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PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP. - Quarter Report: 2005 March (Form 10-Q)

First Quarter 2005 10Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 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 March 31, 2005 or
( ) Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from

No. 0-23863
(Commission File Number)

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Pennsylvania     23-2391852
(State of Incorporation)    (IRS Employer ID Number)

50 Main Street      
Hallstead, PA      18822
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)  (Zip Code)

(570) 879-2175
(Registrant’s Telephone Number)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No____

Number of shares outstanding as of March 31, 2005

COMMON STOCK ($2 Par Value)        3,151,414
--------------------------         -------------------
 (Title of Class)        (Outstanding Shares)










 

1


 
PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2005

 
Contents
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
Page No.
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets    
3
 
as of March 31, 2005 (Unaudited)
 
and December 31, 2004 (Audited) 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income 
4
 
(Unaudited) for the Three-Months
 
Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’
5
 
Equity (Unaudited) for the Three-Months
 
Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
6
 
(Unaudited) for the Three-Months
 
Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
7 - 9
 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of    
9 - 18
 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
   
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures  
19
  About Market Risk
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures   
19
 
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings    
20 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 
20
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities 
20
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
20 
Item 5. Other Information   
20 
Item 6. Exhibits          
21
Signatures  
22
Certifications      
24 - 27
     

 

2


PART I  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) and December 31, 2004
(In thousands, except share data)
         
ASSETS:
 
Mar 2005
 
Dec 2004
 
    Cash and due from banks
 
$
5,028
 
$
5,903
 
    Interest bearing deposits in other banks
   
91
   
102
 
    Federal funds sold
   
3,975
   
0
 
         Cash and cash equivalents
   
9,094
   
6,005
 
    Securities available for sale
   
111,574
   
113,598
 
    Loans
   
247,838
   
244,814
 
  Allowance for loan loss
   
(2,695
)
 
(2,739
)
    Loans, net
   
245,143
   
242,075
 
    Bank premises and equipment, net
   
5,418
   
4,904
 
    Accrued interest receivable
   
1,948
   
1,987
 
    Intangible assets
   
1,827
   
1,892
 
    Other assets
   
9,338
   
8,914
 
        Total assets
 
$
384,342
 
$
379,375
 
LIABILITIES:
   
   
 
    Deposits:
   
   
 
        Non-interest bearing
 
$
40,963
 
$
42,999
 
        Interest bearing
   
239,474
   
231,776
 
        Total deposits
   
280,437
   
274,775
 
    Accrued interest payable
   
616
   
550
 
    Short-term borrowings
   
9,790
   
14,614
 
    Long-term borrowings
   
50,800
   
46,034
 
    Other liabilities
   
862
   
1,048
 
        Total liabilities
   
342,505
   
337,021
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   
   
 
Common stock, par value $2 per share; authorized 12,500,000 shares; issued 3,341,251 shares; outstanding 3,151,414 shares and 3,155,801 shares at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively
   
6,683
   
6,683
 
    Surplus
   
2,846
   
2,821
 
    Retained earnings
   
36,339
   
35,665
 
    Accumulated other comprehensive income(loss)
   
(395
)
 
618
 
    Treasury stock at cost
   
(3,636
)
 
(3,433
)
        Total stockholders' equity
   
41,837
   
42,354
 
        Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
384,342
 
$
379,375
 



See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)


(In thousands, except per share data)
 
                Three-Months Ended
 
       
March 31,2005
 
March 31, 2004
 
INTEREST INCOME:
                   
    Loans receivable, including fees
       
$
3,841
 
$
3,737
 
    Securities:
         
   
 
        Taxable
         
781
   
821
 
        Tax exempt
         
377
   
414
 
    Other
         
8
   
1
 
    Total interest income
         
5,007
   
4,973
 
INTEREST EXPENSE:
         
   
 
    Deposits
         
1,222
   
1,219
 
    Short-term borrowings
         
53
   
29
 
    Long-term borrowings
         
600
   
514
 
    Total interest expense
   
   
1,875
   
1,762
 
        Net interest income
         
3,132
   
3,211
 
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
         
0
   
159
 
    Net interest income after provision for loan losses
   
   
3,132
   
3,052
 
OTHER INCOME:
         
   
 
    Customer service fees
         
398
   
343
 
    Other income
         
214
   
219
 
    Net realized gains on sales of securities available for sale
         
25
   
55
 
Total other income
   
   
637
   
617
 
OTHER EXPENSES:
         
   
 
    Salaries and employee benefits
         
1,064
   
991
 
    Occupancy
         
143
   
137
 
    Equipment
         
93
   
78
 
    FDIC insurance and assessments
         
35
   
35
 
    Professional fees and outside services
         
124
   
65
 
    Computer services and supplies
         
169
   
138
 
    Taxes, other than payroll and income
         
88
   
96
 
    Other
         
452
   
434
 
    Total non-interest expense
   
   
2,168
   
1,974
 
        Income before income taxes
         
1,601
   
1,695
 
INCOME TAXES
         
327
   
398
 
Net income
       
$
1,274
 
$
1,297
 
Net income per share, basic
       
$
0.40
 
$
0.41
 
Net income per share, diluted
       
$
0.40
 
$
0.41
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4



PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE THREE-MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2005 AND 2004


