SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION





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) January 19, 2016


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.)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to

simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under

any of the following provisions:


( ) Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities

Act (17 CFR 230.425)


( ) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange

Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the

Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the

Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4c))

















Form 8-K


Item 2.02 Results of operation and financial condition.


AMERISERV FINANCIAL Inc. (the "Registrant") announced fourth quarter and full year 2015 results through December 31, 2015.  For a more detailed description of the announcement see the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1.  


Exhibits

--------


Exhibit 99.1

Press release dated January 19, 2016, announcing the fourth quarter and full year 2015 results through December 31, 2015.



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/Michael D. Lynch

Michael D. Lynch

SVP & CFO


Date: January 19, 2016







Exhibit 99.1


AMERISERV FINANCIAL REPORTS INCREASED EARNINGS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR OF 2015   


JOHNSTOWN, PA – AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASRV) reported fourth quarter 2015 net income available to common shareholders of $1,321,000, or $0.07 per diluted common share.  This represented a significant increase when compared to net income available to common shareholders of $697,000, or $0.04 per diluted common share, reported for the fourth quarter of 2014.  For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company reported net income available to common shareholders of $5,787,000, or $0.31 per diluted share.  This represented a 107% increase in earnings per share from the full year 2014 where net income available to common shareholders totaled $2,813,000, or $0.15 per diluted common share.  The following table highlights the Company’s financial performance for both quarters and years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:  

          

 

Fourth Quarter 2015

Fourth Quarter 2014

 

Year Ended

December 31,2015

Year Ended

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$1,374,000

$749,000

 

$5,997,000

$3,023,000

Net income available to common shareholders


$1,321,000


$697,000

 


$5,787,000


$2,813,000

Diluted earnings per share

          $ 0.07

          $ 0.04

 

                   $ 0.31

                   $ 0.15


Jeffrey A. Stopko, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the year ended December 31, 2015 financial results: “We were able to meaningfully improve the earnings power of AmeriServ Financial Inc. in 2015 through a combination of revenue growth and non-interest expense reduction.  Specifically, solid loan and deposit growth in our community banking business contributed to an increase of $1.3 million, or 3.9%, in net interest income while increasing revenue from our trust and wealth management business contributed to 6.6% growth in non-interest income in 2015.  Additionally, operating expenses declined by $1.7 million, or 3.9%, as we improved the ongoing efficiency of the Company by successfully executing several profitability improvement initiatives.”


The Company’s net interest income in the fourth quarter of 2015 decreased by $140,000 from the prior year’s fourth quarter but increased by $1,317,000, or 3.9%, for the full year of 2015 when compared to the full year 2014.  The decrease in net interest income between the fourth quarter of 2015 and the prior year’s fourth quarter is due to net interest margin compression as well as the 2015 fourth quarter reversal of previously recognized interest income from a loan that was transferred into non-accrual status.  The impact of the net interest margin compression is evident in the Company’s net interest margin ratio which was 3.30% for the fourth quarter of 2015 and was 19 basis points lower than the net interest margin of 3.49% for the fourth quarter of 2014.  Total earning assets averaged $1.028 billion in the fourth quarter of this year, or 3.9% higher than the $990 million average in the prior year’s fourth quarter.  On an annual basis, the Company’s net interest income increased in 2015 when compared to 2014 as net interest margin compression was more than fully mitigated by earning asset growth, a greater level of prepayment fees on early loan payoffs and an increased dividend from the FHLB of Pittsburgh.  The Company’s net interest margin of 3.49% for the full year 2015 was three basis points lower than the net interest margin of 3.52% for the full year 2014.  The earning asset growth occurred in the loan portfolio as total loans averaged $857 million for the full year of 2015 which is $52 million, or 6.5% higher than the $805 million average for the full year of 2014.  This loan growth reflects the successful results of the Company’s sales calling efforts, with an emphasis on generating commercial loans and owner occupied commercial real estate loans particularly through its loan production offices in the stronger growth markets of Pittsburgh and Altoona in Pennsylvania, and Hagerstown, Maryland.  Overall, total interest income decreased by $62,000, or 0.6%, in the fourth quarter of 2015 but increased by $1.4 million, or 3.6%, for the full year 2015.


