ESSA Bancorp, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2009 June (Form 10-Q)

ESSA Bancorp, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2009 June (Form 10-Q)

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Form 10-Q

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 June 30, 2009

¨	Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File No. 001-33384

ESSA Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania

20-8023072

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)


200 Palmer Street, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania		18360
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

(570) 421-0531

(Registrant’s telephone number)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

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 requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO ¨.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES ¨ NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer” and “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ¨ NO x

As of August 6, 2009 there were 14,990,620 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.

ESSA Bancorp, Inc.

FORM 10-Q

Index


		Page
Part I. Financial Information

Item 1.	Financial Statements (unaudited)	3

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	19

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	29

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	30

Part II. Other Information

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	30

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	30

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	31

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	31

Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	31

Item 5.	Other Information	31

Item 6.	Exhibits	32

Signature Page		33

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1.

Financial Statements

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(UNAUDITED)


	June 30, 2009			September 30, 2008
	(dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	7,655		$	8,382
Interest-bearing deposits with other institutions		2,770			4,232

Total cash and cash equivalents		10,425			12,614
Certificates of deposit		3,342			3,777
Investment securities available for sale		232,443			204,078
Investment securities held to maturity (estimated fair value of $9,876 and $11,924)		9,723			11,857
Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $5,494 and $4,915)		736,765			706,890
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		20,727			19,188
Premises and equipment		10,762			10,662
Bank-owned life insurance		14,931			14,516
Foreclosed real estate		2,698			31
Other assets		11,126			9,869

TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,052,942		$	993,482


LIABILITIES
Deposits	$	401,239		$	370,529
Short-term borrowings		68,153			39,510
Other borrowings		386,507			373,247
Advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance		6,285			2,047
Other liabilities		5,632			8,063

TOTAL LIABILITIES		867,816			793,396


Commitment and contingencies		—			—

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock ($.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued)		—			—
Common stock ($.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized, 16,980,900 issued; 14,990,620 and 16,777,667 outstanding at June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008)		170			170
Additional paid in capital		161,669			159,919
Unallocated common stock held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)		(12,453	)		(12,792	)
Retained earnings		61,583			58,227
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,990,280 and 203,233 shares outstanding at June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008		(26,234	)		(2,753	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		391			(2,685	)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		185,126			200,086

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	1,052,942		$	993,482

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)


	For the Three Months Ended June 30,					For the Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2009			2008		2009			2008
	(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable	$	10,682		$	10,130	$	31,806		$	29,797
Investment securities:
Taxable		2,467			2,674		7,564			8,013
Exempt from federal income tax		83			83		248			249
Other investment income		1			217		121			825

Total interest income		13,233			13,104		39,739			38,884


INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits		1,635			2,018		5,394			7,154
Short-term borrowings		70			1,052		343			1,815
Other borrowings		4,085			3,164		12,356			10,470

Total interest expense		5,790			6,234		18,093			19,439


NET INTEREST INCOME		7,443			6,870		21,646			19,445
Provision for loan losses		375			150		1,125			450


NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES		7,068			6,720		20,521			18,995


NONINTEREST INCOME
Service fees on deposit accounts		790			873		2,369			2,619
Services charges and fees on loans		158			174		450			472
Trust and investment fees		209			208		623			645
Impairment loss on securities		(68	)		—		(68	)		—
Gain on sale of investments, net		148			—		148			—
Gain on sale of loans, net		372			—		372			—
Earnings on Bank-owned life insurance		137			146		415			429
Other		1			9		25			33

Total noninterest income		1,747			1,410		4,334			4,198


NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Compensation and employee benefits		3,636			3,169		10,810			9,174
Occupancy and equipment		696			705		2,160			2,108
Professional fees		306			379		1,028			1,067
Data processing		466			443		1,402			1,400
Advertising		191			155		543			447
FDIC premiums		457			11		542			33
Other		535			453		1,468			1,311

Total noninterest expense		6,287			5,315		17,953			15,540

Income before income taxes		2,528			2,815		6,902			7,653
Income taxes		787			849		1,794			2,336


NET INCOME	$	1,741		$	1,966	$	5,108		$	5,317


EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic	$	0.13		$	0.13	$	0.36		$	0.34
Diluted	$	0.13		$	0.12	$	0.36		$	0.33

DIVIDENDS PER SHARE	$	0.04		$	0.04	$	0.12		$	0.04

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)


	Common Stock
	Number of Shares		Amount		Additional Paid In Capital		Unallocated Common Stock Held by the ESOP			Retained Earnings			Treasury Stock			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Total Stockholders’ Equity			Comprehensive Income
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, September 30, 2008	16,777,667		$	170	$	159,919	$	(12,792	)	$	58,227		$	(2,753	)	$	(2,685	)	$	200,086

Cumulative adjustment of change in accounting for split-dollar life insurance arrangements											(49	)								(49	)
Net income											5,108									5,108		$	5,108

Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of income taxes of $1,530																	2,971			2,971			2,971
Change in unrecognized pension cost, net of income taxes of $54																	105			105			105

Comprehensive income																						$	8,184

Cash dividends declared ($0.12 per share)											(1,703	)								(1,703	)
Stock based compensation						1,614														1,614
Allocation of ESOP stock						124		339												463
Restricted stock forfeitures	(906	)				12								(12	)					—
Treasury shares purchased	(1,786,141	)												(23,469	)					(23,469	)

Balance, June 30, 2009	14,990,620		$	170	$	161,669	$	(12,453	)	$	61,583		$	(26,234	)	$	391		$	185,126

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)


	For the Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2009			2008
	(dollars in thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	5,108		$	5,317
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses		1,125			450
Provision for depreciation and amortization		903			932
Accretion of discounts and premiums, net		(130	)		(309	)
Compensation expense on ESOP		463			439
Stock based compensation		1,614			191
Decrease in accrued interest receivable		276			463
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable		11			(177	)
Net gain on sale of mortgage loans		(372	)		—
Origination of mortgage loans sold		(4,461	)
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans originated for sale		4,517
Net gain on sale of investment securities		(148	)		—
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance		(415	)		(429	)
Deferred federal income taxes		(352	)		10
Increase (decrease) in accrued pension liability		(1,331	)		339
Other, net		6			1,047

Net cash provided by operating activities		6,814			8,273


INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from repayments of certificates of deposit		3,497			—
Purchase of certificates of deposit		(2,926	)		(3,768	)
Investment securities available for sale:
Proceeds from sale of investment securities		15,880			—
Proceeds from principal repayments and maturities		78,398			109,648
Purchases		(118,150	)		(113,337	)
Investment securities held to maturity:
Proceeds from principal repayments and maturities		2,129			4,776
Increase in loans receivable, net		(52,623	)		(67,025	)
Proceeds from sale of loans		19,274			—
Redemption of FHLB stock		509			3,922
Purchase of FHLB stock		(2,048	)		(5,899	)
Investment in limited partnership		(2,729	)		—
Proceeds from sale of other real estate		21			—
Purchase of premises, equipment, and software		(906	)		(640	)

Net cash used for investing activities		(59,674	)		(72,323	)


FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase (decrease) in deposits, net		30,710			(14,039	)
Net increase in short-term borrowings		28,643			10,296
Proceeds from other borrowings		96,260			106,650
Repayment of other borrowings		(83,000	)		(37,500	)
Increase in advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance		4,238			4,855
Purchase of treasury stock shares		(24,477	)		(2,458	)
Dividends on common stock		(1,703	)		(625	)

Net cash provided by financing activities		50,671			67,179


(Decrease) Increase in cash and cash equivalents		(2,189	)		3,129
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD		12,614			16,779


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	10,425		$	19,908


SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES
Cash Paid:
Interest	$	18,082		$	19,616
Income taxes		2,655			2,049
Noncash items:
Other real estate owned		2,667			—
Treasury shares payable		1,008			—

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

1.	Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

The unaudited, consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), and its wholly owned subsidiary, ESSA Bank & Trust (the “Bank”), and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries, ESSACOR Inc. and Pocono Investment Company. The primary purpose of the Company is to act as a holding company for the Bank. The Company is subject to regulation and supervision by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”). The Bank is a Pennsylvania chartered savings association located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The Bank’s primary business consists of the taking of deposits and granting of loans to customers generally in Monroe and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania. The Bank is subject to regulation and supervision by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and the OTS. The investment in subsidiary on the parent company’s financial statements is carried at the parent company’s equity in the underlying net assets.

