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CARVER BANCORP INC - Annual Report: 2008 (Form 10-K)

Unassociated Document


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________
FORM 10-K

FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS PURSUANT TO
SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008

OR

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

For the transition period from _________ to _________

Commission File Number: 1-13007

CARVER BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
13-3904174
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
75 West 125th Street, New York, New York
10027
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (718) 230-2900

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
NASDAQ Global Market
(Title of Class)
(Name of each Exchange on which registered)

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

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  £ Yes  T No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  £Yes  T No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  T Yes  £ No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
 o Large Accelerated Filer
£ Accelerated Filer   
o Non-accelerated Filer 
x 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  T No

As of June 20, 2008, there were 2,474,738 shares of common stock of the registrant outstanding.  The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates, as of September 28, 2007, the last day of registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter (based on the closing sales price of $15.85 per share of the registrant’s common stock on September 28, 2007) was approximately $39,319,444.
 


 
 

 

 DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Portions of registrant’s proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of stockholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 
 

 

CARVER BANCORP, INC.
2008 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I
 
Page
     
2
25
28
29
30
30
     
Part II
   
     
30
34
35
50
51
84
84
85
     
Part III
   
     
85
85
85
85
85
     
Part IV
   
     
86
     
87
     
E-1


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which may be identified by the use of such words as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” “predict,” “continue,” and “potential” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these estimates.   These factors include but are not limited to the following:

·
the Company's success in implementing its new business initiatives, including expanding its product line, adding new branches and ATM centers and successfully re-building its brand image;

·
increases in competitive pressure among financial institutions or non-financial institutions;

·
legislative or regulatory changes which may adversely affect the Company’s business;

·
technological changes which may be more difficult or expensive than anticipated;

·
changes in interest rates which may reduce net interest margins and net interest income;

·
changes in deposit flows, loan demand or real estate values which may adversely affect the business;

·
changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines which may cause conditions to be perceived differently;

·
litigation or other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future, which may delay the occurrence or non-occurrence of events longer than anticipated;

·
the ability to originate and purchase loans with attractive terms and acceptable credit quality;

·
the ability to realize cost efficiencies; and

·
general economic conditions, either nationally or locally in some or all areas in which business is conducted, or conditions in the securities markets or the banking industry which could affect liquidity in the capital markets, the volume of loan origination, deposit flows, real estate values, the levels of non-interest income and the amount of loan losses.

Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any other public statements that we make may turn out to be wrong.  They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties.   The forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are made as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the Company assumes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.    For a discussion of additional factors that could adversely affect our future performance, see “Item 1A – Risk Factors” and “Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”


PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

Carver Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Holding Company”), is the holding company for Carver Federal Savings Bank (“Carver Federal” or the “Bank”), a federally chartered savings bank, and, on a parent-only basis, had minimal results of operations.  The Holding Company is headquartered in New York, New York.  The Holding Company conducts business as a unitary savings and loan holding company, and the principal business of the Holding Company consists of the operation of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Carver Federal.  Carver Federal was founded in 1948 to serve African-American communities whose residents, businesses and institutions had limited access to mainstream financial services. The Bank remains headquartered in Harlem, and predominantly all its ten branches and ten stand-alone 24/7 ATM Centers are located in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. Many of these historically underserved communities are now experiencing unprecedented growth and diversification of incomes, ethnicity and economic opportunity, after decades of public and private investment.

Today, Carver Federal is the largest African-American operated bank in the United States. The Bank remains dedicated to expanding wealth enhancing opportunities in the communities it serves by increasing access to capital and financial advice for consumers, businesses and non-profit organizations, including faith-based institutions. A measure of its progress in achieving this goal includes the Bank's "Outstanding" rating, awarded by the Office of Thrift Supervision following its most recent Community Reinvestment Act examination in 2006. The examination report noted that 95% of Carver’s loan originations were within low- to moderate-income geographies, which far exceeded peer institutions.  The Bank has approximately $796 million in assets as of March 31, 2008 and employs approximately 187 employees as of May 31, 2008.

Carver Federal engages in a wide range of consumer and commercial banking services.  Carver Federal provides deposit products including demand, savings and time deposits for consumers, businesses, and governmental and quasi-governmental agencies in its local market area within New York City.  In addition to deposit products, Carver Federal offers a number of other consumer and commercial banking products and services, including debit cards, online banking including online bill pay, and telephone banking.  Through its affiliation with Merrill Lynch & Co. (“Merrill Lynch”), Carver Federal offers a comprehensive range of wealth management products.

Carver Federal offers loan products covering a variety of asset classes, including commercial and residential mortgages, construction loans and business loans.  The Bank finances mortgage and loan products through deposit operations or borrowings.  Funds not used to originate mortgages and loans are invested primarily in U.S. government agency securities and mortgage-backed securities.

The Bank’s primary market area for deposits consists of areas currently served by its ten branches.  The Bank’s branches are located in the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens boroughs of New York City.  The neighborhoods in which the Bank’s branches are located have historically been low- to moderate-income areas.  However, the shortage of housing in New York City, combined with population shifts from the suburbs into the city, has contributed to stimulate significant real estate and commercial development in the Bank’s market area.   The Bank believes that the demographics of its primary market area are changing as a result of the increase in real estate development in recent years.  The expected change in income demographics supports the Bank’s strategy to provide commercial banking products and, through its affiliation with Merrill Lynch & Co., wealth management products.

The Bank’s primary lending market includes Bronx, Kings, New York and Queens Counties in New York City, and lower Westchester County, New York.  Although the Bank’s branches are primarily located in areas that were historically underserved by other financial institutions, the Bank is facing increased competition for deposits and mortgage lending in its market areas.  Management believes that this competition has become more intense as a result of the improving economic conditions in the Bank’s market area and an increased examination emphasis by federal banking regulators on financial institutions’ fulfillment of their responsibilities under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”). The Bank’s competition for loans comes principally from mortgage banking companies, commercial banks, and savings institutions. The Bank’s most direct competition for deposits comes from commercial banks, savings institutions and credit unions. Competition for deposits also comes from money market mutual funds, corporate and government securities funds, and financial intermediaries such as brokerage firms and insurance companies. Many of the Bank’s competitors have substantially greater resources and offer a wider array of financial services and products.  At times, these larger financial institutions may offer below market interest rates on mortgage loans and above market interest rates for deposits.  These pricing concessions combined with competitors’ larger presence in the New York market add to the challenges the Bank faces in expanding its current market share and growing its near term profitability.

Carver Federal’s long history in its market area, its community involvement and relationships, targeted products and services and personal service consistent with community banking, help the Bank compete with other competitors that have entered its market.

In addition, Carver Federal has successfully competed with larger financial institutions in a number of competitions for government grants and other awards.  In June 2006, Carver Federal won a $59 million New Markets Tax Credit (“NMTC”) award.  That amount compared favorably with awards won by U.S.-based global financial institutions.  Carver Federal believes its strong lending and community financial literacy platforms position the Bank well to compete for awards under this and other programs designed to expand financial services in markets served by Carver Federal.


The NMTC award is used to stimulate economic development in low- to moderate-income communities.  The NMTC award enables the Bank to invest with community and development partners in economic development projects with attractive terms including, in some cases, below market interest rates, which may have the effect of attracting capital to underserved communities and facilitating revitalization of the community.  The NMTC award provides a credit to Carver Federal against Federal income taxes when the Bank makes qualified investments.  The credits are allocated over seven years from the time of the qualified investment.  During the seven year period, assuming the Bank meets compliance requirements, the Bank will receive a 39% tax credit on the amount it invests directly in NMTC-qualifying projects (5% over each of the first three years, and 6% over each of the next four years).  Implementation of the Bank’s NMTC award began in December 2006 when the Bank invested $29.5 million, one-half of its $59 million award.  In December 2007, the Bank invested an additional $10.5 million and transferred rights to $19.0 million to an investor in a NMTC project.  As a result, the Bank’s NMTC allocation has now been fully invested.  The Company expects to receive additional NMTC tax benefits of 39% on the $40.0 million directly invested, or approximately $12.1 million, over the next six years.

The Bank’s subsidiary, Carver Community Development Corporation (“CCDC”), was formed to facilitate its participation in local economic development and other community-based activities.  As part of its operations, CCDC monitors the portfolio of investments related to the $59 million NMTC award.


GENERAL

Carver Bancorp, Inc.

The Holding Company is the holding company for Carver Federal and its other active direct subsidiary, Carver Statutory Trust I (the “Trust”), a Delaware trust. The Trust was formed in September 2003 for the sole purpose of issuing trust preferred securities and investing the proceeds in an equivalent amount of subordinated debentures of the Holding Company.  Collectively, the Holding Company, the Bank and the Holding Company’s other direct and indirect subsidiaries are referred to herein as the “Company” or “Carver.”

On October 24, 1994, Carver Federal converted from mutual to stock form and issued 2,314,275 shares of its common stock at a price of $10 per share.  On October 17, 1996, the Bank completed its reorganization into a holding company structure (the “Reorganization”) and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Holding Company.

On April 5, 2006, the Company entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Community Capital Bank (“CCB”), a Brooklyn-based community bank, in a cash transaction valued at $11.1 million, or $40.00 per CCB share.  On September 29, 2006, the Bank acquired CCB, with approximately $165.4 million in assets and two branches. The Bank incurred an additional $0.9 million in transaction costs related to the acquisition.  The acquisition of CCB and its award-winning small business lending platform has expanded the Company’s ability to capitalize on substantial growth in the small business market.  The Company continues to evaluate acquisition opportunities as part of its strategic objective for long term growth.

The principal business of the Holding Company consists of the operation of its wholly owned subsidiary, the Bank.  The Holding Company’s executive offices are located at the home office of the Bank at 75 West 125th Street, New York, New York 10027.  The Holding Company’s telephone number is (718) 230-2900.

Carver Federal Savings Bank

Carver Federal was chartered in 1948 and began operations in 1949 as Carver Federal Savings and Loan Association, a federally chartered mutual savings and loan association, at which time it obtained federal deposit insurance and became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (the “FHLB-NY”).  Carver Federal was founded as an African- and Caribbean-American operated institution to provide residents of underserved communities with the ability to invest their savings and obtain credit.  Carver Federal converted to a federal savings bank in 1986 and changed its name at that time to Carver Federal Savings Bank.  None of the Bank’s employees is a member of a collective bargaining agreement, and the Bank considers its relations with employees to be satisfactory.

On March 8, 1995, Carver Federal formed CFSB Realty Corp. as a wholly-owned subsidiary to hold real estate acquired through foreclosure pending eventual disposition.  At March 31, 2008, this subsidiary had $1.2 million in total assets and a minimal net operating loss.  During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, Carver Federal formed Carver Asset Corporation (“CAC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary which qualifies as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  This subsidiary may, among other things, be utilized by Carver Federal to raise capital in the future.  As of March 31, 2008, CAC owned mortgage loans carried at approximately $109.9 million and total assets of $126.1 million.  On August 18, 2005, Carver Federal formed CCDC, a wholly-owned community development entity whose purpose is to make qualified loans or other investments in low- to moderate-income communities.

On October 5, 2006, Carver Federal established Carver Municipal Bank (“CMB”), a wholly-owned, New York State chartered limited purpose commercial bank, with the intention of expanding Carver Federal’s ability to compete for municipal and state agency deposits and provide other fee income based services. The Bank invested $2.0 million of capital into CMB at its formation. In the State of New York, municipal entities may deposit funds only with commercial banks, other than through limited exceptions, and CMB provided Carver Federal with a platform to enter into this line of business.  As of March 31, 2008, Carver Federal has discontinued the operations of CMB.  CMB is currently in the process of being dissolved. The $2.0 million capital invested will revert back to the Bank.


Available Information

The Company makes available on or through its internet website, http://www.carverbank.com, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act.  Such reports are free of charge and are available as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  The public may read and copy any materials the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E. Washington D.C. 20549.  Information may be obtained on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the Company, at http://www.sec.gov.

In addition, certain other basic corporate documents, including the Company's Corporate Governance Principles, Code of Ethics, Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers and the charters of the Company's Finance and Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the date of the Company's annual meeting are posted on the Company's website.  Printed copies of these documents are also available free of charge to any stockholder who requests them.  Stockholders seeking additional information should contact the Corporate Secretary’s office by mail at 75 West 125th Street, New York, New York 10027 or by e-mail at corporatesecretary@carverbank.com.  The information on the Company's website is not part of this annual report.

Lending Activities

General.  Carver Federal engages in a number of lending activities including the origination or purchase of first mortgage loans for the purpose of purchasing or refinancing one- to four-family residential, multifamily, and commercial properties; the origination or participation in loans for the construction or renovation of commercial properties and residential housing developments; permanent loan financing subsequent to the completion of existing construction lending; and the origination and participation in business loans primarily for small business entities.  Occasionally, Carver Federal purchases loans as a supplement to loan originations to achieve its loan growth objectives.

Loan Portfolio Composition.  Total loans receivable increased by $46.8 million, or 8.0%, to $632.8 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $586.0 million at March 31, 2007.  Carver Federal’s total loans receivable, net, as a percentage of total assets increased to 79.5% at March 31, 2008 compared to 78.5% at March 31, 2007.  One- to four-family mortgage loans totaled $103.4 million, or 16.3% of Carver Federal’s total loans receivable.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank had $1.5 million in subprime loans, or 0.2% of its total loan portfolio.  All the Bank's subprime loans are performing loans. Multifamily loans totaled $78.7 million, or 12.4% of total loans receivable; non-residential real estate loans, which includes commercial and church loans, totaled $238.5 million, or 37.6% of total loans receivable; construction loans (net of committed but undisbursed funds), totaled $158.9 million, or 25.1% of total loans receivable; business loans totaled $52.1 million, or 8.2% of total loans receivable; and consumer loans (credit card loans, personal loans, and home improvement loans) totaled $1.7 million, or 0.3% of total loans receivable.  For additional information regarding Carver Federal’s loan portfolio, refer to Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Loans Receivable, Net.”

Carver Federal, over the past years and to a lesser degree in fiscal 2008, pays a premium when the effective yield on the loans being purchased is greater than the current market rate for comparable loans.  These premiums are amortized as the loan is repaid.  It is possible that, in a declining interest rate environment, the rate or speed at which loans repay may increase which may have the effect of accelerating the amortization of the premium and therefore reducing the effective yield of the loan.  Total premiums Carver Federal paid on purchased loans decreased by $0.3 million, or 26.8%, to $0.7 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $1.0 million at March 31, 2007.

Carver Federal receives a discount when the effective yield on the loans being purchased is less than the current market rate for comparable loans.  Certain fees (net of origination expenses) on originated loans are deferred and amortized over the life of the loan.  These discounts and net deferred fees are amortized as the loan is repaid.  It is possible that, in a rising interest rate environment, the rate or speed at which loans repay may decrease which may have the effect of decelerating the amortization of the discounts and net deferred fees and therefore reducing the effective yield of the loan.  Total discounts and deferred fees increased by $0.2 million, or 23.6%, to $1.2 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $1.0 million at March 31, 2007.

Allowance for loan losses decreased $0.5 million to $4.9 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $5.4 million at March 31, 2007.  During fiscal 2008, $0.8 million in net charge-offs were recorded, which were partially offset when the Bank recorded a $0.2 million provision for loan losses during fiscal 2008.  See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Loans Receivable, Net” and “—Asset Quality—Asset Classification and Allowance for Losses.”


One- to Four-Family Residential Lending.  Traditionally, Carver Federal’s lending activity has been in part the origination and purchase of loans secured by first mortgages on existing one- to four-family residences, although no one- to four-family loans were purchased in fiscal 2008.  Carver Federal originates and purchases one- to four-family residential mortgage loans in amounts that usually range between $35,000 and $0.8 million.  Approximately 87% of the one- to four-family residential mortgage loans maturing in greater than one year at March 31, 2008 were adjustable rate and approximately 13% were fixed-rate.  Beginning in fiscal 2007, Carver Federal shifted its efforts from primarily originating and purchasing one- to four-family residential loans to originations and participations in more profitable non-residential and construction real estate loans.  One- to four-family residential real estate loans increased $2.5 million to $103.4 million or 16.3% of the gross loan portfolio at March 31, 2008 compared to March 31, 2007.

Carver Federal’s one- to four-family residential mortgage loans are generally for terms of 30 years, amortized on a monthly basis, with principal and interest due each month.  Residential mortgage loans often remain outstanding for significantly shorter periods than their contractual terms.  These loans customarily contain “due-on-sale” clauses that permit the Bank to accelerate repayment of a loan upon transfer of ownership of the mortgaged property.  Also, borrowers may refinance or prepay one- to four-family residential loans at their option without penalty.

The Bank’s lending policies generally limit the maximum loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio on one- to four-family residential mortgage loans secured by owner-occupied properties to 95% of the lesser of the appraised value or purchase price, with private mortgage insurance required on loans with LTV ratios in excess of 80%.  Under certain special loan programs, Carver Federal may originate and sell loans secured by single-family homes purchased by first time home buyers where the LTV ratio may be up to 97%.

Carver Federal’s fixed-rate, one- to four-family residential mortgage loans are underwritten in accordance with applicable secondary market underwriting guidelines and requirements for sale.  From time to time the Bank has sold such loans to the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), the State of New York Mortgage Agency (“SONYMA”) and other third parties.  Loans are generally sold with limited recourse on a servicing retained basis except to SONYMA where the sale is made with servicing released.  Carver Federal uses several servicing firms to sub-service mortgage loans, whether held in portfolio or sold with the servicing retained.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank, through its sub-servicers, serviced $44.5 million in loans for FNMA and $7.5 million for other third parties.

Carver Federal offers one-year, three-year, five/one-year and five/three-year adjustable-rate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans.  These loans are generally retained in Carver Federal’s portfolio although they may be sold in the secondary market. They are indexed to the weekly average rate on one-year, three-year and five-year U.S. Treasury or Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) securities, respectively, adjusted to a constant maturity (usually one year), plus a margin.  The rates at which interest accrues on these loans are adjustable every one, three or five years, generally with limitations on adjustments of two percentage points per adjustment period and six percentage points over the life of a one-year adjustable-rate mortgage and four percentage points over the life of three-year and five-year adjustable-rate mortgages.

The retention of adjustable-rate loans in Carver Federal’s portfolio helps reduce Carver Federal’s exposure to increases in prevailing market interest rates.  However, there are unquantifiable credit risks resulting from potential increases in costs to borrowers in the event of upward repricing of adjustable-rate loans.  It is possible that during periods of rising interest rates, the risk of default on adjustable-rate loans may increase due to increases in interest costs to borrowers.  Although adjustable-rate loans allow the Bank to increase the sensitivity of its interest-earning assets to changes in interest rates, the extent of this interest rate sensitivity is limited by periodic and lifetime interest rate adjustment limitations.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that yields on the Bank’s adjustable-rate loans will fully adjust to compensate for increases in the Bank’s cost of funds.  Adjustable-rate loans increase the Bank’s exposure to decreases in prevailing market interest rates, although decreases in the Bank’s cost of funds would tend to offset this effect.

As of March 31, 2008, the Bank was finalizing plans to outsource its residential one- to four- family mortgage origination operations.  We expect this arrangement will expand our product base and improve customer service, while reducing costs to the Company.

Multifamily Real Estate Lending. Traditionally, Carver Federal in part originates and purchases multifamily loans, although no multifamily loans were purchased in fiscal 2008.  Rates offered on this product are considered to be competitive with flexible terms that make this product attractive to borrowers. Multifamily property lending entails additional risks compared to one- to four-family residential lending.  For example, such loans are dependent on the successful operation of such buildings and can be significantly impacted by supply and demand conditions in the market for multifamily residential units.  Carver Federal's multifamily loan portfolio decreased $13.2 million in fiscal 2008, or 14.4% to $78.7 million, 12.4% of Carver Federal’s gross loan portfolio at March 31, 2008.

Carver Federal’s multifamily product guidelines generally require that the maximum LTV not exceed 80% based on the appraised value of the mortgaged property.  The Bank generally requires a Debt Service Coverage Ratio (“DSCR”) of at least 1.15 on multifamily loans, which requires the properties to generate cash flow after expenses and allowances in excess of the principal and interest payment.  Carver Federal originates and purchases multifamily mortgage loans, which are predominantly adjustable rate loans that generally amortize on the basis of a 15-, 20-, 25- or 30-year period and require a balloon payment after the first five years, or the borrower may have an option to extend the loan for two additional five-year periods.  The Bank occasionally originates fixed rate loans with greater than five year terms.


To help ensure continued collateral protection and asset quality for the term of multifamily real estate loans, Carver Federal employs a loan risk-rating system.  All commercial real estate loans are risk-rated internally at the time of origination.  In addition, to evaluate changes in the credit profile of the borrower and the underlying collateral, an independent consulting firm reviews and prepares a written report for a sample of multifamily real estate loan relationships of $250,000 to $2.0 million, and at least semi-annually prepares a written report for all relationships exceeding $2.0 million.  Summary reports are then reviewed by the Internal Asset Review Committee for changes in the credit profile of individual borrowers and the portfolio as a whole.

Non-residential Real Estate Lending.  Carver Federal’s non-residential real estate lending activity consists predominantly of originating loans for the purpose of purchasing or refinancing office, mixed-use (properties used for both commercial and residential purposes but predominantly commercial), retail and church buildings in its market area.  Non-residential real estate lending entails additional risks compared with one- to four-family residential and multifamily lending.  For example, such loans typically involve large loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers, and the payment experience on such loans typically is dependent on the successful operation of the commercial property.  Carver Federal’s maximum LTV on non-residential real estate mortgage loans is generally 75% based on the appraised value of the mortgaged property. The Bank generally requires a DSCR of at least 1.20 on non-residential real estate loans.  The Bank also requires the assignment of rents of all tenants’ leases in the mortgaged property, which serves as additional security for the mortgage loan.  At March 31, 2008, non-residential real estate mortgage loans totaled $238.5 million, or 37.7% of the gross loan portfolio.  This balance reflects a year-over-year increase of $35.3 million, which is consistent with the Bank’s objective of investing in higher yielding loans.

Historically, Carver Federal has been a New York City metropolitan area leader in the origination of loans to churches.  At March 31, 2008, loans to churches totaled $18.3 million, or 2.8% of the Bank’s gross loan portfolio.  These loans generally have five-, seven- or ten-year terms with 15-, 20- or 25-year amortization periods and a balloon payment due at the end of the term and generally have no greater than a 70% LTV ratio.  The Bank provides construction financing for churches and generally provides permanent financing upon completion of construction.  There are currently 28 church loans in the Bank’s loan portfolio.

Loans secured by real estate owned by faith-based organizations generally are larger and involve greater risks than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans.  Because payments on loans secured by such properties are often dependent on voluntary contributions by members of the church’s congregation, repayment of such loans may be subject to a greater extent to adverse conditions in the economy.  The Bank seeks to minimize these risks in a variety of ways, including reviewing the organization’s financial condition, limiting the size of such loans and establishing the quality of the collateral securing such loans.  The Bank determines the appropriate amount and type of security for such loans based in part upon the governance structure of the particular organization, the length of time the church has been established in the community and a cash flow analysis of the church to determine its ability to service the proposed loan.  Carver Federal will obtain a first mortgage on the underlying real property and often requires personal guarantees of key members of the congregation and/or key person life insurance on the pastor of the congregation.  The Bank may also require the church to obtain key person life insurance on specific members of the church’s leadership.  Asset quality in the church loan category has been strong throughout Carver Federal’s history.  Management believes that Carver Federal remains a leading lender to churches in its market area.

Construction Lending.  The Bank originates or participates in construction loans for new construction and renovation of churches, multifamily buildings, residential developments, community service facilities and affordable housing programs.  Carver Federal also offers construction loans to qualified individuals and developers for new construction and renovation of one- to four-family, multifamily, mixed use and commercial real estate in the Bank’s market area.  The Bank’s construction loans generally have adjustable interest rates and are underwritten in accordance with the same standards as the Bank’s mortgage loans on existing properties.  The loans provide for disbursement in stages as construction is completed.  Participation in construction loans may be at various stages of funding.  Construction terms are usually from 12 to 24 months.  The construction loan interest is capitalized as part of the overall project cost and is funded monthly from the loan proceeds.  Borrowers must satisfy all credit requirements that apply to the Bank’s permanent mortgage loan financing for the mortgaged property.  Carver Federal has established additional criteria for construction loans to include an engineer’s plan and cost review on all construction budgets with appropriate interest reserves for loans in excess of $250,000.

Construction financing generally is considered to involve a higher degree of risk of loss than long term financing on improved and occupied real estate.  Risk of loss on a construction loan is dependent largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the mortgaged property’s value at completion of construction or development and the estimated cost (including interest) of construction.  During the construction phase, a number of factors could result in project delays and cost overruns.  If the estimate of construction costs proves to be inaccurate, the Bank may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed to permit completion of the development.  If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, the Bank may be confronted, at or prior to the maturity of the loan, with a project having a value that is insufficient to assure full repayment of such loan.  The ability of a developer to sell developed lots or completed dwelling units will depend on, among other things, demand, pricing, availability of comparable properties and economic conditions.  The Bank has sought to minimize this risk by limiting construction lending to qualified borrowers in the Bank’s market areas, limiting the aggregate amount of outstanding construction loans and imposing a stricter LTV ratio requirement than that required for one- to four-family mortgage loans.


At March 31, 2008, the Bank had $158.9 million (net of $74.9 million of committed but undisbursed funds) in construction loans outstanding, comprising 25.0% of the Bank’s gross loan portfolio.  The balance at March 31, 2008 reflects a $21.2 million, or 15.4%, increase over fiscal 2007, consistent with the Bank’s objective of investing in higher yielding loans.  Purchased construction loans represent 84.5% of total construction loans in portfolio.   The Bank’s primary source of construction loan purchases is with Community Preservation Corporation, a private not-for-profit corporation sponsored by more than 90 commercial banks, savings institutions and insurance companies that provides mortgage, construction and other lending for housing needs with the goal to revitalize low- and mixed-income communities.

Business Loans.  Carver Federal’s small business lending portfolio, excluding the discount to fair market value at acquisition, increased by $0.9 million to $52.1 million or 8.2% of the Bank’s gross loan portfolio.  Carver Federal provides revolving credit and term loan facilities to small businesses with annual sales of approximately $1 million to $25 million in manufacturing, services and wholesale segments.  During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, Carver Federal’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorized the Bank to provide back-up liquidity for highly rated U.S. corporate commercial paper borrowers with a minimum short term debt rating of A-1/P-1 (“CP Back-up”).  As of March 31, 2008, the Bank had entered into two CP back-up facilities, one for $9.0 million with a AAA rated U.S. corporate borrower and one for $6.0 million with an A+ rated U.S. corporate borrower.  The facilities are not expected to be drawn as they provide alternate liquidity to the borrowers.  The Bank is paid a commitment fee for this product.

Consumer and other Loans.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank had $1.7 million in consumer and other loans, or 0.3% of the Bank’s gross loan portfolio.  At March 31, 2008, $1.3 million, or 77.4%, of the Bank’s consumer loans were unsecured loans, consisting of  consumer loans other than loans secured by savings deposits, and $0.4 million, or 22.6%, were secured by savings deposits.

Consumer loans generally involve more risk than first mortgage loans.  Collection of a delinquent loan is dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus is more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.  Further, the application of various federal and state laws, including federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered.  These loans may also give rise to claims and defenses by a borrower against Carver Federal, and a borrower may be able to assert claims and defenses against Carver Federal which it has against the seller of the underlying collateral.  In underwriting unsecured consumer loans other than secured credit cards, Carver Federal considers the borrower’s credit history, an analysis of the borrower’s income, expenses and ability to repay the loan and the value of the collateral.  The underwriting for secured credit cards only takes into consideration the value of the underlying collateral.  See “—Asset Quality—Non-performing Assets.”

Loan Processing.  Carver Federal’s loan originations are derived from a number of sources, including referrals by realtors, builders, depositors, borrowers and mortgage brokers, as well as walk-in customers.  Loans are originated by the Bank’s personnel who receive a base salary, commissions and other incentive compensation.  All real estate, business and unsecured loan applications are forwarded to the Bank’s Lending Department for underwriting pursuant to standards established in Carver Federal’s loan policy.

The underwriting and loan processing for residential loans is initiated internally but undergoes subsequent review by an outsourced third party provider for loans with LTV ratios greater than 80% that require private mortgage insurance.  A commercial real estate loan application is completed for all multifamily and non-residential properties which the Bank finances.  Prior to loan approval, the property is inspected by a loan officer.  As part of the loan approval process, consideration is given to an independent appraisal, location, accessibility, stability of the neighborhood, environmental assessment, personal credit history of the applicant(s) and the financial capacity of the applicant(s).   Business loan applications are completed for all business loans.  Most business loans are secured by real estate, personal guarantees, and/or guarantees by the United States Small Business Association (“SBA”) or Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”) filings.  The loan approval process considers the credit history of the applicant, collateral, cash flows and purpose and stability of the business.

Upon receipt of a completed loan application from a prospective borrower, a credit report and other verifications are ordered to confirm specific information relating to the loan applicant’s income and credit standing.  It is the Bank’s policy to obtain an appraisal of the real estate intended to secure a proposed mortgage loan from an independent appraiser approved by the Bank.

It is Carver Federal’s policy to record a lien on the real estate securing the loan and to obtain a title insurance policy that insures that the property is free of prior encumbrances.    Borrowers must also obtain hazard insurance policies prior to closing and, when the property is in a flood plain as designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, paid flood insurance policies must be obtained.  Most borrowers are also required to advance funds on a monthly basis, together with each payment of principal and interest, to a mortgage escrow account from which the Bank makes disbursements for items such as real estate taxes and hazard insurance.  Written conformation of the guarantee for SBA loans and evidence of the UCC filing is also required.

Loan Approval.    Except for real estate and business loans in excess of $6.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively, mortgage and business loan approval authority has been delegated by the Bank’s Board to the Board’s Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Committee. The Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Committee has delegated to the Bank’s Management Loan Committee, which consists of certain members of executive management, loan approval authority for loans up to and including $3.0 million for real estate loans, $2.0 million for business loans secured by real estate and $1.0 million for all other business loans.  All one- to four-family mortgage loans that conform to FNMA standards and limits may be approved by the Residential Mortgage Loan Underwriter.  Any loan that represents an exception to the Bank’s lending policies must be ratified by the next higher approval authority.  Real estate and business loans above $6.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively, must be approved by the full Board.  Purchased loans are subject to the same approval process as originated loans.


Loans-to-One-Borrower.  Under the loans-to-one-borrower limits of the United States Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”), with certain limited exceptions, loans and extensions of credit to a single or related group of borrowers outstanding at one time generally may not exceed 15% of the unimpaired capital and surplus of a savings bank.  See “—Regulation and Supervision—Federal Banking Regulation—Loans- to-One-Borrower Limitations.” At March 31, 2008, the maximum loans-to-one-borrower under this test would be $9.7 million and the Bank had no relationships that exceeded this limit.

Loan Sales.  Originations of one- to four-family real estate loans are generally made on properties located within the New York City metropolitan area, although Carver Federal occasionally funds loans secured by property in other areas.  All such loans, however, satisfy the Bank’s underwriting criteria regardless of location.  The Bank continues to offer one- to four-family fixed-rate mortgage loans in response to consumer demand but requires that such loans satisfy applicable secondary market guidelines of either FNMA, SONYMA or other third-party purchaser to provide the opportunity for subsequent sale in the secondary market as desired to manage interest rate risk exposure.

Loan Originations and Purchases.  Loan originations, including originated for sale, were $182.7 million in fiscal 2008 compared to $130.0 million in fiscal 2007.  These loan origination results in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 can be attributed to strong market conditions and the Bank’s commitment to maintain and increasing its market share.

 During fiscal 2008, in order to supplement its origination efforts, Carver Federal purchased a total of $29.7 million of mortgage loans, consisting of performing construction and non-residential mortgage loans.  This represented 14.0% of Carver Federal’s purchases and originations of its loan portfolio during fiscal 2008.  The Bank purchases loans in order to increase interest income and to manage its liquidity position.  The Bank continues to shift its loan production emphasis to take advantage of the higher yields and better interest rate risk characteristics available on business loans, multifamily and non-residential real estate mortgage loans, including those in construction, as well as to increase its participation in multifamily and non-residential real estate mortgage loans with other New York metropolitan area lenders.  Loans purchased decreased by $28.5 million, or 48.9%, to $29.7 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $58.2 million for fiscal 2007, primarily due to the Bank’s focus on origination of  higher yield loans.

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to Carver Federal’s loan originations, purchases and sales for the fiscal years ended March 31 (in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
Loans Originated:
                                   
One- to four-family
  $ 39,060      
18.38
%   $ 32,381       17.21 %   $ 15,132       7.29 %
Multifamily
    13,118       6.17
%
    8,657       4.60 %     18,063       8.71 %
Non-residential
    48,743       22.94 %
 
  31,108       16.53 %     33,582       16.18 %
Construction
    61,021       28.72
%
 
  56,834       30.20 %     44,040       21.23 %
Business
    18,982      
8.93
%
 
  730       0.39 %     -       - %
Consumer (1)
    1,804       0.85 %     282       0.15 %     532       0.26 %
Total loans originated
    182,728       86.00 %     129,992       69.08 %     111,349       53.67 %
Loans purchased (2)
    29,736       14.00 %     58,191       30.92 %     96,140       46.33 %
Total loans originated and purchased
    212,464       100.00 %     188,183       100.00 %     207,489       100.00 %
Loans sold (3)
    (17,716 )             (30,778 )             (22,543 )        
Net additions to loan portfolio
  $ 194,748             $ 157,405             $ 184,946          

(1) Comprised of personal and credit card loans.
(2) Comprised of primarily construction and non-residential mortgage loans and business loans.
(3) Comprised of primarily one- to four-family mortgage loans.


Loans purchased by the Bank entail certain risks not necessarily associated with loans the Bank originates.  The Bank’s purchased loans are generally acquired without recourse, with certain exceptions related to the seller’s compliance with representations and warranties, and in accordance with the Bank’s underwriting criteria for originations.  In addition, purchased loans have a variety of terms, including maturities, interest rate caps and indices for adjustment of interest rates, that may differ from those offered at the time by the Bank in connection with the loans the Bank originates.  The Bank initially seeks to purchase loans in its market area, however, the Bank will purchase loans secured by property secured outside its market area to meet its financial objectives.  The market areas in which the properties that secure the purchased loans are located may differ from Carver Federal’s market area and may be subject to economic and real estate market conditions that may significantly differ from those experienced in Carver Federal’s market area.  There can be no assurance that economic conditions in these out-of-state markets will not deteriorate in the future, resulting in increased loan delinquencies and loan losses among the loans secured by property in these areas.  During fiscal 2008, the properties securing purchased loans were concentrated primarily in the tri-state New York area.


