —        —        —  
                    

Total

   $ 117,661    $ 117,161    $ 116,671
                    

The following table sets forth the amount and maturities of the Bank’s time deposits at April 30, 2009.

 

     Amount Due
     Less Than
One Year
   One to
Two
Years
   Two to
Three Years
   After
Three
Years
   Total

Rate

   (In thousands)

Under 2%

   $ 10,645    $ 62    $ —      $ —      $ 10,707

2 – 3.99%

     95,889      4,278      2,154      1,316      103,637

4 – 5.99%

     932      1,530      781      74      3,317

6 – 7.99%

     —        —        —        —        —  
                                  

Total

   $ 107,466    $ 5,870    $ 2,935    $ 1,390    $ 117,661
                                  

The following table indicates the amount of the Bank’s certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more by time remaining until maturity as of April 30, 2009.

 

Maturity Period

   Certificates
of Deposit
   (In thousands)

Three months or less

   $ 7,096

Over three through six months

     10,229

Over six through 12 months

     23,886

Over 12 months

     3,504
      

Total

   $ 44,715
      

For further information concerning the Bank’s deposits, see Note G of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders.

Borrowings. Savings deposits and loan repayments are the primary source of funds for the Bank’s lending and investment activities and for its general business purposes. From time to time, the Bank also borrows funds from the FHLB of Boston to meet loan demand and to take advantage of other investment opportunities. All advances from the FHLB are secured by certain unencumbered residential mortgage loans held by the Bank. At April 30, 2009, the Bank had $13.9 million in outstanding borrowings, comprised of $13.5 million in outstanding advances from the FHLB of Boston and a $388,000 mortgage note payable due June 2011. Additional sources of liquidity include The Co-operative Central Bank Reserve Fund, and the Federal Reserve System. For further information concerning the Bank’s borrowings and available lines of credit, see Note H of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders.

 

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Subsidiary Activities

The Bank has a wholly owned subsidiary, MFLR Securities Corporation (“MFLR”), incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts as a securities corporation to invest in securities. As a Massachusetts securities corporation, MFLR is limited to buying, selling and holding investment securities for its own account which would not differ from the Bank’s ability to invest in the same types of securities. Massachusetts securities corporations are afforded a substantially lower state tax rate than the Bank on investment income earned on securities held in their portfolios. At April 30, 2009, the Bank’s investment in MFLR totaled $20.2 million, all of which was used to buy, sell and hold investment securities.

The Bank has a second wholly owned subsidiary, Mayflower Plaza, LLC, incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts as a limited liability corporation. This entity was formed to take ownership of a small retail plaza in Lakeville, Massachusetts, on which the Bank has constructed its Lakeville office. The approximate investment in this entity is currently $354,000.

Performance Ratios

The table below sets forth certain performance ratios of the Bank at or for the years indicated.

 

     At or for the
Year Ended April 30,
 
     2009     2008     2007  

Return on assets (net earnings divided by average total assets)

   0.02   0.44   0.43

Return on average stockholders’ equity (net earnings divided by average stockholder’s equity)

   0.19      5.39      5.50   

Dividend payout ratio (Dividends declared per share divided by net earnings per share)

   2,385.71      79.36      79.96   

Interest rate spread (combined weighted average interest rate earned less combined weighted average interest rate cost)

   3.22      2.91      2.99   

Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

   101.45      102.58      103.58   

Ratio of noninterest expense to average total assets

   2.97      2.79      2.76   

 

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Interest Rate Sensitivity Gap Analysis

The following table presents the Bank’s interest sensitivity gap between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at April 30, 2009. In addition the table indicates the Bank’s interest sensitivity gap at various periods and the ratio of the Bank’s interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities at various periods. Term certificates are based upon contractual maturities.

 

     One Year
or Less
    Over One
Through Three
Years
    Over Three
Through
Five Years
    Over Five
Through

Ten Years
    Over Ten
Through
Twenty Years
    Over
Twenty Years
    Total  

Interest-sensitive assets:

              

Federal funds sold and overnight investments

   $ 6,184      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 6,184   

Investment securities (1)

     9,070        14,605        21,755        12,729        30,574        1,528        90,261   

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     1,650        —          —          —          —          —          1,650   

Deposits with The Co-operative Central Bank

     449        —          —          —          —          —          449   

Fixed-rate mortgages

     5,535        1,809        1,975        8,994        10,380        15,168        43,861   

Adjustable-rate residential and commercial mortgage loans

     25,529        15,819        21,553        2,066        —          —          64,967   

Commercial loans

     3,026        821        304        150        —          —          4,301   

Home equity lines of credit

     12,658        4,789        —          —          —          —          17,447   

Consumer loans

     896        574        285        —          —          —          1,755   
                                                        

Total loans

     47,644        23,812        24,117        11,210        10,380        15,168        132,331   
                                                        

Total interest-sensitive assets

   $ 64,997      $ 38,417      $ 45,872      $ _23,939      $ 40,954      $ 16,696      $ 230,875   
                                                        

Interest-sensitive liabilities:

              

Money market accounts

   $ 20,693      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 20,693   

Certificates of deposit

     107,466        8,805        1,390        —          —          —          117,661   

NOW accounts (2)

     29,869        —          —          —          —          —          29,869   

Regular savings (2)

     31,148        —          —          —          —          —          31,148   

Borrowed funds

     6,022        6,866        —          1,000        —          —          13,888   
                                                        

Total interest-sensitive liabilities

   $ 195,198      $ 15,671      $ 1,390      $ 1,000      $ —        $ —        $ 213,259   
                                                        

Interest sensitivity gap

   $ (130,201   $ 22,746      $ 44,482      $ 22.939      $ 40,954      $ 16,696      $ 17,616   
                                                        

Cumulative interest sensitivity gap

   $ (130,201   $ (107,455   $ (62,973   $ (40,034   $ 920      $ 17,616     
                                                  

Ratio of interest-sensitive assets to interest-sensitive liabilities

     33.30     245.15     3,300.14     2,393.90     N/A        N/A        108.26
                                                        

Cumulative rate of interest-sensitive assets to interest-sensitive liabilities

     33.30     49.04     70.33     81.23     100.43     108.26  
                                                  

 

(1) Equity securities, including preferred stocks, that have no maturity date are shown in one year or less. Trust preferred securities are shown in the “Over Twenty Years” column. Fixed-rate mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are shown on their final maturity date. Adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities are shown on the next repricing date.
(2) Subject to repricing on a monthly basis.

 

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Rate/Volume Analysis

The effect on net interest income as a result of changes in interest rates and in the amount of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is shown in the following table. Information is provided on changes for the periods indicated attributable to (1) changes in volume (change in average balance multiplied by prior period yield), (2) changes in interest rates (changes in yield multiplied by prior period average balance), and (3) the combined effect of changes in interest rates and volume (changes in yield multiplied by changes in average balance).

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2009 vs. 2008     2008 vs. 2007  
     Changes Due to Increase (Decrease)     Changes Due to Increase (Decrease)  
     Total     Volume     Rate     Rate/
Volume
    Total     Volume     Rate     Rate/
Volume
 
     (In thousands)  

Interest income:

                

Loans

   $ (1,015   $ (425   $ (619   $ 29      $ (565   $ (357   $ (216   $ 8   

Investments

     (38     215        (193     (60     585        116        509        (40
                                                                

Total

     (1,053     (210     (812     (31     20        (241     293        (32
                                                                

Interest expense:

                

Deposits

     (1,371     116        (1,458     (29     557        104        444        9   

Borrowings

     (232     (139     (110     17        (212     (215     4        (1
                                                                

Total

     (1,603     (23     (1,568     (12     345        (111     448        8   
                                                                

Increase (decrease) in net interest and dividend income

   $ 550      $ (187   $ 756      $ (19   $ (325   $ (130   $ (155   $ (40
                                                                

 

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Average Balance Sheet

The following table sets forth certain information relating to the Bank’s average balance sheet and reflects the average yield on assets and average cost of liabilities for the periods indicated and the average yields earned and rates paid at April 30, 2009. Such yields and costs are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented. Average balances are derived using average daily balances.