ESSACOR, Inc. is a Pennsylvania corporation that is currently inactive. Pocono Investment Company is a Delaware corporation formed as an investment company subsidiary to hold and manage certain investments of the Bank, including certain intellectual property. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which in the opinion of management are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods and are of a normal and recurring nature. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2009.

2.	Earnings per Share

The following table sets forth the composition of the weighted-average common shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.


	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	June 30, 2009		June 30, 2008		June 30, 2009		June 30, 2008
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	16,980,900		16,980,900		16,980,900		16,980,900

Average treasury stock shares	(1,788,732	)	—		(1,185,292	)	—

Average unallocated ESOP shares	(1,249,170	)	(1,294,447	)	(1,260,531	)	(1,306,246	)

Average unearned non-vested shares	(492,146	)	(27,007	)	(501,430	)	(8,969	)

Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents used to calculate basic earnings per share	13,450,852		15,659,446		14,033,648		15,665,685

Additional common stock equivalents (non-vested stock) used to calculate diluted earnings per share	17,860		384,728		—		512,956
Additional common stock equivalents (stock options) used to calculate diluted earnings per share	—		2,462		—		59,920

Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents used to calculate diluted earnings per share	13,468,712		16,046,636		14,033,648		16,238,561

Options to purchase 1,458,379 shares of common stock outstanding as of the nine months ended June 30, 2009 at a price of $12.35 per share and 461,702 shares of common stock equivalents outstanding as of the nine months ended June 30, 2009 at a price of $12.35 per share were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because to do so would have been anti-dilutive. There were no options or common stock equivalents outstanding as of June 30, 2008 that were anti-dilutive.

3.	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The accounting principles followed by the Company and its subsidiaries and the methods of applying these principles conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and to general practice within the banking industry. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and related revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

4.	Comprehensive Income

The components of comprehensive income consist of unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities and the change in minimum pension liability. For the nine months ended June 30, 2009, this activity is shown under the heading Comprehensive Income as presented in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited). For the three months ended June 30, 2009 comprehensive income totaled $2.2 million. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 comprehensive income totaled $1.2 million and $5.7 million, respectively.

5.	Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R). This statement requires that employers measure plan assets and obligations as of the balance sheet date. This requirement is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. The other provisions of the statement were effective as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006, for public companies. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (“FAS 141(R)”), which establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in an acquiree, including the recognition and measurement of goodwill acquired in a business combination. FAS No. 141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51. FAS No. 160 amends ARB No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary, which is sometimes referred to as minority interest, is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. Among other requirements, this statement requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated income statement, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest. FAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 140-3, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions. This FSP concludes that a transferor and transferee should not separately account for a transfer of a financial asset and a related repurchase financing unless (a) the two transactions have a valid and distinct business or economic purpose for being entered into separately and (b) the repurchase financing does not result in the initial transferor regaining control over the financial asset. The FSP is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning on or after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this FSP is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No.157-2, Partial Deferral of the Effective Date of Statement 157, which deferred the effective date of FAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, to require enhanced disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities. The new standard has revised financial reporting for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring more transparency about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. FAS No. 161 requires disclosure of the fair values of derivative instruments and their gains and losses in a tabular format. It also requires entities to provide more information about their liquidity by requiring disclosure of derivative features that are credit risk-related. Further, it requires cross-referencing within footnotes to enable financial statement users to locate important information about derivative instruments. FAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP 142-3”). FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing assumptions about renewal or extension used in estimating the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. This standard is intended to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under FAS No. 141R and other GAAP. FSP 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The measurement provisions of this standard will apply only to intangible assets of the Company acquired after the effective date. The adoption of this FSP is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operation or financial position.

In June 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. EITF 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities, to clarify that instruments granted in share-based payment transactions can be participating securities prior to the requisite service having been rendered. A basic principle of the FSP is that unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and are to be included in the computation of EPS pursuant to the two-class method. The provisions of this FSP are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years. All prior-period EPS data presented (including interim financial statements, summaries of earnings, and selected financial data) are required to be adjusted retrospectively to conform with the provisions of the FSP. The adoption of this FSP is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 141(R)-1, Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies. This FSP requires companies acquiring contingent assets or assuming contingent liabilities in business combination to either (a) if the assets’ or liabilities’ fair value can be determined, recognize them at fair value, at the acquisition date, or (b) if the assets’ or liabilities’ fair value cannot be determined, but (i) it is probable that an asset existed or that a liability had been incurred at the acquisition date and (ii) the amount of the asset or liability can be reasonably estimated, recognize them at their estimated amount, at the acquisition date. If the fair value of these contingencies cannot be determined and they are not probable or cannot be reasonably estimated, then companies should not recognize these contingencies as of the acquisition date and instead should account for them in subsequent periods by following other applicable GAAP. This FSP also eliminates the FAS 141R requirement of disclosing in the footnotes to the financial statements the range of expected outcomes for a recognized contingency. This FSP shall be effective for assets or liabilities arising from contingencies in business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The adoption of this FSP is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly. This FSP relates to determining fair values when there is no active market or where the price inputs being used represent distressed sales. It reaffirms the need to use judgment to ascertain if a formerly active market has become inactive and in determining fair values when markets have become inactive. FSP No. FAS 157-4 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this FSP did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, which relates to fair value disclosures for any financial instruments that are not currently reflected on the balance sheet of companies at fair value. Prior to issuing this FSP, fair values for these assets and liabilities were only disclosed once a year. The FSP now requires these disclosures on a quarterly basis, providing qualitative and quantitative information about fair value estimates for all those financial instruments not measured on the balance sheet at fair value. FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company has presented the necessary disclosure in Note 7 herein.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, which provides additional guidance designed to create greater clarity and consistency in accounting for and presenting impairment losses on securities. FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 are effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In May 2009, the FASB issued FAS No. 165, Subsequent Events, which requires companies to evaluate events and transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the date the financial statements are issued, or available to be issued in the case of non-public entities. FAS No. 165 requires entities to recognize in the financial statements the effect of all events or transactions that provide additional evidence of conditions that existed at the balance sheet date, including the estimates inherent in the financial preparation process. Entities shall not recognize the impact of events or transactions that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the balance sheet date but arose after that date. FAS No. 165 also requires entities to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. FAS No. 165 was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted the provisions of FAS No. 165 for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, as required, and adoption did not have a material impact on Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In June 2009, the FASB issued FAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets. FAS No. 166 removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity (QSPE) from FAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities, and removes the exception from applying FIN 46(R). This statement also clarifies the requirements for isolation and limitations on portions of financial assets that are eligible for sale accounting. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In June 2009, the FASB issued FAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R). FAS 167, which amends FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, (FIN 46(R)), prescribes a qualitative model for identifying whether a company has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity (VIE) and eliminates the quantitative model prescribed by FIN 46(R). The new model identifies two primary characteristics of a controlling financial interest: (1) provides a company with the power to direct significant activities of the VIE, and (2) obligates a company to absorb losses of and/or provides rights to receive benefits from the VIE. FAS No. 167 requires a company to reassess on an ongoing basis whether it holds a controlling financial interest in a VIE. A company that holds a controlling financial interest is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and is required to consolidate the VIE. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In June 2009, the FASB issued FAS No. 168, The ‘FASB Accounting Standards Codification’ and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. FAS No. 168 establishes the FASB Accounting

Standards Codification (Codification), which was officially launched on July 1, 2009, and became the primary source of authoritative U.S. GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the authority of Federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The subsequent issuances of new standards will be in the form of Accounting Standards Updates that will be included in the Codification. FAS No. 168 is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. As such, the Company plans to adopt FAS No.168 in connection with its third quarter 2009 reporting. As the Codification is neither expected nor intended to change GAAP, the adoption of FAS No.168 will not have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.