Total interest expense has been well controlled in 2015 as it increased by $78,000 in the fourth quarter and $123,000, or 1.9%, for the full year of 2015 due to tight control of our cost of funds through disciplined deposit pricing.  Total deposit interest expense decreased by $137,000, or 2.8%, in 2015 when compared to last year.  Even with this reduction in deposit costs, the Company continues to have a strong loyal core deposit base and success in cross-selling new loan customers into deposit products.  Specifically, total deposits averaged $893 million for full year of 2015 which is $21 million, or 2.4%, higher than the $872 million average in 2014.  The Company is pleased that a meaningful portion of this deposit growth occurred in non-interest bearing demand deposit accounts.  This decreased interest expense for deposits has been offset by a $260,000 increase in the interest cost for borrowings as the Company has utilized more FHLB term advances to extend borrowings and provide protection against rising interest rates.   


The Company recorded a $500,000 provision for loan losses in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to a $375,000 provision in the fourth quarter of 2014.  The higher provision that was needed this year was largely due to the transfer into non-accrual status of a $4.1 million loan to a customer in the fracking industry that filed for bankruptcy protection in the fourth quarter.  This is the Company’s only meaningful direct loan exposure to the energy industry.  For the full year 2015, the Company recorded a $1,250,000 provision for loan losses which represented an increase of $875,000 when compared to the 2014 full year provision of $375,000.  The higher provision recorded in 2015 was also needed to support the continuing growth of the loan portfolio and cover net loan charge-offs.  The Company experienced net loan charge-offs of $351,000, or 0.16% of total loans, in the fourth quarter of 2015 which was comparable to net loan charge-offs of $334,000, or 0.16% of total loans, in the fourth quarter of 2014.  For the full years, there were net loan charge-offs of $952,000, or 0.11% of total loans, in 2015 compared to net loan charge-offs of $856,000, or 0.11% of total loans, in 2014.  Overall, even with the fourth quarter increase in non-performing assets, the Company continued to maintain strong asset quality in 2015.  At December 31, 2015, non-performing assets totaled $6.3 million, or 0.71% of total loans.  When determining the provision for loan losses, the Company considers a number of factors, some of which include periodic credit reviews, non-performing assets, loan delinquency and charge-off trends, concentrations of credit, loan volume trends and broader local and national economic trends.  In summary, the allowance for loan losses provided 159% coverage of non-performing loans, and 1.13% of total loans, at December 31, 2015, compared to 400% coverage of non-performing loans, and 1.16% of total loans, at December 31, 2014.


Total non-interest income in the fourth quarter of 2015 increased by $288,000 from the prior year’s fourth quarter and for the full year of 2015 increased by $944,000, or 6.6%, when compared to the full year of 2014.  Increased revenue from trust and investment advisory fees and bank owned life insurance were two factors contributing to both the quarterly and annual non-interest income increase.  Specifically, trust and investment advisory fees increased by $90,000, or 4.6%, for the quarter and $579,000, or 7.5%, annually due to increased assets under management which reflects successful new business development activities as well as effective management of existing customer accounts in this volatile market environment.  Trust assets under administration totaled $1.97 billion as of December 31, 2015.  Revenue from bank owned life insurance increased by $210,000 for the quarter and $868,000 for the full year due to the receipt of four death claims in 2015.  These increases were partially offset by a reduction in deposit service charges in 2015 of $10,000 for the quarter and $207,000 for the full year due to fewer overdraft fees.  Mortgage related fees also dropped by $43,000 in the fourth quarter and $199,000 for the full year due to less mortgage refinance activity in 2015.  Finally, for the full year 2015 there was a decrease of $106,000 in revenue from investment security sale transactions as the Company recognized a lower level of gains on the sale of securities with low balances in 2015 compared to gains realized on the sale of rapidly pre-paying mortgage backed securities in 2014.


