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PREMIER FINANCIAL CORP - Quarter Report: 2010 June (Form 10-Q)

Quarterly Report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2010

OR

 

¨

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

Commission file number 0-26850

First Defiance Financial Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Ohio   34-1803915

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

601 Clinton Street, Defiance, Ohio   43512
(Address or principal executive office)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (419) 782-5015

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  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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 (§232.405 of this chapter) 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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

   

Large accelerated filer    ¨

 

Accelerated filer    x

   
 

Non-accelerated filer    ¨

 

Smaller reporting company    ¨

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

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date. Common Stock, $.01 Par Value – 8,117,770 shares outstanding at July 31, 2010.


FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

INDEX

 

          Page Number

PART I.-FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited): Consolidated Condensed Statements of Financial Condition – June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

   2
  

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income – Three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009

   4
  

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity – Six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009

   5
  

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows – Six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009

   6
  

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

   7

Item 2.

  

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

   32

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   59

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   59

PART II-OTHER INFORMATION:

  

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   60

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

   60

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   60

Item 3.

  

Defaults upon Senior Securities

   60

Item 4.

  

(Removed and Reserved)

   60

Item 5.

  

Other Information

   60

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   61
  

Signatures

   62

 

1


PART 1-FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Financial Condition

(UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in Thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

     June 30,
2010
   December 31,
2009

Assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents:

     

Cash and amounts due from depository institutions

   $ 33,528    $ 29,613

Interest-bearing deposits

     88,544      91,503
             
     122,072      121,116

Securities:

     

Available-for-sale, carried at fair value

     159,131      137,458

Held-to-maturity, carried at amortized cost (fair value $1,868 and $1,958 at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)

     1,836      1,920
             
     160,967      139,378

Loans held for sale

     16,000      10,346

Loans receivable, net of allowance of $38,852 at June 30, 2010 and $36,547 at December 31, 2009, respectively

     1,532,561      1,580,575

Accrued interest receivable

     6,973      6,851

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     21,376      21,376

Bank owned life insurance

     30,767      30,804

Premises and equipment

     42,378      43,597

Real estate and other assets held for sale

     12,735      13,527

Goodwill

     57,556      56,585

Core deposit and other intangibles

     6,841      6,888

Mortgage servicing rights

     8,720      8,958

Deferred taxes

     3,495      3,289

Other assets

     16,215      14,233
             

Total assets

   $ 2,038,656    $ 2,057,523
             

(continued)

 

2


FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Financial Condition

(UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in Thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

     June 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

    

Liabilities:

    

Deposits

   $ 1,580,520      $ 1,580,226   

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank

     126,906        146,927   

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

     44,702        48,398   

Subordinated debentures

     36,083        36,083   

Advance payments by borrowers

     379        665   

Other liabilities

     11,628        11,138   
                

Total liabilities

     1,800,218        1,823,437   

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share: 37,000 shares authorized and issued with a liquidation preference of $37,236, net of discount

     36,375        36,293   

Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share: 4,963,000 shares authorized; no shares issued

     —          —     

Common stock, $.01 par value per share: 25,000,000 shares authorized; 12,739,496 and 12,739,496 shares issued and 8,117,770 and 8,117,520 shares outstanding, respectively

     127        127   

Common stock warrant

     878        878   

Additional paid-in capital

     140,767        140,677   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of $535 and $(85), respectively

     1,460        (158

Retained earnings

     131,459        128,900   

Treasury stock, at cost, 4,621,726 and 4,621,976 shares respectively

     (72,628     (72,631
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     238,438        234,086   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 2,038,656      $ 2,057,523   
                

See accompanying notes

 

3


FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income

(UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in Thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     June 30,     June 30,  
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Interest Income

        

Loans

   $ 22,477      $ 23,086      $ 44,874      $ 46,463   

Investment securities:

        

Taxable

     1,078        996        2,068        2,079   

Non-taxable

     491        478        953        887   

Interest-bearing deposits

     69        33        130        47   

FHLB stock dividends

     234        229        453        468   
                                

Total interest income

     24,349        24,822        48,478        49,944   

Interest Expense

        

Deposits

     5,126        6,859        10,524        14,042   

FHLB advances and other

     1,220        1,279        2,438        2,598   

Subordinated debentures

     327        369        650        795   

Notes payable

     115        136        220        293   
                                

Total interest expense

     6,788        8,643        13,832        17,728   
                                

Net interest income

     17,561        16,179        34,646        32,216   

Provision for loan losses

     5,440        3,965        12,329        6,711   
                                

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     12,121        12,214        22,317        25,505   

Non-interest Income

        

Service fees and other charges

     3,397        3,326        6,555        6,412   

Insurance commission income

     1,309        1,293        2,417        2,816   

Mortgage banking income

     985        3,983        2,792        6,697   

Gain on sale of non-mortgage loans

     50        45        87        100   

Gain on sale or call of securities

     —          125        6        125   

Other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on investment securities

        

Total impairment losses on investment securities

     (71     (947     (145     (1,861

Losses recognized in other comprehensive income

     —          72        4        314   
                                

Net impairment loss recognized in earnings

     (71     (875     (141     (1,547

Trust income

     132        103        254        205   

Income from Bank Owned Life Insurance

     212        78        691        137   

Other non-interest income

     (223     281        (103     218   
                                

Total non-interest income

     5,791        8,359        12,558        15,163   

Non-interest Expense

        

Compensation and benefits

     6,589        7,585        13,047        14,950   

Occupancy

     1,701        1,924        3,529        4,041   

FDIC insurance premium

     929        1,497        1,975        2,064   

State franchise tax

     516        596        1,079        1,097   

Data processing

     1,174        1,176        2,370        2,230   

Acquisition related charges

     37        —          37        —     

Amortization of intangibles

     345        355        783        746   

Other non-interest expense

     3,754        3,000        7,057        6,001   
                                

Total non-interest expense

     15,045        16,133        29,877        31,129   
                                

Income before income taxes

     2,867        4,440        4,998        9,539   

Federal income taxes

     808        1,539        1,432        3,230   
                                

Net Income

   $ 2,059      $ 2,901      $ 3,566      $ 6,309   
                                

Dividends accrued on preferred shares

   $ (462   $ (468   $ (925   $ (930

Accretion on preferred shares

   $ (42   $ (40   $ (82   $ (78
                                

Net income applicable to common shares

   $ 1,555      $ 2,393      $ 2,559      $ 5,301   
                                

Earnings per common share (Note 7)

        

Basic

   $ 0.19      $ 0.29      $ 0.32      $ 0.65   

Diluted

   $ 0.19      $ 0.29      $ 0.31      $ 0.65   

Dividends declared per share (Note 6)

   $ —        $ 0.085      $ —        $ 0.255   

Average shares outstanding (Note 7)

        

Basic

     8,118        8,117        8,118        8,117   

Diluted

     8,193        8,182        8,169        8,117   

See accompanying notes

 

4


FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

 

 

                               Accumulated              
               Common          Additional    Other           Total  
     Preferred    Common    Stock    Treasury     Paid-In    Comprehensive     Retained     Stockholders’  
     Stock    Stock    Warrant    Stock     Capital    Income (Loss)     Earnings     Equity  

Balance at January 1, 2010

   $ 36,293    $ 127    $ 878    $ (72,631   $ 140,677    $ (158   $ 128,900      $ 234,086   

Comprehensive income:

                    

Net income

     —        —        —        —          —        —          3,566        3,566   

Change in net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes of $871

     —        —        —        —          —        1,618        —          1,618   
                          

Total comprehensive income

                       5,184   

Stock option expense

     —        —        —        —          90      —          —          90   

Stock options exercised

     —        —        —        3        —        —          —          3   

Preferred Stock Dividends

     —        —        —        —          —        —          (925     (925

Accretion on preferred shares

     82      —        —        —          —        —          (82     —     
                                                            

Balance at June 30, 2010

   $ 36,375    $ 127    $ 878    $ (72,628   $ 140,767    $ 1,460      $ 131,459      $ 238,438   
                                                            

Balance at January 1, 2009

   $ 36,134    $ 127    $ 878    $ (72,638   $ 140,447    $ (1,904   $ 126,115      $ 229,159   

Comprehensive income:

                    

Net income

     —        —        —        —          —        —          6,309        6,309   

Change in net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes of $51

     —        —        —        —          —        91        —          91   
                          

Total comprehensive income

                       6,400   

Stock option expense

     —        —        —        —          120      —          —          120   

Stock options exercised

     —        —        —        7        —        —          (2     5   

Preferred stock dividends

     —        —        —        —          —        —          (930     (930

Accretion on preferred shares

     77      —        —        —          —        —          (77     —     

Common stock dividends declared

     —        —        —        —          —        —          (2,071     (2,071
                                                            

Balance at June 30, 2009

   $ 36,211    $ 127    $ 878    $ (72,631   $ 140,567    $ (1,813   $ 129,344      $ 232,683   
                                                            

See Accompanying Notes

 

5


FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

 

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2010     2009  

Operating Activities

    

Net income

   $ 3,566      $ 6,309   

Items not requiring (providing) cash

    

Provision for loan losses

     12,329        6,711   

Depreciation

     1,722        1,917   

Amortization of mortgage servicing rights, net of impairment (recoveries)

     1,086        422   

Amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets

     783        746   

Net amortization of premiums and discounts on loans and deposits

     545        555   

Amortization of premiums and discounts on securities

     229        (500

Change in deferred taxes

     (1,077     233   

Proceeds from the sale of loans held for sale

     111,243        340,315   

Originations of loans held for sale

     (115,369     (350,181

Gain from sale of loans

     (2,463     (5,839

OTTI losses on investment securities

     141        1,547   

Gain from sale or call of securities

     (6     (125

Loss on sale or write-down of real estate and other assets held for sale

     1,037        714   

Loss on sale of premises and equipment

     1        6   

Stock option expense

     90        120   

Income from bank owned life insurance

     (423     (137

Gain on life insurance

     (268     —     

Changes in:

    

Accrued interest receivable

     (122     271   

Other assets

     (1,982     (1,509

Other liabilities

     283        (1,458
                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     11,345        117   

Investing Activities

    

Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities

     84        55   

Proceeds from maturities, calls and pay-downs of available-for-sale securities

     17,473        10,139   

Proceeds from sale of real estate and other assets held for sale

     7,405        1,329   

Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities

     28        3,604   

Proceeds from sale of non-mortgage loans

     6,204        2,867   

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

     (37,049     (29,958

Proceeds from bank owned life insurance

     728        —     

Purchases of premises and equipment, net

     (505     (1,002

Net cash paid for group benefits line of business

     (1,500     —     

Net decrease (increase) in loans receivable

     21,321        (5,749
                

Net cash provided by investing activities

     14,190        (18,715

Financing Activities

    

Net increase in deposits and advance payments by borrowers

     60        83,098   

Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank long-term advances

     (20,021     (20

Net increase (decrease) in Federal Home Loan Bank short-term advances

     —          (9,100

Increase (decrease) in securities sold under repurchase agreements

     (3,696     (9,170

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

     3        5   

Cash dividends paid on common stock

     —          (2,761

Cash dividends paid on preferred stock

     (925     (822
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (24,579     61,230   
                

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     956        42,632   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     121,116        46,152   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 122,072      $ 88,784   
                

Supplemental cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 13,942      $ 17,585   
                

Income taxes paid

   $ 2,650      $ 6,000   
                

Transfers from loans to other real estate owned and other assets held for sale

   $ 9,172      $ 3,610   
                

See accompanying notes.

 

6


FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

(Unaudited at June 30, 2010 and 2009)

 

 

1. Basis of Presentation

First Defiance Financial Corp. (“First Defiance” or the “Company”) is a unitary thrift holding company that conducts business through its two wholly owned subsidiaries, First Federal Bank of the Midwest (“First Federal”) and First Insurance and Investments, Inc. (“First Insurance”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.

First Federal is primarily engaged in attracting deposits from the general public through its offices and using those and other available sources of funds to originate loans primarily in the counties in which its offices are located. First Federal’s traditional banking activities include originating and servicing residential, commercial and consumer loans and providing a broad range of depository, trust and wealth management services. First Insurance is an insurance agency that does business in the Defiance, Archbold, Bryan, and Bowling Green, Ohio areas offering property and casualty, and group health and life insurance products. In May 2010, First Insurance acquired a group medical benefits business line from Andres O’Neil & Lowe Insurance Agency.

The consolidated condensed statement of financial condition at December 31, 2009 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, which were included in First Defiance’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements as of June 30, 2010 and for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 have been prepared by First Defiance without audit and do not include information or footnotes necessary for the complete presentation of financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. These consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in First Defiance’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring items, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements have been made. The results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant areas where First Defiance uses estimates are the valuation of certain investment securities, the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of mortgage servicing rights and goodwill, the determination of unrecognized income tax benefits, and the determination of post-retirement benefits.

 

7


Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is net income applicable to common shares divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under stock options, warrants and stock grants.

Reclassifications

Some items in the prior financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-20, Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses, which requires significant new disclosures about the allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of financing receivables. The requirements are intended to enhance transparency regarding credit losses and the credit quality of loan and lease receivables. Under this statement, allowance for credit losses and fair value are to be disclosed by portfolio segment, while credit quality information, impaired financing receivables and nonaccrual status are to be presented by class of financing receivable. Disclosure of the nature and extent, the financial impact and segment information of troubled debt restructurings will also be required. The disclosures are to be presented at the level of disaggregation that management uses when assessing and monitoring the portfolio’s risk and performance. This ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods after December 15, 2010. The Company will include these disclosures in the notes to the December 31, 2010 financial statements.

 

8


3. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale and the net unrecognized actuarial losses and unrecognized prior services costs associated with the Company’s Defined Benefit Postretirement Medical Plan. All items reported in other comprehensive income (loss) are reported net of tax. Following is a summary of other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:

 

     Three Months Ended
June  30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  
     (In thousands)  

Net income

   $ 2,059      $ 2,901      $ 3,566      $ 6,309   

Change in securities available-for-sale (AFS):

        

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities AFS for which other-than-temporary impairment losses have been recognized in income

     (52     (373     (81     (1,378

Other-than-temporary impairment losses on AFS realized in income

     71        875        141        1,547   
                                

Net unrealized gains (losses)

     19        502        60        169   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities AFS arising during the period

     1,741        43        2,435        98   

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in income

     —          (125     (6     (125
                                

Net unrealized gains (losses)

     1,741        (82     2,429        (27

Income tax effect

     (615     (149     (871     (51
                                

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     1,145        271        1,618        91   
                                

Comprehensive income

   $ 3,204      $ 3,172      $ 5,184      $ 6,400   
                                

The following table summarizes the changes within each classification of accumulated comprehensive income for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:

 

     Unrealized gains
(losses) on available
for sale securities
   Postretirement
Benefit
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss),net
 
     (In thousands)  

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 468    $ (626   $ (158

Other comprehensive income (loss), net

     1,618      —          1,618   
                       

Balance at June 30, 2010

   $ 2,086    $ (626   $ 1,460   
                       

 

     Unrealized gains
(losses) on available
for sale securities
    Postretirement
Benefit
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss), net
 
     (In thousands)  

Balance at December 31, 2008

   $ (1,100   $ (804   $ (1,904

Other comprehensive income (loss), net

     91        —          91   
                        

Balance at June 30, 2009

   $ (1,009   $ (804   $ (1,813
                        

 

9


4. Fair Value

FASB ASC Topic 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The price in the principal (or most advantageous) market used to measure the fair value of the asset or liability shall not be adjusted for transaction costs. An orderly transaction is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets and liabilities; it is not a forced transaction. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal market that are (i) independent, (ii) knowledgeable, (iii) able to transact and (iv) willing to transact.

