SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

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

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   o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer   o Smaller reporting company   ý

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 1, 2011, is 1,688,731.

 



 
 
1

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
Page
     
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     
Item 1.
Financial Statements:
 
     
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 (unaudited) and December 31, 2010
3
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (unaudited)
4
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (unaudited)
5
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (unaudited)
6
     
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
7
     
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
  21
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures of Market Risk
38
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
40
     
PART II Other Information
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
40
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
41
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
41
Item 3.
Defaults upon Senior Securities
41
Item 4.
Removed and Reserved
41
Item 5.
Other information
41
Item 6.
Exhibits
41



 
2

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 
 in thousands (except share data)
 
September 30, 2011
Unaudited
   
December 31, 2010
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and due from banks
  $ 6,019     $ 6,694  
Interest bearing demand deposits with other banks
    59,498       20,214  
Total cash and cash equivalents
    65,517       26,908  
Interest bearing time deposits with other banks
    -       5,000  
Securities
               
Available-for-sale at fair value
    151,078       147,422  
Held-to-maturity at amortized cost (fair value: $54 and $58)
    52       56  
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock at cost
    6,032       6,032  
Loans held-for-sale
    1,057       1,184  
Loans receivable, net (allowance for loan losses: $4,027 and $3,920)
    362,879       352,449  
Investment in real estate
    75       75  
Other real estate owned
    37       610  
Bank premises and equipment, net
    12,126       12,190  
Goodwill
    9,829       9,829  
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization: $1,468 and $1,301)
    1,075       1,242  
Accrued interest receivable
    2,042       2,132  
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies
    3,974       3,854  
Deferred taxes
    472       2,540  
Other assets
    2,713       3,947  
Total Assets
  $ 618,958     $ 575,470  
LIABILITIES and SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Deposits
               
Demand (non-interest bearing)
  $ 82,425     $ 71,565  
Demand (interest bearing)
    71,303       63,258  
Money market
    122,184       77,089  
Savings and other
    97,405       93,324  
Certificates of deposit
    105,274       125,053  
Total deposits
    478,591       430,289  
Repurchase agreements
    14,787       13,190  
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances
    55,033       72,812  
Accrued interest and other liabilities
    3,160       4,163  
Total Liabilities
    551,571       520,454  
Commitments and contingencies
    -       -  
Shareholders' Equity
               
Preferred stock - $.01 per share par value
               
Authorized: 25,000; Issued: 16,000 (Series B) and 8,816 (Series A);
               
Liquidation preference: $1,000 per share
    16,000       8,738  
Common stock - $.10 per share par value
               
Authorized: 3,000,000;
               
Issued: 1,688,731 and 1,687,661
    169       168  
Common stock warrants outstanding
    112       112  
Paid-in capital
    13,227       13,200  
Retained earnings
    37,553       36,567  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
    326       (3,769 )
Total Shareholders' Equity
    67,387       55,016  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  $ 618,958     $ 575,470  

 
3

 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
Periods ended September 30, (in thousands except per share amounts) unaudited
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Interest and dividend income
                       
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 4,630     $ 4,693     $ 13,989     $ 13,780  
Interest on debt securities
                               
Taxable
    743       913       2,268       2,872  
Tax exempt
    553       558       1,661       1,678  
Other interest and dividends
    30       42       96       126  
Total interest and dividend income
    5,956       6,206       18,014       18,456  
Interest expense
                               
Deposits
    748       1,061       2,449       3,385  
Repurchase agreements
    19       25       46       71  
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances
    565       765       1,772       2,283  
Total interest expense
    1,332       1,851       4,267       5,739  
Net interest income
    4,624       4,355       13,747       12,717  
Provision for loan losses
    180       180       860       620  
Net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses
    4,444       4,175       12,887       12,097  
Non-interest income
                               
Trust and wealth advisory
    599       471       1,861       1,507  
Service charges and fees
    534       528       1,555       1,480  
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net
    178       278       370       443  
Mortgage servicing, net
    (35 )     (33 )     (8 )     27  
Gains on securities, net
    -       16       11       16  
Other
    58       62       176       208  
Total non-interest income
    1,334       1,322       3,965       3,681  
Non-interest expense
                               
Salaries
    1,816       1,750       5,202       4,989  
Employee benefits
    636       522       1,919       1,737  
Premises and equipment
    582       559       1,733       1,570  
Data processing
    366       308       1,028       1,080  
Professional fees
    307       393       887       1,248  
Collections and OREO
    152       12       519       63  
FDIC insurance
    137       195       541       549  
Marketing and community support
    85       79       245       200  
Amortization of intangibles
    56       56       167       167  
Other
    398       440       1,149       1,268  
Total non-interest expense
    4,535       4,314       13,390       12,871  
Income before income taxes
    1,243       1,183       3,462       2,907  
Income tax provision
    204       236       598       487  
Net income
  $ 1,039     $ 947     $ 2,864     $ 2,420  
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 865     $ 832     $ 2,459     $ 2,073  
                                 
Basic and diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.51     $ 0.49     $ 1.46     $ 1.23  
Common dividends per share
    0.28       0.28       0.84       0.84  

 
4

 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 
   
Common Stock
                              Accumulated
other comp-
     
Total
 
(dollars in thousands) unaudited
 
Shares
   
Amount
   
Preferred
 Stock
   
Warrants
   
Paid-in
capital
   
Retained
earnings
   
rehensive
 income
(loss)
   
share-
holders'
equity
 
Balances at December 31, 2009
    1,686,701     $ 168     $ 8,717     $ 112     $ 13,177     $ 35,259     $ (5,078 )   $ 52,355  
Net income for period
    -       -       -       -       -       2,420       -       2,420  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
    -       -       -       -       -       -       4,380       4,380  
Total comprehensive income
                                                            6,800  
Amortization (accretion) of preferred stock
    -       -       16       -       -       (16 )     -       -  
Common stock dividends paid
    -       -       -       -       -       (1,417 )     -       (1,417 )
Preferred stock dividends paid
    -       -       -       -       -       (331 )     -       (331 )
Issuance of common stock for director fees
    960       -       -       -       23       -       -       23  
Balances at September 30, 2010
    1,687,661     $ 168     $ 8,733     $ 112     $ 13,200     $ 35,915     $ (698 )   $ 57,430  
                                                                 
Balances at December 31, 2010
    1,687,661     $ 168     $ 8,738     $ 112     $ 13,200     $ 36,567     $ (3,769 )   $ 55,016  
Net income for period
    -       -       -       -       -       2,864       -       2,864  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
    -       -       -       -       -       -       4,095       4,095  
Total comprehensive income
                                                            6,959  
Amortization (accretion) of preferred stock
    -       -       78       -       -       (78 )     -       -  
Issuance of Series B preferred stock
    -       -       16,000       -       -       -       -       16,000  
Redemption of Series A preferred stock
    -       -       (8,816 )     -       -       -       -       (8,816 )
Common stock dividends paid
    -       -       -       -       -       (1,418 )     -       (1,418 )
Preferred stock dividends paid
    -       -       -       -       -       (382 )     -       (382 )
Issuance of common stock for director fees
    1,070       1       -       -       27       -       -       28  
Balances September 30, 2011
    1,688,731     $ 169     $ 16,000     $ 112     $ 13,227     $ 37,553     $ 326     $ 67,387  

 
5

 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) unaudited
 
2011
   
2010
 
Operating Activities
           
Net income
  $ 2,864     $ 2,420  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
(Accretion), amortization and depreciation
               
Securities
    222       408  
Bank premises and equipment
    631       632  
Core deposit intangible
    167       167  
Mortgage servicing rights
    165       118  
Fair value adjustment on loans
    33       33  
Gain of calls of securities available-for-sale
    (11 )     (16 )
Write down of other real estate owned
    231       -  
Provision for loan losses
    860       620  
Decrease (increase) in loans held-for-sale
    127       (1,518 )
Increase in deferred loan origination fees and costs, net
    (122 )     (157 )
Mortgage servicing rights originated
    (180 )     (226 )
Increase in mortgage servicing rights impairment reserve
    80       51  
Decrease in interest receivable
    90       188  
Deferred tax benefit
    (41 )     (23 )
Decrease in prepaid expenses
    371       529  
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies
    (120 )     (127 )
Decrease (increase) in income tax receivable
    728       (291 )
Decrease in other assets
    9       103  
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses
    (235 )     202  
Decrease in interest payable
    (152 )     (73 )
Decrease in other liabilities
    (607 )     (169 )
Issuance of shares for directors’ fee
    28       23  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    5,138       2,894  
Investing Activities
               
Proceeds from maturities of interest-bearing time deposits
    5,000       -  
Purchases of securities available-for-sale
    (35,729 )     (42,987 )
Proceeds from calls of securities available-for-sale
    27,560       20,734  
Proceeds from maturities of securities available-for-sale
    10,457       23,115  
Proceeds from maturities of securities held-to-maturity
    4       4  
Loan originations and principle collections, net
    (11,569 )     (13,373 )
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off
    55       21  
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned
    655       -  
Capital expenditures
    (504 )     (2,005 )
         Net cash (utilized) by investing activities
    (4,071 )     (14,491 )
Financing Activities
               
Increase in deposit transaction accounts, net
    68,081       36,879  
Decrease in time deposits, net
    (19,779 )     (23,561 )
Increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase, net
    1,596       4,918  
Principal payments on Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances
    (17,779 )     (1,832 )
Redemption of Series A preferred stock
    (8,816 )     -  
Proceeds from issuance of Series B preferred stock
    16,000       -  
Common stock dividends paid
    (1,418 )     (1,417 )
Preferred stock dividends paid
    (343 )     (331 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    37,542       14,656  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    38,609       3,059  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    26,908       43,298  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 65,517     $ 46,357  
Cash paid during period
               
Interest
  $ 4,419     $ 5,815  
Income taxes
    (89 )     173  
Non-cash transfers
               
Transfer from loans to other real estate owned
    314       -  

 
6

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

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, 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, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011.  The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in Salisbury's 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2010.
 
