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UNITED BANCSHARES INC/OH - Quarter Report: 2006 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549


FORM 10-Q


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


For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006


Commission file number 000-29283


UNITED BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


Ohio

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)


100 S. High Street, Columbus Grove, Ohio

(Address of principal executive offices)


34-1516518

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


45830

(Zip Code)


(419) 659-2141

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)




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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):       Large accelerated filer ____     Accelerated filer ____    Non-accelerated filer      X         


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   

Yes           No    X



Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of April 12, 2006: 3,601,185



This document contains 26 pages.  The Exhibit Index is on page 20 immediately preceding the filed exhibits.





1


UNITED BANCSHARES, INC.


Table of Contents




 

Page

  

Part I – Financial Information

 
  

Item 1 – Financial Statements

3

  

Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

   and Results of Operations

11

  

Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

17

  

Item 4 – Controls and Procedures

17

  

Part II – Other Information

 
  

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings

             

             Item 1A – Risk Factors

18


18

  

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

18

  

Item 3 – Defaults upon Senior Securities

19

  

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

19

  

Item 5 – Other Information

19

  

Item 6 – Exhibits

19





2



PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1


United Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)



  

March 31,

 

December 31,

  

2006

 

2005

 ASSETS

   
     

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   
 

Cash and due from banks

$          6,399,981

 

$ 8,968,880

 

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks

660,814

 

75,488

 

Federal funds sold

-

 

1,070,000

Total cash and cash equivalents

7,060,795

 

10,114,368

     

SECURITIES, available-for-sale

181,709,485

 

183,351,256

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK STOCK, at cost

4,502,500

 

4,439,600

LOANS HELD FOR SALE

437,303

 

440,432

     

LOANS

313,696,567

 

309,564,672

Allowance for loan losses

(2,483,514)

 

(2,540,301)

Net loans

311,213,053

 

307,024,371

     

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, net

6,162,463

 

6,198,467

GOODWILL

CASH SURRENDER VALUE OF LIFE INSURANCE

7,282,013

10,587,929

 

7,282,013

10,479,078

OTHER ASSETS, including accrued interest receivable

   
 

 and other intangible assets

7,661,946

 

6,879,087

     

TOTAL ASSETS

$      536,617,487

 

$    536,208,672

     

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

   
     

LIABILITIES

   

Deposits  

   
 

 Non-interest bearing

$        32,300,652

 

$    34,628,941

 

 Interest bearing

324,563,441

 

322,291,895

Total deposits

356,864,093

 

356,920,836

     

Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

64,029,183

59,289,710

 

61,687,394

59,000,000

Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

10,300,000

 

      10,300,000

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

2,501,272

 

4,507,929

     
 

Total liabilities

492,984,258

 

492,416,159





3



     

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

   

Common stock, $1 stated value, 4,750,000 shares

   
 

authorized, 3,760,557 shares issued

3,760,557

 

3,760,557

Surplus

14,651,596

 

14,651,596

Retained earnings

29,732,138

 

29,026,911

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(2,067,095)

 

(1,521,648)

Treasury stock,159,372 shares at March 31, 2006 and 139,108 shares

   at December 31, 2005, at cost

(2,443,967)

 

(2,124,903)

 

     Total shareholders' equity

43,633,229

 

43,792,513

     

 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

$      536,617,487

 

$    536,208,672

     

See notes to consolidated financial statements

   





4


United Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)



   

Three months ended March 31,

   

2006

 

2005

      

INTEREST INCOME

   
 

Loans, including fees

 $         5,589,067

 

 $          4,959,127

 

Securities:

   
  

Taxable

            1,668,288

 

1,872,057

  

Tax-exempt

452,079

 

421,921

 

Other

 

7,556

 

24,184

Total interest income

7,716,990

 

7,277,289

      

INTEREST EXPENSE

   
 

Deposits

            1,885,437

 

1,415,414

 

Other borrowings

               1,444,824

 

               1,416,993

Total interest expense

            3,330,261

 

2,832,407

      
      

NET INTEREST INCOME

            4,386,729

 

             4,444,882

      

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

100,000

 

              150,000

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER

   
 

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

4,286,729

 

4,294,882

      

NON-INTEREST INCOME

   
  

Gain on sales of loans

63,050

 

               84,301

  

Gain on sales of securities

Other

(4,001)

693,246

 

46,420

532,456

Total non-interest income

            752,295

 

              663,177

      

NON-INTEREST EXPENSES

           3,554,659

 

             3,521,253

      

Income before income taxes

               1,484,365

 

             1,436,806

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

              303,000

 

               354,000

NET INCOME

 $          1,181,365

 

 $          1,082,806

      

NET INCOME PER SHARE

   
 

Basic:

 

 $           0.33

 

 $            0.29

      
  

Weighted average common shares outstanding

      3,613,504

 

3,705,980

      
 

Diluted:

 $           0.33

 

 $            0.29

      
  

Weighted average common shares outstanding

      3,624,830

 