FASB ASC Topic 820 requires the use of valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a single present amount on a discounted basis. The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost). Valuation techniques should be consistently applied. Inputs to valuation techniques refer to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Inputs may be observable, meaning those that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available. In that regard, FASB ASC Topic 820 established a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

 

   

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 

   

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by a correlation or other means.

 

   

Level 3: Unobservable inputs for determining fair value of assets and liabilities that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

 

10


A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.

Available for sale securities - Securities classified as available for sale are generally reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs where the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service which uses matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs). The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows and the bonds’ terms and conditions, among other things. Securities in Level 1 include federal agency preferred stock securities. Securities in Level 2 include U.S. Government agencies, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. The Company classifies its pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations as Level 3. The portfolio consists of collateralized debt obligations backed by pools of trust preferred securities issued by financial institutions and insurance companies. Based on the lack of observable market data, the Company estimated fair values based on the observable data available and reasonable unobservable market data. The Company estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow model which used appropriately adjusted discount rates reflecting credit and liquidity risks. The Company’s valuations were supported by analysis prepared by an independent third party that is described further in Note 8.

Impaired loans - The fair value of impaired loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan loss is generally based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are typically significant and result in impaired loans being valued using Level 3 inputs.

Mortgage servicing rights - Mortgage servicing rights are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. MSRs are valued by a third party consultant using a proprietary cash flow valuation model.

Mortgage banking derivative - The fair value of mortgage banking derivatives are based on derivative valuation models using market data inputs as of the valuation date (Level 2).

Real estate held for sale - Real estate held for sale is determined using Level 3 inputs which include current and prior appraisals and estimated costs to sell.

 

11


The following table summarizes the financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:

Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis

 

June 30, 2010    Level 1 Inputs    Level 2 Inputs    Level 3 Inputs    Total  Fair
Value
     (In Thousands)

Available for sale securities:

Obligations of U.S. Government corporations and agencies

   $ —      $ 19,189    $ —      $ 19,189

Mortgage-backed – residential

     —        35,117      —        35,117

REMICs

     —        3,702      —        3,702

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     —        52,033      —        52,033

Trust preferred stock

     —        —        1,516      1,516

Preferred stock

     27      —        —        27

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     —        47,547      —        47,547

Mortgage banking derivative – asset

     —        825      —        825

Mortgage banking derivative – liability

     —        341      —        341

 

December 31, 2009      Level 1 Inputs      Level 2 Inputs      Level 3 Inputs     

 

Total Fair

Value

     (In Thousands)

Available for sale securities:

Obligations of U.S. Government corporations and agencies

   $ —      $ 14,251    $ —      $ 14,251

Mortgage-backed – residential

     —        31,504      —        31,504

REMICs

     —        3,923      —        3,923

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     —        41,371      —        41,371

Trust preferred stock

     —        —        1,589      1,589

Preferred stock

     87      —        —        87

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     —        44,733      —        44,733

Mortgage banking derivative – asset

     —        380      —        380

Mortgage banking derivative – liability

     —        —        —        —  

The table below presents a reconciliation and income classification of gains and losses for all assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009:

 

     Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)

(In Thousands)
 

Beginning balance, January 1, 2010

   $ 1,589   

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized)

  

Included in earnings

     (141

Included in other comprehensive income (presented gross of taxes)

     87   

Purchases, issuances, and settlements

     6   

Sales

     (25

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

     —     
        

Ending balance, June 30, 2010

   $ 1,516   
        

 

12


     Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)

(In Thousands)
 

Beginning balance, April 1, 2010

   $ 1,579   

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized)

  

Included in earnings

     (71

Included in other comprehensive income (presented gross of taxes)

     5   

Purchases, issuances, and settlements

     3   

Sales

     —     

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

     —     
        

Ending balance, June 30, 2010

   $ 1,516   
        
     Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)

(In Thousands)
 

Beginning balance, January 1, 2009

   $ 3,873   

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized)

  

Included in earnings

     (1,547

Included in other comprehensive income (presented gross of taxes)

     (161

Purchases, issuances, and settlements

     (4

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

     —     
        

Ending balance, June 30, 2009

   $ 2,161   
        
     Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)

(In Thousands)
 

Beginning balance, April 1, 2009

   $ 2,371   

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized)

  

Included in earnings

     (875

Included in other comprehensive income (presented gross of taxes)

     663   

Purchases, issuances, and settlements

     2   

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

     —     
        

Ending balance, June 30, 2009

   $ 2,161   
        

The following table summarizes the financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:

Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Non-Recurring Basis

 

June 30, 2010    Level 1 Inputs    Level 2 Inputs    Level 3 Inputs    Total Fair
Value
     (In Thousands)

Impaired loans

   $ —      $ —      $ 28,377    $ 28,377

Mortgage servicing rights

     —        8,720      —        8,720

Real estate held for sale

     —        —        1,148      1,148

 

13


December 31, 2009    Level 1 Inputs    Level 2 Inputs    Level 3 Inputs    Total Fair
Value
     (In Thousands)

Impaired loans

   $ —      $ —      $ 28,336    $ 28,336

Mortgage servicing rights

     —        8,958      —        8,958

Real estate held for sale

     —        —        935      935

Impaired loans, which are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a fair value of $28,377,000, with a valuation allowance of $14,226,000 at June 30, 2010. A provision expense of $3,576,000 and $9,467,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 was included in earnings.

Mortgage servicing rights which are carried at lower of cost or fair value had a fair value of $8,720,000 at June 30, 2010, resulting in a valuation allowance of $1,728,000. A charge of $571,000 and $250,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 was included in earnings.

Real estate held for sale is determined using Level 3 inputs which include appraisals and estimated costs to sell. The change in fair value of real estate held for sale was $607,000 and $1,028,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 which was recorded directly as an adjustment to current earnings through non-interest expense.

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 825, the table below is a comparative condensed consolidated statement of financial condition based on carrying amount and estimated fair values of financial instruments as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of First Defiance.

Much of the information used to arrive at “fair value” is highly subjective and judgmental in nature and therefore the results may not be precise. Subjective factors include, among other things, estimated cash flows, risk characteristics and interest rates, all of which are subject to change. With the exception of investment securities, the Company’s financial instruments are not readily marketable and market prices do not exist. Since negotiated prices for the instruments, which are not readily marketable depend greatly on the motivation of the buyer and seller, the amounts that will actually be realized or paid per settlement or maturity of these instruments could be significantly different.

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, term notes payable and advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance, as a result of their short-term nature, is considered to be equal to fair value.

 

14


Fair value for available for sale securities is as previously described. For investment securities held to maturity, fair has been based on current market quotations. If market prices are not available, fair value has been estimated based upon the quoted price of similar instruments.

It was not practicable to determine the fair value of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock due to restrictions placed on its transferability.

The fair value of loans which reprice within 90 days is equal to their carrying amount. For other loans, the estimated fair value is calculated based on discounted cash flow analysis, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms. The allowance for loan losses is considered to be a reasonable adjustment for credit risk.

FASB ASC Topic 825 requires that the fair value of demand, savings, NOW and certain money market accounts be equal to their carrying amount. The Company believes that the fair value of these deposits may be greater or less than that prescribed by FASB ASC Topic 825.

The carrying value of subordinated debentures and deposits with fixed maturities is estimated based on interest rates currently being offered on instruments with similar characteristics and maturities. FHLB advances with maturities greater than 90 days are valued based on discounted cash flow analysis, using interest rates currently being quoted for similar characteristics and maturities. The cost or value of any call or put options is based on the estimated cost to settle the option at June 30, 2010.

 

     June 30, 2010    December 31, 2009
     Carrying    Estimated    Carrying    Estimated
     Value    Fair Values    Value    Fair Values
     (In Thousands)

Assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 122,072    $ 122,072    $ 121,116    $ 121,116

Investment securities

     160,967      160,999      139,378      139,416

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

     21,376      N/A      21,376      N/A

Loans, net, including loans held for sale

     1,548,561      1,559,692      1,590,921      1,586,101

Mortgage banking derivative asset

     825      825      380      380

Accrued interest receivable

     6,973      6,973      6,851      6,851
                           
     1,860,774    $ 1,850,561      1,880,022    $ 1,853,864
                   

Other assets

     177,882         177,501   
                   

Total assets

   $ 2,038,656       $ 2,057,523   
                   

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:

           

Deposits

   $ 1,580,520    $ 1,585,426    $ 1,580,226    $ 1,586,466

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

     126,906      133,820      146,927      152,643

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

     44,702      44,702      48,398      48,398

Subordinated debentures

     36,083      33,382      36,083      32,057

Mortgage banking derivative liability

     341      341      —     

Accrued interest payable

     1,124      1,124      1,234      1,234

Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance

     379      379      665      665
                           
     1,790,055    $ 1,799,174      1,813,533    $ 1,821,463
                   

Other liabilities

     10,163         9,904   
                   

Total liabilities

     1,800,218         1,823,437   

Stockholders’ equity

     238,438         234,086   
                   

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 2,036,656       $ 2,057,523   
                   

 

15


5. Stock Compensation Plans

First Defiance has established incentive stock option plans for its directors and employees. On March 15, 2010, the Board adopted, and the shareholders approved at the 2010 Annual Shareholders Meeting, the First Defiance Financial Corp. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Equity Plan”). The 2010 Equity Plan replaces all existing plans. All awards currently outstanding under the prior plans will remain in effect in accordance with their respective terms. Any new awards will be made under the 2010 Equity Plan. As of June 30, 2010, 425,550 options (403,550 for employees and 22,000 for directors) had been granted under prior option plans and remain outstanding at option prices based on the market value of the underlying shares on the date the options were granted. Options granted under all plans vest 20% per year except for the options granted in 2009 to the Company’s then five most-highly compensated employees, which options vest 40% in 2011 and then 20% annually, subject to certain other limitations. As of June 30, 2010, 294,670 of the outstanding options were currently exercisable. No options have been granted under the 2010 Equity Plan. All options expire ten years from date of grant. Vested options of retirees expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiration date or three months after the retirement date.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the Company’s common stock. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and post-vesting termination behavior. The expected term of options granted is based on historical data and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding, which takes into account that the options are not transferable. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2010      2009  

Expected average risk-free rate

   —         3.38

Expected average life

   —         6.41  years 

Expected volatility

   —         26.10

Expected dividend yield

   —         3.62

There were no options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2010. The weighted-average fair value of options granted for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $1.87.

 

16


Following is activity under the prior option plans:

 

     Options
Outstanding
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Options outstanding, beginning of period

   467,500      $ 19.41      

Forfeited or cancelled

   (41,700     20.82      

Exercised

   (250     9.22      

Granted

   —          —        
                        

Options outstanding, end of period

   425,550      $ 19.28    5.3    $ —  
                        

Vested or expected to vest at period end

   425,550      $ 19.28    5.3    $ —  
                        

Exercisable at period end

   294,670      $ 20.63    4.1    $ —  
                        

Proceeds, related tax benefits realized from options exercised and intrinsic value of options exercised were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June  30,
     2010    2009

Cash received from option exercises

   $ 3,000    $ 5,000

Tax benefit realized from option exercises

     —        —  

Intrinsic value of options exercised

     1,000      1,000

As of June 30, 2010, there was $311,000 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock options granted under the Company’s prior stock option plans. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.57 years.

6. Dividends on Common Stock

No common stock dividends were declared by First Defiance in the first six months of 2010. A quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 and $0.085 per common share was declared for the first and second quarter of 2009, respectively.

As a result of its participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”), First Defiance is prohibited without prior approval of the U.S. Treasury, from paying a quarterly cash dividend of more than $0.26 per share until the earlier of December 5, 2011 or the date the preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury by First Defiance is redeemed or transferred to an unaffiliated third party. Further, First Defiance has agreed with its primary regulator to obtain approval of cash dividends prior to declaration.

 

17


7. Earnings Per Common Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands except per share data):

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
   Six months ended
June 30,
     2010    2009    2010    2009

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share – Net income applicable to common shares

   $ 1,555    $ 2,393    $ 2,559    $ 5,301

Denominator:

           

Denominator for basic earnings per

common share – weighted average common shares

     8,118      8,117      8,118      8,117

Effect of warrants

     71      65      49      —  

Effect of employee stock options

     4      —        2      —  
                           

Denominator for diluted earnings per common share

     8,193      8,182      8,169      8,117
                           

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.19    $ 0.29    $ 0.32    $ 0.65
                           

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.19    $ 0.29    $ 0.31    $ 0.65
                           

There were 421,230 and 423,551 shares under option granted to employees excluded from the diluted earnings per common share calculation as they were anti-dilutive for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010. There were 490,750 shares under option granted to employees excluded from the diluted earnings per common share calculation as they were anti-dilutive for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009. Shares under option of 550,595 issuable related to warrants were excluded from the diluted earnings per common share calculations as they were anti-dilutive for the six months ended June 30, 2009.

 

18


8. Investment Securities

The following is a summary of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities (in thousands):

 

     Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value

At June 30, 2010

          

Available-for-Sale Securities:

          

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

   $ 18,978    $ 211    $ —        $ 19,189

Mortgage-backed securities – residential

     33,402      1,715      —          35,117

REMICs

     3,530      172      —          3,702

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     49,858      2,205      (30     52,033

Trust preferred securities and preferred stock

     3,962      —        (2,419     1,543

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     46,191      1,578      (222     47,547
                            

Totals

   $ 155,921    $ 5,881    $ (2,671   $ 159,131
                            

Held-to-Maturity Securities*:

          

FHLMC certificates

   $ 101    $ 7    $ —        $ 108

FNMA certificates

     282      7      —          289

GNMA certificates

     94      3      —          97

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     1,359      15      —          1,374
                            

Totals

   $ 1,836    $ 32    $ —        $ 1,868
                            

At December 31, 2009

          

Available-for-Sale Securities:

          

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

   $ 14,038    $ 252    $ (39   $ 14,251

Mortgage-backed securities – residential

     30,341      1,194      (31     31,504

REMICs

     3,718      205      —          3,923

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     40,878      824      (331     41,371

Trust preferred securities and preferred stock

     4,122      —        (2,446     1,676

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     43,640      1,251      (158     44,733
                            

Totals

   $ 136,737    $ 3,726    $ (3,005   $ 137,458
                            

Held-to-Maturity Securities*:

          

FHLMC certificates

   $ 119    $ 7    $ —        $ 126

FNMA certificates

     304      9      —          313

GNMA certificates

     107      3      —          110

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     1,390      19      —          1,409
                            

Totals

   $ 1,920    $ 38    $ —        $ 1,958
                            

 

*

FHLMC, FNMA, and GNMA certificates are residential mortgage-backed securities.

