f10q_123111-0128.htm
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
______________________________________
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
X
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
   
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     
For the quarterly period ended
December 31, 2011
     
OR
     
   
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
   
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     
For the transition period from
 

to
 
     
Commission File Number  000-51093
     
KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
     
UNITED STATES
 
22-3803741
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification Number)
     
       120 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, New Jersey
07004-3510
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
973-244-4500
     
     
      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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes  [X]  No [  ]
 
      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer [  ]
Accelerated filer [X]
Non-accelerated filer [  ]
Smaller reporting company [  ]
 
      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).      Yes [  ] No  [X]
 
      The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: February 3, 2012.
     
$0.10 par value common stock  -  66,971,840 shares outstanding

 
 
 

KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX



   
Page
   
Number
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
     
Item 1:
Financial Statements
   
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
   
 
at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011 (Unaudited)
 
1
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months
   
 
Ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
2-3
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the
   
 
Six Months Ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010
 
4-5
 
(Unaudited)
   
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months
 
6-7
 
Ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (Unaudited)
   
     
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
8-57
     
Item 2:
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
   
 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
58-84
     
Item 3:
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
 
85-92
     
Item 4:
Controls and Procedures
 
93
     
     
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
94-96
     
     
SIGNATURES
 
97
     
 
 
 
 
 

KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data, Unaudited)

   
December 31,
   
June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2011
 
Assets
           
             
Cash and amounts due from depository institutions
  $ 51,382     $ 47,332  
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks
    95,250       175,248  
                 
        Cash and Cash Equivalents
    146,632       222,580  
                 
Securities available for sale (amortized cost $15,395 and $46,145)
    13,004       44,673  
Securities held to maturity (estimated fair value $45,950 and $107,052)
    45,517       106,467  
Loans receivable, including unamortized yield adjustments of $(1,236) and $(1,021)
    1,228,347       1,268,351  
  Less allowance for loan losses
    (8,596 )     (11,767 )
                 
  Net Loans Receivable
    1,219,751       1,256,584  
                 
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale (amortized cost $1,190,006 and
   $1,032,407)
     1,225,222        1,060,247  
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity (estimated fair value $1,281 and $1,416)
    1,207       1,345  
Premises and equipment
    39,539       39,556  
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”) stock
    13,558       13,560  
Interest receivable
    8,761       9,740  
Goodwill
    108,591       108,591  
Bank owned life insurance
    24,845       24,470  
Other assets
    16,153       16,323  
 
               
        Total Assets
  $ 2,862,780     $ 2,904,136  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
                 
Liabilities
               
                 
Deposits:
               
  Non-interest-bearing
  $ 138,603     $ 143,087  
  Interest-bearing
    1,978,643       2,006,266  
                 
        Total Deposits
    2,117,246       2,149,353  
                 
Borrowings
    238,012       247,642  
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes
    5,224       5,794  
Deferred income tax liabilities, net
    4,787       1,669  
Other liabilities
    10,941       11,804  
                 
        Total Liabilities
    2,376,210       2,416,262  
                 
Stockholders’ Equity
               
                 
Preferred stock $0.10 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
               
  and outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock $0.10 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized; 72,737,500 shares
               
  issued; 67,080,371 and 67,851,077 shares outstanding, respectively
    7,274       7,274  
Paid-in capital
    215,381       215,258  
Retained earnings
    318,286       317,354  
Unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan shares; 751,621 shares
               
  and 824,352 shares, respectively
    (7,516 )     (8,244 )
Treasury stock, at cost; 5,657,129 shares and 4,886,423 shares, respectively
    (66,294 )     (59,200 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    19,439       15,432  
                 
        Total Stockholders’ Equity
    486,570       487,874  
                 
        Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 2,862,780     $ 2,904,136  
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
- 1 -
 
 

KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data, Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Interest Income
                       
    Loans
  $ 16,216     $ 14,878     $ 32,684     $ 28,679  
    Mortgage-backed securities
    7,933       7,297       15,915       14,695  
    Securities:
                               
      Taxable
    334       1,379       826       2,787  
      Tax-exempt
    11       238       55       395  
    Other interest-earning assets
    182       241       377       420  
        Total Interest Income
    24,676       24,033       49,857       46,976  
                                 
Interest Expense
                               
    Deposits
    5,223       6,015       10,815       12,338  
    Borrowings
    2,035       2,146       4,077       4,221  
        Total Interest Expense
    7,258       8,161       14,892       16,559  
                                 
        Net Interest Income
    17,418       15,872       34,965       30,417  
                                 
Provision for Loan Losses
    1,323       876       2,388       2,127  
                                 
        Net Interest Income after Provision
                               
           for Loan Losses
    16,095       14,996       32,577       28,290  
                                 
Non-Interest (Loss) Income
                               
    Fees and service charges
    639       427       1,265       769  
    Loss on sale of securities
    (5 )     -       (5 )     -  
    Gain on sale of loans
    123       13       309       13  
    Income from bank owned life insurance
     185        174        375        337  
    Electronic banking fees and charges
    236       167       471       281  
    Loss from REO operations
    (2,049 )     (36 )     (2,203 )     (50 )
    Miscellaneous
    41       29       76       55  
        Total Non-Interest (Loss) Income
    (830 )     774       288       1,405  
                                 
Non-Interest Expenses
                               
    Salaries and employee benefits
    8,383       7,397       16,544       14,350  
    Net occupancy expense of premises
    1,596       1,152       3,181       2,201  
    Equipment and systems
    1,774       1,385       3,743       2,562  
    Advertising and marketing
    321       270       622       516  
    Federal deposit insurance premium
    496       517       981       964  
    Directors’ compensation
    158       250       324       808  
    Merger-related expenses
    -       3,150       -       3,190  
    Miscellaneous
    1,895       1,281       3,509       2,455  
        Total Non-Interest Expenses
  $ 14,623     $ 15,402     $ 28,904     $ 27,046  

 
- 2 -
 

KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data, Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
      Income Before Income Taxes
  $ 642     $ 368     $ 3,961     $ 2,649  
                                 
Income Taxes
    172       373       1,473       1,319  
                                 
      Net Income (Loss)
  $ 470     $ (5 )   $ 2,488     $ 1,330  
                                 
Net Income (Loss) per Common
                               
  Share (EPS):
                               
    Basic and Diluted
  $ 0.01     $ 0.00     $ 0.04     $ 0.02  
                                 
Weighted Average Number of
                               
  Common Shares Outstanding:
                               
    Basic and Diluted
    66,498       67,042       66,733       67,130  
                                 
Dividends Declared Per Common
                               
   Share
  $ 0.05     $ 0.05     $ 0.10     $ 0.10  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
- 3 -
 
 
KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Six Months Ended December 31, 2010
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data, Unaudited)
 
                            
Unearned
         
Other
       
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-In
   
Retained
   
ESOP
   
Treasury
   
Comprehensive
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Shares
   
Stock
   
Income
   
Total
 
                                                 
Balance - June 30, 2010
    68,344     $ 7,274     $ 213,529     $ 312,844     $ (9,698 )   $ (54,738 )   $ 16,715     $ 485,926  
                                                                 
Comprehensive loss:
                                                               
  Net income
    -       -       -       1,330       -       -       -       1,330  
                                                                 
  Unrealized loss on securities
                                                               
    available for sale, net of
                                                               
    deferred income tax                                                                
    benefit of $5,342
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (7,793 )     (7,793 )
                                                                 
  Benefit plans, net of deferred
                                                               
    income tax benefit of $3
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (5 )     (5 )
                                                                 
      Total comprehensive loss
                                                            (6,468 )
                                                                 
ESOP shares committed to be
                                                               
    released (72 shares)
    -       -       (84 )     -       727       -       -       643  
                                                                 
Dividends contributed for
                                                               
    payment of ESOP loan
    -       -       64       -       -       -       -       64  
                                                                 
Stock option expense
    -       -       745       -       -       -       -       745  
                                                                 
Treasury stock purchases
    (369 )     -       -       -       -       (3,316 )     -       (3,316 )
                                                                 
Restricted stock plan shares
                                                               
    earned (111 shares)
    -       -       1,198       -       -       -       -       1,198  
                                                                 
Tax effect from stock based
                                                               
   compensation
    -       -       (240 )     (124 )     -       -       -       (364 )
                                                                 
Cash dividends declared                                                                  
   ($0.10/ public share)
    -       -       -       (1,608 )     -       -       -       (1,608 )
                                                                 
Balance - December 31, 2010
    67,975     $ 7,274     $ 215,212     $ 312,442     $ (8,971 )   $ (58,054 )   $ 8,917     $ 476,820  
                                                                 

See notes to consolidated financial statements. 
- 4 -
 
 
 
KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Six Months Ended December 31, 2011
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data, Unaudited)

                            
Unearned
         
Other
       
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-In
   
Retained
   
ESOP
   
Treasury
   
Comprehensive
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Shares
   
Stock
   
Income
   
Total
 
                                                 
Balance - June 30, 2011
    67,851     $ 7,274     $ 215,258     $ 317,354     $ (8,244 )   $ (59,200 )   $ 15,432     $ 487,874  
                                                                 
Comprehensive income:
                                                               
  Net income
    -       -       -       2,488       -       -       -       2,488  
                                                                 
  Unrealized gain on securities
                                                               
    available for sale, net of 
                                                               
    deferred income tax                                                                
    expense of $2,629
    -       -       -       -       -       -       3,828       3,828  
                                                                 
  Benefit plans, net of deferred
                                                               
    income tax expense of $124
    -       -       -       -       -       -       179       179  
                                                                 
   Total Comprehensive income
                                                            6,495  
                                                                 
ESOP shares committed to be
                                                               
    released (72 shares)
    -       -       (55 )     -       728       -       -       673  
                                                                 
Dividends contributed for
                                                               
    payment of ESOP loan
    -       -       73       -       -       -       -       73  
                                                                 
Stock option expense
    -       -       21       -       -       -       -       21  
                                                                 
Treasury stock purchases
    (771 )     -       -       -       -       (7,094 )     -       (7,094 )
                                                                 
Restricted stock plan shares
                                                               
   earned (8 shares)
    -       -       84       -       -       -       -       84  
                                                                 
Cash dividends declared                                                                  
   ($0.10/ public share)
    -       -       -       (1,556 )     -       -       -       (1,556 )
                                                                 
Balance - December 31, 2011
    67,080     $ 7,274     $ 215,381     $ 318,286     $ (7,516 )   $ (66,294 )   $ 19,439     $ 486,570  
                                                                 

See notes to consolidated financial statements. 
- 5 -
 
 

KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands, Unaudited)

    
Six Months Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
           
    Net income
  $ 2,488     $ 1,330  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
               
      activities:
               
   Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
    1,310       944  
   Net amortization of premiums, discounts and loan fees and costs
    4,086       1,681  
   Deferred income taxes
    365       (756 )
   Amortization of intangible assets
    81       -  
   Amortization of benefit plans’ unrecognized net loss
    20       34  
   Provision for loan losses
    2,388       2,127  
   Loss on write-down and sales of real estate owned
    2,056       35  
   Realized gain on sale of loans
    (309 )     (13 )
   Proceeds from sale of loans
    3,551       1,049  
   Realized loss on sale of mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
    5       -  
   Realized gain on disposition of premises and equipment
    (3 )     -  
   Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance
    (375 )     (337 )
   ESOP, stock option plan and restricted stock plan expenses
    778       2,586  
   Decrease in interest receivable
    979       -  
   Increase in other assets
    (437 )     (1,242 )
   Decrease in interest payable
    (24 )     (36 )
   Decrease in other liabilities
    (430 )     (1,194 )
                 
      Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    16,529       6,208  
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
    Proceeds from calls and maturities of securities available for sale
    30,088       405  
    Proceeds from repayments of securities available for sale
    590       585  
    Purchase of securities held to maturity
    (1,068 )     (65,555 )
    Proceeds from calls and maturities of securities held to maturity
    61,522       115,230  
    Proceeds from repayments of securities held to maturity
    458       148  
    Purchase of loans
    (27,907 )     (1,437 )
    Net decrease in loans receivable
    58,011       41,223  
    Proceeds from sale of real estate owned
    224       60  
    Purchases of mortgage-backed securities available for sale
    (311,817 )     (245,211 )
    Principal repayments on mortgage-backed securities available for sale
    149,045       105,597  
    Principal repayments on mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
    110       181  
    Proceeds from sale of mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
    27       -  
    Purchase of FHLB stock
    -       (2,250 )
    Redemption of FHLB stock
    2       2,250  
    Cash paid in merger, net of cash acquired
    -       (24,529 )
    Proceeds from cash settlement of premises and equipment
    3       -  
    Additions to premises and equipment
    (1,293 )     (434 )
                 
      Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
  $ (42,005 )   $ (73,737 )
 

 
- 6 -
 
 

KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(In Thousands, Unaudited)

   
Six Months Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
           
    Net (decrease) increase in deposits
  $ (31,739 )   $ 31,157  
    Repayment of long-term FHLB advances
    (39 )     (6 )
    Decrease in other short-term borrowings
    (9,516 )     (9,009 )
    Decrease in advance payments by borrowers for taxes
    (570 )     (474 )
    Dividends paid to stockholders of Kearny Financial Corp.
    (1,587 )     (1,617 )
    Purchase of common stock of Kearny Financial Corp. for treasury
    (7,094 )     (3,316 )
    Dividends contributed for payment of ESOP loan
    73       64  
    Tax effect from stock based compensation
    -       (364 )
                 
            Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
    (50,472 )     16,435  
                 
            Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    (75,948 )     (51,094 )
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents – Beginning
    222,580       181,422  
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents – Ending
  $ 146,632     $ 130,328  
                 
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flows Information:
               
    Cash paid during the year for:
               
        Income taxes, net of refunds
  $ 2,027     $ 3,603  
                 
        Interest
  $ 14,916     $ 16,595  
                 
    Non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
        Acquisition of  real estate owned in settlement of loans
  $ 1,157     $ 435  
        Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash and cash equivalents
           acquired
  $ -     $ 559,113  
 
        Fair value of liabilities assumed
  $ -     $ 534,584  
                 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
- 7 -
 
 

KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)


1.  PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Kearny Financial Corp. (the “Company”), its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Kearny Federal Savings Bank (the “Bank”) and Kearny Financial Securities, Inc., and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, KFS Financial Services, Inc., KFS Investment Corp. and CJB Investment Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Central Delaware Investment Corp.  Kearny Financial Securities, Inc. and Central Delaware Investment Corp. were each dissolved during the quarter ended September 30, 2011.  The Company conducts its business principally through the Bank.  Management prepared the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, including the elimination of all significant inter-company accounts and transactions during consolidation.

2.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with instructions for Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X and do not include information or footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial condition, income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).  However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements have been included.  The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended December 31, 2011, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year or any other period.

The data in the consolidated statements of financial condition for June 30, 2011 was derived from the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K.  That data, along with the interim financial information presented in the consolidated statements of financial condition, operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows should be read in conjunction with the 2011 consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K.

3.  NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE (“EPS”)

Basic EPS is based on the weighted average number of common shares actually outstanding including restricted stock awards (see following paragraph) adjusted for Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) shares not yet committed to be released.  Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock, such as outstanding stock options, were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company.  Diluted EPS is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding to include the effect of contracts or securities exercisable or which could be converted into common stock, if dilutive, using the treasury stock method.  Shares issued and reacquired during any period are weighted for the portion of the period they were outstanding.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has issued guidance on determining whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities.  This guidance clarifies that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders.  Awards of this nature are considered participating securities and the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share must be applied.
 
 
- 8 -
 
 
The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:

 
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2011
 
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
   
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
 
 
(Numerator)
 
(Denominator)
 
Amount
   
(Numerator)
 
(Denominator)
 
Amount
 
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
   
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
 
                                     
Net income
  $ 470                 $ 2,488              
Basic earnings per share,
                                       
     income available to
                                       
     common stockholders
  $ 470       66,498     $ 0.01     $ 2,488       66,733     $ 0.04  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                                               
     Stock options
    -       -               -       -          
                                                 
    $ 470       66,498     $ 0.01     $ 2,488       66,733     $ 0.04  
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
December 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2010
 
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
   
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
 
 
(Numerator)
 
(Denominator)
 
Amount
   
(Numerator)
 
(Denominator)
 
Amount
 
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
   
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
 
                                     
Net (loss) income
  $ (5 )               $ 1,330              
Basic earnings per share,
                                       
     income available to
                                       
     common stockholders
  $ (5 )     67,042     $ 0.00     $ 1,330       67,130     $ 0.02  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                                               
     Stock options
    -       -               -       -          
                                                 
    $ (5 )     67,042     $ 0.00     $ 1,330       67,130     $ 0.02  

During the three and six months ended December 31, 2011, the average number of options which were considered anti-dilutive totaled approximately 3,233,000 and 3,233,000, respectively.  During the three and six months ended December 31, 2010, the average number of options which were considered anti-dilutive totaled approximately 3,182,000 and 3,201,000, respectively.

4.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the statement of financial condition date of December 31, 2011, for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these consolidated financial statements.  The evaluation was conducted through the date this document was filed.

5.  RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance concerning fair value measurement and disclosures.  The guidance mandates additional disclosure requiring that a reporting entity should disclose separately
 
- 9 -
 
 
the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers while also requiring that in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (that is, on a gross basis rather than as one net number).  The guidance clarifies existing fair value disclosure requirements such that a reporting entity should provide fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities. A class is often a subset of assets or liabilities within a line item in the statement of financial position.

A reporting entity needs to use judgment in determining the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities.  Moreover, a reporting entity should provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. Those disclosures are required for fair value measurements that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3.  This guidance also includes conforming amendments regarding employers' disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets.  The conforming amendments change the terminology from “major categories” of assets to “classes” of assets and provide a cross reference to the guidance in Subtopic 820-10 on how to determine appropriate classes to present fair value disclosures.  The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years.  The implementation of the new pronouncement did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In December 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance concerning goodwill impairment testing.  The amended guidance modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with the existing guidance and related examples, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  These amendments eliminate an entity’s ability to assert that a reporting unit is not required to perform Step 2 because the carrying amount of the reporting unit is zero or negative despite the existence of qualitative factors that indicate the goodwill is more likely than not impaired. As a result, goodwill impairments may be reported sooner than under current practice.

For public entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is not permitted.  Upon adoption of the amendments, an entity with reporting units that have carrying amounts that are zero or negative is required to assess whether it is more likely than not that the reporting units’ goodwill is impaired. If the entity determines that it is more likely than not that the goodwill of one or more of its reporting units is impaired, the entity should perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for those reporting unit(s). Any resulting goodwill impairment should be recorded as a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings in the period of adoption. Any goodwill impairments occurring after the initial adoption of the amendments should be included in earnings as required by existing guidance. The implementation of the new pronouncement did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 
- 10 -
 
 

In April 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-03 which clarifies the accounting principles applied to repurchase agreements, as set forth by FASB ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing. This ASU, entitled Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements, amends one of three criteria used to determine whether or not a transfer of assets may be treated as a sale by the transferor. Under Topic 860, the transferor may not maintain effective control over the transferred assets in order to qualify as a sale. This ASU eliminates the criteria under which the transferor must retain collateral sufficient to repurchase or redeem the collateral on substantially agreed upon terms as a method of maintaining effective control. This ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 31, 2011, and requires prospective application to transactions or modifications of transactions which occur on or after the effective date. Early adoption is not permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.
 
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-05 which amends FASB ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income, to facilitate the continued alignment of U.S. GAAP with International Accounting Standards. The ASU prohibits the presentation of the components of comprehensive income in the statement of stockholder’s equity. Reporting entities are allowed to present either: a statement of comprehensive income, which reports both net income and other comprehensive income; or separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income. Under previous GAAP, all 3 presentations were acceptable. Regardless of the presentation selected, the Reporting Entity is required to present all reclassifications between other comprehensive and net income on the face of the new statement or statements. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 31, 2011 for public entities. As the two remaining options for presentation existed prior to the issuance of this ASU, early adoption is permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In September, 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment. The purpose of this ASU is to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment by adding a new first step to the preexisting goodwill impairment test under ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.  This amendment gives the entity the option to first assess a variety of qualitative factors such as economic conditions, cash flows, and competition to determine whether it was more likely than not that the fair value of goodwill has fallen below its carrying value. If the entity determines that it is not likely that the fair value has fallen below its carrying value, then the entity will not have to complete the original two-step test under Topic 350. The amendments in this ASU are effective for impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In September, 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-09, Disclosures about an Employer’s Participation in a Multiemployer Plan. This update creates additional disclosures for employers participating in multiemployer pension plans to provide clarity with regard to the employer’s involvement in the plan, as well as the financial health of the plan itself. Participating employers will now be required to disclose plan names, contribution amounts, funded status, minimum contribution requirements, and other relevant plan information for all years presented on the statement of income. The ASU does not amend the accounting requirements for such contributions and liabilities, and as such will only impact the level of disclosure made with regard to the plan. For public companies, the amendments of this ASU are effective for annual periods for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2011. Early adoption by both public and nonpublic entities is permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 
- 11 -
 
 
In December, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update 2011-05. In response to stakeholder concerns regarding the operational ramifications of the presentation of these reclassifications for current and previous years, the FASB has deferred the implementation date of this provision to allow time for further consideration. The requirement in ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income, for the presentation of a combined statement of comprehensive income or separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income is still effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011 for public companies. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.

6.  STOCK REPURCHASE PLANS
 
On August 17, 2011, the Company announced the completion of its stock repurchase plan originally announced on May 26, 2010 through which it repurchased a total of 889,506 shares at an average cost of $9.07 per share.  On that same day, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase plan to acquire up to 845,031 shares, or 5% of the Company’s outstanding stock held by persons other than Kearny MHC.  Through December 31, 2011 the Company has repurchased a total of 736,500 shares in accordance with this repurchase plan at a total cost of $6.8 million and at an average cost per share of $9.20.
 
7.  DIVIDEND WAIVER

During the six months ended December 31, 2011, Kearny MHC, the federally chartered mutual holding company of the Company waived its right, in accordance with the non-objection previously granted by the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”), to receive cash dividends of approximately $5.1 million declared on the 50,916,250 shares of Company common stock it owns.


 
- 12 -
 
 

8.  SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of securities at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011 and stratification by contractual maturity of securities at December 31, 2011 are presented below:
 
    
At December 31, 2011
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Carrying
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Securities:
                       
  Debt securities:
                       
    Trust preferred securities
  $ 8,866     $ -     $ 2,418     $ 6,448  
    U.S. agency securities
    6,017       28       1       6,044  
    Obligations of state and political
                               
      subdivisions
    512       -       -       512  
                                 
          Total securities
    15,395       28       2,419       13,004  
                                 
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
  Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
    Federal National Mortgage Association
    2,959       33       -       2,992  
                                 
          Total collateralized mortgage
                               
            obligations
    2,959       33       -       2,992  
                                 
  Mortgage pass-through securities:
                               
    Government National Mortgage
                               
      Association
    11,615       973       20       12,568  
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                               
      Corporation
    386,090       10,963       30       397,023  
    Federal National Mortgage Association
    789,342       23,335       38       812,639  
                                 
         Total mortgage pass-through securities
    1,187,047       35,271       88       1,222,230  
                                 
         Total mortgage-backed securities
    1,190,006       35,304       88       1,225,222  
 
Total securities available for sale
  $ 1,205,401     $ 35,332     $ 2,507     $ 1,238,226  

 
   
At December 31, 2011
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Carrying
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Debt securities:
           
    Due in one year or less
  $ 511     $ 512  
    Due after one year through five years
    -       -  
    Due after five years through ten years
    59       59  
    Due after ten years
    14,825       12,433  
                 
          Total
  $ 15,395     $ 13,004  
 
 
- 13 -
 
 

 
   
At June 30, 2011
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Carrying
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Securities:
                       
  Debt securities:
                       
    Trust preferred securities
  $ 8,863     $ -     $ 1,416     $ 7,447  
    U.S. agency securities
    6,657       -       66       6,591  
    Obligations of state and political
                               
      subdivisions
    30,625       10       -       30,635  
                                 
          Total securities
    46,145       10       1,482       44,673  
                                 
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
  Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
    Federal National Mortgage Association
    3,437       28       -       3,465  
                                 
          Total collateralized mortgage
                               
            obligations
    3,437       28       -       3,465  
                                 
  Mortgage pass-through securities:
                               
    Government National Mortgage
                               
      Association
    12,614       991       24       13,581  
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                               
      Corporation
    380,387       10,092       31       390,448  
    Federal National Mortgage Association
    635,969       17,175       391       652,753  
                                 
         Total mortgage pass-through securities
    1,028,970       28,258       446       1,056,782  
                                 
         Total mortgage-backed securities
    1,032,407       28,286       446       1,060,247  
 
Total securities available for sale
  $ 1,078,552     $ 28,296     $ 1,928     $ 1,104,920  

There were no sales of securities from the available for sale portfolio during the six months ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  At December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011, securities available for sale with carrying values of approximately $314.6 million and $317.8 million, respectively, were utilized as collateral for borrowings through the FHLB of New York.  As of those same dates, securities available for sale with carrying values of approximately $8.7 million and $10.6 million, respectively, were pledged to secure public funds on deposit.
 