3,718,373


See notes to consolidated financial statements




5





United Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary

 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

Three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 
 

 Common  

  

 Retained

 Accumulated Other

 Treasury  

 
 

Stock

Surplus

Earnings

Comprehensive Loss

Stock

Total

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2005

$         3,760,557

           14,651,596

           29,026,911

             (1,521,648)

            (2,124,903)

 $         43,792,513

       

Net income

  

             1,181,365

  

             1,181,365

Change in unrealized loss on securities,

     net of tax

  

              (545,447)

 

(545,447)

     Total comprehensive income

     

             635,918

Dividends declared ($0.13 per share)

  

(469,129)

  

            (469,129)

4,086 shares issued in connection with the

     Corporation’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan


Purchase of  24,350 common shares

                 

                  


  (7,009)


 

62,415


(381,479)

               55,406


(381,479)

       

BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2006

$          3,760,557

           14,651,596

           29,732,138

               (2,067,095)

            (2,443,967)

 $        43,633,229

       
 

 Common  

 

 Retained

 Accumulated Other

 Treasury  

 
 

Stock

Surplus

Earnings

Comprehensive Income(Loss)

Stock

Total

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2004

$         3,760,557

           14,598,030

           26,166,782

             713,857

            (1,010,039)

 $         44,229,187

       

Net income

  

             1,082,806

  

             1,082,806

Change in unrealized gain on securities,

     net of tax

  

             

(1,700,156)

 

(1,700,156)

     Total comprehensive loss

     

             (617,350)

       

Dividends declared ($0.12 per share)

  

(444,873)

  

            (444,873)

Exercise of stock options

 

53,200

  

169,901

223,101

6,253 shares issued in connection with the

     Corporation’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan

                 

366                  

  

88,239

               88,605

       

BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2005

$          3,760,557

           14,651,596

           26,804,715

               (986,299)

            (751,899)

 $        43,478,670

See notes to consolidated financial statements



6





United Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

       
   

Three months ended March 31,

 
   

2006

 

2005

 
       

Cash flows from operating activities

$           593,164

 

 $         744,073

 
       

Cash flows from investing activities:

    
 

Purchases of available-for-sale securities, net of proceeds

    
  

from sales or maturities

(1,164,863)

 

3,899,664

 
 

Net decrease (increase) in loans

(4,079,432)

 

(5,597,082)

 
 

Expenditures for premises and equipment

(100,793)

 

(27,831)

 
  

Net cash from investing activities

(5,345,088)

 

(1,725,249)

 
       

Cash flows from financing activities:

    
 

Net change in deposits

(137,946)

 

(28,661)

 
 

Long-term borrowings, net of repayments

Purchase of treasury shares

2,631,499

(381,479)

 

(4,633,952)

--

 
 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

55,406

 

88,605

 
 

Cash dividends paid

(469,129)

 

(444,873)

 
  

Net cash from financing activities

1,698,351

 

(5,018,881)

 
       

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

(3,053,573)

 

(6,000,057)

 
       

Cash and cash equivalents:

    
 

At beginning of period

10,114,368

 

14,571,949

 
 

At end of period

 $      7,060,795

 

 $       8,571,892

 
       

See notes to consolidated financial statements

    





7


United Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 31, 2006


Note 1 – Consolidated Financial Statements


The consolidated financial statements of United Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiary (the “Corporation”) have been prepared without audit and in the opinion of management reflect all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly such information for the periods and dates indicated.  Since the unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q, they do not contain all information and footnotes typically included in financial statements prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.  Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2006.  Complete audited consolidated financial statements with footnotes thereto are included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.


The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary.  Significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation conform to generally accepted practices within the banking industry.  The Corporation considers all of its principal activities to be banking related.


Note 2 – Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures


The Corporation has formed and invested $300,000 in a business trust, United (OH) Statutory Trust (United Trust) which is not consolidated by the Corporation.  United Trust issued $10,000,000 of trust preferred securities, which are guaranteed by the Corporation, and are subject to mandatory redemption upon payment of the debentures.  United Trust used the proceeds from the issuance of the trust preferred securities, as well as the Corporation’s capital investment, to purchase $10,300,000 of junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures issued by the Corporation.  The debentures mature on March 26, 2033, which date may be shorten to March 26, 2008, if certain conditions are met, as well as quarterly thereafter.  The interest rate of the debentures is fixed at 6.40% for a five-year period through March 2008.  Thereafter, interest is at a floating rate adjustable quarterly and equal to 315 basis points over the 3-month LIBOR.  Interest is payable quarterly.  The Corporation has the right, subject to events in default, to defer payments of interest on the debentures by extending the interest payment period for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly periods.  Interest expense on the debentures amounted to $160,000 for the quarters ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 and is included in interest expense-borrowings in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.