 

19


The amortized cost and fair value of securities at June 30, 2010 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. For purposes of the maturity table, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMO”) and real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”), which are not due at a single maturity date, have not been allocated over the maturity groupings. The MBS, CMO and REMIC securities may mature earlier than their weighted-average contractual maturities because of principal prepayments.

 

     Available-for-Sale    Held-to-Maturity
     Amortized    Fair    Amortized    Fair
     Cost    Value    Cost    Value
     (In Thousands)

Due in one year or less

   $ 2,955    $ 2,943    $ 960    $ 962

Due after one year through five years

     5,245      5,409      120      133

Due after five years through ten years

     13,696      14,027      279      279

Due after ten years

     47,235      45,900      —        —  

MBS/CMO/REMIC

     86,790      90,852      477      494
                           
   $ 155,921    $ 159,131    $ 1,836    $ 1,868
                           

Investment securities with a carrying amount of $120.7 million at June 30, 2010 were pledged as collateral on public deposits, securities sold under repurchase agreements and FHLB advances.

As of June 30, 2010, the Company’s investment portfolio consisted of 307 securities, 23 of which were in an unrealized loss position.

The following table summarizes First Defiance’s securities that were in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2010:

 

     Duration of Unrealized Loss Position        
     Less than 12 Months     12 Month or Longer     Total  
     Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
 
     (In Thousands)  

At June 30, 2010

               

Available-for-sale securities:

               

Collateralized mortgage obligations and REMICs

   $ —      $ —        $ 514    $ (30   $ 514    $ (30

Trust preferred stock and preferred stock

     —        —          1,543      (2,419     1,543      (2,419

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

     1,959      (118     1,165      (104     3,124      (222
                                             

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 1,959    $ (118   $ 3,222    $ (2,553   $ 5,181    $ (2,671
                                             

With the exception of Trust Preferred Securities, the above securities all have fixed interest rates, and all securities have defined maturities. Their fair value is sensitive to movements in market interest rates. First Defiance has the ability and intent to hold these investments for a time necessary to recover the amortized cost without impacting its liquidity position and it is not more than likely that the Company will be required to sell the investments before anticipated recovery.

 

20


Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. The investment portfolio is evaluated for OTTI by segregating the portfolio into two general segments. Investment securities classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity are generally evaluated for OTTI under FASB ASC Topic 320. Certain collateralized debt obligations are evaluated for OTTI under FASB ASC Topic 325, Investment – Other.

When OTTI occurs under either model, the amount of the OTTI recognized in earnings depends on whether an entity intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current period credit loss. If an entity intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current period credit loss, the OTTI shall be recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. If an entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current period loss, the OTTI shall be separated into the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all other factors. The amount of OTTI related to the credit loss is determined based on the present value of cash flows expected to be collected compared to the book value of the security and is recognized in earnings. The amount of OTTI related to other factors shall be recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. The previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings shall become the new amortized cost basis of the investment.

The Company held nine collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) at June 30, 2010. Four of those CDOs were written down in full prior to January 1, 2010. The remaining five CDOs have a total amortized cost of $3.8 million at June 30, 2010. Of these, three, with a total amortized cost of $1.8 million, were identified as OTTI in prior periods. The final two CDOs, with a total amortized cost of $2.0 million, continue to pay principal and interest payments in accordance with the contractual terms of the securities and no credit loss impairment has been identified in management’s analysis. Therefore, these two CDO investments have not been deemed by management to be other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company held three additional CDOs at December 31, 2009 with a total amortized cost of $25,000. These CDOs were classified as held for sale at December 31, 2009 and were sold during the first quarter of 2010.

Management’s analysis for the second quarter of 2010 deemed that OTTI write-downs were necessary on two CDOs resulting in OTTI write-downs of $71,000 compared to $875,000 for the same period in 2009. For the first six months of 2010, the Company has recorded OTTI write-downs of $141,000 compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2009.

As required under FASB ASC Topic 320, beginning January 1, 2009, declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses to the extent the impairment is related to credit losses.

Given the conditions in the debt markets and the absence of observable transactions in the secondary and new issue markets, the Company’s CDOs are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because management determined that significant adjustments were required to determine fair value at the measurement date.

 

21


The Company’s CDO valuations were supported by analysis prepared by an independent third party and supported by management’s analyses. Their approach to determining fair value involved several steps: 1) Detailed credit and structural evaluation of each piece of collateral in the CDO; 2) Collateral performance projections for each piece of collateral in the CDO (default, recovery and prepayment/amortization probabilities) and 3) Discounted cash flow modeling.

Trust Preferred CDOs Discount Rate Methodology

First Defiance uses market-based yield indicators as a baseline for determining appropriate discount rates, and then adjusts the resulting discount rates on the basis of its credit and structural analysis of specific CDO instruments. The primary focus is on the returns a fixed income investor would require in order to allocate capital on a risk adjusted basis. There is currently no active market for trust preferred CDOs, however, First Defiance looks principally to market yields for stand-alone trust preferred securities issued by banks, thrifts and insurance companies for which there is an active and liquid market. The next step is to make a series of adjustments to reflect the differences that nevertheless exist between these products (both credit and structural) and, most importantly, to reflect idiosyncratic credit performance differences (both actual and projected) between these products and the underlying collateral in the specific CDOs. Importantly, as part of the analysis described above, First Defiance considers the fact that structured instruments frequently exhibit leverage not present in stand-alone instruments, and make adjustments as necessary to reflect this additional risk.

Fundamental to this evaluation is an assessment of the likelihood of CDO coverage test failures that would have the effect of diverting cash flow away from the relevant CDO bond for some period of time. Generally speaking, the Company adjusts indicative credit spreads upwards in the case of CDOs that have relatively weaker collateral and/or less cushion with respect to overcollateralization and interest coverage test ratios and downwards if the reverse is true. This aspect of the Company’s discount rate methodology is important because there is frequently a great difference in the risks present in CDO instruments that are otherwise very similar (i.e. CDOs with the same basic type of collateral, the same manager, the same vintage, etc., may exhibit vastly different performance characteristics). With respect to this last point, First Defiance notes that given today’s credit environment, characterized by high default and deferral rates, it is typically the case that deal-specific credit performance (determined on the basis of the credit characteristics of remaining collateral) is the best indicator of what a willing market participant would pay for an instrument.

The Company uses the same methodology for all of its CDOs and believes its valuation methodology is appropriate for all of its CDOs in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 320 as well as other related guidance.

The default and recovery probabilities for each piece of collateral were formed based on the evaluation of the collateral credit and a review of historical industry default data and current/near-term operating conditions. For collateral that has already deferred, the Company assumed a recovery of 10% of par for banks, thrifts or other depository institutions and 15% for insurance companies. Although there is a possibility that the deferring collateral will become current at some point in the future, First Defiance has conservatively assumed that it will continue to defer and gradually will default.

 

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The following table details the seven securities with other-than-temporary impairment, their lowest credit rating at March 31, 2010 and the related credit losses recognized in earnings for the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010 (In Thousands):

 

     Preferred
Term VI
   TPREF
Funding II
   Alesco
VIII
   Preferred
Term
Security
XXVII
   Trapeza
CDO I
   Alesco
Preferred
Funding
VIII
   Alesco
Preferred
Funding
IX
    
     Rated Caa1    Rated Caa3    Rated Ca    Rated Ca    Rated Ca    Not Rated    Not Rated    Total

Cumulative OTTI related to credit loss at January 1, 2010

   $ 17    $ 243    $ 1,000    $ —      $ 857    $ 453    $ 465    $ 3,035

Addition – Qtr 1

     48      —        —        22      —        —        —        70
                                                       

Cumulative OTTI related to credit loss at March 31, 2010

   $ 65    $ 243    $ 1,000    $ 22    $ 857    $ 453    $ 465    $ 3,105
                                                       

Addition – Qtr 2

     —        17      —        54      —        —        —        71
                                                       

Cumulative OTTI related to credit loss at June 30, 2010

   $ 65    $ 260    $ 1,000    $ 76    $ 857    $ 453    $ 465    $ 3,176
                                                       

The following table provides additional information related to the five CDO investments for which a balance remains as of June 30, 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

CDO

   Class    Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
    OTTI
Losses
2010
    Lowest
Rating
   Current
Number of
Banks and
Insurance
Companies
   Actual
Deferrals
and
Defaults
as a % of
Current
Collateral
    Expected
Deferrals
and
Defaults

as a % of
Remaining
Performing
Collateral
    Excess
Sub-ordination
as a % of
Current
Performing
Collateral
 

Preferred Term VI

   Mezz    $ 197    $ 91    $ (106   $ (48   Caa1    5    71.45   —     —  

TPREF Funding II

   B      735      286      (449     (17   Caa3    20    33.31   25.29   —     

I-Preferred Term Sec I

   B-1      1,000      510      (490     —        B+    16    9.04   19.55   22.93

Dekania II CDO

   C-1      989      484      (505     —        BB+    36    —        15.40   29.63

Preferred Term Sec XXVII

   C-1      889      145      (744     (76   Ca    35    25.54   23.84   —     
                                             

Total

      $ 3,810    $ 1,516    $ (2,294   $ (141            
                                             

 

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The increase in OTTI in the second quarter of 2010 was the result of deterioration in the performance of the underlying collateral. Specifically, depreciation was driven by both realized credit events (i.e. defaults and deferrals) and weakening credit fundamentals in some of the performing collateral, which led to an increased probability of default going forward. Excluding Preferred Term VI, the Company’s assumed average lifetime default rate on the securities in the above table, declined from 30.4% at the end of the first quarter 2010 to a rate of 29.9% at the end of the second quarter 2010.

The table below presents a roll-forward of the credit losses relating to debt securities recognized in earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2010 (in thousands):

 

Beginning balance, January 1, 2010

   $ 2,521   

Additions for amounts related to credit loss for which an other- than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized

     76   

Reductions for amounts realized for securities sold during the period

     (2,261

Reductions for amounts related to securities for which the Company intends to sell or that it will be more likely than not that the company will be required to sell prior to recovery of amortized cost basis

     —     

Reductions for increase in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over the remaining life of the security

     —     

Increases to the amount related to the credit loss for which other-than-temporary was previously recognized

     65   
        

Ending balance, June 30, 2010

   $ 401   
        

Sales and write-downs of available for sale securities were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
June  30,
   Six Months Ended
June  30,
     2010    2009    2010    2009
     (In thousands)    (In thousands)

Proceeds

   $ —      $ 3,604    $ 28    $ 3,604

Gross realized gains

     —        125      3      125

Gross realized losses

     —        —        —        —  

The Company also recognized gross gains of $3,000 and $0 on calls during the first six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

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9. Loans

Loans receivable consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Real Estate:

    

Secured by single family residential

   $ 217,603      $ 227,592   

Secured by multi-family residential

     100,871        103,169   

Secured by non-residential real estate

     689,650        703,721   

Construction

     43,333        48,625   
                
     1,051,457        1,083,107   

Other Loans:

    

Commercial

     364,281        379,408   

Automobile

     18,456        21,661   

Home equity and improvement

     140,969        147,977   

Other

     10,505        12,444   
                
     534,211        561,490   
                

Total loans

     1,585,668        1,644,597   

Deduct:

    

Undisbursed loan funds

     (13,283     (26,494

Net deferred loan origination fees and costs

     (972     (981

Allowance for loan loss

     (38,852     (36,547
                

Totals

   $ 1,532,561      $ 1,580,575   
                

Changes in the allowance for loan losses were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months ended
June 30,
   Six Months ended
June 30,
     2010    2009    2010    2009

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 38,980    $ 25,694    $ 36,547    $ 24,592

Provision for loan losses

     5,440      3,965      12,329      6,711

Charge-offs:

           

Residential

     1,135      505      1,461      653

Commercial real estate

     1,243      2,066      4,434      2,735

Commercial

     3,153      950      3,888      1,652

Home equity and improvement

     156      301      555      431

Consumer finance

     16      83      41      206
                           

Total charge-offs

     5,703      3,905      10,379      5,677

Recoveries

     135      86      355      214
                           

Net charge-offs

     5,567      3,819      10,024      5,463
                           

Ending allowance

   $ 38,852    $ 25,840    $ 38,852    $ 25,840
                           

 

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The following table presents the aggregate amounts of non-performing assets, comprised of non-performing loans and real estate owned on the dates indicated:

 

     June 30,
2010
   December 31,
2009
     (in thousands)

Non-accrual loans

   $ 31,804    $ 41,191

Loans over 90 days past due and still accruing

     —        —  

Troubled debt restructuring, still accruing

     8,918      6,715
             

Total non-performing loans

     40,722    $ 47,906

Real estate and other assets held for sale

     12,735      13,527
             

Total non-performing assets

   $ 53,457    $ 61,433
             

Impaired loans were as follows as of June 30, 2010 (in thousands):

 

Period-end impaired loans with no allowance for loan losses allocated

   $ 17,792

Period-end impaired loans with allowance for loan losses allocated

     42,601
      

Total

   $ 60,394

Amount of the allowance allocated to impaired loans

   $ 14,226

Impaired loans were as follows as of December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

 

Period-end impaired loans with no allowance for loan losses allocated

   $ 18,239

Period-end impaired loans with allowance for loan losses allocated

     40,585
      

Total

   $ 58,824

Amount of the allowance allocated to impaired loans

   $ 12,249

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,    Six Months Ended June 30,
     2010    2009    2010    2009
     (in thousands)

Average of impaired loans during the period

   $ 62,886    $ 32,032    $ 61,416    $ 30,537

Interest income recognized during the period

     514      148      1,050      331

Cash-basis interest income recognized

     433      132      885      281

The Company has no outstanding commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring.

 

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10. Mortgage Banking

Net revenues from the sales and servicing of mortgage loans consisted of the following:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  
     (in thousands)  

Gain from sale of mortgage loans

   $ 1,212      $ 2,922      $ 2,376      $ 5,735   

Mortgage loans servicing revenue (expense):

        

Mortgage loans servicing revenue

     754        695        1,502        1,384   

Amortization of mortgage servicing rights

     (410     (1,154     (836     (2,111

Mortgage servicing rights valuation adjustments

     (571     1,520        (250     1,689   
                                
     (227     1,061        416        962   
                                

Net revenue from sale and servicing of mortgage loans

   $ 985      $ 3,983      $ 2,792      $ 6,697   
                                

The unpaid principal balance of residential mortgage loans serviced for third parties was $1.2 billion at June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009.