In June 2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 08-4, Accounting for Convertible Securities with Beneficial Conversion Features or Contingently Adjusted Conversion Ratios. This Issue provides transition guidance for conforming changes made to EITF Issue No. 98-5, Accounting for Convertible Securities with Beneficial Conversion Features or Contingently Adjusted Conversion Ratios, that resulted from EITF Issue No. 00-27, Application of Issue No. 98-5 to Certain Convertible Instruments, and FAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liability and Equity. The conforming changes are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008, with earlier application permitted. The adoption of this FSP is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. APB 14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement. This FSP provides guidance on the accounting for certain types of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion. Additionally, this FSP specifies that issuers of such instruments should separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. The FSP is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this FSP is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

6.	Investment Securities

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale and held to maturity are summarized as follows (in thousands):


	June 30, 2009
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Available for Sale
Fannie Mae	$	69,902	$	1,027	$	(109	)	$	70,820
Freddie Mac		89,062		1,819		(48	)		90,833
Governmental National Mortgage Association securities		38,134		1,094		—			39,228

Total mortgage-backed securities		197,098		3,940		(157	)		200,881
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		7,169		182		(41	)		7,310
U.S. government agency securities		23,921		287		—			24,208

Total debt securities		228,188		4,409		(198	)		232,399
Equity securities		12		32		—			44

Total	$	228,200	$	4,441	$	(198	)	$	232,443


Held to Maturity
Fannie Mae	$	5,014	$	90	$	(1	)	$	5,103
Freddie Mac		2,709		59		(1	)		2,767

Total mortgage-backed securities		7,723		149		(2	)		7,870
U.S. government agency securities		2,000		6		—			2,006

Total	$	9,723	$	155	$	(2	)	$	9,876


	September 30, 2008
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Available for Sale
Fannie Mae	$	56,462	$	189	$	(515	)	$	56,136
Freddie Mac		77,700		269		(282	)		77,687
Governmental National Mortgage Association securities		14,037		113		(28	)		14,122

Total mortgage-backed securities		148,199		571		(825	)		147,945
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		7,171		104		(129	)		7,146
U.S. government agency securities		48,887		140		(136	)		48,891

Total debt securities		204,257		815		(1,090	)		203,982
Equity securities		79		17		—			96

Total	$	204,336	$	832	$	(1,090	)	$	204,078


Held to Maturity
Fannie Mae	$	6,179	$	25	$	(23	)	$	6,181
Freddie Mac		3,678		43		(1	)		3,720

Total mortgage-backed securities		9,857		68		(24	)		9,901
U.S. government agency securities		2,000		23		—			2,023

Total	$	11,857	$	91	$	(24	)	$	11,924

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at June 30, 2009, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties (in thousands):


	Available For Sale				Held To Maturity
	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	11,278	$	11,263	$	4,117	$	4,133
Due after one year through five years		18,646		18,913		1,262		1,287
Due after five years through ten years		24,318		24,407		2,547		2,626
Due after ten years		173,946		177,816		1,797		1,830

Total	$	228,188	$	232,399	$	9,723	$	9,876

For the nine months ended June 30, 2009 the Company realized a gross gain of $148,000 on the sale of $11.4 million of Fannie Mae and $4.5 million of Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities previously classified as available for sale. The Company had no sale of investment securities for the nine months ended June 30, 2008.

7.	Unrealized Losses on Securities

The following table shows the Company’s unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):


	June 30, 2009
		Less than Twelve Months					Twelve Months or Greater					Total
	Number of Securities	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
Fannie Mac	10	$	24,428	$	(110	)	$	—	$	—		$	24,428	$	(110	)
Freddie Mac	4		7,911		(48	)		39		(1	)		7,950		(49	)
Governmental National Mortgage Association securities	1		18		—			—		—			18		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	1		—		—			896		(41	)		896		(41	)
U.S. government agency securities	0		—		—			—		—			—		—

Total	16	$	32,357	$	(158	)	$	935	$	(42	)	$	33,292	$	(200	)


	September 30, 2008
		Less than Twelve Months					Twelve Months or Greater					Total
	Number of Securities	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
Fannie Mac	20	$	41,932	$	(538	)	$	—	$	—		$	41,932	$	(538	)
Freddie Mac	17		27,530		(257	)		940		(26	)		28,470		(283	)
Governmental National Mortgage Association securities	4		3,694		(28	)		—		—			3,694		(28	)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	6		4,076		(129	)		—		—			4,076		(129	)
U.S. government agency securities	5		18,260		(136	)		—		—			18,260		(136	)

Total	52	$	95,492	$	(1,088	)	$	940	$	(26	)	$	96,432	$	(1,114	)

The Company’s investment securities portfolio contains unrealized losses on securities, including mortgage-related instruments issued or backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government, or generally viewed as having the implied guarantee of the U.S. government, and debt obligations of a U.S. State or political subdivision.

The policy of the Company is to recognize an other-than-temporary impairment of equity securities where the fair value has been significantly below cost for four consecutive quarters. For fixed maturity investment with unrealized losses due to interest rates where the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow a market recovery, declines in value below cost are not assumed to be other than temporary. The Company reviews its position quarterly and has asserted that at June 30, 2009, the declines outlined in the above table represent temporary declines. The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is more likely than not that it will not have to sell the securities before recovery of their cost basis. However, the Company will continue to review its investment portfolio to determine whether any particular impairment is other than temporary. Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of June 30, 2009 represents an other-than-temporary impairment.

The Company has concluded that any impairment of its investment securities portfolio is not other than temporary but is the result of interest rate changes that are not expected to result in the noncollection of principal and interest during the period. However, as of June 30, 2009, the Company recognized a loss of $68,000 on equity securities that it deemed, through analysis of the security, to be other than a temporary loss. The loss is related to Fannie Mac perpetual preferred stock that the Company owns. Fannie Mae was placed into conservatorship by the U.S. Government on September 7, 2008.

8.	Fair Value Measurement

The Company adopted FAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements on October 1, 2008, which provides consistency and comparability in determining fair value measurements and provides for expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. The definition of fair value maintains the exchange price notion in earlier definitions of fair value but focuses on the exit price of the asset or liability. The exit price is the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability adjusted for certain inherent risks and restrictions. Expanded disclosures are also required about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities.

The following table presents information about the Company’s securities, other real estate owned and impaired loans measured at fair value as of June 30, 2009, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Bank to determine such fair value:


Fair Value Measurements Utilized for the Company’s Financial Assets (in thousands):	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Balances as of June 30, 2009
Securities available-for-sale measured on a recurring basis
Mortgage backed securities	$	—	$	200,881	$	—	$	200,881
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		—		7,310		—		7,310
U.S. government agencies		—		24,208		—		24,208
Equity securities		44		—		—		44

Total debt and equity securities	$	44	$	232,399	$	—	$	232,443
Other real estate owned	$	—	$	2,698	$	—	$	2,698
Impaired loans measured on a non-recurring basis	$	—	$	58	$	—	$	58

As required by FAS No. 157, each financial asset and liability must be identified as having been valued according to specified level of input, 1, 2 or 3. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Bank has the ability to access at the measurement date. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy, within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls, has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset.

The measurement of fair value should be consistent with one of the following valuation techniques: market approach, income approach, and/or cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities (including a business). For example, valuation techniques consistent with the market approach often use market multiples derived from a set of comparables. Multiples might lie in ranges with a different multiple for each comparable. The selection of where within the range the appropriate multiple falls requires judgment, considering factors specific to the measurement (qualitative and quantitative). Valuation techniques consistent with the market approach include matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique used principally to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on a security’s relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. Most of the securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quoted market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things. Securities reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs are limited to actively traded equity securities whose market price is readily available from the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ exchange. Other real estate owned (OREO) is measured at fair value, less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell. Income and expenses from operations and changes in valuation allowance are included in the net expenses from OREO. Impaired loans are reported at fair value utilizing level two inputs. For these loans, a review of the collateral is conducted and an appropriate allowance for loan losses is allocated to the loan. At June 30, 2009, two impaired loans with a carrying value of $162,000 were reduced by specific valuation allowance totaling $104,000 resulting in a net fair value of $58,000 based on Level 2 inputs.

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values presented represent the Company’s best estimate of fair value using the methodologies discussed below.