Each issue of the trust preferred securities carries an interest rate identical to that of the related debenture.  The securities have been structured to qualify as Tier I capital for regulatory purposes and the dividends paid on such are tax deductible.  However, the securities cannot be used to constitute more than 25% of the Corporation’s core tax Tier I capital under Federal Reserve Board guidelines inclusive of these securities.  





8



NOTE 3 - Securities


The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

March 31, 2006

December 31, 2005

 

Amortized

cost

Fair

value

Amortized

cost

Fair

value

U.S. Treasury and

  agencies


$   29,648


            $  28,871


$  29,642


$   28,877

Obligations of states and  political subdivisions


46,354


46,343


42,190


42,357

Mortgage-backed

108,786

106,442

113,772

112,064

Other

              53

            53

            53

            53

     

Total

$ 184,841

========

$ 181,709

=======

$ 185,657

=======

$ 183,351

=======


A summary of gross unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 follows (dollars in thousands):



 

March 31, 2006

December 31, 2005

 

Gross

unrealized

gains

Gross

unrealized

losses

Gross

unrealized

gains

Gross

unrealized

losses

     

U.S. Treasury and agencies

$      0

$     777

$  0

$   765

Obligations of states and

  political subdivisions


356


 367


412


245

Mortgage-backed

            21

       2,365

          38

          1,746

     

Total

$377

========

$   3,509

=======

$ 450

=======

$ 2,756

=======



NOTE 4 - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects are as follows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (dollars in thousands):


 

2006

2005

Unrealized holding losses on

   available-for-sale securities


$  (830)


$ (2,530)

Reclassification adjustments for securities

   losses (gains) realized to income


4


(46)

   

Net unrealized losses

(826)

(2,576)

   

Tax effect

       (281)

        (876)

   

Net-of-tax amount

$  (545)

=======

$    (1,700)

======





9



Note 5 – Subsequent Events


In April 2006, The Union Bank Company (“Union”), the Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary, entered into an agreement to purchase for $750,000 land located in Bowling Green, Ohio for the anticipated construction of a banking center.



Note 6 - New Accounting Pronouncement

 

In March 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 156, "Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets an amendment of FASB Statement 140" (Statement 156).  Statement 156 amends Statement 140 with respect to separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities.  Statement 156 requires an entity to recognize a servicing asset or liability each time it undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset by entering into a servicing contract and requires all servicing assets and liabilities to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable.  Statement 156 also permits entities to subsequently measure servicing assets and liabilities using an amortization method or fair value measurement method.  Under the amortization method, servicing assets and liabilities are amortized in proportion to and over the estimated period of servicing.  Under the fair value measurement method, servicing assets are measured at fair value at each reporting date and changes in fair value are reported in net income for the period the change occurs.

 

Adoption of Statement 156 is required as of the beginning of fiscal years beginning subsequent to September 15, 2006.  Earlier adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an entity's fiscal year, provided the entity has not yet issued financial statements, including interim financial statements.

 

The Corporation expects to adopt Statement 156 at the beginning of 2007 and has not yet determined how its servicing assets will be measured subsequent to acquisition.





10


ITEM 2


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


The following data should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis that follow:


 

As of or for the Three

Months Ended

March 31,

 

2006

2005

SIGNIFICANT RATIOS (Unaudited)

  

Net income to:

  

Average assets (a)

0.88%

0.78%

Average shareholders’ equity (a)

10.81%

9.88%

Net interest margin (a)

3.70%

3.57%

Efficiency ratio (a)(b)

66.17%

66.12%

Average shareholders’ equity to average assets

8.14%

7.85%

Loans to deposits (end of period) (c)

88.03%

84.41%

Allowance for loan losses to loans (end of period) (d)

0.79%

0.91%

Cash dividends to net income

39.71%

41.09%

   

PER SHARE DATA

  

Book value per share

$12.12

$11.73



(a) Net income to average assets, net income to average shareholders’ equity and net interest margin are presented on an annualized basis.  Net interest margin is calculated using fully-tax equivalent net interest income as a percentage of average interest earning assets.  


(b) Efficiency ratio is a ratio of non-interest expense as a percentage of fully tax equivalent net interest income plus non-interest income.


(c) Includes loans held for sale.


(d) Excludes loans held for sale.





11





Introduction


When or if used in the Corporation’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings or other public or shareholder communications, or in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases:  “anticipate,” “would be,” “will allow,” “intends to,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “is estimated,” “is projected,” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Any such statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties that include but are not limited to:  changes in economic conditions in the Corporation’s market area, changes in policies by regulatory agencies, fluctuations in interest rates, demand for loans in the Corporation’s market area, and competition.  All or some of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected.


The Corporation cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and advises readers that various factors including regional and national economic conditions, substantial changes in the levels of market interest rates, credit and other risks associated with lending and investing activities, and competitive and regulatory factors could affect the Corporation’s financial performance and could cause the Corporation’s actual results for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected.  The Corporation does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.


The following discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation is presented to provide insight into management’s assessment of the financial results.  