Total non-interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2015 decreased by $600,000, or 5.6%, from the prior year’s fourth quarter and for the full year of 2015 decreased by $2,333,000, or 5.4%, when compared to the full year of 2014.  Salaries and employee benefits were down by $454,000 in the fourth quarter and by $918,000, or 3.7%, for the full year of 2015, due to 21 fewer average full time equivalent employees as certain employees who elected to participate in an early retirement program in late 2014 were not replaced in order to achieve efficiencies identified as part of a profitability improvement program.  As part of this early retirement program, the Company recognized a $400,000 pension charge in the fourth quarter of 2014.  Professional fees increased modestly by $34,000 in the fourth quarter of 2015 but were $406,000, or 7.5% lower for the year.  The annual decrease results from lower legal fees, director’s fees and consulting costs in 2015.  Additionally, the Company recognized a $669,000 goodwill impairment charge related to its investment advisory subsidiary in the third quarter of 2014.  There was no such charge in 2015.  The remainder of the key non-interest expense categories were relatively consistent or down between years reflecting the Company’s continuing focus on reducing and controlling costs.  Finally, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $2,343,000, or an effective tax rate of 28.1%, in 2015 compared to the income tax expense of $1,598,000, or an effective tax rate of 34.6%, for 2014.  The higher income tax expense is due to the Company’s increased earnings in 2015 as the Company’s effective tax rate is lower than 2014 due to an increase in tax free revenue from bank owned life insurance.  The higher effective tax rate in 2014 was also due to the non-deductibility of the goodwill impairment charge for tax purposes.


The Company had total assets of $1.15 billion, shareholders’ equity of $119 million, a book value of $5.19 per common share and a tangible book value of $4.56 per common share at December 31, 2015.  The Company continued to maintain strong capital ratios that exceed the regulatory defined well capitalized status and had a tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 7.57% at December 31, 2015.


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









NASDAQ: ASRV

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DATA

December 31, 2015

(In thousands, except per share and ratio data)

(Unaudited)


2015

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

YEAR

 

 

 

 

 

TO DATE

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$1,369

$1,421

$1,833

$1,374

$5,997

Net income available to common shareholders

1,316

1,369

1,781

1,321

5,787

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

 

 

 

 

 

Return on average assets

0.51%

0.52%

0.66%

0.49%

0.54%

Return on average equity

4.80

4.88

6.15

4.56

5.10

Net interest margin

3.57

3.45

3.52

3.30

3.49

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.09

0.08

0.11

0.16

0.11

Loan loss provision as a percentage of

    average loans


0.12


0.09


0.14


0.23


0.15

Efficiency ratio

82.29

81.93

78.25

81.69

81.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$0.07

$0.07

$0.09

$0.07

$0.31

Average number of common shares outstanding

18,851

18,859

18,869

18,871

18,863

Diluted

0.07

0.07

0.09

0.07

0.31

Average number of common shares outstanding

18,909

18,941

18,951

18,950

18,933

Cash dividends declared

$0.01

$0.01

$0.01

$0.01

$0.04


2014

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

YEAR

 

 

 

 

 

TO DATE

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$930

$979

$365

$749

$3,023

Net income available to common shareholders

877

927

312

697

2,813

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

 

 

 

 

 

Return on average assets

0.36%

0.37%

0.14%

0.28%

0.29%

Return on average equity

3.30

3.41

1.25

2.54

2.61

Net interest margin

3.56

3.47

3.42

3.49

3.52

Net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percentage

    of average loans


-


(0.02)


0.28


0.16


0.11

Loan loss provision as a percentage of

    average loans


-


-


-


0.18


0.05

Efficiency ratio

89.02

88.29

93.68

87.58

89.63

 

 

 

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$0.05

$0.05

$0.02

$0.04

$0.15

Average number of common shares outstanding

18,786

18,795

18,795

18,795

18,793

Diluted

0.05

0.05

0.02

0.04

0.15

Average number of common shares outstanding

18,904

18,936

18,908

18,887

18,908

Cash dividends declared

$0.01

$0.01

$0.01

$0.01

$0.04








AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

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

(Unaudited)