	June 30, 2009				September 30, 2008
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	10,425	$	10,425	$	12,614	$	12,614
Certificates of deposit		3,342		3,342		3,777		3,777
Investment and mortgage-backed securities:
Available for sale		232,443		232,443		204,078		204,078
Held to maturity		9,723		9,876		11,857		11,924
Loans receivable, net		736,765		748,593		706,890		699,943
Accrued interest receivable		4,450		4,450		4,726		4,726
FHLB stock		20,727		20,727		19,188		19,188
Mortgage servicing rights		303		303		156		156
Bank owned life insurance		14,931		14,931		14,516		14,516

Financial liabilities:
Deposits		401,239		404,310		370,529		373,253
Short-term borrowings		68,153		68,153		39,510		39,510
Other borrowings		386,507		401,527		373,247		380,394
Advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance		6,285		6,285		2,047		2,047
Accrued interest payable		1,681		1,681		1,670		1,670

Financial instruments are defined as cash, evidence of an ownership interest in an entity, or a contract which creates an obligation or right to receive or deliver cash or another financial instrument from/to a second entity on potentially favorable or unfavorable terms.

Fair value is defined as the amount at which a financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties other than in a forced or liquidation sale. If a quoted market price is available for a financial instrument, the fair value would be calculated based upon the market price per trading unit of the instrument.

If no readily available market exists, the fair value for financial instruments should be based upon management’s judgment regarding current economic conditions, interest rate risk, expected cash flows, future estimated losses, and other factors as determined through various option pricing formulas or simulation modeling.

As many of these assumptions result from judgments made by management based upon estimates which are inherently uncertain, the resulting values may not be indicative of the amount realizable in the sale of a particular financial instrument. In addition, changes in the assumptions on which the values are based may have a significant impact on the resulting estimated values.

As certain assets and liabilities, such as deferred tax assets, premises and equipment, and many other operational elements of the Bank, are not considered financial instruments but have value, this fair value of financial instruments would not represent the full market value of the Company.

The Company employed simulation modeling in determining the fair value of financial instruments for which quoted market prices were not available based upon the following assumptions:

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accrued Interest Receivable, Short-Term Borrowings, Advances by Borrowers for Taxes and Insurance, and Accrued Interest Payable

The fair value approximates the current book value.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The fair value is equal to the cash surrender value of the Bank-owned life insurance.

Investment and Mortgage-Backed Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity and FHLB Stock

The fair value of investment and mortgage-backed securities available for sale is equal to the available quoted market price. If no quoted market price is available, fair value is estimated using the quoted market price for similar securities. Since the FHLB stock is not actively traded on a secondary market and held exclusively by member financial institutions, the fair market value approximates the carrying amount.

Certificates of Deposit, Loans Receivable, Deposits, Other Borrowings, and Mortgage Servicing Rights

The fair values for loans and mortgage servicing rights are estimated by discounting contractual cash flows and adjusting for prepayment estimates. Discount rates are based upon market rates generally charged for such loans with similar characteristics. Demand, savings, and money market deposit accounts are valued at the amount payable on demand as of year end. Fair values for certificates of deposit, time deposits, and other borrowings are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies contractual costs currently being offered in the existing portfolio to current market rates being offered for deposits and borrowings of similar remaining maturities.

Commitments to Extend Credit

These financial instruments are generally not subject to sale, and fair values are not readily available. The carrying value, represented by the net deferred fee arising from the unrecognized commitment, and the fair value, determined by discounting the remaining contractual fee over the term of the commitment using fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements with similar credit risk, are not considered material for disclosure.

9.	Loans Receivable, Net and Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans receivable consist of the following (in thousands):


	June 30, 2009		September 30, 2008

Real Estate Loans:
Residential	$	605,311	$	572,038
Construction		4,644		8,254
Commercial		66,682		69,505
Commercial		16,856		11,987
Home equity loans and lines of credit		46,000		47,508
Other		2,804		3,059

		742,297		712,351
Less deferred loan fees		38		546

		742,259		711,805
Less allowance for loan losses		5,494		4,915

Net loans	$	736,765	$	706,890

The activity in the allowance for loan losses is summarized as follows (in thousands):


	Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2009			2008
Balance, beginning of period	$	4,915		$	4,206
Add
Provision charged to operations		1,125			450
Loan recoveries		2			1

		6,042			4,657
Less loans charged off		(548	)		(193	)


Balance, end of period	$	5,494		$	4,464

10.

Deposits

Deposits consist of the following major classifications (in thousands):


	June 30, 2009		September 30, 2008
Non-interest bearing demand accounts	$	25,148	$	24,862
NOW accounts		54,977		55,694
Money market accounts		106,123		74,807
Savings and club accounts		67,388		61,444
Certificates of deposit		147,603		153,722

Total	$	401,239	$	370,529

11.

Net Periodic Benefit Cost-Defined Benefit Plan

For a detailed disclosure on the Bank’s pension and employee benefits plans, please refer to Note 15 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended September 30, 2008 included in the Company’s Form 10-K.

The following table comprises the components of net periodic benefit cost for the periods ended (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended June 30,						Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008

Service Cost	$	90		$	129		$	270		$	387
Interest Cost		127			143			381			429
Expected return on plan assets		(127	)		(164	)		(381	)		(492	)
Amortization of prior service cost		2			2			6			6
Amortization of unrecognized loss		51			52			153			156

Net periodic benefit cost	$	143		$	162		$	429		$	486

The Bank contributed $1.6 million to its pension plan in 2009.

12.

Equity Incentive Plan

In May 2008, the Company implemented the ESSA Bancorp, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides for a total of 2,377,326 shares of common stock for issuance upon the grant or exercise of awards. Of the shares available under the Plan, 1,698,090 may be issued in connection with the exercise of stock options and 679,236 may be issued as restricted stock. The Plan allows for the granting of non-qualified stock options (“NSOs”), incentive stock options (“ISOs”), and restricted stock. Options are granted at no less than the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant.

On May 23, 2008, certain officers, employees and outside directors were granted in aggregate 1,140,469 NSOs; 317,910 ISOs; and 590,320 shares of restricted stock. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 123R Share-Based Payment, the Company began to expense the fair value of all share-based compensation grants over the requisite service periods.

In accordance with Securities Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 107, the Company classifies share-based compensation for employees and outside directors within “Compensation and employee benefits” in the consolidated statement of income to correspond with the same line item as compensation paid. Additionally, FAS No.123R requires the Company to report: (1) the expense associated with the grants as an adjustment to operating cash flows and (2) any benefits of realized tax deductions in excess of previously recognized tax benefits on compensation expense as a financing cash flow.

Stock options vest over a five-year service period and expire ten years after grant date. Management recognizes compensation expense for the fair values of these awards, which vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards.

Restricted shares vest over a five-year service period. The product of the number of shares granted and the grant date market price of the Company’s common stock determines the fair value of restricted shares under the Company’s restricted stock plan. Management recognizes compensation expense for the fair value of restricted shares on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

During the nine months ended June 30, 2009, the Company recorded $1.6 million of share-based compensation expense, comprised of stock option expense of $521,000 and restricted stock expense of $1.1 million. Expected future expense relating to the 1,166,703 non-vested options outstanding as of June 30, 2009, is $2.7 million over the remaining vesting period of 3.92 years. Expected future compensation expense relating to the 471,531 restricted shares at June 30, 2009, is $5.7 million over the remaining vesting period of 3.92 years.

The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for its option plan for the nine months ended June 30, 2009.


	Number of Stock Options	Weighted- average Exercise Price		Weighted- average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding, September 30, 2008	1,458,379	$	12.35	—	$	—
Granted	—		—	—		—
Exercised	—		—	—		—
Forfeited	—		—	—		—


Outstanding, June 30, 2009	1,458,379	$	12.35	8.92	$	1,925


Exercisable at June 30, 2009	291,676	$	12.35	8.92	$	385

The weighted average grant date fair value of the Company’s non-vested options as of June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 was $2.38.

The following is a summary of the status of the Company’s restricted stock as of June 30, 2009, and changes therein during the year then ended:


	Number of Restricted Stock		Weighted- average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at September 30, 2008	589,414		$	12.35
Granted	—			—
Vested	(117,883	)
Forfeited	—			—

Nonvested at June 30, 2009	471,531		$	12.35

13.