United Bancshares, Inc. (the “Corporation”), an Ohio corporation, is a bank holding Corporation registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and is subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”).  The Corporation was incorporated and organized in 1985.  The executive offices of the Corporation are located at 100 S. High Street, Columbus Grove, Ohio 45830.  The Corporation is a one-bank holding company, as that term is defined by the Federal Reserve Board.


The Union Bank Company (“Union”) is engaged in the business of commercial banking.  Union is an Ohio state-chartered bank, which serves Allen, Putnam, Sandusky, Van Wert and Wood Counties, with office locations in Bowling Green, Columbus Grove, Delphos, Gibsonburg, Kalida, Leipsic, Lima, Ottawa, and Pemberville.


Union offers a full range of commercial banking services, including checking and NOW accounts, savings and money market accounts; time certificates of deposit; automatic teller machines; commercial, consumer, agricultural, residential mortgage loans and home equity loans; credit card services; safe deposit box rentals; and other personalized banking services.


The Corporation is registered as a Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (defined as Exchange Act later) reporting company.  


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Overview of the Income Statement


For the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Corporation reported net income of $1,181,000, or $0.33 basic earnings per share. This compares to first quarter 2005 net earnings of $1,083,000, or $0.29 basic earnings per share.  Compared with the same period in 2005, first quarter 2006 net income increased $98,000 or 9.1%.  The $98,000 increase was primarily the result of an $89,000 increase in the Corporation’s non-interest income and decreases of $50,000 in the provision for loan losses and $51,000 in the provision for income taxes, offset by a decrease of $58,000 in net interest income and an increase of $34,000 in non-interest expenses.  




12




Interest Income and Expense


Net interest income is the amount by which interest income from interest-earning assets exceeds interest incurred on interest-bearing liabilities. Interest-earning assets consist principally of loans and investment securities while interest-bearing liabilities include interest-bearing deposit accounts and borrowed funds.  Net interest income remains the primary source of revenue for the Corporation.  Changes in market interest rates, as well as changes in the mix and volume of interest-bearing assets and interest-bearing liabilities, impact net interest income.  Net interest income was $4,387,000 for the first quarter of 2006, compared to $4,445,000 for the same period of 2005.   


Net interest margin is calculated by dividing net interest income (adjusted to reflect tax-exempt interest income on a taxable equivalent basis) by average interest-earning assets.  The resultant percentage serves as a measurement for the Corporation in comparing its results with those of past periods as well as those of peer institutions.  For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the net interest margin (on a taxable equivalent basis) was 3.70% compared with 3.57% for the same period of 2005.  Management believes that this increase was primarily the result of its interest rate pricing strategies.  Despite the increase in net interest margin, the Corporation’s net interest income decreased as a result of a decrease in earning assets for the three month period ended March 31, 2006 compared to the same period in 2005.


Provision for Loan Losses


The provision for loan losses is determined based upon management’s continuing calculation of the allowance for loan losses and is reflective of the quality of management’s assessment of the portfolio and overall management of the inherent credit risk.  Changes in the provision for loan losses are dependent, among other things, on loan delinquencies, collateral position, portfolio risks and general economic conditions in the Corporation’s markets.  As a result of management’s analysis, a $100,000 provision for loan losses was made for the first quarter of 2006, compared to a $150,000 provision for the same period in 2005.  


Non-Interest Income


The Corporation’s non-interest income is largely generated from activities related to the origination, servicing and gain on sales of fixed rate mortgages, gain on sales of security investments, earnings on Bank Owned Life Insurance, customer deposit account fees, and income arising from sales of products, such as investments to customers.  Income related to customer deposit accounts and Bank Owned Life Insurance provides a relatively steady flow of income while the other sources are more volume or transaction related and consequently can vary from quarter to quarter.  


Gain on sales of loans amounted to $63,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, compared to $84,000 for the comparable 2005 period.  The quarterly gain included capitalized servicing rights of $45,000 and $56,000 on $4.6 million and $5.5 million of originated loan sales during the quarters ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The balance of the gain on sales of loans represented cash gains.  Additionally, during the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Corporation realized a loss on the sales of securities of $4,000, compared to a $46,000 gain for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.


Other non-interest income increased $161,000 (30.3%) to $693,000 largely due to an increase in bank owned life insurance of $109,000 ($95,000 increase) for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 compared to $14,000 for the same period in 2005 and a $65,000 gain on sale of an OREO property.


Non-Interest Expenses


For the quarter ended March 31, 2006, non-interest expenses totaled $3,555,000, compared to $3,521,000 for the comparable period of 2005, a $34,000 increase (1.0%).  Management believes that the $34,000 increase is acceptable considering the increases in costs of conducting business.  In addition, the first quarter operating results included a $7,000 adjustment to the provision for stock options based on the Corporation’s closing stock price as of March 31, 2006.  


