Annual Statements Open main menu

CARVER BANCORP INC - Quarter Report: 2008 September (Form 10-Q)

form10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008

OR

o 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


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. x Yes  o No


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See 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

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

Common Stock, par value $0.01
 
2,469,935
Class
 
Outstanding at November 5, 2008
 


 
 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

     
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
       
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
       
   
2
       
   
3
       
   
4
       
   
5
       
   
6
       
 
Item 2.
12
       
 
Item 3.
28
       
 
Item 4.
28
       
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION  
       
 
Item 1.
30
       
 
Item 1A.
30
       
 
Item 2.
31
       
 
Item 3.
32
       
 
Item 4.
32
       
 
Item 5.
33
       
 
Item 6.
33
       
34
   
33

1

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
   
September 30,
   
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents:
           
Cash and due from banks
  $ 12,787     $ 15,920  
Federal funds sold
    1,790       10,500  
Interest earning deposits
    948       948  
Total cash and cash equivalents
    15,525       27,368  
Securities:
               
Available-for-sale, at fair value (including pledged as collateral of $30,266 and $20,621 at  September 30 and March 31, 2008, respectively)
    30,311       20,865  
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (including pledged as collateral of $15,863 and $16,643 at  September 30 and March 31, 2008, respectively; fair value of $16,221 and $17,167 at  September 30 and March 31, 2008, respectively)
    16,388       17,307  
Total securities
    46,699       38,172  
                 
Loans held-for-sale
    22,946       23,767  
                 
Loans receivable:
               
Real estate mortgage loans
    579,531       578,957  
Commercial business loans
    54,361       52,109  
Consumer loans
    1,890       1,728  
Allowance for loan losses
    (5,135 )     (4,878 )
Total loans receivable, net
    630,647       627,916  
                 
Office properties and equipment, net
    15,831       15,780  
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock, at cost
    3,923       1,625  
Bank owned life insurance
    9,319       9,141  
Accrued interest receivable
    3,792       4,063  
Goodwill
    6,370       6,370  
Core deposit intangibles, net
    456       532  
Other assets
    35,232       41,859  
Total assets
  $ 790,740     $ 796,593  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Liabilities:
               
Deposits
  $ 599,818     $ 654,663  
Advances from the FHLB-New York and other borrowed money
    109,437       58,625  
Other liabilities
    7,374       9,772  
Total liabilities
    716,629       723,060  
                 
Minority interest
    19,150       19,150  
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Common stock (par value $0.01 per share: 10,000,000 shares authorized; 2,524,691 shares issued;  2,468,470 and 2,481,706 shares outstanding at September 30 and March 31, 2008, respectively)
    25       25  
Additional paid-in capital
    24,177       24,113  
Retained earnings
    31,316       30,490  
Treasury stock, at cost (56,221 and 42,985 shares at September 30 and March 31, 2008, respectively)
    (781 )     (670 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    224       425  
Total stockholders' equity
    54,961       54,383  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 790,740     $ 796,593  
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 

2

 
CARVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
(Unaudited)
 
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
                         
Interest Income:
                       
Loans
  $ 9,840     $ 11,184     $ 20,293     $ 22,177  
Mortgage-backed securities
    603       474       1,165       976  
Investment securities
    98       401       170       855  
Federal funds sold
    2       29       40       41  
Total interest income
    10,543       12,088       21,668       24,049  
                                 
Interest expense:
                               
Deposits
    3,361       4,570       7,500       8,901  
Advances and other borrowed money
    981       1,055       1,709       2,030  
Total interest expense
    4,342       5,625       9,209       10,931  
                                 
Net interest income before provision for loan losses
    6,201       6,463       12,459       13,118  
                                 
Provision for loan losses
    170       --       339       --  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    6,031       6,463       12,120       13,118  
 
                               
Non-interest income:
                               
Depository fees and charges
    713       686       1,381       1,315  
Loan fees and service charges
    389       512       806       890  
Write-down of loans held for sale
    (16 )     --       (16 )     --  
Gain on sale of securities
    --       79       --       79  
Gain (loss) on sale of loans
    --       (19 )     246       28  
Other
    485       195       902       277  
Total non-interest income
    1,571       1,453       3,319       2,589  
                                 
Non-interest expense:
                               
Employee compensation and benefits
    3,616       3,145       7,030       6,317  
Net occupancy expense
    903       928       1,919       1,765  
Equipment, net
    694       513       1,309       1,105  
Federal deposit insurance premiums
    125       18       156       38  
Other
    1,967       2,592       4,226       4,476  
Total non-interest expense
    7,305       7,196       14,640       13,701  
 
                               
Income before income taxes
    297       720       799       2,006  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (422 )     (44 )     (745 )     99  
Minority Interest
    98       --       237       --  
Net income
  $ 621     $ 764     $ 1,307     $ 1,907  
                                 
Earnings per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.25     $ 0.31     $ 0.53     $ 0.76  
Diluted
  $ 0.25     $ 0.30     $ 0.52     $ 0.74  
 
3

 
CARVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
   
Common Stock
   
Additional Paid-In Capital
   
Treasury Stock
   
Retained Earnings
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
   
Total Stock-Holders’ Equity
 
Balance—March 31, 2008
  $ 25     $ 24,113     $ (670 )   $ 30,490     $ 425     $ 54,383  
Net income
    -       -       -       1,307       -       1,307  
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes
    -       -       -       -       (201 )     (201 )
Comprehensive income, net of taxes:
    -       -       -       1,307       (201 )     1,106  
Effect of accounting change regarding pension plan measurement date pursuant to FASB statement no. 158
    -       -       -       13               13  
Dividends paid
    -       -       -       (494 )     -       (494 )
Treasury stock activity
    -       64       (111 )     -       -       (47 )
Balance—September 30, 2008
  $ 25     $ 24,177     $ (781 )   $ 31,316     $ 224     $ 54,961  
 
4

 
CARVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(in thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
Six Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
OPERATIONS
           
Net income
  $ 1,307     $ 1,907  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    339       -  
Provision for REO losses
    28        -  
Stock based compensation expense
    (9 )     75  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    939       840  
Amortization of premiums and discounts
    102       105  
Gain on sale of loans
    (246 )     (28 )
Gain on sale of fixed assets
    -       (1 )
Originations of loans held-for-sale
    (9,097 )     (10,187 )
Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale
    9,889       7,540  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable
    271       (125 )
Decrease in loan premiums and discounts and deferred charges
    43       30  
Increase (decrease) in premiums and discounts - securities
    66       (190 )
Decrease (increase) in other assets
    5,981       (1,799 )
Decrease in other liabilities
    (2,154 )     (2,203 )
Net cash provided by (used in)  operating activities
    7,459       (4,036 )
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Purchase of available-for-sale securites
    (12,446 )     (3,724 )
Proceeds from principal payments, maturities and calls of securities:
               
Available-for-sale
    2,628       5,490  
Held-to-maturity
    901       1,233  
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
    -       5,540  
Originations of loans held-for-investment
    (70,248 )     (81,588 )
Loans purchased from third parties
    -       (15,261 )
Principal collections on loans
    66,887       71,600  
(Purchase) redemption of FHLB-NY stock
    (2,298 )     579  
Additions to premises and equipment
    (990 )     (1,394 )
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned
    949       -  
Net cash used  in investing activities
    (14,617 )     (17,525 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Net (decrease) increase in deposits
    (54,845 )     5,828  
Net borrowing of  FHLB advances and other borrowings
    50,813       20,487  
Common stock repurchased
    (159 )     (410 )
Dividends paid
    (494 )     (473 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (4,685 )     25,432  
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (11,843 )     3,871  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    27,368       17,350  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 15,525     $ 21,221  
                 
Supplemental information:
               
Noncash Transfers-
               
Change in unrealized loss on valuation of available-for-sale  investments, net
  $ (201 )   $ (203 )
                 
Cash paid for-
               
Interest
  $ 9,482     $ 10,804  
Income taxes
  $ 80     $ 862  
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
 
5


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


(1)
Organization
 

Nature of operations
 
Carver Bancorp, Inc.  (on a stand-alone basis, the “Holding Company” or “Registrant”), incorporated in May 1996, is the holding company for Carver Federal Savings Bank (the “Bank” or “Carver Federal”).  Carver Federal’s material subsidiaries include CFSB Realty Corp. and Carver Community Development Corp.  (“CCDC”).  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.