 (In thousands)
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Surplus
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income(Loss)
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total
 
Balance, December 31, 2004
 
$
6,683
 
$
2,821
 
$
35,665
 
$
618
 
$
(3,433
)
$
42,354
 
Comprehensive Income
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
    Net Income
   
0
   
0
   
1,274
   
0
   
0
   
1,274
 
Net change in unrealized 
  gains  (losses) on securities 
  available for sale, net of
  reclassification adjustment and
  taxes
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
(1,013
)
 
0
   
(1,013
)
Total comprehensive income
   
   
   
   
   
   
261
 
Cash dividends, ($0.19 per share)
   
0
   
0
   
(600
)
 
0
   
0
   
(600
)
Treasury stock purchase (6,200 shares)
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
(219
)
 
(219
)
Treasury stock issued for dividend 
  reinvestment plan and stock option plan
  (1,813 shares)
   
0
   
25
   
0
   
0
   
16
   
41
 
 Balance, March 31, 2005
 
$
6,683
 
$
2,846
 
$
36,339
 
$
(395
)
$
(3,636
)
$
41,837
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Balance, December 31, 2003
 
$
6,683
 
$
2,618
 
$
33,523
 
$
995
 
$
(2,743
)
$
41,076
 
Comprehensive income
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
        Net income
   
0
   
0
   
1,297
   
0
   
0
   
1,297
 
Net change in unrealized gains
  (losses) on securities available
  for sale, net of reclassification 
  adjustment and taxes
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
840
   
0
   
840
 
   Total comprehensive income
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
2,137
 
Cash dividends, ($0.36 per share)
   
0
   
0
   
(1,140
)
 
0
   
0
   
(1,140
)
Treasury stock issued for dividend
  reinvestment plan and stock option plan
  (4,629 shares)
   
0
   
48
   
0
   
0
   
41
   
89
 
 Balance, March 31, 2004
 
$
6,683
 
$
2,666
 
$
33,680
 
$
1,835
 
$
(2,702
)
$
42,162
 





See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)
 
            Three-Months Ended
 
 
     
March 31, 2005
 
March 31, 2004
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
 
 
         
Net Income
       
$
1,274
 
$
1,297
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                   
Depreciation and amortization
         
178
   
156
 
Provision for loan losses
         
0
   
159
 
Amortization of securities' premiums and accretion of discounts
         
138
   
116
 
(Gains) on sales of investment securities, net
         
(25
)
 
(55
)
Proceeds from the sale of mortgage loans
         
228
   
724
 
Net gain on sale of loans
         
(5
)
 
(3
)
Loans originated for sale
         
(223
)
 
(721
)
Net earnings on investment in life insurance
         
(67
)
 
(50
)
Decrease in accrued interest receivable
         
39
   
110
 
(Increase) decrease in other assets
         
205
   
(166
)
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable
         
66
   
(16
)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
         
(186
)
 
267
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
         
1,622
   
1,818
 
Cash Flows from investing activities
         
   
 
Proceeds from sale of available for sale securities
         
3,511
   
12,951
 
Proceeds from maturities of available for sale securities
         
851
   
1,245
 
Purchase of available for sale securities
         
(5,038
)
 
(9,284
)
Principal payments on mortgage-backed securities
         
1,054
   
2,141
 
Net increase in loans
         
(3,231
)
 
(4,033
)
Purchase of premises and equipment
         
(627
)
 
(155
)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate
         
121
   
0
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
         
(3,359
)
 
2,865
 
Cash flows from financing activities
         
   
 
Cash dividends paid
         
(600
)
 
(570
)
Increase (decrease) in deposits
         
5,662
   
(1,627
)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
         
5,000
   
0
 
Repayment of long-term borrowings
         
(234
)
 
(227
)
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
         
(4,824
)
 
1,342
 
Purchase of treasury stock
         
(219
)
 
0
 
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock
         
41
   
89
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
         
4,826
   
(993
)
Net increase in cash/cash equivalents
         
3,089
   
3,690
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
   
   
6,005
   
6,056
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
       
$
9,094
 
$
9,746
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash paid
         
   
 
Interest paid
       
$
1,809
 
$
1,779
 
Income taxes paid
       
$
0
 
$
0
 
Non-cash investing and financing activities
         
   
 
Transfers from loans to real estate through foreclosure
       
$
163
 
$
289
 
Dividends declared, not paid
       
$
0
 
$
570
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
6



NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Peoples Financial Services Corp. (the “Corporation” or the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Peoples National Bank (the “Bank”). All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal, recurring nature. Operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year-ended December 31, 2005. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year-ended December 31, 2004.