Maintaining acceptable levels of non-interest expenses and operating efficiency are key performance indicators for the Corporation in its strategic initiatives.  The financial services industry uses the efficiency ratio (total non-interest



13




expense as a percentage of the aggregate of fully-tax equivalent net interest income and non-interest income) as a key indicator of performance.  The Corporation’s efficiency ratio for the first quarter of 2006 was 66.17%, compared to 66.12% for the same period of 2005.


Provision for Income Taxes


The provision for income taxes for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 was $303,000, or 20.4% of income before income taxes, compared to $354,000, or 24.6%, for the comparable 2005 period.  The decrease in the effective tax rate was due to tax-exempt interest income comprising a larger portion of pre-tax income for the 2006 period, as well as other tax planning initiatives which reduced the Corporation’s tax liability.


Return on Assets


Return on average assets was 0.88% for the first quarter of 2006, compared to 0.78% for the comparable quarter of 2005.   The increase in return on average assets was due to a combination of an increase in net income and a reduction in the asset base.


Return on Equity


Return on average equity for the first quarter of 2006 was 10.81% compared to 9.88% for the same period of 2005.  This increase was a combination of increased net income coupled with a decrease in the Corporation’s average equity as the result of an increase in the unrealized  losses for the investment securities portfolio as of March 31, 2006 and the Corporation’s repurchasing of 24,350 common shares during the first quarter of 2006, through a publicly announced repurchase program.  The Corporation and Union met all regulatory capital requirements and Union is considered “well capitalized” under regulatory and industry standards of risk-based capital.



FINANCIAL CONDITION


Overview of Balance Sheet


Loans at March 31, 2006, net of the allowance for loan losses, increased $4.2 million (1.4%) from December 31, 2005.  Securities available-for-sale decreased $1.6 million (0.9%) during this three-month period.  Deposits during this same period decreased $57,000.  Other borrowings increased $2.6 million (2.2%) during the three-month period.  


Shareholders’ equity decreased from $43.8 million at December 31, 2005 to $43.6 million at March 31, 2006.  This decrease was primarily the result of a $545,000, net of tax, increase in unrealized losses on securities, the repurchase of 24,350 common shares ($381,000) and the payment of dividends ($469,000), offset by net income ($1.2 million) and the sale of 4,086 treasury shares ($55,000) under the Corporation’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  The aforementioned increase in unrealized securities losses from December 31, 2005, was primarily the result of customary and expected changes in the bond market.  At the present, the Corporation has both the ability and intent to hold securities in a loss position until such time as market conditions change or the respective securities mature.  Consequently, such losses are considered to be temporary and have not been reflected in the Corporation’s earnings results.  The unrealized losses on securities is reported as accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets.  


Cash and Cash Equivalents


Cash and cash equivalents totaled $7.1 million at March 31, 2006 compared to $10.1 million at December 31, 2005 (December 31, 2005 includes Federal funds sold of $1.1 million).


Management believes the current level of cash and cash equivalents is sufficient to meet the Corporation’s present liquidity and performance needs.  Total cash and cash equivalents fluctuate on a daily basis due to transactions in process and other liquidity needs.  Management believes the Corporation’s liquidity needs in the near term will be satisfied by the current balance of cash and cash equivalents, readily available access to traditional and non-traditional funding sources, and the portions of the investment and loan portfolios that will mature within one year.  These sources of funds should enable the Corporation to meet cash obligations and off-balance sheet commitments



14




as they come due.  In addition, the Corporation has access to various sources of additional borrowings by virtue of long-term assets that can be used as collateral for such borrowings.


Securities


At March 31, 2006, securities totaled $181.7 million, a decrease of $1.6 million from December 31, 2005.  All of the Corporation’s securities are classified as available-for-sale.  Management believes classifying securities as available-for-sale provides the Corporation flexibility and facilitates greater interest rate risk management opportunities.  At March 31, 2006, the amortized cost of the Corporation’s securities totaled $184.8 million, resulting in net unrealized losses of approximately $3.1 million and a corresponding after tax decrease in shareholders’ equity of $2.1 million.


Management monitors the earnings performance and liquidity of the investment portfolio on a regular basis through Asset/Liability Committee meetings.


Loans


The Corporation’s lending is primarily centered in northwestern and west central Ohio.  Gross loans (including loans held for sale) totaled $314.1 million at March 31, 2006 compared to $310.0 million at December 31, 2005, an increase of $4.1 million (1.3%).  


Allowance for Loan Losses


The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans (excluding loans held for sale) was 0.79% at March 31, 2006 compared to 0.82% at December 31, 2005.  Management believes the level of allowance is adequate given the composition of and risk inherent in the loan portfolio of Union.  Throughout 2006, management will continue to monitor the risk of credit loss associated with the loan portfolio, and will adjust the allowance accordingly.