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2009     2008     2007  
     Average
Balance
   Interest    Average
Yield/Cost
    Average
Balance
   Interest    Average
Yield/Cost
    Average
Balance
   Interest    Average
Yield/Cost
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Interest-earning assets:

                        

Loans receivable

   $ 128,870    $ 8,112    6.29   $ 135,159    $ 9,127    6.75   $ 140,324    $ 9,692    6.91

Investment securities

     96,605      4,294    4.44        91,779      4,332    4.72        89,631      3,747    4.18   
                                                

Total interest-earning assets

   $ 225,475      12,406    5.50      $ 226,938      13,459    5.93      $ 229,955      13,439    5.84   
                                        

Interest-bearing liabilities:

                        

Deposits

   $ 205,348      4,388    2.14      $ 201,278      5,759    2.86      $ 197,326      5,202    2.64   

Borrowings

     16,904      680    4.02        19,951      912    4.57        24,681      1,124    4.55   
                                                

Total interest-bearing liabilities

   $ 222,252      5,068    2.28      $ 221,229      6,671    3.02      $ 222,007      6,326    2.85   
                                                

Net interest income

      $ 7,338         $ 6,788         $ 7,113   
                                    

Interest rate spread

         3.22         2.91         2.99
                                    

Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

         101.45         102.58         103.58
                                    

 

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Regulation and Supervision of the Company

General. The Company is a bank holding company subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”). As a result, the activities of the Company are subject to certain limitations, which are described below. In addition, as a bank holding company, the Company is required to file annual and quarterly reports with the Federal Reserve Board and to furnish such additional information as the Federal Reserve Board may require pursuant to the BHCA. The Company is also subject to regular examination by and the enforcement authority of the Federal Reserve Board.

Activities. With certain exceptions, the BHCA prohibits a bank holding company from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of a company that engages directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking, managing or controlling banks, or providing services for its subsidiaries. The principal exceptions to these prohibitions involve certain non-bank activities which, by statute or by Federal Reserve Board regulation or order, have been identified as activities closely related to the business of banking. The activities of the Company are subject to these legal and regulatory limitations under the BHCA and the related Federal Reserve Board regulations. Notwithstanding the Federal Reserve Board’s prior approval of specific nonbanking activities, the Federal Reserve Board has the power to order a holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any activity, or to terminate its ownership or control of any subsidiary, when it has reasonable cause to believe that the continuation of such activity or such ownership or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of any bank subsidiary of that holding company.

Effective with the enactment of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “G-L-B Act”) on November 12, 1999, bank holding companies whose financial institution subsidiaries are well capitalized and well managed and have satisfactory or better Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) records can elect to become “financial holding companies” which are permitted to engage in a broader range of financial activities than are permitted to bank holding companies, including investment banking and insurance companies. Financial holding companies are authorized to engage in, directly or indirectly, financial activities. A financial activity is an activity that is: (i) financial in nature; (ii) incidental to an activity that is financial in nature; or (iii) complementary to a financial activity and that does not pose a safety and soundness risk. The G-L-B Act includes a list of activities that are deemed to be financial in nature. Other activities also may be decided by the Federal Reserve Board to be financial in nature or incidental thereto if they meet specified criteria. A financial holding company that intends to engage in a new activity or to acquire a company to engage in such an activity is required to give prior notice to the Federal Reserve Board. If the activity is not either specified in the G-L-B Act as being a financial activity or one that the Federal Reserve Board has determined by rule or regulation to be financial in nature, the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board is required.

Acquisitions. Under the BHCA, a bank holding company must obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board before (1) acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank or bank holding company if, after such acquisition, the bank holding company would directly or indirectly own or control more than 5% of such shares; (2) acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of another bank or bank holding company; or (3) merging or consolidating with another bank holding company. Satisfactory financial condition, particularly with regard to capital adequacy, and satisfactory CRA ratings are generally prerequisites to obtaining federal regulatory approval to make acquisitions.

Under the BHCA, any company must obtain approval of the Federal Reserve Board prior to acquiring control of the Company or the Bank. For purposes of the BHCA, “control” is defined as ownership of more than 25% of any class of voting securities of the Company or the Bank, the ability to control the election of a majority of the directors, or the exercise of a controlling influence over management or policies of the Company or the Bank. In addition, the Change in Bank Control Act and the related regulations of the Federal Reserve Board require any person or persons acting in concert (except for companies required to make application under the BHCA), to file a written notice with the Federal Reserve Board before such person or persons may acquire control of the Company or the Bank. The Change in Bank Control Act defines “control” as the power, directly or indirectly, to vote 25% or more of any voting securities or to direct the management or policies of a bank holding company or an insured bank. There is a presumption of “control” where the acquiring person will own, control or hold with power to vote 10% or more of any class of voting security of a bank holding company or insured bank if, like the Company, the company involved has registered securities under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

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Under Massachusetts banking law, prior approval of the Massachusetts Division of Banks is also required before any person may acquire control of a Massachusetts bank or bank holding company. Massachusetts law generally prohibits a bank holding company from acquiring control of an additional bank if the bank to be acquired has been in existence for less than three years or, if after such acquisition, the bank holding company would control more than 30% of the FDIC-insured deposits in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Capital Requirements. The Federal Reserve Board has adopted guidelines regarding the capital adequacy of bank holding companies, which require bank holding companies to maintain specified minimum ratios of capital to total assets and capital to risk-weighted assets. See “Regulation and Supervision of the Bank—Capital Requirements.”

Dividends. The Federal Reserve Board has the power to prohibit dividends by bank holding companies if their actions constitute unsafe or unsound practices. The Federal Reserve Board has issued a policy statement on the payment of cash dividends by bank holding companies, which expresses the Federal Reserve Board’s view that a bank holding company should pay cash dividends only to the extent that the company’s net income for the past year is sufficient to cover both the cash dividends and a rate of earnings retention that is consistent with the company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. The Federal Reserve Board also indicated that it would be inappropriate for a bank holding company experiencing serious financial problems to borrow funds to pay dividends. Under the prompt corrective action regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), the Federal Reserve Board may prohibit a bank holding company from paying any dividends if the holding company’s bank subsidiary is classified as “undercapitalized” or worse.” See “Regulation and Supervision of the Bank — Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action.”

Stock Repurchases. Bank holding companies are required to give the Federal Reserve Board prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net worth. The Federal Reserve Board may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would violate any law, regulation, Federal Reserve Board order, directive or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the Federal Reserve Board. This requirement does not apply to bank holding companies that are “well-capitalized,” received one of the two highest examination ratings at their last examination and are not the subject of any unresolved supervisory issues.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 implemented legislative reforms intended to address corporate and accounting fraud. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act restricts the scope of services that may be provided by accounting firms to their public company audit clients and any non-audit services being provided to a public company audit client will require pre-approval by the company’s audit committee. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires chief executive officers and chief financial officers, or their equivalents, to certify to the accuracy of periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, subject to civil and criminal penalties if they knowingly or willingly violate this certification requirement.

Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, bonuses issued to top executives before restatement of a company’s financial statements are now subject to disgorgement if such restatement was due to corporate misconduct. Executives are also prohibited from insider trading during retirement plan “blackout” periods and loans to company executives (other than loans by financial institutions permitted by federal rules and regulations) are restricted. The legislation accelerates the time frame for disclosures by public companies of changes in ownership in a company’s securities by directors and executive officers.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act also increases the oversight of, and codifies certain requirements relating to audit committees of public companies and how they interact with the company’s “registered public accounting firm.” Among other requirements, companies must disclose whether at least one member of the audit committee is a “financial expert” (as such term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission) and if not, why not. Although the Company anticipates that it will incur additional expense in complying with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the resulting regulations, management does not expect that such compliance will have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

 

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Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we are required to report on our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have documented and tested our internal controls over financial reporting during the fiscal year ended April 20, 2009, and we believe that such internal controls are adequate. On June 20, 2008, the SEC approved an extension of compliance dates for non-accelerated filers and smaller reporting companies regarding auditor attestation requirements of internal controls over financial reporting (Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002). The Company is currently considered a smaller reporting company with the SEC and, under the approved extension, would be required to comply with Section 404 requirements for its fiscal year ending on April 30, 2010.

Regulation and Supervision of the Bank

General. The Bank is subject to extensive regulation by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks (“Commissioner”) and the FDIC. The lending activities and other investments of the Bank must comply with various federal regulatory requirements. The Commissioner and FDIC periodically examine the Bank for compliance with these regulatory requirements and the Bank must regularly file reports with the Commissioner and the FDIC describing its activities and financial condition. The Bank is also subject to certain reserve requirements promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”). This supervision and regulation is intended primarily for the protection of depositors.

Massachusetts State Law. As a Massachusetts-chartered co-operative bank, the Bank is subject to the applicable provisions of Massachusetts law and the regulations of the Commissioner adopted thereunder. The Bank derives its lending and investment powers from these laws, and is subject to periodic examination and reporting requirements by and of the Commissioner. Certain powers granted under Massachusetts law may be constrained by federal regulation. In addition, the Bank is required to make periodic reports to The Co-operative Central Bank. Banks nationwide are permitted to enter the Bank’s market area and compete for deposits and loan originations. The approval of the Commissioner is required prior to any merger or consolidation, or the establishment or relocation of any branch office. Massachusetts cooperative banks are subject to the enforcement authority of the Commissioner who may suspend or remove directors or officers, issue cease and desist orders and appoint conservators or receivers in appropriate circumstances. Co-operative banks are required to pay fees and assessments to the Commissioner to fund that office’s operations. The cost of state examination fees and assessments for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009 was $23,000.