Subsequent Events

The Company assessed events occurring subsequent to June 30, 2009 through August 10, 2009 for potential recognition and disclosure in the consolidated financial statements. No events have occurred that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements which were issued on August 10, 2009.

Item 2.

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

Forward Looking Statements

This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of such words as estimate, project, believe, intend, anticipate, plan, seek, expect and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include:

•

statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;

•

statements regarding our business plans and prospects and growth and operating strategies;

•

statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and

•

estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.

By identifying these forward-looking statements for you in this manner, we are alerting you to the possibility that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A of this Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the following factors:

•

significantly increased competition among depository and other financial institutions;

•

inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments;

•

general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected;

•

adverse changes in the securities markets;

•

legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business;

•

our ability to enter new markets successfully and take advantage of growth opportunities, and the possible short-term dilutive effect of potential acquisitions or de novo branches, if any;

•

changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

•

changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies and the Financial Accounting Standards Board; and

•

changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans.

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

Comparison of Financial Condition at June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008

Total Assets. Total assets increased by $59.5 million, or 6.0%, to $1.05 billion at June 30, 2009 from $993.5 million at September 30, 2008. This increase was primarily due to increases in investment securities available for sale and net loans receivable.

Interest-Bearing Deposits with Other Institutions. Interest-bearing deposits with other institutions decreased $1.5 million, or 34.6%, to $2.8 million at June 30, 2009 from $4.2 million at September 30, 2008. The primary reason for the decrease was a decrease in the Company’s interest-bearing demand deposit account at FHLBank Pittsburgh of $1.5 million. This decrease was primarily the result of the Company’s use of cash to repurchase stock as part of its first stock repurchase program which was completed in early June 2009.

Investment Securities Available for Sale. Investment securities available for sale increased $28.4 million, or 13.9%, to $232.4 million at June 30, 2009 from $204.1 million at September 30, 2008. The increase was due primarily to an increase of $55.5 million in the Company’s portfolio of mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government sponsored agencies or entities and was offset in part by a $27.2 million decrease in the Company’s portfolio of United States government agency securities. The growth in the mortgage-backed securities portfolio was due to the reinvestment of the proceeds from United States government agency security maturities, the investment of approximately $20.0 million in mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government sponsored agencies or entities as part of a leverage strategy to take advantage of the steepening yield curve, and the partial reinvestment of the proceeds from the sale of $23.8 million of thirty year, fixed rate mortgage loans. During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, the Company sold $15.9 million of adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities that had interest rates scheduled to reset during the next twelve months. The proceeds from the sale were reinvested in shorter duration, fixed rate mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government sponsored agencies or entities.

Net Loans. Net loans increased $29.9 million, or 4.2%, to $736.8 million at June 30, 2009 from $706.9 million at September 30, 2008. Loan growth was primarily attributed to growth in residential real estate loans as a result of continued demand in our market area and recent declines in mortgage rates. During this period, residential loans outstanding increased by $33.3 million, net of the sale of $23.8 million of thirty year, fixed rate residential loans, to $605.3 million, and commercial loans outstanding increased by $4.9 million to $16.9 million. These increases were partially offset by decreases in home equity loans and lines of credit outstanding of $1.5 million to $46.0 million, other loans outstanding of $255,000 to $2.8 million, commercial real estate loans outstanding of $2.8 million to $66.7 million and construction loans outstanding of $3.6 million to $4.6 million.

Deposits. Deposits increased $30.7 million, or 8.3%, to $401.2 million at June 30, 2009 from $370.5 million at September 30, 2008. At June 30, 2009 compared to September 30, 2008, money market accounts increased $31.3 million to $106.1 million, non-interest bearing demand accounts increased $286,000 to $25.1 million and savings and club accounts increased $5.9 million to $67.4 million. These increases were offset in part during the same period by decreases in NOW accounts of $717,000 to $55.0 million and certificates of deposit of $6.1 million to $147.6 million. Included in the certificates of deposit at June 30, 2009 was a decrease of $3.9 million in brokered certificates of deposit to $7.0 million. The decline in brokered certificates was the result of the Company’s decision not to renew maturing certificates based on the cost of renewing those certificates compared to other available funding sources.

Borrowed Funds. Borrowed funds increased by $41.9 million, or 10.2%, to $454.7 million at June 30, 2009, from $412.8 million at September 30, 2008. The increase in borrowed funds was primarily due to the need to fund additional loan growth and to purchase investment securities.

Stockholders’ Equity. Stockholders’ equity decreased by $15.0 million, or 7.5%, to $185.1 million at June 30, 2009 from $200.1 million at September 30, 2008. This decrease was primarily the result of a stock repurchase program the Company began in June 2008. As of June 30, 2009, the Company had purchased 2,547,135 shares at an average price of $13.14 per share. Stock repurchases for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 totaled $23.5 million. This decrease was partially offset by net income of $5.1 million and increases in unrealized gains on available for sale securities, net of taxes of $3.0 million and allocation of shares held by the Bank’s ESOP of $463,000.

Average Balance Sheets for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008

The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. All average balances are daily average balances, the yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees and discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income.


	For the Three Months Ended June 30,
	2009								2008
	Average Balance			Interest Income/ Expense			Yield/ Cost		Average Balance			Interest Income/ Expense			Yield/ Cost
	(dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (1)	$	746,239		$	10,682		5.74	%	$	677,843		$	10,130		5.99	%
Investment securities
Taxable (2)		31,312			230		2.95	%		64,635			708		4.39	%
Exempt from federal income tax (2) (3)		7,324			83		6.89	%		7,370			83		6.84	%

Total investment securities		38,636			313		3.69	%		72,005			791		4.64	%
Mortgage-backed securities		188,762			2,237		4.75	%		162,674			1,966		4.85	%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		20,727			—		0.00	%		18,457			158		3.43	%
Other		2,388			1		0.17	%		11,384			59		2.08	%

Total interest-earning assets		996,752			13,233		5.34	%		942,363			13,104		5.60	%
Allowance for loan losses		(5,316	)							(4,441	)
Noninterest-earning assets		50,221								41,118

Total assets	$	1,041,657							$	979,040


Interest-bearing liabilities:
NOW accounts	$	55,357			12		0.09	%	$	56,175			9		0.06	%
Money market accounts		102,868			375		1.46	%		66,734			435		2.61	%
Savings and club accounts		65,013			69		0.43	%		64,077			66		0.41	%
Certificates of deposit		153,235			1,179		3.09	%		154,046			1,508		3.93	%
Borrowed funds		439,650			4,155		3.79	%		390,760			4,216		4.33	%

Total interest-bearing liabilities		816,123			5,790		2.85	%		731,792			6,234		3.42	%
Non-interest bearing NOW accounts		25,520								24,896
Noninterest-bearing liabilities		11,664								11,308

Total liabilities		853,307								767,996
Equity		188,350								211,044

Total liabilities and equity	$	1,041,657							$	979,040

Net interest income				$	7,443							$	6,870

Interest rate spread							2.49	%							2.18	%
Net interest-earning assets	$	180,629							$	210,571

Net interest margin (4)							3.00	%							2.92	%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities					122.13	%							128.77	%

(1)	Non-accruing loans are included in the outstanding loan balances.

(2)	Held to maturity securities are reported at amortized cost. Available for sale securities are reported at fair value.

(3)	Yields on tax exempt securities have been calculated on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 34%.

(4)	Represents the difference between interest earned and interest paid, divided by average total interest earning assets.