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 New Markets Tax Credits (“NMTC”) venture which is consolidated.

On October 5, 2006, Carver Federal established 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. Carver Federal has discontinued the operations of CMB and the dissolution of the entity was effective July 18, 2008.  The $2.0 million capital investment reverted back to the Bank.

Carver Federal’s principal business consists of attracting deposit accounts through its branches and investing those funds in mortgage loans, small business 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.

 
(2)
A) Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Holding Company have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements.  Certain information and note disclosure normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial condition, results of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Holding Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of and for the periods shown have been included.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements.  Amounts subject to significant estimates and assumptions are items such as the allowance for loan losses and lending–related commitments, goodwill and intangibles, pensions, assessment of other than temporary impairment and the fair value of financial instruments.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Holding Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, as previously filed with the SEC.  The consolidated results of operations and other data for the three-month and six months periods ended September 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year ending March 31, 2009 (“fiscal 2009”).

6


In June 2005, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) of the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“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-Subsidiary CDE 10, LLC has been consolidated for financial reporting purposes.
 
 
B) Reclassifications
 
Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements presented for the prior year period have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 
(3)
Earnings Per Share
 
Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding over the period of determination.  Diluted earnings per common share includes any additional common shares as if all potentially dilutive common shares were issued (for instance, stock options with an exercise price that is less than the average market price of the common shares for the periods stated).  For the purpose of these calculations, unreleased ESOP shares are not considered to be outstanding.  For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, 29,571 and 69,462 shares of common stock were potentially issuable from the exercise of stock options with an exercise price that is less than the average market price of the common shares and unvested restricted stock grants for the same period.  For the six-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, 34,144 and 72,104 shares of common stock were potentially issuable from the exercise of stock options with an exercise price that is less than the average market price of the common shares for the same period.  The effects of these potentially dilutive common shares were considered in determining the diluted earnings per common share.
 
 
(4)
Accounting for Stock Based Compensation
 
The Company follows Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, Share-Based Payment ("SFAS No.  123R"), which 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.  Stock-based compensation benefit and the related tax expense recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2008 totaled $27,000 and $10,000, respectively.  For the six months ended September 30, 2008, stock-based compensation benefit and the related tax expense were $9,000 and $3,000, respectively.

 
(5)
Benefit Plans
 
Employee Pension Plan
 
The Bank has a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering all eligible employees.  The benefits are based on each employee’s term of service.  The Bank’s policy was to fund the plan with contributions equal to the maximum amount deductible for federal income tax purposes.  The pension plan was curtailed and future benefit accruals ceased as of December 31, 2000.
 
Directors’ Retirement Plan
 
Concurrent with the conversion to a stock form of ownership, the Bank adopted a retirement plan for non-employee directors.  The benefits are payable based on the term of service as a director.  The directors’ retirement plan was curtailed during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001.

7


The following table sets forth the components of net periodic pension expense for the employee pension plan and directors’ retirement plan as follows (in thousands):
 
   
For Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
Employee Pension Plan
   
Directors' Retirement Plan
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
                         
Interest cost
  $ 37     $ 40     $ -     $ 1  
Expected return on assets
    (53 )     (55 )     -       -  
Unrecognized loss (gain)
    -       -       (5 )     -  
Net periodic (benefit) expense
  $ (16 )   $ (15 )   $ (5 )   $ 1  
                                 
                                 
   
For Six Months Ended September 30,
 
   
Employee Pension Plan
   
Directors' Retirement Plan
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
                                 
Interest cost
  $ 75     $ 80     $ -     $ 2  
Expected return on assets
    (107 )     (110 )     -       -  
Unrecognized loss (gain)
    -       -       (10 )     -  
Net periodic (benefit) expense
  $ (32 )   $ (30 )   $ (10 )   $ 2  
 
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 158 “Employer’s Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans”, the Company recorded an addition to its retained earnings on April 11, 2008 to reflect a change of measurement date for plan assets and benefit obligation from December 31, 2007 to March 31, 2008.

 
(6)
Common Stock Dividend
 
On November 13, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Holding Company declared, for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, a cash dividend of ten cents ($0.10) per common share outstanding.  The dividend is payable on December 12, 2008 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 28, 2008.
 
 
(7)
Fair Value Measurements
 
On April 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No.  157, "Fair Value Measurements,"(“SFAS No. 157”) which, among other things, defines fair value; establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value; and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis.  SFAS No.157 clarifies that fair value is an "exit" price, representing the amount that would be received when selling an asset, or paid when transferring a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants.  Fair value is thus a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.  As a basis for considering such assumptions, SFAS No. 157 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
 
 
·
Level 1– Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
 
 
·
Level 2– Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
 
 
·
Level 3– Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

8


A financial instrument’s categorization within this valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
 
The following table presents, by SFAS No. 157 valuation hierarchy, assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2008, and that are included in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition:
 

   
Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2008, Using
 
(in thousands)
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
   
Total Fair Value
 
Loans held for sale
  $ -     $ 22,297     $ -     $ 22,297  
Mortgage servicing rights
  $ -     $ -     $ 827     $ 827  
Securities available for sale
  $ 1,508     $ 28,758     $ 45     $ 30,311  
 
 
Instruments for which unobservable inputs are significant to their fair value measurement (i.e., Level 3) include mortgage servicing rights.  Level 3 assets accounted for 0.1% of the Company’s total assets at September 30, 2008.
 
The Company reviews and updates the fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis.  Changes from one quarter to the next that are related to the observable inputs to a fair value measurement may result in a reclassification from one hierarchy level to another.
 
A description of the methods and significant assumptions utilized in estimating the fair value of available-for-sale securities follows:
 
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.  Level 1 securities include highly liquid government securities and exchange-traded securities.
 
If quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows.  These pricing models primarily use market-based or independently sourced market parameters as inputs, including, but not limited to, yield curves, interest rates, equity or debt prices, and credit spreads.  In addition to market information, models also incorporate transaction details, such as maturity and cash flow assumptions.  Securities valued in this manner would generally be classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy and primarily include such instruments as mortgage-related securities and corporate debt.
 
In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation, securities are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.  In valuing certain collateralized debt obligations, the determination of fair value may require benchmarking to similar instruments or analyzing default and recovery rates.  Quoted price information for mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) is not available.  Therefore, MSR are valued using market-standard models to model the specific cash flow structure.  Key inputs to the model consist of principal balance of loans being serviced, servicing fees and prepayment rate.
 
The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with those of other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.
 
The following table presents information for assets classified by the Company within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy for the six months ended September 30, 2008:


 
Mortgage Servicing Rights
   
Securities Available for Sale
 
Beginning balance, April 1, 2008
  $ 605     $ 45  
Additions
    80       -  
Total unrealized gain
    142       -  
Ending balance, September 30, 2008
  $ 827     $ 45  
 
9


(8)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
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 (“SFAS No. 159”)—including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. SFAS No. 159 provides companies with the option of electing fair value as an alternative measurement for most financial assets and liabilities.  It also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities.  SFAS No. 159 requires companies to provide additional information that will help investors and other users of financial statements to more easily understand the effect of a company’s choice to use fair value on its earnings.  It also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which the company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet.  Under SFAS No. 159, fair value is used for both the initial and subsequent measurement of the designated assets and/or liabilities, with the changes in value recognized in earnings.  SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 159 on April 1, 2008, but did not elect the fair value option for any eligible financial assets and liabilities through September 30, 2008.


Application of Accounting Principles to Loan Commitments

In November 2007, the 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 had no 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.


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.

10


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 Bank on March 31, 2009.  Early adoption is prohibited.  The FSP is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.


Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS No.161”), an amendment of SFAS No. 133.  The standard requires enhanced disclosures about derivative instruments and hedged items that are accounted for under SFAS No. 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. Since the provisions of SFAS No. 161 are disclosure related, our adoption of SFAS No. 161 will not have an impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

 
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 No.140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities" (“SFAS No.140”)  The revised standard has not been finalized and the proposals will be subject to a public comment period.   Currently, Carver does not have any of these assets or transactions with a QSPE, but this change may have a significant impact on Carver's consolidated financial statements as the Company may lose sales treatment for future asset sales to a QSPE.  This proposed revision could be effective as early as April 2010.

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. The proposed amendment to FIN 46 (R) is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

11


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

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are made as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, 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.
 
 
Overview
 
The following should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements, the notes thereto and other financial information included in the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K.
 
Carver Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is the holding company for Carver Federal Savings 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 eleven stand-alone 24/7 ATM Centers are located in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods.  Many of these historically underserved communities have recently experienced 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 and Caribbean-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 $791 million in assets as of September 30, 2008 and employs approximately 157 employees as of October 31, 2008.

12


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. 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, consumer 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 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., investment advice and wealth management products.

The Bank’s primary lending market includes the 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.  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.
 
Carver Federal’s net income, like others in the thrift industry, is dependent primarily on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income earned on its interest-earning assets such as loans, investment and mortgage-backed securities portfolios and the interest paid on its interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings.  Carver Federal’s earnings are also affected by general economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates and government and regulatory policies.  Additionally, net income is affected by incremental provisions for loan losses, if any, non-interest income, operating expenses and tax benefits from the NMTC award.
 
13


Recent Market Developments

The financial services industry is facing unprecedented challenges in the face of the current national and global economic crisis. The global and U.S. economies are experiencing significantly reduced business activity as a result of among other factors, disruptions in the financial system during the past year. Dramatic declines in the housing market during the past year, with falling home prices and increasing foreclosures and unemployment, have resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by financial institutions, including government-sponsored entities and major commercial and investment banks. These write-downs, initially of mortgage-backed securities but spreading to credit default swaps and other derivative securities, have caused many financial institutions to seek additional capital; to merge with larger and stronger institutions; and, in some cases, to fail. The Company is fortunate that the markets it serves have been impacted to a lesser extent than many areas around the country.
 
In response to the financial crises affecting the banking system and financial markets, there have been several recent announcements of Federal programs designed to purchase assets from, provide equity capital to, and guarantee the liquidity of the industry.
 
On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the "EESA") was signed into law. The EESA authorizes the U.S. Treasury to, among other things, purchase up to $700 billion of mortgages, mortgage-backed securities, and certain other financial instruments from financial institutions for the purpose of stabilizing and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial markets. The Company did not materially originate or invest in sub-prime assets and, therefore, does not expect to participate in the sale of any of its assets into these programs. EESA also immediately increases the FDIC deposit insurance limit from $100,000 to $250,000 through December 31, 2009.
 
On October 14, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced that it will purchase equity stakes in a wide variety of banks and thrifts. Under this program, known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program (the "TARP Capital Purchase Program"), the U.S. Treasury made $250 billion of capital available (from the $700 billion authorized by the EESA) to U.S. financial institutions in the form of preferred stock. In conjunction with the purchase of preferred stock, the U.S. Treasury will receive warrants to purchase common stock with an aggregate market price equal to 15% of the preferred investment.  Participating financial institutions will be required to adopt the U.S. Treasury's standards for executive compensation and corporate governance for the period during which the Treasury holds equity issued under the TARP Capital Purchase Program.  The U.S. Treasury also announced that nine large financial institutions have already participated in the TARP Capital Purchase Program. The Company is currently well capitalized, and continues to lend in its market.  The Company is evaluating its participation in the program.
 

New Markets Tax Credit Award

In June 2006, Carver Federal was selected by the U.S. Department of Treasury to receive an award of $59.0 million in New Markets Tax Credits (“NMTC”).  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 $59.0 million award.  In December 2007, the Bank invested an additional $10.5 million and transferred rights to $19.2 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 benefit of approximately $11.1 million from its $40.0 million investment over the period ending March 31, 2014.
 
The Bank’s subsidiary, 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 $59.0 million NMTC award.  For financial reporting purposes, the $19.0 million transfer of rights to an investor in a NMTC project is reflected in the other assets and minority interest sections of the balance sheet in accordance with EITF Issue No. 04-5.  For the three months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recognized a tax benefit of $0.5 million related to the NMTC award.

14


Critical Accounting Policies
 
Note 1 to the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements for fiscal 2008 included in its 2008 Form 10-K, as supplemented by this report, contains a summary of significant accounting policies and is incorporated by reference.  The Company believes its policies, with respect to the methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses and asset impairment judgments, including other than temporary declines in the value of the Company’s investment securities, and goodwill impairment involve a high degree of complexity and require management to make subjective judgments which often require assumptions or estimates about highly uncertain matters.  Changes in these judgments, assumptions or estimates could cause reported results to differ materially.  The following description of these policies should be read in conjunction with the corresponding section of the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K.
 
The Judgments used by management in applying the critical accounting policies discussed below may be affected by a further and prolonged deterioration in the economic environment, which may result in changes to future financial results. Specifically, subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio, in light of the factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance for loan losses in future periods, and the inability to collect on outstanding loans could result in increased loan losses. In addition, the valuation of certain securities in our investment portfolio could be negatively impacted by illiquidity or dislocation in marketplaces resulting in significantly depressed market prices thus leading to further impairments.
 
 
Goodwill
Goodwill recorded at September 30, 2008 relates primarily to the acquisition of Community Capital Bank in 2006.  The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis as of January 31, or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment.  The Company has determined that all of its activities constitute one reporting and operating segment.
 
Goodwill impairment analysis involves a two-step test.  The first step, used to identify potential impairment, involves comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value including goodwill.  If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not considered impaired.  If the carrying value exceeds fair value, there is an indication of impairment and the second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment.  The second step involves calculating an implied fair value of goodwill for the reporting unit, in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination, which is the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in the first step, over the aggregate fair values of the individual assets, liabilities and identifiable intangibles as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination.  If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying value of reporting unit goodwill, there is no impairment.  If the carrying value of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded in earnings for the excess.  Subsequent reversal of goodwill impairment losses is not permitted.
 
The Company commenced an interim goodwill impairment analysis during the second fiscal quarter, based on indications that the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit may have declined below its carrying value as a result of factors such as the further decline in the Company’s market capitalization relative to the book value of shareholders’ equity and the adverse market conditions impacting the financial services sector generally. This analysis, which incorporates the second step test noted above, is not complete as of the date of this filing.  However, the Company continues to believe, based on available information regarding the fair value of implied goodwill, that no impairment should be recorded at September 30, 2008.
 
The Company expects to complete its interim impairment analysis during the third quarter ending December 31, 2008 and should it determine that its goodwill has been impaired it would record such adjustment in the third quarter.
 
 
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 September 30, 2008, the Bank carried only temporarily impaired securities where the fair value of the security is below its cost basis.

 
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 September 30, 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 September 30, 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, types 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.

15


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 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 No.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 No.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 No.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.

 
 Stock Repurchase Program
 
In August 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire up to 231,635 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock, or approximately 10 percent of the then outstanding shares.  As of September 30, 2008, the Company has purchased a total of 176,174 shares at an average price of $15.72.  Purchases under the stock repurchase program may be made from time to time on the open market and in privately negotiated transactions.  The timing and actual number of shares repurchased under the plan depends on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, and other market conditions.
 
 
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.

16


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 September 30, 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 Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“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 September 30, 2008, based on available collateral held at the FHLB-NY, Carver Federal had the ability to borrow from the FHLB-NY an additional $41.2 million on a secured basis, utilizing mortgage-related loans and securities as collateral.

The unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows present the change in cash from operating, investing and financing activities.  During the six months ending September 30, 2008, total cash and cash equivalents decreased by $11.8 million reflecting cash used in investing activities of $14.6 million and financing activities of $4.7 million, offset by cash provided by operating activities of $7.4 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was $14.6 million, primarily represents cash disbursed to fund mortgage loan originations of $70.2 million and purchases of available-for-sale securities of $12.4 million, offset partially by principal collections on loans of $66.9 million and proceeds from principal payments, maturities and calls of securities of $3.5 million.  Net cash used in financing activities was $4.7 million, primarily resulted from decreased deposits of $54.8 million, offset partially by an increase in borrowings of $50.8 million.  Net cash provided by operating activities during this period was $7.4 million, primarily due to a decrease in other assets of $6.0 million.

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.

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 September 30, 2008, the Bank exceeded all regulatory minimum capital requirements and qualified, under OTS regulations, as a well-capitalized institution.  The table below presents certain information relating to the Bank’s regulatory capital compliance at September 30, 2008 (dollars in thousands):
 
                   
   
Tangible Equity
   
Core Capital
   
Risk-Based Capital
 
   
Amount
   
% of Adj.
Assets
   
Amount
   
% of Adj.
Assets
   
Amount
   
% of Adj.
Assets
 
Capital level
  $ 63,835       8.12 %   $ 63,998       8.13 %   $ 69,133       10.88 %
Less required capital level
    11,800       1.50 %     31,469       4.00 %     50,815       8.00 %
Excess capital
  $ 52,035       6.62 %   $ 32,529       4.13 %   $ 18,318       2.88 %

 
Comparison of Financial Condition at September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008
 
Assets

At September 30, 2008, total assets decreased $5.9 million, or 0.7%, to $790.7 million compared to $796.6 million at March 31, 2008, primarily as a result of decreases in cash and cash equivalents of $11.8 million and other assets of $6.6 million, partially offset by increases in Federal Home Loan Bank stock of $2.3 million, investment securities of $8.5 million and loans receivable, net of $2.7 million.

17


Cash and cash equivalents decreased $11.9 million, or 43.3%, to $15.5 million at September 30, 2008 compared to $27.4 million at March 31, 2008, primarily due to a $8.7million decrease in federal funds sold and a $3.1 million decrease in cash and due from banks. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents is the result of the Bank using excess liquidity to purchase higher yielding securities as a result of the significant decline in federal funds rates.

Other assets decreased $6.6 million, or 15.8%, to $35.2 million at September 30, 2008 compared to $41.9 million at March 31, 2008, primarily due to receipt of a settlement receivable of $8.2 million from the sale of certain investments.

Total securities increased $8.5 million, or 22.3%, to $46.7 million at September 30, 2008 compared to $38.2 million at March 31, 2008, reflecting an increase of $9.4 million in available-for-sale securities and a $0.9 million decrease in held-to-maturity securities. Available-for-sale securities increased $9.4 million, or 45.3%, to $30.3 million at September 30, 2008 compared to $20.9 million at March 31, 2008, primarily due to purchases of Agency securities of $9.1 million. Held to maturity securities decreased $0.9 million, or 5.3%, to $16.4million at September 30, 2008 compared to $17.3 million at March 31, 2008, primarily due to collection of normal principal repayments and maturities of securities. Additionally, the Bank continues its 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 no purchases of securities during the quarter ended September 30,
2008.

Total loans receivable, net including loans held-for-sale, increased $2.7 million, or 0.4%, to $653.6 million at September 30, 2008 compared to $651.7 million at March 31, 2008. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in commercial real estate loans of $13.2 million and an increase in commercial business loans of $2.3 million, offset by decreases in one- to four- family loans of $11.9 million and construction loans of $1.5 million. The Bank continues to grow its loan portfolio through focusing on origination of loans in the markets it serves and will continue to augment these originations with loan participations.

At September 30, 2008, construction loans represented 24.7% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio. Approximately 70% of the Bank’s construction loans are participations in loans originated by Community Preservation Corporation (“CPC”). 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.

Although the New York City real estate market continues to be resilient relative to other real estate markets in certain parts of the U.S., the local economic environment may face challenges created by job losses on Wall Street and continued constraint in credit markets. This quarter is the first to reflect some deterioration in real estate and business conditions in New York City. The Bank will continue to closely monitor trends.


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
Liabilities

Total liabilities decreased $6.4 million, or 0.9%, to $716.7 million at September 30, 2008 compared to $723.1 million at March 31, 2008. The decrease in total liabilities was primarily the result of a $54.8 million reduction in customer deposits, offset by an increase of $50.8 million in advances from the FHLB-NY and other borrowed money. The Bank made a strategic decision to allow higher cost certificates of deposit to run off and replaced them with lower cost borrowings to take advantage of the lower rate environment for borrowed money.
 
Deposits decreased $54.8 million, or 8.4%, to $599.8 million at September 30, 2008 compared to $654.7 million at March 31, 2008. The decrease in deposit balances was primarily the result of decreases in certificates of deposit of $44.1 million, savings accounts of $6.8 million, NOW accounts of $2.6 million and demand accounts of $2.1 million, which were partially offset by an increase of $0.9 million in money market accounts.

Advances from the FHLB-NY and other borrowed money increased $50.8 million, or 86.7%, to $109.5 million at September 30, 2008 compared to $58.6 million at March 31, 2008. The increase in advances and other borrowed money was primarily the result of an increase of $50.8 million in FHLB-NY advances. At September 30, 2008, based on available collateral held at the FHLB-NY, the Bank had the ability to borrow from the FHLB-NY an additional $41.2 million on a secured basis.
 

Stockholders’ Equity

Total stockholders’ equity increased $0.6 million, or 1.1%, to $55.0 million at September 30, 2008 compared to $54.4 million at March 31, 2008.  The increase in total stockholders’ equity was primarily attributable to net income for the six months ended September 30, 2008 totaling $1.3 million, partially offset by dividends paid of $0.5 million and the decrease of accumulated other comprehensive income of $0.2 million.  The Bank’s capital levels meet regulatory requirements of a well-capitalized financial institution.

18


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 regularly 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.
 
 
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 and in connection with its overall investment strategy.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk.  In accordance with GAAP, these instruments are not recorded in the consolidated financial statements.  Such instruments primarily include lending obligations, including commitments to originate mortgage and consumer loans and to fund unused lines of credit.
 
As of September 30, 2008, the Bank had outstanding loan commitments as follows (in thousands):
 

Commitments to fund construction mortgage loans
  $ 67,057  
Commitments to commercial and consumer loans
    4,236  
Lines of credit
    22,767  
Letters of credit
    9,316  
    $ 103,376  
 
 
Analysis of Earnings
 
The Company’s profitability is primarily dependent upon net interest income and further affected by provisions for loan losses, non-interest income, non-interest expense and income taxes.  The earnings of the Company, which are principally earnings of the Bank, are significantly affected by general economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, and to a lesser extent by government policies and actions of regulatory authorities.
 
