ÂPHM014 MP 16:30 USBANCORP Announces Earnings









SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549


Form 8-K


Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities

Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 20, 2004


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.

(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania        0-11204        25-1424278

(State or other     (commission    (I.R.S. Employer

jurisdiction        File Number)   Identification No.)

of Incorporation)


Main and Franklin Streets, Johnstown, Pa.  15901

(address or principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 814-533-5300


N/A

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

















Form 8-K


Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition



AMERISERV FINANCIAL Inc. (the "Registrant") press release dated April 20, 2004, announcing its earnings for the three (3) month period ended March 31, 2004 is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference


Exhibits

--------


Exhibit 99.1 Press release dated April 20, 2004, announcing its earnings for the

 three (3) month period ended March 31, 2004.



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 hereunto duly authorized.



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.


By /s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

Jeffrey A. Stopko

Senior Vice President

& CFO


Date: April 20, 2004














Exhibit 99.1


Jeffrey A. Stopko

 

    April 20, 2004

Senior Vice President &


Chief Financial Officer


(814)-533-5310


AMERISERV FINANCIAL REPORTS FOURTH CONSECUTIVE QUARTER OF PROFITABILITY     


JOHNSTOWN, PA – AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASRV) completed its fourth consecutive quarter of profitability by reporting net income for the first quarter of 2004 of $226,000 or $0.02 per diluted share.  This represents significant improvement and a sharp turnaround from the net loss of $795,000 or $0.06 per share reported in the first quarter of 2003.  The following table highlights the Company’s financial performance for the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and 2003:  

   

 

First Quarter 2004

First Quarter 2003

Change

Net income (loss)

$226,000

($795,000)

$1,021,000

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

0.02

(0.06)

0.08

   

At March 31, 2004, ASRV had total assets of $1.1 billion and shareholders’ equity of $78 million or $5.57 per share.  The Company is well capitalized for regulatory purposes with an asset leverage ratio at March 31, 2004 of 7.75%, compared to a regulatory minimum of 5.0%.


The Company’s net interest income in the first quarter of 2004 decreased by $435,000 from the prior year first quarter due to a reduced level of earning assets and a nine basis point decline in the net interest margin to 2.39%.  Loan portfolio shrinkage experienced during the majority of 2003 was a predominant factor contributing to both the lower level of earning assets and the net interest margin contraction in the first quarter comparisons.  However, when compared to more recent quarterly performance, the Company’s net interest income and net interest margin have demonstrated favorable trends growing for two consecutive quarters.  Specifically, when compared to the third quarter 2003 when the impact of loan refinancings reached their peak on the Company’s portfolio, the net interest margin has increased from 2.14% to 2.39%.  This improvement reflects modest growth in both loans and deposits and a slow down in premium amortization on the Company’s mortgage backed securities since the third quarter of 2003.  


The Company’s provision for loan losses totaled $384,000 or 0.31% of total loans in the first quarter of 2004.  This represented a decrease of $1.3 million from the first quarter 2003 provision of $1.7 million or 1.19% of total loans.  Net charge-offs in the first quarter of 2004 totaled $597,000 or 0.48% of total loans compared to net charge-offs of $279,000 or 0.20% of total loans in the first quarter of 2003.  The higher net charge-offs in the first quarter of 2004 reflect a $625,000 write-down of a $4.8 million loan on a personal care facility that was discussed in a previously issued press release.  The Company took possession of the facility and transferred the property to other real estate owned in the first quarter of 2004.  The Company is currently evaluating bids for the facility and hopes to finalize a sale by the end of the second quarter of 2004.  The Company expects to incur no further loss on this property.


The Company’s allowance for loan losses totaled $11.4 million at March 31, 2004 providing 84% coverage of non-performing assets.  Non-performing assets totaled $13.5 million at March 31, 2004, which represented an increase of $2.1 million from the December 31, 2003 level of $11.4 million.  This increase reflects the beginning of foreclosure proceedings on a $4.3 million commercial mortgage loan on a hotel within the Company’s primary market area.  Overall, the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans amounted to 2.26% at March 31, 2004 compared to 2.32% at December 31, 2003, and 2.06% at March 31, 2003.   


The Company’s total non-interest income in the first quarter of 2004 increased by $70,000 from the prior year first quarter due to a combination of several factors.   First, the Company realized a $758,000 loss on the sale of approximately 70% of its mortgage-servicing portfolio in the first quarter of 2003.  This significant downsizing of the mortgage-servicing asset reduced the level of interest rate risk and earnings volatility of the Company.  There was no such loss experienced in the first quarter of 2004.  This positive item, however, was partially offset by fewer gains realized on asset sales in the first quarter of 2004.  These included a $341,000 decrease in gains on investment security sales and a $133,000 decline in gains realized on the sale of mortgage loans into the secondary market as result of reduced mortgage refinancing activity.  This lower level of new mortgage origination activity in the first quarter of 2004 was also the main factor responsible for the $149,000 decrease in other non-interest income.  