The Company’s available for sale mortgage-backed securities are generally secured by residential mortgage loans with original contractual maturities of ten to thirty years.  However, the effective lives of those securities are generally shorter than their contractual maturities due to principal amortization and prepayment of the mortgage loans comprised within those securities.  Investors in mortgage pass-though securities generally share in the receipt of principal repayments on a pro-rata basis as paid by the borrowers.  By comparison, collateralized mortgage obligations generally represent individual tranches within a larger investment vehicle that is designed to distribute cash flows received on securitized mortgage loans to investors in a manner determined by the overall terms and structure of the investment vehicle and those applying to the individual tranches within that structure.
 
 
- 14 -
 
 

9.  SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of securities at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011 and stratification by contractual maturity of securities at December 31, 2011 are presented below:
 
   
December 31, 2011
 
   
Carrying
Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Securities:
                       
  Debt securities:
                       
    U.S. agency securities
  $ 42,962     $ 430     $ -     $ 43,392  
    Obligations of state and political
                               
      subdivisions
    2,555       3       -       2,558  
                                 
          Total securities
    45,517       433       -       45,950  
                                 
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
                                 
  Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                               
      Corporation
    49       8       -       57  
    Federal National Mortgage Association
    573       66       -       639  
    Non-agency securities
    162       -       13       149  
                                 
          Total collateralized mortgage
                               
            obligations
    784       74       13       845  
                                 
  Mortgage pass-through securities:
                               
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                               
      Corporation
    131       4       -       135  
    Federal National Mortgage Association
    292       9       -       301  
                                 
          Total mortgage pass-through securities
    423       13       -       436  
                                 
          Total mortgage-backed
                               
            securities
    1,207       87       13       1,281  
                                 
          Total securities held to maturity
  $ 46,724     $ 520     $ 13     $ 47,231  


   
At December 31, 2011
 
   
Carrying
Value
   
Fair
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Debt securities:
           
    Due in one year or less
  $ 2,555     $ 2,558  
    Due after one year through five years
    32,975       33,382  
    Due after five years through ten years
    -       -  
    Due after ten years
    9,987       10,010  
                 
          Total
  $ 45,517     $ 45,950  

 
- 15 -
 
 

   
At June 30, 2011
 
   
Carrying
Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Securities:
                       
  Debt securities:
                       
    U.S. agency securities
  $ 103,458     $ 576     $ 1     $ 104,033  
    Obligations of state and political
                               
      subdivisions
    3,009       10       -       3,019  
                                 
          Total securities
    106,467       586       1       107,052  
                                 
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
                                 
  Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                               
      Corporation
    67       5       -       72  
    Federal National Mortgage Association
    618       68       -       686  
    Non-agency securities
    203       1       17       187  
                                 
          Total collateralized mortgage
                               
            obligations
    888       74       17       945  
                                 
  Mortgage pass-through securities:
                               
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                               
      Corporation
    145       4       -       149  
    Federal National Mortgage Association
    312       10       -       322  
                                 
          Total mortgage pass-through securities
    457       14       -       471  
                                 
          Total mortgage-backed
                               
            securities
    1,345       88       17       1,416  
                                 
          Total securities held to maturity
  $ 107,812     $ 674     $ 18     $ 108,468  

During the six months ended December 31, 2011, proceeds from sales of securities held to maturity totaled $27,000 resulting in a loss of approximately $5,000.  The proceeds and losses were fully attributable to the sale of one non-investment grade, non-agency collateralized mortgage obligation.  The security was originally acquired as an investment grade security upon the in-kind redemption of the Bank’s interest in the AMF Ultra Short Mortgage Fund during the first quarter of fiscal 2009.  The rating of the security subsequently declined below investment grade resulting in its eligibility for sale from the held-to-maturity portfolio without tainting the status of the remaining securities within the portfolio.  There were no sales of securities from the held to maturity portfolio during the six months ended December 31, 2010.
 
At December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011, held to maturity securities were not utilized as collateral for borrowings nor pledged to secure public funds on deposit.

 
- 16 -
 
 

The Company’s held to maturity mortgage-backed securities are generally secured by residential mortgage loans with original contractual maturities of ten to thirty years.  However, the effective lives of those securities are generally shorter than their contractual maturities due to principal amortization and prepayment of the mortgage loans comprised within those securities.  Investors in mortgage pass-though securities generally share in the receipt of principal repayments on a pro-rata basis as paid by the borrowers.  By comparison, collateralized mortgage obligations generally represent individual tranches within a larger investment vehicle that is designed to distribute cash flows received on securitized mortgage loans to investors in a manner determined by the overall terms and structure of the investment vehicle and those applying to the individual tranches within that structure.
 
10.  IMPAIRMENT OF SECURITIES

The following two tables summarize the fair values and gross unrealized losses within the available for sale and held to maturity portfolios at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011.  The gross unrealized losses, presented by security type, represent temporary impairments of value within each portfolio as of the dates presented.  Temporary impairments within the available for sale portfolio have been recognized through other comprehensive income as reductions in stockholders’ equity on a tax-effected basis.
 
The tables are followed by a discussion that summarizes the Company’s rationale for recognizing the reported impairments as “temporary” versus “other-than-temporary”.  Such rationale is presented by investment type and generally applies consistently to both the available for sale and held to maturity portfolios, except where specifically noted.

   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Securities Available for Sale:
                                   
 
At December 31, 2011:
                                   
  Trust preferred securities
  $ -     $ -     $ 5,448     $ 2,418     $ 5,448     $ 2,418  
  U.S. agency securities
    -       -       496       1       496       1  
  Mortgage pass-through securities
    56,808       17       1,141       71       57,949       88  
                                                 
          Total
  $ 56,808     $ 17     $ 7,085     $ 2,490     $ 63,893     $ 2,507  
 
At June 30, 2011:
                                   
  Trust preferred securities
  $ -     $ -     $ 6,447     $ 1,416     $ 6,447     $ 1,416  
  U.S. agency securities
    3,631       63       2,896       3       6,527       66  
  Mortgage pass-through securities
    85,831       366       1,221       80       87,052       446  
                                                 
          Total
  $ 89,462     $ 429     $ 10,564     $ 1,499     $ 100,026     $ 1,928  

The number of available for sale securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2011 totaled 28 comprising four single-issuer trust preferred securities, two U.S. agency securities, and 22 mortgage pass-through securities.  The number of available for sale securities with unrealized losses at June 30, 2011 totaled 42 comprising four single-issuer trust preferred securities, six U.S. agency securities and 32 mortgage pass-through securities.

 
- 17 -
 
 


 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
(In Thousands)
 
Securities Held to Maturity:
                                   
 
At December 31, 2011:
                                   
  Collateralized mortgage obligations
  $ -     $ -     $ 133     $ 13     $ 133     $ 13  
 
                                               
          Total
  $ -     $ -     $ 133     $ 13     $ 133     $ 13  
 
At June 30, 2011:
                                   
  U.S. agency securities
  $ 13,388     $ 1     $ -     $ -     $ 13,388     $ 1  
  Collateralized mortgage
    obligations
    -       -       149       17       149       17  
                                                 
          Total
  $ 13,388     $ 1     $ 149     $ 17     $ 13,537     $ 18  

The number of held to maturity securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2011 totaled 10 collateralized mortgage obligations.  The number of held to maturity securities with unrealized losses at June 30, 2011 totaled 13 comprising 11 collateralized mortgage obligations and two U.S. agency securities.
 
Mortgage-backed Securities.  The carrying value of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities totaled $1.23 billion at December 31, 2011 and comprised 95.4% of total investments and 42.8% of total assets as of that date.  This category of securities primarily includes mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities such as Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac who guarantee the contractual cash flows associated with those securities.   Those guarantees were strengthened during the 2008-2009 financial crisis during which time Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed into receivership by the federal government.  Through those actions, the U.S. government effectively reinforced the guarantees of their agencies thereby strengthening the creditworthiness of the mortgage-backed securities issued by those agencies.
 
With credit risk being reduced to negligible levels due primarily to the U.S. government’s support of most of these agencies, the unrealized losses on the Company’s investment in U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities are due largely to the combined effects of several market-related factors.  First, movements in market interest rates significantly impact the average lives of mortgage-backed securities by influencing the rate of principal prepayment attributable to refinancing activity.  Changes in the expected average lives of such securities significantly impact their fair values due to the extension or contraction of the cash flows that an investor expects to receive over the life of the security.
 
Generally, lower market interest rates prompt greater refinancing activity thereby shortening the average lives of mortgage-backed securities and vice-versa.  The historically low mortgage rates currently prevalent in the marketplace have created significant refinancing incentive for qualified borrowers.  However, prepayment rates are also influenced by fluctuating real estate values and the overall availability of credit in the marketplace which significantly impacts the ability of borrowers to qualify for refinancing.  The deteriorating real estate market values and reduced availability of credit that have characterized the residential real estate marketplace in recent years have stifled demand for residential real estate while reducing the ability of certain borrowers to qualify for the refinancing of existing loans.  
 
- 18 -
 
 
To some extent, these factors have offset the effects of historically low interest rates on mortgage-backed security prepayment rates.
 
The market price of mortgage-backed securities, being the key measure of the fair value to an investor in such securities, is also influenced by the overall supply and demand for such securities in the marketplace.  Absent other factors, an increase in the demand for, or a decrease in the supply of a security increases its price.  Conversely, a decrease in the demand for, or an increase in the supply of a security decreases its price.  During fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009, the volatility and uncertainty in the marketplace had reduced the overall level of demand for mortgage-backed securities which generally had an adverse impact on their prices in the open market.  This was further exacerbated by many larger institutions shedding mortgage-related assets to shrink their balance sheets for capital adequacy purposes thereby increasing the supply of such securities.
 
During fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011, however, institutional demand for mortgage-backed securities increased reflecting greater stability and liquidity in the financial markets coupled with the intervention of the Federal Reserve as a buyer/holder of such securities.  Moreover, many financial institutions, including the Bank, are experiencing the effect of diminished loan origination volume resulting in increased institutional demand for mortgage-backed securities as investment alternatives to loans.  These factors have continued into fiscal 2012 with market prices of agency mortgage-backed securities generally reflecting the increased institutional demand for such securities.
 
In sum, the factors influencing the fair value of the Company’s U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, as described above, generally result from movements in market interest rates and changing real estate and financial market conditions which affect the supply and demand for such securities.  Inasmuch as such market conditions fluctuate over time, the impairments of value arising from these changing market conditions are both “noncredit-related” and “temporary” in nature.
 
The Company has the stated ability and intent to “hold to maturity” those securities so designated.  Moreover, the Company has both the ability and intent, as of the periods presented, to hold the temporarily impaired available for sale securities until the fair value of the securities recovers to a level equal to or greater than the Company’s amortized cost.  As such,  the Company has not decided to sell the securities as of December 31, 2011 and has further concluded that the possibility of being required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery is unlikely based upon its strong liquidity, asset quality and capital position as of that date.  Moreover, the Company purchased these securities at either par or nominal premiums.  Accordingly, the Company expects that the securities will not be settled for a price less than its amortized cost.
 
In light of the factors noted above, the Company does not consider its U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2011 to be “other-than-temporarily” impaired as of that date.
 
In addition to those mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. agencies, the Company also maintains a nominal balance of non-agency mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 2011.  Unlike agency mortgage-backed securities, non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations are not explicitly guaranteed by a U.S. government sponsored entity.  Rather, such securities generally utilize the structure of the larger investment vehicle to reallocate credit risk among the individual tranches comprised within that vehicle.  Through this process, investors in different tranches are subject to varying degrees of risk that the cash flows of their tranche will be adversely impacted by borrowers defaulting on the underlying mortgage loans.  The creditworthiness of certain tranches may also be further enhanced by additional credit insurance protection embedded within the terms of the total investment vehicle.
 
- 19 -
 
 
The fair values of the non-agency mortgage-backed securities are subject to many of the factors applicable to the agency securities that may result in “temporary” impairments in value.  However, due to the lack of agency guaranty, the Company also monitors the general level of credit risk for each of its non-agency mortgage-backed securities based upon the ratings assigned to its specific tranches by one or more credit rating agencies.  The level of such ratings, and changes thereto, is one of several factors considered by the Company in identifying those securities that may be other-than-temporarily impaired.
 
The classification of impairment as “temporary” is generally reinforced by the Company’s stated intent and ability to “hold to maturity” all of its non-agency mortgage-backed securities which allows for an adequate timeframe during which the fair values of the impaired securities are expected to recover to the level of their amortized cost.  However, in the event of a severe deterioration of a security’s credit characteristics – including, but not limited to, a reduction in credit rating from investment grade to below investment grade and/or the recognition of credit-related impairment resulting from actual or expected deterioration of cash flows - the Company may re-evaluate and restate its intent to hold an impaired security until the expected recovery of its amortized cost.
 
For example, during both fiscal 2011 and the first six months of fiscal 2012, the Company re-evaluated its intent regarding the retention or sale of its impaired, non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations whose credit-ratings had fallen below investment grade.  The Company considered the combined effects of the severe deterioration of the securities’ credit ratings since their acquisition as investment grade securities and the actual and anticipated cash flow losses that characterized most of the securities.  Based on these factors, the Company modified its intent regarding these impaired securities from “hold to recovery of amortized cost” to “sell” and sold such securities during the periods noted.
 
At December 31, 2011, the Company's remaining portfolio of non-agency CMOs included 11 held-to-maturity securities totaling $162,000 of which 10 securities totaling $146,000 were impaired but retained their investment grade rating by one or more rating agencies.  The Company has not decided to sell the impaired securities as of December 31, 2011 and has further concluded that the possibility of being required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery is unlikely based upon its strong liquidity, asset quality and capital position as of that date.
 
In light of the factors noted above, the Company does not consider its balance of non-agency mortgage-backed securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2011 to be “other-than-temporarily” impaired as of that date.
 
U.S. Agency Securities.  The carrying value of the Company’s U.S. agency debt securities totaled $49.0 million at December 31, 2011 and comprised 3.8% of total investments and 1.7% of total assets as of that date.  Such securities are comprised of $43.0 million of U.S. agency debentures and $6.0 million of securitized pools of loans issued and fully guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”), a U.S. government sponsored entity.
 
With credit risk being reduced to negligible levels due to the issuer’s guarantee, the unrealized losses on the Company’s investment in U.S. agency debt securities are due largely to the combined effects of several market-related factors including movements in market interest rates and general level of liquidity of such securities in the marketplace based on supply and demand.
 
With regard to interest rates, the Company’s SBA securities are variable rate investments whose interest coupons are generally based on the Prime index minus a margin.  Based upon the historically low level of short term market interest rates, of which the Prime index is one measure, the current yields on these securities are comparatively low.  Consequently, the fair value of the SBA securities, as determined
 
 
- 20 -
 
 
based upon the market price of these securities, reflects the adverse effects of the historically low short term, market interest rates at December 31, 2011.
 
Like the mortgage-backed securities described earlier, the currently diminished fair value of the Company’s SBA securities also reflects the extended average lives of the underlying loans resulting from loan prepayment prohibitions that may be embedded in the underlying loans coupled with the generally reduced availability of credit in the marketplace reducing borrower refinancing opportunities.  Such influences extend the timeframe over which an investor would anticipate holding the security at a “below market” yield.  Similarly, the price of securitized SBA loan pools also reflects fluctuating supply and demand in the marketplace attributable to similar factors as those applying to mortgage-backed securities, as presented above.
 
Unlike its SBA securities, the Company’s U.S. agency debentures are fixed rate investments whose fair values over time generally reflect movements in comparatively longer term market interest rates.  At December 31, 2011, there were no unrealized losses applicable to the Company’s fixed rate, U.S. agency debentures.
 
In sum, the factors influencing the fair value of the Company’s U.S. agency securities, as described above, generally result from movements in market interest rates and changing market conditions which affect the supply and demand for such securities.  Inasmuch as such market conditions fluctuate over time, the “noncredit-related” impairments of value arising from these changing market conditions are “temporary” in nature.
 
The Company has the stated ability and intent to “hold to maturity” those securities so designated.  Moreover, the Company has both the ability and intent, as of the periods presented, to hold the temporarily impaired available for sale securities until the fair value of the securities recovers to a level equal to or greater than the Company’s amortized cost.  As such,  the Company has not decided to sell the securities as of December 31, 2011 and has further concluded that the possibility of being required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery is unlikely based upon its strong liquidity, asset quality and capital position as of that date.  Moreover, the Company purchased these securities at either par or nominal premiums.  Accordingly, the Company expects that the securities will not be settled for a price less than its amortized cost.
 
In light of the factors noted above, the Company does not consider its balance of U.S. agency securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2011 to be “other-than-temporarily” impaired as of that date.
 
Trust Preferred Securities.  The outstanding balance of the Company’s trust preferred securities totaled $6.4 million at December 31, 2011 and comprised less than one percent of total investments and total assets as of that date.  The category comprises a total of five “single-issuer” (i.e. non-pooled) trust preferred securities, four of which are impaired as of December 31, 2011, that were originally issued by four separate financial institutions.  As a result of bank mergers involving the issuers of these securities, the Company’s five trust preferred securities currently represent the de-facto obligations of three separate financial institutions.
 
The Company generally evaluates the level of credit risk for each of its trust preferred securities based upon ratings assigned by one or more credit rating agencies where such ratings are available.  For those trust preferred securities that are impaired, the Company uses such ratings as a practical expedient to identify those securities whose impairments are potentially “credit-related” versus “noncredit-related”.
 
- 21 -
 
 
Specifically, impairments associated with investment-grade trust preferred securities are generally categorized as “noncredit-related” given the nominal level of credit losses that would be expected based upon such ratings.  At December 31, 2011, the Company owned two securities at an amortized cost of $2.9 million that were consistently rated as investment grade by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services (“S&P”).  The securities were originally issued through Chase Capital II and currently represent de-facto obligations of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
 
The Company has attributed the unrealized losses on these securities to the combined effects of several market-related factors including movements in market interest rates and general level of liquidity of such securities in the marketplace based on overall supply and demand.
 
With regard to interest rates, the Company’s impaired trust preferred securities are variable rate securities whose interest rates generally float with three month Libor plus a margin.  Based upon the historically low level of short term market interest rates, the current yield on these securities is comparatively low.  Consequently, the fair value of the securities, as determined based upon their market price, reflects the adverse effects of the historically low market interest rates at December 31, 2011.
 
More significantly, the market prices of the impaired trust preferred securities also currently reflect the effect of reduced demand for such securities given the increasingly credit risk-averse nature of financial institutions in the current marketplace.  Additionally, such prices reflect the effects of increased supply arising from financial institutions selling such investments and reducing assets for capital adequacy purposes, as noted earlier.
 
In sum, the factors influencing the fair value of the Company’s investment-grade trust preferred securities, as described above, generally result from movements in market interest rates and changing market conditions which affect the supply and demand for such securities.  Inasmuch as such market conditions fluctuate over time, the “noncredit-related” impairments of value arising from these changing market conditions are “temporary” in nature.
 
The impairments of the Company’s trust preferred securities with one or more non-investment grade ratings are further evaluated to determine if such impairments are “credit-related”.  Factors considered in this evaluation include, but may not be limited to, the financial strength and viability of the issuer and its parent company, the security’s historical performance through prior business and economic cycles, rating consistency or variability among rating companies, the security’s current and anticipated status regarding payment default or deferral of contractual payments to investors and the impact of these factors on the present value of the security’s expected future cash flows in relation to its amortized cost basis.
 
At December 31, 2011, the Company owned two securities at an amortized cost of $4.9 million that were rated as below investment grade by both S&P and Moody’s.  The securities were originally issued through BankBoston Capital Trust IV and MBNA Capital B and currently represent de-facto obligations of Bank of America Corporation.
 
In evaluating the impairment associated with these securities, the Company noted the overall financial strength and continuing expected viability of the issuing entity’s parent, particularly given their systemically critical role in the marketplace.  The Company noted the security’s absence of historical defaults or payment deferrals throughout prior business cycles including the recent fiscal crisis that triggered the current economic weaknesses prevalent in the marketplace.  Given these factors, the Company had no basis upon which to estimate an adverse change in the expected cash flows over the securities’ remaining terms to maturity.
 
- 22 -
 
 
While all of its trust preferred securities are classified as available for sale, the Company has both the ability and intent, as of the periods presented, to hold the impaired securities until their fair values recover to a level equal to or greater than the Company’s amortized cost.  As such,  the Company has not decided to sell the securities as of December 31, 2011 and has further concluded that the possibility of being required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery is unlikely based upon its strong liquidity, asset quality and capital position as of that date.  Moreover, the Company purchased these securities at nominal discounts.  Accordingly, the Company expects that the securities will not be settled for a price less than its amortized cost.
 
In light of the factors noted above, the Company does not consider its investments in trust preferred securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2011 to be “other-than-temporarily” impaired as of that date.
 
11.  LOAN QUALITY AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Past Due Loans.  A loan’s “past due” status is generally determined based upon its “P&I delinquency” status in conjunction with its “past maturity” status, where applicable.  A loan’s “P&I delinquency” status is based upon the number of calendar days between the date of the earliest P&I payment due and the “as of” measurement date.  A loan’s “past maturity” status, where applicable, is based upon the number of calendar days between a loan’s contractual maturity date and the “as of” measurement date.  Based upon the larger of these criteria, loans are categorized into the following “past due” tiers for financial statement reporting and disclosure purposes: Current (including 1-29 days past due), 30-59 days past due, 60-89 days and 90 or more days.
 
Nonaccrual Loans.  Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when contractual payments become 90 days or more past due, and are otherwise placed on nonaccrual when the Company does not expect to receive all P&I payments owed substantially in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement.  Loans that become 90 days past maturity, but remain non-delinquent with regard to ongoing P&I payments may remain on accrual status if: (1) the Company expects to receive all P&I payments owed substantially in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement, past maturity status notwithstanding, and (2) the borrower is working actively and cooperatively with the Company to remedy the past maturity status through an expected refinance, payoff or modification of the loan agreement that is not expected to result in a troubled debt restructuring classification.  The sum of nonaccrual loans plus accruing loans that are 90 days or more past due are generally defined as “nonperforming loans”.
 
Payments received in cash on nonaccrual loans, including both the principal and interest portions of those payments, are generally applied to reduce the carrying value of the loan for financial statement purposes.  When a loan is returned to accrual status, any accumulated interest payments previously applied to the carrying value of the loan during its nonaccrual period are recognized as interest income.
 
Loans that are not considered to be TDRs are generally returned to accrual status when payments due are brought current and the Company expects to receive all remaining P&I payments owed substantially in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement.  Non-TDR loans may also be returned to accrual status when a loan’s payment status falls below 90 days past due and the Company: (1) expects receipt of the remaining past due amounts within a reasonable timeframe, and (2) expects to receive all remaining P&I payments owed substantially in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement.
 
Acquired Loans.  Loans that we acquire in acquisitions subsequent to January 1, 2009 are recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for credit losses. Determining the fair value of the loans involves estimating the amount and timing of principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at a market rate of interest.
 
 
- 23 -
 
 
 
The excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable discount and is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the nonaccretable discount. The nonaccretable discount represents estimated future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loan. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows require us to evaluate the need for an allowance for credit losses. Subsequent improvements in expected cash flows result in the reversal of a corresponding amount of the nonaccretable discount which we then reclassify as accretable discount that is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using the interest method. Our evaluation of the amount of future cash flows that we expect to collect is performed in a similar manner as that used to determine our allowance for credit losses. Charge-offs of the principal amount on acquired loans would be first applied to the nonaccretable discount portion of the fair value adjustment.

Acquired loans that met the criteria for nonaccrual of interest prior to the acquisition may be considered performing upon acquisition, regardless of whether the customer is contractually delinquent, if we can reasonably estimate the timing and amount of the expected cash flows on such loans and if we expect to fully collect the new carrying value of the loans. As such, we may no longer consider the loan to be nonaccrual or nonperforming and may accrue interest on these loans, including the impact of any accretable discount.

At December 31, 2011, the remaining outstanding principal balance and carrying amount of the credit-impaired loans acquired from Central Jersey totaled approximately $14,072,000 and $10,061,000, respectively.  By comparison, at June 30, 2011, the remaining outstanding principal balance and carrying amount of such loans totaled approximately $14,379,000 and $10,636,000, respectively.

The carrying amount of credit-impaired loans acquired from Central Jersey for which interest is not being recognized due to the uncertainty of the cash flows relating to such loans totaled $5,246,000 and $3,601,000 at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011, respectively.

The balance of the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2011 included approximately $28,000 of valuation allowances for specifically identified impairments attributable to one credit-impaired loan acquired from Central Jersey.  The net increase in the valuation allowance was recorded through the provision for loan losses in recognition of the additional impairment recognized on the applicable loan subsequent to its acquisition.  The amount of that impairment totaled $40,000 at June 30, 2011 and declined by $12,000 to approximately $28,000 during the six months ended December 31, 2011 resulting from payments received from the borrower which reduced the carrying value of the applicable loan thereby reducing the amount of the impairment.

 
- 24 -
 
 

The following tables present the changes in the accretable yield relating to the impaired loans acquired from Central Jersey for the three and six months ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

   
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2011
(in thousands)
   
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2010
(in thousands)
 
    Beginning balance
  $ 1,621     $ -  
    Additions resulting from acquisition
    -       2,105  
    Accretion to interest income
    (67 )     (30 )
    Disposals
    -       -  
    Reclassifications from/(to) nonaccretable difference
    -       -  
    Ending balance
  $ 1,554     $ 2,075  

   
Six Months Ended
December 31, 2011
(in thousands)
   
Six Months Ended
December 31, 2010
(in thousands)
 
    Beginning balance
  $ 1,718     $ -  
    Additions resulting from acquisition
    -       2,105  
    Accretion to interest income
    (164 )     (30 )
    Disposals
    -       -  
    Reclassifications from/(to) nonaccretable difference
    -       -  
    Ending balance
  $ 1,554     $ 2,075  

Classification of Assets.  In compliance with the regulatory guidelines, the Company’s loan review system includes an evaluation process through which certain loans exhibiting adverse credit quality characteristics are classified “Special Mention”, “Substandard”, “Doubtful” or “Loss”.
 
An asset is classified as “Substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the paying capacity and net worth of the obligor or the collateral pledged, if any.  Substandard assets include those characterized by the distinct possibility that the insured institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as “Doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified as “Substandard”, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values. Assets, or portions thereof, classified as “Loss” are considered uncollectible or of so little value that their continuance as assets is not warranted.
 
Management evaluates loans classified as substandard or doubtful for impairment in accordance with applicable accounting requirements.  As discussed in greater detail below, a valuation allowance is established through the provision for loan losses for any impairment identified through such evaluations.   To the extent that impairment identified on a loan is classified as “Loss”, that portion of the loan is charged off against the allowance for loan losses.  In a limited number of cases, the entire net carrying value of a loan may be determined to be impaired based upon a collateral-dependent impairment analysis.  However, the borrower’s adherence to contractual repayment terms precludes the recognition of a “Loss” classification and charge off.  In these limited cases, a valuation allowance equal to 100% of the impaired loan’s carrying value may be maintained against the net carrying value of the asset.
 
In the past, the Company’s impaired loans with impairment were characterized by “split classifications” (ex. Substandard/Loss) with all loan impairment being ascribed a “Loss” classification by default and charge offs being recorded against the allowance for loan loss at the time such losses were realized.  For loans primarily secured by real estate, which have historically comprised over 90% of the Company’s loan portfolio, the recognition of impairments as “charge offs” typically coincided with the
 
- 25 -
 
 
foreclosure of the property securing the impaired loan at which time the property was brought into real estate owned at its fair value, less estimated selling costs, and any portion of the loan’s carrying value in excess of that amount was charged off against the ALLL.
 
During the quarter ended December 31, 2011, the Bank modified its loan classification and charge off practices to more closely align them to those of other institutions regulated by the Office of the Controller of the Currency (“OCC”).  The OCC succeeded the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”) as the Bank’s primary regulator effective July 21, 2011.  The classification of loan impairment as “Loss” is now based upon a confirmed expectation for loss, rather than simply equating impairment with a “Loss” classification by default.  For loans primarily secured by real estate, the expectation for loss is generally confirmed when: (a) impairment is identified on a loan individually evaluated in the manner described below and, (b) the loan is presumed to be collateral-dependent such that the source of loan repayment is expected to arise solely from sale of the collateral securing the applicable loan.  Impairment identified on non-collateral-dependent loans may or may not be eligible for a “Loss” classification depending upon the other salient facts and circumstances that effect the manner and likelihood of loan repayment. However, loan impairment that is classified as “Loss” is now charged off against the ALLL concurrent with that classification rather than deferring the charge off of confirmed expected losses until they are “realized”.
 
Assets which do not currently expose the Company to a sufficient degree of risk to warrant an adverse classification but have some credit deficiencies or other potential weaknesses are designated as “Special Mention” by management.  Adversely classified assets, together with those rated as “Special Mention”, are generally referred to as “Classified Assets”.  Non-classified assets are internally rated within one of four “Pass” categories or as “Watch” with the latter denoting a potential deficiency or concern that warrants increased oversight or tracking by management until remediated.
 
Management performs a classification of assets review, including the regulatory classification of assets, generally on a monthly basis.  The results of the classification of assets review are validated by the Company’s third party loan review firm during their quarterly, independent review.  In the event of a difference in rating or classification between those assigned by the internal and external resources, the Company will generally utilize the more critical or conservative rating or classification.  Final loan ratings and regulatory classifications are presented monthly to the Board of Directors and are reviewed by regulators during the examination process.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses.  The allowance for loan losses is a valuation account that reflects the Company’s estimation of the losses in its loan portfolio to the extent they are both probable and reasonable to estimate. The balance of the allowance is generally maintained through provisions for loan losses that are charged to income in the period that estimated losses on loans are identified by the Company’s loan review system.  The Company charges confirmed losses on loans against the allowance as such losses are identified.  Recoveries on loans previously charged-off are added back to the allowance.
 
The Company’s allowance for loan loss calculation methodology utilizes a “two-tier” loss measurement process that is performed monthly.  Based upon the results of the classification of assets and credit file review processes described earlier, the Company first identifies the loans that must be reviewed individually for impairment.  Factors considered in identifying individual loans to be reviewed include, but may not be limited to, loan type, classification status, contractual payment status, performance/accrual status and impaired status.
 
Traditionally, the loans considered by the Company to be eligible for individual impairment review have generally represented its larger and/or more complex loans including its commercial mortgage loans, comprising multi-family and nonresidential real estate loans, as well as its construction
 
- 26 -
 
 
loans and commercial business loans.  During fiscal 2011, the Company expanded the scope of loans that it considers eligible for individual impairment review to also include all one-to-four family mortgage loans as well as its home equity loans and home equity lines of credit.
 
A reviewed loan is deemed to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Once a loan is determined to be impaired, management measures the amount of impairment associated with that loan.
 
In measuring the impairment associated with collateral dependent loans, the fair value of the real estate collateralizing the loan is generally used as a measurement proxy for that of the impaired loan itself as a practical expedient.  Such values are generally determined based upon a discounted market value obtained through an automated valuation module or prepared by a qualified, independent real estate appraiser.
 
The Company generally obtains independent appraisals on properties securing mortgage loans when such loans are initially placed on nonperforming or impaired status with such values updated approximately every six to twelve months thereafter throughout the collections, bankruptcy and/or foreclosure processes.  Appraised values are typically updated at the point of foreclosure, where applicable, and approximately every six to twelve months thereafter while the repossessed property is held as real estate owned.
 
As supported by accounting and regulatory guidance, the Company reduces the fair value of the collateral by estimated selling costs, such as real estate brokerage commissions, to measure impairment when such costs are expected to reduce the cash flows available to repay the loan.
 
The Company establishes valuation allowances in the fiscal period during which the loan impairments are identified.  The results of management’s individual loan impairment evaluations are validated by the Company’s third party loan review firm during their quarterly, independent review.  Such valuation allowances are adjusted in subsequent fiscal periods, where appropriate, to reflect any changes in carrying value or fair value identified during subsequent impairment evaluations which are updated monthly by management.
 
The second tier of the loss measurement process involves estimating the probable and estimable losses which addresses loans not otherwise reviewed individually for impairment as well as those individually reviewed loans that are determined to be non-impaired.  Such loans include groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans that may generally be excluded from individual impairment analysis, and therefore collectively evaluated for impairment, as well as the non-impaired loans within categories that are otherwise eligible for individual impairment review.
 
Valuation allowances established through the second tier of the loss measurement process utilize historical and environmental loss factors to collectively estimate the level of probable losses within defined segments of the Company’s loan portfolio.  These segments aggregate homogeneous subsets of loans with similar risk characteristics based upon loan type.  For allowance for loan loss calculation and reporting purposes, the Company currently stratifies its loan portfolio into seven primary categories: residential mortgage loans, commercial mortgage loans, construction loans, commercial business loans, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit and other consumer loans.  Each primary category is further stratified into subcategories that distinguish between loans originated, loans acquired through business combinations and, where relevant, loans purchased from third parties.  Subcategories within commercial business loans and consumer loans also distinguish between secured and unsecured loan
 
- 27 -
 
 
types while commercial business loan subcategories also identify loans originated through SBA programs.
 
In regard to historical loss factors, the Company’s allowance for loan loss calculation calls for an analysis of historical charge-offs and recoveries for each of the defined segments within the loan portfolio.  The Company currently utilizes a two-year moving average of annual net charge-off rates (charge-offs net of recoveries) by loan segment, where available, to calculate its actual, historical loss experience.  The outstanding principal balance of the non-impaired portion of each loan segment is multiplied by the applicable historical loss factor to estimate the level of probable losses based upon the Company’s historical loss experience.
 
The timeframe between when loan impairment is first identified by the Company and when such impairment may ultimately be charged off varies by loan type.  For example, unsecured consumer and commercial loans are generally classified as “Loss” at 120 days past due resulting in their outstanding balances being charged off at that time.
 
By contrast, the timing of charges offs regarding the impairment associated with secured loans has historically been far more variable.  The Company’s secured loans, comprising a large majority of its loan total portfolio, consist primarily of residential and nonresidential mortgage loans and commercial/business loans secured by properties located in New Jersey where the foreclosure process currently takes 24-36 months to complete.  During prior periods, charge offs of the impairment identified on loans secured by real estate were generally recognized upon completion of foreclosure at which time: (a) the property was brought into real estate owned at its fair value, less estimated selling costs, (b) any portion of the loan’s carrying value in excess of that amount was charged off against the ALLL, and (c) the historical loss factors used in the Company’s ALLL calculations were updated to reflect the actual realized loss.  Accordingly, the historical loss factors used in the Company’s allowance for loan loss calculations during prior periods did not reflect the probable losses on impaired loans until such time that the losses were realized as charge offs.
 
As a result of the noted changes to the Company’s loan classification and charge off practices during the quarter ended December 31 2011, the charge off of impairments relating to secured loans are now generally recognized upon the confirmation of an expected loss rather than deferring the charge off of loan impairments until such losses are realized.
 
For the Company’s secured loans, the condition of collateral dependency generally serves as the basis upon which a “Loss” classification is ascribed to a loan’s impairment thereby confirming an expected loss and triggering charge off of that impairment.  While the facts and circumstances that effect the manner and likelihood of repayment vary from loan to loan, the Company generally considers the referral of a loan to foreclosure, coupled with the absence of other viable sources of loan repayment, to be demonstrable evidence of collateral dependency.  Depending upon the nature of the collections process applicable to a particular loan, an early determination of collateral dependency could result in a nearly concurrent charge off of a newly identified impairment.  By contrast, a presumption of collateral dependency may only be determined after the completion of lengthy loan collection and/or workout efforts, including bankruptcy proceedings, which may extend several months or more after a loan’s impairment is first identified.
 
Regardless, the Company expects that the recognition of charge offs based upon confirmed expected losses rather than realized losses will generally accelerate the timing of their recognition in the future compared to prior periods.  Toward that end, the adoption of this change to the Company’s ALLL methodology during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 resulted in the charge off of approximately $4.2 million of confirmed expected losses during the quarter for which valuation allowances had been
 
 
- 28 -
 
 
established for impairments identified during prior periods.  The historical loss factors used in the Company’s allowance for loan loss calculations as of December 31, 2011 were updated to reflect these charge offs and will continue to reflect the charge off of confirmed expected losses in future periods.
 
As noted, the second tier of the Company’s allowance for loan loss calculation also utilizes environmental loss factors to estimate the probable losses within the loan portfolio. Environmental loss factors are based upon specific qualitative criteria representing key sources of risk within the loan portfolio. Such risk criteria includes the level of and trends in nonperforming loans; the effects of changes in credit policy; the experience, ability and depth of the lending function’s management and staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; credit risk concentrations and changes in local and regional real estate values.  For each category of the loan portfolio, a level of risk, developed from a number of internal and external resources, is assigned to each of the qualitative criteria utilizing a scale ranging from zero (negligible risk) to 15 (high risk). The sum of the risk values, expressed as a whole number, is multiplied by .01% to arrive at an overall environmental loss factor, expressed in basis points, for each loan category.
 
During prior periods, the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the non-impaired loans within each loan category was simply multiplied by the applicable environmental loss factor, as described above, to estimate the level of probable losses based upon the qualitative risk criteria.  To more closely align its ALLL calculation methodology to that of other institutions regulated by the OCC , the Company modified its ALLL calculation methodology to explicitly incorporate its existing credit-rating classification system into the calculation of environmental loss factors by loan type.  Toward that end, the Company implemented the use of risk-rating classification “weights” into its calculation of environmental loss factors as of December 31, 2011.
 
The Company’s existing risk-rating classification system ascribes a numerical rating of “1” through “9” to each loan within the portfolio.  The ratings “5” through “9” represent the numerical equivalents of the traditional loan classifications “Watch”, “Special Mention”, “Substandard”, “Doubtful” and “Loss”, respectively, while lower ratings, “1” through “4”, represent risk-ratings within the least risky “Pass” category.  The environmental loss factor applicable to each non-impaired loan within a category, as described above, is “weighted” by a multiplier based upon the loan’s risk-rating classification.  Within any single loan category, a “higher” environmental loss factor is now ascribed to those loans with comparatively higher risk-rating classifications resulting in a proportionately greater ALLL requirement attributable to such loans compared to the comparatively lower risk-rated loans within that category.
 
In evaluating the impact of the level and trends in nonperforming loans on environmental loss factors, the Company first broadly considers the occurrence and overall magnitude of prior losses recognized on such loans over an extended period of time.  For this purpose, losses are considered to include both charge offs as well as loan impairments for which valuation allowances have been recognized through provisions to the allowance for loan losses, but have not yet been charged off.  To the extent that prior losses have generally been recognized on nonperforming loans within a category, a basis is established to recognize existing losses on loans collectively evaluated for impairment based upon the current levels of nonperforming loans within that category.  Conversely, the absence of material prior losses attributable to delinquent or nonperforming loans within a category may significantly diminish, or even preclude, the consideration of the level of nonperforming loans in the calculation of the environmental loss factors attributable to that category of loans.
 
Once the basis for considering the level of nonperforming loans on environmental loss factors is established, the Company then considers the current dollar amount of nonperforming loans by loan type in relation to the total outstanding balance of loans within the category.  A greater portion of
 
 
- 29 -
 
 
nonperforming loans within a category in relation to the total suggests a comparatively greater level of risk and expected loss within that loan category and vice-versa.
 
In addition to considering the current level of nonperforming loans in relation to the total outstanding balance for each category, the Company also considers the degree to which those levels have changed from period to period.  A significant and sustained increase in nonperforming loans over a 12-24 month period suggests a growing level of expected loss within that loan category and vice-versa.
 
As noted above, the Company considers these factors in a qualitative, rather than quantitative fashion when ascribing the risk value, as described above, to the level and trends of nonperforming loans that is applicable to a particular loan category.  As with all environmental loss factors, the risk value assigned ultimately reflects the Company’s best judgment as to the level of expected losses on loans collectively evaluated for impairment.
 
The sum of the probable and estimable loan losses calculated through the first and second tiers of the loss measurement processes as described above, represents the total targeted balance for the Company’s allowance for loan losses at the end of a fiscal period.  As noted earlier, the Company establishes all additional valuation allowances in the fiscal period during which additional individually identified loan impairments and additional estimated losses on loans collectively evaluated for impairment are identified.  The Company adjusts its balance of valuation allowances through the provision for loan losses as required to ensure that the balance of the allowance for loan losses reflects all probable and estimable loans losses at the close of the fiscal period.  Notwithstanding calculation methodology and the noted distinction between valuation allowances established on loans collectively versus individually evaluated for impairment, the Company’s entire allowance for loan losses is available to cover all charge-offs that arise from the loan portfolio.
 
Although management believes that the Company’s allowance for loans losses is established in accordance with management’s best estimate, actual losses are dependent upon future events and, as such, further additions to the level of loan loss allowances may be necessary.
 
The following tables present the balance of the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011 based upon the calculation methodology described above.  The table identifies the valuation allowances attributable to identified impairments on individually evaluated loans, including those acquired with deteriorated credit quality, as well as those valuation allowances for impairments on loans evaluated collectively.  The underlying balance of loans receivable applicable to each category is also presented.  The balance of loans receivable reported in the tables below excludes yield adjustments and the allowance for loan loss.
 

 
- 30 -
 
 

Allowance for Loan Losses and Loans Receivable
at December 31, 2011
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Balance of allowance for loan losses:
                                               
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                               
Loans individually evaluated
for impairment
  $ 1,169     $ 481     $ -     $ -     $ 10     $ -     $ -     $ 1,660  
Loans collectively evaluated
for impairment
    3,157       2,008       188       223       271       31       12       5,890  
Allowance for loan
losses on originated
and purchased loans
      4,326         2,489         188         223         281         31         12         7,550  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Loans acquired with
deteriorated credit quality
    -       -       -       28       -       -       -       28  
Other acquired loans
individually evaluated
for impairment
    -       -       -       407       -       -       -       407  
Loans collectively evaluated
for impairment
    3       175       19       339       49       23       3       611  
    Allowance for loan
    losses on loans
    acquired at fair value
      3         175         19         774         49         23         3         1,046  
     Total allowance
     for loan losses
  $ 4,329     $ 2,664     $ 207     $ 997     $ 330     $ 54     $ 15     $ 8,596  


 
- 31 -
 
 


Allowance for Loan Losses and Loans Receivable
at December 31, 2011 (continued)
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended December 31, 2011:
                                               
 
At September 30, 2011:
                                               
  Allocated
  $ 6,745     $ 3,306     $ 241     $ 1,104     $ 340     $ 55     $ 16     $ 11,807  
  Unallocated
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       233  
      Total allowance for
      loan losses
    6,745       3,306       241       1,104       340       55       16       12,040  
   
    Total charge offs
    (3,862 )     (483 )     (73 )     (320 )     (62 )     -       (4 )     (4,804 )
   
    Total recoveries
    1       36       -       -       -       -       -       37  
   
    Total allocated
    provisions
    1,445       (195 )     39       213       52       (1 )     3       1,556  
   
    Total unallocated
    provisions
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (233 )
 
At December 31, 2011:
                                                               
  Allocated
    4,329       2,664       207       997       330       54       15       8,596  
  Unallocated
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
  Total allowance for loan
  losses
  $ 4,329     $ 2,664     $ 207     $ 997     $ 330     $ 54     $ 15     $ 8,596  


 
- 32 -
 
 



Allowance for Loan Losses and Loans Receivable
at December 31, 2011 (continued)
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the six months ended December 31, 2011:
                                               
 
At June 30, 2011:
                                               
  Allocated
  $ 6,644     $ 3,336     $ 289     $ 880     $ 322     $ 49     $ 14     $ 11,534  
  Unallocated
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       233  
  Total allowance for loan
  losses
    6,644       3,336       289       880       322       49       14       11,767  
   
    Total charge offs
    (4,607 )     (483 )     (73 )     (326 )     (103 )     -       (6 )     (5,598 )
   
    Total recoveries
    1       36       -       -       2       -       -       39  
   
    Total allocated 
    provisions
    2,291       (225 )     (9 )     443       109       5       7       2,621  
   
    Total unallocated 
    provisions
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (233 )
 
At December 31, 2011:
                                                               
  Allocated
    4,329       2,664       207       997       330       54       15       8,596  
  Unallocated
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
  Total allowance for loan
  losses
  $ 4,329     $ 2,664     $ 207     $ 997     $ 330     $ 54     $ 15     $ 8,596  


 
- 33 -
 
 



Allowance for Loan Losses and Loans Receivable
at December 31, 2011 (continued)
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Balance of loans receivable:
                                               
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                               
Loans individually evaluated
for impairment
  $ 18,346     $ 6,645     $ 507     $ 2,345     $ 618     $ 87     $ -     $ 28,548  
Loans collectively evaluated
for impairment
    553,537       238,393       9,086       22,353       78,607       9,605       3,658       915,239  
Total originated and
purchased loans
    571,883       245,038       9,593       24,698       79,225       9,692       3,658       943,787  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Loans acquired with
deteriorated credit quality
    -       2,469       316       7,276       -       -       -       10,061  
Other acquired loans individually
evaluated for impairment
    -       2,213       935       808       996       -       -       4,952  
Loans collectively evaluated
for impairment
    2,466       149,083       9,440       64,030       23,297       22,091       376       270,783  
Total loans acquired at
fair value
    2,466       153,765       10,691       72,114       24,293       22,091       376       285,796  
 
            Total loans
  $ 574,349     $ 398,803     $ 20,284     $ 96,812     $ 103,518     $ 31,783     $ 4,034       1,229,583  
Unamortized yield
adjustments
                                                            (1,236 )
 
Loans receivable
                                                          $ 1,228,347  


 
- 34 -
 
 


Allowance for Loan Losses and Loans Receivable
at June 30, 2011
   
 
Residential Mortgage
 
 
Commercial Mortgage
 
 
 
Construction
 
 
Commercial Business
 
Home
Equity
Loans
 
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
 
 
Other
Consumer
 
 
 
Total
 
(in Thousands)
Balance of allowance for loan losses:
                               
 
Originated and purchased loans
                               
Loans individually evaluated
for impairment
 
$
 
4,061
 
$
 
1,503
 
$
 
105
 
$
 
275
 
$
 
-
 
$
 
-
 
$
 
-
 
$
 
5,944
Loans collectively evaluated
for impairment
 
 
2,581
 
 
1,738
 
 
177
 
 
147
 
 
304
 
 
36
 
 
10
 
 
4,993
Allowance for loan
losses on originated
and purchased loans
 
 
 
6,642
 
 
 
3,241
 
 
 
282
 
 
 
422
 
 
 
304
 
 
 
36
 
 
 
10
 
 
 
10,937
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                               
Loans acquired with
deteriorated credit quality
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
40
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
40
Other acquired loans
individually evaluated
for impairment
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
377
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
377
Loans collectively evaluated
for impairment
 
 
2
 
 
95
 
 
7
 
 
41
 
 
18
 
 
13
 
 
4
 
 
180
Allowance for loan
losses on loans
acquired at fair value
 
 
 
2
 
 
 
95
 
 
 
7
 
 
 
458
 
 
 
18
 
 
 
13
 
 
 
4
 
 
 
597
                                 
             Allocated  allowance
             for loan losses
 
$
 
6,644
 
$
 
3,336
 
$
 
289
 
$
 
880
 
$
 
322
 
$
 
49
 
$
 
14
 
 
11,534
             Unallocated allowance
    for loan losses
                             
 
233
                    Total allowance
                    for loan losses
                           
 
$
 
11,767


 
- 35 -
 
 


Allowance for Loan Losses and Loans Receivable
at June 30, 2011 (continued)
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Balance of loans receivable:
                                               
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                               
Loans individually evaluated
for impairment
  $ 16,051     $ 3,064     $ 612     $ 2,625     $ 167     $ 93     $ -     $ 22,612  
Loans collectively evaluated
for impairment
    592,209       216,885       7,666       20,203       81,731       9,874       3,288       931,856  
Total originated and
purchased loans
    608,260       219,949       8,278       22,828       81,898       9,967       3,288       954,468  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Loans acquired with
deteriorated credit quality
    -       2,583       316       7,737       -       -       -       10,636  
Other acquired loans
individually evaluated
for impairment
    -       2,123       726       1.198       37       -       -       4,084  
Loans collectively evaluated
for impairment
    2,641       159,035       12,278       73,238       29,543       22,958       491       300,184  
Total loans acquired at
fair value
    2,641       163,741       13,320       82,173       29,580       22,958       491       314,904  
 
            Total loans
  $ 610,901     $ 383,690     $ 21,598     $ 105,001     $ 111,478     $ 32,925     $ 3,779       1,269,372  
Unamortized yield
adjustments
                                                                (1,021 )
 
Loans receivable
                                                          $ 1,268,351  


 
- 36 -
 
 

The following tables present key indicators of credit quality regarding the Company’s loan portfolio based upon loan classification and contractual payment status at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011.

Credit-Rating Classification of Loans Receivable
at December 31, 2011
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                               
Non-classified
  $ 552,063     $ 232,454     $ 9,086     $ 21,387     $ 78,358     $ 9,550     $ 3,656     $ 906,554  
Classified:
                                                               
Special mention
    919       3,356       -       928       248       56       -       5,507  
Substandard
    18,901       8,890       507       2,383       619       86       2       31,388  
Doubtful
    -       338       -       -       -       -       -       338  
Loss
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total classified loans
    19,820       12,584       507       3,311       867       142       2       37,233  
Total originated and
purchased loans
    571,883       245,038       9,593       24,698       79,225       9,692       3,658       943,787  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Non-classified
    2,466       141,729       7,370       54,358       23,173       21,670       346       251,112  
Classified:
                                                               
Special mention
    -       6,336       2,070       8,263       70       421       9       17,169  
Substandard
    -       5,700       1,251       8,896       1,050       -       21       16,918  
Doubtful
    -       -       -       597       -       -       -       597  
Loss
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total classified loans
    -       12,036       3,321       17,756       1,120       421       30       34,684  
Total loans acquired at
fair value
    2,466       153,765       10,691       72,114       24,293       22,091       376       285,796  
 
            Total loans
  $ 574,349     $ 398,803     $ 20,284     $ 96,812     $ 103,518     $ 31,783     $ 4,034     $ 1,229,583  


 
- 37 -
 
 


Credit-Rating Classification of Loans Receivable
at June 30, 2011
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                               
Non-classified
  $ 586,813     $ 213,042     $ 7,666     $ 20,203     $ 81,454     $ 9,850     $ 3,284     $ 922,312  
Classified:
                                                               
Special mention
    1,084       1,052       -       151       277       24       -       2,588  
Substandard
    16,302       4,352       507       2,199       167       93       4       23,624  
Doubtful
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Loss
    4,061       1,503       105       275       -       -       -       5,944  
Total classified loans
    21,447       6,907       612       2,625       444       117       4       32,156  
Total originated and
purchased loans
    608,260       219,949       8,278       22,828       81,898       9,967       3,288       954,468  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Non-classified
    2,641       153,231       11,698       70,544       29,136       22,111       490       289,851  
Classified:
                                                               
Special mention
    -       4,791       580       2,135       200       847       -       8,553  
Substandard
    -       5,719       1,042       8,463       244       -       1       15,469  
Doubtful
    -       -       -       614       -       -       -       614  
Loss
    -       -       -       417       -       -       -       417  
Total classified loans
    -       10,510       1,622       11,629       444       847       1       25,053  
Total loans acquired
at fair value
    2,641       163,741       13,320       82,173       29,580       22,958       491       314,904  
 
            Total loans
  $ 610,901     $ 383,690     $ 21,598     $ 105,001     $ 111,478     $ 32,925     $ 3,779     $ 1,269,372  

 
- 38 -
 
 


Contractual Payment Status of Loans Receivable
at December 31, 2011
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                               
Current
  $ 551,301     $ 238,413     $ 9,086     $ 21,404     $ 78,856     $ 9,550     $ 3,585     $ 912,195  
Past due:
                                                               
30-59 days
    5,085       318       -       949       92       -       29       6,473  
60-89 days
    1,034       -       -       -       112       56       42       1,244  
90+ days
    14,463       6,307       507       2,345       165       86       2       23,875  
Total past due
    20,582       6,625       507       3.294       369       142       73       31,592  
Total originated and
purchased loans
    571,883       245,038       9,593       24,698       79,225       9,692       3,658       943,787  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Current
    2,466       149,644       7,183       63,860       23,126       21,374       325       267,978  
Past due:
                                                               
30-59 days
    -       893       187       3,539       433       371       22       5,445  
60-89 days
    -       520       2,070       726       70       346       8       3,740  
90+ days
    -       2,708       1,251       3,989       664       -       21       8,633  
Total past due
    -       4,121       3,508       8,254       1,167       717       51       17,818  
Total loans acquired at
fair value
    2,466       153,765       10,691       72,114       24,293       22,091       376       285,796  
 
            Total loans
  $ 574,349     $ 398,803     $ 20,284     $ 96,812     $ 103,518     $ 31,783     $ 4,034     $ 1,229,583  


 
- 39 -
 
 


Contractual Payment Status of Loans Receivable
at June 30, 2011
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                               
Current
  $ 586,028     $ 215,220     $ 7,432     $ 20,203     $ 81,416     $ 9,850     $ 3,183     $ 923,332  
Past due:
                                                               
30-59 days
    2,608       2,624       234       -       235       -       10       5,711  
60-89 days
    1,084       61       -       -       99       24       74       1,342  
90+ days
    18,540       2,044       612       2,625       148       93       21       24,083  
Total past due
    22,232       4,729       846       2,625       482       117       105       31,136  
Total originated and
purchased loans
    608,260       219,949       8,278       22,828       81,898       9,967       3,288       954,468  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Current
    2,641       156,066       11,698       75,351       28,698       21,898       456       296,808  
Past due:
                                                               
30-59 days
    -       416       -       1,510       496       683       34       3,139  
60-89 days
    -       4,642       580       2,237       349       377       -       8,185  
90+ days
    -       2,617       1,042       3,075       37       -       1       6,772  
Total past due
    -       7,675       1,622       6,822       882       1,060       35       18,096  
Total loans acquired at
fair value
    2,641       163,741       13,320       82,173       29,580       22,958       491       314,904  
 
            Total loans
  $ 610,901     $ 383,690     $ 21,598     $ 105,001     $ 111,478     $ 32,925     $ 3,779     $ 1,269,372  


 
- 40 -
 
 

The following tables present information relating to the Company’s nonperforming and impaired loans at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011.  Loans reported as “90+ days past due and accruing” in the table immediately below are also reported in the preceding contractual payment status table under the heading “90+ days past due”.

Performance Status of Loans Receivable
at December 31, 2011
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                               
Performing
  $ 554,260     $ 238,393     $ 9,086     $ 22,315     $ 78,607     $ 9,605     $ 3,656     $ 915,922  
Nonperforming:
                                                               
90+ days past due accruing
    89       -       -       -       -       -       -       89  
Nonaccrual
    17,534       6,645       507       2,383       618       87       2       27,776  
Total nonperforming
    17,623       6,645       507       2,383       618       87       2       27,865  
Total originated and
purchased loans
    571,883       245,038       9,593       24,698       79,225       9,692       3,658       943,787  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Performing
    2,466       149,407       9,440       67,488       23,297       22,091       355       274,544  
Nonperforming:
                                                               
90+ days past due accruing
    -       -       -       1,070       -       -       -       1,070  
Nonaccrual
    -       4,358       1,251       3,556       996       -       21       10,182  
Total nonperforming
    -       4,358       1,251       4,626       996       -       21       11,252  
Total loans acquired at
fair value
    2,466       153,765       10,691       72,114       24,293       22,091       376       285,796  
 
            Total loans
  $ 574,349     $ 398,803     $ 20,284     $ 96,812     $ 103,518     $ 31,783     $ 4,034     $ 1,229,583  


 
- 41 -
 
 


Performance Status of Loans Receivable
at June 30, 2011
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                               
Performing
  $ 589,281     $ 216,885     $ 7,666     $ 20,203     $ 81,731     $ 9,874     $ 3,267     $ 928,907  
Nonperforming:
                                                               
90+ days past due accruing
    14,923       -       -       -       -       -       -       14,923  
Nonaccrual
    4,056       3,064       612       2,625       167       93       21       10,638  
Total nonperforming
    18,979       3,064       612       2,625       167       93       21       25,561  
Total originated and
purchased loans
    608,260       219,949       8,278       22,828       81,898       9,967       3,288       954,468  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Performing
    2,641       159,376       12,278       78,214       29,543       22,958       490       305,500  
Nonperforming:
                                                               
90+ days past due accruing
    -       -       -       1,718       -       -       -       1,718  
Nonaccrual
    -       4,365       1,042       2,241       37       -       1       7,686  
Total nonperforming
    -       4,365       1,042       3,959       37       -       1       9,404  
Total loans acquired at
fair value
    2,641       163,741       13,320       82,173       29,580       22,958       491       314,904  
 
            Total loans
  $ 610,901     $ 383,690     $ 21,598     $ 105,001     $ 111,478     $ 32,925     $ 3,779     $ 1,269,372  

 
- 42 -
 
 


Impairment Status of Loans Receivable
at December 31, 2011
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Carrying value of  impaired  loans:
                                               
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                               
Non-impaired loans
  $ 553,536     $ 238,393     $ 9,086     $ 22,353     $ 78,607     $ 9,605     $ 3,658     $ 915,238  
Impaired loans:
                                                               
Impaired loans with no
allowance for impairment
    11,818       6,164       507       2,345       600       87       -       21,521  
Impaired loans with
allowance for impairment:
                                                               
Unpaid principal balance
    6,529       481       -       -       18       -       -       7,028  
 
Allowance for impairment
    (1,169 )     (481 )     -       -       (10 )     -       -       (1,660 )
Balance of impaired
loans
net of
allowance for
impairment
      5,360         -         -         -         8         -         -         5,368  
Total impaired loans,
excluding allowance
    18,347       6,645       507       2,345       618       87       -       28,549  
Total originated and
purchased loans
    571,883       245,038       9,593       24,698       79,225       9,692       3,658       943,787  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Non-impaired loans
    2,466       149,083       9,440       64,030       23,297       22,091       376       270,783  
Impaired loans:
                                                               
Impaired loans with no
allowance for impairment
    -       4,682       1,251       7,639       996       -       -       14,568  
Impaired loans with
allowance for impairment:
                                                               
Unpaid principal
balance
    -       -       -       445       -       -       -       445  
 
Allowance for impairment
    -       -       -       (435 )     -       -       -       (435 )
Balance of impaired
loans net of
allowance for
impairment
      -         -         -         10         -         -         -         10  
Total impaired loans,
excluding allowance
    -       4,682       1,251       8,084       996       -       -       15,013  
Total loans acquired at
fair value
    2,466       153,765       10,691       72,114       24,293       22,091       376       285,796  
 
            Total loans
  $ 574,349     $ 398,803     $ 20,284     $ 96,812     $ 103,518     $ 31,783     $ 4,034     $ 1,229,583  


 
- 43 -
 
 


Impairment Status of Loans Receivable
at December 31, 2011 (continued)
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Unpaid principal balance of impaired loans:
                                               
 
   Originated and purchased loans
  $ 22,152     $ 6,709     $ 525     $ 2,355     $ 626     $ 91     $ -     $ 32,458  
 
   Loans acquired at fair value
    -       5,157       1,763       11,278       1,012       -       -       19,210  
 
        Total impaired loans
  $ 22,152     $ 11,866     $ 2,288     $ 13,633     $ 1,638     $ 91     $ -     $ 51,668  
                                                                 
For the three months ended
December 31, 2011
                                                               
Average balance of
impaired loans
  $ 19,752     $ 11,572     $ 1,789     $ 11,033     $ 1,292     $ 88     $ -     $ 45,526  
Interest earned on
impaired loans
  $ 275     $ 8     $ -     $ 62     $ 5     $ -     $ -     $ 350  
                                                                 
For the six months ended
December 31, 2011
                                                               
Average balance of
impaired loans
  $ 17,901     $ 10,959     $ 1,873     $ 11,416     $ 947     $ 148     $ -     $ 43,244  
Interest earned on
impaired loans
  $ 577     $ 56     $ -     $ 155     $ 19     $ -     $ -     $ 807  



 
- 44 -
 
 


Impairment Status of Loans Receivable
at June 30, 2011
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Carrying value of  impaired  loans:
                                               
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                               
Non-impaired loans
  $ 592,209     $ 216,885     $ 7,666     $ 20,203     $ 81,731     $ 9,874     $ 3,288     $ 931,856  
Impaired loans:
                                                               
Impaired loans with no
allowance for impairment
    2,850       1,561       507       2,350       167       93       -       7,528  
Impaired loans with
allowance for impairment:
                                                               
Unpaid principal
balance
    13,201       1,503       105       275       -       -       -       15,084  
Specific allowance
for impairment
    (4,061 )     (1,503 )     (105 )     (275 )     -       -       -       (5,944 )
Balance of impaired
loans net of
allowance for
impairment
      9,140         -         -         -         -         -         -         9,140  
Total impaired loans,
excluding allowance
    16,051       3,064       612       2,625       167       93       -       22,612  
Total originated and
purchased loans
    608,260       219,949       8,278       22,828       81,898       9,967       3,288       954,468  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Non-impaired loans
    2,641       159,035       12,278       73,238       29,543       22,958       491       300,184  
Impaired loans:
                                                               
Impaired loans with no
allowance for impairment
    -       4,706       1,042       7,829       37       -       -       13,614  
Impaired loans with
allowance for impairment:
                                                               
Unpaid principal balance
    -       -       -       1,106       -       -       -       1,106  
Specific allowance
for impairment
    -       -       -       (417 )     -       -       -       (417 )
Balance of impaired
loans net of
allowance for
impairment
      -         -         -         689         -         -         -         689  
Total impaired loans,
excluding allowance
    -       4,706       1,042       8,935       37       -       -       14,720  
Total loans acquired
at fair value
    2,641       163,741       13,320       82,173       29,580       22,958       491       314,904  
 
            Total loans
  $ 610,901     $ 383,690     $ 21,598     $ 105,001     $ 111,478     $ 32,925     $ 3,779     $ 1,269,372  



 
- 45 -
 
 

 
Impairment Status of Loans Receivable
at June 30, 2011 (continued)
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
 
(in Thousands)
 
Unpaid principal balance of
impaired loans:
                                               
 
   Originated and purchased loans
  $ 16,089     $ 3,107     $ 631     $ 2,632     $ 169     $ 95     $ -     $ 22,723  
 
   Loans acquired at fair value
    -       5,106       1,553       11,863       37       -       -       18,559  
 
        Total impaired loans
  $ 16,089     $ 8,213     $ 2,184     $ 14,495     $ 206     $ 95     $ -     $ 41,282  
                                                                 

 
- 46 -
 
 


All impaired loans are reviewed individually for impairment in accordance with the Company’s allowance for loan loss calculation methodology described earlier. The Company has identified a total of $36.1 million of impaired loans for which no allowance for impairment was recognized at December 31, 2011.  As highlighted in the table above, approximately $14.6 million of these loans were acquired from Central Jersey.  Any impairment identified at the time of acquisition relating to these loans was reflected as an adjustment to their fair value at that time.

The remaining $21.5 million of loans reported as impaired with no allowance for impairment represent those originated or purchased in the secondary market by the Company.  These loans reflect, in part, the Company’s practice of identifying all “non-homogeneous” loans on nonaccrual status as impaired in acknowledgment of the probable non-receipt of interest accrued in accordance with the loans contractual terms.  Despite the nonaccrual and impaired statuses, however, the individual analyses performed on these loans preclude the recognition of impairment.  Such loans also include loans for which previously identified impairments have been fully charged off.

The Company’s loans reported above as impaired with no allowance for impairment are primarily secured by real estate and, to a lesser degree, other forms of collateral.  As noted earlier, the impairment analyses performed on these loans generally utilize the fair value of the securing collateral, less certain estimated selling costs, as a measurement proxy for the fair value of the loan as a practical expedient.  Based upon that assumption, at December 31, 2011 the Company would expect to recover the net carrying value of its loans identified as impaired without allowance for impairment through the liquidation of the collateral.  However, continued deterioration in real estate values could result in the identification of impairment in the future attributable to these loans resulting in additional provisions to the allowance for loan losses.

Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”).  A modification to the terms of a loan is generally considered a TDR if the Bank grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties.  In granting the concession, the Bank’s general objective is to make the best of a difficult situation by obtaining more cash or other value from the borrower or otherwise increase the probability of repayment.

A TDR may include, but is not necessarily limited to, the modification of loan terms such as a temporary or permanent reduction of the loan’s stated interest rate, extension of the maturity date and/or reduction or deferral of amounts owed under the terms of the loan agreement.  TDRs also include the transfer of real estate or other assets to fully or partially satisfy a borrower’s loan obligations.  Consequently, real estate owned acquired through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu thereof is considered a TDR.

In measuring the impairment associated with restructured loans that qualify as TDRs, the Company compares the cash flows under the loan’s existing terms with those that are expected to be received in accordance with its modified terms.  The difference between the comparative cash flows is discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate prior to modification to measure the associated impairment.  The impairment is charged off directly against the allowance for loan loss at the time of restructuring resulting in a reduction in carrying value of the modified loan that is accreted into interest income as a yield adjustment over the remaining term of the modified cash flows.


 
- 47 -
 
 

All restructured loans that qualify as TDRs are placed on nonaccrual status for a period of no less than six months after restructuring, irrespective of the borrower’s adherence to a TDR’s modified repayment terms during which time TDRs continue to be adversely classified and reported as impaired.  TDRs may be returned to accrual status if (1) the borrower has paid timely P&I payments in accordance with the terms of the restructured loan agreement for no less than six consecutive months after restructuring, and (2) the Company expects to receive all P&I payments owed substantially in accordance with the terms of the restructured loan agreement at which time the loan may also be returned to a non-adverse classification while retaining its impaired status.

 
- 48 -
 
 

The following tables present information regarding the restructuring of the Company’s troubled debts during the three and six months ended December 31, 2011 and any defaults during that period of TDRs that were restructured within 12 months of the date of default.

Troubled Debt Restructurings of Loans Receivable
at December 31, 2011
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Troubled debt restructuring activity for the three months ended December 31, 2011
                                               
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                               
Number of loans
    5       -       -       -       2       -       -       7  
Pre-modification outstanding
  recorded investment
  $ 1,011     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 321     $ -     $ -     $ 1,332  
Post-modification outstanding
  recorded investment
    991       -       -       -       293       -       -       1,284  
Charge offs against the allowance
  for loan loss for impairment
  recognized at modification
      64         -         -         -         30         -         -         94  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Number of loans
    -       -       -       -       1       -       -       1  
Pre-modification outstanding
  recorded investment
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 211     $ -     $ -     $ 211  
Post-modification outstanding
  recorded investment
    -       -       -       -       176       -       -       176  
Charge offs against the allowance
  for loan loss for impairment
  recognized at modification
      -         -         -         -         32         -         -         32  
 
Troubled debt restructuring defaults
                                                               
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                                               
Number of loans
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Outstanding recorded investment
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Number of loans
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Outstanding recorded investment
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  


 
- 49 -
 
 


Troubled Debt Restructurings of Loans Receivable
at December 31, 2011
 
   
 
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Commercial Mortgage
   
 
 
Construction
   
 
Commercial Business
   
Home
Equity
Loans
   
Home Equity
Lines of
Credit
   
 
Other
Consumer
   
 
 
Total
 
   
(in Thousands)
 
Troubled debt restructuring activity for the six months ended December 31, 2011
                                               
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                               
Number of loans
    10       -       -       -       3       -       -       13  
Pre-modification outstanding
  recorded investment
  $ 2,431     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 436     $ -     $ -     $ 2,867  
Post-modification 
  outstanding recorded
  investment
    2,324       -       -       -       396       -       -       2,720  
Charge offs against the allowance
  for loan loss for impairment 
  recognized at modification
      198         -         -         -         40         -         -         238  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Number of loans
    -       -       -       -       2       -       -       2  
Pre-modification outstanding 
  recorded investment
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 340     $ -     $ -     $ 340  
Post-modification outstanding 
  recorded investment
    -       -       -       -       277       -       -       277  
Charge offs against the allowance
  for loan loss for impairment 
  recognized at modification
      -         -         -         -         57         -         -         57  
 
Troubled debt restructuring defaults
                                                               
 
Originated and purchased loans
                                                               
Number of loans
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Outstanding recorded investment
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
 
Loans acquired at fair value
                                                               
Number of loans
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Outstanding recorded investment
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  




 
- 50 -
 
 

The following summarizes the modified terms applicable to TDRs restructured during the three months ended December 31, 2011 by loan type and includes the aggregate number of loans as well as the Company’s aggregate recorded investment in the TDRs prior to restructuring and its post-restructured recorded investment in the TDRs at December 31, 2011.

Residential Mortgage TDRs.
·  
Interest Rate Reduction with Capitalization of Prior Past Dues:  Three loans with aggregate pre- and post-restructured recorded investments totaling $921,000 and $914,000, respectively.
·  
Interest Rate Reduction with Maturity or Balloon Date Modification:  One loan with an aggregate pre- and post-restructured recorded investment totaling $63,000 and $51,000, respectively.
·  
Interest Rate Reduction with Capitalization of Prior Past Dues and Maturity or Balloon Date Modification:  One loan with an aggregate pre- and post-restructured recorded investment totaling $26,000 and $26,000, respectively.

Home Equity Loan TDRs.
·  
Interest Rate Reduction Only: Two with aggregate pre- and post-restructured recorded investments totaling $255,000 and $215,000, respectively.
·  
Interest Rate Reduction with Maturity or Balloon Date Modification:  One loan with an aggregate pre- and post-restructured recorded investment totaling $277,000 and $255,000, respectively.

The following summarizes the modified terms applicable to TDRs restructured during the six months ended December 31, 2011 by loan type and includes the aggregate number of loans as well as the Company’s aggregate recorded investment in the TDRs prior to restructuring and its post-restructured recorded investment in the TDRs at December 31, 2011.

Residential Mortgage TDRs.
·  
Interest Rate Reduction Only: Three loans with aggregate pre- and post-restructured recorded investments totaling $655,000 and $583,000, respectively.
·  
Interest Rate Reduction with Capitalization of Prior Past Dues:  Four loans with aggregate pre- and post-restructured recorded investments totaling $1,324,000 and $1,358,000, respectively.
·  
Interest Rate Reduction with Maturity or Balloon Date Modification:  One loan with an aggregate pre- and post-restructured recorded investment totaling $63,000 and $51,000, respectively.
·  
Interest Rate Reduction with Capitalization of Prior Past Dues and Maturity or Balloon Date Modification:  Two loans with an aggregate pre- and post-restructured recorded investment totaling $389,000 and $332,000, respectively.

Home Equity Loan TDRs.
·  
Interest Rate Reduction Only: Two with aggregate pre- and post-restructured recorded investments totaling $255,000 and $215,000, respectively.
·  
Interest Rate Reduction with Maturity or Balloon Date Modification:  One loan with an aggregate pre- and post-restructured recorded investment totaling $277,000 and $255,000, respectively.
·  
Interest Rate Reduction with Capitalization of Prior Past Dues and Maturity or Balloon Date Modification:  Two loans with an aggregate pre- and post-restructured recorded investment totaling $244,000 and $203,000, respectively.

 
- 51 -
 
 
12.  BENEFIT PLANS – COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC EXPENSE

The following table sets forth the aggregate net periodic benefit expense for the Bank’s Benefit Equalization Plan, Postretirement Welfare Plan and Directors’ Consultation and Retirement Plan:

   
Three Months
   
Six Months
 
   
Ended December 31,
   
Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(In Thousands)
   
(In Thousands)
 
                         
Service cost
  $ 39     $ 40     $ 77     $ 80  
Interest cost
    85       83       171       165  
Amortization of unrecognized past service
                               
   liability
    16       18       32       35  
Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial
                               
  gain
    (6 )     (1 )     (12 )     (1 )
                                 
Net periodic benefit expense
  $ 134     $ 140     $ 268     $ 279  


13.  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The guidance on fair value measurement establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 
Level 1:
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
     
 
Level 2:
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
     
 
Level 3:
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

In addition, the guidance requires the Company to disclose the fair value for assets and liabilities on both a recurring and non-recurring basis.


 
- 52 -
 
 

Those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
 

    Fair Value Measurements Using        
   
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
 
Significiant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
   


Balance
 
    (In Thousands)  
At December 31, 2011:
                       
Debt securities available for sale:
                       
                         
   Trust preferred securities
  $ -     $ 5,448     $ 1,000     $ 6,448  
   U.S. agency securities
    -       6,044       -       6,044  
   Obligations of political subdivisions
    -       512       -       512  
 
       Total debt securities
    -       12,004       1,000       13,004  
                                 
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale:
                               
                                 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
   Federal National Mortgage Association
    -       2,992       -       2,992  
Mortgage pass-through securities:
                               
    Government National Mortgage Association
    -       12,568       -       12,568  
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
    -       397,023       -       397,023  
    Federal National Mortgage Association
    -       812,639       -       812,639  
        Total mortgage-backed securities
    -       1,225,222       -       1,225,222  
                                 
         Total securities available for sale
  $ -     $ 1,237,226     $ 1,000     $ 1,238,226  


 
- 53 -

 


    Fair Value Measurements Using        
     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
    Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2) 
    Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3) 
    Balance   
At June 30, 2011:
                       
Debt securities available for sale:
                       
                         
   Trust preferred securities
  $ -     $ 6,447     $ 1,000     $ 7,447  
   U.S. agency securities
    -       6,591       -       6,591  
   Obligations of political subdivisions
    -       30,635       -       30,635  
 
       Total debt securities
    -       43,673       1,000       44,673  
                                 
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale:
                               
                                 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
   Federal National Mortgage Association
    -       3,465       -       3,465  
Mortgage pass-through securities:
                               
    Government National Mortgage Association
    -       13,581       -       13,581  
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
    -       390,448       -       390,448  
    Federal National Mortgage Association
    -       652,753       -       652,753  
        Total mortgage-backed securities
    -       1,060,247       -       1,060,247  
                                 
         Total securities available for sale
  $ -     $ 1,103,920     $ 1,000     $ 1,104,920  

The fair values of securities available for sale (carried at fair value) or held to maturity (carried at amortized cost) are primarily determined by obtaining matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs).

The Company holds a trust preferred security with a par value of $1.0 million, a de-facto obligation of Mercantil Commercebank Florida Bancorp, Inc., whose fair value has been determined by using Level 3 inputs.  It is a part of a $40.0 million private placement with a coupon of 8.90% issued in 1998 and maturing in 2028.  Generally management has been unable to obtain a market quote due to a lack of trading activity for this security.  Consequently, the security’s fair value as reported at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011 is based upon the present value of its expected future cash flows assuming
 
 
- 54 -
 
 
 
the security continues to meet all its payment obligations and utilizing a discount rate based upon the security’s contractual interest rate.  For the six months ended December 31, 2011, there were no purchases, sales, issuances, or settlements of assets or liabilities whose fair values are determined based upon Level 3 inputs on a recurring basis.

Those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below:

 
Fair Value Measurements Using
   
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
Balance
 
(In Thousands)
At December 31, 2011
                             
Impaired loans
 
$
        -
   
$
        -
   
$
8,952
   
$
8,952
Real estate owned
   
        -
     
        -
     
5,852
     
5,852
                               
At June 30, 2011
                             
Impaired loans
 
$
        -
   
$
        -
   
$
9,829
   
$
9,829
Real estate owned
   
        -
     
        -
     
224
     
224

An impaired loan is evaluated and valued at the time the loan is identified as impaired at the lower of cost or market value.  Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired.  Market value is measured based on the value of the collateral securing the loan and is classified at a Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.  Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment in accordance with the FASB’s guidance on accounting by creditors for impairment of a loan with the fair value estimated using the market value of the collateral reduced by estimated selling costs.  Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceeds the recorded investments in such loans.  Impaired loans are reviewed and evaluated on at least a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly.

At December 31, 2011, impaired loans valued using Level 3 inputs comprised loans with carrying values totaling $11.1 million and valuation allowances of $2.1 million reflecting fair values of $9.0 million.  By comparison, at June 30, 2011, impaired loans valued using Level 3 inputs comprised loans with carrying values totaling $16.2 million and valuation allowances of $6.4 million reflecting fair values of $9.8 million.

Once a loan is foreclosed, the fair value of the real estate owned continues to be evaluated based upon the market value of the repossessed real estate originally securing the loan.  At December 31, 2011, real estate owned whose carrying value was written down utilizing Level 3 inputs during the first six months of fiscal 2012 comprised eight properties with a fair value totaling $5.9 million.  By comparison, at June 30, 2011 real estate owned whose carrying value was written down utilizing Level 3 inputs included one property totaling $224,000.


 
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The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011:
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Interest Receivable and Interest Payable.  The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, interest receivable and interest payable approximate fair value because they mature in three months or less.

Securities.  See the discussion presented on Page 53 concerning assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Loans Receivable.  Except for certain impaired loans as previously discussed, the fair value of loans receivable is estimated by discounting the future cash flows, using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities, of such loans.

Loan Servicing Rights.  Fair value is based on market prices for comparable loan servicing contracts, when available, or alternately, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income.

Deposits.  The fair value of demand, savings and club accounts is equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date.  The fair value of certificates of deposit is estimated using rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.  The fair value estimates do not include the benefit that results from the low-cost funding provided by deposit liabilities compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market.

Advances from FHLB.  Fair value is estimated using rates currently offered for advances of similar remaining maturities.

Commitments.  The fair value of commitments to fund credit lines and originate or participate in loans is estimated using fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties.  For fixed rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest and the committed rates.  The carrying value, represented by the net deferred fee arising from the unrecognized commitment, and the fair value, determined by discounting the remaining contractual fee over the term of the commitment using fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements with similar credit risk, is not considered material for disclosure.  The contractual amounts of unfunded commitments are presented on Page 83.


 
- 56 -
 
 

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments are as follows:

    
December 31, 2011
   
At June 30, 2011
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair 
Value
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Financial assets:
                       
  Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 146,632     $ 146,632     $ 222,580     $ 222,580  
  Securities available for sale
    13,004       13,004       44,673       44,673  
  Securities held to maturity
    45,517       45,950       106,467       107,052  
  Loans receivable
    1,219,751       1,263,069       1,256,584       1,282,865  
  Mortgage-backed securities available for sale
    1,225,222       1,225,222       1,060,247       1,060,247  
  Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
    1,207       1,281       1,345       1,416  
  Loan servicing rights
    428       428       416       416  
  Interest receivable
    8,761       8,761       9,740       9,740  
                                 
Financial liabilities:
                               
  Deposits (A)
    2,117,246       2,129,299       2,149,353       2,159,867  
  Borrowings
    238,012       273,850       247,642       287,099  
  Interest payable on borrowings
    984       984       988       988  
 
(A) Includes accrued interest payable on deposits of $63,000 and $84,000, respectively, at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011.

Limitations.  Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the entire holdings of a particular financial instrument.  Because no market value exists for a significant portion of the financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors.  These estimates are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

The fair value estimates are based on existing on-and-off balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to value anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments.  Other significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets and liabilities include premises and equipment, and advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance.  In addition, the ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of the estimates.

Finally, reasonable comparability between financial institutions may not be likely due to the wide range of permitted valuation techniques and numerous estimates which must be made given the absence of active secondary markets for many of the financial instruments. This lack of uniform valuation methodologies introduces a greater degree of subjectivity to these estimated fair values.



 
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ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q may include certain forward-looking statements based on current management expectations.  Such forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may”, “will”, “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “continue”, or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of those terms.  The actual results of the Company could differ materially from those management expectations.  Factors that could cause future results to vary from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government, changes in tax policies, rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities.  Additional potential factors include changes in interest rates, deposit flows, cost of funds, demand for loan products, demand for financial services, competition, changes in the quality or composition of loan and investment portfolios of the Bank.  Other factors that could cause future results to vary from current management expectations include changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, and other economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services and prices.  Further description of the risks and uncertainties to the business are included in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Acquisition of Central Jersey

On November 30, 2010, the Company completed its acquisition of Central Jersey Bancorp (“Central Jersey”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Central Jersey Bank, National Association (“Central Jersey Bank”) as contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 25, 2010, by and among the Company, Kearny Federal Savings Bank, Central Jersey and Central Jersey Bank (the “Agreement”) in a tax-free reorganization.  The aggregate consideration for the acquisition was $82.1 million which included $70.5 million paid to the shareholders of Central Jersey to acquire all the outstanding shares of Central Jersey common stock at $7.50 per share and $11.6 million paid to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for the redemption of 11,300 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A and the related warrant issued to the U.S. Treasury under the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program.

As a result of the merger, the Company now has a total of 41 branches located in Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Morris, Middlesex, Monmouth, Essex, Union and Ocean Counties.  The Central Jersey Bank branches are currently being operated under the name “Central Jersey Bank, A Division of Kearny Federal Savings Bank” (“CJB Division”).

Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011

General.  Total assets decreased by $41.4 million to $2.86 billion at December 31, 2011 from $2.90 billion at June 30, 2011.  The decrease in total assets was primarily reflected in the decreased balances of cash and cash equivalents, non-mortgage-backed securities and loans which were partially offset by an increase in the balance of mortgage-backed securities.  The overall decrease in total assets was complemented by decreases in the balances of deposits and borrowings.
 
 
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Cash and Cash Equivalents.  Cash and cash equivalents, which consist of interest-earning and noninterest-earning deposits in other banks, decreased $75.9 million to $146.6 million at December 31, 2011 from $222.6 million at June 30, 2011.

In accordance with the overall goals of its strategic business plan, the Company may, at times, defer the reinvestment of excess liquidity into the investment portfolio in favor of retaining comparatively higher average balances of short term, liquid assets as a funding source for future loan originations.  Toward that end, the Bank’s pipeline of “in process” loans has generally increased compared to one year earlier due largely to the continued expansion of the Bank’s commercial loan origination resources including those acquired from Central Jersey.

 Notwithstanding the overall increase in the Bank’s loan origination pipeline, management had previously determined that the opportunity cost to earnings of maintaining a growing level of short-term liquid assets to fund potential loan growth outweighs the related benefits.  Consequently, a significant portion of the Company’s excess liquidity that had accumulated during prior periods was deployed into comparatively higher yielding mortgage-backed securities during the six months ended December 31, 2011.  The Company expects to continue to maintain the average balance of interest-earning cash and equivalents at comparatively lower levels than had been previously reported during recent preceding quarters.  Management will continue to monitor the level of short term, liquid assets in relation to the expected need for such liquidity to fund the Company’s strategic initiatives.  The Company may alter its liquidity reinvestment strategies based upon the timing and relative success of those initiatives.

Securities Available for Sale.  Non-mortgage-backed securities classified as available for sale decreased by $31.7 million to $13.0 million at December 31, 2011 from $44.7 million at June 30, 2011.  The net decrease in the portfolio primarily reflected the repayment of maturing municipal securities during the first six months of fiscal 2012.  At December 31, 2011, the available for sale non-mortgage-backed securities portfolio consisted of $6.4 million of single issuer trust preferred securities, $6.0 million of SBA pass-through certificates and $512,000 of municipal obligations with amortized costs of $8.9 million, $6.0 million and $512,000, respectively.

The net unrealized loss for this portfolio increased by $919,000 to $2.4 million at December 31, 2011 from $1.5 million at June 30, 2011.  The increase in the net unrealized loss was primarily attributable to a decline in the fair value of the Company’s investment in single issuer, trust preferred securities whose unrealized losses increased by $1.0 million to $2.4 million at December 31, 2011 from $1.4 million at June 30, 2011.  The decline in market value coincided with Moody's Investors Service rating downgrade of the Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) trust preferred securities held by the Company from Baa3 to Ba1 during September 2011.  As discussed in greater detail above, management has concluded that the impairment within this segment of the portfolio, including that relating to the BAC trust preferred securities, is not “other-than-temporary” at December 31, 2011.

Additional information regarding available for sale securities at December 31, 2011 is presented in Note 8 and Note 10 of the consolidated financial statements.

Securities Held to Maturity.  Non-mortgage-backed securities classified as held to maturity decreased by $61.0 million to $45.5 million at December 31, 2011 from $106.5 million at June 30, 2011.  The net decline in the balance of the portfolio primarily reflected the repayment of U.S. agency debentures called by the issuers prior to their maturities.  At December 31, 2011, the held to maturity non-mortgage-backed securities portfolio included $43.0 million of U.S. agency debentures.  Of those debentures, $33.0 million mature within one to five years while $10.0 million mature in greater than ten years.  Non-mortgage backed securities held to maturity at December 31, 2011 also included $2.6 million of short term municipal obligations that mature within one year.  Based on its evaluation, management
 
 
- 59 -
 
 
 
has concluded that no other-than-temporary impairment is present within this segment of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2011.

Additional information regarding held to maturity securities at December 31, 2011 is presented in Note 9 and Note 10 to consolidated financial statements.

Loans Receivable.  Loans receivable, net of unamortized premiums, deferred costs and the allowance for loan losses, decreased by $36.8 million to $1.22 billion at December 31, 2011 from $1.26 billion at June 30, 2011.  The decrease in net loans receivable was primarily attributable to loan repayments that outpaced new loan originations during the first six months of fiscal 2012.

Residential mortgage loans, in aggregate, decreased by $45.7 million to $709.7 million at December 31, 2011 from $755.3 million at June 30, 2011.  The components of the aggregate decrease included a net reduction in the balance of one-to-four family first mortgage loans of $36.6 million to $574.3 million at December 31, 2011 as well as net decreases in the balance of home equity loans and home equity lines of credit of $8.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, whose ending balances at December 31, 2011 were $103.5 million and $31.8 million, respectively.  The reduction in the balance of residential mortgage loans reflects management’s continued adherence to its disciplined pricing policy coupled with the effects of diminished loan demand in the marketplace arising from challenging economic conditions and declining real estate values which have adversely impacted residential real estate purchase and refinancing activity.  In total, residential mortgage loan origination and purchase volume for the six months ended December 31, 2011 was $25.9 million and $5.1 million, respectively, while aggregate originations of home equity loans and home equity lines of credit totaled $17.3 million for that same period.

Commercial loans, in aggregate, increased by $6.9 million to $495.6 million at December 31, 2011 from $488.7 million at June 30, 2011.  The components of the aggregate increase included increases in commercial mortgage loans totaling $15.1 million that were partially offset by a decline in commercial business loans of $8.2 million.  The ending balances of commercial mortgage loans and commercial business loans at December 31, 2011 were $398.8 million and $96.8 million, respectively.  Commercial loan origination volume for the first six months of fiscal 2012 totaled $22.2 million comprising $17.0 million and $5.2 million of commercial mortgage and commercial business loans originations, respectively.  The increase in commercial loans for the six months ended December 31, 2011 also reflected purchases of commercial mortgage loan participations totaling $22.3 million.

The outstanding balance of construction loans, net of loans-in-process, decreased by $1.3 million to $20.3 million at December 31, 2011 from $21.6 million at June 30, 2011.  Construction loan disbursements for first six months of fiscal 2012 totaled $4.9 million.

Finally, other loans, primarily comprising account loans, deposit account overdraft lines of credit and other consumer loans, increased $255,000 to $4.0 million at December 31, 2011 from $3.8 million at June 30, 2011.  Other loan originations for the first six months of fiscal 2012 totaled approximately $1.5 million.

Nonperforming Loans.  For the six months ended December 31, 2011, nonperforming loans increased by $4.2 million to $39.1 million or 3.18% of total loans from $35.0 million or 2.76% of total loans as of June 30, 2011.  The comparative increase in nonperforming loans was attributable, in part, to the addition of three commercial nonresidential mortgage loan with aggregate outstanding balances at December 31, 2011 of $4.6 million.  The first loan with an outstanding balance at December 31, 2011 of $1.9 million, is secured by a full service car wash facility also located in northern New Jersey with the borrower working cooperatively with the Bank as the loan progresses through the collection and workout
 
 
- 60 -
 
 
 
processes.  The second loan, with an outstanding balance at December 31, 2011 of $1.7 million, is secured by a retail strip center in which the borrower's anchor tenant filed for bankruptcy and closed numerous outlets nationwide.  The borrower has filled the vacancy with a new anchor tenant and is in discussions with the Bank to reinstate the loan.  The third loan, with an outstanding balance at December 31, 2011 of $1.7 million, financed the development of a retail facility that was to be occupied by a regional dollar store.  The Bank has contacted the borrower in an effort to reinstate the loan.

In addition to the additions noted above, the change in the aggregate balance of nonperforming loans reflected the addition of several nonaccrual loans with comparatively smaller principal balances across a variety of loan categories that were more than offset by the combined effects of nonaccrual loan reinstatements, payoffs and charge offs.

At December 31, 2011, nonperforming loans comprised $1.2 million of “accruing loans over 90 days past due” and $37.9 million of “nonaccrual” loans compared to balances of $16.7 million and $18.3 million, respectively, at June 30, 2011.  A significant portion of the non-performing loans reported as “accruing loans over 90 days past due” during prior periods were originally acquired from Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. (“Countrywide”) and continue to be serviced by their acquirer, Bank of America through its subsidiary, BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP (“BOA”).  In accordance with our agreement, BOA advances scheduled principal and interest payments to the Bank when such payments are not made by the borrower.  During those earlier periods, the timely receipt of principal and interest from the servicer resulted in such loans being reported in that manner.  However, the delinquency status reported for these nonperforming loans continued to reflect the borrower’s actual delinquency irrespective of the Bank’s receipt of advances.  In recognition that advances would ultimately be recouped by BOA from the Bank in the event the borrower did not reinstate the loan, the Bank included its obligation to refund such advances to the servicer, where applicable, in its impairment analyses of such loans.

Notwithstanding its prior practice, at December 31, 2011 the Bank reclassified the applicable nonperforming BOA loans from “accruing loans over 90 days past due” to “nonaccrual”.  The reclassification of the loans to nonaccrual status did not have a significant impact on interest income during the quarter ended December 31, 2011.  However, future interest payments received on the applicable BOA loans will be applied to reduce the carrying value of the loan for financial statement purposes rather than being recognized as interest income.

In total, the 36 nonperforming Countrywide loans totaled $12.7 million or 32.4% of total nonperforming loans at December 31, 2011.  As of that same date, the Bank owned a total of 124 residential mortgage loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $59.1 million that were originally acquired from Countrywide.  Of these loans, an additional six loans totaling $2.5 million are 30-89 days past due and are in various stages of collection.

Including the Countrywide loans noted above, nonperforming residential first mortgage loans at December 31, 2011 included a total of 59 mortgage loans with aggregate outstanding balances of $17.6 million comprising 58 nonaccrual loans with outstanding balances of $17.5 million plus one accruing loan over 90 days past due with an outstanding balance of $89,000.

As of that same date, nonperforming loans included a total of 17 nonaccrual home equity loans totaling $1.6 million and one nonaccrual home equity line of credit totaling $87,000.

A total of four nonaccrual construction loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $1.8 million were reported as nonperforming at December 31, 2011.

 
- 61 -
 
 
Nonperforming commercial mortgage loans at December 31, 2011 included 22 nonaccrual loans with aggregate outstanding balances totaling $11.0 million.

Commercial business loans reported as nonperforming at December 31, 2011 included 23 loans totaling $7.0 million including six loans totaling $1.1 million reported as 90 days or more past due and still accruing with the remaining 17 loans totaling $5.9 million reported as nonaccrual.

Finally, nonperforming loans at December 31, 2011 included five nonaccrual consumer loans totaling $23,000.

Allowance for Loan Losses.  During the six months ended December 31, 2011, the balance of the allowance for loan losses decreased by approximately $3.2 million to $8,596,000 or 0.70% of total loans at December 31, 2011 from $11,767,000 or 0.93% of total loans at June 30, 2011.  The decrease resulted from charge offs, net of recoveries, totaling $5,559,000 that were partially offset by additional provisions of $2,388,000 during the six months ended December 31, 2011.

With regard to loans individually evaluated for impairment, the balance of the Company’s allowance for loan losses attributable to such loans decreased by $4,266,000 to $2,095,000 at December 31, 2011 from $6,361,000 at June 30, 2011.  The balance at December 31, 2011 reflected the impairment identified on $7.5 million of impaired loans while an additional $36.1 million of impaired loans had no impairment as of that date.  By comparison, the balance of the allowance at June 30, 2011 reflected the impairment identified on $16.2 million of impaired loans while an additional $21.1 million of impaired loans had no impairment as of that date. The outstanding balances of impaired loans reflect the cumulative effects of various adjustments including, but not limited to, purchase accounting valuations and prior charge offs, where applicable, which are considered in the evaluation of impairment.
 
The decline in loan impairment and the associated valuation allowances between comparative periods largely reflects the changes to the Company’s classification of assets and allowance for loan loss methodologies described in Note 11 of the financial statements.  Such changes resulted in the charge off of certain loan impairments during the current period for which valuation allowances had been established during prior periods.

With regard to loans evaluated collectively for impairment, the balance of the Company’s allowance for loan losses attributable to such loans increased by $1,328,000 to $6,501,000 at December 31, 2011 from $5,173,000 at June 30, 2011.  The reported net increase in this portion of the allowance for loan losses was generally attributable to changes to the Company’s historical and environment loss factors whose effects were partially offset by an overall decline in the outstanding balance of the applicable portion of the loan portfolio against which such loss factors are applied.

Regarding environmental loss factors, changes to such factors during the six months ended December 31, 2011 partly reflected increases in the level of nonperforming loans and associated losses within certain specific segments of the loan portfolio.  By contrast, the environmental factors relating to those segments of the portfolio that have not demonstrated a significant and sustained increase in the level of nonperforming loans and losses have remained generally stable or have increased modestly for the reasons noted below.

Certain categories of loans within the Company’s portfolio have experienced a noteworthy increase in the level of nonperforming loans which has coincided with an associated increase in losses recognized on such loans. Consequently, the environmental loss factors utilized to estimate the probable losses within these categories of the portfolio have increased.

 
- 62 -
 
 
For example, for the six months ended December 31, 2011, total nonperforming loans, including nonaccrual loans and accruing loans 90 days or more past due, increased $4.2 million from $35.0 million at June 30, 2011 to $39.1 million at December 31, 2011.  For that same six month period, the aggregate level of impairment identified on such loans decreased by $4.2 million, as noted above.  However, such reductions largely reflected the increase in net charge offs which totaled $5.6 million over the same six month period.

The reported net increase in nonperforming loans was partly attributable to the addition of loans that were originally acquired through the Company’s merger with Central Jersey.  All loans acquired from Central Jersey were initially recorded at fair value reflecting any impairment identified on such loans at that time.  However, the reported increase in losses, as reflected in the net charge offs, less the aggregate decline in impairment from period to period, includes those identified on loans acquired from Central Jersey resulting in additional valuation allowances being established during the six months ended December 31, 2011.
 
In recognition of the increase in the level of nonperforming loans and associated impairment attributable to such loans, the Company has modified the following environmental loss factor applicable to the Central Jersey loans from June 30, 2011 to December 31, 2011:

.  • Level of and trends in nonperforming loans: Increased (+3) from “0” to “3” reflecting continuing increases in the level of nonperforming loans and associated losses within the portfolio segment.

Given their recent acquisition at fair value, the environmental loss factors established for the Central Jersey loans generally reflect a comparatively lower level of risk than those applicable to the remaining portfolio.  In accordance with the methodology described earlier, the Company has assigned a risk rating of “3” to a total of three environmental loss factors resulting in a total of nine basis points of allowance being allocated to the applicable loans at December 31, 2011.  The level of environmental loss factors attributable to these loans will continue to be monitored and adjusted to reflect the Company’s best judgment as to the level of expected losses on the loans acquired from Central Jersey that are collectively evaluated for impairment.

The Company continues to realize losses attributable to the continuing deterioration of loan quality within the specific segment of the residential mortgage loan portfolio that was originally acquired from Countrywide.  Such loans continue to be serviced by their acquirer, BOA, where the collections and foreclosure processes have been subjected to extended delays.  Such losses are evidenced not only by increases in impairment, but also by outright charge offs attributable to payoff deficiencies negotiated by the servicer.  In recognition of these additional losses, coupled with the expectation for continuing delays in the foreclosure process, the Company has increased the level of environmental loss factors attributable to loans within this specific segment of the residential mortgage loan portfolio that are evaluated collectively for impairment.

From June 30, 2011 to December 31, 2011, the risk rating assigned to the following environmental loss factor attributable to the BOA loans was increased to the level noted:

Level of and trends in nonperforming loans: Increased (+3) from “12” to “15” reflecting continued increases in the level of nonperforming loans and associated losses within the portfolio segment.

In combination with those that remained unchanged from period to period, total environmental factors applicable to this segment of the residential mortgage loan portfolio increased from 66 basis points
 
 
- 63 -
 
 
at June 30, 2011 to 69 basis points at December 31, 2011.  The level of environmental loss factors attributable to these loans will continue to be monitored and adjusted to reflect the Company’s best judgment as to the level of expected losses on the loans acquired from Countrywide that are collectively evaluated for impairment.

Changes to environmental loss factors during the six months ended December 31, 2011 also reflected the changes to the Company’s allowance for loan loss methodologies described in Note 11 of the financial statements which included incorporating the Company’s existing credit-rating classification system into the calculation of environmental loss factors by loan type.  By implementing this change, the environmental loss factors applicable to any loan type are “weighted” based upon internal credit-rating resulting in a reallocation of the applicable portion of the allowance toward comparatively riskier assets.  Implementation of this change did not have a significant impact to the overall balance of the allowance attributable to environmental loss factors.

In conjunction with the effects of the decline in the outstanding balance of the applicable loans, the noted changes to environmental loss factors resulted in a decrease of $101,000 in the applicable portion of the allowance for loan losses to $4,334,000 at December 31, 2011 from $4,435,000 at June 30, 2011.

With regard to historical loss factors, the Company’s loan portfolio experienced a net annualized average charge-off rate of 89 basis points during the six months ended December 31, 2011 representing an increase of 77 basis points from the 12 basis points of charge offs reported for fiscal 2011.  The increase in charge offs largely reflects the changes to the Company’s classification of assets and allowance for loan loss methodologies described in Note 11 of the financial statements.  Such changes resulted in the charge off of certain loan impairments during the current period for which valuation allowances had been established during prior periods.

  In conjunction with the net changes to the outstanding balance of the applicable loans, the increase in the historical loss factors attributable to the increased level of actual charge offs during the six months ended December 31, 2011 resulted in a net increase of $1,429,000 in the applicable valuation allowances to $2,167,000 at December 31, 2011 from $738,000 at June 30, 2011.

The changes in the Company’s historical loss factors from June 30, 2011 to December 31, 2011 reflect the effect of actual charge off and recovery activity on the average charge off rates calculated by the Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology, as described earlier.  As seen below, the net charge off activity has been concentrated in a limited number of categories in the loan portfolio with the greatest impact reflected in the purchased residential mortgage loan, construction loan and multi-family mortgage loan portfolios.

The tables on the following pages present the historical and environmental loss factors, reported as a percentage of outstanding loan principal, that were the basis for computing the portion of the allowance for loan losses attributable to loans collectively evaluated for impairment at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011.

 
- 64 -
 
 


Allowance for Loan Losses
Allocation of Loss Factors on Loans Collectively Evaluated for Impairment
at December 31, 2011
    Loan Category
 
Historical
Loss
Factors
 
Environmental
Loss Factors (2)
 
Total
 
Residential mortgage loans
           
Originated
 
0.02%
 
0.30%
 
0.32%
Purchased
 
1.75%
 
0.69%
 
2.44%
Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.09%
 
0.09%
 
Home equity loans
           
Originated
 
0.04%
 
0.36%
 
0.40%
Acquired in merger
 
0.10%
 
0.09%
 
0.19%
 
Home equity lines of credit
           
Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.36%
 
0.36%
Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.09%
 
0.09%
 
Construction loans
           
1-4 family
           
   Originated
 
2.98%
 
0.72%
 
3.70%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.09%
 
0.09%
Multi-family
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.09%
 
0.09%
Nonresidential
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.09%
 
0.09%
 
Commercial mortgage loans
           
Multi-family
           
   Originated
 
0.24%
 
0.72%
 
0.96%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.09%
 
0.09%
Nonresidential
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.09%
 
0.09%
 
Commercial business loans
           
Secured (1-4 family)
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.09%
 
0.09%
Secured (Other)
           
   Originated
 
0.04%
 
0.72%
 
0.76%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.35%
 
0.09%
 
0.44%
Unsecured
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.09%
 
0.09%

 
- 65 -
 
 


Allowance for Loan Losses
Allocation of Loss Factors on Loans Collectively Evaluated for Impairment
at December 31, 2011 (continued)
    Loan Category
 
Historical
Loss
Factors
 
Environmental
Loss Factors (2)
 
Total
SBA 7A
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.76%
   Acquired in merger
 
1.97%
 
0.09%
 
2.06%
SBA Express
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
6.10%
 
0.09%
 
6.19%
    SBA Line of Credit
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.09%
 
0.09%
SBA Other
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.09%
 
0.09%
 
Other consumer loans (1)
 
-
 
-
 
-
________________________________________________
(1)  The Company generally maintains an environmental loss factor of 0.27% on other consumer loans while historical loss factors range from 0.00% to 100.00% based on loan type. Resulting balances in the allowance for loan losses are immaterial and therefore excluded from the presentation.
 
(2)  ”Base” environmental factors reported excluding the effect of “weights” attributable to internal credit-rating classification as follows: “Pass-1”: 70%, “Pass-2”: 80%, “Pass-3”: 90%, “Pass-4”: 100%, “Watch”: 200%, “Special Mention”: 400%, “Substandard”: 600%, “Doubtful”: 800%.  (e.g. Environmental loss factor applicable to originated residential mortgage loan rated as “Substandard”: 0.30% X 600% = 1.8%)


 
- 66 -
 
 


Allowance for Loan Losses
Allocation of Loss Factors on Loans Collectively Evaluated for Impairment
at June 30, 2011
    Loan Category
 
Historical
Loss
Factors
 
Environmental
Loss Factors
 
Total
 
Residential mortgage loans
           
Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.30%
 
0.30%
Purchased
 
0.40%
 
0.66%
 
1.06%
Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
 
Home equity loans
           
Originated
 
0.01%
 
0.36%
 
0.37%
Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
 
Home equity lines of credit
           
Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.36%
 
0.36%
Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
 
Construction loans
           
1-4 family
           
   Originated
 
3.11%
 
0.72%
 
3.83%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
Multi-family
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
Nonresidential
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
 
Commercial mortgage loans
           
Multi-family
           
   Originated
 
0.55%
 
0.72%
 
1.27%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
Nonresidential
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
 
Commercial business loans
           
Secured (1-4 family)
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
Secured (Other)
           
   Originated
 
0.04%
 
0.72%
 
0.76%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
Unsecured
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%

 
- 67 -
 
 


Allowance for Loan Losses
Allocation of Loss Factors on Loans Collectively Evaluated for Impairment
at June 30, 2011 (continued)
    Loan Category
 
Historical
Loss
Factors
 
Environmental
Loss Factors
 
Total
SBA 7A
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
SBA Express
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
    SBA Line of Credit
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
SBA Other
           
   Originated
 
0.00%
 
0.72%
 
0.72%
   Acquired in merger
 
0.00%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
 
Other consumer loans (1)
 
-
 
-
 
-
________________________________________________
(1)  The Company generally maintains an environmental loss factor of 0.27% on other consumer loans while historical loss factors range from 0.00% to 100.00% based on loan type. Resulting balances in the allowance for loan losses are immaterial and therefore excluded from the presentation.


 
- 68 -
 
 

Finally, the change in the allowance for loan losses for the six months ended December 31, 2011 also reflected the elimination of the unallocated portion of the Company’s allowance for loan loss which totaled $233,000 at June 30, 2011.  The unallocated portion of the allowance previously represented the amount by which the ALLL exceeded the required amount as calculated in accordance with the Company’s ALLL calculation methodology.  The unallocated balance, whose balance had remained substantially unchanged since fiscal 2009, was generally attributed to probable losses within the loan portfolio relating to environmental factors within one or more non-specified loan segments.  The refinements to the Company’s ALLL calculation methodology during the first six months of fiscal 2012, as discussed earlier, precluded the need to continuing carrying the unallocated portion of the allowance.

Additional information regarding loan quality and allowance for loan losses is presented in Note 11 to consolidated financial statements.

Mortgage-backed Securities Available for Sale.  Mortgage-backed securities available for sale, including agency pass-through securities as well as agency collateralized mortgage obligations, increased $165.0 million to $1.23 billion at December 31, 2011 from $1.06 billion at June 30, 2011.  The net increase primarily reflects purchases of fixed rate, agency mortgage-backed securities that were partially offset by cash repayment of principal net of discount accretion and premium amortization and an increase in the unrealized gain on such securities.  The purchases of the mortgage-backed securities during the six months ended December 31, 2011 were comprised of fixed-rate, amortizing securities with maturities of 10 and 15 years totaling $297.7 million.  Such purchases were augmented with purchases of 30 year, fixed-rate amortizing securities totaling $14.1 million that are eligible to meet the Community Reinvestment Act investment test during the reporting period.  Based on its evaluation, management has concluded that no other-than-temporary impairment is present within this segment of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2011.

Additional information regarding available for sale securities at December 31, 2011 is presented in Note 8 and Note 10 to consolidated financial statements.

Mortgage-backed Securities Held to Maturity.  Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity, including agency pass-through securities as well as agency and non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations, decreased $138,000 to $1.2 million at December 31, 2011 from $1.3 million at June 30, 2011.  The decrease was primarily attributable to cash repayment of principal net of discount accretion and premium amortization coupled with the sale of one security whose credit rating had declined below investments grade making it eligible for sale from the held to maturity portfolio.  At December 31, 2011, the Company's remaining portfolio of non-agency CMOs included 11 held-to-maturity securities totaling $162,000 of which 10 securities totaling $146,000 were impaired but retained their investment grade rating by one or more rating agencies.   Based on its evaluation, management has concluded that no other-than-temporary impairment is present within this segment of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2011.
 
Additional information regarding held to maturity securities at December 31, 2011 is presented in Note 9 and Note 10 to consolidated financial statements.

Other Assets.  The balance of other assets remained generally stable from June 30, 2011 to December 31, 2011 with modest declines reported in interest receivable, prepaid expenses and other receivables relating to income taxes resulting from normal operating fluctuations in such balances.

The balance of real estate owned ("REO"), included in other assets, decreased by $1.1 million to $6.4 million at December 31, 2011 from $7.5 million at June 30, 2011 while the number of properties held in REO increased from eight to ten as of the same dates, respectively.  The net change in the carrying value and
 
 
- 69 -
 
 
number of REO properties reflected the acquisition of three properties less the sale of one property during the period coupled with the cumulative write downs of several properties to reflect reductions in expected sales prices below the fair values at which the properties were previously being carried.

Deposits.  The balance of total deposits decreased by $32.1 million to $2.12 billion at December 31, 2011 from $2.15 billion at June 30, 2011.  The net decline in deposit balances reflected a decrease in the balance of certificates of deposit of $35.0 million coupled with decreases in the balance of interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing checking accounts of $1.4 million and $4.5 million, respectively.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase in the balance of savings accounts of $8.8 million.  The decline in the balance of certificates of deposit was largely attributable to the Company’s active management of deposit pricing during the six month period ended December 31, 2011 to support net interest spread and margin which allowed for some degree of controlled outflow of non-core deposits.

Borrowings.  The balance of borrowings decreased by $9.6 million to $238.0 million at December 31, 2011 from $247.6 million at June 30, 2011.  The decrease was primarily attributable to a $9.5 million decline in the balance of customer sweep accounts to $26.7 million at December 31, 2011.  Sweep accounts are short term borrowings representing funds that are withdrawn from a customer’s noninterest-bearing deposit account and invested in an uninsured overnight investment account that is collateralized by specified investment securities owned by the Bank.  The decrease in the balance of customer sweep accounts coupled with a $114,000 decline in the balance of FHLB advances for the same period to $211.3 million resulting primarily from scheduled principal repayments associated with an amortizing advance.

Stockholders’ Equity.  Stockholders’ equity decreased by $1.3 million to $486.6 million at December 31, 2011 from $487.9 million at June 30, 2011.  The decrease in stockholders’ equity reflected an increase in Treasury stock of $7.1 million reflecting the Company’s repurchase of 770,706 of its common shares during the six months ended December 31, 2011.  The decease in stockholders’ equity attributable to share repurchases was partially offset by net income of $2.5 million for the six months ended December 31, net of $1.6 million in dividends paid to shareholders.  The decrease in stockholders' equity was partially offset by increases in paid-in-capital and reductions of unearned ESOP shares relating to the offsets of benefit plan expenses during the year while other comprehensive income increased $4.0 million arising from mark-to-market adjustments to the available for sale securities portfolios and benefit plan adjustments.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010

General.  The Company reported net income of $470,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2011 or $0.01 per diluted share; an increase of $475,000 compared to a net loss of $5,000, or $0.00 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The increase in net income between comparative quarters reflected an increase in net interest income and declines in noninterest expense and the provision for income taxes that were partially offset by a decline in non-interest income and an increase in the provision for loan losses.  The variances noted were partly attributable to the Company’s acquisition of Central Jersey which was completed on November 30, 2010.
 
 
Net Interest Income. Net interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2011 was $17.4 million, an increase of $1.5 million from $15.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The increase in net interest income between the comparative periods resulted from an increase in interest income coupled with a concurrent decrease in interest expense.  In general, the increase in interest income was primarily attributable to comparative increases in the overall average balance of interest-earning assets that were partially offset by an overall decrease in their yield between comparative periods.  
 
 
- 70 -
 
 
 
The decrease in interest expense primarily reflected a continued decline in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities that more than offset the effect of an increase in their average balance.  The overall increases in the average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities reflected, in part, the timing of the Central Jersey acquisition through which its acquired balances were only reflected in the final month of earlier comparative quarter ended December 31, 2010 compared to such balances being fully reflected during the entire quarter ended December 31, 2011.

As a result of these factors, the Company’s net interest rate spread decreased two basis points to 2.45% for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from 2.47% for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The decrease in the net interest rate spread reflected a decline in the yield on earning assets of 35 basis points to 3.75% from 4.10% that was partially offset by a 33 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 1.30% from 1.63% by for the same comparative periods.  A discussion of the factors contributing to the overall change in yield on earning assets and cost of interest-bearing liabilities is presented in the separate discussion and analysis of interest income and interest expense below.

The factors contributing to the increase in net interest rate spread were also reflected in the Company’s net interest margin.  However, those effects were exacerbated by other factors resulting in a six basis point decline in the Company’s net interest margin to 2.65% for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from 2.71% for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The additional factors resulting in the comparatively larger decline in net interest margin include the foregone interest income associated with use of earning assets to fund the Company’s share repurchase programs.  For the three months ended December 31, 2011, the average balance of treasury stock increased by $6.4 million to $64.5 million from $58.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.

Interest Income.  Total interest income increased $643,000 to $24.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $24.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  As noted above, the increase in interest income reflected a $288.5 million increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets to $2.63 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $2.35 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The increase to interest income resulting from the higher average balance of interest-earning assets was partially offset by a 35 basis point decline in their average yield to 3.75% from 4.10% for those same comparative periods.

Interest income from loans increased $1.3 million to $16.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $14.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The increase in interest income on loans was attributable to an increase in their average balance that was partially offset by a decline in their average yield.

  The average balance of loans increased by $132.3 million to $1.23 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $1.10 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The reported increase in the average balance of loans included a net increase of $155.5 million in the average aggregate balance of commercial loans to $485.3 million from $329.8 million for those same comparative periods.  The Company’s commercial loans generally comprise commercial mortgage loans, including multi-family and nonresidential mortgage loans, as well as secured and unsecured commercial business loans.  The increase largely reflects the Company’s acquisition of Central Jersey and, to a lesser degree, the organic growth resulting from its long-term expanded strategic emphasis in commercial lending.

 The increase in the average balance of commercial loans was partially offset by a $32.5 million decline in the average balance of residential mortgage loans to $727.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $760.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The Company’s residential mortgages generally comprise one-to-four family first mortgage loans, home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. The decline in the average balance of residential mortgage loans primarily
 
 
- 71 -
 
 
 
reflects diminished residential loan demand by qualified borrowers coupled with the Company’s disciplined pricing for such loans in the face of aggressive pricing in the marketplace for certain loan products.  The decline in residential mortgage loans attributable to these factors was modestly offset by the addition of loans acquired from Central Jersey.

The increase in interest income on loans attributable to the increase in their average balances was partially offset by a decrease in their average yields which declined 15 basis points to 5.25% for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from 5.40% for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The reduction in the overall yield on the Company’s loan portfolio generally reflects the effect of lower market interest rates which provides “rate reduction” refinancing incentive to borrowers while also contributing to the downward re-pricing of adjustable rate loans.

In general, because the Company’s commercial loans comprise comparatively higher yielding multi-family mortgages, nonresidential mortgage loans and business loans, the continued reallocation within the loan portfolio from residential mortgages into commercial loans partially offset the adverse impact of lower market interest rates on the overall yield of the loan portfolio between the comparative periods.  However, the incremental impact on the average yield of the loan portfolio resulting specifically from the Central Jersey acquisition reflects loans being acquired at their fair value and the ongoing recognition of interest income on those acquired loans at yields that reflect the historically low interest rates prevalent in the marketplace at the time of acquisition.

Interest income from mortgage-backed securities increased $636,000 to $7.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $7.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The increase in interest income reflected an increase in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities that was partially offset by a decrease in their average yield.  The average balance of the securities increased $314.4 million to $1.17 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $853.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  For those same comparative periods, the average yield on mortgage-backed securities declined 70 basis points to 2.72% from 3.42%.

The increase in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities reflects, in part, security purchases that have outpaced the level of principal repayments and security sales.  However, the increase in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities also reflects the addition of securities resulting from the acquisition of Central Jersey.

The reduction in the overall yield of the mortgage-backed securities portfolio is attributable to many of the same factors affecting the yield on the Company’s loan portfolio.  That is, lower market interest rates have continued to provide a “rate reduction” refinancing incentive to mortgagors resulting in the pay off of comparatively higher rate mortgage loans underlying the Company’s mortgage-backed securities which have been replaced by lower yield securities.  Additionally, the yields on mortgage- backed securities acquired from Central Jersey reflect their acquisition at fair value and the ongoing recognition of interest income at yields that reflect the historically low interest rates prevalent in the marketplace at the time of acquisition.

Interest income from non-mortgage-backed securities decreased $1.3 million to $345,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The decrease in interest income reflected a decrease in the average balance of non-mortgage-backed securities coupled with a decline in their average yield.  The average balance of these securities decreased $228.8 million to $74.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $303.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  For those same comparative periods, the average yield on non-mortgage-backed securities decreased by 28 basis points to 1.85% from 2.13%.

 
- 72 -
 
 
The decrease in the average balance of non-mortgage backed securities was primarily attributable to a $182.3 million decrease in the average balance of taxable securities to $70.9 million during the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $253.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  For those same comparative periods, the average balance of tax-exempt securities decreased by $46.5 million to $3.6 million from $50.1 million.  The net change in the average yield on non-mortgage backed securities reflected a decrease of 30 basis points in the yield of taxable securities to 1.88% during the three months ended December 31, 2011 from 2.18% during the three months ended December 31, 2010 while the average yield on tax-exempt securities declined 63 basis points to 1.27% from 1.90%.

The reduction in the overall yield of the non-mortgage-backed securities portfolio is also attributable to many of the same factors affecting the yield on the Company’s loan and mortgage-backed securities portfolios.  These factors include the effects of lower market interest rates on the portfolio as funds are reinvested at lower market interest rates.  Similarly, the yields on non-mortgage-backed securities acquired from Central Jersey reflect their acquisition at fair value and the ongoing recognition of interest income at yields that reflect the historically low interest rates prevalent in the marketplace at the time of acquisition.

Interest income from other interest-earning assets decreased $59,000 to $182,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $241,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The decrease in interest income was primarily attributable to a decline in their average yield that was partially offset by an increase in their average balance.  The average yield on other interest-earning assets decreased 66 basis points to 0.46% for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from 1.12% for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  For those same comparative periods, the average balance of other interest-earning assets increased by $70.6 million to $156.8 million from $86.2 million.

Interest Expense.  Total interest expense decreased $903,000 to $7.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $8.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  As noted earlier, the decrease in interest expense reflected a decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities which declined 33 basis points to 1.30% for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from 1.63% for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The decrease in the average cost was partially offset by an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $241.6 million to $2.24 billion from $2.00 billion for the same comparative periods.

Interest expense attributed to deposits decreased $792,000 to $5.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $6.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The decrease in interest expense was attributable to a decline in the average cost of deposits that was partially offset by an increase in their average balance.

  The cost of interest-bearing deposits declined by 32 basis points to 1.05% for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from 1.37% for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The reported decrease in the average cost was reflected across all categories of interest-bearing deposits and was primarily attributable to the overall declines in market interest rates.  For those comparative periods, average cost of interest-bearing checking accounts decreased by 36 basis points to 0.57% from 0.93%, the average cost of savings accounts decreased 26 basis points to 0.31% from 0.57% while the average cost of certificates of deposit declined 29 basis points to 1.50% from 1.79%.

The decrease in the average cost was partially offset by a $243.1 million increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits to $2.00 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $1.75 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The reported increase in the average balance was represented across all categories of interest-bearing deposits and reflected the Company’s acquisition of Central Jersey coupled with its strategic efforts to organically increase its deposit base.  For
 
 
- 73 -
 
 
those same comparative periods, the average balance of interest-bearing checking accounts increased $106.8 million to $450.7 million from $343.9 million, the average balance of savings accounts increased $49.4 million to $405.8 million from $356.4 million and the average balance of certificates of deposit increased $87.0 million to $1.14 billion from $1.05 billion.

Interest expense attributed to borrowings decreased by $111,000 to $2.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $2.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The decrease in interest expense on borrowings reflected a decrease in their average cost coupled with a decrease in their average balance.  The average cost of borrowings declined 16 basis points to 3.31% for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from 3.47% the three months ended December 31, 2010.  For those same comparative periods, the average balance of borrowings decreased $1.4 million to $245.9 million from $247.4 million.

The components of the decrease in the average balance of borrowings includes a $22.6 million decrease in the average balance of FHLB advances to $211.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $234.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  This decrease was partially offset by a $21.1 million increase in the average balance of other borrowings to $34.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $13.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  Other borrowings primarily includes depositor sweep accounts assumed from Central Jersey.

Provision for Loan Losses.  The provision for loan losses increased $447,000 to $1,323,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $876,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The provision expense during the current period partly reflected the recognition of additional valuation allowances for newly identified impairment on individually reviewed loans as well as the reversal of such valuation allowances for the impairment recognized during prior periods on previously impaired loans.  Most notably, the payment in full of one impaired multi-family mortgage loan participation during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 resulted in the reversal of $656,000 of valuation allowances attributable to the previously identified impairment on that loan.

The provision expense for the current period also reflected the required provisions on non-impaired loans evaluated collectively for impairment using the environmental and historical loss factors utilized by the Company’s allowance for loan loss calculation methodology.  As discussed in Note 11 to consolidated financial statements and the Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011 above, these historical and environmental loss factors were updated during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 to reflect the changes noted within those discussions.  The Company estimates that the increase to historical loss factors resulting from the implementing the accelerated recognition of charge offs resulted in a $1,279,000 increase to in the allowance for loan losses that was recorded through the provision for loan losses during the quarter ended December 31, 2011.  By contrast, the implementation of the noted changes to environmental loss factors through which the Company’s credit-rating classification system was integrated into the calculation of environmental loss factors did not have a significant impact on the provision expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

Finally, the provision expense for the current period also reflected the elimination of the unallocated portion of the allowance for loan losses whose balance totaled approximately $233,000 at the close of the prior fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.

Additional information regarding the allowance for loan losses and the associated provisions recognized during the three months ended December 31, 2011 is presented in Note 11 of the consolidated financial statements.

 
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Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income, excluding losses attributable to REO operations and sales, increased by $409,000 to $1,219,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 from $810,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2010.  This increase in non-interest income was partly attributable to a $281,000 increase in fees and service charges, including electronic banking fees and charges, that largely reflected the acquisition of Central Jersey.  Similarly, the increase also reflected a $110,000 increase in gains associated with the sale of loans that was primarily attributable to an increase in the volume of SBA loan originations sold through the CJB Division during the current quarter.

Losses attributable to REO operations and sales increased by $2,013,000 to $2,049,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 compared to $36,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2010.  The increase in REO-related losses was primarily attributable to writing down the carrying value of eight REO properties by a total of $2,018,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2011 to reflect reductions in expected sales prices below the fair values at which the properties were previously being carried.  The write downs included one commercial property whose carrying value was written down by approximately $1,083,000 to $1,878,000 reflecting the property’s contractual sale price less estimated costs to sell.  The remaining seven properties were written down by a total of $935,000 with individual amounts ranging from approximately $23,000 to $294,000 reflecting listing or contractual sale prices, less estimated costs to sell, that fell below the Bank’s prior carrying value.

Non-Interest Expenses.  Non-interest expenses, excluding merger-related expenses, increased $2.4 million to $14.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $12.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The increases were reflected across most categories of noninterest expenses and were largely attributable to the ongoing operating costs of the CJB Division during the three months ended December 31, 2011 compared to its operating for only one month during the earlier comparative period.

Salaries and employee benefits increased by $986,000 to $8.4 million from $7.4 million reflecting increases in salaries, benefits and payroll tax expenses.  These increases were largely attributable to the staffing additions resulting from the acquisition of Central Jersey coupled with other increases in compensation and health care costs.  Offsetting these increases in compensation-related costs was a decline in stock benefit plan expenses resulting from the completed vesting of restricted stock and stock option awards granted in prior years.  A small number of restricted stock and stock option awards were granted during fiscal 2011 which will continue to be expensed over their five year vesting period.

 Net occupancy expense of premises increased by $444,000 to $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 while equipment and system expense increased $389,000 to $1.8 million from $1.4 million for those same comparative periods.  The increase in these expenses largely reflects the Company’s additional facilities, equipment and systems-related costs of operating the CJB Division for the three months ended December 31, 2011 for which a lower level of comparable expense was recorded during the earlier comparative period due to the timing reasons noted above.

For the comparative periods noted, advertising and marketing expenses increased by $51,000 to $321,000 from $270,000.  The increases reflected advertising costs associated with the CJB Division as well as increases in other advertising and marketing expenditures for the period.

Lastly, miscellaneous expenses increased by $614,000 to $1.9 million from $1.3 million for the comparative periods noted reflecting net increases in general and administrative costs, a significant portion of which were attributable to the ongoing operation of the CJB Division.

 
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Partially offsetting these increases was a $21,000 decrease in federal deposit insurance premium expense to $496,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $517,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The net change in FDIC insurance expense primarily reflected the additional insurance cost relating to the deposits acquired from Central Jersey which was more than offset by a comparative decrease in the premium rates charged by the FDIC per dollar of insurable deposits.  Additionally, a $92,000 reduction in director compensation expense to $158,000 from $250,000 resulted primarily from a decline in stock benefit plan expenses resulting from the completed vesting of restricted stock and stock option awards granted in prior years.

Finally, the change in non-interest expense between comparative periods also reflected $3.1 million of merger-related costs associated with the Central Jersey acquisition that were recorded during the earlier comparative period for which no comparable costs were recorded during the current period.

Provision for Income Taxes.  The provision for income taxes decreased $201,000 to $172,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2011 from $373,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The variance in income tax expense between comparative quarters was largely attributable to underlying differences in the level of the taxable portion of pre-tax income between comparative periods   coupled with the recognition of greater levels of tax-favored income during the current period.  The Company’s effective tax rate during the three months ended December 31, 2011 was 26.8% which, in relation to statutory income tax rates, reflected the effects of tax-favored income sources included in pre-tax income.  By comparison, the Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2010 was 98.4% reflecting the non-deductibility of certain merger-related costs comprised within the pre-tax income reported for the earlier comparative period.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Six Months Ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010

General.  The Company reported net income of $2,488,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2011 or $0.04 per diluted share; an increase of $1,158,000 compared to $1,330,000, or $0.02 per diluted share for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The increase in net income between comparative quarters reflected an increase in net interest income that was partially offset by an increase in the provision for loan losses, a decline in non-interest income and increases in non-interest expense and the provision for income taxes.  The variances noted were partly attributable to the Company’s acquisition of Central Jersey which was completed on November 30, 2010.
 
Net Interest Income. Net interest income for the six months ended December 31, 2011 was $35.0 million, an increase of $4.6 million from $30.4 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The increase in net interest income between the comparative periods resulted from an increase in interest income coupled with a concurrent decrease in interest expense.  In general, the increase in interest income was primarily attributable to comparative increases in the overall average balance of interest-earning assets that were partially offset by an overall decrease in their yield between comparative periods.  The decrease in interest expense primarily reflected a continued decline in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities that more than offset the effect of an increase in their average balance.  The overall increases in the average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities reflected, in part, the timing of the Central Jersey acquisition through which its acquired balances were only reflected in the final month of earlier six month period ended December 31, 2010 compared to such balances being fully reflected during the entire six month period ended December 31, 2011.

As a result of these factors, the Company’s net interest rate spread decreased two basis points to 2.44% for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from 2.46% for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The decrease in the net interest rate spread reflected a decline in the yield on earning assets of 43 basis points to 3.77% from 4.20% that was partially offset a 41
 
 
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basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 1.33% from 1.74% by for the same comparative periods.  A discussion of the factors contributing to the overall change in yield on earning assets and cost of interest-bearing liabilities is presented in the separate discussion and analysis of interest income and interest expense below.

The factors contributing to the increase in net interest rate spread were also reflected in the Company’s net interest margin.  However, those effects were exacerbated by other factors resulting in a seven basis point decline in the Company’s net interest margin to 2.65% for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from 2.72% for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The additional factors resulting in the comparatively larger decline in net interest margin include the foregone interest income associated with use of earning assets to fund the Company’s share repurchase program.  For the six months ended December 31, 2011, the average balance of treasury stock increased by $5.0 million to $62.2 million from $57.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.

Interest Income.  Total interest income increased $2.9 million to $49.9 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $47.0 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  As noted above, the increase in interest income reflected a $403.1 million increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets to $2.64 billion for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $2.24 billion for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The increase to interest income resulting from the higher average balance of interest-earning assets was partially offset by a 43 basis point decline in their average yield to 3.77% from 4.20% for those same comparative periods.

Interest income from loans increased $4.0 million to $32.7 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $28.7 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The increase in interest income on loans was attributable to an increase in their average balance that was partially offset by a decline in their average yield.

  The average balance of loans increased by $193.4 million to $1.25 billion for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $1.05 billion for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The reported increase in the average balance of loans included a net increase of $209.5 million in the average aggregate balance of commercial loans to $485.0 million from $275.5 million for those same comparative periods.  The Company’s commercial loans generally comprise commercial mortgage loans, including multi-family and nonresidential mortgage loans, as well as secured and unsecured commercial business loans.  The increase largely reflects the Company’s acquisition of Central Jersey and, to a lesser degree, the organic growth resulting from its long-term expanded strategic emphasis in commercial lending.

 The increase in the average balance of commercial loans was partially offset by a $24.0 million decline in the average balance of residential mortgage loans to $739.9 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $763.9 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The Company’s residential mortgages generally comprise one-to-four family first mortgage loans, home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. The decline in the average balance of residential mortgage loans primarily reflects diminished residential loan demand by qualified borrowers coupled with the Company’s disciplined pricing for such loans in the face of aggressive pricing in the marketplace for certain loan products.  The decline in residential mortgage loans attributable to these factors was modestly offset by the addition of loans acquired from Central Jersey.

The increase in interest income on loans attributable to the increase in their average balances was partially offset by a decrease in their average yields which declined 20 basis points to 5.24% for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from 5.44% for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The reduction in the overall yield on the Company’s loan portfolio generally reflects the effect of lower
 
 
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market interest rates which provides “rate reduction” refinancing incentive to borrowers while also contributing to the downward re-pricing of adjustable rate loans.

In general, because the Company’s commercial loans comprise comparatively higher yielding multi-family mortgages, nonresidential mortgage loans and business loans, the continued reallocation within the loan portfolio from residential mortgages into commercial loans partially offset the adverse impact of lower market interest rates on the overall yield of the loan portfolio between the comparative periods.  However, the incremental impact on the average yield of the loan portfolio resulting specifically from the Central Jersey acquisition reflects loans being acquired at their fair value and the ongoing recognition of interest income on those acquired loans at yields that reflect the historically low interest rates prevalent in the marketplace at the time of acquisition.

Interest income from mortgage-backed securities increased $1.2 million to $15.9 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $14.7 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The increase in interest income reflected an increase in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities that was partially offset by a decrease in their average yield.  The average balance of the securities increased $317.0 million to $1.11 billion for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $795.3 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  For those same comparative periods, the average yield on mortgage-backed securities declined 84 basis points to 2.86% from 3.70%.

The increase in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities reflects, in part, security purchases that have outpaced the level of principal repayments and security sales.  However, the increase in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities also reflects the addition of securities resulting from the acquisition of Central Jersey.

The reduction in the overall yield of the mortgage-backed securities portfolio is attributable to many of the same factors affecting the yield on the Company’s loan portfolio.  That is, lower market interest rates have continued to provide a “rate reduction” refinancing incentive to mortgagors resulting in the pay off of comparatively higher rate mortgage loans underlying the Company’s mortgage-backed securities which have been replaced by lower yield securities.  Additionally, the yields on mortgage- backed securities acquired from Central Jersey reflect their acquisition at fair value and the ongoing recognition of interest income at yields that reflect the historically low interest rates prevalent in the marketplace at the time of acquisition.

Interest income from non-mortgage-backed securities decreased $2.3 million to $881,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $3.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The decrease in interest income reflected a decrease in the average balance of non-mortgage-backed securities coupled with a decline in their average yield.  The average balance of these securities decreased $191.6 million to $97.9 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $289.5 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  For those same comparative periods, the average yield on non-mortgage-backed securities decreased by 40 basis points to 1.80% from 2.20%.

The decrease in the average balance of non-mortgage backed securities was primarily attributable to a $169.2 million decrease in the average balance of taxable securities to $86.2 million during the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $255.4 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  For those same comparative periods, the average balance of tax-exempt securities decreased by $22.4 million to $11.7 million from $34.1 million.  The net change in the average yield on non-mortgage backed securities reflected a decrease of 26 basis points in the yield of taxable securities to 1.92% during the six months ended December 31, 2011 from 2.18% during the six months ended December 31, 2010 while the average yield on tax-exempt securities declined 137 basis points to 0.94% from 2.31%.

 
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The reduction in the overall yield of the non-mortgage-backed securities portfolio is also attributable to many of the same factors affecting the yield on the Company’s loan and mortgage-backed securities portfolios.  These factors include the effects of lower market interest rates on the portfolio as funds are reinvested at lower market interest rates.  Similarly, the yields on non-mortgage-backed securities acquired from Central Jersey reflect their acquisition at fair value and the ongoing recognition of interest income at yields that reflect the historically low interest rates prevalent in the marketplace at the time of acquisition.

Interest income from other interest-earning assets decreased $43,000 to $377,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $420,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The decrease in interest income was primarily attributable to a decline in their average yield that was partially offset by an increase in their average balance.  The average yield on other interest-earning assets decreased 43 basis points to 0.41% for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from 0.84% for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  For those same comparative periods, the average balance of other interest-earning assets increased by $84.3 million to $185.0 million from $100.6 million.

Interest Expense.  Total interest expense decreased $1.7 million to $14.9 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $16.6 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  As noted earlier, the decrease in interest expense reflected a decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities which declined 41 basis points to 1.33% for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from 1.74% for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The decrease in the average cost was partially offset by an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $349.4 million to $2.25 billion from $1.90 billion for the same comparative periods.

Interest expense attributed to deposits decreased $1.5 million to $10.8 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $12.3 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The decrease in interest expense was attributable to a decline in the average cost of deposits that was partially offset by an increase in their average balance.

  The cost of interest-bearing deposits declined by 40 basis points to 1.08% for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from 1.48% for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The reported decrease in the average cost was reflected across all categories of interest-bearing deposits and was primarily attributable to the overall declines in market interest rates.  For those comparative periods, average cost of interest-bearing checking accounts decreased by 37 basis points to 0.65% from 1.02%, the average cost of savings accounts decreased 36 basis points to 0.36% from 0.72% while the average cost of certificates of deposit declined 37 basis points to 1.51% from 1.88%.

The decrease in the average cost was partially offset by a $331.7 million increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits to $2.00 billion for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $1.67 billion for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The reported increase in the average balance was represented across all categories of interest-bearing deposits and reflected the Company’s acquisition of Central Jersey coupled with its strategic efforts to organically increase its deposit base.  For those same comparative periods, the average balance of interest-bearing checking accounts increased $141.9 million to $450.6 million from $308.7 million, the average balance of savings accounts increased $58.3 million to $404.7 million from $346.4 million and the average balance of certificates of deposit increased $131.4 million to $1.15 billion from $1.01 billion.

Interest expense attributed to borrowings decreased by $144,000 to $4.1 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $4.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The decrease in interest expense on borrowings reflected a decrease in their average cost that was partially offset by an increase in their average balance.  The average cost of borrowings declined 38 basis points to
 
 
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3.31% for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from 3.69% the six months ended December 31, 2010.  For those same comparative periods, the average balance of borrowings increased $17.8 million to $246.5 million from $228.7 million.

The components of the increase in the average balance of borrowings includes a $28.5 million increase in the average balance of other borrowings to $35.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $6.7 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  Other borrowings primarily includes depositor sweep accounts assumed from Central Jersey.  This increase was partially offset by a $10.7 million decrease in the average balance of FHLB advances to $211.3 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $222.0 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.

Provision for Loan Losses.  The provision for loan losses increased $261,000 to $2,388,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $2,127,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The provision expense during the current period partly reflected the recognition of additional valuation allowances for newly identified impairment on individually reviewed loans as well as the reversal of such valuation allowances for the impairment recognized during prior periods on previously impaired loans.  Most notably, the payment in full of one impaired multi-family mortgage loan participation during the period ended December 31, 2011 resulted in the reversal of $656,000 of valuation allowances attributable to the previously identified impairment on that loan.

The provision expense for the current period also reflected the required provisions on non-impaired loans evaluated collectively for impairment using the environmental and historical loss factors utilized by the Company’s allowance for loan loss calculation methodology.  As discussed in Note 11 of the financial statements and the Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011 above, these historical and environmental loss factors were updated during the period ended December 31, 2011 to reflect the changes noted within those discussions.  The Company estimates that the increase to historical loss factors resulting from the implementing the accelerated recognition of charge offs resulted in a $1,279,000 increase to in the allowance for loan losses that was recorded through the provision for loan losses during the period ended December 31, 2011.  By contrast, the implementation of the noted changes to environmental loss factors through which the Company’s credit-rating classification system was integrated into the calculation of environmental loss factors did not have a significant impact on the provision expense for the period ended December 31, 2011.

Finally, the provision expense for the current period also reflected the elimination of the unallocated portion of the allowance for loan losses whose balance totaled approximately $233,000 at the close of the prior fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.

Additional information regarding the allowance for loan losses and the associated provisions recognized during the six months ended December 31, 2011 is presented in Note 11 of the consolidated financial statements.

Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income, excluding losses attributable to REO operations and sales, increased by $1.0 million to $2.5 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $1.5 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  This increase in non-interest income was partly attributable to a $686,000 increase in fees and service charges, including electronic banking fees and charges, that largely reflected the acquisition of Central Jersey.  Similarly, the increase also reflected a $296,000 increase in gains associated with the sale of loans that was primarily attributable to an increase in the volume of SBA loan originations sold through the CJB Division during the current quarter.
 
Losses attributable to REO operations and sales increased by $2,153,000 to $2,203,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2011 compared to $50,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  

 
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The increase in REO-related losses was primarily attributable to writing down the carrying value of eight REO properties by a total of $2,018,000 during the six months ended December 31, 2011 to reflect reductions in expected sales prices below the fair values at which the properties were previously being carried.  The write downs included one commercial property whose carrying value was written down by approximately $1,083,000 to $1,878,000 reflecting the property’s contractual sale price less estimated costs to sell.  The remaining seven properties were written down by a total of $935,000 with individual amounts ranging from approximately $23,000 to $294,000 reflecting listing or contractual sale prices, less estimated costs to sell, that fell below the Bank’s prior carrying value.

Non-Interest Expenses.  Non-interest expenses, excluding merger-related expenses, increased $5.0 million to $28.9 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $23.9 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The increases were reflected across most categories of noninterest expenses and were largely attributable to the ongoing operating costs of the CJB Division during the six months ended December 31, 2011 compared to its operating for only one month during the earlier comparative period.

Salaries and employee benefits increased by $2.1 million to $16.5 million from $14.4 million reflecting increases in salaries, benefits and payroll tax expenses.  These increases were largely attributable to the staffing additions resulting from the acquisition of Central Jersey coupled with other increases in compensation and health care costs.  Offsetting these increases in compensation-related costs was a decline in stock benefit plan expenses resulting from the completed vesting of restricted stock and stock option awards granted in prior years.  A small number of restricted stock and stock option awards were granted during fiscal 2011 which will continue to be expensed over their five year vesting period.

Net occupancy expense of premises increased by $980,000 to $3.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $2.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010 while equipment and systems expense increased $1.1 million to $3.7 million from $2.6 million for those same comparative periods.  The increase in these expenses largely reflects the Company’s additional facilities, equipment and systems-related costs of operating the CJB Division for the six months ended December 31, 2011 for which a lower level of comparable expense was recorded during the earlier comparative period due to the timing reasons noted above.  The comparative increase in equipment and system expense also reflects the non-recurring costs recognized during the current six month period relating to the conversion and integration of data processing systems relating to the Central Jersey acquisition.

For the comparative periods noted, advertising and marketing expenses increased by $106,000 to $622,000 from $516,000.  The increases reflected advertising costs associated with the CJB Division as well as increases in other advertising and marketing expenditures for the period.

The increase in non-interest expense between comparative periods also reflected an $17,000 increase in federal deposit insurance premium expense to $981,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $964,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The net change in FDIC insurance expense primarily reflected the additional insurance cost relating to the deposits acquired from Central Jersey which was partially offset by a comparative decrease in the premium rates charged by the FDIC per dollar of insurable deposits.

Lastly, miscellaneous expenses increased by $1.0 million to $3.5 million from $2.5 million for the comparative periods noted reflecting net increases in general and administrative costs, a significant portion of which were attributable to the ongoing operation of the CJB Division.
 
Partially offsetting these increases was $484,000 reduction in director compensation expense to $324,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $808,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The reduction in expense resulted primarily from a decline in stock benefit plan expenses resulting from the completed vesting of restricted stock and stock option awards granted in prior years.
 
 
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Finally, the change in non-interest expense between comparative periods also reflected $3.2 million of merger-related costs associated with the Central Jersey acquisition that were recorded during the earlier comparative period for which no comparable costs were recorded during the current period.

Provision for Income Taxes.  The provision for income taxes increased $154,000 to $1.5 million for the six months ended December 31, 2011 from $1.3 million for the six months ended December 31, 2010.  The variance in income tax expense between comparative periods was largely attributable to underlying differences in the level of the taxable portion of pre-tax income between comparative periods   coupled with the recognition of greater levels of tax-favored income during the current period.  The Company’s effective tax rate during the six months ended December 31, 2011 was 37.2% compared to 49.8% for the six months ended December 31, 2010 reflecting the non-deductibility of certain merger-related costs comprised within the pre-tax income reported for the earlier comparative period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our liquidity, represented by cash and cash equivalents, is a product of our operating, investing and financing activities. Our primary sources of funds are deposits, borrowings, amortization, prepayments and maturities of mortgage-backed securities and outstanding loans, maturities and calls of non-mortgage-backed securities and funds provided from operations. In addition to cash and cash equivalents, we invest excess funds in short-term interest-earning assets such as overnight deposits or U.S. agency securities, which provide liquidity to meet lending requirements. While scheduled payments from the amortization of loans and mortgage-backed securities and maturing securities and short-term investments are relatively predictable sources of funds, general interest rates, economic conditions and competition greatly influence deposit flows and prepayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities.

The Bank is required to have enough investments that qualify as liquid assets in order to maintain sufficient liquidity to ensure a safe operation.  Management generally maintains cash and cash equivalents for this purpose.  Investments that qualify as liquid assets are supplemented by those securities classified as available for sale at December 31, 2011, which included $1.23 billion of mortgage-backed securities and $13.0 million of non-mortgage-backed securities that can readily be sold if necessary.

As noted earlier, the balance of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents decreased by $143.5 million to $146.6 million at December 31, 2011 from $290.1 million at September 30, 2011.  In accordance with the overall goals of its strategic business plan, the Company may, at times, defer the reinvestment of excess liquidity into the investment portfolio in favor of retaining comparatively higher average balances of short term, liquid assets as a funding source for future loan originations.  Toward that end, the Bank’s pipeline of “in process” loans has generally increased compared to one year earlier due largely to the acquisition of Central Jersey and the continued expansion of the Bank’s commercial loan origination staff independent of that acquisition.

 Notwithstanding the overall increase in the Bank’s loan origination pipeline, management had previously determined that the opportunity cost to earnings of maintaining a growing level of short-term liquid assets to fund potential loan growth outweighs the related benefits.  Consequently, a significant portion of the Company’s excess liquidity that had accumulated during prior periods was deployed into comparatively higher yielding mortgage-backed securities during the quarter ending December 31, 2011.  The Company expects to continue to maintain the average balance of interest-earning cash and equivalents at a comparatively lower levels than had been previously reported during recent preceding quarters.  
 
 
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Management will continue to monitor the level of short term, liquid assets in relation to the expected need for such liquidity to fund the Company’s strategic initiatives.  The Company may alter its liquidity reinvestment strategies based upon the timing and relative success of those initiatives.

At December 31, 2011, the Bank had outstanding commitments to originate and purchase loans of $46.1 million and $6.1 million, respectively, compared to $13.3 million and $-0-, respectively, at June 30, 2011.  Construction loans in process and unused lines of credit were $16.4 million and $69.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2011 compared to $17.0 million and $65.5 million, respectively, at June 30, 2011.  The Bank is also subject to the contingent liabilities resulting from letters of credit originally issued by Central Jersey whose outstanding balances totaled $1.1 million and $1.3 million at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011, respectively.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee by the customer. Our exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments. We use the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as we do for on-balance-sheet instruments.  Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

As noted earlier, the balance of total deposits decreased by $32.1 million to $2.12 billion at December 31, 2011 from $2.15 billion at June 30, 2011 reflecting the Company’s active management of deposit pricing during the six months ended December 31, 2011 to support net interest spread and margin which allowed for some degree of controlled outflow of non-core deposits.  The balance of certificates of deposit with maturities of greater than 12 months also remained relatively stable totaling $361.6 million at December 31, 2011 compared to $363.2 million at June 30, 2011 with such balances representing 32.4% and 31.5% of total certificates of deposit at the close of each period, respectively.

Borrowings from the FHLB of New York are available to supplement the Bank’s liquidity position and, to the extent that maturing deposits do not remain with the Bank, management may replace such funds with advances.  As of December 31, 2011, the Bank’s outstanding balance of FHLB advances, excluding fair value adjustments, totaled $211.0 million.  Of these advances, $1.0 million represents an amortizing advance maturing in 2021.  The remaining $210.0 million of advances represent fixed rate advances with maturity dates ranging from 2013 to 2017.  Most of these advances have terms that enable the FHLB to call the borrowing at their option prior to maturity.

The Bank has the capacity to borrow additional funds from the FHLB, through a line of credit or by taking additional short-term or long-term advances.  Such borrowings are an option available to management if funding needs change or to lengthen liabilities.  Most of the Bank’s mortgage-backed and non-mortgage-backed securities are held in safekeeping at the FHLB of New York and available as collateral if necessary. In addition to the FHLB advances, the Bank has other borrowings totaling $26.7 million representing overnight “sweep account” balances linked to customer demand deposits.

We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of our business of investing in loans and securities as well as in the normal course of maintaining and improving the Bank’s facilities. These financial instruments include significant purchase commitments, such as commitments related to capital expenditure plans and commitments to purchase securities or mortgage-backed securities and commitments to extend credit to meet the financing needs of our customers.  At September 30, 2011, we had no significant off-balance sheet commitments to purchase securities or for capital expenditures.

 
 
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Consistent with its goals to operate a sound and profitable financial organization, the Bank actively seeks to maintain its status as a well-capitalized institution in accordance with regulatory standards.  As of December 31, 2011, the Bank exceeded all capital requirements of federal banking regulators.

The following table sets forth the Bank’s capital position at December 31, 2011, as compared to the minimum regulatory capital requirements:

   
At December 31, 2011
 
                           
To Be Well
 
                           
Capitalized Under
 
               
For Capital
   
Prompt Corrective
 
   
Actual
   
Adequacy Purposes
   
Action Provisions
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
                                     
Total Capital
                                   
  (to risk-weighted assets)
  $ 345,588       26.44 %   $ 104,584       8.00 %   $ 130,730       10.00 %
                                                 
Tier 1 Capital
                                               
  (to risk-weighted assets)
  $ 336,992       25.78 %   $ 52,292       4.00 %   $ 78,438       6.00 %
                                                 
Core (Tier 1) Capital
                                               
  (to adjusted total assets)
  $ 336,992       12.44 %   $ 108,358       4.00 %   $ 135,448       5.00 %
                                                 
Tangible Capital
                                               
  (to adjusted total assets)
  $ 336,992       12.44 %   $ 40,634       1.50 %   $ -       -  


Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of the expected impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements that have yet to be adopted by the Company, please refer to Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


 
- 84 -
 
 

ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Qualitative Analysis.  The majority of our assets and liabilities are sensitive to changes in interest rates.  Consequently, interest rate risk is a significant form of business risk that must be managed by the Company.  Interest rate risk is generally defined in regulatory nomenclature as the risk to the Company’s earnings or capital arising from the movement of interest rates. It arises from several risk factors including: the differences between the timing of rate changes and the timing of cash flows (re-pricing risk); the changing rate relationships among different yield curves that affect bank activities (basis risk); the changing rate relationships across the spectrum of maturities (yield curve risk); and the interest-rate-related options embedded in bank products (option risk).

Regarding the risk to the Company’s earnings, movements in interest rates significantly influence the amount of net interest income recognized by the Company.  Net interest income is the difference between:

     ·  
the interest income recorded on our earning assets, such as loans, securities and other interest-earning assets; and,

     ·  
the interest expense recorded on our costing liabilities, such as interest-bearing deposits and borrowings.
.
Net interest income is, by far, the Company’s largest revenue source to which the Company adds its noninterest income and from which it deducts its provision for loan losses, noninterest expense and income taxes to calculate net income.  Movements in market interest rates, and the effect of such movements on the risk factors noted above, significantly influence the “spread” between the interest earned by the Company on its loans, securities and other interest-earning assets and the interest paid on its deposits and borrowings.  Movements in interest rates that increase, or “widen”, that net interest spread enhance the Company’s net income.  Conversely, movements in interest rates that reduce, or “tighten”, that net interest spread adversely impact the Company’s net income.

For any given movement in interest rates, the resulting degree of movement in an institution’s yield on interest earning assets compared with that of its cost of interest-bearing liabilities determines if an institution is deemed “asset sensitive” or “liability sensitive”.  An asset sensitive institution is one whose yield on interest-earning assets reacts more quickly to movements in interest rates than its cost of interest-bearing liabilities.  In general, the earnings of asset sensitive institutions are enhanced by upward movements in interest rates through which the yield on its earning assets increases faster than its cost of interest-bearing liabilities resulting in a widening of its net interest spread.  Conversely, the earnings of asset sensitive institutions are adversely impacted by downward movements in interest rates through which the yield on its earning assets decreases faster than its cost of interest-bearing liabilities resulting in a tightening of its net interest spread.

In contrast, a liability sensitive institution is one whose cost of interest-bearing liabilities reacts more quickly to movements in interest rates than its yield on interest-earning assets.  In general, the earnings of liability sensitive institutions are enhanced by downward movements in interest rates through which the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreases faster than its yield on its earning assets resulting in a widening of its net interest spread.  Conversely, the earnings of liability sensitive institutions are adversely impacted by upward movements in interest rates through which the cost of interest-bearing liabilities increases faster than its yield on its earning assets resulting in a tightening of its net interest spread.

 
- 85 -
 
 
The degree of an institution’s asset or liability sensitivity is traditionally represented by its “gap position”.  In general, gap is a measurement that describes the net mismatch between the balance of an institution’s earning assets that are maturing and/or re-pricing over a selected period of time compared to that of its costing liabilities.  Positive gaps represent the greater dollar amount of earning assets maturing or re-pricing over the selected period of time than costing liabilities.  Conversely, negative gaps represent the greater dollar amount of costing liabilities maturing or re-pricing over the selected period of time than earning assets.  The degree to which an institution is asset or liability sensitive is reported as a negative or positive percentage of assets, respectively.  The industry commonly focuses on cumulative one-year and three-year gap percentages as fundamental indicators of interest rate risk sensitivity.

Based upon the findings of the Company’s internal interest rate risk analysis, which are corroborated by the independent analysis performed by its primary regulator as described below, the Company is considered to be liability sensitive.  Liability sensitivity characterizes the balance sheets of many thrift institutions and is generally attributable to the comparatively shorter contractual maturity and/or re-pricing characteristics of the institution’s deposits and borrowings versus those of its loans and investment securities.

With respect to the maturity and re-pricing of its interest-bearing liabilities, at December 31, 2011, $755.3 million or 67.6% of our certificates of deposit mature within one year with an additional $215.6 million or 19.3% maturing in greater than one year but less than or equal to two years.  Based on current market interest rates, the majority of these certificates are projected to re-price downward to the extent they remain with the Bank at maturity and are reinvested in accounts with like maturities.  Of the $211.0 million of FHLB borrowings at December 31, 2011, all have fixed interest rates with $200.0 million maturing during fiscal 2018, but callable on a quarterly basis prior to maturity.  Given current market interest rates, the call options are not currently expected to be exercised by the FHLB.  The remaining $11.0 million of FHLB borrowings comprise three fixed rate advances; two $5.0 million advances maturing in 2013 and 2015 and one $1.0 million amortizing advance maturing in 2021.

With respect to the maturity and re-pricing of the Company’s interest-earning assets, at December 31, 2011, $69.9 million, or 5.7% of our total loans will reach their contractual maturity dates within one year with the remaining $1.16 billion, or 94.3% of total loans having remaining terms to contractual maturity in excess of one year.  Of loans maturing after one year, $949.0 million or 77.2% had fixed rates of interest while the remaining $210.7 million or 17.1% had adjustable rates of interest.

Regarding investment securities, at December 31, 2011, $3.1 million or 0.2% of our securities will reach their contractual maturity dates within one year with the remaining $1.28 billion, or 99.8% of total securities, having remaining terms to contractual maturity in excess of one year.  Of the latter category, $1.16 billion comprising 89.9% of our total securities had fixed rates of interest while the remaining $126.7 million comprising 9.9% of our total securities had adjustable or floating rates of interest.

At December 31, 2011, mortgage-related assets, including residential and commercial mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities, total $2.3 billion and comprise 88.5% of total earning assets.  In addition to remaining term to maturity and interest rate type as discussed above, other factors contribute significantly to the level of interest rate risk associated with mortgage-related assets.  In particular, the scheduled amortization of principal and the borrower’s option to prepay any or all of a mortgage loan’s principal balance, where applicable, has a significant effect on the average lives of such assets and, therefore, the interest rate risk associated with them.  In general, the prepayment rate on lower yielding assets tends to slow as interest rates rise due to the reduced financial incentive for borrowers to refinance their loans.  By contrast, the prepayment rate of higher yielding assets tends to accelerate as interest rates decline due to the increased financial incentive for borrowers to prepay or refinance their loans to
 
 
- 86 -
 
 
comparatively lower interest rates.  These characteristics tend to diminish the benefits of falling interest rates to liability sensitive institutions while exacerbating the adverse impact of rising interest rates.
 
The Company generally retained its liability sensitivity during the first six months of fiscal 2012 while the degree of that sensitivity, as measured internally by the institution’s one-year and three-year gap percentages, changed modestly during the year.  Specifically, the Company’s cumulative one-year gap percentage changed from -2.08% at June 30, 2011 to -2.22% at December 31, 2011 while the Company’s cumulative three-year gap percentage changed from +3.34% to +1.82 % over those same comparative periods.  The changes in gap noted indicate a modest decline in the proportion of earning assets repricing within the timeframes noted in relation to costing liabilities repricing within those same timeframes.
 
As a liability sensitive institution, the Company’s net interest spread is generally expected to benefit from overall reductions in market interest rates.  Conversely, its net interest spread is generally expected to be adversely impacted by overall increases in market interest rates.  However, the general effects of movements in market interest rates can be diminished or exacerbated by “nonparallel” movements in interest rates across a yield curve.  Nonparallel movements in interest rates generally occur when shorter term and longer term interest rates move disproportionately in a directionally consistent manner.  For example, shorter term interest rates may decrease faster than longer term interest rates which would generally result in a “steeper” yield curve.  Alternately, nonparallel movements in interest rates may also occur when shorter term and longer term interest rates move in a directionally inconsistent manner.  For example, shorter term interest rates may rise while longer term interest rates remain steady or decline which would generally result in a “flatter” yield curve.

At its extreme, a yield curve may become “inverted” for a period of time during which shorter term interest rates exceed longer term interest rates.  While inverted yield curves do occasionally occur, they are generally considered a “temporary” phenomenon portending a change in economic conditions that will restore the yield curve to its normal, positively sloped shape.

In general, the interest rates paid on the Company’s deposits tend to be determined based upon the level of shorter term interest rates.  By contrast, the interest rates earned on the Company’s loans and investment securities tend to be based upon the level of longer term interest rates.  As such, the overall “spread” between shorter term and longer interest rates when earning assets and costing liabilities re-price greatly influences the Company’s overall net interest spread over time.  In general, a wider spread between shorter term and longer term interest rates, implying a “steeper” yield curve, is beneficial to the Company’s net interest spread.  By contrast, a narrower spread between shorter term and longer term interest rates, implying a “flatter” yield curve, or a negative spread between those measures, implying an inverted yield curve, adversely impacts the Company’s net interest spread.

The effects of interest rate risk on the Company’s earnings are best demonstrated through a review of changes in market interest rates over the past several years and their impact on the Company’s net interest spread.  Following a period of historically low interest rates, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors steadily increased its target federal funds rate by 425 basis points from 1.00% in June 2004 to 5.25% in June 2007.  During that three-year period, federal funds rate and other shorter term market interest rates increased by a far greater degree than longer term market interest rates.  For example, the market yield on the one-year U.S. Treasury bill increased 284 basis points from 2.07% at June 30, 2004 to 4.91% at June 30, 2007.  By comparison, the market yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note increased by only 41 basis points from 4.62% to 5.03% over those same time periods.  The flattening yield curve during that three year period had an adverse impact on the Company’s net interest spread which decreased 67 basis points from 2.37% for the year ended June 30, 2004 to 1.70% for the year ended June 30, 2007.

 
- 87 -
 
 
The upward trend in shorter term interest rates was reversed in September 2007 as the Federal Reserve began to lower the target rate for federal funds in reaction to the threat of a looming recession triggered by growing volatility and instability in the housing and credit markets.  The effects of those isolated crises rapidly grew to threaten the viability of the domestic and international financial markets as a whole.  In reaction to that larger threat, the Federal Reserve reduced the target federal funds rate by a total of over 500 basis points from 5.25% at June 2007 to a range between 0.00% and 0.25% which remained in effect at June 30, 2011.  During that four-year period, federal funds rate and other shorter term market interest rates decreased by a far greater degree than longer term market interest rates.  For example, the market yield on the one-year U.S. Treasury bill decreased 382 basis points from 4.01% at June 30, 2007 to 0.19% at June 30, 2011.  By comparison, the market yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note decreased by only 185 basis points from 5.03% to 3.18% over those same time periods.  The steepening yield curve during that four year period had a beneficial impact on the Company’s net interest spread which increased 86 basis points from 1.70% for the year ended June 30, 2007 to 2.56% for the year ended June 30, 2011.

During the first six months of fiscal 2012, short term interest rates generally remained stable at their historical lows with the yield on the one year U.S. Treasury bill falling seven basis points from 0.19% at June 30, 2011 to 0.12% at December 31, 2011.  However, over that same period, the market yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note decreased by 129 basis points from 3.18% to 1.89%.  The significant flattening of the yield curve during that period, coupled with the effects of the reported increase in nonaccrual loans and reallocation of earning assets from loans into securities, contributed significantly to the decline in the Company’s net interest spread which decreased to 2.44% for the six months ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2.56% for the prior fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.  As noted earlier, the Company is pursuing various strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of the flattening yield curve on its net interest spread and margin.  Such strategies include deploying excess liquidity in higher yielding interest-earning assets, such as commercial loans and investment securities, while continuing to lower its cost of interest-bearing liabilities by reducing deposit offering rates.  However, the risk of additional net interest rate spread and margin compression is significant as the yield on Company’s interest-earning assets continues to reflect the impact of the greater declines in longer term market interest rates compared to the lesser reductions in shorter term market interest rates that affect its cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

The Board of Directors has established an Interest Rate Risk Management Committee, currently comprised of Directors Hopkins, Regan, Aanensen, Mazza and Leopold Montanaro, with our Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Enterprise Risk Management Officer participating as management’s liaison to the committee. The committee meets quarterly to address management of our assets and liabilities, including review of our short term liquidity position; loan and deposit pricing and production volumes and alternative funding sources; current investments; average lives, durations and re-pricing frequencies of loans and securities; and a variety of other asset and liability management topics.  The results of the committee’s quarterly review are reported to the full Board, which adjusts the investment policy and strategies, as it considers necessary and appropriate.

Quantitative Analysis.  Through the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, management utilized a combination of internal and external analyses to quantitatively model, measure and monitor the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk.  The external quantitative analysis was based upon the interest rate risk model formerly used by the OTS which utilized data submitted on the Bank’s quarterly Thrift Financial Reports.  The model estimated the change in the Bank’s net portfolio value (“NPV”) ratio throughout a series of interest rate scenarios.  NPV, sometimes referred to as the economic value of equity (“EVE”), represents the present value of the expected cash flows from the Bank’s assets less the present value of the expected cash flows arising from its liabilities adjusted for the value of off-balance sheet contracts.  The NPV ratio represents the dollar amount of the Bank’s NPV divided by the present value of
 
 
- 88 -
 
 
its total assets for a given interest rate scenario.  In essence, NPV attempts to quantify the economic value of the Bank using a discounted cash flow methodology while the NPV ratio reflects that value as a form of capital ratio.  The degree to which the NPV ratio changes for any hypothetical interest rate scenario from its “base case” measurement is a reflection of an institution’s sensitivity to interest rate risk.

Given the discontinuation of external interest rate risk modeling by the OCC, the Company’s internal interest rate risk analysis became the primary tool by which it measures, monitors and manages interest rate risk.

The internal quantitative analysis utilized by management measures interest rate risk from both a capital and earnings perspective.  Like the OTS model noted above, the Company’s internal interest rate risk analysis calculates sensitivity of the Company’s NPV ratio to movements in interest rates.  Both the OTS and internal models measure the NPV ratio in a “base case” scenario that assumes no change in interest rates as of the measurement date.  Both models measure the change in the NPV ratio throughout a series of interest rate scenarios representing immediate and permanent, parallel shifts in the yield curve up and down 100, 200 and 300 basis points.  Both models generally require that interest rates remain positive for all points along the yield curve for each rate scenario which may preclude the modeling of certain “down rate” scenarios during periods of lower market interest rates.  The Company’s interest rate risk management policy establishes acceptable floors for the NPV ratio and caps for the maximum change in the NPV ratio throughout the scenarios modeled.

As illustrated in the tables below, the Company’s NPV would be negatively impacted by an increase in interest rates.  This result is expected given the Company’s liability sensitivity noted earlier.  Specifically, based upon the comparatively shorter maturity and/or re-pricing characteristics of its interest-bearing liabilities compared with that of the Bank’s interest-earning assets, an upward movement in interest rates would have a disproportionately adverse impact on the present value of the Company’s assets compared to the beneficial impact arising from the reduced present value of its liabilities.  Hence, the Company’s NPV and NPV ratio decline in the increasing interest rate scenarios.  Historically low interest rates at December 31, 2011 preclude the modeling of certain scenarios as parallel downward shifts in the yield curve of 100 basis points or more would result in negative interest rates for many points along that curve.


 
- 89 -
 
 

The following tables present the results of the Company’s internal NPV analysis as of December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011, respectively.

     
At December 31, 2011
 
                 
Net Portfolio Value
 
     
Net Portfolio Value
   
as % of Present Value of Assets
 
                       
Net Portfolio
 
Basis Point
Changes in Rates (1)
 
$ Amount
   
$ Change
   
% Change
   
Value Ratio
 
Change
     
(In Thousands)
                 
+300
 bps     240,894       -157,419       -40 %     9.48 %
-471
 bps 
+200
 bps     313,835       -84,478       -21 %     11.87 %
-232
 bps 
+100
 bps     367,077       -31,236       -8 %     13.43 %
-76
 bps 
                                            0
 bps     398,313       -       -       14.20 %
     -
 
 
     
At June 30, 2011
 
                 
Net Portfolio Value
 
     
Net Portfolio Value
   
as % of Present Value of Assets
 
                       
Net Portfolio
 
Basis Point
Changes in Rates (1)
 
$ Amount
   
$ Change
   
% Change
   
Value Ratio
 
Change
     
(In Thousands)
                 
+300
 bps     246,546       -147,422       -37 %     9.60 %
-429
 bps 
+200
 bps     308,629       -85,339       -22 %     11.59 %
-230
 bps 
+100
 bps     361,606       -32,362       -8 %     13.10 %
-79
 bps  
                                            0
 bps     393,968       -       -       13.89 %
     -
 

A comparative industry benchmark regarding interest rate risk is the “sensitivity measure” which is generally defined as the change in an institution’s NPV ratio, measured in basis points, in an immediate and permanent, adverse parallel shift in interest rates of plus or minus 200 basis points.  Based upon the tables above, the Company’s sensitivity measure increased by 2 basis points from -230 basis points at June 30, 2011 to -232 basis points at December 31, 2011 which indicates a modest increase in the Bank’s sensitivity to movements in interest rates from period to period.

There are numerous internal and external factors that may contribute to changes in an institution’s sensitivity measure.  Internally, changes in the composition and allocation of an institution’s balance sheet and the interest rate risk characteristics of its components can significantly alter the exposure to interest rate risk as quantified by the changes in the sensitivity measure.  However, changes to certain external factors, most notably changes in the level of market interest rates and overall shape of the yield curve, can significantly alter the projected cash flows of the institution’s interest-earning assets and interest-costing liabilities and the associated present values thereof.  Changes in internal and external factors from period to period can complement one another’s effects to reduce overall sensitivity, partly or wholly offset one another’s effects, or exacerbate one another’s adverse effects and thereby increase the institution’s exposure to interest rate risk as quantified by the sensitivity measure.

A significant contributor to the increase in the Company’s sensitivity measure during the most recent quarter was the decrease in its balance of short-term liquid assets in relation to other interest-earning assets.  As discussed earlier, cash and cash equivalents decreased $75.9 million to $146.6 million at December 31, 2011 from $222.6 million at June 30, 2011.  As discussed earlier, management had previously determined that the opportunity cost to earnings of maintaining a growing level of short-term liquid assets to fund potential loan growth outweighed the related benefits.  Consequently, a significant portion of the Company’s excess liquidity was deployed into comparatively higher yielding investments during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 while the average balance of interest-earning cash and equivalents is generally expected to be maintained at a comparatively lower level than that reported in
 
 
- 90 -
 
 
 
recent quarters.  The deployment of a portion of the Company’s excess liquidity contributed to the increase in the sensitivity of NPV to movements in interest rates reported for the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

In addition to the overall decrease in short-term liquid assets, the change in the Company’s interest rate sensitivity also reflected other less noteworthy changes in the composition and allocation of the Company’s balance sheet from June 30, 2011 to December 31, 2011 as well as updates to modeling assumptions relating to mortgage loan and mortgage-backed security prepayment speeds.

Because the Company’s sensitivity measure and NPV ratio in the +200 bps scenario were within the applicable thresholds originally established by its prior regulator, the Company’s “TB 13a Level of Risk” was internally rated as “Minimal” based upon the results of its interest rate risk analysis as of December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011.  TB-13a was the OTS’s primary regulatory guidance concerning the management of interest rate risk.

As noted earlier, the Company’s internal interest rate risk analysis also includes an “earnings-based” component.  A quantitative, earnings-based approach to measuring interest rate risk is strongly encouraged by bank regulators as a complement to the “NPV-based” methodology.  However, unlike the NPV-based “sensitivity measure”, there are no commonly accepted “industry best practices” that specify the manner in which “earnings-based” interest rate risk analysis should be performed with regard to certain key modeling variables.  Such variables include, but are not limited to, those relating to rate scenarios (e.g., immediate and permanent rate “shocks” versus gradual rate change “ramps”, “parallel” versus “nonparallel” yield curve changes), measurement periods (e.g., one year versus two year, cumulative versus noncumulative), measurement criteria (e.g., net interest income versus net income) and balance sheet composition and allocation (“static” balance sheet, reflecting reinvestment of cash flows into like instruments, versus “dynamic” balance sheet, reflecting internal budget and planning assumptions).

The Company is aware that absence of a commonly shared, industry-standard set of analysis criteria and assumptions on which to base an “earnings-based” analysis could result in inconsistent or misinterpreted disclosure concerning an institution’s level of interest rate risk.  Consequently, the Company limits the presentation of its earnings-based interest rate risk analysis to the scenarios presented in the table below.  Consistent with the NPV analysis above, such scenarios utilize immediate and permanent rate “shocks” that result in parallel shifts in the yield curve.  For each scenario, projected net interest income is measured over a one year period utilizing a static balance sheet assumption through which incoming and outgoing asset and liability cash flows are reinvested into the same instruments.  Product pricing and earning asset prepayment speeds are appropriately adjusted for each rate scenario.

As illustrated in the tables below, the Company’s net interest income would be negatively impacted by an increase in interest rates. Like the NPV results presented earlier, this result is expected given the Company’s liability sensitivity noted earlier. Consistent with the NPV analysis above, the tables below also reflect an increase in sensitivity to movements in interest rates between the comparative periods resulting from the changes to balance sheet allocation and modeling assumptions discussed earlier.  In particular, the deployment of a portion of the Company’s excess liquidity during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 contributed to the increase in the sensitivity of net interest income to movements in interest rates.

 
- 91 -
 
 


At December 31, 2011
Rate Change
Type
Yield
Curve
Shift
Balance Sheet Composition & Allocation
Change in
Rates
Measurement
Period
Net Interest
Income
 Change
in Net
Interest
Income
 Change
in Net
Interest
Income
         
(In Thousands)
 
Base case
(No change)
-
Static
0 bps
One Year
$
70,682
$
-
-
%
Immediate and permanent
Parallel
Static
+100 bps
One Year
 
69,252
 
-1,431
-2.02
 
Immediate and  permanent
Parallel
Static
+200 bps
One Year
 
66,881
 
-3,801
-5.38
 
Immediate and  permanent
Parallel
Static
+300 bps
One Year
 
63,679
 
-7,003
-9.91
 
 
 
At June 30, 2011
Rate Change
Type
Yield
Curve
Shift
Balance
Sheet
Composition
& Allocation
Change in
Rates
Measurement
Period
Net Interest
Income
 Change
in Net
Interest
Income
 Change
in Net
Interest
Income
         
(In Thousands)
 
Base case
(No change)
-
Static
0 bps
One Year
$
71,589
$
-
-
%
Immediate and permanent
Parallel
Static
+100 bps
One Year
 
70,361
 
-1,228
-1.71
 
Immediate and  permanent
Parallel
Static
+200 bps
One Year
 
68,133
 
-3,456
-4.83
 
Immediate and  permanent
Parallel
Static
+300 bps
One Year
 
62,925
 
-8,664
-12.10
 


Notwithstanding the rate change scenarios presented in the NPV and earnings-based analyses above, future interest rates and their effect on net portfolio value or net interest income are not predictable. Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, prepayments and deposit run-offs and should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results.  Certain shortcomings are inherent in this type of computation.  Although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturity or periods of re-pricing, they may react at different times and in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. The interest rate on certain types of assets and liabilities, such as demand deposits and savings accounts, may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while rates on other types of assets and liabilities may lag behind changes in market interest rates. Certain assets, such as adjustable-rate mortgages, generally have features which restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset.  In the event of a change in interest rates, prepayments and early withdrawal levels could deviate significantly from those assumed in making calculations set forth above. Additionally, an increased credit risk may result as the ability of many borrowers to service their debt may decrease in the event of an interest rate increase.

 
- 92 -
 
 

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Based on their evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), the Company’s principal executive officer and the principal financial officer have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

During the quarter under report, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


 
- 93 -
 
 




PART II
 

ITEM 1.
Legal Proceedings
   
 
At December 31, 2011, neither the Company nor the Bank were involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business, which involve amounts in the aggregate believed by management to be immaterial to the financial condition of the Company and the Bank.
   
ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors
   
 
Management of the Company does not believe there have been any material changes with regard to the Risk Factors previously disclosed under Item 1A. of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2011, previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
   
ITEM 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
The following table reports information regarding repurchases of the Company’s common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2011.
 
 
 
Period
 
 
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
 
 
 
 Average
Price Paid
per Share

Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
Maximum  Number
of  Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs (1)
 
October 1-31,  2011
252,300
$
9.21
252,300
336,731
 
November 1-30, 2011
121,200
$
9.63
121,200
215,531
 
December 1-31, 2011
107,000
$
9.65
107,000
108,531
 
 
Total
480,500
 
$
9.41
480,500
108,531
             
(1)  On August 17, 2011, the Company announced the authorization of a sixth repurchase program for up to 845,031 shares or 5% of shares outstanding.
 
   
 
ITEM 3.
 
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
   
 
Not applicable.
   
ITEM 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
   
 
Not applicable.

 
 
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ITEM 5.
Other Information
   
 
None.
   
ITEM 6.
Exhibits
   
 
The following Exhibits are filed as part of this report:
   
   
  3.1
Charter of Kearny Financial Corp. (1)
   
  3.2
By-laws of Kearny Financial Corp. (2)
   
  4.0
Specimen Common Stock Certificate of Kearny Financial Corp. (1)
   
10.1
Employment Agreement between Kearny Federal Savings Bank and Albert E. Gossweiler (2)
   
10.2
Employment Agreement between Kearny Federal Savings Bank and Sharon Jones (2)
   
10.3
Employment Agreement between Kearny Federal Savings Bank and William C. Ledgerwood (2)
   
10.4
Employment Agreement between Kearny Federal Savings Bank and Erika K. Parisi (2)
   
10.5
Employment Agreement between Kearny Federal Savings Bank and Patrick M. Joyce (2)
   
10.6
Employment Agreement between Kearny Federal Savings Bank and Craig L. Montanaro (2)
   
10.7
Directors Consultation and Retirement Plan (1)
   
10.8
Benefit Equalization Plan (1)
   
10.9
Benefit Equalization Plan for Employee Stock Ownership  Plan (1)
   
10.10
Kearny Financial Corp. 2005 Stock Compensation and Incentive Plan (3)
   
10.11
Kearny Federal Savings Bank Director Life Insurance Agreement (4)
   
10.12
Kearny Federal Savings Bank Executive Life Insurance Agreement (4)
   
10.13
Kearny Financial Corp. Directors Incentive Compensation Plan (5)
   
10.14
Employment Agreement between Kearny Federal Savings Bank and Eric B. Heyer (6)
   
11.0
Statement regarding computation of earnings per share (Filed herewith).
   
31.0
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
32.0
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document *
   
101.SCH
XBRL Schema Document *
   
101.CAL
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document *
   
101.LAB
XBRL Labels Linkbase Document *
   
101.PRE
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document *
   
101.DEF
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document *

 
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*
Submitted as Exhibits 101 to this Form 10-Q are documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language).  Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability.
   
(1)
Incorporated by reference to the identically numbered exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-118815).
   
(2)
Incorporated by reference to the exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended June 30, 2008 (File No. 000-51093).
   
(3)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-130204).
   
(4)
Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Registrant’s Form   8-K filed on August 18, 2005 (File No. 000-51093).
   
(5)
Incorporated by reference to the exhibit to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 9, 2005 (File No. 000-51093).
   
(6)
Incorporated by reference to the exhibit to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 30, 2011 (File No. 000-51093).




 
 

 
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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.



     
KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP.
         
Date:
February 9, 2012
 
By:
/s/ Craig L. Montanaro
       
Craig L. Montanaro
       
President and Chief Executive Officer
       
(Duly authorized officer and principal executive officer)
         
Date:
February 9, 2012
 
By:
/s/ Eric B. Heyer
       
Eric B. Heyer
       
Senior Vice President and
       
Chief Financial Officer
       
(Principal financial and accounting officer)

 
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