The following table presents changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively:


 

(dollars in thousands)

   
 

2006

2005

Balance, beginning of period

$2,540

$2,757

   

Charge offs

(226)

(133)

Recoveries

70

61

Net charge offs

(156)

(72)

   

Provision for loan losses

100

150

Balance, end of period

$2,484

=====

$2,835

=====


Loans on non-accrual status as a percentage of outstanding loans were 0.75% at March 31, 2006, compared to 0.76% at December 31, 2005.  Non-accrual loans totaled $2,364,000 and $2,060,000 at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.  Management believes the current level of non-accrual loans is acceptable and is a reflection of the quality of Union’s loan portfolio as well as the adequacy of staffing levels devoted to monitoring and pursuing the collection of these credits.


Funding Sources


The Corporation considers a number of alternatives, including but not limited to, deposits, as well as short-term and long-term borrowings when evaluating funding sources.  Traditional deposits continue to be the most significant source of funds for the Corporation, totaling $356.9 million, or 72.8% of the Corporation’s funding sources at March 31, 2006.




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Non-interest bearing deposits remain a smaller portion of the funding source for the Corporation than for most of its peers.  Non-interest bearing deposits comprised 9.1% of total deposits at March 31, 2006.


In addition to traditional deposits, the Corporation maintains both short-term and long-term borrowing arrangements.  These borrowings consisted of FHLB borrowings totaling $64.0 million and $61.7 million at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, and repurchase agreements totaling $59.3 million and $59.0 million at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.  Management plans to maintain access to various borrowing alternatives as an appropriate funding source.


Shareholders’ Equity


For the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Corporation had net income of $1,181,000 from traditional operations and dividends of $469,000, resulting in a dividend payout ratio of 39.71% of net income.  Management believes the overall equity level supports this payout ratio.  During the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, the Corporation transferred 4,086 and 6,253 shares, respectively of treasury stock to participants of the Corporation’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. In addition, during the first quarter of 2006, the Corporation purchased 24,350 shares through its share repurchase program.


The increase in net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes, was $545,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.  Since all the securities in the Corporation’s portfolio are classified as available-for-sale, both the securities and equity sections of the consolidated balance sheet are sensitive to the changing market values of securities.  


The Corporation has also complied with the standards of capital adequacy mandated by the banking industry.  Bank regulators have established “risk-based” capital requirements designed to measure capital adequacy.  Risk-based capital ratios reflect the relative risks of various assets banks hold in their portfolios.  A weight category of 0% (lowest risk assets), 20%, 50%, or 100% (highest risk assets) is assigned to each asset on the balance sheet and to certain off-balance sheet commitments.


Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity


The objective of the Corporation’s asset/liability management function is to maintain consistent growth in net interest income through management of the Corporation’s balance sheet liquidity and interest rate exposure based on changes in economic conditions, interest rate levels, and customer preferences.


The Corporation manages interest rate risk to minimize the impact of fluctuating interest rates on earnings.  The Corporation uses simulation techniques that attempt to measure the volatility of changes in the level of interest rates, basic banking interest rate spreads, the shape of the yield curve, and the impact of changing product growth patterns.  The primary method of measuring the sensitivity of earnings of changing market interest rates is to simulate expected cash flows using varying assumed interest rates while also adjusting the timing and magnitude of non-contractual deposit repricing to more accurately reflect anticipated pricing behavior.  These simulations include adjustments for the lag in prime loan repricing and the spread and volume elasticity of interest-bearing deposit accounts, regular savings and money market deposit accounts.


The principal function of interest rate risk management is to maintain an appropriate relationship between those assets and liabilities that are sensitive to changing market interest rates.  The Corporation closely monitors the sensitivity of its assets and liabilities on an ongoing basis and projects the effect of various interest rate changes on its net interest margin.  Interest sensitive assets and liabilities are defined as those assets or liabilities that mature or reprice within a designated time frame.  The difference between rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities for a specified period of time is know as “gap”.


Management believes the Corporation’s current mix of assets and liabilities provides a reasonable level of risk related to significant fluctuations in net interest income and the resulting volatility of the Corporation’s earning base.  The Corporation’s management reviews interest rate risk in relation to its effect on net interest income, net interest margin, and the volatility of the earnings base of the Corporation.  




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Effects of Inflation on Financial Statements


Substantially all of the Corporation’s assets relate to banking and are monetary in nature.  Therefore, they are not impacted by inflation to the same degree as companies in capital-intensive industries in a replacement cost environment.  During a period of rising prices, a net monetary asset position results in loss in purchasing power and conversely a net monetary liability position results in an increase in purchasing power.  In the banking industry, typically monetary assets exceed monetary liabilities.  Therefore, as prices have recently increased, financial institutions experienced a decline in the purchasing power of their net assets.



ITEM 3


QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


The only significant market risk to which the Corporation is exposed is interest rate risk.  The business of the Corporation and the composition of its balance sheet consist of investments in interest-earning assets (primarily loans and securities), which are funded by interest bearing liabilities (deposits and borrowings).  These financial instruments have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in the market rates of interest, resulting in market risk.  None of the Corporation’s financial instruments are held for trading purposes.

