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) July 17, 2012


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 second quarter and first six month results through June 30, 2012.  For a more detailed description of the announcement see the press release attached as Exhibit #99.1.  


Exhibits

--------


Exhibit 99.1

Press release dated July 17, 2012, announcing the second quarter and first six month results through June 30, 2012.



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

Executive Vice President

& CFO


Date: July 17, 2012








Exhibit 99.1


AMERISERV FINANCIAL REPORTS EARNINGS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER AND FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2012     


JOHNSTOWN, PA – AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASRV) reported second quarter 2012 net income of $1,432,000 or $0.06 per diluted common share.  This represents a decrease of $506,000, or $0.02 per diluted common share from the second quarter 2011.  The improvements in asset quality continued to result in a negative provision for loan losses in the second quarter of 2012, but at a lesser level than in the second quarter of 2011.  For the six month period ended June 30, 2012, the Company reported net income of $2,997,000 or $0.12 per diluted share.  Net income for the six month period was down by $204,000 or 6.4% while diluted earnings per share did not change due to the success of the Company’s common stock repurchase program.  The following table highlights the Company’s financial performance for both the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012:         

     


 

Second Quarter 2012

Second Quarter 2011

 

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2012

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$1,432,000

$1,938,000

 

$2,997,000

$3,201,000

Diluted earnings per share

          $ 0.06

          $ 0.08

 

                   $ 0.12

$0.12



Glenn L. Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the second quarter 2012 financial results: “During the second quarter of 2012, we accomplished several important actions that have a positive impact on shareholder value.  First, we repurchased 1,183,000 shares of our common stock below tangible book value at an average price per share of $2.52.  This stock repurchase, combined with our earnings, contributed to a 6.4% increase in tangible book value per share during the first six months of 2012.  Second, our total loan portfolio grew by $19.5 million or 2.9% during the second quarter of 2012 with this loan growth occurring in loan categories that qualify for the Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF).  As a result of this loan growth, the dividend rate that AmeriServ Financial Inc. currently pays on the SBLF preferred stock will drop from 5% to 1% - the lowest rate available under the SBLF program.  This lower preferred dividend will increase the quarterly net income available to common shareholders by $210,000 beginning in the fourth quarter of 2012.”                


The Company’s net interest income in the second quarter of 2012 decreased by $165,000 or 2.0% from the prior year’s second quarter and for the first six months of 2012 decreased by only $73,000 or 0.5% when compared to the first six months of 2011.  The Company’s 2012 net interest margin of 3.64% was 7 basis points lower than the net interest margin of 3.71% for the first half of 2011.  The decreased net interest income and net interest margin in 2012 reflects the challenges of a flatter yield curve which has caused interest revenue to decrease to greater extent than interest expense.  Also, the second quarter 2012 net interest margin was negatively impacted by a build-up in short-term liquidity as the Company positioned its balance sheet for strong loan fundings that occurred late in the quarter.  Specifically, total loans outstanding have increased for five consecutive quarters and now are $34.0 million or 5.2% higher than they were at June 30, 2011.   This loan growth reflects the successful results of the Company’s more intensive sales calling efforts with an emphasis on generating commercial loans and owner occupied commercial real estate loans which qualify as Small Business Lending Fund loans, particularly through its new loan production offices.  Despite this growth in loans, total interest revenue dropped by $1.1 million between years and reflects the lower interest rate environment and flatter yield curve.  Interest revenue has also been negatively impacted by increased premium amortization on mortgage backed securities due to faster mortgage prepayment speeds.  However, careful management of funding costs has allowed the Company to mitigate a significant portion of this drop in interest revenue during the past year.  Specifically, interest expense in the first six months of 2012 declined by $1.0 million from the same prior year period due to the Company’s proactive efforts to reduce deposit and borrowing costs.  Even with this reduction in deposit costs, the Company still experienced solid growth in deposits which increased by $44 million or 5.4% over the past 12 months.     


