SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

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 0-24751

SALISBURY BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Connecticut   06-1514263
(State or other jurisdiction   (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
5 Bissell Street, Lakeville, CT   06039
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

(860) 435-9801

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [X] No [ ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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) 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). (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer ☐ ☐ Accelerated filer ☐☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐☐ Smaller reporting company X

 

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

Yes [ ] No [X]

 

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 14, 2013 is 1,710,121.

 

1

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
  PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited):  
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 3
  Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine month periods  
  ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 4
  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine month periods  
  ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 5
  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the nine month  
  period ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 5
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine month period ended  
  September 30, 2013 and 2012 6
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 7
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition  
  and Results of Operations 22
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 39
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures 41
     
  PART II OTHER INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 41
Item 1A. Risk Factors 42
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 42
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities 42
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 42
Item 5. Other Information 42
Item 6. Exhibits 42

 

2

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

  (in thousands, except share data)  September 30, 2013  Duecember 31, 2012
ASSETS          
Cash and due from banks  $7,679   $9,545 
Interest bearing demand deposits with other banks   16,040    34,029 
Total cash and cash equivalents   23,719    43,574 
Interest-bearing time deposits   5,220    -   
Securities          
   Available-for-sale at fair value   99,816    126,287 
   Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock at cost   5,340    5,747 
Loans held-for-sale   708    1,879 
Loans receivable, net (allowance for loan losses: $4,656 and $4,360)   420,306    388,758 
Other real estate owned   571    244 
Bank premises and equipment, net   11,253    11,520 
Goodwill   9,829    9,829 
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization: $1,912 and $1,745)   631    798 
Accrued interest receivable   1,823    1,818 
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies   7,480    7,295 
Deferred taxes   719    - 
Other assets   2,066    3,064 
      Total Assets  $589,481   $600,813 
LIABILITIES and SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Deposits          
   Demand (non-interest bearing)  $83,892   $98,850 
   Demand (interest bearing)   79,232    65,991 
   Money market   125,070    128,501 
   Savings and other   107,380    103,985 
   Certificates of deposit   84,295    93,888 
      Total deposits   479,869    491,215 
Repurchase agreements   3,870    1,784 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances   30,801    31,980 
Deferred taxes   -    590 
Accrued interest and other liabilities   3,730    3,247 
      Total Liabilities   518,270    528,816 
Commitments and contingencies   -    - 
Shareholders' Equity          
   Preferred stock - $.01 per share par value          
      Authorized: 25,000; Issued: 16,000 (Series B);          
      Liquidation preference: $1,000 per share   16,000    16,000 
   Common stock - $.10 per share par value          
      Authorized: 3,000,000;          
      Issued: 1,710,121 and 1,689,691   171    169 
   Paid-in capital   13,668    13,158 
   Retained earnings   41,779    40,233 
   Unearned Compensation - restricted stock awards   (375)   - 
   Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net   (32)   2,437 
      Total Shareholders' Equity   71,211    71,997 
      Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity  $589,481   $600,813 
3

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)

   Three months ended  Nine months ended
  Periods ended September 30, (in thousands except per   share amounts) unaudited 2013  2012  2013  2012
Interest and dividend income                    
Interest and fees on loans  $4,516   $4,500   $13,415   $13,678 
Interest on debt securities                    
   Taxable   418    579    1,359    1,939 
   Tax exempt   475    495    1,441    1,539 
Other interest and dividends   22    33    58    75 
   Total interest and dividend income   5,431    5,607    16,273    17,231 
Interest expense                    
Deposits   459    580    1,437    1,870 
Repurchase agreements   2    3    4    21 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances   311    452    935    1,398 
   Total interest expense   772    1,035    2,376    3,289 
Net interest and dividend income   4,659    4,572    13,897    13,942 
Provision for loan losses   240    330    876    690 
Net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses   4,419    4,242    13,021    13,252 
Non-interest income                    
Trust and wealth advisory   750    683    2,299    2,173 
Service charges and fees   595    559    1,687    1,628 
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net   69    568    501    1,203 
Mortgage servicing, net   (37)   (9)   (3)   (98)
Gains on securities, net   -    -    -    279 
Other   82    86    251    252 
   Total non-interest income   1,459    1,887    4,735    5,437 
Non-interest expense                    
Salaries   1,922    1,810    5,508    5,268 
Employee benefits(1)   693    597    2,140    2,244 
Premises and equipment   622    603    1,789    1,799 
Data processing   358    369    1,145    1,190 
Professional fees   306    299    996    915 
Collections and OREO(2)   74    301    305    767 
FDIC insurance   111    116    350    363 
Marketing and community support   99    92    326    267 
Amortization of intangibles   56    56    167    167 
Other   402    450    1,232    1,240 
   Total non-interest expense   4,643    4,693    13,958    14,220 
Income before income taxes   1,235    1,436    3,798    4,469 
Income tax provision   219    296    695    963 
Net income  $1,016   $1,140   $3,103   $3,506 
Net income available to common shareholders  $976   $1,094   $2,982   $3,328 
                     
Basic earnings per common share  $0.57   $0.65   $1.75   $1.97 
Diluted earnings per common share   0.57    0.65    1.75    1.97 
Common dividends per share   0.28    0.28    0.84    0.84 

 

¹ Included pension plan curtailment expense of $341,000 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012.

² Included litigation expense of $193,000 and $533,000, respectively, for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012.

 

 

4

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited)

   Three months ended  Nine months ended
  Periods ended September 30, (in thousands)  2013     2012     2013    2012  
Net income  $1,016   $1,140   $3,103   $3,506 
Other comprehensive (loss) income                    
Net unrealized (losses) gains on securities available-for-sale(1,240)   921    (3,741)   2,698 
Reclassification of net realized gains in net income   -    -    -    (279)
Unrealized (losses) gains on securities available-for-sale   (1,240)   921    (3,741)   2,419 
Income tax benefit (expense)   422    (313)   1,272    (822)
      Unrealized (losses) gains on securities       available-for-sale, net of tax   (818)   608    (2,469)   1,597 
   Change in unrecognized pension plan costs   -    27    -    (31)
   Income tax (benefit) expense   -    (9)   -    11 
      Pension plan income (loss), net of tax   -    18    -    (20)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax   (818)   626    (2,469)   1,577 
Comprehensive income  $198   $1,766   $634   $5,083 

 

 

 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited)

   Common Stock                   Unearned     Accumulated      
(dollars in thousands) unaudited   Shares    Amount    Preferred Stock    Paid-in
capital
    Retained earnings    

Compensation- Restricted Stock
Awards

    other comp- rehensive income (loss)    

Total

share-

holders' equity

 
Balances at December 31, 2011   1,688,731   $169   $16,000   $13,134   $38,264   $-   $(705)  $66,862 
Net income for period   -    -    -    -    3,506    -    -    3,506 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax   -    -    -    -    -    -    1,577    1,577 
Common stock dividends paid   -    -    -    -    (1,419)   -    -    (1,419)
Preferred stock dividends declared   -    -    -    -    (176)   -    -    (176)
Issuance of common stock for director fees   960    -    -    24    -    -    -    24 
Balances at September 30, 2012    1,689,691   $169   $16,000   $13,158   $40,175   $-   $872   $70,374 
Balances at December 31, 2012   1,689,691   $169   $16,000   $13,158   $40,233   $-   $2,437   $71,997 
Net income for period   -    -    -    -    3,103    -    -    3,103 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax   -    -    -    -    -    -    (2,469)   (2,469)
Common stock dividends declared   -    -    -    -    (1,436)   -    -    (1,436)
Preferred stock dividends declared   -    -    -    -    (121)   -    -    (121)
Issuance of restricted common stock   19,600    2    -    488    -    (490)   -    - 
Forfeiture of restricted common stock   (500)   -         (12)        12    -    - 
Stock based compensation-restricted                                        
  stock awards   -    -    -    -    -    103    -    103 
Issuance of common stock for director fees   1,330    -    -    34    -    -    -    34 
Balances at September 30, 2013    1,710,121   $171   $16,000   $13,668   $41,779   $(375)  $(32)  $71,211 
                                         
5

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) unaudited  2013  2012
Operating Activities          
Net income  $3,103   $3,506 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Amortization and depreciation          
   Securities   366    464 
   Bank premises and equipment   642    666 
   Core deposit intangible   167    167 
   Mortgage servicing rights   298    278 
   Fair value adjustment on loans   24    25 
Gains on calls of securities available-for-sale   -    (12)
Gains on sales of securities available-for-sale   -    (267)
Loss on sale/disposals of premises and equipment   34    24 
Loss recognized on other real estate owned   9    24 
Provision for loan losses   876    690 
Decrease (increase) in loans held-for-sale   1,171    (647)
Increase in deferred loan origination fees and costs, net   (117)   (44)
Mortgage servicing rights originated   (261)   (504)
Decrease in mortgage servicing rights impairment reserve   4    89 
(Increase) decrease in interest receivable   (5)   160 
Deferred tax benefit   (37)   (39)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses   542    (87)
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies   (185)   (202)
Decrease in income tax receivable   352    420 
Decrease (increase) in other assets   63    (29)
Increase in accrued expenses   436    766 
Decrease in interest payable   (29)   (53)
Increase in other liabilities   76    47 
Issuance of shares for director fees   34    24 
Issuance of shares of restricted stock   103    - 
    Net cash provided by operating activities   7,666    5,466 
Investing Activities          
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock   407    285 
Purchase of interest-bearing time deposit with other banks   (5,220)   - 
Proceeds from calls of securities available-for-sale   1,650    12,668 
Proceeds from maturities of securities available-for-sale   20,714    16,928 
Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale   -    2,767 
Proceeds from maturities of securities held-to-maturity   -    50 
Loan originations and principal collections, net   (34,040)   (6,986)
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off   20    37 
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned   1,353    1,745 
Capital expenditures   (409)   (286)
    Net cash (utilized) provided by investing activities   (15,525)   27,208 
Financing Activities          
(Decrease) increase in deposit transaction accounts, net   (1,753)   25,970 
Decrease in time deposits, net   (9,593)   (7,070)
Increase (decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase, net   2,086    (9,207)
Principal payments on Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances   (1,179)   (12,223)
Common stock dividends paid   (1,436)   (1,419)
Preferred stock dividends paid   (121)   (195)
    Net cash utilized by financing activities   (11,996)   (4,144)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   (19,855)   28,530 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   43,574    36,886 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $23,719   $65,416 
Cash paid during period          
    Interest  $2,405   $3,342 
    Income taxes   380    582 
Non-cash transfers          
  Transfer from loans to other real estate owned   1,689    666 
  Transfer from other real estate owned to loans   -    (1,000)
6

 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The interim (unaudited) consolidated financial statements of Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. ("Salisbury") include those of Salisbury and its wholly owned subsidiary, Salisbury Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank"). In the opinion of management, the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Salisbury and the statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the interim periods presented.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make extensive use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet, and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and valuation of real estate, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.

Certain financial information, which is normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, but which is not required for interim reporting purposes, has been condensed or omitted. Operating results for the interim period ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in Salisbury's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2012.

The allowance for loan losses is a significant accounting policy and is presented in Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis, which provide information on how significant assets are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions and estimates underlying those amounts, management has identified the determination of the allowance for loan losses to be the accounting area that requires the most subjective judgments, and as such could be most subject to revision as new information becomes available.

Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements Issued

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-10, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes.” The amendments in this ASU permit the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (OIS) to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815, in addition to Treasury Obligations of the U.S. government (UST) and the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). The amendments also remove the restriction on using different benchmark rates for similar hedges. The amendments apply to all entities that elect to apply hedge accounting of the benchmark interest rate under Topic 815. The amendments are effective prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. The adoption of this ASU did not have an impact on Salisbury’s results of operations or financial position.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, “Income Taxes - Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” The amendments in this ASU provide guidance for the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendments in this ASU are expected to reduce diversity in practice by providing guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits and will better reflect the manner in which an entity would settle at the reporting date any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The amendments apply to all entities that have unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date and are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on Salisbury’s results of operations or financial position.

In April 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-07, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205): Liquidation Basis of Accounting.” The amendments in this ASU are being issued to clarify when an entity should apply the liquidation basis of accounting. The guidance provides principles for the recognition and measurement of assets and liabilities and requirements for financial statements prepared using the liquidation basis of accounting. Additionally, the amendments require disclosures about an entity’s plan for liquidation, the methods and significant assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities, the type and amount of costs and income accrued, and the expected duration of the liquidation process. The amendments are effective for entities that determine liquidation is imminent during annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim reporting periods therein. Entities should apply the requirements prospectively from the day that liquidation becomes imminent. Early adoption is permitted. Salisbury anticipates that the adoption of this guidance will not have an impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

7

 

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, “Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date.” The objective of the amendments in this ASU is to provide guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Examples of obligations within the scope of this ASU include debt arrangements, other contractual obligations, and settled litigation and judicial rulings. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013; and should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented for those obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements within the ASU scope that exist at the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year of adoption. Salisbury anticipates that the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-06, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Subsequent Accounting for an Indemnification Asset Recognized at the Acquisition Date as a Result of a Government-Assisted Acquisition of a Financial Institution.” The amendments in this update clarify the applicable guidance for subsequently measuring an indemnification asset recognized as a result of a government-assisted acquisition of a financial institution. For public entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years beginning on or after December 15, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2012-06 did not have a material impact on Salisbury’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. The amendments in this update defer those changes in ASU 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income for all periods presented. All other requirements in ASU 2011-05 are not affected by this update. The amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-12 did not have a material impact on Salisbury’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” This ASU is to enhance current disclosures. Entities are required to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. An entity should provide the disclosures required by those amendments retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The adoption of ASU 2011-11 did not have a material impact on Salisbury’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 2 - SECURITIES

The composition of securities is as follows:

  (in thousands)  Amortized
cost (1)
  Gross un-
realized gains
  Gross un-realized losses  Fair value
September 30, 2013                    
Available-for-sale                    
U.S. Treasury notes  $2,496   $174   $-   $2,670 
U.S. Government Agency notes   2,509    110    -    2,619 
Municipal bonds   43,850    842    (2,119)   42,573 
Mortgage backed securities                    
   U.S. Government Agencies   35,720    654    (60)   36,314 
Collateralized mortgage obligations                    
   U.S. Government Agencies   3,807    41    -    3,848 
   Non-agency   8,492    423    (20)   8,895 
SBA bonds   2,260    101    -    2,361 
Preferred Stock   20    516    -    536 
   Total securities available-for-sale  $99,154   $2,861   $(2,199)  $99,816 
Non-marketable securities                    
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock  $5,340   $-   $-   $5,340 
8

 

 

  (in thousands)  Amortized
cost (1)
  Gross un-
realized gains
  Gross un-realized losses  Fair value
December 31, 2012                    
Available-for-sale                    
U.S. Treasury notes  $2,496   $237   $-   $2,733 
U.S. Government Agency notes   7,515    211    -    7,726 
Municipal bonds   45,395    2,138    (168)   47,365 
Mortgage backed securities                    
   U.S. Government Agencies   47,465    1,284    (20)   48,729 
Collateralized mortgage obligations                    
   U.S. Government Agencies   5,131    66    -    5,197 
   Non-agency   11,081    494    (68)   11,507 
SBA bonds   2,781    82    -    2,863 
Preferred Stock   20    147    -    167 
   Total securities available-for-sale  $121,884   $4,659   $(256)  $126,287 
Non-marketable securities                    
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock  $5,747   $-   $-   $5,747 
(1)Net of other-than-temporary impairment write-down recognized in earnings.