NOTE 2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:


    
   
           Three-months Ended
 
       
March 31
2005
 
March 31
2004
 
    Net income applicable to common stock 
       
$
1,274,000
 
$
1,297,000
 
    Weighted average common shares outstanding 
         
3,154,152
   
3,167,275
 
    Effect of dilutive securities, stock options  
         
19,321
   
22,769
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted
  earnings  per share
       
$
3,173,473
 
$
3,190,044
 
 
    Basic earnings per share     
       
$
.40
 
$
.41
 
    Diluted earnings per share     
       
$
.40
 
$
.41
 


 

7



NOTE 3. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The components of other comprehensive income and related tax effects for the three-months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:

 (In thousands)
 
         Three-Months Ended
 
       
March 31, 2005
 
March 31, 2004
 
    Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available for sale securities  
       
$
(1,508
)
$
$1,328
 
    Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized in net income
         
25
   
55
 
Net unrealized gains (losses)       
   
   
(1,533
)
 
1,273
 
    Tax effect       
         
520
   
433
 
    Other comprehensive income (loss)     
       
$
(1,013
)
$
840
 
                     


NOTE 4. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Accordingly, no compensation costs have been recognized for options granted in 2005 and 2004. Had compensation costs for stock options granted been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under the plan consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income and earnings per share, for the quarter-ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, would have been reduced to the proforma amounts indicated below:

    
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
          Three-Months Ended
 
       
March 31, 2005
 
March 31, 2004
 
    Net income as reported
       
$
1,274
 
$
1,297
 
Total stock-based compensation cost, net of tax, which would have been included 
   in the determination of net income if the fair value based method had been applied
   to all awards.
         
(2
)
 
(1
)
    Pro forma net income
       
$
1,272
 
$
1,296
 
    Basic earnings per share:
                   
    As reported
       
$
.40
 
$
.41
 
    Pro forma
       
$
.40
 
$
.41
 
    Diluted earnings per share:
                   
    As reported
       
$
.40
 
$
.41
 
    Pro forma
       
$
.40
 
$
.41
 




8



NOTE 5. GUARANTEES

The Company does not issue any guarantees that would require liability recognition or disclosure, other than standby letters of credit. Outstanding letters of credit written are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company had $1,736,000 of standby letters of credit as of March 31, 2005. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

The majority of these standby letters of credit expire within the next twelve months. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending other loan commitments. The Company requires collateral supporting these letters of credit as deemed necessary. The maximum undiscounted exposure related to these commitments at March 31, 2005 was $1,736,000, and the approximate value of underlying collateral upon liquidation that would be expected to cover this maximum potential exposure was $960,000. The current amount of the liability as of March 31, 2005 for guarantees under standby letters of credit issued after December 31, 2004 is not material.
 
NOTE 6. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.” Statement No. 123(R) replaces Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” Statement No. 123(R) requires compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. Public companies are required to adopt the new standard using a modified prospective method and may elect to restate prior periods using the modified retrospective method. The Bank will not elect to use the modified retrospective method. Under the modified prospective method, companies are required to record compensation cost for new and modified awards over the related vesting period of such awards prospectively and record compensation cost prospectively for the unvested portion, at the date of adoption, of previously issued and outstanding awards over the remaining vesting period of such awards. No change to prior periods presented is permitted under the modified prospective method.
 
On April 14, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted a new rule that amends the compliance dates for Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”). Under the new rule, the Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) in the first annual period beginning after (June 15, 2005 for non SB issuers, first annual period beginning after December 15, 2005 for SB issuers).  The Company estimates that total stock-based compensation expense, net of related tax effects, will increase by $3,000 for the year-ending December 31, 2006.
 
In March 2005, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB No. 107”), “Share-Based Payment”, providing guidance on option valuation methods, the accounting for income tax effects of share-based payment arrangements upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), and the disclosures in MD&A subsequent to the adoption. The Company will provide SAB No. 107 required disclosures upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006.
 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation is presented to provide insight into management’s assessment of financial results. The Corporation’s only subsidiary, Peoples National Bank, provides financial services to individuals and businesses within the Bank’s primary market area made up of Susquehanna, Wyoming and Northern Lackawanna Counties in Pennsylvania, and Broome County in New York. The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and subject to regulation, supervision, and examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

9

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Except for historical information, this Report may be deemed to contain “forward looking” information. Examples of forward looking information may include, but are not limited to, (a) projections of or statements regarding future earnings, interest income, other income, earnings or loss per share, asset mix and quality, growth prospects, capital structure and other financial terms, (b) statements of plans and objectives of management or the Board of Directors, (c) statements of future economic performance, and (d) statements of assumptions, such as economic conditions in the market areas served by the Corporation and the Bank, underlying other statements and statements about the Corporation and the Bank or their respective businesses. Such forward looking information can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “intends,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” or the negative of any of the foregoing or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussion of strategy. No assurance can be given that the future results covered by the forward looking information will be achieved. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking information. Important factors that could impact operating results include, but are not limited to, (i) the effects of changing economic conditions in both the market areas served by the Corporation and the Bank and nationally, (ii) credit risks of commercial, real estate, consumer and other lending activities, (iii) significant changes in interest rates, (iv) changes in federal and state banking laws and regulations which could affect operations, (v) funding costs, and (vi) other external developments which could materially affect business and operations.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Disclosure of the Company’s significant accounting policies is included in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year-ended December 31, 2004. Some of these policies are particularly sensitive requiring significant judgments, estimates and assumptions to be made by Management. Additional information is contained on page 17 of this report for the provision and allowance for loan losses.