2015

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

FINANCIAL CONDITION  DATA AT PERIOD END

 

 

 

 

Assets

$1,103,416

$1,112,934

$1,110,843

$1,148,922

Short-term investments/overnight funds

10,127

9,843

14,966

25,067

Investment securities

142,010

142,448

135,013

140,886

Loans and loans held for sale

853,972

866,243

868,213

883,987

Allowance for loan losses

9,689

9,717

9,772

9,921

Goodwill

11,944

11,944

11,944

11,944

Deposits

892,676

862,902

869,899

903,294

FHLB borrowings

71,219

109,430

100,988

96,748

Shareholders’ equity

116,328

117,305

119,408

118,973

Non-performing assets

3,046

2,565

2,294

6,297

Tangible common equity ratio

7.64

7.66

7.87

7.57

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

Book value (A)

$5.06

$5.11

$5.21

$5.19

Tangible book value (A)

4.42

4.47

4.58

4.56

Market value

2.98

3.33

3.24

3.20

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

$2,033,573

$2,012,358

$1,935,495

$1,974,882

 

 

 

 

 

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

 

 

 

 

Full-time equivalent employees

318

318

318

318

Branch locations

17

17

17

17

Common shares outstanding

18,855,021

18,861,811

18,870,811

18,870,811


2014

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

FINANCIAL CONDITION  DATA AT PERIOD END

 

 

 

 

Assets

$1,051,108

$1,063,717

$1,070,431

$1,089,263

Short-term investments/overnight funds

9,019

8,013

6,662

9,092

Investment securities

154,754

153,603

150,471

146,950

Loans and loans held for sale

789,620

804,675

817,887

832,131

Allowance for loan losses

10,109

10,150

9,582

9,623

Goodwill

12,613

12,613

11,944

11,944

Deposits

875,333

873,908

872,170

869,881

FHLB borrowings

40,483

52,677

63,438

80,880

Shareholders’ equity

114,590

115,946

116,146

114,407

Non-performing assets

3,274

4,469

3,897

2,917

Tangible common equity ratio

7.80

7.83

7.86

7.56

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

Book value (A)

$4.97

$5.05

$5.06

$4.97

Tangible book value (A)

4.31

4.38

4.43

4.33

Market value

3.85

3.48

3.30

3.13

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

$1,692,663

$1,873,996

$1,872,088

$1,883,937

 

 

 

 

 

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

 

 

 

 

Full-time equivalent employees

347

345

341

314

Branch locations

18

17

17

17

Common shares outstanding

18,793,388

18,794,888

18,794,888

18,794,888

NOTES:

(A)

Preferred stock of $21 million received through the Small Business Lending Fund is excluded from the book value per

common share and tangible book value per common share calculations.

        (B) Not recognized on the consolidated balance sheets.



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


2015

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

YEAR

INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

TO DATE

Interest and fees on loans

$9,456

$9,480

$9,718

$9,341

$37,995

Interest on investments

1,067

929

949

941

3,886

Total Interest Income

10,523

10,409

10,667

10,282

41,881

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

1,174

1,171

1,174

1,233

4,752

All borrowings

415

438

458

457

1,768

Total Interest Expense

1,589

1,609

1,632

1,690

6,520

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

8,934

8,800

9,035

8,592

35,361

Provision for loan losses

250

200

300

500

1,250

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER

   PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES


8,684


8,600


8,735


8,092


34,111

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

Trust and investment advisory fees

2,056

2,135

2,085

2,068

8,344

Service charges on deposit accounts

419

429

441

461

1,750

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

191

225

178

173

767

Mortgage related fees

115

109

87

80

391

Net realized gains(losses) on investment

  securities


-


28


(36)