Sustained improvements in asset quality evidenced by low levels of non-performing assets, net charge-offs, and classified loans allowed the Company to again reverse a portion of the allowance for loan losses into earnings in the second quarter of 2012 while still maintaining especially strong coverage ratios.  At June 30, 2012, non-performing assets totaled $5.1 million or 0.74% of total loans.  This represents the fourth consecutive quarter where non-performing assets have been near the $5 million level.  Criticized and classified loans also dropped by $12 million or 21.3% during the past 12 months.  Actual credit losses realized through net charge-offs have also declined in 2012 with the Company even experiencing net loan recoveries of $39,000 in the second quarter of 2012.  For the first six months of 2012, net charge-offs totaled only $181,000 or 0.05% of total loans which represents a decrease from the first six months of 2011 when net charge-offs totaled $1.0 million or 0.32% of total loans.  As a result of this sustained asset quality improvement, the Company recorded a negative provision for loan losses of $500,000 in the second quarter of 2012 compared to a negative provision of $1,175,000 in the second quarter of 2011.  For the six month period in 2012, the negative provision amounted to $1,125,000 compared to a $1,775,000 credit provision in the first six months of 2011.  Overall, there has been $650,000 less earnings benefit from negative loan loss provisions in 2012.  When determining the provision for loan losses, the Company considers a number of factors some of which include periodic credit reviews, non-performing asset, 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 315% coverage of non-performing loans, and was 1.94% of total loans, at June 30, 2012, compared to 288% of non-performing loans, and 2.18% of total loans, at December 31, 2011.


The Company’s growth in non-interest revenue has also been a financial performance highlight in 2012.  Total non-interest income in the second quarter of 2012 increased by $279,000 or 8.1% from the prior year’s second quarter and for the first six months of 2012 increased by $848,000 or 12.9% when compared to the first six months of 2011.    The second quarter 2012 non-interest income increase was driven by increased revenue from residential mortgage banking activities.  Specifically, gains realized on residential mortgage loan sales into the secondary market increased by $96,000 due to increased mortgage loan production in the second quarter of 2012.  Higher fees related to residential mortgage banking activities along with increased revenue from financial services (annuity and mutual funds sales) were the key factors responsible for the $219,000 increase in other income in the second quarter of 2012.  For the six month period, trust fees increased by $152,000 or 4.8% as our wealth management businesses benefited from the implementation of new fee schedules and improved asset values in 2012.  Also, the Company realized a modest $12,000 investment security gain in 2012 compared to a $358,000 investment security loss in the first quarter of 2011 that resulted from a portfolio repositioning strategy.            


Total non-interest expense in the second quarter of 2012 increased by $190,000 from the prior year’s second quarter and for the first six months of 2012 increased by $385,000 or 1.9% when compared to the first six months of 2011.  Salaries and employee benefits increased by $402,000 for the second quarter and $888,000 or 8.0% for the six month period due to higher salaries expense, incentive compensation, and pension expense.  The 2012 personnel expenses also reflect the staffing costs associated with new loan production offices in Altoona, Harrisburg and Hagerstown, Maryland.  Other expenses also increased by $86,000 for the second quarter of 2012 and $191,000 for the six month period due to an increase in the reserve for unfunded loan commitments as result of increased commercial loan origination activity in 2012.  These negative items were partially offset by a $346,000 reduction in FDIC deposit insurance expense for the second quarter of 2012 and a $679,000 reduction for the six month period. This reduction resulted from a change in the calculation methodology which took effect in the second half of 2011 and the Company’s improved risk profile which is evidenced by better asset quality and increased profitability.   Finally, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $1.3 million or an effective tax rate of 30.8% for the first half of 2012 which was comparable with the income tax expense of $1.4 million or an effective tax rate of 30.3% for the first half of 2011.  


ASRV had total assets of $997 million and shareholders’ equity of $111 million or a book value of $4.66 per common share at June 30, 2012.  During the first half of 2012, the Company repurchased 1,638,000 shares of its common stock at an average price of $2.48 in conjunction with the terms of its previously announced stock buyback program.  The Company continued to maintain strong capital ratios that considerably exceed the regulatory defined well capitalized status with a risk based capital ratio of 16.41%, an asset leverage ratio of 11.60% and a tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 7.84% at June 30, 2012.  