Capital Requirements. Under FDIC regulations, state-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System are required to maintain a minimum leverage capital requirement consisting of a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of 3% if the FDIC determines that the institution is not anticipating or experiencing significant growth and has well-diversified risk, including no undue interest rate risk exposure, excellent asset quality, high liquidity, good earnings and in general a strong banking organization, rated composite 1 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (the CAMELS rating system) established by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. For all but the most highly rated institutions meeting the conditions set forth above, the minimum leverage capital ratio is not less than 4%. Tier 1 capital is the sum of common stockholders’ equity, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock (including any related surplus) and minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, minus all intangible assets (other than certain mortgage servicing rights, purchased credit card relationships and qualifying supervisory goodwill) minus identified losses, disallowed deferred tax assets and investments in financial subsidiaries and certain non-financial equity investments.

In addition to the leverage ratio (the ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets), state-chartered nonmember banks must maintain a minimum ratio of qualifying total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8%, of which at least half must be Tier 1 capital. Qualifying total capital consists of Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 or supplementary capital items. Tier 2 capital items include allowances for loan losses in an amount of up to 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, cumulative preferred stock and preferred stock with a maturity of over 20 years, certain other capital instruments and up to 45% of pre-tax net unrealized holding gains on equity securities. The includable amount of Tier 2 capital cannot exceed the institution’s Tier 1 capital. Qualifying total capital is further reduced by the amount of the bank’s investments in banking and finance subsidiaries that are not consolidated for regulatory capital purposes, reciprocal cross-holdings of capital securities issued by other banks, most intangible assets and certain other deductions. Under the FDIC risk-weighted system, all of a bank’s balance sheet assets and the credit equivalent amounts of

 

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certain off-balance sheet items are assigned to one of four broad risk weight categories from 0% to 100%, based on the risks inherent in the type of assets or item. The aggregate dollar amount of each category is multiplied by risk weight assigned to that category. The sum of these weighted values equals the Bank’s risk-weighted assets.

At April 30, 2009, the Bank’s ratio of core Tier 1 capital to total average assets was 7.5%, its ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 13.4% and its ratio of total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets was 14.4%. Capital ratios for the Company were 7.6%, 13.4% and 14.4%, respectively.

Dividend Limitations. The Bank may not pay dividends on its capital stock if its regulatory capital would thereby be reduced below the amount then required for the liquidation account established for the benefit of certain depositors of the Bank at the time of its conversion to stock form.

Earnings of the Bank appropriated to bad debt reserves and deducted for federal income tax purposes are not available for payment of cash dividends or other distributions to stockholders without payment of taxes at the then current tax rate by the Bank on the amount of earnings removed from the reserves for such distributions. See “Federal and State Taxation.” The Bank intends to make full use of this favorable tax treatment and does not contemplate use of any earnings in a manner which would limit the Bank’s bad debt deduction or create federal tax liabilities.

Under FDIC regulations, the Bank is prohibited from making any capital distributions if, after making the distribution, the Bank would have: (i) a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8%; (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4%; or (iii) a leverage ratio of less than 4%.

Investment Activities. Under federal law, all state-chartered FDIC-insured banks have generally been limited to activities as principal and equity investments of the type and in the amount authorized for national banks, notwithstanding state law. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act and the FDIC permit exceptions to these limitations. For example, state chartered banks, such as the Bank, may, with FDIC approval, continue to exercise grandfathered state authority to invest in common or preferred stocks listed on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq Global Market and in the shares of an investment company registered under federal law. In addition, the FDIC is authorized to permit such institutions to engage in state authorized activities or investments that do not meet this standard (other than non-subsidiary equity investments) for institutions that meet all applicable capital requirements if it is determined that such activities or investments do not pose a significant risk to the Deposit Insurance Fund. All nonsubsidiary equity investments, unless otherwise authorized or approved by the FDIC, must have been divested by December 19, 1996, under a FDIC-approved divestiture plan, unless such investments were grandfathered by the FDIC. The Bank received grandfathering authority from the FDIC to invest in listed stocks and/or registered shares. The maximum permissible investment is 100% of Tier 1 capital, as specified by the FDIC’s regulations, or the maximum amount permitted by Massachusetts Banking Law, whichever is less. Such grandfathering authority may be terminated upon the FDIC’s determination that such investments pose a safety and soundness risk to the Bank or if the Bank converts its charter or undergoes a change in control. As of April 30, 2009, the Bank had marketable equity securities with a market value of $879,000, which were held under such grandfathering authority.

Insurance of Deposit Accounts. The Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC. The Deposit Insurance Fund is the successor to the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund, which were merged in 2006. Under the FDIC’s risk-based assessment system, insured institutions are assigned to one of four risk categories based on supervisory evaluations, regulatory capital levels and certain other factors with less risky institutions paying lower assessments. For 2008, assessments ranged from five to forty-three basis points of assessable deposits. Due to losses incurred by the Deposit Insurance Fund in 2008 from failed institutions, and anticipated future losses, the FDIC, pursuant to a Restoration Plan to replenish the fund, adopted an across the board seven basis point increase in the assessment range for the first quarter of 2009. The FDIC has adopted further refinements to its risk-based assessment that are effective April 1, 2009 and effectively make the range seven to 771/2 basis points. The FDIC has imposed on all insured institutions a special emergency assessment of 5 basis points of total assets less Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009 (capped at 10 basis points of the institution’s deposit assessment base on the same date) in order to cover losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund and has alluded to the possibility of additional special assessments of up to 5 basis points of total assets less Tier 1 capital per quarter (subject to the same cap) for the remainder of 2009 as deemed necessary. The FDIC may

 

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adjust the assessment scale uniformly from one quarter to the next, except that no adjustment can deviate more than three basis points from the base scale without notice and comment rulemaking. No institution may pay a dividend if in default of the federal deposit insurance assessment.

Due to the recent difficult economic conditions, deposit insurance per account owner has been raised to $250,000 for all types of accounts until January 1, 2014. In addition, the FDIC adopted an optional Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program by which, for a fee, noninterest-bearing transaction accounts would receive unlimited insurance coverage until December 31, 2009 and certain senior unsecured debt issued by institutions and their holding companies would temporarily be guaranteed by the FDIC. The Bank made the business decision to participate in the unlimited noninterest- bearing transaction account coverage and the Bank and the Company opted to not participate in the unsecured debt guarantee program.

The Reform Act also provided for the possibility that the FDIC may pay dividends to insured institutions once the Deposit Insurance Fund reserve ratio equals or exceeds 1.35% of estimated insured deposits.

In addition to the assessment for deposit insurance, institutions are required to make payments on bonds issued in the late 1980s by the Financing Corporation to recapitalize a predecessor deposit insurance fund. This payment is established quarterly and during the calendar year ended March 31, 2009 averaged 1.04 basis points of assessable deposits.

The FDIC has authority to increase insurance assessments. A significant increase in insurance premiums would likely have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of the Bank. Management cannot predict what insurance assessment rates will be in the future.

Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. The management of the Bank does not know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance.

All Massachusetts chartered co-operative banks are required to be members of the Share Insurance Fund. The Share Insurance Fund maintains a deposit insurance fund which insures all deposits in member banks which are not covered by federal insurance. In past years, a premium of  1/24 of 1% of insured deposits has been assessed annually on member banks such as the Bank for this deposit insurance. However, no premium has been assessed in recent years.

Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action. Federal banking regulators are required to take prompt corrective action if an insured depository institution fails to satisfy certain minimum capital requirements, including a leverage limit, a risk-based capital requirement and any other measure deemed appropriate by the federal banking regulators for measuring the capital adequacy of an insured depository institution. All institutions, regardless of their capital levels, are restricted from making any capital distribution or paying any management fees if the institution would thereafter fail to satisfy the minimum levels for any of its capital requirements. An institution that fails to meet the minimum level for any relevant capital measure (an “undercapitalized institution”) may be: (i) subject to increased monitoring by the appropriate federal banking regulator; (ii) required to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan within 45 days; (iii) subject to asset growth limits; and (iv) required to obtain prior regulatory approval for acquisitions, branching and new lines of businesses. The capital restoration plan must include a guarantee by the institution’s holding company that the institution will comply with the plan until it has been adequately capitalized on average for four consecutive quarters, under which the holding company would be liable up to the lesser of 5% of the institution’s total assets or the amount necessary to bring the institution into capital compliance as of the date it failed to comply with its capital restoration plan. A “significantly undercapitalized” institution, as well as any undercapitalized institution that did not submit an acceptable capital restoration plan, may be subject to regulatory demands for recapitalization, broader application of restrictions on transactions with affiliates, limitations on interest rates paid on deposits, asset growth and other activities, possible replacement of directors and officers, and restrictions on capital distributions by any bank holding company controlling the institution. Any company controlling the institution could also be required to divest the institution or the institution could be required to divest subsidiaries. The senior executive officers of a significantly undercapitalized institution may not receive bonuses or increases in compensation without prior approval and the institution is prohibited from making payments of

 

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principal or interest on its subordinated debt. In their discretion, the federal banking regulators may also impose the foregoing sanctions on an undercapitalized institution if the regulators determine that such actions are necessary to carry out the purposes of the prompt corrective action provisions.