	For the Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2009								2008
	Average Balance			Interest Income/ Expense			Yield/ Cost		Average Balance			Interest Income/ Expense			Yield/ Cost
	(dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (1)	$	732,134		$	31,806		5.81	%	$	654,987		$	29,797		6.06	%
Investment securities
Taxable (2)		37,427			963		3.44	%		77,357			2,715		4.68	%
Exempt from federal income tax (2) (3)		7,156			247		6.99	%		7,375			248		6.79	%

Total investment securities		44,583			1,210		4.01	%		84,732			2,963		4.86	%
Mortgage-backed securities		179,683			6,602		4.91	%		142,567			5,299		4.95	%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		20,338			112		0.74	%		17,427			605		4.62	%
Other		6,289			9		0.19	%		9,283			220		3.16	%

Total interest-earning assets		983,027			39,739		5.42	%		908,996			38,884		5.72	%
Allowance for loan losses		(4,999	)							(4,369	)
Noninterest-earning assets		47,508								42,241

Total assets	$	1,025,536							$	946,868


Interest-bearing liabilities:
NOW accounts	$	54,135			33		0.08	%	$	54,567			29		0.07	%
Money market accounts		90,466			1,253		1.85	%		53,275			1,218		3.05	%
Savings and club accounts		62,371			200		0.43	%		62,869			210		0.44	%
Certificates of deposit		155,627			3,908		3.36	%		174,978			5,697		4.34	%
Borrowed funds		435,141			12,699		3.90	%		358,527			12,285		4.56	%

Total interest-bearing liabilities		797,740			18,093		3.03	%		704,216			19,439		3.68	%
Non-interest bearing NOW accounts		24,229								24,000
Noninterest-bearing liabilities		10,552								9,511

Total liabilities		832,521								737,727
Equity		193,015								209,141

Total liabilities and equity	$	1,025,536							$	946,868

Net interest income				$	21,646							$	19,445

Interest rate spread							2.39	%							2.04	%
Net interest-earning assets	$	185,287							$	204,780

Net interest margin (4)							2.94	%							2.85	%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities					123.23	%							129.08	%

(5)	Non-accruing loans are included in the outstanding loan balances.

(6)	Held to maturity securities are reported at amortized cost. Available for sale securities are reported at fair value.

(7)	Yields on tax exempt securities have been calculated on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 34%.

(8)	Represents the difference between interest earned and interest paid, divided by average total interest earning assets.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008

Net Income. Net income decreased $225,000, or 11.4%, to $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to net income of $2.0 million for the comparable period in 2008. The net income of $1.7 million for the three months ending June 30, 2009 included several transactions that, viewed individually, had a significant impact on the Company’s quarterly earnings. In response to continued low interest rates on residential mortgage loans the Company sold $23.8 million of its thirty year, fixed rate residential mortgage loans. The sales resulted in a pre-tax gain of $372,000 during the quarter. The proceeds from the sales were reinvested in shorter duration mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government sponsored agencies or entities and additional loan production. The Company also sold $15.9 million of adjustable rate mortgage backed securities that had interest rates scheduled to reset in the next twelve months. The sale resulted in a pre-tax gain of $148,000 during the quarter. The proceeds from the sale were reinvested in fixed rate, shorter duration mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government sponsored agencies or entities. Also during the quarter the Company recorded a pre-tax other than temporary impairment (OTTI) charge of $68,000. The charge was for the remaining value of the Company’s investment in Fannie Mae preferred stock which had been previously written down during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. Finally, in addition to its regular assessment increase, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) issued a special assessment to all FDIC insured banks to replenish reserves depleted by bank failures during the previous two years. This assessment totaled $400,000. Collectively, these transactions increased earnings for the quarter by $52,000 before income taxes. Offsetting this increase and an increase in net interest income of $573,000 were increases in the provision for loan losses of $225,000, decreases in non-interest income, net of gains and OTTI charges of $115,000 and increases in non-interest expense, net of the FDIC special assessment of $572,000.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $573,000 or 8.3%, to $7.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 from $6.9 million for the comparable period in 2008. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of 31 basis points in the Company’s interest rate spread to 2.49% for the three months ended June 30, 2009, from 2.18% for the comparable period in 2008, which was offset in part by a decrease in average net earning assets of $29.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to average net earning assets for the comparable period in 2008.

Interest Income. Interest income increased $129,000 or 1.0%, to $13.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 from $13.1 million for the comparable 2008 period. The increase resulted primarily from a $54.4 million increase in average interest-earning assets, partially offset by a 26 basis point decrease in average yield on interest earning assets. The average yield on interest earning assets was 5.34% for the three months ended June 30, 2009, as compared to 5.60% for the comparable 2008 period. Loans increased on average $68.4 million between the two periods along with increases in the average balance of mortgage backed securities of $26.1 million. In addition, average Federal Home Loan Bank stock increased $2.3 million. These increases were offset in part by decreases in the average balances of investment securities of $33.4 million and average other interest earning assets of $9.0 million. The primary reason for the increase in mortgage backed securities was the partial reinvestment of loan sale proceeds, borrowing proceeds and maturing investment proceeds into these assets. Average Federal Home Loan Bank stock increased as a result of the Bank’s increase in borrowings from the FHLBank Pittsburgh. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, the Bank maintains an investment in the capital stock of the FHLBank Pittsburgh in an amount not less than 70 basis points of the outstanding unused FHLB borrowing capacity or 1/20 of its outstanding FHLB borrowings, whichever is greater, as calculated throughout the year. On December 23, 2008, the FHLBank Pittsburgh notified its members, including the Company, that it was suspending the payment of dividends on its capital stock and the repurchase of excess capital stock until further notice.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $444,000 or 7.1%, to $5.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 from $6.2 million for the comparable 2008 period. The decrease resulted from a 57 basis point decrease in the overall cost of interest bearing liabilities to 2.85% for the three months ended June 30, 2009 from 3.42% for the comparable 2008 period, partially offset by an $84.3 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities. Average interest bearing deposits increased $35.4 million and average borrowed funds increased $48.9

million. Average interest bearing deposits increased primarily as a result of a $36.1 million increase in average money market accounts offset, in part, by decreases in average certificates of deposit and NOW accounts.

Provision for Loan Losses. In evaluating the level of the allowance for loan losses, management considers historical loss experience, the types of loans and the amount of loans in the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, peer group information and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are subject to interpretation and revision as more information becomes available or as future events occur. After an evaluation of these factors, and after considering the growth in the Company’s loan portfolio, management made a provision for loan losses of $375,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to $150,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2008. The allowance for loan losses was $5.5 million, or 0.74% of loans outstanding, at June 30, 2009, compared to $4.5 million, or 0.65% of loans outstanding at June 30, 2008.

Non-interest Income. Non-interest income increased $337,000 or 23.9%, to $1.7 million from $1.4 million for the comparable period in 2008. The primary reasons for the increase were gains on the sale of residential mortgage loans of $372,000 and gains on the sale of investment securities of $148,000 which were partially offset by decreases in service charges on deposit accounts of $83,000 and impairment losses on investment securities of $68,000. The primary reason for the decrease in service fees on deposit accounts was a decrease of $50,000 in non-sufficient funds income.

Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $972,000, or 18.3%, to $6.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 from $5.3 million for the comparable period in 2008. The primary reasons for the increase were increases in compensation and employee benefits of $467,000, and FDIC premiums expense of $446,000. Compensation and employee benefits increased primarily as a result of an increase of $347,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009, related to the Company’s equity incentive plan. As previously announced, the Company’s stockholders approved the ESSA Bancorp, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 8, 2008. Awards granted under the Equity Incentive Plan were made on May 23, 2008. FDIC premiums expense increased primarily as a result of a special assessment of $400,000 along with increases in the quarterly regular FDIC assessment.

Income Taxes. Income tax expense decreased $62,000, or 7.3%, to $787,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009 from $849,000 for the comparable 2008 period. The decrease was primarily a result of the decrease in income before taxes of $287,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The effective tax rate was 31.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2009, compared to 30.2% for the 2008 period.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008

Net Income. Net income decreased $209,000, or 3.9%, to $5.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 compared to net income of $5.3 million for the comparable period in 2008. The net income of $5.1 million for the nine months ending June 30, 2009 included a one time tax benefit of $317,000 related to the Company’s other than temporary impairment (OTTI) charge taken in the previous fiscal year. The OTTI charge related to Fannie Mae perpetual preferred stock held in the Company’s available for sale securities portfolio. The 2009 period also included an increase of $2.2 million in net interest income and net gains of $372,000 from the sale of residential mortgage loans and $148,000 from the sale of investment securities. These increases to net income were more than offset by an increase in the provision for loan losses of $675,000, a decrease in non-interest income, net of gains and OTTI charges of $316,000 and an increase in non-interest expense of $2.4 million.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $2.2 million or 11.3%, to $21.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 from $19.4 million for the comparable period in 2008. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of 35 basis points in the Company’s interest rate spread to 2.39% for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, from 2.04% for the comparable period in 2008, which was offset in part by a decrease in average net earning assets of $19.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to average net earning assets for the comparable period in 2008.