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

June 30, 2012

(In thousands, except per share and ratio data)

(Unaudited)


2012

 

1QTR

2QTR

YEAR

 

 

 

 

 

TO DATE

 

 

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$1,565

$1,432

$2,997

 

 

Net income available to common

    shareholders


1,302


1,170


2,472

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

 

 

 

 

 

Return on average assets

0.65%

0.59%

0.62%

 

 

Return on average equity

5.60

5.19

5.40

 

 

Net interest margin

3.70

3.59

3.64

 

 

Net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percentage

    of average loans


0.13


(0.02)


0.05

 

 

Loan loss provision as a percentage of

    average loans


(0.38)


(0.30)


(0.34)

 

 

Efficiency ratio

86.17

86.34

86.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$0.06

$0.06

$0.12

 

 

Average number of common shares

    outstanding


20,679


19,584


20,132

 

 

Diluted

0.06

0.06

0.12

 

 

Average number of common shares

    outstanding


20,722


19,652


20,186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

1QTR

2QTR

YEAR

 

 

 

 

 

TO DATE

 

 

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$1,263

$1,938

$3,201

 

 

Net income available to common

    shareholders


973


1,648


2,621

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

 

 

 

 

 

Return on average assets

0.54%

0.81%

0.67%

 

 

Return on average equity

4.77

7.11

5.96

 

 

Net interest margin

3.70

3.71

3.71

 

 

Net charge-offs as a percentage of

    average loans


0.70


(0.07)


0.32

 

 

Loan loss provision as a percentage of

    average loans


(0.37)


(0.72)


(0.55)

 

 

Efficiency ratio

89.53

85.53

87.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$0.05

$0.08

$0.12

 

 

Average number of common shares

    outstanding


21,208


21,208


21,208

 

 

Diluted

0.05

0.08

0.12

 

 

Average number of common shares

    outstanding


21,230


21,236


21,233

 

 


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

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

(Unaudited)


2012

 

1QTR

2QTR

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

$967,401

$997,102

 

 

 

Short-term investments/overnight funds

7,398

14,158

 

 

 

Investment securities

190,089

191,791

 

 

 

Loans

671,328

690,815

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

13,778

13,317

 

 

 

Goodwill

12,613

12,613

 

 

 

Deposits

820,105

854,017

 

 

 

FHLB borrowings

6,390

3,000

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

112,270

110,810

 

 

 

Non-performing assets

4,801

5,077

 

 

 

Asset leverage ratio

11.83%

11.60%

 

 

 

Tangible common equity ratio

8.24

7.84

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

Book value (A)

$4.46

$4.66

 

 

 

Tangible book value

3.84

4.00

 

 

 

Market value

2.74

2.82

 

 

 

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

$1,469,789

$1,447,877

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

 

 

 

 

 

Full-time equivalent employees

353

353

 

 

 

Branch locations

18

18

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding

20,465,521

19,284,521

 

 

 


2011

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

 

 

 

 

Assets

$961,067

$954,893

$973,439

$979,076

Short-term investments/overnight funds

26,769

4,338

17,941

7,845

Investment securities

195,272

198,770

195,784

195,203

Loans

644,836

656,838

667,409

670,847

Allowance for loan losses

18,025

16,958

16,069

14,623

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles

12,613

12,613

12,613

12,613

Deposits

816,528

810,082

827,358

816,420

FHLB borrowings

9,736

9,722

9,707

21,765

Shareholders’ equity

108,170

111,410

114,164

112,352

Non-performing assets

9,328

7,433

5,344

5,199

Asset leverage ratio

11.40%

11.60%

11.70%

11.66%

Tangible common equity ratio

7.89

8.29

8.38

8.15

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

Book value (A)

$4.12

$4.28

$4.39

$4.37

Tangible book value

3.53

3.68

3.80

3.76

Market value

2.37

1.95

1.90

1.95

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

$1,410,755

$1,390,534

$1,313,440

$1,382,745

 

 

 

 

 

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

 

 

 

 

Full-time equivalent employees

351

352

342

347

Branch locations

18

18

18

18

Common shares outstanding

21,207,670

21,208,421

21,208,421

20,921,021

NOTES:

(A)

Preferred stockof $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 balance sheet.


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


2012

 

1QTR

2QTR

YEAR

 

 

INTEREST INCOME

 

 

TO DATE

 

 

Interest and fees on loans

$8,729

$8,552

$17,281

 

 

Total investment portfolio

1,395

1,333

2,728

 

 

Total Interest Income

10,124

9,885

20,009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

1,762

1,668

3,430

 

 

All borrowings

304

296

600

 

 

Total Interest Expense

2,066

1,964

4,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

8,058

7,921

15,979

 

 

Provision (credit) for loan losses

(625)

(500)

(1,125)

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER

   PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR LOAN

   LOSSES



8,683



8,421



17,104

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

Trust fees

1,697

1,628

3,325

 

 

Investment advisory fees

193

177

370

 

 

Net realized gains on investment securities

-

12

12

 

 

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

276

251

527

 

 

Service charges on deposit accounts

535

517

1,052

 

 

Bank owned life insurance

215

212

427

 

 

Other income

758

936

1,694

 

 

Total Non-interest Income

3,674

3,733

7,407

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

5,986

5,976

11,962

 

 

Net occupancy expense

729

702

1,431

 

 

Equipment expense

451

473

924

 

 

Professional fees

923

937

1,860

 

 

FDIC deposit insurance expense

129

114

243

 

 

Other expenses

1,896

1,865

3,761

 

 

Total Non-interest Expense

10,114

10,067

20,181

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRETAX INCOME

2,243

2,087

4,330

 

 

Income tax expense

678

655

1,333

 

 

NET INCOME

1,565

1,432

2,997

 

 

Preferred stock dividends

263

262

525

 

 

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS


$1,302


$1,170


$2,472

 

 
















2011

 

1QTR

2QTR

YEAR

 

 

INTEREST INCOME

 

 

TO DATE

 

 

Interest and fees on loans

$9,083

$8,804

$17,887

 

 

Total investment portfolio

1,513

1,726

3,239

 

 

Total Interest Income

10,596

10,530

21,126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

2,294

2,106

4,400

 

 

All borrowings

336

338

674

 

 

Total Interest Expense

2,630

2,444

5,074

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

7,966

8,086

16,052

 

 

Provision (credit) for loan losses

(600)

(1,175)

(1,775)

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER

   PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR LOAN

   LOSSES



8,566



9,261



17,827

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

Trust fees

1,556

1,617

3,173

 

 

Investment advisory fees

198

198

396

 

 

Net realized losses on investment securities

(358)

-

(358)

 

 

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

262

155

417

 

 

Service charges on deposit accounts

472

549

1,021

 

 

Bank owned life insurance

216

218

396

 

 

Other income

759

717

1,476

 

 

Total Non-interest Income

3,105

3,454

6,559

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

5,500

5,574

11,074

 

 

Net occupancy expense

757

742

1,499

 

 

Equipment expense

429

411

840

 

 

Professional fees

980

911

1,891

 

 

FDIC deposit insurance expense

462

460

922

 

 

Other expenses

1,791

1,779

3,570

 

 

Total Non-interest Expense

9,919

9,877

19,796

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRETAX INCOME

1,752

2,838

4,590

 

 

Income tax expense

489

900

1,389

 

 

NET INCOME

1,263

1,938

3,201

 

 

Preferred stock dividends and accretion of

   preferred stock  


290


290


580

 

 

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS


$973


$1,648


$2,621

 

 



















AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

Nasdaq: ASRV

Average Balance Sheet Data (In thousands)

(Unaudited)


2012

2011

 

 

SIX

 

SIX

 

2QTR

MONTHS

2QTR

MONTHS

Interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned

    Income


$669,307


$667,941


$651,036


$656,048

Deposits with banks

7,359

10,691

1,701

1,616

Short-term investment in money market funds

13,775

4,473

3,243

3,676

Federal funds sold

-

-

9,173

11,676

Total investment securities

189,934

192,255

207,975

198,256

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest earning assets

880,375

875,360

873,128

871,272

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

16,072

16,618

15,012

15,283

Premises and equipment

10,928

10,877

10,494

10,489

Other assets

81,557

81,929

79,008

79,313

Allowance for loan losses

(13,839)

(14,162)

(18,061)

(18,948)

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$975,093

$970,622

$959,581

$957,409

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing demand

$59,441

$57,894

$57,237

$56,164

Savings

85,406

84,541

81,898

80,221

Money market

206,443

204,300

192,072

189,003

Other time

334,128

330,904

351,153

355,646

Total interest bearing deposits

685,418

677,639

682,360

681,034

Borrowings:

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased and other short- term

    borrowings


440


2,337


869


646

Advanced from Federal Home Loan Bank

4,140

6,316

9,729

9,736

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest

    debentures


13,085


13,085


13,085


13,085

Total interest bearing liabilities

703,083

699,377

706,043

704,501

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

  Demand deposits

145,738

143,922

132,578

132,814

  Other liabilities

15,375

15,721

11,583

11,721

Shareholders’ equity

110,897

111,602

109,377

108,373

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$975,093

$970,622

$959,581

$957,409