The Company’s total non-interest expense in the first quarter of 2004 favorably decreased by $449,000 or 4.4% when compared to the first quarter of 2003.  The largest factor causing the decrease was a $266,000 reduction in the impairment charge on mortgage servicing rights due a significantly smaller mortgage-servicing asset in 2004.  The Company also benefited from the non-recurrence in 2004 of a $199,000 goodwill impairment loss associated with the write-off of all goodwill within the mortgage-banking segment in the first quarter of 2003.  Excluding these impairment related charges, the remaining total non-interest expenses were essentially flat between the first quarter of 2003 and first quarter of 2004 reflecting the Company’s continued focus on reducing and containing expenses.        


AmeriServ Financial, Inc., is the parent of AmeriServ Financial Bank and AmeriServ Trust & Financial Services in Johnstown, AmeriServ Associates of State College, and AmeriServ Life Insurance Company.


This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report and Form 10-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Actual results may differ materially.



Nasdaq NMS: ASRV

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DATA (A)

April 20, 2004

(In thousands, except per share and ratio data)

2004

 

1QTR

    
      

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

     

Net income

$226

    
      

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

     

Return on average equity

1.21%

    

Net interest margin

2.39

    

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.48

    

Loan loss provision as a percentage of average loans

0.31

    

Efficiency ratio

93.83

    
      

PER COMMON SHARE:

     

Net income:

     

Basic

$0.02

    

Average number of common shares outstanding

13,962,010

    

Diluted

0.02

    

Average number of common shares outstanding

14,025,836

    

Cash dividends declared

0.00

    
      




2003

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

YEAR

     

TO DATE

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

     

Net income (loss)

$(795)

$915

$249

$180

$549

      

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

     

Return on average equity

(4.17)%

4.84%

1.35%

1.00%

0.74%

Net interest margin

2.48

2.41

2.14

2.21

2.31

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.20

0.02

0.33

0.35

0.22

Loan loss provision as a percentage of average loans

1.19

0.40

0.30

0.31

0.56

Efficiency ratio

94.98

84.81

94.05

95.15

91.98

      

PER COMMON SHARE:

     

Net income (loss):

     

Basic

$(0.06)

$0.07

$0.02

$0.01

$0.04

Average number of common shares outstanding

13,923,010

13,935,086

13,945,889

13,954,044

13,939,610

Diluted

(0.06)

0.07

0.02

0.01

0.04

Average number of common shares outstanding

13,923,010

13,940,460

13,954,648

13,972,328

13,947,895

Cash dividends declared

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

      

    NOTES:

(A)

All quarterly data unaudited.



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

(In thousands, except per share, statistical, and ratio data)


2004

 

1QTR

   

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

    

Assets

$1,099,564

   

Investment securities

504,980

   

Loans

503,404

   

Allowance for loan losses

11,379

   

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles

13,905

   

Mortgage servicing rights

1,493

   

Deposits

656,348

   

Stockholders’ equity

77,721

   

Trust assets – fair market value

1,256,064

   

Non-performing assets

13,482

   

Asset leverage ratio

7.75%

   

PER COMMON SHARE:

    

Book value (A)

$5.57

   

Market value

6.10

   

Market price to book value

109.52%

   
     

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

    

Full-time equivalent employees

415

   

Branch locations

23

   

Common shares outstanding

13,965,737

   


2003

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

    

Assets

$1,190,360

$1,167,610

$1,160,915

$1,147,886

Investment securities

546,427

544,967

577,374

552,662

Loans

555,335

525,591

496,951

503,387

Allowance for loan losses

11,415

11,916

11,872

11,682

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles

15,337

14,979

14,621

14,263

Mortgage servicing rights

2,214

1,784

1,859

1,718

Deposits

669,103

661,932

648,844

654,597

Stockholders’ equity

77,864

78,884

75,188

74,270

Trust assets – fair market value

1,091,391

1,146,695

1,107,022

1,145,660

Non-performing assets

11,687

10,163

11,227

11,411

Asset leverage ratio

7.23%

7.39%

7.48%

7.58%

PER COMMON SHARE:

    

Book value (A)

$5.59

$5.66

$5.39

$5.32

Market value

3.50

3.80

4.17

5.00

Market price to book value

62.61%

67.14%

77.37%

93.98%

     

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

    

Full-time equivalent employees

416

427

422

413

Branch locations

23

23

23

23

Common shares outstanding

13,929,324

13,940,999

13,949,383

13,957,599


    NOTES:

    

    (A) Other comprehensive income had a positive impact of $0.16 on book value per share at March 31, 2004.