Under regulations jointly adopted by the federal banking regulators, an institution’s capital adequacy on the basis of the institution’s total risk-based capital ratio (the ratio of its total capital to risk-weighted assets), Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (the ratio of its core capital to risk-weighted assets) and leverage ratio (the ratio of its Tier 1 or core capital to adjusted total average assets). The following table shows the capital ratio requirements for each prompt corrective action category:

 

     Well Capitalized    Adequately
Capitalized
    Undercapitalized     Significantly
Undercapitalized
 

Total risk-based capital ratio

   10.0% or more    8.0% or more      Less than 8.0   Less than 6.0

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

   6.0% or more    4.0% or more      Less than 4.0   Less than 3.0

Leverage ratio

   5.0% or more    4.0% or more  *    Less than 4.0 % *    Less than 3.0

 

* 3.0% if institution has a composite 1 CAMELS rating.

If an institution’s capital falls below the “critically undercapitalized” level, the institution is subject to conservatorship or receivership within specified timeframes. A “critically undercapitalized” institution is defined as an institution that has a ratio of “tangible equity” to total assets of less than 2.0%. Tangible equity is defined as core capital plus cumulative perpetual preferred stock (and related surplus) less all intangibles other than qualifying supervisory goodwill and certain purchased mortgage servicing rights. The FDIC may reclassify a well capitalized depository institution as adequately capitalized and may require an adequately capitalized or undercapitalized institution to comply with the supervisory actions applicable to associations in the next lower capital category (but may not reclassify a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically undercapitalized) if the FDIC determines, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition or that the institution has received and not corrected a less-than-satisfactory rating for any CAMELS rating category. For information regarding the position of the Bank with respect to the prompt corrective action rules, see Note O of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders.

Safety and Soundness Guidelines. Under FDICIA, as amended by the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (the “CDRI Act”), each federal banking agency is required to establish safety and soundness standards for institutions under its authority. In 1995, these agencies, including the FDIC, released interagency guidelines establishing such standards and adopted rules with respect to safety and soundness compliance plans. The guidelines require savings institutions to maintain internal controls and information systems and internal audit systems that are appropriate for the size, nature and scope of the institution’s business. The guidelines also establish certain basic standards for loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, and asset growth. The guidelines further provide that savings institutions should maintain safeguards to prevent the payment of compensation, fees and benefits that are excessive or that could lead to material financial loss, and should take into account factors such as comparable compensation practices at comparable institutions. If the agency determines that a savings institution is not in compliance with the safety and soundness guidelines, it may require the institution to submit an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the guidelines. A savings institution must submit an acceptable compliance plan to the agency within 30 days of receipt of a request for such a plan. Failure to submit or implement a compliance plan may subject the institution to regulatory sanctions. Management believes that the Bank has met substantially all the standards adopted in the interagency guidelines.

Additionally under FDICIA, as amended by the CDRI Act, the federal banking agencies established standards relating to asset and earnings quality. Under the guidelines a savings institution should maintain systems, commensurate with its size and the nature and scope of its operations, to identify problem assets and prevent deterioration in those assets as well as to evaluate and monitor earnings and ensure that earnings are sufficient to maintain adequate capital and reserves. Management believes that the asset quality and earnings standards do not have a material effect on the operations of the Bank.

 

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Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Board regulations require depository institutions to maintain noninterest-earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts). The Federal Reserve Board regulations generally provide that reserves be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts as follows: a 3% reserve ratio is assessed on net transaction accounts up to and including $44.4 million; a 10% reserve ratio is applied above $44.4 million. The first $10.3 million of otherwise reservable balances (subject to adjustments by the Federal Reserve Board) are exempted from the reserve requirements. The amounts are adjusted annually. The Bank is in compliance with these requirements. At April 30, 2009, the Bank met applicable FRB reserve requirements.

Federal Home Loan Bank System. The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System (“FHLBS”) which consists of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks governed and regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Board (“FHFB”) of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. The Bank, as a member of the FHLB of Boston, is required to purchase and hold shares of capital stock in the FHLB of Boston. As of April 30, 2009, the Bank held stock in the FHLB of Boston in the amount $1.65 million and was in compliance with the above requirement.

The Federal Home Loan Banks are required to provide funds for certain purposes including contributing funds for affordable housing programs. These requirements and financial stress caused by economic conditions, could reduce the amount of dividends that the Federal Home Loan Banks pay to their members and result in the Federal Home Loan Banks imposing a higher rate of interest on advances to their members. For the years ended 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, cash dividends from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to the Bank amounted to approximately $39,000, $106,000, $101,000, $70,000 and $45,000, respectively. In February 2009 the Federal Home Bank of Boston announced that it was suspending its dividends for the quarter and was continuing a moratorium on excess stock repurchases. Dividend payments in calendar 2009 are unlikely. Further, there can be no assurance that the impact of recent or future legislation on the Federal Home Loan Banks will not also cause a decrease in the value of the Federal Home Loan Bank stock held by the Bank.

Loans to Executive Officers, Directors and Principal Stockholders. Under federal law, loans to directors, executive officers and principal stockholders of a state non-member bank like the Bank must be made on substantially the same terms as those prevailing for comparable transactions with persons who are not executive officers, directors, principal stockholders or employees of the Bank unless the loan is made pursuant to a compensation or benefit plan that is widely available to employees and does not favor insiders. Loans to any executive officer, director and principal stockholder, together with all other outstanding loans to such person and affiliated interests, generally may not exceed 15% of the bank’s unimpaired capital and surplus, and aggregate loans to such persons may not exceed the institution’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. Loans to directors, executive officers and principal stockholders, and their respective affiliates, in excess of the greater of $25,000 or 5% of capital and surplus (and any loan or loans aggregating $500,000 or more) must be approved in advance by a majority of the board of directors of the bank with any “interested” director not participating in the voting. State non-member banks are prohibited from paying the overdrafts of any of their executive officers or directors unless payment is made pursuant to a written, pre-authorized interest-bearing extension of credit plan that specifies a method of repayment or transfer of funds from another account at the bank. Loans to executive officers may not be made on terms more favorable than those afforded other borrowers and are restricted as to type, amount and terms of credit. In addition, Section 106 of the BHCA prohibits extensions of credit to executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders of a depository institution by any other institution which has a correspondent banking relationship with the institution, unless such extension of credit is on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and does not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. Massachusetts law also contains restrictions on loans to directors and officers, some of which are stricter than federal law. The Bank does not lend to its directors, officers or employees, except on the basis of loans secured by deposits held by the Bank.

Transactions with Affiliates. A state non-member bank or its subsidiaries may not engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate in an amount greater than 10% of such bank’s capital stock and surplus, and for all such transactions with all affiliates a state non-member bank is limited to an amount equal to 20% of capital stock and surplus. All such transactions must also be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable, to the bank or subsidiary as those provided to a non-affiliate. The term “covered transaction” includes the making of loans, purchase of assets, issuance of a guarantee and similar other types of transactions. Specified collateral

 

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requirements apply to covered transactions such as loans to and guarantees issued on behalf of an affiliate. An affiliate of a state non-member bank is any company or entity which controls or is under common control with the state non-member bank and, for purposes of the aggregate limit on transactions with affiliates, any subsidiary that would be deemed a financial subsidiary of a national bank. In a holding company context, the parent holding company of a state non-member bank and any companies which are controlled by such parent holding company are affiliates of the state non-member bank. Federal law further prohibits a depository institution from extending credit to or offering any other services, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional service from the institution or certain of its affiliates or not obtain services of a competitor of the institution, subject to certain limited exceptions.

Enforcement. The FDIC has extensive enforcement authority over insured non-member banks, including the Bank. This enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease and desist orders and to remove directors and officers. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated in response to violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices.