In an effort to reduce these risks, the Bank has sought to ensure that purchased loans satisfy the Bank’s underwriting standards and do not otherwise have a higher risk of collection or loss than loans originated by the Bank.  A review of each purchased loan is conducted, and the Bank also requires appropriate documentation and further seeks to reduce its risk by requiring, in each buy/sell agreement, a series of warranties and representations as to the underwriting standards and the enforceability of the related legal documents.  These warranties and representations remain in effect for the life of the loan.  Any misrepresentation must be cured within 90 days of discovery or trigger certain repurchase provisions in the buy/sell agreement.

Interest Rates and Loan Fees. Carver Federal determines the interest rates that it charges on loans primarily by comparison of competitive loan rates offered in its market area and by examining the minimum yield requirements for loans purchased by secondary market sources.  Loan rates reflect factors such as prevailing market interest rate levels, the supply of money available to the banking industry and the demand for such loans.  These factors are in turn affected by general economic conditions, the monetary policies of the federal government, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”), the general supply of money in the economy, tax policies and governmental budget matters.

Carver Federal charges fees in connection with loan commitments and originations, rate lock-ins, loan modifications, late payments, changes of property ownership and for miscellaneous services related to its loans.  Loan origination fees are calculated as a percentage of the loan principal.  The Bank typically receives fees of between zero and one point (one point being equivalent to 1% of the principal amount of the loan) in connection with the origination of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage loans.  The loan origination fee, net of certain direct loan origination expenses, is deferred and accreted into income over the estimated life of the loan using the interest method.  If a loan is prepaid or sold all remaining deferred fees with respect to such loan are taken into income at such time.

In addition to the foregoing fees, Carver Federal receives fees for servicing mortgage loans for others, which in turn generally are sub-serviced for Carver Federal by a third party servicer.  Servicing activities include the collection and processing of mortgage payments, accounting for loan repayment funds and paying real estate taxes, hazard insurance and other loan-related expenses out of escrowed funds.  Income from these activities varies from period to period with the volume and type of loans originated, sold and purchased, which in turn is dependent on prevailing market interest rates and their affect on the demand for loans in the Bank’s market area.  Carver Federal also receives fees for servicing SBA loans.  Servicing activities include collection and processing of payments, accounting for loan repayment funds and SBA servicing and reporting requirements.

Loan Maturity Schedule.  The following table sets forth information at March 31, 2008 regarding the amount of loans maturing in Carver Federal’s portfolio, including scheduled repayments of principal, based on contractual terms to maturity.  Demand loans, loans having no schedule of repayments and no stated maturity, and overdrafts are reported as due in one year or less.  The table below does not include any estimate of prepayments, which significantly shorten the average life of all mortgage loans and may cause Carver Federal’s actual repayment experience to differ significantly from that shown below  (in thousands):

   
Loan Maturities
 
   
<1 Yr.
   
1-2 Yrs.
   
2-3 Yrs.
   
3-5 Yrs.
   
5-10 Yrs.
   
10-20 Yrs.
   
20+ Yrs.
   
Total
 
Gross loans receivable:
                                               
One to four-family
  $ 14     $ 13     $ 290     $ 364     $ 1,981     $ 25,895     $ 74,862     $ 103,419  
Multifamily
    1,229       1,183       126       9,927       20,177       27,645       18,370       78,657  
Non-residential
    3,031       16,592       10,741       22,371       94,767       75,607       15,399       238,508  
Construction
    124,351       33,126       -       -       1,400       -       -       158,877  
Business
    18,958       9,153       951       5,128       8,864       6,391       2,664       52,109  
Consumer
    217       44       33       945       392       88       9       1,728  
Total
  $ 147,800     $ 60,111     $ 12,141     $ 38,735     $ 127,581     $ 135,626     $ 111,304     $ 633,298  

The following table sets forth as of March 31, 2008 amounts in each loan category that are contractually due after March 31, 2009 and whether such loans have fixed or adjustable interest rates.  Scheduled contractual principal repayments of loans do not necessarily reflect the actual lives of such assets.  The average life of long term loans is substantially less than their contractual terms due to prepayments.  In addition, due-on-sale clauses in mortgage loans generally give Carver Federal the right to declare a conventional loan due and payable in the event, among other things, that a borrower sells the real property subject to the mortgage and the loan is not repaid.  The average life of mortgage loans tends to increase when current mortgage loan market rates are substantially higher than rates on existing mortgage loans and tends to decrease when current mortgage loan market rates are substantially lower than rates on existing mortgage loans (in thousands):

 
   
Due After March 31, 2009
 
   
Fixed
   
Adjustable
   
Total
 
Gross loans receivable:
                 
One- to four-family
  $ 13,460     $ 89,945     $ 103,405  
Multifamily
    22,926       54,502       77,428  
Non-residential
    72,147       163,330       235,477  
Construction
    -       34,526       34,526  
Business
    7,741       25,410       33,151  
Consumer
    1,511       -       1,511  
Total
  $ 117,785     $ 367,713     $ 485,498  

Asset Quality

General. One of the Bank’s key operating objectives continues to be to maintain a high level of asset quality. Through a variety of strategies, including, but not limited to, monitoring loan delinquencies and borrower workout arrangements, the Bank has been proactive in addressing problem and non-performing assets which, in turn, has helped to build the strength of the Bank’s financial condition.  Such strategies, as well as the Bank’s concentration on one- to four-family, commercial mortgage lending (which includes multifamily and non-residential real estate loans), construction lending and business loans (mostly secured by real estate and the SBA), the maintenance of sound credit standards for new loan originations and a strong real estate market, have resulted in the Bank maintaining a low level of non-performing assets.

The underlying credit quality of the Bank’s loan portfolio is dependent primarily on each borrower’s ability to continue to make required loan payments and, in the event a borrower is unable to continue to do so, the adequacy of the value of the collateral securing the loan. A borrower’s ability to pay typically is dependent primarily on employment and other sources of income, which, in turn, is impacted by general economic conditions, although other factors, such as unanticipated expenditures or changes in the financial markets, may also impact the borrower’s ability to pay.  Collateral values, particularly real estate values, are also impacted by a variety of factors, including general economic conditions, demographics, maintenance and collection or foreclosure delays.

Non-performing Assets.  When a borrower fails to make a payment on a loan, immediate steps are taken by Carver Federal and its sub-servicers to have the delinquency cured and the loan restored to current status.  With respect to mortgage loans, once the payment grace period has expired (in most instances 15 days after the due date), a late notice is mailed to the borrower within two business days and a late charge is imposed, if applicable.  If payment is not promptly received, the borrower is contacted by telephone and efforts are made to formulate an affirmative plan to cure the delinquency.  Additional calls are made by the 20th and 25th day of the delinquency.  If a mortgage loan becomes 30 days delinquent, a letter is mailed to the borrower requesting payment by a specified date.  If a mortgage loan becomes 60 days delinquent, Carver Federal seeks to make personal contact with the borrower and also has the property inspected.  If a mortgage becomes 90 days delinquent, a letter is sent to the borrower demanding payment by a certain date and indicating that a foreclosure suit will be filed if the deadline is not met.  If payment is still not made, the Bank may pursue foreclosure or other appropriate action.  In the case of business loans the collection process is similar. The Bank may pursue foreclosure or other appropriate action for business loans secured by real estate.  For business loans not secured by real estate, the Bank may seek the SBA guarantee or other appropriate action.

When a borrower fails to make a payment on a consumer loan, steps are taken by Carver Federal’s loan servicing department to have the delinquency cured and the loan restored to current status.  A late notice is mailed to the borrower immediately and a late charge is imposed, if applicable, once the payment grace period has expired (15 days after the due date).  If payment is not promptly received, the borrower is contacted by telephone, and efforts are made to formulate an affirmative plan to cure the delinquency.  If a consumer loan becomes 30 days delinquent, a letter is mailed to the borrower requesting payment by a specified date.  If the loan becomes 60 days delinquent, the account is given to an independent collection agency to follow up with the collection of the account.  If the loan becomes 90 days delinquent, a final warning letter is sent to the borrower and any co-borrower.  If the loan remains delinquent, it is reviewed for charge-off.  The Bank’s collection efforts continue after the loan is charged off, except when a determination is made that collection efforts have been exhausted or are not productive.


The following table sets forth information with respect to Carver Federal’s non-performing assets as of March 31 (dollars in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis (1):
                             
Gross loans receivable:
                             
One- to four-family
  $ 567     $ 173     $ 1,098     $ 149     $ 558  
Multifamily
    -       3,886       763       167       1,532  
Non-residential
    522       -       -       665       -  
Construction
    -       -       865       -       23  
Business
    1,708       439       -       -       -  
Consumer
    57       12       4       17       10  
Total non-accrual loans
    2,854       4,510       2,730       998       2,123  
                                         
Accruing loans contractually past due > 90 days
    -       -       -       -       -  
                                         
Total non-accrual & accruing loans past due > 90 days
    2,854       4,510       2,730       998       2,123  
                                         
Other non-performing assets (2):
                                       
Real estate owned
    1,163       28       26       -       -  
Total other non-performing assets
    1,163       28       26       -       -  
Total non-performing assets (3)
  $ 4,017     $ 4,538     $ 2,756     $ 998     $ 2,123  
                                         
Non-performing loans to total loans
    0.43%       0.74%       0.55%       0.23%       0.60%  
Non-performing assets to total assets
    0.50%       0.61%       0.42%       0.16%       0.39%  

(1)
Non-accrual status denotes any loan where the delinquency exceeds 90 days past due and in the opinion of management the collection of additional interest is doubtful.  Payments received on a non-accrual loan are either applied to the outstanding principal balance or recorded as interest income, depending on assessment of the ability to collect on the loan.

(2)
Other non-performing assets generally represent property acquired by the Bank in settlement of loans (i.e., through foreclosure, repossession or as an in-substance foreclosure).  These assets are recorded at the lower of their fair value or the cost to acquire.

(3)
Total non-performing assets consist of non-accrual loans, accruing loans 90 days or more past due and property acquired in settlement of loans.

At March 31, 2008, total non-performing assets decreased by $0.5 million to $4.0 million, compared to $4.5 million at March 31, 2007. At March 31, 2008, other non-performing assets consisted of non-accrual and accruing loans, past due greater than 90 days, of $2.9 million and other real estate owned of $1.2 million. Non-accrual loans consist of 18 small business and SBA loans, two multi-family loans and two one- to four- family loans. All are relatively small balance loans and collection efforts are progressing well. Other real estate owned of $1.2 million reflects four properties in foreclosure. One property with a loan value of $0.6 million is currently under contract to be sold and another property with a loan value of $0.4 million will be repaid by a private mortgage insurer.
 
Asset Classification and Allowances for Losses.  Federal regulations and the Bank’s policies require the classification of assets on the basis of credit quality on a quarterly basis.  An asset is classified as “substandard” if it is determined to be inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or the current value of the collateral pledged, if any.  An asset is classified as “doubtful” if full collection is highly questionable or improbable.  An asset is classified as “loss” if it is considered un-collectible, even if a partial recovery could be expected in the future.  The regulations also provide for a “special mention” designation, described as assets that do not currently expose a savings institution to a sufficient degree of risk to warrant classification but do possess credit deficiencies or potential weaknesses deserving management’s close attention.  Assets classified as substandard or doubtful require a savings institution to establish general allowances for loan losses.  If an asset or portion thereof is classified as a loss, a savings institution must either establish specific allowances for loan losses in the amount of the portion of the asset classified loss or charge off such amount.  Federal examiners may disagree with a savings institution’s classifications.  If a savings institution does not agree with an examiner’s classification of an asset, it may appeal this determination to the OTS Regional Director.

The OTS, in conjunction with the other federal banking agencies, has adopted an interagency policy statement on the allowance for loan losses and lease losses.  The policy statement provides guidance for financial institutions on both the responsibilities of management for the assessment and establishment of adequate allowances and guidance for banking agency examiners to use in determining the adequacy of general valuation guidelines.  Generally, the policy statement recommends that institutions have effective systems and controls to identify, monitor and address asset quality problems, that management analyze all significant factors that affect the ability to collect the portfolio in a reasonable manner and that management establish acceptable allowance evaluation processes that meet the objectives set forth in the policy statement.  During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, Carver changed its loan loss methodology to be consistent with the Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (“ALLL”) (the “Interagency Policy Statement”) released by the Federal Financial Regulatory Agencies on December 13, 2006.  The change had an immaterial affect on the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2008.  Management is responsible for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the periodic provisioning for estimated losses included in the consolidated financial statements.  The evaluation process is undertaken on a quarterly basis, but may increase in frequency should conditions arise that would require management’s prompt attention, such as business combinations and opportunities to dispose of non-performing and marginally performing loans by bulk sale or any development which may indicate an adverse trend.  Although management believes that adequate specific and general loan loss allowances have been established, actual losses are dependent upon future events and, as such, further additions to the level of specific and general loan loss allowances may become necessary.  Federal examiners may disagree with the savings institution as to the appropriate level of the institution’s allowance for loan losses.  While management believes Carver Federal has established its existing loss allowances in accordance with the ALLL, there can be no assurance that regulators, in reviewing Carver Federal’s assets, will not require Carver Federal to increase its loss allowance, thereby negatively affecting Carver Federal’s reported financial condition and results of operations.  For additional information regarding Carver Federal’s ALLL policy, refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”


Carver Federal’s methodology for establishing the allowance for loan losses takes into consideration probable losses that have been identified in connection with specific loans as well as losses that have not been identified but can be expected to occur.  Further, management reviews the ratio of allowances to total loans (including projected growth) and recommends adjustments to the level of allowances accordingly.  The Internal Asset Review Committee conducts reviews of the Bank’s loans on at least a quarterly basis and evaluates the need to establish general and specific allowances on the basis of this review.  In addition, management actively monitors Carver Federal’s asset quality and charges off loans and properties acquired in settlement of loans against the allowances for losses on loans and such properties when appropriate and provides specific loss reserves when necessary.  Although management believes it uses the best information available to make determinations with respect to the allowances for losses, future adjustments may be necessary if economic conditions differ substantially from the economic conditions in the assumptions used in making the initial determinations.

Additionally, the Internal Asset Review Committee reviews Carver Federal’s assets on a quarterly basis to determine whether any assets require classification or re-classification.  The Bank has a centralized loan servicing structure that relies upon outside servicers, each of which generates a monthly report of delinquent loans.  The Board has designated the Internal Asset Review Committee to perform quarterly reviews of the Bank’s asset quality, and their report is submitted to the Board for review.  The Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Committee of the Board establishes policy relating to internal classification of loans and also provides input to the Internal Asset Review Committee in its review of classified assets.  In originating loans, Carver Federal recognizes that credit losses will occur and that the risk of loss will vary with, among other things, the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower over the term of the loan, general economic conditions and, in the case of a secured loan, the quality of the security for the loan.  It is management’s policy to maintain a general allowance for loan losses based on, among other things, regular reviews of delinquencies and loan portfolio quality, character and size, the Bank’s and the industry’s historical and projected loss experience and current and forecasted economic conditions.  In addition, considerable uncertainty exists as to the future improvement or deterioration of the real estate markets in various states, or of their ultimate impact on Carver Federal as a result of its purchased loans in such states.  See “—Lending Activities—Loan Purchases and Originations.”  Carver Federal increases its allowance for loan losses by charging provisions for possible losses against the Bank’s income.  General allowances are established by the Board on at least a quarterly basis based on an assessment of risk in the Bank’s loans, taking into consideration the composition and quality of the portfolio, delinquency trends, current charge-off and loss experience, the state of the real estate market and economic conditions generally.  Specific allowances are provided for individual loans, or portions of loans, when ultimate collection is considered improbable by management based on the current payment status of the loan and the fair value or net realizable value of the security for the loan.

At the date of foreclosure or other repossession or at the date the Bank determines a property is an impaired property, the Bank transfers the property to real estate acquired in settlement of loans at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated selling costs.  Fair value is defined as the amount in cash or cash-equivalent value of other consideration that a real estate parcel would yield in a current sale between a willing buyer and a willing seller.  Any amount of cost in excess of fair value is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.  Carver Federal records an allowance for estimated selling costs of the property immediately after foreclosure.  Subsequent to acquisition, management periodically evaluates the property and an allowance is established if the estimated fair value of the property, less estimated costs to sell, declines.  If, upon ultimate disposition of the property, net sales proceeds exceed the net carrying value of the property, a gain on sale of real estate is recorded, providing the Bank did not provide the loan.


The following table sets forth an analysis of Carver Federal’s allowance for loan losses for the years ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
                               
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 5,409     $ 4,015     $ 4,097     $ 4,125     $ 4,158  
Less Charge-offs:
                                       
One- to four-family
    22       19       17       8       6  
Business
    709       50       -       -       55  
Consumer
    174       51       100       65       264  
Total Charge-offs
    905       120       117       73       325  
                                         
Add Recoveries:
                                       
One- to four-family
    -       2       5       -       107  
Non-residential
    -       2       -       -       -  
Business
    110       -       -       -       10  
Consumer
    42       43       30       45       175  
Total Recoveries
    152       47       35       45       292  
Net loans charged-off
    753       73       82       28       33  
CCB acquisition allowance
            1,191       -       -       -  
Provision for losses
    222       276       -       -       -  
Balance at end of year
  $ 4,878     $ 5,409     $ 4,015     $ 4,097     $ 4,125  
                                         
Ratios:
                                       
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
    0.17 %     0.02 %     0.02 %     0.01 %     0.01 %
Allowance to total loans
    0.74 %     0.89 %     0.81 %     0.96 %     1.16 %
Allowance to non-performing loans (1)
    170.89 %     119.93 %     147.07 %     410.65 %     194.30 %

(1)
Non-performing loans consist of non-accrual loans and accruing loans 90 days or more past due in settlement of loans.


The following table allocates the allowance for loan losses by asset category at March 31 (dollars in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
   
Amount
   
% of Loans to Total Gross Loans
   
Amount
   
% of Loans to Total Gross Loans
   
Amount
   
% of Loans to Total Gross Loans
   
Amount
   
% of Loans to Total Gross Loans
   
Amount
   
% of Loans to Total Gross Loans
 
Allowance for loan losses:
                                                           
One-to four-family
  $ 324       6.6 %   $ 373       17.2 %   $ 565       28.9 %   $ 528       36.7 %   $ 355       27.8 %
Multifamily
    315       6.5 %     1,414       15.7 %     1,084       21.1 %     898       24.0 %     1,240       33.9 %
Non-residential
    1,215       24.9 %     1,487       34.7 %     960       31.0 %     1,129       27.5 %     853       28.9 %
Construction
    1,448       29.7 %     951       23.5 %     303       18.7 %     212       11.4 %     158       7.7 %
Business
    1,124       23.0 %     951       8.7 %     22       0.1 %     10       0.1 %     92       1.3 %
Consumer
    94       1.9 %     234       0.2 %     420       0.2 %     544       0.3 %     395       0.4 %
Unallocated
    358       7.3 %     -       -       661       -       776       -       1,032       -  
Total Allowance
  $ 4,878       100.0 %   $ 5,409       100.0 %   $ 4,015       100.0 %   $ 4,097       100.0 %   $ 4,125       100.0 %

The allocation of the allowance to each category is not necessarily indicative of future losses and does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in any category.


Investment Activities

General.  The Bank utilizes mortgage-backed and other investment securities in its asset/liability management strategy.  In making investment decisions, the Bank considers, among other things, its yield and interest rate objectives, its interest rate and credit risk position and its liquidity and cash flow.

Generally, the investment policy of the Bank is to invest funds among categories of investments and maturities based upon the Bank's asset/liability management policies, investment quality, loan and deposit volume and collateral requirements, liquidity needs and performance objectives.  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”, requires that securities be classified into three categories:  trading, held-to-maturity, and available-for-sale.  Securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading securities and are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings.  Debt securities for which the Bank has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and reported at amortized cost.  All other securities not classified as trading or held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included, on an after-tax basis, in a separate component of stockholders’ equity.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank had no securities classified as trading.  At March 31, 2008, $20.9 million, or 54.7% of the Bank’s mortgage-backed and other investment securities, was classified as available-for-sale.  The remaining $17.3 million, or 45.3%, was classified as held-to-maturity.


Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Bank has invested in mortgage-backed securities in order to achieve its asset/liability management goals and collateral needs.  Although mortgage-backed securities generally yield less than whole loans, they present substantially lower credit risk, are more liquid than individual mortgage loans and may be used to collateralize obligations of the Bank.  Because Carver Federal receives regular payments of principal and interest from its mortgage-backed securities, these investments provide more consistent cash flows than investments in other debt securities, which generally only pay principal at maturity.  Mortgage-backed securities also help the Bank meet certain definitional tests for favorable treatment under federal banking and tax laws.  See “—Regulation and Supervision—Federal Banking Regulation—Qualified Thrift Lender Test” and “—Federal and State Taxation.”

At March 31, 2008, mortgage-backed securities constituted 4.8% of total assets, as compared to 5.4% of total assets at March 31, 2007.  Carver Federal maintains a portfolio of mortgage-backed securities in the form of Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) pass-through certificates, FNMA and FHLMC participation certificates.  GNMA pass-through certificates are guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest by the full faith and credit of the United States Government while FNMA and FHLMC certificates are each guaranteed by their respective agencies as to principal and interest.  Mortgage-backed securities generally entitle Carver Federal to receive a pro rata portion of the cash flows from an identified pool of mortgages.  The cash flows from such pools are segmented and paid in accordance with a predetermined priority to various classes of securities issued by the entity.  Carver Federal has also invested in pools of loans guaranteed as to principal and interest by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”).

The Bank seeks to manage interest rate risk by investing in adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities, which at March 31, 2008, constituted $24.9 million, or 66.2%, of the mortgage-backed securities portfolio.  Mortgage-backed securities, however, expose Carver Federal to certain unique risks.  In a declining rate environment, accelerated prepayments of loans underlying these securities expose Carver Federal to the risk that it will be unable to obtain comparable yields upon reinvestment of the proceeds.  In the event the mortgage-backed security has been funded with an interest-bearing liability with maturity comparable to the original estimated life of the mortgage-backed security, the Bank’s interest rate spread could be adversely affected.  Conversely, in a rising interest rate environment, the Bank may experience a lower than estimated rate of repayment on the underlying mortgages, effectively extending the estimated life of the mortgage-backed security and exposing the Bank to the risk that it may be required to fund the asset with a liability bearing a higher rate of interest.  For additional information regarding Carver Federal’s mortgage-backed securities portfolio and its maturities, refer to Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Securities.”

Other Investment Securities.  In addition to mortgage-backed securities, the Bank also invests in high-quality assets (primarily government and agency obligations) with short and intermediate terms (typically seven years or less) to maturity.  Carver Federal is permitted under federal law to make certain investments, including investments in securities issued by various federal agencies and state and municipal governments, deposits at the FHLB-NY, certificates of deposit in federally insured institutions, certain bankers’ acceptances and federal funds.  The Bank may also invest, subject to certain limitations, in commercial paper having one of the two highest investment ratings of a nationally recognized credit rating agency, and certain other types of corporate debt securities and mutual funds (See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

Other Earning Assets. Federal regulations require the Bank to maintain an investment in FHLB-NY stock and a sufficient amount of liquid assets which may be invested in cash and specified securities.  For additional information, see “—Regulation and Supervision—Federal Banking Regulation—Liquidity.”

Securities Impairment.  The Bank’s available-for-sale securities portfolio is carried at estimated fair value, with any unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/loss in stockholders’ equity.  Securities that the Bank has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and are carried at amortized cost.  The fair values of securities in portfolio are based on published or securities dealers’ market values and are affected by changes in interest rates.  The Bank periodically reviews and evaluates the securities portfolio to determine if the decline in the fair value of any security below its cost basis is other-than-temporary.  The Bank generally views changes in fair value caused by changes in interest rates as temporary, which is consistent with its experience.  However, if such a decline is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the security is written down to a new cost basis and the resulting loss is charged to earnings.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank carried no other than temporarily impaired securities.


Deposit Activity and Other Sources of Funds

General.  Deposits are the primary source of Carver Federal’s funds for lending and other investment purposes.  In addition to deposits, Carver Federal derives funds from loan principal repayments, loan and investment interest payments, maturing investments and fee income.  Loan and mortgage-backed securities repayments and interest payments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows are significantly influenced by prevailing market interest rates, pricing of deposits, competition and general economic conditions.  Borrowed money may be used to supplement the Bank’s available funds, and from time to time the Bank borrows funds from the FHLB-NY and has borrowed funds through repurchase agreements and trust preferred debt securities.


Deposits.  Carver Federal attracts deposits from consumers, local institutions and public entities through its ten branches principally from within its market area by offering a variety of deposit instruments, including passbook and statement accounts and certificates of deposit, which range in term from 91 days to seven years.  Deposit terms vary, principally on the basis of the minimum balance required, the length of time the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate.  Carver Federal also offers Individual Retirement Accounts.  Carver Federal’s policies are designed primarily to attract deposits from local residents and businesses through the Bank’s branches.  Carver Federal also holds deposits from various governmental agencies or authorities and corporations.

In fiscal 2008, the Bank opened an additional stand-alone ATM at 362 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn. In fiscal 2007, the Bank acquired two additional branches in Brooklyn, New York and $144.5 million in deposits resulting from its acquisition of CCB.  In fiscal 2006, the Bank opened one additional stand-alone ATM in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. During fiscal 2005 the Bank opened two branches as well as two stand-alone ATMs.  The first branch and ATM were opened in July 2004 at Atlantic Terminal in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.  A second ATM at 116th Street and a branch at 145th Street in Harlem were opened in December 2004 and January 2005, respectively.    The Bank’s branches on 116th Street and 145th Street in Harlem and in Jamaica operate in New York State designated Banking Development Districts (“BDD”), which allows Carver Federal to participate in BDD-related activities, including acquiring New York City and New York State deposits.  As of March 31, 2008, Carver Federal held $119.1 million in BDD deposits.  At March 31, 2008 the Bank held $63.0 million in brokered deposits, specifically certificates of deposits.  Included in brokered deposits are $25.0 million of deposits through CDARS (Certificates of Deposit Account Registry Service).  The CDARS product offers customers a convenient way to enjoy full federal deposit insurance on deposits up to $30 million.

Deposit interest rates, maturities, service fees and withdrawal penalties on deposits are established based on the Bank’s funds acquisition and liquidity requirements, the rates paid by the Bank’s competitors, current market rates, the Bank’s growth goals and applicable regulatory restrictions and requirements.  For additional information regarding Bank’s deposit accounts and the related weighted average interest rates paid; and amount and maturities of certificates of deposit in specified weighted average interest rate categories refer to Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Deposits.”

Borrowed Money.  While deposits are the primary source of funds for Carver Federal’s lending, investment and general operating activities.  Carver Federal is authorized to use advances and securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“Repos”) from the FHLB-NY and approved primary dealers to supplement its supply of funds and to meet deposit withdrawal requirements.  The FHLB-NY functions as a central bank providing credit for savings institutions and certain other member financial institutions.  As a member of the FHLB system, Carver Federal is required to own stock in the FHLB-NY and is authorized to apply for advances.  Advances are made pursuant to several different programs, each of which has its own interest rate and range of maturities.  Advances from the FHLB-NY are secured by Carver Federal’s stock in the FHLB-NY and a pledge of Carver Federal’s mortgage loan and mortgage-backed securities portfolios.

On September 17, 2003, Carver Statutory Trust I issued 13,000 shares, liquidation amount $1,000 per share, of floating rate capital securities.  Gross proceeds from the sale of these trust preferred debt securities were $13.0 million and, together with the proceeds from the sale of the trust's common securities, were used to purchase approximately $13.4 million aggregate principal amount of the Holding Company's floating rate junior subordinated debt securities due 2033.  The trust preferred debt securities are redeemable quarterly at the option of the Company beginning on or after September 17, 2008 and have a mandatory redemption date of September 17, 2033.  Cash distributions on the trust preferred debt securities are cumulative and payable at a floating rate per annum (reset quarterly) equal to 3.05% over 3-month LIBOR, with a rate at March 31, 2008 of 5.85%.  The subordinated debt securities amounted to $13.3 million at March 31, 2008 and are included in other borrowed money on the consolidated statement of financial condition.  The Bank takes into consideration the term of borrowed money with the repricing cycle of the mortgage loans on the balance sheet.  At March 31, 2008, Carver had outstanding $58.6 million in total borrowed money, consisting of the subordinated debt securities and advances from FHLB-NY.  For additional information regarding Bank’s advances from the FHLB-New York and other borrowed money refer to Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Borrowed Money.”


REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

General

The Bank is subject to extensive regulation, examination and supervision by its primary regulator, the OTS.  The Bank’s deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) under the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”), and it is a member of the FHLB.  The Bank must file reports with the OTS concerning its activities and financial condition, and it must obtain regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions, such as mergers with, or acquisitions of, other depository institutions.  The Holding Company, as a unitary savings and loan holding company, is subject to regulation, examination and supervision by the OTS and is required to file certain reports with, and otherwise comply with, the rules and regulations of the OTS and of the SEC under the federal securities laws.  The OTS and the FDIC periodically perform safety and soundness examinations of the Bank and the Holding Company and test compliance with various regulatory requirements.  The OTS has primary enforcement responsibility over federally chartered savings banks and has substantial discretion to impose enforcement action on an institution that fails to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, particularly with respect to its capital requirements.  In addition, the FDIC has the authority to recommend to the Director of the OTS that enforcement action be taken with respect to a particular federally chartered savings bank and, if action is not taken by the Director, the FDIC has authority to take such action under certain circumstances.

This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework to regulate and control the activities in which an institution can engage and is intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors.  This structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes.  Any change in such laws and regulations whether by the OTS, the FDIC or through legislation could have a material adverse impact on the Bank and the Holding Company and their operations and stockholders.

The description of statutory provisions and regulations applicable to federally chartered savings banks and their holding companies and of tax matters set forth in this document does not purport to be a complete description of all such statutes and regulations and their effects on the Bank and the Holding Company.


Federal Banking Regulation

Activity Powers.  The Bank derives its lending and investment powers from the Home Owners’ Loan Act (“HOLA”), as amended, and the regulations of the OTS.  Under these laws and regulations, the Bank may invest in mortgage loans secured by residential and commercial real estate, commercial and consumer loans, certain types of debt securities and certain other assets.  The Bank may also establish service corporations that may engage in activities not otherwise permissible for the Bank, including certain real estate equity investments and securities and insurance brokerage.  The Bank’s authority to invest in certain types of loans or other investments is limited by federal law.

On October 4, 2006, the OTS and other federal bank regulatory authorities published the Interagency Guidance on Nontraditional Mortgage Product Risks, or the Guidance. The Guidance describes sound practices for managing risk, as well as marketing, originating and servicing nontraditional mortgage products, which include, among other things, interest-only loans. The Guidance sets forth supervisory expectations with respect to loan terms and underwriting standards, portfolio and risk management practices and consumer protection. For example, the Guidance indicates that originating interest-only loans with reduced documentation is considered a layering of risk and that institutions are expected to demonstrate mitigating factors to support their underwriting decision and the borrower's repayment capacity. Specifically, the Guidance indicates that a lender may accept a borrower's statement as to the borrower's income without obtaining verification only if there are mitigating factors that clearly minimize the need for direct verification of repayment capacity and that, for many borrowers, institutions should be able to readily document income.

On December 14, 2006, the OTS published guidance entitled “Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices,” or the CRE Guidance, to address concentrations of commercial real estate loans in savings associations.  The CRE Guidance reinforces and enhances the OTS’s existing regulations and guidelines for real estate lending and loan portfolio management, but does not establish specific commercial real estate lending limits.  The Bank has evaluated the CRE Guidance to determine its compliance and, as necessary, modified its risk management practices, underwriting guidelines and consumer protection standards.  See "Lending Activities and Asset Quality” in Item 1, "Business” for discussions of our loan product offerings and related underwriting standards.

Loans to One Borrower Limitations.  The Bank is generally subject to the same limits on loans to one borrower as a national bank.  With specified exceptions, the Bank’s total loans or extension of credit to a single borrower or group of related borrowers may not exceed 15% of the Bank’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus, which does not include accumulated other comprehensive income.  The Bank may lend additional amounts up to 10% of its unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus if the loans or extensions of credit are fully secured by readily marketable collateral.  The Bank currently complies with applicable loans to one borrower limitations.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank’s limit on loans to one borrower based on its unimpaired capital and surplus was $9.5 million.

Qualified Thrift Lender Test. Under HOLA, the Bank must comply with a Qualified Thrift Lender (“QTL”) test.  Under this test, the Bank is required to maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” in certain “qualified thrift investments” on a monthly basis in at least nine months of the most recent twelve-month period.  “Portfolio assets” means, in general, an association’s total assets less the sum of (a) specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets, (b) goodwill and other intangible assets and (c) the value of property used to conduct the Bank’s business.  “Qualified thrift investments” include various types of loans made for residential and housing purposes, investments related to such purposes, including certain mortgage-backed and related securities and consumer loans.  If the Bank fails the QTL test, it must either operate under certain restrictions on its activities or convert from a thrift charter to a bank charter.  In addition, if the Bank does not requalify under the QTL test within three years after failing the test, the institution would be prohibited from engaging in any activity not permissible for a national bank and would have to repay any outstanding advances from the FHLB-NY as promptly as possible.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank maintained approximately 71.1% of its portfolio assets in qualified thrift investments.  The Bank had also met the QTL test in each of the prior 12 months and was, therefore, a qualified thrift lender.


Capital Requirements.  OTS regulations require the Bank to meet three minimum capital ratios:

 
(1)
a tangible capital ratio requirement of 1.5% of total assets, as adjusted under OTS regulations;

 
(2)
a leverage ratio requirement of 4% of core capital to such adjusted total assets; and

 
(3)
a risk-based capital ratio requirement of 8% of core and supplementary capital to total risk-weighted assets.

In determining compliance with the risk-based capital requirement, the Bank must compute its risk-weighted assets by multiplying its assets and certain off-balance sheet items by risk-weights, which range from 0% for cash and obligations issued by the U.S. government or its agencies to 100% for consumer and commercial loans, as assigned by the OTS capital regulations based on the risks that the OTS believes are inherent in the type of asset.