OVERVIEW

Net income for the quarter decreased 1.77% to $1.274 million as compared to $1.297 million for the first quarter of 2004. Diluted earnings per share decreased 2.44% to $ .40 per share for the first quarter of 2005 from $ .41 per share in the first quarter of 2004. At March 31, 2005, the Company had total assets of $384.342 million, total net loans of $245.143 million, and total deposits of $280.437 million.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

At March 31, 2005, cash, federal funds sold, and deposits with other banks totaled $9.094 million as compared to $6.005 million on December 31, 2004. The increase over the first three months of 2005 has been due to the increase in federal funds sold which had a balance of $0 at the end of 2004 and now has a balance of $3.975 million.

10

Management believes the liquidity needs of the Corporation are satisfied by the current balance of cash and cash equivalents, readily available access to traditional funding sources, and the portion of the investment and loan portfolios that mature within one year.   The current sources of funds will enable the Corporation to meet all its cash obligations as they come due.

Investments:

Investments totaled $111.574 million on March 31, 2005, decreasing by $2.024 million from the December 31, 2004 total of $113.598 million.

The total investment portfolio is held as available for sale. This strategy was implemented in 1995 to provide more flexibility in using the investment portfolio for liquidity purposes as well as providing more flexibility in selling when market opportunities occur.

Investments available for sale are accounted for at fair value with unrealized gains or losses net of deferred income taxes, reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The carrying value of investments as of March 31, 2005 included an unrealized loss of $598 thousand reflected as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of $(395) thousand in stockholders’ equity, net of deferred income taxes of $203 thousand. This compares to an unrealized gain of $936 thousand at December 31, 2004 reflected as accumulated other comprehensive income of $618 thousand, net of deferred income taxes of $318 thousand.
 
Management monitors the earnings performance and effectiveness of liquidity of the investment portfolio on a monthly basis through the Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”). The ALCO also reviews and manages interest rate risk for the Corporation. Through active balance sheet management and analysis of the investment securities portfolio, the Corporation maintains sufficient liquidity to satisfy depositor requirements and various credit needs of its customers.

Loans:

Net loans increased $3.068 million or 1.27% to $245.143 million as of March 31, 2005 from $242.075 million as of December 31, 2004. Of the loan growth experienced in the first quarter of 2004, commercial loans increased $1.726 million or 1.44% to $121.367 million as of March 31, 2005 compared to $119.641 million as of December 31, 2004, and real estate mortgage loans increased $1.706 million or 1.60% to $108.160 million as of March 31, 2005, compared to $106.454 million as of December 31, 2004.

Increasing the loan to deposit ratio is a goal of the Bank, but loan quality is always considered in this effort. Management has continued its efforts to create good underwriting standards for both commercial and consumer credit. The Bank’s lending continues to consist primarily of retail lending which includes single family residential mortgages and other consumer lending. Most commercial lending is done primarily with locally owned small businesses.

The collective increase in earning assets (federal funds sold, investments, and loans) is the product of the increase in deposits discussed further in the deposits section of this document.


11


Other Assets:

Other Assets increased $424 thousand or 4.76% to $9.338 million as of March 31, 2005 from $8.914 million as of December 31, 2004. The largest portion of the increase in other assets was due to the pre-payment of Pennsylvania shares tax for 2005. The balance in this account was $225 thousand as of March 31, 2005 compared to a $0 balance as of December 31, 2004.

Deposits:

Deposits are attracted from within the Bank’s primary market area through the offering of various deposit instruments including NOW accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and IRA’s. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2005, total deposits increased by $5.662 million or 12.00% to $280.437 million.

Borrowings:

The Bank utilizes borrowings as a source of funds for its asset/liability management. Advances are available from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) provided certain standards related to credit worthiness have been met. Repurchase and term agreements are also available from the FHLB.

Total short-term borrowings at March 31, 2005 were $9.790 million as compared to $14.614 million as of December 31, 2004, a decrease of $4.824 million or 33.01%. Long-term borrowings were $50.800 million as of March 31, 2005 compared to $46.034 million as of December 31, 2004 an increase of $4.766 million or 10.35%. The decrease in short-term borrowings was directly related to the increase in long-term borrowings as the Bank moved to lock in at historically low long-term borrowing rates.

Capital:

The adequacy of the Corporation’s capital is reviewed on an ongoing basis with reference to the size, composition and quality of the Corporation’s resources and regulatory guidelines. Management seeks to maintain a level of capital sufficient to support existing assets and anticipated asset growth, maintain favorable access to capital markets, and preserve high quality credit ratings. As of March 31, 2005 regulatory capital to total assets was 10.70% as compared to 10.57% on December 31, 2004. The Company repurchases its stock in the open market or from individuals as warranted to leverage the capital account and to provide stock for a dividend reinvestment plan. In the three-months ended March 31, 2005 the Company purchased 6,200 shares for the treasury at a total cost of $219,000.