The FDIC has authority under federal law to appoint a conservator or receiver for an insured bank under limited circumstances. The FDIC is required, with certain exceptions, to appoint a receiver or conservator for an insured state non-member bank if that bank was “critically undercapitalized” on average during the calendar quarter beginning 270 days after the date on which the institution became “critically undercapitalized.” See “Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action.” The FDIC may also appoint itself as conservator or receiver for an insured state non-member institution under specific circumstances on the basis of the institution’s financial condition or upon the occurrence of other events, including: (1) insolvency; (2) substantial dissipation of assets or earnings through violations of law or unsafe or unsound practices; (3) existence of an unsafe or unsound condition to transact business; and (4) insufficient capital, or the incurring of losses that will deplete substantially all of the institution’s capital with no reasonable prospect of replenishment without federal assistance.

Community Reinvestment Act. Under the Community Reinvestment Act, as implemented by FDIC regulations, a state non-member bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The Community Reinvestment Act neither establishes specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor limits an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community. The Community Reinvestment Act requires the FDIC, in connection with its examination of an institution, to assess the institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to consider such record when it evaluates applications made by such institution. The Community Reinvestment Act requires public disclosure of an institution’s Community Reinvestment Act rating. The Bank’s latest Community Reinvestment Act rating received from the FDIC was “Outstanding.”

The Bank is also subject to similar obligations under Massachusetts Law, which has an additional CRA rating category. The Massachusetts Community Reinvestment Act requires the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner to consider a bank’s Massachusetts Community Reinvestment Act rating when reviewing a bank’s application to engage in certain transactions, including mergers, asset purchases and the establishment of branch offices or automated teller machines, and provides that such assessment may serve as a basis for the denial of such application. The Bank’s latest Massachusetts Community Reinvestment Act rating received from the Massachusetts Division of Banks was “Outstanding.”

Federal and State Taxation

Federal Taxation. In August 1996, Congress enacted the Small Business Protection Act of 1996. This legislation, effective for taxable years beginning after 1995, repealed the special tax treatment accorded thrift institutions, such as the Bank, which allowed for special provisions in calculating bad debt deductions for income tax purposes.

The most significant effect of this legislation is to suspend the Bank’s tax bad debt reserve as of its base year (April 30, 1988). The legislation required the Bank to recognize any tax bad debt reserves in excess of this base year amount into taxable income over a six-year recapture period. The suspended base year amount would continue to be subject to recapture only upon the occurrence of specific events, such as complete or partial redemption of the Bank’s stock or if the Bank failed to qualify as a bank for income tax purposes.

 

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Prior to 1997, thrift institutions such as the Bank, were generally taxed as corporations. However, banks which met certain definitional tests and other conditions prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) were allowed to establish a bad debt reserve and make annual additions thereto which may be taken as a deduction in computing net taxable income for federal income tax purposes. The Bank had generally elected to base its respective deductions on the percentage of taxable income method as it had resulted in the Bank taking the maximum allowable deduction.

Under the percentage of taxable income method, the bad debt reserve deduction for qualifying loans was computed as a percentage (which Congress had gradually reduced to a current level of 8%) of the Bank’s taxable income, with certain adjustments such as the exclusion of capital gains before computing such deduction. The bad debt deduction under the percentage of taxable income method was limited to the extent that (i) the amount accumulated in reserves for qualifying real estate loans does not exceed 6% of such loans outstanding at the end of the taxable year and (ii) the amount, when added to the bad debt reserve for losses on nonqualifying loans, equals the amount by which 12% of total deposits or withdrawable accounts of depositors at year-end exceeds the sum of surplus, undivided profits and reserves at the beginning of the year. The percentage for bad debt deduction was reduced by the deduction for losses on nonqualifying loans.

In order to qualify for this special tax treatment, the Bank was required to meet certain definitional tests primarily relating to its assets and the nature of its business. The allowable deduction under the percentage of taxable income method, was scaled according to the ratio of “qualifying assets” of the Bank to total assets. Specifically, to establish the maximum bad debt deduction as a savings bank, at least 60% of the Bank’s assets must constitute “qualifying assets”, which generally include cash, obligations of the United States or an agency or instrumentality thereof, or of a state or political subdivision thereof, real estate-related loans, loans secured by savings accounts and property used by the Bank in the conduct of its business. In the event that the Bank’s qualifying assets total less than 60% of total assets, the Bank would not be permitted to utilize the percentage of taxable income method in computing its bad debt reserve deduction.

Income and profits (apart from amounts appropriated to the bad debt reserve) to the extent otherwise available generally may be distributed in cash to stockholders without any federal income tax being imposed on the Bank due to such distribution. However, if income appropriated to the bad debt reserve and deducted for federal income tax purposes is used to pay cash dividends or other distributions to stockholders, including distributions on redemptions, dissolution or liquidation, then the Bank would generally be taxed at then current corporate tax rates on approximately 34% of the amount which would be deemed removed from such reserves by the Bank due to any such distribution.

The Bank is subject to an alternative minimum tax which is imposed to the extent it exceeds the Bank’s regular income tax for the year. The alternative minimum tax is imposed at the rate of 20% of a specially computed tax base. Included in this base is a number of preference items, including the following: (i) 100% of the excess of an institution’s bad debt deduction over the amount that would have been allowable on the basis of actual experience; (ii) interest on certain tax-exempt bonds issued after August 7, 1986; and (iii) for years beginning in 1987, 1988 and 1989, an amount equal to one-half of the amount by which a bank’s “book income” (as specially defined) exceeds its taxable income with certain adjustments, including the addition of preferred items. For taxable years commencing after 1989, this preference item is replaced with a new preference item related to “adjusted current earnings” as specifically computed. In addition, for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, the amount of alternative minimum taxable income that may be offset by net operating losses is limited to 90% of alternative minimum taxable income.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed annually for differences between the financial statement and tax bases and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. Income tax expense is the tax payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

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State Taxation. The Massachusetts excise tax rate for co-operative banks is currently 10.50% of federal taxable income, adjusted for certain items. The tax rate is scheduled to be reduced to 10% for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2010. Taxable income includes income from all sources, without exclusion, less deductions, but not the credits, allowable under the provisions of the Code, as amended. No deductions however, are allowed for dividends received. In addition, carryforwards and carrybacks of net operating losses are not allowed.

Audits. See Note I of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding income taxes payable by the Bank.

Competition

The Bank’s competition for savings deposits has historically come from other co-operative banks and savings banks, savings and loan associations and commercial banks located in Massachusetts generally, and in Southeastern Massachusetts and Western Cape Cod specifically, some of which have greater financial resources than the Bank. The Bank has also recently experienced significant competition from tax exempt, state and federally chartered credit unions and from internet-based entities. In the past, during times of high interest rates, however, the Bank has experienced additional significant competition for deposits from short-term money market funds and other corporate and government securities and the Bank anticipates that it will face continuing competition from other financial intermediaries for deposits.

The Bank competes for deposits principally by offering depositors a wide variety of savings programs, convenient branch locations, access to 24-hour automated teller machines, preauthorized payment and withdrawal systems, tax-deferred retirement programs, debit cards, on-line banking, telephone banking and other ancillary services. The Bank does not rely upon any individual, group or entity for a material portion of its deposits. The Bank’s competition for real estate loans comes principally from mortgage banking companies, co-operative banks and savings banks, credit unions, commercial banks, insurance companies and other institutional lenders. The Bank competes for loan originations primarily through the interest rates and loan fees it charges and the efficiency and quality of services it provides borrowers, real estate brokers and builders.

In addition to competing with other banks and financial services organizations based in Massachusetts, the Bank has and is expected to face increased competition from major commercial banks and other entities headquartered outside of Massachusetts as a result of interstate banking laws which currently permit banks nationwide to enter the Bank’s market area and to compete with it for deposits and loan originations.

Bank regulation is undergoing significant change with an increased number of bank mergers and acquisitions, changes in the products and services banks can offer, and involvement in non-banking activities by bank holding companies. Although recent legislation and regulations have expanded the activities in which thrift institutions may engage, the same legislation has reduced or eliminated some of the competitive advantages which thrift institutions formerly held over commercial banks, such as interest rate differentials which permitted thrift institutions to offer a higher rate of interest to attract deposits. The regulatory environment in which the Company and the Bank operate is subject to change and such changes may adversely affect operations results.

The Bank is headquartered in Middleboro, Massachusetts, and operates six full-service branch offices located in Plymouth, Wareham, Rochester, Bridgewater, Lakeville and West Wareham, Massachusetts. In May 2009, the Bank opened its seventh full-service branch office, located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Bank’s primary market area, wherein are located the majority of the properties securing loans originated by the Bank, encompasses the southern portion of Plymouth County and the eastern portion of Bristol County and the western portion of Barnstable County.

Employees

At April 30, 2009, the Bank employed 57 full-time and 18 part-time employees. The Bank’s employees are not represented by any collective bargaining agreement. Management of the Bank considers its relations with its employees to be good.