Interest Income. Interest income increased $855,000 or 2.2%, to $39.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 from $38.9 million for the comparable 2008 period. The increase resulted primarily from a $74.0 million increase in average interest-earning assets, partially offset by a 30 basis point decrease in average yield on interest earning assets. The average yield on interest earning assets was 5.42% for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, as compared to 5.72% for the comparable 2008 period. Loans increased on average $77.1 million between the two periods along with increases in the average balance of mortgage backed securities of $37.1 million. In addition, average Federal Home Loan Bank stock increased $2.9 million. These increases were offset in part by a decrease in the average balances of investment securities of $40.1 million and average other interest earning assets of $3.0 million. The primary reason for the increase in mortgage backed securities was the partial reinvestment of loan sale proceeds, borrowing proceeds and maturing investment proceeds into these assets. Average Federal Home Loan Bank stock increased as a result of the Bank’s increase in borrowings from the FHLBank Pittsburgh. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, the Bank maintains an investment in the capital stock of the FHLBank Pittsburgh in an amount not less than 70 basis points of the outstanding unused FHLB borrowing capacity or 1/20 of its outstanding FHLB borrowings, whichever is greater, as calculated throughout the year. On December 23, 2008, the FHLBank Pittsburgh notified its members, including the Company, that it was suspending the payment of dividends on its capital stock and the repurchase of excess capital stock until further notice.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $1.3 million, or 6.9%, to $18.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 from $19.4 million for the comparable 2008 period. The decrease resulted from a 65 basis point decrease in the overall cost of interest bearing liabilities to 3.03% for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 from 3.68% for the comparable 2008 period, partially offset by a $93.5 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities. Average interest bearing deposits increased $16.9 million and average borrowed funds increased $76.6 million. Average interest bearing deposits increased primarily as a result of an increase of $37.1 million in average money market accounts offset, in part, by a $19.4 million decrease in average certificates of deposit.

Provision for Loan Losses. In evaluating the level of the allowance for loan losses, management considers historical loss experience, the types of loans and the amount of loans in the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, peer group information and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are subject to interpretation and revision as more information becomes available or as future events occur. After an evaluation of these factors, and after considering the growth in the Company’s loan portfolio, management made a provision for loan losses of $1.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to $450,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2008. The allowance for loan losses was $5.5 million, or 0.74% of loans outstanding, at December 31, 2008, compared to $4.5 million, or 0.65% of loans outstanding at June 30, 2008.

Non-interest Income. Non-interest income increased $136,000 or 3.2%, to $4.3 million from $4.2 million for the comparable period in 2008. The primary reasons for the increase were net gains on the sale of residential mortgage loans of $372,000 and net gains on the sale of investment securities of $148,000, partially offset by declines in service fees on deposit accounts of $250,000, and impairment loss on securities of $68,000. The primary reasons for the decline in service fees on deposit accounts were decreases in non-sufficient fund income of $148,000 and other processing fee income of $48,000.

Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $2.5 million, or 15.5%, to $18.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 from $15.5 million for the comparable period in 2008. The primary reasons for the increase were increases in compensation and employee benefits of $1.6 million, and deposit insurance premiums of $509,000. Compensation and employee benefits increased primarily as a result of an increase of $1.4 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, related to the Company’s equity incentive plan. As previously announced, the Company’s stockholders approved the ESSA Bancorp, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 8, 2008. Awards granted under the Equity Incentive Plan were made on May 23, 2008. FDIC premiums increased primarily as a result of a special assessment of $400,000 along with increases in the quarterly regular FDIC assessment.

Income Taxes. Income tax expense decreased $542,000, or 23.2%, to $1.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 from $2.3 million for the comparable 2008 period. The decrease was primarily a result of a one-time tax benefit of $317,000 related to the Company’s other than temporary impairment (OTTI) charge taken in the previous year. The OTTI charge related to Fannie Mae perpetual preferred stock held in the Company’s available for sale portfolio. The effective tax rate was 26.0% for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, compared to 30.5% for the 2008 period.

Non-Performing Assets

The following table provides information with respect to the Bank’s non-performing assets at the dates indicated. (Dollars in thousands)


	June 30, 2009			September 30, 2008
Non-performing assets:
Non-accruing loans	$	3,457		$	3,938
Troubled debt restructures		590			—
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more		9			—

Total non-performing loans		4,056			3,938
Real estate owned		2,698			31

Total non-performing assets	$	6,754		$	3,969

Ratio of non-performing loans to total loans		0.55	%		0.55	%

Ratio of non-performing loans to total assets		0.39	%		0.40	%

Ratio of non-performing assets to total assets		0.64	%		0.40	%

Loans are reviewed on a regular basis and are placed on non-accrual status when they become more than 90 days delinquent. When loans are placed on non-accrual status, unpaid accrued interest is fully reserved, and further income is recognized only to the extent received. Non-performing assets increased $2.8 million to $6.8 million at June 30, 2009 from $4.0 million at September 30, 2008. Non-performing loans increased $118,000 to $4.1 million at June 30, 2009 from $3.9 million at September 30, 2008. The $4.1 million of non-performing loans included 19 residential mortgage loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $3.6 million, four commercial loans with aggregate outstanding balances of $377,000, and three consumer loans with aggregate balances of $110,000. In addition, two loans totaling $162,000 were judged by management to be impaired at June 30, 2009. Specific reserves set aside for these impaired loans amounted to $104,000 at June 30, 2009.

Real estate owned is primarily made up of what was three related commercial real estate loans totaling $2.5 million which were written down to $2.1 million. The property is being actively marketed and additional losses may occur.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We maintain liquid assets at levels we consider adequate to meet both our short-term and long-term liquidity needs. We adjust our liquidity levels to fund deposit outflows, repay our borrowings and to fund loan commitments. We also adjust liquidity as appropriate to meet asset and liability management objectives.

Our primary sources of liquidity are deposits, prepayment and repayment of loans and mortgage-backed securities, maturities of investment securities and other short-term investments, and earnings and funds provided from operations, as well as access to FHLBank advances and other borrowing sources. While scheduled principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and rates offered by our competition. We set the interest rates on our deposits to maintain a desired level of total deposits.

A portion of our liquidity consists of cash and cash equivalents and borrowings, which are a product of our operating, investing and financing activities. At June 30, 2009, $10.4 million of our assets were invested in cash

and cash equivalents. Our primary sources of cash are principal repayments on loans, proceeds from the maturities of investment securities, principal repayments of mortgage-backed securities and increases in deposit accounts. Short-term investment securities (maturing in one year or less) totaled $15.4 million at June 30, 2009. As of June 30, 2009, we had $374.7 million in borrowings outstanding from FHLBank Pittsburgh, $65.0 million in borrowings through repurchase agreements with other financial institutions, and $15.0 in borrowings outstanding at the Federal Reserve Bank. We have access to additional FHLBank advances of up to approximately $201.7 million.

At June 30, 2009, we had $51.1 million in loan commitments outstanding, which included, in part, $11.7 million in undisbursed construction loans, $22.8 million in unused home equity lines of credit, $4.1 million in commercial lines of credit and $8.1 million to originate primarily multi-family and nonresidential mortgage loans. Certificates of deposit due within one year of June 30, 2009 totaled $91.6 million, or 61.7% of certificates of deposit. If these maturing deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including other certificates of deposit and borrowings. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit due on or before June 30, 2010. We believe, however, based on past experience that a significant portion of our certificates of deposit will remain with us. We have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.

As reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, our cash flows are classified for financial reporting purposes as operating, investing or financing cash flows. Net cash provided by operating activities was $6.8 million and $8.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These amounts differ from our net income because of a variety of cash receipts and disbursements that did not affect net income for the respective periods. Net cash used in investing activities was $59.6 million and $72.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, principally reflecting our loan and investment security activities. Deposit and borrowing cash flows have comprised most of our financing activities which resulted in net cash provided of $50.7 million and $67.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Critical Accounting Policies

We consider accounting policies that require management to exercise significant judgment or discretion or make significant assumptions that have, or could have, a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income, to be critical accounting policies. We consider the following to be our critical accounting policies:

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is the estimated amount considered necessary to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance is established through the provision for loan losses which is charged against income. In determining the allowance for loan losses, management makes significant estimates and has identified this policy as one of our most critical. The methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy by management due to the high degree of judgment involved, the subjectivity of the assumptions utilized and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the recorded allowance for loan losses.