The Corporation has complied with the standards of capital adequacy mandated by the banking regulators. The bank regulators have established “risk-based” capital requirements designed to measure capital adequacy. Risk-based capital ratios reflect the relative risks of various assets the banks hold in their portfolios. A weight category of either 0% (lowest risk asset), 20%, 50%, or 100% (highest risk assets) is assigned to each asset on the balance sheet. Capital is being maintained in compliance with risk-based capital guidelines. The Company’s Tier 1 capital to risk weighted asset ratio was 15.00% and the total capital ratio to risk weighted assets ratio was 16.00% at March 31, 2005. The Corporation is deemed to be well-capitalized under regulatory standards.



12


Liquidity:

Liquidity measures an organization’s ability to meet cash obligations as they come due. The consolidated statement of cash flows presented in the accompanying financial statements included in Part I of this Form 10Q provide analysis of the Corporation’s cash and cash equivalents. Additionally, management considers that portion of the loan and investment portfolio that matures within one year as part of the Corporation’s liquid assets.

The ALCO addresses the liquidity needs of the Bank to see that sufficient funds are available to meet credit demands and deposit withdrawals, as well as to the placement of available funds in the investment portfolio. In assessing liquidity requirements, equal consideration is given to the current position as well as the future outlook.
 
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
(In thousands)
 
March 31, 2005
 
   
Maturity or Repricing In:
 
 
     
Less than 1 year
 
1-3 Years
 
4-5 Years
 
Over 5 years
 
Total
 
Time Deposits
       
$
48,026
 
$
48,093
 
$
9,525
 
$
1,981
 
$
107,625
 
Long-term Debt
         
7,500
   
9,299
   
1,501
   
32,500
   
50,800
 
Operating Leases
         
64
   
136
   
77
   
499
   
776
 
         
$
55,590
 
$
57,528
 
$
11,103
 
$
34,980
 
$
159,201
 


Off Balance Sheet Arrangements:

The Company’s financial statements do not reflect various commitments that are made in the normal course of business, which may involve some liquidity risk. These commitments consist primarily of commitments to grant new loans, unfunded commitments of existing loans and letters of credit made under the same standards as on-balance sheet instruments. Unused commitments on March 31, 2005 totaled $27.512 million, which consisted of $21.705 million in unfunded commitments of existing loans, $4.071 million to grant new loans and $1.736 thousand in letters of credit. Due to fixed maturity dates and specified conditions within these instruments, many will expire without being drawn upon. Management believes that amounts actually drawn upon can be funded in the normal course of operations and therefore, do not represent a significant liquidity risk to the Company.

Interest Rate Sensitivity:

The management of interest rate sensitivity seeks to avoid fluctuating net interest margins and to provide consistent net interest income through periods of changing interest rates.

The Company’s risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments, or market risk, is composed primarily of interest rate risk. The primary objective of the Company’s asset/liability management activities is to maximize net interest income while maintaining acceptable levels of interest rate risk. The Company’s ALCO is responsible for establishing policies to limit exposure to interest rate risk, and to ensure procedures are established to monitor compliance with those policies. The guidelines established by ALCO are reviewed by the Company’s Board of Directors.

13

The tools used to monitor sensitivity are the Statement of Interest Sensitivity Gap and the interest rate shock analysis. The Bank uses a software model to measure and to keep track. In addition, an outside source does a quarterly analysis to make sure our internal analysis is current and correct. The statement of Interest Sensitivity Gap is a good assessment of current position and is a very useful tool for the ALCO in performing its job. This report is monitored in an effort to “match” maturities or repricing opportunities of assets and liabilities, in order to attain the maximum interest within risk tolerance policy guidelines. The statement does, although, have inherent limitations in that certain assets and liabilities may react to changes in interest rates in different ways, with some categories reacting in advance of changes and some lagging behind the changes. In addition, there are estimates used in determining the actual propensity to change of certain items such as deposits without maturities.

The following table sets forth the Company’s interest sensitivity analysis as of March 31, 2005:

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITYANALYSIS

(In thousands)
 
Maturity or Repricing In:
 
 
     
3 Months
 
3-6 Months
 
6-12 Months
 
1-5 Years
 
Over 5 Years
 
RATE SENSITIVE ASSETS
         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
       
$
42,426
 
$
15,769
 
$
29,567
 
$
122,397
 
$
34,984
 
Securities
         
10,526
   
7,375
   
7,466
   
53,999
   
32,208
 
Federal funds sold
         
3,975
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Total rate sensitive assets
         
56,927
   
23,144
   
37,033
   
176,396
   
67,192
 
Cumulative rate sensitive assets
       
$
56,927
 
$
80,071
 
$
117,104
 
$
293,500
 
$
360,692
 
RATE SENSITIVE LIABILITIES
         
   
   
   
   
