ITEM 1. Business
General
Melrose Bancorp, Inc.
Melrose Bancorp, Inc. (Melrose Bancorp or the Company) was incorporated in the State of Maryland in February 2014 for
the purpose of becoming the bank holding company for Melrose Cooperative Bank (the Bank), upon consummation of the Banks mutual to stock conversion. The conversion was consummated in October 2014 at which time Melrose Bancorp
became the registered bank holding company of the Bank. In connection with the conversion, the Company sold 2,723,409 shares of common stock, at an offering price of $10 per share, and issued an additional 106,170 shares of its common stock to the
Melrose Cooperative Bank Foundation, resulting in an aggregate issuance of 2,829,579 shares of common stock. The net proceeds from the stock offering, net of offering costs of $1,716,000, amounted to $25,518,000. The Companys stock began
trading on October 22, 2014 on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol MELR. To date, other than holding all of the Banks issued and outstanding stock and making a loan to the Banks employee stock ownership plan, the
Company is not engaged in any business.
At December 31, 2015, Melrose Bancorp had consolidated assets of $230.7 million, liabilities
of $185.2 million and stockholders equity of $45.5 million.
Melrose Bancorp uses the support staff and offices of Melrose
Cooperative Bank and pays Melrose Cooperative Bank for these services. If we expand or change our business in the future, we may hire our own employees although we do not expect that this will happen in the near future.
Melrose Bancorp is a registered bank holding company and is subject to comprehensive regulation and examination by the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System. Melrose Bancorps executive and administrative office is located at 638 Main Street, Melrose, Massachusetts 02176, and our telephone number at this address is (781) 665-2500. Our website address is
www.melrosecoop.com
. Information on this website should not be considered a part of this annual report.
Melrose Cooperative Bank
Melrose Cooperative Bank is a Massachusetts-chartered cooperative bank headquartered in Melrose, Massachusetts. Melrose Cooperative Bank was
incorporated in 1890 and has operated continuously in or around the surrounding area of Melrose, Massachusetts since that time.
We
provide financial services to individuals, families and businesses through our full-service banking office in Melrose, Massachusetts. Our primary business activity consists of taking deposits from the general public in our market area and investing
those deposits, together with funds generated from operations, in one- to four-family residential real estate loans and home equity loans and lines of credit. To a much lesser extent, we also originate commercial real estate, construction and
consumer loans. We offer a variety of deposit accounts to consumers and small businesses, including certificate of deposit accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts and demand and NOW accounts. We also offer online and mobile banking
services.
Generally, we retain in our portfolio all adjustable-rate loans that we originate, as well as fixed-rate one- to four-family
residential real estate loans with terms of less than 15 years. Consistent with prudent interest rate risk strategy and based upon the market and rate environment, we will consider holding in our portfolio longer term fixed-rate one- to four-family
residential mortgage loans. Historically, as part of our interest rate risk strategy, we have sold our fixed-rate one- to four-family residential real estate loans with terms of 15 years or greater outside of our community reinvestment act (CRA)
area on a servicing-released basis. During the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we originated for sale and sold no loans and $1.8 million, respectively, of fixed-rate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, including refinances,
in order to generate fee income and consistent with our interest rate risk strategy.
Reflecting our focus on our community, in connection
with our mutual to stock conversion and stock offering which we consummated in October 2014, we established a charitable foundation called Melrose Cooperative Bank Foundation and funded it with $300,000 in cash and 106,170 shares of our common stock
with a value of $1,061,700. The purpose of this foundation is to make contributions to support various charitable organizations operating in our community now and in the future.
Our website address is
www.melrosecoop.com
. Information on this website should not be considered a part of this annual report.
Market Area
We conduct our operations
from our full-service banking office in Melrose, Massachusetts which is located in the greater Boston metropolitan area of Middlesex County. Melrose is a suburb located approximately seven miles north of Boston. We consider our primary deposit area
to be Melrose and the surrounding towns and our primary lending market area to be Northeastern Massachusetts. While we occasionally make loans secured by properties located outside of our primary lending market, these loans are generally to
borrowers with whom we have an existing relationship and who have a presence within our primary lending market.
The Boston metropolitan
area benefits from the presence of numerous institutions of higher learning, medical care and research centers and the corporate headquarters of several significant mutual fund investment companies. Eastern Massachusetts also has many high
technology companies employing personnel with specialized skills. These factors affect the demand for residential homes, multifamily apartments, office buildings, shopping centers, industrial warehouses and other commercial properties.
2
Based on the 2013 United States census, the Boston metropolitan area is the 10
th
largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located adjacent to major transportation corridors, the Boston metropolitan area provides a highly diversified economic base, with major employment
sectors ranging from services, manufacturing and wholesale/retail trade, to finance, technology and medical care. According to the United States Department of Labor, in December 2015, the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Massachusetts/New Hampshire
Metropolitan Statistical Area had an unemployment rate of 4.1% compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.8% for December 2015.
Based on United States census estimates, from 2010 to 2014, the population of Middlesex County increased marginally from 1.54 million
persons to 1.57 million persons. From 2010 to 2014, the median household income for Middlesex County was $83,488 compared to median household income for Massachusetts of $67,846 and $53,482 for the United States.
Competition
We face significant
competition within our market both in making loans and attracting deposits. Our market area has a high concentration of financial institutions, including large money center and regional banks, community banks and credit unions. Some of our
competitors offer products and services that we currently do not offer, such as trust services and private banking. Our competition for loans and deposits comes principally from commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage banking firms,
consumer finance companies and credit unions. We face additional competition for deposits from short-term money market funds, brokerage firms, mutual funds and insurance companies.
We are a small community savings institution and as of June 30, 2015 (the latest date for which information is available), our market
share was 0.34% of total Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-insured deposits in Middlesex County, Massachusetts making us the 39th largest out of 54 financial institutions in Middlesex County.
Lending Activities
Our principal lending
activity is originating one- to four-family residential real estate loans and home equity loans and lines of credit. To a much lesser extent, we also originate commercial real estate loans, construction loans and consumer loans. In recent years, we
have modestly increased our commercial real estate loans. Subject to market conditions and our asset-liability analysis, we expect to continue to increase our focus on commercial real estate loans in an effort to diversify our overall loan portfolio
and increase the overall yield earned on our loans. We also originate for sale and sell the majority of the fixed-rate one- to four-family residential real estate loans that we originate with terms of greater than 15 years outside of our CRA area,
on a servicing-released, limited or no recourse basis, while retaining shorter-term fixed-rate and all adjustable-rate one- to four-family residential real estate loans in order to manage the duration and time to repricing of our loan portfolio.
3
Loan Portfolio Composition.
The following table sets forth the composition of our loan
portfolio at the dates indicated.
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December 31,
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2015
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2014
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2013
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2012
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2011
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Amount
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Percent
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Amount
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Percent
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Amount
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Percent
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Amount
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Percent
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Amount
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Percent
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Real estate loans:
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One-to four-family residential
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$
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132,237
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82.3
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%
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$
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118,144
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87.9
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%
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$
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118,328
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89.4
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%
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$
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112,914
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89.5
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%
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$
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100,510
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87.5
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%
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Home equity loans and lines of credit
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10,862
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6.8
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10,811
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8.1
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10,037
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7.6
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9,906
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7.9
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10,690
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9.3
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Commercial
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13,251
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8.2
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2,462
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1.8
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2,052
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1.5
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1,918
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1.6
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2,447
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2.1
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Construction
(1)
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4,303
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2.6
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2,787
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2.1
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1,871
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1.4
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1,189
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0.9
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1,068
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0.9
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Consumer loans
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121
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0.1
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146
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0.1
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121
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0.1
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192
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0.1
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265
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0.2
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Total loans
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160,774
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100.0
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%
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134,350
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100.0
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%
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132,409
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100.0
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%
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126,119
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100.0
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%
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114,980
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100.0
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%
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Other Items:
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Allowance for loan losses
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(580
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)
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(520
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)
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(510
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)
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(474
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)
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(440
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)
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Deferred loan costs, net
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109
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80
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96
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104
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95
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Net loans
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$
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160,303
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$
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133,910
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$
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131,995
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$
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125,749
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$
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114,635
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(1)
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Net of undisbursed proceeds on loans-in-process.
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Loan Portfolio Maturities and
Yields.
The following table summarizes the scheduled repayments of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2015. Demand loans, loans having no stated repayment schedule or maturity, and overdraft loans are reported as being due in one year
or less. Maturities are based on the final contractual payment date and do not reflect the effect of prepayments and scheduled principal amortization.
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One to
Four Family
Residential Loans
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Home
Equity Loans
and Lines
of Credit
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Commercial
Real Estate
Loans
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Construction
Loans
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Consumer
Loans
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Total
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Amount
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Weighted
Average
Rate
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Amount
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Weighted
Average
Rate
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Amount
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Weighted
Average
Rate
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Amount
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Weighted
Average
Rate
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Amount
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Weighted
Average
Rate
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Amount
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Weighted
Average
Rate
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(Dollars in thousands)
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Due During the Years Ending December 31,
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2016
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$
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80
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6.17
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%
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$
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%
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$
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%
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$
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297
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5.00
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%
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$
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19
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11.61
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%
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$
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396
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5.56
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%
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2017
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76
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4.57
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|
69
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3.25
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9
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4.99
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|
154
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4.00
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2018
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240
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4.34
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|
107
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3.25
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8
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4.99
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355
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4.16
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2019 to 2020
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927
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3.28
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|
255
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3.48
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|
72
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4.13
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1,254
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3.37
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2021 to 2025
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15,727
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3.20
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3,413
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3.78
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9,606
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3.86
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1,763
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4.05
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|
85
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5.65
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30,594
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|
3.52
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2026 to 2030
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21,857
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|
3.22
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|
|
|
3,420
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|
|
3.98
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25,277
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|
3.33
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2031 and beyond
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|
93,330
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|
3.41
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|
3,598
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|
2.53
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|
3,573
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4.44
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|
2,243
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|
3.50
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|
102,744
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|
|
|
3.42
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|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
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Total
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$
|
132,237
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|
|
|
3.36
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%
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|
$
|
10,862
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|
|
|
3.42
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%
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|
$
|
13,251
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|
|
|
4.02
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%
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|
$
|
4,303
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|
|
|
3.83
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%
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|
$
|
121
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|
|
|
5.50
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%
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|
$
|
160,774
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|
|
|
3.43
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%
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4
The following table sets forth our fixed- and adjustable-rate loans at December 31, 2015
that are due after December 31, 2016.
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Due After December 31, 2016
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Fixed Rate
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Adjustable
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Total
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(In thousands)
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Real estate loans:
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One-to four-family residential
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$
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62,816
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|
|
$
|
69,341
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|
|
$
|
132,157
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|
Home equity loans and lines of credit
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|
2,116
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|
|
|
8,746
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|
|
|
10,862
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Commercial
|
|
|
2,774
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|
|
|
10,477
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|
|
|
13,251
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|
Construction
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|
326
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|
|
|
3,680
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|
|
4,006
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|
Consumer loans
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17
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|
85
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|
|
102
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Total
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|
$
|
68,049
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|
|
$
|
92,329
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|
|
$
|
160,378
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|
|
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|
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One- to Four-Family Residential Real Estate Lending
. The focus of our lending is the origination
of long-term loans secured by mortgages on owner-occupied one- to four-family residences. At December 31, 2015, $132.2 million, or 82.3%, of our total loan portfolio consisted of one- to four-family residential real estate loans. At that date,
our average outstanding one- to four-family residential real estate loan balance was $214,000 and our largest outstanding residential loan had a principal balance of $1.2 million. At December 31, 2015, our 10 largest loans totaled $7.9 million,
all 10 of which are one- to four-family residential real estate loans. The majority of the one- to four-family residential real estate loans that we originate are secured by properties located in our primary lending area of Melrose and the
surrounding towns. See Originations, Sales and Purchases of Loans.
Our one- to four-family residential real estate
loans are generally underwritten according to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines, and we refer to loans that conform to such guidelines as conforming loans. We generally originate both fixed- and adjustable-rate one- to four-family
residential real estate loans in amounts up to the maximum conforming loan limits as established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). We also originate loans above the FHFA limit, which are referred to as jumbo
loans. We generally underwrite jumbo loans in a manner similar to conforming loans. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we originated $10.5 million and $7.3 million of jumbo loans, respectively.
We originate both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate one- to four-family residential real estate loans. Our fixed-rate and adjustable-rate one- to
four-family residential real estate loans are originated with terms of up to 30 years. Prior to January 2014, we offered a 40-year adjustable rate loan product. At December 31, 2015, $69.3 million, or 52%, of our one- to four-family residential
real estate loans were adjustable-rate loans.
We originate our adjustable-rate one- to four-family residential real estate loans with
initial interest rate adjustment periods of three, five, seven and 10 years, based on changes in a designated market index. These loans are limited to a 200 basis point initial increase in their interest rate, a 200 basis point increase in their
interest rate annually after the initial adjustment, and a maximum upward adjustment of 600 basis points over the life of the loan. We determine whether a borrower qualifies for an adjustable-rate mortgage loan based on secondary market guidelines.
We originate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans with loan-to-value ratios of up to 80% without private mortgage insurance. We
originate loans with loan-to-value ratios of up to 97% with private mortgage insurance and where the borrowers monthly debt service does not exceed 43% of the borrowers monthly cash-flow.
Certain of our one- to four-family residential real estate loans are for the purchase of residential condominiums. Consistent with our risk
analysis, we will not finance more than 15% of the units in any condominium project. In addition and consistent with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines, generally, we will not make a loan for the purchase of a condominium in a new condominium
project unless at least 60% of the total units in the project are sold or under a sales agreement prior to the loan closing.
Generally,
we sell the majority of the fixed-rate one- to four-family residential real estate loans that we originate with terms of greater than 15 years outside of our CRA area. We base the amount of fixed-rate loans that we sell on our liquidity needs,
asset/liability mix, loan volume, portfolio size and other factors. Currently, the majority of loans that we sell are sold to the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency and Northeast Home Loan with servicing released.
5
We generally do not offer interest only mortgage loans on one- to four-family
residential real estate loans nor do we offer loans that provide for negative amortization of principal, such as Option ARM loans, where the borrower can pay less than the interest owed on his loan, resulting in an increased principal
balance during the life of the loan. Additionally, we do not offer subprime loans (loans that are made with low down-payments to borrowers with weakened credit histories typically characterized by payment delinquencies, previous
charge-offs, judgments, bankruptcies, or borrowers with questionable repayment capacity as evidenced by low credit scores or high debt-burden ratios) or Alt-A loans (defined as loans having less than full documentation).
Although adjustable-rate mortgage loans may reduce to an extent our vulnerability to changes in market interest rates because they
periodically reprice, as interest rates increase, the required payments due from the borrower also increase (subject to rate caps), increasing the potential for default by the borrower. At the same time, the marketability of the underlying
collateral may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. Upward adjustments of the contractual interest rate are also limited by the maximum periodic and lifetime rate adjustments permitted by our loan documents. During the year ended
December 31, 2015, we originated 52 one-to-four family residential real estate loans totaling $19.6 million with adjustable rates of interest.
We evaluate both the borrowers ability to make principal, interest and escrow payments and the value of the property that will secure
the loan. Our one- to four-family residential real estate loans do not currently include prepayment penalties, are non-assumable and do not produce negative amortization. Our one- to four-family residential mortgage loans customarily include
due-on-sale clauses giving us the right to declare the loan immediately due and payable in the event that, among other things, the borrower sells the property subject to the mortgage. All borrowers are required to obtain title insurance
for the benefit of Melrose Cooperative Bank. We also require homeowners insurance and fire and casualty insurance and, where circumstances warrant, flood insurance on properties securing real estate loans.
We offer on a limited basis one- to four-family residential real estate loans secured by non-owner occupied properties. Generally, we require
personal guarantees from the borrowers on these properties, and we will not make loans in excess of 80% loan to value on non-owner-occupied properties.
Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit
. In addition to one- to four-family residential real estate loans, we offer home equity
loans and lines of credit that are secured by the borrowers primary or secondary residence. At December 31, 2015, we had $10.9 million, or 6.8%, of our total loan portfolio in home equity loans and lines of credit. Home equity lines of
credit totaled $10.4 million at December 31, 2015. At that date we also had $10.7 million of unused commitments related to home equity lines of credit.
Home equity loans and lines of credit are generally underwritten using the same criteria that we use to underwrite one- to four-family
residential real estate loans. Home equity loans and lines of credit may be underwritten with a loan-to-value ratio of up to 80% when combined with the principal balance of the existing first mortgage loan. Our home equity loans are primarily
originated with fixed rates of interest with terms of up to 20 years. Our home equity lines of credit are originated with adjustable-rates based on the prime rate of interest plus an applicable margin with a floor rate and require interest paid
monthly.
Home equity loans and lines of credit are generally secured by junior mortgages and have greater risk than one- to four-family
residential real estate loans secured by first mortgages. We face the risk that the collateral will be insufficient to compensate us for loan losses and costs of foreclosure, after repayment of the senior mortgages, if applicable. When customers
default on their loans, we attempt to foreclose on the property and resell the property as soon as possible to minimize foreclosure and carrying costs. However, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to compensate us for the amount of the
unpaid loan and we may be unsuccessful in recovering the remaining balance from those customers. Particularly with respect to our home equity loans and lines of credit, decreases in real estate values could adversely affect our ability to fully
recover the loan balance in the event of a default.
Commercial Real Estate Lending
. Consistent with our strategy to enhance
the yield and reduce the term to maturity of our loan portfolio, we offer commercial real estate loans. We hired an experienced commercial lender during the first quarter of 2015, seeking to increase in our originations of commercial real estate
loans. At December 31, 2015, we had $11.9 million in commercial real estate loans, representing 7.4% of our total loan portfolio. In addition to commercial real estate loans, we offer commercial lines of credit that are secured by the real
estate investment properties. At December 31, 2015, we had $1.4 million, or 0.8%, of our total loan portfolio in commercial lines of credit. At that date we also had $1.0 million of unused commitments related to commercial lines of credit. The
majority of the commercial real estate loans that we originate are secured by properties located in our primary lending area of Melrose and the surrounding towns. See Originations, Sales and Purchases of Loans.
Generally, our commercial real estate loans have terms and amortization periods of up to 30 years. Generally these loans have adjustable rates
of interest tied to the U.S. Treasury index.
The majority of our commercial real estate loans are secured by multifamily residential real
estate, office buildings or mixed-use properties located in Middlesex County and Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
6
We consider a number of factors in originating commercial real estate loans. We evaluate the
qualifications and financial condition of the borrower, including credit history, profitability and expertise, as well as the value and condition of the property securing the loan. When evaluating the qualifications of the borrower, we consider the
financial resources of the borrower, the borrowers experience in owning or managing similar property and the borrowers payment history with us and other financial institutions. In evaluating the property securing the loan, the factors we
consider include the net operating income of the mortgaged property before debt service and depreciation, the ratio of the loan amount to the appraised value of the mortgaged property and the debt service coverage ratio (the ratio of net operating
income to debt service, generally at least 1.25 to 1). All commercial real estate loans are appraised by outside independent appraisers who are approved by the board of directors on an annual basis. Personal guarantees are generally obtained from
the principals of commercial and multifamily real estate loans.
Commercial real estate loans entail greater credit risks compared to
owner-occupied one- to four-family residential real estate loans because they typically involve larger loan balances concentrated with single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. In addition, the payment of loans secured by income-producing
properties typically depends on the successful operation of the property, as repayment of the loan generally is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the property to cover operating expenses and debt service. Changes in economic
conditions that are not in the control of the borrower or lender could affect the value of the collateral for the loan or the future cash flow of the property. Additionally, any decline in real estate values may be more pronounced for commercial
real estate than residential properties.
Our regulatory limit on loans-to-one borrower was $5.0 million at December 31, 2015.
We generally target commercial real estate loans with balances of up to the lesser of $4.0 million or our legal lending limit. At December 31, 2015, our average outstanding commercial real estate loan balance was $661,000 and our largest
outstanding commercial real estate loan had a principal balance of $2.5 million. At December 31, 2015, our 10 largest loans totaled $11.5 million, nine of which are commercial real estate loans and one was a commercial construction loan.
Construction Loans
. We also originate construction loans for one- to four-family residential real estate properties and
commercial properties. At December 31, 2015, $4.3 million, or 2.7%, of our total loan portfolio, consisted of construction loans secured by one- to four-family residential real estate or commercial real estate.
Our construction loans are primarily secured by properties located within our primary market area. We generally do not originate speculative
construction loans to contractors and builders to finance the construction and rehabilitation of residential or commercial properties.
Construction loans for one- to four-family residential real estate properties are generally originated with adjustable rates and a maximum
loan to value ratio of 80%. Construction loans for commercial real estate are originated with a maximum loan to value ratio of 75%. At December 31, 2015, our largest construction loan had a principal balance of $1.8 million and was secured by
commercial real estate in our market area. This loan was performing in accordance with its terms at December 31, 2015.
Construction
loans are interest-only loans during the construction period which typically does not exceed 12 months and may convert to permanent, amortizing financing following the completion of construction. Depending on the complexity of the
construction project, the term of an interest-only construction loan may be extended up to an additional 12 months. At December 31, 2015, the additional unadvanced portions of these construction loans totaled $1.8 million.
We make construction loans for commercial properties, including commercial mixed-use buildings. Advances on construction loans are
made in accordance with a schedule reflecting the cost of construction, but are generally limited to 75% loan-to-completed-appraised-value ratio. Repayment of construction loans on residential properties is normally expected from the propertys
eventual rental income, income from the borrowers operating entity, the personal resources of the guarantor, or the sale of the subject property. In the case of income-producing property, repayment is usually expected from permanent financing
upon completion of construction. We typically provide the permanent mortgage financing on our construction loans on income-producing properties and owner-occupied properties.
Generally, before making a commitment to fund a construction loan, we require an appraisal of the property by a state-certified or
state-licensed appraiser. We review and inspect properties before disbursement of funds during the term of the construction loan.
7
Construction financing generally involves greater credit risk than long-term financing on
improved, owner-occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction loan depends largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the value of the property at completion of construction compared to the estimated cost (including interest) of
construction and other assumptions. If the estimate of construction cost is inaccurate, we may be required to advance additional funds beyond the amount originally committed in order to protect the value of the property. Moreover, if the estimated
value of the completed project is inaccurate, the borrower may hold a property with a value that is insufficient to assure full repayment of the construction loan upon the sale of the property. In the event we make a land acquisition loan on
property that is not yet approved for the planned development, there is the risk that approvals will not be granted or will be delayed. Construction loans also expose us to the risk that improvements will not be completed on time in accordance with
specifications and projected costs. In addition, the ultimate sale or rental of the property may not occur as anticipated.
Consumer
Lending
. To a much lesser extent, we offer a variety of consumer loans to individuals who reside or work in our market area, including new and used automobile loans, unsecured overdraft lines of credit and loans secured by passbook accounts.
At December 31, 2015, our consumer loan portfolio totaled $121,000 or 0.1%, of our total loan portfolio.
Consumer loans generally
have shorter terms to maturity, which reduces our exposure to changes in interest rates. In addition, management believes that offering consumer loan products helps to expand and create stronger ties to our existing customer base by increasing the
number of customer relationships and providing cross-marketing opportunities.
Consumer loans generally have greater risk compared to
longer-term loans secured by improved, owner-occupied real estate, particularly consumer loans that are secured by rapidly depreciable assets, such as automobiles. In these cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted loan may not provide an
adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance. As a result, consumer loan collections are primarily dependent on the borrowers continuing financial stability and thus are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss,
divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.
Originations, Sales and Purchases of Loans
Our loan originations are generated by our loan personnel operating at our banking office. All loans we originate are underwritten pursuant to
our policies and procedures. While we originate both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans, our ability to generate each type of loan depends upon relative borrower demand and the pricing levels as set in the local marketplace by competing banks,
thrifts, credit unions, and mortgage banking companies. Our volume of real estate loan originations is influenced significantly by market interest rates, and, accordingly, the volume of our real estate loan originations can vary from period to
period.
Consistent with our interest rate risk strategy, in the low interest rate environment that has existed in recent years, we
generally originate for sale and sell the majority of the fixed-rate, one- to four-family residential real estate loans that we originate with terms of greater than 15 years outside of our CRA area, on a servicing-released, limited or no recourse
basis, while retaining shorter-term fixed-rate and all adjustable-rate one- to four-family residential real estate loans in order to manage the duration and time to repricing of our loan portfolio. We consider our balance sheet as well as market
conditions on an ongoing basis in making decisions as to whether to hold loans we originate for investment or to sell such loans to investors, choosing the strategy that is most advantageous to us from a profitability and risk management standpoint.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, we did not sell any one- to four-family residential real estate loans, and based on our current strategy we opted to hold for investment all long term fixed-rate loans we originated in 2015.
From time to time, we may purchase loan participations secured by properties within and outside of our primary lending market area in which we
are not the lead lender. In these circumstances, we follow our customary loan underwriting and approval policies. At December 31, 2015, we had three purchased participation loans to one borrower for $720,000 in which we were not the lead
lender, each of which is performing in accordance with its original repayment terms. We may participate out portions of a loan that exceed our loans-to-one borrower legal lending limit and for risk diversification. We generally do not purchase whole
loans.
8
The following table shows our loan originations and principal repayment activities during the
years indicated. During 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 we originated for sale and sold no loans, $1.8 million, $5.2 million, $4.3 million, and $469,000 respectively, of loans held-for-sale. These loans are not included in the table.
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|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
Total loans at beginning of period
|
|
$
|
134,350
|
|
|
$
|
132,409
|
|
|
$
|
126,119
|
|
|
$
|
114,979
|
|
|
$
|
110,297
|
|
Loans Originated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real estate loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One-to four-family residential
|
|
|
33,644
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|
|
|
19,847
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|
|
|
23,616
|
|
|
|
33,084
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|
|
|
21,837
|
|
Home equity loans and lines of credit
|
|
|
1,853
|
|
|
|
662
|
|
|
|
392
|
|
|
|
681
|
|
|
|
785
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
9,625
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial line of credit
|
|
|
50
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
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|
|
3,015
|
|
|
|
2,040
|
|
|
|
1,308
|
|
|
|
1,390
|
|
|
|
568
|
|
Consumer loans
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
122
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
108
|
|
|
|
713
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total loans originated
|
|
|
48,224
|
|
|
|
22,671
|
|
|
|
25,333
|
|
|
|
35,263
|
|
|
|
23,903
|
|
Other:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal repayments
|
|
|
(29,863
|
)
|
|
|
(30,195
|
)
|
|
|
(26,932
|
)
|
|
|
(31,369
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)
|
|
|
(25,431
|
)
|
Advances on construction and home equity lines of credit
|
|
|
8,063
|
|
|
|
9,465
|
|
|
|
7,889
|
|
|
|
7,246
|
|
|
|
6,210
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loan activity
|
|
|
26,424
|
|
|
|
1,941
|
|
|
|
6,290
|
|
|
|
11,140
|
|
|
|
4,682
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total loans at end of period
|
|
$
|
160,774
|
|
|
$
|
134,350
|
|
|
$
|
132,409
|
|
|
$
|
126,119
|
|
|
$
|
114,979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Loan Approval Procedures and Authority
The maximum amount that we may lend to one borrower and the borrowers related entities is generally limited, by statute, to 15% of our
capital, which is defined under Massachusetts law as the sum of our surplus account, undivided profits and, after the completion of the conversion, capital stock. Loans secured by a first mortgage on residential property occupied by the borrower are
excluded from this limit. At December 31, 2015, our regulatory limit on loans-to-one borrower was $5.0 million. However, we maintain an internal loans-to-one borrower limit that is below the regulatory limit. At December 31, 2015, our
internal limit was $4.0 million. At December 31, 2015, our largest lending relationship consisted of one loan totaling $2.5 million secured by commercial real estate in our market area. This loan relationship was performing in accordance with
its original repayment terms at December 31, 2015. Our second largest relationship at this date was three loans totaling $2.5 million secured by multi-family real estate in our market area that was performing in accordance with its terms.
Our lending is subject to written underwriting standards and origination procedures. Decisions on loan applications are made on the basis of
detailed applications submitted by the prospective borrower and property valuations (consistent with our appraisal policy) prepared by outside independent licensed or certified appraisers approved by our board of directors as well as internal
evaluations, where permitted by regulations. The loan applications are designed primarily to determine the borrowers ability to repay the requested loan, and the more significant items on the application are verified through use of credit
reports, financial statements and tax returns.
The board of directors has overall responsibility for our lending policy, and the board
reviews this policy at least annually. The loan committee (the Security Committee) of the board of directors is comprised of between three and five members of the board, and additionally, our Vice President of Lending is a non-voting
member of the Security Committee. All loans require ratification of the board of directors at a regularly scheduled meeting.
9
Our President and our Vice PresidentLending each have individual approval authority of up
to the Federal Housing Finance Authority (FHFA) conforming guidelines for one- to four-family residential real estate loans. One- to four-family residential real estate loans above the current FHFA limit, up to $1.0 million, require the
approval of at least two authorized employees or Security Committee members. All loans or relationships that are greater than $1.0 million require the approval of the full board of directors. All commercial real estate loans regardless of amount
require the approval of the Security Committee. Additionally, our policies and loan approval limits which are established by the board of directors provide various lending approval authority for other designated individual employees or employees
acting together.
Generally, we require title insurance on our mortgage loans as well as fire and extended coverage casualty insurance in
amounts at least equal to the principal amount of the loan or the value of improvements on the property, depending on the type of loan. We also require flood insurance if the improved property is determined to be in a flood zone area.
Delinquencies and Non-Performing Assets
Delinquency Procedures
.
When a borrower fails to make required payments on a loan, we take a number of steps to induce the
borrower to cure the delinquency and restore the loan to current status. We generally send a written notice of non-payment to the borrower 15, 30, 60 and 90 days after a loan is first past due. We will additionally try to contact the borrower by
telephone after the 30th day after the due date.
Generally, when a loan becomes 90 days past due, the loan is turned over to our
attorneys to ensure that further collection activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. All loans past due 90 days are put on non-accrual and reported to the board of directors monthly. If our attorneys do not
receive a response from the borrower, or if the terms of any payment plan established are not followed, then foreclosure proceedings will be implemented. Management submits a delinquent loan report detailing loans 30 days or more past due to the
board of directors on a monthly basis.
When we acquire real estate as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure, the real
estate is classified as foreclosed real estate until it is sold. The real estate is recorded at estimated fair value at the date of acquisition less estimated costs to sell, and any write-down resulting from the acquisition is charged to the
allowance for loan losses. Estimated fair value is based on an appraisal typically obtained before the foreclosure process is completed. Subsequent decreases in the value of the property are charged to operations. After acquisition, all costs
incurred in maintaining the property are expensed. Costs relating to the development and improvement of the property, however, are capitalized to the extent of estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell.
10
Delinquent Loans
. The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to our loan portfolio delinquencies by type and amount at the periods indicated.
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Loans Delinquent For
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|
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
30-89 Days
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|
|
90 Days and Over
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|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
At December 31, 2015
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real estate loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One-to four-family residential
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$
|
600
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
68
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
$
|
668
|
|
Home equity loans and lines of credit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
197
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
197
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
Construction
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$
|
600
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
$
|
265
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
865
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real estate loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One-to four-family residential
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
$
|
939
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
113
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
$
|
1,052
|
|
Home equity loans and lines of credit
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
198
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
202
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer loans
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
1,138
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
$
|
117
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
$
|
1,255
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real estate loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One-to four-family residential
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
$
|
1,384
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
102
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
$
|
1,486
|
|
Home equity loans and lines of credit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
$
|
1,384
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
102
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
$
|
1,486
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real estate loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One-to four-family residential
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
$
|
1,086
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
50
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
$
|
1,136
|
|
Home equity loans and lines of credit
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
75
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
$
|
1,161
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
50
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
1,211
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real estate loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One-to four-family residential
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
1,020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
1,020
|
|
Home equity loans and lines of credit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer loans
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
$
|
1,023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
$
|
1,023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
Nonperforming Assets.
The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of our nonperforming
assets at the dates indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
Nonaccrual loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real Estate Loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One- to four-family residential
|
|
$
|
68
|
|
|
$
|
421
|
|
|
$
|
336
|
|
|
$
|
383
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Home equity loans and lines of credit
|
|
|
197
|
|
|
|
202
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer Loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-accrual loans
|
|
|
265
|
|
|
|
623
|
|
|
|
336
|
|
|
|
383
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans delinquent 90 days or greater and still accruing:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real Estate Loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One- to four-family residential
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home equity loans and lines of credit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer Loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total loans delinquent 90 days or greater and still accruing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-performing loans
|
|
|
265
|
|
|
|
623
|
|
|
|
336
|
|
|
|
383
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other real estate owned and foreclosed assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real Estate Loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One- to four-family residential
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
205
|
|
|
|
205
|
|
Home equity loans and lines of credit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer Loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total real estate owned and foreclosed assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
205
|
|
|
|
205
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-performing assets
|
|
|
265
|
|
|
|
623
|
|
|
|
336
|
|
|
|
588
|
|
|
|
206
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performing troubled debt restructurings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-performing assets and performing troubled debt restructurings
|
|
$
|
265
|
|
|
$
|
623
|
|
|
$
|
336
|
|
|
$
|
588
|
|
|
$
|
206
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans
|
|
|
0.16
|
%
|
|
|
0.46
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
0.30
|
%
|
|
|
0.18
|
%
|
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets
|
|
|
0.11
|
%
|
|
|
0.29
|
%
|
|
|
0.17
|
%
|
|
|
0.32
|
%
|
|
|
0.12
|
%
|
For the year ended December 31, 2015, gross interest income that would have been recorded had our
non-accruing loans been current in accordance with their original terms was $10,000, there was no interest income recognized on such loans for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Non-Performing Loans
. At December 31, 2015 we had one loan secured by one- to four-family residential real estate and one
home equity line of credit, totaling $265,000 that were on non-accrual status.
12
We generally cease accruing interest on our loans when contractual payments of principal or
interest have become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectability of principal or interest, even though the loan is currently performing. A loan may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and
is either guaranteed or well secured. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income is reversed. Interest received on nonaccrual loans generally is applied against principal or interest and is recognized on a cash
basis. Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal
and interest is no longer in doubt.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
. Loans are classified as troubled debt restructured when
certain modifications are made to the loan terms and concessions are granted to the borrowers due to financial difficulty experienced by those borrowers. The modification of the terms of such loans would generally be one of the following: a
reduction of the stated interest rate of the loan for some period of time, an extension of the maturity date at a stated rate of interest lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk, or an extension of time to make payments
with the delinquent payments added to the principal of the loan. We had no troubled debt restructurings at or during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
Classified Assets.
Federal regulations provide that each insured savings institution classify its assets on a regular basis. In
addition, in connection with examination of insured institutions, federal and Massachusetts banking regulators have authority to identify problem assets and, if appropriate, classify them. There are three classifications for problem assets:
substandard, doubtful or loss. An asset is considered substandard if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.
Substandard assets include those characterized by the distinct possibility that the insured institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as doubtful have
all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and
values, highly questionable and improbable. Assets classified as loss are those considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss
reserve is not warranted. Assets which do not currently expose the insured institution to sufficient risk to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories but possess weaknesses are designated as special mention by our
management.
When an insured institution classifies problem assets as either substandard or doubtful, it may establish general allowances
in an amount deemed prudent by management to cover probable accrued losses. General allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to cover probable accrued losses associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific
allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets. When an insured institution classifies problem assets as loss, it is required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of that portion of the
asset so classified or to charge-off such amount. An institutions determination as to the classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances is subject to review by the regulatory agencies, which may require the
establishment of additional general or specific loss allowances.
In accordance with our loan policy, we regularly review the problem
loans in our portfolio to determine whether any loans require classification in accordance with applicable regulations. Loans are listed on the watch list initially because of emerging financial weaknesses even though the loan is
currently performing as agreed, or delinquency status, or if the loan possesses weaknesses although currently performing. If a loan deteriorates in asset quality, the classification is changed to special mention, substandard,
doubtful or loss depending on the circumstances and the evaluation. Generally, loans 90 days or more past due are placed on nonaccrual status and classified substandard. Management reviews the status of each loan
on our delinquency report on a monthly basis.
13
The following table sets forth our amounts of classified assets, all of which were nonperforming,
and assets designated as special mention at the dates indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Classified Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Substandard
(1)
|
|
$
|
563
|
|
|
$
|
596
|
|
|
$
|
324
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Doubtful
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total classified assets
|
|
$
|
563
|
|
|
$
|
596
|
|
|
$
|
324
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Mention
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
(1)
|
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 all non-accrual loans were classified. As of December 31, 2013, one non-accrual loan totaling $12,000 was not classified because management expected full payment of principal
and interest.
|
Other Loans of Concern
. There were no other loans at December 31, 2015 that are not
already disclosed where there is information about possible credit problems of borrowers that caused management to have serious doubts about the ability of the borrowers to comply with present loan repayment terms and that may result in disclosure
of such loans in the future.
Allowance for Loan Losses
. We maintain the allowance through provisions for loan losses that
we charge to income. We charge losses on loans against the allowance for loan losses when we believe the collection of loan principal is unlikely. Recoveries on loans charged-off are restored to the allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan
losses is maintained at a level believed, to the best of managements knowledge, to cover all known and inherent losses in the portfolio both probable and reasonable to estimate at each reporting date. The level of allowance for loan losses is
based on managements periodic review of the collectability of the loans principally in light of our historical experience, augmented by the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers ability
to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and current and anticipated economic conditions in the primary lending area. We evaluate our allowance for loan losses quarterly. We did not make any changes to our policies or methodology
pertaining to the general component of our allowance for loan losses during 2015. We will continue to monitor all items involved in the allowance calculation closely.
We recorded provisions for loan losses of $60,000 and $10,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The allowance
for loan losses was $580,000, or 0.4% of total loans, at December 31, 2015, compared to $520,000, or 0.4% of total loans, at December 31, 2014. At these dates, the level of our allowance reflects managements view of the risks
inherent in the loan portfolio.
Although we believe that we use the best information available to establish the allowance for loan
losses, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary and results of operations could be adversely affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the determinations. Because future events
affecting borrowers and collateral cannot be predicted with certainty, the existing allowance for loan losses may not be adequate and management may determine that increases in the allowance are necessary if the quality of any portion of our loan
portfolio deteriorates as a result. Furthermore, as an integral part of its examination process, the Massachusetts Division of Banks and the FDIC periodically review our allowance for loan losses. The Massachusetts Division of Banks and/or the FDIC
may require that we increase our allowance based on its judgments of information available to it at the time of its examination. Any material increase in the allowance for loan losses may adversely affect our financial condition and results of
operations.
Consistent with our business strategy, we intend to increase our originations of commercial real estate loans. These types of
loans generally bear higher risk than our one- to four-family residential real estate loans. Accordingly, we would expect to increase our allowance for loans losses in the future as the balance of these types of loans increase in our portfolio.
In December 2012, the FASB issued a proposed standard on accounting for credit losses. It would replace multiple existing impairment models,
including, an incurred loss model for loans, with an expected loss model. The FASB has indicated a tentative effective date of January 1, 2019, and final guidance is expected to be issued in the second quarter of 2016.
The final standard may result in a decrease to retained earnings in the period of adoption.
14
Allowance for Loan Losses
. The following table sets forth activity in our allowance
for loan losses for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At or For the Years Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Balance at beginning of period
|
|
$
|
520
|
|
|
$
|
510
|
|
|
$
|
474
|
|
|
$
|
439
|
|
|
$
|
439
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charge offs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real estate loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One-to four-family residential
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home equity loans and lines of credit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total charge-offs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recoveries:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real estate loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One-to four-family residential
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home equity loans and lines of credit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total recoveries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (charge-offs) recoveries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at end of period
|
|
$
|
580
|
|
|
$
|
520
|
|
|
$
|
510
|
|
|
$
|
474
|
|
|
$
|
439
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (charge-offs) recoveries as a percentage of average loans outstanding
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans at period end
|
|
|
218.87
|
%
|
|
|
83.47
|
%
|
|
|
151.79
|
%
|
|
|
123.76
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans receivable at period
end
(1)
|
|
|
0.36
|
%
|
|
|
0.39
|
%
|
|
|
0.39
|
%
|
|
|
0.38
|
%
|
|
|
0.38
|
%
|
(1)
|
Total loans does not include net deferred loan costs.
|
15
Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses
. The following table sets forth the
allowance for loan losses allocated by loan category and the percent of loans in each category to total loans at the dates indicated. The allowance for loan losses allocated to each category is not necessarily indicative of future losses in any
particular category and does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in other categories.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
Allowance for
Loan Losses
|
|
|
Percent of
Loans in Each
Category to
Total Loans
|
|
|
Allowance for
Loan Losses
|
|
|
Percent of
Loans in Each
Category to
Total Loans
|
|
|
Allowance for
Loan Losses
|
|
|
Percent of
Loans in Each
Category to
Total Loans
|
|
|
Allowance for
Loan Losses
|
|
|
Percent of
Loans in Each
Category to
Total Loans
|
|
|
Allowance for
Loan Losses
|
|
|
Percent of
Loans in Each
Category to
Total Loans
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
Allocated allowance:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real Estate Loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One- to four-family residential
|
|
$
|
331
|
|
|
|
82.3
|
%
|
|
$
|
414
|
|
|
|
87.9
|
%
|
|
$
|
414
|
|
|
|
89.4
|
%
|
|
$
|
392
|
|
|
|
89.5
|
%
|
|
$
|
348
|
|
|
|
87.5
|
%
|
Home Equity loans and lines of credit
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
7.6
|
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
|
7.9
|
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
9.3
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
150
|
|
|
|
8.2
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
1.8
|
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
0.9
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
0.9
|
|
Consumer Loans
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total allocated allowance
|
|
|
571
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
519
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
504
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
474
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
439
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unallocated allowance
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
580
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
520
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
510
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
474
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
439
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16
Investment Activities
General
. Our investment policy is established by the board of directors. The objectives of the policy are to: (i) provide
and maintain liquidity within the guidelines of the Massachusetts banking laws and regulations for loan demand and deposit fluctuations, and to allow us to alter our liquidity position to meet both day-to-day and long-term changes in assets and
liabilities; (ii) manage interest rate risk in accordance with our interest rate risk policy; (iii) provide collateral for pledging requirements; (iv) maximize return on our investments; and (v) maintain a balance of high quality
diversified investments to minimize risk.
We have legal authority to invest in various types of liquid assets, including U.S. Treasury
obligations, securities of various government-sponsored enterprises and municipal governments, deposits at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, certificates of deposit of federally insured institutions, investment grade corporate bonds and
investment grade marketable equity securities. We also are required to maintain an investment in Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock. While we have the authority under applicable law to invest in derivative securities, we have not invested in
derivative securities.
At December 31, 2015, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of corporate debt securities, U.S.
government and federal agency obligations, preferred stock, mortgage-backed securities, municipal obligations and marketable equity securities.
Our investment policy is reviewed annually by our board of directors and all policy changes recommended by management must be approved by the
board. Authority to make investments under the approved guidelines are delegated to appropriate officers. While general investment strategies are developed and authorized by the board, the execution of specific actions with respect to securities
held by Melrose Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary, rests with the President and Chief Executive Officer within the scope of the established investment policy.
We utilize an independent financial institution to provide us with portfolio accounting services, including a monthly portfolio performance
analysis of our securities portfolio. These reports are reviewed by management in making investment decisions. The Asset/Liability Committee, comprised of senior management and one outside board member, reviews a summary of these reports on a
quarterly basis.
At the time of purchase, we designate a security as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading, depending on our
ability and intent. Securities available-for-sale or trading are reported at fair value, while securities held to maturity are reported at amortized cost. All of our securities are currently classified as available-for-sale. Some of our securities
are callable by the issuer or contain other features of financial engineering. Although these securities may have a yield somewhat higher than the yield of similar securities without such features, these securities are subject to the risk that they
may be redeemed by the issuer prior to maturing in the event general interest rates decline. At December 31, 2015, we had $8.0 million of securities which were subject to redemption by the issuer prior to their stated maturity.
We review equity and debt securities with significant declines in fair value on a periodic basis to determine whether they should be
considered temporarily or other than temporarily impaired. In making these determinations, management considers: (1) the length of time and extent that fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near term prospects
of the issuer, (3) whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions, and (4) our intent not to sell the security and whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security before its
anticipated recovery. For fixed maturity investments with unrealized losses due to interest rates where it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery, declines in value below cost
are not assumed to be other than temporary. If a decline in the fair value of a debt security is determined to be other than temporary, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: (1) other than temporary impairment
related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the income statement and (2) other than temporary impairment related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income. The credit loss is defined as the difference
between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis.
During 2015, there were five
securities that were declared other-than-temporarily impaired, and a total loss of $461,000 was realized. There were four securities sold with a total gain of $409,000 in 2015. The net realized loss was $52,000 for the year ending December 31,
2015. There was no gain or loss during 2014.
17
At December 31, 2015, our corporate bond portfolio consisted of investment grade securities
with maturities generally shorter than five years. Our investment policy provides that we may invest up to 15% of our tier-one risk-based capital in corporate bonds from individual issuers which, at the time of purchase, are within the three highest
investment-grade ratings from Standard & Poors or Moodys. The maturity of these bonds may not exceed 10 years, and there is no aggregate limit for this security type. Corporate bonds from individual issuers with investment-grade
ratings, at the time of purchase, below the top three ratings are limited to the lesser of 1% of our total assets or 15% of our tier-one risk-based capital and must have a maturity of less than one year. Aggregate holdings of this security type
cannot exceed 5% of our total assets. Bonds that subsequently experience a decline in credit rating below investment grade are monitored at least quarterly.
Bank-Owned Life Insurance
. We invest in bank-owned life insurance to provide us with a funding source for our benefit plan
obligations. Bank-owned life insurance also generally provides us noninterest income that is non-taxable. Applicable regulations generally limit our investment in bank-owned life insurance to 25% of our Tier 1 capital plus our allowance for loan
losses. At December 31, 2015, we had $5.2 million in bank-owned life insurance.
Securities Portfolio.
The following
table sets forth the composition of our investment securities portfolio at the dates indicated. At the dates presented, all investment securities were classified as available-for-sale.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
Amortized
Cost
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Amortized
Cost
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Amortized
Cost
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Securities available-for-sale:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government and federal agency obligations
|
|
$
|
8,851
|
|
|
$
|
8,770
|
|
|
$
|
4,007
|
|
|
$
|
3,990
|
|
|
$
|
4,992
|
|
|
$
|
4,961
|
|
Debt securities issued by states of the United Sates and political subdivisions of the states
|
|
|
2,408
|
|
|
|
2,398
|
|
|
|
544
|
|
|
|
540
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate bonds and notes
|
|
|
13,540
|
|
|
|
13,508
|
|
|
|
15,238
|
|
|
|
15,241
|
|
|
|
16,250
|
|
|
|
16,252
|
|
Preferred stock
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
3,029
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
2,904
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
2,477
|
|
Mortgage Backed Securities
|
|
|
2,232
|
|
|
|
2,166
|
|
|
|
2,138
|
|
|
|
2,115
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt securities
|
|
$
|
30,031
|
|
|
$
|
29,871
|
|
|
$
|
24,927
|
|
|
$
|
24,790
|
|
|
$
|
24,242
|
|
|
$
|
23,690
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable equity securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mutual funds:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GNMA funds
|
|
$
|
4,145
|
|
|
$
|
4,123
|
|
|
$
|
4,293
|
|
|
$
|
4,094
|
|
|
$
|
4,214
|
|
|
$
|
3,875
|
|
Corporate bonds
|
|
|
3,103
|
|
|
|
3,103
|
|
|
|
3,187
|
|
|
|
3,077
|
|
|
|
3,105
|
|
|
|
3,036
|
|
Global funds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
932
|
|
|
|
854
|
|
|
|
875
|
|
|
|
840
|
|
Short-term bonds
|
|
|
3,453
|
|
|
|
3,457
|
|
|
|
3,463
|
|
|
|
3,429
|
|
|
|
3,411
|
|
|
|
3,362
|
|
Stock market index funds
|
|
|
2,482
|
|
|
|
4,589
|
|
|
|
2,905
|
|
|
|
5,531
|
|
|
|
2,807
|
|
|
|
4,891
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total marketable equity securities
|
|
$
|
13,183
|
|
|
$
|
15,272
|
|
|
$
|
14,780
|
|
|
$
|
16,985
|
|
|
$
|
14,412
|
|
|
$
|
16,004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total securities available-for-sale
|
|
$
|
43,214
|
|
|
$
|
45,143
|
|
|
$
|
39,707
|
|
|
$
|
41,775
|
|
|
$
|
38,654
|
|
|
$
|
39,694
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
Securities Portfolio Maturities and Yields
. The composition and maturities of the
debt securities portfolio, excluding our marketable equity securities and preferred stock without maturities, at December 31, 2015 are summarized in the following table. Maturities are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not
reflect scheduled amortization or the impact of prepayments or redemptions that may occur.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One Year or Less
|
|
|
More than One Year
through Five Years
|
|
|
More than Five Years
through Ten Years
|
|
|
More than Ten Years
|
|
|
Total Debt Securities
|
|
|
|
Amortized
Cost
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Yield
|
|
|
Amortized
Cost
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Yield
|
|
|
Amortized
Cost
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Yield
|
|
|
Amortized
Cost
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Yield
|
|
|
Amortized
Cost
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Yield
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
Securities available-for-sale:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government and federal agency obligations
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
|
|
$
|
5,494
|
|
|
|
1.05
|
%
|
|
$
|
436
|
|
|
|
3.64
|
%
|
|
$
|
2,921
|
|
|
|
3.22
|
%
|
|
$
|
8,851
|
|
|
|
1.87
|
%
|
Debt securities issued by states of the United Sates and political subdivisions of the states
|
|
|
259
|
|
|
|
4.25
|
|
|
|
276
|
|
|
|
4.00
|
|
|
|
1,873
|
|
|
|
3.16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,408
|
|
|
|
3.38
|
|
Corporate bonds and notes
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
9,499
|
|
|
|
1.84
|
|
|
|
1,041
|
|
|
|
3.07
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,540
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
|
Preferred stock with maturities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
3.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
4.88
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
4.88
|
|
Mortgage Backed Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
451
|
|
|
|
7.25
|
|
|
|
1,781
|
|
|
|
3.31
|
|
|
|
2,232
|
|
|
|
3.31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
(1)
|
|
$
|
3,259
|
|
|
|
1.26
|
%
|
|
$
|
16,269
|
|
|
|
1.71
|
%
|
|
$
|
3,801
|
|
|
|
2.40
|
%
|
|
$
|
5,702
|
|
|
|
3.45
|
%
|
|
$
|
29,031
|
|
|
|
3.45
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Not included in the above table is a preferred stock classified as a debt security that has no stated maturity, an amortized cost of $1.0 million, a fair value of $998,000 and a yield of 5.20%.
|
19
Sources of Funds
General.
Deposits have traditionally been our primary source of funds for use in lending and investment activities. We have not
historically used borrowings and we had no borrowings at December 31, 2015. In addition, we receive funds from scheduled loan payments, loan prepayments, retained earnings and income on earning assets. While scheduled loan payments and income
on earning assets are relatively stable sources of funds, deposit inflows and outflows can vary widely and are influenced by prevailing interest rates, market conditions and levels of competition.
Deposits.
Our deposits are generated primarily from residents within our primary market area. We offer a selection of deposit
accounts, including noninterest-bearing demand accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts, NOW accounts and certificates of deposit. Deposit account terms vary, with the principal differences being the minimum balance required, the amount of
time the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate. We have not in the past used, and currently do not hold, any brokered deposits. At December 31, 2015, our core deposits, which are deposits other than certificates of deposit, were
$97.2 million, representing 52.7% of total deposits.
Interest rates, maturity terms, service fees and withdrawal penalties are
established on a periodic basis. Deposit rates and terms are based primarily on current operating strategies and market rates, liquidity requirements, rates paid by competitors and growth goals. The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by
general economic conditions, changes in interest rates and competition. The variety of deposit accounts that we offer allows us to be competitive in generating deposits and to respond with flexibility to changes in our customers demands. Our
ability to gather deposits is impacted by the competitive market in which we operate, which includes numerous financial institutions of varying sizes offering a wide range of products. We believe that deposits are a stable source of funds, but our
ability to attract and maintain deposits at favorable rates will be affected by market conditions, including competition and prevailing interest rates.
The following tables set forth the distribution of total deposit accounts, by account type, for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
Average
Balance
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Rate
|
|
|
Average
Balance
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Rate
|
|
|
Average
Balance
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Rate
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
Deposit Type:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Demand deposits
|
|
$
|
13,604
|
|
|
|
7.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
%
|
|
$
|
14,197
|
|
|
|
8.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
%
|
|
$
|
10,444
|
|
|
|
6.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
%
|
Savings accounts
|
|
|
31,574
|
|
|
|
18.4
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
31,991
|
|
|
|
18.3
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
29,803
|
|
|
|
17.1
|
|
|
|
0.33
|
|
Certificates of deposit
|
|
|
77,231
|
|
|
|
45.1
|
|
|
|
1.38
|
|
|
|
74,545
|
|
|
|
42.7
|
|
|
|
1.39
|
|
|
|
82,753
|
|
|
|
47.6
|
|
|
|
1.51
|
|
Money market accounts
|
|
|
35,072
|
|
|
|
20.5
|
|
|
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
41,250
|
|
|
|
23.7
|
|
|
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
40,291
|
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
|
|
0.46
|
|
NOW
|
|
|
13,960
|
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
|
|
12,528
|
|
|
|
7.2
|
|
|
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
10,727
|
|
|
|
6.2
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
171,441
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.81
|
%
|
|
$
|
174,511
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.79
|
%
|
|
$
|
174,018
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.95
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table sets forth our certificates of deposit classified by interest rate as of the dates indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Interest Rate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than 2.00%
|
|
$
|
84,498
|
|
|
$
|
62,399
|
|
|
$
|
69,676
|
|
2.00% to 2.99%
|
|
|
2,838
|
|
|
|
8,847
|
|
|
|
10,434
|
|
3.00% to 3.99%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
525
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
87,336
|
|
|
$
|
71,246
|
|
|
$
|
80,635
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
The following table sets forth the amount and maturities of our certificates of deposit at December 31,
2015.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2015
|
|
|
|
Period to Maturity
|
|
|
|
Less Than or
Equal to One
Year
|
|
|
More Than
One to Two
Years
|
|
|
More than Two
to Three Years
|
|
|
More than
Three Years
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Percent of Total
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Interest Rate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.99% and below
|
|
$
|
57,695
|
|
|
$
|
22,118
|
|
|
$
|
5,844
|
|
|
$
|
1,679
|
|
|
$
|
87,336
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
57,695
|
|
|
$
|
22,118
|
|
|
$
|
5,844
|
|
|
$
|
1,679
|
|
|
$
|
87,336
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2015, the aggregate amount of our outstanding certificates of deposit in amounts
greater than or equal to $100,000 was approximately $48.4 million. The following table sets forth the maturity of these certificates as of December 31, 2015.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2015
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Three months or less
|
|
$
|
3,371
|
|
Over three months through six months
|
|
|
2,671
|
|
Over six months through one year
|
|
|
23,988
|
|
Over one year to three years
|
|
|
17,739
|
|
Over three years
|
|
|
648
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
48,417
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowing Capacity
. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, Melrose Cooperative
Bank is eligible to obtain advances upon the security of the Federal Home Loan Bank common stock owned and certain residential mortgage loans, provided certain standards related to credit-worthiness have been met. Federal Home Loan Bank advances are
available pursuant to several credit programs, each of which has its own interest rate and range of maturities. At December 31, 2015, we had the ability to borrow approximately $93.5 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, subject to
certain collateral requirements. Additionally, at December 31, 2015, we had the ability to borrow up to $5.0 million on a Fed Funds line of credit with the Co-Operative Central Bank. We have historically not relied on Federal Home Loan Bank
advances or other borrowings as a funding source, and we had no such borrowings at December 31, 2015.
Subsidiary and Other Activities
Melrose Bancorp has one subsidiary, Melrose Cooperative Bank.
Melrose Cooperative Bank has one subsidiary, MCBSC, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, which is engaged in the buying, selling and holding of
investment securities. The income earned on MCBSC, Inc.s securities is subject to a significantly lower rate of state tax than that assessed on income earned on securities maintained at Melrose Cooperative Bank. At December 31, 2015,
MCBSC, Inc. had total assets of $33.4 million, all of which were in securities and cash to be invested.
Expense and Tax Allocation
Melrose Cooperative Bank has entered into an agreement with Melrose Bancorp to provide it with certain administrative support services for
compensation not less than the fair market value of the services provided. In addition, Melrose Cooperative Bank and Melrose Bancorp have entered into an agreement to establish a method for allocating and for reimbursing the payment of their
consolidated tax liability.
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Personnel
As of December 31, 2015, we had 26 full-time equivalent employees. Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining group.
Management believes that we have a good working relationship with our employees.
Availability of Annual Report on Form 10-K
This Annual Report on Form 10-K is available by written request to: Melrose Bancorp, Inc. 638 Main Street, Melrose, Massachusetts 02176,
Attention: Corporate Secretary.
REGULATION AND SUPERVISION
General
Melrose Cooperative Bank is a
Massachusetts stock co-operative bank and is the wholly owned subsidiary of Melrose Bancorp, Inc., a Maryland corporation, which is a registered bank holding company. Melrose Cooperative Banks deposits are insured up to applicable limits by
the FDIC, and by the Share Insurance Fund of the Co-Operative Central Bank of Massachusetts for amounts in excess of the FDIC insurance limits. Melrose Cooperative Bank is subject to extensive regulation by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks,
as its chartering agency, and by the FDIC, its primary federal regulator and deposit insurer. Melrose Cooperative Bank is required to file reports with, and is periodically examined by, the FDIC and the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks concerning
its activities and financial condition and must obtain regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions, including, but not limited to, mergers with or acquisitions of other financial institutions. Melrose Cooperative Bank must
comply with consumer protection regulations issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Melrose Cooperative Bank also is a member of and owns stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, which is one of the twelve regional banks in the
Federal Home Loan Bank System.
As a bank holding company, Melrose Bancorp is subject to examination and supervision by, and is required
to file certain reports with, the Federal Reserve Board. Melrose Bancorp is also subject to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the federal securities laws.
The regulatory and supervisory structure establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which an institution can engage and is
intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the deposit insurance funds, rather than for the protection of stockholders and creditors. The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with
their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies concerning the establishment of deposit insurance assessment fees, classification of assets and establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory
purposes. Any change in such regulatory requirements and policies, whether by the Massachusetts legislature, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the FDIC, or the Federal Reserve Board or Congress, could have a material adverse impact on the
financial condition and results of operations of Melrose Bancorp, Inc. and Melrose Cooperative Bank. As is further described below, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act) has significantly
changed the bank regulatory structure and may affect the lending, investment and general operating activities of depository institutions and their holding companies.
Set forth below are certain material regulatory requirements that are applicable to Melrose Cooperative Bank and Melrose Bancorp. This
description of statutes and regulations is not intended to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effects on Melrose Cooperative Bank and Melrose Bancorp. Any change in these laws or regulations, whether by Congress or
the applicable regulatory agencies, could have a material adverse impact on Melrose Bancorp, Melrose Cooperative Bank and their operations.
Dodd-Frank
Act
The Dodd-Frank Act made significant changes to the regulatory structure for depository institutions and their holding companies.
However, the Dodd-Frank Acts changes go well beyond that and affect the lending, investments and other operations of all depository institutions. The Dodd-Frank Act required the Federal Reserve Board to set minimum capital levels for bank
holding companies that are as stringent as those required for the insured depository subsidiaries, and the components of Tier 1 capital for holding companies were restricted to capital instruments that were then currently considered to be Tier 1
capital for insured depository institutions. The legislation also established a floor for capital of insured depository institutions that cannot be lower than the standards in effect upon passage and directed the federal banking regulators to
implement new leverage and capital requirements that take into account off-balance sheet activities and other risks, including risks relating to securitized products and derivatives.
The Dodd-Frank Act created a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has extensive rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks, including the authority to prohibit unfair, deceptive or abusive acts and practices.
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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. Banks and savings institutions
with $10 billion or less in assets are still examined for compliance by their applicable bank regulators. The new legislation also weakened the federal preemption available for national banks and federal savings associations, and gave state
attorneys general the ability to enforce applicable federal consumer protection laws.
The Dodd-Frank Act broadened the base for FDIC
insurance assessments. Assessments are now based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution, rather than on total deposits. The legislation also permanently increased the maximum amount of
deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2008, and noninterest-bearing transaction accounts had unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2012. The
Dodd-Frank Act increased stockholder influence over boards of directors by requiring companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation and so-called golden parachute payments. The legislation also directed the
Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives, regardless of whether the company is publicly traded or not. Further, the legislation mandated regulations requiring that
originators of securitized loans retain a percentage of the risk for transferred loans, directed the Federal Reserve Board to regulate pricing of certain debit card interchange fees and contained a number of reforms related to mortgage origination.
The Dodd-Frank Act also required the Consumer Financial Protection Board to issue regulations requiring lenders to make a reasonable good
faith determination as to a prospective borrowers ability to repay a residential mortgage loan. The final Ability to Repay rules, establish a qualified mortgage safe harbor for loans whose terms and features are deemed
to make the loan less risky.
Many provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act involve delayed effective dates and/or require implementing
regulations or have not been issued in final form. Their impact on our operations cannot yet fully be assessed. However, there is a significant possibility that the Dodd-Frank Act will result in an increased regulatory burden and compliance,
operating and interest expense for Melrose Cooperative Bank and Melrose Bancorp, Inc.
Massachusetts Banking Laws and Supervision
General.
As a Massachusetts-chartered co-operative bank, Melrose Cooperative Bank is subject to supervision, regulation and
examination by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks and to various Massachusetts statutes and regulations which govern, among other things, investment powers, lending and deposit-taking activities, borrowings, maintenance of surplus and reserve
accounts, distribution of earnings and payment of dividends. In addition, Melrose Cooperative Bank is subject to Massachusetts consumer protection and civil rights laws and regulations. The approval of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks or the
Massachusetts Board of Bank Incorporation is required for a Massachusetts-chartered bank to establish or close branches, merge with other financial institutions, issue stock and undertake certain other activities. Any Massachusetts bank that does
not operate in accordance with the regulations, policies and directives of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks may be sanctioned. The Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks may suspend or remove directors or officers of a bank who have violated the
law, conducted a banks business in a manner that is unsafe, unsound or contrary to the depositors interests, or been negligent in the performance of their duties. In addition, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks has the authority to
appoint a receiver or conservator if it is determined that the bank is conducting its business in an unsafe or unauthorized manner, and under certain other circumstances.
Massachusetts regulations generally allow Massachusetts banks to, with appropriate regulatory approvals, engage in activities permissible for
federally chartered banks or banks chartered by another state. The Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks also has adopted procedures reducing regulatory burdens and expense and expediting branching by well-capitalized and well-managed banks.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts recently adopted a law modernizing the Massachusetts banking law, which affords Massachusetts chartered
banks with greater flexibility compared to federally chartered and out-of-state banks. Where indicated in the below discussion, the new provisions of Massachusetts banking law took effect on April 7, 2015.
Lending Activities.
A Massachusetts-chartered co-operative bank may make a wide variety of mortgage loans including fixed-rate
loans, adjustable-rate loans, variable-rate loans, participation loans, graduated payment loans, construction and development loans, condominium and co-operative loans, second mortgage loans and other types of loans that may be made in accordance
with applicable regulations. Commercial loans may be made to corporations and other commercial enterprises with or without security. Consumer and personal loans may also be made with or without security.
Insurance Sales.
Massachusetts banks may engage in insurance sales activities if the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks has
approved a plan of operation for insurance activities and the bank obtains a license from the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. A bank may be licensed directly or indirectly through an affiliate or a subsidiary corporation established for this
purpose. Melrose Cooperative Bank does not sell or refer insurance products, and has not sought approval for insurance sales activities.
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Dividends.
A Massachusetts co-operative bank may declare cash dividends from net
profits not more frequently than quarterly. Non-cash dividends may be declared at any time. No dividends may be declared, credited or paid if the banks capital stock is impaired. A Massachusetts co-operative bank with outstanding preferred
stock may not, without the prior approval of the Commissioner of Banks, declare dividends to the common stock without also declaring dividends to the preferred stock. The approval of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks is required if the total
of all dividends declared in any calendar year exceeds the total of its net profits for that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years, less any required transfer to surplus or a fund for the retirement of any preferred
stock. Net profits for this purpose means the remainder of all earnings from current operations plus actual recoveries on loans and investments and other assets after deducting current operating expenses, actual losses, accrued dividends on
preferred stock, if any, and all federal and state taxes. Dividends from Melrose Bancorp may depend, in part, upon receipt of dividends from Melrose Cooperative Bank. The payment of dividends from Melrose Cooperative Bank would be restricted by
federal law if the payment of such dividends resulted in Melrose Cooperative Bank failing to meet regulatory capital requirements.
Parity Regulation.
A Massachusetts bank may, in accordance with Massachusetts law and regulations issued by the Massachusetts
Commissioner of Banks, exercise any power and engage in any activity that has been authorized for national banks, federal thrifts or state banks in a state other than Massachusetts, provided that the activity is permissible under applicable federal
and not specifically prohibited by Massachusetts law. Such powers and activities must be subject to the same limitations and restrictions imposed on the national bank, federal thrift or out-of-state bank that exercised the power or activity.
Beginning in April 2015, a Massachusetts bank must provide the Commissioner of Banks advance written notice prior to engaging in certain activities permissible for national banks, federal thrifts, or out-of-state banks.
Loans to One Borrower Limitations.
Massachusetts banking law grants broad lending authority. However, with certain limited
exceptions, total obligations to one borrower may not exceed 15% of the total of the banks capital stock.
Loans to a
Banks Insiders.
Massachusetts banking laws currently prohibit any executive officer or director of a bank from borrowing or guaranteeing extensions of credit by such bank except for any of the following loans or extensions of credit
with the approval of a majority of the board of directors: (i) loans or extension of credit, secured or unsecured, to an officer of the bank in an amount not exceeding $100,000; (ii) loans or extensions of credit intended or secured for
educational purposes to an officer of the bank in an amount not exceeding $200,000; (iii) loans or extensions of credit secured by a mortgage on residential real estate to be occupied in whole or in part by the officer to whom the loan or
extension of credit is made, in an amount not exceeding $750,000; and (iv) loans or extensions of credit to a director of the bank who is not also an officer of the bank in an amount permissible under the banks loan to one borrower limit.
No such loan or extension of credit may be granted with an interest rate or other terms that are preferential in comparison to loans granted to persons not affiliated with the bank.
Beginning in April 2015, Massachusetts law provides that a Massachusetts bank must comply with Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board. See
Federal Banking Regulation Transactions with Related Parties.
Investment Activities.
In general,
Massachusetts-chartered co-operative banks may invest in preferred and common stock of any corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any state provided such investments do not involve control of any corporation and do not, in the
aggregate, exceed 4% of the banks deposits. Federal law imposes additional restrictions on Melrose Cooperative Banks investment activities. See Federal Banking Regulation Business Activities.
Regulatory Enforcement Authority.
Any Massachusetts co-operative bank that does not operate in accordance with the regulations,
policies and directives of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks may be subject to sanctions for non-compliance, including revocation of its charter. The Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks may, under certain circumstances, suspend or remove
officers or directors who have violated the law, conducted the banks business in an unsafe or unsound manner or contrary to the depositors interests or been negligent in the performance of their duties. Upon finding that a bank has engaged in
an unfair or deceptive act or practice, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks may issue an order to cease and desist and impose a fine on the bank concerned. The Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks also has authority to take possession of a bank
and appoint a liquidating agent under certain conditions such as an unsafe and unsound condition to transact business, the conduct of business in an unsafe or unauthorized manner of impaired capital. In addition, Massachusetts consumer protection
and civil rights statutes applicable to Melrose Cooperative Bank permit private individual and class action law suits and provide for the rescission of consumer transactions, including loans, and the recovery of statutory and punitive damage and
attorneys fees in the case of certain violations of those statutes.
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Co-Operative Central Bank and Share Insurance Fund.
All Massachusetts-chartered
co-operative banks are required to be members of the Co-Operative Central Bank, which maintains the Share Insurance Fund that insures co-operative bank deposits in excess of federal deposit insurance coverage. The Co-Operative Central Bank is
authorized to charge co-operative banks an annual assessment fee on deposit balances in excess of amounts insured by the FDIC. Assessment rates are based on the institutions risk category, similar to the method currently used to determine
assessments by the FDIC discussed below under Federal Banking Regulation Insurance of Deposit Accounts.
Protection of Personal Information.
Massachusetts has adopted regulatory requirements intended to protect personal information.
The requirements are similar to existing federal laws such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act that require organizations to establish written information security programs to prevent identity theft. The Massachusetts regulation also contains technology
system requirements, especially for the encryption of personal information sent over wireless or public networks or stored on portable devices.
Massachusetts has other statutes or regulations that are similar to certain of the federal provisions discussed below.
Federal Banking Regulation
Business Activities.
Under federal law, all state-chartered FDIC-insured banks, including co-operative banks, have been limited
in their activities as principal and in their equity investments to the type and the amount authorized for national banks, notwithstanding state law. Federal law permits exceptions to these limitations. For example, certain state-chartered
co-operative banks may, with FDIC approval, continue to exercise state authority to invest in common or preferred stocks listed on a national securities exchange and in the shares of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act
of 1940. The maximum permissible investment is the lesser of 100.0% of Tier 1 capital or the maximum amount permitted by Massachusetts law. Such grandfathered authority may be terminated under certain circumstances including a change in charter or a
determination by the FDIC that such investments pose a safety and soundness risk.
The FDIC is also authorized to permit state banks to
engage in state authorized activities or investments not permissible for national banks (other than non-subsidiary equity investments) if they meet all applicable capital requirements and it is determined that such activities or investments do not
pose a significant risk to the FDIC insurance fund. The FDIC has adopted regulations governing the procedures for institutions seeking approval to engage in such activities or investments. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 specified that a state
bank may control a subsidiary that engages in activities as principal that would only be permitted for a national bank to conduct in a financial subsidiary, if a bank meets specified conditions and deducts its investment in the
subsidiary for regulatory capital purposes.
Capital Requirements.
The Bank is 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 discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material
effect on the Banks financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Banks assets,
liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Banks capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and
other factors.
Effective January 1, 2015 (with a phase-in period of two to four years for certain components), the Bank became
subject to new capital regulations adopted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB) and the FDIC, which implement the Basel III regulatory capital reforms and the changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act. The new
regulations require a new common equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio of 4.5%, increase the minimum Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio to 6.0% from 4.0%, require a minimum total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 8.0% and
require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. CET1 generally consists of common stock and retained earnings, subject to applicable adjustments and deductions. Under new prompt corrective action regulations, in order to be considered well
capitalized, the Bank must maintain a CET1 capital ratio of 6.5% (new) and a Tier 1 ratio of 8.0% (increased from 6.0%), a total risk based capital ratio of 10% (unchanged) and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 5.0% (unchanged). In addition, the
regulations establish a capital conservation buffer above the required capital ratios that phases in beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and increases each year by 0.625% until it is fully phased in at 2.5% effective
January 1, 2019. Beginning January 1, 2016, failure to maintain the capital conservation buffer will limit the ability of the Bank and the Company to pay dividends, repurchase shares or pay discretionary bonuses.
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The new regulations implemented changes to what constitutes regulatory capital. Certain
instruments will no longer constitute qualifying capital, subject to phase-out periods. In addition, Tier 2 capital is no longer limited to the amount of Tier 1 capital included in total capital. Mortgage servicing rights, certain deferred tax
assets and investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries over designated percentages of CET1 will be deducted from capital. The Bank has elected to permanently opt-out of the inclusion of accumulated other comprehensive income in capital calculations,
as permitted by the regulations. This opt-out will reduce the impact of market volatility on the Banks regulatory capital ratios.
The new regulations also changed the risk weights of certain assets, including an increase in the risk weight of certain high volatility
commercial real estate acquisition, development and construction loans and non-residential mortgage loans that are 90 days past due or on non-accrual status to 150% from 100%, a credit conversion factor for the unused portion of commitments with
maturities of less than one year that are not cancellable to 20% from 0%, an increase in the risk weight for mortgage servicing rights and deferred tax assets that are not deducted from capital to 250% from 100%, and an increase in the risk weight
for equity exposures to 600% from 100%.
At December 31, 2015, Melrose Cooperative Banks capital exceeded all regulatory
requirements.
Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Laws.
All institutions have a responsibility under the Community
Reinvestment Act (the CRA) and related regulations to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low- and moderate-income borrowers. In connection with its examination of a state non-member bank, the FDIC is required to
assess the institutions record of compliance with the CRA. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institutions discretion to develop the types of products and
services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA does require the FDIC, in connection with its examination of a non-member bank, to assess the institutions record of meeting the credit
needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by such institution, including applications to acquire branches and other financial institutions. The CRA requires the FDIC to provide a written
evaluation of an institutions CRA performance utilizing a four-tiered descriptive rating system. An institutions failure to comply with the provisions of the CRA could, at a minimum, result in denial of certain corporate applications
such as branches or mergers, or in restrictions on its activities. The CRA requires all institutions insured by the FDIC to publicly disclose their rating. Melrose Cooperative Bank received a Satisfactory CRA rating in its most recent
federal examinat
i
on.
Massachusetts has its own statutory counterpart to the CRA that is applicable to Melrose Cooperative Bank.
The Massachusetts version is generally similar to the CRA but utilizes a five-tiered descriptive rating system. Massachusetts law requires the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks to consider, but not be limited to, a banks record of
performance under Massachusetts law in considering any application by the bank to establish a branch or other deposit-taking facility, to relocate an office or to merge or consolidate with or acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of any
other banking institution. Melrose Cooperative Banks most recent rating under Massachusetts law was Satisfactory.
In
addition, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act prohibit lenders from discriminating in their lending practices on the basis of characteristics specified in those statutes. The failure to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity
Act and the Fair Housing Act could result in enforcement actions by the FDIC, as well as other federal regulatory agencies and the Department of Justice.
Transactions with Related Parties.
An institutions authority to engage in transactions with its affiliates is limited by
Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and federal regulation. An affiliate is generally a company that controls, or is under common control with an insured depository institution such as Melrose Cooperative Bank. Melrose Bancorp will be an
affiliate of Melrose Cooperative Bank because of its control of Melrose Cooperative Bank. In general, transactions between an insured depository institution and its affiliates are subject to certain quantitative limits and collateral requirements.
Transactions with affiliates also must be consistent with safe and sound banking practices, generally not involve the purchase of low-quality assets and be on terms that are as favorable to the institution as comparable transactions with
non-affiliates.
Melrose Cooperative Banks authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and 10% stockholders, as
well as to entities controlled by such persons, is currently governed by the requirements of Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board. Among other things, these provisions generally require
that extensions of credit to insiders:
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be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and that do not
involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features; and
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not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of Melrose Cooperative Banks capital.
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In addition, extensions of credit in excess of certain limits must be approved by Melrose
Cooperative Banks loan committee or board of directors. Extensions of credit to executive officers are subject to additional limits based on the type of extension involved.
Enforcement.
The FDIC has extensive enforcement responsibility over state non-member banks and has authority to bring
enforcement action against all institution-affiliated parties, including directors, officers, stockholders, attorneys, appraisers and accountants who knowingly or recklessly participate in wrongful action likely to have an adverse effect
on an institution. Formal enforcement action by the FDIC may range from the issuance of a capital directive or cease and desist order to removal of officers and/or directors of the institution and the appointment of a receiver or conservator. Civil
penalties cover a wide range of violations and actions, and range up to $25,000 per day, unless a finding of reckless disregard is made, in which case penalties may be as high as $1 million per day. The FDIC is required, with certain exceptions, to
appoint a receiver or conservator for an insured state non-member bank if that bank was critically undercapitalized on average during the calendar quarter beginning 270 days after the date on which the institution became critically
undercapitalized. The FDIC may also appoint itself as conservator or receiver for an insured state non-member bank under specified circumstances, including: (1) insolvency; (2) substantial dissipation of assets or earnings through
violations of law or unsafe or unsound practices; (3) existence of an unsafe or unsound condition to transact business; (4) insufficient capital; or (5) the incurrence of losses that will deplete substantially all of the
institutions capital with no reasonable prospect of replenishment without federal assistance. The FDIC also has the authority to terminate deposit insurance.
Standards for Safety and Soundness.
Federal law requires each federal banking agency to prescribe certain standards for all
insured depository institutions. These standards relate to, among other things, internal controls, information systems and audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, compensation and other
operational and managerial standards as the agency deems appropriate. Interagency guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions
before capital becomes impaired. If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the guidelines, the agency may require the institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to
achieve compliance with the standard. If an institution fails to meet these standards, the appropriate federal banking agency may require the institution to implement an acceptable compliance plan. Failure to implement such a plan can result in
further enforcement action, including the issuance of a cease and desist order or the imposition of civil money penalties.
Interstate Banking and Branching.
Federal law permits well-capitalized and well-managed bank holding companies to acquire banks
in any state, subject to Federal Reserve Board approval, certain concentration limits and other specified conditions. Interstate mergers of banks are also authorized, subject to regulatory approval and other specified conditions. In addition, among
other things, recent amendments made by the Dodd-Frank Act permit banks to establish
de novo
branches on an interstate basis provided that branching is authorized by the law of the host state for the banks chartered by that state.
Prompt Corrective Action Regulations
.
The FDIC is required by law to take supervisory actions against undercapitalized
institutions under its jurisdiction, the severity of which depends upon the institutions level of capital.
Under FDIC prompt
corrective action regulations Melrose Cooperative Bank must have a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0%, a CET1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.5%, and a total risk-based capital ratio of
at least 10.0% in order to be classified as well-capitalized. An institution that has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio less than 6.0%, a CET1 risk-based capital ratio of less than
4.5%, or a Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 4.0%, is considered to be undercapitalized. An institution that has total risk-based capital less than 6.0%, a CET1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less
than 4.0%, or a Tier 1 leverage ratio that is less than 3.0% is considered to be significantly undercapitalized. An institution that has a tangible capital to assets ratio equal to or less than 2% is deemed to be critically
undercapitalized.
Generally, a receiver or conservator must be appointed for an institution that is critically
undercapitalized within specific time frames. The regulations also provide that a capital restoration plan must be filed with the FDIC within 45 days of the date that an institution is deemed to have received notice that it is
undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized. Any holding company of an institution that is required to submit a capital restoration plan must guarantee performance under the
plan in an amount of up to the lesser of 5% of the institutions assets at the time it was deemed to be undercapitalized by the FDIC or the amount necessary to restore the institution to adequately capitalized status. This guarantee remains in
place until the FDIC notifies the institution that it has maintained adequately capitalized status for each of four consecutive calendar quarters. Institutions that are undercapitalized become subject to certain mandatory measures such as a
restrictions on capital distributions and asset growth. The FDIC may also take any one of a number of discretionary supervisory actions against undercapitalized institutions, including the issuance of a capital directive and the replacement of
senior executive officers and directors.
At December 31, 2015, Melrose Cooperative Bank met the criteria for being considered
well capitalized.
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Insurance of Deposit Accounts.
The Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC insures
deposits at FDIC-insured financial institutions such as Melrose Cooperative Bank. Deposit accounts in Melrose Cooperative Bank are insured by the FDIC generally up to a maximum of $250,000 per separately insured depositor and up to a maximum of
$250,000 for self-directed retirement accounts. The FDIC charges insured depository institutions premiums to maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund.
Under the FDICs risk-based assessment system, insured institutions are assigned to one of four risk categories based on supervisory
evaluations, regulatory capital levels and certain other risk factors. Rates are based on each institutions risk category and certain specified risk adjustments. Stronger institutions pay lower rates while riskier institutions pay higher
rates. Assessments are based on an institutions average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity instead of total deposits. Assessment rates (inclusive of possible adjustments) currently range from 2 1/2 to 45 basis points
of each institutions total assets less tangible capital. The FDIC may increase or decrease the scale uniformly, except that no adjustment can deviate more than two basis points from the base scale without notice and comment rulemaking. The
FDICs current system represents a change, required by the Dodd-Frank Act, from its prior practice of basing the assessment on an institutions volume of deposits.
In addition to the FDIC assessments, the Financing Corporation (FICO) is authorized to impose and collect, with the approval of
the FDIC, assessments for anticipated payments, issuance costs and custodial fees on bonds issued by the FICO in the 1980s to recapitalize the former Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. The bonds issued by the FICO are due to mature in
2017 through 2019. For the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the annualized FICO assessment was equal to 56 basis points of total assets less tangible capital.
The Dodd-Frank Act increased the minimum target Deposit Insurance Fund ratio from 1.15% of estimated insured deposits to 1.35% of estimated
insured deposits. The FDIC must seek to achieve the 1.35% ratio by September 30, 2020. Insured institutions with assets of $10 billion or more are supposed to fund the increase. The Dodd-Frank Act eliminated the 1.5% maximum fund ratio, instead
leaving it to the discretion of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has exercised that discretion by establishing a long range fund of 2.0%.
The FDIC has authority to increase insurance assessments. Any significant increases would have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and
results of operations of Melrose Cooperative Bank. Management cannot predict what assessment rates will be in the future.
Insurance of
deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or
condition imposed by the FDIC. We do not currently know of any practice, condition or violation that may lead to termination of our deposit insurance.
Prohibitions Against Tying Arrangements
.
State non-member banks are prohibited, subject to some exceptions, from
extending credit to or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional service from the institution or its affiliates or not obtain
services of a competitor of the institution.
Federal Reserve System.
Federal Reserve Board regulations require depository
institutions to maintain noninterest-earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts). The Federal Reserve Board regulations generally require that reserves be maintained against aggregate transaction
accounts as follows: for that portion of transaction accounts aggregating $89.0 million or less (which may be adjusted by the Federal Reserve Board) the reserve requirement is 3.0% and the amounts greater than $89.0 million require a 10.0% reserve
(which may be adjusted annually by the Federal Reserve Board between 8.0% and 14.0%). The first $13.3 million of otherwise reservable balances (which may be adjusted by the Federal Reserve Board) are exempted from the reserve requirements. Melrose
Cooperative Bank is in compliance with these requirements.
Federal Home Loan Bank System.
Melrose Cooperative Bank is a
member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which consists of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks. The Federal Home Loan Bank System provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions as well as other entities involved in home
mortgage lending. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, Melrose Cooperative Bank is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank. As of December 31, 2015, Melrose Cooperative Bank was in
compliance with this requirement.
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Other Regulations
Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by Melrose Cooperative Bank are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning
interest rates. Melrose Cooperative Banks operations are also subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as the:
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Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;
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Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, requiring that borrowers for mortgage loans for one- to four-family residential real estate receive various disclosures, including good faith estimates of settlement costs, lender
servicing and escrow account practices, and prohibiting certain practices that increase the cost of settlement services;
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Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the
housing needs of the community it serves;
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Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited factors in extending credit;
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Fair Credit Reporting Act, governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies;
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Fair Debt Collection Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies;
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the Biggert-Watters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012; and
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rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing such federal laws.
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In addition, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issues regulations and standards under these federal consumer protection laws that
affect our consumer businesses. These include regulations setting ability to repay and qualified mortgage standards for residential mortgage loans and mortgage loan servicing and originator compensation standards. Melrose
Cooperative Bank is evaluating recent regulations and proposals, and devotes significant compliance, legal and operational resources to compliance with consumer protection regulations and standards.
The operations of Melrose Cooperative Bank also are subject to the:
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Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records;
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Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E promulgated thereunder, which govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers rights and liabilities arising from the use of
automated teller machines and other electronic banking services;
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Check Clearing for the 21
st
Century Act (also known as Check 21), which gives substitute checks, such as digital check images and copies made
from that image, the same legal standing as the original paper check;
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The USA PATRIOT Act, which requires depository institution to, among other things, establish broadened anti-money laundering compliance programs, and due diligence policies and controls to ensure the detection and
reporting of money laundering. Such required compliance programs are intended to supplement existing compliance requirements that also apply to financial institutions under the Bank Secrecy Act and the Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations;
and
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The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which places limitations on the sharing of consumer financial information by financial institutions with unaffiliated third parties. Specifically, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires all
financial institutions offering financial products or services to retail customers to provide such customers with the financial institutions privacy policy and provide such customers the opportunity to opt out of the sharing of
certain personal financial information with unaffiliated third parties.
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Holding Company Regulation
General
.
Melrose Bancorp is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. As such,
Melrose Bancorp is registered with the Federal Reserve Board and is subject to regulations, examinations, supervision and reporting requirements applicable to bank holding companies. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board has enforcement authority
over Melrose Bancorp and its non-bank subsidiaries. Among other things, this authority permits the Federal Reserve Board to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to the subsidiary institution.
Permissible Activities.
Melrose Bancorp is subject to examination, regulation, and periodic reporting under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as administered by the Federal Reserve Board. Melrose Bancorp is required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire all, or substantially all, of the assets of any bank or bank holding company. Prior
Federal Reserve Board approval also is required for Melrose Bancorp to acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting securities of any bank or bank holding company if, after such acquisition, it would directly or indirectly own or
control more than 5% of any class of voting shares of the bank or bank holding company. In evaluating applications by holding companies to acquire depository institutions, the Federal Reserve Board must consider, among other things, the financial
and managerial resources and future prospects of the company and institutions involved, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the federal deposit insurance fund, the convenience and needs of the community and competitive factors. In addition
to the approval of the Federal Reserve Board, prior approval may also be necessary from other agencies having supervisory jurisdiction over the bank to be acquired before any bank acquisition can be completed.
A bank holding company is generally prohibited from engaging in non-banking activities, or acquiring direct or indirect control of more than
5% of the voting securities of any company engaged in non-banking activities. One of the principal exceptions to this prohibition is for activities found by the Federal Reserve Board to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling
banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Some of the principal activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined by regulation to be so closely related to banking are: (i) making or servicing loans; (ii) performing certain data
processing services; (iii) providing discount brokerage services; (iv) acting as fiduciary, investment or financial advisor; (v) leasing personal or real property; (vi) making investments in corporations or projects designed
primarily to promote community welfare; and (vii) acquiring a savings and loan association whose direct and indirect activities are limited to those permitted for bank holding companies. A bank holding company that meets certain criteria, such
as being well-capitalized and well-managed within the meaning of applicable regulations, may elect to become a financial holding company. Such an election allows a bank holding company to engage in a broader array of financial
activities, including insurance and investment banking.
Source of Strength.
The Dodd-Frank Act codified the source of
strength doctrine. The Federal Reserve Board has issued regulations requiring that all bank holding companies serve as a source of managerial and financial strength to their subsidiary banks by providing capital, liquidity and other support in
times of financial stress.
Dividends.
The Federal Reserve Board has issued a policy statement regarding the payment of
dividends and the repurchase of shares of common stock by bank holding companies. In general, the policy provides that dividends should be paid only out of current earnings and only if the prospective rate of earnings retention by the holding
company appears consistent with the organizations capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. Regulatory guidance provides for prior regulatory consultation with respect to capital distributions in certain circumstances such
as where the companys net income for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid over that period, is insufficient to fully fund the dividend or the companys overall rate or earnings retention is inconsistent with the
companys capital needs and overall financial condition. The ability of a bank holding company to pay dividends may be restricted if a subsidiary institution becomes undercapitalized. The policy statement also states that a bank holding company
should inform the Federal Reserve Board supervisory staff prior to redeeming or repurchasing common stock or perpetual preferred stock if the bank holding company is experiencing financial weaknesses or if the repurchase or redemption would result
in a net reduction, as of the end of a quarter, in the amount of such equity instruments outstanding compared with the beginning of the quarter in which the redemption or repurchase occurred. These regulatory policies may affect the ability of
Melrose Bancorp, Inc. to pay dividends, repurchase shares of common stock or otherwise engage in capital distributions.
Acquisition.
Under the Federal Change in Bank Control Act, a notice must be submitted to the Federal Reserve Board if any person
(including a company), or group acting in concert, seeks to acquire direct or indirect control of a bank holding company. Under certain circumstances, a change of control may occur, and prior notice is required, upon the acquisition of
10% or more of the companys outstanding voting stock, unless the Federal Reserve Board has found that the acquisition will not result in control of the company. A change in control definitively occurs upon the acquisition of 25% or more of the
companys outstanding voting stock. Under the Change in Bank Control Act, the Federal Reserve Board generally has 60 days from the filing of a complete notice to act, taking into consideration certain factors, including the financial and
managerial resources of the acquirer and the competitive effects of the acquisition.
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Massachusetts Holding Company Regulation.
Under the Massachusetts banking laws, a
company owning or controlling two or more banking institutions, including a co-operative bank, is regulated as a bank holding company. The term company is defined by the Massachusetts banking laws similarly to the definition of
company under the Bank Holding Company Act. Each Massachusetts bank holding company: (i) must obtain the approval of the Massachusetts Board of Bank Incorporation before engaging in certain transactions, such as the acquisition
of more than 5% of the voting stock of another banking institution; (ii) must register and file reports with the Massachusetts Commissioner of Bank; and (iii) is subject to examination by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks.
Federal Securities Laws
Melrose Bancorp
common stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Melrose Bancorp is subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Emerging Growth Company Status
The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the JOBS Act), which was enacted in April 2012, has made numerous changes to the federal
securities laws to facilitate access to capital markets. Under the JOBS Act, a company with total annual gross revenues of less than $1.0 billion during its most recently completed fiscal year qualifies as an emerging growth company.
Melrose Bancorp qualifies as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act.
An emerging growth company may choose not to hold
stockholder votes to approve annual executive compensation (more frequently referred to as say-on-pay votes) or executive compensation payable in connection with a merger (more frequently referred to as say-on-golden
parachute votes). An emerging growth company also is not subject to the requirement that its auditors attest to the effectiveness of the companys internal control over financial reporting, and can provide scaled disclosure regarding
executive compensation; however, Melrose Bancorp will also not be subject to the auditor attestation requirement or additional executive compensation disclosure so long as it remains a smaller reporting company under Securities and
Exchange Commission regulations (generally less than $75 million of voting and non-voting equity held by non-affiliates). Finally, an emerging growth company may elect to comply with new or amended accounting pronouncements in the same manner as a
private company, but must make such election when the company is first required to file a registration statement. Such an election is irrevocable during the period a company is an emerging growth company. Melrose Bancorp, Inc. has elected to comply
with new or amended accounting pronouncements in the same manner as a private company.
A company loses emerging growth company status on
the earlier of: (i) the last day of the fiscal year of the company during which it had total annual gross revenues of $1.0 billion or more; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year of the issuer following the fifth anniversary of the date of
the first sale of common equity securities of the company pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; (iii) the date on which such company has, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0
billion in non-convertible debt; or (iv) the date on which such company is deemed to be a large accelerated filer under Securities and Exchange Commission regulations (generally, at least $700 million of voting and non-voting equity
held by non-affiliates).
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 addresses, among other issues, corporate governance, auditing and accounting, executive compensation, and
enhanced and timely disclosure of corporate information. As directed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer will be required to certify that our quarterly and annual reports do not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact. The rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act have several requirements, including having these officers certify that: they are responsible for establishing, maintaining and
regularly evaluating the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; they have made certain disclosures to our auditors and the audit committee of the Board of Directors about our internal control over financial reporting; and
they have included information in our quarterly and annual reports about their evaluation and whether there have been changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could materially affect internal control over
financial reporting. We have implemented policies, procedures and systems designed to ensure compliance with these regulations.
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