79


71

Bank owned life insurance

363

171

684

399

1,617

Other income

568

595

576

588

2,327

Total Non-Interest Income

3,712

3,692

4,015

3,848

15,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

6,073

5,944

6,079

5,946

24,042

Net occupancy expense

841

718

692

690

2,941

Equipment expense

466

480

409

418

1,773

Professional fees

1,211

1,275

1,206

1,311

5,003

FDIC deposit insurance expense

167

164

174

164

669

Other expenses

1,652

1,658

1,659

1,641

6,610

Total Non-Interest Expense

10,410

10,239

10,219

10,170

41,038

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRETAX INCOME

1,986

2,053

2,531

1,770

8,340

Income tax expense

617

632

698

396

2,343

NET INCOME

1,369

1,421

1,833

1,374

5,997

Preferred stock dividends

53

52

52

53

210

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS


$1,316


$1,369


$1,781


$1,321


$5,787

















2014

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

YEAR

INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

TO DATE

Interest and fees on loans

$9,032

$8,939

$9,019

$9,352

$36,342

Interest on investments

1,063

1,044

1,000

992

4,099

Total Interest Income

10,095

9,983

10,019

10,344

40,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

1,211

1,240

1,237

1,201

4,889

All borrowings

359

359

379

411

1,508

Total Interest Expense

1,570

1,599

1,616

1,612

6,397

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

8,525

8,384

8,403

8,732

34,044

Provision for loan losses

-

-

-

375

375

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER

   PROVISION  FOR LOAN LOSSES


8,525


8,384


8,403


8,357


33,669

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

Trust and investment advisory fees

2,032

1,948

1,807

1,978

7,765

Service charges on deposit accounts

478

501

507

471

1,957

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

101

171

275

201

748

Mortgage related fees

117

160

190

123

590

Net realized gains on investment securities

57

120

-

-

177

Bank owned life insurance

187

185

188

189

749

Other income

560

553

626

598

2,337

Total Non-Interest Income

3,532

3,638

3,593

3,560

14,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

6,314

6,107

6,139

6,400

24,960

Net occupancy expense

839

717

709

699

2,964

Equipment expense

470

494

468

460

1,892

Professional fees

1,308

1,464

1,360

1,277

5,409

FDIC deposit insurance expense

160

154

159

163

636

Goodwill impairment charge

-

-

669

-

669

Other expenses

1,647

1,684

1,739

1,771

6,841

Total Non-Interest Expense

10,738

10,620

11,243

10,770

43,371

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRETAX INCOME

1,319

1,402

753

1,147

4,621

Income tax expense

389

423

388

398

1,598

NET INCOME

930

979

365

749

3,023

Preferred stock dividends

53

52

53

52

210

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS


$877


$927


$312


$697


$2,813




















AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NASDAQ: ASRV

Average Balance Sheet Data (In thousands)

(Unaudited)


2015

2014

 

 

TWELVE

 

TWELVE

 

4QTR

MONTHS

4QTR

MONTHS

Interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income

$870,400

$857,015

$827,613

$804,721

Short-term investment in money market funds

12,116

10,700

8,186

7,227

Deposits with banks

5,086

2,198

1,235

1,243

Total investment securities

140,794

144,959

153,000

157,238

Total interest earning assets

1,028,396

1,014,872

990,034

970,429

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

17,525

17,312

16,254

16,919

Premises and equipment

12,282

12,617

13,310

13,282

Other assets

67,605

69,201

68,787

69,423

Allowance for loan losses

(9,808)

(9,766)

(9,501)

(9,951)

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$1,116,000

$1,104,236

$1,078,884

$1,060,102

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing demand

$92,800

$97,201

$103,500

$97,641

Savings

92,550

94,425

89,274

89,554

Money market

269,251

242,298

225,907

228,150

Other time

276,134

287,783

297,783

300,915

Total interest bearing deposits

730,735

721,707

716,464

716,260

Borrowings:

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings

16,650

24,582

25,316

18,783

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

48,763

46,166

39,723

32,885

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

13,085

13,085

13,085

13,085

Subordinated debt

247

62

-

-

Total interest bearing liabilities

809,480

805,602

794,588

781,013

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

  Demand deposits

178,801

171,175

160,515

155,365

  Other liabilities

8,157

9,871

6,694

7,969

Shareholders’ equity

119,562

117,588

117,087

115,755

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$1,116,000

$1,104,236

$1,078,884

$1,060,102