Salisbury did not sell any securities available-for-sale during the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 and sold a $2,500,000 Treasury bond available-for-sale during the nine month period ended September 30, 2012. The pre-tax gain recognized on this sale was $267,000.

The following table summarizes, for all securities in an unrealized loss position, including debt securities for which a portion of other-than-temporary impairment has been recognized in other comprehensive income, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss of securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of the date presented:

  Less than 12 Months  12 Months or Longer  Total
  (in thousands)  Fair
value
  Unrealized losses  Fair
value
  Unrealized losses  Fair
value
  Unrealized losses
  September 30, 2013                  
Available-for-sale                              
Municipal bonds  $20,617   $1,497   $1,926   $622   $22,543   $2,119 
Mortgage backed securities   4,689    59    42    1    4,731    60 
Collateralized mortgage obligations                              
   Non-agency   432    1    824    12    1,256    13 
Total temporarily impaired securities   25,738    1,557    2,792    635    28,530    2,192 
Other-than-temporarily impaired securities                              
Collateralized mortgage obligations                              
   Non-agency   339    7    -    -    339    7 
Total temporarily and other-than-temporarily impaired securities  $26,077   $1,564   $2,792   $635   $28,869   $2,199 

 

Salisbury evaluates securities for Other Than Temporary Impairment (“OTTI”) where the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis at the balance sheet date. As part of this process, Salisbury considers whether it has the intent to sell each debt security and whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, Salisbury recognizes an OTTI charge to earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. For securities that meet neither of these conditions, an analysis is performed to determine if any of these securities are at risk for OTTI.

The following summarizes, by security type, the basis for evaluating if the applicable securities were OTTI at September 30, 2013.

U.S. Government Agency notes, U.S. Government Agency mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Government Agency CMOs: The contractual cash flows are guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and U.S. government-sponsored enterprises. Changes in fair values are a function of changes in investment spreads and interest rate movements and not changes in credit quality. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities. Furthermore, Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in these securities, although it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity. Therefore, management does not consider these securities to be OTTI at September 30, 2013.

Municipal bonds: Contractual cash flows are performing as expected. Salisbury purchased substantially all of these securities during 2006-to-2008 as bank qualified, insured, AAA rated general obligation or revenue bonds. Salisbury’s portfolio is mostly

9

 

comprised of tax-exempt general obligation bonds or public-purpose revenue bonds for schools, municipal offices, sewer infrastructure and fire houses, for small towns and municipalities across the United States. In the wake of the financial crisis, most monoline bond insurers had their ratings downgraded or withdrawn because of excessive exposure to insurance for collateralized debt obligations. Where appropriate, Salisbury performs credit underwriting reviews of issuers, including some that have had their ratings withdrawn and are insured by insurers that have had their ratings withdrawn, to assess default risk. For all completed reviews pass credit risk ratings have been assigned. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities. It is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity. Management does not consider these securities to be OTTI at September 30, 2013.

Non-agency CMOs: Salisbury performed a detailed cash flow analysis of its non-agency CMOs at September 30, 2013 to assess whether any of the securities were OTTI. Salisbury uses first party provided cash flow forecasts of each security based on a variety of market driven assumptions and securitization terms, including prepayment speed, default or delinquency rate, and default severity for losses including interest, legal fees, property repairs, expenses and realtor fees, that, together with the loan amount are subtracted from collateral sales proceeds to determine severity. In 2009 Salisbury determined that five non-agency CMO securities reflected OTTI and recognized losses for deterioration in credit quality of $1,128,000. Salisbury judged the four remaining securities not to have additional OTTI and all other CMO securities not to be OTTI as of September 30, 2013. It is possible that future loss assumptions could change necessitating Salisbury to recognize future OTTI for further deterioration in credit quality. Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in these securities, although it has no present intention to do so, and it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis.

The following table presents activity related to credit losses recognized into earnings on the non-agency CMOs held by Salisbury for which a portion of an OTTI charge was recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:

  Nine months ended September 30 (in thousands)  2013  2012
Balance, beginning of period  $1,128   $1,128 
  Credit component on debt securities in which OTTI was not previously recognized  -    - 
Balance, end of period  $1,128   $1,128 

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLBB”): The Bank is a member of the FHLBB. The FHLBB is a cooperative that provides services, including funding in the form of advances, to its member banking institutions. As a requirement of membership, the Bank must own a minimum amount of FHLBB stock, calculated periodically based primarily on its level of borrowings from the FHLBB. No market exists for shares of the FHLBB and therefore, they are carried at par value. FHLBB stock may be redeemed at par value five years following termination of FHLBB membership, subject to limitations which may be imposed by the FHLBB or its regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Board, to maintain capital adequacy of the FHLBB. While the Bank currently has no intentions to terminate its FHLBB membership, the ability to redeem its investment in FHLBB stock would be subject to the conditions imposed by the FHLBB. In 2008, the FHLBB announced to its members that it was focusing on preserving capital in response to ongoing market volatility including the extension of a moratorium on excess stock repurchases and in 2009 announced the suspension of its quarterly dividends. In 2011, the FHLBB resumed modest quarterly cash dividends to its members and in early 2012 the FHLBB repurchased its excess stock pool. Based on the capital adequacy and the liquidity position of the FHLBB, management believes there is no impairment related to the carrying amount of the Bank’s FHLBB stock as of September 30, 2013. Further deterioration of the FHLBB’s capital levels may require the Bank to deem its restricted investment in FHLBB stock to be OTTI. If evidence of impairment exists in the future, the FHLBB stock would reflect fair value using either observable or unobservable inputs. The Bank will continue to monitor its investment in FHLBB stock.

NOTE 3 - LOANS

The composition of loans receivable and loans held-for-sale is as follows:

  (in thousands)  September 30, 2013  December 31, 2012
   Residential 1-4 family  $225,262   $198,552 
   Residential 5+ multifamily   4,894    3,889 
   Construction of residential 1-4 family   1,250    2,379 
   Home equity credit   34,163    34,162 
Residential real estate   265,569    238,982 
   Commercial   91,817    87,382  
   Construction of commercial   9,154    5,823 
Commercial real estate   100,971    93,205 
Farm land   4,193    4,320 
Vacant land   9,168    9,926 
Real estate secured   379,901    346,433 
Commercial and industrial   35,837    38,094 
Municipal   4,101    3,378 
Consumer   3,974    4,181 
Loans receivable, gross   423,813    392,086 
Deferred loan origination fees and costs, net   1,149    1,032 
Allowance for loan losses   (4,656)   (4,360)
Loans receivable, net  $420,306   $388,758 
Loans held-for-sale          
   Residential 1-4 family  $708   $1,879 
10

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Salisbury's loans consist primarily of residential and commercial real estate loans located principally in northwestern Connecticut and nearby New York and Massachusetts towns, which constitute Salisbury's service area. Salisbury offers a broad range of loan and credit facilities to borrowers in its service area, including residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, working capital loans, equipment loans, and a variety of consumer loans, including home equity lines of credit, and installment and collateral loans. All residential and commercial mortgage loans are collateralized by first or second mortgages on real estate. The ability of single family residential and consumer borrowers to honor their repayment commitments is generally dependent on the level of overall economic activity within the market area and real estate values. The ability of commercial borrowers to honor their repayment commitments is dependent on the general economy as well as the health of the real estate economic sector in Salisbury’s market area.

Loan Credit Quality

The composition of loans receivable by risk rating grade is as follows:

  (in thousands)  Pass  Special mention  Substandard  Doubtful  Loss Total
September 30, 2013                            
   Residential 1-4 family $206,691   $11,754   $6,721   $96   $-  $225,262
   Residential 5+ multifamily   2,711    1,208    975    -    -   4,894
   Construction of residential 1-4 family   1,250    -    -    -    -   1,250
   Home equity credit   31,541    1,240    1,382    -    -   34,163
Residential real estate   242,193    14,202    9,078    96    -   265,569
   Commercial   66,899    16,513    8,405    -    -   91,817
   Construction of commercial   8,412    152    590    -    -   9,154
Commercial real estate   75,311    16,665    8,995    -    -   100,971
Farm land   1,611    1,436    1,146    -    -   4,193
Vacant land   5,759    293    3,116    -    -   9,168
Real estate secured   324,874    32,596    22,335    96    -   379,901
Commercial and industrial   28,149    6,675    1,013    -       35,837
Municipal   4,101    -    -    -    -   4,101
Consumer   3,854    102    18    -    -   3,974
Loans receivable, gross $360,978   $39,373   $23,366   $96   $-  $423,813
(in thousands)   Pass    Special mention    Substandard    Doubtful    Loss   Total
  December 31, 2012                            
     Residential 1-4 family  $180,442   $12,473   $5,538   $99   $-  $198,552
     Residential 5+ multifamily   2,872    773    244    -    -   3,889
   Construction of residential 1-4 family   1,570    -    809    -    -   2,379
   Home equity credit   30,981    1,848    1,333    -    -   34,162
Residential real estate   215,865    15,094    7,924    99    -   238,982
   Commercial   64,817    13,299    9,266    -    -   87,382
   Construction of commercial   5,055    297    471    -    -   5,823
Commercial real estate   69,872    13,596    9,737    -    -   93,205
Farm land   2,799    341    1,180    -    -   4,320
Vacant land   4,885    863    4,178    -    -   9,926
Real estate secured   293,421    29,894    23,019    99    -   346,433
Commercial and industrial   28,453    8,300    1,341    -    -   38,094
Municipal   3,378    -    -    -    -   3,378
Consumer   3,994    159    28    -    -   4,181
Loans receivable, gross  $329,246   $38,353   $24,388   $99   $-    $392,086
11

The composition of loans receivable by delinquency status is as follows:

    Past due 
(in thousands)   Current    1-29 days    30-59 days    60-89 days    90-179 days    180 days and over    30 days and over    Accruing 90 days and over    Non- accrual 
September 30, 2013                                             
Residential 1-4 family  $217,263   $3,156   $2,644   $2,012   $53   $134   $4,843   $-   $3,013 
Residential 5+ multifamily   4,678    115    -    101    -    -    101    -    - 
Construction of residential
1-4 family
   1,250    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Home equity credit   33,018    337    447    191    132    38    808    23    420 
Residential real estate   256,209    3,608    3,091    2,304    185    172    5,752    23    3,433 
Commercial   88,105    1,902    213    438    127    1,032    1,810    -    2,114 
Construction of commercial7,940    1,074    -    140    0    -    140    -    - 
Commercial real estate   96,045    2,976    213    578    127    1,032    1,950    -    2,114 
Farm land   3,782    -    27    -    384    -    411    -    384 
Vacant land   5,910    120    58    7    -    3,073    3,138    -    3,072 
Real estate secured   361,946    6,704    3,389    2,889    696    4,277    11,251    23    9,003 
Commercial and industrial   35,346    328    30    112    -    21    163    -    140 
Municipal   4,091    10    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Consumer   3,857    89    13    15    -    -    28    -    - 
Loans receivable, gross  $405,240   $7,131   $3,432   $3,016   $696   $4,298   $11,442   $23   $9,143 
December 31, 2012                                             
Residential 1-4 family  $190,488   $2,545   $3,578   $639   $1,185   $117   $5,519   $-   $3,024 
Residential 5+ multifamily   3,889    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Construction of residential
1-4 family
   2,379    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Home equity credit   32,540    890    113    396    -      223    732    -    442 
Residential real estate   229,296    3,435    3,691    1,035    1,185    340    6,251    -    3,466 
Commercial   83,477    864    1,104    566    58    1,313    3,041    -    2,214 
Construction of commercial5,659    -    164    -    -    -    164    -    21 
Commercial real estate   89,136    864    1,268    566    58    1,313    3,205    -    2,235 
Farm land   3,898    422    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Vacant land   5,932    -    -    48    740    3,206    3,994    -    3,994 
Real estate secured   328,262    4,721    4,959    1,649    1,983    4,859    13,450    -    9,695 
Commercial and industrial   37,618    351    26    99    -    -    125    -    164 
Municipal   3,378    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Consumer   4,034    108    25    14    -    -    39    -    - 
Loans receivable, gross  $373,292   $5,180   $5,010   $1,762   $1,983   $4,859   $13,614   $-   $9,859 

Troubled Debt Restructurings

Troubled debt restructurings occurring during the periods are as follows:

   Three months ended September 30, 2013  Nine months ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)  Quantity  Pre-modification balance  Post-modification balance  Quantity  Pre-modification balance  Post-modification balance
Residential real estate   -     $-     $-      4   $1,906   $1,906 
Commercial real estate   -      -      -      -    -    - 
Commercial and industrial   -      -      -      1    91    91 
Troubled debt restructurings   -     $-     $-      5   $1,997   $1,997 
Rate reduction   -     $-     $-      2   $1,070   $1,070 
Rate reduction and debt consolidation   -      -      -      1    91    91 
Rate reduction and interest only pursuant to sale   -      -      -      1    758    758 
Rate reduction and term extension   -      -      -      1    78    78 
Troubled debt restructurings   -     $-     $-      5   $1,997   $1,997 

No loans were modified under a troubled debt restructuring during the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

12

Allowance for Loan Losses

Changes in the allowance for loan losses are as follows:

  Three months ended September 30  Nine months ended September 30
(in thousands)  Beginning balance  Provision  Charge-offs  Reco-veries  Ending balance  Beginning balance  Provision  Charge-offs  Reco-veries  Ending balance
2013 Periods                              
Residential  $1,892   $227   $(159)  $-   $1,960   $1,934   $259   $(233)  $-   $1,960 
Commercial   1,403    58    (19)   -    1,442    1,059    471    (94)   6    1,442 
Land   137    22    (23)   -    136    301    56    (221)   -    136 
Real estate   3,432    307    (201)   -    3,538    3,294    786    (548)   6    3,538 
Commercial & industrial   541    (62)   -    -    479    499    (16)   (4)   -    479 
Municipal   40    1    -    -    41    36    5    -    -    41 
Consumer   69    8    (23)   9    63    91    5    (47)   14    63 
Unallocated   549    (14)   -    -    535    440    96    (1)   -    535 
Totals  $4,631   $240   $(224)  $9   $4,656   $4,360   $876   $(600)  $20   $4,656 
2012 Periods                                                  
Residential  $1,475   $92   $(88)  $-   $1,479   $1,478   $226   $(225)  $-   $1,479 
Commercial   1,277    (206)   (41)   3    1,033    1,139    (72)   (41)   7    1,033 
Land   219    318    (224)   -    313    410    169    (266)   -    313 
Real estate   2,971    204    (353)   3    2,825    3,027    323    (532)   7    2,825 
Commercial & industrial   820    (23)   -    1    798    704    114    (29)   9    798 
Municipal   27    6    -    -    33    24    9    -    -    33 
Consumer   66    74    (14)   5    131    79    92    (63)   22    130 
Unallocated   323    69    -    -    392    242    152    -    (1)   393 
Totals  $4,207   $330   $(367)  $9   $4,179   $4,076   $690   $(624)  $37   $4,179 

The composition of loans receivable and the allowance for loan losses is as follows:

  Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
(in thousands)   Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance 
September 30, 2013                              
   Residential 1-4 family  $219,211   $862   $6,051   $647   $225,262   $1,509 
   Residential 5+ multifamily   3,934    20    960    -    4,894    20 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   1,250    6    -    -    1,250    6 
Home equity credit   33,672    361    491    64    34,163    425 
Residential real estate   258,067    1,249    7,502    711    265,569    1,960 
Commercial   86,744    973    5,073    365    91,817    1,338 
Construction of commercial   9,154    104    -    -    9,154    104 
Commercial real estate   95,898    1,077    5,073    365    100,971    1,442 
Farm land   3,809    66    384    -    4,193    66 
Vacant land   6,096    65    3,072    5    9,168    70 
Real estate secured   363,870    2,457    16,031    1,081    379,901    3,538 
Commercial and industrial   34,997    408    840    71    35,837    479 
Municipal   4,101    41    -    -    4,101    41 
Consumer   3,893    36    81    27    3,974    63 
Unallocated allowance   -    535    -    -    -    535 
Totals  $406,861   $3,477   $16,952   $1,179   $423,813   $4,656 
   Collectively evaluated    Individually evaluated   Total portfolio 
(in thousands)   Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance 
December 31, 2012                              
Residential 1-4 family  $191,886   $743   $6,666   $652   $198,552   $1,395 
Residential 5+ multifamily   2,913    22    976    50    3,889    72 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   2,379    10    -    -    2,379    10 
Home equity credit   33,697    365    465    92    34,162    457 
Residential real estate   230,875    1,140    8,107    794    238,982    1,934 
Commercial   81,635    931    5,747    64    87,382    995 
Construction of commercial   5,802    64    21    -    5,823    64 
Commercial real estate   87,437    995    5,768    64    93,205    1,059 
Farm land   4,320    66    -    -    4,320    66 
Vacant land   5,795    70    4,131    164    9,926    234 
Real estate secured   328,427    2,271    18,006    1,022    346,433    3,293 
Commercial and industrial   37,073    467    1,021    32    38,094    499 
Municipal   3,378    36    -    -    3,378    36 
Consumer   4,061    39    120    53    4,181    92 
Unallocated allowance   -    440    -    -    -    440 
Totals  $372,939   $3,253   $19,147   $1,107   $392,086   $4,360 
13

The credit quality segments of loans receivable and the allowance for loan losses are as follows:

  Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
(in thousands)   Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance 
September 30, 2013                              
Performing loans  $398,638   $2,693   $80   $27   $398,718   $2,720 
Potential problem loans   8,223    249    905    122    9,128    371 
Impaired loans   -    -    15,967    1,030    15,967    1,030 
Unallocated allowance   -    535    -    -    -    535 
Totals  $406,861   $3,477   $16,952   $1,179   $423,813   $4,656 
December 31, 2012                              
Performing loans  $364,594   $2,567   $121   $52   $364,715   $2,619 
Potential problem loans   8,345    246    2,464    131    10,809    377 
Impaired loans   -    -    16,562    924    16,562    924 
Unallocated allowance   -    440    -    -    -    440 
Totals  $372,939   $3,253   $19,147   $1,107   $392,086   $4,360 

Certain data with respect to impaired loans individually evaluated is as follows:

                                              
   Impaired loans with specific allowance  Impaired loans with no specific allowance
(in thousands)  Loan balance              Loan balance     
    Book    Note    Average    

Specific

allowance

    

Income

recognized

    Book    Note    Average     

Income

recognized

 
September 30, 2013                                             
Residential 1-4 family  $3,850   $4,085   $4,016   $573   $62   $2,648   $2,958   $2,286   $44 
Home equity credit   87    88    104    41    1    381    387    212    2 
Residential real estate   3,937    4,173    4,120    614    63    3,029    3,345    2,498    46 
Commercial   3,264    3,301    2,083    365    104    1,559    1,995    2,709    26 
Construction of commercial   -    -    4    -    -    -    20    10    - 
Farm land   -    -    -    -    -    384    384    38    - 
Vacant land   249    268    2,049    5    -    2,823    3,892    1,295    - 
Real estate secured   7,450    7,742    8,256    984    167    7,795    9,636    6,550    72 
Commercial and industrial   127    160    268    46    1    595    996    600    27 
Consumer   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Totals  $7,577   $7,902   $8,524   $1,030   $168   $8,390   $10,632   $7,150   $99 

   Impaired loans with specific allowance  Impaired loans with no specific allowance
(in thousands)  Loan balance              Loan balance     
    Book    Note    Average    

Specific

allowance

    

Income

recognized

    Book    Note    Average     

Income

recognized

 
December 31, 2012                                             
Residential 1-4 family  $3,857   $3,925   $2,404   $578   $77   $2,263   $2,460   $1,601   $34 
Home equity credit   351    351    146    92    -    91    93    203    - 
Residential real estate   4,208    4,276    2,550    670    77    2,354    2,553    1,804    34 
Commercial   1,629    1,784    1,925    64    60    3,381    3,576    3,122    82 
Vacant land   3,186    3,387    1,455    158    -    808    1,467    2,358    4 
Real estate secured   9,023    9,447    5,930    892    137    6,543    7,596    7,284    120 
Commercial and industrial   335    368    833    32    13    661    1,063    854    31 
Consumer   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Totals  $9,358   $9,815   $6,763   $924   $150   $7,204   $8,659   $8,138   $151 

14

NOTE 4 - MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

Loans serviced for others are not included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The balance of loans serviced for others and the fair value of mortgage servicing rights are as follows:

  September 30, (in thousands)  2013  2012
Residential mortgage loans serviced for others  $146,726   $141,834 
Fair value of mortgage servicing rights   1,550    989 

Changes in mortgage servicing rights are as follows:

   Three months  Nine months
  Periods ended September 30, (in thousands)  2013  2012  2013  2012
Loan Servicing Rights                    
Balance, beginning of period  $1,109   $916   $1,076   $772 
Originated   31    197    261    503 
Amortization (1)   (101)   (115)   (298)   (277)
Balance, end of period   1,039    998    1,039    998 
Valuation Allowance                    
Balance, beginning of period   (4)   (123)   (38)   (22)
(Increase) decrease in impairment reserve (1)   (38)   12    (4)   (89)
Balance, end of period   (42)   (111)   (42)   (111)
Loan servicing rights, net  $997   $887   $997   $887 
(1)Amortization expense and changes in the impairment reserve are recorded in loan servicing fee income.

NOTE 5 - PLEDGED ASSETS

The following securities and loans were pledged to secure public deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, FHLBB advances and credit facilities available.

  (in thousands)  September 30, 2013  December 31, 2012
Securities available-for-sale (at fair value)  $51,175   $54,497 
Loans receivable   125,000    106,457 
Total pledged assets  $176,175   $160,954 

At September 30, 2013, securities were pledged as follows: $42.0 million to secure public deposits, $9.1 million to secure repurchase agreements and $0.1 million to secure FHLBB advances. Loans receivable were pledged to secure FHLBB advances and credit facilities.

NOTE 6 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company defines unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends as participating securities that are included in computing Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each share of common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings (distributed and undistributed) are allocated to common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends. Earnings per common share are calculated by dividing earnings allocated to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income allocated to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity.

15

The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share (basic and diluted) for the periods indicated:

   Three months  Nine months
Periods ended September 30, (in thousands)  2013  2012  2013  2012
Net income  $1,016   $1,140   $3,103   $3,506 
  Less: Preferred stock dividends declared   (40)   (46)   (121)   (178)
  Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities   (11)   -    (31)   - 
Net income allocated to common stock  $965   $1,094   $2,951   $3,328 
Common shares issued   1,710    1,690    1,707    1,690 
  Less: Unvested restricted stock awards   (19)   -    (17)   - 
Common shares outstanding used to calculate basic earnings per common share   1,691    1,690    1,690    1,690 
  Add: Diluted effect of unvested restricted stock awards   -    -    -    - 
Common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per common share   1,691    1,690    1,690    1,690 
Earnings per common share (basic and diluted)  $0.57   $0.65   $1.75   $1.97 

NOTE 7 - SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Capital Requirements

Salisbury and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional and discretionary actions by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on Salisbury and the Bank's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Salisbury and the Bank must meet specific guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Salisbury and the Bank's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require Salisbury and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined) and total and Tier 1 capital (as defined) to risk-weighted assets (as defined). Management believes, as of September 30, 2013, that Salisbury and the Bank meet all of their capital adequacy requirements.

The Bank was classified, as of its most recent notification, as "well capitalized". The Bank's actual regulatory capital position and minimum capital requirements as defined "To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions" and "For Capital Adequacy Purposes" are as follows:

   Actual  For Capital Adequacy Purposes  To be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
(dollars in thousands)  Amount  Ratio  Amount  Ratio  Amount  Ratio
September 30, 2013                  
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury  $65,703    16.67%  $31,531    8.0%   n/a    - 
Bank   55,413    13.93    31,815    8.0   $39,768    10.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury   60,783    15.42    15,766    4.0    n/a    - 
Bank   50,493    12.70    15,907    4.0    23,861    6.0 
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)                              
Salisbury   60,783    10.28    23,659    4.0    n/a    - 
Bank   50,493    8.60    23,485    4.0    29,357    5.0 
December 31, 2012                              
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury  $63,391    16.63%  $30,494    8.0%   n/a    - 
Bank   53,132    13.77    30,866    8.0   $38,582    10.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury   58,933    15.46    15,247    4.0    n/a    - 
Bank   48,674    12.62    15,432    4.0    23,149    6.0 
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)                              
Salisbury   58,933    9.87    23,876    4.0    n/a    - 
Bank   48,674    8.15    23,876    4.0    29,845    5.0 
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In December 2010, the Basel Committee, a group of bank regulatory supervisors from around the world, released its final framework for strengthening international capital and liquidity regulation, now officially identified by the Basel Committee as “Basel III.” Basel III, when fully implemented by the U.S. bank regulatory agencies and fully phased-in, will require bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries to maintain substantially more capital, with a greater emphasis on common equity.

In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation approved final rules to implement the Basel III capital framework. The rules will be effective on January 1, 2015 and phased-in over a multiple year period through 2019. The new capital rules call for higher quality capital with higher minimum capital level requirements. We are in the process of assessing the impact from these new regulatory requirements, and while we cannot be certain of the impact, we believe that we will exceed the requirements of adequately capitalized plus the buffer, once they become effective.

DIVIDENDS

Cash Dividends to Common Shareholders

Salisbury's ability to pay cash dividends is substantially dependent on the Bank's ability to pay cash dividends to Salisbury. There are certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends and other payments by the Bank to Salisbury. Under Connecticut law, the Bank cannot declare a cash dividend except from net profits, defined as the remainder of all earnings from current operations. The total of all cash dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year shall not, unless specifically approved by the Banking Commissioner, exceed the total of its net profits of that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years.

Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) Supervisory Letter SR 09-4, February 24, 2009, revised March 27, 2009, notes that, as a general matter, the Board of Directors of a Bank Holding Company (“BHC”) should inform the FRB and should eliminate, defer, or significantly reduce dividends if (1) net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends; (2) the prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition; or (3) the BHC will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Moreover, a BHC should inform the FRB reasonably in advance of declaring or paying a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period (e.g., quarter) for which the dividend is being paid or that could result in a material adverse change to the BHC capital structure.

Preferred Stock

In August 2011, Salisbury issued to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) $16,000,000 of its Series B Preferred Stock under the Small Business Lending Fund (the “SBLF”) program. The SBLF program is a $30 billion fund established under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 to encourage lending to small businesses by providing Tier 1 capital to qualified community banks with assets of less than $10 billion. The Preferred Stock qualifies as Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes and ranks senior to the Common Stock.

The Series B Preferred Stock pays noncumulative dividends. The dividend rate on the Series B Preferred Stock for the initial quarterly dividend period ending September 30, 2011 and each of the next nine quarterly dividend periods the Series B Preferred Stock is outstanding is determined each quarter based on the increase in the Bank’s Qualified Small Business Lending. The dividend rate for the quarterly dividend periods ended September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013, was 1.0000%. For the tenth quarterly dividend period through four and one-half years after its issuance, the dividend rate on the Series B Preferred Stock will be fixed at the rate in effect at the end of the ninth quarterly dividend period and after four and one-half years from its issuance the dividend rate will be fixed at 9 percent per annum. On September 27, 2013, Salisbury declared a Series B Preferred Stock dividend of $40,000, payable on October 1, 2013. The Series B Preferred Stock is non-voting, other than voting rights on matters that could adversely affect the Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock is redeemable at any time at one hundred percent of the issue price plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.

Grants of Restricted Stock and Options

On February 8, 2013, Salisbury granted a total of 19,600 shares of restricted stock pursuant to its 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan, which was approved by shareholders at the 2011 Annual Meeting, to 22 employees, including 5,000 shares to one Named Executive Officer, Richard J. Cantele, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer.