As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans and discounted cash flow valuations of properties are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisals and discounted cash flow valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals and discounted cash flow valuations are carefully reviewed by management to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the related loans.

Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Consideration is given to a variety of factors in establishing this estimate including, but not limited to, current economic conditions, delinquency statistics, geographic and industry concentrations, the adequacy of the

underlying collateral, the financial strength of the borrower, results of internal and external loan reviews and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision based on changes in economic and real estate market conditions.

The analysis of the allowance for loan losses has two components: specific and general allocations. Specific allocations are made for loans that are determined to be impaired. Impairment is measured by determining the present value of expected future cash flows or, for collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of the collateral adjusted for market conditions and selling expenses. The general allocation is determined by segregating the remaining loans by type of loan, risk weighting (if applicable) and payment history. We also analyze historical loss experience, delinquency trends, general economic conditions and geographic and industry concentrations. This analysis establishes factors that are applied to the loan groups to determine the amount of the general allocations. Actual loan losses may be significantly more than the allowance for loan losses we have established which could have a material negative effect on our financial results.

Deferred Income Taxes. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance is established. We consider the determination of this valuation allowance to be a critical accounting policy because of the need to exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets, including projections of future taxable income. These judgments and estimates are reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets may be required if the amount of taxes recoverable through loss carryback declines, or if we project lower levels of future taxable income. Such a valuation allowance would be established through a charge to income tax expense which would adversely affect our operating results. At June 30, 2009 the Company had a $2.6 million reserve established against its deferred tax asset. The tax deduction generated by the contribution to the Foundation as part of the Company’s stock offering exceeded the allowable federal income tax deduction limitations resulting in the establishment of this valuation allowance for the contribution carry forward.

Other-than-Temporary Investment Security Impairment. Securities are evaluated periodically to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. Management utilizes criteria such as the magnitude and duration of the decline, in addition to the reasons underlying the decline, to determine whether the loss in value is other-than-temporary. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospect for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the value of the security is reduced and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized.

Fair Value Measurement. Under SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, we group our assets at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

•

Level 1 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

•

Level 2 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

•

Level 3 – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset.

Under SFAS No. 157, we base our fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy in SFAS No. 157. Fair value measurements for most of our assets are obtained from independent pricing services that we have engaged for this purpose. When available, we, or our independent pricing service, use quoted market prices to measure fair value. If market prices are not available, fair value measurement is based upon models that incorporate available trade, bid and other market information. Subsequently, all of our financial instruments use either of the foregoing methodologies to determine fair value adjustments recorded to our financial statements. In certain cases, however, when market observable inputs for model-based valuation techniques may not be readily available, we are required to make judgments about assumptions market participants would use in estimating the fair value of financial instruments. The degree of management judgment involved in determining the fair value of a financial instrument is dependent upon the availability of quoted market prices or observable market parameters. For financial instruments that trade actively and have quoted market prices or observable market parameters, there is minimal subjectivity involved in measuring fair value. When observable market prices and parameters are not fully available, management judgment is necessary to estimate fair value. In addition, changes in the market conditions may reduce the availability of quoted prices or observable data. When market data is not available, we use valuation techniques requiring more management judgment to estimate the appropriate fair value measurement. Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset. Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, that could significantly affect the results of current or future valuations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements (as such term is defined in applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contractual Obligations

During the first nine months of fiscal 2009, the Company’s contractual obligations have not changed materially from those discussed in the Company’s Financial Statements for the year ended September 30, 2008. In addition, however, the Company purchased land in Mountainhome, Pennsylvania in May, 2009. The Company intends to construct its fourteenth full service branch on this site in the near future.

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Consequently, our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. Our assets, consisting primarily of mortgage loans, have longer maturities than our liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits and borrowings. As a result, a principal part of our business strategy is to manage interest rate risk and reduce the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has approved guidelines for managing the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives. Senior management monitors the level of interest rate risk on a regular basis and the asset/liability committee meets quarterly to review our asset/liability policies and interest rate risk position.

We have sought to manage our interest rate risk in order to minimize the exposure of our earnings and capital to changes in interest rates. The net proceeds from the offering increased our capital and provided management with greater flexibility to manage our interest rate risk. In particular, management used the majority of the capital we received to increase our interest-earning assets. There have been no material changes in our interest rate risk since September 30, 2008. However, in view of the significant decline in long term mortgage rates since November, 2008, attributable primarily to U.S. Government intervention in the mortgage market, the Company decided that is would be prudent to reduce its portfolio of longer term, fixed rate loans through a one time restructuring. Consequently, in May, 2009, the Company sold $19.1 million of its residential mortgage loans

to Freddie Mac. The proceeds from the sale were invested in shorter duration, fixed rate mortgage-backed securities issued by United State government sponsored entities or agencies. On a selective basis, the Company has also begun selling its current production of thirty year, fixed rate residential loans. During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, the Company sold $4.6 million of these loans. The proceeds from these loan sales were reinvested in additional loan production.

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

There were no significant changes made in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or in other factors that could significantly affect the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Part II – Other Information

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these legal actions is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

There were no material changes in the “Risk Factors” disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 on Form 10-K filed on December 12, 2008 except as discussed below.

In addition to the other information contained this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the following risk factor represents a material update and addition to the risk factor previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional risks not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Further, to the extent that any of the information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitutes forward-looking statements, the risk factor set forth below also is a cautionary statement identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us.

Any Future FDIC Insurance Premiums Will Adversely Impact Our Earnings.

On May 22, 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule levying a five basis point special assessment on each insured depository institution’s assets minus Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009. The special assessment is capped at ten basis points of an institution’s domestic deposits. The special assessment is payable on September 30, 2009. We recorded an expense of $400,000 during the quarter ended June 30, 2009, to reflect the special assessment. The final rule permits the FDIC’s Board of Directors to levy up to two additional special assessments of up to five basis points each during 2009 if the FDIC estimates that the Deposit Insurance Fund reserve ratio will fall to a level that the FDIC’s Board of Directors believes would adversely affect public confidence or to a level that will be close to or below zero. The FDIC has publicly announced that it is probable that it will levy an additional special assessment of up to five basis points later in 2009, the amount and timing of which are currently uncertain.

Any further special assessments that the FDIC levies will be recorded as an expense during the appropriate period. In addition, the FDIC materially increased the general assessment rate and, therefore, our FDIC general insurance premium expense will increase substantially compared to prior periods.

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s share repurchases during the quarter ended June 30, 2009.

Company Purchases of Common Stock


Period	Total number of shares purchased	Average price paid per share		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs	Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
April 1- April 30, 2009	235,900	$	13.66	235,900	225,176
May 1 – May 31, 2009	116,341		13.60	116,341	108,835
June 1 – June 30, 2009	108,835		13.99	108,835	—

Total	461,076	$	13.72	461,076

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

During the period covered by this report, the Company did not submit any matters to a vote of security holders.

Item 5.

Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6.

Exhibits

The following exhibits are either filed as part of this report or are incorporated herein by reference:


3.1		Charter of ESSA Bancorp, Inc.*
3.2		Bylaws of ESSA Bancorp, Inc.*
4		Form of Common Stock Certificate of ESSA Bancorp, Inc.*
10.1		Form of Employee Stock Ownership Plan*
10.2		Form of Employment Agreement for Chief Executive Officer*
10.3		Form of Employment Agreement for Executive Officers*
10.4		Form of Change in Control Agreement*
10.5		(Reserved)
10.6		Supplemental Retirement Plan for Gary S. Olson *
10.7		Supplemental Retirement Plan for Robert S. Howes, Jr.*
10.8		Supplemental Retirement Plan for Diane K. Reimer*
10.9		Supplemental Retirement Plan for Thomas J. Grayuski*
31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32		Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

*	Filed as exhibits to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, and any amendments thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Registration No. 333-139157).

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.


				ESSA BANCORP, INC.

Date: August 10, 2009				/s/ Gary S. Olson
				Gary S. Olson
				President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: August 10, 2009				/s/ Allan A. Muto
				Allan A. Muto
				Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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