The allowance for loan losses is a significant accounting policy and is presented in the Notes 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 June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income.”  The objective of this ASU is to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income.  Under this ASU, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  An entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income.  An entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented.  The amendments in this ASU should be applied retrospectively.  For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 is not expected to have a material impact on Salisbury s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards.”  The amendments in this ASU explain how to measure fair value.  They do not require additional fair value measurements and are not intended to establish valuation standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting.  The amendments in this ASU are to be applied prospectively.  For public entities, the amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 is not expected to have a material impact on Salisbury s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In April 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2011-02, “A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.” This ASU provides additional guidance or clarification to help creditors determine whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. For public entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and were applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual 2011 period.  The adoption of ASU 2011-02 did not have a material impact on Salisbury s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 

 
7

 


 
In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-03, “Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements.”  The objective of this ASU is to improve the accounting for repurchase agreements and other agreements that both entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity.  This ASU prescribes when an entity may or may not recognize a sale upon the transfer of financial assets subject to repurchase agreements.  The guidance in this ASU is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011.  Early adoption is not permitted. The adoption of ASU 2011-03 is not expected to 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, 2011
                       
Available-for-sale
                       
U.S. Treasury notes
  $ 5,000     $ 562     $ -     $ 5,562  
U.S. Government Agency notes
    14,559       478       -       15,037  
Municipal bonds
    50,857       1,019       (1,280 )     50,596  
Mortgage backed securities
                               
U.S. Government Agencies
    50,098       1,266       (7 )     51,357  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
                               
U.S. Government Agencies
    7,562       60       -       7,622  
Non-agency
    15,785       337       (440 )     15,682  
SBA bonds
    3,857       89       -       3,946  
Corporate bonds
    1,097       15       -       1,112  
Preferred Stock
    20       144       -       164  
Total securities available-for-sale
  $ 148,835     $ 3,970     $ (1,727 )   $ 151,078  
Held-to-maturity
                               
Mortgage backed security
  $ 52     $ 2     $ -     $ 54  
Non-marketable securities
                               
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock
  $ 6,032     $ -     $ -     $ 6,032  
December 31, 2010
                               
Available-for-sale
                               
U.S. Treasury notes
  $ 4,999     $ 197     $ -     $ 5,196  
U.S. Government Agency notes
    41,590       380       (92 )     41,878  
Municipal bonds
    51,330       139       (5,371 )     46,098  
Mortgage backed securities
                               
U.S. Government Agencies
    19,190       566       (20 )     19,736  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
                               
U.S. Government Agencies
    9,283       29       (1 )     9,311  
Non-agency
    19,002       714       (599 )     19,117  
SBA bonds
    4,831       70       -       4,901  
Corporate bonds
    1,089       41       -       1,130  
Preferred Stock
    20       35       -       55  
Total securities available-for-sale
  $ 151,334     $ 2,171     $ (6,083 )   $ 147,422  
Held-to-maturity
                               
Mortgage backed security
  $ 56     $ 2     $ -     $ 58  
Non-marketable securities
                               
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock
  $ 6,032     $ -     $ -     $ 6,032  
(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 periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
 

 
8

 

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, 2011
                                   
Available-for-sale
                                   
U.S. Government Agency notes
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Municipal Bonds
    1,557       41       9,814       1,239       11,371       1,280  
Mortgage backed securities
    36       1       5,196       6       5,232       7  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
                                               
U.S. Government Agencies
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Non-agency
    1,752       78       1,904       190       3,656       268  
Total temporarily impaired securities
    3,345       120       16,914       1,435       20,259       1,555  
Other-than-temporarily impaired securities
                                               
Collateralized mortgage obligations
                                               
Non-agency
    3,586       110       713       62       4,299       172  
Total temporarily impaired and other-than-
                                               
temporarily impaired securities
  $ 6,931     $ 230     $ 17,627     $ 1,497     $ 24,558     $ 1,727  
 
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 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.
 
The following summarizes, by security type, the basis for evaluating if the applicable securities were OTTI at September 30, 2011.
 
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 does not intend to sell these securities and 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, 2011.
 
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 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. Salisbury performed credit underwriting reviews of certain issuers, including some that have had their ratings withdrawn and are insured by insurers that have had their ratings withdrawn, to assess their 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.  Salisbury does not intend to sell these securities and 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, 2011.
 
Non-agency CMOs: Salisbury performed a detailed cash flow analysis of its non-agency CMOs at September 30, 2011 to assess whether any of the securities were OTTI. Salisbury uses third 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, 2011. It is possible that future loss assumptions could change necessitating Salisbury to recognize future OTTI for further deterioration in credit quality. Salisbury does not intend to sell these securities and it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis.
 

 
9

 


 
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)
 
2011
   
2010
 
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 is 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. On February 22, 2011, the FHLBB announced the resumption of modest quarterly cash dividends to its members through 2011 and on June 27, 2011 the FHLBB announced that its excess stock pool will be discontinued effective June 28, 2011, and designating December 28, 2011, as the required stock purchase date. 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, 2011. 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, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Residential 1-4 family
  $ 180,215     $ 173,931  
Residential 5+ multifamily
    2,798       2,889  
Construction of residential 1-4 family
    8,065       8,949  
Home equity credit
    34,632       34,164  
Residential real estate
    225,710       219,933  
Commercial
    81,458       75,495  
Construction of commercial
    5,802       7,312  
Commercial real estate
    87,260       82,807  
Farm land
    5,719       5,690  
Vacant land
    12,685       12,979  
Real estate secured
    331,374       321,409  
Commercial and industrial
    27,460       25,123  
Municipal
    2,549       4,338  
Consumer
    4,578       4,677  
Loans receivable, gross
    365,961       355,547  
Deferred loan origination fees and costs, net
    945       822  
Allowance for loan losses
    (4,027 )     (3,920 )
Loans receivable, net
  $ 362,879     $ 352,449  
Loans held-for-sale
               
Residential 1-4 family
  $ 1,057     $ 1,184  

 

 
10

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
Salisbury's loans consist primarily of residential and commercial real estate secured loans located principally in northwestern Connecticut and adjacent 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 mortgage loan and consumer loan 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.
 
Credit Quality
The composition of loans receivable by credit risk rating is as follows:
 
September 30, 2011 (in thousands)
 
Pass
   
Special mention
   
Substandard
   
Doubtful
   
Loss
   
Total
 
Residential 1-4 family
  $ 161,987     $ 12,556     $ 5,672     $ -     $ -     $ 180,215  
Residential 5+ multifamily
    2,272       526       -       -       -       2,798  
Construction of residential 1-4 family
    3,932       415       3,718       -       -       8,065  
Home equity credit
    31,850       1,502       1,280       -       -       34,632  
Residential real estate
    200,041       14,999       10,670       -       -       225,710  
Commercial
    63,923       5,252       12,283       -       -       81,458  
Construction of commercial
    5,136       195       471       -       -       5,802  
Commercial real estate
    69,059       5,447       12,754       -       -       87,260  
Farm land
    3,105       1,774       840       -       -       5,719  
Vacant land
    7,686       888       4,111       -       -       12,685  
Real estate secured
    279,891       23,108       28,375       -       -       331,374  
Commercial and industrial
    19,551       6,320       1,589       -       -       27,460  
Municipal
    2,549       -       -       -       -       2,549  
Consumer
    4,314       199       65       -       -       4,578  
Loans receivable, gross
  $ 306,305     $ 29,627     $ 30,029     $ -     $ -     $ 365,961  
 
Credit quality segments of loans receivable by credit risk rating are as follows:
 
September 30, 2011 (in thousands)
 
Pass
   
Special mention
   
Substandard
   
Doubtful
   
Loss
   
Total
 
Performing loans
  $ 306,039     $ 29,460     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 335,499  
Potential problem loans
    -       -       14,499       -       -       14,499  
Troubled debt restructurings – accruing
    266       167       1,619       -       -       2,052  
Troubled debt restructurings - non-accrual
    -       -       7,360       -       -       7,360  
Other non-accrual loans
    -       -       6,551       -       -       6,551  
Impaired loans
    266       167       15,530       -       -       15,963  
Loans receivable, gross
  $ 306,305     $ 29,627     $ 30,029     $ -     $ -     $ 365,961  
 
Potential problem loans are performing loans risk rated substandard that are not classified as impaired. Impaired loans are 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.
 