NOTE 8 - PENSION AND OTHER BENEFITS

The components of net periodic cost for Salisbury’s insured noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan were as follows:

   Three months  Nine months
  Periods ended September 30, (in thousands)  2013  2012  2013  2012
Service cost  $-   $94   $-   $310 
Interest cost on benefit obligation   66    88    197    270 
Expected return on plan assets   (67)   (113)   (202)   (342)
Amortization of net loss   1    28    5    95 
Settlements and curtailments   -    -    -    341 
Net periodic benefit cost  $-   $97   $-   $674 

Salisbury’s 401(k) Plan expense was $183,000 and $70,000, respectively, for the three month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Other post-retirement benefit obligation expense for endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements was $14,000 and $11,000 for the three month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

17

NOTE 9 -ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

The components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income as follows:

  At September 30, (in thousands)  2013  2012
Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net of tax  $437   $2,950 
Unrecognized pension plan expense, net of tax   (469)   (2,078)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net  $(32)  $872 

NOTE 10 - FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Salisbury uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, other assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held for sale, collateral dependent impaired loans, property acquired through foreclosure or repossession and mortgage servicing rights. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve the application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

ASC 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” provides a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP. This guidance provided Salisbury the irrevocable option to elect fair value for the initial and subsequent measurement for certain financial assets and liabilities on a contract-by-contract basis. However, Salisbury did not elect fair value treatment for any financial assets or liabilities upon adoption of such ASC.

In accordance with ASC 820-10, Salisbury groups its financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.

GAAP specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the types of valuation information (“inputs”) are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect Salisbury’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy

Level 1. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Level 1 also includes U.S. Treasury, other U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active markets. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2. Significant other observable inputs. Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets. Valuations are obtained from first party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Level 3. Significant unobservable inputs. Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, are not based on market exchange, dealer, or broker traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets and liabilities.

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The following is a description of valuation methodologies for assets recorded at fair value, including the general classification of such assets and liabilities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Securities available-for-sale. Securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Level 1 securities include exchange-traded equity securities. Level 2 securities include debt securities with quoted prices, which are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments, whose value is determined using matrix pricing with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes obligations of the Treasury and U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, municipal bonds, SBA bonds, corporate bonds and certain preferred equities. Level 3 is for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions. Valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, and such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used. Subsequent to inception, management only changes Level 3 inputs and assumptions when corroborated by evidence such as transactions in similar instruments, completed or pending first-party transactions in the underlying investment or comparable entities, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalization and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt markets, and changes in financial ratios or cash flows.
Collateral dependent loans that are deemed to be impaired are valued based upon the fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell. Such collateral primarily consists of real estate and, to a lesser extent, other business assets. Management may adjust appraised values to reflect estimated market value declines or apply other discounts to appraised values resulting from its knowledge of the property. Internal valuations are utilized to determine the fair value of other business assets. Collateral dependent impaired loans are categorized as Level 3.
18
Other real estate owned acquired through foreclosure or repossession is adjusted to fair value less costs to sell upon transfer out of loans. Subsequently, it is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is generally based upon independent market prices or appraised values of the collateral. Management adjusts appraised values to reflect estimated market value declines or apply other discounts to appraised values for unobservable factors resulting from its knowledge of the property, and such property is categorized as Level 3.
19

 

Assets measured at fair value are as follows:

  Fair Value Measurements Using 
(in thousands)   Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Assets at
fair value
 
September 30, 2013                    
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis                    
  U.S. Treasury notes  $-   $2,670   $-   $2,670 
  U.S. Government agency notes   -    2,619    -    2,619 
  Municipal bonds   -    42,573    -    42,573 
  Mortgage-backed securities:                    
      U.S. Government agencies   -    36,314    -    36,314 
  Collateralized mortgage obligations:                    
      U.S. Government agencies   -    3,848    -    3,848 
      Non-agency   -    8,895    -    8,895 
  SBA bonds   -    2,361    -    2,361 
  Preferred stocks   536    -    -    536 
Securities available-for-sale  $536   $99,280   $-   $99,816 
Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis                    
  Collateral dependent impaired loans  $-   $-   $6,547   $6,547 
  Other real estate owned   -    -    571    571 
December 31, 2012                    
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis                    
  U.S. Treasury notes  $-   $2,733   $-   $2,733 
  U.S. Government agency notes   -    7,726    -    7,726 
  Municipal bonds   -    47,365    -    47,365 
  Mortgage-backed securities:                    
     U.S. Government agencies   -    48,729    -    48,729 
  Collateralized mortgage obligations:                    
     U.S. Government agencies   -    5,197    -    5,197 
     Non-agency   -    11,507    -    11,507 
  SBA bonds   -    2,863    -    2,863 
  Preferred stocks   167    -    -    167 
Securities available-for-sale  $167   $126,120   $-   $126,287 
Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis                    
  Collateral dependent impaired loans  $   $    $8,434  $8,434 
  Other real estate owned   -    -    244    244 
20

Carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments are as follows:

      Fair value measurements using
(in thousands)   Carrying value    Estimated
fair value
    Level 1    Level 2    Level 3 
September 30, 2013                         
Financial Assets                         
Cash and due from banks  $23,719   $23,719   $23,719   $-   $- 
Interest-bearing time deposits   5,220    5,220    -    -    5,220 
Securities available-for-sale   99,816    99,816    536    99,280    - 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   5,340    5,340    -    5,340    - 
Loans held-for-sale   708    713    -    -    713 
Loans receivable net   420,306    413,809    -    -    413,809 
Accrued interest receivable   1,823    1,823    -    -    1,823 
Financial Liabilities                         
   Demand (non-interest-bearing)  $83,892   $83,892   $-   $-   $83,892 
   Demand (interest-bearing)   79,232    79,232    -    -    79,232 
   Money market   125,070    125,070    -    -    125,070 
   Savings and other   107,380    107,380    -    -    107,380 
   Certificates of deposit   84,295    84,950    -    -    84,950 
Deposits   479,869    480,524    -    -    480,524 
FHLBB advances   30,801    33,692    -    -    33,692 
Repurchase agreements   3,870    3,870    -    -    3,870 
Accrued interest payable    166    166    -    -    166 
December 31, 2012                         
Financial Assets                         
Cash and due from banks  $43,574   $43,574   $43,574   $-   $- 
Securities available-for-sale   126,287    126,287    167    126,120    - 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   5,747    5,747    -    5,747    - 
Loans held-for-sale   1,879    1,893    -    -    1,893 
Loans receivable net   388,758    389,292    -    -    389,292 
Accrued interest receivable   1,818    1,818    -    -    1,818 
Financial Liabilities                         
   Demand (non-interest-bearing)  $98,850   $98,850   $-   $-   $98,850 
   Demand (interest-bearing)   65,991    65,991    -    -    65,991 
   Money market   128,501    128,501    -    -    128,501 
   Savings and other   103,985    103,985    -    -    103,985 
   Certificates of deposit   93,888    94,894    -    -    94,894 
Deposits   491,215    492,221    -    -    492,221 
FHLBB advances   31,980    35,363    -    -    35,363 
Repurchase agreements   1,784    1,784    -    -    1,784 
Accrued interest payable    196    196    -    -    196 

The carrying amounts of financial instruments shown in the above table are included in the consolidated balance sheets under the indicated captions.

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Salisbury and its subsidiary should be read in conjunction with Salisbury's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

BUSINESS

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. ("Salisbury"), a Connecticut corporation, formed in 1998, is a bank holding company for Salisbury Bank and Trust Company ("Bank"), a Connecticut-chartered and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") insured commercial bank headquartered in Lakeville, Connecticut. Salisbury's principal business consists of the business of the Bank. The Bank, formed in 1848, is engaged in customary banking activities, including general deposit taking and lending activities to both retail and commercial markets, and trust and wealth advisory services. The Bank conducts its banking business from eight full-service offices in the towns of Canaan, Lakeville, Salisbury and Sharon, Connecticut, South Egremont and Sheffield, Massachusetts, Millerton and Dover Plains, New York, and operates its trust and wealth advisory services from offices in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Salisbury’s consolidated financial statements follow GAAP as applied to the banking industry in which it operates. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. These estimates, assumptions and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event.

Salisbury’s significant accounting policies are presented in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Salisbury's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and, along with this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, provide information on how significant assets are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Management believes that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating Salisbury’s reported financial results, and they require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset type on the balance sheet. Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Salisbury's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2012 describes the methodology used to determine the allowance for loan losses. In addition, a discussion of the factors driving changes in the amount of the allowance for loan losses are included in the “Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of this Quarterly Report.

Management evaluates goodwill and identifiable intangible assets for impairment annually using valuation techniques that involve estimates for discount rates, projected future cash flows and time period calculations, all of which are susceptible to change based on changes in economic conditions and other factors. Future events or changes in the estimates, which are used to determine the carrying value of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets or which otherwise adversely affect their value or estimated lives, could have a material adverse impact on the results of operations.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment giving consideration to the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, estimates of future cash flows, delinquencies and default severity, and the intent and ability of Salisbury to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. The consideration of the above factors is subjective and involves estimates and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. Should actual factors and conditions differ materially from those used by management, the actual realization of gains or losses on investment securities could differ materially from the amounts recorded in the financial statements.

The determination of the obligation and expense for pension and other postretirement benefits is dependent on certain assumptions used in calculating such amounts. Key assumptions used in the actuarial valuations include the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and rates of increase in compensation and health care costs.

Actual results could differ from the assumptions and market driven rates may fluctuate. Significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in the assumptions may materially affect the future pension and other postretirement obligations and expense.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the three month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

Overview

Net income available to common shareholders was $976,000, or $0.57 per common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 (third quarter 2013), versus $1,103,000, or $0.65 per common share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 (second quarter 2013), and $1,094,000, or $0.65 per common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 (third quarter 2012).

·Earnings per common share of $0.57 decreased $0.08, or 12.3%, as compared to $0.65 for the second quarter 2013 and third quarter 2012.
·Tax equivalent net interest income increased $25,000, or 0.5%, versus second quarter 2013, and increased $120,000, or 2.5%, versus third quarter 2012.
·Net loan charge-offs were $215,000 for third quarter 2013, versus $294,000 for second quarter 2013 and $358,000 for third quarter 2012. Provision for loan losses for the third quarter remained unchanged from the second quarter 2013 at $240,000, versus $330,000 for third quarter 2012.
·Non-interest income decreased $191,000, or 11.6%, versus second quarter 2013 and decreased $428,000, or 22.7%, versus third quarter 2012; which included $568,000 in gains on sales of mortgage loans.
·Non-interest expense increased $33,000, or 0.7%, versus second quarter 2013 and decreased $50,000, or 1.1%, versus third quarter 2012.
·Preferred stock dividends remained unchanged from the second quarter at $40,000 for third quarter 2013, and declined by $8,000 as compared with the third quarter 2012 dividend of $48,000.
·Non-performing assets increased $0.1 million, or 1.0%, to $9.7 million, or 1.7% of total assets, at September 30, 2013 versus June 30, 2013 and decreased $0.2 million versus September 30, 2012. Accruing loans receivable 30-to-89 days past due increased $0.8 million to $5.1 million, or 1.2% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2013, versus June 30, 2013 and increased $1.9 million versus September 30, 2012.

Net Interest Income

Tax equivalent net interest income for third quarter 2013 increased $25,000, or 0.5%, versus second quarter 2013, and increased $120,000, or 2.5%, versus third quarter 2012. Average total interest bearing liabilities increased $12.6 million as compared with second quarter 2013 and decreased $2.8 million, or -0.6%, as compared with third quarter 2012. Average earning assets increased $6.7 million as compared with second quarter 2013 and decreased $6.2 million, or -1.1%, as compared with third quarter 2012. The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis decreased 3 basis points from second quarter 2013 to 3.51% and increased 12 basis points versus third quarter 2012 from 3.39%.

The following table sets forth the components of Salisbury's fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) net interest income and yields on average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing funds.

  Three months ended September 30,  Average Balance  Income / Expense  Average Yield / Rate
  (dollars in thousands)  2013  2012  2013  2012  2013  2012
Loans (a)(d)  $424,897   $383,954   $4,581   $4,526    4.31%   4.71%
Securities (c)(d)   102,361    129,945    1,131    1,324    4.42    4.08 
FHLBB stock   5,340    5,747    5    7    0.38    0.51 
Short term funds (b)   33,345    52,460    22    25    0.26    0.19 
Total earning assets   565,943    572,106    5,739    5,882    4.05    4.11 
Other assets   35,989    40,218                     
Total assets  $601,932   $612,324                     
Interest-bearing demand deposits  $83,271   $65,813    71    78    0.34    0.47 
Money market accounts   132,480    136,865    84    104    0.25    0.30 
Savings and other   107,665    102,039    56    67    0.20    0.26 
Certificates of deposit   87,088    97,354    247    331    1.13    1.35 
Total interest-bearing deposits   410,504    402,071    458    580    0.44    0.57 
Repurchase agreements   3,943    3,594    2    3    0.20    0.29 
FHLBB advances   30,935    42,535    312    452    3.94    4.16 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   445,382    448,200    772    1,035    0.69    0.92 
Demand deposits   82,573    89,225                     
Other liabilities   3,049    4,808                     
Shareholders’ equity   70,928    70,091                     
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity  $601,932   $612,324                     
Net interest income            $4,967   $4,847           
Spread on interest-bearing funds                       3.36    3.19 
Net interest margin (e)                       3.51    3.39 
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(a)Includes non-accrual loans.
(b)Includes interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold.
(c)Average balances of securities are based on historical cost.
(d)Includes tax exempt income benefit of $308,000 and $275,000, respectively for 2013 and 2012 on tax-exempt securities and loans whose income and yields are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis.
(e)Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

The following table sets forth the changes in FTE interest due to volume and rate.

  Three months ended September 30, (in thousands)  2013 versus 2012
Change in interest due to   Volume    Rate    Net 
Interest-earning assets               
   Loans  $462   $(407)  $55 
   Securities   (293)   100    (193)
   FHLBB stock   -    (2)   (2)
   Short term funds   (11)   8    (3)
Total   158    (301)   (143)
Interest-bearing liabilities               
   Deposits   (14)   (108)   (122)
   Repurchase agreements   -      (1)   (1)
   FHLBB advances   (120)   (20)   (140)
Total   (134)   (129)   (263)
Net change in net interest income  $292   $(172)  $120 

Interest Income

Tax equivalent interest income decreased $143,000, or 2.4%, to $5.7 million for third quarter 2013 as compared with third quarter 2012.

Loan income increased $55,000, or 1.2%, primarily due to a 40 basis points decrease in the average loan yield and by a $40.9 million, or 10.7%, increase in average loans.

Tax equivalent securities income decreased $193,000, or 14.6%, for third quarter 2013 as compared with third quarter 2012, primarily due to a $27.6 million, or 21.2%, decrease in average volume due to calls, prepayments of mortgage backed securities, and the sale of an agency bond in 2012.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $263,000, or 25.4%, to $0.8 million for third quarter 2013 as compared with third quarter 2012.

Interest on deposit accounts and retail repurchase agreements decreased $123,000, or 21.1%, as a result of lower average rates, down 13 basis points on deposits and 9 basis points on repurchase agreements, offset partially by an $8.4 million, or 2.1%, increase in the average balance of deposits. The lower average rate resulted from the effect of currently lower market interest rates paid on interest bearing deposits and changes in product mix.