Generally, tangible capital is defined as common stockholders’ equity (including retained earnings), certain non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and related earnings and minority interests in equity accounts of fully consolidated subsidiaries, less intangibles (other than certain mortgage servicing rights) and investments in and loans to subsidiaries engaged in activities not permissible for a national bank.

Core capital is defined similarly to tangible capital, but also includes certain qualifying supervisory goodwill less certain disallowed assets.  Supplementary capital includes cumulative and other perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, subordinated debt and intermediate preferred stock and the allowance for loan and lease losses.  In addition, up to 45% of unrealized gains on available-for-sale equity securities with a readily determinable fair value may be included in supplementary capital.  The allowance for loan and lease losses includable in supplementary capital is limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, and the amount of supplementary capital that may be included as total capital cannot exceed the amount of core capital.

In assessing an institution’s capital adequacy, the OTS takes into consideration not only these numeric factors but qualitative factors as well, and has the authority to establish higher capital requirements for individual institutions where necessary.  The Bank, as a matter of prudent management, targets as its goal the maintenance of capital ratios which exceed these minimum requirements and are consistent with the Bank’s risk profile.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank exceeded each of its capital requirements with a tangible capital ratio of 7.77%, leverage capital ratio of 7.79% and total risk-based capital ratio of 10.28%.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act, as amended (“FDICIA”), requires that the OTS and other federal banking agencies revise their risk-based capital standards, with appropriate transition rules, to ensure that they take into account interest rate risk, concentrations of risk and the risks of non-traditional activities.  The OTS adopted regulations, effective January 1, 1994, that set forth the methodology for calculating an interest rate risk component to be incorporated into the OTS risk-based capital regulations.  On May 10, 2002, the OTS adopted an amendment to its capital regulations which eliminated the interest rate risk component of the risk-based capital requirement.  Pursuant to the amendment, the OTS will continue to monitor the interest rate risk of individual institutions through the OTS requirements for interest rate risk management, the ability of the OTS to impose individual minimum capital requirements on institutions that exhibit a high degree of interest rate risk, and the requirements of Thrift Bulletin 13a, which provides guidance on the management of interest rate risk and the responsibility of boards of directors in that area.  In addition, the OTS monitors the interest rate risk of individual institutions through a variety of means, including an analysis of the change in portfolio value, or NPV.  NPV is defined as the net present value of the expected future cash flows of an entity’s assets and liabilities and therefore, hypothetically represents the value of an institution’s net worth.  The OTS has also used this NPV analysis as part of its evaluation of certain applications or notices submitted by thrift institutions.  In addition, OTS Bulletin 13a provides guidance on the management of interest rate risk and the responsibility of boards of directors in that area.  The OTS, through its general oversight of the safety and soundness of savings associations, retains the right to impose minimum capital requirements on individual institutions to the extent the institution is not in compliance with certain written guidelines established by the OTS regarding NPV analysis.  The OTS has not imposed any such requirements on the Bank.

Prompt Corrective Action Regulations.  Under the prompt corrective action regulations, the OTS is authorized and, in some cases, required to take supervisory actions against undercapitalized savings banks.  For this purpose, a savings bank would be placed in one of the following five categories based on the bank’s regulatory capital: well-capitalized; adequately capitalized; undercapitalized; significantly undercapitalized; or critically undercapitalized.


The severity of the action authorized or required to be taken under the prompt corrective action regulations increases as a bank’s capital decreases within the three undercapitalized categories.  All banks are prohibited from paying dividends or other capital distributions or paying management fees to any controlling person if, following such distribution, the bank would be undercapitalized.  Generally, a capital restoration plan must be filed with the OTS within 45 days of the date a bank receives notice that it is “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.”  In addition, various mandatory supervisory actions become immediately applicable to the institution, including restrictions on growth of assets and other forms of expansion.  Under the OTS regulations, generally, a federally chartered savings bank is treated as well capitalized if its total risk-based capital ratio is 10% or greater, its Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio is 6% or greater, and its leverage ratio is 5% or greater, and it is not subject to any order or directive by the OTS to meet a specific capital level.  When appropriate, the OTS can require corrective action by a savings association holding company under the “prompt corrective action” provisions of federal law.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank was considered well-capitalized by the OTS.

Limitation on Capital Distributions.  The OTS imposes various restrictions on the Bank’s ability to make capital distributions, including cash dividends, payments to repurchase or otherwise acquire its shares and other distributions charged against capital.  A savings institution that is the subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company, such as the Bank, must file a notice with the OTS at least 30 days before making a capital distribution.  However, the Bank must file an application for prior approval if the total amount of its capital distributions (including each proposed distribution), for the applicable calendar year would exceed the Bank’s net income for that year plus the Bank’s retained net income for the previous two years.

The Bank may not pay dividends to the Holding Company if, after paying those dividends, the Bank would fail to meet the required minimum levels under risk-based capital guidelines and the minimum leverage and tangible capital ratio requirements or the OTS notified the Bank that it was in need of more than normal supervision.

The Bank is prohibited from making capital distributions if:

 
(1)
the Bank would be undercapitalized following the distribution;

 
(2)
the proposed capital distribution raises safety and soundness concerns; or

(3)
the capital distribution would violate a prohibition contained in any statute, regulation or agreement.

Liquidity.  The Bank maintains liquidity levels to meet operational needs.  In the normal course of business, the levels of liquid assets during any given period are dependent on operating, investing and financing activities.  Cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and repurchase agreements with maturities of three months or less are the Bank’s most liquid assets.  The Bank maintains a liquidity policy to maintain sufficient liquidity to ensure its safe and sound operations.

Branching.  Subject to certain limitations, federal law permits the Bank to establish branches in any state of the United States.  The authority for the Bank to establish an interstate branch network would facilitate a geographic diversification of the Bank’s activities.  This authority under federal law and OTS regulations preempts any state law purporting to regulate branching by federal savings associations.

Community Reinvestment.  Under the CRA, as amended, as implemented by OTS regulations, the Bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods.  The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for the Bank nor does it limit the Bank’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community.  The CRA does, however, require the OTS, in connection with its examination of the Bank, to assess the Bank’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by the Bank.

In particular, the system focuses on three tests:

 
(1)
a lending test, to evaluate the institution’s record of making loans in its assessment areas;

 
(2)
an investment test, to evaluate the institution’s record of investing in community development projects, affordable housing and programs benefiting low or moderate income individuals and businesses; and

 
(3)
a service test, to evaluate the institution’s delivery of banking services through its branches, ATM centers and other offices.

The CRA also requires all institutions to make public disclosure of their CRA ratings.  The Bank received an “Outstanding” CRA rating in its most recent examination conducted in 2006.

Regulations require that we publicly disclose certain agreements that are in fulfillment of CRA.  The Holding Company has no such agreements in place at this time.


Transactions with Related Parties.  The Bank’s authority to engage in transactions with its “affiliates” and insiders is limited by OTS regulations and by Sections 23A, 23B, 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act (“FRA”).  In general, these transactions must be on terms which are as favorable to the Bank as comparable transactions with non-affiliates.  Additionally, certain types of these transactions are restricted to an aggregate percentage of the Bank’s capital.  Collateral in specified amounts must usually be provided by affiliates in order to receive loans from the Bank.  In addition, OTS regulations prohibit a savings bank from lending to any of its affiliates that is engaged in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies and from purchasing the securities of any affiliate other than a subsidiary.

The Bank’s authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers, and 10% shareholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons, is currently governed by the requirements of Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the FRA and Regulation O of the FRB.  Among other things, these provisions require that extensions of credit to insiders (a) be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and that do not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features and (b) not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of the Bank’s capital.  In addition, extensions of credit in excess of certain limits must be approved by the Bank’s Board.  At March 31, 2008, there were no loans to officers or directors.

The FRB has confirmed its previous interpretations of Sections 23A and 23B of the FRA with Regulation W.  The OTS has also conformed its regulations to agree with Regulation W.  Regulation W made various changes to existing law regarding Sections 23A and 23B, including expanding the definition of what constitutes an “affiliate” subject to Sections 23A and 23B and exempting certain subsidiaries of state-chartered banks from the restrictions of Sections 23A and 23B.

The OTS regulations provide for additional restrictions imposed on savings associations under Section 11 of HOLA, including provisions prohibiting a savings association from making a loan to an affiliate that is engaged in non-bank holding company activities and provisions prohibiting a savings association from purchasing or investing in securities issued by an affiliate that is not a subsidiary.  The OTS regulations also include certain specific exemptions from these prohibitions.  The FRB and the OTS expect each depository institution that is subject to Sections 23A and 23B to implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Regulation W and the OTS regulation.  These regulations have had no material adverse effect on our business.

Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act prohibits the extension of personal loans to directors and executive officers of issuers (as defined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act).  The prohibition, however, does not apply to mortgages advanced by an insured depository institution, such as the Bank, that is subject to the insider lending restrictions of Section 22(h) of the FRA.

Assessment. The OTS charges assessments to recover the cost of examining savings associations and their affiliates.  These assessments are based on three components: the size of the association, on which the basic assessment is based; the association’s supervisory condition, which results in an additional assessment based on a percentage of the basic assessment for any savings institution with a composite rating of 3, 4, or 5 in its most recent safety and soundness examination; and the complexity of the association’s operations, which results in an additional assessment based on a percentage of the basic assessment for any savings association that managed over $1 billion in trust assets, serviced for others loans aggregating more than $1 billion, or had certain off-balance sheet assets aggregating more than $1 billion.  Effective July 1, 2004, the OTS adopted a final rule replacing examination fees for savings and loan holding companies with semi-annual assessments. For fiscal 2008, Carver paid $0.2 million in OTS assessments.

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

Standards for Safety and Soundness.  The OTS has adopted guidelines prescribing safety and soundness standards.  The guidelines establish general standards relating to internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings, compensation, fees and benefits.  In general, the guidelines require, among other things, appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risks and exposures specified in the guidelines.  In addition, OTS regulations authorize, but do not require, the OTS to order an institution that has been given notice that it is not satisfying these safety and soundness standards to submit a compliance plan.  If, after being so notified, an institution fails to submit an acceptable compliance plan or fails in any material respect to implement an accepted compliance plan, the OTS must issue an order directing action to correct the deficiency and may issue an order directing other actions of the types to which an undercapitalized association is subject under the “prompt corrective action” provisions of federal law.  If an institution fails to comply with such an order, the OTS may seek to enforce such order in judicial proceedings and to impose civil money penalties.

Insurance of Deposit Accounts

The deposits of the Bank are insured up to applicable limits by the Depositors Insurance Fund (“DIF”). The DIF is the successor to the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund, which were merged in 2006. The FDIC recently amended its risk-based assessment system for 2007 to implement authority granted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 (the “Reform Act”). Under the revised system, insured institutions are assigned to one of four risk categories based on supervisory evaluations, regulatory capital levels and certain other factors. An institution’s assessment rate depends upon the category to which it is assigned. Risk Category I, which contains the least risky depository institutions, is expected to include more than 90% of all institutions. Unlike the other categories, Risk Category I contains further risk differentiation based on the FDIC’s analysis of financial ratios, examination component ratings and other information. Assessment rates are determined semi-annually by the FDIC and currently range from five to seven basis points for the healthiest institutions (Risk Category I) to 43 basis points of assessable deposits for the riskiest (Risk Category IV). The FDIC may adjust rates uniformly from one quarter to the next, except that no single adjustment can exceed three basis points.


The Reform Act also provided for a one-time credit for eligible institutions based on their assessment base as of December 31, 1996.  Subject to certain limitations with respect to institutions that are exhibiting weaknesses, credits can be used to offset assessments until exhausted.  The Reform Act also provided for the possibility that the FDIC may pay dividends to insured institutions once the DIF reserve ratio equals or exceeds 1.35% of estimated insured deposits.

In addition to the assessment for deposit insurance, institutions are required to make payments on bonds issued in the late 1980s by the Financing Corporation to recapitalize a predecessor deposit insurance fund. This payment is established quarterly, and during the calendar year ending December 31, 2007, averaged 1.18 basis points of assessable deposits.

The Reform Act provided the FDIC with authority to adjust the DIF ratio to insured deposits within a range of 1.15% to 1.50%, in contrast to the prior statutorily fixed ratio of 1.25%. The ratio, which is viewed by the FDIC as the level that the fund should achieve, was established by the agency at 1.25% for 2008.

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

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

The Bank’s total expense in fiscal 2008 for FDIC assessment for Financing Corporation (FICO) bonds interest payments was $0.1 million.  Due to the Bank’s favorable assessment risk classification there was no deposit insurance assessment on our deposits for fiscal 2008.

Federal Home Loan Bank System.  The Bank is a member of the FHLB-NY, which is one of the twelve regional banks composing the FHLB System.  Each regional bank provides a central credit facility primarily for its member institutions.  The Bank, as a FHLB-NY member, is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the FHLB-NY in an amount equal to the greater of (i) 1% of the aggregate principal amount of its unpaid residential mortgage loans, home purchase contracts and similar obligations at the beginning of each year, and (ii) 5% (or such greater fraction as established by the FHLB-NY) of its outstanding advances from the FHLB-NY.  The Bank was in compliance with this requirement with an investment in the capital stock of the FHLB-NY at March 31, 2008 of $1.6 million.  Any advances from the FHLB-NY must be secured by specified types of collateral, and all long term advances may be obtained only for the purpose of providing funds for residential housing finance.

FHLB-NY is required to provide funds for the resolution of insolvent thrifts and to contribute funds for affordable housing programs.  These requirements could reduce the amount of earnings that the FHLB-NY can pay as dividends to its members and could also result in the FHLB-NY imposing a higher rate of interest on advances to its members.  If dividends were reduced, or interest on future FHLB-NY advances increased, the Bank’s net interest income would be adversely affected.  Dividends from FHLB-NY to the Bank amounted to $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The dividend rate paid on FHLB-NY stock at March 31, 2008 was 7.8%.

Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, as amended (“GLB”), which repeals historical restrictions and eliminates many federal and state law barriers to affiliations among banks and securities firms, insurance companies and other financial service providers, membership in the FHLB system is now voluntary for all federally-chartered savings banks such as the Bank.  GLB also replaces the existing redeemable stock structure of the FHLB system with a capital structure that requires each FHLB to meet a leverage limit and a risk-based permanent capital requirement.  Two classes of stock are authorized:  Class A (redeemable on six months notice) and Class B (redeemable on five years notice).  Pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Federal Housing Finance Board, as required by GLB, the FHLB has adopted a capital plan that will change the foregoing minimum stock ownership requirements for FHLB stock.  Under the new capital plan, each member of the FHLB will have to maintain a minimum investment in FHLB capital stock in an amount equal to the sum of (1) the greater of $1,000 or 0.20% of the member’s mortgage-related assets and (2) 4.50% of the dollar amount of any outstanding advances under such member’s Advances, Collateral Pledge and Security Agreement with the FHLB-NY.


Federal Reserve System.  Under the FRB’s regulations, the Bank is required to maintain non-interest-earning reserves against its transaction accounts.  FRB regulations generally require that (a) reserves of 3% must be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts between $7.0 million and $48.3 million (subject to adjustment by the FRB), and (b) a reserve of $1.2 million and 10% (subject to adjustment by the FRB between 8% and 14%) must be maintained against that portion of total transaction accounts in excess of $48.3 million.  The first $7.0 million of otherwise reservable balances are exempted from the reserve requirements.  The Bank is in compliance with these reserve requirements.  Because required reserves must be maintained in the form of either vault cash, a non-interest-bearing account at a Federal Reserve Bank, or a pass-through account as defined by the FRB, the effect of this reserve requirement is to reduce the Bank’s interest-earning assets to the extent that the requirement exceeds vault cash.

Privacy Protection.  Carver Federal is subject to OTS regulations implementing the privacy protection provisions of GLB.  These regulations require the Bank to disclose its privacy policy, including identifying with whom it shares “nonpublic personal information,” to customers at the time of establishing the customer relationship and annually thereafter.  The regulations also require the Bank to provide its customers with initial and annual notices that accurately reflect its privacy policies and practices.  In addition, to the extent its sharing of such information is not exempted, the Bank is required to provide its customers with the ability to “opt-out” of having the Bank share their nonpublic personal information with unaffiliated third parties before they can disclose such information, subject to certain exceptions.

The Bank is subject to regulatory guidelines establishing standards for safeguarding customer information.  These regulations implement certain provisions of GLB.  The guidelines describe the agencies’ expectations for the creation, implementation and maintenance of an information security program, which would include administrative, technical and physical safeguards appropriate to the size and complexity of the institution and the nature and scope of its activities.  The standards set forth in the guidelines are intended to insure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information, protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such records and protect against unauthorized access to or use of such records or information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.  The Bank has a policy to comply with the foregoing guidelines.

Holding Company Regulation.  The Holding Company is a savings and loan holding company regulated by the OTS.  As such, the Holding Company is registered with and is subject to OTS examination and supervision, as well as certain reporting requirements.  In addition, the OTS has enforcement authority over the Holding Company and its subsidiaries.  Among other things, this authority permits the OTS to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of a subsidiary savings institution.  Unlike bank holding companies, federal savings and loan holding companies are not subject to any regulatory capital requirements or to supervision by the FRB.

GLB restricts the powers of new unitary savings and loan holding companies.  Unitary savings and loan holding companies that are “grandfathered,” i.e., unitary savings and loan holding companies in existence or with applications filed with the OTS on or before May 4, 1999, such as the Holding Company, retain their authority under the prior law.  All other unitary savings and loan holding companies are limited to financially related activities permissible for bank holding companies, as defined under GLB.  GLB also prohibits non-financial companies from acquiring grandfathered unitary savings and loan holding companies.

Restrictions Applicable to All Savings and Loan Holding Companies.  Federal law prohibits a savings and loan holding company, including the Holding Company, directly or indirectly, from acquiring:

 
(1)
control (as defined under HOLA) of another savings institution (or a holding company parent) without prior OTS approval;

 
(2)
through merger, consolidation, or purchase of assets, another savings institution or a holding company thereof, or acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of such institution (or a holding company), without prior OTS approval; or

 
(3)
control of any depository institution not insured by the FDIC (except through a merger with and into the holding company’s savings institution subsidiary that is approved by the OTS).

A savings and loan holding company may not acquire as a separate subsidiary an insured institution that has a principal office outside of the state where the principal office of its subsidiary institution is located, except:

 
(1)
in the case of certain emergency acquisitions approved by the FDIC;

 
(2)
if such holding company controls a savings institution subsidiary that operated a home or branch office in such additional state as of March 5, 1987; or

 
(3)
if the laws of the state in which the savings institution to be acquired is located specifically authorize a savings institution chartered by that state to be acquired by a savings institution chartered by the state where the acquiring savings institution or savings and loan holding company is located or by a holding company that controls such a state chartered association.


The HOLA prohibits a savings and loan holding company (directly or indirectly, or through one or more subsidiaries) from acquiring another savings association or holding company thereof without prior written approval of the OTS; acquiring or retaining, with certain exceptions, more than 5% of a non-subsidiary savings association, a non-subsidiary holding company, or a non-subsidiary company engaged in activities other than those permitted by the HOLA; or acquiring or retaining control of a depository institution that is not federally insured.  In evaluating applications by holding companies to acquire savings associations, the OTS must consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the company and institution involved, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the insurance funds, the convenience and needs of the community and competitive factors.

Federal Securities Laws.  The Holding Company is subject to the periodic reporting, proxy solicitation, tender offer, insider trading restrictions and other requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”).

Delaware Corporation Law.  The Holding Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.  Thus, it is subject to regulation by the State of Delaware and the rights of its shareholders are governed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

New York State Banking Laws and Regulations.   On October 5, 2006, Carver Federal established a new subsidiary, CMB, as a state chartered limited purpose commercial bank in New York, to accept deposits of municipalities and other governmental entities in the State of New York. CMB is subject to extensive regulation, examination and supervision by the New York State Superintendent of Banks, as its primary regulator and the FDIC, as the deposit insurer.  As of March 31, 2008, Carver Federal has discontinued the operations of CMB.  CMB  is in the process of dissolution.

In addition to being a regulator of CMB, the New York State Banking Department has adopted Section 6-L to the banking law and regulations which impose restrictions and limitations on certain high cost home loans made by any individual or entity, including a federally-chartered savings bank, that originates more than one high cost home loan in New York State in a 12-month period.  Among other things, the regulations and statute prohibit certain mortgage loan provisions and certain acts and practices by originators and impose certain disclosure and reporting requirements.  It is unclear whether these provisions would be preempted by Section 5(a) of HOLA, as implemented by the lending and investment regulations of the OTS.  The OTS has not yet adopted regulations regarding high-cost mortgage loans and is currently considering whether it will do so.  Although the Bank does not originate loans that meet the definition of “high-cost mortgage loan” under the proposed regulations, in the event the Bank determines to originate such loans in the future, the Bank may be subject to such regulation, if adopted as proposed.

Other Federal Regulation.  The Bank is subject to OTS regulations implementing the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, or the USA PATRIOT Act.  The USA PATRIOT Act gives the federal government new powers to address terrorist threats through enhanced domestic security measures, expanded surveillance powers, increased information sharing, and broadened anti-money laundering requirements.  By way of amendments to the Bank Secrecy Act, Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act takes measures intended to encourage information sharing among bank regulatory agencies and law enforcement bodies.  Further, certain provisions of Title III impose affirmative obligations on a broad range of financial institutions, including banks, thrifts, brokers, dealers, credit unions, money transfer agents and parties registered under the United States Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended.

Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act and the related OTS regulations impose the following requirements with respect to financial institutions:

 
Establishment of anti-money laundering programs.

 
Establishment of a program specifying procedures for obtaining identifying information from customers seeking to open new accounts, including verifying the identity of customers within a reasonable period of time.

 
Establishment of enhanced due diligence policies, procedures and controls designed to detect and report money laundering.

 
Prohibition on correspondent accounts for foreign shell banks and compliance with record keeping obligations with respect to correspondent accounts of foreign banks.

FEDERAL AND STATE TAXATION

Federal Taxation

General.  The Holding Company and the Bank currently file consolidated federal income tax returns, report their income for tax return purposes on the basis of a taxable-year ending March 31st, using the accrual method of accounting and are subject to federal income taxation in the same manner as other corporations with some exceptions, including in particular the Bank’s tax reserve for bad debts discussed below.  The following discussion of tax matters is intended only as a summary and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of the tax rules applicable to the Bank or the Holding Company.


Bad Debt Reserves.  Prior to fiscal 2004, the Bank met the requirement as a “small bank” (one with assets having an adjusted tax basis of $500 million or less) and was permitted to maintain a reserve for bad debts, and to make, within specified formula limits, annual additions to the reserve which are deductible for purposes of computing the Bank’s taxable income.  Since fiscal year 2004, the Bank has not been considered to be a small bank because its total assets have exceeded $500 million.

Distributions.  To the extent that the Bank makes “non-dividend distributions” to shareholders, such distributions will be considered to result in distributions from the Bank’s “base year reserve,” i.e., its reserve as of March 31, 1988, to the extent thereof and then from its supplemental reserve for losses on loans, and an amount based on the amount distributed will be included in the Bank’s taxable income.  Non-dividend distributions include distributions in excess of the Bank’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, distributions in redemption of stock and distributions in partial or complete liquidation.  However, dividends paid out of the Bank’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated for federal income tax purposes, will not constitute non-dividend distributions and, therefore, will not be included in the Bank’s taxable income.

The amount of additional taxable income created from a non-dividend distribution is an amount that, when reduced by the tax attributable to the income, is equal to the amount of the distribution.  Thus, approximately one and one-half times the non-dividend distribution would be includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes, assuming a 34% federal corporate income tax rate.

Elimination of Dividends; Dividends-Received Deduction. The Holding Company may exclude from its income 100% of dividends received from the Bank as a member of the same affiliated group of corporations.  The corporate dividends-received deduction is generally 70% in the case of dividends received from unaffiliated corporations with which the Holding Company and the Bank will not file a consolidated tax return, except that if the Holding Company or the Bank owns more than 20% of the stock of a corporation distributing a dividend, then 80% of any dividends received may be deducted.

State and Local Taxation

State of New York.  The Bank and the Holding Company are subject to New York State franchise tax on their entire net income or one of several alternative bases, whichever results in the highest tax.  “Entire net income” means federal taxable income with adjustments.  The Bank and the Holding Company file combined returns and are subject to taxation in the same manner as other corporations with some exceptions, including the Bank’s deductions for additions to its reserve for bad debts.  The New York State franchise tax rate based upon entire net income for fiscal 2008 and 2007 was 8.63 % and 9.03%, respectively, (including the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District Surcharge) of net income.  In general, the Holding Company is not required to pay New York State tax on dividends and interest received from the Bank or on gains realized on the sale of Bank stock.  Sixty percent of dividend income, and gains and losses from subsidiary capital are excluded from New York State entire net income.  Distributions to Carver Federal received from CAC are eligible for the New York State dividends received deduction.  However, the Holding Company was subject to a franchise tax rate of 3.51% (including the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District Surcharge) for fiscal 2007 based upon alternative entire net income.  For this purpose, alternative entire net income is determined by adding back 60% of dividend income, and gains and losses from subsidiary capital to New York State entire net income.

New York State has enacted legislation that enabled the Bank to avoid the recapture of the New York State tax bad debt reserves that otherwise would have occurred as a result of the changes in federal law and to continue to utilize either the federal method or a method based on a percentage of its taxable income for computing additions to its bad debt reserve.

New York City.  The Bank and the Holding Company are also subject to a similarly calculated New York City banking corporation tax of 9% on income allocated to New York City.  In this connection, legislation was enacted regarding the use and treatment of tax bad debt reserves that is substantially similar to the New York State legislation described above.  The Bank and the Holding Company also are subject to New York City banking corporation tax of 3% on alternative entire net income allocated to New York City.

Delaware Taxation.  As a Delaware holding company not earning income in Delaware, the Holding Company is exempted from Delaware corporate income tax but is required to file an annual report with and pay an annual franchise tax to the State of Delaware.


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE HOLDING COMPANY

The name, position, term of office as officer and period during which he or she has served as an officer is provided below for each executive officer of the Holding Company as of June 15, 2008.  Each of the persons listed below is an executive officer of the Holding Company and the Bank, holding the same office in each.


Deborah C. Wright, age 50, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Holding Company and Carver Federal since June 1, 1999. In February 2005, Ms. Wright was elected Chairman of the Board.  Prior to joining Carver, Ms. Wright was President & Chief Executive Officer of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation, a position she held since May 1996.

Roy Swan, age 44, is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  He joined Carver in May 2005 from Time Warner Inc., where he had been Vice President, Finance & Administration since March 2003.  From March 1999 to March 2003, Mr. Swan was a Principal and Vice President in Mergers & Acquisitions at Hambrecht & Quist and successor firm J.P. Morgan Securities.  Prior to that, Mr. Swan held positions at other investment banks including Salomon Brothers and The First Boston Corporation, and at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.  Mr. Swan was Chief Investment Officer of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Corporation from May 1996 to April 1998, where Ms. Wright was President and CEO.  Roy serves on the boards of The Dalton School, the Brick Church School and the Partnership for After School Education (“PASE”).  He earned an A.B. degree from Princeton University and a J.D. degree from Stanford Law School.

Charles F. Koehler, age 64, is the Executive Vice President of the Lending Department at Carver Federal Savings Bank, effective September 30, 2006. Prior to this appointment, he served as the President and CEO of Community Capital Bank since 1998. He has an extensive background in many phases of banking with over 40 years experience primarily in the credit arena. He is the Chairman of the Board of the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation, which has recently received an award from New York State as the number one rated Non-Profit Organization. He also serves as a Director of the Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Corporation, a Division of SUNY.

Susan M. Ifill, age 48, is Senior Vice President and Chief Retail Officer of Carver Federal Savings Bank and joined the organization in January 2007 after 28 years at Bank of America.  Prior to her current position, Ms. Ifill led a group of 23 Client Managers in the Premier Banking Division of Bank of America.  Ms. Ifill has held numerous roles of increasing responsibility, including Director of both the Trust Advisory Group and Client Distribution Group, in the Private Bank, Director of Employee Banking Services, and held various senior management roles in Corporate Learning & Development, and the Retail Banking Division.  Ms. Ifill serves on the Board of Directors for Association for Children of New Jersey and the Board of Trustees for Cambridge College in Boston.  Ms. Ifill attended the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth for her undergraduate work and earned a masters degree in Management and certification in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Cambridge College.

James H. Bason, age 53, is Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer.  He joined Carver in March 2003.  Previously Mr. Bason was Vice President and Real Estate Loan Officer at The Bank of New York where he had been employed since 1991 when The Bank of New York acquired Barclays Bank (where he had been employed since 1986).  At The Bank of New York he was responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with developers, builders, real estate investors and brokers to provide construction and permanent real estate financing.  At Barclays, Mr. Bason began his career in residential lending and eventually became the bank’s CRA officer.  Mr. Bason earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Oswego.

Carmelo Felix, age 59, is Senior Vice President and Chief Auditor.  Mr. Felix joined Carver in January 2005.  He was previously Deputy General Manager at Korea Exchange Bank’s Regional Headquarters for the Americas where he was responsible for the administration of the bank’s Internal Audit Department in the Western Hemisphere.  Mr. Felix earned a B.A. in Accounting from Pace University.

Margaret D. Roberts, age 57, is Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.  Ms. Roberts joined Carver in November 1999 as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer from Deutsche Bank where she had served as a Compensation Planning Consultant in Corporate Human Resources.  Prior to that, Ms. Roberts was a Vice President and Senior Human Resources Generalist for Citibank Global Asset Management.  Ms. Roberts also has 10 years of systems and technology experience from various positions held at JP Morgan and Chase Manhattan Bank.  Ms. Roberts earned a B.P.S. degree from Pace University, an M.B.A. from Columbia University as a Citicorp Fellow, and has been designated a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) by the World at Work Society of Certified Professionals and a Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) by the Human Resource Certification Institute.

Michael A. Trinidad, age 51, is Senior Vice President and Controller.  He joined Carver in June 2007.  Previously, Mr. Trinidad was First Vice President and Corporate Accounting Manager at Independence Community Bank, a position he held since 1997.  Mr. Trinidad was employed at Independence Community Bank since 1989, where he held various managerial roles with increasing responsibilities in the Corporate Accounting Group.  In 2006, Independence Community Bank was acquired by Sovereign Bancorp Inc.  Prior to Independence, Mr. Trinidad was employed by Greater New York Savings Bank (acquired by Astoria Financial Corp. in 1997).  At Greater New York, Mr. Trinidad held various managerial roles in Accounting, Lending and Information Technology Groups.  Mr. Trinidad earned a B.B.A in Accounting Information Systems from Pace University.

Blondel A. Pinnock, age 40, is Senior Vice President, Carver Federal and President of CCDC.  Ms. Pinnock joined Carver in April 2008. Prior to joining Carver, Ms. Pinnock was Senior Vice President at Bank of America where she was a community development lender and business development officer. Ms. Pinnock has over a ten year experience in financing the development of residential and commercial real estate projects located within low and moderate income neighborhoods throughout New York City and outlying areas.  Prior to her tenure at Bank of America, Ms. Pinnock worked as counsel and deputy director for the New York City’s Housing, Preservation and Development Department’s Tax Incentives Unit, where she assisted in the implementation of the City's real estate tax programs for low, moderate and market rate projects.  She earned a B. A. from Columbia College and a J. D. from Hofstra University School of Law.


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

Risk is an inherent part of Carver’s business and activities.  The following is a summary of risk factors relevant to the Company’s operations which should be carefully reviewed.  These risk factors do not necessarily appear in the order of importance.

Changes in interest rate environment may negatively affect Carver’s net income, mortgage loan originations and valuation of available-for-sale securities.  The Company’s earnings depend largely on the relationship between the yield on interest-earning assets, primarily our mortgage, construction and business loans and mortgage-backed securities, and the cost of deposits and borrowings. This relationship, known as the interest rate spread, is subject to fluctuation and is affected by economic and competitive factors which influence market interest rates, the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and the level of non-performing assets. Fluctuations in market interest rates affect customer demand for products and services.  Carver is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that its interest-bearing liabilities reprice or mature more slowly or more rapidly or on a different basis than its interest-earning assets.

In addition, the actual amount of time before mortgage, construction and business loans and mortgage-backed securities are repaid can be significantly impacted by changes in mortgage prepayment rates and prevailing market interest rates.  Mortgage prepayment rates will vary due to a number of factors, including the regional economy in the area where the underlying mortgages were originated, seasonal factors, demographic variables and the ability to assume the underlying mortgages.  However, the major factors affecting prepayment rates are prevailing interest rates, related loan refinancing opportunities and competition.

The Company’s objective is to fund its liquidity needs primarily through lower costing deposit growth.  However, from time to time Carver Federal borrows from the FHLB-NY.  More recently, the cost of deposits and borrowings have become significantly higher with the rising interest rate environment, which has negatively impacted net interest income.

During fiscal 2008, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) lowered the federal funds rate six times (a total of 300 basis points).  U.S. Treasury yields on five and ten year maturities continued to decline during fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007; thirteen week maturities have also declined in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007.  This has resulted in a change in the U.S. Treasury yield curve from a flat and at times inverted yield curve back to its typical upward slope.  The Bank’s short-term borrowings, as well as its deposits, are generally priced relative to short-term U.S. Treasury yields, whereas its mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities are generally priced relative to medium-term (two-to-five years) U.S. Treasury or FHLB yields.  A flat or inverted yield curve could cause the Company's net interest income and net interest margin to contract, which could have a material adverse effect on its net income and cash flows, and the value of its assets.  Interest rates are expected to continue to fluctuate and the Company cannot predict future Federal Reserve Bank actions or other factors that will cause rates to change.

The estimated fair value of the Company's available-for-sale securities portfolio may increase or decrease depending on changes in interest rates.  Carver Federal’s securities portfolio is comprised primarily of adjustable rate securities.  There has been an improvement in valuation of the Bank’s available for sale securities because interest rates have declined in fiscal 2008.

Carver’s results of operations are affected by economic conditions in the New York metropolitan area.  At March 31, 2008, a majority of the Bank’s lending portfolio was concentrated in the New York metropolitan area.  As a result of this geographic concentration, Carver’s results of operations are largely dependent on economic conditions in this area.  Decreases in real estate values could adversely affect the value of property used as collateral for loans to its borrowers.  Adverse changes in the economy caused by inflation, recession, unemployment or other factors beyond our control may also have a negative effect on the ability of borrowers to make timely mortgage or business loan payments, which would have an adverse impact on our earnings.  Consequently, deterioration in economic conditions in the New York metropolitan area could have a material adverse impact on the quality of the Bank’s loan portfolio, which could result in increased delinquencies, decreased interest income results as well as an adverse impact on loan loss experience with probable increased allowance for loan losses. Such deterioration also could adversely impact the demand for products and services, and, accordingly, further negatively affect results of operations.