The components of impaired loans are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Troubled debt restructurings – accruing
  $ 2,052     $ 5,330  
Troubled debt restructurings - non-accrual
    7,360       4,254  
All other non-accrual loans
    6,551       5,791  
Impaired loans
  $ 15,963     $ 15,375  
Commitments to lend additional amounts to impaired borrowers
  $ -     $ -  

 

 
11

 


 
The composition of loans receivable delinquency status by credit risk rating is as follows:
 
September 30, 2011 (in thousands)
 
Pass
   
Special mention
   
Substandard
   
Doubtful
   
Loss
   
Total
 
Current
  $ 303,894     $ 26,668     $ 17,490     $ -     $ -     $ 348,052  
Past due 001-029
    1,606       2,386       4,769       -       -       8,761  
Past due 030-059
    306       364       1,323       -       -       1,993  
Past due 060-089
    499       209       141       -       -       849  
Past due 090-179
    -       -       729       -       -       729  
Past due 180+
    -       -       5,577       -       -       5,577  
Loans receivable, gross
  $ 306,305     $ 29,627     $ 30,029     $ -     $ -     $ 365,961  
 
The composition of loans receivable by delinquency status is as follows:
 
         
Past due
       
September 30, 2011
(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
 
    Residential 1-4 family    $  174,697     $ 4,210     $ 382     $ 122     $ 96     $ 709     $ 1,309     $ -     $ 5,752  
Residential 5+ multifamily
    2,640       -       158       -       -       -       158       -       -  
Residential 1-4 family construction
    7,366       -       699       -       -       -       699       -       -  
Home equity credit
    33,533       768       147       93       52       39       331       -       248  
Residential real estate
    218,236       4,978       1,386       215       148       748       2,497       -       6,000  
Commercial
    76,590       2,735       507       623       120       883       2,133       -       3,084  
Construction of commercial
    5,801       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial real estate
    82,391       2,735       507       623       120       883       2,133       -       3,084  
Farm land
    5,276       443       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Vacant land
    8,600       227       -       -       461       3,397       3,858       -       3,858  
Real estate secured
    314,503       8,383       1,893       838       729       5,028       8,488       -       12,942  
Commercial and industrial
    26,626       220       65       -       -       549       614       -       969  
Municipal
    2,549       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Consumer
    4,374       158       35       11       -       -       46       -       -  
Loans receivable, gross
  $ 348,052     $ 8,761     $ 1,993     $ 849     $ 729     $ 5,577     $ 9,148     $ -     $ 13,911  

Troubled Debt Restructurings
Troubled debt restructurings occurring during the periods are as follows:
 
   
Three month period
   
Nine month period
 
Periods ended September 30, 2011 (in thousands)
 
Quantity
   
Pre-
modification
balance
   
Post-
modification
balance
   
Quantity
   
Pre-
modification
balance
   
Post-
modification
balance
 
Residential real estate
    -     $ -     $ -       2     $ 1,233     $ 1,260  
Commercial real estate
    -       -       -       1       20       55  
Commercial and industrial
    -       -       -       2       262       273  
Troubled debt restructurings
    -     $ -     $ -       5     $ 1,515     $ 1,588  
 
There were no troubled debt restructurings during third quarter 2011 and five during year-to-date 2011. There were no defaults during third quarter 2011 or year-to-date 2011 of loans restructured within the past twelve months.

 
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
 b alance
 
2011 Periods
                                                           
Residential
  $ 1,583     $ 73     $ (50 )   $ -     $ 1,606     $ 1,504     $ 269     $ (170 )   $ 3     $ 1,606  
Commercial
    1,239       (145 )     (30 )     1       1,065       1,132       138       (206 )     1       1,065  
Land
    271       179       (75 )     -       375       392       137       (154 )     -       375  
Real estate
    3,093       107       (155 )     1       3,046       3,028       544       (530 )     4       3,046  
Commercial & industrial
    521       (92 )     -       29       458       541       (22 )     (89 )     29       459  
Municipal
    28       (3 )     -       -       25       51       (26 )     -       -       25  
Consumer
    90       8       (10 )     3       91       164       94       (189 )     22       91  
Unallocated
    247       160       -       -       407       136       270       -       0       406  
Totals
  $ 3,979     $ 180     $ (165 )   $ 33     $ 4,027     $ 3,920     $ 860     $ (808 )   $ 55     $ 4,027  
2010 Periods
                                                                               
Totals
  $ 3,768     $ 180     $ (109 )   $ 8     $ 3,847     $ 3,473     $ 620     $ (268 )   $ 22     $ 3,847  
 
The composition of loans receivable and the allowance for loan losses is as follows:
 
   
Collectively evaluated
   
Individually evaluated
   
Total portfolio
 
September 30, 2011
(in thousands)
 
Loan
balance
   
Allowance
   
Loan
balance
   
Allowance
   
Loan
balance
   
Allowance
 
Residential 1-4 family
  $ 175,177     $ 721     $ 5,038     $ 473     $ 180,215     $ 1,194  
Residential 5+ multifamily
    2,798       19       -       -       2,798       19  
Construction of residential 1-4 family
    4,422       15       3,643       -       8,065       15  
Home equity credit
    34,345       378       287       -       34,632       378  
Residential real estate
    216,742       1,133       8,968       473       225,711       1,606  
Commercial
    73,484       835       7,974       166       81,458       1,001  
Construction of commercial
    5,802       64       -       -       5,802       64  
Commercial real estate
    79,286       899       7,974       166       87,260       1,065  
Farm land
    4,879       39       840       150       5,719       189  
Vacant land
    8,675       101       4,010       85       12,685       186  
Real estate secured
    309,582       2,172       21,792       874       331,374       3,046  
Commercial and industrial
    26,072       342       1,388       117       27,460       459  
Municipal
    2,549       25       -       -       2,549       25  
Consumer
    4,417       44       161       47       4,578       91  
Unallocated allowance
    -       -       -       -       -       406  
Totals
  $ 342,620     $ 2,583     $ 23,341     $ 1,038     $ 365,961     $ 4,027  
 
The credit quality segments of loans receivable and the allowance for loan losses are as follows:
 
   
Collectively evaluated
   
Individually evaluated
   
Total portfolio
 
September 30, 2011
(in thousands)
 
Loan
balance
   
Allowance
   
Loan
balance
   
Allowance
   
Loan
balance
   
Allowance
 
Performing loans
  $ 334,822     $ 2,342     $ 677     $ 47     $ 335,499     $ 2,390  
Potential problem loans
    7,798       241       6,701       506       14,499       747  
Impaired loans
    -       -       15,963       484       15,963       484  
Unallocated allowance
    -       -       -       -       -       406  
Totals
  $ 342,620     $ 2,583     $ 23,341     $ 1,037     $ 365,961     $ 4,027  

 

 
13

 


 
Certain data with respect to impaired loans individually evaluated is as follows:
 
   
Impaired loans with specific allowance
   
Impaired loans with no specific allowance
 
September 30, 2011
 
Loan balance
   
Specific
   
Income
   
Loan balance
   
Income
 
(in thousands)
 
Book
   
Note
   
Average
   
allowance
   
recognized
   
Book
   
Note
   
Average
   
recognized
 
Residential 1-4 family
  $ 2,271     $ 2,420     $ 1,565     $ 187     $ 16     $ 3,649     $ 3,674     $ 4,398     $ 59  
Home equity credit
    -       -       -       -       -       248       254       246       1  
Residential real estate
    2,271       2,420       1,565       187       16       3,897       3,928       4,644       60  
Commercial
    2,482       2,650       2,618       146       68       2,221       2,699       2,156       25  
Vacant land
    594       774       701       35       -       3,263       3,627       3,233       -  
Real estate secured
    5,347       5,844       4,884       368       84       9,381       10,254       10,033       85  
Commercial and industrial
    140       144       263       116       2       1,095       1,724       898       6  
Consumer
    -       -       -       -       -       -       143       18       -  
Totals
  $ 5,487     $ 5,988     $ 5,147     $ 484     $ 86     $ 10,476     $ 12,121     $ 10,949     $ 91  
 
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)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Residential mortgage loans serviced for others
  $ 105,256     $ 78,119  
Fair value of mortgage servicing rights
    695       517  
 
Changes in mortgage servicing rights are as follows:
 
   
Three months
   
Nine months
 
Periods ended September 30, (in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Loan Servicing Rights
                       
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 674     $ 465     $ 683     $ 427  
Originated
    75       115       181       226  
Amortization (1)
    (50 )     (45 )     (165 )     (118 )
Balance, end of period
    699       535       699       535  
Valuation Allowance
                               
Balance, beginning of period
    (25 )     (24 )     (10 )     (30 )
(Increase) decrease in impairment reserve (1)
    (65 )     (57 )     (80 )     (51 )
Balance, end of period
    (90 )     (81 )     (90 )     (81 )
Loan servicing rights, net
  $ 609     $ 454     $ 609     $ 454  
(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 and trust deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, FHLBB advances and credit facilities available.
 
 in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Securities available-for-sale (at fair value)
  $ 70,081     $ 62,764  
Loans receivable
    118,033       114,424  
Total pledged assets
  $ 188,114     $ 177,188  
 
At September 30, 2011, securities were pledged as follows: $47.5 million to secure public deposits, $19.9 million to secure repurchase agreements and $2.7 million to secure FHLBB advances. Loans receivable were pledged to secure FHLBB advances and credit facilities.
 


 
14

 


NOTE 6 – EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
The calculation of earnings per share is as follows:
 
   
Three months
   
Nine months
 
Periods ended September 30, (in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net income
  $ 1,039     $ 947     $ 2,864     $ 2,420  
Preferred stock net accretion
    (67 )     (5 )     (78 )     (16 )
Preferred stock dividends paid
    (107 )     (110 )     (327 )     (331 )
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 865     $ 832     $ 2,459     $ 2,073  
Weighted average common stock outstanding – basic
    1,689       1,686       1,688       1,686  
Weighted average common and common equivalent stock outstanding- diluted
    1,689       1,686       1,688       1,686  
Earnings per common and common equivalent share
                               
Basic
  $ 0.51     $ 0.49     $ 1.46     $ 1.23  
Diluted
    0.51       0.49       1.46       1.23  

 
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, 2011, that Salisbury and the Bank meet all of their capital adequacy requirements.
 

 

 
15

 


 
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, 2011
                                   
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                                   
Salisbury
  $ 60,280       15.98 %   $ 30,186       8.0 %     n/a       -  
Bank
    50,002       13.07       30,595       8.0     $ 38,244       10.0 %
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                                               
Salisbury
    56,157       14.88       15,093       4.0       n/a       -  
Bank
    45,879       12.00       15,297       4.0       22,946       6.0  
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)
                                               
Salisbury
    56,157       9.49       24,102       4.0       n/a       -  
Bank
    45,879       7.77       24,056       4.0       30,070       5.0  
September 30, 2010
                                               
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                                               
Salisbury
  $ 50,887       13.87 %   $ 29,345       8.0 %     n/a       -  
Bank
    41,300       11.29       29,258       8.0     $ 36,572       10.0 %
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                                               
Salisbury
    47,001       12.81       14,672       4.0       n/a       -  
Bank
    37,415       10.23       14,629       4.0       21,943       6.0  
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)
                                               
Salisbury
    47,001       8.32       22,599       4.0       n/a       -  
Bank
    37,415       6.62       22,599       4.0       28,249       5.0  
 
Restrictions on Cash Dividends to Common Shareholders
 
Salisbury's ability to pay cash dividends is 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 Federal Reserve 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 Federal Reserve 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 in the initial quarterly dividend period ending September 30, 2011 was 2.45100% and in the quarterly dividend period ending December 31, 2011 will be 1.55925%.  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 30, 2011, Salisbury declared a Series B Preferred Stock dividend of $39,216 payable on October 3, 2011. 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.
 
Simultaneously with the receipt of the SBLF capital, Salisbury repurchased for $8,816,000 all of its Series A Preferred Stock sold to the Treasury in 2009 under the Capital Purchase Program, a part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, and made a payment for accrued dividends.  The transaction resulted in net capital proceeds to Salisbury of $7,184,000, of which Salisbury invested $6,465,600, or 90%, in the Bank as Tier 1 Capital.
 
As part of the CPP, Salisbury had issued to the Treasury a 10-year Warrant to purchase 57,671 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $22.93 per share. The Warrant was repurchased for $205,000 on November 2, 2011.
 

 
 

 
16

 
 
 
 
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)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Service cost
  $ 67     $ 87     $ 258     $ 261  
Interest cost on benefit obligation
    101       90       287       271  
Expected return on plan assets
    (102 )     (99 )     (314 )     (298 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    -       -       -       -  
Amortization of net loss
    23       17       56       51  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 89     $ 95     $ 287     $ 285  
 
Salisbury’s 401(k) Plan contribution expense was $75,000 and $41,000, respectively, for the three month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. Other post-retirement benefit obligation expense for endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements was $12,000 and $12,000, respectively, for the three month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
 
NOTE 9 - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
Comprehensive income includes net income and any changes in equity from non-owner sources that are not recorded in the income statement (such as changes in net unrealized gains (losses) on securities).  The purpose of reporting comprehensive income is to report a measure of all changes in equity of an enterprise that result from recognized transactions and other economic events of the period other than transactions with owners in their capacity as owners.
 
The components of comprehensive income are as follows:
 
   
Three months
   
Nine months
 
Periods ended September 30, (in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net income
  $ 1,039     $ 947     $ 2,864     $ 2,420  
Other comprehensive income
                               
Net unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale
    2,544       3,291       6,144       6,600  
Reclassification of net realized gains in net income
    -       (16 )     11       (16 )
Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale
    2,544       3,275       6,155       6,584  
Income tax expense
    (865 )     (587 )     (2,093 )     (2,238 )
Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net of tax
    1,679       2,688       4,062       4,346  
Pension plan income
    17       17       50       52  
Income tax expense
    (6 )     (6 )     (17 )     (18 )
Pension plan income, net of tax
    11       11       33       34  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
    1,690       2,699       4,095       4,380  
Comprehensive income
  $ 2,729     $ 3,646     $ 6,959     $ 6,800  

 

 

 
17

 


 
The components of accumulated other comprehensive losses are as follows:
 
September 30, (in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale, net of tax
  $ 1,480     $ 515  
Unrecognized pension plan expense, net of tax
    (1,154 )     (1,213 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
  $ 326     $ (698 )
 
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.
 
Salisbury adopted ASC 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which provides a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles, in 2008. This guidance permitted 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.  Salisbury did not elect fair value treatment for any financial assets or liabilities upon adoption.
 
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 third 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, and 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 U.S. 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
 

 
18

 

inputs and assumptions when corroborated by evidence such as transactions in similar instruments, completed or pending third-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.
 
 
·
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.
 
Assets measured at fair value are as follows:
 
   
Fair value measurements using
   
Assets at
 
(in thousands)
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
fair value
 
September 30, 2011
                       
Assets at fair value on a recurring basis
                       
Securities available-for-sale
  $ 164     $ 151,078     $ -     $ 151,078  
Assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis
                               
Impaired loans
    -       -       5,003       5,003  
Other real estate owned
    -       -       37       37  
 
Changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value are as follows:
 
 (in thousands)
 
Securities
available-for-
sale
   
Impaired Loans
   
Other real
estate owned
   
Level 3
assets at
fair value
 
Balance, December 31, 2010
  $ -     $ 4,768     $ 557     $ 5,325  
Gains and losses (realized/unrealized)
                               
Included in earnings
    -       -       -       -  
Included in other comprehensive income
    -       -       -       -  
Principal pay-downs of securities, net of accretion
    -       -       -       -  
Write-down of other real estate owned
                    (157 )     (157 )
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
    -       235       (363 )     (128 )
Balance, September 30, 2011
  $ -     $ 5,003     $ 37     $ 5,040  
Amount of total gains or losses for the period
                               
attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses
                               
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  

 

 

 
19

 


 
Carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments are as follows:
 
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
(in thousands)
 
Carrying
Value
   
Estimated
fair value
   
Carrying
Value
   
Estimated
fair value
 
Financial Assets
                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 65,517     $ 65,517     $ 26,908     $ 26,908  
Interest bearing time deposits with other banks
    -       -       5,000       5,000  
Securities available-for-sale
    151,078       151,078       147,422       147,422  
Security held-to-maturity
    52       54       56       58  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    6,032       6,032       6,032       6,032  
Loans held-for-sale
    1,057       1,065       1,184       1,193  
Loans receivable net
    362,879       362,491       352,449       351,628  
Accrued interest receivable
    2,042       2,042       2,132       2,132  
Financial Liabilities
                               
Demand (non-interest-bearing)
    82,425       82,425       71,565       71,565  
Demand (interest-bearing)
    71,303       71,303       63,258       63,258  
Money market
    122,184       122,184       77,089       77,089  
Savings and other
    97,405       97,405       93,324       93,324  
Certificates of deposit
    105,274       106,165       125,053       125,172  
Deposits
    478,591       479,482       430,289       430,408  
FHLBB advances
    55,033       59,617       72,812       78,317  
Repurchase agreements
    14,787       14,787       13,190       13,190  
Accrued interest payable
    284       284       435       435  
 
The carrying amounts of financial instruments shown in the above table are included in the consolidated balance sheets under the indicated captions.
 

 
20

 

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, 2010.
 
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 its trust and wealth advisory services from offices in Lakeville, Connecticut.
 
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
 
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 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 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 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2010 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 affects 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.
 

 
21

 

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.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
For the three month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
Overview
 
Net income available to common shareholders was $865,000, or $0.51 per common share, for its third quarter ended September 30, 2011 (third quarter 2011), compared with $766,000, or $0.45 per common share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011 (second quarter 2011), and $832,000, or $0.49 per common share, for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010 (third quarter 2010).
 
Net income available to common shareholders for third quarter 2011 and 2010 is net of preferred stock dividends and accretion of $174,000 and $116,000, respectively.
 
 
·
Earnings per common share increased $0.06, or 13.3%, to $0.51 versus second quarter 2011, and $0.02, or 4.0%, versus third quarter 2010.
 
 
·
Tax equivalent net interest income increased $7,000, or 0.1%, versus second quarter 2011, and increased $268,000, or 5.8%, versus third quarter 2010.
 
 
·
Provision for loan losses was $180,000, versus $350,000 for second quarter 2011 and $180,000 for third quarter 2010. Net loan charge-offs were $132,000, versus $349,000 for second quarter 2011 and $101,000 for third quarter 2010.
 
 
·
Non-interest income increased $104,000, or 8.5%, versus second quarter 2011 and increased $12,000, or 0.9%, versus third quarter 2010.
 
 
·
Non-interest expense increased $103,000, or 2.3%, versus second quarter 2011 and $221,000, or 5.1%, versus third quarter 2010.
 
 
·
Non-performing assets decreased $1.1 million to $13.9 million, or 2.25% of total assets, versus second quarter 2011 and $3.0 million versus third quarter 2010. Loans receivable 30 days or more past due increased $0.4 million to $9.1 million, or 2.5% of gross loans, versus second quarter 2011 and increased $768,000 versus third quarter 2010.
 
Net Interest Income
 
Tax equivalent net interest income increased $268,000, or 5.8%, to $489 million for third quarter 2011 as compared with third quarter 2010, and the net interest margin increased 4 basis points to 3.43% from 3.39%, for the respective periods.
 

 
22

 


 
The following table sets forth the components of Salisbury's tax-equivalent 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)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Loans (a)
  $ 367,681     $ 345,855     $ 4,630     $ 4,693       5.03 %     5.42 %
Securities (c)(d)
    139,608       152,865       1,549       1,730       4.44       4.53  
FHLBB stock
    6,032       6,032       5       -       0.36       -  
Short term funds (b)
    54,159       38,200       30       42       0.22       0.44  
Total earning assets
    567,480       542,952       6,214       6,465       4.37       4.75  
Other assets
    35,066       34,248                                  
Total assets
  $ 602,546     $ 577,200                                  
Interest-bearing demand deposits
  $ 65,906     $ 61,090       108       161       0.65       1.04  
Money market accounts
    117,812       74,934       128       102       0.43       0.54  
Savings and other
    97,330       92,277       95       136       0.39       0.58  
Certificates of deposit
    106,627       130,802       417       662       1.55       2.01  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    387,675       359,103       748       1,061       0.77       1.17  
Repurchase agreements
    15,439       13,202       19       25       0.50       0.75  
FHLBB advances
    55,175       74,673       565       765       4.01       4.01  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    458,289       446,978       1,332       1,851       1.15       1.64  
Demand deposits
    79,599       70,501                                  
Other liabilities
    3,238       4,009                                  
Shareholders’ equity
    61,420       55,712                                  
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity
  $ 602,546     $ 577,200                                  
Net interest income
                  $ 4,882     $ 4,614                  
Spread on interest-bearing funds
                                    3.22       3.11  
Net interest margin (e)
                                    3.43       3.39  
(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 $258,000 and $259,000, respectively for 2011 and 2010 on tax-exempt securities 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)
 
2011 versus 2010
 
Change in interest due to
 
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
 
Interest-earning assets
                 
Loans
  $ 286     $ (349 )   $ (63 )
Securities
    (149 )     (32 )     (181 )
FHLBB stock
    -       5       5  
Short term funds
    13       (25 )     (12 )
Total
    150       (401 )     (251 )
Interest-bearing liabilities
                       
Deposits
    (40 )     (273 )     (313 )
Repurchase agreements
    3       (9 )     (6 )
FHLBB advances
    (200 )             (200 )
Total
    (237 )     (282 )     (519 )
Net change in net interest income
  $ 387     $ (119 )   $ 268  
 
Interest Income
 
Tax equivalent interest income decreased $251,000, or 3.9%, to $6.2 million for third quarter 2011 as compared with third quarter 2010.
 
Loan income decreased $63,000, or 1.3%, primarily due to a 39 basis points decline in the average loan yield offset in part by a $21.8 million, or 6.3%, increase in average loans.
 

 
23

 

Tax equivalent securities income decreased $181,000, or 10.5%, for third quarter 2011 as compared with third quarter
 
2010, as a result of a $13.3 million, or 8.7%, decrease in average volume and a 9 basis points decline in the average yield. The decline in volume resulted from the redeployment of some of the cash flows from securities maturities, principal payments and calls, into new loans. Changes in securities yields resulted from the effect of changes in market interest rates on securities purchases, calls of agency bonds and prepayments of mortgage backed securities.
 
Income from short term funds decreased $12,000 for third quarter 2011 as compared with third quarter 2010 as a result of a 22 basis points decline in the average yield offset in part by a $16.0 million increase in the average balance.
 
Interest Expense
 
Interest expense decreased $519,000, or 28.0%, to $1.3 million for third quarter 2011 as compared with third quarter 2010.
 
Interest on deposit accounts and retail repurchase agreements decreased $313,000, or 29.5%, and $6,000, or 24.0% respectively as a result of lower average rates, down 40 basis points to 0.77% on deposits and 25 basis points to 0.50% on repurchase agreements. Decreased rates were offset in part by a $28.6 million, or 8.0%, increase in the average balance of deposits and an increase of $2.2 million, or 16.9% increase in the average balance of repurchase agreements. 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 $200,000 as a result of lower average borrowings, down $19.5 million, and average borrowing rate remaining flat as compared with third quarter 2010. The decline in advances resulted from scheduled maturities that were not replaced with new advances.
 
Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The provision for loan losses was $180,000 for third quarter 2011 and for third quarter 2010. Net loan charge-offs were $132,000 and $101,000, for the respective quarters. The following table sets forth changes in the allowance for loan losses and other selected statistics:
 
   
Three months
   
Nine months
 
Periods ended September 30, (dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 3,979     $ 3,768     $ 3,920     $ 3,473  
Provision for loan losses
    180       180       860       620  
Charge-offs
                               
Real estate mortgages
    (155 )     (100 )     (531 )     (235 )
Commercial & industrial
    -       -       (89 )     -  
Consumer
    (10 )     (9 )     (188 )     (33 )
Total charge-offs
    (165 )     (109 )     (808 )     (268 )
Recoveries
                               
Real estate mortgages
    1       -       4       -  
Commercial & industrial
    29       -       29       -  
Consumer
    3       8       22       22  
Total recoveries
    33       8       55       22  
Net charge-offs
    (132 )     (101 )     (753 )     (246 )
Balance, end of period
  $ 4,027     $ 3,847     $ 4,027     $ 3,847  
Loans receivable, gross
                  $ 365,961     $ 343,491  
Non-performing loans
                    13,911       10,917  
Accruing loans past due 30-89 days
                    2,398       1,649  
Ratio of allowance for loan losses:
                               
to loans receivable, gross
                    1.10 %     1.12 %
to non-performing loans
                    28.95       35.24  
Ratio of non-performing loans to loans receivable, gross
                    3.80       3.18  
Ratio of accruing loans past due 30-89 days to loans receivable, gross
                    0.66       0.48  
 
Reserve coverage at September 30, 2011, as measured by the ratio of allowance for loan losses to gross loans, remained substantially unchanged at 1.10%, as compared with 1.08% at June 30, 2011, 1.10% at December 31, 2010 and 1.12% a year ago at September 30, 2010. During the first nine months of 2011 non-performing loans (non-accrual loans and accruing loans past-due 90 days or more) increased $3.8 million to $13.9 million, or 3.80% of gross loans receivable, while accruing loans past due 30-89 days increased $481,000 to $2.4 million, or 0.66% of gross loans receivable. See “Financial Condition – Loan Credit Quality” for further discussion and analysis.
 

 
24

 

The credit quality segments of loans receivable and the allowance for loan losses are as follows:
 
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
(in thousands)
 
Loan
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Loan
Balance
   
Allowance
 
Performing loans
  $ 334,822     $ 2,342     $ 332,240     $ 2,500  
Potential problem loans
    7,798       241       5,744       169  
Collectively evaluated
    342,620       2,583       337,984       2,669  
Performing loans
    677       47       -       -  
Potential problem loans
    6,701       506       2,188       330  
Impaired loans
    15,963       484       15,375       785  
Individually evaluated
    23,341       1,037       17,563       1,115  
Unallocated allowance
    -       407       -       136  
Totals
  $ 365,961     $ 4,027     $ 355,547     $ 3,920  
 
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, 2011.
 
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, 2011.
 
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 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. The Bank was examined by the CTDOB April 2010 and by the FDIC in May 2011.
 

 
25

 

Non-interest income
 
The following table details the principal categories of non-interest income.
 
Three months ended September 30, (dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011 vs. 2010
 
Trust and wealth advisory fees
  $ 599     $ 471     $ 128       27.18 %
Service charges and fees
    534       528       6       1.14  
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net
    178       278       (100 )     (35.97 )
Mortgage servicing, net
    (35 )     (33 )     (2 )     (6.06 )
Gains on securities, net
    -       16       (16 )     (100.00 )
Other
    58       62       (4 )     (6.45 )
Total non-interest income
  $ 1,334     $ 1,322     $ 12       (0.91 )%
 
Non-interest income for third quarter 2011 increased $104,000 versus second quarter 2011 and increased $12,000 versus third quarter 2010. Trust and Wealth Advisory revenues increased $3,000 versus second quarter 2011 and increased $128,000 versus third quarter 2010. The year-over-year revenue increase results from growth in managed assets and higher estate fees offset in part by lower asset valuations. Service charges and fees increased $12,000 versus second quarter 2011 and $6,000 versus third quarter 2010. Income from sales and servicing of mortgage loans increased $89,000 versus second quarter 2011 and decreased $102,000 versus third quarter 2010 due to interest rate driven fluctuations in fixed rate residential mortgage loan sales and mortgage servicing valuations. Mortgage loans sales totaled $7.6 million for third quarter 2011, $2.4 million for second quarter 2011 and $16.7 million for third quarter 2010. Third quarter 2011, second quarter 2011 and third quarter 2010 included mortgage servicing valuation impairment charges of $65,000, $16,000 and $56,000, respectively. Gains on securities represent the accretion of discounts on called securities. Other income consisted of bank owned life insurance income 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)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011 vs. 2010
 
Salaries
  $ 1,816     $ 1,750     $ 66       3.77 %
Employee benefits
    636       522       114       21.84  
Premises and equipment
    582       559       23       4.11  
Data processing
    366       308       58       18.83  
Professional fees
    307       393       (86 )     (21.88 )
Collections and OREO
    152       12       140       1,166.67  
FDIC insurance
    137       195       (58 )     (29.74 )
Marketing and community contributions
    85       79       6       7.59  
Amortization of intangible assets
    56       56       -       -  
Other
    398       440       (42 )     (9.55 )
Non-interest expense
  $ 4,535     $ 4,314     $ 221       5.12 %
 
Non-interest expense for third quarter 2011 increased $103,000 versus second quarter 2011 and $221,000 versus third quarter 2010. Salaries increased $66,000 versus third quarter 2010 due to changes in staffing levels and mix. Employee benefits increased $114,000 versus third quarter 2010 due to higher health benefits expense, caused by year-over-year premium increases and higher staff utilization, and higher 401K Plan expense due to the implementation of a Safe Harbor Plan. Premises and equipment increased $14,000 versus second quarter 2011 and increased $23,000 versus third quarter 2010. The year-over-year increase is due primarily to several facilities renovations, equipment replacement and asset disposals due to reorganization efforts. Data processing increased $81,000 versus second quarter 2011 and $58,000 versus third quarter 2010. Second quarter 2011 benefited from a one-time vendor rebate. Professional fees increased $7,000 versus second quarter 2011, and decreased $86,000 versus third quarter 2010 due to reduced spending on audit, consulting and legal services. Collections and OREO decreased $91,000 versus second quarter 2011 and increased $140,000 versus third quarter 2010. FDIC insurance decreased $45,000 versus second quarter 2011 and decreased $58,000 versus third quarter 2010 due to a favorable change in the assessment method effective June 30, 2011. Other operating expenses increased $44,000 versus second quarter 2011 and decreased $42,000 versus third quarter 2010. Year-over-year decreases were due to reductions in other administrative and operational expenses.
 
Income taxes
 
The effective income tax rates for third quarter 2011, second quarter 2011 and third quarter 2010 were 16.43%, 17.18% and 19.93%, 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 and bank owned life insurance.
 

 
26

 

 
Salisbury did not incur Connecticut income tax in 2011 or 2010, 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, 2011 and 2010
 
Overview
 
Net income available to common shareholders was $2,459,000, or $1.46 per common share,  for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 (year-to-date 2011) compared with $2,073,000, or $1.23 per common share, for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 (year-to-date 2010).
 
Net income available to common shareholders for year-to-date 2011 and year-to-date 2010 is net of preferred stock dividends and accretion of $405,000 and $346,000, respectively.
 
Net Interest Income
 
Tax equivalent net interest income increased $1,027,000, or 7.6%, to $14.5 million for year-to-date 2011 as compared with year-to-date 2010, and the net interest margin increased 16 basis points to 3.51% from 3.35%, for the respective periods.
 
The following table sets forth the components of Salisbury's tax-equivalent 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)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Loans (a)
  $ 366,198     $ 339,172     $ 13,989     $ 13,780       5.10 %     5.42 %
Securities (c)(d)
    141,237       156,563       4,686       5,328       4.42       4.54  
FHLBB stock
    6,032       6,032       18       -       0.40       -  
Short term funds (b)
    37,786       35,419       96       126       0.34       0.48  
Total earning assets
    551,253       537,186       18,789       19,234       4.55       4.78  
Other assets
    34,197       33,149                                  
Total assets
  $ 585,450     $ 570,335                                  
Interest-bearing demand deposits
  $ 63,833     $ 54,925       331       461       0.69       1.12  
Money market accounts
    103,820       72,148       397       303       0.51       0.56  
Savings and other
    96,515       89,713       289       421       0.40       0.63  
Certificates of deposit
    113,364       139,952       1,432       2,200       1.69       2.10  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    377,532       356,738       2,449       3,385       0.87       1.27  
Repurchase agreements
    12,339       11,847       46       71       0.50       0.80  
FHLBB advances
    57,924       75,166       1,772       2,283       4.03       4.01  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    447,795       443,751       4,267       5,739       1.27       1.73  
Demand deposits
    76,121       68,526                                  
Other liabilities
    3,653       3,821                                  
Shareholders’ equity
    57,881       54,237                                  
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity
  $ 585,450     $ 570,335                                  
Net interest income
                  $ 14,522     $ 13,495                  
Spread on interest-bearing funds
                                    3.28       3.05  
Net interest margin (e)
                                    3.51       3.35  
(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 $775,000 and $778,000, respectively for the 2011 and 2010 periods on tax-exempt securities whose income and yields are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis.
(e)
Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 
27

 


 

 
The following table sets forth the changes in tax equivalent interest due to volume and rate.
 
Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands)
 
2011 versus 2010
 
Change in interest due to
 
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
 
Interest-earning assets
                 
Loans
  $ 1,065     $ (856 )   $ 209  
Securities
    (515 )     (127 )     (642 )
FHLBB stock
    -       18       18  
Short term funds
    7       (37 )     (30 )
Total
    557       (1,002 )     (445 )
Interest-bearing liabilities
                       
Deposits
    (164 )     (772 )     (936 )
Repurchase agreements
    2       (27 )     (25 )
FHLBB advances
    (526 )     15       (511 )
Total
    (688 )     (784 )     (1,472 )
Net change in net interest income
  $ 1,245     $ (218 )   $ 1,027  
 
Interest Income (tax equivalent)
 
Tax equivalent interest income decreased $445,000, or 2.3%, to $18.8 million for year-to-date 2011 compared with year-to-date 2010.  Loan income increased $209,000, or 1.5%, primarily due to a $27.0 million, or 8.0%, increase in average loans, offset by a lower average yield, down 32 basis points.
 
Tax equivalent securities income decreased $642,000, or 12.0%, for year-to-date 2011 compared with year-to-date 2010, as a result of a lower average yield, down 12 basis points, and a $15.3 million, or 9.8%, decrease in average securities. The decline in volume resulted from the redeployment of some of the cash flows from securities maturities, principal payments and calls, into new loans. Changes in securities yields resulted from the effect of changes in market interest rates on securities purchases, calls of agency bonds and prepayments of mortgage backed securities.
 
Income from FHLBB stock increased $18,000 due to the resumption of modest quarterly cash dividends to its members.
 
Income from short term funds decreased $30,000 for year-to-date 2011 as compared with year-to-date 2010 as a result of a 14 basis points decrease in average yield, offset in part by a $2.4 million decrease in average balance.
 
Interest Expense
 
Interest expense decreased $1,472,000, or 25.6%, to $4.3 million for year-to-date 2011 as compared with year-to-date 2010.
 
Interest on deposit accounts and retail repurchase agreements decreased $936,000, or 27.7%, and $25,000, or 35.2% respectively as a result of lower average rates, down 40 basis points to 0.87% on deposits and 30 basis points to 0.50% on repurchase agreements. Decreased rates were offset in part by a $20.8 million, or 5.9%, increase in the average balance of deposits and an increase of $492,000, or 4.2% increase in the average balance of repurchase agreements. 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 $511,000 due to lower average borrowings, down $17.2 million, offset in part by a higher average borrowing rate, up 2 basis points, due to change in mix. The decline in advances resulted from scheduled maturities that were not replaced with new advances.
 
Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The provision for loan losses was $860,000 for year-to-date 2011, compared with $620,000 for year-to-date 2010. Net loan charge-offs were $753,000 and $246,000, for the respective periods. The increased provision for loan losses was necessitated by the increase in net charge-offs and increases in the level of impaired and potential problem loans.
 

 
28

 


 
Non-interest income
 
The following table details the principal categories of non-interest income.
 
Nine months ended September 30, (dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011 vs. 2010
 
Trust and wealth advisory fees
  $ 1,861     $ 1,507     $ 354       23.49 %
Service charges and fees
    1,555       1,480       75       5.07  
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net
    370       443       (73 )     (16.48 )
Mortgage servicing, net
    (8 )     27       (35 )     (129.63 )
Gains on securities, net
    11       16       (5 )     (31.25 )
Other
    176       208       (32 )     (15.38 )
Total non-interest income
  $ 3,965     $ 3,681     $ 284       7.72  
 
Non-interest income for year-to-date 2011 increased $284,000 versus year-to-date 2010. Trust and Wealth Advisory revenues increased $354,000 versus year-to-date 2010 due to growth in managed assets, higher asset valuations and increased estate fee income. Service charges and fees increased $75,000 versus year-to-date 2010. Income from sales of mortgage loans decreased $73,000 versus year-to-date 2010 due to lower volume of residential mortgage loan sales. Mortgage loans sales totaled $16.1 million for year-to-date 2011 versus $26.5 million for year-to-date 2010. Income from mortgage loan servicing of mortgage loans decreased $35,000 versus year-to-date 2010 due to an $80,000 2011 mortgage servicing valuation impairment charge and higher mortgage rights amortization expense, despite higher servicing and credit enhancement fees. Gains on securities represent the accretion of discounts on called securities. Other income for year-to-date 2010 included a gain from the sale of real estate.
 
Non-interest expense
 
The following table details the principal categories of non-interest expense.
 
Nine months ended September 30, (dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011 vs. 2010
 
Salaries
  $ 5,202     $ 4,989     $ 213       4.27 %
Employee benefits
    1,919       1,737       182       10.48  
Premises and equipment
    1,733       1,570       163       10.38  
Data processing
    1,028       1,080       (52 )     (4.81 )
Professional fees
    887       1,248       (361 )     (28.93 )
FDIC insurance
    541       549       (8 )     (1.46 )
Collections and OREO
    519       63       456       723.81  
Marketing and community contributions
    245       200       45       22.50  
Amortization of intangible assets
    167       167       -       -  
Other
    1,149       1,268       (119 )     (9.38 )
Non-interest expense
  $ 13,390     $ 12,871     $ 519       4.03 %
 
Non-interest expense for year-to-date 2011 increased $519,000 versus year-to-date 2010. Salaries increased $213,000 versus year-to-date 2010 due to changes in staffing levels and mix. Employee benefits increased $182,000 versus year-to-date 2010 due to higher health and dental benefits expense, caused by year-over-year premium increases and higher staff utilization, and higher 401K Plan expense due to the implementation of a Safe Harbor Plan. The increases were offset in part by lower pension plan expense. Premises and equipment increased $163,000 versus year-to-date 2010 due primarily to several facilities renovations, equipment replacement and the disposal of assets related to the reorganization of departments within the bank. Data processing decreased $52,000 versus year-to-date 2010 mostly due to lower ATM processing fees in 2011. Professional fees decreased $361,000 versus year-to-date 2010 due to reduced spending on audit, consulting, legal and investment management services. Expenses related to collections and OREO increased $456,000 versus year-to-date 2010. Year-to-date 2011 included $163,000 of OREO write-downs, OREO carrying costs, and collection related legal and appraisal services. FDIC insurance decreased $8,000 versus year-to-date 2010. Other operating expenses decreased $119,000 versus year-to-date 2010.
 
Income taxes
 
The effective income tax rate for year-to-date 2011 was 17.27%, compared with 16.76% for year-to-date 2010. 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 and bank owned life insurance.
 

 
29

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
Overview
 
Total assets were $619 million at September 30, 2011, up $44 million from December 31, 2010.  Loans receivable, net, were $363 million at September 30, 2011, up $11 million, or 3.1%, from December 31, 2010.  Non-performing assets were $13.9 million at September 30, 2011, up $3.2 million from $10.7 million at December 31, 2010. Reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans, was 1.10%, 1.10% and 1.12%, at September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2010, respectively. Deposits were $479 million, up $49 million from $430 million at December 31, 2010.
 
At September 30, 2011, book value and tangible book value per common share were $30.36 and $23.91, respectively. Salisbury’s Tier 1 leverage and total risk-based capital ratios were 9.49% and 15.98%, respectively, and above the “well capitalized” limits as defined by the FRB.
 
Securities and Short Term Funds
 
During year-to-date 2011, securities decreased $3.8 million to $157 million, and FHLBB advances decreased $18 million, while cash and cash-equivalents (interest-bearing deposits with other banks, money market funds and federal funds sold) increased $39 million to $66 million as Salisbury increased its liquidity position in light of historically low interest rates and growth in volatile deposits.
 
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 does not intend to sell any of its securities 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, which may be maturity.  Therefore, management does not consider any of its securities, other than the four non-agency CMO securities reflecting OTTI, to be OTTI at September 30, 2011.
 
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, 2011. It is possible that future loss assumptions could change necessitating Salisbury to recognize future OTTI for further deterioration in credit quality. Salisbury does not intend to sell these securities and it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis.
 
Accumulated other comprehensive gain at September 30, 2011 included net unrealized holding gains, net of tax, of $1,480,000, a gain of $4,062,000 over December 2010.
 
Loans
 
Net loans receivable decreased $2.0 million during third quarter 2011 to $362.9 million at September 30, 2011, compared with $364.9 million at June 30, 2011, and increased $10.5 million for year-to-date 2011, compared with $352.4 million at December 31, 2010.
 

 

 
30

 

The composition of loans receivable and loans held-for-sale is as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Residential 1-4 family
  $ 180,216     $ 173,931  
Residential 5+ multifamily
    2,798       2,889  
Construction of residential 1-4 family
    8,065       8,949  
Home equity credit
    34,632       34,164  
Residential real estate
    225,711       219,933  
Commercial
    81,458       75,495  
Construction of commercial
    5,801       7,312  
Commercial real estate
    87,259       82,807  
Farm land
    5,719       5,690  
Vacant land
    12,685       12,979  
Real estate secured
    331,374       321,409  
Commercial and industrial
    27,460       25,123  
Municipal
    2,549       4,338  
Consumer
    4,578       4,677  
Loans receivable, gross
    365,961       355,547  
Deferred loan origination fees and costs, net
    945       822  
Allowance for loan losses
    (4,027 )     (3,920 )
Loans receivable, net
  $ 362,879     $ 352,449  
Loans held-for-sale
               
Residential 1-4 family
  $ 1,057     $ 1,184  
 
Loan Credit Quality
 
The persistent weakness in the local and regional economies continues to impact the credit quality of Salisbury’s loans receivable. D uring third quarter 2011 total impaired and potential problem loans decreased $1.1 million to $30.5 million, or 8.3% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2011, from $31.6 million, or 8.6% of gross loans receivable at June 30, 2011, and increased $7.2 million for year-to-date 2011 from $23.3 million, or 6.6% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2010.
 
The credit quality segments of loans receivable and their credit risk ratings are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Pass
  $ 306,039     $ 292,815  
Special mention
    29,460       39,415  
Performing loans
    335,499       332,230  
Substandard
    14,499       7,932  
Doubtful
    -       10  
Potential problem loans
    14,499       7,942  
Pass
               
Troubled debt restructured loans, accruing
    266       -  
Special mention
               
Troubled debt restructured loans, accruing
    167       -  
Substandard
               
Troubled debt restructured loans, accruing
    1,619       5,330  
Troubled debt restructured loans, non-accrual
    7,360       4,254  
All other non-accrual loans
    6,551       5,791  
Impaired loans
    15,963       15,375  
Loans receivable, gross
  $ 365,961     $ 355,547  

 
31

 

Changes in impaired and potential problem loans are as follows:
 
   
Three months ended September 30, 2011
   
Nine months ended September 30, 2011
 
   
Impaired loans
   
Potential
               
Potential
       
(in thousands)
 
Non-
a ccrual
   
Accruing
   
 problem
loans
   
Total
   
Impaired
 loans
   
Accruing
   
 problem
loans
   
Total
 
Loans placed on non-accrual status
  $ (208 )   $ 163     $ -     $ (45 )   $ 5,684     $ (2,797 )   $ (2,268 )   $ 619  
Loan risk rating downgrades to substandard
    -       -       427       427       -       -       11,190       11,190  
Loan risk rating upgrades from substandard
    -       -       (942 )     (942 )     -       -       (1,950 )     (1,950 )
Loan repayments
    (319 )     (11 )     (140 )     (470 )     (774 )     (33 )     (405 )     (1,212 )
Loan charge-offs
    (125 )     (30 )     -       (155 )     (731 )     (30 )     -       (761 )
Loans no longer classified as troubled debt restructurings
    -       -       -       -       -       (417 )     -       (417 )
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans
    -       -       -       -       (314 )     -       -       (314 )
Increase (decrease) in loans
  $ (652 )   $ 122     $ (655 )   $ (1,185 )   $ 3,865     $ (3,277 )   $ 6,567     $ 7,155  
 
Changes in impaired and potential problem loans were relatively modest during third quarter 2011. Loan risk rating downgrades to substandard totaled $427,000, loans placed on non-accrual status as a result of deteriorated payment and financial performance totaled $45,000 and loans charged-off due to collateral deficiencies totaled $155,000. Offsetting these deteriorations were loan risk rating upgrades resulting from improved performance and loan repayments.
 
During the first nine months of 2011 Salisbury downgraded the risk ratings of $111.2 million of loans to substandard, placed $5.7 million of loans on non-accrual status as a result of deteriorated payment and financial performance and charged-off $761,000 of losses primarily as a result of collateral deficiencies. Offsetting these deteriorations were loan risk rating upgrades resulting from improved performance, loan repayments, real estate acquired in settlement of a loan and a loan restructured in 2010 whose designation as troubled debt restructured was removed due to satisfactory performance.
 
Salisbury has cooperative relationships with the vast 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 all 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.
 
 
·
Potential problem loans consist of performing loans that have been assigned a substandard credit risk rating and that are not classified as impaired.
 

 
32

 

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
 
Impaired loans decreased $0.5 million during third quarter 2011 to $16.0 million, or 4.36% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2011, from $16.5 million, or 4.48% of gross loans receivable at June 30, 2011, and increased $0.6 million for year-to-date 2011 from $15.4 million, or 4.32% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2010. The components of impaired loans are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Troubled debt restructurings, accruing
  $ 2,052     $ 5,330  
Troubled debt restructuring, non-accrual
    7,360       4,254  
All other non-accrual loans
    6,551       5,791  
Impaired loans
  $ 15,963     $ 15,375  
 
Non-Performing Assets
 
Non-performing assets decreased $1.1 million during third quarter 2011 to $13.9 million, or 2.25% of assets at September 30, 2011, from $15.0 million, or 2.55% of assets at June 30, 2011, and increased $3.2 million for year-to-date 2011 from $10.8 million, or 1.87% of assets at December 31, 2010.
 

 
33

 

The components of non-performing assets are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Residential 1-4 family
  $ 2,808     $ 2,534  
Construction of residential 1-4 family
    2,944       -  
Home equity credit
    248       362  
Commercial
    3,084       2,923  
Vacant land
    3,858       4,018  
Real estate secured
    12,942       9,837  
Commercial and industrial
    969       208  
Consumer
    -       -  
Total non-accruing loans
    13,911       10,045  
Accruing loans past due 90 days and over
    -       96  
Total non-performing loans
    13,911       10,141  
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans
    37       610  
Total non-performing assets
  $ 13,948     $ 10,751  
 
The past due status of non-performing loans is as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Current
  $ 6,362     $ 2,931  
Past due 001-029 days
    799       219  
Past due 030-059 days
    360       541  
Past due 060-089 days
    84       1,050  
Past due 090-179 days
    729       683  
Past due 180 days and over
    5,577       4,717  
Total non-performing loans
  $ 13,911     $ 10,141  
 
At September 30, 2011, 45.7% of non-accrual loans were current with respect to loan payments, compared with 44.0% at June 30, 2011 and 28.9% at December 31, 2010. 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 decreased $210,000 during third quarter 2011 to $9.4 million, or 2.57% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2011, from $9.6 million, or 2.62% of gross loans receivable at June 31, 2011, and decreased $171,000 for year-to-date 2011 from $9.6 million, or 2.70% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2010. The components of troubled debt restructured loans are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Residential 1-4 family
  $ 167     $ 3,377  
Commercial
    1,619       1,677  
Real estate secured
    1,786       5,054  
Commercial and industrial
    266       276  
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans
    2,052       5,330  
Residential 1-4 family
    4,186       552  
Commercial
    2,397       2,923  
Vacant land
    461       621  
Real estate secured
    7,044       4,096  
Commercial and industrial
    316       158  
Non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans
    7,361       4,254  
Troubled debt restructured loans
  $ 9,412     $ 9,584  

 
34

 

The past due status of troubled debt restructured loans is as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Current
  $ 1,347     $ 4,798  
Past due 001-029 days
    705       375  
Past due 030-059 days
    -       157  
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans
    2,052       5,330  
Current
    5,773       2,585  
Past due 001-029 days
    341       169  
Past due 030-059 days
    324       378  
Past due 060-089 days
    -       -  
Past due 090-179 days
    581       346  
Past due 180 days and over
    341       776  
Non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans
    7,360       4,254  
Total troubled debt restructured loans
  $ 9,413     $ 9,584  
 
At September 30, 2011, 75.7% of troubled debt restructured loans were current with respect to loan payments, as compared with 77.9% at June 30, 2011 and 77.0% at December 31, 2010.
 
Past Due Loans
 
Loans past due 30 days or more increased $459,000 during third quarter 2011 to $9.1 million, or 2.50% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2011, compared with $8.7 million, or 2.36% of gross loans receivable at June 30, 2011, and have increased $240,000 for year-to-date 2011, compared with $8.9 million, or 2.51% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2010.
 
The components of loans past due 30 days or greater are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Past due 030-059 days
  $ 1,633     $ 1,188  
Past due 060-089 days
    765       730  
Past due 090-179 days
    -       96  
Accruing loans
    2,398       2,014  
Past due 030-059 days
    360       541  
Past due 060-089 days
    84       1,050  
Past due 090-179 days
    729       587  
Past due 180 days and over
    5,577       4,716  
Non-accrual loans
    6,750       6,894  
Total loans past due 30 days or greater
  $ 9,148     $ 8,908  
 
Potential Problem Loans
 
Potential problem loans decreased $656,000 during third quarter 2011 to $14.5 million, or 3.96% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2011, compared with $15.2 million, or 4.12% of gross loans receivable at June 30, 2011, and increased $6.6 million for year-to-date 2011, compared with $7.9 million, or 2.23% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2010.
 

 
35

 

The components of potential problem loans are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Residential 1-4 family
  $ 3,639     $ 2,483  
Residential 5+ multifamily
    -       89  
Construction of residential 1-4 family
    -       75  
Home equity credit
    1,032       817  
Residential real estate
    4,671       3,464  
Commercial
    7,579       2,327  
Construction of commercial
    471       47  
Commercial real estate
    8,050       2,374  
Farm land
    840       881  
Vacant land
    253       249  
Real estate secured
    13,814       6,968  
Commercial and Industrial
    620       897  
Consumer
    65       67  
Potential problem loans
  $ 14,499     $ 7,932  
 
The past due status of potential problem loans is as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Current
  $ 10,214     $ 5,757  
Past due 001-029 days
    3,265       1,233  
Past due 030-059 days
    963       357  
Past due 060-089 days
    57       534  
Past due 090-179 days
    -       51  
Total potential problem loans
  $ 14,499     $ 7,932  
 
At September 30, 2011, 70.45% of potential problem loans were current with respect to loan payments, as compared with 82.2% at June 30, 2011 and 72.6% at December 31, 2010.
 
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 increased $19.6 million during third quarter 2011 to $478.6 million at September 30, 2011, compared with $459.0 million at June 30, 2011, and increased $48.3 million for year-to-date 2011 compared with $430.3 million at December 31, 2010. Retail repurchase agreements increased $2.4 million during third quarter 2011 to $14.8 million at September 30, 2011, compared with $12.4 million at June 30, 2011, and decreased $1.6 million for year-to-date 2011 compared with $13.2 million at December 31, 2010.
 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) advances decreased $0.5 million during third quarter 2011 to $55.0 million at September 30, 2011, compared with $55.5 million at June 30, 2011, and decreased $17.8 million for year-to-date 2011 compared with $72.8 million at December 31, 2010. The decreases were due to amortizing advance payments and to advance maturities that were not renewed.
 
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 Federal Home Loan Bank 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, 2011, 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 33.0%, up from 28.4% at December 31, 2010. Management believes Salisbury’s funding sources will meet anticipated funding needs.
 

 
36

 

Operating activities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 provided net cash of $5.1 million.  Investing activities utilized net cash of $4.0 million, principally from $11.6 million of net loan advances, $35.7 million of securities purchases offset by $38.0 million in securities maturities and calls. Financing activities provided net cash of $37.5 million, principally for $49.9 million net increase in deposits and repurchase agreements and a net of $7.2 million from issuance and redemption of preferred stock, offset in part by $17.8 million of scheduled FHLB advance repayments and $1.8 million of cash dividends paid.
 
At September 30, 2011, Salisbury had outstanding commitments to fund new loan originations of $5.4 million and unused lines of credit of $55.3 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 $67.4 million at September 30, 2011, up $12.4 million from December 31, 2010. Book value and tangible book value per common share were $30.36 and $23.91, respectively, compared with $27.37 and $20.81, respectively, at December 31, 2010. Contributing to the increase in shareholders’ equity for year-to-date 2011 was net income of $2,864,000, other comprehensive gain of $4,095,000, SBLF funding of $16,000,000, and the issuance of common stock of $28,000, less common and preferred stock dividends of $1,418,000 and $382,000, respectively, and TARP repayment of $8,816,000. Other comprehensive income included unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net of tax, of $33,000 and pension plan income, net of tax, of $4,062,000.
 
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 in the initial quarterly dividend period ending September 30, 2011 was 2.45100% and in the quarterly dividend period ending December 31, 2011 will be 1.55925%.  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 30, 2011, Salisbury declared a Series B Preferred Stock dividend of $39,216, payable on October 3, 2011. 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.
 
Simultaneously with the receipt of the SBLF capital, Salisbury repurchased for $8,816,000 all of its Series A Preferred Stock sold to the Treasury in 2009 under the Capital Purchase Program, a part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, and made a payment for accrued dividends.  The transaction resulted in net capital proceeds to Salisbury of $7,184,000, of which Salisbury invested $6,465,600, or 90%, in the Bank as Tier 1 Capital.
 
As part of the CPP, Salisbury had issued to the Treasury a 10-year Warrant to purchase 57,671 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $22.93 per share.  The Warrant was repurchased for $205,000 on November 2, 2011.
 
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
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
   
capitalized
 
Salisbury
 
Bank
 
Salisbury
 
Bank
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    10.00 %     15.98 %     13.07 %     13.91 %     11.11 %
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    6.00       14.88       12.00       12.84       10.06  
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)
    5.00       9.49       7.77       8.39       6.72  
 
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.
 
Dividends
 
During the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 Salisbury paid $382,000 in Series A preferred stock dividends to the U.S. Treasury’s TARP CPP, and $1,418,000 in common stock dividends.
 
The Board of Directors of Salisbury declared a common stock dividend of $0.28 per common share payable on November 25, 2011 to shareholders of record on November 11, 2011. Common stock dividends, when declared, will generally be paid the last business day 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.
 
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 Federal Reserve 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.
 

 
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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 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 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 OF 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, 2011 analysis, three of the simulations incorporate management’s growth assumptions over the simulation horizons, with allowances made for loan, deposit and security product mix shifts in selected interest rate scenarios, such as movements between lower rate savings and money market deposit accounts and higher rate time deposits, and changes in the reinvestment of loan and securities cash flows. The fourth simulation incorporates management’s balance sheet growth assumptions. 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.
 

 
38

 
 
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.
 
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, 2011 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 150 basis points for the 10-year Treasury; (3) immediately falling interest rates – immediate non-parallel downward shift in market interest rates ranging from 0 basis points for short term rates to 100 basis points for the 10-year Treasury; and (4) gradually rising interest rates – gradual non-parallel upward shift in market interest rates ranging from 400 basis points for short term rates to 185 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, 2011 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, 2011:
 
As of September 30, 2011
 
Months 1-12
 
Months 13-24
Immediately rising interest rates (management’s growth assumptions)
    (10.56 )%     (7.16 )%
Immediately falling interest rates (management’s growth assumptions)
    (0.88 )     (3.61 )
Gradually rising interest rates (management’s growth assumptions)
    (3.07 )     (7.88 )
 
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.
 

 
39

 

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, 2011 (in thousands)
 
Rates up 100bp
   
Rates up 200bp
 
U.S. Treasury notes
  $ (256 )   $ (499 )
U.S. Government agency notes
    (228 )     (450 )
Municipal bonds
    (2,850 )     (6,486 )
Mortgage backed securities
    (1,435 )     (3,228 )
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    (728 )     (1,788 )
SBA pools
    (11 )     (22 )
Total available-for-sale debt securities
  $ (5,508 )   $ (12,473 )
 
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 the disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2011.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
 
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 (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.  
 
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, 2011 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.
 
The Bank, individually and in its capacity as a former Co-Trustee of the Erling C. Christophersen Revocable Trust (the “Trust”), has been named as a defendant in litigation currently pending in the Connecticut Complex Litigation Docket in Stamford, captioned John Christophersen v. Erling Christophersen, et al., X05-CV-08-5009597S (the “First Action”).  The Bank also is a counterclaim-defendant in a related mortgage foreclosure litigation also pending in the Connecticut Complex Litigation Docket in Stamford, captioned Salisbury Bank & Trust Company v. Erling C. Christophersen, et al., X05-CV-10-6005847-S (the “Foreclosure Action,” together with the First Action, the “Actions”).  The other parties to the Actions are 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 involve 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 an open-end commercial mortgage in favor of the Bank on the Westport property.  This mortgage is the subject of the Foreclosure Action brought by the Bank.
 
The gravamen of the plaintiff/counterclaim-plaintiff John Christophersen’s claims in the Actions is that he has an interest in the Westport real property transferred to the Trust of which he was allegedly wrongfully divested on account of the actions of the defendants.  In the Actions plaintiff seeks 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.
 
In addition to the mortgage on the property, the Bank, at the time of the financing referenced above, acquired a lender’s title insurance policy from the Chicago Title & Insurance Company, which is providing a defense to the Bank in the First Action under a reservation of rights.  The Bank denies any wrongdoing, and is actively defending the case.  The First Action presently is stayed, by Court order, pending resolution of a parallel action pending in New York Surrogate’s Court to which the Bank is not a party.  The Foreclosure Action remains in its early pleading stage.  No discovery has been taken to date.
 

 
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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. 
[ REMOVED AND RESERVED]
   
Item 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
None
 
Item 6.
EXHIBITS
 
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.

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

32
Section 1350 Certifications

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, 2011
by      /s/ Richard J. Cantele, Jr.
 
Richard J. Cantele, Jr.,
 
Chief Executive Officer
   
November 14, 2011
by      /s/ B. Ian McMahon
 
B. Ian McMahon,
 
Chief Financial Officer

 
 
 
41
 
 
 
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