Interest expense on FHLBB borrowings decreased $140,000 as a result of lower average borrowings, down $11.6 million, and by the average borrowing rate decrease of 22 basis points as compared with third quarter 2012. The decline in advances resulted from scheduled maturities that were not replaced with new advances and the prepayment of a $10 million FHLBB advance in fourth quarter 2012.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses was $240,000 for third quarter 2013 and $330,000 for third quarter 2012. Net loan charge-offs were $215,000 and $358,000, for the respective quarters. The following table sets forth changes in the allowance for loan losses and other selected statistics:

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   Three months  Nine months
  Periods ended September 30, (dollars in thousands)  2013  2012  2013  2012
Balance, beginning of period  $4,631   $4,207   $4,360   $4,076 
Provision for loan losses   240    330    876    690 
Charge-offs                    
   Real estate mortgages   (201)   (353)   (549)   (532)
   Commercial & industrial   -    -    (4)   (29)
   Consumer   (23)   (14)   (47)   (63)
Total charge-offs   (224)   (367)   (600)   (624)
Recoveries                    
   Real estate mortgages   -    3    6    7 
   Commercial & industrial   -    1    -    9 
   Consumer   9    5    14    21 
Total recoveries   9    9    20    37 
Net charge-offs   (215)   (359)   (580)   (587)
Balance, end of period  $4,656   $4,179   $4,656   $4,179 
Loans receivable, gross            $423,813   $380,508 
Non-performing loans             9,166    9,229 
Accruing loans past due 30-89 days             5,093    3,152 
Ratio of allowance for loan losses:                    
   to loans receivable, gross             1.10%   1.10%
   to non-performing loans             50.80    45.28 
Ratio of non-performing loans to loans receivable, gross             2.16    2.43 
Ratio of accruing loans past due 30-89 days to loans receivable, gross             1.20    0.83 

 

Reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans, remained unchanged at 1.10% at September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012.

During the third quarter of 2013, non-performing loans (non-accrual loans and accruing loans past-due 90 days or more) at $9.2 million, remained stable as 2.2% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2013 and 2.2% at June 30, 2013 versus 2.4% at September 30, 2012. Accruing loans past due 30-89 days increased $0.8 million to $5.1 million, or 1.2% of gross loans receivable from 1.0% at June 30, 2013 and 0.8% at September 30, 2012. See “Financial Condition - Loan Credit Quality” for further discussion and analysis.

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The credit quality segments of loans receivable and the allowance for loan losses are as follows:

September 30, 2013  (in thousands) Collectively evaluated Individually evaluated Total portfolio
Loans Allowance Loans Allowance Loans Allowance
Performing loans $  398,638   $   2,693   $        80   $      27   $  398,718   $  2,720  
Potential problem loans 8,223 249 905 122 9,128 371
Impaired loans - - 15,967 1,030 15,967 1,030
Unallocated allowance - 535 - - - 535
Totals $  406,861 $  3,477 $  16,952 $  1,179 $  423,813 $  4,656
December 31, 2012  (in thousands) Collectively evaluated Individually evaluated Total portfolio
Loans Allowance Loans Allowance Loans Allowance
Performing loans $  364,592   $  2,567   $  121   $       52   $  364,715   $  2,619 
Potential problem loans 8,345 246 2,4654 131 10,819 377
Impaired loans - - 16,562 924 16,562 924
Unallocated allowance - 440 - - - 440
Totals $  372,939 $  3253 $  19,147 $  1,107 $  392,086 $  4,360

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of the probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the reporting date. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to earnings and by recoveries of amounts previously charged off, and is reduced by loan charge-offs. Loan charge-offs are recognized when management determines a loan or portion of a loan to be uncollectible. The allowance for loan losses is computed by segregating the portfolio into three components: (1) loans collectively evaluated for impairment: general loss allocation factors for non-impaired loans are segmented into pools of loans based on similar risk characteristics such as loan product, collateral type and loan-to-value, loan risk rating, historical loss experience, delinquency factors and other similar economic indicators, (2) loans individually evaluated for impairment: individual loss allocations for loans deemed to be impaired based on discounted cash flows or collateral value, and (3) unallocated: general loss allocations for other environmental factors.

Impaired loans and certain potential problem loans, where warranted, are individually evaluated for impairment. Impairment is measured for each individual loan, or for a borrower’s aggregate loan exposure, using either the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. An allowance is established when the collateral value or discounted cash flows of the loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.

The component of the allowance for loan losses for loans collectively evaluated for impairment is estimated by stratifying loans into segments and credit risk ratings and applying management’s general loss allocation factors. The general loss allocation factors are based on expected loss experience adjusted for historical loss experience and other qualitative factors, including levels/trends in delinquencies; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of changes in risk selection and underwriting standards and other changes in lending policies, procedures and practices; experience/ability/depth of lending management and staff; and national and local economic trends and conditions. The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment. There were no significant changes in Salisbury’s policies or methodology pertaining to the general component of the allowance for loan losses during the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

The unallocated component of the allowance is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. It reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating allocated and general reserves in the portfolio.

Determining the adequacy of the allowance at any given period is difficult, particularly during deteriorating or uncertain economic periods, and management must make estimates using assumptions and information that are often subjective and changing rapidly. The review of the loan portfolio is a continuing event in light of a changing economy and the dynamics of the banking and regulatory environment. Should the economic climate deteriorate, borrowers could experience difficulty and the level of non-performing loans, charge-offs and delinquencies could rise and require increased provisions. In management's judgment, Salisbury remains adequately reserved both against total loans and non-performing loans at September 30, 2013.

Management’s loan risk rating assignments, loss percentages and specific reserves are subjected annually to an independent credit review by an external firm. In addition, the bank is examined annually on a rotational process by one of its two primary regulatory agencies, the FDIC and State of Connecticut Department of Banking (“CTDOB”). As an integral part of their examination process, the FDIC and CTDOB review the Bank's credit risk ratings and allowance for loan losses.

26

Non-interest Income

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest income.

  Three months ended September 30, (dollars in thousands) 2013  2012      2013 vs. 2012
Trust and wealth advisory fees  $750   $683   $67    9.81%
Service charges and fees   595    559    36    6.44 
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net   69    568    (499)   (87.85)
Mortgage servicing, net   (37)   (9)   (28)   (311.11)
Gains on securities, net   -    -    -    - 
Other   82    86    (4)   (4.65)
Total non-interest income  $1,459   $1,887   $(428)   (22.68)%

 

Non-interest income decreased $191,000, or 11.6%, versus second quarter 2013 and decreased $428,000, or 22.7%, versus third quarter 2012. Trust and Wealth Advisory revenues decreased $74,000 versus second quarter 2013 and increased $67,000 versus third quarter 2012. The year-over-year revenue increase results from growth in managed assets, offset by slightly lower estate fees collected in third quarter 2013. Service charges and fees increased $20,000 versus second quarter 2013 and $36,000 versus third quarter 2012. Income from sales and servicing of mortgage loans in the third quarter decreased by $129,000 as compared to the second quarter 2013 and decreased $527,000 as compared to the third quarter 2012 due to interest rate driven fluctuations in the volume of fixed rate residential mortgage loan sales and mortgage servicing valuations. Mortgage loan sales totaled $2.2 million for third quarter 2013, $5.1 million for second quarter 2013 and $18.3 million for third quarter 2012. Third quarter 2013, second quarter 2013 and third quarter 2012 included mortgage servicing valuation (impairment) or benefit charges of ($38,000), $1,000 and $12,000, respectively. Other income includes income from bank owned life insurance and rental income.

Non-interest Expense

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest expense.

  Three months ended September 30, (dollars in thousands) 2013  2012      2013 vs. 2012
Salaries  $1,922   $1,810   $112    6.19%
Employee benefits   693    597    96    16.08 
Premises and equipment   622    603    19    3.15 
Data processing   358    369    (11)   (2.98)
Professional fees   306    299    7    2.34 
Collections and OREO   74    301    (227)   (75.42)
FDIC insurance   111    116    (5)   (4.31)
Marketing and community support   99    92    7    7.61 
Amortization of intangible assets   56    56    -    - 
Other   402    450    (48)   (10.67)
Non-interest expense  $4,643   $4,693   $(50)   (1.07)%

Non-interest expense for third quarter 2013 increased $33,000 versus second quarter 2013 and decreased $50,000 versus third quarter 2012. Compensation and employee benefits increased $17,000 versus second quarter 2013, and increased $208,000 versus third quarter 2012. Year-over-year expenses include higher 401(k) expense and new compensation plan expenses implemented to compensate for the hard freeze placed on the defined benefit pension plan as of December 31, 2012. Premises and equipment increased $39,000 versus second quarter 2013 and $19,000 versus third quarter 2012, mainly due to disposed assets related to modifications of the Millerton branch. Data processing decreased $9,000 versus second quarter 2013 and $11,000 versus third quarter 2012. Professional fees decreased $3,000 versus second quarter 2013, and increased $7,000 versus third quarter 2012. Collections and OREO decreased $1,000 versus second quarter 2013, and $227,000 versus third quarter 2012 due primarily to decreased related litigation and OREO expense. Salisbury had $571,000 in foreclosed property at September 30, 2013 compared to $435,000 at June 30, 2013 and $641,000 at September 30, 2012. FDIC insurance premiums decreased $3,000 versus second quarter 2013 and $5,000 versus third quarter 2012. Remaining operating expenses decreased $7,000 versus second quarter 2013 and $41,000 versus third quarter 2012 due primarily to reductions in other administrative and operational expenses.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for third quarter 2013, second quarter 2013 and third quarter 2012 were 18%, 20% and 21%, respectively. Fluctuations in the effective tax rate result from changes in the mix of taxable and tax exempt income. Salisbury’s effective tax rate is generally less than the 34% federal statutory rate due to holdings of tax-exempt municipal bonds, some tax-exempt loans and bank owned life insurance.

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Salisbury did not incur Connecticut income tax in 2013 or 2012, other than minimum state income tax, as a result of its utilization of Connecticut tax legislation that permits banks to shelter certain mortgage income from the Connecticut corporation business tax through the use of a special purpose entity called a Passive Investment Company (“PIC”). In accordance with this legislation, in 2004 the Bank formed a PIC, SBT Mortgage Service Corporation. Salisbury's income tax provision reflects the full impact of the Connecticut legislation. Salisbury does not expect to pay other than minimum state income tax in the foreseeable future unless there is a change in the State of Connecticut corporate tax law.

For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

Overview

Net income available to common shareholders was $2,982,000, or $1.75 per common share, for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 (nine month period 2013), compared with $3,328,000, or $1.97 per common share, for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 (nine month period 2012).

·Earnings per common share decreased $0.22, or 11.2%, to $1.75 versus nine month period 2012.
·Tax equivalent net interest income increased $24,000, or 0.1%, to $14.8 million, versus nine month period 2012.
·Provision for loan losses was $876,000, versus $690,000 for nine month period 2012. Net loan charge-offs were $580,000, versus $587,000 for nine month period 2012.
·Non-interest income decreased $702,000, or 12.9%, versus nine month period 2012. Nine month period 2012 included a $279,000 securities gain and gains on sales of mortgages were higher by 58.4%.
·Non-interest expense decreased $262,000, or 1.8%, versus nine month period 2012. Nine month period 2012 included a pension plan curtailment expense of $341,000 and litigation expenses of $533,000, of which $400,000 was non-recurring.

Net Interest Income

Tax equivalent net interest income for nine month period 2013 increased $24,000, or 0.2%, versus nine month period 2012. The net interest margin increased 3 basis points to 3.53% from 3.50%.

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The following table sets forth the components of Salisbury's fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) net interest income and yields on average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing funds.

  Nine months ended September 30,  Average Balance  Income / Expense  Average Yield / Rate
  (dollars in thousands)  2013  2012  2013  2012  2013  2012
Loans (a)(d)  $414,050   $381,429   $13,600   $13,750    4.38%   4.81%
Securities (c)(d)   109,857    139,719    3,514    4,251    4.26    4.06 
FHLBB stock   5,443    5,819    16    23    0.39    0.52 
Short term funds (b)   30,606    36,526    58    53    0.25    0.19 
Total earning assets   559,959    563,493    17,188    18,077    4.09    4.28 
Other assets   38,605    40,392                     
Total assets  $598,561   $603,885                     
Interest-bearing demand deposits  $73,589   $66,058    210    275    0.38    0.56 
Money market accounts   130,829    127,991    260    324    0.27    0.34 
Savings and other   106,710    99,003    162    219    0.20    0.30 
Certificates of deposit   90,081    99,944    804    1,052    1.19    1.41 
Total interest-bearing deposits   401,209    392,996    1,436    1,870    0.48    0.64 
Repurchase agreements   2,769    6,863    4    21    0.20    0.41 
FHLBB advances   31,318    44,140    936    1,398    3.94    4.16 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   435,296    443,999    2,376    3,289    0.73    0.99 
Demand deposits   88,023    86,420                     
Other liabilities   3,198    4,488                     
Shareholders’ equity   72,044    68,978                     
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity  $598,561   $603,885                     
Net interest income            $14,812   $14,788           
Spread on interest-bearing funds                       3.36    3.29 
Net interest margin (e)                       3.53    3.50 

 

(a)Includes non-accrual loans.
(b)Includes interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold.
(c)Average balances of securities are based on historical cost.
(d)Includes tax exempt income benefit of $915,000 and $846,000, respectively for 2013 and 2012 on tax-exempt securities and loans whose income and yields are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis.
(e)Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

The following table sets forth the changes in FTE interest due to volume and rate.

Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands)  2013 versus 2012
Change in interest due to   Volume    Rate    Net 
Interest-earning assets               
Loans  $1,124   $(1,274)  $(150)
Securities   (932)   195    (737)
FHLBB stock   (1)   (6)   (7)
Short term funds   (10)   15    5 
Total   181    (1,070)   (889)
Interest-bearing liabilities               
Deposits   (50)   (384)   (434)
Repurchase agreements   (9)   (8)   (17)
FHLBB advances   (395)   (67)   (462)
Total   (454)   (459)   (913)
Net change in net interest income  $635   $(611)  $24 

Interest Income

Tax equivalent interest income decreased $889,000, or 4.9%, to $17.2 million for nine month period 2013 versus nine month period 2012.