During fiscal 2008, the national real estate market in general has been in a decline compared to fiscal 2007.  The slowdown in the general housing market is evidenced by reports of reduced levels of new and existing home sales, increasing inventories of houses on the market, stagnant to declining property values and an increase in the length of time houses remain on the market. However, Carver Federal’s direct local real estate markets have been stable, which appears to be due in part to the limited availability of affordable housing alternatives in the markets in which Carver Federal operates.

 No assurance can be given that these conditions will improve or will not worsen or that such conditions will not result in a decrease in our interest income or an adverse impact on our loan losses.

Strong competition within the Bank’s market areas could hurt expected profits and slow growth.  The New York metropolitan area has a high density of financial institutions, a number of which are significantly larger than Carver Federal and with greater financial resources.  Additionally, various large out-of-state financial institutions may continue to enter the New York metropolitan area market.  All are considered competitors to varying degrees.

Carver Federal faces intense competition both in making loans and attracting deposits. Competition for loans, both locally and in the aggregate, comes principally from mortgage banking companies, commercial banks, savings banks and savings and loan associations. Most direct competition for deposits comes from commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations and credit unions.   The Bank also faces competition for deposits from money market mutual funds and other corporate and government securities funds as well as from other financial intermediaries such as brokerage firms and insurance companies.  Market area competition is a factor in pricing the Bank’s loans and deposits, which could reduce net interest income.  Competition also makes it more challenging to effectively grow loan and deposit balances. The Company’s profitability depends upon its continued ability to successfully compete in its market areas.


The Bank’s increased emphasis on non-residential, construction real estate lending and small business lending may create increased exposure to lending risks. At March 31, 2008, $397.4 million, or 62.7%, of our total loans receivable portfolio consisted of non-residential and construction real estate loans compared to $340.9 million, or 58.2%, at March 31, 2007.  Non-residential and construction real estate loans generally involve a greater degree of credit risk than one- to four-family loans because they typically have larger balances and are more sensitive to changes in the economy.  Payments on these loans often depend upon the successful operation and management of the underlying properties and the businesses which operate from within them; repayment of such loans may be affected by factors outside the borrower's control, such as adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy or changes in government regulation (see Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

At March 31, 2008, $52.1 million, or 8.2%, of our total loans receivable consisted of business loans as compared to $51.2 million, or 8.7%, at March 31, 2007.  The Bank increased its business loan portfolio during fiscal 2007 with the acquisition of CCB.  Business loans generally involve a greater degree of credit risk than one- to four- family loans because they typically have larger balances and are more sensitive to changes in the economy.  Payments on these loans often depend upon the successful operation and management of the underlying business; repayment of such loans may be affected by factors outside the borrower's control, such as adverse economic conditions, increased competition or changes in government regulation (see Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Bank operates in a highly regulated industry, which limits the manner and scope of our business activities.  Carver Federal is subject to extensive supervision, regulation and examination by the OTS, the FDIC, and, to a lesser extent, by the New York State Banking Department. As a result, we are limited in the manner in which we conduct our business, undertake new investments and activities and obtain financing. This regulatory structure is designed primarily for the protection of the deposit insurance funds and our depositors, and not to benefit our stockholders. This regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to capital levels, the timing and amount of dividend payments, the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. In addition, we must comply with significant anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism laws. Government agencies have substantial discretion to impose significant monetary penalties on institutions which fail to comply with these laws.

 On October 4, 2006, the OTS and other federal bank regulatory authorities published the Interagency Guidance on Nontraditional Mortgage Product Risk, or the Guidance. In general, the Guidance applies to all residential mortgage loan products that allow borrowers to defer repayment of principal or interest. The Guidance describes sound practices for managing risk, as well as marketing, originating and servicing nontraditional mortgage products, which include, among other things, interest-only loans. The Guidance sets forth supervisory expectations with respect to loan terms and underwriting standards, portfolio and risk management practices and consumer protection.  For example, the Guidance indicates that originating interest-only loans with reduced documentation is considered a layering of risk and that institutions are expected to demonstrate mitigating factors to support their underwriting decision and the borrower’s repayment capacity. Specifically, the Guidance indicates that a lender may accept a borrower’s statement as to the borrower’s income without obtaining verification only if there are mitigating factors that clearly minimize the need for direct verification of repayment capacity and that, for many borrowers, institutions should be able to readily document income.

 From time to time, we may originate interest-only and interest-only reduced documentation residential loans. We originate such loans for sale to investors, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, known as Fannie Mae. We do not originate negative amortization or payment option loans. Reduced documentation loans include stated income, full asset, or SIFA loans; stated income, stated asset, or SISA loans; and Super Streamline loans. SIFA and SISA loans require a prospective borrower to complete a standard mortgage loan application while the Super Streamline product requires the completion of an abbreviated application and is in effect considered a “no documentation” loan. Each of these products requires the receipt of an appraisal of the real estate used as collateral for the mortgage loan and a credit report on the prospective borrower. The loans are priced according to our internal risk assessment of the loan giving consideration to the loan-to-value ratio, the potential borrower’s credit scores and various other credit criteria. SIFA loans require the verification of a potential borrower’s asset information on the loan application, but not the income information provided.

The Bank has evaluated the Guidance for our compliance, risk management practices and underwriting guidelines as they relate to originations and purchases of the subject loans, or practices relating to communications with consumers.   The Guidance has no impact on the Company's loan origination and purchase volumes or the Company's underwriting procedures currently or in future periods.

Efforts to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act involve significant expenditures, and non-compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may adversely affect us.  The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the related rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC increase the scope, complexity and cost of corporate governance, reporting, and disclosure practice.  The Company has experienced, and expects to continue to experience, greater compliance costs, including design, testing and audit costs related to internal controls, as a result of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  For example, under Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, beginning with this annual report on Form 10-K, the Company’s management is required to issue a report on the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.  Beginning with Carver's fiscal 2010, Carver's management will also be required to file an auditors attestation report on the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.  The Company expects the implementation of these new rules and regulations to continue to increase its accounting, legal, and other costs, and to make some activities more difficult, time consuming, and costly.  In the event that the Company is unable to maintain or achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules, Carver’s profitability and the market price of Carver’s stock may be adversely affected.


In addition, the rules adopted as a result of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could make it more difficult or more costly for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, which could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers.

Changes in laws, government regulation and monetary policy may have a material effect on our results of operations.  Financial institution regulation has been the subject of significant legislation and may be the subject of further significant legislation in the future, none of which is in the Company’s control. Significant new laws or changes in, or repeals of, existing laws, including with respect to federal and state taxation, may cause results of operations to differ materially. In addition, cost of compliance could adversely affect Carver’s ability to operate profitably.  Further, federal monetary policy significantly affects credit conditions for Carver Federal, particularly as implemented through the Federal Reserve System.  A material change in any of these conditions could have a material impact on Carver Federal, and therefore on the Company’s results of operations.

The Company is subject to certain risks with respect to liquidity. ''Liquidity'' refers to our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to support our operations and to fulfill our obligations, including commitments to originate loans, to repay our wholesale borrowings, and to satisfy the withdrawal of deposits by our customers.

Our primary sources of liquidity are the cash flows generated through the repayment of loans and securities; cash flows from the sale of loans and securities, typically in connection with the post-merger repositioning of our balance sheet; the deposits we acquire in connection with our acquisitions and those we gather organically through our branch network; and borrowed funds, primarily in the form of wholesale borrowings from the FHLB-NY.  In addition, and depending on current market conditions, we have the ability to access the capital markets from time to time.

Deposit flows, calls of investment securities and wholesale borrowings, and prepayments of loans and mortgage-related securities are strongly influenced by such external factors as the direction of interest rates, whether actual or perceived; local and national economic conditions; and competition for deposits and loans in the markets we serve. Furthermore, changes to the FHLB-NY's underwriting guidelines for wholesale borrowings may limit or restrict our ability to borrow, and could therefore have a significant adverse impact on our liquidity.

A decline in available funding could adversely impact our ability to originate loans, invest in securities, and meet our expenses, or to fulfill such obligations as repaying our borrowings or meeting deposit withdrawal demands.

The Bank’s ability to pay dividends or lend funds to the Company is subject to regulatory limitations which may prevent the Company from making future dividend payments or principal and interest payments on its debt obligation. Carver is a unitary savings and loan association holding company regulated by the OTS and almost all of its operating assets are owned by Carver Federal.  Carver relies primarily on dividends from the Bank to pay cash dividends to its stockholders, to engage in share repurchase programs and to pay principal and interest on its trust preferred debt obligation. The OTS regulates all capital distributions by the Bank to the Company, including dividend payments.  As the subsidiary of a savings and loan association holding company, Carver Federal must file a notice or an application (depending on the proposed dividend amount) with the OTS prior to each capital distribution.  The OTS will disallow any proposed dividend that would result in failure to meet the OTS’ minimum capital requirements.  Based on Carver Federal's current financial condition, it is not expected that this provision will have any impact on the Company’s receipt of dividends from the Bank.  Payment of dividends by Carver Federal also may be restricted at any time, at the discretion of the OTS, if it deems the payment to constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice.

Carver’s income tax benefits risk.  The Company’s receipt of the remaining New Markets Tax Credits income tax benefits over approximately the next six years depends on its ability to meet the NMTC compliance requirements and its ability to generate sufficient taxable income to utilize the tax credits from the NMTC investment.  For additional information regarding Carver’s NMTC, refer to Item 7, “New Market Tax Credit Award.”

Carver faces system failure risks and security risks. The computer systems and network infrastructure the Company and its third party service providers use could be vulnerable to unforeseen problems.  Fire, power loss or other failures may effect Carver’s computer equipment and other technology, or that of the Company’s third party service providers.  Also, the Company’s computer systems and network infrastructure could be damaged by "hacking" and "identity theft" which could adversely affect the results of Carver’s operations, or that of the Company’s third party service providers.
 
We may be required to record a charge to earnings if our goodwill or other intangible assets become impaired.  Our balance sheet includes goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets.  Under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, if impairment of our goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets is determined we may be required to record a charge to earnings in the period of such determination.
 
Our business could suffer if we fail to retain skilled people.  The Company’s success depends on its ability to attract and retain key employees reflecting current market opportunities and challenges.  Competition for the best people is intense, and the Company’s size and limited resources may present additional challenges in being able to retain the best possible employees which could adversely affect the results of our operations.


A natural disaster could harm Carver’s business.  Natural disasters could harm the Company’s operations directly through interference with communications, as well as through the destruction of facilities and financial information systems.  Such disasters may also have an impact on collateral underlying the Bank’s loans.  The Company may face higher insurance costs in the event of such disasters.


ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

Not Applicable.


ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES.

The Bank currently conducts its business through two administrative offices and ten branches (including the 125th Street branch) and ten additional ATM locations.  Carver Federal entered into a license agreement with Merrill Lynch on March 23, 2007, to operate Investment Centers at the Bank’s Malcolm X Boulevard and Atlantic Terminal branches but does not share any other owned or leased spaces with any other businesses.  The following table sets forth certain information regarding Carver Federal’s offices and other material properties at March 31, 2008.  The Bank believes that such facilities are suitable and adequate for its operational needs.

           
Lease
       
     
Year
Owned or
 
Expiration
   
% Space
 
Branches
Address
City/State
Opened
Leased
 
Date
   
Utilized
 
                     
Main Branch
75 West 125th Street
New York, NY
1996
Owned
    n/a       100 %
                         
Bedford-Stuyvesant Branch
1281 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY
1989
Owned
    n/a       70 %
                         
Crown Heights Branch
1009-1015 Nostrand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
1975
Owned
    n/a       100 %
                         
St Albans Branch
115-02 Merrick Boulevard
Jamaica, NY
1996
Leased
    02/2011       75 %
                         
Malcolm X Blvd. Branch
142 Malcolm X Boulevard
New York, NY
2001
Leased
    04/2011       100 %
                         
Jamaica Center Branch
158-45 Archer Avenue
Jamaica, New York
2003
Leased
    07/2018       100 %
                         
Atlantic Terminal Branch
4 Hanson Place
Brooklyn, NY
2004
Leased
    07/2014       100 %
                         
Bradhurst Branch
300 West 145th Street
New York, NY
2004
Leased
    12/2009       100 %
                         
Livingston Branch
111 Livingston Street
Brooklyn, NY
2004
Leased
    01/2015       100 %
                         
Sunset Park Branch
140 58th Street
Brooklyn, NY
2004
Leased
    10/2010       100 %
                         
ATM Centers
                       
                         
West 125th Street
503 West 125th Street
New York, NY
2003
Leased
    03/2013       100 %
                         
West 137th Street
601 West 137th Street
New York, NY
2003
Leased
    10/2013       100 %
                         
Hanson Place
1 Hanson Place
New York, NY
2004
Leased
    07/2009       100 %
                         
5th Avenue
1400 5th Avenue
New York, NY
2004
Leased
    08/2013       100 %
                         
Fulton Street
1950 Fulton Street
New York, NY
2005
Leased
    01/2010       100 %
                         
Atlantic Avenue
625 Atlantic Avenue
New York, NY
2003
Leased
    10/2013       100 %
                         
Myrtle Ave
362 Myrtle Ave
Brooklyn, NY
2007
Leased
    03/2013       100 %
                         
ATM Machines*
                       
                         
Bedford Avenue
1650 Bedford Avenue
New York, NY
   
                         
1150 Carroll Street
1150 Carroll Street
New York, NY
   
                         
AirTrain
93-40 Sutphin Boulevard
Jamaica, NY
                   
                         
Administrative Office
                       
                         
MetroTech Center
12  MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, NY
2007
Leased
    03/2017       100 %

* Stand alone ATMs, not under real estate lease agreements


ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

From time to time, Carver Federal is a party to various legal proceedings incident to its business.  Certain claims, suits, complaints and investigations involving Carver Federal, arising in the ordinary course of business, have been filed or are pending.  The Company is of the opinion, after discussion with legal counsel representing Carver Federal in these proceedings, that the aggregate liability or loss, if any, arising from the ultimate disposition of these matters would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.  At March 31, 2008, there were no material legal proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiaries was a party or to which any of their property was subject.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, no matters were submitted to a vote of our security holders through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.

PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

The Holding Company’s common stock has been listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CARV” since July 10, 2007.  Before that, the Company's stock was listed on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol CNY.  As of June 20, 2008, there were 2,474,738 shares of common stock outstanding, held by 977 stockholders of record.  The following table shows the high and low per share sales prices of the common stock and the dividends declared for the quarters indicated.

   
High
   
Low
   
Dividend
     
High
   
Low
   
Dividend
 
Fiscal Year 2008
                 
Fiscal Year 2007
                 
June 30, 2007
  $ 17.06     $ 15.70     $ 0.10  
June 30, 2006
  $ 18.06     $ 16.35     $ 0.09  
September 30, 2007
  $ 16.75     $ 15.10     $ 0.10  
September 30, 2006
  $ 18.12     $ 16.40     $ 0.09  
December 31, 2007
  $ 16.85     $ 12.70     $ 0.10  
December 31, 2006
  $ 16.86     $ 15.25     $ 0.09  
March 31, 2008
  $ 16.44     $ 11.50     $ 0.10  
March 31, 2007
  $ 16.98     $ 15.50     $ 0.09  


The Board formerly paid dividends on an annual basis and initially established the payment of a quarterly dividend to common shareholders on January 9, 2003.  Subsequently, each quarter the Board meets to determine the dividend amount per share to be declared.  On May 29, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a $0.10 cash dividend to shareholders for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. This represents a $0.05 per share increase from the $0.05 paid at inception of the Board establishing payment of a quarterly dividend in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003.  The Holding Company currently expects that comparable cash dividends will continue to be paid in the future.

Under OTS regulations, the Bank will not be permitted to pay dividends to the Holding Company on its capital stock if its regulatory capital would be reduced below applicable regulatory capital requirements or if its stockholders’ equity would be reduced below the amount required to be maintained for the liquidation account, which was established in connection with the Bank’s conversion to stock form.  The OTS capital distribution regulations applicable to savings institutions (such as the Bank) that meet their regulatory capital requirements permit, after not less than 30 days prior notice to the OTS, capital distributions during a calendar year that do not exceed the Bank’s net income for that year plus its retained net income for the prior two years.  For information concerning the Bank’s liquidation account, see Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Unlike the Bank, the Holding Company is not subject to OTS regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends to its stockholders, although the source of such dividends will be dependent, in part, upon capital distributions from the Bank.  The Holding Company is subject to the requirements of Delaware law, which generally limit dividends to an amount equal to the excess of the net assets of the Company (the amount by which total assets exceed total liabilities) over its statutory capital, or if there is no such excess, to its net profits for the current and/or immediately preceding fiscal year.

On August 6, 2002 the Holding Company announced a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to 231,635 shares of its outstanding common stock.  As of March 31, 2008, 159,474 shares of its common stock have been repurchased in open market transactions at an average price of $16.36 per share.  The Holding Company intends to use repurchased shares to fund its stock-based benefit and compensation plans and for any other purpose the Board deems advisable in compliance with applicable law.  The following table provides detail of common stock repurchases made by the Holding Company during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

 
   
Total Number of Shares Purchased
   
Average Price Paid per Share
   
Total Number of Shares Purchased as part of Publicly Announced Plan
   
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan
 
January 1, 2008 through
                       
January 31, 2008
    4,600     $ 14.51       4600       74,361  
February 1, 2008 through
                               
February 29, 2008
    1,200     $ 15.58       1200       73,161  
March 1, 2008 through
                               
March 31, 2008
    1,000     $ 13.07       1000       72,161  
      6,800     $ 14.49       6,800          


Carver has four equity compensation plans as follows:

(1) The Management Recognition Plan (“MRP”) which provides for automatic grants of restricted stock to certain employees and non-employee directors as of the date the plan became effective in June of 1995.  Additionally, the MRP makes provision for added discretionary grants of restricted stock to those employees so selected by the Compensation Committee of the Board who administers the plan.  There are no shares available for grant under the MRP.

(2) The Incentive Compensation Plan (“ICP”) provides for grants of cash bonuses, restricted stock and stock options to the employees selected by the Compensation Committee.  Carver terminated this plan in 2006 and there are no grants outstanding under it.

(3) The 1995 Stock Option Plan provides for automatic option grants to certain employees and directors as of the date the plan became effective in September of 1995, and like the MRP, also makes provision for added discretionary option grants to those employees so selected by the Compensation Committee.  The 1995 Stock Option Plan expired in 2005, however, options are still outstanding under this plan.

(4) The 2006 Stock Incentive Plan became effective in September of 2006 and provides for discretionary option grants, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock to those employees and directors so selected by the Compensation Committee.

Additional information regarding Carver’s equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans” in the Proxy Statement (as defined below in Item 10).


Stock Performance Graph 

The graph below compares Carver Bancorp, Inc.'s cumulative 5-year total shareholder return on common stock with the cumulative total returns of the AMEX Composite index, the NASDAQ Composite Index, AMEX Companies listed in SIC Code 6030-6039 and the S&P Small Cap Thrifts & Mortgage Finance Index. The graph tracks the performance of a $100 investment in our common stock, in each index and in each of the peer groups (with the reinvestment of all dividends) from 3/31/2003 to 3/31/2008.

Graph

  
    3/2003       3/2004       3/2005       3/2006       3/2007       3/2008  
                                                 
Carver Bancorp Inc.
    100.00       169.67       136.84       127.22       127.05       90.65  
AMEX Composite
    100.00       154.59       181.53       240.62       271.66       281.78  
NASDAQ Composite
    100.00       151.01       152.38       181.06       189.63       177.49  
SIC Code 6030-6039 (AMEX STOCKS)
    100.00       132.46       150.40       169.33       164.84       85.36  
S&P SmallCap Thrifts & Mortgage Finance
    100.00       160.84       161.36       168.44       143.61       82.37  

The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.


The AMEX listed companies in SIC Codes 6030-6039 are: Federal Trust Corp., Gouverneur Bancorp Inc and Teche Holdings Company.  The companies listed in the S&P Small Cap Thrifts & Mortgage Finance Index are Anchor Bancorp Wisconsin, Bank Mutual Corp., Bankatlantic Bancorp Inc, Bankunited Financial Corp., Brookline Bancorp Inc, Corus Bankshares Inc, Dime Community Bank shares, Downey Financial Corp., First fed Financial Corp., Flagstar Bancorp Inc, Franklin Bank Corp. Delaware, Guaranty Financial Group Inc, Triad Guaranty Inc and Trustco Bank Corp. New York.


ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected consolidated financial and other data is as of and for the years ended March 31 and is derived in part from, and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes (dollars in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Selected Financial Condition Data:
                             
Assets
  $ 796,443     $ 739,952     $ 661,396     $ 626,377     $ 538,830  
Loans held-for-sale
    23,767       23,226       -       -       -  
Total loans receivable, net
    627,916       580,551       493,432       421,987       351,900  
Securities
    38,172       67,117       108,286       149,335       139,877  
Cash and cash equivalents
    27,368       17,350       22,904       20,420       22,774  
Deposits
    654,663       615,122       504,638       455,870       375,519  
Borrowed funds
    58,625       61,093       93,792       115,299       104,282  
Stockholders' equity
    54,383       51,627       48,697       45,801       44,645  
                                         
Number of deposit accounts
    46,771       46,034       41,614       40,199       38,578  
Number of branches
    10       10       8       8       6  
                                         
Operating Data:
                                       
Interest income
  $ 48,132     $ 41,740     $ 32,385     $ 28,546     $ 26,234  
Interest expense
    22,656       19,234       13,493       9,758       8,700  
Net interest income before provision for loan losses
    25,476       22,506       18,892       18,788       17,534  
Provision for loan losses
    222       276       -       -       -  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    25,254       22,230       18,892       18,788       17,534  
Non-interest income
    7,861       2,869       5,341       4,075       5,278  
Non-interest expense
    29,870       23,339       19,134       18,696       15,480  
Income before income taxes
    3,245       1,760       5,099       4,167       7,332  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (881 )     (823 )     1,329       1,518       2,493  
Minority intereset, net of taxes
    146       -       -       -       -  
Net income
  $ 3,980     $ 2,583     $ 3,770     $ 2,649     $ 4,839  
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 1.60     $ 1.03     $ 1.50     $ 1.06     $ 2.03  
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 1.55     $ 1.00     $ 1.45     $ 1.03     $ 1.87  
Cash dividends per common share
  $ 0.40     $ 0.35     $ 0.31     $ 0.26     $ 0.20  
                      26                  
Selected Statistical Data:
                                       
Return on average assets (1)
    0.52 %     0.37 %     0.60 %     0.45 %     0.93 %
Return on average equity (2)
    7.23       5.23       7.93       5.80       11.40  
Net interest margin (3)
    3.62       3.44       2.97       3.41       3.56  
Average interest rate spread (4)
    3.34       3.16       3.18       3.26       3.40  
Efficiency ratio (5)
    90.31       91.98       78.96       81.77       67.86  
Operating expense to average assets (6)
    3.92       3.34       3.04       3.21       2.97  
Average equity to average assets
    7.16       7.05       7.54       7.84       8.13  
Dividend payout ratio (7)
    24.50       34.04       20.63       24.64       9.86  
                                         
Asset Quality Ratios:
                                       
Non-performing assets to total assets (8)
    0.50 %     0.61 %     0.42 %     0.16 %     0.39 %
Non-performing loans to total loans receivable (8)
    0.43       0.74       0.55       0.23       0.60  
Allowance for loan losses to total loans receivable
    0.74       0.89       0.81       0.96       1.16  

(1)
Net income divided by average total assets.

(2)
Net income divided by average total equity.

(3)
Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

(4)
The difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(5)
Non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.

(6)
Non-interest expense less real estate owned expenses, divided by average total assets.

(7)
Dividends paid to common stockholders as a percentage of net income available to common stockholders.

(8)
Non performing assets consist of non-accrual loans, loans accruing 90 days or more past due, and property acquired in settlement of loans.


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements presented elsewhere in this report.  The Company’s results of operations are significantly affected by general economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, government policies, changes in accounting standards and actions of regulatory agencies.

Executive Summary

Carver Bancorp, Inc. is a savings and loan holding company organized under the laws of the state of Delaware.   Carver is committed to providing superior customer service while offering a range of banking products and financial services to our retail and commercial customers.  The Holding Company’s primary subsidiary is Carver Federal Savings Bank, which operates from ten branches in the New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.

Fiscal 2008

Fiscal 2008 was a particularly challenging year for Carver, driven in part by the yield curve and disruptions in credit markets, followed by the threat of recession.  Nevertheless, Carver’s business held up well, as the impact of national events has not been as apparent in our core markets.  Carver was spared the brunt of the turbulent credit environment, given our limited exposure to loan and investment products of concern to the financial markets.  Although the Company's local markets have not experienced in any material respect the fallout impacting other regions across the nation, management is intensely focused on any signs of weakening conditions.  The Company believes its small business and real estate lending teams are well positioned to source attractive opportunities, and Carver remains committed to solid asset quality and accretive asset growth as top priorities.

Reported earnings increased 54% from fiscal 2007, but were flat when removing the impact of fiscal 2007’s acquisition and balance sheet restructuring.  The Company’s net interest income grew to a record level of over $25 million, following an increase in our net interest margin of 18 basis points to 3.62%.  This margin expansion resulted from a 7.8% increase in loans and deposit growth of 6.4%, although consistent with peers, core deposits are migrating to higher priced CDs.  Additionally, credit quality remained strong with non-performing loans at 0.50% of total assets.  Securities and borrowings portfolios decreased during fiscal 2008, which is consistent with the Company’s strategy to reduce lower yielding securities and invest in higher yielding mortgages and loans.  Carver’s fiscal 2008 performance was driven by three primary factors: first, Carver’s lending business continued to excel, and credit quality remained stable; second, Carver leveraged its New Markets Tax Credit award to bolster bottom line performance; and third, Carver’s asset/liability management eased margin pressure.

The Bank’s non-interest income benefited from a significant New Markets Tax Credit transaction generating a $1.7 million payment during the year, along with increased lending and retail fee generation.  With this transaction, the Bank’s $59 million award received in June 2006 has been fully invested.  Carver’s NMTC award continues to provide a Federal income tax benefit to the Company's bottom line.  The Company expects to receive additional NMTC tax benefits of approximately $12.1 million from its $40.0 million investment over approximately the next six years.

Asset quality remained solid in fiscal 2008 notwithstanding the Bank’s loan portfolio growth and diversification into small business lending.  The Company believes that the Bank’s loan loss provision recorded in fiscal 2008 and the Bank’s allowance for loan losses are adequate.

Expenses grew year over year, largely based on substantial expansion of non-interest expense of $3.6 million. The increase in expense falls into three categories: regulatory requirements (preparation for compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404 and recent Inter-Agency Guidance on Allowances for Loan Losses); strengthening the Bank’s back office, including the accounting, lending and retail operations departments, by adding new staff and providing temporary expertise; and engaging consultants to assist the management team to analyze significant opportunities to improve financial results. For example, the Bank engaged consultants to conduct a rigorous business optimization review to help management identify further improvements in our operations, in part through greater systems integration.  While these investments impact near-term results, they are fundamental to building the scale and infrastructure necessary for the Company to grow profitably.  During fiscal 2009, management expects to outline specific steps to improve efficiency and return on equity.  The first step should occur in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 when the Bank expects to complete outsourcing of its residential lending department. Management expects that this arrangement will expand the Bank’s product base and improve customer service, while reducing costs to the Company.


Fiscal 2009

The industry economic environment in fiscal 2009 is expected to be characterized by continued constraint in credit markets combined with the threat of stagflation.  The credit issues relate to weaknesses in residential and commercial real estate due to subprime issues and general economic conditions.  Interest rates are expected to remain low in the near term as the Federal Reserve lowered the Fed funds rate in efforts to stimulate growth.  However, inflation fears may constrain the Federal Reserve's ability to lower rates from current levels, and inflation concerns may have the impact of steepening the yield curve and encouraging the Federal Reserve to consider raising the Fed funds rate later this year.

Thrifts, many of which have business models primarily dependent on spread income from real estate loans, have been especially hard hit in this environment.  The thrift industry posted a record $5.2 billion loss in the December 2007 quarter.  In calendar year 2008 (Carver’s fiscal 2009), industry analysts expect earnings shrinkage for the sector, and expect smaller banks to suffer more than larger banks.  Carver Federal’s credit quality has been stable because its neighborhood markets have not been as severely impacted by the credit issues impacting the nation.

The outlook for fiscal 2009 reflects many of the economic and competitive factors that the Bank and the banking industry faced in fiscal 2008.  As a result, the Bank expects the operating environment to remain challenging.   In this challenging climate, the Bank will continue to focus on growth in its traditional businesses, namely the expansion of real estate loans and core deposits.  The Bank expects its new business and marketing efforts to core customer groups including small business owners, landlords, and churches and other non-profits, to drive the Bank’s deposit gathering strategy.

Carver expects its business performance in fiscal 2009 and thereafter will be propelled by several factors.  First, the small business and non-residential markets offer the opportunity for higher-yielding loans and lower costing deposits.  Management believes serving these market niches is critical to Carver’s growth and future profitability.  Second, Carver’s focus on improving its back-office operations should pay dividends in the form of efficiencies.  Third, Carver enjoys a venerable reputation in the world of community development financial institutions, and management believes that Carver may leverage that reputation to its business advantage by broadening its new business efforts to target a broader institutional audience.  Finally, management believes that growth and profitability may be accelerated by a prudent merger and acquisition strategy.  The importance of a strong and efficient operating platform has been amplified in the current regulatory environment and Carver’s competitive marketplace.

Acquisition of Community Capital Bank

On September 29, 2006, the Bank completed its acquisition of Community Capital Bank, a Brooklyn-based New York State chartered commercial bank, with approximately $165.4 million in assets and two branches, in a cash transaction totaling approximately $11.1 million.  Under the terms of the merger agreement, CCB’s shareholders were paid $40.00 per outstanding share (including options which immediately vested with the consummation of the merger) and the Bank incurred an additional $0.9 million in transaction related costs.  The combined entities operate under Carver Federal’s thrift charter and Carver Federal continues to be supervised by the Office of Thrift Supervision.

The transaction, which was accounted for under the purchase accounting method, included the recognition of approximately $0.8 million of core deposit intangibles and $5.1 million representing the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets (“goodwill”).  At March 31, 2008, goodwill relating to the transaction and subsequent additional purchase accounting adjustments, primarily income taxes, sales tax assessment and professional fees, totaled approximately $6.4 million.
 
New Markets Tax Credit Award

In June 2006, Carver Federal was selected by the U.S. Department of Treasury to receive an award of $59 million in New Markets Tax Credits.  The NMTC award is used to stimulate economic development in low- to moderate-income communities.  The NMTC award enables the Bank to invest with community and development partners in economic development projects with attractive terms including, in some cases, below market interest rates, which may have the effect of attracting capital to underserved communities and facilitating the revitalization of the community, pursuant to the goals of the NMTC program.  The NMTC award provides a credit to Carver Federal against Federal income taxes when the Bank makes qualified investments.  The credits are allocated over seven years from the time of the qualified investment.  Recognition of the Bank’s NMTC award began in December 2006 when the Bank invested $29.5 million, one-half of its $59 million award.  In December 2007, the Bank invested an additional $10.5 million and transferred rights to $19.0 million to an investor in a NMTC project.  The Bank’s NMTC allocation was fully invested as of December 31, 2007.  During the seven year period, assuming the Bank meets compliance requirements, the Bank will receive 39% of the $40.0 million invested award amount in tax benefits (5% over each of the first three years, and 6% over each of the next four years).  The Company expects to receive the remaining NMTC tax benefits of approximately $12.1 million from its $40.0 million investment over the next six years.


Critical Accounting Policies

Various elements of our accounting policies, by their nature, are inherently subject to estimation techniques, valuation assumptions and other subjective assessments.  Carver’s policy with respect to the methodologies used to determine the allowance for loan losses is the most critical accounting policy.  This policy is important to the presentation of Carver’s financial condition and results of operations, and it involves a higher degree of complexity and requires management to make difficult and subjective judgments, which often require assumptions or estimates about highly uncertain matters.  The use of different judgments, assumptions and estimates could result in material differences in our results of operations or financial condition.

See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of our summary of significant accounting policies, including those related to allowance for loan losses, and an explanation of the methods and assumptions underlying their application.

Securities Impairment

The Bank’s available-for-sale securities portfolio is carried at estimated fair value, with any unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/loss in stockholders’ equity.  Securities that the Bank has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and are carried at amortized cost.  The fair values of securities in the portfolio are based on published or securities dealers’ market values and are affected by changes in interest rates.  The Bank periodically reviews and evaluates the securities portfolio to determine if the decline in the fair value of any security below its cost basis is other-than-temporary.  The Bank generally views changes in fair value caused by changes in interest rates as temporary, which is consistent with its experience.  However, if such a decline is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the security is written down to a new cost basis and the resulting loss is charged to earnings.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank carried no other than temporarily impaired securities.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for probable loan losses inherent in the portfolio as of March 31, 2008.  During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, Carver changed its loan loss methodology to be consistent with the Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses released by the Federal Financial Regulatory Agencies on December 13, 2006.  The change had an immaterial affect on the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2008.  Management is responsible for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the periodic provisioning for estimated losses included in the consolidated financial statements.  The evaluation process is undertaken on a quarterly basis, but may increase in frequency should conditions arise that would require management’s prompt attention, such as business combinations and opportunities to dispose of non-performing and marginally performing loans by bulk sale or any development which may indicate an adverse trend.

Carver Federal maintains a loan review system, which includes periodic review of its loan portfolio and the early identification of potential problem loans.  Such system takes into consideration, among other things, delinquency status, size of loans, type of collateral and financial condition of the borrowers.  Loan loss allowances are established for problem loans based on a review of such information and/or appraisals of the underlying collateral.  On the remainder of its loan portfolio, loan loss allowances are based upon a combination of factors including, but not limited to, actual loan loss experience, composition of loan portfolio, current economic conditions and management’s judgment.  Although management believes that adequate loan loss allowances have been established, actual losses are dependent upon future events and, as such, further additions to the level of the loan loss allowance may be necessary in the future.

The methodology employed for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance consists of the following criteria:

 
·
Establishment of loan loss allowance amounts for all specifically identified criticized and classified loans that have been designated as requiring attention by management’s internal loan review process, bank regulatory examinations or Carver Federal’s external auditors.

 
·
An average loss factor, giving effect to historical loss experience over several years and other qualitative factors, is applied to all loans not subject to specific review.