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain information relating to Carver Federal’s average interest-earning assets, average interest-bearing liabilities, net interest income, interest rate spread and interest rate margin.  It reflects the average yield on assets and the average cost of liabilities.  Such yields and costs are derived by dividing annualized income or expense by the average balances of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods shown.  Average balances are derived from daily or month-end balances as available.  Management does not believe that the use of average monthly balances instead of average daily balances represents a material difference in information presented.  The average balance of loans includes loans on which the Company has discontinued accruing interest.  The yield and cost include fees, which are considered adjustments to yields.
19


 
CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCES
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
                                     
   
Three months ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Average
         
Average
   
Average
         
Average
 
Interest Earning Assets:
 
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/Cost
   
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/Cost
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Loans (1)
  $ 660,058     $ 9,840       5.96 %   $ 639,264     $ 11,184       7.00 %
Mortgage-backed securities
    46,013       603       5.24 %     35,838       474       5.29 %
Investment securities (2)
    6,190       98       6.28 %     28,475       401       5.60 %
Federal funds sold
    691       2       0.92 %     2,171       29       5.31 %
Total interest earning assets
    712,952       10,543       5.91 %     705,748       12,088       6.85 %
Non-interest earning assets
    78,219                       55,964                  
Total assets
  $ 791,171                     $ 761,712                  
                                                 
                                                 
Interest Bearing Liabilities:
                                               
Deposits:
                                               
Now Accounts
  $ 23,326       16       0.27 %   $ 24,933       24       0.38 %
Savings and clubs
    121,800       163       0.53 %     132,991       265       0.79 %
Money market accounts
    44,732       223       1.98 %     45,529       258       2.25 %
Certificates of deposit
    368,883       2,949       3.17 %     361,231       4,014       4.42 %
Mortgagor's deposit
    2,386       10       1.66 %     2,793       9       1.28 %
Total deposits
    561,127       3,361       2.38 %     567,477       4,570       3.20 %
Borrowed money
    97,248       981       4.00 %     82,027       1,055       5.12 %
Total interest bearing liabilities
    658,375       4,342       2.62 %     649,504       5,625       3.45 %
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Demand
    52,777                       53,028                  
Other Liabilities
    6,339                       9,006                  
Total liabilities
    717,491                       711,538                  
Minority Interest
    19,150                       -                  
Stockholders' equity
    54,530                       50,174                  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 791,171                     $ 761,712                  
Net interest income
          $ 6,201                     $ 6,463          
                                                 
Average interest rate spread
                    3.29 %                     3.40 %
                                                 
Net interest margin
                    3.48 %                     3.66 %
                                                 
(1) Includes non-accrual loans
                         
(2) Includes FHLB-NY stock
                         
 
20

 

CARVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCES
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
                                     
   
Six months ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Average
         
Average
   
Average
         
Average
 
Interest Earning Assets:
 
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/Cost
   
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/Cost
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Loans (1)
  $ 657,295     $ 20,293       6.17 %   $ 628,677     $ 22,177       7.06 %
Mortgage-backed securities
    44,740       1,165       5.21 %     37,464       976       5.21 %
Investment securities (2)
    5,427       170       6.25 %     29,831       855       5.72 %
Federal funds sold
    4,077       40       1.96 %     1,555       41       5.26 %
Total interest earning assets
    711,539       21,668       6.09 %     697,527       24,049       6.89 %
Non-interest earning assets
    78,406                       55,231                  
Total assets
  $ 789,945                     $ 752,758                  
                                                 
                                                 
Interest Bearing Liabilities:
                                               
Deposits:
                                               
Now Accounts
  $ 23,776       35       0.29 %   $ 24,951       58       0.46 %
Savings and clubs
    123,638       330       0.53 %     135,120       530       0.78 %
Money market accounts
    45,477       519       2.28 %     46,193       501       2.16 %
Certificates of deposit
    379,885       6,592       3.46 %     350,817       7,792       4.43 %
Mortgagor's deposit
    2,847       24       1.68 %     2,807       20       1.42 %
Total deposits
    575,623       7,500       2.60 %     559,888       8,901       3.17 %
Borrowed money
    79,853       1,709       4.27 %     78,683       2,030       5.15 %
Total interest bearing liabilities
    655,476       9,209       2.80 %     638,571       10,931       3.41 %
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Demand
    53,215                       53,809                  
Other Liabilities
    7,892                       10,447                  
Total liabilities
    716,583                       702,827                  
Minority Interest
    19,150                       -                  
Stockholders' equity
    54,212                       49,931                  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 789,945                     $ 752,758                  
Net interest income
          $ 12,459                     $ 13,118          
                                                 
Average interest rate spread
                    3.29 %                     3.48 %
                                                 
Net interest margin
                    3.50 %                     3.76 %
                                                 
(1) Includes non-accrual loans
                         
(2) Includes FHLB-NY stock
                         
 
21


Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months and Six Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
 
 
Overview
 
The Company reported consolidated net income of $0.6 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.25 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to net income of $0.8 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.30 for the prior year period.  Net income declined $0.2 million, or 18.8%, to $0.6 million is the  result of a decrease in net interest income of $0.4 million, and increase in provision for loan losses of $0.2 million and an increase in non-interest expense of $0.1 million, offset by increases in non-interest income $0.1 million and an income tax benefit of $0.4 million.

Net income for the six months ended September 30, 2008 was $1.3 million compared to net interest income of $1.9 million for the prior year period, a decrease of $0.6 million.  The decrease in net income is the result of a decrease in net interest income of $0.7 million, an increase in non-interest expense of $0.9 million and an increase in provision for loan losses of $0.3 million, offset by an increase in non-interest income of $0.7 million and an income tax benefit of $0.7 million compared to an income tax expense of $0.1 million.
 
Selected operating ratios for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 are set forth in the table below and the following analysis discusses the changes in components of operating results:
 

CARVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
SELECTED KEY RATIOS
 
(Unaudited)
 
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
Selected Financial Data:
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Return on average assets (1)
    0.31 %     0.40 %     0.33 %     0.51 %
Return on average equity (2)
    4.56       6.03       4.82       7.62  
Net interest margin (3)
    3.48       3.66       3.50       3.76  
Interest rate spread (4)
    3.29       3.40       3.29       3.48  
Efficiency ratio (5)
    94.00       90.90       92.79       87.23  
Operating expenses to average assets (6)
    3.69       3.78       3.71       3.64  
Average equity to average assets (7)
    6.89       6.59       6.86       6.63  
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
    1.08 x     1.09 x     1.09 x     1.09 x


(1) Net income, annualized, divided by average total assets.
(2) Net income, annualized, divided by average total equity.
(3) Net interest income, annualized, divided by average interest-earning assets.
(4) Combined weighted average interest rate earned less combined weighted average interest rate cost.
(5) Operating expenses divided by sum of net interest income plus non-interest income.
(6) Non-interest expenses less loss on real estate owned, annualized, divided by average total assets.
(7) Total average equity divided by total average assets for the period.
22


Interest Income
 
Interest income decreased by $1.6 million, or 12.8%, to $10.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $12.1 million for the prior year period.  The decrease in interest income was primarily the result of decreases in interest income on loans of $1.3 million and interest income on investment securities of $0.3 million. The decrease in interest income reflects a decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets of 94 basis points to 5.91% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 as compared to 6.85% for the prior year period.  The decrease in yield on interest earning assets was primarily the result of a 104 basis points decrease in the yield on loans as a result of LIBOR and prime based construction loans repricing at lower rates. The decrease in interest income was also the result of the decline in the average balance of investment securities from $28.5 in the prior year period to $6.2 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2008 as securities matured.

For the six month period ending September 30, 2008, interest income decreased $2.4 million, or 9.9%, to $21.6 million, compared to $24.0 million for the prior year period. The decrease in interest income was primarily the result of decreases in interest income on loans of $1.9 million and interest income on investment securities of $0.7 million, offset by an increase in interest income on mortgage-backed securities of 0.2  million. The decrease in interest income reflects a decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets of 80 basis points to 6.09% for the six months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to 6.89% for the prior year period.  The decrease in yield on interest earning assets was primarily the result of an 89 basis points decrease in the yield on loans as a result of LIBOR and prime rate based construction loans repricing at lower rates. The decrease in interest income was also the result of the decline in the average balance of investment securities from $29.8 in the prior year period to $5.4 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2008 due to matured securities.

Interest income on loans decreased by $1.3 million, or 12.1%, to $9.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $11.2 million for the prior year period.  These results were primarily driven by a yield decrease of 104 basis points to 5.96% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to 7.00% for the prior year period, primarily due to lower yields on construction and small business loans tied to Libor and Prime rate indices, which have fallen by 294 bps and 263 bps, respectively, since September 30, 2007, offset by an increase in average loan balances of $20.8 million to $660.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $639.3 million for the prior year period, primarily due to growth in commercial real estate loans of $31.7 million.