 
Interest bearing checking
       
$
735
 
$
735
 
$
1,470
 
$
11,757
 
$
9,798
 
Money market deposits
         
1,058
   
1,058
   
2,117
   
16,934
   
14,112
 
Regular savings
         
2,629
   
2,148
   
4,295
   
34,365
   
28,638
 
CDs and IRAs
         
14,461
   
13,233
   
20,333
   
57,617
   
1,981
 
Short-term borrowings
         
9,790
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Long-term borrowings
         
2,500
   
0
   
5,000
   
10,800
   
32,500
 
Total rate sensitive liabilities
         
31,173
   
17,174
   
33,215
   
131,473
   
87,029
 
Cumulative rate sensitive liabilities
       
$
31,173
 
$
48,347
 
$
81,562
 
$
213,035
 
$
300,064
 
 
         
   
   
   
   
 
Period gap
       
$
25,754
 
$
5,970
 
$
3,818
 
$
44,923
 
$
(19,837
)
Cumulative gap
       
$
25,754
 
$
31,724
 
$
35,542
 
$
80,465
 
$
60,628
 
Cumulative RSA to RSL
         
182.62
%
 
165.62
%
 
143.58
%
 
137.77
%
 
120.21
%
Cumulative gap to total assets
         
6.70
%
 
8.25
%
 
9.25
%
 
20.94
%
 
15.77
%




14

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Interest Income:

For the three-months ended March 31, 2005 total interest income increased by $34 thousand, or .68%, to $5.007 million as compared to $4.973 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2004. This increase was primarily due to the increase in average earning assets. Average earning assets increased to $359.120 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2005 as compared to $352.351 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2004. The yield on earning assets remained stable for the three-months ended March 31, 2005 at 5.65% as compared to 5.68% for the three-months ended March 31, 2004.

Total interest expense increased by $113 thousand, or 6.41% to $1.875 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2005 from $1.762 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2004. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in the cost of funds, which increased to 2.58% as compared to 2.43% for the first three months of 2004. Average interest-bearing liabilities also increased to $294.637 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2005 as compared to $291.242 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2004.

Net interest income increased by $80 thousand, or 2.62%, to $3.132 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2005 from $3.052 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2004. The Bank’s net interest spread decreased to 3.07% for the first three months of 2005 from 3.24% for the first three months of 2004. The net interest margin decreased to 3.54% from 3.67% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.


 
15


Below is the table which sets forth average balances and corresponding yields for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2005, and March 31, 2004: 
 
Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity;
Interest Rates and Interest Differential

   
March 2005
   
March 2004
 
(In thousands)
 
Average
Balance
 
 
Interest
 
Yield/Rate
   
Average
Balance
 
Interest
 
Yield/Rate
 
ASSETS
           
Loans
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real estate
$
108,794
$
1,742
 
6.49
%
$
108,040
$
1,778
 
6.62
%
Installment
 
17,663
 
281
 
6.45
%
 
17,659
 
294
 
6.70
%
Commercial
 
100,666
 
1,619
 
6.52
%
 
99,490
 
1,537
 
6.21
%
Tax exempt
 
18,969
 
186
 
3.98
%
 
12,131
 
117
 
3.88
%
Other loans
 
611
 
13
 
8.63
%
 
709
 
11
 
6.24
%
Total loans
 
246,703
 
3,841
 
6.31
%
 
238,029
 
3,737
 
6.31
%
Investment securities (AFS)
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
 
73,045
 
781
 
4.34
%
 
74,476
 
821
 
4.43
%
Non-taxable
 
38,217
 
377
 
4.00
%
 
39,470
 
414
 
4.22
%
Total securities
 
111,262
 
1,158
 
4.22
%
 
113,946
 
1,235
 
4.36
%
Fed funds sold
 
1,155
 
8
 
2.81
%
 
376
 
1
 
1.07
%
Total earning assets
 
359,120
 
5,007
 
5.65
%
 
352,351
 
4,973
 
5.68
%
Less: allowance for loan losses
 
(2,730)
 
 
 
 
   
(2,060)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
 
5,833
 
 
 
 
   
6,265
 
 
 
 
 
Premises and equipment, net
 
5,173
 
 
 
 
   
4,455
 
 
 
 
 
Other assets
 
11,921
 
 
 
 
   
9,728
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
379,317
 
 
 
 
 
$
370,739
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing demand
$
23,068
$
35
 
0.62
%
$
23,869
$
42
 
0.71
%
Regular savings
 
68,652
 
223
 
1.32
%
 
60,870
 
148
 
0.98
%
Money market savings
 
35,821
 
162
 
1.83
%
 
40,145
 
138
 
1.38
%
Time
 
106,654
 
802
 
3.05
%
 
115,321
 
891
 
3.11
%
Total interest bearing deposits
 
234,195
 
1,222
 
2.12
%
 
240,205
 
1,219
 
2.04
%
Other borrowings
 
60,442
 
653
 
4.38
%
 
51,037
 
543
 
4.28
%
Total interest bearing
 
294,637
 
1,875
 
2.58
%
 
291,242
 
1,762
 
2.43
%
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
 
 
 
3,132
 
3.07
%
 
 
 
3,211
 
3.24
%
Non-interest bearing
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demand deposits
 