 
·
Evaluation of any changes in risk profile brought about by business combinations, customer knowledge, the results of ongoing credit quality monitoring processes and the cyclical nature of economic and business conditions.  An important consideration in performing this evaluation is the concentration of real estate related loans located in the New York City metropolitan area.

All new loan originations are assigned a credit risk grade which commences with loan officers and underwriters grading the quality of their loans one to five under a nine-category risk classification scale, the first five categories of which represent performing loans.  Reserves are held based on actual loss factors based on several years of loss experience and other qualitative factors applied to the outstanding balances in each loan category.  All loans are subject to continuous review and monitoring for changes in their credit grading.   Grading that falls into criticized or classified categories (credit grading six through nine) are further evaluated and reserved amounts are established for each loan based on each loan’s potential for loss and include consideration of the sufficiency of collateral.  Any adverse trend in real estate markets could seriously affect underlying values available to protect against loss.


Other evidence used to support the amount of the allowance and its components includes:

 
·
Amount and trend of criticized loans;
 
·
Actual losses;
 
·
Peer comparisons with other financial institutions; and
 
·
Economic data associated with the real estate market in the Company’s lending market areas.

A loan is considered to be impaired, as defined by SFAS No. 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan” (“SFAS 114”), when it is probable that Carver Federal will be unable to collect all principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Carver Federal tests loans covered under SFAS 114 for impairment if they are on non-accrual status or have been restructured.  Consumer credit non-accrual loans are not tested for impairment because they are included in large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans that, by definition, are excluded from the scope of SFAS 114.  Impaired loans are required to be measured based upon (i) the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s initial effective interest rate, (ii) the loan’s market price, or (iii) fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  If the loan valuation is less than the recorded value of the loan, an allowance must be established for the difference.  The allowance is established by either an allocation of the existing allowance for loan losses or by a provision for loan losses, depending on various circumstances.  Allowances are not needed when credit losses have been recorded so that the recorded investment in an impaired loan is less than the loan valuation.

Asset/Liability Management

The Company’s primary earnings source is net interest income, which is affected by changes in the level of interest rates, the relationship between the rates on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the impact of interest rate fluctuations on asset prepayments, the level and composition of deposits and the credit quality of earning assets.  Management’s asset/liability objectives are to maintain a strong, stable net interest margin, to utilize its capital effectively without taking undue risks, to maintain adequate liquidity and to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates.

The economic environment is uncertain regarding future interest rate trends.  Management monitors the Company’s cumulative gap position, which is the difference between the sensitivity to rate changes on the Company’s interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  In addition, the Company uses various tools to monitor and manage interest rate risk, such as a model that projects net interest income based on increasing or decreasing interest rates.

Stock Repurchase Program

Refer to “ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.”


Discussion of Market Risk—Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis

As a financial institution, the Bank’s primary component of market risk is interest rate volatility.  Fluctuations in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on a large portion of the Bank’s assets and liabilities, and the market value of all interest-earning assets, other than those which are short term in maturity.  Since virtually all of the Company’s interest-bearing assets and liabilities are held by the Bank, most of the Company’s interest rate risk exposure is retained by the Bank.  As a result, all significant interest rate risk management procedures are performed at the Bank.  Based upon the Bank’s nature of operations, the Bank is not subject to foreign currency exchange or commodity price risk.  The Bank does not own any trading assets.

Carver Federal seeks to manage its interest rate risk by monitoring and controlling the variation in repricing intervals between its assets and liabilities.  To a lesser extent, Carver Federal also monitors its interest rate sensitivity by analyzing the estimated changes in market value of its assets and liabilities assuming various interest rate scenarios.  As discussed more fully below, there are a variety of factors that influence the repricing characteristics of any given asset or liability.

The matching of assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the extent to which such assets and liabilities are “interest rate sensitive” and by monitoring an institution’s interest rate sensitivity gap.  An asset or liability is said to be interest rate sensitive within a specific period if it will mature or reprice within that period.  The interest rate sensitivity gap is defined as the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within a specific period of time and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within that same time period.  A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest rate sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities and is considered negative when the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities exceeds the amount of interest rate sensitive assets.  Generally, during a period of falling interest rates, a negative gap could result in an increase in net interest income, while a positive gap could adversely affect net interest income.  Conversely, during a period of rising interest rates a negative gap could adversely affect net interest income, while a positive gap could result in an increase in net interest income.  As illustrated below, Carver Federal had a negative one-year gap equal to 12.47% of total rate sensitive assets at March 31, 2008.  As a result, Carver Federal’s net interest income could be negatively affected by rising interest rates and positively affected by falling interest rates.


The following table sets forth information regarding the projected maturities, prepayments and repricing of the major rate-sensitive asset and liability categories of Carver Federal as of March 31, 2008.  Maturity repricing dates have been projected by applying estimated prepayment rates based on the current rate environment.  The information presented in the following table is derived in part from data incorporated in “Schedule CMR: Consolidated Maturity and Rate,” which is part of the Bank’s quarterly reports filed with the OTS.  The repricing and other assumptions are not necessarily representative of the Bank’s actual results.  Classifications of items in the table below are different from those presented in other tables and the financial statements and accompanying notes included herein and do not reflect non-performing loans (dollars in thousands):

   
< 3 Mos.
   
4-12 Mos.
   
1-3 Yrs.
   
3-5 Yrs.
   
5-10 Yrs.
   
10+ Yrs.
   
Total
 
Rate Sensitive Assets:
                                         
Loans
  $ 171,827     $ 65,102     $ 113,724     $ 127,919     $ 70,390     $ 107,599     $ 656,561  
Mortgage Backed Securities
    5,265       6,297       8,728       943       2,823       12,756       36,812  
Federal Funds Sold
    10,500       -       -       -       -       -       10,500  
Investment Securities
    -       -       -       -       1,360       -       1,360  
Total interest-earning assets
    187,592       71,399       122,452       128,862       74,573       120,355       705,233  
                                                         
Rate Sensitive Liabilities:
                                                       
NOW accounts
    2,167       2,500       5,999       5,086       6,726       5,689       28,167  
Savings Accounts
    9,681       11,168       26,798       22,719       30,042       25,411       125,819  
Money market accounts
    3,502       4,040       9,694       8,218       10,867       9,192       45,513  
Certificate of Deposits
    136,426       162,345       25,690       12,739       399       6       337,604  
Borrowings
    1,000       14,108       -       30,142       -       -       45,250  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    152,776       194,161       68,181       78,904       48,034       40,298       582,353  
                                                         
Interest Sensitivity Gap
  $ 34,816     $ (122,762 )   $ 54,271     $ 49,958     $ 26,539     $ 80,057     $ 122,879  
                                                         
Cumulative Interest Sensitivity Gap
  $ 34,816     $ (87,946 )   $ (33,675 )   $ 16,283     $ 42,822     $ 122,879          
Ratio of Cumulative Gap to Total Rate
                                                       
Sensitive assets
    4.94 %     -12.47 %     -4.77 %     2.31 %     6.07 %     17.42 %        

The table above assumes that fixed maturity deposits are not withdrawn prior to maturity and that transaction accounts will decay as disclosed in the table above.

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the table above.  Although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods of repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in the market interest rates.  The interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while rates on other types of assets and liabilities may lag behind changes in market interest rates.  Certain assets, such as adjustable-rate mortgages, generally have features that restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset.  In the event of a change in interest rates, prepayments and early withdrawal levels would likely deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating the table.  Additionally, credit risk may increase as many borrowers may experience an inability to service their debt in the event of a rise in interest rate.  Virtually all of the adjustable-rate loans in Carver Federal’s portfolio contain conditions that restrict the periodic change in interest rate.

Net Portfolio Value (“NPV”) Analysis.  As part of its efforts to maximize net interest income while managing risks associated with changing interest rates, management also uses the NPV methodology.  NPV is the present value of expected net cash flows from existing assets less the present value of expected cash flows from existing liabilities plus the present value of net expected cash inflows from existing financial derivatives and off-balance-sheet contracts.

Under this methodology, interest rate risk exposure is assessed by reviewing the estimated changes in NPV that would hypothetically occur if interest rates rapidly rise or fall along the yield curve.  Projected values of NPV at both higher and lower regulatory defined rate scenarios are compared to base case values (no change in rates) to determine the sensitivity to changing interest rates.


Presented below, as of March 31, 2008, is an analysis of the Bank’s interest rate risk as measured by changes in NPV for instantaneous and sustained parallel shifts of 100 basis points and 50 basis points plus or minus changes in market interest rates.  Such limits have been established with consideration of the impact of various rate changes and the Bank’s current capital position.  The Bank considers its level of interest rate risk for fiscal 2008, as measured by changes in NPV, to be “minimal”.  The information set forth below relates solely to the Bank; however, because virtually all of the Company’s interest rate risk exposure lies at the Bank level, management believes the table below also similarly reflects an analysis of the Company’s interest rate risk (dollars in thousands):

     
Net Portfolio Value
   
NPV as % of PV of Assets
 
Change in Rate
   
$ Amount
   
$ Change
   
% Change
   
NPV Ratio
   
Change
 
  +300  bp     99,028       -15,954       -14 %     12.27 %     -154 bp
  +200  bp     102,962       -12,020       -10 %     12.65 %     -117 bp
  +100  bp     108,631       -6,351       -6 %     13.21 %     - 60 bp
  +50  bp     111,870       -3,112       -3 %     13.52 %     - 30 bp
  0  bp     114,982       --       --       13.82 %     -- bp
  (50 ) bp     117,979       2,997       3 %     14.10 %     28 bp
  (100 ) bp     120,788       5,806       5 %     14.36 %     54 bp

   
March 31,
 
   
2008
 
Risk Measures: +200 BP Rate Shock:
     
Pre-Shock NPV Ratio: NPV as % of PV of Assets
    13.82 %
Post-Shock NPV Ratio
    12.65 %
Sensitivity Measure: Decline in NPV Ratio
    -117 bp

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


Average Balance, Interest and Average Yields and Rates

The following table sets forth certain information relating to Carver Federal’s average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities and related yields for the years ended March 31.  The table also presents information for the fiscal years indicated with respect to the difference between the weighted average yield earned on interest-earning assets and the weighted average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, or “interest rate spread,” which savings institutions have traditionally used as an indicator of profitability.  Another indicator of an institution’s profitability is its “net interest margin,” which is its net interest income divided by the average balance of interest-earning assets.  Net interest income is affected by the interest rate spread and by the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  When interest-earning assets approximate or exceed interest-bearing liabilities, any positive interest rate spread will generate net interest income (dollars in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Interest Earning Assets:
 
Average Balance
   
Interest
   
Average Yield/ Cost
   
Average Balance
   
Interest
   
Average Yield/ Cost
   
Average Balance
   
Interest
   
Average Yield/ Cost
 
                         
Loans
  $ 639,583     $ 44,499       6.96 %   $ 558,058     $ 37,278       6.68 %   $ 443,461     $ 26,563       5.99 %
Mortgage-backed securities
    39,079       2,071       5.30 %     64,682       2,877       4.45 %     113,574       4,439       3.91 %
Investment securities
    22,902       1,434       6.26 %     27,161       1,325       4.88 %     25,698       971       3.78 %
Fed funds sold
    3,007       128       4.26 %     5,145       261       5.07 %     12,166       412       3.39 %
Total interest earning assets
    704,571       48,132       6.83 %     655,046       41,741       6.37 %     594,899       32,385       5.44 %
Non-interest earning assets
    63,440                       44,576                       35,198                  
Total assets
  $ 768,011                     $ 699,622                     $ 630,097                  
                                                                         
Interest Bearing Liabilities:
                                                                       
Deposits:
                                                                       
NOW demand
  $ 24,660       138       0.56 %   $ 25,313       98       0.39 %   $ 24,397       74       0.30 %
Savings and clubs
    131,627       1,004       0.76 %     136,785       931       0.68 %     137,934       919       0.67 %
Money market savings
    44,688       1,193       2.67 %     43,303       1,133       2.62 %     36,583       601       1.64 %
Certificates of deposit
    370,933       16,489       4.45 %     312,452       13,036       4.17 %     237,992       7,297       3.07 %
Mortgagors deposits
    2,687       42       1.56 %     2,154       30       1.39 %     2,044       30       1.47 %
Total deposits
    574,595       18,866       3.28 %     520,007       15,228       2.93 %     438,950       8,921       2.03 %
Borrowed money
    73,880       3,790       5.13 %     78,853       4,007       5.08 %     107,551       4,572       4.25 %
Total interest bearing liabilities
    648,475       22,656       3.49 %     598,860       19,235       3.21 %     546,501       13,493       2.47 %
                                                                         
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Demand
    51,713                       40,676                       29,079                  
Other liabilities
    12,803                       10,739                       6,980                  
Total liabilities
    712,991                       650,275                       582,560                  
Stockholders' equity
    55,020                       49,347                       47,537                  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 768,011                     $ 699,622                     $ 630,097                  
Net interest income
          $ 25,476                     $ 22,506                     $ 18,892          
                                                                         
Average interest rate spread
                    3.34 %                     3.16 %                     2.97 %
                                                                         
Net interest margin
                    3.62 %                     3.44 %                     3.18 %
                                                                         
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to  interest-bearing liabilities
                    108.65 %                     109.38 %                     108.86 %


Rate/Volume Analysis

The following table sets forth information regarding the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in volume of interest related assets and liabilities have affected Carver Federal’s interest income and expense during the fiscal years ended March 31 (in thousands):
 
   
2008 vs. 2007
   
2007 vs. 2006
 
   
Increase (Decrease) due to
   
Increase (Decrease) due to
 
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total
 
Interest Earning Assets:
                                   
Loans
  $ 5,626     $ 1,595     $ 7,221     $ 6,864     $ 3,060     $ 9,924  
Investment securities
    (248 )     357       109       1,473       172       1,645  
Mortgage-backed securities
    (1,289 )     483       (806 )     (3,377 )     1,102       (2,276 )
Fed funds sold, FHLB stock & other
    (101 )     (32 )     (133 )     (238 )     205       (33 )
Total interest earning assets
    3,988       2,403       6,391       4,722       4,539       9,260  
                                                 
Interest Bearing Liabilities:
                                               
Deposits
                                               
NOW demand
    (4 )     44       40       3       20       23  
Savings and clubs
    (39 )     112       73       (8 )     20       12  
Money market savings
    37       23       60       110       356       467  
Certificates of deposit
    2,580       873       3,453       2,283       2,632       4,915  
Mortgagors deposits
    8       4       12       2       (2 )     0  
Total deposits
    2,582       1,056       3,638       2,390       3,026       5,417  
Borrowed money
    (255 )     38       (217 )     (1,220 )     893       (327 )
Total interest bearing liabilities
    2,327       1,094       3,421       1,170       3,919       5,090  
                                                 
Net change in interest income
  $ 1,661     $ 1,309     $ 2,970     $ 3,552     $ 620     $ 4,170  
 
For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, information is provided for changes attributable to: (1) changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate); (2) changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by old volume); and (3) changes in rate/volume.  Changes in rate/volume variance are allocated proportionately between changes in rate and changes in volume.

Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2008 and 2007

Assets

At March 31, 2008, total assets increased $56.4 million, or 7.6%, to $796.4 million compared to $740.0 million at March 31, 2007, primarily the result of increases in loans receivable and loans held-for-sale of $47.4 million, other assets of $27.4 million and cash and cash equivalents of $10.0 million, partially offset by decreases in investment securities of $28.9 million and FHLB-NY stock of $1.6 million.

Total loans receivable, including loans held-for-sale, increased $47.4 million, or 7.8%, to $656.6 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $609.2 million at March 31, 2007.  The increase was primarily the result of an increase in commercial real estate loans of $35.3 million and an increase in construction loans of $21.2 million, offset by a decrease of multi-family loans of $13.2 million. The Bank continues to grow its loan portfolio through focusing on the origination of loans in the markets it serves and will continue to augment these originations with loan purchases.  

At March 31, 2008, construction loans represented 25.1% of the loan portfolio.  Approximately 67.5% of the Bank’s construction loans are participations in loans originated by Community Preservation Corporation.  CPC is a non-profit mortgage lender whose mission is to enhance the quality and quantity of affordable housing in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut tri-state area.  The Bank’s construction lending activity is concentrated in the New York City market.  At this time, the New York City real estate market has been resilient relative to the real estate downturn impacting other parts of the U.S.  The economic environment is expected to be characterized by continued constraint in credit markets for affordable housing.  The credit issues relate to weaknesses in residential and commercial real estate due to subprime issues and general economic conditions.  Based on recent reports, various factors including continuing demand, relatively low proportion of subprime loans, interest from international buyers, and a lack of affordable housing supply contribute to New York City real estate’s continuing strength.  Despite those favorable factors, the Bank will continue to closely monitor trends.


Other assets increased $27.4 million, or 191.4%, to $41.7 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $14.3 million at March 31, 2007, primarily due to a $19.0 million NMTC transaction on December 31, 2007, which increased both other assets and minority interest.  Additionally, other assets consisted of a settlement receivable of $7.6 million from the sale of certain investments.

Cash and cash equivalents increased $10.0 million, or 57.7%, to $27.4 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $17.4 million at March 31, 2007, primarily due to a $9.2 million increase in Federal funds sold and a $1.3 million increase in cash and due from banks.  Office properties and equipment on a net basis increased by $1.2 million, or 7.9%, to $15.8 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $14.6 million at March 31, 2007, primarily the result of leasing  new office space to consolidate back-office operations and the opening of a new ATM center.

Total securities decreased $28.9 million, or 43.1%, to $38.2 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $67.1 million at March 31, 2007, reflecting a decline of $27.1 million in available-for-sale securities and a $1.8 million decrease in held-to-maturity securities.  The decrease in total securities is primarily due to collection of normal principal repayments, maturities of securities and the Bank’s strategy of reducing lower yielding securities and replacing them with higher yielding loans.  However, the Bank may invest in securities from time to time to help diversify its asset portfolio, manage liquidity and satisfy collateral requirements for certain deposits. There were $15.3 million purchases of securities during the fiscal 2008.  Total securities also declined due to an increase in the net unrealized loss on securities of $0.2 million resulting from the mark-to-market of the available for sale securities portfolio.

The Bank’s investment in FHLB-NY stock decreased by $1.6 million, or 49.8%, to $1.6 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $3.2 million at March 31, 2007.  The FHLB-NY requires banks to own membership stock as well as borrowing activity-based stock.  The decrease in investment in FHLB-NY stock was the result of the repayment of FHLB-NY borrowings, resulting in the net redemption of stock during the period.

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Liabilities

At March 31, 2008, total liabilities increased $34.7 million, or 5.1%, to $723.1 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $688.3 million at March 31, 2007.  The increase in total liabilities was primarily the result of $39.5 million of additional customer deposits, offset by decreases of $2.5 million in advances and borrowed money and $2.3 million of other liabilities.

Deposits increased $39.5 million, or 6.4%, to $654.7 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $615.1 million at March 31, 2007.  The increase in deposit balances was primarily the result of an increase in certificates of deposit of $52.8 million, which were offset by decreases of $12.1 million in savings and $1.5 million in money market accounts.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank had $63.0 million in brokered deposits.

Advances from the FHLB-NY and other borrowed money decreased $2.5 million, or 4.0%, to $58.6 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $61.1 million at March 31, 2007.  The decrease in advances and borrowed money was primarily the result of a reduction of $32.5 million in FHLB advances, offset by an increase in repurchase obligations of $30.0 million at March 31, 2008 compared to no repurchase obligations at March 31, 2007.  Other liabilities decreased $2.3 million, or 19.3%, to $9.8 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $12.1 million at March 31, 2007, primarily due to a decrease of $1.5 million in retail liabilities.

On December 31, 2007, CCDC received an equity investment of $19.0 million related to a New Markets Tax Credit transaction.  On consolidation, this transaction is reflected as a $19.0 million increase in other assets and minority interest.

Stockholders’ Equity

Total stockholders’ equity increased $2.8 million, or 5.3%, to $54.4 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $51.6 million at March 31, 2007. The increase in total stockholders’ equity was primarily attributable to net income for fiscal 2008 totaling $4.0 million, partially offset by dividends paid of $1.0 million, the repurchase of common stock totaling $0.4 million in accordance with the Company's stock repurchase program and a favorable pension valuation adjustment of $0.2 million.  The Bank’s capital levels meet regulatory requirements of a well-capitalized financial institution.


Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

Net Income

The Company reported net income of $4.0 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.55 for fiscal 2008 compared to net income of $2.6 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.00 for fiscal 2007.  Net income rose $1.4 million, or 54.1%, to $4.0 million, primarily reflecting increases in net interest income of $3.0 million and non-interest income of $5.0 million, offset by an increase in non-interest expense of $6.5 million.  The prior year period included special pre-tax charges of $1.3 million related to CCB acquisition costs and $1.3 million related to the balance sheet repositioning.

Interest Income

Interest income increased by $6.4 million, or 15.3%, to $48.1 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $41.7 million for fiscal 2007.  Interest income increased as a result of an increase in total average balances of interest-earning assets of $49.5 million, which includes an increase in average loan balances of $81.5 million offset by decreases in average balances of mortgage-backed securities of $25.6 million, investment securities of $4.3 million and Federal funds sold of $2.1 million.  Interest income increased as a result of an increase in average loan balances, acquisition of CCB’s higher yielding portfolio and origination of higher yielding loans. Additionally, these results were pursuant to the Bank’s asset/liability strategy of increasing the average loan balances and its higher yields offset by a decline in average balances of mortgage-backed securities and investment securities.  Yields on interest-earning assets increased 46 basis points to 6.83% for fiscal 2008 compared to 6.37% for the prior year period, reflecting increases in yields on loans of 28 basis points, mortgage-backed securities of 85 basis points and investment securities of 138 basis points, offset by a decrease in yields on Federal funds sold of 81 basis points.

Interest income on loans increased by $7.2 million, or 19.4%, to $44.5 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $37.3 million for fiscal 2007.  These results were primarily driven by an increase in average loan balances of $81.5 million to $639.6 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $558.1 million for fiscal 2007, partly a reflection of the full year impact of the CCB acquisition.  In addition, yield increased 28 basis points to 6.96% for fiscal 2008 compared to 6.68% for fiscal 2007, primarily due to growth in higher yielding construction and small business loans.

Interest income on securities decreased by $0.7 million, or 16.6%, to $3.5 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $4.2 million for fiscal 2007.  Interest income on mortgage-backed securities decreased by $0.8 million, or 28.0%, to $2.1 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $2.9 million for fiscal 2007.  The decrease in interest income on mortgage-backed securities for fiscal 2008 was primarily the result of a $25.6 million, or 39.68%, reduction in the average balances of mortgage-backed securities to $39.1 million, compared to $64.7 million for fiscal 2007.  The net decrease in the average balance of such securities demonstrates Management’s commitment to invest proceeds received from the cash flows from the repayment of securities into higher yielding assets and the sale of lower yielding securities to reposition the balance sheet.  The mortgage-backed securities yield increased by 85 basis points to 5.30%, compared to 4.45% in fiscal 2007.

Additionally, the decrease in interest income on mortgage-backed securities was partially offset by an increase in investment securities interest of $0.1 million, or 8.2%, to $1.4 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $1.3 million for fiscal 2007.  The increase was primarily the result of an increase in the yield on investment securities by 138 basis points to 6.26% compared to 4.88% in fiscal 2007, as adjustable rate securities in the portfolio repriced to higher coupon rates.  The increase in interest income on investment securities was offset by a reduction of $4.3 million, or 15.7%, in the average balances of investment securities to $22.9 million compared to $27.2 million for fiscal 2007.

Interest income on federal funds decreased by $0.2 million, or 51.0%, to $0.1 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $0.3 million for fiscal 2007. The decrease is primarily the result of $2.1 million decrease in the average balance of Federal funds year over year and an 81 basis point decrease in the average rate earned on federal funds.  This decrease in the average rate earned on federal funds was realized as the FRB lowered the federal funds rate.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by $3.5 million, or 17.8%, to $22.7 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $19.2 million for fiscal 2007.  The increase in interest expense reflects a 28 basis point increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 3.49% in fiscal 2008 compared to 3.21% in fiscal 2007 and growth in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $49.6 million, or 8.3%, to $648.5 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $598.9 million for fiscal 2007.  The increase in interest expense was primarily the result of growth in the average balance of certificates of deposit of $58.5 million over fiscal 2007 to $370.9 million.

Interest expense on deposits increased $3.7 million, or 10.5%, to $18.9 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $15.2 million for fiscal 2007.  This increase was primarily the result of growth in the average balance of certificates of deposit of $58.4 million, or 18.7%, to $370.9 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $312.5 million for fiscal 2007.  Interest paid on certificates of deposit increased $3.5 million, or 10.2%, to $16.5 million for fiscal 2008 compared to 13.0 million for fiscal 2007.  Additionally, a 35 basis point increase in the rate paid on deposits to 3.28% in fiscal 2008 compared to 2.93% in fiscal 2007 contributed to the increase.  Historically, the Bank’s customer deposits have provided a relatively low cost funding source from which its net interest income and net interest margin have benefited.  In addition, the Bank’s relationship with various government entities has been a source of relatively stable and low cost funding.


Interest expense on advances and other borrowed money decreased $0.2 million, or 5.4%, to $3.8 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $4.0 million for fiscal 2007.  The average balance of total borrowed money outstanding declined, primarily as a result of a $5.0 million decrease in the average balance of outstanding borrowings to $73.9 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $78.9 million in fiscal 2007.  Partially offsetting the decrease in interest expense was a 5 basis point increase in the cost of borrowed money to 5.13% in fiscal 2008 compared to 5.08% in fiscal 2007.  This was partially offset by an increased cost of debt service on the $13.0 million in floating rate junior subordinated notes issued by the Company in connection with issuance of trust preferred securities by Carver Statutory Trust I in September 2003.  Cash distributions on the trust preferred debt securities are cumulative and payable at a floating rate per annum (reset quarterly) equal to 3.05% over the 3-month LIBOR, with a rate at March 31, 2008 of 5.85%.

Net Interest Income Before Provision for Loan Losses

Net interest income represents the difference between income on interest-earning assets and expense on interest-bearing liabilities.  Net interest income depends primarily upon the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the corresponding interest rates earned and paid.  Our net interest income is significantly impacted by changes in interest rate and market yield curves.  See “—Discussion of Market Risk—Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis” for further discussion on the potential impact of changes in interest rates on our results of operations.

Net interest income before the provision for loan losses increased $3.0 million, or 13.2%, to $25.5 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $22.5 million for fiscal 2007.  This increase was achieved as a result of an increase in both the average balance and the yield on average interest-earning assets of $49.5 million and 46 basis points, respectively.  Offsetting the increase in net interest income was an increase in the average balance and cost of interest-bearing liabilities of $49.6 million and 28 basis points, respectively.  The result was a 18 basis point increase in the interest rate spread to 3.34% for fiscal 2008 compared to 3.16% for fiscal 2007. The net interest margin also increased to 3.62% for fiscal 2008 compared to 3.44% for fiscal 2007.

Provision for Loan Losses and Asset Quality

The Bank provided $0.2 million in provision for loan losses for fiscal 2008 compared to $0.3 million for fiscal 2007, a decrease of $0.1 million.  The Bank records provisions for loan losses, which are charged to earnings, in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level that is considered appropriate to absorb probable losses inherent in the existing loan portfolio. Factors considered when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses include the volume and type of lending conducted, the Bank’s previous loan loss experience, the known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, trends in the local and national economy and trends in the real estate market.

The Bank had net charge-offs of $0.8 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $0.1 million for fiscal 2007.  At March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Bank’s allowance for loan losses was $4.9 million and $5.4 million, respectively.  The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans was 170.89% at March 31, 2008 compared to 119.9% at March 31, 2007.  The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans was 0.74% at March 31, 2008 compared to 0.89% at March 31, 2007.  Additionally, at a 0.43% ratio, the level of non-performing loans to total loans receivable remains within the range the Bank has experienced over the trailing twelve quarters.  The Bank’s future levels of non-performing loans will be influenced by economic conditions, including the impact of those conditions on the Bank’s customers, interest rates and other internal and external factors existing at the time.  The Bank believes its reported allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2008 is adequate to provide for estimated probable losses in the loan portfolio.  For further discussion of non-performing loans and allowance for loan losses, see “Item 1—Business—General Description of Business—Asset Quality” and Note 1 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Subprime Loans

On July 10, 2007, the OTS and other Federal bank regulatory authorities (the “Agencies”) published the final Interagency Statement on Subprime Lending (the “Statement”) to address emerging issues and questions relating to certain subprime mortgage lending practices.  Although the Agencies did not provide a specific definition of a “subprime” loan in the Statement, the Statement did highlight the Agencies’ concerns with certain adjustable-rate mortgage products offered to subprime borrowers that have one or more of the following characteristics:

 
·
Low initial payments based on a fixed introductory rate that expires after a short period and then adjusts to a variable index rate plus a margin for the remaining term of the loan;

 
·
Very high or no limits on how much the payment amount or the interest rate may increase (“payment or rate caps”) on reset dates;


 
·
Limited or no documentation of borrowers’ income;

 
·
Product features likely to result in frequent refinancing to maintain an affordable monthly payment; and/or

 
·
Substantial prepayment penalties and/or prepayment penalties that extend beyond the initial fixed interest rate period.

In the 2001 Expanded Guidance for Subprime Lending Programs, the Agencies determined that, generally, subprime borrowers will display a range of credit risk characteristics that may include one or more of the following:

 
·
Two or more 30-day delinquencies in the last 12 months, or one or more 60-day delinquencies in the last 24 months;

 
·
Judgment, foreclosure, repossession, or charge-off in the prior 24 months;

 
·
Bankruptcy in the last 5 years;

 
·
Relatively high default probability as evidenced by, for example, a credit bureau risk score (FICO) of 660 or below (depending on the product/collateral), or other bureau or proprietary scores with an equivalent default probability likelihood; and/or

 
·
Debt service-to-income ratio of 50% or greater, or otherwise limited ability to cover family living expenses after deducting total monthly debt-service requirements from monthly income.

The Bank has minimal exposure to the subprime loan market and, therefore, we do not expect the Statement to have a material impact on the Company.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank’s loan portfolio contained $1.5 million in subprime loans, all of which were performing loans.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income is comprised of depository fees and charges, loan fees and service charges, fee income from banking services and charges, gains or losses from the sale of securities, loans and other assets and other non-interest income.  Non-interest income increased by $5.0 million, or 174.0%, to $7.9 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $2.9 for fiscal 2007.  The increase was primarily due to a NMTC transfer fee of $1.7 million, gain on sale of securities of $1.1 million, write-down for the prior year period of loans held for sale of $0.7 million, other income of $0.7 million and an increase in loan fees and service charges of $0.4 million.  The Bank will receive additional non-interest income over approximately the next eight years from this transaction.  Further, as a result of the NMTC transaction, other income increased by $0.2 million reflecting consolidation of income from minority interest.  In addition, the prior year period included a $1.3 million charge associated with a balance sheet restructuring implemented to improve margins.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased by $6.5 million, or 28.0%, to $29.9 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $23.3 million for fiscal 2007.  The increase was primarily due to increases in employee compensation and benefits of $2.9 million, consulting expense of $2.2 million, other expenses of $1.4 million and net occupancy expense of $0.9 million.  The increase in employee compensation and benefits is primarily due to the Community Capital Bank acquisition and investments in new talent in the retail, lending and accounting units.  The $2.2 million increase in consulting expense falls into three categories: regulatory requirements (preparation for compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404 and recent Inter-Agency Guidance on Allowances for Loan Losses); strengthening our back office, including the accounting, lending and retail operations departments, by adding new staff and providing temporary expertise; and engaging consultants to assist the management team to analyze significant opportunities to improve financial results. For example, the Bank engaged consultants to conduct a rigorous business optimization review to help management identify further potential improvements in the Bank’s operations, in part through greater systems integration.  The $1.4 million increase in other expense primarily consists of the cost of sub-servicing of loans, ATM expenses, charge-offs and regulatory reporting costs.  The fiscal 2007 expense included $1.3 million in merger related expenses.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax benefit increased by $0.1 million, or 7.0%, to $0.9 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $0.8 million for fiscal 2007, resulting in a net tax benefit of $0.9 million, which includes a minority interest tax expense of $0.1 million.  The increase in tax benefit reflects income before income taxes of $3.2 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $1.8 million for fiscal 2007.  The income tax expense of $1.0 million for fiscal 2008 was offset by the tax benefit generated by the NMTC investment totaling $2.0 million.  The Bank’s NMTC award received in June 2006 has been fully invested.  The Company expects to receive additional NMTC tax benefits of approximately $12.1 million from its $40.0 million investment over approximately the next six years.


Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006

Net Income

For fiscal 2007, the Company recorded net income of $2.6 million, or $1.00 per diluted common share, compared to $3.8 million, or $1.45 per diluted common share, for fiscal 2006.  The $1.2 million decrease is primarily due to an increase of $4.2 million in non-interest expense and a decrease of $2.5 million in non-interest income, partially offset by an increase of $3.3 million in net interest income after provision for loan losses, and a decrease of $2.2 million in the Company’s income tax provision compared to fiscal 2006.

Interest Income

Interest income increased in fiscal 2007 by $9.4 million from fiscal 2006, or 28.9%, to $41.7 million.  The average balance of interest-earning assets increased to $655.0 million for fiscal 2007 from $594.9 million for fiscal 2006.  Adding to the increase was a rise in the average yield on interest-earning assets to 6.37% for fiscal 2007 compared to 5.44% for fiscal 2006.

Interest income on loans increased by $10.7 million, or 40.3%, to $37.3 million for fiscal 2007 compared to $26.6 million for fiscal 2006. The increase in interest income from loans was primarily the result of a $114.7 million increase in average loan balances to $558.1 million for fiscal 2007 compared to $443.5 million for fiscal 2006, coupled with the effects of a 69 basis point increase in the average rate earned on loans to 6.68% for fiscal 2007 from 5.99% for fiscal 2006.  The increase in the average balance of loans reflects the acquisition of the CCB loan portfolio.  The increase in the average rate earned on loans was principally due to the acquisition of the higher yielding CCB business loan portfolio and an increase in the average rate on mortgage loans.