For the six month period ending September 30, 2008, interest income on loans decreased $1.9 million, or 8.6%, to $20.3 million compared to $22.2 million for the prior year period.  This decrease was driven by a decrease in yield of 88 basis points, offset by higher average loan balances of $28.6 million.

Interest income on investment and mortgage backed securities decreased by $0.2 million, or 19.9%, to $0.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $0.9 million for the prior year period.  Interest income on investment securities decreased by $0.3 million, or 75.0%, to $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to $0.4 million for the prior year period.  The decrease in interest income on investment securities for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 was primarily the result of a $22.3 million, or 78.3%, reduction in the average balances of investment securities to $6.2 million, compared to $28.5 million for the prior year period.  The net decrease in the average balance of investment securities demonstrates Management’s commitment to invest proceeds received from the sale of lower yielding securities and repayment of securities into higher yielding assets.  The investment securities yield decreased by 68 basis points to 6.28% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to 5.60% for the prior year period.

Additionally, the decrease in interest income on investment securities was partially offset by an increase in mortgage-backed securities interest income of $0.1 million, or 20%, to $0.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $0.5 million for the prior year period.  The increase was primarily the result of an increase in the average balances of mortgage-backed securities by $10.2 million to $46.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $35.8 million for the prior year period.

For the six month period ending September 30, 2008, interest income on investments and mortgage backed securities decreased $0.5 million, or 27.1%, to $1.3 million from $1.8 million for the prior year period.  The decrease in interest income on investment securities for the six month period ended September 30, 2008 was primarily the result of a $24.4 million, or 81.8%, reduction in the average balances of investment securities to $5.4 million, compared to $29.8 million for the prior year period.  This was offset by an increase in mortgage-backed securities of $7.3 million, or 19.2%, to $44.7 million for the six month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to $37.5 million for the prior year period.  The effect of the decrease in the balance of investment securities was partially offset by a 53 basis point increase in the annualized average yield on such securities to 6.25% compared to 5.72% in the prior year period.  The yield on mortgage-backed securities remained level at 5.21%.

 
Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased by $1.3 million, or 22.8%, to $4.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 as compared to $5.6 million for the prior year period. The decrease in interest expense was primarily the result of decreases in interest expense on deposits of $1.2 million and interest expense on advances and other borrowed money of $0.1 million. The decrease in interest expense primarily reflects an 83 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 2.62% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to 3.45% for the prior year period, partially offset by growth in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $8.9 million, or 1.4%, to $658.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $649.5 million for the prior year period. The decrease in the yield on interest bearing liabilities was primarily the result of higher cost certificates of deposits repricing at lower rates as well as lower costs on short-term advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”).

For the six month period ended September 30, 2008, interest expense decreased by $1.7 million, or 15.7%, to $9.2 million, compared to $10.9 million for the prior year period.  The decrease in interest expense resulted primarily from a 61 basis point decrease in the annualized average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 2.80%, compared to 3.41% for the prior year period, offset partially by growth in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $16.9 million, or 2.6%, to $655.5 million compared to $638.6 million for the prior year period.

23


Interest expense on total deposits decreased $1.2 million, or 26.7%, to $3.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $4.6 million for the prior year period.  The decrease reflects a 82 basis point reduction in the average cost of deposits to 2.38% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to 3.20% for the prior year period and a decrease in the average balance of total deposits of $6.4 million to $561.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $567.5 million for the prior year period.

For the six month period ended September 30, 2008, total interest expense on deposits decreased $1.4 million, or 15.7%, to $7.5 million from $8.9 million for the prior year period.  The decrease reflects a 57 basis point reduction in the average cost of total deposits to 2.60% compared to 3.17% for the prior year period, offset by an increase in the average balance of total deposits of $15.7 million to $575.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $559.9 million for the prior year period.

Interest expense on borrowed money decreased $0.1 million, or 7.0%, to $1.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $1.1 million for the prior year period.  The decrease primarily reflects a 112 basis point reduction in the average cost of borrowed money to 4.00% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to 5.12% for the prior year period, offset by an increase in the average balance of total borrowed money outstanding of $15.2 million to $97.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $82.0 million for the prior year period.

For the six month period ended September 30, 2008, interest expense on borrowed money decreased $0.3 million, or 15.8%, to $1.7 million, compared to $2.0 million for the prior year period.  In the six months ended September 30, 2008, the decrease primarily reflects a 88 basis point reduction in the average cost of borrowed money to 4.27% compared to 5.15% for the prior year period, offset by an increase in the average balance of total borrowed money outstanding of $1.2 million to $79.9 million compared to $78.7 million for the prior year period.


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.

Net interest income before the provision for loan losses decreased $0.3 million, or 4.6%, to $6.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $6.5 million for the prior year period.  This decrease was a result of a decrease in the yield on average interest-earning assets of 94 basis points and an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $8.9 million.  The result was a 11 basis point decrease in the interest rate spread to 3.29% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to 3.40% for the prior year period.  The net interest margin also decreased to 3.48% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to 3.66% for the prior year period.

For the six month period ending September 30, 2008, net interest income before the provision for loan losses decreased by $0.7 million, or 5.0%, to $12.5 million, compared to $13.1 million for the prior year period.  Net interest margin for the six month period ending September 30, 2008, decreased 26 basis points to 3.50% compared to 3.76% for the prior year period.

 
Provision for Loan Losses and Asset Quality

The Bank maintains an allowance for loan losses that management believes is sufficient to absorb inherent losses in its loan portfolio.  The adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses (“ALLL”) is determined by management’s continuing review of the Bank’s loan portfolio, which includes the identification and review of individual problem situations that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay.   Management reviews the overall portfolio quality through an analysis of delinquency and non-performing loan data, estimates of the value of underlying collateral and current charge-offs.  A review of regulatory examinations, an assessment of current and expected economic conditions and changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio are all taken into consideration.  The ALLL reflects management’s evaluation of the loans presenting identified loss potential as well as the risk inherent in various components of the portfolio.  As such, an increase in the size of the portfolio or any of its components could necessitate an increase in the ALLL even though there may not be a decline in credit quality or an increase in potential problem loans.

The Bank’s provision for loan loss methodology is consistent with the Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses  (the “Interagency Policy Statement”) released by the Federal Financial Regulatory Agencies on December 13, 2006.   For additional information regarding Carver Federal’s ALLL policy, refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in the Holding Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.

24


The following table sets forth an analysis of Carver Federal’s allowance for loan losses for the three and six months period ended September 30, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
   
Six Months Ended September 30, 2008
 
             
Beginning Balance
  $ 5,032     $ 4,878  
                 
Less charge-offs:
               
Business
    (70 )     (70 )
Consumer
    (16 )     (52 )
Total Charge- Offs:
    (86 )     (122 )
                 
Add  Recoveries:
               
Consumer
    19       40  
Total Recoveries:
    19       40  
                 
Provision for Loan Losses
    170       339  
                 
Ending Balance
  $ 5,135     $ 5,135  
                 
Ratios:
               
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
    0.01 %     0.01 %
Allowance to total loans
    0.81 %     0.81 %
Allowance to non-performing loans (1)
    29.42 %     29.42 %
 
(1)
Non-performing loans consist of non-accrual loans and accruing loans 90 days or more past due in settlement of loans.

The Bank provided a $0.2 million loan loss provision for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared with no provision for the prior year period.  For the six month period ended September 30, 2008, the Bank provided a $0.3 million loan loss provision compared with no provision for the prior year period. The increase recognizes the rise in non-performing loans reflecting indications of deterioration in the housing market and the New York City economy. The Bank’s future level 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 factors existing at the time.  At September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008, the Bank’s allowance for loan losses was $5.1 million and $4.9 million, respectively.  The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans was 29.42% at September 30, 2008 compared to 170.9% at March 31, 2008.  The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans was 0.81% at September 30, 2008 compared to 0.74% at March 31, 2008.


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.