41,297
 
 
 
 
   
37,248
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued expenses and
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
 
1,413
 
 
 
 
   
1,541
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity
 
41,970
 
 
 
 
   
40,708
 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity
$
379,317
 
 
 
 
 
$
370,739
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income/earning assets
 
 
 
 
 
5.65
%
 
 
 
 
 
5.68
%
Interest expense/earning assets
 
 
 
 
 
2.12
%
 
 
 
 
 
2.01
%
Net interest margin
 
 
 
 
 
3.54
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.67
%
 

16



Provision for Loan Loss:

The provision for loan loss for the three-months ended March 31, 2005 was $0, a decrease of $159,000 from $159,000 for the same period in 2004. Slower loan growth for the first quarter of 2005, as well as a decrease in past due loans, are the reasons that a loan loss provision was not necessary in the first quarter of 2005. One of the Bank’s main goals is to increase the loan to deposit ratio without jeopardizing loan quality. To reach its goal, management has continued its efforts to create strong underwriting standards for both commercial and consumer credit. The Bank’s lending consists primarily of retail lending which includes single family residential mortgages and other consumer lending and commercial lending primarily to locally owned small businesses.

In the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 charge-offs totaled $50,000 while net charge-offs totaled $44,000 as compared to $379,000 and $366,000, respectively for the same three-month period in 2004.

Monthly, senior management uses a detailed analysis of the loan portfolio to determine loan loss reserve adequacy. The process considers all “problem loans” including classified, criticized, and monitored loans. Prior loan loss history and current market trends, both nationally and locally, are taken into consideration. A watch list of potential problem loans is maintained and monitored on a monthly basis by the Board of Directors. The Bank has not had nor presently have any foreign loans. Based upon this analysis, senior management has concluded that the allowance of loan loss is adequate.

Other Income:

Other income was $214 thousand for the three-months ended March 31, 2005, a decrease of $5 thousand, or 2.28% over the comparable period in 2004.

Service charges and fees increased 16.03%, or $55 thousand, to $398 thousand in the first quarter of 2005, from $343 thousand in the first quarter of 2004. The increase in service charges and fees is due to net overdraft fees which were $269 thousand for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 compared to $217 thousand for the comparable period in 2004, an increase of $52 thousand, or 23.96%. Increases in overdraft fees were expected by the Bank for the first quarter of 2005 when compared to the same period in 2004, due to the overdraft privilege program entered into in the second quarter of 2004. The realization of additional fee income from the program was experienced in the first quarter of 2005 while the program had not yet been implemented in the first quarter of 2004.

Gains on security sales were $25 thousand for the three-months ended March 31, 2005 compared to $55 thousand for the comparable period in 2004, a decrease of $30 thousand, or 54.55%.

 

17



Other Operating Expenses:

Total other expenses increased 9.83%, or $194 thousand, to $2.168 million during the three-months ended March 31, 2005 compared to $1.974 million for the comparable period in 2004.

Salaries and benefits increased 7.37%, or $73 thousand, to $1.064 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2005 compared to $991 thousand for the same period in 2004 due to normal pay increases and increased staff. The full-time equivalent number of employees was 106 as of March 31, 2005 compared to 97 as of March 31, 2004 due to the addition of branch staff for the first quarter of 2005, when compared to the same period in 2004. The Company hired branch staff in the first quarter of 2005 for the scheduled second quarter openings of two new branch locations in Broome County, New York.

Professional fees and outside services increased $59 thousand, or 90.77% in the three-months ended March 31, 2005 to $124 thousand, compared to $65 thousand for the same three-month period ended March 31, 2004. Increases for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 were due to costs associated with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance in the amount of $21,000; compliance audit services of $9,000; as well as various consulting and legal services amounting to $22,000, which were not incurred in the same three-month period ended March 31, 2004.

Computer services and supplies increased $31 thousand, or 22.46% for the three-months ended March 31, 2005, to $169 thousand, compared to $138 thousand for the comparable period in 2004. This increase was due to increased costs associated with maintenance agreements for various computer equipment utilized in the operation of the Bank and costs associated with the personal computer network and on-line teller system installed by the Bank in 2004 for which the impact of those additional costs would not have been felt in the three-month period ended March 31, 2004.

All other operating expenses increased $31 thousand, or 3.97%, to $811 thousand in the first quarter of 2005 compared to $780 thousand for the same period in 2004. The increase in all other operating expense categories, which include occupancy, equipment, non-income/non-payroll associated taxes, and other standard operating expenses, is deemed to be insignificant under normal circumstances.

Income Tax Provision:

The Corporation recorded an income tax provision of $327 thousand, or 20.42% of income, and $398 thousand, or 23.48% of income, for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate is due to increased tax-exempt loan interest income.

 

18



Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Federal Reserve has now raised the overnight fed funds rate seven times since June of 2004 in 25 basis point increments. As of March 31, 2005, the Bank is currently showing sensitivity to downward rate shift scenarios. The results of the latest financial simulation follow. The simulation shows a possible increase in net interest income of 8.22%, or $1,047,000, in a +200 basis point rate shock scenario over a one-year period. A decrease of 11.82% or $1,506,000 is shown in the model at a -200 basis point rate shock. The net interest income risk position of the Bank remains within the guidelines established by the Bank’s asset/liability policy. The Bank continuously monitors its rate sensitivity.