Interest income on mortgage-backed securities decreased by $1.6 million, or 35.2%, to $2.9 million for fiscal 2007 compared to $4.4 million for fiscal 2006, reflecting a decrease of $48.9 million in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities to $64.7 million for fiscal 2007 compared to $113.6 million for fiscal 2006.  The decrease in the average balance was partially offset by the CCB acquisition.  Partially offsetting the decline in income was a 54 basis point increase in the average rate earned on mortgage-backed securities to 4.45% for fiscal 2007 from 3.91% for fiscal 2006.  The net decrease in the average balance of such securities demonstrates Management’s commitment to invest proceeds received from the cash flows from the repayment of securities into higher yielding assets and the sale of lower yielding securities to reposition the balance sheet.

Interest income on investment securities increased by approximately $0.3 million, or 36.5%, to $1.3 million for fiscal 2007 compared to $1.0 million for fiscal 2006.  The increase in interest income on investment securities reflects a 71 basis point increase in the average rate earned on investment securities to 4.67% for fiscal 2007 from 3.78% for fiscal 2006 and an increase of $1.5 million in the average balance of investment securities to $27.2 million for fiscal 2007 compared to $25.7 million for fiscal 2006.   The increase in the average balance results from the acquisition of CCB, partially offset by maturities and the sale of securities with the repositioning of the balance sheet.

 Interest income on federal funds decreased $0.1 million, or 36.6%, to $0.3 for fiscal 2007 compared to $0.4 million for fiscal 2006. The decrease is primarily attributable to a $7.0 million decrease in the average balance of federal funds year over year partially offset by a 169 basis point increase in the average rate earned on federal funds.  This large increase in the average rate earned on federal funds was realized as the FRB raised the federal funds rate.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by $5.7 million, or 42.6%, to $19.2 million for fiscal 2007 compared to $13.5 million for fiscal 2006.  The increase in interest expense reflects an increase of $52.4 million in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities to $598.9 million in fiscal 2007 from $546.5 million in fiscal 2006.  Additionally, the total cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 74 basis points to 3.21% in fiscal 2007 compared to 2.47% in fiscal 2006.  The increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006 was primarily due to the acquisition of CCB partially offset by a decrease in borrowed funds and the repayment of certain higher costing deposits with the repositioning of the balance sheet.

Interest expense on deposits increased $6.3 million, or 70.7%, to $15.2 million for fiscal 2007 compared to $8.9 million for fiscal 2006.  This increase is attributable to an $81.1 million, or 18.5%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits to $520.0 million for fiscal 2007 compared to $439.0 million for fiscal 2006 coupled with a 90 basis point increase year-over-year in the cost of average deposits.  The increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits was primarily due to the acquisition of CCB.  The increase in the average rate paid on deposits was principally due to the rise in the interest rate environment throughout fiscal 2007.

Interest expense on advances and other borrowed money decreased by $0.6 million, or 12.4%, to $4.0 million for fiscal 2007 compared to $4.6 million for fiscal 2006. The decrease in interest expense on borrowed money for fiscal 2007 reflects a $28.7 million decline in the average balance of borrowed money reflecting management’s strategy of using deposit growth and cash flows from the repayment of mortgage-backed securities to repay FHLB-NY advances.  Partially offsetting the decrease was a rise of 83 basis points in the average cost of borrowed money, primarily the result of increases in the indexed rate of trust preferred debt securities which adjust quarterly and have increased in the current interest rate environment.


Net Interest Income

Net interest income represents the difference between income on interest-earning assets and expense on interest-bearing liabilities.  Net interest income depends primarily upon the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the corresponding interest rates earned and paid.  Our net interest income is significantly impacted by changes in interest rate and market yield curves.  See “—Discussion of Market Risk—Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis” for further discussion on the potential impact of changes in interest rates on our results of operations.

Net interest income before the provision for loan losses increased $3.6 million, or 19.1%, to $22.5 million for fiscal 2007 compared to $18.9 million for fiscal 2006. This increase was achieved as a result of an increase in both the average balance and the yield on average interest-earning assets of $60.3 million and 93 basis points, respectively.  Offsetting the increase in net interest income was an increase in the average balance and cost of interest-bearing liabilities of $52.0 million and 74 basis points, respectively.  The result was a 19 basis point increase in the interest rate spread to 3.16% for fiscal 2007 compared to 2.97% for fiscal 2006. The net interest margin also increased to 3.44% for fiscal 2007 compared to 3.18% for fiscal 2006.

Provision for Loan Losses

During fiscal 2007 a $0.3 million provision was recorded for loan losses.  The Bank records provisions for loan losses, which are charged to earnings, in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level that is considered appropriate to absorb probable losses inherent in the existing loan portfolio. Factors considered when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses include the volume and type of lending conducted, the Bank’s previous loan loss experience, the known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, trends in the local and national economy and trends in the real estate market.

During fiscal 2007, the Bank had net charge-offs of $73,000 compared to $82,000 for fiscal 2006. At March 31, 2007, non-performing loans totaled $4.5 million, or 0.74% of total loans, compared to $2.7 million, or 0.55% of total loans, at March 31, 2006.  At March 31, 2007, the Bank’s allowance for loan losses was $5.4 million compared to $4.0 million at March 31, 2006, resulting in a ratio of the allowance to non-performing assets of 119.9% at March 31, 2007 compared to 147.1% at March 31, 2006, and a ratio of allowance for possible loan losses to total loans of 0.89% and 0.81% at March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, respectively.  The Bank believes its reported allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2007 is adequate to provide for estimated probable losses in the loan portfolio.  For further discussion of non-performing loans and allowance for loan losses, see “Item 1—Business—General Description of Business—Asset Quality” and Note 1 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income is comprised of loan fees and service charges, fee income from banking services and charges, gains or losses from the sale of securities, loans and other assets and certain other miscellaneous non-interest income. Non-interest income decreased $2.5 million, or 46.3%, to $2.9 million for fiscal 2007 compared to $5.3 million for fiscal 2006.  The decline in non-interest income was comprised primarily of a decrease of $1.0 million in loan fees and service charges due primarily to lower loan prepayment penalty income, $0.6 million in losses associated with the repositioning of the balance sheet, $0.7 million in the write-down of loans held for sale, a decrease of $0.2 million in the gain on the sale of loans and $0.1 million loss on the sale of real estate owned.  Partially offsetting these decreases were increases in other non-interest income and deposit fees and charges of $0.1 million and $18,000, respectively.    The decline in the gain on the sale of loans was primarily attributable to a gain on a bulk sale of loans during fiscal 2006.  

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased by $4.2 million, or 22.0%, to $23.3 million for fiscal 2007 compared to $19.1 million for fiscal 2006.  The increase in non-interest expense was primarily attributable to the acquisition of CCB and the resulting operating and non-recurring merger related expenses.  Non-recurring merger related expenses represented $1.3 million of the increase, and employee compensation and benefits, net occupancy expense, equipment, net, and other non-interest expense increased $1.0 million, $0.4 million, $0.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively.


Income Tax Expense

Income tax benefit was $0.8 million for fiscal 2007, as compared to an income tax expense of $1.3 million for fiscal 2006.  The Bank recognized a $1.5 million benefit in fiscal 2007 from the NMTC program and pre-tax income was $3.3 million less in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006. The two items account for the $2.2 million change in taxes from fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2006.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is a measure of the Bank’s ability to generate adequate cash to meet its financial obligations.  The principal cash requirements of a financial institution are to cover potential deposit outflows, fund increases in its loan and investment portfolios and ongoing operating expenses.  The Bank’s primary sources of funds are deposits, borrowed funds and principal and interest payments on loans, mortgage-backed securities and investment securities.  While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans, mortgage-backed securities and investment securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan and mortgage-backed securities prepayments are strongly influenced by changes in general interest rates, economic conditions and competition.

Carver Federal monitors its liquidity utilizing guidelines that are contained in a policy developed by its management and approved by its Board of Directors.  Carver Federal’s several liquidity measurements are evaluated on a frequent basis.  The Bank was in compliance with this policy as of March 31, 2008.  Management believes Carver Federal’s short-term assets have sufficient liquidity to cover loan demand, potential fluctuations in deposit accounts and to meet other anticipated cash requirements.  Additionally, Carver Federal has other sources of liquidity including the ability to borrow from the FHLB-NY utilizing unpledged mortgage-backed securities and certain mortgage loans, the sale of available-for-sale securities and the sale of certain mortgage loans.  At March 31, 2008, based on available collateral held at the FHLB-NY, Carver Federal had the ability to borrow from the FHLB-NY an additional $29.4 million on a secured basis, utilizing mortgage-related loans and securities as collateral.

Congress eliminated the statutory liquidity requirement that required federal savings banks to maintain a minimum amount of liquid assets of between 4% and 10%, as determined by the Director of the OTS, the Bank’s primary federal regulator. The Bank is required to maintain sufficient liquidity to ensure its safe and sound operation.  As a result of the elimination of the liquidity requirement, the Bank manages its liquidity through a Board-approved liquidity policy.  The Bank’s most liquid assets are cash and short-term investments.  The level of these assets is dependent on the Bank’s operating, investing and financing activities during any given period.  At March 31, 2008 and 2007, assets qualifying for short-term liquidity, including cash and short-term investments, totaled $27.9 million and $21.9 million, respectively.

The levels of Carver Federal’s short-term liquid assets are dependent on Carver Federal’s operating, investing and financing activities during any given period.  The most significant liquidity challenge the Bank faces is variability in its cash flows as a result of mortgage refinance activity.  When mortgage interest rates decline, customers’ refinance activities tend to accelerate, causing the cash flow from both the mortgage loan portfolio and the mortgage-backed securities portfolio to accelerate.  In contrast, when mortgage interest rates increase, refinance activities tend to slow, causing a reduction of liquidity.  However, in a rising rate environment, customers generally tend to prefer fixed rate mortgage loan products over variable rate products.  Because Carver Federal generally sells its one- to four- family 15-year and 30-year fixed rate loan production into the secondary mortgage market, the origination of such products for sale does not significantly reduce Carver Federal’s liquidity.

The OTS requires that the Bank meet minimum capital requirements.  Capital adequacy is one of the most important factors used to determine the safety and soundness of individual banks and the banking system.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank exceeded all regulatory minimum capital requirements and qualified, under OTS regulations, as a well-capitalized institution. See “Regulatory Capital Position” below for certain information relating to the Bank’s regulatory capital compliance at March 31, 2008.

The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows present the change in cash from operating, investing and financing activities. During fiscal 2008, total cash and cash equivalents increased by $10.0 million reflecting cash provided by financing activities of $54.7 million, offset by cash used in operating of $26.6 million and investing activities of $18.1 million.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $54.7 million, primarily resulting from increased deposits of $39.5 million and consolidation of minority interest in a NMTC transaction of $19.0 million, offset partially by reductions in borrowings of $2.5 million and the payment of common dividends of $1.0 million. Net cash used in operating activities during this period was $26.6 million, primarily representing funds used in originations of loans held-for-sale of $20.2 million, an increase in other assets of $29.5 million (primarily resulting from a NMTC transaction), offset partially by proceeds from sales of loans held-for-sale $20.0 million. Net cash used in investing activities was $18.1 million, primarily representing cash disbursed to fund mortgage loan originations of $162.6 million, loans purchased from third parties of $29.7 million and purchases of available-for-sale securities of $15.3 million, offset partially by principal collections on loans of $145.5 million, proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities of $36.1 million and proceeds from principal payments/maturities/calls of securities of $9.2 million.  
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

The Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business in order to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk.  In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), these instruments are not recorded in the consolidated financial statements.  Such instruments primarily include lending commitments.


Lending commitments include commitments to originate mortgage and consumer loans and commitments to fund unused lines of credit.  The Bank also has contractual obligations related to operating leases.  Additionally, the Bank has a contingent liability related to a standby letter of credit.  See Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Bank’s outstanding lending commitments and contractual obligations at March 31, 2008.

The Bank has contractual obligations at March 31, 2008 as follows (in thousands):

   
Payments due by period
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
   
Less than 1 year
   
1 - 3 years
   
3 - 5 years
   
More than 5 years
 
Long term debt obligations:
                             
FHLB advances
  $ 15,249     $ 15,107     $ -     $ 142     $ -  
Repo Borrowings
    30,141                               30,141  
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interest in junior subordinated debentures
    13,375       -       -       -       13,375  
Total long term debt obligations
    58,765       15,107       -       142       43,516  
                                         
Operating lease obligations:
                                       
Lease obligations for rental properties
    11,456       1,517       3,014       2,262       4,663  
Total contractual obligations
  $ 70,221     $ 16,624     $ 3,014     $ 2,404     $ 48,179  

Regulatory Capital Position

The Bank must satisfy three minimum capital standards established by the OTS.  For a description of the OTS capital regulation, see “Item 1—Regulation and Supervision—Federal Banking Regulation—Capital Requirements.”

The Bank presently exceeds all capital requirements as currently promulgated.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank had tangible equity ratio, core capital ratio, and total risk-based capital ratio of 7.8%, 7.8% and 10.3%, respectively, and was considered well capitalized.  For additional information regarding Carver Federal’s Regulatory Capital and Ratios, refer to Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Stockholders’ Equity.”

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The financial statements and accompanying notes appearing elsewhere herein have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation.  The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of Carver Federal’s operations.  Unlike most industrial companies, nearly all the assets and liabilities of the Bank are monetary in nature.  As a result, interest rates have a greater impact on Carver Federal’s performance than do the effects of the general level of inflation.  Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same extent as the prices of goods and services.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

The information required by this item appears under the caption “Discussion of Market Risk—Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis” in Item 7, incorporated herein by reference.  The Company believes that there has been no material change in the Company’s market risk at March 31, 2008 as compared to March 31, 2007.


ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Carver Bancorp, Inc.:


We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Carver Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2008.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Carver Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.



/s/ KPMG LLP
New York, New York
July 1, 2008


CARVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(In thousands, except per share data)

   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents:
           
Cash and due from banks
  $ 15,920     $ 14,619  
Federal funds sold
    10,500       1,300  
Interest earning deposits
    948       1,431  
Total cash and cash equivalents
    27,368       17,350  
Securities:
               
Available-for-sale, at fair value (including pledged as collateral of $20,621 and $34,649 at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively)
    20,865       47,980  
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (including pledged as collateral of $16,643 and $18,581 at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively; fair value of $17,167 and $19,005 at March 31,2008 and 2007, respectively)
    17,307       19,137  
Total securities
    38,172       67,117  
                 
Loans held-for-sale
    23,767       23,226  
                 
Loans receivable:
               
Real estate mortgage loans
    578,957       533,667  
Commercial business loans
    52,109       51,226  
Consumer loans
    1,728       1,067  
Allowance for loan losses
    (4,878 )     (5,409 )
Total loans receivable, net
    627,916       580,551  
                 
Office properties and equipment, net
    15,780       14,626  
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock, at cost
    1,625       3,239  
Bank owned life insurance
    9,141       8,795  
Accrued interest receivable
    4,063       4,335  
Goodwill
    6,370       5,716  
Core deposit intangibles, net
    532       684  
Other assets
    41,709       14,313  
Total assets
  $ 796,443     $ 739,952  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Liabilities:
               
Deposits
  $ 654,663     $ 615,122  
Advances from the FHLB-New York and other borrowed money
    58,625       61,093  
Other liabilities
    9,772       12,110  
Total liabilities
    723,060       688,325  
                 
Minority interest
    19,000       -  
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Common stock (par value $0.01 per share: 10,000,000 shares authorized; 2,524,691 shares issued; 2,481,706 and 2,507,985 shares outstanding at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively)
    25       25  
Additional paid-in capital
    24,113       23,996  
Retained earnings
    30,490       27,436  
Unamortized awards of common stock under ESOP
    -       (4 )
Treasury stock, at cost (42,985 and 16,706 shares at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively)
    (670 )     (277 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    425       451  
Total stockholders' equity
    54,383       51,627  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 796,443     $ 739,952  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


CARVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)

   
Years Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Interest Income:
                 
Loans
  $ 44,499     $ 37,277     $ 26,563  
Mortgage-backed securities
    2,071       2,877       4,439  
Investment securities
    1,434       1,325       971  
Federal funds sold
    128       261       412  
Total interest income
    48,132       41,740       32,385  
                         
Interest expense:
                       
Deposits
    18,866       15,227       8,921  
Advances and other borrowed money
    3,790       4,007       4,572  
Total interest expense
    22,656       19,234       13,493  
                         
Net interest income
    25,476       22,506       18,892  
                         
Provision for loan losses
    222       276       -  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    25,254       22,230       18,892  
                         
Non-interest income:
                       
Depository fees and charges
    2,669       2,476       2,458  
Loan fees and service charges
    1,628       1,238       2,231  
Write-down of loans held for sale
    -       (702 )     -  
Gain (loss) on sale of securities
    431       (624 )     -  
Gain on sale of loans
    323       192       351  
Loss on sale of real estate owned
    -       (108 )     -  
New Market Tax Credit Transfer Fee
    1,700       -       -  
Other
    1,110       397       301  
Total non-interest income
    7,861       2,869       5,341  
                         
Non-interest expense:
                       
Employee compensation and benefits
    13,323       10,470       9,512  
Net occupancy expense
    3,590       2,667       2,284  
Equipment, net
    2,451       2,071       1,939  
Merger related expenses
    -       1,258       -  
Consulting Expense
    2,733       496       307  
Other
    7,773       6,377       5,092  
Total non-interest expense
    29,870       23,339       19,134  
                         
Income before income taxes and minority interest
    3,245       1,760       5,099  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (881 )     (823 )     1,329  
Minority interest, net of taxes
    146       -       -  
Net income
  $ 3,980     $ 2,583     $ 3,770  
                         
Earnings per common share:
                       
Basic
  $ 1.60     $ 1.03     $ 1.50  
Diluted
  $ 1.55     $ 1.00     $ 1.45  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


CARVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
 
   
Common Stock
   
Additional Paid In Capital
   
Treasury Stock
   
Common Stock Acquired By ESOP
   
Common Stock Acquired By MRP
   
Retained Earnings
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
   
Total Stock-Holders' Equity
 
Balance— March 31, 2005
  $ 25     $ 23,937     $ (420 )   $ (126 )   $ (128 )   $ 22,748     $ (235 )   $ 45,801  
Net income
    -       -       -       -       -       3,770       -       3,770  
                                                                 
Loss on pension liability
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (281 )     (281 )
Change in net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (158 )     (158 )
Comprehensive income, net of taxes:
    -       -       -       -       -       3,770       (439 )     3,331  
Dividends paid
    -       -             -       -       (782 )     -       (782 )
Treasury stock activity
    -       (2 )     117       -       -       -       -       115  
Allocation of ESOP Stock
    -       -       -       116       -       -       -       116  
Purchase of shares for MRP
    -       -       -       -       116       -       -       116  
Balance— March 31, 2006
    25       23,935       (303 )     (10 )     (12 )     25,736       (674 )     48,697  
                                                                 
Adjustment to initially implement SFAS 158
    -       -       -       -       -       -       281       281  
Balance post implementation of SFAS 158
    25       23,935       (303 )     (10 )     (12 )     25,736       (393 )     48,978  
Net income
    -       -       -       -       -       2,583       -       2,583  
Minimum pension liability adjustment
    -       -       -       -       -       -       79       79  
Change in net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes
    -       -       -       -       -       -       765       765  
Comprehensive income, net of taxes:
    -       -       -       -       -       2,583       844       3,427  
Dividends paid
    -       -       -       -       -       (883 )     -       (883 )
Treasury stock activity
    -       61       26       -       -       -       -       87  
Allocation of ESOP Stock
    -       -       -       6       -       -       -       6  
Purchase of shares for MRP
    -       -       -       -       12       -       -       12  
Balance— March 31, 2007
    25       23,996       (277 )     (4 )     -       27,436       451       51,627  
Net income
    -       -       -       -       -       3,980       -       3,980  
                                                                 
Minimum pension liability adjustment                                                     195       195  
Change in net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (221 )     (221 )
Comprehensive income, net of taxes:
    -       -       -       -       -       3,980       (26 )     3,954  
Adjustment to initially implement SFAS 156
    -       -       -       -       -       49       -       49  
Dividends paid
    -       -       -       -       -       (975 )     -       (975 )
Treasury stock activity
    -       117       (393 )     4       -       -       -       (272 )
Allocation of ESOP Stock
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Purchase of shares for MRP
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Balance— March 31, 2008
  $ 25     $ 24,113     $ (670 )   $ -     $ -     $ 30,490     $ 425     $ 54,383  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


CARVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
 
   
Years Ended March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                 
Net income
  $ 3,980     $ 2,583     $ 3,770  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
                       
Provision for loan losses
    222       276       -  
Stock based compensation expense
    272       426       233  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    1,709       1,581       1,546  
Amortization of premiums and discounts
    (250 )     (1,145 )     863  
(Gain) Loss from sale of securities
    (431 )     624       -  
Gain on sale of loans
    (323 )     (192 )     (351 )
Writedown on loans held-for-sale
    -       702       -  
Loss on sale of real estate owned
    -       108       -  
Originations of loans held-for-sale
    (20,172 )     (24,708 )     (12,646 )
Principal Collections and Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale
    19,953       14,422       12,197  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                       
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable
    272       (1,365 )     (268 )
Increase in other assets
    (29,541 )     (2,662 )     (2,430 )
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities
    (2,311 )     (4,330 )     4,249  
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (26,620 )     (13,680 )     7,163  
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Purchases of securities:
                       
Available-for-sale
    (15,265 )     -       (26,811 )
Held-to-maturity
    -       -       (19 )
Proceeds from principal payments, maturities and calls of securities:
                       
Available-for-sale
    7,358       26,539       60,645  
Held-to-maturity
    1,803       7,185       4,816  
Proceeds from sales of available- for-sale securities
    36,116       57,942       1,575  
Originations of loans held-for-investment
    (162,556 )     (105,284 )     (98,704 )
Loans purchased from third parties
    (29,736 )     (58,191 )     (96,140 )
Principal collections on loans
    145,458       146,410       113,482  
Proceeds from sales of loan originations held-for-investment
    -       16,548       10,697  
Redemption of FHLB-NY stock
    1,614       1,388       498  
Additions to premises and equipment
    (2,862 )     (1,869 )     (1,082 )
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned
    -       404       -  
Payments for acquisition, net of cash acquired
    -       (2,425 )     -  
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (18,070 )     88,647       (31,043 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Net (decrease) increase in deposits
    39,541       (33,657 )     48,768  
Net repayment of FHLB advances and other borrowings
    (2,527 )     (45,660 )     (21,507 )
Capital contribution by minority interest
    19,000       -       -  
Common stock repurchased
    (331 )     (321 )     (115 )
Dividends paid
    (975 )     (883 )     (782 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    54,708       (80,521 )     26,364  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    10,018       (5,554 )     2,484  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    17,350       22,904       20,420  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 27,368     $ 17,350     $ 22,904  
                         
Supplemental information:
                       
Noncash Transfers-
                       
Change in unrealized loss on valuation of available-for-sale investments, net
  $ 221     $ 765     $ (158 )
Cash paid for-
                       
Interest
  $ 21,973     $ 19,510     $ 13,502  
Income taxes
  $ 922     $ 652     $ 2,107  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


CARVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1.  ORGANIZATION

Nature of operations

Carver Bancorp, Inc. (on a stand-alone basis, the “Holding Company” or “Registrant”), was incorporated in May 1996 and its principal wholly-owned subsidiary is Carver Federal Savings Bank (the “Bank” or “Carver Federal”) ”), Alhambra Holding Corp., an inactive Delaware corporation, and Carver Federal’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, CFSB Realty Corp., Carver Municipal Bank (“CMB”), Carver Community Development Corp. (“CCDC”) and CFSB Credit Corp. which is currently inactive.  The Bank has a majority owned interest in Carver Asset Corporation, a real estate investment trust formed in February 2004.

“Carver,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refers to the Holding Company along with its consolidated subsidiaries.  The Bank was chartered in 1948 and began operations in 1949 as Carver Federal Savings and Loan Association, a federally chartered mutual savings and loan association.  The Bank converted to a federal savings bank in 1986.  On October 24, 1994, the Bank converted from mutual to stock form and issued 2,314,275 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share.  On October 17, 1996, the Bank completed its reorganization into a holding company structure (the “Reorganization”) and became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Holding Company.  Collectively, the Holding Company, the Bank and the Holding Company’s other direct and indirect subsidiaries are referred to herein as the “Company” or “Carver.”

In September 2003, the Holding Company formed Carver Statutory Trust I (the “Trust”) for the sole purpose of issuing trust preferred securities and investing the proceeds in an equivalent amount of floating rate junior subordinated debentures of the Holding Company.  In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of ARB No. 51, Carver Statutory Trust I is not consolidated for financial reporting purposes.  In December 2007, Carver Federal’s subsidiary CCDC entered into a NMTC venture in which it exerts a controlling influence.

On October 5, 2006, Carver Federal established Carver Municipal Bank (“CMB”), a wholly-owned, New York State chartered limited purpose commercial bank, with the intention of expanding Carver Federal’s ability to compete for municipal and state agency deposits and provide other fee income based services. The Bank invested $2.0 million of capital into CMB at its formation. In the State of New York, municipal entities may deposit funds only with commercial banks, other than except through limited exceptions, and CMB provided Carver Federal with a platform to enter into this line of business.  As of March 31, 2008, Carver Federal has discontinued the operations of CMB and is in the process of dissolution.  The $2.0 million capital invested will revert back to the Bank.

Carver Federal’s principal business consists of attracting deposit accounts through its branches and investing those funds in mortgage loans and other investments permitted by federal savings banks.  The Bank has ten branches located throughout the City of New York that primarily serve the communities in which they operate.

NOTE 2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of consolidated financial statement presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Holding Company, the Bank and the Bank’s wholly-owned or majority owned subsidiaries, Carver Asset Corporation, CFSB Realty Corp., CMB, Carver Community Development Corporation, and CFSB Credit Corp.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated statement of financial condition and revenues and expenses for the period then ended.  Amounts subject to significant estimates and assumptions are items such as the allowance for loan losses, goodwill and intangibles, pensions and the fair value of financial instruments.  Management believes that prepayment assumptions on mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans are appropriate and the allowance for loan losses is adequate.  While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance for loan losses or future write downs of real estate owned may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions in the areas where Carver Federal has extended mortgages and other credit instruments.  Actual results could differ significantly from those assumptions.

In addition, the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”), Carver Federal’s regulator, as an integral part of its examination process, periodically reviews Carver Federal’s allowance for loan losses and, if applicable, real estate owned valuations.  The OTS may require Carver Federal to recognize additions to the allowance for loan losses or additional write downs of real estate owned based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.


In June 2005, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) of the FASB reached final consensus on Issue No. 04-5, Determining Whether a General Partner, or General Partners as a Group, controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights (“EITF Issue No. 04-5”).  EITF Issue No. 04-5 set forth the criteria to determine whether partnerships are to be consolidated for financial statement purposes or reported using the Equity Method.  In accordance with guidance set forth in EITF Issue No. 04-5, Carver CDC-Subsdiary CDE 10, LLC has been consolidated for financial reporting purposes.

Cash and cash equivalents

For the purpose of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, amounts due from depository institutions, federal funds sold and other short-term instruments with original maturities of three months or less.  Federal funds sold are generally sold for one-day periods.  The amounts due from depository institutions include a non-interest bearing account held at the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) where any additional cash reserve required on demand deposits would be maintained.  Currently, this reserve requirement is zero since the Bank’s vault cash satisfies cash reserve requirements for deposits.

Securities

When purchased, securities are designated as either securities held-to-maturity or securities available-for-sale.  Securities are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost only if the Bank has a positive intent and ability to hold such securities to maturity.  Securities held-to-maturity are carried at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts using the level-yield method over the remaining period until maturity.

If not classified as held-to-maturity, securities are classified as available-for-sale demonstrating management’s ability to sell in response to actual or anticipated changes in interest rates and resulting prepayment risk or any other factors.  Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value.  Estimated fair values of securities are based on either published or security dealers’ market value.  Unrealized holding gains or losses for securities available-for-sale are excluded from earnings and reported net of deferred income taxes as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of Stockholders’ Equity.  Any impairment in the available-for-sale securities deemed other-than-temporary, is written down against the cost basis and charged to earnings.  No impairment charge was recorded for fiscal 2008, 2007 or 2006.  Gains or losses on sales of securities of all classifications are recognized based on the specific identification method.

Loans Held-for-Sale

Loans held-for-sale are carried at the lower of cost or market value as determined on an aggregate loan basis. Premiums paid and discounts obtained on such loans held-for-sale are deferred as an adjustment to the carrying value of the loans until the loans are sold.

Loans Receivable

Loans receivable are carried at unpaid principal balances plus unamortized premiums, purchase accounting mark-to-market adjustments, certain deferred direct loan origination costs and deferred loan origination fees and discounts, less the allowance for loan losses.

The Bank defers loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs and accretes such amounts as an adjustment of yield over the expected lives of the related loans using methodologies which approximate the interest method.  Premiums and discounts on loans purchased are amortized or accreted as an adjustment of yield over the contractual lives, of the related loans, adjusted for prepayments when applicable, using methodologies which approximate the interest method.

Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when they are past due 90 days or more as to contractual obligations or when other circumstances indicate that collection is questionable.  When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, any interest accrued but not received is reversed against interest income.  Payments received on a non-accrual loan are either applied to the outstanding principal balance or recorded as interest income, depending on an assessment of the ability to collect the loan.  A non-accrual loan is restored to accrual status when principal and interest payments become less than 90 days past due and its future collectibility is reasonably assured.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for probable loan losses inherent in the portfolio as of March 31, 2008.  Management is responsible for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the periodic provisioning for estimated losses included in the consolidated financial statements.  The evaluation process is undertaken on a quarterly basis, but may increase in frequency should conditions arise that would require management’s prompt attention, such as business combinations and opportunities to dispose of non-performing and marginally performing loans by bulk sale or any development which may indicate an adverse trend.


Carver Federal maintains a loan review system, which calls for a periodic review of its loan portfolio and the early identification of potential problem loans.  Such system takes into consideration, among other things, delinquency status, size of loans, type of collateral and financial condition of the borrowers.  Loan loss allowances are established for problem loans based on a review of such information and/or appraisals of the underlying collateral.  On the remainder of its loan portfolio, loan loss allowances are based upon a combination of factors including, but not limited to, actual loan loss experience, composition of loan portfolio, current economic conditions and management’s judgment.  Although management believes that adequate loan loss allowances have been established, actual losses are dependent upon future events and, as such, further additions to the level of the loan loss allowance may be necessary in the future.

The methodology employed for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance consists of the following criteria:

 
·
Establishment of loan loss allowance amounts for all specifically identified criticized and classified loans that have been designated as requiring attention by management’s internal loan review process, bank regulatory examinations or Carver Federal’s external auditors.

 
·
An average loss factor, giving effect to historical loss experience over several years and other qualitative factors, is applied to all loans not subject to specific review.

 
·
Evaluation of any changes in risk profile brought about by business combinations, customer knowledge, the results of ongoing credit quality monitoring processes and the cyclical nature of economic and business conditions.  An important consideration in performing this evaluation is the concentration of real estate related loans located in the New York City metropolitan area.

All new loan originations are assigned a credit risk grade which commences with loan officers and underwriters grading the quality of their loans one to five under a nine-category risk classification scale, the first five categories of which represent performing loans.  Reserves are held based on actual loss factors based on several years of loss experience and other qualitative factors applied to the outstanding balances.  All loans are subject to continuous review and monitoring for changes in their credit grading.   Grading that falls into criticized or classified categories (credit grading six through nine) are further evaluated and reserved amounts are established for each loan based on each loan’s potential for loss and includes consideration of the sufficiency of collateral.  Any adverse trend in real estate markets could seriously affect underlying values available to protect against loss.

Other evidence used to support the amount of the allowance and its components includes:

 
·
Amount and trend of criticized loans;
 
·
Actual losses;
 
·
Peer comparisons with other financial institutions; and
 
·
Economic data associated with the real estate market in the Company’s lending market areas.

A loan is considered to be impaired, as defined by SFAS No. 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan” (“SFAS 114”), when it is probable that Carver Federal will be unable to collect all principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Carver Federal tests loans covered under SFAS 114 for impairment if they are on non-accrual status or have been restructured.  Consumer credit non-accrual loans are not tested for impairment because they are included in large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans that, by definition, are excluded from the scope of SFAS 114.  Impaired loans are required to be measured based upon (i) the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s initial effective interest rate, (ii) the loan’s market price, or (iii) fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  If the loan valuation is less than the recorded value of the loan, an allowance must be established for the difference.  The allowance is established by either an allocation of the existing allowance for loan losses or by a provision for loan losses, depending on various circumstances.  Allowances are not needed when credit losses have been recorded so that the recorded investment in an impaired loan is less than the loan valuation.

Segment Reporting

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”, the Company has determined that all of its activities constitute one reportable operating segment.


Concentration of Risk

The Bank’s principal lending activities are concentrated in loans secured by real estate, a substantial portion of which is located in New York City.  Accordingly, the ultimate collectibility of a substantial portion of the Company’s loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in New York’s real estate market conditions.

Office Properties and Equipment

Office properties and equipment are comprised of land, at cost, and buildings, building improvements, furnishings and equipment and leasehold improvements, at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization charges are computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Buildings and improvements
10 to 25 years
Furnishings and equipment
3 to 5 years
Leasehold improvements
Lesser of useful life or remaining term of lease

Maintenance, repairs and minor improvements are charged to non-interest expense in the period incurred.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB-NY”) has assigned to the Bank a mandated membership stock purchase, based on the Bank’s asset size. In addition, for all borrowing activity, the Bank is required to purchase shares of FHLB-NY non-marketable capital stock at par. Such shares are redeemed by FHLB-NY at par with reductions in the Bank’s borrowing levels. The Bank carries this investment at historical cost.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

Bank Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”) is carried at its cash surrender value on the balance sheet and is classified as a non-interest-earning asset.  Death benefits proceeds received in excess of the policy’s cash surrender value are recognized in income.  Returns on the BOLI assets are added to the carrying value and included as non-interest income in the consolidated statement of income.  Any receipt of benefit proceeds is recorded as a reduction to the carrying value of the BOLI asset.  At March 31, 2008, Carver held no policy loans against its BOLI cash surrender values or restrictions on the use of the proceeds.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

Mortgage servicing rights on originated loans that have been sold are capitalized by allocating the total cost of the mortgage loans between the mortgage servicing rights and the loans based on their relative fair values. Mortgage servicing rights are carried at the lower of the initial carrying value, adjusted for amortization, or fair value, and are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing income using a discounted analysis of future cash flows, incorporating numerous assumptions including servicing income, servicing costs, market discount rates, prepayment speeds and default rates.  Mortgage servicing rights are evaluated quarterly for impairment based on the difference between the carrying amount and current fair value.  If it is determined that impairment exists, the resulting loss is charged against earnings.