 

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Executive Officers

The executive officers of the Company are as follows:

 

Name

   Age at
April 30, 2009
  

Positions Currently Held

Edward M. Pratt

   55    President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank and Clerk of the Bank

John J. Biggio

   55    Vice President and Senior Loan Officer of the Bank

Maria Vafiades

   47    Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary of the Company and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank

Stergios Kostas

   54    Vice President, Retail Banking of the Bank

The principal occupation of each executive officer of the Bank is set forth below.

Edward M. Pratt has been employed with the Bank since 1977 and served as Vice President and Senior Loan Officer of the Bank from 1988 through May 3, 1994. On May 4, 1994, Mr. Pratt was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer and Clerk of the Bank.

John J. Biggio joined the Bank in August 1994 as Vice President and Senior Loan Officer. From October 1993 to August 1994, he was a commercial loan officer at Pioneer Bank in Malden, Massachusetts. Previously, he had been employed at Advantage Bank as the Senior Vice President and Senior Loan Officer from 1989 until its acquisition by Pioneer Bank.

Maria Vafiades joined the Bank in March 1990. In 1995, Ms. Vafiades was promoted to Vice President. From 1988 to 1990, she was employed by MGI properties as a property analyst. From 1984 to 1988, she was employed by Parent, McLaughlin & Nangle, a Boston accounting firm. She is a member of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.

Stergios Kostas joined the Bank in May 1999 as Vice President, Retail Banking. He is responsible for branch administration and business development. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Kostas was employed by Cresent Credit Union as Vice President of Branch Administration for five years. From 1988 to 1994, he was employed by the Boston Five Cents Savings Bank.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our nonresidential real estate and construction lending may expose us to a greater risk of loss and hurt our earnings and profitability.

Our business strategy centers, in part, on offering nonresidential real estate and construction loans in order to expand our net interest margin. These types of loans generally have higher risk-adjusted returns and shorter maturities than traditional one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. At April 30, 2009, nonresidential real estate and construction loans totaled $50.0 million, which represented 37.4% of total loans.

Loans secured by commercial or nonresidential real estate properties are generally for larger amounts and involve a greater degree of risk than one to four-family residential mortgage loans. Payments on loans secured by nonresidential real estate buildings generally are dependent on the income produced by the underlying properties which, in turn, depends on the successful operation and management of the properties. Accordingly, repayment of these loans is subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the local economy. While we seek to minimize these risks in a variety of ways, including limiting the size of our nonresidential real estate loans, generally restricting such loans to our primary market area and attempting to employ conservative underwriting criteria, there can be no assurance that these measures will protect against credit-related losses.

 

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Construction financing typically involves a higher degree of credit risk than long-term financing on improved, owner-occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction loan is largely dependent upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction and the bid price and estimated cost (including interest) of construction. If the estimate of construction costs proves to be inaccurate, the Bank may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed to permit completion of the project. If the estimate of the value proves to be inaccurate, the Bank may be confronted, at or prior to the maturity of the loan, with a project whose value is insufficient to assure full repayment. When lending to builders, the cost of construction breakdown is provided by the builder, as well as supported by the appraisal. Although the Bank’s underwriting criteria are designed to evaluate and minimize the risks of each construction loan, there can be no guarantee that these practices will safeguard against material delinquencies and losses to our operations.

Severe, adverse and precipitous economic and market conditions have adversely affected us and our industry.

The recent negative events in the housing market, including significant and continuing home price reductions coupled with the upward trends in delinquencies and foreclosures, have resulted and will likely continue to result in poor performance of mortgage and construction loans and with further deterioration, in significant asset write-downs by many financial institutions. Reduced availability of commercial credit and increasing unemployment further contribute to deteriorating credit performance of commercial and consumer credit, resulting in additional write-downs. Financial market and economic instability have caused financial institutions to severely restrict their lending to customers and each other. This market turmoil and credit tightening has exacerbated commercial and consumer deficiencies, the lack of consumer confidence, market volatility and widespread reduction in general business activity. Financial institutions also have experienced decreased access to deposits and borrowings. The resulting economic pressure on consumers and businesses and the lack of confidence in the financial markets has and may continue to adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and stock price. We do not expect that the difficult conditions in the financial markets are likely to improve in the near future. In particular, we may face the following risks in connection with these events:

 

   

We potentially face increased regulation of our industry including heightened legal standards and regulatory requirements or expectations imposed in connection with recent and anticipated legislation. Compliance with such regulation may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities.

 

   

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. The level of uncertainty concerning economic conditions may adversely affect the accuracy of our estimates which may, in turn, impact the reliability of the process.

 

   

We may be required to pay significantly higher FDIC premiums because market developments have significantly depleted the insurance fund of the FDIC and reduced the ratio of reserves to insured deposits. Also, our current risk profile may cause us to pay higher premiums.

 

   

The number of our borrowers that may be unable to make timely repayments of their loans, or the decrease in value of real estate collateral securing the payment of such loans could continue to escalate and result in significant credit losses, increased delinquencies, foreclosures and customer bankruptcies, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

 

   

Further disruptions in the capital markets or other events, including actions by rating agencies and deteriorating investor expectations, may result in an inability to borrow on favorable terms or on any terms from other financial institutions.

 

   

Increased competition among financial services companies due to the recent consolidation of certain competing financial institutions, the conversion of certain investment banks to bank holding companies and the favorable governmental treatment afforded to the largest of the financial institutions may adversely affect the our ability to market our products and services and continue to obtain market share.

 

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Recent legislative and regulatory initiatives to address difficult market and economic conditions may not stabilize the U.S. banking system. If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that we will not experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on our ability to access capital and on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

The legislation that established U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Assets Relief Program (“TARP”), was signed into law on October 3, 2008. As part of TARP, the U.S. Treasury established the TARP Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) to provide up to $700 billion of funding to eligible financial institutions through the purchase of capital stock and other financial instruments for the purpose of stabilizing and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial markets. Then, on February 17, 2009, further legislation was signed into law as a sweeping economic recovery package intended to stimulate the economy and provide for broad infrastructure, energy, health, and education needs. There can be no assurance as to the actual impact any of this legislation will have on the national economy or financial markets. The failure of these significant legislative measures to help stabilize the financial markets and a continuation or worsening of current financial market conditions could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, access to credit or the trading price of our common stock.

There have been numerous actions undertaken in connection with or following the recent legislation by the Federal Reserve, Congress, U.S. Treasury, the SEC and the federal bank regulatory agencies in efforts to address the current liquidity and credit crisis in the financial industry that followed the sub-prime mortgage market meltdown which began in late 2007. These measures include homeowner relief that encourages loan restructuring and modification; the temporary increase in FDIC deposit insurance from $100,000 to $250,000, the establishment of significant liquidity and credit facilities for financial institutions and investment banks; the lowering of the federal funds rate; emergency action against short selling practices; a temporary guaranty program for money market funds; the establishment of a commercial paper funding facility to provide back-stop liquidity to commercial paper issuers; and coordinated international efforts to address illiquidity and other weaknesses in the banking sector. The purpose of these legislative and regulatory actions is to help stabilize the U.S. banking system. The recent legislation and the other regulatory initiatives described above may not have their desired effects. If the volatility in the markets continues and economic conditions fail to improve or worsen, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our business is subject to the success of the local economy in which we operate.

Because the majority of our borrowers and depositors are individuals and businesses located and doing business in southeastern Massachusetts and Western Cape Cod, our success depends to a significant extent upon economic conditions in that market area. Adverse economic conditions in our market area could reduce our growth rate, affect the ability of our customers to repay their loans and generally affect our financial condition and results of operations. Conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment, high interest rates, short money supply, scarce natural resources, international disorders, terrorism and other factors beyond our control may adversely affect our profitability. We are less able than a larger institution to spread the risks of unfavorable local economic conditions across a large number of diversified economies. Any sustained period of increased payment delinquencies, foreclosures or losses caused by adverse market or economic conditions in our market area could adversely affect the value of our assets, revenues, results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, we cannot give any assurance we will benefit from any market growth or favorable economic conditions in our primary market areas.

If the value of real estate in our market area were to decline materially, a significant portion of our loan portfolio could become under-collateralized, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

With most of our loans concentrated in southeastern Massachusetts and Western Cape Cod, a decline in local economic conditions could adversely affect the value of the real estate collateral securing our loans. A decline in property values would diminish our ability to recover on defaulted loans by selling the real estate collateral, making it more likely that we would suffer losses on defaulted loans. Additionally, a decrease in asset quality could require additions to our allowance for loan losses through increased provisions for loan losses, which would hurt our profits. Also, a decline in local economic conditions may have a greater effect on our earnings and capital than on the earnings and capital of larger financial institutions whose real estate loan portfolios are more geographically diverse. Real estate values are affected by various factors in addition to local economic conditions, including, among other things, changes in general or regional economic conditions, governmental rules or policies and natural disasters.

 

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We may incur losses related to the sale of condominium units constructed with the new branch office in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The Bank constructed a four-unit condominium building in Plymouth, Massachusetts, intending to occupy one unit as a full-service branch and sell the remaining three units. A decline in real-estate values could impact the amount of funds received for those units, making it likely that the Bank would suffer a loss on the sales. At April 30, 2009, costs incurred to date to construct these units amounted to approximately $800,000.

Competition from financial institutions and other financial service providers may adversely affect our growth and profitability.

The banking business is highly competitive and we experience competition in each of our markets from many other financial institutions. We compete with commercial banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market funds, and other mutual funds, as well as other super-regional, national and international financial institutions that operate offices in our primary market areas and elsewhere. We compete with these institutions both in attracting deposits and in making loans. This competition has made it more difficult for us to make new loans and has occasionally forced us to offer higher deposit rates. Price competition for loans and deposits might result in us earning less on our loans and paying more on our deposits, which reduces net interest income. While we believe we can and do successfully compete with these other financial institutions in our primary markets, we may face a competitive disadvantage as a result of our smaller size, smaller resources and smaller lending limits, lack of geographic diversification and inability to spread our marketing costs across a broader market. Although we compete by concentrating our marketing efforts in our primary markets with local advertisements, personal contacts, and greater flexibility and responsiveness in working with local customers, we can give no assurance this strategy will be successful.

Future FDIC assessments will hurt our earnings.

In February 2009, the FDIC adopted an interim final rule imposing a special assessment on all insured institutions due to recent bank and savings association failures. The emergency assessment amounts to 5 basis points of the financial institution’s total assets less Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, but not to exceed 10 basis points times the institution’s deposit assessment base as of June 30, 2009. The assessment will be collected on September 30, 2009. The special assessment will negatively impact the Company’s earnings and the Company expects that non-interest FDIC assessment expense will increase approximately $122,000 in 2009 as compared to 2008. In addition, the interim rule would also permit the FDIC to impose additional emergency special assessments after June 30, 2009, of up to 10 basis points per quarter if necessary to maintain public confidence in federal deposit insurance or as a result of deterioration in the deposit insurance fund reserve ratio due to institution failures. Any additional emergency special assessment imposed by the FDIC will further hurt the Company’s earnings.

Fluctuations in interest rates could reduce our profitability and affect the value of our assets.

Like other financial institutions, we are subject to interest rate risk. Our primary source of income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings. We expect that we will periodically experience imbalances in the interest rate sensitivities of our assets and liabilities and the relationships of various interest rates to each other. Over any defined period of time, our interest-earning assets may be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than our interest-bearing liabilities, or vice versa. In addition, the individual market interest rates underlying our loan and deposit products (e.g., prime) may not change to the same degree over a given time period. In any event, if market interest rates should move contrary to our position, our earnings may be negatively affected. In addition, loan volume and quality and deposit volume and mix can be affected by market interest rates. Changes in levels of market interest rates could materially adversely affect our net interest spread, asset quality, origination volume and overall profitability.

 

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During fiscal 2006, short-term market interest rates (which we use as a guide to price our deposits) had risen from historically low levels, while longer-term market interest rates (which we use as a guide to price our longer-term loans) did not. This “flattening” of the market yield curve existed during fiscal 2007 and for part of 2008 and had a negative impact on our interest rate spread and net interest margin as rates on our deposits repriced upwards faster than the rates on our longer-term loans and investments. For fiscal years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, our interest rate spread was 3.35%, 2.99%, 2.91% and 3.22%, respectively. During September 2007, the U.S. Federal Reserve started decreasing the federal funds target rate from 5.25% to a rate of 0 – 0.25% at April 30, 2009. However, decreases in interest rates can result in increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-related securities, as borrowers refinance to reduce their borrowing costs. Under these circumstances, we are subject to reinvestment risk as we may have to redeploy such loan or securities proceeds into lower-yielding assets, which might also negatively impact our income.

We principally manage interest rate risk by managing our volume and mix of our earning assets and funding liabilities. In a changing interest rate environment, we may not be able to manage this risk effectively. If we are unable to manage interest rate risk effectively, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed. Changes in the level of interest rates also may negatively affect our ability to originate real estate loans, the value of our assets and our ability to realize gains from the sale of our assets, all of which ultimately affect our earnings.

Our allowance for loan losses may prove to be insufficient to absorb losses in our loan portfolio.

Like all financial institutions, we maintain an allowance for loan losses to provide for loans in our portfolio that may not be repaid in their entirety. We believe that our allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in our loan portfolio as of the corresponding balance sheet date. However, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover actual loan losses, and future provisions for loan losses could materially adversely affect our operating results.

In evaluating the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, we consider numerous quantitative factors, including our historical charge-off experience, growth of our loan portfolio, changes in the composition of our loan portfolio and the volume of delinquent and criticized loans. In addition, we use information about specific borrower situations, including their financial position and estimated collateral values, to estimate the risk and amount of loss for those borrowers. Finally, we also consider many qualitative factors, including general and economic business conditions, duration of the current business cycle, current general market collateral valuations, trends apparent in any of the factors we take into account and other matters, which are by nature more subjective and fluid. Our estimates of the risk of loss and amount of loss on any loan are complicated by the significant uncertainties surrounding our borrowers’ abilities to successfully execute their business models through changing economic environments, competitive challenges and other factors. Because of the degree of uncertainty and susceptibility of these factors to change, our actual losses may vary from our current estimates.

At April 30, 2009, our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.0%. Regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our allowance for loan losses by recognizing additional provisions for loan losses charged to expense, or to decrease our allowance for loan losses by recognizing loan charge-offs, net of recoveries. Any such additional provisions for loan losses or charge-offs, as required by these regulatory agencies, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We are dependent upon the services of our management team.

Our future success and profitability is substantially dependent upon the management and banking abilities of our senior executives. We believe that our future results will also depend in part upon our attracting and retaining highly skilled and qualified management. We are especially dependent on a limited number of key management personnel and the loss of our chief executive officer or other senior executive officers could have a material adverse impact on our operations because other officers may not have the experience and expertise to readily replace these individuals. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we cannot assure you that we will be successful in attracting or retaining such personnel. Changes in key personnel and their responsibilities may be disruptive to our business and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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

Mayflower Co-operative Bank is subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as insurer of its deposits. The Company is also subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board. Such regulation and supervision govern the activities in which a co-operative bank and its holding company may engage and are intended primarily for the protection of the deposit insurance funds and for the Bank’s depositors are not intended to protect the interests of investors in 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. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the related rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq that are applicable to us, have increased the scope, complexity and cost of corporate governance, reporting and disclosure practices, including the costs of completing our audit and maintaining our internal controls.

We are subject to security and operational risks relating to our use of technology that could damage our reputation and our business.

Security breaches in our Internet banking activities could expose us to possible liability and damage our reputation. Any compromise of our security also could deter customers from using our internet banking services that involve the transmission of confidential information. We rely on standard internet security systems to provide the security and authentication necessary to effect secure transmission of data. These precautions may not protect our systems from compromises or breaches of our security measures that could result in damage to our reputation and our business. Additionally, we outsource our data processing to a third party. If our third party provider encounters difficulties or if we have difficulty in communicating with such third party, it will significantly affect our ability to adequately process and account for customer transactions, which would significantly affect our business operations.

We may have fewer resources than many of our competitors to invest in technological improvements.

The financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological changes, with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers.

Our ability to pay dividends and otherwise pay our obligations as they come due is substantially dependent on capital distributions from Mayflower Co-operative Bank, and these distributions are subject to regulatory limits and other restrictions.

A substantial source of our income from which we pay our obligations and from which we can pay dividends is the receipt of dividends from Mayflower Co-operative Bank. The availability of dividends from Mayflower Co-operative Bank is limited by various statutes and regulations. It is also possible, depending upon the financial condition of Mayflower Co-operative Bank, and other factors, that the applicable regulatory authorities could assert that payment of dividends or other payments is an unsafe or unsound practice. In the event that Mayflower Co-operative Bank is unable to pay dividends to us, we may not be able to service our debt, pay our obligations or pay dividends on our common stock. The inability to receive dividends from Mayflower Co-operative Bank would adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

 

Item 2. Properties

The Bank owns five of its offices and leases its Bridgewater and Rochester, Massachusetts locations. The following table sets forth the location of the Bank’s offices, as well as certain information relating to these offices as of April 30, 2009:

 

Office Location

   Year
Opened
   Net Book
Value at
April 30, 2009
          (Dollars in thousands)

Main Office

30 South Main Street

Middleboro, MA

   1889    $3,551

94 Court Street

Plymouth, MA

   1974       183

Great Neck Road and Onset Avenue

Wareham, MA

   1981       206

565 Rounseville Road (1)

Rochester, MA

   1995           6

5 Scotland Boulevard (2)

Bridgewater, MA

   1998       378

166 County Street

Lakeville, MA

   2005       941

2420 Cranberry Highway

West Wareham, MA

   2007     2,508

57-59 Obery Street (3)

Plymouth, MA

   2009     3,468

 

(1) The Bank is a tenant-at-will at its Rochester location.
(2) The lease for the Bridgewater location is a land only lease for a term of thirty years through November 2027. The Bank constructed a branch office building on this parcel of land which opened in June 1998.
(3) The Bank purchased this site during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2008 for its eighth office that opened in late May 2009. Costs incurred for this facility approximated $2.1 million at April 30, 2009. Included are costs of about $800,000 relating to office units the Bank anticipates selling during the next fiscal year.

At April 30, 2009, the total net book value of the Bank’s premises and equipment was $12.0 million. For further information, see Note F of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The Company from time to time is involved as a plaintiff or defendant in various legal actions incidental to its business, none of which are believed to be material, either individually or collectively, to the results of operations and financial condition of the Company.

 

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Item 4.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

PART II

 

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

The information contained under the section captioned “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters” in the Company’s 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders (the “Annual Report”) is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company repurchased the following amounts of shares of its common during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009.

 

Period

   (a)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
   (b)
Average Price Paid
per Share
   (c)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
   (d)
Maximum
Number of
Shares That
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs

Month #1:

February 1, 2009 to

February 29, 2009

   —      $ —      $ —      87,355

Month #2:

March 1, 2009 to

March 31, 2009

   1,538      5.69      1,538    85,817

Month #3:

April 1, 2000 to

April 30, 2000

   838      6.57      838    84,979
                       

Total

   2,376    $ 6.00      2,376    84.979
                       

 

On July 2, 2007, the Company announced that it had approved a stock repurchase program to acquire up to 104,792 shares, or 5%, of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The information contained in the section captioned “Selected Financial Data” in the Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The information contained in the section captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7A. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosure About Market Risk

This item is not applicable as the Company is a smaller reporting company.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The financial statements contained in the Annual Report, which are listed under Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

None.

 

Item 9A(T). Controls and Procedures

 

  (a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective for the purpose of ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

  (b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON

INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management of Mayflower Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report. The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, as such, include some amounts that are based on the best estimates and judgments of management.

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. This internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and the Board of Directors regarding the reliability of the company’s financial reporting and the preparation and presentation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, as well as to safeguard assets from unauthorized use or disposition. The system of internal control over financial reporting is evaluated for effectiveness by management and tested for reliability through a program of internal audit with actions taken to correct potential deficiencies as they are identified. Because of inherent limitations in any internal control system, no matter how well designed, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected, including the possibility of the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even an effective internal control system can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further because of changes in conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2009 based upon criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

Based on this assessment and on the forgoing criteria, management has concluded that, as of April 30, 2009, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.

 

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This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

 

/s/ Edward M. Pratt

   

/s/ Maria Vafiades

Edward M. Pratt     Maria Vafiades
President and Chief Executive Officer     Chief Financial Officer

 

(c) Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended April 30, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance

Directors

The information relating to the directors of the Company is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Items to be Voted Upon by Stockholders – Item 1 - Election of Directors” in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”).

Executive Officers

The information regarding the Company’s executive officers is incorporated herein by reference to Part I, Item 1, “Description of Business — Executive Officers of the Company” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Corporate Governance

Information regarding the Company’s Audit Committee and Audit Committee financial expert is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Corporate Governance” in the Proxy Statement.

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

Information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, the cover page to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the section captioned “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by reference.

Disclosure of Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its officers, directors and employees. The Company will provide a copy of the code of ethics without charge to any person upon request addressed to the Secretary of the Company at 30 South Main Street, P.O. Box 311, Middleboro, Massachusetts 02346.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections captioned “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” in the Proxy Statement.

 

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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

  (a) Information with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Stock Ownership” in the Proxy Statement.

 

  (b) Information with respect to security ownership of management required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections captioned “Stock Ownership” in the Proxy Statement.

 

  (c) Changes in Control

Management of the Company knows of no arrangements, including any pledge by any person of securities of the Company, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control.

 

  (d) Equity Compensation Plans

The following table sets forth certain information as of April 30, 2009, with respect to the Company’s equity compensation plans.

 

Plan Category

   (a)
Number of securities to be issued
upon exercise of outstanding
options, warrants and rights
   (b)
Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding
options, warrants and rights
   (c)
Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance

under equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a))

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   76,862    $ 10.34    —  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   —        —      —  
                

Total

   76,862    $ 10.34    —  
                

 

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

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Transactions with Related Persons” in the Proxy Statement.

Corporate Governance

For information regarding director independence, the section captioned “Corporate Governance – Director Independence” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Audit and Other Fees Paid to Independent Accountants” in the Proxy Statement.

 

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PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits

(1) The financial statements and Independent Auditors’ Report included in the Annual Report, listed below, are incorporated herein by reference.

Independent Auditors’ Report

Financial Statements:

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of April 30, 2009 and 2008

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended April 30, 2009 and 2008

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended April 30, 2009 and 2008

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended April 30, 2009 and 2008

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(2) Financial Statement Schedules - All financial statement schedules have been omitted as the required information is either inapplicable or included in the Financial Statements or related notes.

(3) Exhibits - The following exhibits are either filed or attached as part of this report or are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

  2   Plan of Acquisition and Reorganization(1)
  3(i)   Articles of Organization of Mayflower Bancorp, Inc.(1)
  3(ii)   Bylaws of Mayflower Bancorp, Inc.(2)
  4.1   Stock certificate for common stock of Mayflower Bancorp, Inc.(1)
10.1   Mayflower Co-operative Bank 1987 Stock Option Plan+(1)
10.2   Amended and Restated Mayflower Co-operative Bank 1999 Stock Option Plan+(1)
10.3   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Mayflower Co-operative Bank, John J. Biggio, and Mayflower Bancorp, Inc., as guarantor, dated December 31, 2008+(2)
10.4   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Mayflower Co-operative Bank , Stergios M. Kostas and Mayflower Bancorp, Inc., as guarantor, dated December 31, 2008+(2)
10.5   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Mayflower Co-operative Bank, Edward M. Pratt, and Mayflower Bancorp, Inc., as guarantor, dated December 31, 2008+(2)
10.6   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Mayflower Co-operative Bank, Maria Vafiades and Mayflower Bancorp, Inc., as guarantor, dated December 31, 2008+(2)
10.7   Amended and Restated Mayflower Co-operative Bank Deferred Compensation Plan+(2)
13   2009 Annual Report to Stockholders
21   Subsidiaries of the Registrant
31.1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32   Section 1350 Certifications

 

+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
(1)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-52477) filed with the SEC on February 16, 2007.

(2)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 0-52477) for the quarter ended January 31, 2009, filed with the SEC on March 13, 2009.

 

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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.

 

    MAYFLOWER CO-OPERATIVE BANK
July 21, 2009     By:  

/s/ Edward M. Pratt

      Edward M. Pratt
      President and Chief Executive Officer
      (Duly authorized officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:  

/s/ Edward M. Pratt

    By:  

/s/ Maria Vafiades

  Edward M. Pratt       Maria Vafiades
  President, Chief Executive       Chief Financial Officer
  Officer and Director       (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  (Principal Executive Officer)      
Date: July 21, 2009     Date: July 21, 2009
By:  

/s/ E. Bradford Buttner

    By:  

/s/ Paul R. Callan

  E. Bradford Buttner       Paul R. Callan
  Director       Director
Date: July 21, 2009     Date: July 21, 2009
By:  

/s/ Charles N. Decas

    By:  

/s/ M. Sandra Fleet

  Charles N. Decas       M. Sandra Fleet
  Director       Director
Date: July 21, 2009     Date: July 21, 2009
By:  

/s/ William C. MacLeod

    By:  

/s/ Diane A. Maddigan

  William C. MacLeod       Diane A. Maddigan
  Director       Director
Date: July 21, 2009     Date: July 21, 2009
By:  

/s/ Joseph P. Monteiro

    By:  

/s/ David R. Smith

  Joseph P. Monteiro       David R. Smith
  Director       Director
Date: July 21, 2009     Date: July 21, 2009
By:  

/s/ Geoffrey T. Stewart

    By:  

/s/ William H. Fuller

  Geoffrey T. Stewart       William H. Fuller
  Director       Director
Date: July 21, 2009     Date: July 21, 2009