Activity for capitalized mortgage servicing rights and the related valuation allowance follows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  
     (in thousands)  

Mortgage servicing assets:

        

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 10,440      $ 9,580      $ 10,436      $ 9,403   

Loans sold, servicing retained

     418        1,596        848        2,730   

Amortization

     (410     (1,154     (836     (2,111
                                

Carrying value before valuation allowance at end of period

     10,448        10,022        10,448        10,022   

Valuation allowance:

        

Balance at beginning of period

     (1,157     (2,623     (1,478     (2,792

Impairment recovery (charges)

     (871     1,520        (250     1,689   
                                

Balance at end of period

     (1,728     (1,103     (1,728     (1,103
                                

Net carrying value of MSRs at end of period

   $ 8,720      $ 8,919      $ 8,720      $ 8,919   
                                

Fair value of MSRs at end of period

   $ 8,720      $ 8,919      $ 8,720      $ 8,919   
                                

Amortization of mortgage servicing rights is computed based on payments and payoffs of the related mortgage loans serviced.

 

27


11. Deposits

A summary of deposit balances is as follows (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2010
   December  31,
2009

Non-interest-bearing checking accounts

   $ 190,140    $ 189,132

Interest-bearing checking and money market accounts

     517,170      499,575

Savings accounts

     140,473      130,156

Retail certificates of deposit less than $100,000

     527,421      550,710

Retail certificates of deposit greater than $100,000

     158,069      163,300

Brokered or national certificates of deposit

     47,247      47,353
             
   $ 1,580,520    $ 1,580,226
             

12. Borrowings

First Defiance’s debt, FHLB advances and junior subordinated debentures owed to unconsolidated subsidiary trusts are comprised of the following:

 

     June 30,
2010
   December  31,
2009
     (in thousands)

FHLB Advances:

     

Overnight borrowings

   $ —      $ —  

Single maturity fixed rate advances

     35,000      35,000

Single maturity LIBOR based advances

     —        20,000

Putable advances

     64,000      64,000

Strike-rate advances

     27,000      27,000

Amortizable mortgage advances

     906      927
             

Total

   $ 126,906    $ 146,927
             

Junior subordinated debentures owed to unconsolidated subsidiary trusts

   $ 36,083    $ 36,083
             

The putable advances can be put back to the Company at the option of the FHLB on a quarterly basis. $14.0 million of the putable advances with a weighted average rate of 2.69% are not yet callable by the FHLB. The call dates for these advances range from July 14, 2010 to February 11, 2011 and the maturity dates range from February 11, 2013 to March 12, 2018. The FHLB has the option to call the remaining $50.0 million of putable advances with a weighted average rate of 5.01%. The maturity dates of these advances range from September 1, 2010 to January 14, 2015. The strike-rate advances are putable at the option of the FHLB only when the three month LIBOR rates exceed the agreed upon strike-rate in the advance contract which ranges from 7.5% to 8.0%. The three month LIBOR rate at June 30, 2010 was 0.53%. The weighted average rate of the strike-rate advances is 4.18% and the maturity dates range from March 8, 2011 to February 25, 2013.

 

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In March 2007, the Company sponsored an affiliated trust, First Defiance Statutory Trust II (Trust Affiliate II) that issued $15 million of Guaranteed Capital Trust Securities (Trust Preferred Securities). In connection with this transaction, the Company issued $15.5 million of Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (Subordinated Debentures) to Trust Affiliate II. The Company formed Trust Affiliate II for the purpose of issuing Trust Preferred Securities to third-party investors and investing the proceeds from the sale of these capital securities solely in Subordinated Debentures of the Company. The Subordinated Debentures held by Trust Affiliate II are the sole assets of that trust. The Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of this Trust (variable interest entity), therefore the trust is not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements, but rather the subordinated debentures are shown as a liability. Distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliate II are payable quarterly at a fixed rate equal to 6.441% for the first five years and a floating interest rate based on three-month LIBOR plus 1.50% points, repricing quarterly, thereafter.

The Company also sponsored an affiliated trust, First Defiance Statutory Trust I (Trust Affiliate I), that issued $20 million of Trust Preferred Securities in 2005. In connection with this transaction, the Company issued $20.6 million of Subordinated Debentures to Trust Affiliate I. Trust Affiliate I was formed for the purpose of issuing Trust Preferred Securities to third-party investors and investing the proceeds from the sale of these capital securities solely in Subordinated Debentures of the Company. The Junior Debentures held by Trust Affiliate I are the sole assets of the trust. The Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of this Trust (variable interest entity), therefore the trust is not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements, but rather the subordinated debentures are shown as a liability. Distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliate I are payable quarterly at a variable rate equal to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 1.38%. The Coupon rate payable on the Trust Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliate I was 1.91% and 1.63% on June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 respectively.

The Trust Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliates I and II are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or part, upon repayment of the Subordinated Debentures. The Company has entered into agreements that fully and unconditionally guarantee the Trust Preferred Securities subject to the terms of the guarantees. The Trust Preferred Securities and Subordinated Debentures issued by Trust Affiliate I mature on December 15, 2035 but may be redeemed by the issuer at par after October 28, 2010. The Trust Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliate II mature on June 15, 2037, but may be redeemed at the Company’s option at any time on or after June 15, 2012, or at any time upon certain events.

Interest on both issues of trust preferred securities may be deferred for a period of up to five years at the option of the issuer.

13. Commitments, Guarantees and Contingent Liabilities

Loan commitments are made to accommodate the financial needs of First Federal’s customers; however, there are no long-term, fixed-rate loan commitments that result in market risk. Standby letters of credit commit the Company to make payments on behalf of customers when certain specified future events occur. They primarily are issued to facilitate customers’ trade transactions.

 

29


Both arrangements have credit risk, essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers, and are subject to the Company’s normal credit policies. Collateral (e.g., securities, receivables, inventory and equipment) is obtained based on Management’s credit assessment of the customer.

The Company’s maximum obligation to extend credit for loan commitments (unfunded loans and unused lines of credit) and standby letters of credit outstanding as of the periods stated below were as follows (in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2010    December 31, 2009
     Fixed Rate    Variable Rate    Fixed Rate    Variable Rate

Commitments to make loans

   $ 27,322    $ 52,022    $ 29,206    $ 64,243

Unused lines of credit

     33,597      185,880      36,772      195,692

Standby letters of credit

     283      22,251      263      21,036
                           

Total

   $ 61,202    $ 260,153    $ 66,241    $ 280,971
                           

Commitments to make loans are generally made for periods of 60 days or less.

In addition to the above commitments, First Defiance had commitments to sell $34.9 million and $23.8 million of loans to Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati or BB&T Mortgage at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

14. Income Taxes

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in the state of Indiana. The Company is no longer subject to examination by taxing authorities for years before 2006. The Company currently operates primarily in the states of Ohio and Michigan, which tax financial institutions based on their equity rather than their income.

15. Derivative Financial Instruments

Commitments to fund certain mortgage loans (interest rate locks) to be sold into the secondary market and forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans to third party investors are considered derivatives. It is the Company’s practice to enter into forward commitments for the future delivery of residential mortgage loans when interest rate lock commitments are entered into in order to economically hedge the effect of changes in interest rates resulting from its commitments to fund the loans. These mortgage banking derivatives are not designated as hedge relationships. First Federal had approximately $13.3 million and $18.7 million of interest rate lock commitments at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. There were $21.8 million and $23.8 million of forward commitments for the future delivery of residential mortgage loans at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

 

30


The fair value of these mortgage banking derivatives are reflected by a derivative asset. The table below provides data about the carrying values of these derivative instruments:

 

     June 30, 2010    December 31, 2009
     Assets    (Liabilities)          Assets    (Liabilities)     
     Carrying
Value
   Carrying
Value
    Derivative
Net Carrying
Value
   Carrying
Value
   Carrying
Value
   Derivative
Net Carrying
Value
     (In Thousands)

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

                

Mortgage Banking Derivatives

   $ 825    $ (341   $ 484    $ 380    $ —      $ 380
                                          

The table below provides data about the amount of gains and losses recognized in income on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments:

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2010    2009     2010    2009  
     (in thousands)  

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

          

Mortgage Banking Derivatives – Gain (Loss)

   $ 10    $ (847   $ 104    $ (559
                              

The above amounts are included in mortgage banking income with gain on sale of mortgage loans.

16. Acquisition

On May 20, 2010, First Defiance acquired a group medical benefits line of business from Andres O’Neil & Lowe Insurance Agency (“AOL”) for a cash purchase price of $1.5 million and future consideration to be paid in cash in 2010, 2011 and 2012. As of June 30, 2010, management has determined goodwill of $971,200 and identifiable intangible assets of $735,800 consisting of customer relationship intangible of $597,800 and a non-compete intangible of $138,000. Disclosure of pro forma results of this acquisition is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

17. Group Life Plan

On June 30, 2010, First Federal adopted the First Federal Bank of the Midwest Executive Group Life Plan – Post Separation (the “Plan”) in which various employees, including the Company’s named executive offices, may participate.

Under the terms of the Plan, First Federal will purchase and own life insurance policies covering the lives of employees selected by the board of directors of First Federal as participants.

There was no expense required to be recorded as of June 30, 2010 but approximately $64,000 will be recorded and expensed during the period of July through December 2010.

 

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

General - First Defiance Financial Corp. (“First Defiance” or “the Company”) is a unitary thrift holding company that conducts business through its two wholly owned subsidiaries, First Federal Bank of the Midwest (“First Federal”) and First Insurance and Investments, Inc. (“First Insurance”). First Federal is a federally chartered savings bank that provides financial services through 33 full-service branches in communities based in northwest Ohio, northeast Indiana, and southeastern Michigan. First Federal provides a broad range of financial services including checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, real estate mortgage loans, commercial loans, consumer loans, home equity loans and trust services. First Insurance sells a variety of property and casualty, group health and life, and individual health and life insurance products and investment and annuity products. Insurance products are sold through First Insurance’s offices in Defiance, Archbold, Bryan, and Bowling Green, Ohio while investment and annuity products are sold through registered investment representatives located at certain First Federal banking center locations. In May 2010, First Insurance acquired a group medical benefits business line from Andres O’Neil & Lowe Insurance Agency.

Business Strategy - First Defiance’s primary objective is to be a high performing community banking organization, well regarded in its market areas. First Defiance accomplishes this through emphasis on local decision making and empowering its employees with tools and knowledge to serve its customers’ needs. First Defiance believes in a “Customer First” philosophy that is strengthened by its Trusted Advisor initiative. First Defiance also has a tagline of “Bank with the people you know and trust” as an indication of its commitment to local, responsive, personalized service. First Defiance believes this strategy results in greater customer loyalty and profitability through core relationships. First Defiance is focused on diversification of revenue sources and increased market penetration in areas where the growth potential exists for a balance between acquisition and organic growth. The primary segments of First Defiance’s business strategy are commercial banking, consumer banking, including the origination and sale of single family residential loans, enhancement of fee income, wealth management and insurance sales, each united by a strong customer service culture throughout the organization. Management remains concerned about increases in interest rates, inflation, and the unintended consequences of increased government intervention. During 2010, management intends to continue to focus on asset quality, core deposit growth, expense control as well as other opportunities to further service our customers.

Commercial and Commercial Real Estate Lending - Commercial and commercial real estate lending have been an ongoing focus and a major component of First Federal’s success. First Federal provides primarily commercial real estate and commercial business loans with an emphasis on owner occupied commercial real estate and commercial business lending with a focus on the deposit balances that accompany these relationships. First Federal’s client base tends to be small to middle market customers with annual gross revenues generally between $1 million and $50 million. First Federal’s focus is also on securing multiple guarantors in addition to collateral where possible. These customers require First Federal to have a high degree of knowledge and understanding of their business in order to provide them with solutions to their financial needs. First Federal’s Customer First philosophy and culture complements this need of its clients. First Federal believes this personal service model differentiates First Federal from its competitors, particularly the larger regional institutions. First Federal offers a wide variety of products to support commercial clients including remote deposit capture and other cash management services. First Federal also believes that the small business customer is a strong market for First Federal. First Federal participates in many of the Small Business Administration lending programs. Maintaining a diversified portfolio with an emphasis on monitoring industry concentrations and reacting to changes in the credit characteristics of industries is an ongoing focus.

 

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Consumer Banking - First Federal offers customers a full range of deposit and investment products including demand, NOW, money market, certificates of deposits, CDARS and savings accounts. First Federal offers a full range of investment products through the wealth management department and a wide variety of consumer loan products, including residential mortgage loans, home equity loans, installment loans and education loans. First Federal also offers online banking services, which include online bill pay along with debit cards.

Fee Income Development - Generation of fee income and the diversification of revenue sources are accomplished through the mortgage banking operation, insurance subsidiary and the wealth management department as First Defiance seeks to reduce reliance on retail transaction fee income.

Deposit Growth - First Federal’s focus has been to grow core deposits with an emphasis on total relationship banking with both its retail and commercial customers. First Federal has initiated a pricing strategy that considers the whole relationship of the customer. First Federal will continue to focus on increasing its market share in the communities it serves by providing quality products with extraordinary customer service, business development strategies and branch expansion. First Federal will look to grow its footprint in areas believed to further compliment its overall market share and compliment its strategy of being a high performing community bank.

Asset Quality - Maintaining a strong credit culture is of the utmost importance to First Federal. First Federal has maintained a strong credit approval and review process that has allowed the Company to maintain a credit quality standard that balances the return with the risks of industry concentrations and loan types. First Federal is primarily a collateral lender with an emphasis on cash flow performance, while obtaining additional support from personal guarantees and secondary sources of repayment. First Federal has directed its attention on loan types and markets that it knows well and in which it has historically been successful in. First Federal strives to have loan relationships that are well diversified in both size and industry, and monitor the overall trends in the portfolio to maintain its industry and loan type concentration targets. First Federal maintains a problem loan remediation process that focuses on detection and resolution. First Federal maintains a strong process of internal control that subjects the loan portfolio to periodic internal reviews as well as independent third party loan review.

 

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Expansion Opportunities - First Defiance believes it is well positioned to take advantage of acquisitions or other business opportunities in its market areas, including FDIC-assisted transactions. First Defiance believes it has a track record of successfully accomplishing both acquisitions and de novo branching in its market area. This track record puts the Company in a solid position to enter or expand its business. First Defiance has successfully integrated acquired institutions in the past with the most recent acquisition completed in 2008. First Defiance will continue to be disciplined as well as opportunistic in its approach to future acquisitions and de novo branching with a focus on its primary geographic market area, which it knows well and has been competing in for a long period of time. In May 2010, First Insurance acquired a group benefits business line from Andres O’Neil & Lowe Insurance Agency.