Real Estate Owned

Real estate acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure is recorded at the fair value at the date of acquisition and thereafter carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated selling costs.  The fair value of such assets is determined based primarily upon independent appraisals and other relevant factors.  The amounts ultimately recoverable from real estate owned could differ from the net carrying value of these properties because of economic conditions.  Costs incurred to improve properties or prepare them for sale are capitalized.  Revenues and expenses related to the holding and operating of properties are recognized in operations as earned or incurred.  Gains or losses on sale of properties are recognized as incurred.

Identifiable Intangible Assets

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are no longer amortized, rather they are assessed, at least annually, for impairment (See Note 3).
 
Identifiable intangible assets relate primarily to core deposit premiums, resulting from the valuation of core deposit intangibles acquired in the purchase of branches of other financial institutions. These identifiable intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over a period of 5 years but not exceeding the estimated average remaining life of the existing customer deposits acquired. Amortization periods for intangible assets are monitored to determine if events and circumstances require such periods to be reduced.
 
Effective April 1, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS, No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140.  SFAS No. 156 requires all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable.  For subsequent measurements, entities are permitted to choose either the amortization method, which is consistent with the prior requirements of SFAS No. 140, or the fair value method.  Upon adoption of SFAS No. 156, the Company elected to adopt the fair value method for measurements of mortgage servicing rights (MSR). The adoption of SFAS No. 156 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
 
The Company recognizes as separate assets the rights to service mortgage loans and such assets are included in other assets in the statements of financial condition.
 

Income Taxes

Carver Federal accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method.  Temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes are measured as of the balance sheet date.  Deferred tax liabilities or recognizable deferred tax assets are calculated on such differences, using current statutory rates, which result in future taxable or deductible amounts.  The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes- An Interpretation of FASB Statement No 109." FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity's financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 also prescribes a specified recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The new interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
 
Securities Impairment

The Bank’s available-for-sale securities portfolio is carried at estimated fair value, with any unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/loss in stockholders’ equity.  Securities that the Bank has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and are carried at amortized cost.  The fair values of securities in portfolio are based on published or securities dealers’ market values and are affected by changes in interest rates.  The Bank periodically reviews and evaluates the securities portfolio to determine if the decline in the fair value of any security below its cost basis is other-than-temporary.  The Bank generally views changes in fair value caused by changes in interest rates as temporary, which is consistent with its experience.  However, if such a decline is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the security is written down to a new cost basis and the resulting loss is charged to earnings.  At March 31, 2008, the Bank carried no other than temporarily impaired securities.

Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted EPS includes any additional common shares as if all potentially dilutive common shares were issued (e.g., outstanding share awards under the Company’s stock option plans).  For the purpose of these calculations, unreleased shares of the Carver Federal Savings Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) are not considered to be outstanding.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock is recorded at cost and is presented as a reduction of stockholders’ equity.

Pension Plans

The Company’s pension benefit and post-retirement health and welfare benefit obligations, and the related costs, are calculated using actuarial concepts, within the framework of SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions” and SFAS No. 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Post-retirement Benefits Other than Pensions,” respectively. The measurement of such obligations and expenses requires that certain assumptions be made regarding several factors, most notably including the discount rate and the expected return on plan assets. The Company evaluates these critical assumptions on an annual basis. Other factors considered by the Company include retirement patterns, mortality, turnover, and the rate of compensation increase.

Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefits Pension and Other Post-retirement Plans- an amendment of SFAS Statement Nos. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)”, actuarial gain and losses, prior services cost or credits, and any remaining transition assets or obligations that have not been recognized under previous accounting standards must be recognized in “accumulated other comprehensive income or loss”, net of taxes effects, until they are amortized as a component of net of periodic benefit cost.  In addition, under SFAS No. 158 the measurement date (i.e., the date at which plan assets and the benefit obligation are measured for financial reporting purposes) is required to be the company’s fiscal year end. The company presently uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension, as permitted by SFAS Nos. 87 and 106.  In accordance with SFAS No. 158, the Company will adopt a fiscal year-end measurement date on March 31, 2009.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Effective April 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS No. 123R”). This statement replaces Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, (“APB No. 25”).  SFAS No. 123R requires that all stock-based compensation be recognized as an expense in the financial statements and that such cost be measured at the fair value of the award. This statement was adopted using the modified prospective method of application, which requires the Company to recognize compensation expense on a prospective basis. Therefore, prior period financial statements have not been restated. Under this method, in addition to reflecting compensation expense for new share-based awards, expense is also recognized to reflect the remaining service period of awards that had been included in pro forma disclosures in prior periods. SFAS No. 123R also requires that excess tax benefits related to stock option exercises be reflected as financing cash inflows instead of operating cash inflows.


Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R on April 1, 2006, the Company applied APB No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock option plans. As each granted stock option entitled the holder to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to 100% of the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant, no compensation cost for such options was recognized. Had compensation cost for the stock option plans been determined, using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, based on the fair value at the date of grant for awards made under those plans, consistent with the method set forth in SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-based Compensation,” as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure,” (“SFAS No. 148”), the Company’s pro forma net income in the year ended March 31, 2006 would have been as follows:

   
2006
 
Net Income available to common shareholders:
     
As reported
  $ 3,770  
Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based methods for all awards, net of related tax effects
    (105 )
Pro forma
  $ 3,665  
         
Basic earnings per share:
       
As reported
  $ 1.50  
Pro forma
    1.46  
         
Diluted earnings per share:
       
As reported
  $ 1.45  
Pro forma
    1.43  
         
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
    2,506,029  

Compensation expense is recognized for the Bank’s ESOP equal to the fair value of shares committed to be released for allocation to participant accounts.  Any difference between the fair value at that time and the ESOP’s original acquisition cost is charged or credited to stockholders’ equity (additional paid-in capital).  The cost of unallocated ESOP shares (shares not yet committed to be released) is reflected as a reduction of stockholders’ equity.

The Company grants “incentive stock options” only to its employees and grants “nonqualified stock options” to employees and non-employee directors.  All options granted, vested and unexercised as of March 31, 2006 will still be accounted for under APB No. 25. No compensation expense is recognized if the exercise price of the option is greater than or equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant.

Immaterial Restatement

The March 31, 2006 Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition reflects an immaterial restatement to correctly deconsolidate Carver’s Statutory Trust I subsidiary, amounting to an increase in other assets and other borrowed money of $0.4 million.  The outstanding number of unvested shares granted under the Company’s Management Recognition Plan (“MRP”) had not been included as potentially dilutive shares when calculating the diluted EPS for the past several years. For fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the outstanding number of unvested MRP shares was 26,539.  Taking these potentially dilutive shares into account, the diluted EPS would have been $1.45 and $1.00 for 2006 and 2007, respectively, compared to reported diluted EPS of $1.47 and $1.01.  Management believes these misstatements to be immaterial.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements presented for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
 
 
NOTE 3.  IMPAIRMENT AND GOODWILL

The Company annually evaluates long-lived assets, certain identifiable intangibles and deferred costs for indication of impairment in value.  When required, asset impairment will be recorded as an expense in the current period


Goodwill is presumed to have an indefinite useful life, not amortized and is tested for impairment at least once annually at the reporting unit level.  Impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount at the time of testing, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired.  According to SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” quoted market prices in active markets are the best evidence of fair value and are to be used as the basis for measurement, when available.  Other acceptable valuation methods included present-value measurements based on multiples of earnings or revenues, or similar performance measures.  Differences in the identification of reporting units and in valuation techniques could result in materially different evaluations of impairment.

The Company performed the annual goodwill impairment test as of January 31, 2008, and determined that the fair value of the reporting unit was in excess of its carrying value, using the guideline company and guideline transaction methodologies.  There was no indication of goodwill impairment as of the annual impairment test date.

NOTE 4.  SECURITIES

The following is a summary of securities at March 31, 2008 (in thousands):

   
Amortized
   
Gross Unrealized
   
Estimated
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair-Value
 
Available-for-Sale:
                       
Mortgage-backed securities:
                       
Government National Mortgage Association
  $ 8,303     $ -     $ (123 )   $ 8,180  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
    4,077       19       -       4,096  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    6,748       107       -       6,855  
Other
    205       4       -       209  
Total mortgage-backed securities
    19,333       130       (123 )     19,340  
U.S. Government Agency Securities
    1,473       52       -       1,525  
Total available-for-sale
    20,806       182       (123 )     20,865  
                                 
Held -to -Maturity:
                               
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
Government National Mortgage Association
    573       34       -       607  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
    12,343       11       (230 )     12,124  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    4,216       78       (32 )     4,262  
Total mortgage-backed securities
    17,132       123       (262 )     16,993  
Other
    175       -       (1 )     174  
Total held-to-maturity
    17,307       123       (263 )     17,167  
Total securities
  $ 38,113     $ 305     $ (386 )   $ 38,032  


The following is a summary of securities at March 31, 2007 (in thousands):

   
Amortized
   
Gross Unrealized
   
Estimated
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair-Value
 
Available-for-Sale:
                       
Mortgage-backed securities:
                       
Government National Mortgage Association
  $ 13,637     $ 47     $ (65 )   $ 13,619  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
    1,116       12       (3 )     1,125  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    5,905       30       (40 )     5,895  
Other
    517       20       -       537  
Total mortgage-backed securities
    21,175       109       (108 )     21,176  
U.S. Government Agency Securities
    26,417       387       -       26,804  
Total available-for-sale
    47,592       496       (108 )     47,980  
                                 
Held-to-Maturity:
                               
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
Government National Mortgage Association
    727       25       -       752  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
    13,308       9       (166 )     13,151  
Federal National Mortgage Association
    4,792       53       (50 )     4,795  
Other
    120       -       -       120  
Total mortgage-backed securities
    18,947       87       (216 )     18,818  
Other
    190       -       (3 )     187  
Total held-to-maturity
    19,137       87       (219 )     19,005  
Total securities
  $ 66,729     $ 583     $ (327 )   $ 66,985  

 
The following is a summary regarding securities and/or calls of available-for-sale portfolio at March 31, 2008 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Available-for-Sale
                 
Proceeds
  $ 22,428     $ 14,422     $ 12,197  
Gross gains
    431       22       -  
Gross losses
    -       646       -  
 
The net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities was $0.1 million ($36,000 after taxes) at March 31, 2008 and net unrealized gain of $0.4 million ($0.2 million after taxes) at March 31, 2007.  On November 30, 2002 the Bank transferred $22.8 million of mortgage-backed securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity as a result of management’s intention to hold these securities in portfolio until maturity.  A related unrealized gain of $0.5 million was recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and is being amortized over the remaining lives of the securities as an adjustment to yield.  As of March 31, 2008 the carrying value of these securities was $8.8 million and a related net unrealized gain of $0.1 million continues to be reported.  There was a loss of $0.6 million resulting from the sale of available-for-sale securities in fiscal 2007.  At March 31, 2008 the Bank pledged securities of $9.7 million as collateral for advances from the FHLB-NY.

The following is a summary of the carrying value (amortized cost) and fair value of securities at March 31, 2008, by remaining period to contractual maturity (ignoring earlier call dates, if any).  Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain security issuers have the right to call or prepay their obligations.  The table below does not consider the effects of possible prepayments or unscheduled repayments.

 
   
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Weighted Avg Rate
 
Available-for-Sale
                 
Less than one year
  $ 42     $ 42       5.44 %
One through five years
    181       188       5.31 %
Five through ten years
    6,706       6,264       5.42 %
After ten years
    14,280       14,370       5.02 %
    $ 20,679       20,865       5.13 %
                         
Held-to-maturity
                       
One through five years
  $ 11     $ 11       5.15 %
Five through ten years
    493       486       5.00 %
After ten years
    16,803       16,670       5.78 %
    $ 17,307       17,167       5.76 %

The unrealized losses and fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2008 for less than 12 months and 12 months or longer were as follows (in thousands):

   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Available-for-Sale:
                                   
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ (33 )   $ 3,857     $ (90 )   $ 4,033     $ (123 )   $ 7,890  
Total available-for-sale
    (33 )     3,857       (90 )     4,033       (123 )     7,890  
                                                 
Held-to-Maturity:
                                               
Mortgage-backed securities
    (7 )     451       (255 )     13,800       (262 )     14,251  
U.S. Government Agency Securities
    -       -       (1 )     174       (1 )     174  
Total held-to-maturity
    (7 )     451       (256 )     13,974       (263 )     14,425  
Total securities
  $ (40 )   $ 4,308     $ (346 )   $ 18,007     $ (386 )   $ 22,315  

The unrealized losses and fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Available-for-Sale:
                                   
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ (108 )   $ 9,498     $ -     $ -     $ (108 )   $ 9,498  
Total available-for-sale
    (108 )     9,498       -       -       (108 )     9,498  
                                                 
Held-to-Maturity:
                                               
Mortgage-backed securities
    (216 )     15,241       -       -       (216 )     15,241  
U.S. Government Agency Securities
    (3 )     187       -       -       (3 )     187  
Total held-to-maturity
    (219 )     15,428       -       -       (219 )     15,428  
Total securities
  $ (327 )   $ 24,926     $ -     $ -     $ (327 )   $ 24,926  

A total of 29 securities had an unrealized loss at March 31, 2008 compared to 24 at March 31, 2007.  Based on estimated fair value, all the securities in an unrealized loss position were United States government agency-backed securities, which represents 32.4% and 20.3% of total securities at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The cause of the temporary impairment is directly related to the change in interest rates.  In general, as interest rates decline, the fair value of securities will rise, and conversely as interest rates rise, the fair value of securities will decline.  Management considers fluctuations in fair value as a result of interest rate changes to be temporary, which is consistent with the Bank's experience.  The impairments are deemed temporary based on the direct relationship of the rise in fair value to movements in interest rates, the life of the investments and their high credit quality.  
 

NOTE 5.  LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET

The following is a summary of loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses at March 31 (dollars in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
Gross loans receivable:
                       
One- to four-family
  $ 103,419       16.33 %   $ 100,910       17.22 %
Multifamily
    78,657       12.42 %     91,877       15.68 %
Non-residential
    238,508       37.66 %     203,187       34.68 %
Construction
    158,877       25.09 %     137,697       23.50 %
Business
    52,109       8.23 %     51,226       8.74 %
Consumer and other (1)
    1,728       0.27 %     1,067       0.18 %
Total loans receivable
    633,298       100.00 %     585,964       100.00 %
                                 
Add:
                               
Premium on loans
    725               990          
Less:
                               
Deferred fees and loan discounts
    (1,229 )             (994 )        
Allowance for loan losses
    (4,878 )             (5,409 )        
Total loans receivable, net
  $ 627,916             $ 580,551          

(1) Includes personal, credit card, and home improvement

At March 31, 2008 and 2007, 89.3% and 89.9%, respectively, of the Bank’s real estate loans receivable was principally secured by properties located in New York City.

Mortgage loan portfolios serviced for Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and other third parties are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  The unpaid principal balances of these loans aggregated $52.0 million, $38.8 million and $33.2 million at March 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.  Custodial escrow balances, maintained in connection with the above-mentioned loan servicing, were approximately $0.2 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million at March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  During the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Bank recognized gains on the sale of loans of $0.3 million, $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

At March 31, 2008 the Bank pledged $187.9 million in total mortgage loans as collateral for advances from the FHLB-NY.

The following is an analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the years ended March 31 (in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Balance at beginning of the year
  $ 5,409     $ 4,015     $ 4,097  
Provision charged to operations
    222       276       -  
Recoveries of amounts previously charged-off
    153       47       35  
Charge-offs of loans
    (906 )     (120 )     (117 )
Acquisition of CCB
    -       1,191       -  
Balance at end of the year
  $ 4,878     $ 5,409     $ 4,015  

Non-accrual loans consist of loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued as a result of such loans becoming 90 days or more delinquent as to principal and/or interest payments.  Interest income on non-accrual loans is recorded when received.  Restructured loans consist of loans where borrowers have been granted concessions in regards to the terms of their loans due to financial or other difficulties, which rendered them unable to repay their loans under the original contractual terms.

At March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the recorded investment in impaired loans was $2.9 million, $4.5 million and $2.8 million, respectively, all of which represented non-accrual loans.  The related allowance for loan losses for these impaired loans was approximately $0.3 million, $0.8 million and $0.3 million at March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The impaired loan portfolio is primarily collateral dependent.  The average recorded investment in impaired loans during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $4.7 million, $3.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively.  For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company did not recognize any interest income on these impaired loans.  Interest income of $0.6 million, $0.3 million, and $0.1 million, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively,  would have been recorded on impaired loans had they performed in accordance with their original terms.


At March 31, 2008, other non-performing assets totaled $4.0 million which consists of non-performing loans of $2.9 million and other real estate owned of $1.2 million.  Other non-performing loans of $2.9 million consist of 18 small business and SBA loans, two multi-family loans and two 1-4 family loans.  All are relatively small balance loans.  Other real estate owned of $1.2 million reflects four foreclosed properties.

At March 31, 2008 and 2007, there were no loans to officers or directors of the Company.

NOTE 6.  OFFICE PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET

The detail of office properties and equipment as of March 31 is as follows (in thousands):


   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Land
  $ 415     $ 415  
Building and improvements
    9,874       9,834  
Leasehold improvements
    6,041       5,262  
Furniture and equipment
    12,079       10,039  
      28,409       25,550  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (12,629 )     (10,924 )
Office properties and equipment, net
  $ 15,780     $ 14,626  


Depreciation and amortization charged to operations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 amounted to $1.7 million, $1.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

NOTE 7. ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE

The detail of accrued interest receivable as of March 31 is as follows (in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Loans receivable
  $ 3,751     $ 3,689  
Mortgage-backed securities
    273       590  
Investments and other interest bearing assets
    39       56  
Total accrued interest receivable
  $ 4,063     $ 4,335  


NOTE 8.  DEPOSITS

Deposit balances and weighted average stated interest rates as of March 31 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Amount
   
Percent of Total Deposits
   
Weighted Average Rate
   
Amount
   
Percent of Total Deposits
   
Weighted Average Rate
 
       
                                     
Non-interest-bearing demand
  $ 51,736       7.90 %     0.00 %   $ 50,891       8.27 %     0.00 %
NOW accounts
    28,168       4.30 %     0.20 %     28,910       4.70 %     0.31 %
Savings and club
    125,819       19.22 %     0.53 %     137,960       22.43 %     0.78 %
Money market savings account
    45,514       6.95 %     2.94 %     46,996       7.64 %     2.18 %
Certificates of deposit
    400,587       61.20 %     4.10 %     347,753       56.53 %     4.28 %
Other
    2,839       0.43 %     1.51 %     2,612       0.43 %     1.39 %
Total
  $ 654,663       100.00 %     2.83 %   $ 615,122       100.00 %     2.78 %

Scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit are as follows for the year ended March 31, 2008 (in thousands):

     
Period to Maturity
 
                             
Total
   
Percent
 
Rate
   
< 1 Yr.
   
1-2 Yrs.
   
2-3 Yrs.
   
3+ Yrs.
   
2007
   
of Total
 
                                       
  0% - 0.99 %   $ 2,993     $ 389     $ 48     $ 231     $ 3,661       0.91 %
  1% - 1.99 %     27,640       -       -       -       27,640       6.90 %
  2% - 3.99 %     98,003       9,577       4,202       1,743       113,525       28.34 %
4% and over
      231,542       9,054       3,995       11,170       255,761       63.85 %
Total
    $ 360,178     $ 19,020     $ 8,245     $ 13,144     $ 400,587       100.00 %

The aggregate amount of certificates of deposit with minimum denominations of $100,000 or more was approximately $229.7 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $217.4 million at March 31, 2007.  As of March 31, 2008 the Bank had pledged $1.3 million of investment securities as collateral for certain large deposits.

Interest expense on deposits is as follows for the years ended March 31 (in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
NOW demand
  $ 138     $ 98     $ 74  
Savings and clubs
    1,004       931       919  
Money market savings
    1,193       1,133       601  
Certificates of deposit
    16,522       13,079       7,321  
Mortgagors deposits
    42       30       30  
      18,899       15,270       8,945  
                         
Penalty for early withdrawal of certificates of deposit
    (33 )     (43 )     (24 )
Total interest expense
  $ 18,866     $ 15,227     $ 8,921  

NOTE 9.  BORROWED MONEY

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Repurchase agreements. FHLB-NY advances and repurchase agreements weighted average interest rates by remaining period to maturity at March 31 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Maturing
 
2008
   
2007
 
Year Ended
 
Weighted
         
Weighted
       
March 31,
 
Average Rate
   
Amount
   
Average Rate
   
Amount
 
2008
    -     $ -       4.58 %   $ 32,500  
2009
    3.77 %     15,107       3.78 %     15,107  
2012
    4.63 %     30,143       3.50 %     168  
      4.34 %   $ 45,250       4.32 %   $ 47,775  


As a member of the FHLB-NY, the Bank may have outstanding FHLB-NY borrowings in a combination of term advances and overnight funds of up to 25% of its total assets, or approximately $199.0 million at March 31, 2008.  Borrowings are secured by the Bank’s investment in FHLB-NY stock and by a blanket security agreement. This agreement requires the Bank to maintain as collateral certain qualifying assets (principally mortgage loans and securities) not otherwise pledged.  At March 31, 2008, advances were secured by pledges of the Bank’s investment in the capital stock of the FHLB-NY totaling $1.6 million and a blanket assignment of the Bank’s unpledged qualifying mortgage loans of $187.9 million and mortgage-backed and investment securities of $9.7 million.  The Bank has sufficient collateral at the FHLB-NY to be able to borrow an additional $29.4 million from the FHLB-NY at March 31, 2008.

Repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements (“REPO”) are contracts for the sale of securities owned or borrowed by the Bank with an agreement to repurchase those securities at an agreed-upon price and date. The Banks’ repurchase agreements are primarily collateralized by $30.0 million obligations and other mortgage-related securities, and are entered into with either the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (the “FHLB-NY”) or selected brokerage firms.  Repurchase agreements totaled $30.0 million at March 31, 2008.  At March 31, 2008, the accrued interest on repurchase agreements amounted to $0.2 million and the interest expense was $1.1 million for the year ended March 31, 2008. The Bank had no repurchase agreements at March 31, 2007 and no related interest expense for fiscal 2007.

Subordinated Debt Securities. On September 17, 2003, Carver Statutory Trust I, issued 13,000 shares, liquidation amount $1,000 per share, of floating rate capital securities.  Gross proceeds from the sale of these trust preferred debt securities of $13.0 million, and proceeds from the sale of the trust's common securities of $0.4 million, were used to purchase approximately $13.4 million aggregate principal amount of the Holding Company's floating rate junior subordinated debt securities due 2033.  The trust preferred debt securities are redeemable at par quarterly at the option of the Company beginning on or after September 17, 2008 and have a mandatory redemption date of September 17, 2033. Cash distributions on the trust preferred debt securities are cumulative and payable at a floating rate per annum resetting quarterly with a margin of 3.05% over the three-month LIBOR.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding Carver Federal’s borrowings as of and for the years ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Amounts outstanding at the end of year:
                 
FHLB advances
  $ 15,250     $ 47,775     $ 80,935  
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interest in junior subordinated debentures
  $ 13,375     $ 13,318     $ 13,260  
                         
Rate paid at year end:
                       
FHLB advances
    3.77 %     4.32 %     4.13 %
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interest in junior subordinated debentures
    5.85 %     8.40 %     7.97 %
                         
Maximum amount of borrowing outstanding at any month end:
                       
FHLB advances
  $ 60,874     $ 93,975     $ 112,488  
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interest in junior subordinated debentures
  $ 13,375     $ 13,318     $ 13,260  
                         
Approximate average amounts outstanding for year:
                       
FHLB advances
  $ 36,724     $ 65,567     $ 94,798  
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interest in junior subordinated debentures
  $ 13,344     $ 13,286     $ 13,230  
                         
Approximate weighted average rate paid during year:
                       
FHLB advances
    5.18 %     4.36 %     3.81 %
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interest in junior subordinated debentures
    7.76 %     8.33 %     7.50 %


NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES

The components of income tax (benefit) expense for the years ended March 31 are as follow (in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Federal income tax expense (benefit):
                 
Current
  $ 79     $ 1,887     $ 1,155  
Deferred
    (1,107 )     (3,018 )     35  
      (1,028 )     (1,131 )     1,190  
                         
State and local income tax expense:
                       
Current
    171       313       196  
Deferred
    (24 )     (5 )     (57 )
      147       308       139  
                         
Total provision for income tax (benefit) expense
  $ (881 )   $ (823 )   $ 1,329  

The following is a reconciliation of the expected Federal income tax rate to the consolidated effective tax rate for the years ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
                                     
Statutory Federal income tax
  $ 1,103       34.0 %   $ 598       34.0 %   $ 1,734       34.0 %
State and local income taxes, net of Federal tax benefit
    88       2.7 %     204       11.6 %     92       1.8 %
New markets tax credit
    (2,000 )     -61.6 %     (1,475 )     -83.8 %     -       -  
General business credit
    (41 )     -1.3 %     (69 )     -3.9 %     (73 )     -1.5 %
Release of  contingency reserve
    -       -       -       -       (500 )     -9.8 %
Other
    (31 )     -1.0 %     (81 )     -4.6 %     76       1.5 %
Total income tax (benefit) expense
  $ (881 )     -27.2 %   $ (823 )     -46.7 %   $ 1,329       26.0 %

Carver Federal’s stockholders’ equity includes approximately $2.8 million at the end of each year ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, which has been segregated for federal income tax purposes as a bad debt reserve.  The use of this amount for purposes other than to absorb losses on loans may result in taxable income for federal income taxes at the then current tax rate.


Tax effects of existing temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are included in other assets at March 31 are as follows (in thousands):

      2,008    
2007
 
Deferred Tax Assets:
             
Income from affiliate
  $ -     $ 1,876  
Allowance for loan losses
    1,427       1,839  
Deferred loan fees
    461       371  
Compensation and benefits
    102       109  
Non-accrual loan interest
    579       587  
Capital loss carryforward
    591       591  
Deferred rent
    111       111  
Purchase accounting adjustment
    159       702  
Net operating loss carry forward
    2,072       -  
New markets tax credit
    3,227       1,242  
Depreciation
    330       -  
Other
    28       2  
Total Deferred Tax Assets
    9,087       7,430  
                 
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
               
Depreciation
    -       128  
Income from affiliate
    690       -  
Minimum pension liability
    170       50  
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities
    92       228  
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities
    952       406  
                 
Net Deferred Tax Assets
  $ 8,135     $ 7,024  

In June 2006, Carver Federal was selected by the U.S. Department of Treasury to receive an award of $59 million in New Markets Tax Credits.  The NMTC award is used to stimulate economic development in low- to moderate-income communities.  The NMTC award enables the Bank to invest with community and development partners in economic development projects with attractive terms including, in some cases, below market interest rates, which may have the effect of attracting capital to underserved communities and facilitating the revitalization of the community, pursuant to the goals of the NMTC program.  The NMTC award provides a credit to Carver Federal against Federal income taxes when the Bank makes qualified investments.  The credits are allocated over seven years from the time of the qualified investment.  Recognition of the Bank’s NMTC award began in December 2006 when the Bank invested $29.5 million, one-half of its $59 million award.  In December 2007, the Bank invested an additional $10.5 million and transferred rights to $19.0 million of its $59 million NMTC award to an investor pursuant to its investment in a NMTC project.  The Bank’s NMTC allocation has been fully invested as of December 31, 2007. During the seven year period, assuming the Bank meets compliance requirements, the Bank will receive 39% of the $40.0 million invested award amount (5% over each of the first three years, and 6% over each of the next four years).  The Company expects to receive additional NMTC tax benefits of approximately $12.1 million from its $40.0 million investment over approximately six years.

A valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset at March 31, 2008 and 2007 was not required since it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset.
 
The Company has no uncertain tax positions.  The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal, New York State and New York City income taxation.  The Company is no longer subject to examination by taxing authorities for years before March 31, 2005.  CCB, a subsidiary of the Holding Company, which was purchased in 2006, is currently subject to a New York State examination by the taxing authorities for tax years 2003 and 2004.

The Company adopted FASB Interpretation 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”), as of April 1, 2007.  A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur.  The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination.  For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.  FIN 48 had no affect on the Company’s financial statements.
 
NOTE 11. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The following table reconciles the earnings available to common shareholders (numerator) and the weighted average common stock outstanding (denominator) for both basic and diluted earnings per share for years ended March 31 (in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Net income - basic and diluted
  $ 3,980     $ 2,583     $ 3,770  
                         
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
    2,492       2,511       2,506  
Effect of dilutive options
    50       57       59  
Effect of dilutive MRP shares
    19       18       27  
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted
    2,561       2,586       2,592  


NOTE 12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Conversion and Stock Offering. On October 24, 1994, the Bank issued in an initial public offering 2,314,375 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 (the “Common Stock”), at a price of $10 per share resulting in net proceeds of $21.5 million.  As part of the initial public offering, the Bank established a liquidation account at the time of conversion, in an amount equal to the surplus and reserves of the Bank at September 30, 1994.  In the unlikely event of a complete liquidation of the Bank (and only in such event), eligible depositors who continue to maintain accounts shall be entitled to receive a distribution from the liquidation account.  The total amount of the liquidation account may be decreased if the balances of eligible deposits decreased as measured on the annual determination dates.  The Bank is not permitted to pay dividends to the Holding Company on its capital stock if the effect thereof would cause its net worth to be reduced below either: (i) the amount required for the liquidation account, or (ii) the amount required for the Bank to comply with applicable minimum regulatory capital requirements.

Regulatory Capital.  The operations and profitability of the Bank are significantly affected by legislation and the policies of the various regulatory agencies.  The OTS has promulgated capital requirements for financial institutions consisting of minimum tangible and core capital ratios of 1.5% and 3.0%, respectively, of the institution’s adjusted total assets and a minimum risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% of the institution’s risk weighted assets.  Although the minimum core capital ratio is 3.0%, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (“FDICIA”), as amended, stipulates that an institution with less than 4.0% core capital is deemed undercapitalized. At March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Bank exceeded all of its regulatory capital requirements.

The following is a summary of the Bank’s actual capital amounts as of March 31, 2008 compared to the OTS requirements for minimum capital adequacy and for classification as a well-capitalized institution (in thousands):

   
GAAP Capital
   
Tangible Equity
   
Leverage Capital
   
Risk-Based Capital
 
Stockholders' Equity at March 31, 2008 (1)
  $ 68,669     $ 68,669     $ 68,669     $ 68,669  
                                 
Add:
                               
General valuation allowances
            -       -       4,878  
Deduct:
                               
Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net
            (151 )     (151 )     (151 )
Goodwill and qualifying intangible assets, net
            6,902       6,902       6,902  
Other
            (33 )     (33 )     (33 )
Regulatory Capital
            61,583       61,583       66,461  
Minimum Capital requirement
            14,641       31,293       51,707  
Regulatory Capital Excess
          $ 46,942     $ 30,290     $ 14,754  

(1) Carver Federal only

Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income represents net income and certain amounts reported directly in stockholders’ equity, such as the net unrealized gain or loss on securities available for sale and loss on pension liability.  The Holding Company has reported its comprehensive income for fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006 in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income.  Carver Federal’s accumulated other comprehensive income or loss included net unrealized losses on securities at March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively.  Included in the amounts at March 31, 2006 were unrealized gains of $0.2 million relating to available-for-sale securities that were transferred during fiscal 2003 to held-to-maturity.  This unrealized gain is an unrealized gain reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and is amortized over the remaining lives of the securities as an adjustment to yield.  Also included in accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2008 and 2007 was gains on the Bank’s pension plan liabilities of $0.3 million and $0.1 million, net of taxes, respectively.  At March 31, 2006, there was a loss on the Bank’s employee pension plan liability of $0.3 million, net of taxes, included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

NOTE 13. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

Pension Plan.  Carver Federal has a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering all who were participants prior to curtailment of the plan. The benefits are based on each employee’s term of service through the date of curtailment. Carver Federal’s policy was to fund the plan with contributions which equal the maximum amount deductible for federal income tax purposes.  The plan was curtailed during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001.


The following table sets forth the plan’s changes in benefit obligation, changes in plan assets and funded status and amounts recognized in Carver Federal’s consolidated financial statements at March 31 (in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
 
Change in projected benefit obligation during the year
           
Projected benefit obligation at the beginning of year
  $ 2,887     $ 2,892  
Interest cost
    163       159  
Actuarial (gain) loss
    (308 )     55  
Benefits paid
    (170 )     (219 )
Settlements
    (173 )     -  
Projected benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 2,399     $ 2,887  
                 
Change in fair value of plan assets during the year
               
                 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  $ 2,877     $ 2,870  
Actual return on plan assets
    232       226  
Benefits paid
    (170 )     (219 )
Settlements
    (173 )     -  
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  $ 2,766     $ 2,877  
                 
Funded status
  $ 367     $ (10 )
Unrecognized loss
    -       -  
Accrued pension cost
  $ 367     $ (10 )

Net periodic pension benefit includes the following components for the years ended March 31 (in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Interest cost
  $ 163     $ 159     $ 163  
Expected return on plan assets
    (221 )     (220 )     (227 )
Net periodic pension (benefit)
  $ (58 )   $ (61 )   $ (64 )

Significant actuarial assumptions used in determining plan benefits for the years ended March 31 are as follows:

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Annual salary increase (1)
    -       -       -  
Expected long-term return on assets
    8.00 %     8.00 %     8.00 %
Discount rate used in measurement of benefit obligations
    6.50 %     5.88 %     5.75 %

(1) The annual salary increase rate is not applicable as the plan is frozen and no new benefits accrue.