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Loan income decreased $150,000, or 1.1%, primarily due to a 43 basis points decline in the average loan yield offset in part by a $32.6 million, or 8.6%, increase in average loans. Tax equivalent securities income decreased $737,000, or 17.3%, primarily due to a $29.9 million, or 21.4%, decrease in average volume, offset in part by a 20 basis points increase in the average yield. Changes in securities yields resulted from the effect of changes in market interest rates on securities purchases, calls of agency bonds, prepayments of mortgage backed securities and the sale of $2.5 million of US Treasury bonds in 2012. Income from short term funds increased $5,000 as a result of a 6 basis points increase in the average yield, offset in part by a $5.9 million decrease in the average balance.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $913,000, or 0.3%, to $2.4 million for nine month period 2013 versus nine month period 2012.

Interest on deposit accounts and retail repurchase agreements decreased $451,000, or 23.8%, as a result of lower average rates, down 16 and 21 basis points respectively, along with an average balance decrease of $4.1 million in repurchase agreements. Lower rates were offset in part by an $8.2 million, or 2.1%, increase in the average balance of deposits. The lower average rate resulted from the effect of lower market interest rates on rates paid and changes in product mix. The higher average volume resulted from deposit growth.

Interest expense on FHLBB borrowings decreased $462,000 as a result of lower average borrowings, down $12.8 million due to the prepayment of a $10 million FHLBB advance in fourth quarter 2012, scheduled maturities that were not replaced with new advances and a lower average borrowing rate, down 22 basis points.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses was $876,000 for nine month period 2013 and $690,000 for nine month period 2012. Net loan charge-offs were $580,000 and $587,000, for the respective periods.

Reserve coverage at September 30, 2013, as measured by the ratio of allowance for loan losses to gross loans, remained unchanged at 1.10%, as compared with 1.10% a year ago at September 30, 2012. During the first nine months of 2013, non-performing loans (non-accrual loans and accruing loans past-due 90 days or more) decreased $0.7 million to $9.2 million. Such amount represents 2.16% of gross loans receivable, a decrease from 2.4% at September 30, 2012. At September 30, 2013 accruing loans past due 30-89 days decreased $0.5 million to $5.1 million, or 1.2% of gross loans receivable from 0.8% at September 30, 2012. See “Financial Condition - Loan Credit Quality” for further discussion and analysis.

Non-interest Income

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest income.

  Nine months ended September 30, (dollars in thousands) 2013    2012            2013 vs. 2012
Trust and wealth advisory fees  $2,299  $2,173   $126    5.80%
Service charges and fees   1,687    1,628    59    3.62 
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net   501    1,203    (702)   (58.35)
Mortgage servicing, net   (3)   (98)   95    96.94 
Gains on securities, net   -    279    (279)   (100.00)
Other   251    252    (1)   (0.04)
Total non-interest income  $4,735   $5,437   $(702)   (12.91)%

Non-interest income for the nine month period 2013 decreased $702,000 versus nine month period 2012. Trust and Wealth Advisory revenues increased $126,000 from growth in managed assets, offset slightly by lower estate and tax preparation fees collected in 2013. Service charges and fees increased $59,000 due primarily to an increase in service charge fees and higher interchange fees resulting from increased volume; offset partially by reduced non-sufficient fund fees. Income from sales and servicing of mortgage loans decreased $702,000 due to increasing mortgage rates which adversely impacted demand for residential mortgages and resulted in a lower volume of loans sold. Mortgage loans sales totaled $15.9 million for nine month period 2013 and $46.8 million for nine month period 2012. Nine month period 2013 and 2012 included mortgage servicing valuation impairment charges of $4,000 and $90,000, respectively. For the nine month period 2013 no gains on securities were realized, while nine month period 2012 gains on securities resulted from the sale of $2.5 million of US Treasury bonds. Other income includes bank owned life insurance income and rental income.

Non-interest Expense

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest expense.

  Nine months ended September 30, (dollars in thousands) 2013    2012             2013 vs. 2012
Salaries  $5,508   $5,268   $240    4.56%
Employee benefits   2,140    2,244    (104)   (4.63)
Premises and equipment   1,789    1,799    (10)   (0.56)
Data processing   1,145    1,190    (45)   (3.78)
Professional fees   996    915    81    8.85 
Collections and OREO   305    767    (462)   (60.23)
FDIC insurance   350    363    (13)   (3.58)
Marketing and community support   326    267    59    22.10 
Amortization of intangible assets   167    167    -    - 
Other   1,232    1,240    (8)   (0.65)
Non-interest expense  $13,958   $14,220   $(262)   (1.84)%
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Non-interest expense for nine month period 2013 decreased $262,000 versus nine month period 2012. Salaries increased $240,000 due to changes in staffing levels and mix and annual salary increases. Employee benefits decreased $104,000 due primarily to lower pension plan expenses in 2013. A hard freeze was put on the defined benefit pension plan as of December 31, 2012 thereby reducing 2013 expenses and a curtailment expense of $341,000 from retiree lump-sum withdrawals was realized in 2012. These lower pension expenses were offset in part by new deferred compensation plans implemented to replace the pension plan. Premises and equipment decreased $10,000 due primarily to upgraded equipment and software purchased in 2012. The decrease was offset slightly by higher building maintenance and repairs and disposed assets related to modifications of the Millerton branch in 2013.

Data processing decreased $45,000 due primarily to lower tax preparation fees assessed in the Trust area. Professional fees increased $81,000 due primarily to higher investment management fees associated with the growth in trust and wealth advisory assets under management and increased legal fees associated with new compensation plans. Collections and OREO expense decreased $462,000 due primarily to lower litigation expenses, down $453,000, and delinquent real estate taxes, down $81,000, offset in part by higher appraisal and inspection expenses, up $84,000. Salisbury had three foreclosed properties at September 30, 2013. FDIC insurance decreased $13,000. Marketing and contributions increased $59,000 due primarily to an increase of general marketing campaigns and increased contributions to community organizations. Remaining operating expenses decreased $45,000 due to lower other administrative and operational expenses.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for nine month period 2013 and nine month period 2012 were 18.30% and 21.55%, respectively. Fluctuations in the effective tax rate result from changes in the mix of taxable and tax exempt income. Salisbury’s effective tax rate is generally less than the 34% federal statutory rate due to holdings of tax-exempt municipal bonds, some tax-exempt loans and bank owned life insurance.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Overview

Total assets were $589.5 million at September 30, 2013, down $11.3 million from December 31, 2012. Loans receivable, net, were $420.3 million at September 30, 2013, up $31.5 million, or 8.4%, from December 31, 2012. Non-performing assets were $9.7 million at September 30, 2013, down $0.4 million from $10.1 million at December 31, 2012. Reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans, was 1.10%, 1.11% and 1.10%, at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, respectively. Deposits were $479.9 million, down $11.3 million from $491.2 million at December 31, 2012.

At September 30, 2013, book value and tangible book value per common share were $32.28 and $26.17, respectively. Salisbury’s Tier 1 leverage and total risk-based capital ratios were 10.28% and 16.67%, respectively, and above the “well capitalized” limits as defined by the FRB.

Securities and Short Term Funds

Year-to-date 2013, securities decreased $26.5 million to $99.8 million as we continue to redeploy cash flow from the investment portfolio into loans. FHLBB advances decreased $1.2 million, while cash and cash-equivalents (non-time interest-bearing deposits with other banks, money market funds and federal funds sold) decreased $19.9 million to $23.7 million.

Salisbury evaluates securities for OTTI where the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis at the balance sheet date. As part of this process, Salisbury considers its intent to sell each debt security and whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, Salisbury recognizes an OTTI charge to earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. For securities that meet neither of these conditions, an analysis is performed to determine if any of these securities are at risk for OTTI.

Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in these securities, although it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell any of its securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity. Therefore, management does not consider any of its securities, other than four non-agency CMO securities reflecting OTTI, to be OTTI at September 30, 2013.

In 2009 Salisbury determined that five non-agency CMO securities reflected OTTI and recognized losses for deterioration in credit quality of $1.1 million. Salisbury judged the four remaining securities not to have additional OTTI and all other CMO securities not to be OTTI as of September 30, 2013. It is possible that future loss assumptions could change necessitating Salisbury to recognize future OTTI for further deterioration in credit quality. Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in these securities, although it has no present intention to do so, and it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell any of its securities before recovery of their cost basis.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2013 of ($32,000) included net unrealized holding gains, net of tax, of $0.4 million, decrease of $2.5 million over December 2012, partially offset by unrecognized pension plan expense, net of tax, of $0.5 million.

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Loans

Net loans receivable increased $31.5 million to $420.3 million at September 30, 2013, compared with $388.8 million at December 31, 2012.

The composition of loans receivable and loans held-for-sale is as follows:

 (in thousands) 

September 30,

2013

 

December 31,

2012

   Residential 1-4 family  $225,262   $198,552 
   Residential 5+ multifamily   4,894    3,889 
   Construction of residential 1-4 family   1,250    2,379 
   Home equity credit   34,163    34,162 
Residential real estate   265,569    238,982 
   Commercial   91,817    87,382 
   Construction of commercial   9,154    5,823 
Commercial real estate   100,971    93,205 
Farm land   4,193    4,320 
Vacant land   9,168    9,926 
Real estate secured   379,901    346,433 
Commercial and industrial   35,837    38,094 
Municipal   4,101    3,378 
Consumer   3,974    4,181 
Loans receivable, gross   423,813    392,086 
Deferred loan origination fees and costs, net   1,149    1,032 
Allowance for loan losses   (4,656)   (4,360)
Loans receivable, net  $420,306   $388,758 
Loans held-for-sale          
   Residential 1-4 family  $708   $1,879

Loan Credit Quality

The persistent weakness in the local and regional economies continues to impact the credit quality of Salisbury’s loans receivable. During nine months of 2013, non-performing assets decreased $0.4 million, and the amount of total impaired and potential problem loans decreased $2.3 million.

The composition of loans receivable by risk rating grade is as follows:

  (in thousands)  Pass  Special mention  Substandard  Doubtful  Loss  Total
  September 30, 2013                              
      Residential 1-4 family  $206,691   $11,754   $6,721   $96   $- $ 225,262 
      Residential 5+ multifamily   2,711    1,208    975    -    -    4,894 
    Construction of residential 1-4 family   1,250    -    -    -    -    1,250 
    Home equity credit   31,541    1,240    1,382    -    -    34,163 
Residential real estate   242,193    14,202    9,078    96    -    265,569 
    Commercial   66,899    16,513    8,405    -    -    91,817 
    Construction of commercial   8,412    152    590    -    -    9,154 
Commercial real estate   75,311    16,665    8,995    -    -    100,971 
Farm land   1,611    1,436    1,146    -    -    4,193 
Vacant land   5,759    293    3,116    -    -    9,168 
Real estate secured   324,874    32,596    22,335    96    -    379,901 
Commercial and industrial   28,149    6,675    1,013    -    -    35,837 
Municipal   4,101    -    -    -    -    4,101 
Consumer   3,854    102    18    -    -    3,974 
Loans receivable, gross  $360,978   $39,373   $23,366   $96   $- $  423,813 
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  (in thousands)  Pass  Special mention  Substandard  Doubtful  Loss  Total
  December 31, 2012                              
      Residential 1-4 family  $180,442   $12,473   $5,538   $99   $-   $198,552 
      Residential 5+ multifamily   2,872    773    244    -    -    3,889 
    Construction of residential 1-4 family   1,570    -    809    -    -    2,379 
    Home equity credit   30,981    1,848    1,333    -    -    34,162 
Residential real estate   215,865    15,094    7,924    99    -    238,982 
    Commercial   64,817    13,299    9,266    -    -    87,382 
    Construction of commercial   5,055    297    471    -    -    5,823 
Commercial real estate   69,872    13,596    9,737    -    -    93,205 
Farm land   2,799    341    1,180    -    -    4,320 
Vacant land   4,885    863    4,178    -    -    9,926 
Real estate secured   293,421    29,894    23,019    99    -    346,433 
Commercial and industrial   28,453    8,300    1,341    -    -    38,094 
Municipal   3,378    -    -    -    -    3,378 
Consumer   3,994    159    28    -    -    4,181 
Loans receivable, gross  $329,246   $38,353   $24,388   $99   $-   $392,086 

Changes in impaired and potential problem loans are as follows:

  September 30, 2013  September 30, 2012
   Impaired loans              Impaired loans          
Nine months ended (in thousands)   Non-accrual    Accruing    Potential problem loans    Total    Non-accrual    Accruing    Potential problem loans    Total 
Loans placed on non-accrual status  $3,671   $(758)  $(1,517)  $1,396   $3,858   $(665)  $(1,099)  $2,094 
Loans restored to accrual status   (902)   385    143    (374)   (887)   563    23    (301)
Loan risk rating downgrades to substandard   -    -    3,586    3,586    -    -    1,680    1,680 
Loan risk rating upgrades from substandard   -    -    (1,350)   (1,350)   -    -    (402)   (402)
Loan repayments   (2,246)   328    (2,540)   (4,458)   (596)   (155)   (301)   (1,052)
Loan charge-offs   (467)   19    (4)   (452)   (556)   -    -    (556)
Increase (decrease) in TDR loans   -    884    -    884    -    2,463    (1,830)   633 
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans   (971)   (736)   -    (1,707)   (666)   -    -    (666)
Inter-month tax advances   198    -    -    198    -    -    -    - 
Increase (decrease) in loans  $(717)  $122   $(1,682)  $(2,277)  $1,153   $2,206  $(1,929)  $1,430 

For year-to-date 2013 Salisbury has placed $3.7 million of loans on non-accrual status as a result of deteriorated payment and financial performance and charged-off $580,000 of loans primarily as a result of collateral deficiencies.

Salisbury has cooperative relationships with the majority of its non-performing loan customers. Substantially all non-performing loans are collateralized with real estate and the repayment of such loans is largely dependent on the return of such loans to performing status or the liquidation of the underlying real estate collateral. Salisbury pursues the resolution of all non-performing loans through collections, restructures, voluntary liquidation of collateral by the borrower and, where necessary, legal action. When Salisbury’s reasonable attempts to work with a customer to return a loan to performing status, including restructuring the loan, are unsuccessful, Salisbury will initiate appropriate legal action seeking to acquire property by deed in lieu of foreclosure or through foreclosure, or to liquidate business assets.

Credit Quality Segments

Salisbury categorizes loans receivable into the following credit quality segments:

·Impaired loans consist of all non-accrual loans and troubled debt restructured loans, and represent loans for which it is probable that Salisbury will not be able to collect all principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreements.
·Non-accrual loans, a sub-set of impaired loans, are loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued because, in the opinion of management, full collection of principal or interest is unlikely.
·Non-performing loans consist of non-accrual loans, and accruing loans past due 90 days and over that are well collateralized, in the process of collection and where full collection of principal and interest is assured. Non-performing assets consist of non-performing loans plus real estate acquired in settlement of loans.
·Troubled debt restructured loans are loans for which concessions such as reduction of interest rates, other than normal market rate adjustments, or deferral of principal or interest payments, extension of maturity dates, or reduction of principal balance or accrued interest, have been granted due to a borrower’s financial condition. Loan restructuring is employed when management believes the granting of a concession will increase the probability of the full or partial collection of principal and interest.
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·Potential problem loans consist of performing loans that have been assigned a substandard credit risk rating and that are not classified as impaired.