25


On September 30, 2008, non-accrual loans totaled $17.5 million, or 2.75% of total loans receivable compared to $2.9 million, or 0.43% of total loans receivable at March 31, 2008.  Non-performing assets include loans 90 days past due, non-accrual loans and other real estate owned.
 
At September 30, 2008, non-performing assets totaled $27.4 million, or 3.46% of total assets compared to $4.0 million, or 0.50% of total assets at March 31, 2008.  Non-performing assets include loans 90 days past due, non-accrual loans and other real estate owned.  The Company’s future levels of non-performing loans will be influenced by economic conditions, including the impact of those conditions on the Company’s customers, interest rates and other internal and external factors existing at the time.

The following table sets forth information with respect to Carver Federal’s non-performing assets for the past five quarter’s ended (dollars in thousands):


   
September
2008
   
June
 2008
   
March
2008
   
December
2007
   
September
2007
 
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis (1):
                             
Gross loans receivable:
                             
One- to four-family
  $ 1,671     $ 871     $ 567     $ 1,442     $ 757  
Multifamily
    -       3,322       -       -       1,273  
Non-residential
    10,424       -       522       522       -  
Construction
    3,157       -       -       -       -  
Business
    2,185       2,059       1,708       2,056       2,392  
Consumer
    20       -       57       192       27  
Total non-accrual loans
    17,457       6,252       2,854       4,212       4,449  
                                         
Accruing loans contractually past due > 90 days (2)
    9,349       -       -       -       -  
                                         
Total non-performing loans (non-accrual & accruing loans past due > 90 days)
    26,806       6,252       2,854       4,212       4,449  
                                         
Other non-performing assets (3):
                                       
Real estate owned
    635       142       1,163       147       28  
Total other non-performing assets
    635       142       1,163       147       28  
Total non-performing assets (4)
  $ 27,441     $ 6,394     $ 4,017     $ 4,359     $ 4,477  
                                         
Non-performing loans to total loans
    4.22 %     0.97 %     0.43 %     0.66 %     0.70 %
Non-performing assets to total assets
    3.47 %     0.81 %     0.50 %     0.52 %     0.58 %


(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)  This category represent loans that are 90 days or more past maturity that are current with respect to principal and interest payments.

(3)  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.

(4)  Total non-performing assets consist of non-accrual loans, accruing loans 90 days or more past due and property acquired in settlement of loans.
 
26


In regards to the increase in non-performing loans, the Company has an experienced loan workout group that actively negotiates with the borrowers to bring resolution to delinquent loans.  All loans are collateralized, with LTV of less than 70%, and management is of the opinion that the collateral adequately secures these loans.
 
Potential problem loans
 
In addition to non-performing loans, Carver's loan portfolio includes $12.5 million in mortgages with payments that are 60-89 days delinquent.  Management is actively working with each borrower to bring these loans to a current status.
 
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, it does not expect the Statement to have a material impact on the Company.  At September 30, 2008, the Bank’s loan portfolio contained $1.2 million in loans that if considers subprime, all of which were performing loans.
 
Non-Interest Income
 
Non-interest income increased by $0.1 million, or 8.1%, to $1.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $1.5 million for the prior year period.  The increase was due to other income increasing $0.3 million, offset by a decrease in loan fees and service charges and gain on sale of securities of $0.1 million, respectively.  Other income increased by $0.3 million, primarily the result of $0.2 million consolidation of income from the minority interest created by the New Markets Tax Credit (“NMTC”) transaction.

For the six month period ended September 30, 2008, non-interest income increased $0.7 million to $3.3 million compared to $2.6 million for the prior year period.  For the six month period ended September 30, 2008, other income increased by $0.6 million, primarily the result of a $0.4 million consolidation of income from the minority interest created by the NMTC transaction.
 
27

 
Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased by $0.1 million, or 1.5%, to $7.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $7.2 million for the prior year period.  The increase was primarily due to increases in employee compensation and benefits of $0.5 million and equipment expense of $0.2 million, offset by a decrease in other expenses of $0.6 million.  The decrease in other expenses was the result of a reduction in consulting expenses which declined from $0.8 million in prior year period to $0.4 million for the second quarter fiscal 2009.

During the six month period ended September 30, 2008, non-interest expense increased $0.9 million, or 6.9%, to $14.6 million compared to $13.7 million for the prior year period.  The increase in non-interest expense was primarily due to increases of $0.7 million in employee compensation and benefits to $7.0 million compared to $6.3 million, $0.2 million in equipment expense to $1.3 million compared to $1.1 million and $0.1 million in net occupancy expense to $1.9 million compared to $1.8 million, respectively, for the prior year period.
 
Income Tax Expense

The income tax benefit was $0.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to a tax benefit of $44,000 for the prior year period.  The tax benefit for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 reflects income before taxes of $0.3 million which resulted in income tax expense of $0.1 million offset by the tax benefit generated by the NMTC transaction totaling $0.5 million, compared to income before income taxes of $0.7 million for the prior year period, which resulted in income tax expense of $0.3 million offset by the tax benefit generated by the NMTC investment totaling $0.4 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 $11.1 million from its $40.0 million investment through the period ending March 31, 2014.

For the six month period ended September 30, 2008, the bank recorded a tax benefit of $0.8 million compared to income tax expense of $0.1 million for the prior year period. The tax benefit for the six months ended September 30, 2008 reflects income before taxes of $0.8 million which resulted in income tax expense of $0.3 million offset by the tax benefit generated by the NMTC investment totaling $1.0 million as compared to income before income taxes of $2.0 million for the prior year period, which resulted in income tax expense of $0.8 million offset by the tax benefit generated by the NMTC investment totaling $0.7 million.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
 
Quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk is presented at March 31, 2008 in Item 7A of the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.  The Company believes that there has been no material change in the Company’s market risk at September 30, 2008 compared to March 31, 2008.
 
 
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 September 30, 2008, the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and acting Chief Accounting 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 report.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Controller concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this 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 Controller, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
28

 
(b) 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.
 
29


OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
Disclosure regarding legal proceedings to which the Company is a party is presented in Note 14 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2008 Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.  There have been no material changes with regard to such legal proceedings since the filing of the 2008 Form 10-K.

 
Risk Factors
 
For a summary of risk factors relevant to the Company’s operations, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K.  There has been no material change in risk factors relevant to the Company’s operations since the filing of the 2008 Form 10-K  except as discussed below.
 
Results of operations are affected by economic conditions in the New York metropolitan area and nationally.
 
Our retail banking and a significant portion of our lending are concentrated in the New York metropolitan area, which includes New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.  As a result of this geographic concentration, our results of operations largely depend upon economic conditions in this area, although they also depend on economic conditions in other areas.
 
We are operating in a challenging and uncertain economic environment, both nationally and locally.  Financial institutions continue to be affected by sharp declines in the real estate market and constrained financial markets.  Continued declines in real estate values, home sales volumes and financial stress on borrowers as a result of the uncertain economic environment, including job losses, could have an adverse effect on our borrowers or their customers, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.  In addition, the decreases in real estate values could adversely affect the value of property used as collateral for our loans.
 
The banking industry has seen increases in loan delinquencies in 2008. A further deterioration in national and local economic conditions, particularly in the New York metropolitan area, could have a material adverse impact on the quality of our loan portfolio, which could result in an increase in delinquencies, causing a decrease in our interest income as well as an adverse impact on our loan loss experience, causing an increase in our allowance for loan losses.  Such deterioration could also adversely impact the demand for our products and services, and, accordingly, our results of operations.
 
Changes in laws, government regulation and monetary policy may have a material effect on our results of operations.
 
Financial institutions have been the subject of significant legislative and regulatory changes and may be the subject of further significant legislation or regulation in the future, none of which is within our control. Significant new laws or regulations or changes in, or repeals of, existing laws or regulations, including those with respect to federal and state taxation, may cause our results of operations to differ materially.  In addition, the cost and burden of compliance, over time, have significantly increased and could adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.  Further, federal monetary policy significantly affects credit conditions for the Company, as well as for our borrowers, particularly as implemented through the Federal Reserve System, primarily through open market operations in U.S. government securities, the discount rate for bank borrowings and reserve requirements. A material change in any of these conditions could have a material impact on the Company or our borrowers, and therefore on our results of operations.
 