Directors’ Retirement Plan. Concurrent with the conversion to the stock form of ownership, Carver Federal adopted a retirement plan for non-employee directors.  The plan was curtailed during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001.  The benefits are payable based on the term of service as a director through the date of curtailment. The following table sets forth the plan’s changes in benefit obligation, changes in plan assets and funded status and amounts recognized in Carver Federal’s consolidated financial statements at March 31 (in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
 
Change in projected benefit obligation during the year:
           
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ 36     $ 102  
Interest cost
    2       5  
Actuarial gain
    -       (50 )
Benefits paid
    (13 )     (21 )
Projected benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 25     $ 36  
                 
Change in fair value of plan assets during the year
               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  $ -     $ -  
Employer contributions
    13       21  
Benefits paid
    (13 )     (21 )
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  $ -     $ -  
                 
Funded status
  $ (25 )   $ (36 )
Unrecognized (gain)
    -       -  
Accrued pension cost
  $ (25 )   $ (36 )

Savings Incentive Plan. Carver has a savings incentive plan, pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Code, for all eligible employees of the Bank. The Bank matches contributions to the 401(k) Plan equal to 100% of pre-tax contributions made by each employee up to a maximum of 4% of their pay, subject to IRS limitations. All such matching contributions are fully vested and non-forfeitable at all times regardless of the years of service with the Bank. Under the profit-sharing feature, if the Bank achieves a minimum of 70% of its net income goal as mentioned previously, the Compensation Committee may authorize an annual non-elective contribution to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of each eligible employee up to 2% of the employee’s annual pay, subject to IRS limitations. This non-elective contribution may be made regardless of whether the employee makes a contribution to the 401(k) Plan. Non-elective Bank contributions, if awarded, vest 20% each year for the first five years of employment and are fully vested thereafter. To be eligible for the matching contribution, the employee must be 21 years of age and have completed at least one year of service. To be eligible for the non-elective Carver contribution, the employee must also be employed as of the last day of the plan year. Total savings incentive plan expenses for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

BOLI.  The Bank owns one BOLI plan which was formed to offset future employee benefit costs and provide additional benefits due to its tax exempt nature.  Only officer level employees are covered under this program.

An initial investment of $8.0 million was made to the BOLI program on September 21, 2004.  At March 31, 2008 the Consolidated Statement of Conditions reflects a net cash surrender value of $9.1 million.  The related income is reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of other non-interest income.

Management Recognition Plan (“MRP”). The MRP provided for grants of restricted stock to certain employees at September 12, 1995 adoption of the MRP.  On March 28, 2005 the plan was amended for all future awards.  The MRP provides for additional discretionary grants of restricted stock to those employees selected by the committee established to administer the MRP.  Awards granted prior to March 28, 2005, generally vest in three to five equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary date of the award, provided the recipient is still an employee of the Holding Company or the Bank on such date.  Under the amended plan awards granted after March 28, 2005 vest based on a five-year performance-accelerated vesting schedule.  Ten percent of the awarded shares vest in each of the first four years and the remainder in the fifth year but the Compensation Committee may accelerate vesting at any time.  Awards will become 100% vested upon termination of service due to death or disability.  When shares become vested and are distributed, the recipients will receive an amount equal to any accrued dividends with respect thereto.  There are no shares available to grant under the MRP.  Pursuant to the MRP, the Bank recognized $155,000, $118,000 and $134,000 as expense for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007and 2006, respectively.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Effective upon conversion, an ESOP was established for all eligible employees. The ESOP used $1,821,000 in proceeds from a term loan obtained from a third-party institution to purchase 182,132 shares of Bank common stock in the initial public offering. Each year until the loan paid off in June of 2004, the Bank made discretionary contributions to the ESOP, which was equal to principal and interest payments required on the term loan less any dividends received by the ESOP on unallocated shares.

Shares purchased with the loan proceeds were initially pledged as collateral for the term loan.  Currently, shares are purchased in the open market in accordance with Carver’s common stock repurchase program and are held in a suspense account for future allocation among the participants on the basis of compensation, as described by the Plan, in the year of allocation.  In May 2006, Carver amended the ESOP so that no new participants are eligible to enter after December 31, 2006 and the Compensation Committee voted to cease discretionary contributions after the 2006 allocation. ESOP compensation expense was $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


The ESOP shares at March 31 are as follows (in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
 
Allocated shares
    69       73  
Unallocated shares
    -       -  
Total ESOP shares
    69       73  
Fair value of unallocated shares
  $ 3     $ 10  

Stock Option Plans. During 1995, the Holding Company adopted the 1995 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) to advance the interests of the Bank through providing stock options to select key employees and directors of the Bank and its affiliates.  The number of shares reserved for issuance under the plan was 338,862.  The 1995 plan expired by its term and no new options may be granted under it, however, stock options granted under the 1995 Plan continue in accordance with their terms.  At March 31, 2008, there were 237,182 options outstanding and 198,088 were exercisable.  Options are granted at the fair market value of Carver Federal common stock at the time of the grant for a period not to exceed ten years.  Under the 1995 Plan option grants generally vest on an annual basis ratably over either three or five years, commencing after one year of service and, in some instances, portions of option grants vest at the time of the grant.  On March 28, 2005, the plan was amended and vesting of future awards is based on a five-year performance-accelerated vesting schedule.  Ten percent of the awarded options vest in each of the first four years and the remainder in the fifth year, but the Committee may accelerate vesting at any time. All options are exercisable immediately upon a participant’s disability, death or a change in control, as defined in the Plan.

In September 2006, Carver stockholders approved the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan which provides for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock to employees and directors who are selected to receive awards by the Committee.  The 2006 Incentive Plan authorizes Carver to grant awards with respect to 300,000 shares, but no more than 150,000 shares of restricted stock may be granted. Options are granted at a price not less than fair market value of Carver Federal common stock at the time of the grant for a period not to exceed 10 years.  Shares generally vest in 20% increments over 5 years, however, the Committee may specify a different vesting schedule.  At March 31, 2008, there were 32,447 options outstanding under the 2006 Incentive Plan and none were exercisable.    All options are exercisable immediately upon a participant’s disability, death or a change in control, as defined in the Plan, if the person is employed on that date.

Information regarding stock options as of and for the years ended March 31 is as follows:

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
Options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
Outstanding, beginning of year
    240,087     $ 13.24       238,061     $ 12.90       225,292     $ 12.37  
Granted
    15,978       16.93       21,019       16.50       35,277       16.98  
Exercised
    (3,475 )     11.58       (11,776 )     9.57       (9,903 )     9.57  
Forfeited
    (15,408 )     17.72       (7,217 )     17.44       (12,605 )     17.44  
Outstanding, end of year
    237,182     $ 13.22       240,087     $ 13.24       238,061     $ 12.90  
Exercisable, at year end
    198,088               192,110               144,836          


Information regarding stock options as of and for the year ended March 31, 2008 is as follows :

           
Options Outstanding
   
Options Exercisable
 
Range of Exercise Prices
   
Shares
 
Weighted Average Remaining Life
 
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Shares
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
$   8.00     $   8.99         60,000  
2 years
  $   8.17        60,000     $   8.17  
    9.00         9.99         32,000  
3 years
      9.93        32,000         9.93  
  10.00       10.99           2,000  
2 years
    10.38          2,000       10.38  
  12.00       12.99         37,400  
4 years
    12.10        37,400       12.10  
  16.00       16.99          54,721  
7 years
    16.59        38,252       16.59  
  17.00       17.99         29,033  
6 years
    17.18         6,408       17.18  
  19.00       19.99         20,918  
6 years
    19.66       20,918       19.66  
  20.00       20.99              729  
7 years
    20.00             729       20.00  
  21.00       21.99               381  
6 years
    21.76              381       21.76  
Total
              237,182                 198,088          

The fair value of the option grants was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model applying the following weighted average assumptions for the years ended March 31:

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Risk-free interest rate
      4.3%         4.5%         3.5%  
Volatility
    31.2%       19.0%       35.0%  
Annual dividends
  $ 0.29       $ 0.32        $ 0.28     
Expected life of option grants
 
7 yrs
   
7 yrs
   
7 yrs
 

Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, the Company recorded compensation expense of $0.3 million during the year ended March 31, 2008.  As of March 31, 2008, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted under the Company’s plan was $0.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 1.3 years.

Performance Compensation Plan.  In 2006, Carver adopted the Performance Compensation Plan of Carver Bancorp, Inc.  This plan provides for cash payments to officers or employees designated by the Compensation Committee, which also determines the amount awarded to such participants.  Vesting is generally 20% a year over 5 years and awards are fully vested on a change in control (as defined), or termination of employment by death or disability, but the Committee may accelerate vesting at any time.  Payments are made as soon as practicable after the end of the fiscal year in which amounts vest.  In fiscal year 2007, the Company granted its first awards under the new Plan.  The total fair value of options granted was $0.4 million. The amount of compensation expense recognized in fiscal year 2008 was $0.1 million.

NOTE 14.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Credit Related Commitments.  The Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.

These financial instruments primarily include commitments to extend credit and to sell loans. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the statements of financial condition. The contract amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Bank has in particular classes of financial instruments.

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


The Bank had outstanding commitments at March 31 as follows (in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Commitments to originate mortgage loans
 
$
   81,754     $ 107,115  
Commitments to originate commercial and consumer loans
         4,236              214  
Lines of credit
      24,518              300  
Letters of credit
        4,518                  -  
Total
  $ 115,026     $ 107,629  

At March 31, 2008, of the $115.0 million in outstanding commitments to originate loans, $74.9 million represented construction loans at a weighted average rate of 6.44%, $37.3 million represented commitments to originate non-residential mortgage loans at a weighted average rate of 6.03% and $2.8 million represented one- to four-family residential loans at a weighted average rate of 6.24%.

The balance of commitments on commercial and consumer loans at March 31, 2008 is primarily undisbursed funds from approved unsecured commercial lines of credit.  All such lines carry adjustable rates mainly tied to prime.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since some of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Bank evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained if deemed necessary by the Bank upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counter-party.

Lease Commitments.  Rentals under long term operating leases for certain branches aggregated approximately $1.4 million, $0.9 million and $0.7 million for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. As of March 31, 2008, minimum rental commitments under all noncancellable leases with initial or remaining terms of more than one year and expiring through 2018 follow (in thousands):

Year Ending March 31,
 
Minimum Rental
 
       
           2009
  $   1,517  
           2010
      1,556  
           2011
      1,458  
           2012
      1,137  
           2013
      1,125  
Thereafter
      4,663  
    $ 11,456  

The Bank also has, in the normal course of business, commitments for services and supplies.

Legal Proceedings.  From time to time, Carver Federal is a party to various legal proceedings incidental to its business.  Certain claims, suits, complaints and investigations involving Carver Federal, arising in the ordinary course of business, have been filed or are pending.  The Company is of the opinion, after discussion with legal counsel representing Carver Federal in these proceedings, that the aggregate liability or loss, if any, arising from the ultimate disposition of these matters would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.  At March 31, 2008, there were no material legal proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiaries was a party or to which any of their property was subject.


NOTE 15. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

SFAS 107 “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” requires the Bank to disclose, in addition to the carrying value, the fair value of certain financial instruments, both assets and liabilities recorded on and off balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value.  SFAS 107 defines financial instruments as cash, evidence of ownership of an entity, or a contract that conveys or imposes on an entity the contractual right or obligation to either receive or deliver cash or another financial instrument.  The fair value of a financial instrument is defined as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than a forced or liquidation sale and is best evidenced by a quoted market price if one exists. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, estimated fair values have been determined by the Bank using the best available data and estimation methodology suitable for each such category of financial instruments.  For those loans and deposits with floating interest rates, it is presumed that estimated fair values generally approximate their recorded carrying value. The estimation methodologies used and the estimated fair values and carrying values of the Bank’s financial instruments are set forth below:


Cash and cash equivalents and accrued interest receivable

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents and accrued interest receivable approximate fair value because they mature in three months or less.

Securities

The fair values for securities available-for-sale, mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity and investment securities held-to-maturity are based on quoted market or dealer prices, if available. If quoted market or dealer prices are not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market or dealer prices for similar securities.

Loans receivable and loan held-for-sale

The fair value of loans receivable and held-for-sale is estimated by discounting future cash flows, using current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities of such loans.

Mortgage servicing rights

The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is determined by discounting the present value of estimated future servicing cash flows using current market assumptions for prepayments, servicing costs and other factors.

Deposits

The fair value of demand, savings and club accounts is equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of certificates of deposit is estimated using rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The fair value estimates do not include the benefit that results from the low-cost funding provided by deposit liabilities compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market.

Borrowings

The fair values of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and other borrowed money are estimated using the rates currently available to the Bank for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

Commitments

The fair market value of unearned fees associated with financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at March 31, 2008 approximates the fees received.  The fair value is not considered material.

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Bank’s financial instruments at March 31 are as follows (in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Carrying Amount
   
Estimated Fair Value
   
Carrying Amount
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
Financial Assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
 27,368        $   27,368     $  17,350     $   17,350  
Investment securities available-for-sale
        1,735               1,525         26,804          26,804  
Mortgage backed securities available-for-sale
      19,130             19,340        21,176         21,176  
Mortgage backed securities held-to-maturity
      17,307             17,167        19,137         19,005  
Loans receivable
    627,916           645,387       580,551       580,854  
Loans held-for-sale
      23,767             24,084        23,226         23,226  
Accrued interest receivable
       4,063              4,063          4,335            4,335  
Mortgage servicing rights
          605                 605             388               467  
Financial Liabilities:
                               
Deposits
  $ 654,663         $ 660,813     $ 615,122     $ 614,199  
Advances from FHLB of New York
     15,249            15,191         47,775         47,307  
Other borrowed money
      43,375             44,984         13,318          13,318  

Limitations

The fair value estimates are made at a discrete point in time based on relevant market information about the financial instruments. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no quoted market value exists for a significant portion of the Bank’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.


In addition, the fair value estimates are based on existing off balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to value anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Other significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets and liabilities include premises and equipment. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of the estimates.

Finally, reasonable comparability between financial institutions may not be likely due to the wide range of permitted valuation techniques and numerous estimates which must be made given the absence of active secondary markets for many of the financial instruments. This lack of uniform valuation methodologies introduces a greater degree of subjectivity to these estimated fair values.

NOTE 16. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly financial data for fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands, except per share data):

   
June 30
   
September 30
   
December 30
   
March 31
 
Fiscal 2008
                       
Interest income
  $ 11,968       $ 12,088      $  12,309     $ 11,767  
Interest expense
    (5,315)       (5,625)         (5,992)         (5,724)  
Net interest income
    6,653        6,463         6,317          6,043  
Provision for loan losses
          -               -            (222)       -  
Non-interest income
    1,137       1,453         3,178          2,093  
Non-interest expense
    (6,504)       (7,196)         (7,963)         (8,207)  
Income tax benefit (expense)
      (143)            44            268             712  
Minority interest, net of taxes
          -               -               -            (146)  
Net income
  $ 1,143     $    764     $   1,578     $      495  
Earnings per common share
                                       
Basic
  $  0.46     $    0.31     $     0.63     $     0.20  
Diluted
  $  0.44     $    0.30     $     0.62     $     0.20  
 
                               
Fiscal 2007
                               
Interest income
  $ 9,120     $ 9,380     $ 11,770     $ 11,470  
Interest expense
    (4,085)       (4,169)         (5,643)         (5,337)  
Net interest income
    5,035       5,211         6,127          6,133  
Provision for loan losses
          -               -            (120)            (156)  
Non-interest income
      945          (337)           966          1,295  
Non-interest expense
    (4,733)       (6,242)         (5,884)         (6,479)  
Income tax benefit (expense)
      (445)          464            311            493  
Net income (loss)
  $   802     $    (904)     $   1,400     $   1,286  
Earnings (loss) per common share
                               
Basic
  $   0.32     $   (0.36)     $     0.56     $     0.51  
Diluted
  $   0.31     $   (0.35)     $     0.54     $     0.50  


NOTE 17. CARVER BANCORP, INC.  - PARENT COMPANY ONLY

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (in thousands):

   
As of March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Assets
           
Cash on deposit with subsidiaries
  $      384     $     399  
Investment in subsidiaries
    69,401       64,996  
Other assets
           32             16  
Total Assets
  $ 69,817     $ 65,411  
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
               
Borrowings
  $ 13,376     $ 13,318  
Accounts payable to subsidiaries
      1,945            291  
Other liabilities
         113           175  
Total liabilities
  $ 15,434     $ 13,784  
 
               
Stockholders’ equity
    54,383       51,627  
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 69,817     $ 65,411  

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (in thousands):

   
Years Ended March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Income
                 
Equity in net income from subsidiaries
  $        -     $ 3,551     $ 6,758  
Interest income from deposit with subsidiaries
    5,089              -              5  
Other income
         34            34            22  
Total income
    5,123       3,585       6,785  
 
                       
Expenses
                       
Interest Expense on Borrowings
    1,185       1,196          985  
Salaries and employee benefits
       157          180          287  
Shareholder expense
       664          439          407  
Other
         18            10              7  
Total expense
    2,024       1,825       1,686  
 
                       
Income before income taxes
    3,099       1,760       5,099  
Income tax (benefit) expense
        (881)          (823)       1,329  
Net Income
  $ 3,980     $ 2,583     $ 3,770  

 
   
Years Ended March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
                 
Net income
  $ 3,980     $ 2,583     $ 3,770  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
                       
Equity in net income of Subsidiaries
    (5,224 )     (3,551 )     (6,758 )
Income taxes from the Bank
    (881 )     (823 )     1,329  
Increase in other assets
    (16 )                
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable to subsidiaries
    1,654       225       (443 )
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities
    (62 )     (83 )     40  
Other, net
    140       (13 )     299  
Net cash used in operating activities
    (409 )     (1,662 )     (1,763 )
                         
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
                       
Dividends received from Bank
    1,700       3,201       850  
Proceeds from sale of investment securities
    -       -       1,575  
Net cash provided by investing activities
    1,700       3,201       2,425  
                         
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
                       
Purchase of treasury stock, net
    (331 )     (321 )     (115 )
Dividends paid
    (975 )     (878 )     (777 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (1,306 )     (1,199 )     (892 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash
    (15 )     340       (230 )
                         
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning
    399       59       289  
Cash and cash equivalents - ending
  $ 384     $ 399     $ 59  

NOTE 18.  RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments”. This statement amends FASB Statements No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, and No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities”. This statement resolves issues addressed in “Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. D1, Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interest in Securitized Financial Assets”.  SFAS No. 155 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006.  The adoption of SFAS No. 155 had no material impact on the Company’s financial position or its results of operations for fiscal 2008.

Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets

In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets – an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 140 (“SFAS No. 156”), which amends SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” with respect to the accounting for separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities.  SFAS No. 156 requires all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable, and permits an entity to choose either the amortization or fair value measurement method for subsequent measurements.  The Company determines the fair value of its mortgage servicing rights on the basis of a third party market valuation of the Company’s servicing portfolio stratified by predominant risk characteristics – loan type and coupon.  The valuation of the Company’s mortgage servicing rights utilizes market derived assumptions for discount rates, servicing costs, escrow earnings rate, and prepayments.  The Company, upon adoption of SFAS No. 156 as of April 1, 2007, recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $49,000 to retained earnings (net of tax) as of the beginning of fiscal 2008 for the difference between the mortgage servicing rights fair value and its carrying amount as reflected in the consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity.  At March 31, 2008, the fair value of mortgage servicing rights totaled $0.6 million.


Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”).  The Statement establishes a single definition of fair value, sets up a framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosures about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities.  SFAS No. 157 also emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement by establishing a three level “fair value hierarchy” that ranks the quality and reliability of inputs used in valuation models, i.e., the lower the level, the more reliable the input.  The hierarchy provides the basis for the Statement’s new disclosure requirements which are dependent upon the frequency of an item’s measurement (recurring versus nonrecurring).  SFAS No. 157 is effective for fair-value measures already required or permitted by other standards for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Its provisions will generally be applied prospectively.  The adoption of SFAS No. 157 had no material impact on the Company’s financial position or its results of operations for fiscal 2008.

The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities— including an amendment of FASB Statements No. 115 (“SFAS No. 159”).  SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value.   This Statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007.   Carver is currently assessing the impact of this pronouncement.

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”).  FIN 48 clarifies Statement 109 by establishing a criterion that an individual tax position would have to meet in order for some or all of the associated benefit to be recognized in an entity’s financial statements.  The Interpretation applies to all tax positions within the scope of Statement 109.  In applying FIN 48, an entity is required to evaluate each individual tax position using a two step-process.  First, the entity should determine whether the tax position is recognizable in its financial statements by assessing whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that the position would be sustained by the taxing authority on examination.  The term “more-likely-than-not” means “a likelihood of more than 50 percent.”  Second, the entity should measure the amount of benefit to recognize in its financial statements by determining the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority.  Each tax position must be re-evaluated at the end of each reporting period to determine whether recognition or derecognition is warranted.  The liability resulting from the difference between the tax return position and the amount recognized and measured under FIN 48 should be classified as current or non-current depending on the anticipated timing of settlement.  An entity should also accrue interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in a manner consistent with the tax law.  The Company’s Federal, New York State and City tax filings for years 2003 through the present are subject to examination.

FIN 48 requires significant new annual disclosures in the notes to an entity’s financial statements that include a tabular roll-forward of the beginning to ending balances of an entity’s unrecognized tax benefits.  The Interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and the cumulative effect of applying FIN 48 should be reported as an adjustment to retained earnings at the beginning of the period in which it is adopted.  The adoption and evaluation under FAS 109 and FIN 48 had no material impact on the Company’s financial position or its results of operations for fiscal 2008.

Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance

In September 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") of the FASB issued EITF No. 06-5, Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance – Determining the Amount That Could Be Realized in Accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin  No. 85-4 ("FTB No. 85-4”), Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance (“EITF No. 06-5”).  EITF No. 06-5 explains how to determine “the amount that could be realized” from a life insurance contract, which is the measurement amount for the asset in accordance with FTB No. 85-4.  EITF No. 06-5 would require all amounts that would ultimately be realized by a policyholder upon the assumed surrender of a final policy to be included in the amount that could be realized under the insurance contract.  Thus, contractual provisions that limit the amount that could be realized in specified circumstances would be considered if it is probable that those circumstances would occur.  The consensus on EITF No. 06-5 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and would be recognized through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption.  The adoption of EITF No. 06-5 had no material impact on the Company’s financial position or its results of operations for fiscal 2008.

Prior Year Misstatements

In September 2006, the SEC Staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, which addresses how the effects of prior year uncorrected misstatements should be considered when quantifying misstatements in current year financial statements. SAB No. 108 will require registrants to quantify misstatements using both the balance sheet and income-statement approaches and to evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying an error that is material in light of relevant quantitative and qualitative factors. When the effect of initial adoption is determined to be material, SAB No. 108 allows registrants to record that effect as a cumulative effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. The requirements are effective for the Company beginning April 1, 2007. Carver has evaluated the requirements of SAB No. 108 and determined that it did not have a material effect on its financial condition or results of operations.


Application of Accounting Principles to Loan Commitments

In November 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 109 (SAB 109). SAB 109 supersedes Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 105 (SAB 105), "Application of Accounting Principles to Loan Commitments." It clarifies that the expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of a loan should be included in the measurement of all written loan commitments that are accounted for at fair value through earnings. However, it retains the guidance in SAB 105 that internally-developed intangible assets should not be recorded as part of the fair value of a derivative loan commitment. The guidance is effective on a prospective basis to derivative loan commitments issued or modified in fiscal quarters beginning after December 15, 2007. In conjunction with the adoption of SFAS 157 and SFAS 159, this guidance generally would result in higher fair values being recorded upon initial recognition of derivative loan commitments. The adoption of SAB 109 is not expected to have a material impact on the Bank’s financial condition or results of operations.

Business Combinations

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations (revised 2007).” SFAS No. 141R improves reporting by creating greater consistency in the accounting and financial reporting of business combinations, resulting in more complete, comparable, and relevant information for investors and other users of financial statements. To achieve this goal, the new standard requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose the information necessary to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first fiscal year that commences after December 15, 2008.

Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements.” SFAS No. 160 improves the relevance, comparability, and transparency of financial information provided to investors by requiring all entities to report non-controlling (minority) interests in subsidiaries in the same way, i.e., as equity in the consolidated financial statements. In addition, SFAS No. 160 eliminates the diversity that currently exists in accounting for transactions between an entity and non-controlling interests by requiring that they be treated as equity transactions. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Bank’s financial condition or results of operations.

Sale with Repurchase Financing Agreements

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 140-3, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions.” The objective of this FSP is to provide implementation guidance on whether the security transfer and contemporaneous repurchase financing involving the transferred financial asset must be evaluated as one linked transaction or two separate de-linked transactions.

Current practice records the transfer as a sale and the repurchase agreement as a financing. The FSP requires the recognition of the transfer and the repurchase agreement as one linked transaction, unless all of the following criteria are met: (1) the initial transfer and the repurchase financing are not contractually contingent on one another; (2) the initial transferor has full recourse upon default, and the repurchase agreement’s price is fixed and not at fair value; (3) the financial asset is readily obtainable in the marketplace and the transfer and repurchase financing are executed at market rates; and (4) the maturity of the repurchase financing is before the maturity of the financial asset. The scope of this FSP is limited to transfers and subsequent repurchase financings that are entered into contemporaneously or in contemplation of one another.  The FSP will be effective for the Carver on March 31, 2009.  Early adoption is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this FSP.


Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS 161), an amendment of SFAS 133. The standard requires enhanced disclosures about derivative instruments and hedged items that are accounted for under SFAS 133 and related interpretations.  The standard will be effective for all of the Company’s interim and annual financial statements for periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption permitted.  The standard expands the disclosure requirements for derivatives and hedged items and has no impact on how Carver accounts for these instruments.  The Bank is currently assessing the impact of this pronouncement.

Elimination of QSPEs and Changes in the FIN 46(R) Consolidation Model

In April of 2008, the FASB voted to eliminate Qualifying Special Purpose Entities (QSPEs) from the guidance in SFAS 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities." While the revised standard has not been finalized and the proposals will be subject to a public comment period, this change may have a significant impact on Carver's consolidated financial statements as the Company may lose sales treatment for future assets sales to a QSPE. This proposed revision could be effective as early as April 2009.

In connection with the proposed changes to SFAS 140, the FASB also is proposing three key changes to the consolidation model in FIN 46(R). First, former QSPEs would now be included in the scope of FIN 46(R). In addition, the FASB supports amending FIN 46(R) to change the method of analyzing which party to a variable interest entity (VIE) should consolidate the VIE to a primarily qualitative determination of control instead of today's risks and rewards model. Finally, the proposed amendment is expected to require all VIEs and their primary beneficiaries to be reevaluated quarterly. The previous rules required reconsideration only when specified reconsideration events occurred.


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

ITEM 9A.  DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  As of March 31, 2008, the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.

Disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our system of internal control is designed under the supervision of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of the Company's financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP").

Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are made only in accordance with the authorization of management and the Boards of Directors of the Parent Company and the subsidiary banks; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with policies and procedures may deteriorate.

As of March 31,2008, management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting based upon the framework established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based upon its assessment, management believes that the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2008 is effective using these criteria.

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

(c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

Information concerning Executive Officers of the Company which responds to this Item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Executive Officers and Key Managers of Carver and Carver Federal” in the Holding Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed in connection with the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”).  The information that responds to this Item with respect to Directors is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Election of Directors” in the Proxy Statement.  Information with respect to compliance by the Company’s Directors and Executive Officers with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is incorporated by reference from the subsection entitled “Section 16 (a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

Information regarding the audit committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, including information regarding audit committee financial experts serving on the audit committee, is presented under the heading “Corporate Governance” in the Company’s Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

The information required in response to this Item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers” in the Proxy Statement.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

The information required in response to this Item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Proxy Statement.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

The information required in response to this Item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Transactions with Certain Related Persons” in the Proxy Statement.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

The information required in response to this Item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Auditor Fee Information” in the Proxy Statement.


PART IV

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

I.
List of Documents Filed as Part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K

 
A.
The following consolidated financial statements are included in Item 8 of this annual report:

 
1.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 
2.
Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2008 and 2007

 
3.
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended as of March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

 
4.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

 
5.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

 
6.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
B.
Financial Statement Schedules. All financial statement schedules have been omitted, as the required information is either inapplicable or included under Item 8, “Financial Statement and Supplementary Data”.

II.
Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:

 
A.
See Index of Exhibits on page E-1.


SIGNATURES

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

   
CARVER BANCORP, INC.
     
July 1, 2008
By
/s/ Deborah C. Wright                                       
   
Deborah C. Wright
   
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below on June 30, 2008 by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated.

/s/ Deborah C. Wright                    
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Deborah C. Wright
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
/s/ Roy Swan                                    
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Roy Swan
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
   
/s/ Carol Baldwin Moody               
Director
Carol Baldwin Moody
 
   
/s/ Dr. Samuel J. Daniel                   
Director
Samuel J. Daniel
 
   
/s/ David L. Hinds                           
Director
David L. Hinds
 
   
/s/ Robert Holland, Jr.                     
Lead Director
Robert Holland, Jr.
 
   
/s/ Pazel Jackson                             
Director
Pazel G. Jackson, Jr.
 
   
/s/ Edward B. Ruggiero                  
Director
Edward B. Ruggiero
 
   
/s/ Robert R. Tarter                         
Director
Robert R. Tarter
 


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number
 
Description
     
2.2
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 5, 2006 by and between CarverBancorp, Inc., Carver Federal Savings Bank and Community Capital Bank (2.2)
     
3.1
 
Certificate of Incorporation of Carver Bancorp, Inc. (1)
     
3.2
 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Carver Bancorp, Inc. (10)
     
4.1
 
Stock Certificate of Carver Bancorp, Inc. (1)
     
4.2
 
Federal Stock Charter of Carver Federal Savings Bank (1)
     
4.3
 
Bylaws of Carver Federal Savings Bank (1)
     
4.4
 
Amendments to Bylaws of Carver Federal Savings Bank (2)
     
4.5
 
Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (4)
     
4.6
 
Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (4)
     
10.1
 
Carver Bancorp, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan, effective as of September 12, 1995 (1) (*)
     
10.2
 
Carver Federal Savings Bank Retirement Income Plan, as amended and restated effective as of January 1, 1997 and as further amended through January 1, 2001 (9) (*)
     
10.3
 
Carver Federal Savings Bank 401(k) Savings Plan in RSI Retirement Trust, as amended and restated effective as of January 1, 1997 and including provisions effective through January 1, 2002 (9) (*)
     
10.4
 
Carver Bancorp, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan, effective as of January 1, 1994, incorporating Amendment No. 1, incorporating Second Amendment, incorporating Amendment No. 2, incorporating Amendment No. 2A, incorporating Amendment No. 3 and incorporating Amendment No. 4 (9) (*)
     
10.5
 
Carver Federal Savings Bank Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of August 10, 1993 (1) (*)
     
10.6
 
Carver Federal Savings Bank Retirement Plan for Nonemployee Directors, effective as of October 24, 1994 (1) (*)
     
10.7
 
Carver Bancorp, Inc. Management Recognition Plan, effective as of September 12, 1995 (1) (*)
     
10.8
 
Carver Bancorp, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan, effective as of September 12, 1995 (1) (*)
     
10.9
 
Employment Agreement by and between Carver Federal Savings Bank and Deborah C. Wright, entered into as of June 1, 1999 (3) (*)
     
10.10  
Employment Agreement by and between Carver Bancorp, Inc. and Deborah C. Wright, entered into as of June 1, 1999 (3) (*)

 
Exhibit Number
 
Description
     
10.11
 
Securities Purchase Agreement by and among Carver Bancorp, Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Provender Opportunities Fund L.P. (5)
     
10.12
 
Registration Rights Agreement by and among Carver Bancorp, Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Provender Opportunities Fund L.P. (5)
     
10.13
 
Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release by and among BBC Capital Market, Inc., The Boston Bank of Commerce, Kevin Cohee and Teri Williams; Carver Bancorp, Inc., Deborah C. Wright, David N. Dinkins, Linda H. Dunham, Robert J. Franz, Pazel G. Jackson, Jr., Herman Johnson and David R. Jones; Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated; and Provender Opportunities Fund, L.P. and Frederick O. Terrell (5)
     
10.14
 
Amendment to the Carver Bancorp, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (6) (*)
     
10.15
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Carver Federal Savings Bank and Deborah C. Wright, entered into as of June 1, 1999 (7) (*)
     
10.16
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Carver Bancorp, Inc. and Deborah C. Wright, entered into as of June 1, 1999 (7) (*)
     
10.17
 
Form of Letter Employment Agreement between Executive Officers and Carver Bancorp, Inc. (7) (*)
     
10.18
 
Carver Bancorp, Inc. Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (9) (*)
     
10.19
 
Amendment Number One to Carver Federal Savings Bank Retirement Income Plan, as amended and restated effective as of January 1, 1997 and as further amended through January 1, 2001 (9)
     
10.20
 
First Amendment to the Restatement of the Carver Federal Savings Bank 401(k) Savings Plan (9) (*)
     
10.21
 
Second Amendment to the Restatement of the Carver Federal Savings Bank 401(k) Savings Plan for EGTRRA (9) (*)
     
10.22
 
Guarantee Agreement by and between Carver Bancorp, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of September 17, 2003 (8)
     
10.23
 
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust by and among, U.S. Bank National Association, as Institutional Trustee, Carver Bancorp, Inc., as Sponsor, and Linda Dunn, William Gray and Deborah Wright, as Administrators, dated as of September 17, 2003 (8)
     
10.24
 
Indenture, dated as of September 17, 2003, between Carver Bancorp, Inc., as Issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (8)
     
10.25
 
Second Amendment to the Carver Bancorp, Inc. Management Recognition Plan, effective as of September 23, 2003 (11) (*)
     
10.26
 
Amended Share Voting Stipulation and Undertaking made by Carver Bancorp, Inc. in favor of the OTS, made as of April 22, 2004 (11)
     
10.27
 
Trust Agreement between Carver Bancorp, Inc. and American Stock & Transfer Trust Company, dated May 3, 2004 (11)

 
Exhibit Number
 
Description
     
10.28
 
First Amendment to the Carver Bancorp, Inc. Retirement Income Plan, effective as of March 28, 2005 (12) (*)
     
10.29
 
Sixth Amendment to the Carver Bancorp, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan, effective as of March 28, 2005 (12) (*)
     
10.30
 
Carver Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of September 12, 2006 (14) (*)
     
10.31
 
Performance Compensation Plan of Carver Bancorp, Inc. effective as of December 14, 2006 ( *)
     
14
 
Code of ethics (13)
     
21.1
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant (11)
     
 
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer
     
 
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer
     
 
Written Statement of Chief Executive Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
     
 
Written Statement of Chief Financial Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350



(*) 
Management Contract or Compensatory Plan.
 
(1)
Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement No. 333-5559 on Form S-4 of the Registrant filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 1996.

(2)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.
 

(2.2)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K, dated April 6, 2006.

(3)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.
 

(4)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K, dated January 14, 2000.
 

(5)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000.
 

(6)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Proxy Statement dated January 25, 2001.

(7)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001.
 


(8)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2003.
 

(9)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003.

(10)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K, dated December 19, 2007.

(11)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004.

(12)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005.

(13)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.

(14)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2006.
 
 
E-5