Credit Risk Ratings

Salisbury assigns credit risk ratings to loans receivable in order to manage credit risk and to determine the allowance for loan losses. Credit risk ratings categorize loans by common financial and structural characteristics that measure the credit strength of a borrower. Salisbury’s rating model has eight risk rating grades, with each grade corresponding to a progressively greater risk of default. Grades 1 through 4 are pass ratings and 5 through 8 are ratings (special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss) defined by the bank’s regulatory agencies, the FDIC and CTDOB. Risk ratings are assigned to differentiate risk within the portfolio and are reviewed on an ongoing basis and revised, if needed, to reflect changes in the borrowers' current financial position and outlook, risk profiles and the related collateral and structural positions.

·Loans risk rated as "special mention" possess credit deficiencies or potential weaknesses deserving management’s close attention that if left uncorrected may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loans at some future date.
·Loans risk rated as "substandard" are loans where the Bank’s position is clearly not protected adequately by borrower current net worth or payment capacity. These loans have well defined weaknesses based on objective evidence and include loans where future losses to the Bank may result if deficiencies are not corrected, and loans where the primary source of repayment such as income is diminished and the Bank must rely on sale of collateral or other secondary sources of collection.
·Loans risk rated as "doubtful" have the same weaknesses as substandard loans with the added characteristic that the weakness makes collection or liquidation in full, given current facts, conditions, and values, to be highly improbable. The possibility of loss is high, but due to certain important and reasonably specific pending factors, which may work to strengthen the loan, its reclassification as an estimated loss is deferred until its exact status can be determined.
·Loans risk rated as "loss" are considered uncollectible and of such little value, that continuance as Bank assets is unwarranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather, it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this basically worthless loan even though partial recovery may be made in the future.

Management actively reviews and tests its credit risk ratings against actual experience and engages an independent third-party to annually validate its assignment of credit risk ratings. In addition, the Bank’s loan portfolio and risk ratings are examined annually on a rotating basis by its two primary regulatory agencies, the FDIC and CTDOB.

Impaired Loans

Loans individually evaluated for impairment (impaired loans) are loans for which Salisbury does not expect to collect all contractual principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan. Impaired loans include all modified loans classified as troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) and loans on non-accrual status. The components of impaired loans are as follows:

  (in thousands)  September 30, 2013  December 31, 2012
Non-accrual loans, excluding troubled debt restructured loans  $6,116   $7,579 
Non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans   3,027    2,280 
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans   6,824    6,703 
Total impaired loans  $15,967   $16,562 
Commitments to lend additional amounts to impaired borrowers  $-     $-   
           

Non-Performing Assets

Non-performing assets decreased $0.4 million to $9.7 million, or 1.6% of assets at September 30, 2013, from $10.1 million, or 1.7% of assets at December 31, 2012, and decreased $0.1 million from $9.8 million, or 1.6% of assets at September 30, 2012.

The 4% decrease in non-performing assets in the first nine months 2013 resulted primarily from $0.9 million of loans returning to accrual status, $0.5 million charged off, and $4.7 million from loan repayments and payoffs. These declines were offset in part by a $1.1 million change in 90+ past due status, a $0.2 million advance for taxes and additions of $3.7 million in new non-accrual loans and $0.7 million of OREO additions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

34

The components of non-performing assets are as follows:

  (in thousands)  September 30, 2013  December 31, 2012
   Residential 1-4 family  $3,013   $3,024 
   Home equity credit   420    442 
   Commercial   2,114    2,235 
   Farm land   384    - 
   Vacant land   3,072    3,994 
Real estate secured   9,003    9,695 
Commercial and industrial   140    164 
Consumer   -    - 
Non-accruing loans   9,143    9,859 
Accruing loans past due 90 days and over   23    - 
Non-performing loans   9,166    9,859 
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans   571    244 
Non-performing assets  $9,737   $10,103 

The past due status of non-performing loans is as follows:

  (in thousands)  September 30, 2013  December 31, 2012
Current  $1,533   $1,797 
Past due 001-029 days   1,285    75 
Past due 030-059 days   758    701 
Past due 060-089 days   596    445 
Past due 090-179 days   696    1,983 
Past due 180 days and over   4,298    4,858 
Total non-performing loans  $9,166   $9,859 

At September 30, 2013, 16.71% of non-accrual loans were current with respect to loan payments, compared with 18.23% at December 31, 2012. Loans past due 180 days include a $3.0 million loan secured by vacant land (residential building lots) where Salisbury has initiated a foreclosure action that is referred to in Item 1 of Part II, Legal Proceedings.

Troubled Debt Restructured Loans

Troubled debt restructured loans increased $0.9 million during 2013 to $9.9 million, or 2.32% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2013, from $9.0 million, or 2.29% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2012.

The components of troubled debt restructured loans are as follows:

(in thousands)  September 30, 2013  December 31, 2012
Residential 1-4 family  $3,533   $3,098 
Commercial   2,710    2,774 
Real estate secured   6,243    5,872 
Commercial and industrial   581    832 
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans   6,824    6,704 
Residential 1-4 family   2,246    1,041 
Commercial   669    1,159 
Vacant land   -    - 
Real estate secured   2,915    2,200 
Commercial and industrial   112    80 
Non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans   3,027    2,280 
Troubled debt restructured loans  $9,851   $8,984 
35

The past due status of troubled debt restructured loans is as follows:

(in thousands)  September 30, 2013  December 31, 2012
Current  $6,079   $5,354 
Past due 001-029 days   437    445 
Past due 030-059 days   308    905 
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans   6,824    6,704 
Current   1,039    1,333 
Past due 001-029 days   1,285    - 
Past due 030-059 days   214    301 
Past due 060-089 days   489    194 
Past due 090-179 days   -    - 
Past due 180 days and over   -    452 
Non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans   3,027    2,280 
Total troubled debt restructured loans  $9,851   $8,984 

At September 30, 2013, 72.26% of troubled debt restructured loans were current with respect to loan payments, as compared with 74.43% at December 31, 2012.

Past Due Loans

Loans past due 30 days or more decreased $2.2 million during 2013 to $11.4 million, or 2.69% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2013, compared with $13.6 million, or 3.47% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2012.

The components of loans past due 30 days or greater are as follows:

(in thousands)  September 30, 2013  December 31, 2012
Past due 030-059 days  $2,674   $4,309 
Past due 060-089 days   2,420    1,317 
Past due 090-179 days   23    - 
Accruing loans   5,117    5,626 
Past due 030-059 days    758    701 
Past due 060-089 days   596    445 
Past due 090-179 days   673    1,983 
Past due 180 days and over   4,298    4,859 
Non-accrual loans   6325    7,988 
Total loans past due 30 days or greater  $11,442   $13,614 

Potential Problem Loans

Potential problem loans decreased $1.7 million during the nine months of 2013 to $9.1 million, or 2.15% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2013, compared with $10.8 million, or 2.76% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2012.

The components of potential problem loans are as follows:

(in thousands)  September 30, 2013  December 31, 2012
Residential 1-4 family  $1,620   $3,108 
Residential 5+ multifamily   975    - 
Home equity credit   914    892 
Residential real estate   3,509    4,000 
Commercial   3,912    4,624 
Construction of commercial   590    450 
Commercial real estate   4,502    5,074 
Farm land   762    1,180 
Vacant land   45    183 
Real estate secured   8,818    10,437 
Commercial and Industrial   292    345 
Consumer   18    28 
Potential problem loans  $9,128   $10,810 
36

 The past due status of potential problem loans is as follows:

(in thousands)  September 30, 2013  December 31, 2012
Current  $7,696   $7,992 
Past due 001-029 days   175    452 
Past due 030-059 days   304    2,065 
Past due 060-089 days   930    301 
Past due 090-179 days   23     
Total potential problem loans  $9,128   $10,810 

At September 30, 2013, 84.31% of potential problem loans were current with respect to loan payments, as compared with 73.93% at December 31, 2012.

Management cannot predict the extent to which economic or other factors may impact such borrowers’ future payment capacity, and there can be no assurance that such loans will not be placed on nonaccrual status, restructured, or require increased provision for loan losses.

Deposits and Borrowings

Deposits decreased $12.1 million during third quarter 2013 to $479.9 million at September 30, 2013, from $492.0 million at June 30, 2013, and decreased $10.3 million for year-over-year from $490.2 million at September 30, 2012. Retail repurchase agreements increased $0.9 million during third quarter 2013 to $3.9 million at September 30, 2013, compared with $3.0 million at June 30, 2013, and increased $1.0 million for year-over-year compared with $2.9 million at September 30, 2012.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) advances decreased $0.4 million during third quarter 2013 to $30.8 million at September 30, 2013, from $31.2 million at June 30, 2013, and decreased $11.6 million for year-over-year from $42.4 million at September 30, 2012. The decreases were due to amortizing payments of advances, maturities of advances that were not renewed, and the prepayment in fourth quarter 2012 of a $10.0 million advance maturing 12/16/2013 with a 4.88% coupon.

Liquidity

Salisbury manages its liquidity position to ensure that there is sufficient funding availability at all times to meet both anticipated and unanticipated deposit withdrawals, loan originations and advances, securities purchases and other operating cash outflows. Salisbury's primary sources of liquidity are principal payments and maturities of securities and loans, short-term borrowings through repurchase agreements and FHLBB advances, net deposit growth and funds provided by operations. Liquidity can also be provided through sales of loans and available-for-sale securities.

Salisbury manages its liquidity in accordance with a liquidity funding policy, and also maintains a contingency funding plan that provide for the prompt and comprehensive response to unexpected demands for liquidity. At September 30, 2013, Salisbury's liquidity ratio, as represented by cash, short term available-for-sale securities and marketable assets to net deposits and short term unsecured liabilities, was 21.14%, down from 30.55% at December 31, 2012. Management believes Salisbury’s funding sources will meet anticipated funding needs.

Operating activities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 provided net cash of $7.7 million. Investing activities utilized net cash of $15.5 million, principally from $34.0 million of net loan originations and principal collections and $5.2 million in time deposits with other banks, offset by proceeds of $22.3 million from calls and maturities of securities available-for-sale and $1.4 million proceeds from sales of other real estate owned. Financing activities utilized net cash of $12.0 million, principally due to a net decrease of $9.2 million in deposits and repurchase agreements, pay downs of FHLBB advances of $1.2 million and common and preferred stock dividends paid totaling $1.6 million.

At September 30, 2013, Salisbury had outstanding commitments to fund new loan originations of $17.4 million and unused lines of credit of $56.9 million. Salisbury believes that these commitments can be met in the normal course of business. Salisbury believes that its liquidity sources will continue to provide funding sufficient to support operating activities, loan originations and commitments, and deposit withdrawals.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

Shareholders’ equity was $71.2 million at September 30, 2013, down $0.8 million from December 31, 2012. Book value and tangible book value per common share were $32.28 and $26.17, respectively, compared with $33.14 and $26.85, respectively, at December 31, 2012. Contributing to the decrease in shareholders’ equity for year-to-date 2013 was other comprehensive loss of $2.5 million, and common and preferred stock dividends of $1.6 million which were offset partially by net income of $3.1 million and issuance of stock awards and restricted stock of $0.1 million. Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net of tax, of $0.4 million and unrecognized pension plan costs, net of tax, of $0.5 million.

37

In August 2011, Salisbury issued to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) $16.0 million of its Series B Preferred Stock under the Small Business Lending Fund (the “SBLF”) program. The SBLF program is a $30 billion fund established under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 to encourage lending to small businesses by providing Tier 1 capital to qualified community banks with assets of less than $10 billion. The Preferred Stock qualifies as Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes and ranks senior to the Common Stock.

The Series B Preferred Stock pays noncumulative dividends. The dividend rate on the Series B Preferred Stock for the initial quarterly dividend period ending September 30, 2011 and each of the next nine quarterly dividend periods the Series B Preferred Stock is outstanding is determined each quarter based on the increase in the Bank’s Qualified Small Business Lending. The dividend rate for the quarterly dividend periods ended September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013, was 1.0000%. For the tenth quarterly dividend period through four and one-half years after its issuance, the dividend rate on the Series B Preferred Stock will be fixed at the rate in effect at the end of the ninth quarterly dividend period and after four and one-half years from its issuance the dividend rate will be fixed at 9 percent per annum. On September 27, 2013, Salisbury declared a Series B Preferred Stock dividend of $40,000, payable on October 1, 2013. The Series B Preferred Stock is non-voting, other than voting rights on matters that could adversely affect the Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock is redeemable at any time at one hundred percent of the issue price plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.

On February 8, 2013, Salisbury granted a total of 19,600 shares of restricted stock pursuant to its 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan, which was approved by shareholders at the 2011 Annual Meeting, to 22 employees, including 5,000 shares to one Named Executive Officer, Richard J. Cantele, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and President.

Capital Requirements

Salisbury and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Under current regulatory definitions, Salisbury and the Bank are considered to be “well capitalized” for capital adequacy purposes. As a result, the Bank pays lower federal deposit insurance premiums than banks that are not “well capitalized.” Salisbury and the Bank's regulatory capital ratios are as follows:

 

Well

capitalized

September 30, 2013 December 31, 2012
Salisbury Bank Salisbury Bank
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets) 10.00% 16.67%    13.93% 16.63% 13.77%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets) 6.00     15.42       12.70     15.46    12.62   
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets) 5.00     10.28    8.60     9.87    8.15   

 

A well-capitalized institution, which is the highest capital category for an institution as defined by the Prompt Corrective Action Regulations issued by the FDIC and the FRB, is one which maintains a Total Risk-Based ratio of 10% or above, a Tier 1 Risk-Based ratio of 6% or above and a Leverage ratio of 5% or above, and is not subject to any written order, written agreement, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level. Maintaining strong capital is essential to Salisbury’s and the Bank’s safety and soundness. However, the effective management of capital resources requires generating attractive returns on equity to build value for shareholders while maintaining appropriate levels of capital to fund growth, meet regulatory requirements and be consistent with prudent industry practices.

In December 2010, the Basel Committee, a group of bank regulatory supervisors from around the world, released its final framework for strengthening international capital and liquidity regulation, now officially identified by the Basel Committee as “Basel III.” Basel III, when fully implemented by the U.S. bank regulatory agencies and fully phased-in, will require bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries to maintain substantially more capital, with a greater emphasis on common equity.