The Corporation manages interest rate risk regularly through its Asset Liability Committee.  The Committee meets on a regular basis and reviews various asset and liability management information, including but not limited to, the bank’s liquidity positions, projected sources and uses of funds, interest rate risk positions and economic conditions.

The Corporation monitors its interest rate risk through a sensitivity analysis, whereby it measures potential changes in its future earnings and the fair values of its financial instruments that may result from one or more hypothetical changes in interest rates, this analysis is performed by estimating the expected cash flows of the Corporation’s financial instruments using interest rates in effect at year-end.  For the fair value estimates, the cash flows are then discounted to year-end to arrive at an estimated present value of the Corporation’s financial instruments.  Hypothetical changes in interest rates are then applied to the financial instruments, and the cash flows and fair values are again estimated using these hypothetical rates.  For the net interest income estimates, the hypothetical rates are applied to the financial instruments based on the assumed cash flows.  The Corporation applies these interest rate “shocks” to its financial instruments up and down 100, 200, and 300 basis points.

There have been no material changes in the quantitative and qualitative information about market risk from the information provided in the December 31, 2005 Form 10-K.


ITEM 4


CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Evaluation of Controls and Procedures.


With the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")); as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based upon that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that:

(a)

information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q would be accumulated and communicated to the Corporation’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure;




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(b)

information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q would be recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and

(c)

the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to ensure that material information relating to the Corporation and its consolidated subsidiary is made known to them, particularly during the period for which our periodic reports, including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, are being prepared.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

There were no significant changes during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


PART II – Other Information


Item 1:  Legal Proceedings.


There are no pending legal proceedings to which the Corporation or its subsidiary are a party or to which any of their property is subject except routine legal proceedings to which the Corporation or its subsidiary are a party incident to the banking business.  None of such proceedings are considered by the Corporation to be material.


Item 1A:  Risk Factors


There have been no material changes in the discussion pertaining to risk factors that was provided in the December 31, 2005 Form 10-K


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


The table below includes certain information regarding the Corporation’s purchase of United Bancshares, Inc. common stock during the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006:


Total number

Maximum number

shares purchased

of shares that may

Total number

Average

as part of publicly

yet be purchased

of shares

price paid

announced plan

under the plan

Period

purchased(a)

per share(c)

or program

or program(b)      


01/1/06 -

01/31/06

None

None

None

110,619


02/01/06 -

02/28/06

16,850

$15.58

16,850

93,769


03/1/06 –

03/31/06

7,500

$15.75

7,500

86,269


(a) All share purchases were part of a publicly announced plan and all were open-market transactions.


(b) A stock repurchase program (“Plan”) was announced on July 29, 2005 and expanded on December 23, 2005.  The Plan authorizes the Corporation to repurchase up to 200,000 of the Corporation’s common shares from time to time in a program of market purchases or in privately negotiated transactions as the securities laws and market conditions permit.




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(c) Exclude related brokerage fees.


Item 3:  Defaults upon Senior Securities.


None


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


None


Item 5:  Other Information.


Schedule 14A The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and related Proxy was filed on March 22, 2006.


Item 6:  Exhibits


(a) Exhibits


Exhibit 31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of CEO

Exhibit 31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of CFO

Exhibit 32.1 Section 1350 CEO’s Certification

Exhibit 32.2 Section 1350 CFO’s Certification

Exhibit 99.1 Safe Harbor under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995


SIGNATURES


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


  

UNITED BANCSHARES, INC.

   

Date:

April 28, 2006

By:/s/ Brian D. Young

  

Brian D. Young

  

Chief Financial Officer





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EXHIBIT INDEX


UNITED BANCSHARES, INC. QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2006


Exhibit

Number


Description


Exhibit Location

31.1

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of CEO

Filed herewith

31.2

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of CFO

Filed herewith

32.1

Section 1350 CEO’s Certification

Filed herewith

32.2

Section 1350 CFO’s Certification

Filed herewith

99.1

Safe Harbor under the Private Securities

Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Filed herewith





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Exhibit 31.1


Rule 13a–14(a)/15d–14(a) CERTIFICATION



I, Daniel W. Schutt, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Bancshares, Inc., certify, that:


(1) I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of United Bancshares, Inc.;


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


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


(4) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:


a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiary, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;


b. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and


c. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and


(5) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):


a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and


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




/s/ Daniel W. Schutt

Daniel W. Schutt

President and Chief Executive Officer

April 28, 2006





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Exhibit 31.2


Rule 13a–14(a)/15d–14(a) CERTIFICATION



I, Brian D. Young, Chief Financial Officer of United Bancshares, Inc., certify, that:


(1) I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of United Bancshares, Inc.;


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


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


(4) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:


a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiary, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;


b. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and


c. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and


(5) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):


a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and


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




/s/ Brian D. Young

Brian D. Young

Chief Financial Officer

April 28, 2006





22





Exhibit 32.1



SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION



In connection with the Quarterly Report of United Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Daniel W. Schutt, Chief Executive Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:


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


(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.





/s/ Daniel W. Schutt

Daniel W. Schutt

Chief Executive Officer



Date: April 28, 2006



*This certification is being furnished as required by Rule 13a –14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability of that section.  This certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise stated in such filing.





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Exhibit 32.2



SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION



In connection with the Quarterly Report of United Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Brian D. Young, Chief Financial Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:



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


(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.





/s/ Brian D. Young

Brian D. Young

Chief Financial Officer



Date: April 28, 2006



*This certification is being furnished as required by Rule 13a –14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability of that section.  This certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise stated in such filing.





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Exhibit 99.1


SAFE HARBOR UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995


The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act") provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their companies, so long as those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the statement. United Bancshares, Inc. ("Corporation") desires to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Act. Certain information, particularly information regarding future economic performance and finances and plans and objectives of management, contained or incorporated by reference in the Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, is forward-looking. In some cases, information regarding certain important factors that could cause actual results of operations or outcomes of other events to differ materially from any such forward-looking statement appears together with such statement. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to other risks and uncertainties affecting the financial institutions industry, including, but not limited to, the following:


Interest Rate Risk


The Corporation’s operating results are dependent to a significant degree on its net interest income, which is the difference between interest income from loans, investments and other interest-earning assets and interest expense on deposits, borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities. The interest income and interest expense of the Corporation change as the interest rates on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities change. Interest rates may change because of general economic conditions, the policies of various regulatory authorities and other factors beyond the Corporation's control. In a rising interest rate environment, loans tend to prepay slowly and new loans at higher rates increase slowly, while interest paid on deposits increases rapidly because the terms to maturity of deposits tend to be shorter than the terms to maturity or prepayment of loans. Such differences in the adjustment of interest rates on assets and liabilities may negatively affect the Corporation's income.


Possible Inadequacy of the Allowance for Loan Losses


The Corporation maintains an allowance for loan losses based upon a number of relevant factors, including, but not limited to, trends in the level of non-performing assets and classified loans, current economic conditions in the primary lending area, past loss experience, possible losses arising from specific problem loans and changes in the composition of the loan portfolio. While the Board of Directors of the Corporation believe that it uses the best information available to determine the allowance for loan losses, unforeseen market conditions could result in material adjustments, and net earnings could be significantly adversely affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the final determination.


Loans not secured by one to four family residential real estate are generally considered to involve greater risk of loss than loans secured by one- to four-family residential real estate due, in part, to the effects of general economic conditions. The repayment of multifamily residential, nonresidential real estate and commercial loans generally depends upon the cash flow from the operation of the property or business, which may be negatively affected by national and local economic conditions. Construction loans may also be negatively affected by such economic conditions, particularly loans made to developers who do not have a buyer for a property before the loan is made. The risk of default on consumer loans increases during periods of recession, high unemployment and other adverse economic conditions. When consumers have trouble paying their bills, they are more likely to pay mortgage loans than consumer loans. In addition, the collateral securing such loans, if any, may decrease in value more rapidly than the outstanding balance of the loan.


Competition


The Corporation competes for deposits with other savings associations, commercial banks and credit unions and issuers of commercial paper and other securities, such as shares in money market mutual funds. The primary factors in competing for deposits are interest rates and convenience of office location. In making loans, the Corporation




25




competes with other commercial banks, savings associations, consumer finance companies, credit unions, leasing companies, mortgage companies and other lenders. Competition is affected by, among other things, the general availability of lendable funds, general and local economic conditions, current interest rate levels and other factors that are not readily predictable. The size of financial institutions competing with the Corporation are likely to increase as a result of changes in statutes and regulations eliminating various restrictions on interstate and inter-industry branching and acquisitions. Such increased competition may have an adverse effect upon the Corporation.


Legislation and Regulation that may Adversely Affect the Corporation's Earnings


The Corporation is subject to extensive regulation by the State of Ohio, Division of Financial Institutions (the “ODFI”), the Federal Reserve Bank (the “FED”), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") and is periodically examined by such regulatory agencies to test compliance with various regulatory requirements.  Such supervision and regulation of the Corporation and the bank are intended primarily for the protection of depositors and not for the maximization of shareholder value and may affect the ability of the Corporation to engage in various business activities. The assessments, filing fees and other costs associated with reports, examinations and other regulatory matters are significant and may have an adverse effect on the Corporation's net earnings.


The FDIC is authorized to establish separate annual assessment rates for deposit insurance of members of the Bank Insurance fund (the "BIF") and the Savings Association Insurance Fund (the "SAIF"). The FDIC has established a risk-based assessment system for both BIF and SAIF members. Under such system, assessments may vary depending on the risk the institution poses to its deposit insurance fund. Such risk level is determined by reference to the institution's capital level and the FDIC's level of supervisory concern about the bank.




26