Equity value at risk is monitored regularly and is also within established policy limits. Please refer to the Annual Report on Form 10K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for December 31, 2004, for further discussion of this matter.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

The Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of March 31, 2005. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to any material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC filings.

(b) Changes in internal controls.

There were no changes made in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Although as stated above, we have not made any significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting in the most recent fiscal quarter, based on our documentation and testing to date, we have made improvements in the documentation, design and effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting, including the purchase of internal control software that allows upper management to view reports and to understand the risks and controls within the entire organization or specific areas of the organization. These reports provide up to date information at all times.



19


 

PART II OTHER INFORMAITON

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The nature of the Company’s business generates a certain amount of litigation involving matters arising out of the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, there are no legal proceedings that might have a material effect on the results of operations, liquidity, or the financial position of the Company at this time.

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

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF COMMON STOCK

 
 
 
MONTH
 
 
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 (1)
 
January 1, 2005 - January 31, 2005
   
0
 
$
0
   
0
   
122,874
 
February 1, 2005 - February 28, 2005
   
200
 
$
35.25
   
0
   
122,674
 
March 1, 2005 - March 31, 2005
   
6,000
 
$
35.25
   
0
   
116,674
 
TOTAL
   
6,200
 
$
35.25
   
0
   
 
                           
(1) On December 27,1995, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 187,500 shares of the Corporation's common stock from shareholders.
On July 2, 2001, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 5%, or 158,931 shares of the Corporation's common stock outstanding.
Neither repurchase program stipulated an expiration date.

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

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

None.

Item 5. Other Information

None.




20






Item 6. Exhibits

(a)
Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
 
(3.1)
Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Financial Services Corp.,*
 
(3.2)
Bylaws of Peoples Financial Services Corp.,**
 
(10.1)
Agreement dated January 14, 1997, between John W. Ord and Peoples Financial Services Corp.,*
 
(10.2)
Excess Benefit Plan dated January 14, 1992, for John W. Ord,*
 
(10.4)
Termination Agreement dated January 1, 1997, between Debra E. Dissinger and Peoples Financial Services Corp.,*
 
(10.5)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement, dated December 3, 2004, for John W. Ord,***
 
(10.6)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement, dated December 3, 2004, for Debra E. Dissinger,***
 
(10.7)
Supplemental Director Retirement Plan Agreement, dated December 3, 2004, for all Non-Employee Directors of the Company,***
 
(11)
The statement regarding computation of per share earnings required by this exhibit is contained in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements captioned “Earnings Per Share” filed as part of Item 1 of this report,
 
(21)
Subsidiaries of Peoples Financial Services Corp.,*
 
(31.1)
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a),
 
(31.2)
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a),
 
(32.1)
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 1350 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
 
(32.2)
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
*
Incorporated by reference to the Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form 10 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 1998.
   
**
Incorporated by reference to the Corporation’s Exhibit 3.2 on Form 10Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on November 8, 2004.
   
***
Incorporated by reference to the Corporation’s Exhibits 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 on Form 10K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2005.

 

21



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.

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.



By/s/Debra E. Dissinger
Debra E. Dissinger, Executive Vice President/COO



By/s/Frederick J. Malloy
Frederick J. Malloy, AVP/Controller







22


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Item number
Description
Page
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
24
31.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer
25
32.1
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Section 1350
26
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
32.2
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Section 1350
27
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer
 










23


 
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 81 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

I, John W. Ord, certify that:
 
1.  
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form l0Q of Peoples Financial Services Corp.;

2.  
Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)  
designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
 
 
b)  
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 
c)  
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 
d)  
disclosed in the annual report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 

5.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)  
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)  
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
By/s/ John W. Ord
   Chief Executive Officer and President

Date: May 10, 2005
 

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Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 81 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

I, Debra E. Dissinger, certify that:
 
1.  
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form l0Q of Peoples Financial Services Corp.;

2.  
Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)  
designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 
b)  
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
 
c)  
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 
d)  
disclosed in the annual report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 

5.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)  
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)  
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.



By/s/ Debra E. Dissinger
   Executive Vice President

Date:  May 10, 2005
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Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADDED BY
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10Q of Peoples Financial Services Corp. (the "Company") for the period ended March 31, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, John W. Ord, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as added by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. To my knowledge, the information contained in the Report fairly represents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of and for the period covered by the Report.




By/s/John W. Ord
         Chief Executive Officer & President  
 
Date: May 10, 2005



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Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADDED BY
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10Q of Peoples Financial Services Corp. (the "Company") for the period ended March 31, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, Debra E. Dissinger, Executive Vice President of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as added by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. To my knowledge, the information contained in the Report fairly represents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of and for the period covered by the Report.




By/s/ Debra E. Dissinger
   Executive Vice President

Date: May 10, 2005


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