Investments - First Defiance invests in U.S. Treasury and federal government agency obligations, obligations of municipal and other political subdivisions, mortgage-backed securities which are issued by federal agencies, corporate bonds, and collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”). Management determines the appropriate classification of all such securities at the time of purchase in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 320.

Securities are classified as held-to-maturity when First Defiance has the positive intent and ability to hold the security to maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are stated at amortized cost and had a recorded value of $1.8 million at June 30, 2010. Securities not classified as held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale, which are stated at fair value and had a recorded value of $159.1 million at June 30, 2010. The available-for-sale portfolio consists of obligations of U.S. Government corporations and agencies ($19.2 million), certain municipal obligations ($47.5 million), CMOs and REMICs ($55.8 million), mortgage backed securities ($35.1 million) and trust preferred and preferred stock ($1.5 million).

In accordance with ASC Topic 320, declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses to the extent the impairment is related to credit losses. The amount of the impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.

Lending - In order to properly assess the collateral dependent loans included in its loan portfolio, the Company has established policies regarding the monitoring of the collateral underlying such loans. The Company requires an appraisal that is less than one year old for all new collateral dependent real estate loans, and all renewed collateral dependent real estate loans where new money is extended. The appraisal process is handled by the Credit Department, which selects the appraiser and orders the appraisal. First Defiance’s loan policy prohibits the account officer from talking or communicating with the appraiser to insure that the appraiser is not influenced by the account officer in any way in making their determination of value.

First Federal generally does not require updated appraisals for performing loans unless new money is requested by the borrower.

When a collateral dependent loan is downgraded to classified status, First Federal reviews the most current appraisal on file and if necessary, based on First Federal’s assessment of the appraisal, such as age, market, etc, First Federal will discount this amount to a more appropriate current value based on inputs from lenders and realtors. This amount may then be discounted further by First Federal’s estimation of the carrying and selling costs. Finally, First Federal assesses whether there is any collateral short fall, considering guarantor support, and determines if a reserve is necessary.

 

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When a collateral dependent loan moves to non-performing status, First Federal generally gets a new third party appraisal and adjusts the reserve as necessary based upon the new appraisal and an estimate of costs to liquidate the collateral. All properties that are moved into the other real estate owned “OREO”) category are supported by current appraisals, and the OREO is carried at the appraised value less First Federal’s estimate of the liquidation costs.

First Federal does not adjust any appraisals upward without written documentation of this valuation change from the appraiser. When setting reserves on classified loans, appraisal values may be discounted downward based upon First Federal’s experience with liquidating similar properties.

All collateral dependent loans over 90 days past due and or on non-accrual status as well as all troubled debt restructured collateral dependent loans are classified as non-performing loans. Non-performing status automatically occurs in the month in which the 90 day delinquency occurs. For troubled debt restructured collateral dependent loans, the loans are put into non-performing status in the month in which the restructure occurs.

As stated above, once a collateral dependent loan is identified as non-performing, First Federal generally gets an appraisal. Troubled debt restructured collateral dependent loans receive an appraisal as part of the restructure credit decision.

Appraisals are received within approximately 60 days after they are requested. The First Federal Loan Loss Reserve Committee reviews each new appraisal and makes any necessary adjustment to the reserve at its meeting prior to the end of each quarter.

Any partially charged-off collateral dependent loans are considered non-performing and, as such, need to demonstrate an extended period of time of satisfactory payment performance as well as cash flow coverage capability supported by current financial statements before First Federal will consider an upgrade to performing status. If the loan maintains a rate at restructuring that is lower than the market rate for similar credits, the loan will remain classified as a troubled debt restructuring until such time as it is paid off or restructured at prevailing rates and terms. First Federal may consider moving the loan to an accruing status after six months of satisfactory payment performance.

For loans where First Federal determines that an updated appraisal is not necessary, other means are used to verify the value of the real state, such as recent sales of similar properties on which First Federal had loans as well as calls to appraisers, brokers, realtors, and investors. First Federal monitors and tracks its reserves quarterly to determine accuracy. Based on these results, changes may occur in specific reserves assigned. A recent analysis indicates that First Federal is within its target range of the ultimate losses on liquidated loans being on average within 10% of the specific reserves established for these loans.

 

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Loan modifications constitute a troubled debt restructuring if First Federal, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. For loans that are considered troubled debt restructurings, First Federal either computes the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the original loan’s effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, it may measure impairment based on the observable market price of the loan or the fair value of the collateral even though troubled debt restructurings are not expected to be deemed collateral dependent. The difference between the carrying value and fair value of the loan is recorded as a valuation allowance.

Earnings - The profitability of First Defiance is primarily dependent on its net interest income and non-interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, principally loans and securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing deposits, FHLB advances, and other borrowings. The Company’s non-interest income is mainly derived from service fees and other charges, mortgage banking income, and insurance commissions. First Defiance’s earnings also depend on the provision for loan losses and non-interest expenses, such as employee compensation and benefits, occupancy and equipment expense, deposit insurance premiums, and miscellaneous other expenses, as well as federal income tax expense.

Impact of Recent and Future Legislation

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which significantly changes the regulation of financial institutions and the financial services industry. The Dodd-Frank Act includes provisions affecting large and small financial institutions alike, including several provisions that will profoundly affect how community banks, thrifts, and small bank and thrift holding companies, such as First Defiance, will be regulated in the future. Among other things, these provisions abolish the Office of Thrift Supervision and transfer its functions to other federal banking agencies, relax rules regarding interstate branching, allow financial institutions to pay interest on business checking accounts, change the scope of federal deposit insurance coverage, and impose new capital requirements on bank and thrift holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act also establishes the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection as an independent entity within the Federal Reserve, which will be given the authority to promulgate consumer protection regulations applicable to all entities offering consumer financial services. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act includes a series of provisions covering mortgage loan origination standards, affecting, among other things, originator compensation, minimum repayment standards, and pre-payments. The Dodd-Frank Act contains numerous other provisions affecting financial institutions of all types, many of which may have an impact on the operating environment of First Defiance in substantial and unpredictable ways. Consequently, the Dodd-Frank Act is likely to affect First Defiance’s cost of doing business, it may limit or expand the Company’s permissible activities, and it may affect the competitive balance within the financial services industry and the Company’s market area. The nature and extent of future legislative and regulatory changes affecting financial institutions, including as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, is very unpredictable at this time. First Defiance’s management team is actively reviewing the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, many of which are phased-in over the next several months and years, and assessing its probable impact on the business, financial condition, and results of operations of the Company. However, the ultimate effect of the Dodd-Frank Act on the financial services industry in general, and First Defiance in particular, is uncertain at this time.

 

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Participation in the U.S. Treasury Capital Purchase Program

On October 3, 2008, Congress passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”), which created the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) and provided the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury with broad authority to implement certain actions to help restore stability and liquidity to U.S. markets. The Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) was announced by the U.S. Treasury on October 14, 2008 as part of TARP. Pursuant to the CPP, the U.S. Treasury was permitted to purchase up to $250 billion of senior preferred shares on standardized terms from qualifying financial institutions. The purpose of the CPP was to encourage U.S. financial institutions to build capital to increase the flow of financing to U.S. businesses and consumers and to support the U.S. economy.

An institution that chose to participate in the CPP is required to comply with a number of restrictions and provisions, including standards for executive compensation and corporate governance and limitations on share repurchases and the declaration and payment of dividends on common shares. The standard terms of the CPP require that a participating financial institution limit the payment of dividends to the most recent quarterly amount prior to October 14, 2008, which is $0.26 per share in the case of First Defiance. This dividend limitation will remain in effect until the preferred shares issued to the U.S. Treasury are no longer outstanding.

First Defiance applied and was approved to participate in the CPP. As a result, on December 5, 2008, First Defiance issued $37.0 million of cumulative perpetual preferred shares, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Senior Preferred Shares”) to the U.S. Treasury. The Senior Preferred Shares constitute Tier 1 capital and rank senior to First Defiance’s common shares. The Senior Preferred Shares pay cumulative dividends at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years and will reset to a rate of 9% per annum after five years.

As part of its participation in the CPP, First Defiance also issued a warrant to the U.S. Treasury to purchase 550,595 common shares having an exercise price of $10.08 per share. The initial exercise price for the warrant and the market price for determining the number of common shares subject to the warrant were determined by reference to the market price of the common shares on the date of the investment by the U.S. Treasury in the Senior Preferred Shares (calculated on a 20-day trailing average). The warrant has a term of 10 years.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this quarterly report are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements that can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, or “continue” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21B of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated in such statements due to risks, uncertainties and changes with respect to a variety of market and other factors.

 

37


Changes in Financial Condition

At June 30, 2010, First Defiance’s total assets, deposits and stockholders’ equity amounted to $2.04 billion, $1.58 billion and $238.4 million, respectively, compared to $2.06 billion, $1.58 billion and $234.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2009.

Net loans receivable (excluding loans held for sale) declined $48.0 million to $1.53 billion from $1.58 billion at December 31, 2009. The decrease in loans is mainly attributable to the continued economic weakness in the market areas served by the Company. The Company is starting to see some signs of improvement as some businesses are showing stronger 2010 operating results and improved cash flows but the signs are more isolated than across the board. The variances in loans receivable between June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 include decreases in commercial real estate loans (down $16.4 million), commercial loans (down $15.1 million), home equity and improvement loans (down $7.0 million), construction loans (down $5.3 million), consumer loans (down $5.1 million) and one to four family residential real estate (down $10.0 million).

The investment securities portfolio increased $21.6 million to $161.0 million at June 30, 2010 from $139.4 million at December 31, 2009. The increase is the result of $37.0 million of securities being purchased during the first six months of 2010 partially offset by $9.2 million of securities being matured or called in the period, principal pay downs of $8.3 million in CMOs and mortgage-backed securities, and $22,000 of securities being sold. There was an unrealized gain in the investment portfolio of $3.2 million at June 30, 2010 compared to an unrealized gain of $721,000 at December 31, 2009.

Deposits remained steady at $1.58 billion at June 30, 2010 compared to December 31, 2009. Interest-bearing demand deposits and money market accounts increased $17.6 million to $517.2 million, savings accounts increased $10.3 million to $140.5 million and non interest-bearing demand deposits increased $1.0 million to $190.1 million. These increases were primarily offset by a decline in retail time deposits of $28.5 million to $685.5 million.

FHLB advances decreased $20.0 million to $126.9 million at June 30, 2010 from $146.9 million at December 31, 2009. The decrease is the result of paying off a $20.0 million LIBOR advance in the first quarter of 2010.

Stockholders’ equity increased from $234.1 million at December 31, 2009 to $238.4 million at June 30, 2010. The increase is primarily the result of recording net income of $3.6 million and a $1.6 million increase in the unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities partially offset by $925,000 of accrued dividends on preferred stock.

Average Balances, Net Interest Income and Yields Earned and Rates Paid

The following table presents for the periods indicated the total dollar amount of interest from average interest-earning assets and the resultant yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed both in thousands of dollars and rates, and the net interest margin. The table reports interest income from tax-exempt loans and investment on a tax-equivalent basis. All average balances are based upon daily balances (dollars in thousands).

 

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     Three Months Ended June 30,  
     2010     2009  
     Average
Balance
   Interest(1)    Yield/
Rate(2)
    Average
Balance
   Interest(1)    Yield/
Rate(2)
 

Interest-earning assets:

                

Loans receivable

   $ 1,551,396    $ 22,514    5.82   $ 1,592,513    $ 23,116    5.82

Securities

     156,263      1,838    4.78        130,663      1,739    5.26   

Interest-earning deposits

     116,271      69    0.24        83,720      33    0.16   

FHLB stock and other

     21,376      234    4.39        21,376      229    4.30   
                                

Total interest-earning assets

     1,845,306      24,655    5.36        1,828,272      25,117    5.50   

Non-interest-earning assets

     215,619           199,488      
                        

Total assets

   $ 2,060,925         $ 2,027,760      
                        

Interest-bearing liabilities:

                

Deposits

   $ 1,404,202    $ 5,126    1.46   $ 1,377,317    $ 6,859    2.00

FHLB advances

     126,910      1,220    3.86        146,951      1,279    3.49   

Subordinated debentures

     36,228      327    3.62        36,242      369    4.08   

Notes payable

     47,986      115    0.96        43,122      136    1.27   
                                

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     1,615,326      6,788    1.69        1,603,632      8,643    2.16   

Non-interest bearing deposits

     193,618      —          175,216      —     
                                

Total including non-interest bearing demand deposits

     1,808,944      6,788    1.51        1,778,848      8,643    1.95   

Other non-interest-bearing liabilities

     14,905           17,515      
                        

Total liabilities

     1,823,849           1,796,363      

Stockholders’ equity

     237,076           231,397      
                        

Total liabilities and stock-holders’ equity

   $ 2,060,925         $ 2,027,760      
                        

Net interest income; interest rate spread

      $ 17,867    3.67      $ 16,474    3.34
                                

Net interest margin (3)

         3.89         3.61
                        

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

         114         114
                        

 

(1)

Interest on certain tax-exempt loans and securities is not taxable for Federal income tax purposes. In order to compare the tax-exempt yields on these assets to taxable yields, the interest earned on these assets is adjusted to a pre-tax equivalent amount based on the marginal corporate federal income tax rate of 35%.

(2)

Annualized

(3)

Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 

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     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2010     2009  
     Average
Balance
   Interest(1)    Yield/
Rate(2)
    Average
Balance
   Interest(1)    Yield/
Rate(2)
 

Interest-earning assets:

                

Loans receivable

   $ 1,555,901    $ 44,950    5.83   $ 1,594,553    $ 46,521    5.88

Securities

     148,955      3,549    4.86        124,988      3,460    5.51   

Interest-earning deposits

     112,355      130    0.23        64,227      47    0.15   

FHLB stock and other

     21,376      453    4.27        21,376      468    4.42   
                                

Total interest-earning assets

     1,838,587      49,082    5.38        1,805,144      50,496    5.61   

Non-interest-earning assets

     216,129           201,229      
                        

Total assets

   $ 2,054,716         $ 2,006,373      
                        

Interest-bearing liabilities:

                

Deposits

   $ 1,398,073    $ 10,524    1.52   $ 1,362,747    $ 14,042    2.08

FHLB advances

     134,334      2,438    3.66        147,021      2,598    3.56   

Subordinated debentures

     36,228      650    3.62        36,247      795    4.42   

Notes payable

     46,133      220    0.96        41,327      293    1.43   
                                

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     1,614,768      13,832    1.72        1,587,342      17,728    2.25   

Non-interest bearing deposits

     188,906      —          170,548      —     
                                

Total including non-interest bearing demand deposits

     1,803,674      13,832    1.55        1,757,890      17,728    2.03   

Other non-interest-bearing liabilities

     14,759           17,735      
                        

Total liabilities

     1,818,433           1,775,625      

Stockholders’ equity

     236,283           230,748      
                        

Total liabilities and stock holders’ equity

   $ 2,054,716         $ 2,006,373      
                        

Net interest income; interest rate spread

      $ 35,250    3.66      $ 32,768    3.36
                                

Net interest margin (3)

         3.87         3.66
                        

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

         114         114
                        

 

(1)

Interest on certain tax-exempt loans and securities is not taxable for Federal income tax purposes. In order to compare the tax-exempt yields on these assets to taxable yields, the interest earned on these assets is adjusted to a pre-tax equivalent amount based on the marginal corporate federal income tax rate of 35%.

(2)

Annualized

(3)

Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009

On a consolidated basis, First Defiance’s net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 was $2.1 million compared to net income of $2.9 million for the comparable period in 2009. Net income applicable to common shares was $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2010 compared to $2.4 million for the comparable period in 2009. On a per share basis, basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended June 30, 2010 were both $0.19, compared to basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.29 for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.

Net Interest Income.

First Defiance’s net interest income is determined by its interest rate spread (i.e. the difference between the yields on its interest-earning assets and the rates paid on its interest-bearing liabilities) and the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

As demand for new lending opportunities remained soft in 2009 and into 2010, the Company invested some of its liquidity into investment securities.

Net interest income was $17.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 compared to $16.2 million for the same period in 2009. The tax-equivalent net interest margin was 3.89% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 compared to 3.61% for the same period in 2009. The increase in margin between the 2009 and 2010 second quarters is due to a widening of the interest rate spread, which increased to 3.67% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 compared to 3.34% for the same period in 2009. The increase in spread between the 2009 and 2010 second quarters occurred due to interest-earning asset yields decreasing by 14 basis points (5.36% in the second quarter of 2010 compared to 5.50% in the same period in 2009) which was more than offset by the cost of interest bearing liabilities between the two periods decreasing by 47 basis points (1.69% in the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2.16% in the same period in 2009).

Total interest income decreased by $473,000 or 1.9% to $24.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 from $24.8 million for the same period in 2009. The decrease in interest income was due to a decline in asset yields, mainly as a result of a drop in yields on securities which declined 48 basis points to 4.78% at June 30, 2010. Interest income from loans decreased to $22.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 compared to $23.1 million for the same period in 2009. This decrease is due to the decrease in loan balances as the yield on loans has remained steady at 5.82% for the quarters ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009.

Interest expense decreased by $1.8 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, to $6.8 million from $8.6 million. This decrease was due to a 47 basis point decline in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities in the second quarter of 2010 which more than offset the $11.7 million increase in the average balance of those liabilities in the second quarter of 2010. Interest expense related to interest-bearing deposits was $5.1 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared to $6.9 million for the same period in 2009. Expenses on FHLB advances and notes payable were $1.2 million and $115,000 respectively in the second quarter of 2010 compared to $1.3 million and $136,000 respectively for the same period in 2009. Interest expense recognized by the Company related to subordinated debentures was $327,000 in the second quarter of 2010 compared to $369,000 for the same period in 2009.

 

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Provision for Loan Losses.

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s assessment of the estimated probable credit losses in the loan portfolio at each balance sheet date. Management analyzes the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses regularly through reviews of the loan portfolio. Consideration is given to economic conditions, changes in interest rates and the effect of such changes on collateral values and borrower’s ability to pay, changes in the composition of the loan portfolio and trends in past due and non-performing loan balances. The allowance for loan losses is a material estimate that is susceptible to significant fluctuation and is established through a provision for loan losses based on management’s evaluation of the inherent risk in the loan portfolio. In addition to extensive in-house loan monitoring procedures, the Company utilizes an outside party to conduct an independent loan review of all commercial loan and commercial real estate loan relationships that exceed $250,000 of aggregate exposure. Management utilizes the results of this outside loan review to assess the effectiveness of its internal loan grading system as well as to assist in the assessment of the overall adequacy of the allowance for loan losses associated with these types of loans.

The provision for loan losses is determined by management as the amount to be added to the allowance for loan losses after net charge-offs have been deducted to bring the allowance to a level which, in management’s best estimate, is necessary to absorb probable credit losses within the existing loan portfolio in the normal course of business. The allowance for loan loss is made up of two basic components. The first component is the specific allowance in which the Company sets aside reserves based on the analysis of individual credits. The second component is the general reserve. The general reserve is used to record loan loss reserves for groups of homogenous loans in which the Company estimates the losses incurred in the portfolios based on quantitative and qualitative factors. Due to the uncertainty of risks in the loan portfolio, the Company’s judgment on the amount of the allowance necessary to adsorb loans losses is approximate. Table 3 below presents the allocation of the specific and general components of the allowance by signification loan types.

In establishing specific reserves, First Federal analyzes all loans on its classified and special mention lists at least quarterly and makes judgments about the risk of loss based on the cash flow of the borrower, the value of any collateral and the financial strength of any guarantor in determining the amount of impairment of individual loans and the specific reserve to be recorded.

For purpose of the general reserve analysis, the loan portfolio is stratified into ten different loan pools based on loan type and by market area to allocate historic loss experience. The loss experience factor applied to the non-impaired loan portfolio was based upon historical losses of the most recent four quarters.

The stratification of the loan portfolio resulted in a quantitative general allowance of $12.8 million at June 30, 2010 compared to $10.5 million at December 31, 2009. The increase in the quantitative allowance was due to the increase in the historical loss factors relating to commercial and commercial real estate loans.

 

42


In addition to the quantitative analysis, a qualitative analysis is performed each quarter to provide additional general reserves on the non-impaired loan portfolio for various factors that have a bearing on its loss content, including but not limited to the following:

 

   

Changes in international, national and local economic and business conditions and developments, including the condition of various market segments;

 

   

Changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio;

 

   

Changes in the trends of the volume and severity of past due and classified loans; and changes in trends in the volume of non-accrual loans, troubled debt restructurings and other loan modifications;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

Changes in the political and regulatory environment;

 

   

Changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices;

 

   

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

 

   

Changes in the quality and breadth of the loan review process.

The qualitative analysis at June 30, 2010 indicated a general reserve of $7.1 million compared with $8.7 million at December 31, 2009. This decrease was mainly driven by improved cash flow and operating results of borrowers in the first half of 2010 resulting in lower classified loans and delinquencies. Management believes that the overall economy and operating environment has stabilized in our markets but still recognizes that high unemployment and declining real estate values in the Midwest remain a concern. While management has seen a reduction in unemployment in its market area, the majority of the counties it serves remain well into double digits. The unemployment rates for June 2010 for the following counties in Ohio were: Allen 11.1%, Defiance 12.3%, Fulton 11.9%, Hancock 9.7%, Henry 12.1%, Lucas 12.0%, Ottawa 11.1%, Paulding 11.4%, Putnam 9.4%, Seneca 11.5%, Williams 13.0% and Wood 10.3%. These rates compare to unemployment rates in December 2009 of the following counties in Ohio were: Allen 11.6%, Defiance 12.8%, Fulton 14.3%, Hancock 9.6%, Henry 13.9%, Lucas 12.3%, Ottawa 17.3%, Paulding 12.7%, Putnam 11.0%, Seneca 13.0%, Williams 14.9% and Wood 11.1%. The Company operates in two counties in Michigan, Hillsdale and Lenawee. The unemployment rate in Hillsdale county was 15.4% in June 2010 compared to 18.2% in December 2009, and the unemployment rate in Lenawee county was 14.7% in June 2010 compared to 16.6% in December 2009. The Company operates in one county in Indiana, Allen, which had an unemployment rate of 10.4% in June 2010 compared to 10.0% in December 2009.

 

43


As a result of the quantitative and qualitative analyses, along with the change in specific reserves, the Company’s provision for loan losses for the second quarter of 2010 was $5.4 million, compared to $4.0 million for the same period in 2009. The allowance for loan losses was $38.9 million and $36.5 million and represented 2.47% and 2.26% of loans, net of undisbursed loan funds and deferred fees and costs, as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. That increase was mainly the result of the deterioration of economic conditions that continued throughout 2009 and into 2010, posing many challenges for the banking industry. Real estate values have declined and some collateral dependent loans no longer have enough collateral value to support the outstanding balance. Management has expanded its credit monitoring functions even further beyond its traditionally strong focus. Additional asset review functions and more delinquent loan reporting requirements have been added to assist in this monitoring. Management will continually review credit concentrations by the industry and has placed lower limits on lending within certain types of loan categories. Management has also segmented the commercial real estate portfolio to track the general performance of these segments to further refine the predictive process of identifying potential problem loans. The provision was offset by charge offs of $3.9 million against specific reserves and $1.8 million against general reserves and recoveries of $135,000, resulting in a slight decrease to the overall allowance for loan loss of $128,000 from March 31, 2010. In management’s opinion, the overall allowance for loan losses of $38.9 million as of June 30, 2010 is adequate.

Management also assesses the value of real estate owned as of the end of each accounting period and recognizes write-downs to the value of that real estate in the income statement if conditions dictate. In the second quarter of 2010, First Defiance recorded OREO write-downs that totaled $607,000 compared to write-downs of $374,000 for the same period in 2009. These write-downs are primarily a result of management’s decision to decrease the liquidation values in an effort to spur interest in our market areas to sell these properties. These amounts are included in other non-interest expense. Management believes that the values recorded at June 30, 2010 for real estate owned and repossessed assets represent the realizable value of such assets.

Total classified loans decreased to $114.4 million at June 30, 2010, compared to $128.9 million at December 31, 2009. At June 30, 2010, a total of $48.8 million of loans are classified as substandard for which a specific reserve is required. A total of $63.3 million in additional credits were classified as substandard at June 30, 2010 for which no reserve is required because of factors such as the level of collateral or the strength of guarantors. First Defiance also has classified $2.3 million of loans doubtful at June 30, 2010. By contrast, at December 31, 2009, a total of $46.3 million of loans were classified as substandard for which a specific reserve is required. A total of $78.0 million in additional credits were classified as substandard at December 31, 2009 for which no reserve is required because of factors such as the level of collateral or the strength of guarantors. First Defiance also had classified $4.6 million of loans doubtful at December 31, 2009.

First Defiance’s ratio of allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans was 95.41% at June 30, 2010 compared with 76.29% at December 31, 2009. Management monitors collateral values of all loans included on the watch list that are collateral dependent and believes that allowances for those loans at June 30, 2010 are appropriate.

 

44


At June 30, 2010, First Defiance had total non-performing assets of $53.5 million, compared to $61.4 million at December 31, 2009. Non-performing assets include loans that are 90 days past due, restructured loans and real estate and other assets held for sale. Non-performing assets at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 by category were as follows:

Table 1 – Nonperforming Assets

 

     June  30,
2010
   December 31,
2009
     
     (In thousands)

Non-performing loans:

     

Residential

   $ 6,457    $ 5,349

Construction

     254      675

Commercial real estate

     17,912      24,042

Commercial

     6,898      10,615

Consumer

     17      59

Home Equity and improvement

     266      451

Restructured loans, still accruing

     8,918      6,715
             

Total non-performing loans

     40,722      47,906

Real estate owned and repossessed assets

     12,735      13,527
             

Total non-performing assets

   $ 53,457    $ 61,433
             

The decrease in non-performing loans between December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2010 is primarily in commercial real estate and commercial loans. The combined balance of these types of non-performing loans was $9.8 million lower at June 30, 2010 compared to December 31, 2009.

Non-performing loans in the residential, commercial real estate and commercial loan categories represent 2.97%, 2.27% and 1.89% of the total loans in those categories respectively at June 30, 2010 compared to 2.35%, 2.98% and 2.80% respectively for the same categories at December 31, 2009. With the level of non-performing loans decreasing quarter over quarter, management believes that the current allowance for loan losses is appropriate and that the provision for loan losses recorded in the second quarter of 2010 is consistent with both charge-off experience and the risk inherent in the overall credits in the portfolio.

Asset quality ratios for First Defiance were as follows at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:

Table 2 – Nonperforming Asset Ratios

 

     June 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans*

   2.47   2.26

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing assets

   72.68   59.49

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans

   95.41   76.29

Total non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets

   2.62   2.99

Total non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans*

   2.59   2.96

 

*

Total loans are net of undisbursed loan funds and deferred fees and costs.

First Federal’s Asset Review Committee meets monthly to review the status of work-out strategies for all criticized relationships, which include all non-accrual loans. Based on such factors as anticipated collateral values in liquidation scenarios, cash flow projections, assessment of net worth of guarantors and all other factors which may mitigate risk of loss, the Asset Review Committee makes recommendations regarding required allowances and proposed charge-offs which are approved by the Senior Loan Committee (in the case of charge-offs) or the Loan Loss Reserve Committee (in the case of specific allowances).

 

45


The following table discloses charge-offs, recoveries and provision expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 by loan category ($ in thousands).

Table 3 – Charge-offs, Recoveries and Provision by Category

 

Quarter Ended June 30, 2010    Commercial
Real Estate
    Commercial     Consumer     Residential     Construction     Home Equity and
improvement
    Total  

Allowance for loans individually evaluated

              

Beginning Specific Allocations

   $ 9,247      $ 6,095      $ 68      $ 3,617      $ 157      $ 300      $ 19,484   

Charge-Offs

     (152     (2,839     (3     (861     —          (78     (3,933

Recoveries

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Provisions

     1,113        1,019        (16     1,136        3        105        3,360   
                                                        

Ending Specific Allocations

   $ 10,208      $ 4,275      $ 49      $ 3,892      $ 160      $ 327      $ 18,911   
                                                        

Allowance for loans collectively evaluated

              

Beginning General Allocations

   $ 10,114      $ 4,578      $ 334      $ 2,468      $ 560      $ 1,442      $ 19,496   

Charge-Offs

     (1,092     (313     (13     (274     —          (78     (1,770

Recoveries

     —          35        28        33        —          39        135   

Provisions

     707        1,806        97        466        (506     (490     2,080   
                                                        

Ending General Allocations

   $ 9,729      $ 6,106      $ 446      $ 2,693      $ 54      $ 913      $ 19,941   
                                                        

The following table details net charge-offs and nonaccrual loans by loan type. For the three months ended and as of June 30, 2010, commercial real estate, which represented 49.9% of total loans, accounted for 22.3% of net charge-offs and 56.3% of nonaccrual loans, and commercial loans, which represented 23.0% of total loans, accounted for 56.0% of net charge-offs and 21.7% of nonaccrual loans. For the three months ended and as of June 30, 2009, commercial real estate, which represented 47.4% of total loans, accounted for 53.9% of net charge-offs and 72.3% of nonaccrual loans, and commercial loans, which represented 23.6% of total loans, accounted for 23.8% of net charge-offs and 10.1% of nonaccrual loans.