    

    

AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(In thousands)

(Quarterly data unaudited)

2004

      

INTEREST INCOME

1QTR

    

Interest and fees on loans

$7,691

    

Total investment portfolio

5,228

    

Total Interest Income

12,919

    
      

INTEREST EXPENSE

     

Deposits

2,543

    

All other funding sources

4,164

    

Total Interest Expense

6,707

    
      

NET INTEREST INCOME

6,212

    

Provision for loan losses

384

    

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES


5,828

    
      

NON-INTEREST INCOME

     

Trust fees

1,267

    

Net realized gains on investment securities

    available for sale


937

    

Net realized gains on loans and loans held for sale

40

    

Service charges on deposit accounts

730

    

Net mortgage servicing fees

52

    

Bank owned life insurance

275

    

Other income

764

    

Total Non-interest Income

4,065

    
      

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

     

Salaries and employee benefits

4,915

    

Net occupancy expense

757

    

Equipment expense

704

    

Professional fees

804

    

FDIC deposit insurance expense

72

    

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

358

    

Impairment charge for mortgage servicing  

   Rights


100

    

Other expenses

1,961

    

Total Non-interest Expense

9,671

    
      

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

222

    

Provision  (benefit) for income taxes

(4)

    

NET INCOME

$226

    
      



2003

     

YEAR

INTEREST INCOME

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

TO DATE

Interest and fees on loans

$9,083

$8,595

$8,044

$7,585

$33,307

Total investment portfolio

5,660

5,631

5,035

5,372

21,698

Total Interest Income

14,743

14,226

13,079

12,957

55,005

      

INTEREST EXPENSE

     

Deposits

3,140

2,965

2,765

2,633

11,503

All other funding sources

4,956

4,827

4,618

4,456

18,857

Total Interest Expense

8,096

7,792

7,383

7,089

30,360

      

NET INTEREST INCOME

6,647

6,434

5,696

5,868

24,645

Provision for loan losses

1,659

534

384

384

2,961

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES


4,988


5,900


5,312


5,484


21,684

      

NON-INTEREST INCOME

     

Trust fees

1,253

1,253

1,254

1,233

4,993

Net realized gains on investment securities

     available for sale


1,278


1,420


402


687


3,787

Net realized gains on loans and loans held for sale

173

221

165

73

632

Service charges on deposit accounts

767

800

812

801

3,180

Net mortgage servicing fees

71

77

55

46

249

Gain (loss) on sale of mortgage servicing

(758)

-

-

-

(758)

Bank owned life insurance

298

307

305

304

1,214

Other income

913

1,017

989

713

3,632

Total Non-interest Income

3,995

5,095

3,982

3,857

16,929

      

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

     

Salaries and employee benefits

4,789

4,717

4,729

4,688

18,923

Net occupancy expense

752

701

682

681

2,816

Equipment expense

817

750

692

692

2,951

Professional fees

903

1,058

951

906

3,818

FDIC deposit insurance expense

28

26

75

72

201

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

358

358

358

358

1,432

Impairment charge (credit) for mortgage servicing

    rights


366


254


(230)


-


390

Goodwill impairment loss

199

-

-

-

199

Other expenses

1,908

1,922

1,855

1,862

7,547

Total Non-interest Expense

10,120

9,786

9,112

9,259

38,277

      

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

(1,137)

1,209

182

82

336

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(342)

294

(67)

(98)

(213)

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$(795)

$915

$249

$180

$549

      


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

Nasdaq NMS: ASRV

Average Balance Sheet Data (In thousands)

(Quarterly Data Unaudited)


    Note:  2003 data appears before 2004.


2003

2004

     
 

1QTR

 

1QTR

 

Interest earning assets:

    

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income

$557,123

 

$495,728

 

Deposits with banks

7,240

 

4,574

 

Federal funds sold

-

 

226

 

Total investment securities

497,836

 

541,761

 
     

Total interest earning assets

1,062,199

 

1,042,289

 
     

Non-interest earning assets:

    

Cash and due from banks

23,557

 

22,113

 

Premises and equipment

12,477

 

10,983

 

Other assets

71,235

 

66,455

 

Allowance for loan losses

(10,272)

 

(11,457)

 
     

Total assets

$1,159,196

 

$1,130,383

 
     

Interest bearing liabilities:

    

Interest bearing deposits:

    

Interest bearing demand

$50,550

 

$51,838

 

Savings

102,116

 

105,228

 

Money market

128,232

 

120,430

 

Other time

289,213

 

274,241

 

Total interest bearing deposits

570,111

 

551,737

 

Borrowings:

    

Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and other short-term borrowings



93,652

 



128,403

 

Advanced from Federal Home Loan Bank

268,156

 

226,812

 

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures *


34,500

 


35,567

 

Total interest bearing liabilities

966,419

 

942,519

 
     

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

    

Demand deposits

107,847

 

106,344

 

Other liabilities

5,192

 

6,379

 

Stockholders’ equity

79,738

 

75,141

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$1,159,196

 

$1,130,383

 


* - The first quarter 2004 reflects the adoption of FIN46R and the deconsolidation of the capital trust subsidiary.