In response to the financial crises affecting the banking system and financial markets, the EESA was signed into law. Pursuant to the EESA, the Treasury has the authority to, among other things, purchase up to $700 billion of troubled assets (including mortgages, mortgage-backed securities and certain other financial instruments) from financial institutions for the purpose of stabilizing and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial markets.  Subsequently, the Treasury, the FRB and the FDIC issued a joint statement announcing additional steps aimed at stabilizing the financial markets.  First, the Treasury announced the Capital Purchase Program, a $250 billion voluntary capital purchase program available to qualifying financial institutions that sell preferred shares to the Treasury. Second, the FDIC announced that its Board of Directors, under the authority to prevent “systemic risk” in the U.S. banking system, approved the TLGP, which is intended to strengthen confidence and encourage liquidity in the banking system by permitting the FDIC to (1) guarantee certain newly-issued senior unsecured debt issued by participating institutions and (2) fully insure non-interest bearing transaction deposit accounts held at participating FDIC-insured institutions.  Third, to further increase access to funding for businesses in all sectors of the economy, the FRB announced further details of its Commercial Paper Funding Facility, which provides a broad backstop for the commercial paper market.

30


There can be no assurance, however, as to the actual impact that the foregoing or any other governmental program will have on the financial markets. The failure of any such program or the U.S. government to stabilize the financial markets and a continuation or worsening of current financial market conditions and the national and regional economy is expected to materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, access to credit and the trading price of our common stock.
 
If we participate in the CPP, our ability to declare or pay dividends on any of our shares will be limited.  Specifically, we will not be able to declare dividends payments on common, junior preferred or pari passu preferred shares if we are in arrears on the dividends on the senior preferred shares issued to the Treasury.  Further, we will not be permitted to increase dividends on our common stock without the Treasury’s approval until the third anniversary of the investment unless the senior preferred stock issued to the Treasury has been redeemed or transferred.  In addition, our ability to repurchase our shares will be restricted. The Treasury’s consent generally will be required for us to make any stock repurchase until the third anniversary of the investment by the Treasury unless the senior preferred stock issued to the Treasury has been redeemed or transferred.  Further, common, junior preferred or pari passu preferred shares may not be repurchased if we are in arrears on the dividends on the senior preferred shares issued to the Treasury.
 
If we choose to participate in the program, we must also adopt the Treasury’s standards for executive compensation and corporate governance for the period during which the Treasury holds equity issued under this program.  These standards would generally apply to our CEO, CFO and the three next most highly compensated officers.  The standards include (1) ensuring that incentive compensation for senior executives does not encourage unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the financial institution; (2) required clawback of any bonus or incentive compensation paid to a senior executive based on statements of earnings, gains or other criteria that are later proven to be materially inaccurate; (3) prohibition on making golden parachute payments to senior executives; and (4) agreement not to deduct for tax purposes executive compensation in excess of $500,000 for each senior executive.  In particular, the change to the deductibility limit on executive compensation would likely increase the overall cost of our compensation programs.  In conjunction with any purchase of senior preferred shares, the Treasury would receive warrants to purchase our common stock with an aggregate market price equal to 15% of the senior preferred investment.  The warrants would be immediately exercisable and have a term of 10 years.  Therefore, we could potentially be subject to the executive compensation and corporate governance restrictions for a 10 year time period if we participate in the CPP.  We are currently evaluating whether or not we will participate in the CPP.
 
The FDIC recently adopted a restoration plan and issued a notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comment that would initially raise the assessment rate schedule, uniformly across all four risk categories into which the FDIC assigns insured institutions, by seven basis points (annualized) of insured deposits beginning on January 1, 2009.  Under the proposed plan, beginning with the second quarter of 2009, the initial base assessment rates will range from 10 to 45 basis points depending on an institution’s risk category, with adjustments resulting in increased assessment rates for institutions with a significant reliance on secured liabilities and brokered deposits.  Under the proposal the FDIC may continue to adopt actual rates that are higher without further notice-and-comment rulemaking subject to certain limitations.  If the FDIC determines that assessment rates should be increased, institutions in all risk categories could be affected.  The FDIC has exercised this authority several times in the past and could continue to raise insurance assessment rates in the future.  The increased deposit insurance premiums proposed by the FDIC are expected to result in a significant increase in our non-interest expense, which will have a material impact on our results of operations beginning in 2009.
 
We expect to face increased regulation and supervision of our industry as a result of the existing financial crisis, and there will be additional requirements and conditions imposed on us to the extent that we participate in any of the programs established or to be established by the Treasury under the EESA or by the federal bank regulatory agencies. Such additional regulation and supervision may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities.
 
 
ITEM 2.          Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
During the quarter ended September 30, 2008, the Company purchased an additional 6,800 shares of its common stock under its stock repurchase program.  As of September 30, 2008, the Company has purchased a total of 176,174 shares at an average price per share of $15.72.

31

 
Period
 
Total
number
of shares
purchased
   
Average
price paid
per share
   
Total number
of shares
as part of
publicly
announced plan (1)
   
Total
number
of shares that
may yet be
purchased (2)
 
                         
July 1, 2008 to July 31, 2008
    6,800       8.66       6,800       55,448  
August 1, 2008 to August 31, 2008
    -       -       -       -  
September 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008
    -       -       -       -  
 
 
(1) The Company’s stock purchase program was announced on August 2002 without an expiration date.
 
(2) As part of the stock repurchase program, the Company approved the repurchase of up to 231,635 shares of its common stock.
 
 
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
Not applicable.
 
 
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
The Holding Company held its Annual Meeting on September 16, 2008 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.
 
The purpose of the Annual Meeting was to vote on the following proposals:
 
 
1.
the election of two directors for terms of three years each;
 
 
2.
the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent auditors of the Holding Company for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009.

32


The results of voting were as follows:

Proposal 1:
Election of Directors:
       
 
Holding Company Nominees
       
           
 
Carol Baldwin Moody
For
    2,093,491  
   
Withheld
    10,346  
   
Abstain
    -  
             
 
Edward B. Ruggiero
For
    2,019,158  
   
Withheld
    84,679  
   
Abstain
    -  
             
             
             
Proposal 2:
Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors
For
    2,097,504  
   
Against
    6,229  
   
Abstain
    104  

 
In addition to the nominees elected at the Annual Meeting, the following persons’ terms of office as directors continued after the Annual Meeting: Dr. Samuel J. Daniel, David L. Hines, Robert Holland, Jr., Pazel G. Jackson, Robert R. Tarter and Deborah C. Wright.
 
 
Other Information
 
In November 2008, the board of the directors of the Holding Company appointed Michael A. Trinidad, 51, as acting chief accounting officer to serve until a permanent chief accounting officer is appointed.  Mr. Trinidad is currently Senior Vice President and Controller of the Holding Company. He joined the Holding Company 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.
 
At the end of October we began to offier residential loans products through PHH Mortgage Corporation (“PHH”), a third party provider, via our branches, website and call center. In addition to fee income derived from this channel, we anticipate that a recent agreement to purchase whole loans underwritten by PHH, using the Bank’s lending standards, will provide an avenue for loan growth, when real estate markets stabilize.
 
 
Exhibits
 
The following exhibits are submitted with this report:
 
Computation of Earnings Per Share.
   
Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
   
Certification of Chief Accounting Officer.
   
Certification of Chief Executive Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C.  Section 1350.
   
Certification of Chief Accounting Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C.  Section 1350.

33


SIGNATURES


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

 
CARVER BANCORP, INC.
 
     
     
Date: November 14, 2008
/s/ Deborah C.  Wright
 
 
Deborah C.  Wright
 
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
     
     
     
     
Date: November 14, 2008
/s/ Michael A. Trinidad
 
 
Michael A. Trinidad
 
 
Senior Vice President and Controller
 
 
(Acting Chief Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
34