 

46


Table 4 – Net Charge-offs and Non-accruals by Loan Type

 

     For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010     As of June 30, 2010  
     Net
Charge-offs
    % of Total Net
Charge-offs
    Nonaccrual
Loans
   % of Total Non-
Accrual Loans
 
         
     (in thousands)     (in thousands)  

Residential

   $ 1,101      19.8   $ 6,457    20.3

Construction

     —        0.0     254    0.8

Commercial real estate

     1,243      22.3     17,912    56.3

Commercial

     3,118      56.0     6,898    21.7

Consumer

     (12   (0.2 )%      17    0.1

Home equity and improvement

     118      2.1     266    0.8
                           

Total

   $ 5,568      100.0   $ 31,804    100.0
                           
     For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009     As of June 30, 2009  
     Net
Charge-offs
    % of Total Net
Charge-offs
    Nonaccrual
Loans
   % of Total  Non-
Accrual Loans
 
         
     (in thousands)     (in thousands)  

Residential

   $ 501      13.1   $ 5,541    15.6

Construction

     —        0.0     60    0.2

Commercial real estate

     2,057      53.9     25,672    72.3

Commercial

     911      23.8     3,589    10.1

Consumer

     52      1.4     39    0.1

Home equity and improvement

     298      7.8     627    1.7
                           

Total

   $ 3,819      100.0   $ 35,528    100.0
                           

 

47


Credit Quality Profile

The following table discloses the period end balances for the loan portfolio by payment status as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

Table 5 – Credit Quality Profile

 

     Total
Balance
   Current
and
Performing
   30 to 89
days past
due*
   Non
Accrual
Loans
   Troubled
Debt
Restructuring
   Non Accrual
%
    > 30 Days
Past Due and
Non Accrual
%
 
     (dollars in thousands)   

June 30, 2010

                   

Residential

   $ 217,603    $ 202,472    $ 4,790    $ 6,457    $ 3,884    2.97   5.17

Construction

     43.333      43,079      —        254      —      0.59   0.59

Commercial real estate

     790,521      763,913      4,057      17,912      4,639    2.27   2.78

Commercial

     364,281      356,500      508      6,898      375    1.89   2.03

Consumer finance

     28,961      28,767      177      17      —      0.06   0.67

Home equity and improvement

     140,969      139,219      1,464      266      20    0.19   1.23
                                               

Total loans

   $ 1,585,668    $ 1,533,950    $ 10,996    $ 31,804    $ 8,918    2.01   2.70
                                               

Total Number of Loans

     20,910      20,473      184      213      40     

December 31, 2009

                   

Residential

   $ 227,592    $ 215,209    $ 4,333    $ 5,349    $ 2,701    2.35   4.25

Construction

     48,625      47,950      —        675      —      1.39   1.39

Commercial real estate

     806,890      775,604      3,280      24,042      3,964    2.98   3.39

Commercial

     379,408      367,592      1,151      10,615      50    2.80   3.10

Consumer finance

     34,105      33,669      377      59      —      0.17   1.28

Home equity and improvement

     147,977      145,481      2,045      451      —      0.30   1.69
                                               

Total loans

   $ 1,644,597    $ 1,585,505    $ 11,186    $ 41,191    $ 6,715    2.51   3.18
                                               

Total Number of Loans

     22,109      21,504      281      283      41     

 

*

There are 5 residential loans totaling $640,000 and 5 commercial real estate loans totaling $1,836,000 that are not included in the 30 to 89 days past due column as they are classified as troubled debt and are included in that category at June 30, 2010. At December 31, 2009, there was 1 such residential loan with a balance of $385,000.

 

48


The table below is the credit risk profile trend for the last five quarters using the Company’s internally assigned loan grades. This table was created using data required to be compliant with the Company’s reporting on the thrift financial report.

Table 6 – Credit Risk Profile Trend

 

Commercial Real Estate
      2nd Qtr  2010    1st Qtr  2010    4th Qtr  2009    3rd Qtr  2009    2nd Qtr  2009

Grade

              

Pass

   $ 686,323    $ 690,172    $ 698,903    $ 695,848    $ 650,573

Special Mention

     46,272      41,401      35,780      30,672      38,429

Substandard/Doubtful

     57,926      65,876      72,207      75,914      79,634
                                  

Total by Exposure

   $ 790,521    $ 797,449    $ 806,890    $ 802,434    $ 768,636
                                  

 

Commercial
      2nd Qtr  2010    1st Qtr  2010    4th Qtr  2009    3rd Qtr  2009    2nd Qtr  2009

Grade

              

Pass

   $ 307,791    $ 294,765    $ 322,152    $ 333,797    $ 338,026

Special Mention

     24,172      23,029      22,441      12,479      17,102

Substandard/Doubtful

     32,318      35,129      34,815      25,605      27,306
                                  

Total by Exposure

   $ 364,281    $ 352,923    $ 379,408    $ 371,881    $ 382,434
                                  

 

Residential
      2nd Qtr  2010    1st Qtr  2010    4th Qtr  2009    3rd Qtr  2009    2nd Qtr  2009

Grade

              

Pass

   $ 191,796    $ 196,452    $ 203,649    $ 212,140    $ 214,982

Special Mention

     4,778      5,372      3,897      3,769      4,585

Substandard/Doubtful

     21,029      20,275      20,046      18,049      18,433
                                  

Total by Exposure

   $ 217,603    $ 222,099    $ 227,592    $ 233,958    $ 238,000
                                  

 

Construction
      2nd Qtr  2010    1st Qtr  2010    4th Qtr  2009    3rd Qtr  2009    2nd Qtr  2009

Grade

              

Pass

   $ 40,652    $ 42,129    $ 45,091    $ 50,655    $ 40,985

Special Mention

     403      403      2,768      2,850      2,850

Substandard/Doubtful

     2,278      3,837      766      100      835
                                  

Total by Exposure

   $ 43,333    $ 46,369    $ 48,625    $ 53,605    $ 44,670
                                  

 

Consumer
      2nd Qtr  2010    1st Qtr  2010    4th Qtr  2009    3rd Qtr  2009    2nd Qtr  2009

Grade

              

Pass

   $ 28,832    $ 31,600    $ 33,935    $ 36,132    $ 37,924

Special Mention

     —        —        —        —        —  

Substandard/Doubtful

     129      118      170      284      150
                                  

Total by Exposure

   $ 28,961    $ 31,718    $ 34,105    $ 36,416    $ 38,074
                                  

 

49


Home Equity and Improvement
      2nd Qtr  2010    1st Qtr  2010    4th Qtr  2009    3rd Qtr  2009    2nd Qtr  2009

Grade

              

Pass

   $ 140,223    $ 143,371    $ 147,076    $ 148,805    $ 149,839

Special Mention

     —        —        —        —        —  

Substandard/Doubtful

     746      1,455      901      1,574      1,374
                                  

Total by Exposure

   $ 140,969    $ 144,826    $ 147,977    $ 150,379    $ 151,213
                                  

 

50


Total
      2nd Qtr 2010    1st Qtr 2010    4th Qtr 2009    3rd Qtr 2009    2nd Qtr 2009

Grade

              

Pass

   $ 1,395,617    $ 1,398,489    $ 1,450,806    $ 1,477,377    $ 1,432,329

Special Mention

     75,625      70,205      64,886      49,770      62,966

Substandard/Doubtful

     114,426      126,690      128,905      121,526      127,732
                                  

Total by Exposure

   $ 1,585,668    $ 1,595,384    $ 1,644,597    $ 1,648,673    $ 1,623,027
                                  

The following table sets forth the activity in First Defiance’s allowance for loan losses during the periods indicated.

Table 7 – Allowance for Loan Loss Activity

 

     For the Quarter Ended
     2nd 2010    1st 2010    4th 2009    3rd 2009    2nd 2009
     (Dollars in Thousands)

Allowance at beginning of period

   $ 38,980    $ 36,547    $ 31,248    $ 25,840    $ 25,694

Provision for credit losses

     5,440      6,889      8,470      8,051      3,965

Charge-offs:

              

Residential

     1,135      326      884      744      505

Commercial real estate

     1,243      3,191      1,912      1,152      2,066

Commercial

     3,153      735      354      658      950

Consumer finance

     16      25      75      39      83

Home equity and improvement

     156      399      135      196      301
                                  

Total charge-offs

     5,703      4,676      3,360      2,789      3,905

Recoveries

     135      220      189      146      86
                                  

Net charge-offs

     5,568      4,456      3,171      2,643      3,819
                                  

Ending allowance

   $ 38,852    $ 38,980    $ 36,547    $ 31,248    $ 25,840
                                  

The following table sets forth information concerning the allocation of First Defiance’s allowance for loan losses by loan categories at the dates indicated.

Table 8 – Allowance for Loan Loss Allocation by Loan Category

 

     June 30, 2010     March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009     September 30, 2009     June 30, 2009  
     Amount    Percent of
total loans
by category
    Amount    Percent of
total loans
by category
    Amount    Percent of
total loans
by category
    Amount    Percent of
total loans
by category
    Amount    Percent of
total loans
by category
 
                         
                         

Residential

   $ 6,585    16.95   $ 6,093    13.92   $ 5,827    13.84   $ 5,395    14.19   $ 4,735    14.66

Construction

     214    0.55     717    2.91     221    2.96     113    3.25     101    2.75

Commercial real estate

     19,939    51.32     19,354    49.98     18,876    49.06     16,107    48.67     12,918    47.36

Commercial

     10,381    26.72     10,672    22.12     9,444    23.07     7,183    22.56     5,808    23.56

Consumer

     494    1.27     402    1.99     515    2.07     618    2.21     672    2.35

Home equity and improvement

     1,239    3.19     1,742    9.08     1,664    9.00     1,832    9.12     1,606    9.32
                                                                 
   $ 38,852    100.00   $ 38,980    100.00   $ 36,547    100.00   $ 31,248    100.00   $ 25,840    100.00
                                                                 

 

51


Key Asset Quality Ratio Trends

Table 9 – Key Asset Quality Ratio Trends

 

     2nd Qtr 2010     1st Qtr 2010     4th Qtr 2009     3rd Qtr 2009     2nd Qtr 2009  

Allowance for loan losses / loans*

   2.47   2.47   2.26   1.92   1.60

Allowance for loan losses to net charge-offs

   697.77   874.78   1,152.54   1,182.29   676.62

Allowance for loan losses / non-performing assets

   72.68   73.05   59.49   63.23   52.80

Allowance for loan losses / non-performing loans

   95.41   96.03   76.29   78.00   64.00

Non-performing assets / loans plus REO*

   3.37   3.36   3.77   3.03   3.02

Non-performing assets / total assets

   2.62   2.59   2.99   2.45   2.42

Net charge-offs / average loans (annualized)

   1.44   1.14   0.79   0.66   0.96

 

*

Total loans are net of undisbursed funds and deferred fees and costs.

Non-Interest Income.

Total non-interest income decreased $2.6 million to $5.8 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 due primarily to a decrease in mortgage banking income.

Service Fees. Service fees and other charges increased by $71,000 or 2.1% in the 2010 second quarter compared to the same period in 2009. The increase can be attributed to customers utilizing their debit cards more routinely, resulting in an increase in debit card fee income.

First Federal’s overdraft privilege program generally provides for the automatic payment of modest overdraft limits on all accounts deemed to be in good standing when the account is accessed using paper-based check processing, a teller withdrawal, a point-of-sale terminal, an ACH transaction, or an ATM. To be in good standing, an account must be brought to a positive balance within a 30-day period. Overdraft limits are established for all customers without discrimination using a risk assessment approach for each account classification. The approach includes a systematic review and evaluation of the normal deposit flows made to each account classification to establish reasonable and prudent negative balance limits that would be routinely repaid by normal, expected and reoccurring deposits. The risk assessment by portfolio approach assumes a minimal degree of undetermined credit risk associated with unidentified individual accounts that are overdrawn for 30 or more days. Accounts overdrawn for more than 60 days are automatically charged off. Fees are charged as a one-time fee per occurrence and the fee charged for an item that is paid is equal to the fee charged for a non-sufficient fund item that is returned.

Overdrawn balances, net of allowance for losses, are reflected as loans on First Defiance’s balance sheet. The fees charged for this service are established based both on the return of processing costs plus a profit, and on the level of fees charged by competitors in the Company’s market area for similar services. These fees are considered to be compensation for providing a service to the customer and therefore deemed to be noninterest income rather than interest income. Beginning on July 1, 2010 for new customers and August 15, 2010 for existing customers, federal rules will prohibit a financial institution from assessing a fee to complete an ATM withdrawal or one-time debit card transaction which will cause an overdraft unless the customer consents in advance (“opts-in”). Fee income recorded for the quarters ending June 30, 2010 and 2009 related to the overdraft privilege product, net of adjustments to the allowance for uncollectible overdrafts, were $2.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Accounts charged off are included in noninterest expense. The allowance for uncollectible overdrafts was $78,000 at June 30, 2010, $114,000 at December 31, 2009 and $110,000 at June 30, 2009.

 

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Mortgage Banking Activity. Total revenue from the sale and servicing of mortgage loans decreased $3.0 million to $1.0 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to $4.0 million for the same period of 2009. This decrease was primarily due to lower loan origination volume for the quarter, the result of lower refinancing activity due to higher interest rates on conforming saleable mortgage-based products in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Gains realized from the sale of mortgage loans declined drastically in the second quarter of 2010 to $1.2 million from $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2009. Mortgage loan servicing revenue increased $59,000 in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2009. The decrease in gains were partially offset by expense decreases of $744,000 for the amortization of mortgage servicing rights due to the lower refinance activity during the second quarter of 2010. The Company recorded a negative valuation adjustment of $571,000 on mortgage servicing rights in the second quarter of 2010 compared to a positive valuation adjustment of $1,520,000 in the second quarter of 2009. This was driven by a steady decrease in market mortgage rates late in the second quarter of 2010. This decrease in rates increased the assumed prepayment speed of the mortgage servicing rights.

Loss on Sale or Write-Down of Securities. Non-interest income also includes investment securities gains or losses. In the second quarter of 2010, First Defiance recognized other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charges of $71,000 for certain impaired investment securities, where in management’s opinion, the value of the investment will not be fully recovered. The OTTI charge related to two Trust Preferred Collateralized Debt Obligation (“CDO”) investments with a remaining book value of $1.6 million. In the second quarter of 2009, First Defiance recognized OTTI charges of $875,000 for certain impaired investment securities, where in management’s opinion, the value of the investment will not be recovered. The OTTI charge related to four CDOs with a remaining book value of $2.3 million. In the second quarter of 2009, four available for sale securities were sold for a gain of $125,000.

Non-Interest Expense.

Non-interest expense decreased to $15.0 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to $16.1 million for the same period in 2009.

Compensation and Benefits. Compensation and benefits decreased to $6.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 from $7.6 million for the same period in 2009. The decrease is mainly attributable to a reduction in variable compensation due to the second quarter 2010 performance of the Company not meeting its target as well as a reduction in employees.

FDIC insurance premium. FDIC insurance expense decreased to $929,000 in the second quarter of 2010 from $1.5 million in the same period of 2009. This was the result of a $904,000 special assessment in the second quarter of 2009 partially offset by FDIC rate increases and higher insured deposit balances.

 

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Other Non-Interest Expenses. Other non-interest expenses (including state franchise tax, data processing, amortization of intangibles and other) increased by $662,000 to $5.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 from $5.1 million for the same period in 2009. Increases between the 2010 and 2009 second quarters include an increase in credit, collection and OREO expenses of $265,000 for other real estate owned and repossessed assets and $346,000 of expenses incurred related to the core system conversion scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2010. The following table below shows the quarterly ending balances of these major expense categories.

Table 10 – Key Quarterly Non-Interest Expense Variances

 

3 Months Ended    6-30-10    3-31-10    12-31-09    9-30-09    6-30-09

Credit and Collection Expense

   $ 355,559    $ 349,435    $ 300,065    $ 344,255    $ 254,839

REO Expenses

     698,710      798,394      351,436      863,245      534,048

Core Conversion Costs

     346,189      71,106      —        —        —  

Credit and collection expenses are mainly legal costs incurred in the normal course of collecting a debt. REO expenses are mainly the write-downs taken primarily due to a change in the value of the foreclosed asset as well as costs to maintain the property such as real estate taxes and repairs. Core conversion expenses are mainly consulting expenses, deconversion fees and training costs.

The efficiency ratio, considering tax equivalent interest income and excluding securities gains and losses, for the second quarter of 2010 was 63.40% compared to 63.06% for the second quarter of 2009.

Income Taxes.

First Defiance computes federal income tax expense in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Subtopic 942, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 28.18% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 compared to 34.66% for the same period in 2009. The decline in the effective tax rate for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 is due to the increase in nontaxable life insurance and municipal security income in the current period.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009

On a consolidated basis, First Defiance’s net income for the six months ended June 30, 2010 of $3.6 million compared to income of $6.3 million for the comparable period in 2009. Net income applicable to common shares was $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $5.3 million for the comparable period in 2009. On a per share basis, basic and diluted earnings per common share for the six months ended June 30, 2010 were $0.32 and $0.31, respectively, compared to basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.65 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.

Net Interest Income.

Net interest income was $34.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $32.2 million for the same period in 2009. For the six month period ended June 30, 2010, total interest income was $48.5 million, a $1.5 million decrease from the same period in 2009. Despite average earning assets increasing $33.4 million in the first six months of 2010, the average yield declined 23 basis points as a result of a lower rate environment.

 

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Interest expense decreased by $3.9 million to $13.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $17.7 million in the first half of 2009. While the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased by $27.4 million between the first halves of 2009 and 2010, the expense associated with the higher balance was more than offset by a decline in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits for the six months ending June 30, 2010, to 1.52%, a 56 basis point decrease from the 2.08% average cost in the first half of 2009. This decline is the result of the continued low rate environment which has given management opportunities to re-price on the liability side.

Provision for Loan Losses.

The provision for loan losses was $12.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared to $6.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2009. The year over year increase was primarily the result of the deterioration of a number of large credits in the commercial loan portfolio along with a decline in the overall economy in the Company’s primary market area. Charge-offs for the first half of 2010 were $10.4 million and recoveries of previously charged off loans totaled $355,000 for net charge-offs of $10.0 million. By comparison, $5.7 million of charge-offs were recorded in the same period of 2009 and $214,000 of recoveries were realized for net charge-offs of $5.5 million.

Non-Interest Income.

Total non-interest income decreased to $12.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $15.2 million recognized in the same period of 2009.

Service Fees. Service fees and other charges increased by $143,000 or 2.2% in the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The increase is primarily related to an overall increase in the number of accounts serviced period over period.

Mortgage Banking Activity. Total revenue from the sale and servicing of mortgage loans decreased 58% to $2.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $6.7 million for the same period of 2009. Gains realized from the sale of mortgage loans decreased $3.3 million to $2.4 million for the first half of 2010 from $5.7 million during the same period of 2009. Mortgage loan servicing revenue increased $118,000 in the first half of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009. The decrease in gains were partially offset by expense decreases of $1.3 million for the amortization of mortgage servicing rights in the first half of 2010 when compared to 2009. The Company recorded a negative valuation adjustment of $250,000 in the first half of 2010 compared to a positive adjustment of $1.7 million in the first half of 2009. The mortgage servicing rights valuation was driven by a steady decline in market mortgage rates late in the second quarter of 2010.

Insurance and Investment Sales Commission. Insurance and investment sales commission income decreased $399,000, to $2.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, from $2.8 million during the same period of 2009. This is the result of receiving less contingent commission income in the first half of 2010 compared to the first half of 2009. In 2010, $104,000 was received compared to $432,000 in 2009.

 

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Loss on Securities. Non-interest income was reduced in the first half of 2010 by $135,000 as First Defiance recognized $141,000 of other-than-temporary impairment charges for certain impaired investment securities partially offset by the gain on sale of $6,000 from available for sale securities. In the first half of 2009, $1.5 million of OTTI charges were recorded on impaired investments, partially offset by the $125,000 gain recorded from the sale of available for sale securities.

Non-Interest Expense.

Non-interest expense decreased to $29.9 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to $31.1 million for the same period in 2009. The year-to-date 2010 amount includes $37,000 of non-recurring costs associated with the acquisition of a group medical benefits line of business in May 2010.

Compensation and Benefits. Compensation and benefits decreased to $13.0 million for the first six months ended June 30, 2010 from $15.0 million for the same period in 2009. A significant part of this decrease relates to management’s decision to preemptively reduce staff levels as well as to allow attrition to reduce staffing levels. The Company had 497 full-time equivalent employees as of June 30, 2010 compared to 536 as of June 30, 2009.

Occupancy. Occupancy costs decreased $512,000 in the first six months of 2010. This decrease can be attributable to the cost savings from closing several branches in January 2010 as previously announced in the Company’s 2009 10-K.

Other Non-Interest Expenses. Other non-interest expenses (including state franchise tax, data processing, amortization of intangibles and other) increased by $1.2 million to $11.3 million for the first six months of 2010 from $10.1 million for the same period in 2009. Significant increases between the first six months of 2010 and 2009 include an increase in credit, collection and OREO expenses of $699,000 for other real estate owned and repossessed assets and $417,000 of expenses related to the core system conversion that will take place later in 2010. These costs were partially offset by a decrease in office supply expense (down $42,000) and country club memberships (down $24,000) as a direct result of management’s cost control initiative.

Table 11 – Key Year-To-Date Non-Interest Expense Variances

 

6 Months Ended    6-30-10    6-30-09

Credit and Collection Expense

   $ 704,994    $ 472,526

REO Expenses

     1,497,104      1,030,149

Core Conversion Costs

     417,295      —  

Credit and collection expenses are mainly legal costs incurred in the normal course of collecting a debt. REO expenses are mainly the write-downs taken primarily due to a change in the value of the foreclosed asset as well as costs to maintain the property such as real estate taxes and repairs. Core conversion expenses are mainly consulting expenses, deconversion fees and training costs.

The efficiency ratio for the first half of 2010 was 62.32% compared to 63.07% for the same period of 2009.

 

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Liquidity

As a regulated financial institution, First Federal is required to maintain appropriate levels of “liquid” assets to meet short-term funding requirements.

First Defiance had $11.3 million of cash provided by operating activities during the first six months of 2010. The Company’s cash used in operating activities resulted from the origination of loans held for sale mostly offset by the proceeds on the sale of loans.

At June 30, 2010, First Defiance had $79.3 million in outstanding loan commitments and loans in process to be funded generally within the next six months and an additional $242.0 million committed under existing consumer and commercial lines of credit and standby letters of credit. Also at that date, First Defiance had commitments to sell $34.9 million of loans held-for-sale. Also, the total amount of certificates of deposit that are scheduled to mature by June 30, 2011 is $412.9 million. First Defiance believes that it has adequate resources to fund commitments as they arise and that it can adjust the rate on savings certificates to retain deposits in changing interest rate environments. If First Defiance requires funds beyond its internal funding capabilities, advances from the FHLB of Cincinnati and other financial institutions are available.

Liquidity risk arises from the possibility that we may not be able to meet our financial obligations and operating cash needs or may become overly reliant upon external funding sources. In order to mange this risk, our Board of Directors has established an Liquidity Policy that identifies primary sources of liquidity, establishes procedures for monitoring and measuring liquidity and quantifies minimum liquidity requirements. This policy designates our Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) as the body responsible for meeting these objectives. The ALCO reviews liquidity on a monthly basis and approves significant changes in strategies that affect balance sheet or cash flow positions. Liquidity is centrally managed on a daily basis by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Controller.

ALCO uses an economic value of equity (“EVE”) analysis to measure risk in the balance sheet incorporating all cash flows over the estimated remaining life of all balance sheet positions. The EVE analysis calculates the net present value of First Federal’s assets and liabilities in rate shock environments that range from -300 basis points to +300 basis points. The likelihood of a decrease in rates as of June 30, 2010 was considered to be remote given the current interest rate environment and therefore, was not included in this analysis. The results of this analysis are reflected in the following tables for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and the year-ended December 31, 2009.

 

June 30, 2010
Economic Value of Equity
 

Change in Rates

  $ Amount   $ Change     % Change  
    (Dollars in Thousands)        
+ 300 bp   264,970   (17,423   (6.17 )% 
+ 200 bp   273,217   (9,176   (3.25 )% 
+ 100 bp   279,588   (2,805   (0.99 )% 
        0 bp   282,393   —        —     

 

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December 31, 2009
Economic Value of Equity
 

Change in Rates

  $ Amount   $ Change     % Change  
    (Dollars in Thousands)        
+ 300 bp   263,012   (9,820   (3.60 )% 
+ 200 bp   267,908   (4,924   (1.80 )% 
+ 100 bp   270,927   (1,905   (0.70 )% 
       0 bp   272,932   —        —     

Capital Resources

First Federal is required to maintain specified amounts of capital pursuant to regulations promulgated by the OTS. The capital standards generally require the maintenance of regulatory capital sufficient to meet a tangible capital requirement, a core capital requirement, and a risk-based capital requirement. The following table sets forth First Federal’s compliance with each of the capital requirements at June 30, 2010 (in thousands).

 

     Core Capital     Risk-Based Capital  
     Adequately
Capitalized
    Well
Capitalized
    Adequately
Capitalized
    Well
Capitalized
 

Regulatory capital

   $ 209,647      $ 209,647      $ 231,182      $ 231,182   

Minimum required regulatory capital

     78,902        98,628        136,924        171,156   
                                

Excess regulatory capital

   $ 130,745      $ 111,019      $ 94,258      $ 60,026   
                                

Regulatory capital as a percentage of assets (1)

     10.63     10.63     13.51     13.51

Minimum capital required as a percentage of assets

     4.00     5.00     8.00     10.00
                                

Excess regulatory capital as a percentage of assets

     6.63     5.63     5.51     3.51
                                

 

(1)

Core capital is computed as a percentage of adjusted total assets of $2.0 billion. Risk-based capital is computed as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets of $1.7 billion.

Critical Accounting Policies

First Defiance has established various accounting policies which govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States in the preparation of its financial statements. The significant accounting policies of First Defiance are described in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by management, which have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities; management considers such accounting policies to be critical accounting policies. Those policies, which are identified and discussed in detail in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, include the Allowance for Loan Losses, Valuation of Securities, and the Valuation of Mortgage Servicing Rights. There have been no material changes in assumptions or judgments relative to those critical policies during the first six months of 2010.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As discussed in detail in the 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, First Defiance’s ability to maximize net income is dependent on management’s ability to plan and control net interest income through management of the pricing and mix of assets and liabilities. Because a large portion of assets and liabilities of First Defiance are monetary in nature, changes in interest rates and monetary or fiscal policy affect its financial condition and can have significant impact on the net income of the Company. First Defiance does not use off-balance sheet derivatives to enhance its risk management, nor does it engage in trading activities beyond the sale of mortgage loans.

First Defiance monitors its exposure to interest rate risk on a monthly basis through simulation analysis which measures the impact changes in interest rates can have on net income. The simulation technique analyzes the effect of a presumed 100 and 200 basis point shift in interest rates and takes into account prepayment speeds on amortizing financial instruments, loan and deposit volumes and rates, non-maturity deposit assumptions and capital requirements. The results of the simulation indicate that in an environment where interest rates rise or fall 100 basis points (which is consistent with management’s estimate of the range of potential interest rate fluctuations) over a 12 month period, using June 30, 2010 amounts as a base case, First Defiance’s net interest income would be impacted by less than the board mandated guidelines of 10%.

First Defiance will be monitoring its exposure to interest rate risk on a more robust basis on a quarterly basis going forward. By using multiple simulation techniques to analyze the effect of a presumed 100, 200, 300 and 400 basis point shift in interest rates taking into consideration account level prepayment speeds on amortizing financial instruments, loan and deposit volumes and rates, non-maturity deposit assumptions and capital requirements.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls are procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this report, are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, as ours are designed to do, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of June 30, 2010. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective. No changes occurred in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2010 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

PART II-OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

First Defiance is not engaged in any legal proceedings of a material nature.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth under Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The risk factors described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that management currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and/or operating results. Moreover, the Company undertakes no obligation and disclaims any intention to publish revised information or updates to forward looking statements contained in such risk factors or in any other statement made at any time by the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees or other representatives, unless and until any such revisions or updates are expressly required to be disclosed by securities laws or regulations.

 

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

First Defiance did not have any common stock repurchases during the first six months of 2010, but has 93,124 shares that may be purchased under a plan announced by the Board of Directors on July 18, 2003. Participation in the CPP prohibits the Company from repurchasing any of its common shares without the prior approval of the U.S. Treasury until the earlier of December 5, 2011 or the date the U.S. Treasury’s preferred stock is redeemed or transferred to an unaffiliated third party.

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Removed and Reserved

 

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit 10.1 First Federal Bank of the Midwest Executive Group Life Plan – Post Separation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2010)

Exhibit 10.2 First Defiance Financial Corp. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Annex A to the 2010 Proxy Statement filed on March 19, 2010)

Exhibit 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Exhibit 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Exhibit 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Exhibit 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

 

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FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

SIGNATURES

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

 

 

First Defiance Financial Corp. (Registrant)

Date: August 6, 2010

 

By:

 

/s/ William J. Small

   

William J. Small

   

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: August 6, 2010

   
 

By:

 

/s/ Donald P. Hileman

   

Donald P. Hileman

   

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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