In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation approved final rules to implement the Basel III capital framework. The rules will be effective on January 1, 2015 and phased-in over a multiple year period through 2019. The new capital rules call for higher quality capital with higher minimum capital level requirements. We are in the process of assessing the impact from these new regulatory requirements, and while we cannot be certain of the impact, we believe that we will exceed the requirements of adequately capitalized plus the capital conservation buffer, once they become effective.

Dividends

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 Salisbury paid $121,000 in Series B preferred stock dividends to the U.S. Treasury’s SBLF program, and $1,436,000 in common stock dividends.

On October 25, 2013, the Board of Directors of Salisbury declared a common stock dividend of $0.28 per common share payable on November 29, 2013 to shareholders of record on November 8, 2013. Common stock dividends, when declared, will generally be paid the last Friday of February, May, August and November, although Salisbury is not obligated to pay dividends on those dates or at any other time.

Salisbury's ability to pay cash dividends is substantially dependent on the Bank's ability to pay cash dividends to Salisbury. There are certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends and other payments by the Bank to Salisbury. Under Connecticut law the Bank cannot declare a cash dividend except from net profits, defined as the remainder of all earnings from current operations. The total of all cash dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year shall not, unless specifically approved by the Commissioner of Banking, exceed the total of its net profits of that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years.

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FRB Supervisory Letter SR 09-4, February 24, 2009, revised September 27, 2009, notes that, as a general matter, the board of directors of a BHC should inform the FRB and should eliminate, defer, or significantly reduce dividends if (1) net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends; (2) the prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition; or (3) the BHC will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Moreover, a BHC should inform the FRB reasonably in advance of declaring or paying a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period (e.g., quarter) for which the dividend is being paid or that could result in a material adverse change to the BHC capital structure.

Salisbury believes that the payment of common stock cash dividends is appropriate, provided that such payment considers Salisbury's capital needs, asset quality, and overall financial condition and does not adversely affect the financial stability of Salisbury or the Bank. The continued payment of common stock cash dividends by Salisbury will be dependent on Salisbury's and the Bank’s future core earnings, financial condition and capital needs, regulatory restrictions, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors of Salisbury.

IMPACT OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

Salisbury’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles that require the measurement of financial condition and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money, over time, due to inflation. Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all of the assets and liabilities of Salisbury are monetary and as a result, interest rates have a greater impact on Salisbury’s performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation, although interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or with the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services. Although not a material factor in recent years, inflation could impact earnings in future periods.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q and future filings made by Salisbury with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other filings, reports and press releases made or issued by Salisbury and the Bank, and oral statements made by executive officers of Salisbury and the Bank, may include forward-looking statements relating to such matters as:

(a)assumptions concerning future economic and business conditions and their effect on the economy in general and on the markets in which Salisbury and the Bank do business; and
(b)expectations for revenues and earnings for Salisbury and the Bank.

Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions rather than historical or current facts and, therefore, are inherently uncertain and subject to risk. For those statements, Salisbury claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Salisbury notes that a variety of factors could cause the actual results or experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations described or implied by such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operation, performance, development and results of Salisbury’s and the Bank’s business include the following:

(a)the risk of adverse changes in business conditions in the banking industry generally and in the specific markets in which the Bank operates;
(b)changes in the legislative and regulatory environment that negatively impacts Salisbury and Bank through increased operating expenses;
(c)increased competition from other financial and non-financial institutions;
(d)the impact of technological advances; and
(e)other risks detailed from time to time in Salisbury’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Such developments could have an adverse impact on Salisbury’s and the Bank’s financial position and results of operations.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Salisbury manages its exposure to interest rate risk through its Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) using risk limits and policy guidelines to manage assets and funding liabilities to produce financial results that are consistent with Salisbury’s liquidity, capital adequacy, growth, risk and profitability targets. Interest rate risk is the risk of loss to future earnings due to changes in interest rates.

The ALCO manages interest rate risk using income simulation to measure interest rate risk inherent in Salisbury’s financial instruments at a given point in time by showing the effect of interest rate shifts on net interest income over a 24-month horizon. In management’s September 30, 2013 analysis, all of the simulations incorporate a static growth assumption over the simulation horizons. Additionally, the simulations take into account the specific re-pricing, maturity and prepayment characteristics of differing financial instruments that may vary under different interest rate scenarios.

The ALCO reviews the simulation results to determine whether Salisbury’s exposure to change in net interest income remains within established tolerance levels over the simulation horizons and to develop appropriate strategies to manage this exposure. Salisbury’s tolerance levels for changes in net interest income in its income simulations varies depending on the magnitude of interest rate changes and level of risk-based capital. All changes are measured in comparison to the projected net interest income that would result from an “unchanged” rate scenario where interest rates remain stable over the forecast horizon. The ALCO also evaluates the directional trends of net interest income, net interest margin and other financial measures over the forecast horizon for consistency with its liquidity, capital adequacy, growth, risk and profitability targets.

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The ALCO uses four interest rate scenarios to evaluate interest risk exposure and may vary these interest rate scenarios to show the effect of steepening or flattening changes in yield curves as well as parallel changes in interest rates. At September 30, 2013 the ALCO used the following interest rate scenarios: (1) unchanged interest rates; (2) immediately rising interest rates - immediate non-parallel upward shift in market interest rates ranging from 300 basis points for short term rates to 300 basis points for the 10-year Treasury; (3) immediately falling interest rates - immediate non-parallel downward shift in market interest rates ranging from 25 basis points for short term rates to 111 basis points for the 10-year Treasury; and (4) Static growth with assumption sensitivity stress testing with gradually rising interest rates - gradual non-parallel upward shift in market interest rates ranging from 200 basis points for short term rates to 150 basis points for the 10-year Treasury. Deposit rates are assumed to shift by lesser amounts due to their relative historical insensitivity to market interest rate movements. Further, deposits are assumed to have certain minimum rate levels below which they will not fall. Income simulations do not reflect adjustments in strategy that the ALCO could implement in response to rate shifts.

As of September 30, 2013 net interest income simulations indicated that the Bank’s exposure to changing interest rates over the simulation horizons remained within its tolerance levels. The following table sets forth the estimated change in net interest income from an unchanged interest rate scenario over the periods indicated for changes in market interest rates using the Bank’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2013:

As of September 30, 2013  Months 1-12  Months 13-24
Immediately rising interest rates (static growth assumptions)   (14.69)%   (7.73)%
Immediately falling interest rates (static growth assumptions)   (1.24)   (4.29)
Immediately rising interest rates (static growth with assumption sensitivity stress testing)(4.21)   (13.72)

The negative exposure of net interest income to immediately and gradually rising rates as compared to the unchanged rate scenario results from a faster projected rise in the cost of funds versus income from earning assets, as relatively rate-sensitive money market and time deposits re-price faster than longer duration earning assets. The negative exposure of net interest income to immediately falling rates as compared to an unchanged rate scenario results from a greater decline in earning asset yields compared to rates paid on funding liabilities, as a result of faster prepayments on existing assets and lower reinvestment rates on future loans originated and securities purchased.

While the ALCO reviews simulation assumptions and back-tests simulation results to ensure that they are reasonable and current, income simulation may not always prove to be an accurate indicator of interest rate risk or future net interest margin. Over time, the re-pricing, maturity and prepayment characteristics of financial instruments and the composition of Salisbury’s balance sheet may change to a different degree than estimated. Simulation modeling assumes Salisbury’s expectation for future balance sheet growth, which is a function of the business environment and customer behavior. Another significant simulation assumption is the sensitivity of core savings deposits to fluctuations in interest rates. Income simulation results assume that changes in both core savings deposit rates and balances are related to changes in short-term interest rates. The assumed relationship between short-term interest rate changes and core deposit rate and balance changes used in income simulation may differ from the ALCO’s estimates. Lastly, mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans involve a level of risk that unforeseen changes in prepayment speeds may cause related cash flows to vary significantly in differing rate environments. Such changes could affect the level of reinvestment risk associated with cash flow from these instruments, as well as their market value. Changes in prepayment speeds could also increase or decrease the amortization of premium or accretion of discounts related to such instruments, thereby affecting interest income.

Salisbury also monitors the potential change in market value of its available-for-sale debt securities in changing interest rate environments. The purpose is to determine market value exposure that may not be captured by income simulation, but which might result in changes to Salisbury’s capital and liquidity position. Results are calculated using industry-standard analytical techniques and securities data. Available-for-sale equity securities are excluded from this analysis because the market value of such securities cannot be directly correlated with changes in interest rates. The following table summarizes the potential change in market value of available-for-sale debt securities resulting from immediate parallel rate shifts:

  As of September 30, 2013 (in thousands)  Rates up 100bp  Rates up 200bp
U.S. Treasury notes  $(76)  $(150)
U.S. Government agency notes   (103)   (265)
Municipal bonds   (2,675)   (5,431)
Mortgage backed securities   (1,244)   (2,603)
Collateralized mortgage obligations   (370)   (758)
SBA pools   (8)   (15)
Total available-for-sale debt securities  $(4,476)  $(9,222)
40

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Salisbury’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Salisbury’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2013. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of September 30, 2013.

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principle executive officer and principle financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

Changes in Internal Controls

In addition, based on an evaluation of its internal controls over financial reporting, no change in Salisbury’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Salisbury’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Bank is involved in various claims and legal proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of business.

 

As previously disclosed, the Bank, individually and in its capacity as a former Co-Trustee of the Erling C. Christophersen Revocable Trust (the “Trust”), was named as a defendant in litigation filed in the Connecticut Complex Litigation Docket in Stamford, captioned John Christophersen v. Erling Christophersen, et al., X08-CV-08-5009597S (the “First Action”).  The Bank also was a counterclaim-defendant in related mortgage foreclosure litigation in the Connecticut Complex Litigation Docket in Stamford, captioned Salisbury Bank and Trust Company v. Erling C. Christophersen, et al., X08-CV-10-6005847-S (the “Foreclosure Action,” together with the First Action, the “Actions”).  The other parties to the Actions were John R. Christophersen; Erling C. Christophersen, individually and as Co-Trustee of the Trust; Bonnie Christophersen and Elena Dreiske, individually and as Co-Trustees of the Mildred B. Blount Testamentary Trust; People’s United Bank; Law Offices of Gary Oberst, P.C.; Rhoda Rudnick; and Hinckley Allen & Snyder LLP.

 

The Actions involved a dispute over title to certain real property located in Westport, Connecticut that was conveyed by Erling Christophersen, as grantor, to the Trust on or about August 8, 2007.  Subsequent to this conveyance, the Bank loaned $3,386,609 to the Trust, which was secured by a commercial mortgage in favor of the Bank on the Westport property.  This mortgage is the subject of the Foreclosure Action brought by the Bank.

 

As previously disclosed, John Christophersen initially claimed an interest in the Westport real property transferred to the Trust and sought to quiet title to the property and to recover money damages from the defendants for the alleged wrongful divestiture of his claimed interest in the property.

 

On June 25, 2012, the Bank and John R. Christophersen entered into a Settlement Agreement which resolved all differences between John R. Christophersen and the Bank, and resulted in the withdrawal (with prejudice) of the claims made by John R. Christophersen.  All claims against the Bank have been withdrawn and the Bank is no longer a defendant or counterclaim defendant in any litigation involving the Actions.  As an additional consequence of the Settlement Agreement, Bonnie Christophersen, Elena Dreiske and People’s United Bank are no longer parties to any of the litigation referenced above. 

 

On July 27, 2012, Erling Christophersen filed a Motion to Restore the First Action, and on October 15, 2012 filed a Motion to Stay the Foreclosure Action pending resolution of the Motion to Restore. The Bank opposed both motions. On February 1, 2013, the Court issued orders denying both motions. On February 14, 2013, Erling Christophersen filed a Notice of Appeal of the orders denying his Motion to Restore the First Action, and Motion to Stay the Foreclosure Action. 

 

On April 4, 2013, the Bank moved to dismiss the appeal of the Foreclosure Action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.  The Appellate Court granted that motion on May 8, 2013.  On June 6, 2013, the Appellate Court also denied Erling Christophersen’s motion for reconsideration of its decision.  Erling Christophersen’s appeal of the order denying his Motion to Restore the First Action remains pending, and the Bank intends to vigorously oppose that appeal. Trial is scheduled to begin on January 6, 2014.

 

The Bank continues to proceed in its Foreclosure Action against Erling Christophersen. It has filed a motion to strike Erling Christophersen’s special defenses and set-off claims, which is fully briefed and awaits adjudication by the court.

41

 

There are no other material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incident to the registrant’s business, to which Salisbury is a party or of which any of its property is subject.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

Not applicable

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None

Item 6. EXHIBITS

 3.1Certificate of Incorporation of Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s 1998 Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed April 23, 1998, File No.: 33-50857).
   
3.1.1Amendment to Article Third of Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed March 11, 2009).

 

3.1.2Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed March 19, 2009).

 

3.1.3Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation for the Series B Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 25, 2011).
   
 3.2Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Form 8-K filed March 19, 2009).
   
 10.1 Amended and Restated Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement with John F. Perotti dated January 25, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed January 30, 2008).
   
 10.2Consulting and Non-Compete Agreement dated June 1, 2009 by and between Salisbury and John F. Perotti. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 2011).
   
 10.3Letter Agreement dated March 13, 2009, including the Securities Purchase Agreement - Standard Terms, as supplemented by the letter dated March 13, 2009 relating to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to 2009 with the U.S. Treasury Department. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Registrant’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 2011).
   
 10.4Securities Purchase Agreement dated August 25, 2011 with the U.S. Treasury Department relating to the Small Business Lending Fund (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 25, 2011).
   
 10.5Repurchase Letter Agreement between Salisbury and the United States Department of Treasury dated August 25, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 25, 2011).
   
 10.6 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan adopted by the Board on March 25, 2011 and approved by the shareholders at Salisbury’s 2011 Annual Meeting (incorporated by referenced to Exhibit 10.9 of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 19, 2012).

 

10.7Amendment Number One to 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan dated as of January 18, 2013.

 

10.8Severance Agreement with Richard J. Cantele, Jr. dated February 11, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K filed February 15, 2013).

 

10.9Participation Agreement of Richard J. Cantele, Jr. in the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan dated February 11, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed on February 15, 2013).
42

 

10.10Change in Control Agreement with Donald E. White dated April 1, 2013. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Form 10-Q filed May 14, 2013).

 

31.1Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.

 

31.2Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.

 

32Section 1350 Certifications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

43

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.

 

 SALISBURY BANCORP, INC.

 

November 14, 2013 by    /s/ Richard J. Cantele, Jr.
      Richard J. Cantele, Jr., 
      President and Chief Executive Officer
     
November 14, 2013 by    /s/ Donald E. White 
      Donald E. White,
      Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer