10-Q 1 tenq.htm Converted by EDGARwiz


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2010

or

[   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Commission File Number: 0-12507


ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


New York


22-2448962

(State or other jurisdiction of


(IRS Employer Identification

incorporation or organization)


Number)


250 GLEN STREET, GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK 12801

(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)


Registrants telephone number, including area code:   (518) 745-1000


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 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.

 x   Yes          No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, 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 shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 


     Yes          No

 

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 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   x 

Non-accelerated filer       (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

     Yes      x   No


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.


Class




Outstanding as of October 22, 2010

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share




11,237,815

ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

September 30, 2010


INDEX



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Page

Item 1.

Financial Statements



Consolidated Balance Sheets

    as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

3


Consolidated Statements of Income

    for the Three and Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

4


Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity

    for the Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

5


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    for the Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

7


Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

8


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

17

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of

   Financial Condition and Results of Operations

18

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

48

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

49

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

49

Item 1.A.

Risk Factors

49

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

50

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

51

Item 4.

Removed and Reserved

51

Item 5.

Other Information

51

Item 6.

Exhibits

51

SIGNATURES


51


 ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)(Unaudited)





September 30,

December 31,

 


2010

2009

 

ASSETS



 

Cash and Due from Banks

$    40,608 

$    44,386 

Interest-Bearing Deposits at Banks

83,122 

      22,730 

 




 

Investment Securities:



 

Available-for-Sale

468,941 

437,706 

 

Held-to-Maturity  (Approximate Fair Value of $165,070 in 2010 and

 $171,183 in 2009)

158,106 

168,931 

 

Other Investments

9,474 

8,935 

 

            



 

Loans

1,154,676 

1,112,150 

 

  Allowance for Loan Losses

     (14,629)

     (14,014)

 

     Net Loans

1,140,047 

1,098,136 

 

Premises and Equipment, Net

 19,138 

 18,756 

 

Other Real Estate and Repossessed Assets, Net

 32 

 112 

 

Goodwill

15,783 

15,269 

 

Other Intangible Assets, Net

1,426 

1,443 

 

Accrued Interest Receivable

6,959 

7,115 

 

Other Assets

       16,658 

       18,108 

 

      Total Assets

$1,960,294 

$1,841,627 

 




 

LIABILITIES          



 

Noninterest-Bearing Deposits

$  217,855 

$  198,025 

 

NOW Accounts

578,674 

516,269 

 

Savings Deposits

367,581 

336,271 

 

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More

129,635 

148,511 

 

Other Time Deposits

     252,850 

     244,490 

 

    Total Deposits

  1,546,595 

  1,443,566 

 




 

Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

67,336 

72,020 

 

Other Short-Term Borrowings

1,842 

1,888 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

150,000 

140,000 

 

Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts

20,000 

20,000 

 

Accrued Interest Payable

2,122 

2,257 

 

Other Liabilities

      18,942 

      21,078 

 

    Total Liabilities

 1,806,837 

 1,700,809 

 




 

STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY



 

Preferred Stock, $5 Par Value; 1,000,000 Shares Authorized

--- 

--- 

 

Common Stock, $1 Par Value; 20,000,000 Shares Authorized

(15,625,512 Shares Issued at September 30, 2010 and 15,170,399 at December 31, 2009)

15,626 

15,170 

 

Additional Paid-in Capital

190,227 

178,192 

 

Retained Earnings

22,184 

24,100 

 

Unallocated ESOP Shares (132,296 Shares at September 30, 2010



 

   and 105,167 Shares at December 31, 2009)

(2,876)

(2,204)

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 (2,326)

 (6,640)

 

Treasury Stock, at Cost (4,258,791 Shares at September 30,



 

  2010 and 4,147,811 Shares at December 31, 2009)

      (69,378)

      (67,800)

 

    Total Stockholders Equity

     153,457 

     140,818 

 

      Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity

$1,960,294 

$1,841,627 

 






See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

See accompanying accountants report.

ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)(Unaudited)



Three Months      

Nine Months     


Ended September 30,  

Ended September 30,  


2010

2009

2010

2009

INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME





Interest and Fees on Loans

$16,090

$16,646

$48,546

$49,886

Interest on Deposits at Banks

33

41

107

110

Interest and Dividends on Investment Securities:





  Fully Taxable

3,482

3,534

11,343

10,639

  Exempt from Federal Taxes

   1,392

   1,443

   4,330

   4,053

Total Interest and Dividend Income

 20,997

 21,664

 64,326

 64,688






INTEREST EXPENSE   





NOW Accounts

 1,216

 1,144

4,093

3,674

Savings Deposits

523

503

1,633

1,564

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More

737

925

2,180

2,898

Other Time Deposits

1,482

1,830

4,448

5,634

Federal Funds Purchased and

  Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

33

30

95

97

Other Short-Term Borrowings





Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

    1,679

    1,869

    4,898

   5,548

Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to

  Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts

      159

      161

      445

      555

Total Interest Expense

   5,829

   6,462

 17,792

 19,970

NET INTEREST INCOME

15,168

15,202

46,534

44,718

Provision for Loan Losses

       375

       427

   1,125

   1,348

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER





  PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

  14,793

  14,775

 45,409

 43,370






NONINTEREST INCOME





Income from Fiduciary Activities

1,315 

1,200 

4,043

3,737

Fees for Other Services to Customers

2,021 

1,956 

5,874

5,937

Insurance Commissions

808 

727 

2,157

1,822

Net Gains on Securities Transactions

618 

48 

1,496

329  

Net Gain on Sale of Merchant Bank Card Processing

--- 

--- 

---

2,966

Net Gain on the Sale of Loans

472 

16 

527

326

Other Operating Income

        71 

        29 

       254

       670

Total Noninterest Income

   5,305 

   3,976 

  14,351

  15,787






NONINTEREST EXPENSE  





Salaries and Employee Benefits

7,120

6,727

20,775

19,920

Occupancy Expense of Premises, Net

876

789

2,641

2,616

Furniture and Equipment Expense

911

819

2,695

2,493

Other Operating Expense

   3,199

   3,066

   9,537

   9,864

Total Noninterest Expense

 12,106

 11,401

 35,648

 34,893






INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

7,992

7,350

24,112

24,264

Provision for Income Taxes

   2,417

   2,288

    7,408

    7,589

NET INCOME

$ 5,575

$ 5,062

 $16,704

 $16,675






Average Shares Outstanding:





  Basic

11,257

11,239

11,275

11,229

  Diluted

11,260

11,312

11,302

11,280






Per Common Share:   





  Basic Earnings

$    .50

$    .45

$   1.48

$   1.48

  Diluted Earnings

    .50

    .45

 1.48

 1.48






Share and per share data are restated for the September 2010 3% stock dividend.

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

See accompanying accountants report.


ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts) (Unaudited)



Common

Shares

Issued

Common

Stock

Surplus

Retained

Earnings

Unallo-

cated

ESOP

Shares

Accumulated

Other Com-

prehensive

Loss

Treasury

Stock

Total

Balance at December 31, 2009

15,170,399

$15,170 

$178,192 

$24,100 

$(2,204)

$ (6,640)

$(67,800)

$140,818 

Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:









  Net Income

--- 

--- 

--- 

16,704 

--- 

--- 

--- 

     16,704 

  Amortization of Net Retirement

    Plan Actuarial Loss (Pre-tax $754)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

456 

--- 

456 

  Accretion of Net Retirement Plan

    Prior Service Credit (Pre-tax $132)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

(80)

--- 

(80)

  Reclassification Adjustment for

    Net Securities Gains Included

    In Net Income, Net of Tax

    (Pre-tax $1,496)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

(903)

--- 

(903)

  Net Unrealized Securities Holding

    Gains Arising During the Period,

    Net of Tax (Pre-tax $8,018)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

4,841 

--- 

     4,841 

        Other Comprehensive Income








     4,314 

Comprehensive Income








   21,018 










3% Stock Dividend1

455,113

456

9,962

(10,418)

---

---

---

---

Cash Dividends Paid,

  $.73 per Share 2

--- 

--- 

--- 

(8,202)

--- 

--- 

--- 

(8,202)

Stock Options Exercised

  (26,518 Shares)

--- 

--- 

94 

--- 

--- 

--- 

225 

319 

Shares Issued Under the Directors

  Stock Plan (2,866 Shares)

--- 

--- 

50 

--- 

--- 

--- 

24 

74 

Shares Issued Under the Employee

  Stock Purchase Plan (14,217

  Shares)

--- 

--- 

220 

--- 

--- 

--- 

121 

341 

Stock-Based Compensation

  Expense

--- 

--- 

226 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

226 

Tax Benefit for Disposition of

  Stock Options

--- 

--- 

67 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

67 

Acquisition by ESOP of Arrow Stock (40,890 Shares)

---

---

---

---

(1,000)

---

---

(1,000)

Allocation of ESOP Stock

  (17,616 Shares)

--- 

--- 

115 

--- 

328 

--- 

--- 

443 

Shares Issued for Dividend Reinvestment Plans (49,982 Shares)

--- 

--- 

842 

--- 

--- 

--- 

424 

1,266 

Acquisition of Subsidiary

  (26,240 Shares)

--- 

--- 

459 

--- 

--- 

--- 

223 

682 

Purchase of Treasury Stock

  (106,761 Shares)

              --- 

         --- 

           --- 

         --- 

        --- 

        --- 

    (2,595)

     (2,595)

Balance at September 30, 2010

15,625,512 

$15,626

$190,227 

$22,184 

$(2,876)

$(2,326)

$(69,378)

$153,457 

















1  Included in the shares issued for the 3% stock dividend in 2010 were treasury shares of 124,042 and unallocated ESOP shares of 3,855.

2 Cash dividends paid in 2010 have been restated for the September 2010 3% stock dividend.

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

See accompanying accountants report.


ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts) (Unaudited)




Common

Shares

Issued

Common

Stock

Surplus

Retained

Earnings

Unallo-

cated

ESOP

Shares

Accumulated

Other Com-

prehensive

Loss

Treasury

Stock

Total

Balance at December 31, 2008

14,728,543 

$14,729 

$163,215 

$25,454 

$(2,572)

$ (9,404)

$(65,620)

$125,802 

Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:









  Net Income

--- 

--- 

--- 

16,675 

--- 

--- 

--- 

    16,675 

  Amortization of Net Retirement

    Plan Actuarial Loss

(Pre-tax $1,041)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

629

--- 

629 

  Accretion of Net Retirement Plan

    Prior Service

    Credit (Pre-tax $138)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

(84)

--- 

(84)

  Reclassification Adjustment for

    Net Securities Gains Included

    In Net Income, Net of Tax

    (Pre-tax $329)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

(199)

--- 

(199)

  Net Unrealized Securities Holding

    Gains Arising During the Period,

    Net of Tax (Pre-tax $5,521)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

3,334 

--- 

     3,334 

  Other Comprehensive Income








     3,680 

        Comprehensive Income








   20,355 










3% Stock Dividend

441,857

441

12,066 

(12,507)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

Cash Dividends Paid,

  $.71 per Share 1

--- 

--- 

--- 

(7,921)

--- 

--- 

--- 

(7,921)

Stock Options Exercised

  (58,133 Shares)

--- 

--- 

370 

--- 

--- 

--- 

500 

870 

Shares Issued Under the Directors

  Stock Plan (2,324 Shares)

--- 

--- 

38 

--- 

--- 

--- 

21 

59 

Shares Issued Under the Employee

  Stock Purchase Plan (13,776

  Shares)

--- 

--- 

217 

--- 

--- 

--- 

119 

336 

Stock-Based Compensation

  Expense

--- 

--- 

139 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

139 

Tax Benefit for Disposition of

  Stock Options

--- 

--- 

177 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

177 

Allocation of ESOP Stock

  (20,103 Shares)

--- 

--- 

146 

--- 

368 

--- 

--- 

514 

Acquisition of Subsidiary

  (4,398 Shares)

--- 

--- 

78 

--- 

--- 

--- 

37 

115 

Shares Issued for Dividend Reinvestment Plans (50,135 Shares)

--- 

--- 

802 

--- 

--- 

--- 

432 

1,234 

Purchase of Treasury Stock

  (96,568 Shares)

              --- 

         --- 

           --- 

         --- 

        --- 

        --- 

   (2,376)

    (2,376)

Balance at September 30, 2009

15,170,400 

$15,170 

$177,248 

$21,701 

$(2,204)

$(5,724)

$(66,887)

$139,304 
















1 Cash dividends paid in 2009 have been restated for the September 2010 3% stock dividend.

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

See accompanying accountants report.

ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)(Unaudited)


Nine Months


Ended September 30,


2010

2009

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:



Net Income

 $16,704 

$16,675 

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:



Provision for Loan Losses

1,125 

1,348 

Depreciation and Amortization

2,566 

2,153 

Compensation Expense for Allocated ESOP Shares

115 

146 

Gains on the Sale of Securities Available-for-Sale

(1,496)

(522)

Losses on the Sale of Securities Available-for-Sale

--- 

193 

Loans Originated and Held-for-Sale

(15,041)

(20,694)

Proceeds from the Sale of Loans Held-for-Sale

15,568 

21,020 

  

Net Gain on the Sale of Loans

(527)

(326)

  

Net Loss (Gain) on the Sale of Premises and Equipment,

     

Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets

1

(5)

Contributions to Pension Plans

(239)

(2,228)

Deferred Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

(654)

901 

Shares Issued Under the Directors Stock Plan

74 

59 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

226 

139 

Net Increase in Other Assets

(561)

(945)

Net Decrease in Other Liabilities

    (2,497)

    (1,733)

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

    15,364 

   16,181 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:



Proceeds from the Sale of Securities Available-for-Sale

  25,440 

  17,305 

Proceeds from the Maturities and Calls of Securities Available-for-Sale

   192,092 

   90,148 

Purchases of Securities Available-for-Sale

 (241,376)

 (189,804)

Proceeds from the Maturities of Securities Held-to-Maturity

  13,898 

 24,629 

Purchases of Securities Held-to-Maturity

(3,300)

 (53,011)

Net (Increase) Decrease in Loans

 (43,436)

  1,917 

Proceeds from the Sales of Premises and Equipment,

Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets

     479 

 1,098 

Purchases of Premises and Equipment

(1,095)

    (1,641)

Acquisition of Subsidiary

264 

--- 

Net Increase in Other Investments

      (539)

       (159)

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

 (57,573)

(109,518)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:



Net Increase in Deposits

 103,029

157,419 

Net (Decrease) Increase in Short-Term Borrowings

(4,730)

2,237 

FHLB Advances

10,000 

--- 

Purchases of Treasury Stock

(2,595)

(2,376)

Treasury Stock Issued for Stock-Based Plans

   660 

   1,206 

Tax Benefit from Exercise of Stock Options

67 

177 

Treasury Stock Issued for Dividend Reinvestment Plans

1,266 

1,234 

Acquisition of Unallocated Common Stock by the ESOP

(1,000)

---

Allocation of Common Stock Purchased by the ESOP

     328 

     368 

Cash Dividends Paid

    (8,202)

     (7,921)          (6,663)

Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities

    98,823

  152,344 

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

56,614

59,007 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

    67,116 

    58,338 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

$123,730 

$117,345 

Supplemental Disclosures to Statements of Cash Flow Information:



Interest on Deposits and Borrowings

 $17,910 

 $20,229 

Income Taxes

   12,763 

   9,875 

Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:



Transfer of Loans to Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets

     400 

     459 

Change in Net Unrealized Gains on Securities Available-for-Sale, Net of Tax

3,938 

3,135 

Additional Shares Issued for Acquisition of Subsidiary

682 

115 

Change in Retirement Plans Net Loss and Prior Service Cost, Net of Tax

376 

545 

Fair Value of Assets from Acquisition of Subsidiary

882 

--- 

Fair Value of Liabilities from Acquisition of Subsidiary

465 

--- 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

See accompanying accountants report.

ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010



1.   Accounting Policies


In the opinion of the management of Arrow Financial Corporation (Arrow), the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements contain all of the adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009; the results of operations for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009; the changes in stockholders equity for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009; and the cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  The preparation of financial statements requires the use of management estimates.  Certain prior period information has been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.  The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited annual consolidated financial statements of Arrow for the year ended December 31, 2009, included in Arrows 2009 Form 10-K.


Recent Accounting Pronouncements:


ASU 2010-20, Receivables (Topic 310) - Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses: The main objective of this guidance is to provide financial statement users with greater transparency about an entitys allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of its financing receivables. This pronouncement requires additional disclosures to assist financial statement users in assessing an entitys credit risk exposures and evaluating the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses.  These new disclosures are required for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010.  We have determined that this pronouncement will not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.


ASU 2010-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Accounting for Certain Tax Effects of the 2010 Health Care Reform Acts: For measuring the impact on deferred tax assets and liabilities based on provisions of enacted law, the impact of both Acts, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, should be considered. This pronouncement requires that income tax deductions for the cost of providing prescription drug coverage will be reduced by the amount of any subsidy received. The provisions were effect for reporting periods ending on or after March 31, 2010.  We have determined that this pronouncement will not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.


ASU 2010-11, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Scope Exception Related to Embedded Credit Derivatives: Clarifies the scope exception for embedded credit derivative features related to the transfer of credit risk in the form of subordination of one financial instrument to another. The amendments address how to determine which embedded credit derivative features, including those in collateralized debt obligations and synthetic collateralized debt obligations, are considered to be embedded derivatives that should not be analyzed for potential bifurcation and separate accounting.  The amendments in this pronouncement are effective for each reporting entity at the beginning of its first fiscal quarter beginning after June 15, 2010 and will not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.


ASU 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements:  Requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements including:

1.

Disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers.

2.

Present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis (rather than net) for Level 3 fair value measurements.

3.

Present fair value disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities, and

4.

For Level 2 and 3 fair value measurements, provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements.

The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. This pronouncement will not have a material impact on the way we measure fair values.


2.   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (In Thousands)


The following table presents the components, net of tax, of accumulated other comprehensive loss as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:



2010

2009

Retirement Plan Net Loss

$(9,729)

$(10,185)

Retirement Plan Prior Service Cost

315 

395 

Net Unrealized Securities Holding Gains

   7,088 

    3,150 

  Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

$(2,326)

$ (6,640)


3.   Earnings Per Common Share (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)


The following table presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (EPS) for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, restated for the September 2010 3% stock dividend:



Net Income

Shares

Per Share


(Numerator)

(Denominator)

Amount

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010:




Basic EPS

$5,575

 11,257

$.50

Dilutive Effect of Stock Options

      ---

         3


Diluted EPS

$5,575

11,260

$.50

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009:




Basic EPS

$5,062

 11,239

$.45

Dilutive Effect of Stock Options

      ---

       73


Diluted EPS

$5,062

11,312

$.45



Net Income

Shares

Per Share


(Numerator)

(Denominator)

Amount

For the Nine months Ended September 30, 2010:




Basic EPS

$16,704

 11,275

$1.48

Dilutive Effect of Stock Options

         ---

       27


Diluted EPS

$16,704

11,302

$1.48

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009:




Basic EPS

$16,675

 11,229

$1.48

Dilutive Effect of Stock Options

         ---

       51


Diluted EPS

$16,675

11,280

$1.48


4.   Investments, Debt and Equity Securities (In Thousands)


A summary of the amortized costs and the approximate fair values of securities at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 is presented below.  Amortized cost is reported net of other-than-temporary impairment charges.


Securities Available-for-Sale:



Amortized

Cost


Fair

Value

Gross Unrealized Gains

Gross Unrealized Losses

September 30, 2010:

U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

$166,940

$167,655

$     715

$    --

State and Municipal Obligations

65,941

66,148

210

3

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

146,625

154,196

7,638

67

Mortgage-Backed Securities Residential

74,819

78,154

3,335

---

Corporate and Other Debt Securities

1,497

1,390

---

107

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

      1,379

      1,398

         53

  34

  Total Securities Available-for-Sale

$457,201

$468,941

$11,951

$211


4.     Investments, Debt and Equity Securities, continued


Securities Available-for-Sale:



Amortized

Cost


Fair

Value

Gross Unrealized Gains

Gross Unrealized Losses

December 31, 2009:





U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

$122,768

$123,331

$   566

$       3

State and Municipal Obligations

18,843

18,913

75

5

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

196,359

199,781

4,625

1,203

Mortgage-Backed Securities Residential

91,745

93,017

2,110

838

Corporate and Other Debt Securities

1,465

1,331

---

134

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

      1,308

      1,333

       31

         6

  Total Securities Available-for-Sale

$432,488

$437,706

$7,407

$2,189


Securities Held-to-Maturity:




Amortized

Cost


Fair

Value

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

September 30, 2010:






State and Municipal Obligations

$157,106

$164,070

$6,980

$16

Corporate and Other Debt Securities

     1,000

     1,000

       ---

    ---

  Total Securities Held-to-Maturity

$158,106

$165,070

$6,980

$16

December 31, 2009:






State and Municipal Obligations

$167,931

$170,183

$2,706

$454

Corporate and Other Debt Securities

     1,000

     1,000

       ---

    ---

  Total Securities Held-to-Maturity

$168,931

$171,183

$2,706

$454


As reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Other Investments include Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) and Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) stock, which are reported at cost.  FHLBNY and FRB stock are restricted investment securities and amounted to $8,642 and $832 at September 30, 2010, respectively and $8,107 and $828 at December 31, 2009, respectively.  The required level of FHLBNY stock is based on the amount of FHLBNY borrowings and is pledged to secure those borrowings.   While some Federal Home Loan Banks have stopped paying dividends and repurchasing stock upon reductions in debt levels, the FHLBNY continues to pay dividends and repurchase its stock.  Accordingly, we have not recognized any impairment on our holdings of FHLBNY common stock.  However, the FHLBNY has reported impairment issues among its holdings of mortgage-backed securities.


A summary of the maturities of securities as of September 30, 2010 is presented below.  Mutual funds and equity securities, which have no stated maturity, are not included in the table below.  Collateralized mortgage obligations and other mortgage-backed-securities are included in the schedule based on their expected average lives.  Actual maturities will differ from the table below because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.


Maturities of Debt Securities:


  Available-for-Sale

  Held-to-Maturity



Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

Within One Year:






  U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations


$ 103,000

$  103,441

$         ---

$          ---

  State and Municipal Obligations


51,379

51,391

28,553

28,759

  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations


15,273

15,335

---

---

  Mortgage-Backed Securities Residential


     2,593

      2,684

           ---

           ---

    Total


  172,245

  172,851

    28,553

    28,759


From 1 - 5 Years:

  U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations


63,940

64,214

   ---

   ---

  State and Municipal Obligations


10,122

10,264

50,657

51,896

  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations


97,366

101,609

---

---

  Mortgage-Backed Securities Residential


30,352

32,145

   ---

   ---

  Corporate and Other Debt Securities


        115

        115

          ---

           ---

    Total


 201,895

  208,347

  50,657

    51,896

4.     Investments, Debt and Equity Securities, continued


Maturities of Debt Securities, continued:


  Available-for-Sale  

Held-to-Maturity



Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

From 5 - 10 Years:






  State and Municipal Obligations


1,584

1,637

65,798

70,645

  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations


33,986

37,252

   ---

   ---

  Mortgage-Backed Securities Residential


   21,858

   22,780

          ---

          ---

    Total


   57,428

   61,669

   65,798

   70,645


Over 10 Years:

  State and Municipal Obligations


2,856

2,856

 12,098

12,770

  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations


---

---

   ---

   ---

  Mortgage-Backed Securities Residential


20,016

20,545

   ---

   ---

  Corporate and Other Debt Securities


      1,382

      1,275

      1,000

      1,000

    Total


    24,254

    24,676

    13,098

   13,770

      Total Debt Securities


$455,822

$467,543

$158,106

$165,070


The fair value of securities pledged to secure repurchase agreements amounted to $67,336 and $72,020 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  The fair value of securities pledged to secure public and trust deposits and for other purposes totaled $418,838 and $360,885 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  Mortgage-backed securities - residential at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 included $1,736 and $2,147, respectively, of loans previously securitized by Arrow, which it continues to service.


Temporarily Impaired Securities




September 30, 2010

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or Longer

Total

Available-for-Sale Portfolio:

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

State & Municipal Obligations

  $  7,499

$   3

$     ---

$    --

$   7,499

$    3

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

14,314

  67

---

---

14,314

67

Corporate & Other Debt Securities

---

---

1,274

107

1,274

 107

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

    1,112

   28

       42

      6

    1,154

  34

  Total Securities Available-for-Sale

$22,925

$98

$1,316

$113

$24,241

$211

Held-to-Maturity Portfolio







State & Municipal Obligations

$---

$---

$690

$16

$690

$16


The table above for September 30, 2010 consists of 18 securities where the current fair value is less than the related amortized cost.  These unrealized losses do not reflect any significant deterioration of the credit worthiness of the issuing entities.  The state and municipal obligations are general obligations supported by the general taxing authority of the issuer, and in some cases are insured.  Obligations issued by school districts are supported by state aid.  For any non-rated municipal securities, credit analysis shows no significant deterioration in the credit worthiness of the municipalities.  CMOs are all agency-backed and rated AAA.  Corporate and other debt securities consist of one private placement trust preferred, and one trust preferred pool.  The private placement trust preferred is rated AAA by Standard & Poors; the trust preferred pool is rated investment grade, with the privately issued securities securing the note performing.  Subsequent to September 30, 2010, there were no securities downgraded below investment grade.  


The unrealized losses on these temporarily impaired securities are primarily the result of changes in interest rates for fixed rate securities where the interest rate received is less than the current rate available for new offerings of similar securities, changes in market spreads as a result of shifts in supply and demand, and/or changes in the level of prepayments for mortgage related securities.   Because we do not currently intend to sell any of our temporarily impaired securities, and because it is more likely-than-not that we would not be required to sell the securities prior to recovery, the impairment is considered temporary.

4.     Investments, Debt and Equity Securities, continued


Temporarily Impaired Securities




December 31, 2009

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or Longer

Total

Available-for-Sale Portfolio:

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities

$ 4,998

  $     3

$     ---

$ ---

$  4,998

$       3

State & Municipal Obligations

1,230

5

---

---

1,230

5

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

49,034

 1,184

    162

19

49,196

  1,203

Mortgage-Backed Securities - Residential

36,547

  836

1,402

2

37,949

838

Corporate & Other Debt Securities

946

54

305

80

1,251

 134

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

        20

        ---

       20

      6

         40

         6

  Total Securities Available-for-Sale

$92,775

$2,082

$1,889

$107

$94,664

$2,189

Held-to-Maturity Portfolio







State & Municipal Obligations

$14,270

$270

$6,624

$184

$20,894

$454


The table above for December 31, 2009 consists of 103 securities where the current fair value is less than the related amortized cost.  These unrealized losses do not reflect any significant deterioration of the credit worthiness of the issuing entities.  The state and municipal obligations are general obligations supported by the general taxing authority of the issuer, and in some cases are insured.  Obligations issued by school districts are supported by state aid.  For any non-rated municipal securities, third party credit analysis shows no significant deterioration in the credit worthiness of the municipalities.  CMOs are all agency-backed and are rated AAA, as are the mortgage-backed securities.  Corporate and other debt securities consist of one private placement trust preferred, and one trust preferred pool.  The private placement trust preferred is rated AAA by Standard & Poors; the trust preferred pool is rated investment grade, with the privately issued securities securing the note performing.  Subsequent to December 31, 2009, there were no securities downgraded below investment grade.  


The unrealized losses on these temporarily impaired securities are primarily the result of changes in interest rates for fixed rate securities where the interest rate received is less than the current rate available for new offerings of similar securities, changes in market spreads as a result of shifts in supply and demand, and/or changes in the level of prepayments for mortgage related securities.   Because we do not currently intend to sell any of our temporarily impaired securities, and because it is not more likely-than-not we would be required to sell the securities prior to recovery, the impairment is considered temporary.


Other-Than-Temporary Impairment


On a quarterly basis, Arrow performs an assessment to determine whether there have been any events or economic circumstances indicating that a security with an unrealized loss has suffered other-than-temporary impairment. A debt security is considered impaired if the fair value is less than its amortized cost basis at the reporting date. If impaired, Arrow then assesses whether the unrealized loss is other-than-temporary. An unrealized loss on a debt security is generally deemed to be other-than-temporary and a credit loss is deemed to exist if the present value of the expected future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the debt security. As a result, the credit loss component of an other-than-temporary impairment write-down for debt securities is recorded in earnings while the remaining portion of the impairment loss is recognized, net of tax, in other comprehensive income provided that Arrow does not intend to sell the underlying debt security and it is more-likely-than not that Arrow would not be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery.


At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 mutual funds and equity securities included shares of one common stock that had been deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired.  The common stock had a book value of $1,469 prior to the recognition of $375 in losses charged to earnings for the year ended December 31, 2009. The approximate fair value for this security was $1,067 and $1,094 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  


5.   Retirement Plans (In Thousands)


The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended September 30:



Pension

Benefits

Postretirement

Benefits


2010

2009

2010

2009

Service Cost

$282 

$264 

$ 36 

$39 

Interest Cost

438 

446 

114 

96 

Expected Return on Plan Assets

(522)

(514)

--- 

--- 

Amortization of Prior Service Credit

(22)

(19)

(24)

(27)

Amortization of Net Loss

  233 

 323 

   17 

   24 

  Net Periodic Benefit Cost

$409 

$500 

$143 

$132 


The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit costs for the nine months ended September 30:



Pension

Benefits

Postretirement

Benefits


2010

2009

2010

2009

Service Cost

$  846 

$  792 

$108 

$115 

Interest Cost

1,314 

1,340 

338 

291 

Expected Return on Plan Assets

(1,576)

(1,544)

--- 

--- 

Amortization of Prior Service Credit

(60)

(57)

(72)

(81)

Amortization of Net Loss

    703 

    969 

   51 

   72 

  Net Periodic Benefit Cost

$1,227 

$1,500 

$425 

$397 


We are not required to make any contribution to our qualified pension plan in 2010 and therefore, do not expect to make any contribution during 2010.  The expected 2010 contribution for the nonqualified plan is $318.  Arrow makes contributions for its postretirement benefits in an amount equal to actual expenses for the year.  The expected contribution is estimated to be $326 for 2010.


6.   Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Dollars In Thousands)


Under our 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan, we granted options in both the first quarters of 2010 and 2009 to purchase shares of our common stock.  The fair values of the options were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  The fair value of our grants is expensed over the four year vesting period.  The expense for the second quarter of 2010 and 2009 was $79 and $49, respectively.  The expense for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009 was $226 and $139, respectively.  Other information on the options issued during 2010 and 2009 is presented in the following table:


Grants Issued During the First Quarter:

2010

2009

Shares Granted

73,336

73,403

Fair Value of Options Granted

$6.43

$4.35




Assumptions:



  Dividend Yield

3.80%

4.70%

  Expected Volatility

35.3%

33.2%

  Risk Free Interest Rate

3.14%

2.10%

  Expected Lives (in years)

7.79   

7.78   


6.   Stock-Based Compensation Plans, continued


The following table presents the activity in Arrows compensatory stock options for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009 and has been restated for the September 2010 3% stock dividend:



2010

2009




Options:




Shares

Weighted-

Average

Exercise

Price




Shares

Weighted-

Average

Exercise

Price

  Outstanding at January 1

452,494 

$21.70 

460,999 

$20.57 

  Granted

73,336 

23.86 

74,463 

21.36 

  Exercised

(27,315)

11.69 

(61,675)

14.11 

  Forfeited

         --- 

---  

  (1,084)

22.56 

  Outstanding at September 30

498,515 

22.56 

472,703 

21.53 

  Exercisable at September 30

334,615 

22.62 

340,150 

21.60 


Arrow also sponsors an Employee Stock Purchase Plan under which employees purchase Arrows common stock at a 5% discount below market price.  Under current accounting guidance, a stock purchase plan with a discount of 5% or less is not considered a compensatory plan.    


7.   Guarantees


We do not issue any guarantees that would require liability-recognition or disclosure, other than standby letters of credit.  Standby and other letters of credit are conditional commitments that are issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including bond financing and similar transactions.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  Typically, these instruments have terms of twelve months or less.  Some expire unused, and therefore, the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Some have automatic renewal provisions.


For letters of credit, the amount of the collateral obtained, if any, is based on managements credit evaluation of the counter-party.  We had approximately $17.7 million of standby letters of credit on September 30, 2010, most of which will expire within one year and some of which were not collateralized.  At that date, all the letters of credit were for private borrowing arrangements.  The fair value of our standby letters of credit at September 30, 2010 was insignificant.


8.  Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (In Thousands)


Current accounting guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements.  We do not have any nonfinancial assets or liabilities measured at fair value. The only assets or liabilities that Arrow measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were securities available-for-sale.  Arrow held no securities or liabilities for trading on such date.  The fair value measurement of securities available-for-sale on such date was as follows:

8.  Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, continued




Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:

Description

Total

Quoted Prices

In Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)

Significant Other

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

September 30, 2010:





Securities Available-for Sale:





U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

$167,655

$---

$167,655

$    ---

State and Municipal Obligations

66,148

---

66,148

---

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

154,196

---

154,196

---

Mortgage-Backed Securities - Residential

78,154

---

78,154

---

Corporate and Other Debt Securities

1,390

---

1,063

327

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

      1,398

  ---

      1,398

     ---

  Total Securities Available-for-Sale

$468,941

$---

$468,614

$327






December 31, 2009:





Securities Available-for Sale:





U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

$123,331

$---

$123,331

$    ---

State and Municipal Obligations

18,913

---

18,913

---

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

199,781

---

199,781

---

Mortgage-Backed Securities - Residential

93,017

---

93,017

---

Corporate and Other Debt Securities

1,331

---

1,026

305

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

      1,333

  ---

       1,333

     ---

  Total Securities Available-for-Sale

$437,706

$---

$437,401

$305


Fair value for securities available-for-sale was determined utilizing an independent bond pricing service for identical assets or significantly similar securities.  The pricing service uses a variety of techniques to arrive at fair value including market maker bids, quotes and pricing models.  Inputs to the pricing models include recent trades, benchmark interest rates, spreads and actual and projected cash flows.  There were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009.  


Level 3 securities available-for-sale at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, in the table above, included one trust preferred pooled security.   In our analysis of fair value, we determined that the market for this security was inactive.  We reviewed the collateral within the pool and performed a discounted cash flow analysis using additional value estimates from unobservable inputs including expected cash flows after estimated deferrals and defaults.  The discount rate used was based on a market based rate of return including an assumed risk premium for securities with similar credit characteristics plus a market price adjustment for the small size and lack of an established market for this type of security.


The following table is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for September 30, 2010 and 2009 of the Level 3 assets of Arrow, i.e., as to which fair value is measured using significant unobservable inputs, all of which are securities available-for-sale:



2010

2009

Beginning Balance, January 1

$305 

$555 

Transfers In

--- 

--- 

Principal payment received

(3)

(19)

Purchases, issuances and settlements

--- 

(340)

Total net losses (realized/unrealized):



Included in earnings    

--- 

(60)

Included in earnings, as a result of other-than-temporary impairment

--- 

--- 

Included in other comprehensive income

   25 

 157 

Ending Balance, September 30

$327 

$293 

The amount of total losses for the year included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at period-end, as a result of other-than-temporary impairment

$--- 

$--- 


8.  Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, continued


There were no assets or liabilities that Arrow measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis on September 30, 2010 or on December 31, 2009. Other impaired assets which might have been included in this table include other real estate owned, mortgage servicing rights, goodwill and other intangible assets.  Arrow evaluates each of these assets for impairment on a quarterly basis, with no impairment recognized for these assets during the periods ended September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009.  


The following table presents a summary at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 of the carrying amount and fair value of Arrows financial instruments:



September 30, 2010

December 31, 2009



Carrying

Amount

Fair

Value

Carrying

Amount

Fair

Value

Interest-Bearing Deposits at Banks


$     83,122

$     83,122

$     22,730

$     22,730

Securities Available-for-Sale


468,941

468,941

437,706

437,706

Securities Held-to-Maturity


  158,106

  165,070

  168,931

  171,183

Other Investments


9,474

9,474

8,935

8,935

Net Loans


1,140,047

1,171,251

1,098,136

1,115,414

Non-maturity Deposits


1,164,110

1,164,110

1,050,565

1,050,565

Time Deposits


382,485

394,025

393,001

400,421

FHLBNY Advances


150,000

156,316

140,000

147,754

Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to

   Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts


20,000

20,000

20,000

20,000

Accrued Interest Receivable


6,959

6,959

7,115

7,115

Accrued Interest Payable


2,122

2,122

2,257

2,257


Fair value for securities held-to-maturity was determined utilizing an independent bond pricing service for identical assets or significantly similar securities.  The pricing service uses a variety of techniques to arrive at fair value including market maker bids, quotes and pricing models. Inputs to the pricing models include recent trades, benchmark interest rates, spreads and actual and projected cash flows.


Fair values for loans are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics.  Loans are segregated by type such as commercial, commercial real estate, residential mortgage, indirect and other consumer loans.  Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable interest rate terms and by performing and nonperforming categories.  The fair value of performing loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan.  The estimate of maturity is based on historical experience with repayments for each loan classification, modified, as required, by an estimate of the effect of current economic and lending conditions.   Fair value for nonperforming loans is generally based on recent external appraisals.  If appraisals are not available, estimated cash flows are discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk associated with the estimated cash flows.  Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows and discount rates are judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower information.


The fair value of time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows, except that the fair value is limited to the extent that the customer could redeem the certificate after imposition of a premature withdrawal penalty.  The discount rates are estimated using the FHLBNY yield curve, which is considered representative of Arrows time deposit rates. The fair value of FHLBNY advances is estimated based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows.  The discount rate is estimated using current rates on FHLBNY advances with similar maturities and call features.


Based on Arrows capital adequacy, the book value of the outstanding trust preferred securities (Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts) are considered to approximate fair value since the interest rates are variable (indexed to three-month LIBOR) and Arrow is well-capitalized.

 


9. Business Combinations (In Thousands)


On April 1, 2010, we acquired Loomis & LaPann, Inc., a property and casualty insurance agency (Loomis).  Loomis will be operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of our lead bank, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company.  All the outstanding shares of Loomis were acquired in exchange for shares of Arrow common stock.  We recorded the following intangible assets as a result of the acquisition (none of which are deductible for income tax purposes): goodwill of $514 thousand and expirations of $126 thousand.  The value of the expirations is being amortized over twenty years.  Under the acquisition agreement, we issued 26,296 shares of Arrows common stock at closing and an additional 731 shares on May 27, 2010 in connection with a balance sheet adjustment to the purchase price as provided for in the acquisition agreement.  The acquisition agreement also provides for annual contingent future payments of Arrow common stock based upon the financial performance and other results of Loomis over a three-year period.  The minimum contingent payment is zero and the maximum contingent payment over the entire three-year period is $330 thousand payable solely in shares of the Companys common stock valued in accordance with the acquisition agreement.





Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Arrow Financial Corporation:


We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of Arrow Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2010, the related consolidated statements of income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and the related consolidated statements of changes in stockholders equity, and cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management.


We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.


Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.


We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Arrow Financial Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders equity and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 4, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.


[tenq002.gif]




Albany, New York

November 5, 2010

Item 2.

ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2010


Note on Terminology - In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the terms Arrow, the registrant, the company, we, us, and our generally refer to Arrow Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries as a group, except where the context indicates otherwise.  Arrow is a two-bank holding company headquartered in Glens Falls, New York.  Our banking subsidiaries are Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company (Glens Falls National) whose main office is located in Glens Falls, New York, and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company (Saratoga National) whose main office is located in Saratoga Springs, New York.  Our non-bank subsidiaries include Capital Financial Group, Inc. (an insurance agency specializing in selling and servicing group health care policies), Loomis & LaPann, Inc. (a property and casualty insurance agency), North Country Investment Advisers, Inc. (a registered investment adviser that provides investment advice to our proprietary mutual funds) and Arrow Properties, Inc. (a real estate investment trust, or REIT), all of which are subsidiaries of Glens Falls National.


At certain points in this Report, our performance is compared with that of our peer group of financial institutions.  Unless otherwise specifically stated, this peer group is comprised of the group of 303 domestic bank holding companies with $1 to $3 billion in total consolidated assets as identified in the Federal Reserve Boards Bank Holding Company Performance Report for June 30, 2010 (the most recent such Report currently available), and peer group data has been derived from such Report.  


Forward Looking Statements - The information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements that are not historical in nature but rather are based on our beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections about the future.  These statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and involve a degree of uncertainty and attendant risk.  Words such as expects, believes, anticipates, estimates and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  Some of these statements, such as those included in the interest rate sensitivity analysis in Item 3, entitled Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, are merely presentations of what future performance or changes in future performance would look like based on hypothetical assumptions and on simulation models.  Other forward-looking statements are based on our general perceptions of market conditions and trends in business activity, both our own and in the banking industry generally, as well as current management strategies for future operations and development.  Examples of forward-looking statements in this Report are referenced in the table below:

Topic

Page

Location

Estimation of potential losses related to Visa obligation

26

3rd paragraph

Impact of Financial Turmoil

24

6th paragraph

Impact of market rate structure on net interest margin,  loan yields and deposit rates

28

1st and 6th paragraphs


30

3rd paragraph


33

Last 3 paragraphs

Provision for loan losses

35

Last paragraph

Future level of residential real estate loans

32

2nd paragraph

Future level of indirect consumer loans

32

Last paragraph

Future level of commercial loans

33

1st paragraph

Impact of changing economy

38

1st paragraph

Impact of changing capital standards and legislative developments

25

5th paragraph


27

2nd paragraph


38

5th paragraph

Liquidity

40

5th paragraph

Fees for other services to customers

43

1st paragraph


46

5th paragraph

Interchange Fee Income

42

Last paragraph

Insurance commissions

43

2nd paragraph


47

1st paragraph


These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to quantify or, in some cases, to identify.  In the case of all forward-looking statements, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what the statements predict or forecast.  Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:  

(a)

rapid and dramatic changes in economic and market conditions, such as the U.S. economy has recently experienced and continues to experience;

(b)

sharp fluctuations in interest rates, economic activity, and consumer spending patterns;

(c)

sudden changes in the market for products we provide, such as real estate loans;

(d)

significant new banking laws and regulations, as are presently anticipated or, as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act);

(e)

enhanced competition from unforeseen sources; and

(f)

similar uncertainties inherent in banking operations or business generally.  


In the current environment of substantial economic turmoil affecting all sectors of business in the U.S., including the financial sector, all forward-looking statements should be understood as embracing a substantial degree of uncertainty far exceeding that accompanying such statements under normal economic conditions.


Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this Report, which speak only as of the date hereof.  We undertake no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  This Report should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for December 31, 2009 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES


The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted Regulation G, which applies to all public disclosures, including earnings releases, made by registered companies that contain non-GAAP financial measures.  GAAP is generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.  Under Regulation G, companies making public disclosures containing non-GAAP financial measures must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure and a statement of the Companys reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure as part of its financial disclosures.  The SEC has exempted from the definition of non-GAAP financial measures certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP.  When these exempted measures are included in public disclosures, supplemental information is not required.  The following measures used in this Report, which are commonly utilized by financial institutions, have not been specifically exempted by the SEC and may constitute "non-GAAP financial measures" within the meaning of the SEC's new rules, although we are unable to state with certainty that the SEC would so regard them.


Tax-Equivalent Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin: Net interest income, as a component of the tabular presentation by financial institutions of Selected Financial Information regarding their recently completed operations, is commonly presented on a tax-equivalent basis.  That is, to the extent that some component of the institution's net interest income, which is presented on a before-tax basis, is exempt from taxation (e.g., is received by the institution as a result of its holdings of state or municipal obligations), an amount equal to the tax benefit derived from that component is added back to the net interest income total.  This adjustment is considered helpful in comparing one financial institution's net interest income to that of another institution or in analyzing any institutions net interest income trend line over time, to correct any analytical distortion that might otherwise arise from the fact that financial institutions vary widely in the proportions of their portfolios that are invested in tax-exempt securities, and that even a single institution may significantly alter the proportion of its own portfolio that is invested in tax-exempt obligations.  Moreover, net interest income is itself a component of a second financial measure commonly used by financial institutions, net interest margin, which is the ratio of net interest income to average earning assets.  For purposes of this measure as well, tax-equivalent net interest income is generally used by financial institutions, again to provide a better basis of comparison from institution to institution and to better demonstrate a single institutions performance over time.  We follow these practices.

The Efficiency Ratio: Financial institutions often use an "efficiency ratio" as a measure of expense control.  The efficiency ratio typically is defined as the ratio of noninterest expense to net interest income and noninterest income.  Net interest income as utilized in calculating the efficiency ratio is typically expressed on a tax-equivalent basis.  Moreover, most financial institutions, in calculating the efficiency ratio, also adjust both noninterest expense and noninterest income to exclude from these items (as calculated under GAAP) certain recurring component elements of income and expense, such as intangible asset amortization (deducted from noninterest expense) and securities gains or losses (excluded from noninterest income).  We follow these practices.

Tangible Book Value per Share:  Tangible equity is total stockholders equity less intangible assets.  Tangible book value per share is tangible equity divided by total shares issued and outstanding.  Tangible book value per share is often regarded as a more meaningful comparative ratio than book value per share as calculated under GAAP, that is, total stockholders equity including intangible assets divided by total shares issued and outstanding.  Intangible assets as a category of assets includes many items, but is essentially represented by goodwill for Arrow.

Adjustments for Certain Items of Income or Expense:  In addition to our disclosures of net income, earnings per share, return on average assets, return on average equity and other financial measures in accordance with GAAP, we may also provide comparative disclosures that adjust these GAAP financial measures for certain material items of income or expense.  We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures may be helpful in understanding the results of operations separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportional positive or negative impact on any particular period. Additionally, we believe that the adjustment for certain items allows a better comparison from period to period in our results of operations with respect to our fundamental lines of business including the commercial banking business.


We believe that the non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by us from time to time are useful in evaluating our performance and that such information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for or superior to the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Our non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures presented by other companies.

Selected Quarterly Information:

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Share and per share amounts have been restated for the September 2010 3% stock dividend)



Sep 2010

Jun 2010

Mar 2010

Dec 2009

Sep 2009

Net Income

$5,575

$5,714

$5,415

$5,117

$5,062







Transactions Recorded in Net Income (Net of Tax):






Other-Than-Temporary Impairment (OTTI) 1

$--- 

$--- 

$--- 

$(227)

$--- 

Net Securities Gains

373 

530 

--- 

17

29 

Net Gains on Sales of Loans

285 

21 

13 

56

10 







Period End Shares Outstanding

11,234

11,300

11,277

11,245

11,244

Basic Average Shares Outstanding

11,257

11,307

11,260

11,238

11,239

Diluted Average Shares Outstanding

11,260

11,344

11,301

11,288

11,312

Basic Earnings Per Share

$.50

$.51

$.48

$.46

$.45

Diluted Earnings Per Share

.50

.50

.48

.45

.45

Cash Dividends Per Share

.24

.24

.24

.24

.24







Average Assets

$1,880,099

$1,873,690

$1,844,173

$1,856,176

$1,778,893

Average Equity

153,653

149,026

144,001

140,786

136,397

Return on Average Assets

1.18%

1.22%

1.19%

1.09%

1.13%

Return on Average Equity

14.39

15.38

15.25

     14.42

14.72







Average Earning Assets

$1,792,421

$1,790,572

$1,762,490

$1,781,464

$1,706,626

Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities

1,485,639

1,502,052

1,483,532

1,492,326

1,417,218

Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent 2

21,829

22,530

22,512

23,032

22,499

Interest Expense

5,829

6,023

5,940

6,522

6,462

Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent 2

16,000

16,507

16,572

16,510

16,037

Tax-Equivalent Adjustment

832

852

861

863

835

Net Interest Margin 2

3.54%

3.70%

3.81%

3.68%

3.73%

Efficiency Ratio Calculation: 2






Noninterest Expense

$12,106 

$12,002 

$11,540 

$11,699 

$11,401 

Less: Intangible Asset Amortization

       (67)

       (65)

       (73)

       (77)

       (79)

   Net Noninterest Expense

$12,039 

$11,937 

$11,467 

$11,622 

$11,322 

Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent 2

$16,000 

$16,507 

$16,572 

$16,510 

$16,037 

Noninterest Income

5,305 

5,028 

4,018 

3,805 

3,976 

Less: Net Securities Losses (Gains) & OTTI

      (618)

      (878)

          --- 

       347 

       (48)

   Net Gross Income

$20,687 

$20,657 

$20,590 

$20,662 

$19,965 

Efficiency Ratio 2

58.20%

57.79%

55.69%

56.25%

56.71%

Period-End Capital Information:






Tier 1 Leverage Ratio

8.41%

8.71%

8.66%

8.43%

8.37%

Total Stockholders Equity (i.e. Book Value)

$153,457

$152,703

$145,804

$140,818

$139,304

Book Value per Share

13.66

13.51

12.93

12.52

12.39

Intangible Assets

17,209

17,206

16,630

16,712

16,353

Tangible Book Value per Share 2

12.13

11.99

11.46

11.04

10.93

Asset Quality Information






Net Loans Charged-off as a

  Percentage of Average Loans, Annualized

.05%

.05%

.08%

.09%

.08%

Provision for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Average Loans, Annualized

 .13   

 .13   

 .14   

 .16   

 .15   

Allowance for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Loans, Period-end

1.27   

1.26   

1.27   

1.26   

1.25   

Allowance for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Nonperforming Loans, Period-end

369.69   

324.13   

393.43   

300.73   

299.07   

Nonperforming Loans as a

  Percentage of Loans, Period-end

 .34   

 .39   

 .32   

 .42   

 .42   

Nonperforming Assets as a

  Percentage of Total Assets, Period-end

 .20   

 .24   

 .20   

 .26   

 .26   



1  See page 26


2 See Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 19.


Selected Nine-month Period Information:

(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Share and per share amounts have been restated for the September 2010 3% stock dividend)






Sep 2010

Sep 2009

Net Income




$16,704

$16,675







Transactions Recorded in Net Income (Net of Tax):






Net Gain on Sale of Merchant Bank Card Processing

see page 26


$    ---  

$1,791  

Income from Restitution Payment

see page 46


---  

271  

FDIC Special Assessment

see page 27


---  

(475) 

Net Securities Gains

see page 34-35


 903 

 199  

Net Gain on Sales of Loans

see page 42, 46


318

197 







Period-End Shares Outstanding




11,234

11,244

Basic Average Shares Outstanding




11,275

11,229

Diluted Average Shares Outstanding




11,302

11,280

Basic Earnings Per Share




$1.48  

$1.48  

Diluted Earnings Per Share




1.48  

1.48  

Cash Dividends




.73

.71  







Average Assets




$1,866,119

$1,728,934

Average Equity




148,929

132,903

Return on Average Assets




1.20%

1.29%

Return on Average Equity




15.00   

16.77   







Average Earning Assets




$1,781,936

$1,657,111

Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities




1,490,415

1,382,287

Interest Income, Tax-equivalent 1




66,871

67,006

Interest Expense




17,792

19,970

Net Interest Income, Tax-equivalent 1




49,079

47,036

Tax-equivalent Adjustment




2,545

2,318

Net Interest Margin 1




3.68%

3.79%


Efficiency Ratio Calculation 1






Noninterest Expense




$35,648

$34,893

Less: Intangible Asset Amortization




     (205)

     (247)

   Net Noninterest Expense




 35,443

 34,646

Net Interest Income, Tax-equivalent 1




49,079

47,036

Noninterest Income




14,351

15,787

Less: Net Securities Gains




  (1,496)

     (329)

   Net Gross Income, Adjusted




 61,934

 62,494

Efficiency Ratio 1




57.23%

55.44%

Period-End Capital Information:






Tier 1 Leverage Ratio




8.41%

8.37%

Total Stockholders Equity (i.e. Book Value)




$153,457

$139,304

Book Value per Share




13.66

12.39

Intangible Assets




17,209

16,353

Tangible Book Value per Share  1




12.13

10.93

Asset Quality Information:






Net Loans Charged-off as a

  Percentage of Average Loans, Annualized




.06%

.09%

Provision for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Average Loans, Annualized




 .13

 .16

Allowance for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Period-end Loans




1.27

1.25

Allowance for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Nonperforming Loans




369.69

299.07

Nonperforming Loans as a

  Percentage  of Period-end Loans




 .34

 .42

Nonperforming Assets as a

  Percentage of Period-end Total Assets




 .20

 .26


1 See Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 19.


Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis

(see Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 19)

(Tax-equivalent Basis using a marginal tax rate of 35%)

(Dollars In Thousands)


Quarter Ended September 30,

2010

2009



Interest

Rate


Interest

Rate


Average

Income/

Earned/

Average

Income/

Earned/


Balance

Expense

Paid

Balance

Expense

Paid

Interest-Bearing Bank Deposits

$     49,487 

$        33 

0.26%

$    62,301 

 $        41 

0.26%

Investment Securities:







  Taxable

406,360

 3,495

3.41  

367,254

 3,541

3.83  

  Non-Taxable

188,378

 2,146

4.52  

177,250

   2,204

4.93  

Loans

 1,148,196

 16,155

5.58  

 1,099,821

 16,713

6.03  








  Total Earning Assets

1,792,421

 21,829

4.83  

1,706,626

 22,499

5.23  








Allowance For Loan Losses

(14,503)



(13,721)



Cash and Due From Banks

29,785



28,208



Other Assets

       72,396



       57,780



  Total Assets

$1,880,099



$1,778,893










Deposits:







 Interest-Bearing  NOW Deposits

$   497,981

1,216

0.97  

$   443,841

1,144

1.02  

 Regular and Money  Market Savings

368,565

  523

0.56  

310,991

  503

0.64  

 Time Deposits of  $100,000 or More

130,471

  737

2.24  

167,681

  925

2.19  

 Other Time Deposits

  252,507

  1,482

2.33  

    253,359

  1,830

2.87  

   Total Interest-Bearing Deposits

1,249,524

 3,958

1.26  

1,175,872

 4,402

1.49  

 







Short-Term Borrowings

 66,115

  33

0.20  

 61,346

  30

0.19  

Long-Term Debt

   170,000

  1,838

4.29  

    180,000

  2,030

4.47  

  Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

1,485,639

  5,829

1.56  

1,417,218

  6,462

1.81  








Demand Deposits

217,017



199,611



Other Liabilities

        23,790



       25,667



  Total Liabilities

1,726,446



1,642,496



Stockholders Equity

     153,653



     136,397



  Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity

$1,880,099



$1,778,893










Net Interest Income (Tax-equivalent Basis)


16,000



16,037


Net Interest Spread



3.27



3.42

Net Interest Margin



3.54



3.73








Reversal of Tax-equivalent Adjustment


      (832)

(.18)


      (835)

(.19)

Net Interest Income, As Reported


$15,168



$15,202


Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis

(see Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 19)

(Tax-equivalent Basis using a marginal tax rate of 35%)

(Dollars In Thousands)


Nine Months Ended September 30,

2010

2009



Interest

Rate


Interest

Rate


Average

Income/

Earned/

Average

Income/

Earned/


Balance

Expense

Paid

Balance

Expense

Paid

Interest-bearing Balances

$     54,213

$      107

0.26%

$     55,929

$     110

0.26%

Investment Securities:







  Taxable

410,822

 11,370

3.70  

340,784

10,659

4.18  

  Non-Taxable

186,621

   6,659

4.77  

161,245

 6,146

5.10  

Loans

 1,130,280

 48,735

5.76  

 1,099,153

 50,091

6.09  








  Total Earning Assets

1,781,936

 66,871

5.02  

1,657,111

 67,006

5.41  








Allowance For Loan Losses

(14,289)



(13,523)



Cash and Due From Banks

28,671



28,034



Other Assets

       69,801



       57,312



  Total Assets

$1,866,119



$1,728,934










Deposits:







 Interest-Bearing  NOW Deposits

$   519,322

4,093

1.05  

$   439,854

3,674

1.12  

 Regular and Money  Market Savings

357,006

1,633

0.61  

299,629

1,564

0.70  

 Time Deposits of  $100,000 or More

136,967

2,180

2.13  

155,308

2,898

2.49  

 Other Time Deposits

    249,098

   4,448

2.39  

    249,953

   5,634

3.01  

   Total Interest-Bearing Deposits

1,262,393

12,354

1.31  

1,144,744

13,770

1.61  

 







Short-Term Borrowings

 64,053

  95

0.20  

 57,543

  97

0.23  

Long-Term Debt

   163,969

   5,343

4.36  

    180,000

   6,103

4.53  

  Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

1,490,415

 17,792

1.60  

1,382,287

 19,970

1.93  








Demand Deposits

203,263



188,938



Other Liabilities

       23,512



       24,806



  Total Liabilities

1,717,190



1,596,031



Stockholders Equity

     148,929



     132,903



  Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity

$1,866,119



$1,728,934










Net Interest Income (Tax-equivalent Basis)


49,079



47,036


Net Interest Spread



3.42



3.48

Net Interest Margin



3.68



3.79








Reversal of Tax-equivalent Adjustment


   (2,545)

(.19)


   (2,318)

(.19)

Net Interest Income, As Reported


$46,534



$44,718


OVERVIEW


We reported net income for the third quarter of 2010 of $5.6 million, representing diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $.50.  Both of these measures represent an increase of over 10% from the 2009 third quarter.  Return on average equity (ROE) for the 2010 third quarter continued to be very strong at 14.39%, a slight decrease of 33 basis points from the ROE of 14.72% for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. Return on average assets (ROA) for the 2010 third quarter also continued to be very strong at 1.18%, an increase of 5 basis points from the ROA of 1.13% for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.  


We reported net income for the first nine months of 2010 of $16.7 million, representing EPS of $1.48. These results were virtually identical to our net income and EPS for the first nine months of 2009.  As we previously reported, however, our results for the first nine months of 2009 included a gain of $1.79 million, or $.16 per share, net of tax, recognized on the sale of our merchant bank card processing line of business to TransFirst LLC. Excluding this transaction, adjusted net income for the first nine months of 2009 was $14.9 million, representing adjusted diluted EPS of $1.32.  These adjusted net income and EPS measures for the 2009 period are non-GAAP financial measures but provide a better comparison, we believe, to our earnings results for the 2010 period. Our diluted EPS for the first nine months of 2010 determined in accordance with GAAP was $0.16 per share (or 12.1%) greater than the adjusted non-GAAP diluted EPS for the comparable 2009 period.  We have provided a reconciliation of the 2009 non-GAAP measures to the comparable 2009 measures determined in accordance with GAAP, as required under Regulation G, in the table on page 45, and have also compared the 2009 non-GAAP earnings measures to the comparable 2010 earnings measures determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Total assets were $1.960 billion at September 30, 2010, which represented an increase of $124.0 million, or 6.8%, above the level at September 30, 2009, and an increase of $118.7 million, or 6.4%, from the December 31, 2009 level.  


Stockholders equity was $153.5 million at September 30, 2010, an increase of $14.2 million, or 10.2%, from the year earlier level.  Stockholders' equity increased $12.6 million from the December 31, 2009 level of $140.8 million.  The components of the change in stockholders equity since year-end 2009 are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders Equity on page 5, and are discussed in more detail in the section entitled, Increase in Stockholder Equity.  


Our risk-based capital ratios and Tier 1 leverage ratio continued to significantly exceed regulatory minimum requirements at period-end.  At September 30, 2010 both of our banks, as well as the holding company, qualified as "well-capitalized" under federal bank regulatory guidelines.  See the discussion under Important New Capital and Liquidity Standards on page 40 of this Report.


Financial Market Turmoil:  The Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow Jones) plunged from a high of over 14,000 in October 2007 to a low of under 6,500 in March 2009, then rebounded by March 2010 to over 11,000, and ranged between 9,600 and 11,200 for the next six months.  This degree of market volatility has not been seen in many decades, and the markets turmoil is impacted by the continuing weakness in the U.S. economy.  The financial sector and particularly banks have been severely affected, suffering major losses on mortgages and other credit portfolios and an industry-wide loss of short-term liquidity.  In addition, bank failures have continued to occur with regularity, through 2009 and into 2010, and are expected to persist for the foreseeable future.  Many community banks, like our company, have not experienced significant losses in their loan or investment portfolios or the liquidity problems that many of our larger contemporaries have experienced, but expanding problems in commercial real estate portfolios throughout the U.S. now threaten many of these community banks (although our commercial portfolio has not experienced significant deterioration to date). The magnitude of turmoil in the markets has had an impact on the operations of all banks, including ours, during recent periods and may continue to influence our financial condition and results of operations in forthcoming periods.


Economic Recession and Loan Quality:  As the nationwide economic recession got underway in late 2008, our market area of northeastern New York experienced little in the way of falling real estate values or increasing unemployment, partially due to the fact that our market area had been less affected by the preceding real estate bubble than other areas of the U.S.  As the recession became stronger and deeper in late 2009, even northeastern New York began to feel the impact of the worsening national economy, reflected in a slow-down in real estate sales and increasing unemployment rates.   By year-end 2009, we had experienced a modest decline in the credit quality of our loan portfolio, although by standard measures our portfolio continued to appear stronger than the average for our peer group.  In the first nine months of 2010, our loan quality held steady and in some ways actually improved.  Nonperforming loans amounted to $4.0 million at September 30, 2010, a decrease of $703 thousand from the prior year-end.  The ratio of nonperforming loans to period-end loans was .34% at September 30, 2010, a decrease from .42% at December 31, 2009.  By way of comparison, the average ratio of nonperforming loans to period-end loans for our peer group was 3.67% at June 30, 2010, an increase of .16% from year-end 2009.  

Our loans charged-off (net of recoveries) against our allowance for loan losses were $157 thousand for the third quarter of 2010, as compared to $212 thousand for the prior year period.  At September 30, 2010, the allowance for loan losses was $14.6 million, representing 1.27% of total loans.  This ratio is unchanged from the prior year-end. To date, we have not experienced significant deterioration in any of our three major loan portfolio segments:


o

Commercial Loans:  We lend to small and medium sized businesses within our market place, which typically do not encounter liquidity problems, since we often also provide support for their supplementary liquidity needs. Current unemployment rates in our region are higher than in the past few years and the number of total jobs has decreased, although these trends are largely attributable to recent changes in the local operations of a small number of large corporations.  Commercial property values have not shown significant deterioration in our primary market.  We update the appraisals on our nonperforming commercial loans and watched commercial properties as deemed necessary, usually when the loan is downgraded or when we perceive significant market deterioration since our last appraisal.  Although we may participate in loans originated by nonaffiliated financial institutions from time to time, we do not purchase whole loans to hold in our portfolio.


o

Residential Real Estate Loans:  We have not experienced a notable increase in our residential real estate foreclosure rates, primarily due to the fact that we did not originate or participate in underwriting subprime or other high-risk mortgage loans, such as so called Alt A, negative amortization, option ARMs or negative equity loans.  It is our general practice to originate residential real estate loans using conservative underwriting standards.  


o

Indirect Loans (primarily automobile):  These loans comprise nearly 30% of our loan portfolio.  During the first nine months of 2010, we did not experience any significant change in our delinquency rate or level of charge-offs on these loans, although both delinquencies and charge-offs did increase modestly during 2009.    


Recent Legislative Developments:



Financial Reform:  In July 2010, comprehensive financial reform legislation was passed under the Dodd-Frank Act.  This Act will have an impact on various aspects of our industry, many of which will not be fully known until final regulations are adopted.  The impact of this act is discussed below in Part II, Item A, Risk Factors.  The Company will continue to monitor the effect of the Act.



Health Care Reform:  In March 2010, comprehensive federal healthcare reform legislation was passed under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, the "Act").  Included among the major provisions of the Act, is a change in tax treatment of the federal drug subsidy paid with respect to eligible retirees.  The Act contains provisions that may impact the Companys accounting for some of its benefit plans in future periods by increasing the expense associated with these plans, but at this point, we do not expect that the impact will be material. The exact extent of the Acts impact cannot be determined until final regulations are promulgated and additional interpretations become available. The Company will continue to monitor the effect of the Act.


Liquidity and Access to Credit Markets:  We did not experience any liquidity issues during 2009 and have not experienced any liquidity issues in 2010 through the date of this report.  The terms of our lines of credit with our correspondent banks, the FHLBNY and the Federal Reserve Bank, have not changed, except for some increases in the maximum borrowing capacity (see our more detailed liquidity discussion on page 40).  In general, we rely on asset-based liquidity (i.e., funds placed by us in overnight investments and regular cash flow from maturing investments and loans) with liability-based liquidity as a secondary source (overnight borrowing arrangements with our correspondent banks, arrangements for FHLBNY overnight and term advances, and access to the Federal Reserve Bank discount window, as our main sources).  During the recent period of bank failures, some institutions experienced a run on deposits, even though there was no reasonable expectation that depositors would lose any of their insured deposits.  We maintain, and periodically test, a contingency liquidity plan whose purpose is to ensure that we can generate an adequate amount of cash to meet a wide variety of potential liquidity crises on very short notice.  Our liquidity is further discussed under the section of this report titled Important New Capital and Liquidity Standards on page 40.



Acquisition of Insurance Agency: As announced earlier, on April 1, 2010, we acquired Loomis & LaPann, Inc., a property and casualty insurance agency (Loomis).  Loomis will be operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of our lead bank, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company.  All the outstanding shares of Loomis were acquired in exchange for shares of Arrow common stock.  We recorded the following intangible assets as a result of the acquisition (none of which are deductible for income tax purposes): goodwill of $514 thousand and change to intangible assets of $126 thousand.  The value of the expirations is being amortized over twenty years.  Under the acquisition agreement, we issued 26,296 shares of Arrows common stock at closing and an additional 731 shares on May 27, 2010 in connection with a balance sheet adjustment to the purchase price as provided for in the acquisition agreement.  The acquisition agreement also provides for annual contingent future payments of Arrow common stock based upon the financial performance and other results of Loomis over a three-year period.  The minimum contingent payment is zero and the maximum contingent payment over the entire three-year period is $330 thousand payable solely in shares of the Companys common stock valued in accordance with the acquisition agreement.


Investment Securities and Other-than-temporary Impairment: During the last quarter of 2009, we recognized a $375 thousand impairment charge on one inactively traded common stock which we continue to hold in our available-for-sale portfolio, with no subsequent additional impairment charge on this investment during the first nine months of 2010.  We have never held and do not hold any preferred or common stock of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.   As of quarter-end, we had not experienced any other-than-temporary impairment issues in 2010 with regard to our holdings of mortgage-backed securities or CMOs.  Mortgage-backed securities held by the Company are comprised of pass-through securities backed by conventional residential mortgages and guaranteed by government agencies or government sponsored entities. We do not hold and have not originated any private-label mortgage-backed securities or securities backed by subprime or other high risk non-traditional mortgage loans.


VISA Transactions in 2008 and 2009:  On March 28, 2008, VISA Inc. distributed to its member banks, including Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company, by way of a mandatory redemption of 38.7% of the Visa Class B shares held by the member banks, some of the proceeds realized by Visa from the initial public offering and sale of its Class A shares just then completed.  With another portion of the IPO proceeds, Visa established a $3 billion escrow fund to cover certain, but not all, of its continuing litigation liabilities under various antitrust claims, which its member banks would otherwise be required to bear in full.  Accordingly, during the second quarter of 2008, we recorded the following transactions:

 A gain of $749 thousand from the mandatory redemption by Visa from us of 38.7% of our Class B Visa Inc. shares, reflected as an increase in noninterest income, and

 A reversal of $306 thousand of the $600 thousand accrual previously recorded by us at December 31, 2007, representing our then estimated proportional share of additional Visa litigation costs, which reversal was reflected as a reduction in other operating expense.


In October 2008, Visa announced that it had settled a lawsuit with Discover Financial Services, which was part of the covered litigation for which the Visa member banks remained contingently liable and for which Visa had established its escrow fund. Since that time, Visa has deposited additional amounts into the escrow fund for covered litigation: $1.1 billion in December 2008, $700 million in July 2009, $500 million in May 2010 and $800 million in October 2010.  These developments reduced the Companys proportionate exposure for covered litigation but also reduced the ultimate value of its remaining Class B Visa shares, as Visas settlement of covered litigation claims directly reduced the value of member banks Class B stock.  However, the Company had not previously recognized the value of its remaining Class B shares in accordance with SEC guidance; thus the Company did not recognize any income or expense in any of the periods presented as a result of the reduced value of its Class B shares upon Visas settlement of the litigation. The estimation of the Companys proportionate share of any potential losses related to the remaining covered litigation is extremely difficult and involves a high degree of uncertainty. Management has determined that the remaining $294 thousand liability included in Other Liabilities on our September 30, 2010 consolidated balance sheet represents the fair value of our proportionate share of the remaining covered Visa litigation obligations at that date, but this value is subject to change depending upon future developments in the covered litigation.


Sale of Merchant Bank Card Processing to TransFirst:  As we previously reported during the first quarter of 2009, our bank subsidiaries, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company, sold their merchant bank card processing businesses for an initial cash payment at closing of $3 million to TransFirst LLC (TransFirst).  In connection with the sale, we entered into a relationship with TransFirst under which TransFirst will provide merchant bank card processing to merchant customers of our subsidiary banks.  The gain to us from the transaction was offset, in part, by an estimated $300 thousand cost primarily to terminate certain pre-existing agreements, for a pre-tax net gain at closing of $2.7 million.  In the second quarter of 2009, a post-closing adjustment to the purchase price substantially eliminated the termination fees related to the pre-existing agreements such that our net pre-tax gain on the sale of the business as adjusted increased by $266 thousand to approximately $2.97 million.



FDIC Special Assessment & Prepayment:  The FDIC announced during the first quarter of 2009 that the agency would levy a special assessment on all FDIC insured financial institutions to rebuild the FDICs insurance fund which has recently been depleted by bank failures.  The special assessment was set at 0.05% of the insured institutions total assets less Tier 1 capital.  Institutions were instructed in the second quarter of 2009 to estimate and accrue the expense.  We determined that our expense was $787 thousand, which we accrued on September 30, 2009.  The FDIC did not impose any additional special assessments in the remainder of 2009, but did generate additional much needed cash for the insurance fund by requiring insured institutions to prepay in December 2009 their projected assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and all of 2010, 2011 and 2012.  Our prepayment amount was $6.8 million, which is being amortized, as required by bank regulatory guidance, into expense during the relevant periods to which such assessment relates.  On April 13, 2010 the FDIC Board proposed significant changes in the risk-based premiums scheme for banks, which if enacted as proposed, is not expected to have a material impact on the Companys financial condition or results of operations.


Increase in Stockholders Equity:  At September 30, 2010, our tangible book value per share (calculated based on stockholders equity reduced by intangible assets including goodwill) amounted to $12.13, an increase of $1.09, or 9.9%, from year-end 2009.  Our total stockholders equity at September 30, 2010 increased 9.0% over the year-end 2009 level.  Major changes to stockholders equity included $16.7 million of net income for the period and a $3.9 million net unrealized gain in securities available-for-sale (net of tax), offset in part by cash dividends of $8.2 million and repurchases of our own common stock of $2.6 million.  As of September 30, 2010, our closing stock price was $25.08, resulting in a trading multiple of 2.07 to our tangible book value.  The Company and each of its subsidiary banks also continue to remain classified as well-capitalized under regulatory guidelines.  As previously disclosed, due to our strong capital, financial and liquidity positions, we did not participate in the U.S. Treasurys Capital Purchase Program (a component of TARP).  The Board of Directors declared and paid a quarterly cash dividend of $.24 per share for the third quarter of 2010 (as restated for the September 3% stock dividend).  The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Act directs the federal bank regulators to promulgate new regulatory capital guidelines for financial institutions.  It is anticipated that those guidelines may be more restrictive on banks, and will certainly be at least as restrictive as the capital guidelines presently in place.  See the discussion under Important New Capital and Liquidity Standards on page 40 of this Report.


New Branch Office Opened in Queensbury:  We opened the 29th branch office for Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company (our 35th overall) in the second quarter of 2010.  The new branch expands our coverage in the Glens Falls / Queensbury market area where we now have six offices in addition to our main office in downtown Glens Falls.  The new office is our fourth office located in the same building as a Stewarts Shop.  Arrow leases these offices, at market rates, from Stewarts Shops Corp.  The President of Stewarts Shops Corp., Gary Dake, also serves as a director of both Arrow and one of its subsidiary banks, Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company.  



CHANGE IN FINANCIAL CONDITION


Summary of Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

(Dollars in Thousands)


At Period-End

$ Change

$ Change

% Change

% Change


Sep 2010

Dec 2009

Sep 2009

From Dec

From Sep

From Dec

From Sep

Interest-Bearing Bank Balances

$    83,122 

$     22,730 

$     79,375 

$   60,392 

$   3,747 

265.7%

        4.7%

Securities Available-for-Sale

 468,941 

 437,706 

 402,963 

31,235 

65,978 

7.1

16.4

Securities Held-to-Maturity

158,106 

168,931 

162,197 

(10,825)

(4,091)

(6.4)

(2.5)

Other Investments

9,474 

8,935 

9,835 

539 

(361)

6.0

(3.7)

Loans (1)

 1,154,676 

 1,112,150 

1,106,657 

42,526 

48,019 

3.8

4.3

Allowance for Loan Losses

14,629 

14,014 

13,841 

615 

  788 

4.4

5.7

Earning Assets (1)

1,874,319 

1,750,452 

1,761,027 

123,867 

113,292 

7.1

6.4

Total Assets

1,960,294 

1,841,627 

1,836,283 

118,667 

124,011 

6.4

6.8









Demand Deposits

$   217,855 

$   198,025 

$   197,987 

$  19,830 

$ 19,868 

10.0

10.0

NOW Accounts

 578,674 

 516,269 

 494,517 

62,405 

84,157 

12.1

17.0

Savings Deposits

 367,581 

 336,271 

 323,508 

31,310 

44,073 

9.3

13.6

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More

129,635 

148,511 

163,337 

(18,876)

(33,702)

(12.7)

(20.6)

Other Time Deposits

     252,850 

     244,490 

     253,133 

   8,360 

       (283)

3.4

(0.1)

Total Deposits

$1,546,595

$1,443,566 

$1,432,482 

$103,029 

$114,113 

7.1

8.0

Federal Funds Purchased and

  Securities Sold Under

  Agreements to Repurchase

$  67,336 

$  72,020 

$ 60,592 

$(4,684)

$   6,744

(6.5)

11.1 

FHLB Advances

150,000 

140,000 

160,000 

10,000 

 (10,000)

7.1

(6.3)

Stockholders' Equity

153,457 

140,818 

  139,304 

12,639 

14,152 

9.0

 10.2


(1) Includes Nonaccrual Loans



Changes in Earning Assets:  While our total assets increased by $118 million, or 6.4%, from year-end 2009 to September 30, 2010, our loan portfolio increased by $42.5 million, or 3.8%, over the same period.  This is in line with managements expectations, given slackening loan demand and the general economic weakness across the U.S. economy, including our region.  We experienced the following trends in our three largest portfolio segments:

1.

Commercial and commercial real estate loans period-end balances for this segment increased slightly from year-end 2009 balances, reflecting moderating demand for commercial lending.

2.

Residential real estate loans these loans increased by $19.1 million from December 31, 2009 to September 30, 2010, as we closed on loans of approximately $41.9 million, which exceeded residential real estate loan sales, prepayments and normal amortization.  

3.

Indirect and other consumer loans The balance of these loans began to increase during the second quarter and throughout the third quarter of 2010 as we introduced more aggressive rates.  By September 30, 2010, the balance of these loans had increased $25.5 million since year-end 2009.


During the nine-month period, most of the $241.4 million of investments purchased for our securities available-for-sale portfolio represented a replacement of maturities and calls from that portfolio.  Changes in our securities held-to-maturity portfolio reflected a small amount of maturities and purchases.


Changes in Sources of Funds:  Total deposits increased from December 31, 2009 to September 30, 2010, by $103.0 million, or 7.13%.  Compared to September 30, 2009, our total deposits increased $114.1 million, or 8.0%. Almost half of the increase ($55.0 million) from September 2009 was attributable to municipal deposits (discussed in more detail below), while the remaining $59.1 million increase was attributable to our internally generated non-municipal deposit balances with increases occurring primarily in our money market checking and savings accounts.  At September 30, 2010, securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $4.7 million below year-end balances, while FHLB advances increased $10.0 million from the year-end balances.     


Municipal Deposits:  We experience regular seasonal fluctuations in our balances of municipal deposits.  Recently, municipal deposits have ranged from 22% to over 27% of our total deposits.  Municipal deposits typically are invested in NOW accounts and time deposits of short duration.  Many of our municipal deposit relationships are subject to annual renewal, by formal or informal agreement.  


In general, there is a seasonal pattern to municipal deposits starting with a low point beginning in June and continuing during the summer months.  Municipal deposit balances tend to increase throughout the fall and into the winter months from tax deposits and receive an additional boost at the end of March from the electronic deposit of state aid to school districts.  In addition to these seasonal fluctuations, the overall level of municipal deposit balances fluctuates from year-to-year as some municipalities move their accounts in and out of our banks due to competitive factors.  Often, the balances of municipal deposits at the end of a quarter are not representative of the average balances for that quarter.


The recent and continuing financial crisis has had a significant negative impact on governmental tax revenues, including municipal tax revenues, and consequently on municipal budgets.  This has not yet resulted in a sustained reduction in our municipal deposits levels, adjusted for seasonal fluctuations, or an elevation in the average rates we pay on such deposits, but either or both of these developments may result in the future.


Yield Curve:  The shape of the yield curve (i.e., the line depicting interest rates being paid on low- or no-risk securities, such as U.S. Treasury bills, of different maturities, with the rate on the vertical axis and maturity on the horizontal axis) typically turns upward.  Our net interest income often reflects our investment of some portion of our short-term deposits in longer-term loans and investments, and hence our net interest margin and earnings level are directly affected by the shape of the yield curve.  Generally, the steeper the yield curve, the better our net interest income results.  With the sharp decline in short-term interest rates, the yield curve has a more traditional upward slope, as longer-term rates have declined somewhat but not to the same degree as short-term rates.  



Deposit Trends


The following two tables provide information on trends in the balance and mix of our deposit portfolio by presenting, for each of the last five quarters, the quarterly average balances by deposit type and the percentage of total deposits represented by each deposit type.




Quarterly Average Deposit Balances

(Dollars in Thousands)



Quarter Ended



Sep 2010

Jun 2010

Mar 2010

Dec 2009

Sep 2009

Demand Deposits


$   217,017

$   200,547

$   191,950

$   199,116

$   199,611

NOW Accounts


497,981

534,157

526,137

520,161

443,841

Savings Deposits


368,565

359,094

343,078

329,400

310,991

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More


130,471

133,737

146,874

155,588

167,681

Other Time Deposits


     252,507

     249,377

     245,332

     248,455

     253,359

  Total Deposits


$1,466,541

$1,476,912

$1,453,371

$1,452,720

$1,375,483


Percentage of Average Quarterly Deposits



Quarter Ended



Sep 2010

Jun 2010

Mar 2010

Dec 2009

Sep 2009

Demand Deposits


14.8%

13.5%

13.2%

13.7%

14.5%

NOW Accounts


34.0   

36.2   

36.2   

35.8

32.3   

Savings Deposits


25.1   

24.3   

23.6   

22.7

22.6   

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More


8.9   

9.1   

10.1   

10.7

12.2   

Other Time Deposits


  17.2   

  16.9   

  16.9   

  17.1

  18.4   

  Total Deposits


100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%


For a variety of reasons, including the seasonality of municipal deposits, we typically experience little net growth or a small contraction in average deposit balances in the first and third quarters of the year, versus significant growth in the second and fourth quarters.  Deposit balances followed this pattern for the first three quarters of 2010 as the average balance remained essentially flat from the fourth quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010 before increasing during the second quarter of 2010.  During the fourth quarter of 2009, average deposits balances also increased due to the addition of a few new large municipal account relationships.

  

Quarterly Cost of Deposits



Quarter Ended



Sep 2010

Jun 2010

Mar 2010

Dec 2009

Sep 2009

Demand Deposits


---%

---%

---%

---%

---%

NOW Accounts


0.97

1.09

1.10

1.14

1.02

Savings Deposits


0.56

0.64

0.64

0.65

0.64

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More


2.24

2.18

1.98

2.09

2.19

Other Time Deposits


2.33

2.38

2.46

2.71

2.87

  Total Deposits


1.07

1.15

1.16

1.24

1.27


Average rates paid by us on deposits decreased steadily over the previous five quarters, particularly on other time deposits, in which the decrease from the 2009 third quarter to the 2010 third quarter was 49 basis points.  


Impact of Interest Rate Changes


Our profitability is affected by the prevailing interest rate environment, both short-term rates and long-term rates, by changes in those rates, and by the relationship between short- and long-term rates (i.e., the yield curve).


Changes in Interest Rates.  From mid-2006 to fall 2007, the Fed maintained elevated short-term rates, with a federal funds target rate of 5.25%.  In September 2007, however, in response to a weakening economy and a loss of liquidity in the short-term credit market, precipitated in large part by the collapse in the housing market and resulting problems in subprime residential real estate lending, the Fed began lowering the federal funds target rate, rapidly and by significant amounts.  


By the December 2007 meeting of the Board of Governors, the fed funds rate had decreased 100 basis points, to 4.25%, and in early 2008, the Fed, in response to continuing liquidity concerns in the credit markets, further lowered the targeted federal funds rate by an additional 125 basis points, to 3.00%.  In the ensuing year, the Fed in a series of rate reductions lowered the target rate to the maximum extent possible; by January 2009, the fed funds target rate was at an unprecedented low of 0% to .25%, where it has remained up to the present.  We saw an immediate impact in the reduced cost of our deposits when rates began to fall in 2007, and our deposit costs continued falling in 2008 and 2009 and to a much lesser extent in the first nine months of 2010.  Yields on our earning assets have also fallen in the last two years, but at least initially the drop in our asset yields was not as significant as the decline in our deposit rates.  As a result, our net interest margins generally increased in late 2007 and early 2008, positively impacting our net interest income.  



Changes in the Yield Curve.  An additional important development with regard to the effect of rate changes on our profitability in the mid-2005 to mid-2007 period was the flattening of the yield curve, especially during 2006 and the first half of 2007.  After the Fed began increasing short-term interest rates in June 2004, the yield curve did not maintain its traditional upward slope (i.e., lower rates for shorter-duration debt; higher rates for longer-term debt) but flattened; that is, as short-term rates increased, longer-term rates stayed unchanged or even decreased.  Therefore, the traditional spread between short-term rates and long-term rates (the upward yield curve) essentially disappeared, i.e., the curve flattened.  In late 2006 and in early 2007, the yield curve actually inverted, with short-term rates exceeding long-term rates.  We, like many banks, typically fund longer-duration assets with shorter-maturity liabilities, and the flattening of the yield curve directly diminishes the benefit of this strategy.  The flattening of the yield curve was the most significant factor in the decrease in our net interest margin during the 2005-2007 period and consequent downward pressure on our net interest income.    


At the end of the second quarter of 2007, however, the yield on longer-term securities began to increase compared to short-term investments, and the yield curve began to resume its more traditional upward sloping shape.  The increase in rate spread was further enhanced when long-term rates initially held steady after the Fed began lowering short-term rates in September 2007 in response to the economic downturn.  Ultimately, as the crisis deepened, long-term rates also began to decrease, while short-term rates continued to decrease, roughly in parity with each other, to the historically low levels that both short- and long-term rates presently occupy, levels that the Federal Reserve explicitly sought to perpetuate at least in the near future, through the various means at its disposal.  The upward-sloping yield curve may continue, and continue to be steep, for some time, to the benefit of banks and financial institution generally.  On the other hand, all lending institutions, even those like us who have avoided subprime lending problems and continue to maintain high credit quality, have experienced some pressure on credit quality in recent periods, and this may continue if the national or regional economy continues to be weak.  Any credit or asset quality erosion will reduce or possibly outweigh the benefit we may experience from the return of a more positively-sloped yield curve and a highly favorable interest rate environment generally.  Thus, no assurances can be given on future improvements in our net interest income or net income generally, particularly as consumer mortgage related borrowings have diminished across the economy and the redeployment of funds from maturing loans and assets into other high-quality assets has become progressively more difficult.


Effect of Rate Changes on Our Margin.  In September 2007, as noted above, the Fed began lowering short-term interest rates in response to the worsening economy.  From the third quarter of 2007 through mid-2008 our margin steadily improved as the rates we paid on our interest-bearing liabilities began to reprice downward more rapidly that the yields on our earning assets.  This had a significant positive impact on our net interest income.  From mid-2008 into 2009, our net interest margin held steady at around 3.90%, but the margin began to narrow in the last three quarters of 2009 and the first three quarters of 2010 as the downward repricing of paying liabilities began to slow while interest earning assets continued to reprice downward at a steady rate.  To a certain extent, further downward pricing of liabilities is approaching the absolute limit, i.e., a zero interest rate, whereas assets continue to have somewhat more room to reprice downward.  If the general trend of rate reduction continues, margins, including our margin, will be under continuing pressure and slow shrinkage may continue.  In this light, no assurances can be given that our net interest income will continue to grow, even if asset growth continue and earnings may be negatively impacted in future periods.  


A discussion of the models we use in projecting the impact on net interest income resulting from possible changes in interest rates vis-à-vis the repricing patterns of our earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is included later in this Report under Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.


Non-Deposit Sources of Funds


We have typically borrowed funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") under a variety of programs, including fixed and variable rate short-term borrowings and borrowings in the form of "structured advances."  These structured advances have original maturities of 3 to 10 years and are callable by the FHLB at certain dates.  If the advances are called, we may elect to receive replacement advances from the FHLB at the then prevailing FHLB rates of interest.  Our holdings of FHLB advances ranged from $160 million at September 30, 2009, to $140 million at December 31, 2009, to $150 million at September 30, 2010.


The $20 million of Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts (trust preferred securities) on our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2010 qualify as Tier 1 regulatory capital under capital adequacy guidelines, as discussed under Capital Resources beginning on page 38 of this Report.  These trust preferred securities are subject to early redemption by us if the proceeds cease to qualify as Tier 1 capital of Arrow for any reason, including if bank regulatory authorities were to reverse their current position and decide that trust preferred securities do not qualify as regulatory capital or in the event of an adverse change in tax laws that denied the Company the ability to deduct interest paid on these obligations for federal income tax purposes.  

The recently-enacted Dodd-Frank Act will not significantly affect the regulatory capital status of our presently outstanding trust preferred securities, for as long as such securities remain outstanding, but our ability to issue such securities in the future may be negatively impacted by the law as the proceeds of future issuances under the law as currently in effect will not qualify as Tier 1 regulatory capital for purposes of risk-based or leverage guidelines.



Loan Trends


The following two tables present, for each of the last five quarters, the quarterly average balances by loan type and the percentage of total loans represented by each loan type.


Quarterly Average Loan Balances

(Dollars in Thousands)



Quarter Ended



Sep 2010

Jun 2010

Mar 2010

Dec 2009

Sep 2009

Commercial and Commercial Real Estate


$ 308,445

$ 307,853

$ 306,753

$   306,781

$   304,968

Residential Real Estate


375,262

371,482

364,974

355,292

343,948

Home Equity


 73,285

 70,926

 68,725

 66,037

 61,819

Indirect Consumer Loans


351,294

338,950

328,566

337,582

343,751

Other Consumer Loans (1)


       39,910

       41,427

       42,586

       43,803

       45,335

 Total Loans


$1,148,196

$1,130,638

$1,111,604

$1,109,495

$1,099,821


Percentage of Total Quarterly Average Loans



Quarter Ended



Sep 2010

Jun 2010

Mar 2010

Dec 2009

Sep 2009

Commercial and Commercial Real Estate


26.8%

27.2%

27.6%

27.6%

27.7%

Residential Real Estate


32.7   

32.9   

32.8   

32.0   

31.3   

Home Equity


6.4   

6.3   

6.2   

6.0   

5.6   

Indirect Consumer Loans


30.6   

30.0   

29.6   

30.4   

31.3   

Other Consumer Loans (1)


    3.5   

    3.6   

    3.8   

    4.0   

    4.1   

 Total Loans


100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%


(1) The category Other Consumer Loans, in the tables above, includes home improvement loans secured by mortgages, which are otherwise reported with residential real estate loans in tables of period-end balances.


Maintenance of High Quality in the Loan Portfolio:  In the second half of 2008 and throughout most of 2009, the U.S. experienced significant disruption and volatility in its financial and capital markets.  A major cause of the disruption was a significant decline in residential real estate values across much of the U.S., which, in turn, triggered widespread defaults on subprime mortgage loans and steep devaluations of portfolios containing these loans and securities collateralized by them.  In mid-2009, as real estate values continued to fall in most areas of the U.S., problems spread from subprime loans to better quality mortgage portfolios, and in some cases prime mortgage loans, as well as home equity and credit card loans.  In addition, in mid- to late-2009, commercial real estate values also began to decline and commercial real estate mortgage portfolios began to experience the same problems that previously beset residential mortgage portfolios.  Although the erosion of residential and commercial property values has in many markets begun to level off in recent periods, the damage to asset portfolios remains a serious concern.  Many lending institutions have suffered sizable charge-offs and losses in their loan and investment securities portfolios in the past two years as a result of their origination or investment in these kinds of loans or securities.


Through September 2010, we have not experienced a significant deterioration in our loan or investment portfolios, except for two impaired securities discussed in our December 31, 2009 Form 10-K.  We have never engaged in subprime mortgage lending as a business line and we do not extend or purchase any so-called Alt-A, negative amortization, option ARM, or negative equity mortgage loans.  On occasion we have made loans to borrowers having a FICO score of 660 or below or have had extensions of credit outstanding to borrowers who have developed credit problems after origination resulting in deterioration of their FICO scores.  


We also on occasion have extended community development loans to borrowers whose creditworthiness is below our normal standards as part of the community support program we have developed in fulfillment of our statutorily-mandated duty to support low- and moderate-income borrowers within our service area.  However, we are a prime lender and apply prime lending standards and this, together with the fact that the service area in which we make most of our loans has not experienced as severe a decline in property values as other parts of the U.S., are the principal reasons that we have not experienced to date significant deterioration in the real estate categories of our loan portfolio.  


If, however, weakness persists or worsens in the U.S. or our regional economy, we may experience elevated charge-offs, higher provisions to our loan loss reserve, and increasing expense related to asset maintenance and supervision.


Residential Real Estate Loans: In recent years, residential real estate and home equity loans have represented the largest segment of our loan portfolio.  During the last quarter of 2008 and the first two quarters of 2009, as prevailing mortgage rates began to decline again (due primarily to the fact that the government supported entities, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, began to overwhelm the home mortgage market with their very low-rate mortgages), we sold most of our mortgage originations in the secondary market.  During the second half of 2009 and the first two quarters of 2010, for a variety of reasons, we once again began to retain newly originated residential real estate loans in our loan portfolio, selling only a relatively small portion of the originations to Freddie Mac (with further offsets as a result of normal principal amortization and prepayments on pre-existing loans).  During the third quarter of 2010, rates on conventional mortgages fell.  The national average for April was 5.21%, falling to an average of 4.59% for the month of September.  In response, we determined to sell most of our originations to Freddie Mac, amounting to $11.5 million for the quarter.  If the current GSE-subsidized low-rate environment for newly originated residential real estate loans persists, we may continue to elect to sell a higher portion of our loan originations and may even experience a decrease in our outstanding balances in this segment of our portfolio.  Moreover, if our local economy or real estate market suffers further major downturns, the demand for residential real estate loans in our service area may decrease, which also may negatively impact our real estate portfolio and our financial performance.


Indirect Loans (primarily automobile loans): In the early post-2000 years, indirect loans (primarily automobile loans originated through dealerships located primarily in the eastern region of upstate New York) were the largest segment of our loan portfolio.  For much of this period, these loans were the fastest growing segment of our loan portfolio, both in terms of absolute dollar amount and as a percentage of the overall portfolio.


In the last quarter of 2007 and the first two quarters of 2008, we encountered enhanced rate competition on auto loans from other lenders, including finance affiliates of the auto manufacturers who increased their offerings of heavily subsidized, low- or zero-rate loans.  This increasingly competitive environment, combined with softening demand for vehicles, especially for SUVs and light trucks, had a negative effect on our indirect originations, and we experienced decreases in these balances in the first two quarters of 2008.  However during the last two quarters of 2008, our share of the local indirect auto loan market increased as some of the major lenders in the indirect market pulled back, including the auto companies financing affiliates.  Our portfolio at December 31, 2008 exceeded the balance at December 31, 2007 by $19.5 million, or 5.7%.  However, in 2009 our outstanding balances steadily declined from month to month and our ending balance at December 31, 2009 was $28.1 million, or 7.8%, below the 2008 year-end balance.


Loan demand increased in the first nine months of 2010 as vehicle sales nationally rose nearly 17% over the very low levels experienced in the first nine months of 2009. Concurrently with the increased loan demand, we introduced more competitive financing rates in the second quarter of 2010 and as a result experienced some growth in this portfolio in both the second and third quarters of 2010.


During the first nine months of 2010, the borrowers on the newly originated indirect loans had an average credit score at origination of over 735.  Our experienced lending staff not only utilizes software tools but also reviews and evaluates each loan individually. We believe our disciplined approach to evaluating risk has contributed to maintaining our strong loan quality in this portfolio.  Originations of indirect loans for 2009 were approximately $127.8 million, a decrease of $50.0 million, or 36.7%, from 2008.  Originations for the first nine months of 2010 were approximately $143.3 million, with a weighted average yield of 4.29%. These indirect loan originations represented an increase of $44.5 million, or 45.1%, over the originations for the first nine months of 2009.


At September 30, 2010, indirect loans represented the second largest category of loans in our portfolio and a significant component of our business.  However, if weakness in auto demand persists, our portfolio is likely to experience limited, if any, overall growth, either in real terms or as a percentage of the total portfolio, regardless of whether the auto company affiliates continue or resume their offering of highly-subsidized vehicle loans.  Such weakened demand for vehicle loans could negatively impact our financial performance.

 

Commercial, Commercial Real Estate and Construction and Land Development Loans:  In recent years, we have experienced moderate to strong demand for commercial and commercial real estate loans.  These loan balances have generally increased, both in dollar amount and as a percentage of the overall loan portfolio.  However, in response to the 2008-2009 recession, demand began to ease in 2009 and our outstanding balances at the end of 2009 were essentially unchanged from year-end 2008.  During the first three quarters of 2010, commercial loan balances increased by only $2.7 million, or 0.9%.  Substantially all commercial and commercial real estate loans in our portfolio are extended to businesses or borrowers located in our regional market.  Many of the loans in the commercial portfolio have variable rates tied to prime, FHLBNY or U.S. Treasury indices.  We have not experienced any significant weakening in the quality of our commercial loan portfolio in recent quarters, although during that period on a national scale the commercial real estate market has begun to show signs of significant weakness.  It is entirely possible that we may experience a reduction in the demand for such loans and/or a weakening in the quality of our commercial and commercial real estate loan portfolio in upcoming periods.


The following table indicates the annualized tax-equivalent yield of each loan category for the past five quarters.


Quarterly Taxable Equivalent Yield on Loans

Quarter Ended



Sep 2010

Jun 2010

Mar 2010

Dec 2009

Sep 2009

Commercial and Commercial Real Estate


5.92%

6.23%

6.23%

6.19%

6.23%

Residential Real Estate


5.59   

5.69   

5.79   

5.77   

5.87   

Home Equity


2.96   

3.04   

3.11   

3.14   

3.22   

Indirect Consumer Loans


5.64   

5.94   

6.19   

6.26   

6.34   

Other Consumer Loans


7.17   

7.16   

7.24   

7.24   

7.33   

 Total Loans


5.58   

5.80   

5.92   

5.94   

6.03   


From the third quarter of 2009 to the third quarter of 2010, the average yield on our loan portfolio declined by 50 basis points, from 6.08% to 5.58%, due to falling interest rates generally and heightened competitive rate pressure on new commercial and commercial real estate loans as well as automobile loans.  The yields on new 30 year fixed-rate residential real estate loans also fell during the period, but we did sell some of those originations to the secondary market, specifically, to Freddie Mac.  For the second quarter of 2010, the decrease in average yield on loans was 22 basis points while the decline in our cost of deposits during the quarter was only 8 basis points.  This continued a trend in recent quarters that the yield on assets declined more rapidly than our cost of funds, as discussed in more detail on page 29 above in the section entitled Impact of Interest Rate Changes.


In general, the yield (tax-equivalent interest income divided by average loans) on our loan portfolio and other earning assets is impacted by changes in prevailing interest rates.  We expect that loan yields will continue to rise and fall with changes in prevailing market rates, although the timing and degree of responsiveness will continue to be influenced by a variety of other factors, including the extent of federal government and Federal Reserve participation in the home mortgage market, the makeup of our loan portfolio, the shape of the yield curve, consumer expectations and preferences and the rate at which the portfolio expands.   Additionally, there is a significant amount of cash flow from normal amortization and prepayments in all loan categories, and this cash flow reprices at current rates as new loans are generated at the current yields.  


As noted in the earlier discussion, during a period of change in prevailing rates, we generally experience a time lag between the impact of the change on our deposit portfolio (which is felt relatively quickly) and the impact of the change on our loan portfolio (which occurs more slowly).  This time lag tends to have a positive impact on net interest margins during the beginning of a rate decline period and a negative impact on the margin at the beginning of a rate increase period.  Conversely, the repricing time lag tends to have a negative impact on our margins when a rate decrease period matures (such has been the case in recent periods), and a positive impact on margins when a rate increase period matures.


At the present time, the prevailing expectation is that rates will remain at historically low levels for a protracted period of time, as a result of consciously adopted and pursued strategies by the Federal Reserve Board.  If and when rates do increase to more normal levels, however, the repricing lag between deposits and assets may be expected to have a short-term negative effect on our net interest income and earnings.


Investment Portfolio Trends


The following table presents the changes in the period-end balances for the securities available-for-sale and the securities held-to-maturity investment portfolios from December 31, 2009 to September 30, 2010 (in thousands):



Fair Value at Period-End

Net Unrealized Gain (Loss)


Sep 2010

Dec 2009

Change

Sep 2010

Dec 2009

Change

Securities Available-for-Sale:







U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

$167,655

$123,331

$44,324 

$     715 

$    563 

$    152 

State and Municipal Obligations

66,148

18,913

47,235 

207

70 

137 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

154,196

199,781

(45,585)

7,571 

3,422 

4,149 

Mortgage-Backed Securities-Residential

78,154

93,017

(14,863)

3,335 

1,272 

2,063 

Corporate and Other Debt Securities

1,390

1,331

59 

(107)

(134)

27 

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

      1,398

      1,333

          65 

         19 

       25 

        (6)

  Total

$468,941

$437,706

    $31,235

$11,740 

$5,218 

$6,522 








Securities Held-to-Maturity:







State and Municipal Obligations

$165,070

$171,183

$(6,113)  

$6,964

$2,252

$4,712 


Other-Than-Temporary Impairment


Each quarter we evaluate all investment securities with a fair value less than amortized cost, both in the available-for-sale portfolio and the held-to-maturity portfolio, to determine if there exists other-than-temporary impairment as defined under generally accepted accounting principles.  During the last quarter of 2009, we recognized a $375 thousand impairment charge on one equity security which we continue to hold in our available-for-sale portfolio.  For both periods presented in the above table, other mortgage-backed securities consisted solely of U.S. agency and other government sponsored enterprises mortgage pass-through securities.  Mortgage pass-through securities provide to the investor monthly portions of principal and interest pursuant to the contractual obligations of the underlying mortgages.  Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) separate the repayments into two or more components (tranches), each of which has a separate estimated life and yield.  Our practice has been to purchase pass-through securities and CMOs that are guaranteed by federal agencies and government sponsored enterprises and tranches of CMOs with shorter maturities.  Included in corporate and other debt securities are corporate bonds and trust preferred securities which were highly rated at the time of purchase.  Mutual funds and equity securities include the other-than-temporarily impaired security discussed above.


Investment Sales, Purchases and Maturities: Available-for-Sale Portfolio

(In Thousands)


Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended


Sep 2010

Sep 2009

Sep 2010

Sep 2009

Sales





Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

  $13,909

  $      ---

  $23,747

  $12,464

Mortgage-Backed Securities-Residential

   ---

  ---

   ---

  ---

Corporate and Other Debt Securities

---

2,434

---

4,417

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

         55

         16

        197

          95

   Total Sales

13,964

2,450

23,944

16,976

Net Gains on Securities Transactions

       618

       48

    1,496

       329

Proceeds on the Sales of Securities

$14,582

$2,498

$25,440

$17,305






Purchases





U.S. Agency Securities

$  55,000

$32,000

$184,175

$151,795

Mortgage-Backed Securities-Residential

---

25,528

---

25,528

State and Municipal Obligations

50,839

9,581

56,898

12,127

Other

           68

        46

        303

        354

  Total Purchases

$105,907

$67,155

$241,376

$189,804






Maturities & Calls

$69,370

$31,302

$192,092

$90,148


Late in the second quarter of 2010, we sold two collateralized mortgage obligations from our securities available-for-sale portfolio with an amortized cost of $9.8 million.  We recognized a pre-tax gain of $860 thousand on the sale of these two securities.  For liquidity purposes, we generally are a net seller of overnight funds.  Our seasonal low for municipal deposit balances traditionally occurs during at the end of June each year.  Proceeds from this sale brought us back to a neutral position for overnight funds at June 30, 2010.  In the third quarter of 2010, we sold an additional $13.9 million of collateralized mortgage obligations from our securities available-for-sale portfolio to enhance our interest rate risk position.


Asset Quality


The following table presents information related to our allowance and provision for loan losses for the past five quarters.  


Summary of the Allowance and Provision for Loan Losses

(Dollars in Thousands, Loans Stated Net of Unearned Income)


Sep 2010

Jun 2010

Mar 2010

Dec 2009

Sep 2009

Loan Balances:






Period-End Loans

$1,154,676 

$1,144,959 

$1,121,147 

$1,112,150 

$1,106,657 

Average Loans, Year-to-Date

1,130,280 

1,121,173 

1,111,604 

1,101,759 

1,099,153 

Average Loans, Quarter-to-Date

1,148,196 

1,130,638 

1,111,604 

1,109,496 

1,099,821 

Period-End Assets

1,960,294 

1,846,119 

1,861,295 

1,841,627 

1,836,283 







Allowance for Loan Losses, Year-to-Date:






Allowance for Loan Losses, Beginning of Period

 $14,014 

 $14,014 

 $14,014 

 $13,272 

 $13,272 

Provision for Loan Losses, YTD

 1,125

  750 

  375 

1,783 

  1,348 

Loans Charged-off, YTD

(712)

(495)

(285)

(1,430)

(1,054)

Recoveries of Loans Previously Charged-off

       202 

       142 

         79 

       389 

       275 

  Net Charge-offs, YTD

      (510)

      (353)

      (206)

   (1,041)

     (779)

Allowance for Loan Losses, End of Period

 $14,629 

 $14,411 

 $14,183 

 $14,014 

 $13,841 







Allowance for Loan Losses, Quarter-to-Date:






Allowance for Loan Losses, Beginning of Period

 $14,411 

 $14,183 

 $14,014 

 $13,841 

 $13,626 

Provision for Loan Losses, QTD

  375 

  375 

  375 

   435 

  427 

Loans Charged-off, QTD

(217)

(210)

(285)

(376)

(315)

Recoveries of Loans Previously Charged-off

         60 

         63 

         79 

       114 

       103 

  Net Charge-offs, QTD

      (157)

      (147)

      (206)

      (262)

      (212)

Allowance for Loan Losses, End of Period

 $14,629 

 $14,411 

 $14,183 

 $14,014 

 $13,841 







Nonperforming Assets, at Period-End:






Nonaccrual Loans

 $3,713 

 $3,227 

 $3,342 

 $4,390 

 $3,905 

Loans Past due 90 Days or More






 

and Still Accruing Interest

     244

  1,219 

     263 

     270 

     723 

Total Nonperforming Loans

 3,957 

 4,446 

 3,605 

 4,660 

 4,628 

Nonaccrual Investments

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

Repossessed Assets

32 

23 

63 

59 

73 

Other Real Estate Owned

       --- 

       --- 

        53 

       53 

       --- 

Total Nonperforming Assets

$3,989 

$4,469 

$3,721 

$4,772 

$4,701 







Asset Quality Ratios:






Allowance to Nonperforming Loans

369.69% 

324.13% 

393.43% 

300.73% 

299.07% 

Allowance to Period-End Loans

  1.27    

  1.26    

  1.27    

  1.26    

  1.25    

Provision to Average Loans (Quarter)

 0.13    

 0.13    

 0.14    

 0.16    

 0.15    

Provision to Average Loans (YTD)

 0.13    

 0.13    

 0.14    

 0.16    

 0.16    

Net Charge-offs to Average Loans (Quarter)

    0.05    

    0.05    

    0.08    

    0.09    

    0.08    

Net Charge-offs to Average Loans (YTD)

    0.06    

    0.06    

    0.08    

    0.09    

    0.09    

Nonperforming Loans to Total Loans

0.34    

0.39    

0.32    

0.42    

0.42    

Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets

0.20    

0.24    

0.20    

0.26    

0.26    








Provision for Loan Losses


Through the provision for loan losses, an allowance is maintained that reflects our best estimate of probable incurred loan losses related to specifically identified loans as well as the remaining portfolio.  Loan charge-offs are recorded to this allowance when loans are deemed uncollectible, in whole or in part.


We made a provision for loan losses of $375 thousand for each of the first three quarters of 2010, following a provision of $435 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2009. Both the third quarter and nine-month 2010 provisions were less than the respective 2009 provisions primarily due to the improvement in overall credit quality, including net charge-offs and delinquent loans.


We consider our accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan losses to be a critical accounting policy, given the uncertainty involved in evaluating the level of the allowance required to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio, and the material effect that such judgments may have on our results of operations.  Through the provision for loan losses, an allowance is maintained that reflects our best estimate of probable incurred loan losses related to specifically identified loans and losses for categories of loans in the remaining portfolio.  Actual loan losses are charged against this allowance when loans are deemed uncollectible.


We use a two-step process to determine the provision for loans losses and the amount of the allowance for loan losses.  We evaluate impaired commercial and commercial real estate loans over $250,000 individually, while we evaluate the remainder of the portfolio on a pooled basis as described below.


Homogenous Loan Pools:  Under our pooled analysis, we group homogeneous loans as follows, each with its own estimated loss-rate:

i)

Secured and unsecured commercial loans,

ii)

Secured construction and development loans,

iii)

Secured commercial loans non-owner occupied,

iv)

Secured commercial loans owner occupied,

v)

One to four family residential real estate loans,

vi)

Home equity loans,

vii)

Indirect loans low risk tiers (based on credit scores),

viii)

Indirect loans high risk tiers, and

ix)

Other consumer loans.


Within the group of commercial and commercial real estate loans (listed in groups i to iv, above), we sub-group loans based on our internal system of risk-rating, which is applied to all commercial and commercial real estate loans.  We establish loss rates for each of these pools.  


Estimated losses reflect consideration of all significant factors that affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of September 30, 2010.  In our evaluation, we do both a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the homogeneous pools.


Quantitative Analysis:  Quantitatively, we determine the historical loss rate for each homogeneous loan pool.  

During the

past five years we have had little charge-off activity on loans secured by residential real estate.  Consumer lending (principally automobile loans) represents a significant component of our total loan portfolio and is the only category of loans that has a history of losses that lends itself to a trend analysis.  We have had one small loss on commercial real estate loans in the past five years.  Losses on commercial loans (other than those secured by real estate) are also historically low, but can vary widely from year-to-year; this is the most complex category of loans in our loss analysis.


Our net charge-offs for the past five years have been at or near historical lows for our company.  Although charge-offs increased slightly in 2008 into early 2009, charge-offs have actually moderated in the past few quarters (see the preceding table on page 35).  Annual net charge-offs for the past 5 years have ranged from .04% to .09% of average loans.  Our charge-offs in recent years have also been far below average for our peer group.  The average net charge-off ratios for bank holding companies in our peer group was 1.36% and .70% for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  These peer group ratios are significantly increased from the prior five years, when the peer ratios ranged from .13% to .24%.  Thus, while charge-offs for our peer group has increased markedly in the past two years, compared to prior years, our charge-offs have remained consistently at very low levels.  


Qualitative Analysis:  While historical loss experience provides a reasonable starting point for our analysis, historical losses, or even recent trends in losses, do not by themselves form a sufficient basis to determine the appropriate level for the allowance.  Therefore, we have also considered and adjusted historical loss factors for qualitative and environmental factors that are likely to cause credit losses associated with our existing portfolio.  These included:

·

Changes in the volume and severity of past due, nonaccrual and adversely classified loans

·

Changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and in the terms of loans

·

Changes in the value of the underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans

·

Changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collection, charge-off, and recovery practices not considered elsewhere in estimating credit losses

·

Changes in the quality of the loan review system

·

Changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff

·

Changes in international, national, regional, and local economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectibility of the portfolio

·

The existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations

·

The effect of other external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in the  existing portfolio or pool


For each homogeneous loan pool, we estimate a loss factor expressed in basis points for each of the qualitative factors above, and for historical credit losses.  We update and change, if necessary, the loss-rates assigned to various pools based on the analysis of loss trends and the change in qualitative and environmental factors.  


Overall, our market area has not experienced in the past five quarters the degree of negative impact on lending, credit and property values that the U.S. as a whole has experienced, although this may change in upcoming periods.  If our local economy does weaken, our loan losses may increase both in absolute amounts and as a percentage of our loans outstanding.


Due to the imprecise nature of the loan loss estimation process and ever changing economic conditions, the risk attributes of our portfolio may not be adequately captured in data related to the formula-based loan loss components used to determine allocations in our analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Management, therefore, has established and held an unallocated portion within the allowance for loan losses reflecting the uncertainty of future economic conditions within our market area.  This unallocated portion of the allowance was $585 thousand, or 4.0% of the total allowance for loan losses, at September 30, 2010 compared to $471 thousand, or 3.4%, at September 30, 2009.



Risk Elements


Our nonperforming assets at September 30, 2010 amounted to $4.0 million, a decrease of $783 thousand, or 16.4%, from the December 31, 2009 total, and a decrease of $712 thousand, or 15.2%, from the September 30, 2009 total.  For all periods, the amount of nonperforming assets was quite small, especially in comparison to our peer group.  Our .24% ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets at June 30, 2010 was well below the 3.42% ratio for our peer group at that date (the most recent date for which peer group numbers are available).  Our ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets at September 30, 2010, was an even lower .20%.


The balance of other non-current loans at period-end as to which interest income was being accrued (i.e. loans 30 to 89 days past due, as defined in bank regulatory guidelines) totaled $7.8 million at September 30, 2010, representing 0.68% of loans outstanding on that date.  This balance was down by $744 thousand from the $8.6 million of such loans at September 30, 2009, which represented 0.77% of loans then outstanding.  These other non-current loans past due 30 to 89 days at September 30, 2010 were composed of approximately $4.6 million of consumer loans, principally indirect automobile loans, $1.3 million of residential real estate loans and $1.9 million of commercial loans.


The number and dollar amount of our performing loans that demonstrate characteristics of potential weakness from time-to-time (potential problem loans, which typically is a very small percentage of our portfolio), depends principally on economic conditions in our geographic market area of northeastern New York State.  In general, the economy in this area was relatively strong in the years preceding the financial crisis and has weathered the recession and the weakened U.S. economy of the past two years better than most areas.  Nevertheless, continued general weakness in the U.S. economy in upcoming periods would likely have an adverse effect on the economy in our market area as well, which may negatively impact our loan portfolio.    


At present, we do not anticipate significant increases in our nonperforming assets, other non-current loans as to which interest income is still being accrued or potential problem loans, but can give no assurances in this regard.



CAPITAL RESOURCES


Stockholders' Equity:  Stockholders' equity increased $12.6 million during the first nine months of 2010, from $140.8 million to $153.5 million.  Components of the change in stockholders' equity over the nine-month period are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity, on page 5 of this Report and discussed in more detail under the heading Increase in Stockholder Equity on page 27.  The cash dividend was $.243 per share for each of the first three quarters of 2010 (as adjusted for the September 2010 3% stock dividend).  The Board has declared an increased cash dividend of $.25 per share to be paid on December 15, 2010.


Stock Repurchase Program:  At its April 2010 meeting, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase, at the discretion of senior management, of up to $5 million of Arrows common stock in the ensuing twelve months in open market, negotiated or private transactions.  This program replaced a similar $5 million repurchase program approved one year earlier, in April 2009, of which amount approximately $2.6 million was used to make repurchases prior to replacement of the 2009 program with the 2010 program.  See Part II, Item 2 of this Report for further information on stock repurchases and repurchase programs.  Management may affect stock repurchases under the 2010 program from time-to-time in upcoming periods, to the extent that it believes the Companys stock is reasonably priced and such repurchases appear to be an attractive use of excess capital and in the best interests of stockholders.   


Regulatory Capital:  The following discussion of capital focuses on regulatory capital ratios, as defined and mandated for financial institutions by federal bank regulatory authorities.  Regulatory capital, although a financial measure that is not provided for or governed by GAAP, nevertheless has been exempted by the SEC from the definition of "non-GAAP financial measures" in the SEC's Regulation G governing disclosure of non-GAAP financial measures.  Thus, certain information which is generally required to be presented in connection with disclosure of non-GAAP financial measures need not be provided, and has not been provided, in connection with the disclosure on regulatory capital measures below.  


New Capital Standards to be Promulgated:  This discussion and disclosure below on regulatory capital is qualified in its entirety by referenced to the fact that the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Act, among other financial reforms, directed the federal bank regulatory authorities to promulgate new capital standards for all financial institutions, including banks like us.  These standards must be at least as strict as the preexisting capital standards for financial institutions or, if greater commonly accepted capital standards then in effect for financial institutions in the advanced economies.  The latter reference is generally understood as embracing the new, enhanced capital requirements for leading nations known as Basel III currently awaiting approval by the Group of 20 nations in November 2010.  The Basel III standards, if approved and included in the new U.S. bank capital standards will require significantly higher minimum levels of capital for U.S. financial institutions when fully implemented. See the discussion under Important New Capital and Liquidity Standards on page 40 of this Report.


Current Capital Standards:  Our holding company and our subsidiary banks are currently subject to two sets of regulatory capital measures, risk-based capital guidelines and a leverage ratio test.  The risk-based guidelines assign risk weightings to all assets and certain off-balance sheet items of financial institutions and establish an 8% minimum ratio of qualified total capital to risk-weighted assets.  At least half of total capital must consist of "Tier 1" capital, which comprises common equity and common equity equivalents, retained earnings, a limited amount of permanent preferred stock and (for holding companies) a limited amount of trust preferred securities (see the discussion below on these securities), less intangible assets, net of associated deferred tax liabilities.  Up to half of total capital may consist of so-called "Tier 2" capital, comprising a limited amount of subordinated debt, other preferred stock, certain other instruments and a limited amount of the allowance for loan losses.  


The second regulatory capital measure, the leverage ratio test, establishes minimum limits on the ratio of Tier 1 capital to total tangible assets, without risk weighting.  For top-rated companies, the minimum leverage ratio currently is 4%, but lower-rated or rapidly expanding companies may be required by bank regulators to meet substantially higher minimum leverage ratios.  Federal banking law mandates certain actions to be taken by banking regulators for financial institutions that are deemed undercapitalized as measured under regulatory capital guidelines.  The law establishes five levels of capitalization for financial institutions ranging from "well-capitalized (the highest ranking) to "critically undercapitalized" (the lowest ranking).  The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act also ties the ability of banking organizations to engage in certain types of non-banking financial activities to such organizations' continuing to qualify as "well-capitalized" under these standards.  



Trust Preferred Securities Under Financial Reform Bill:  In each of 2003 and 2004 we issued $10 million of trust preferred securities in a private placement.  Under the Federal Reserve Boards pre-existing rules on regulatory capital, trust preferred securities may qualify as Tier 1 capital for bank holding companies such as ours in an amount not to exceed 25% of Tier 1 capital, net of goodwill less any associated deferred tax liability.  Under the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Act, trust preferred securities outstanding at the effective date of the Act will continue to qualify as Tier 1 capital for those bank holding companies, like Arrow, that have total assets of less than $15 billion until the redemption or maturity of such securities.  Trust preferred securities issued in the future by such holding companies, however, may no longer qualify for this treatment.


As of September 30, 2010, the Tier 1 leverage and risk-based capital ratios for our holding company and our subsidiary banks were as follows:  


Summary of Capital Ratios



Tier 1

Total


Tier 1

Risk-Based

Risk-Based


Leverage

Capital

Capital


Ratio

Ratio

Ratio

Arrow Financial Corporation

8.79%   

14.16%     

15.41%     

Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Co.

8.64      

14.25        

15.49        

Saratoga National Bank & Trust Co.

9.24      

13.27        

14.52        


Regulatory Minimum

4.00      

4.00        

8.00        

FDICIA's "Well-Capitalized" Standard

5.00      

6.00        

10.00        


All capital ratios for our holding company and our subsidiary banks at September 30, 2010 were well above current minimum capital standards for financial institutions.  Additionally, at such date our holding company and our subsidiary banks qualified as well-capitalized under federal banking law, based on their capital ratios on that date.


Stock Prices and Dividends


Our common stock is traded on NasdaqGS® - AROW.  The high and low stock prices for the past seven quarters listed below represent actual sales transactions, as reported by NASDAQ.  On October 27, 2010, our Board of Directors declared the 2010 fourth quarter cash dividend of $.25 payable on December 15, 2010.  Per share amounts in the table below have been restated for our September 2010 3% stock dividend.




Cash

Dividends

Declared


Market Price



Low

High


2009




First Quarter

$17.67

$24.71

$.236

Second Quarter

19.80

26.39

.236

Third Quarter

23.57

28.88

.236

Fourth Quarter

23.20

28.20

.243





2010




First Quarter

$22.82

$29.13

$.243

Second Quarter

22.04

28.63

.243

Third Quarter

21.12

25.65

.243

Fourth Quarter (dividend payable December 15, 2010)



.250


Selected Per Share Information:

Quarter Ended September 30,


2010

2009

Dividends Per Share

$.24

$.24

Diluted Earnings Per Share

.50

.45

Dividend Payout Ratio

48.00%

53.33%

Total Equity (in thousands)

$153,457

$139,304

Shares Issued and Outstanding (in thousands)

11,234

11,244

Book Value Per Share

$13.66

$12.39

Intangible Assets (in thousands)

$17,209

$16,353

Tangible Book Value Per Share

$12.13

$10.93


LIQUIDITY


Our liquidity is measured by our ability to deploy or raise cash when we need it at a reasonable cost.  We must be capable of meeting expected and unexpected obligations to our customers at any time.  Given the uncertain nature of customer demands as well as the need to maximize earnings, we must have available appropriate sources of funds, on- and off-balance sheet, at a reasonable cost, that can be accessed quickly in time of need.  In addition, we have a liquidity contingency plan that would be followed subsequent to events placing pressure on our liquidity.  Periodically we stress test that plan under increasingly severe scenarios.  This stress test is not the same as the test bank regulators applied in 2009 to the 19 largest financial institutions, but the scenarios include the types of events that have led to failures of community banks, including rapid acceleration of deposit withdrawals over compacted time periods, reduction or withdrawal of our third-party borrowing facilities, reduction or a rapid increase in non-performing assets, a decline in the value of collateral for collateralized loans, and a rapid shrinkage of our net interest margin.


Cash or cash equivalents on hand, federal funds sold on an overnight basis, interest bearing bank balances at the Federal Reserve Bank, and cash flow from investment securities and loans, both from normal repayment cash-flows and the ability to quickly pledge marketable investment securities and loans to obtain funds, represent our primary sources of available liquidity.  Certain investment securities are selected at purchase as available-for-sale based on their marketability and collateral value, as well as their yield and maturity.  Our securities available-for-sale portfolio was $437.7 million at September 30, 2010.  Due to the volatility in market values, we are not able to assume that large quantities of such securities could be sold at short notice at their carrying value to provide needed liquidity. But if market conditions are favorable, we may pursue modest sales of such securities conducted in an orderly fashion to provide additional liquidity.


In addition to liquidity from short-term investments, investment securities and maturing loans, we have supplemented available liquidity with additional off-balance sheet sources such as federal funds lines of credit and credit lines with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY).    We have established federal funds lines of credit with three correspondent banks totaling $30 million, but did not draw on those lines during the first nine months of 2010.  We have established overnight and 30 day term lines of credit with the FHLBNY; each of these lines provided for a maximum borrowing line of $125.7 million at September 30, 2010.  We did not borrow from our overnight or 30day lines of credit with the FHLBNY during 2010.  If advanced, such lines of credit are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities, loans and FHLBNY stock.   The balance in other short-term borrowings at September 30, 2010 consisted entirely of treasury, tax and loan balances at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.


Both of our subsidiary banks, Glens Falls National and Saratoga National, have established a borrowing facility with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, pledging certain consumer loans as collateral for potential discount window advances.  At September 30, 2010, the amount available under this facility was $273.2 million, but there were no advances then outstanding.  We have also identified brokered certificates of deposit as an appropriate off-balance sheet source of funding accessible in a relatively short time period.  We measure and monitor our basic liquidity as a ratio of liquid assets to short-term liabilities, both with and without the availability of these borrowing arrangements.  


During the past several quarters, Arrows liquidity position has been strong, as depositors and investors in the wholesale funding markets have shown no hesitation in placing or maintaining their funds with our banks.  The financial markets have been challenging for many financial institutions, and in the view of many, a lack or perceived lack of liquidity for many banks has been as great a problem as capital shortage.  Because of Arrows favorable credit quality and strong balance sheet, Arrow has not experienced any significant liquidity constraints through the date of this report.  Based on the level of overnight federal funds investments, available liquidity from our investment securities portfolio, cash flow from our loan portfolio, our stable core deposit base and our significant borrowing capacity, we believe that our liquidity is sufficient to meet any reasonably likely events or occurrences, including suddenly increased levels of deposit withdrawals.


Important New Capital and Liquidity Standards

 

In December, 2009, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the Basel Committee) released a comprehensive list of proposals for changes to capital and liquidity requirements for banks (commonly referred to as Basel III).  In July 2010, the Basel Committee announced the design for its new capital and liquidity standards.

 

In September 2010, the oversight body of the Basel Committee announced minimum capital ratios and transition periods providing:  (i) a new Tier 1 common equity standard requiring a minimum ratio of common equity to total risk-weighted assets of 4.5% (to be phased in by January 1, 2015); (ii) an increased minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0%, up from 4.0% (to be phased in by January 1, 2015); (iii) an additional minimum capital buffer of Tier 1 common equity equal to 2.5% of total risk-weighted assets (to be phased in between January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2019; bringing the minimum Tier 1 common equity ratio to 7.0% and the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio to 8.5%), and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 3.0% (to be tested starting January 1, 2013).  The proposals also narrow the definition of capital, excluding instruments that no longer qualify as Tier 1 common equity as of January 1, 2013, and phasing out other instruments, including TRUPs, over several years. 

 

The liquidity proposals under Basel III include:  (i) a liquidity coverage ratio (to become effective January 1, 2015); and (ii) a net stable funding ratio (to become effective January 1, 2018).

 

Many of the details of Basel IIIs new framework related to minimum capital requirements will remain uncertain until the Committees proposals are reviewed and possibly ratified by the Group of 20 finance ministers when they meet in Seoul in November, 2010.  Implementation of the final provisions of Basel III, as thus approved, will await final implementing regulations by U.S. banking regulators. 


The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Act directs U.S. Bank regulators to promulgate new capital and liquidity guidelines for banks and implicitly directs that the new guidelines should comply at a minimum with the final Basel III Standards.  


Adoption and implementation of these new capital and liquidity requirements has created substantial uncertainty for financial institutions.  We are not able to predict at this time the content of liquidity and capital guidelines or regulations that may be adopted by regulatory agencies or the impact that any changes in regulation may have on the Company and the Bank.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared With

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009


Summary of Earnings Performance

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Per share amounts have been adjusted for the September 2010 3% stock dividend)



Quarter Ended




Sep 2010

Sep 2009

Change

% Change

Net Income

$5,575   

$5,062

$513    

10.1%

Diluted Earnings Per Share

$.50   

.45

  $0.05    

11.1  

Return on Average Assets

1.18%

1.13%

0.05% 

4.4  

Return on Average Equity

14.39%

14.72%

 (0.33%)

(2.2) 


We reported earnings (net income) of $5.6 million for the third quarter of 2010, an increase of $513 thousand or 10.1%, from our net income for the third quarter of 2009.   Diluted earnings per share were $.50 and $.45 for the respective quarters.  Net interest income was virtually unchanged between the two quarters.  During the third quarter of 2010, we sold $13.9 million of securities out of our securities available-for-sale portfolio (primarily collateralized mortgage obligations) for an after tax gain of $373 thousand versus only $29 thousand of net gains on securities sales in the year earlier period.  We also began to sell most of our newly originated residential real estate loan originations to Freddie Mac in the third quarter of 2010.  We recognized net gains of $285 thousand, net of tax, on these sales, versus only $10 thousand of net gains on loan sales in the prior period.


The following narrative discusses the quarter-to-quarter changes in net interest income, noninterest income, noninterest expense and income taxes.


Net Interest Income

Summary of Net Interest Income

(Taxable Equivalent Basis, Dollars in Thousands)


Quarter Ended




Sep 2010

Sep 2009

Change  

% Change

Interest and Dividend Income

$21,829 

$22,499 

$(670)

(3.0)%  

Interest Expense

    5,829 

    6,462 

   (633)

(9.8) 

Net Interest Income

  $16,000 

  $16,037 

$(37)

 (0.2)





Tax-Equivalent Adjustment

       $832 

       $835 

$(3)

 (0.4)%





Average Earning Assets (1)

  $1,792,421 

  $1,706,626 

 $85,795 

    5.0

Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities

   1,485,639 

 1,417,218 

68,421 

   4.8





Yield on Earning Assets (1)

      4.83%

      5.23%

   (0.40)%

    (7.6)

Cost of Interest-Bearing Liabilities

      1.56   

      1.81   

   (0.25)   

    (13.8)

Net Interest Spread

      3.27   

      3.42   

 (0.15)   

(4.4)

Net Interest Margin

      3.54   

      3.73  

     (0.19)   

(5.1)


(1) Includes Nonaccrual Loans


Our net interest margin (net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis divided by average earning assets, annualized) decreased from 3.73% to 3.54% between the third quarter of 2009 and the third quarter of 2010.  (See the discussion under Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, on page 19, regarding our net interest margin and net interest income, which are commonly used non-GAAP financial measures.)  The positive impact of an increase in our average earning assets of $85.8 million, or 5.0%, between the periods, almost fully offset the negative impact of a 19 basis point decrease in our net interest margin.  The impact of recent interest rate changes on our net interest margin and net interest income are discussed above in this Report under the sections entitled Deposit Trends, Impact of Interest Rate Changes and Loan Trends.  


The provisions for loan losses were $375 thousand and $427 thousand for the quarters ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  These provisions were discussed previously under the heading "Asset Quality" beginning on page 35.


Noninterest Income

Summary of Noninterest Income (Dollars in Thousands)


Quarter Ended




Sep 2010

Sep 2009

Change

% Change

Income From Fiduciary Activities

  $1,315 

  $1,200 

$   115

   9.6%

Fees for Other Services to Customers

   2,021 

   1,956 

  65

    3.3

Insurance Commissions

808 

727 

81

11.1

Net Gains on Securities Transactions

  618  

   48  

    570

N/A

Net Gain on Sale of Loans

472 

16 

456

N/A 

Other Operating Income

       71 

       29 

         42

    144.8 

Total Noninterest Income

$5,305 

$3,976 

$1,329

33.4


Total noninterest income in the just completed quarter was $5.3 million, an increase of $1.3 million, or 33.4%, from total noninterest income of $4.0 million for the third quarter of 2009.  The increase was primarily attributable the sales of securities and loans cited on the previous page.  However, we also experienced increases in our three primary categories of noninterest income: fiduciary activities, fees for other services to customers and insurance commissions.


For the just completed 2010 quarter, income from fiduciary activities increased $115 thousand, or 9.6%, from the comparable 2009 quarter.  The increase principally reflected a recovery in the dollar amount of assets under administration, which itself mirrored a general recovery in the U.S. equity and debt markets. At quarter-end 2010, the market value of assets under trust administration and investment management amounted to $925.9 million, an increase of $89.5 million, or 10.7%, from quarter-end 2009.  A significant portion of our fiduciary fees are indexed to the market value of assets under administration.  


Fees for other services to customers, primarily service charges on deposit accounts (including overdraft charges), revenues related to the sale of mutual funds to our customers by third party providers, debit card transaction fees (interchange fees), and servicing income on sold loans, were $2.0 million for the third quarter of 2010, an increase of $65 thousand, or 3.3%, from the 2009 third quarter totals.  The increase was primarily attributable to interchange fees, which increased from $503 thousand for the third quarter of 2009 to $571 thousand for the third quarter of 2010.  Beginning in 2011, the Dodd-Frank Act allows merchants the ability to charge lower prices for customers paying in cash.  This provision may reduce our interchange fee income next year.

Certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act limited the size of interchange fees that large banks may charge on customers debit card transactions.  Although these provisions do not directly apply to smaller community banks like ours, most community banks nevertheless anticipate that the law may indirectly restrict their ability to continue to charge their current interchange fees because of the need to compete on price with larger banks.  On November 12, 2009, the Federal Reserve issued amendments to Regulation E implementing certain provisions in the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.  The new rules, which became effective on July 1, 2010, among other things, set limits on the ability of banks to provide deposit customers with overdraft protection on their deposit accounts, and to charge them overdraft fees for covered overdrafts, without the customers consent. We believe that these new laws and rules restricting interchange fees and overdraft fees are not likely to have a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations in future periods.  Our interchange fee percentage will not likely be materially reduced in upcoming periods, we believe, and debit card usage by our customers continues to grow.  Moreover, we do not offer so-called privilege, bounce or similar automated overdraft protection programs of the sort that led to substantial increases in overdraft fee income at certain other banks and provided the impetus for the new consumer protection regulations restricting the use of such programs by banks.  


Insurance commissions first became a significant source of noninterest income for us following our 2004 acquisition of an insurance agency, Capital Financial Group, Inc.  Capital Financial specializes in selling and servicing group health care policies.  On April 1, 2010, we acquired a second insurance agency, Loomis & LaPann, Inc., which sells primarily property and casualty insurance to retail customers in our service area.  We expect that noninterest income from insurance commissions, which increased in our just completed quarter compared to the prior year quarter, will continue to increase in upcoming periods as a result of our expansion of this business line.


As cited earlier, the volume of our loan sales increased during the third quarter of 2010, leading to an increase in income from that source.  Other operating income also includes net gains on the sale of other real estate owned as well as other miscellaneous revenues.  For the 2010 quarter, other operating income increased $42 thousand from 2009.  We are unable to predict at what rate we may continue to resell loan originations in future periods versus holding such loans and thereby augmenting our own portfolio.  Much depends on the volume of originations, the rates attaching thereto, the ready availability of sales thereof into the secondary market and the pricing of such sales.  We have generally retained servicing rights for loans originated and resold by us.  


Noninterest Expense

Summary of Noninterest Expense

(Dollars in Thousands)


Quarter Ended




Sep 2010

Sep 2009

Change

% Change

Salaries and Employee Benefits

  $ 7,120 

  $ 6,727 

    $   393 

5.8%

Occupancy Expense of Premises, Net

     876 

     789 

     87 

11.0

Furniture and Equipment Expense

     911 

     819 

   92 

   11.2

FDIC and FICO Assessments

486 

439 

47 

10.7

Amortization of Intangible Assets

67 

79 

(12)

(15.2)

Other Operating Expense

    2,646 

    2,548 

      98 

  3.8

Total Noninterest Expense

  $12,106 

  $11,401 

   $705 

     6.2 

Efficiency Ratio

58.20%

56.71%

1.49%

 2.6 


Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2010 was $12.1 million, an increase of $705 thousand, or 6.2%, from noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2009.  For the third quarter of 2010, our efficiency ratio was 58.20%.  This ratio, for which lower is better, is a non-GAAP financial measure commonly used in the banking industry to indicate a financial institution's operating efficiency.  See the discussion on page [19] of this Report under the heading Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.  Our efficiency ratio is the ratio of noninterest expense (excluding intangible asset amortization) to net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) and noninterest income (excluding net securities gains or losses).  The efficiency ratio used by the Federal Reserve Board in its "Peer Holding Company Performance Reports" excludes net securities gains or losses from the denominator (as does our calculation), but unlike our ratio does not exclude intangible asset amortization from the numerator (and thus produces a slightly higher number for most institutions).  Our efficiency ratio for the 2010 second quarter was 57.08%, which compared favorably to our peer groups ratio for the 2010 second quarter of 70.73%.


Salaries and employee benefits expense increased by $393 thousand, or 5.8%, from the third quarter of 2009 to the third quarter of 2010.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $206 thousand, or 4.4%, in salaries, with the remainder of the increase in employee benefit costs.  The increase in salaries was attributable to an increase of 8.4 full-time equivalent employees as well as to normal salary increases.  We added 9 staff in the acquisition of the Loomis & LaPann insurance agency on April 1, 2010.


Occupancy expense increased $87 thousand, or 11.0%, from the third quarter of 2009 to the third quarter of 2010.    The increase was primarily attributable to higher maintenance and utilities expenses.  The increase in furniture and equipment expense was 11.2% quarter over quarter, and was primarily attributable to data processing expenses.


Risk-based FDIC assessments have increased over the past two years in response to the current financial crisis.  We have continued to pay the lowest possible rate for insured depository institutions in recent periods, based on all criteria applied by the FDIC in determining our institutions risk.    


Other operating expense increased $98 thousand, or 3.8%, from the third quarter of 2009.  The increase was spread over a variety of operating categories.


Income Taxes


Summary of Income Taxes

(Dollars in Thousands)


Quarter Ended




Sep 2010

Sep 2009

Change

% Change

Provision for Income Taxes

  $2,417

  $2,288

    $129

5.6%

Effective Tax Rate

 30.2%

 31.13%

    (0.9)%

(2.9)%


The provisions for federal and state income taxes amounted to $2.4 million and $2.3 million for the third quarters of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Most of the provision increase was attributable to increased income as opposed to increased effective tax rates.  The decrease in the effective tax rate was attributable to an increase in the relative portion of tax-exempt income to total income in the 2010 period.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared With

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009


Summary of Earnings Performance

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Per share amounts have been restated for the September 2010 3% stock dividend)



Nine months Ended




Sep 2010

Sep 2009

Change

% Change

Net Income

$16,704   

$16,675

$29

0.2%

Diluted Earnings Per Share

$1.48   

1.48

 $0.00 

0.0  

Return on Average Assets

1.20%

1.29%

(0.09)%

(7.0) 

Return on Average Equity

15.00%

16.77%

(1.77)%

(10.6) 






Comparison of 2010 GAAP Earnings Measures to 2009 Adjusted Non-GAAP Earnings Measures:1










Net Income

$16,704   

$14,884   

$1,820   

12.2%

Diluted Earnings Per Share

$1.48   

$1.32   

$0.16   

12.1

Return on Average Assets

1.20%

1.15%

0.05%

4.3

Return on Average Equity

15.00%

14.97%

0.03%

0.2

1  See Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 19.







Reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Disclosures, as required by Regulation G:


Net Income

(in thousands)

Diluted Per Share Amount

Return on Average Assets

Return on Average Equity

Net Income and Related Ratios for the

  Nine months Ended September 30, 2009 (GAAP)

$16,675 

$1.48 

1.29%  

16.77%

Adjustment:

Net Gain on the Sale of our Merchant Bank Card

 

Processing to TransFirst LLC ($2,966 pre-tax)

      (1,791)

   (.16)

(0.14)%

 (1.80)%

Adjusted Net Income and Related Ratios for More

  Meaningful  Comparison, for the Nine months

  Ended September 30, 2009 (non-GAAP)

$14,884

$1.32 

1.15

14.97%






Net Income and Related Ratios for the

  Nine months Ended September 30, 2010 (non-GAAP)

$16,704

$1.48

1.20%

15.00%

Adjustment: None

          ---

     ---

    ---

      ---    

Adjusted Net Income and Related Ratios for More   

  Meaningful Comparison, for the Nine months

  Ended September 30, 2010

$16,704

$1.48

1.20%

15.00%


We reported earnings (net income) of $16.7 million for the first nine months of 2010, a virtually identical total to our earnings in the 2009 period.  Diluted earnings per share was the same for the two year-to-date periods, as well, at $1.48.  As discussed in the Overview section of this Report on page 24, our net income for the first nine months of 2009, determined in accordance with GAAP, included the gain we recognized on the sale of our merchant bank card processing to TransFirst, a non-recurring transaction which closed in that period (the Transaction).  Adjusting net income for the 2009 period to exclude income from this Transaction produces a non-GAAP measure, adjusted net income, as well as additional non-GAAP measures derived therefrom, i.e., adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted return on equity and adjusted return on assets for the 2009 period.  Under SEC rules, these non-GAAP measures, if provided in a filed report such as this report, must be accompanied by a reconciliation to the nearest comparable GAAP measure.  The table above presents these non-GAAP measures for the 2009 period, a reconciliation of these measures to the comparable GAAP measures for the period, and a comparison between these non-GAAP adjusted measures for the 2009 period and our GAAP measures for the 2010 period, that is, our net income, diluted earnings per share, return on average assets and return on average equity for the first nine months of 2010, prepared in accordance with GAAP.  We believe the inclusion of the non-GAAP measure for the 2009 period and the comparison between the 2010 period GAAP measures and the 2009 period non-GAAP measures is meaningful and helpful, because it better reveals the earnings from our fundamental line of business, the commercial banking business, and the trend from period to period in that business.  An increase in income in the 2010 period from the sales of securities and loans had a positive impact on income for that period compared to the earlier 2009 period, in which net gains from sales of securities and loans were substantially smaller.


The following narrative discusses the nine-month to nine-month changes in net interest income, noninterest income, noninterest expense and income taxes.


Net Interest Income

Summary of Net Interest Income

(Taxable Equivalent Basis, Dollars in Thousands)


Nine months Ended




Sep 2010

Sep 2009

Change  

% Change

Interest and Dividend Income

$66,871 

$67,006

$  (135)

(0.2)%

Interest Expense

  17,792 

  19,970

 (2,178)

(10.9)

Net Interest Income

  $49,079 

  $47,036

$2,043 

  4.3





Tax-Equivalent Adjustment

     $2,545 

 $2,318

$227 

 9.8





Average Earning Assets (1)

  $1,781,936 

$1,657,111

 $124,825 

    7.5

Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities

   1,490,415 

1,382,287

108,128 

   7.8





Yield on Earning Assets (1)

      5.02%

      5.41%

   (0.39)%

    (7.2)

Cost of Interest-Bearing Liabilities

      1.60   

      1.93   

   (0.33)   

    (17.1)

Net Interest Spread

      3.42   

      3.48   

(0.06)   

(1.7)

Net Interest Margin

      3.68   

      3.79   

     (0.11)   

(2.9)


(1) Includes Nonaccrual Loans



Our net interest margin (net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis divided by average earning assets, annualized) decreased from 3.79% to 3.68% between the first nine months of 2009 and the first nine months of 2010.  (See the discussion under Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, on page 19, regarding our net interest margin and net interest income, which are commonly used non-GAAP financial measures.)  However, net interest income for the just completed period, on a taxable equivalent basis, increased $2.0 million, or 4.3%, from the first nine months of 2009, due principally to the fact that our increase in average earning assets between the two periods more than compensated for the decrease in our margin.  Specifically, average earning assets increased by $124.8 million, or 7.5%, between the periods, compared to the 11 basis point decrease in our net interest margin.  The impact of recent interest rate changes on our net interest margin and net interest income are discussed above in this Report under the sections entitled Deposit Trends, Impact of Interest Rate Changes and Loan Trends.  


The provisions for loan losses were $1.1 million and $1.3 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The provision for loan losses was discussed previously under the heading "Asset Quality" beginning on page 35.


Noninterest Income


Summary of Noninterest Income

(Dollars in Thousands)


Nine months Ended




Sep 2010

Sep 2009

Change

% Change

Income From Fiduciary Activities

  $ 4,043 

  $  3,737 

$     306 

   8.2%

Fees for Other Services to Customers

   5,874 

   5,937 

   (63)

     (1.1)

Insurance Commissions

2,157 

1,822 

335 

18.4

Net Gains on Securities Transactions

     1,496 

     329 

    1,167 

354.7

Net Gain on Sale of Merchant Bank Card Processing

---

2,966

(2,966)

(100.0)

Income from Restitution Payment

---

450

(450)

(100.0)

Net Gains on the Sale of Loans

527

326 

201 

61.7 

Other Operating Income

      254 

       220 

         34 

     15.5 


Total Noninterest Income

$14,351

$15,787 

$(1,436)

(9.1)


Total noninterest income in the just completed nine-month period was $14.4 million, down by $1.4 million, or 9.1%, from total noninterest income of $15.8 million for the first nine months of 2009.  The primary reason for the $1.4 million decrease was that the 2009 total included a $2.97 million gain from the sale of our merchant bank card processing business in that period.  The 2010 period reflects significantly higher net gains on securities transactions and loan sales over the comparable 2009 period.


For the just completed 2010 period, income from fiduciary activities increased $306 thousand, or 8.2%, from the comparable 2009 period.  The increase reflected a recovery in the dollar amount of assets under administration, largely a result of the general rebound in the U.S. equity and debt markets between the periods. At period-end 2010, the market value of assets under trust administration and investment management amounted to $925.9 million, an increase of $89.5 million, or 10.7%, from period-end 2009.  A significant portion of our fiduciary fees are indexed to the market value of assets under administration.  


Fees for other services to customers (primarily service charges on deposit accounts, revenues related to the sale of mutual funds to our customers by third party providers and servicing income on sold loans) were $5.9 million for the first nine months of 2010, a decrease of $63 thousand, or 1.1%, from the 2009 first nine months total.  The decrease between the two periods in fees for other services to customers was in part the result of a modest decline in revenues derived from third-party mutual fund sales.  The decrease also reflected the fact that the total for the 2009 period included income from our merchant credit card processing business prior to our sale of that business at the end of the first quarter of 2009; no income from that business was earned by us in the first nine months of 2010 (see Sale of Merchant Bank Card Processing to TransFirst, in the Overview section, on page 26). Income from debit card transactions increased from $1.4 million for the first nine months of 2009 to $1.7 million for the first nine months of 2010.  See the discussion contained in the Noninterest Income section of the three month-to-three-month comparison, above, relating to recent changes in law and regulation affecting interchange fees and overdraft fees that may be charged by banks, and the likely impact of such charges on our future results of operations.  


Insurance commissions first became a significant source of noninterest income for us following our 2004 acquisition of an insurance agency, Capital Financial Group, Inc.  Capital Financial specializes in selling and servicing group health care policies.  On April 1, 2010, we acquired a second insurance agency, Loomis & LaPann, Inc., which sells primarily property and casualty insurance to retail customers in our service area.  We expect that noninterest income from insurance commissions will continue to increase in upcoming periods as a result of our expansion of this line of business.


The volume of our sales of loan originations decreased after the second quarter of 2009 until the third quarter of 2010, when we began once again to resell most of our newly originated residential real estate loan originations into the secondary market (i.e., to Freddie Mac).  See the discussion in the three month-to-three-month comparison, above, regarding our future resales of such loans.  Other operating income includes net gains on the sale of other real estate owned as well as other miscellaneous revenues.  


Noninterest Expense


Summary of Noninterest Expense

(Dollars in Thousands)


Nine months Ended




Sep 2010

Sep 2009

Change

% Change

Salaries and Employee Benefits

  $20,775

  $19,920

    $855 

4.3%

Occupancy Expense of Premises, Net

   2,641

   2,616

   25 

1.0 

Furniture and Equipment Expense

   2,695

   2,493

    202 

    8.1

FDIC Special Assessment

---

787

(787)

(100.0)

FDIC and FICO Assessments

1,472 

1,320 

152  

11.5

Amortization of Intangible Assets

205 

247 

(42) 

(17.0)

Other Operating Expense

    7,860

    7,510

   350 

4.7

Total Noninterest Expense

  $35,648

  $34,893

   $755 

     2.2





Efficiency Ratio

57.23%

55.44%

1.79%

 3.2


Noninterest expense for the first nine months of 2010 was $35.6 million, an increase of $755 thousand, or 2.2%, over the expense for the first nine months of 2009.  The first nine months of 2009 included a one-time FDIC insurance special assessment of $787 thousand.  For the first nine months of 2010, our efficiency ratio was 57.23%.  This ratio, for which lower is better, is a non-GAAP financial measure that is commonly used in the banking industry to indicate a financial institution's operating efficiency.  See the discussion on page 19 of this Report under the heading Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.  Our efficiency ratio is the ratio of noninterest expense (excluding intangible asset amortization) to net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) and noninterest income (excluding net securities gains or losses).  The efficiency ratio used by the Federal Reserve Board in its "Peer Holding Company Performance Reports" excludes net securities gains or losses from the denominator (as does our calculation), but unlike our ratio does not exclude intangible asset amortization from the numerator (and thus produces a slightly higher number for most institutions).  Our efficiency ratio for the 2010 nine-month period compared favorably to the second quarter 2010 efficiency ratio of our peer group of 70.73%.


Salaries and employee benefits expense increased by $855 thousand, or 4.3%, from the first nine months of 2009 to the first nine months of 2010.  The increase was primarily in the area of salaries and was attributable to an increase of 8.4 full-time equivalent employees as well as to normal salary increases.  We added 9 staff in the acquisition of Loomis & LaPann on April 1, 2010.


Occupancy expense increased by only $25 thousand, or 1.0%, from the first nine months of 2009 to the first nine months of 2010.  The increase in furniture and equipment expense was 8.1% period over period, and was primarily attributable to data processing expenses.


Risk-based FDIC assessments have increased over the past two years in response to the current financial crisis.  We have continued to pay the lowest possible rate.  


Other operating expense increased $350 thousand, or 4.7%, from the first nine months of 2009.  The increase was spread over a variety of operating categories.


Income Taxes


Summary of Income Taxes

(Dollars in Thousands)


Nine months Ended




Sep 2010

Sep 2009

Change

% Change

Provision for Income Taxes

  $7,408

  $7,589

    $(181)

(2.4)%

Effective Tax Rate

 30.72%

 31.28%

    (.56)%

 (1.8)


The provisions for federal and state income taxes amounted to $7.4 million and $7.6 million for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The decrease in the effective tax rate was attributable to an increase in the relative portion of tax-exempt income to total income in the 2010 period.


Item 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


In addition to credit risk in our loan portfolio and liquidity risk, discussed earlier, our business activities also generate market risk.  Market risk is the possibility that changes in future market rates (interest rates) or prices (fees for products and services) will make our position less valuable.  The ongoing monitoring and management of market risk, principally interest rate risk, is an important component of our asset/liability management process, which is governed by policies that are reviewed and approved annually by the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors delegates responsibility for carrying out asset/liability oversight and control to managements Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO).  In this capacity ALCO develops guidelines and strategies impacting our asset/liability profile based upon estimated market risk sensitivity, policy limits and overall market interest rate levels and trends.  We have not made use of derivatives, such as interest rate swaps, in our market risk management process.


Interest rate risk is the most significant market risk affecting us.  Interest rate risk is the exposure of our net interest income to changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is directly related to the different maturities and repricing characteristics of interest-bearing assets and liabilities, as well as to the risk of prepayment of loans and early withdrawal of time deposits, and the fact that the speed and magnitude of responses to interest rate changes varies by product.


The ALCO utilizes the results of a detailed and dynamic simulation model to quantify the estimated exposure of net interest income to sustained interest rate changes.  While ALCO routinely monitors simulated net interest income sensitivity over a rolling two-year horizon, it also utilizes additional tools to monitor potential longer-term interest rate risk.


The simulation model attempts to capture the impact of changing interest rates on the interest income received and interest expense paid on all interest-sensitive assets and liabilities reflected on our consolidated balance sheet.  This sensitivity analysis is compared to ALCO policy limits which specify a maximum tolerance level for net interest income exposure over a one year horizon, assuming no balance sheet growth and a 200 basis point upward and a 100 basis point downward shift in interest rates, and a repricing of interest-bearing assets and liabilities at their earliest reasonably predictable repricing date.  We normally apply a parallel and pro-rata shift in rates over a 12 month period.  However, at quarter-end 2010 the targeted federal funds rate was a range of 0 to .25%.  For the decreasing rate simulation we applied a 100 basis point downward shift in interest rates for the long end of the yield curve with short-term rate decreases limited by an absolute floor of a zero interest rate.


Applying the simulation model analysis as of September 30, 2010, a 200 basis point increase in interest rates demonstrated a .79% decrease in net interest income over a 12-month period, and a 100 basis point decrease in interest rates produced a 1.74% decrease in net interest income over a comparable period.  These amounts were well within our ALCO policy limits.    


The preceding sensitivity analysis does not represent a forecast on our part and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results.  


The hypothetical estimates underlying the sensitivity analysis are based upon numerous assumptions including: the nature and timing of changes in interest rates including yield curve shape, prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment/replacement of asset and liability cash flows, and others.  While assumptions are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, we cannot make any assurance as to the predictive nature of these assumptions including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change.


Also, as market conditions vary from those assumed in the sensitivity analysis, actual results will differ due to: prepayment/refinancing levels likely deviating from those assumed, the varying impact of interest rate changes on caps or floors on adjustable rate assets, the potential effect of changing debt service levels on customers with adjustable rate loans, depositor early withdrawals and product preference changes, unanticipated shifts in the yield curve and other internal/external variables.  Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis does not reflect actions that ALCO might take in responding to or anticipating changes in interest rates.  


Item 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Arrow's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of September 30, 2010. Based upon that evaluation, senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Further, there were no changes made in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that had materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings


We are not the subject of any material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation occurring in the normal course of our business.  On an ongoing basis, we are the subject of or a party to various legal claims, which arise in the normal course of our business.  The various pending legal claims against us will not, in the opinion of management based upon consultation with counsel, result in any material liability.


Item 1.A.

Risk Factors


Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes from the Risk Factors described in Part 1 Item 1A. Risk Factors of the companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

The passage of The Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations could negatively impact the companys business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.


On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act, sweeping financial regulatory reform legislation, was signed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act implements far-reaching changes across the financial regulatory landscape, including the following provisions:


Minimum Leverage and Capital Requirements. Federal banking agencies are required to establish minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements on a consolidated basis for all insured depository institutions and bank holding companies, including Arrow and its subsidiary banks, which can be no less than the currently applicable leverage and risk-based capital requirements for depository institutions.


Interchange Fees.  Give the Federal Reserve the authority to establish rules regarding interchange fees charged for electronic debit transactions by payment card issuers having assets over $10 billion and to enforce a new statutory requirement that such fees be reasonable and proportional to the actual cost of a transaction to the issuer.   


Interest on Demand Deposits.  Repeals the federal prohibitions on the payment of interest on demand deposits, thereby permitting depository institutions to pay interest on business transaction and other accounts.


Creation of New Consumer Protection Bureau. Creates a new Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection within the Federal Reserve with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection will have broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all insured depository institutions. The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection has examination and enforcement authority over all depository institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. Depository institutions with $10 billion or less in assets, such as the Company and its subsidiaries, will be examined by their applicable bank regulators.


FDIC Insurance. Makes permanent the $250 thousand limit for federal deposit insurance and provide unlimited federal deposit insurance until January 1, 2013 for non-interest bearing demand transaction accounts at all insured depository institutions.


Corporate Governance.  Subjects all financial institutions, along with public companies, to corporate governance revisions, including with regard to executive compensation and proxy access by shareholders.


Many provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act are subject to additional regulation and rulemaking before implementation. In addition, the Act requires multiple studies which could result in additional legislative action. At this time, it is difficult to predict the extent to which the Dodd-Frank Act or the resulting regulations and rules may adversely impact the Company. However, compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act may increase our costs, cause us to modify our strategies and business operations, and increase our capital requirements, any of which may have a material adverse impact on our financial condition.


Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds


Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities


On April 1, 2010, in connection with Arrows acquisition of Loomis & LaPann, Inc., a property and casualty insurance agency (Loomis), Arrow issued an aggregate of 26,296 shares of its common stock to the former Loomis shareholders, in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Loomis.  An additional 731 shares of Arrow common stock were issued to the former Loomis shareholders on May 27, 2010 in connection with a balance sheet adjustment to the purchase price provided for in the acquisition agreement.  The acquisition agreement also contains a provision under which Arrow would pay to the Loomis shareholders, over the three-year period following closing, additional consideration solely in the form of additional shares of Arrow's common stock, depending on the financial performance and other results of Loomis during such period. All shares issued in connection with the acquisition have been and will be issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), in reliance upon the exemption from such registration set forth in Section 3(a)(11) of the Act and Rule 147 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.  This exemption is available because the acquirer (Arrow) is a New York corporation, the former shareholders of Loomis were New York residents, and the acquired company (Loomis), was a New York corporation having substantially all of its assets and business operations in the State of New York.


Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities


The following table (restated for the September 2010 3% stock dividend) presents information about purchases by Arrow of its own equity securities (i.e. Arrows common stock) during the three months ended September 30, 2010:


Third Quarter 2010 Calendar Month

(A)




Total Number of Shares Purchased1

(B)




Average Price Paid Per Share1

(C)


Total Number of

Shares Purchased as

Part of Publicly

Announced Plans or Programs2

(D)

Maximum

Approximate Dollar

Value of Shares that

May Yet be

Purchased Under the Plans or Programs3

July

21,389

$22.50

20,600

$3,455,163

August

17,579

22.37

15,450

3,110,716

September

16,640

23.50

10,300

2,871,016

Total

55,608

22.76

46,350



Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities, continued


1Share amounts and average prices listed in columns A and B (total number of shares purchased and the average price paid per share) include, in addition to shares repurchased by Arrow under the Companys publicly announced stock repurchase program, shares purchased in open market transactions under the Arrow Financial Corporation Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) by the administrator of the DRIP (who is independent of the issuer) and shares surrendered (or deemed surrendered) to Arrow by holders of options to acquire Arrow common stock in connection with the exercise of such options.  In the months indicated, the total number of shares purchased listed in column A included the following numbers of shares purchased through such additional methods:  July DRIP purchases (789 shares); August DRIP purchases (2,129 shares); September DRIP purchases (6,340 shares).


2Share amounts listed in column C include only those shares repurchased under the Companys publicly-announced stock repurchase program in effect during such period, which during the third quarter of 2010 was the $5 million stock repurchase program authorized by the Board if Directors in April 2010 (the 2010 Repurchase Program), but do not include shares purchased under the DRIP or upon exercise of outstanding stock options.


3Dollar amount of repurchase authority remaining at month-end as listed in column D represents the amount remaining under the 2010 Repurchase Program, the Companys only publicly-announced stock repurchase program in effect during the months indicated.  In April 2010 the Board authorized a new $5 million stock repurchase program, replacing the 2009 Repurchase Program.


Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities - None


Item 4.

Removed and Reserved


Item 5.

Other Information - None


Item 6.

Exhibits


(a) Exhibits:


Exhibit 15

Awareness Letter

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer under SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer under SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

Exhibit 32

Certification of Chief Executive Officer under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and

Certification of Chief Financial Officer under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350




SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Registrant

Date:    November 5, 2010

 

s/ Thomas L. Hoy


Thomas L. Hoy, President,


Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board


Date:    November 5, 2010

s/ Terry R. Goodemote


Terry R. Goodemote, Senior Vice President,


Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer


(Principal Financial Officer and


Principal Accounting Officer)




1